By: Jenny Holiday
Blurb:
Leo Ricci’s already handling all he can, between taking care of his little sister Gabby, driving a cab, and being the super of his apartment building in the Bronx. But when Gabby spots a “princess” in a gown outside of the UN trying to hail a cab, she begs her brother to stop and help. Before he knows it, he’s got a real-life damsel in distress in the backseat of his car.
Princess Marie of Eldovia shouldn’t be hailing a cab, or even be out and about. But after her mother’s death, her father has plunged into a devastating depression and the fate of her small Alpine country has fallen on Marie’s shoulders. She’s taken aback by the gruff but devastatingly handsome driver who shows her more kindness than she’s seen in a long time.
When Marie asks Leo to be her driver for the rest of her trip, he agrees, thinking he’ll squire a rich miss around for a while and make more money than he has in months. He doesn’t expect to like and start longing for the unpredictable Marie. And when he and Gabby end up in Eldovia for Christmas, he discovers the princess who is all wrong for him is also the woman who is his perfect match.
Review:
I love watching Hallmark like Christmas movies. They aren’t “good” movies, and I don’t actually like them, but I love watching them. A Princess for Christmas is a Hallmark Christmas movie in book form. Which means it’s so much better than a movie. All my usual complaints with the holiday films are completely alleviated in this format. It was everything I could have asked for.
Princess Marie is a lovely person, inside and out. Even though she is the heir to the throne of Eldovia, she’s not a snob. She can be a bit nervous and compares herself to her mother a lot, but that’s where our hero comes into play.
Leo is just as lovely as Marie. He’s a bit gruff and very proud, but he’s an honorable man. He’s raising his sister after their parent’s death and has devoted himself to her. He quickly sees beyond Marie’s royal façade to the woman she is beneath and falls for her.
Like any good Hallmark Christmas movie, the issues that will arrive after the happily ever after are, at best, glossed over, which I like. The couple has a happily everything will be alright because we’re in love and together ending. Perfect.
Another trope that’s present is the child that warms the cold hearts of those around her. It’s a good trope, and Gabby played her role well. Leo and Marie also had their best friends who aided in the couple’s romance to a small degree. I’m looking forward to their inevitable romance.
All in all, I’m delighted that Ms. Holiday’s father is a huge Hallmark movie fan and inspired her to write this book. Now, if Netflix or another streaming service could bring it to movie form…
5/5
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