This is a cute tale of personal growth loosely based on Legally Blonde. I can definitely see the parallels. I enjoyed all the characters and representation and enjoyed the main character coming into herself. Some of the twists I saw coming but some I did not! I would classify this as a YA so don't expect any explicit spice.

Have you ever watched a really campy 80’s fantasy movie that for some reason beyond your comprehension has a cult following? And no matter how hard you try you can’t get immersed in the lore because you instead find yourself unintentionally scrolling your phone at least every 3 minutes? But you still know what’s going on because it’s relevant enough in pop culture that you know the basic storyline?

That was this book for me.

For this being marketed (or formerly marketed?) as Medieval Legally Blonde, I don’t think the references hit that hard, personally. I did like that Luke Wilson’s dupe, Ronan, was her ex’s friend rather than some upper classman. It also did something for me that Warner’s dupe was more redeemable as well.

Frankly, I can’t tell if I hated it or just didn’t like it, maybe somewhere in between. You might enjoy this if you liked: “The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels” or the reboot of “Willow” that Disney+ has since removed from their servers.

I really really wanted to like this book. I mean just look at that cover art 🥹. But alas a good book does not a cover make.

This was originally marketed as a fantasy take on legally blonde and I really didn’t see that to me. It read more like a YA version of fourth wing. And I think that’s the reason why I gave it such a low rating because I kept comparing everything to that. And I know it’s not fair for me to do that but my brain does what my brain does.

The first half of the book seemed to be more focused on being a Legally Blonde retelling than anything else, and the story suffered for it. The plot and character dynamics didn't flow naturally, because the story had to hit every single note from LB. By the time the story diverges to a unique plot, it relies on a reader's investment in the characters and their relationships that I just didn't feel.

The shallow motivations were my biggest frustration through this book. The story starts with Clía's sense of duty to marry Domhnall for the good of her country—but why this would actually be good for her country is never explained beyond vague references to appearances of power and respect and parental pressure. She repeatedly expressed a desire to take care of her people, but what that means beyond vague platitudes is never discussed. Then we have a military conflict with almost no motivation for the opposition except vague framing of them as invaders and warlords in search of magical religious relics. The plot takes some twists and turns, but those twists rely on character decisions that are never really explained at all.

This was a generally fun read, and there were some moments I was sucked in—but the story felt like it was going through the motions, and I felt like I was doing the same reading it.

Tropes:
LGBTQ+ representation
Legally Blonde retelling
Medieval times
Battle training scenes


I absolutely adored Princess Clia. Everything about her was amazing from start to end. There was never a dull moment with her plus her relationship with Ronan? Amazing.

A fantasy with both queer and neurodivergent representation as well as a character with chronic pain? Yes, please! This has been a highly anticipated read of mine ever since Cait started teasing the idea of it on TikTok a few years ago and it really delivered!

I always love seeing a FMC grow into herself and this story was no exception. Clia having her Elle Woods moment of "oh, they aren't taking me seriously? Then I'll give them something to take seriously" where she evolves from a courtly princess to a warrior in her own right was such a fun ride. Tired of being treated like she's nothing but pretty dresses and too gentle to be a threat, Clia finds a way to prove that she deserves her spot at Caislean Costa. Who needs Domhnall anyway when you can be your own source of strength? Enter Ronan, Domhnall's close friend and bodyguard who finds himself enamored by the lovely and determined Clia despite his better judgements. I loved Ronan's determination to push on to be his best and related all too well to his habit of ignoring his chronic pain until it was too late (I think all of us chronically ill/disabled readers can relate to this). Ronan trains Clia in combat and their skills continue to be tested as they push through their military academy training while finding themselves knee-deep in politics and subterfuge. I thought the romance between them was really cute and the romance itself felt well-paced and realistic for the timeline of events

I really enjoyed this story and felt like it was a nice breath of fresh air. With bi4bi representation and queer side characters, chronic illness representation that actually impacts the character and how they make many of their decisions (I've read too many books with chronic pain not represented in a true and accurate light that does it justice), and Irish folklore inspiration, this book was a strong and unique debut! I always appreciate own voices representation, especially in fantasy, and can't wait to see how Cait evolves as an author!

This book is just what I needed!! It does the princess x knight trope so beautifully while still maintaining great wit. The book is considered an “adult fiction” but I would say it borders into the YA category. There is great LGBTQ+ rep which is a plus. While this is set in a medieval setting do not go into this thinking it will stay true to the era or to the Celtic mythology. I would say it takes inspiration from the medieval period and Celtic mythology.
It was a solid debut and although it was not my favorite, due to the relationship feeling a bit flat, it was not horrible. It gave me comedic relief, romance, and the medieval vibes I came looking for.

If anyone is looking for more Princess x Knight romances, THIS IS THE ONE!!! I recently saw a tik tok being like "ugh, I wish we had more Princess x Knight fantasy books." You literally had to drag me out of that comments section because I recommended this book so many times.

Now for the actual review:

This was a very fun story, a YA medieval reimagining of Legally Blonde. It's also rife with betrayal and deceit. Clía follows her ex-betrothed to a military school for knights to prove her worth. In the process she becomes a badass knight and makes lots of tough decisions for her kingdom. She meets a knight who she hopelessly gravitates to, and oh, did I mention he's also her ex-betrothed's best friend??

I loved that the MMC had so much ambition. Many times we see in fantasy that these characters are already established and have some kind of power, but Ronan has to put in the WORK during this book. Poor guy cannot catch a break.

A moment for the otter. Murphy, my love, my heart, my joy. Thank you for being you.

Sparkly rock yay!

The latest ARC I received from NetGalley was The Princess Knight by Cait Jacobs. This book has a generic-sounding title, which made me expect something along the lines of the overdone warrior princess trope. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it actually had a feminine protagonist who wasn't much of a fighter. The book is actually a stealth medieval retelling of Legally Blonde, particularly the Broadway version. Being a huge fan of the musical, I had a lot of fun catching the many references to it peppered throughout the book. For marketing purposes, I do wish the title made it more obvious that this is a retelling because I think that would help widen its reader appeal. I'm not sure exactly what it should be called to do that, though. Royally Blonde? Legally Knighted? Legally Princess?

Princess Clia is in an arranged marriage with Prince Domhnall to forge an alliance between their kingdoms. She is blindsided when Domhnall unexpectedly breaks off the engagement for someone who would be a more "serious" leader. In a valiant attempt to prove she has what it takes to lead, Clia follows Domhnall to a prestigious military academy where she trains in the art of warfare on her own terms, fancy dresses and all. During her attendance, she grows closer to Ronan, one of Domhnall's knights, who feels awful about how his friend snubbed her. He helps her with her training and looks out for her during the trials and tribulations she faces at the school.

This book is so similar to Legally Blonde that fans of the movie or play can easily predict everything that happens in it, which might be a drawback for readers who enjoy plot twists. Some scenes felt like they were taken directly from the stage show. Every character has an equivalent in this book, which makes it easy to know what to expect from them. One of my favorite characters was Niamh, the "Vivienne" equivalent. As Domhnall's new fiancée, she sees Clia as a threat at first, but later comes to respect her as a peer and realizes that Domhnall may not have been as great as she initially thought. Clia has a handmaiden who takes on the same role as Paulette whom I liked as well.

Since this is a war story, there is quite a bit of action and violence in it, especially toward the end, which is not ideal for fans of the traditionally safe narrative of Legally Blonde. The war element gives it some semblance to Mulan, but without the crossdressing. In fact, Clia is a refreshingly feminine character who finds ways to use her femininity to her advantage in battle. This makes The Princess Knight stand apart from the myriad of other stories about tough-as-nails battling princesses from the last few decades. In a refreshing throwback to older feminist media, Clia must work hard and leave her comfort zone to become a great leader rather than being naturally gifted.

The Princess Knight is an uplifting and clever retelling of Legally Blonde, transporting the beloved story to a medieval setting with a refreshingly feminine protagonist. Cait Jacobs' writing is engaging and fun, with nods to the original musical that fans will appreciate. While the story follows the same beats as the original, the addition of a war storyline adds a new layer of depth and action. Clia's journey from pampered princess to capable leader is inspiring, and her femininity is portrayed as a strength rather than a weakness. Overall, this book is a great fit for fans of fairy tale retellings, strong female protagonists, and a dash of humor and romance. If you're looking for a fun and lighthearted read with a medieval twist, The Princess Knight is definitely worth checking out.

Would you believe this book is another evil attempt at getting me to believe in love and other things again

The Princess Knight was a pretty fun journey overall, though I did struggle getting into it in the beginning. Things were happening, but I felt quite disconnected to everything. It got a lot better as we move onto Clia studying in Casilean Costa, though, as I think the plot picked up more there. I was surprised to see it categorised as an adult book, since it read very much like upper YA to me.

The world and characters in this book are pretty unique, all things considered, and a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of fantasy romances that have been published in the last couple years, with a queernormative world, disability rep and a female main character that isn’t afraid to be feminine, whilst still being a badass (it is so very unfortunate that this archetype is so hard to find in romantasy books these days). I enjoyed Ronan as the mmc, but he was overshadowed by Clia. I loved her a lot, lmao — from her character development to her journey to prove herself to MURPHY — she really did steal the show for me.

I hear about the comparisons of this book to Legally Blonde a lot, but I can’t comment much since I haven’t watched it hahaha… (I will.. one day…). But this was a fun book regardless!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the ARC! All thoughts are my own :D

This read as more of a YA which is totally fine! I just didn’t love it as much as I had hoped. The pacing felt off to me ( I was bored for a good 30%) and every conflict that arises is dealt with too quickly. That being said, Clia was a very strong FMC and I adored her. I loved seeing her transform into her stronger more confident self. Her and Ronans connection felt strong and worthy. All of the side characters were unique and bonded well which made it worth the read for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an arc of this book for my honest review!

I followed this books journey for a super long time, and I can't believe I was lucky enough to get an ARC of it! Even more so, I can't believe I enjoyed it as much as I did. It's a rare thing, I think, to anticipate something so much and have it meet expectation. I'm so happy to say this book did just that.

Braiding the tales of the dumb blonde, aloof princess, and military corruption was no small feat, but Cait Jacobs wove a story with enormous heart. It was fun, flirty, and mysterious.

Clía, the princess, is complex and dynamic. I loved that she never settled to be just one thing. She is girly and strong. She is a fighter and a lover. She's stylish and fierce. She takes for herself and gives for others. Without giving anything away, her growth throughout the story felt very natural and well paced. She was a fully fleshed out character, and I can't wait for a wider audience to get this book in their hands so fan art and social medias can gush over her. (I also just read that she's meant to be autistic/autistic coded, and now I'm questioning myself with how relatable I found her...anyway)

Speaking of audiences, I think they're going to lose their minds over Ronan. Tragic backstory, smart, caring, hot? Oh, they're not going to be able to get enough of him. I really loved how present he was in the story given that his relationship with other characters could have made him a bit meek due to power imbalances. But he held his ground through it all! He was a great character, and I felt like he was very consistent even throughout his development.

The supporting characters were sassy, fun, and emotion provoking to say the least. They really kept me second guessing what I thought I knew about the story and the other characters. However, I do wish there was a little more initial description for some of the characters we didn't get a POV for. For example, there is a non-binary character that uses they/them pronouns. Great! Setting this book in a queernormative world is cool! But I had a very hard time visually imaging the character because of that, and I also had to reread their introduction a few times because I wasn't sure if 'they' referred to a group or not. And I got used to it quickly, but it did kind of throw me off a bit. My heteronormative brain definitely had to reread a few things to follow the queernormative world, but I liked the representation, and I'm really happy for queer readers to have these characters/relationships.

I thought the elements of fantasy, medieval elements, and romance were balanced really well. This was a really great story, and I thought it was well written. I definitely plan on grabbing a physical copy of The Princess Knight when it hits shelves, and I really can't wait for people to fall in love with this book!

Heavy with Irish folklore, the Princess Knight is everything for those who love medieval stories and proving men wrong.

From the start, Clía is shown to be a multi faceted character and misunderstood by those around her. She has such immense depth to her character that it hurts to see how others treat her as someone frivolous and like an air head. She’s princess of Álainndore and even if she wasn’t, why the fuck would it be ok to make judgements based off appearances?? Definitely the last time anyone will underestimate my princess fr. She literally SLAYED and I wish we had focused more on how badass she became. Of course the jewel was a wonderful assist but she had mastered the basics in training and was able to fend herself off without the jewel to General Kordislaen AND O’Connor. That’s my girl (me and Ronan shouting at the same time), I really enjoyed her ARC and how she realized how truly she was fighting for her kingdom (from marrying to keep it protected to being able to physically fight for it).

Ah Ronan - a prodigy and a great example of an honorable man. He may do some foolish things and is a little stubborn, but is so thoughtful and kind towards Clía and Domnhall. I loved his friendship and that he was always willing to help Clía, even without Kordislaen suggesting it. He and Clía had such wonderful chemistry and I loved that he represented those with chronic pain. He was still a formidable warrior, soldier, strategist, and kind person with chronic pain, but it didn’t deter him. I did find it refusing how he didn’t listen to his body, but that was somewhat resolved at the end of the book and his own internalized ableism been addressed separately by Cait.

Domnhall is such an idiot (affectionately). I’ve never seen royalty trip over their own words as much as this prince does and frankly, if I was in his shoes, I wouldn’t be much better. He’s not TOO much of a bonehead, but I’d definitely love to see more character development from him and maybe even a chapter or two from his POV. He struggles to communicate and is also young and inexperienced so a peek into his mind and the brain behind our beloved prince would be very much welcome.

O’Connor’s betrayal really stung and I totally saw it coming🥲 between him and Kordislaen. If we kept true to the Legally Blonde inspired medieval AU, we would know that someone would be betraying Clía and that it would reinforce her insecurities of being a good knight/warrior/soldier. O’Connor’s was definitely more of a surprise, the name didn’t even register until we got to Clía’s chapter in rescuing Ronan, to which I was yelling at like “excuse me what?!” 10/10 the princess saving the knight trope is a micro trope but one that deserves a spotlight ok???

I loved the Irish folklore and am requesting a pronunciation guide so I may give google a break from me asking for proper pronunciations. Irish folklore is so interesting to me and definitely adds a lovely touch in the world building.

Gifts of the Treibh Anam - now this was definitely one of my favorite things in this debut and something I’d LOVE to read more about in Cait’s next books (if any). The flower, the tree, the harp, the net, and the jewel. Could Cait’s next stories focus on the gifts and their corresponding characters? Clearly Clía is the jewel, and if rumors are the Niamh’s story could be next so I wonder which gift would be applicable to her? These are just theories of course but I absolutely adored this world building and it added such depth to an already interesting new fantasy world.

This book is also queer normative which I appreciated as it didn’t take away the focus from the plot or characters, but just flowed with the story. It wasn’t the centers of the story because being queer was normal and it wasn’t a groundbreaking idea in this fantasy world and I just love that it was completely normalized. More books should be queer normative and inclusive and The Princess Knight handled it beautifully.

I strongly believe this is not the end to Clía and Ronan’s story, but just the beginning. While they caught the spies, war is still brewing and their kingdoms are ill prepared for what is to come. I am looking forward to seeing what Cait writes next and hopeful that it’s something within this new world

Thank you Avon team and HarperCollins for this digital galley in exchange for my honest review. I’m very excited for this release and cannot wait to see what others think and theories for the (hopefully) next book!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Welcome to The Princess Knight, where Legally Blonde meets medieval fantasy. After discovering she will not be wed to her prince, she enters a prestigious military school, determined to win him back. I loved the character growth throughout this story. The world building was incredible, I appreciated how backstory and history were added without being confusing or overwhelming.

I was obsessed with the FMC, she was constantly growing and changing throughout the story. I loved watching her go from a naive princess solely playing the roles her family expects, to a strong independent woman. Each character in this story was very well developed, and had clear motivations behind their actions.

The first half of the book: 💖⚔️🌸🥰🎀
The second half: 💀⚰️😭🩸

I’ve been looking forward to this since Cait first announced it, and I feel SO blessed to have gotten my hands on an ARC. Legally Blonde is one of my favorite chick flicks (RIP Medievally Blonde, you will be missed), so a story that goes from Harvard Law to knighthood? Truly inspired take. Add in the Irish mythology and I couldn’t put it down! (Speaking of, Cait - how would someone get their hands on a Murphy plush? Asking for a friend)

Love, love, loved that female friendships were such a strong part of the story. An unfortunate side effect of some retellings is forgetting the other relationships to focus on making the romance as steamy as possible, and while Ronan and Clía’s relationship was EVERYTHING, her bonds with Sarait and Niamh were also essential to the story and her character. Remembering that platonic relationships are just as, if not more than, important as romantic ones is the key to fostering strong ties between characters in-book as well as the readers.

That said, I absolutely have to speak on the romance in the story, because WOW. Clía and Ronan’s relationship is an attention-grabber from their first meeting. The quiet yearning, the stolen kisses, that training scene…woof. The way Ronan always thinks how pretty Clía’s hair is every time he sees her bc the light makes it look like his favorite flower. Clía’s fear of getting too close with Ronan because he knows too much of her, and his rejection would break her completely. This I felt was especially well done, because these kind of books often separate the characters with a flimsy miscommunication trope that infuriates readers and characters alike just so we have to wait for the couple to get together. Clía’s is a rational fear based on past experiences, and Ronan understands enough to give her space without letting her retreat wholly away from him. The payoff in the end becomes so much sweeter for them working through their respective obstacles.

A fantastic book steeped in Irish folklore and the soft embrace of a queernormative world, The Princess Knight has certainly put Cait Jacobs on my must-watch list.

The Princess Knight by Cait Jacobs
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️

Huge thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books and Harper Collins Voyager for the e-ARC!

I cannot recommend this book enough!! The Princess Knight has shot up into possibly one of my favorite stories of all time!

Prepare yourself for Legally Blonde meets Fourth Wing. Except the MFC is going to warrior school, not law school aaaand there are no dragons 😂

Cait Jacobs perfected her ability to slowly build this story upon itself, brick by brick About halfway through the book, every facet of the story deepens. The characters slowly become complex and well thought-out in a way that feels like natural growth. Each minor character was fleshed out and had their own stories continuing even if they were out of view. It is a story that is rich in politics, but trickles the knowledge at the reader in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming. Okay, maybe some of the names are a bit hard to pronounce, but don’t let that deter you!

The dual POV provided a feet-kicking level of romance that slowly grew into something absolutely earth shattering. Ronan and Clia really feel like unique outliers in the romantasy world. Their chemistry is unmatched, and I loved them every step of the way!!

I highly recommend The Princess Knight and will definitely have to order this. It just HAS to live on my shelf!! Bravo Cait Jacobs!! 👏

Should you compare this to Legally Blonde? I’d argue not to. It’s a cute and clever idea, but it only fit that storyline in the beginning, and it felt a bit clunky. I think Clía is a likable main character, but she doesn’t remind me of Elle.

Overall my feelings after just finishing are that it was neither bad writing, nor fun reading. It took me two full weeks to finish, which is a very long time for me, because every time I picked it up I got sleepy. It was slow in pace.

The romance was lacking in the chemistry department. That was a bit disappointing because the cover art is gorgeous! However, I appreciate that it is LGBT inclusive. I did like some of the friendships developed too, especially with Niamh. I also enjoyed adding Murphy as the pet, brought some real folklore with the dobhar-chú into the mix, which I definitely google image searched.

Overall it did read to me as YA. I could guess twists or plot points easily, so there wasn’t much excitement. The best parts were fights, battles, and occasional banter.

Thank you NetGalley for the free eARC!

This was an entertaining fantasy adventure with a dash of romance. I was excited for the premise of it being Legally Blonde but knights and it was fun to find the little nods to the movie within the story.

That being said, I found it to be a touch predictable and at times a little cheesy.

3.5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the digital galley in exchange for my honest review.

I never realized how badly I needed a princess who felt like me until I read The Princess Knight.

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this title, and it absolutely did not disappoint. Think Legally Blonde, but make it medieval war college for royals with banter, Queer and non-binary rep, chronic illness and disability rep, and neurodivergent characters that made my heart ache in the best way.

Growing up, I adored princess stories. But the princesses were always perfect. Always proper. I think the closest I ever felt to represented was Caleigh from Quest for Camelot—and this book gives those same rebellious, kind-hearted, I don’t fit your mold but I’m still magic vibes.

If you're looking for a cozy, empowering read that gently reclaims the princess archetype: weird, brilliant, fierce and soft. I cannot recommend this enough.

3.75/5
Totally recommend this book to anyone who is looking for closed door YA fantasy with romance. Although, I found myself having a rough time keeping my interest, I still enjoyed it. I did see the aspects of legally blonde put throughout the book with her not taking no for an answer and proving herself. I love love love Ronan’s character, he is such a sweetheart putting everyone before himself but not being afraid to stand up for what he believes is right and not afraid to tell people they are wrong. Overall I loved the ending and how it wrapped up. I do hope there is more to come with these characters.

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!