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!!!

No planned princess here!

I really enjoyed the Tricklebank household. The maid who sits and has tea with her mistress. The mistress who mends clocks, the father who knits, the houseman Ben who is definately not the butler--much to the shock of both the Princes when he refuses to take their hats. No wonder the Prince Sebastian is confused, what with the daughter of the house, Eliza, who is a somewhat outspoken spinster (I could just imagine the scene when she discovered years early at a dinner party that the rogue who'd been paying his addresses to her had become engaged to someone else), the widowed daughter Hollis, who has turned her husband's political paper into a gossip and advice rag, and Judge Tricklebank who's blind and obviously supports his daughters independence, mostly!
So we have the very precious Prince Sebastian seeking trade alliances (and casting around for an English wife to sweeten the pot), a possible looming war, his murdered secretary and really a host of other happenings. Sebastian is a Prince of Consequence who is initially shocked by the outspoken Eliza.
I must admit that sometimes the various tropes seem to crowd each other out. Is this a part Cinderella story combined with a murder mystery, along with a political thriller?
Occasionally my thoughts flashed onto The Mouse that Roared when I thought of the Kingdom of Alucia surrounded by powerful nations. Although given the times and what is going on politically for the tiny Kingdom, I'm way off the mark and Alucia might be more akin to The Mouse that Sqeaked.
One might have to suspend belief over various background details. Let's face it, this is romantic fiction with an emphasis on 'fiction', that puts together Victorian times, political maneuvering, murder and romance, with a generous dash of humor. Do all that and you have an enjoyable read.

A Harlequin ARC via NetGalley

Being a huge Julia London fan, I really wanted to love this book. It is the first in a new series, and held tons of promise - I just don't think it delivered enough.

The Tricklebank sisters - and their friend Lady Caroline - are delightful. They're independent thinkers who refuse to go along with society norms, and long for more than their supposed lot in life - ie home & family. These ladies, and their associated side characters, are the highlight of the book for me.

On the other hand are the Alucian delegation. I did not find Sebastian to be very likable, and his character arc felt almost forced. By comparison, I felt is brother, Leopold, was much more interesting, and I hope there's a story for him in this series.

The plot was pretty typical, although I thought Eliza and Sebastian fell into bed a bit soon. The love scenes felt a little lacking as a result - there just wasn't enough of a build up to make their finally coming together seem steamy or inevitable.

Overall, this is a solid start to the series, and I look forward to seeing where it goes from here.

<i>The Princess Plan</i> pits a spinster mostly removed from society with a visiting Prince. It was an unlikely pairing, but for me, it rather worked. The reason their paths cross and tangle made sense. While it wasn’t perfect, I enjoyed the story and romance overall.

Sebastian is in England to hopefully secure a trade deal for his troubled fictional nation. He is also on the search for an British bride to further strengthen that connection. Eliza the daughter of a blind judge who helps with his correspondence. She experienced an youthful indiscretion based on false promises that was a bit of a scandal, so she leads a mostly quiet life, with close companions in her widowed sister and aristocratic cousins.

The Prince and Eliza meet anonymously at a masked ball. Eliza, who rarely attends such events, is having a “when in Rome” type of night — overindulging on rum punch and flirting with handsome strangers. Sebastian is having a more tedious night. His position means constant scrutiny and suspicion of most around him. When one of the few people that he trusts ends up murdered that night, his path crosses with Eliza’s again, when it turns out that she is unexpectedly well-situated to help investigate. Sebastian starts out as rather overbearing and self-centered, but I think that can be expected for a Prince who is heir to a throne. Eliza has a fair amount of freedom and does not feel the need to cater to a rude prince. They find common ground in their isolation and loneliness.

This story was a slower pace, which suited me. It had character growth, and didn’t make light of the obstacles between the two leads. They live in the moment with no real hope for a future and the solution to give them a future is cleverly done. I seem to be a bit of a lone wolf among my friends in liking this one, but nevertheless I did.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide an honest review.

Great story! Very much a Cinderella tale. I mean who doesn't love a story about a regular girl and a prince. This is a book to be read for pure enjoyment. Loved the main characters, Sebastian and Eliza. Eliza is funny, quirky, and so honest and Sebastian was a lot more reserved and kind of jaded. When the two connect the unlikely pair seem to barely tolerate each other, but a murder mystery and Eliza's curious nature aids them in seeing each other for who they really are and becomes a fun ride for the reader. Add in some great secondary characters and this book gifts the reader with lots of funny banter and a beautiful slightly angsty, but very enjoyable romance.

3.5 stars! The Princess Plan was an adorable, enjoyable read. Eliza and Sebastian were the kind of bantery, will-they-won’t-they, forbidden couple that I love. I really liked watching their relationship grow from tentative friendship to love. Sassy Eliza was so different from anyone that Sebastian knew, and I loved that about her - that she was different. It didn’t bother her one bit. Eliza knew just who she was, and owned her quirkiness. Sebastian was an arrogant, pampered prince, but Eliza wasn’t impressed, saw beyond the facade, and got to know the real him. There was just the right amount of angst and swoony chemistry between these two. And the murder mystery! It was more of a secondary plot, but I enjoyed seeing Eliza and Sebastian work together to figure out whodunnit, and the mystery kept me intrigued enough throughout. Julia’s writing style left a pretty constant smile on my face. It was incredibly engaging. I even laughed out loud a few times. All in all, I would definitely recommend The Princess Plan if you’re a lover of charming reads and royal romance!

The Princess Plan is the first in a new Royal Wedding series. In this first book, Eliza is runs a gossip paper with her sister. When she publishes an anonymous tip about the Prince of Alucia's friend's murder, she never dreamt it would bring the Prince to her doorstep. I thought this was a sweet and fun historical romance. I will admit to not really liking Sebastian in the beginning. But he quickly grew on me. I loved Eliza and Sebastian's friendship. That was really refreshing. I also LOVED what he did for her in the end. What a great way to wrap up their love story. The other characters rounded out the story nicely and added some comic relief. I am looking forward to reading the next book!

A Royal Wedding Book One.

Eliza Tricklebank, the daughter of Judge Tricklebank, has caught the attention of Prince Sebastian of Alucia due to her father's supposed ownership of the gazette that posted information about the death of Sebastian's friend, Matous. Eliza's sister's paper, under the name of Judge Tricklebank, published the idea that Matous's death was perpetrated by one of Sebastian's own people, instead of an Englishman. Sebastian is determined to find the murderer by any means necessary, and Eliza is determined to prove that she is as capable as a man. Together, they set out to uncover the plot behind the murder, but they grow close, even though Sebastian is a prince and Eliza is not a noble. When Sebastian must finally choose a bride, Eliza is sure it will not be her, but maybe the prince will follow his heart.

If you're looking for a Cinderella story without the glass slippers, and a mystery surrounding a different subject, this is the book for you!

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A royal mystery. This is an everyday spinster and a crown prince that find a happily ever after. It was such a fabulous romance fantasy to read. I enjoyed the possibilities and how much the prince was a fish-out-of-water in London. Eliza was ever so practical, smart and cleaver and I just loved her heart.

Alucian Crown Prince Sebastian is in London to present his trade agreement to the Queen and Parliament to help his kingdom modernize. He's also been charged to find a wife so secure the royal succession. At a masquerade ball he stumbles into Eliza Tricklebank who is a 28 year old unmarried daughter of William Trickleback a justice on the Queen's Bench. She's resigned to be a spinster who aids her almost blind father. She went to the ball to try to meet the prince and help her widowed sister Hollis Honeycutt get information for her ladies gazette. When Sebastian's best friend and personal secretary is murdered and Sebastian is determined to find out why and who did it. The ladies print a clue in the gazette that's delivered to the judge that leads Sebastian to their house. When Eliza kicks him out for being rude to her he's shocked since no one has ever treated him as a normal person. As time goes on he realizes Eliza is different than any other woman he's ever met and he appreciates her cleaver mind. This is a delightful story of an observant and intelligent woman whose mind has been sharpened by helping her father with his law practice. We spend the pages seeking the answers to the murder and watch them fall in love. In the end it's Sebastian who is cleaver to find a way they can marry.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nothing gets the tongues of London’s high society wagging like a good scandal. And when the personal secretary of the visiting Prince Sebastian of Alucia is found murdered, it’s all anyone can talk about, including Eliza Tricklebank. Her unapologetic gossip gazette has benefited from an anonymous tip about the crime, prompting Sebastian to take an interest in playing detective—and an even greater interest in Eliza. With a trade deal on the line and mounting pressure to secure a noble bride, there’s nothing more salacious than a prince dallying with a commoner. Sebastian finds Eliza’s contrary manner as frustrating as it is seductive, but they’ll have to work together if they’re going to catch the culprit. And when things heat up behind closed doors, it’s the prince who’ll have to decide what comes first—his country or his heart.
This was a decent read. I had problems liking both main characters in the beginning, particularly Sebastian. I also had a problem finding the flow flow of the author. Overall, it was ok.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Arrogant prince meets sassy wallflower. Sebastian crown prince of Alucia is used to everyone bowing down to him. Eliza is a forward thinking lady.
A murder happens shortly after they meet and the two come together to solve the murder.
I loved most of book, one scene was not my cup of tea. I like the chemistry between Eliza and Sebastian.
Another hit for Julia London.

I’ve been branching out recently and incorporating more women’s lit and romance into my repertoire, and The Princess Plan was the perfect choice! I’d just got done reading some heavy fantasy books and this was the perfect cheery palate cleanser for me.

I absolutely love the setting in England where women still aren’t equal to men, not that it stops Eliza from demanding equal treatment. Eliza is the perfect female protagonist, full of spunk and life, determined to live her life the way that makes her happy regardless of how society or others think she should behave. Prince Sebastian is as handsome as a fictional character can get and definitely not a flat character at all, especially with the abyss of his green eyes. I enjoyed the mischief that Caro, Eliza and Hollis got up to, especially the humor they provided along the way. The plot line moved along well, and the character development was just perfect.

A great twist on mystery and Romance, and an enjoyable book for anyone who needs a laugh and a happy heart at the end of the day! I will definitely recommend this to many of my friends, even if they try to tell me Romance isn’t their thing. This is a book that is worthy of a reread for sure.

Who doesn't love a good princess plan!! Julia London is a new-to-me author and did not disappoint! Historical novel done right!

Foreign royalty comes to London in the form of Prince Sebastian of Alucia. He's there for trade agreement negotiations but even more importantly plans to come home with a princess in tow. He's jaded when he meets his future bride, and showcases this with eye rolls and well worn routines, but soon enough his lady opens his heart to trust.
Eliza is one of the quirkiest females I have read about in awhile! I absolutely loved her insight, and her family and friends. The bond she shared with her sister and their best friend was almost as special as the bond she creates with Sebastian.
Both of these characters are well fleshed out, and have their own histories that make it hard to come together, thankfully they both overcome any roadblocks(including a murder mystery!) to connect with each other.
I highly recommend this book and can't wait to see what the next in the series has to offer!

Eliza Tricklebank is a commoner in England. The daughter of a Judge and as she terms herself, “a spinster”. Eliza is happy fixing clocks and running her father’s household. A friend gets Eliza an invitation to a ball to honor a visiting Prince. Eliza just wants to say she met him, but she didn’t expect to “run” into him.

Prince Sebastian of Alucia is in England to forge a new trade deal for his country along with the task of bringing home a bride to further secure his country’s future. Sebastian’s trip suddenly takes a turn for the worse when one of his staff and long-time friend is murdered. How can he leave England without knowing what happened?

Eliza becomes involved in trying to solve the murder along with her sister and friend. What she didn’t plan on was having The Prince of Alucia on her doorstep questioning her. Soon Eliza becomes a trusted confidant of the Prince as she is the only one who will be honest with him. She also appears to be the only woman who doesn’t seem impressed by his royal standing. Their relationship blossoms and how can Eliza say goodbye to Prince Sebastian when he must leave to go back to England? How will she deal with him choosing a bride to take with him?

This novel by Julia London was certainly an unexpected treat! I’m not usually a fan of historical romances, but this one caught my eye. I absolutely loved it. The story was witty and funny along with a little danger thrown in. The part I loved the most was that Eliza wasn’t some poor girl begging for the Prince’s attention. She was a strong character who didn’t really care for the Prince at all. A surprising twist that I wasn’t expecting. I noticed that this is the first book in a series and I can’t wait to read the next book. Thank you to Harlequin, Julia London and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to read and review.

This is the first book in a new series for Julia London and it’s starting out great. It’s a classic prince falls in love with a commoner with a twist, murder. There is great chemistry between Eliza, her widowed sister who writes a gossip rag and their best friend. The prince is typical, looking for a trade deal with England and hoping to acquire a wife in the process. They meet and much ensues all leading to the happily ever after.

The Review

A well written, character driven narrative, author Julia London soars as this novel brings historical fiction, romance and mystery to life. The chemistry between Eliza and Prince Sebastian was the immediate draw of this romance tale, as Sebastian’s temper and Eliza’s independence clashed immediately, but soon led to a friendship and something more as time went on.

What the author did an excellent job of however was expertly exploring the roles of men and women in society, those that are expected versus the roles we seek to create for ourselves. Also exploring social class and how status can sometimes impede life choices, it was fascinating to see the characters struggle against these roles thrust upon them by others when trying to find their own way themselves. Something quite difficult when caught up in a murder mystery, pending trade agreements and a brewing romance that puts Sebastian in the hot seat as he must choose between love and his duty.

The Verdict

Engaging, entertaining and explosive, author Julie London has created a smash hit with The Princess Plan. A story of society’s expectations versus our own, love and overcoming the odds to maintain that love, and battling those who conspire against you behind your back, this was a truly tantalizing read that readers will not be able to get enough of. A lengthy read, the book is equal parts mystery, romance and historical fiction, creating a book that many different readers can enjoy. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy of Julia London’s “The Princess Plan (A Royal Wedding #1)” today!