A treaty bride from a desert kingdom was forced to become the consort to the heir of the throne, a arrogrant, cruel and ruthless man who seems drawn to her despite claiming to love another consort...yet the more time they spend together an unlikely connection is between them yet beneath their connection lies a tragic secret that once it is revealed nobody will be the same. Xiaofeng loves her home, she loves her family and she's falling for a boy who married her and went off to war and never came back... and now she is his consort and new crown princess of the Li empire. Xiaofeng wants nothing to do with crown prince Li Chengyin but will do anything to keep her homeland safe, even be married off in a treaty... yet the crown prince seems drawn to her despite how cruel he is yet the deeper their connection grows the more old memories begin to shed... and the tragic truth will destroy them both. This is the original book that the C-drama was based off of and it is a TRAGIC ROMANCE, so be prepared. I love that the author gives you the events that happen in so many different character POVs and the history between the characters and their tragic fate is so interesting. it does take a bit to unravel but its so so worth it. I was so invested in the story until the very last chapter.

Release Date: June 17, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

"What scares me isn't the might of the palace - it's the shadows that hide inside a human heart."

Goodbye, My Princess begins abruptly. You might feel a little off-course. If so, you're not alone. Soon, you'll come to realize that you are in the same position as our FL lead Qu Xiaofeng.

Married off for political reasons to Li Chengyin, Xiaofeng feels caged in the palace with schemes abounding from every corner. But such is the life in The East Court as we are told in the author's note.

Chengyin doesn't want to be cruel and manipulative. However, he feels that is the only way to survive and protect Xiaofeng. Why? Because he loves her. But is this really love? And if it is, is it worth it?

Well, Xiaofeng does end up falling in love with Chengyin. From then on, the story starts moving faster and descending further into tragedy. We learn of her past, her family, and her first love.

The book consists of four long chapters. I would suggest reading at least each chapter in one sitting. At the 70% mark, we have five short chapters from different POVs - don't skip them; they enhance the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster's Children's Publishing for ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for this ARC,

This is not my first time reading this story. Having started watching the drama series, I then found a fan translation to keep myself immersed in the story. So when I saw an official translation was available, I jumped for a chance to read it again.

Honestly, not much is super different between the translations as both managed to capture the soul of Xiaofeng, as well as the other characters in the prospective chapters. This is also easily devourable, despite the fact that Goodbye, My Princess is a tragedy. It's in the title after all -- but each time I've returned to this world, I'm still hoping for a much better ending for our characters.

Goodbye, My Princes starts with an author's note that explains a lot of the background of the historical period it takes place in. I, however, am a big fan of historical Chinese dramas and already knew what I was getting into. Personally, I prefer the more tragic stories if they have to involve palace politics as it is a dog eats dog world there. There is no love that can exist for those in the palace. Unfortunately for Xiaofeng, she is in over her head and her innocence is a flimsy shield.

We start the narrative three years after Xiaofeng was married to Li Chengyi, the Crown Prince. Immediately, Fei Wo Si Cun decided to inform the reader that not only does Xiaofeng has a gap in her memories, but she is trapped in a loveless marriage. The Crown Prince's temper is unpredictable and he rarely comes to visit her except to start a fight. Xiaofeng is also a foreigner who comes from a land with a different kind of politics, but also a much different childhood.

Her innocence and naivete protects her from the worst as everyone knows she is a pawn rather than a player in the machine. Which leads to an interesting dynamic where the audience stays aware of the politics more so than our main character does. Snippets come to her through her attendants, but her nature leads her to ignore most of the problems. This dynamic makes the politics a lot more accessible for a western audience who may not be aware of the intricate nature of the courts in China.

Nonetheless, Xiaofeng in the end is a victim of circumstance who is constantly tossed back and forth between men who want to use her for their own personal gain. The reader wants Xiaofeng to escape to live the life she has always wanted. More so after the truth is revealed in regards to her home country. Li Chengyi, however, does what he needs to in order to secure the throne, and he is ruthless in his method of doing so. So when he does fall for Xiaofeng, it is known that nothing good can come from it. In fact, it's established beforehand that love of any sort will lead to your loved one's demise. To love is to wear your heart on your sleeve, which makes you the perfect scapegoat to further another's agenda.

I feel Goodbye, My Princess really shines in the extra chapters where we get to see the perspectives of those involved with our leads. The language's poetry comes through, but also Fei Wo Si Cun is able to peel back the curtain a little so we can understand more of what led to the tragedy in the end. There's just something about Xiaofeng that makes my heart ache for what she went through and what she did to finally control her life. For in a world of dangerous men, you need to be brutal to make it far and Xiaofeng learns this lesson a little too late.