"His Convenient Royal Bride" was an excellent quick read. I enjoyed the fairy tale aspect of the plot, since many of us have at some time dreamed of being royalty or maybe rescued by a handsome prince. I also liked the feisty nature of the heroine in the story.

I did not like the ending, however. Without giving away the finale, I did not find the actions of the heroine at the end of the story to fit at all with her character throughout the story. She seemed to be a strong woman and capable of seeing through a situation. At the very least, I thought it more appropriate for her to discuss all that was happening with her husband. I wish the ending could have been rewritten.

Readers who like a fun, quick read would probably like this book. I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

His Convenient Royal Bride by Cara Colter was a sweet Cinderella style romance. Maddie Nelson has returned home after finding out her fiancé was cheating. Prince Edward needed some time away to decide what to do in regard to an arranged marriage when he meets Maddie. Though attracted to her, he attempts to fight it. As they spend time together, he decides they may be able to have a marriage of convenience. But as we know, not all things always go as plan. This was a quick and charming read with a bit of a push and pull romance.

Happy reading!

Good Cinderella story. Maddie left New York and her cheating fiancé behind and returned home to Mountain Bend to help a friend. Now she spends her days waiting tables, baking, and trying to find a way to keep her small town from dying. The café owner, Kettle, and the other waitress, Sophie, have become her family. The arrival of two handsome but mysterious men at the café throws her life into turmoil.

Edward is the prince of a small island country with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Besides the challenges of reviving the island's economy, he is caught in a marriage dilemma. Contracted to a neighboring princess since they were children, he has learned that she is in love with another man but will honor the contract if necessary. Edward came to the US to escape for a while, for a chance to feel normal, and perhaps find a way out of the marriage so that someone can be happy.

I enjoyed the scene in the café when Edward and Maddie met. Sophie was funny, yet frustrating, in her bubbly forwardness, as Maddie tried to rein her in. I loved seeing Lancaster have to eat his words about Maddie's scones. But mostly I loved the instant connection between Maddie and Ward. He wants Maddie to spend time with him and is a bit flustered when she resists, not used to being told no. I liked seeing the way that both of them loosened up as they enjoyed the hot springs. Maddie is feisty and doesn't hold back her opinions and thoughts. His invitation to attend the concert with him unsettled Maddie, but she wanted to break out of the box she'd put herself in. The first part of the concert was great, and both of them lost themselves in their enjoyment of the music. Matters became complicated when Ward was recognized, and Lancaster had to get them out of there. I ached for Maddie and her feelings of betrayal as she learned the truth about Ward, and laughed out loud at her reaction as she melted away into the crowd to escape him. Ward earned points from me when he insisted on checking to be sure she made it home. I loved seeing him gather his courage and determination to see her and explain. He stunned himself and Maddie when he proposed a marriage of convenience to help him with his dilemma in exchange for his help with the town's problems.

I loved the development of Maddie and Ward's relationship. Though they went into it as a business contract, it was clear that there were already feelings between them. Ward is firmly convinced that love is not in his future as he has no idea what it is. Maddie believes that she can keep from falling for Ward. But the more she gets to know him, the more she sees the lonely man under the princely façade and wants to change it. Ward is fascinated and intrigued by Maddie's feistiness and down to earth attitude. The more that he wants to be with her, the harder he works to maintain his distance, knowing that she will leave. He also believes that he is no good for her and that keeping her with him would hurt her in the long run. Maddie refuses to give up on him, and slowly works her way past his walls. But an unexpected complication causes her to question her future with him. Can she stay with a man she loves with all her heart when there's only a business contract in return? I hurt for Maddie and her heartache over her belief that Ward didn't care. Ward's misery when Maddie disappeared was intense, as was his desperation to find her. His big moment at the end was deeply emotional as he bared his fears and feelings. Maddie's response was perfect and a life-changing realization for both of them. The epilogue was terrific. I would love to see if something develops between Sophie and Lancaster.

This is one of those stories where people are either going to love it, or hate it. It was a cute story-line, after all who doesn't a love a small town girl to Princess love story? It was also a quick read, the kind that is perfect for the beach or a rainy day.

However, for me at least, this story just didn't work. It was an okay enough read when it was just Ward and Maddie getting to know each other. But when they became husband and wife is when the story started falling apart. They went into their marriage thinking of it more in terms of a business arrangement - but then sparks fly when they kiss. Believable sure.

What isn't believable is when Prince Edward begins to ignore and avoid her causing Maddie to throw herself into re-decorating their castle apartments (the ones the staff has suddenly been banned from because that's not suspicious or all). They have little to no interaction, and when they do he's cold to her. There is no chance for their relationship to develop. In fact, I stopped even seeing any chemistry between them when they did talk.

So of course when suddenly they start sleeping together we are lead to believe that they have fallen in love. When I still don't buy that they even really know each other. A little drama occurs, the make up and ride off into the sunset.

As I said, it will work for a lot of people. And a lot of people will love this story. I just wish there was more depth to it. More to the characters, and definitely more to their story. I would however give this author another chance.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

His Convenient Royal Bride started off a little slow for me, but I am very happy I didn't give up on this book. Maddie moves back to her home town after a failed relationship. She is working and helping Kettle's cafe stay open, She is trying to help her small town, that is slowing loosing the people who live there.

Prince Edward meets Maddie at the Cafe, while she was working. They seem to have an immediate chemistry. He is in Maddie's town to attend a concert with his security
guard and friend Lancaster. They end up spending time together and their relationship really grows.

Edward offer's Maddie a deal, she couldn't refuse. It would save him from a situation he was stuck in and help Maddie save her small town. But with a chemistry so deep, what would happen after a year....

Fantastic story line, I loved the chemistry between all the characters. Overall well written.

ARC was provided by Netgalley for a honest review.

His Convenient Royal Bride was a fun, sweet romance between two total opposites. Maddie is avoiding relationships, working hard to help her friend, Kettle's cafe stay afloat, and trying to figure out a way to save her small town. The people there are struggling to find a way to keep the town from disappearing when people keep moving because there are no jobs in the area. She has quit her great job in New York and come back to her hometown to help her friend who was recently injured and needed help in his cafe. She has made a family with the other waitress, Sophie, and the cafe owner, Kettle.

Prince Edward is on vacation traveling across the United States. He is in Maddie's town to attend an open-air concert for his favorite band. He visits the cafe with his security person, and pretty much, best friend, Lancaster. Edward is drawn to Maddie but he is pretty much in the middle of a mess where he is trying to withdraw from an arranged marriage by proposing to an actress he knows in California with a plan of coming back to his country in temporary marriage. Things get very convoluted when he finds himself in need of a convenient bride again before he heads home to Havenhurst. He has a way of helping Maddie save her town and Kettle's cafe if she is willing to help him. What transpires is a quirky, fun romance that I enjoyed. Review can also be seen at Lady Techie's Book Musings http://LadyTechiesbookmusings.blogspot.com