Following her sister and dearest friend, Hollis is now bitten by the marriage bug. The difference for Hollis is that she has been married before and she's also loved her husband if not been in love with him. Her marriage seemed to have some secrets that are almost but not quite revealed.

This is a story which I'm not sure if it knew which direction it was going. At times I felt like it was two different stories and characters fighting for their voice. Did I care about Hollis or did I want to know more about Donovan? Truth be told, I am more interested in Donovan, Hollis's unconventional butler, than I am about Hollis. In the previous two books which do not have to be read in order to read this one, Hollis seemed to be the one with the level head. In this one, she is more of a shrew at times. Her railing against a society created by men for men is a bit too juvenile for me. I felt she went about it the wrong way and it didn't match her personality since she behaved differently with Marek's secret past.

I felt like this book should have been more about Secrets revealed at Christmas. The three main characters all have secrets. What surprised me about this book is how Marek and Hollis's story ended up. I was expecting something a bit more and it never happened. I wonder how the Wesloria King would have felt if he had known the secret. Still, this ending is a fitting one and worked well for Hollis, Donovan and Marek.

The romance part of this story is quite slow. Hollis does not endear herself to Marek. In fact, I kind of want to say each of the women in this series did not exactly charm their respective love interests. Instead, they were like ticks that wormed their way under the men's skin and stuck there. I find that odd and yet refreshingly accurate. How many times in real life do women really behave perfect in many of these romances? This realism adds a bit of tension and conflict between the lovers.

This historical romance is recommended to romance readers who enjoy opposites who attract tropes.

What a perfect story to lose myself in this holiday season. Julia London's A Princess by Christmas is chock full of charm, mystery, shenanigans, and heart-tugging romance. Marek and Hollis are both complex, engaging characters who captured my heart. I so enjoyed watching the evolution of their relationship as well as the growth of each of them individually. And I appreciated the happily-ever-after London gave them - not the one I expected but the one that was right for them. Tears of joy were shed.

But Marek and Hollis aren't the only ones who shine in this novel. London has surrounded them with a cast of supporting characters who enrich the story and help bring it to life; endearing characters who are as well-developed as the leads. In particular, my heart was snared by Donovan, Hollis's manservant, confidant, and dear friend. I adored him. If London ever writes a story for him I'll be first in line to buy it.

This is the third book in London's A Royal Wedding series. While characters from the first two books make appearances, it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone.

*ARC received for a fair and unbiased review

I had a lot of fun in reading this series. It's light, fun, made me smile and root for the characters.
I loved how the author mixes romance and a pince of mystery. This mix always works and it creates entertaining and compelling books.
I was happy to catch up with the characters, root for the heroine.
I think this is a highly entertaining story that I recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Hollis is adjusting to her new life without her sister and best friend, who are now happily married. She is the editor of a women’s magazine that she inherited from her deceased husband. When the King of Westloria visits England, Hollis discovers a possible coup. At an event with Queen Victoria, Hollis meets Marek, a mysterious stranger who has traveled from Westloria with the King. Marek is investigating his own suspicions of treason in the kingdom. Hollis and Marek are drawn together to investigate the rumors of a coup within the kingdoms.

This story is the third in the series, but I didn’t feel lost without reading the first two. I could tell by the way that Hollis’s sister and friend were settled into their marriages, that they were probably the focus of the first two books. The characters were introduced enough that I understood what was happening, and didn’t need to read the first two books first.

I didn’t find the romance in this story believable. Hollis and Marek were strangers who were suspicious of each other, since they both were searching for answers to the rumors they’d heard. Then all of a sudden, after spending some time together, they were in love. There wasn’t a build up to a romance that I would have expected in this kind of story. There also wasn’t the Christmas theme I was expecting. The story ended at Christmas, but I thought there would have been more of a Christmas theme throughout the story, since it had “Christmas” in the name.

This story was a little disappointing, because it wasn’t the holiday romance I was expecting.

Thank you HQN Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third book in the Royal Wedding series. I read the first one where Eliza and her prince got together, but didn't review all the details of the courtship between Caroline and her prince.

This charming Christmas story finds us with Hollis Honeycutt and her so fun Ladies Gazette. I loved the excerpts and gossip from her gazette that have been shared in the books in the series. The outspoken widow has been doing just fine in the four years since her husband's death, and hasn't even noticed anything missing from her busy life, until she meets a man who gives her thoughts and feelings she doesn't remember having since she was with her first husband.

The characters and their fancy lives in and around the old Victorian Christmas season were a fun escape and quite entertaining. I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for those who enjoy this time period, or historical romances in general.

I absolutely loved this, the final book in the Royal Wedding series. This time we have Hollis Honeycutt’s story. Widowed at a young age when her husband was tragically killed in an accident, Hollis has done her best to keep her husband’s gazette afloat. It’s now been 4 years since the accident, and Hollis has seen her sister Eliza marry the heir to the throne of Alucia, and her best friend Caroline married to a prince of Alucia. Now everyone has gathered in London for a series of peace talks between the countries of Alucia and Westloria that was put together by Queen Victoria.
Hollis has her ear to the ground and has discovered that a plot might be brewing that would affect the King of Westloria. During royal functions that she was able to attend, she realizes that one of the men there, Westlorian by his green band, staring at the king. She makes it her business to find out who the man is and why he is so interested in the king.
Marek Brendan is an attaché who is in attendance to support Westloria. He knows the facts and figures of Westloria’s trade with other countries and has been concerned recently because of inconsistencies and errors that has been occurring. When he brings his concerns to his superior, he’s brushed aside. After meeting Mrs. Honeycutt, he can’t get her off his mind, mainly because she won’t leave him alone. She even has the nerve to accuse him of being part of the plot she’s uncovered. Marek also has a couple of secrets. One of which is the fact that he’s deaf in his left ear and partially deaf in his right. His other? He’s the long-lost Prince of Westloria. He was kidnapped as a child and presumed dead. This was something the ever-vigilant Hollis deduced right away.
The two join forces, rather unwillingly on Marek’s part, to find out if there really is a plot, who’s behind it, and to stop it in time.
Now, if you haven’t read the first two books in the series, I highly recommend. The characters refer to things that happened in previous stories, and besides, they’re really good books and worth the read!
I loved the fact that Hollis gets her own love story. It’s not easy, but the best things rarely are. It was wonderful to see Hollis get Marek to open up, and it was lovely to see just about everything in the series wrapped up. I did wish that Caroline’s brother Beck, Lord Iddesleigh, would’ve gotten his own story. I was also glad that Donovan got his happily ever after.
This series was a joy to read. I absolutely loved all the characters, the writing and the stories. Great work!
**I received an ARC of this story and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Title: A Princess by Christmas
Author: Julia London
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5

After three years of mourning—and turning her dear deceased husband's gazette into the ton's sauciest source of fashion and gossip—Hollis Honeycutt feels her life has been strangely bereft of late... Her sister is living abroad, and her best friend moved to the country. What must a young widow of rank and reputation do? Why, transform her society gossip sheets into serious investigative news, starting with a rumored coup...and the rather dashing, mysterious gentleman whom Hollis suspects might be the villain of her first real story, and she is the only one who can write it.

Marek Brendan is investigating terrible rumors of treachery and treason that threaten his home country of Wesloria, but he must proceed with caution. No one can discover the truth. After all, who would ever believe he is Wesloria's lost crown prince? Only Hollis Honeycutt's cerulean-blue eyes seem to know more than she's letting on—and worse, Marek can't seem to resist her curious charms. But even as betrayal threatens a nation and a throne, nothing is quite so dangerous as the lovely young widow who's determined to find the truth...and a prince of her own.

I enjoy reading linked standalones, so this was a fun return to old characters. I feel like the blurb is a little misleading, because Hollis is not looking for a prince of her own—or any man. She just wants people to take her writing seriously.

Hollis is fun and saucy—why are the women in this serious so wildly unconventional? You cannot tell me royalty would be able to overlook some of the stunts they pull. Royal protocol wouldn’t allow it.—and she’s struggling with how her life and the people in it are changing. Marek just wants to keep to himself, but Hollis won’t let him. She’s like being hit by a truck. This was a quick, fun read.

Julia London is a bestselling author. A Princess by Christmas is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 12/9.)

Hollis is the best character with her inquisitive nature and determination to challenge societal norms. It's her inquisitive nature that finds her caught in a mystery involving a lost prince and a well planned takeover. Marek has secrets that could rock a country to its very bones, but he is determined to keep his secret and help his family. Hollis and Marek meet and she of course blows him away with her quirky personality, eclectic home life and a slew of family and friends that all seem a bit quirky in their own right, but clearly love and support one another. By joining forces to solve a mystery, they find a kindred spirit and more than they ever expected. Great story, well-written and full of laughs and romance. I loved the entire series, but I have to say that Hollis and Marek's story is my favorite.

One chapter in, and I can tell this book is not for me. Already the heroine is complaining about privileged men while bemoaning the fact that she's waiting outside the gates like a 'pauper.' That sounds like privilege to me, and worse, a heroine who is not very self aware. Aside from that, the book has a modern feel to it that I just don't enjoy in my historical reads.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review. As I DNFd this book, I won't be featuring it on my blog.

Christmas!!! WooHoo!!! This was my first Christmas book this season. If you haven’t read one yet this year; get this one! The festive and gorgeous cover will definitely put you in the Christmas mood. 🎄

Our main characters are Hollis Honeycutt and Marek Brendan, an advisor to the Minister of Trade for Wesloria. I did not realize that this was the third book in A Royal Wedding series, so it can be read as a stand alone. Although, personally, I have to get the first two now. I wondered a bit why I was so confused by the Weslorian/Alucian happenings and descriptions, so it totally made sense when I looked it up and realized it was the third book.

When widow, Hollis Honeycutt, overhears a rumor about the peace accord between the counties of Alucia and Wesloria, she knows she has to investigate. Hollis is the owner and editor of Honeycutt’s Gazette of Fashion & Domesticity for Ladies, so it might make for good investigative journalism. Hollis is fun, joyful and doesn’t really care what others think of her, it makes Marek the total opposite of her. Marek is very concerned about the King’s health and of the trade agreements. If they want to uncover some dastardly plan, they must work together to solve the mystery.

Some unique aspects of this book included a partially deaf main character, a secondary character who was gay and another main character who liked to eat. I really loved Donovan and I really like what the author did with his relationship to Hollis. I don’t know enough history to know the truth of whether or not their living arrangement could have really happened, but it really fit with the book. Oh man! And then the twisty ending!!! Is there a special category for Victorian Romantic Suspense??? (there should be). I definitely recommend this book. Get it before Christmas 😉

We find ourselves in London, England in1847 at the start of the story. What is going on? Who is Hollis Honeycutt? Where do we find her and why? Who is Eliza Tricklebank? Why does Hollis want to see her? WHo are Donovan and Beckett? The snippets from iHoneycutt's Gazette of Fashion and Domesticity for Ladies are fun to read! Who are Percy and Marek? I could not help but groan at Hollis during her chattering with a guest and what she says at the costume ball. Why is Marek even in London? What surprising bit of information do we learn about him? Who figures it out? Oh my, I did not expect some of the things that happened! However, I did have some thoughts creep in as I read and some of them were correct, while others were not. Enjoy the read! I did!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC of A PRINCESS BY CHRISTMAS by Julia London! ⁠

This is the third book in the ROYAL WEDDING series. Even though each book in the series stands alone, I recommend reading them in order due to the references to past events. I'm a sucker for royal romance, so I went back and read the first two books before finishing this one.

They're all fun, lighthearted, swoony romances with well-drawn characters and more than a hint of intrigue. I liked the strong heroines in particular. They basically do what they want, no matter how many men tell them no. And the fairy tale aspect makes them a nice escape. If you like Victorian romance, don't miss this series!

I found this book to be a slow read in the beginning but after reading a few chapters I was hooked. You need to keep in mind that this book is more a mystery than a romance novel.

Hollis Honeycutt is a young widow who has taken on her late husband's newspaper and changed the content dramatically gearing it more toward women but now she's bored! She now fancies herself an investigative reporter and after she overhears a tidbit about a coup at a social function she decides she will uncover who's behind it. She sees a mysterious man at her next outing and while observing him decides he's the villain in the plot.

Marek Brendan is a Weslorian who is investigating rumors about high placed government officials who are working to
overthrow the Weslorian king. Marek has a deep dark secret that must remain a secret at all costs but also ensures his fierce loyalty to the king.

Hollis and Marek become acquainted and decide to work together to figure out who the real villains are and while working so closely together end up with their HEA.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion about this book.

Wow, this was a lovely story!! Hollis was such an interesting character, forceful and strong and determined and everything I could hope for in a heroine. I love her chaotic house and her relationship with Donovan and business...she is fabulous! I also really enjoyed Marek, who always feels out of place and has a hard time hearing and is the only one to give credence to Hollis’ theory that there is a plot afoot. I loved this story although I would have enjoyed seeing a bit more between Marek and the king.

Hollis Honeycutt, sister to Eliza Trickklebank from the first book in the series, feels like she's living in the past and afraid to move on and lose whatever memories she still has of her first husband. She's remade his newletter into more of a gossip/political sheet and seems to be enjoying herself but then she comes across mysterious Westlorian Marek Brendan. She's not quite sure just what attracts her to Marek, who is seemingly innocent and shy yet involved in Westlorian politics somehow. His backstory is very intriguing and sad as well, and contributes to the story. There's a group of Westlorians seeking to subvert the peace plan with Alucia as well as kill the Westlorian king. The two manage to solve the mystery and save the day, and the plan. The two characters seem to blend perfectly, and of course, there's a HEA. Donovan, the 'majordomo' of the Tricklebank household, has his story revealed as well.

Once I finally figured out who was Westlorian and who was Alucian I enjoyed this book a bit more. Although I don't think I really truly figured it all out!

I received this as an ARC from the author for an honest review.

RATING: 4 STARS
2020; HQN

Yay, book three was Hollis's story and it did not let me down. I enjoyed learning more about Hollis's backstory and the connection between her and Donovan. Hollis is a strong lead, but is much more endearing than Caroline is. I was happy two see her and Eliza with their significant others in the story, as well as the Gossip Rag that started this series. I was excited to start a Christmas novel, but did not really find it all that seasonal. I am looking forward to London's next historical romance....or any romance novel.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

Third in a delightful series, A Princess By Christmas is a lovely story involving two lonely people, each with their own agendas and each with strong motivation to distrust the other. I have to admit that it took me a little while to like both Hollis and Marek. Hollis annoyed me with her incessant chatter while Marek annoyed me for the opposite reason - he was silent and apparently sullen and while I get that Hollis was probably annoying the bejesus out of him I do think he could have been a little nicer.
Thankfully as the story unfolded I warmed to these two and enjoyed watching them falling in love. As I came to understand how Hollis suffered following the death of her husband I also began to understand her behaviour and her motivation. Like a flower she began to unfurl and reveal a much nicer and more admirable woman inside. I loved that it was Marek who helped her to heal, “Somehow he’d made her feel vibrant and necessary again. He’d made her want again. Hollis drifted to sleep with want wrapping around her like an old, familiar blanket.” Author Julia London has a wonderful way of showing emotion through scenes like this one and it is this that hooks me every time. I love that sense that you’re feeling the same emotions as the characters in the story, that you’re right there living the whole thing with them. Honestly I don’t think this is the best book she’s ever written but this is still a great read.

A PRINCESS BY CHRISTMAS is the third book in the A ROYAL WEDDING series. I have only read the second book previously, A ROYAL KISS AND TELL, and I couldn’t wait to read more. This is a fast-paced, historical romance with a mystery in the middle, and it definitely entertains!

This time it is Hollis’s story, and she’s still printing her gazette that gives news/gossip as well as helpful hints and fashion advice. She’s ahead of her time since she wants to be involved in so many things that are only a man’s domain. Hollis has been widowed for three years. She’s been doing her best to keep the gazette alive, which her husband started.

Hollis overhears others talking about a coup against the king of Wesloria. In trying to get to the truth, she captures the attention of Marek Brendan, a Weslorian who works in the Weslorian government. But he has secrets. When he lets his guard down, he tells Hollis about them and she is sworn to secrecy. From there, she attempts to help him solve the mystery of why the king is feeling ill and not taking part in certain peace negotiations.

There are twists and turns to the story as Hollis and Marek do some undercover work to help Marek solve the mystery. Will he be able to save the king? Will he be able to help his country get a more beneficial peace agreement?

There were a lot of gatherings, especially since the book is set at Christmas. We get to reunite with characters we’ve met before and see how their lives are turning out. It was nice to see Hollis and Marek develop their relationship. There is nice closure with the epilogue that takes place at Marek’s home. It was a better than anticipated happily ever after on several fronts.

Ms. London is an author I found not long ago. She was always on my radar but I somehow had never gotten around to reading any of her books. I’ve now read some of her historical romances as well as some of her books in other genres and I have added quite a few more to my TBR pile. I look forward to reading them all.

Hollis and Marek’s book was fantastic. It’s everything that you would expect in a Julia London book. Great story, well written characters, and romance all in one fabulous book. We got to check in with several characters from the other books in the series. As always, Julia London is one of my go to authors and she never disappoints. This was a fantastic series and I thought that the book was splendid.

Hollis Honeycutt was my favorite character in three first 2 books so I was excited to read her story. She's unconventional, widowed and fiercely loyal to her household, especially Donovan. Of course I was expecting him to be the hero but Ms. London threw in a plot twist I didn't see coming.
Marek Brendan from Wesloria is rather unconventional himself. He always seems to be alone in a crowd, somewhat aloof and always had his attention focused on three King. Hollis, having overheard talk of a coup to kill the King of Wesloria naturally thought he was the traitor.
She quickly realizes it's not him and together, because Hollis refuses to be left out, they search for the would be killers and find love along the way.
I LOVED this book! The plot twist with regard to Donovan was completely unexpected. The story was fast paced, with a couple of mysteries to try to solve and a very unique hero. Stayed awake until 4am telling myself I'll only read just one more chapter and ended up reading the whole book. Once you start this story it's hard to stop.