This book gets a 3-star rating because I didn’t hate it, but it didn’t do anything for me, either. It took me a long time to read because I was busy, but also because I got interested in other books. The characters’ inner monologues were very repetitive, and there really wasn’t anything about Eliza that made me think she was a great heroine. She spoke her mind and didn’t give proper deference to the prince because she was viewed as a spinster and didn’t feel as constricted by the rules of society, but that’s the only thing that made her special, and the main reason Sebastian fell for her. I didn’t feel connected to either of their characters, and the death of the man that brought them into each other’s paths was more of a background plot that was used just to make sure the two of them got to keep meeting. Hollis and Caro, Eliza’s sister and friend, were really annoying to me; they seemed shallow.
My favorite character was Eliza’s dad, the judge, so that says something about this unfortunately.

This was a fun and flirty royal romance with a splash of Mystery. I’ve read a couple books lately about Royals and I’m thinking I’m just fine being a commoner! I certainly wouldn’t want all these rules and restrictions, although they seem to have loosened up a little as of late. But I also wouldn’t want people all up in my business either. This was the story of Eliza A smart and sassy 20 something year old, and the daughter of a judge. Eliza was thrilled as can be just to meet a prince and was willing to go out of her way to do so when she was invited to a royal event. Sebastion is the prince of a made up nation and first in line to the throne of said nation. He is in England to meet a wife and cement a treaty agreement. This book was about two people who are unsuited for one another meeting and trying to ignore their strong attraction.

I was thoroughly entertained by the story. Eliza was such a great character there was something about her that was so refreshing. Sebastion wasn’t too bad, and he definitely grew on me over the course of the book. Their connection was very sweet, there was some steam, but for the most part this was pretty closed door. The Mystery added another layer to this engaging story. The one thing I could see people being a little disappointed in is this is a historical romance and I don’t think the historical part was emphasize. I mean they wore corsets and drove in buggy’s, but other than that this probably could’ve been set in present day. Didn’t bother me, but I could see it not working for other people.

This book in emojis 👑 🏰 📰 ✒️

*** Big thanks to HQN for my copy of this book ***

This was a middle of the road read for me. I liked it but didn't love it and I originally thought the plot had a lot of potential but unfortunately it wasn't ever fully realized. I was enthused by the concept ideas of prince and commoner, being torn between duty and desire and a story filled with mystery and romance but the actual storyline was mediocre at best. An initial spark when you are first introduced to these characters and them to each other quickly fizzles with every new interaction or action they take. In the end you are just left slowly plodding through a read that is burdened by truly unlikable characters that make an unenjoyable couple and a storyline that demands you suspend reality. So for me, not awful but not great either.

MY THOUGHTS

The story started off good but at some point, it went downhill and I started not even caring for the characters.

I wish i liked it more because I do usually love Julia London's books a lot but this one just didn't do it for me at all.

I give this 2 out of 5.

Ok so when I finished, I closed the book and said out loud “OMG I absolutely loved that!” I swear to you I really did. Its not your typical historical romance, if that’s what you are looking for, and that is probably why I liked it so much. This book is sheer craziness when it comes to genre. Its got romance, history, mystery, and a little bit of snark. What would you call it? Histmyst romcom? Yeah, that’s what I’m going with. I think I just made a new genre.

So in a nutshell, Eliza Tricklebank, spinster and local gossip paper writer and her widowed sister gain the opportunity to go to the masquerade ball at the palace honoring the visiting Prince Sebastian from Alucia. The Prince is visiting on business and also to look for a bride to make good political connections. Let’s just say while in costumes and hiding from sight at the ball, Sebastian and Eliza have an unexpected encounter, unaware of each others social status. (oh la la)

As the night progresses, Sebatians personal secretary is murdered, and a comment in the next days gossip paper leads him to Eliza’s father who is a Judge. Let’s just say when Sebastian and Eliza meet again their personalities don’t exactly mesh well, and they get off on the wrong foot. What progresses is a very odd relationship in order to solve who murdered the secretary. You can probably guess from there that these two are totally infatuated with each other, and we get to watch this fun oddball romance bloom.

This book was like Veronica Mars meets Mr. Darcy. I felt like 2 worlds colided and I ablsolutely loved it (see exclaimed comment above). It was fun, had some Scooby Doo Mystery solving to it, had some snarky laughs, and had some spicy romance to tie it all together. (I doubt you’ll ever see that with Fred and Daphne, so I’d stick with this book). I really enjoyed this, honestly. It just was an enjoyable read for me. I absolutely have to give it 5 stars because I devoured it in a day and it made me smile, heck I’m still smiling.

Crown Prince Sebastian of Alucia visits London in 1845 to negotiate a trade agreement and a marriage contract. Eliza Tricklebank, spinster, lives with her father and helps her sister write Honeycutt's Gazette of Fashion and Domesticity for Ladies. Eliza cannot believe that she has managed to meet a prince and actually speak to him, but her life is forever altered once she opens and reads a note sent to her father. The note speaks of a connection within the Alucian contingency to the murder of an aide to the Prince and Eliza submits the note to the Gazette. The reference brings the prince to her home but this first meeting does not end well, but does pique the interest of the prince in Eliza.

Overall, this is an entertaining tale and enlists humor and honor to bring together the Prince and the unlikely Spinster. Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.

An enchanting, addictive and magical Victorian romance spiced with passion, desire, danger and murder, The Princess Plan is a wonderfully witty and immensely enjoyable historical tale from Julia London.

Miss Eliza Tricklebank normally smells of old books and court papers and spends her days looking after her aged father and working on the gossip gazette she runs with her sister, she is certainly never invited to Kensington Palace for a masked ball. But thanks to an old family friend, Eliza finds herself rubbing shoulders with the great and the good at a ball given for the visiting Prince Sebastian of Alucia. Eliza cannot believe her luck and she is determined to enjoy every minute of this wonderful treat. Having already had her heart smashed to pieces in the past, Eliza is not looking for romance. She is perfectly content with her life and does not plan to give up her freedom or her independence for any man – not even for a prince…

In England to secure a trade deal and to find a suitable noble bride to allay his father’s fears about his accession to the throne, the burden of duty and responsibility lies heavily upon Sebastian’s shoulders. Well aware that he must return to Alucia with a bride, Sebastian is not exactly fussed about the woman he will be sharing his life with. Like his parents, Sebastian assumes that he will end up marrying a woman he will not love nor see much of who will allow him to lead his own life and be by his side for state occasions. All Sebastian needs is to marry a woman of noble birth and suitable connections, so the last thing he expects is to find his head turned by a contrary, infuriating and aggravating woman he simply cannot stop thinking about: Miss Eliza Tricklebank.

While Eliza cannot deny that the Prince is attractive, romance is the last thing on her mind – especially when Sebastian’s personal secretary is found murdered! With her gazette getting an anonymous tip, Eliza is determined to uncover whatever she can about this salacious murder that has shocked polite society to its core, however, she is certainly not the only one who wants to discover the truth about the secretary’s death. Sebastian will leave no stone unturned until he uncovers who killed his secretary – and with Eliza seeming to have so much information at her disposal, joining forces proves inevitable. However, neither one of them is prepared for the flame of attraction that sizzles between them.

Sebastian knows that commoner Eliza is as far removed from the Alucian kingdom’s idea of the perfect bride as it is possible to get. But the more time he spends with her, the more he finds himself falling for her. Torn between duty to the crown and his heart’s desire, what will Sebastian do? Will he choose his country over the woman he has grown to love? Or will he realize that the only woman he wants by his side for the rest of his life is Miss Eliza Tricklebank?

An absolutely magical fairy tale romance that made me laugh and cry and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, The Princess Plan is sheer reading delight from beginning to end. Julia London is on top form in this irresistible tale that is sprinkled with humor, charm, suspense and delicious romance. A book that will make readers laugh out loud on many an occasion, The Princess Plan is a tale of opposites falling in love with one another with scores of appeal readers will not be able to put down.

Eliza is an absolute delight. She is intelligent, funny, caring and compassionate and somebody readers would love to have as a best friend and Sebastian is a gorgeous brooding hero who is impossible to resist.

Julia London knocks it out of the park with her latest historical romance, The Princess Plan, a fabulous read that is far too good to miss.

The Princess Plan by Julia London is the First book in A Royal Wedding Series. This is the story of Prince Sebastian of Alucia and Eliza Tricklebank. Sebastian is intrigued when Eliza and her family may know what happened to his personal secretary ends up dead. Eliza is all about solving the mystery of what happen to the assistant. This brings her closer to Sebastian when they start working together toward solving the mystery.
This was a good mystery romance book Although I did find Sebastian to not be to perfect in my perfect leading man selection. But overall I enjoyed this book.

What a delightful read! Eliza is considered a spinster way past her prime. Because of this, she doesn't care what anyone else thinks about her, including a Prince. He's obnoxious and arrogant! Imagine the nerve of insulting her in her own home! It makes her so angry, she throws him out! Prince Sebastian is enraged by this shrieking, common woman! Who does she think she is?!? To bad he needs her help to figure out who murdered his most trusted friend. I love the antagonistic behavior between these two! Very entertaining story!

Eliza and Sebastian’s story is an unusual, emotional and moving tale in The Princess Plan by Julia London, book one in A Royal Wedding. Prince Sebastian of Alucia is visiting London and being single has all of high society interested in finding him the perfect match. When his closest friend and personal secretary is found murdered it’s the only thing everyone can talk about, including spinster Eliza Tricklebank. Eliza assists her widowed sister publishing a gossip gazette. When an anonymous tip about the crime is sent to Eliza and published in her gazette, Sebastian decides to play detective with Eliza’s help. In the meantime, Sebastian has a trade deal on the line and mounting pressure to find a secure noble bride, yet he would rather spend time with a commoner, Eliza finding the killer. Eliza is not one to bend to the demands of others. I loved that about her as did Sebastian. He was so used to everyone bowing to him and not questioning him that spending time with Eliza and her obstinate manner was not just frustrating but also attractive. As things between Sebastian and Eliza heat up, behind closed doors, he must decide what to do; meet the demands of his country or his heart.

Ms. London wrote a wonderful, emotional story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sexual chemistry, amusing banter, and endearing characters giving Eliza and Sebastian’s a chance at love, happiness, and a future together. I love how Sebastian schemed to make it possible for Eliza to marry him. I highly recommend The Princess Plan to other readers and look forward to reading the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

The Princess Plan, by Julia London, is available at booksellers on 11-19-19. As the start of a new series it sets the tone for others to come. I will expect witty, adventurous, and romantic, just as with book one. I'm so use to reading about a duke or earl that a prince was unusual and fresh. That said, I hope the next book is about a certain intriguing brother who is not a duke. Actually there are two intriguing brothers so give me either one. Historical romance fans, suspend your belief in our accepted view of the ton. Our couple, and those around them, are very modern in their thinking and actions. Made it fun for me to read.

Miss Eliza Tricklebank is a 28 year old spinster who lives with her blind father. Not an unusual plot theme but she's very bold, opiniated, accepting of her lot in life. She also isn't nagged constantly about marrying to save herself when dad dies. No one is threatening to ship her off to take care of a distant aunt. I liked this about the story but it's also unbelievable. That she meets a prince is unbelievable but she surely does. It's not a bad life but, she's stopped thinking about what might have been. Until a certain prince sparks a burning desire. Ms London has made her brave & bold enough to reach for the brass ring.

Crown Prince Sebastian of Alucia is also resigned to his fate. I automatically like a hero named Sebastian, it's my favorite name. Being next in line for the thrown is not what you'd expect. He's drawn to Eliza, she doesn't give a hoot that he's a prince. Way out of his experience, everyone else bows & scrapes. He's entitled, rude, lonely, and bored out of his mind. He changes direction about halfway through the book and things really start to move toward a HEA. His solution is a bit wrong but hey, we've suspended our belief. An English daughter of a baron is not a "lady", it's The Honorable" We serious fans tend to be judgmental about such things, but please let it go. The story works, they get a HEA, everyone is happy. Including me. Happy reading

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#ThePrincessPlan #ARoyalWedding #JuliaLondon #Netgalley #Harlequin #Historicalromance

4.5 The princess plan was a book that I dove blindly into it. Ir's a romance with a mystery subplot that keeps it flowing rather nicely. The romance is good, it's realistic and not insta. In face, the prince barely remember our heroine after their first meeting. But, their character development is done so well. You are able to falling love with them while also trying to solve a mystery.


However, my favorite part of the book is the friendship between the heroine, her sister and their best friend. It was refreshing to see them not be so stiff as some characters are in historical romances but rather as young girls who have a ton of energy and want to rule the world. These are women who throw out the common labels that were put on them during the time period and turn those norms on their heads. Eliza, Hollis and Caroline were a delight and I hope we see more of the other two in the serie

THE PRINCESS PLAN (A Royal Wedding #1) by Julia London is the first book in a new historical romance series. A Cinderella styled romance with a mystery subplot.

Prince Sebastian of Alucia is in London to officially close a trade deal with England as well as secure a noble bride. The morning after a masked ball, the personal secretary and most trusted friend of the Prince is found murdered in his bed.

Every tongue in London is wagging, but no one seems to know who is responsible. Prince Sebastian is told that a ladies’ gossip and fashion gazette has printed a rumor implicating a member of his entourage. He and his brother seek out the author.

Eliza Tricklebank is a spinster firmly on the shelf after a scandal in her youth. She lives with and assists her blind father who is a judge on the Queen’s bench. With her widowed sister, Hollis and their best friend, Carolyn, the three produce the gazette the princes seek.

Prince Sebastian does not know what to make of this commoner who has no regard to his status, but he is also intrigued. Sebastian finds Eliza frustrating, but also helpful in his quest. As they work together to uncover a killer, their attraction grows. As everything comes to a head, Sebastian will have to choose between his country or his heart.

I enjoyed Sebastian and Eliza and their banter. I also enjoyed Eliza with her sister and friend as the three always supported each other. I did feel that this story had some problems with being in the historical genre and would have been better suited in a more modern setting. No matter how enlightened, I had to suspend historical belief on the way Eliza dealt with the Prince, also at a ball when Eliza ran into the man who caused her young scandal because he was with his pregnant wife, which in no way would happen; women stayed at home when pregnant.

This is a fun, fluffy and fast read, but not my favorite by this author.

Eliza Tricklebank was once the picture of the demure, polite young lady. But her heart was broken by a cad who spoke of love and marriage while courting and marrying a woman with large purse strings. Now Eliza is content to run her father’s household and help her sister with her popular lady’s gossip gazette. When a foreign prince visits London in search of a trade agreement and an English bride, the gossip mills run overtime, especially after the prince’s personal secretary is found murdered!

Prince Sebastian of Alucia is tired of being in the spotlight and doing what is best for his country when it isn’t best for him, yet he’ll always perform his duty with a smile on his face. When the brash Miss Tricklebank enters into his life with information about his secretary’s death, he is drawn into solving the murder - with Eliza’s help. And soon Sebastian finds that he can’t focus on anything but Eliza.

The Princess Plan is a wonderful romance with a touch of whodunit mystery, bringing together two very unlikely people. At first, the Prince is very much the arrogant aristocrat, not even remembering his introduction to Eliza at a ball. He isn’t unkind, but he knows where he fits into society, and she is just a commoner. But it’s her bold ways - she kicks him out of her house! - that makes her memorable, and after Sebastian gets over the shock, he realizes she is kind, honest, and trustworthy. He really doesn’t have anyone to turn to, so he relies on Eliza as a confident. She is so open and true that it doesn’t phase her to befriend the prince, and she knows there can never be an offer of marriage, so she accepts him for who he is as a man.

As the story progresses, the pair begin to develop a true and meaningful secret relationship. But it is Sebastian who falls head-over-heels. He not only desires her, but truly esteems and loves her - all of her, and it eats him up that he cannot marry her. It’s all-consuming, which in turn caused heartbreak and pain for Eliza. Their plight tugged at my heart-strings, and I could feel their anguish Their romance is genuine and passionate, and I cried along side both as they accept the truth they cannot be together. But, this is an HEA romance, and I’ll just let you know… things do work out in the end!

Ms. London has written a Prince for all ages. One that is kind and generous and wants more than arm candy. One who realizes real friendship and love when it falls upon him. One that values true inner-beauty, but understands his position. I love how desperate he is for Eliza, how she’s ruined him without even trying.

As the story culminates, the confrontation and confirmation of who the murderer is and what the ultimate plans were takes place off page. At first I was a bit frustrated with that, but then realized it worked better that way. While the story revolves around a murder mystery, ultimately, this is a romance and the story of two people falling in love. The murder is the catalyst for their friendship and ultimately a deep love. The details of who, what, and why are needed for closure, but more important is the impact of what happened on the pair’s relationship.

The Princess Plan is a sweeping romance with all the feels. I was wrapped up in Sebastian and Eliza’s story and loved almost every minute of it.

My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot

When Eliza Tricklebank receives an anonymous tip about who murdered the secretary of the visiting Prince Sebastian of Alucia she doesn’t hesitate to print it in her gazette. When Sebastian shows up on her door wanting to follow up on that tip Eliza doesn’t act deferential, instead treating him like an ordinary man, and sends him on his way after chastising him for his rude behavior. This doesn’t deter Sebastian, in fact, it intrigues him. When he shows up again to apologize they decide to pursue the investigation together, the tension between them quickly turning from irritation to friendship.

When I read the synopsis for The Princess Plan for some reason I thought it was a modern romance. So, imagine my surprise when I realized this was a historical. Our heroine, Eliza is not your typical historical woman. She’s “on the shelf” at 29 and because of that status doesn’t give a hoot how she’s perceived in society. This gives her character a modern edge that makes her extremely likable. I couldn’t help rooting for her to become his future bride.

The murder takes place at the start of the book and the intrigue and investigation set a fast pace for this romance. Our prince is not just in London for fun, he’s actually trying to complete a trade negotiation as well as find a bride to bring back home to Alucia. The murder of his closest friend allows the reader to see the lonely life of this prince. The contrast to Eliza’s “normal” upbringing, as well as her cheekiness, makes her an irresistible candidate but they of course have obstacles to overcome. I won’t spoil how this is accomplished, but it makes for a fun novel to read! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

The plot of this book could have been perfect for an operetta, the XIX century version of a musical, and Franz Lehar or Gilbert&Sullivan works would be the perfect soundtrack to this fun read.
There're a lot of common elements: the fantasy countries, the prince who's looking for a wife, a woman out the box.
It's an enjoyable, engrossing and entertaining read that made laugh, root for the characters and kept me hooked till the last page.
Eliza is a great characters, she's a strong willed and independent woman who thinks outside of the box. Sebastian is a bit more stiff but he's an interesting character.
I liked the character development as the cast of characters is well thought and fleshed out.
The plot mixes romance, historical fiction and some mystery and it''s both gripping and fun.
I liked the historical background but, as this plot reminds me of an operetta, I wasn't expecting anything that reflects the real life of the Victorian era.
I'm more than happy that I read this book and I will surely read other works by Ms London as I liked her style of writing.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to HQN and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

There comes a time in every woman’s life when she stops giving a stuff what anyone thinks about her, and for Eliza Tricklebank, that time has come. At 28 years old in the Victorian era, without high connections or a large dowry, she’s firmly into spinster territory and she’s decided she’s going to savour the freedom brought by not caring. So when she has a few glasses (too many) of rum punch at a ball and gets the chance to meet a foreign prince, she seizes the day. She never expects to see him again, but strange circumstances conspire - Eliza’s gossip magazine unwittingly comes into a very important piece of information and Sebastian seeks her out.

There’s an utterly fabulous scene where Sebastian finds himself a fish out of water in Eliza’s very ordinary home and he manages to offend her by being officious and, well, royal, and she throws him out on his ear. It’s just perfection and I was giggling so hard by the end of it; it’s no surprise Sebastian can’t stop thinking about Eliza as being absolutely unlike anyone else he’s ever met.

Of course, being a prince, he’s under all sorts of obligations and expectations, not least of which is to make an advantageous marriage to a titled, wealthy, connected Englishwoman. Eliza qualifies on no counts at all, yet the heart wants what it wants. I won’t spoil the ending (though you can probably guess, this being a romance and me not having lost my temper) save to say it’s not completely beyond the bounds of belief, even if it is rather far-fetched.

Eliza is a breath of fresh air, as a heroine; her decisions to tell the truth and stuff the consequences are courageous, and considering where it leads her, inspiring. I really enjoyed this read and look forward to the rest of the series - hopefully Sebastian’s brother Leopold is next to get his own story! Five stars!

The Princess Plan by Julia London
Posted on November 21, 2019 by Margaret McGaffey Fisk

This is a lovely historical romance with all the wonder of Cinderella alongside the firm independence of a Victorian woman who thought herself safely beyond the troubles of marriage. Her independence is not that of a modern woman but rather true to the Victorian Era in which she devotes herself to her father’s care and assistance. She also helps him with his work as a justice on the Queen’s Bench without getting the credit she’s due from the other legal authorities. because she’s female, evidence of her clever mind for all she is not recognized as such by any but her father.

Toss in a wish to have some adventures in her otherwise quiet life, an Alucian prince forced to seek an English bride with ties to Parliament, and the murder of a trusted secretary to get a wild romp with both tender and painful moments. Miss Eliza Tricklebank, along with her sister and their best friend, becomes an intrepid investigator who has no business looking into something as horrible as a murder. But she’s observant and clever. Even drunk on her first taste of rum punch and dazed by an unexpected royal encounter, she sees more than she should have, including the moment of Sebastian’s greatest regret. He turned aside his secretary in favor of quenching carnal urges with a random widow, never to know what the man would have told him.

Sebastian has no idea how to deal with this woman who draws him with her upfront nature and her gift for seeing what others ignore. He should be offended. He’s been raised to the deference of everyone around him, but Eliza will have none of it, even going so far as to toss him out to the street when he attempts to impose his royal demands. Instead, he returns as much for her company as the insights she might hold, and that’s before he kisses her. Together and apart, they struggle with pieces and explore educated guesses to uncover what led to the death of the only one Sebastian’s been able to trust…until meeting Eliza.

In case you can’t tell, I very much enjoyed coming to know Crown Prince Sebastian and Eliza, a self-proclaimed spinster, along with the larger cast of interested parties. There is a touch of culture clash between Sebastian’s expectations and Eliza’s behavior, but also with Eliza’s position as her father’s assistant. Add in both amusing foibles and endearing moments to round off this Victorian tale.

The dry wit and commentary rather than a more active tone throughout is a perfect blend of Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen despite a more modern presentation of open-door sex scenes. Even there, though, the narrative voice maintains a period feel while the content and wording are well within the lines of historical accuracy. The same is true for the squealing eagerness with which Eliza’s sister and best friend receive the hints Eliza shares about her early encounters with the prince, going far beyond the single meeting she’d sought to round out her quiet existence.

There’s a bit more clothing description than I prefer, but I found much of it amusing in how the clothes revealed the character of those wearing such and skimmed when not. Nor is the mystery given short shrift. There’s good seeding for the observant reader, and a few red herrings to lead you astray, while it serves to bring the main characters together until they have other reasons to drive them.

Sebastian might need to shed layers of arrogance, but Eliza has as many preconceptions before the romance comes together in a clever resolution that lives up to the idea of no obstacle too great with true love on the line. This treatment, with its focus on the people and their relationships rather than the horrid aspects of betrayal and murder, is exactly the tonic I was looking for when I selected this book. Julia London delivers it in spades.

P.S. I received this ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I had a hard time with this one. Which is odd because usually I really love this author's books. But this one-I just couldn't get into. The story itself wasn't bad, the writing itself was, per usual, great. I just struggled with connecting with the characters. Eliza was just ok for me unfortunately. I felt like she was almost trying too hard at times. And I just didn't really care for her. Sebastian was a little more likable for me but I still felt like there was a disconnect and I am not 100% sure why. Like I said, the story itself wasn't bad but there almost felt like there was 2 stories going at once rather one story with a more complex plot. All in all-I will probably still read the next book in this series and hope it is better than this one. And I may even go back and read this one again at a later date and see if it hits me better than it did this time.

Julia London has done it again. I love every single thing about this book and couldn't put it down!!!