Cover Image: Once Upon A Royal Summer

Once Upon A Royal Summer

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I'll admit this book caught my eye because the description was so cute. A fairy tale princess from a theme park falling in love with a real prince? This is what Hallmark movies were made for!

Lacey is Princess Sweet Pea, a theme park princess at Once Upon a Time park. She's the best at what she does, and everyone loves her. Henry is the Crown Prince of Bella Moritz, and he's a lonely single dad who takes his daughter to the park for her birthday. It's a very sweet meet cute, and I really did like the beginning but once the story got going it just...fell short? I mean it was still very cute, but I just wasn't thrilled by the rushed ending and everything was so cookie cut that I got bored easily. It took me way too long to finish this one.

It's a clean romance and honestly if you're in Hallmark movies this is definitely your thing. It just wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This book was such a beautiful read.
I love all the characters in this: Lacey, Henry, Ava, The Queen and sweet little Rose was too adorable for words.
Love all the moments of the Once Upon A Time Park, loved Bella-Moritz (the description made me feel like I was there) and LOVED the slow-burn romance!
What a wonderful ride this was ๐Ÿ˜

Was this review helpful?

Sometimes you need a cute and fluffly fairy tale and this worked for me.
I rooted for the characters, had fun and spent some time escaping reality and having a good time.
Heartwarming and entertaining.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Was this review helpful?

Teri Wilsonโ€™s books are some of my favorite for light, fun romance reads. Not only do I love the fact that so many of her work is under the Hallmark umbrella, but in this book, I absolutely loved the Disney theme. As someone who worked for the Disney theme parks for years and still lives near them, all I could find so much of the story relatable and enjoyable, and it definitely speaks to everyone whose dream is to find love while working at Disney. What could be more magical than that? I think this was a fun and cleverly crafted book and found myself racing through it in a day.

Was this review helpful?

If you like going to the Disney parks and Hallmark movies then this book is for you. The book is about Lacey who is a Princess at a fairy tale park. She loves her job and interacting with all the kids at the park. Then Prince Henry decides to take his daughter to the park for her birthday and he meets Lacey who is their tour guide for the park. Henry and Lacey get close and he invites her to his country for a visit.

I really like all the characters and really enjoyed Henry and Lacey's love story and I would recommend this book to everyone that joins sweet romantic love stories.

Was this review helpful?

Teri Wilson's books are my go-to for fun, entertaining romances. this was particularly entertaining due to the royalty element, which is one of my favorites.

Was this review helpful?

"It ends how all good fairy tales end - happily ever after."

Actual Rating: 3.5/5 stars

It's been a while since I read a cute, fluffy, and wholesome romance novel, and coupled with a "royalty falls in love with a commoner" and "single parent" tropes, it was such a joy and fun time to read this adorable story.

Everything about this book is adorable. Its modern story about a single Crown Prince with his rambunctious daughter finding themselves going on a birthday vacation in a fairy tale theme park, and meeting a theme park princess was just so cute and you know how things will end up, but you can't help but root for them. It had the uptight, formal side of a royal tradition on one end, and a silly, carefree side that balanced the story nicely. While it was a very relaxed story over-all, it still had a bit of depth into it, hence it never felt too superficial for me.

This book is just really a feel good story that will leave you captivated and make you want a fairy tale ending for yourself.

Was this review helpful?

This sweet story is everything you want from Hallmark and more! I love the adorable cover. This is a perfect feel good book. Loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

OMG, I loved this book!!! So many laugh out loud moments along with some super sweet moments kept me hooked the entire time. I love that Lacey is living her dream job as a theme park princess only to meet and fall in love with a real prince. It's one of those books that show fairytales can come true. I also loved that it was set in my home state of Florida for the most part and some of the places were familiar. Also I adored Prince Henry's daughter Rose, she was just the cutest. If you're looking for a light, fun read this is it!

Was this review helpful?

****1/2 - Lacey Pope works at the Once Upon a Time theme park in Fort Lauderdale. She is Princess Sweet Pea. She loves making children happy. One day Prince Henry Frederick Augustus Rainier Chevalier of Bella-Moritz decides to take is daughter to a theme park for her birthday in America. Lacey is assigned to the prince and his daughter as their personal escort while at the park. Henry becomes enchanted with her. Henry and Laceyโ€™s romance is very sweet and refreshing. They have a fun courtship without realizing they are made for each other. Their love blossoms each day they are together. He is her real life Prince Charming. This was such a fun and enjoyable read. If you are a fan of Hallmark movies you will love this story. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Was this review helpful?

The title of the book was what first caught my attention. I'm a sucker for a royal romance story and Once Upon a Royal Summer was a sweet and endearing read.
I didn't even realize that the author was also the creator of the Mr. Darcy movies on Hallmark channel! Teri Wilson writes sweet and engaging characters and the plots are easy to understand and follow. Just like in her movies, the main characters have some kind of challenge they must face. There are certain obstacles that might hinder them achieving their desired goals, but in the end the main characters have an eye-opening moment. The main characters in OUARS did have some obstacles in their paths, but by staying true to themselves they were able to realize their true potentials.
The female MC, Lacey was written to be a compassionate, kind, and caring young lady who, as we read further into the story, has her own troubled childhood. Prince Henry, the male MC is sort of like your "typical" regal Prince. He's stoic yet gentle with his daughter, he's loyal to his country and people, and he's a real softy on the inside. I enjoyed both main characters immensely!
So, if you're looking for a fun, relaxing, and easy to read royal romance, then be sure to pick up Once Upon a Royal Summer.

Was this review helpful?

Review to come August 2nd to blog/goodreads.

I received this book from Netgalley/publisher in exchange of an honest review.


I just had to get this book! Romance x Theme Park x Royalty = Give me more! I love that it takes place in summer, that is also why it took me so long before I read it. I wanted to read it in summer. Not in spring when I got the book on Netgalley.

In this book we get two POVs. Lacey, who just broke up with her boyfriend and is not in the mood for dating, also is our theme park princess. Henry, our royally yummy prince who isnโ€™t looking to date. As you can see, these two arenโ€™t planning on datingโ€ฆ but then they meet each other and I was just swooning all the way. These two are flirting, talking whenever they have a moment, but also ponderingโ€ฆ should they go for it or not (which was at times a bit frustrating because HELLO, just do it), and would it work out? I really loved that we got both POVs, because I am not sure if I would have liked Henry 100% if I just had seen Laceyโ€™s POV. Now we get both of these people and we learn a lot about them. From Lacey and her reasons to become a princess and how her persona is totally different from her princess persona to Henry who lost his wife years ago and is struggling + battling against his mother concerning who is best for his daughter (I was on his side all the way). These two are totally sweet people and I am happy to meet them.

We also have a fantastic cast of side-characters. Well, OK, it took me a LONG time to get used to Henryโ€™s mom, the queen, but after a while I could see a different side to her. But Ava? Loved her from the start and love how supportive she is. I also love all the gossip she brings. Haha. Then there is Rose, the daughter of Henry who was an absolutely sweetpea and I just loved seeing her finally be a bit more kid, smile, have a good time. Plus, I loved how she connected with Lacey! Then there is Ian, the bodyguard I guess. I just loved how he and Henry talked, they are really friends. He was very sweet towards Rose which made me smile!

I loved all that Lacey did in this book. For Henry, for Rose. She really did some remarkable things full of kindness.

Oh yes, is it Madison or Madeline? When we got to this Fairy Godmother the names switched around which confused me greatly. XD

I love that the first 50% of the book takes place at the theme park and the next percentage is our girls preparing (and our prince of course) and then the rest of the book takes place in the palace/in Bella-Moritz. It was the perfect balance.

Yes, things were rushed. But did I mind it? Normally maybe.. but now? No. I actually loved it. It fitted perfect with this being promoted as a Hallmark book. That ending was necessary for the fairy tale feel that this whole book goes for. And it made me swoon! It is funny how that works. Generally I am not a fan of rushed, but with this, go for it.

I am really happy I had the chance to read this beautiful, fun, cute, romantic, funny, swoon-tastic, sweet, adorable, and do you need more adjectives?-book. I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a fun and sweet summer read featuring two great people and a great cast of side-characters. Oh, and can we PLEASE PLEASE just get a book featuring Ian and Ava? I need that. I will also be looking to see what Hallmark Publishing has published more.

Was this review helpful?

Love this grown-up fairytale!! Made be fill like a child again!! This heartwarming, funny, happy ever after is the perfect read year around!! I hope Hallmark makes this one into a film!!

Was this review helpful?

This was a delightful romance that would be perfect as a Hallmark movie! (Which makes sense because Hallmark published it!) Overall, I definitely recommend it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Was this review helpful?

Prince falls in love with a theme park princess! I saw this and immediately thought "sounds like a Hallmark movie" ( it is from Hallmark publishing!!), got all the feels and decided to read!!

Lacey has been working at a Florida theme park as a Royal Princess for years. She loves making all the children happy. It truly is her dream job even though some donโ€™t understand. After meeting a little girl that says she a princess too and then waltzing with the girlโ€™s father ( Henry), Lacey is surprised to learn they really are actually Royals!

She spends the next several days being a personal escort for the two ( along with the princes personal security guard) at the theme park, with Lacey and the child dressed in matching costumes.
When the time comes for them to head home, Henry invites Lacey to visit his kingdom of Bella-Moritz on the French Riviera for a special festival. Her roommate/best friend even gets invited.

Lacey and Henry have an almost instant attraction to one another, but they are from such different world both literally and figuratively. However, as they get to know each other, they begin to see that they are quite alike. Their romance is truly a fairy tale.

I think readers who like contemporary romance with likeable characters, a sweet love story, and a happily ever after will enjoy this book.
My only complaint is that it went by way too quickly!

**๐‘ป๐’‰๐’‚๐’๐’Œ ๐’š๐’๐’– ๐’•๐’ ๐‘ต๐’†๐’•๐‘ฎ๐’‚๐’๐’๐’†๐’š ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐‘ฏ๐’‚๐’๐’๐’Ž๐’‚๐’“๐’Œ ๐‘ท๐’–๐’ƒ๐’๐’Š๐’”๐’‰๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’‡๐’๐’“ ๐’•๐’‰๐’† ๐’๐’‘๐’‘๐’๐’“๐’•๐’–๐’๐’Š๐’•๐’š ๐’•๐’ ๐’“๐’†๐’‚๐’… ๐’•๐’‰๐’Š๐’” ๐‘จ๐‘น๐‘ช ๐’Š๐’ ๐’†๐’™๐’„๐’‰๐’‚๐’๐’ˆ๐’† ๐’‡๐’๐’“ ๐’‚๐’ ๐’‰๐’๐’๐’†๐’”๐’• ๐’“๐’†๐’—๐’Š๐’†๐’˜.**

#readinglifestyle #hallmark #hallmarkpublishing #teriwilson #oneuponaroyalsummer #royalty #royalromance

Was this review helpful?

"Once Upon a Royal Summer": 5 โญ

(Unpaid Review: thank you to @hallmarkpublishing, @authorteriwilson and @netgalley for allowing me to take part of this princessy adventure).

Do you ever get that feeling, when you're in a theme park, that you could actually be a princess? Like, the ones from the fairytales, like Sleeping Beauty or Snow White? ๐Ÿ˜ Or, better yet, Princess Sweet Pea?

In this story, Lacey - Princess Sweet Pea - falls in love with an actual prince - Henry - and his lovely daughter, Rose. They're the most stunning pair and the story was so romantic and swooney! ๐Ÿ˜ I love stories that make me feel close to fairytales, dreamy and whimsical!

Teri Wilson has this extraordinary sense of magic and humour and romance all together. She created the most beautiful fairytale and put it into a book so that it can be cherished and remembered forever.

Was this review helpful?

Once Upon a Royal Summer by Teri Wilson is about Lacey, Princess Sweet Pea of Ever After Castle in Florida. Lacey lost her mom as a small child, and the characters from the local amusement park kept her company while her mom was in the hospital and gave Lacey hope for a brighter future. Her boyfriend, Mark Cooper, is a lawyer and is pressing Lacey to get a real job.ย Why does Mark not understand that Lacey is doing her dream job, and when she thinks the time is right, she will go back to school to get her degree? For now, she tells Mark they need time apart, so they break up.
At work the next day, she has a private breakfast show for two, a dad and his daughter. The dad has on a baseball cap, and boy is he smug in his comments. The daughter introduces herself as Princess Rose, which Lacey finds adorable. After all, Every young girl dreams of being a princess. At the close of her performance, she prepares to do her farewell dance, and Princess Rose's dad offers to be her pawn and dance with her. What a relief, and he has to be a little better than her castmate, with whom she normally dances. As the dance begins, she is surprised that the dad has swept her off her feet and was very light on his feet. Who is the mystery man? He must be someone with money, or else he would never have been given a private performance for just him and his daughter. Read Once Upon a Summer and find out now.
Bridgett R Veltman

Was this review helpful?

This book is a must-read! Another charming story from author Teri Wilson. A theme park princess, humble prince, cotton candy and a Ferris wheel are all magical components of this book that is sure to take you away this summer!

Was this review helpful?

I think the novel is good but the ending made me not think it's perfect

During the story we learn about Lacey's life, she works in a park as a princess and is happy in that job. On the other hand we have Henry, a real prince who wants to give his daughter a good childhood.

Now imagine working in this park and that in one of your performances you meet a boy, joke with him and even think that he is bitter for not following the flow of his daughter in the story of princesses but suddenly they discover that the boy is a real prince and that there was a certain spark that you know that nothing is going to happen because ... he is a prince

Anyway, I liked the plot, the characters are very good, I loved Lacey, Henry and her daughter. The only thing that I don`t like it is the ending that was too fast how the story closed

Was this review helpful?

An enjoyable twist on the prince & the commoner romance. Could easily see this as a Hallmark movie! Enjoyed the storyline, the characters, and the message that an amusement park princess could share with others.

Was this review helpful?