Book Review: The Backup Princess

By Sara Steven

When a Texas gal punches a prince instead of curtsying, you know this isn't your grandmother's fairy tale.

Taking the bull by the horns is child's play compared to ruling Malveaux. Yet here I am, a Texas girl turned princess, swapping tacos for a tiara.

Then I meet Europe’s most eligible bachelor, the irritatingly handsome Prince Alexander, and accidentally deck him instead of curtsying.

Oops.

I’d feel bad if he wasn’t such a self-satisfied jerk.

Now, I'm racing against a royal clock that ticks with the urgency of a preening peacock, trying not to let down my newfound country or my own wild heart. Alexander? He's a walking contradiction, with a smirk that heats my blood and eyes that tell tales of a depth I didn't expect.

Decisions aren't exactly my rodeo, but this time, my choice could cost me my new crown—or lead to a love story that rewrites my happily ever after.

Will this Texas girl rise to the royal challenge, or is this one fairytale destined to end with the slipper never found? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

The Backup Princess is a super cute experience! Told in two perspectives, we get Maddie’s and Alexander’s viewpoints on not only what it’s like to continually get thrust into the world’s spotlight, but how they feel about each other. For Alexander, having your face splashed on the front page of various media outlets is nothing new. He’s had to deal with that his whole life. He’s also been categorized as a playboy who leaves a stream of women in his wake, but he knows there is a lot more to him than that. So much more. 

For Maddie, she’s new to the spotlight. She’s known from a young age that she comes from a pretty spectacular background, but a decision had been made to allow her to live a relatively “normal” existence, sans royalty. Now she’s given the opportunity to step into those shoes and do what must be done for her family, but she’s not sure if it’s the right place for her to be. It doesn’t make it any easier having to deal with Alexander. Neither of them got off on the right foot with one another, and she tries hard to fight against the budding rise of attraction she feels, despite the irritation he brings out in her, too. 

It seems at every turn, he’s there, waiting in the wings. Her family and Alexander’s family encourage good relations, but at what cost? Maddie doesn’t know if she can trust him, given all she’s heard and read about him in the papers and online. And Alexander doesn’t know if Maddie legitimately is there for good reasons, or if she’s only trying to make a name for herself. It’s obvious neither character really knows the other one, bogged down with a lot of misconceptions. They have to take the time to get to know one another and learn what’s beyond the rumors and assumptions. 

I like the opposites attract approach for Maddie and Alexander. It made the dialogue fun! They offer up some seriously witty banter, while they fight against the obvious attraction they have for one another. Reminiscent of the movie The Princess Diaries, Maddie has to determine if she can become more than the Texan girl who hasn’t really found herself or her place in the world yet. She doesn’t know if she has it in her to rule Malveaux, let alone her own life! On top of that, she’s not sure if she’s ready to fall in love with the world’s most eligible bachelor, but it’s exciting to find out along the way.  The Backup Princess had a lot of sweet chemistry, and it was a very engaging read!

Thanks to Kate O'Keeffe for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Kate O'Keeffe:

No More Bad Dates (Friends & Forevers series)

Dating Mr Darcy (Love Manor Romantic Comedy series)

Never Fall for Your Back-Up Guy (It's Complicated series)

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