This is a medieval fantasy romance book with dual POV, inspired by Legally Blonde (the musical) and Irish folklore. This book has a little bit of everything and something for everyone.

Here’s some of the highlights you can expect:

-A pampered princess thrown off her high horse on the eve of her presumed betrothal
-A handsome yet brooding guard who’s BFFs with her would-be fiancé
-Disability & Queer representation at the forefront of the story
-Worldbuilding based on ancient Irish lore
-Lovable and diverse friends at an elite college for war
-A journey of self confidence and of course, love.

About our protagonists:

Clía is truly a breath of fresh air as a female protagonist. Throughout her journey in this story, she’s brave & strong in a way that doesn’t shy away from her affinity for typical femininity. She’s nurturing, empathetic, and compassionate, all of which serve her in still finding strength and confidence to lead her country with war on the horizon.

Ronan is as gifted as he is hard working. He’s as fierce on the field as he is familiar with the flora and fauna. He’s brooding, yet caring and see’s the potential in Clía that others and even herself dismisses. His pain doesn’t define him, he triumphs through it to protect all he cares for.

Overall:

I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to those who enjoy some solid YA low fantasy with a decent romantic plot. This felt very much like a self contained story with a decent resolution at the end but it did leave a door open for more. If this was the first in a series or duology I am eager for more. If it is a true standalone I would be disappointed we won’t get to see more of this world or the characters. This book’s biggest strength was in its worldbuilding and romance. Something I would have loved to see developed more was its larger cast of characters felt more set dressing than an actual band of individuals I could connect enough to care about. It didn’t feel as earned when they became friends as it felt like all the bonding and friendship development happened outside of the main POVs. With the exception of a few characters closer to our main protagonists from the start of the story, I could barely tell the college crew from each other until the very end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC for this review! :)

I liked this! I haven’t seen legally blonde in a while, so maybe I’m just forgetting what happens in that movie, but the comp to it didn’t much make sense to me other than they both like pink and fashion. Regardless, I had a lot of fun with this one and I did enjoy Clia’s growth from “set dressing daughter” to “war hero”. Her journey and training was realistic, and the time period being over many months rather than a couple weeks was refreshing after all the romantasy I’ve read lately. I think I hated Dom more than anyone in the book did though. He kind of made up for it in the end but I didn’t see his kindness as a kid so to me he was just kind of an ass.

I also actually enjoyed the journey and the political action more than the romance. The romance was cute of course, but it felt comfortable in the background of the book.

I can’t wait to see what Cait does next!

This was a really great story! I love how determined she is and while she's got a goal going on, watching everything change as she goes was great.

My thanks to Avon & Harper Voyager for the ARC! This doesn’t affect my thoughts about the book. Out on October 14, 2025 🤍

First off, I would just like to compliment the beautifully-illustrated cover for this gorgeous book. Legally Blonde meets Celtic fantasy in this military medieval standalone! The Princess Knight is a tale of a princess who enters a prestigious and rigorous knight academy to get her betrothed back but soon realizes she will walk out with more than what she bargained for.

P.S. Medievally Blonde is still better!

What I liked about this book is how realistically the female main character was written. Her perspectives were purely from that of a privileged girl and we see this change throughout the novel. Readers will see her unfaltering determination, but also her struggles to fit in a world outside of the imperial bubble she was raised in. Moreover, I liked the queer representation in this novel! The characters are either revealed to be gay, bisexual, or nonbinary and it was appealing to me to read about how the representation felt as normal as breathing. Not only that but the disability rep was on point! Ronan’s battle with chronic pain was well-written because it didn’t defy his strength but rather shaped his character’s perspective on battle and persistence. I also liked the animal companion! It is one of my favorite things to see in fantasy novels and this one didn’t fail me.

This book discusses court politics, war strategies, combat, and is action-filled to the very last page. However, I do feel that the execution of the entire story could’ve been more polished. Some parts of the book felt entirely slow at times, and Ronan and Clía's yearning felt less than lovers but more than friends (I don’t know if this is maybe what the author is going for?) because I kind of ended up focusing on a different ship than the main ones… nevertheless, I do recommend this standalone.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!!

i am pleasantly surprised at such a strong debut from a popular bookstagrammer! and ok, i know that sounds pretentious, but there are many booktubers/stagrammers/tokers that have written books that are alarmingly bad copy and pasted versions of other popular books…

the princess knight is NOT that! i truly enjoyed clía’s character development, especially the way we see her become a confident young woman who knows how to fight and lead warriors with a heart of gold.

i also really enjoyed the friendship between clía and ronan before the eventual romance — which was a fantastic slow burn with NO SMUT! believe me, i enjoy a smutty romantasy, but the genre is too oversaturated. it’s extremely refreshing to read a romantasy that is plot focused rather than smut focused.

that being said, i will eagerly await cait jacobs’ upcoming books!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the digital advanced copy of The Princess Knight by Cail Jacobs. The review below reflects my own opinions.

The Princess Knight was a surprisingly fun and layered read that exceeded my expectations. The story follows Princess Clíodhna of the kingdom of Álainndore and Ronan, the personal guard of Prince Domhnall from the neighboring kingdom of Scáilca. When Domhnall unexpectedly breaks off his betrothal to Clía, she’s left grappling with feelings of failure—not just personally, but in terms of what it could mean for her kingdom. With tensions rising across the five kingdoms of Inismian and the threat of war looming, Clía decides to enroll at Caisleán Cósta, a fortress academy where elite warriors are trained. Her hope is to prove herself worthy, win back Domhnall, and secure her kingdom’s alliance with Scáilca. Meanwhile, Ronan—who lives with chronic pain—is driven by his gratitude to the general at Caisleán Cósta and a deep sense of duty. As both characters train and prepare for conflict, it becomes clear that war may be inevitable—but can they do anything to stop it?

From the beginning, I found this book immensely enjoyable. The official blurb honestly doesn’t do justice to the emotional depth and character nuance that Cail Jacobs brings to the table. One of the standout aspects for me was the natural, respectful representation of LGBTQ+ identities. The use of various pronouns, Ronan’s mention of a past relationship with a man, and Clía’s openness to being betrothed to a queen—all of it felt refreshingly effortless, woven seamlessly into the narrative the way sexuality exists in real life. It wasn’t a plot point; it was just part of who these characters were.

Another element that struck a chord with me was the portrayal of chronic pain. As someone who lives with chronic migraines, I deeply related to Ronan’s quiet perseverance. His experience wasn’t dramatized or romanticized—it was just real. His mantra of not letting pain define or limit him is something I personally live by, and seeing that reflected in a fantasy setting felt surprisingly validating.

And without giving away spoilers, I’ll just say: the moment of Clía’s true growth at the end? No gimmicks. Just a powerful, well-earned evolution that made me genuinely respect her character.

That said, there were a couple of elements that held this back from being a five-star read for me. The subplot involving divine gifts felt underdeveloped—almost like an afterthought. If that thread had been removed entirely, the core of the story wouldn’t have changed much. I also struggled a bit with understanding the larger political landscape. The motivations of the villains weren’t fully clear, and the dynamics between the five kingdoms remained somewhat muddy, especially considering the stakes of war.

Still, I would absolutely recommend The Princess Knight. It has heart, representation, and characters that stay with you. I really hope there’s a sequel, because it feels like Cail Jacobs has only begun to scratch the surface of this world and its stories.

Spice:0/5 (closed door)
Romance: 3/5
"Enemies" to lovers
One love interest
Dark hair MMC
RATING 3.5 out of 5

This was marketed as adult but it definitely read and felt very young adult. The main characters are all around the age of 18 and they all feel very teen. I guess that's on me for assuming they would be in their twenties and would act like they were in their twenties.
I went into this book expecting a light and fun read considering it's marketed as Legally Blonde for the fantasy girlies but it had more depth behind it than I was expecting. Which for me personally is the downfall of this book. I didn't feel like the book found its setting, you are pushed into different vibes each couple of chapters. There are times where it's light and Legally Blonde-ish and then times where it feels like a full fantasy.
The romance between Clia and Ronan was okay, it didn't have any yearning or growth.
Overall, this was a good read, just not a great one.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for this ARC

Decent read.

This was a decent, tropey romantasy that did its job. I think I went in expecting more from the fantasy side of things, which might've set me up for a bit of disappointment. That one's on me.

The romance was good. It wasn't mind blowing, but it was enjoyable enough to keep me turning the pages. I liked the inclusivity, the feminist undertones, and how the story subverted some typical damsel-in-distress tropes. The side characters were fine, they did their part. The main issue is that the twist was predictable. The fantasy elements in general felt very familiar, like every other romantasy book so, I saw the twist coming.

Also, I don't know if I am being nitpicky but the story felt so...small? I expected so much more from the world building because of how much information we were given in the start but the actual plot felt very contained. It’s like the world had the potential to be big, but the story never really let it stretch its legs.

But again, it's a romantasy and on that front, it delivers what it promises. It's not bad by any means, just nothing especially memorable either. A solid, light read (I know it's 512 pages long but it didn't really feel like that ngl) if you’re in the mood for a cute little romantasy.

Thank you to the publishers for the ARC, and best of luck to the author for the release!

I will admit that I didn't read the back of the book until 33% in and I soon realized I was rooting for the wrong love interest but otherwise the book was okay.

This book was just a blast to read. The the world is easy to sink into, and Clía is a charming, determined main character who brings a lot of energy to the story. The combination of romance, action, and humor makes it hard to put down, and I really enjoyed watching her grow throughout the book.

The military academy setting adds a nice level of tension and stakes, and the dynamic between Clía and Ronan is engaging from the start. There’s a great mix of training scenes, duels, and quieter emotional moments. Also Clia is just nice. Which I love. Princesses can be fierce and nice.

That said, I was genuinely surprised to find out the love interest is nineteen. It completely shifted how I saw the book and made it feel much more like YA, even though the tone and writing don’t start off that way. It took me out of the story for a moment, but overall it didn’t stop me from enjoying it. The romance is very soft, with the intimate scene very streamlined.

If you’re looking for a fun fantasy with romance, action, and a strong heroine, this is a great pick.

The Princess Knight
By Cait Jacobs

Princess Clia has been betrothed to Prince Domhnall since birth. With their engagement drawing near, she’s full of nerves, forever seen as just a pretty face, she hopes that this union might finally bring her a sense of purpose and stability. But everything changes when Prince Domhnall arrives and declares that he cannot marry her. With war looming, he claims he must wed a warrior princess—someone strong enough to help lead his kingdom.

Ronan, the captain of Prince Domhnall’s guard, has always had one goal: to be the best warrior. He pushes his body beyond its limits, never letting pain or weakness hold him back. When Prince Domhnall announces they’ll be training at Caisleán Costa to forge true warriors, Ronan never expects to see Princess Clia there, let alone training to become the very warrior Domhnall rejected her for. As Ronan helps her grow stronger, he fights a new kind of battle, keeping his distance, even as he begins to fall for her.

I absolutely enjoyed every second of The Princess Knight. The pacing was spot on, the characters were compelling, and even the side characters added rich depth to the story. I especially loved Clia’s transformation from uncertain princess to fierce warrior. My only wish? That the title had remained Medievally Blonde—it had such a unique ring to it!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read this empowering and romantic adventure!

The Princess Knight is a sparkling debut fantasy that blends royal drama, fierce duels, and unexpected romance with a heroine who refuses to let heartbreak dim her shine. Princess Clía’s quest to win back the prince who spurned her leads her into the grueling halls of a military academy, but what begins as a mission to reclaim love soon transforms into a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and unexpected passion. With sharp banter, a swoon-worthy slow-burn between Clía and the disciplined warrior Ronan, and a looming war that raises the stakes, this novel balances action, heart, and humor with grace. Clía’s determination, courage, and unshakable sense of style make her an unforgettable protagonist in a story where love, loyalty, and identity are tested on and off the battlefield.

I enjoyed this book overall, however it was definitely a little difficult to get into. I felt like I was caught up on remembering the names and couldn't connect with the characters. Overall it was still an enjoyable read and I enjoyed the storyline!

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, Netgalley, and to the author for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

The cover of this book is so gorgeous, I just had to request it, but friends…it’s the medieval version of Legally Blonde. Bar for bar.

The book starts with a girl expecting to get engaged, but, plot twist, the guy doesn’t propose. Instead, he tells her that she doesn’t really fit the concept that he has for a wife, and for a ruler. The main character proceeds to follow said guy to the warrior school (instead of law school) that he’s attending, and she struggles to fit in at first, but then progresses until the pivotal moment where she says, “You once told me that I wasn’t strong enough to be your queen,” she said to him, her voice coiled like a snake about to strike. “I hope you realize the truth now. I’m more than a ‘pretty face.’ I’m more than someone you can toss aside like nothing. I am more than you.”

Are you picking up what I’m putting down? Bar for bar. One of the teachers turns out to be the bad guy and everything. So, I will say, I love Legally Blonde!! I was just hoping for a more original storyline in this book, and the parallels were very distracting as a reader.

3 stars... super impressive writing for a debut author. I loved the premise of legally blonde x medieval vibes. I do wish the author would have leaned into the legally blonde aspect a little more. She never felt quite as vapid as Elle Woods was which kind of took away from fun. Overall, for the right audience this would definitely be a hit!

4.5 Stars!

This was such an interesting reading experience. The Cover was definitely giving me rom-com vibes, and while that vibe is definitely there in spades, this is also a really engaging tale of medieval politics, fantasy beasts and found family.

I believe this story is inspired by the movie Legally Blonde, and that amazing story of a woman trying to prove herself to her old lover, and ends up finding her 'place' along the way. This story was also so much more with a dreamy-yet-complicated captain hero in a war-college, and good banter.

Definitely one to pick up!

ARC provided by NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

This was cute, but I wanted to like it so much more than I did. It was extremely predictable and I had to fight to keep interest in it. I love books with healthy culture but I do need more cheat sheets with those books. This had an explanation of the different kingdoms in the front but there wasn’t a single glossary for all of the different names and I always want to make sure I’m pronouncing them correctly. I hope the finalized book includes a key for this. I would recommend it for a quick, light read, but it didn’t hit the nail on the head for me.

I loved this book! It was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it did not disappoint. This was the perfect mix of Legally Blonde, Clueless, and Ella Enchanted which are the movies that shaped me as a person. It did follow the major plot points of Legally Blonde, but this was originally titled Medievally Blonde so like I knew what I was signing up for. I thought that the ending dragged a little bit and could have been cut down a little bit, but overall I am still really happy with this. There is definitely a door open for this to become a series and I really hope it does.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this arc!!!

“Legally Blonde meets Medieval Fantasy” SIGN ME UP!!

This book was amazing! The pacing was just right, and the plot was both strong and relevant. The characters were fantastic, and I particularly appreciated the long list of queer representation. While the love story was just okay, I really liked Clía; she was incredibly inspiring, stubborn, witty, and authentically herself. Ronan, on the other hand, felt somewhat flat and didn’t offer much to the story. Although the plot became a bit plain towards the end, overall, this was a great debut novel. I look forward to reading more from Cait Jacobs in the future!

Thank you to HarperCollins for this ARC!

The Princess Knight was such a fun retelling of Legally Blonde. I could clearly see the key points translated into this book and enjoyed the new things added in. I also was delighted to see how Queer-normative this book was. No one questioned attraction nor pronouns and they all fit seamlessly into the world.
I will say that some points felt like they were dragging but overall it was an enjoyable book and I would recommend it.