Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Nobody's Princess is the third installment in the Wild Wynchesters series, which follows the eldest Wynchester brother, Graham, and the gorgeous Kunigunde de Heusch, daughter of a long line of Balcovian Royal Guards whose primary aspiration is to live up to her family's legacy.

At this point I would probably sell my soul to Erica Ridley for as many Wynchester novels as she can write. These books are just so fun! The regency romance, the Wynchester shenanigans, the found family, all of it is executed so well, it warms my heart. Picking up a Wynchesters book is like sitting down to lunch with old friends.

Nobody's Princess was a particularly good time because it delved into the concept of the damsel in distress trope, and really worked to dismantle a lot of the inherent misogyny, internalized and otherwise, within the trope. This is a romance that is about finding your whole self, not just your own identity and purpose, but also your own agency and sense of empowerment. It gives us the romantic hero sweeping the leading lady into his arms, fully extricated from the power imbalance that typically accompanies that kind of narrative.

Were there parts of this book that were a bit silly? Yeah. There are plenty of moments that are wholly unbelievable. It's certainly not perfect, or the height of literature. But I really didn't care. This is a world, these are characters, that offer a joyful escape, that examine the real world in a safe, heartfelt, and loving way. It's a good story and a good time, and I am so excited to see what Erica Ridley has coming next for the wonderful Wynchesters.

In my true reading style, I jumped into this third book in the Wild Wynchester series without reading the first two. However, I fell in love with Erica Ridley's writing style and the way she both wrote a romance and a commentary on workers' rights in England.

Kunigunde is a young woman who is the princess of Balcovia's companion, though her plan is to prove herself capable as a guardswoman and carry on her family legacy. While scouting in England and simultaneously trying to avoid her brothers, Graham Wynchester finds her and "rescues" her- fulfilling his lifelong dream of being connected with royalty. Despite how much she doesn't need or want his rescue, she finds herself integrated into the quirky Wynchester family and has to face the decision of following what she always thought was her destiny or staying and helping the Wynchesters give aid to those who truly need it most.

I clearly need to go read the first two because I need more backstory on Wynchester sibling relationships!

Graham Wynchester has long dreamed of rescuing a princess. He is thrilled when decoding the newspaper suggests there's a woman for him to help. But as Kunigunde is quick to tell him, she is not a princess in need of saving. Instead, she is on a mission to prove herself worthy to be a Royal Guard for Balcovia, as all her male relatives have been.

I love this whole series. Erica Ridley's writing pulls me in such that I don't recognize time passing and don't want to work. This is not your typical historical or regency romance. It's full of adventures and capers and the most amazing found family. The Wynchesters work together to help those in need, and they each bring different strengths to their missions. I adored getting to see them as if for the first time from Kuni's perspective. Elizabeth makes me smile, and it's great that she gets a friend in Kuni. We get to know her and Marjorie better than in previous books.

The book is quite a slow burn, and the relationship between Graham and Kuni did not capture my interest as much as the other aspects of the plot. But I loved both of them so much.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

I read this book right when SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade and through no fault of this author or this book, I was distracted and not able to give this book my full attention. Having said that, I will also add that I do think I did myself a real disservice by reading this book without reading the first 2 books in the series. I liked the characters but definitely felt a bit lost. It was like a histrom caper, funny and outlandish and witty but also had a FMC who aspired to dreams typically not meant for a woman and I liked seeing her be competent and prove she was more than worthy and I liked that the MMC not only encouraged her but wholeheartedly believed in her. But for some reason, the romance felt a bit light and the Wynchester family adventures seemed to overtake everything else.

While gathering information, Graham comes across a woman looking for the same information. He brings Kuni into the folds of his eccentric family where the royal guard trained woman’s skills fit right in. They all work together to help improve cotton mill workers conditions. When it is time for Kuni to return home, she is torn between fulfilling her lifelong dream and making new dreams with Graham. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Forever for my honest review.

I have read so many of Ms Rideys books that I was expecting another great book. Right from the start, I felt Graham was very immature and found it not to my liking. I like my hero to be strong and reliable. I like the quirks in these characters but I still would have preferred a little more maturity. Not one of my favourites. There was a hot sex scene that this reviewer skipped as usual. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

Kuni is following in her family legacy and wants to become her country’s first Royal Guardswoman. Kuni has always wanted to become a guardswoman. Kuni stows away on a ship heading for England and runs away not knowing that her brothers are hot on her trail. Kuni is in England to compose a report on security. Graham is reading the classified and finds out someone is looking for someone of importance. Graham thinks he is looking for a princess so he sets out on the trail of Kuni. Kuni thinks that she doesn’t need anyone helps or does she. Graham thinking that Kuni is a princess he instantly falls for her and believes in Kuni’s dream. But Kuni is no princess she want to prove that she can be a Royal Guardswoman in a world where there are only men as guardsmen. I love how this story deals with family and their support of each other.

Can Kuni prove that she can be a guardswoman and do as good of a job as the male guardsman, what will Graham do once he finds out that Kuni is not a princess?

I received an ARC via NetGalley and Forever Grand Central Publishing and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Really fun and sweet romance novel centering Black characters. I really enjoyed the social justice/adventure aspect of the novel, more than I even expected. The sex scenes were hot but tasteful and overall it was a fun read that pushed me to pick up her another one from this series.

I wished I liked this more and maybe I need to read the other books in the series. But there were a lot of side characters and I got so confused. Maybe it was me and my attention span. Overall, the writing was great though

Nobody's Princess (The Wild Wynchesters #3) by Erica Ridley
This is the story of Graham Wynchester and Kunigunde de Heusch (Kuni). He uses his massive collection of intelligence that he uses to help family’s mission of aiding those in need. She is in England to compose a report on security before a royal visit. She wants to prove herself and become her country’s first Royal Guardswoman. There is angst, wrongs to be righted, laughter, tears, the wonderful Wynchester family and friends, love and a very HEA. Can't wait to see what the Wynchester's get up to next.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read Action-packed Funny Entertaining Unpredictable Happily Ever After Romantic Wonderful characters Page-turner.

I was happy to read this ARC.

After the last book in the Wild Wynchester series I knew I needed to read this. Erica Ridley did not disappoint with this third installment of the series. Graham and Kuni are so precious, funny and the story was like a warm hug. This book was such a breath of fresh air for characters in historical romance. I know that this book will be a book I will reread. I can’t wait to see the next one Erica comes out with.

The obsession Graham Wynchester has with royalty and with being indispensable to the Crown makes the beginning of his story a little stilted. His labeling of Kunigunde from the beginning as 'princess' seems to feed that obsession. Kuni's obsession with becoming the first female Royal Guard of Balcovia makes her characters seem as stunted in their growth. This story is well redeemed, however, when they both realize that their true desire is to be SEEN, to be hailed as savior and regarded as heroic. Their romance is natural and empowering, leading them both to recognize their strengths and complements.

3.5 stars, rounding up since I really enjoyed how the story wrapped up! I've read the entire Wychester series and was super excited about this book. I LOVED the storyline, Kuni is in England as part of her quest to become a Royal Guardswoman in her home country, which is where she meets Graham. Sadly, I found Kuni's character annoying when we read her inner monologue. *to avoid spoilers I will be vague*, she laments how much she wants to join the Royal Guard but list all the drawbacks. THIS FITS IN THE PLOT. We needed some of this inner monologue, but for me, it went on way too long. This was my biggest turn-off for the book. Otherwise, as with this whole series, the siblings' interactions are hilarious and loveable. The mission was a very realistic and admirable one (I didn't see if it was based on a true time period/case but I like to think it may be!)
I enjoyed the book and look forward to the rest of the Wild Wynchesters series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

CWs: death of parent, racism, sexism, emotional abuse, child abuse/exploitation, violence, description of grave bodily injury, grief, mention of miscarriage
***
The Wynchesters have done it again! The third instalment in this heartwarming, witty, and fast-paced historical romance series did not disappoint.

Nobody’s Princess follows Graham Wynchester - the third of the late Baron Vanderbean’s adoptive children to have their love story put to paper thus far - and his friendship and subsequent romance with Miss Kunigunde de Heusch, companion to Princess Mechtilda of (fictional) Balcovia and aspiring royal guard. The Wynchesters are a multitalented family, and use their strengths, influence, and assets to help the downtrodden. When Graham Wynchester thinks he’s intervening to help a woman in trouble, he gets the shock of a lifetime when he meets Kundigunde, a woman with weapons concealed in her clothing and who’s knee-deep into her own covert mission. Despite Graham’s romantic disposition and his daydreams about rescuing a princess, he soon discovers Kuni is a capable soldier set out to prove herself - and indeed, when their friendship grows she adds her own talents to the Wynchester roster by helping shut down a factory exploiting workers. Graham finds himself wishing that she would stay a part of his injustice-fighting family on a more permanent basis. However, Kuni’s home country is calling her back, and just as romance begins to blossom, the two find themselves running quickly out of time.

I love the concept behind this series, because it’s never not fun. Despite the sometimes heavy subject matter, the family dynamics are so witty, loving, and ridiculous! As a big, adoptive family, the Wynchesters each have a unique story and background that fuels their desire to help others. Their absolute bond and commitment to righting wrongs is just so nice.

Nobody’s Princess is a wonderful addition to the series, and I enjoyed it immensely. Graham and Kuni have a slow burn romance, and while each has their hangups and difficulties, they reveal their feelings ever so slowly and beautifully in a way that is very natural. I love how Kuni is able to have special moments with each sibling throughout the story. She is not only incredibly important to Graham, but she matters and is loved by each and every member of the family.

I wasn’t as obsessed with this one as I was The Perks of Loving a Wallflower. Perhaps it is because Kuni’s passion for being a soldier was not all that compelling to me. That missing piece of not seeing the other part of her world meant that I wasn’t really absorbing the inner turmoil and conflict that came with her having to make a Big Decision. I simply wasn’t very invested in that part of her life and I found the bits where she spoke about it somewhat boring.

That said, I am fully invested in this series and can’t wait to devour each and every book in the series as they come out!

While I love the characters, Wynchester hijinks, and general set up once things get going I wanted more plot. This book's "heist" (fighting for labor rights at a particular factory) forces the love interests to be in different places doing different things, instead of pulling them together. And as lovely as the sibling cameos are I wanted more of our couple actually falling in love. A rare miss from Ridley.

Content notes: mentions of parental death, accidental death, limb loss

I adore this series. All the Wynchesters are so quirky, lovable and devote their lives to righting wrongs and as a family support each other absolutely. This story between a Balacovian wannabe guardswoman and an ex-circus acrobat was no exception. Highly recommended.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

FIRST ERICA RIDLEY BOOK THAT I HAVE NOT LIKED...

This was a super sad reading experience for me. I loved the first book of this series and was so excited to continue. But all my hopes were dashed pretty quickly and I struggled to finish this. One thing I did like, though, was the diversity of the characters. That was, despite everything else, refreshing.

👎 What I Disliked 👎

Romance: For a romance novel, this had very little heat or chemistry. I really didn't feel a spark between Grahame and Kuni. There was just nothing that made me think romance in any way.

Characters: In the first book of this series I absolutely loved the Wynchester siblings. I loved their individuality and their quirks. But in this book it just became too much. It seemed that each character was reduced to their quirk, having absolutely nothing more to them, personality wise. It really hurt the book a great deal.

Pace: I am used to Ridley book being slightly shorter (such as the 12 Dukes of Christmas series) and I actually think Ridley is one of the few authors who does better with shorter books. This one just felt too long and drawn out.

The story is about Kuni and Gaham but there were just too many secondaries characters here to follow. Unfortunately this one didn't catch my interest in this series. Not to say that I'm not going to read the next one. The book cover was amazing though. Just that alone enticed me to read it.

The opinions expressed here are all mine. Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for this Arc.

I devoured Nobody’s Princess while on a flight to Europe and honestly, I could not have asked for a more delicious book. Strong female lead, beautiful romance built on trust and mutual respect, and a group of humans chasing after their individual and collective dreams. I loved every minute of this book.

Quick Summary: Strong female characters who defied the norm was the order of the day.

My Review: Nobody's Princess by Erica Ridley was a different type of period romance. I cannot recall ever reading a story where there were multiple female characters who defied the norm. I liked that! It was refreshing to see. In terms of K and G, their story came across as one of a reverse fairy tale mixed with action and adventure. Their parting and their reunion were memorable moments. It was good to see a HEA.

This was my first Erica Ridley novel. I am open to seeing what else she has written.


Rating: 2.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A

Appreciation is extended to the author and to the publisher, as well as to NetGalley, who provided access to this title in exchange for an honest review.