| Title | : | Hand-Me-Down Princess (The Monarchies of Belles Montagnes #4) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 385 |
| Publication | : | First published August 31, 2015 |
Jessabelle Keller would happily spend her entire life in obscurity, but her father once saved the life of a future king. Before he dies, her father is committed to seeing that king make good on his promise to have one of his sons marry her so she would be taken care of for life.
No sooner than
Hand-Me-Down Princess (The Monarchies of Belles Montagnes #4) Reviews
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I'm a little obsessed with this series and this author right now. Oh, I guess this is the beginning of a new series from her. All the books are about women and men either royal or marrying a royal. There is a similar feel to each book, but I just can't seem to help myself. I'm a sucker for these kinds of books. This is an easy reading, take me away, happily ever ending kind of book. Christian fiction. Clean.
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I enjoyed most of this book it was a sweet read I liked both hero and herion they where great characters.
Malachi and Jessabelle story felt finished but the other Characters that got there POV's it didn't feel finish. That's the thing about some POV's it just makes me confuse about the book and it sometimes doesn't belong in the story I really didn't think this book needed other POV's. I just wanted to skip those parts because the book was good just having Malachi and Jessabelle's part only.
The big surprise that came out I kind of new that it was coming in the back of my mind I had a feeling it was going to be that. But I just didn't know if it was going to ruined the relationship with Malachi and Jessabelle.
Overall it was a good book.
{MY LIKE SCALE}
Romance: 4.5/5 (I really liked them together when Jessabelle wasn't keeping her distance from Malachi)
Drama: 3/5 (A lot of drama and a lot of secrets)
Cover: 4/5 (Okay cover)
Jessabelle "Mia Belle": 4.5/5 (She had some annoying moments but overall she was a sweet herion)
Malachi "Kai": 5/5 (He was a great hero from start to finish he's definitely one of my favorite heroes)
Writings: 4/5 (Really good and sweet story)
Humour: 3/5 (Could've had more humour but it was okay)
Hotness: 2/5 (Just Kissing but I didn't mine so much)
HEA: -
I stumbled upon this book while I was browsing Amazon. I read the preview, which had 4 whole chapters, and I loved the awkward relationship from Jessabelle and Malachi! May I say Jessabelle is a beautiful name This is an amazing book that kept me well into the early morning hours.
If you have read Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding series, you will adore this book!
For those who have read the second book in this series,
, is it worth the read? -
I guess I will be in the minority with my review of this book.
I liked the concept, often finding stories where couple are put together against their will to be interesting. I also enjoy stories about royalty. If you like those storylines this book might interest you. I was interested enough to finish it, but I'm not sure that I will read more by this author unless I'm not able to find something from my to-read list.
I appreciate the hard work and effort authors put into their writing. I write and hope to be published myself, so I feel a connection to other authors. I feel badly to say that I think this book needed more polish and editing before it was released.
There were numerous instances where a wrong word was chosen. Using "eminent" instead of "imminent," for example. Or, a new speaker's dialogue would be attached to the first speaker's paragraph, making it confusing to figure out who was talking. As I read, I highlight any grammar, spelling, or other errors on my Kindle. I ended up highlighting a lot in this book. More than I'd pass off as slipping past during the final proofread. I am supportive of indie authors, but I expect a high level of grammatical skill just as I would from a big publishing house. I felt a better job could have been done in this area.
Besides the nitty gritty aspects of the writing, I felt the descriptions of physical locations and characters' appearances were lacking. I had little sense of what anyone looked like, and often felt that the people were standing around in blank spaces as the settings were not described much. Supposedly Jessabelle is not that pretty. But why? What is her hair and eye color? Does she have a big nose? I have no idea. The Prince's eye color is even a plot point at the end of the story, and yet it wasn't mentioned before then that I can recall. I had zero idea where in the world these fictional countries were supposed to be. Some were mountainous. Others were islands, I guess?
While reading this book, I actually thought it was the fourth or fifth book in the series. So much backstory was referred to about other characters, but in such a summarized way, as though the audience already knew, that I assumed other novels by Moncado had covered those stories. I felt very out-of-the-loop about who the extended family was and how everyone interrelated. A number of scenes seem to set up for the second book about a different couple, and frankly, were unnecessary to this story, when the POV character was suddenly changed and wasn't involved in the main plot.
Some of the rules and protocol surrounding these royal families seemed unnecessarily complex and too convoluted for the reader to follow. It often seemed contrived just to make things go a certain way for the characters, rather than a logical, believable set of traditions that might have developed in these countries.
Jessabelle as a heroine was more blah than Bella Swan. I did not find it believable that she could attract Malachi, and she was so young and immature I could not relate to her. I wanted to smack her for most of the novel. If you're going to be stuck married to this guy, at least try to talk to him. I did not believe by the end that they had fallen in love. At 19 and 21 I found it hard to take them seriously. They're kids, and Jessabelle acts like it, while Malachi has the maturity of a thirty-year-old, somehow. Jessabelle has never used a smartphone or tablet. Who is she, Anastasia Steele? Her father wouldn't let her...okay, why? That made no sense. She was hopelessly innocent and socially anxious. That kind of heroine doesn't appeal to me at all.
Characters had inane thoughts like "He couldn't figure out what was bothering him. No one knew Christiana's fiance. But he couldn't put his finger on what was wrong." Um, DUHHHHHH! Could it be that what's wrong is no one has met this woman's fiance? The readers are smart enough to see that that's suspicious. There were lots of other examples of thoughts or dialogue that just made me roll my eyes.
My final thought is that if you are going to read this, you'll have to be very forgiving of the mistakes and confusing or lacking details. There was potential here with this story, but it could have been improved a lot. -
Carol Moncado's first book was so good that I decided I wanted to add her to my list of authors whose books I will always read. That decision has not changed.
This one, Hand Me Down Princess, begins a new series and it was wonderful! Prince Malachi must marry a woman he has never spoken to, not ever seen, all because of a promise his father, the king, made to this woman's father many years ago.
During this book, revelations about their families threaten to destroy their lives, intrigue abounds and love begins to grow little by little. All the while, the spiritual thread runs through that we are God's children, no matter what others think of us.
There was an excerpt from the next book in the series and oh boy, I can't wait.
*I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not encouraged to leave a positive one and my opinions are my own. -
Carol is the queen of writing "princess" romance. I love her books and this book was one of the best. I loved the story of Malachi and Jessabelle. The fact that neither of them wanted to be married, but it was an arranged marriage, and it's a contemporary romance gave it a nice twist. Carol kept the plot moving and the reader guessing. I loved how she worked out the issues and brought the book to a wonderful conclusion. The ending was perfect. Plus, there is a WONDERFUL preview of Queen Christina's story which is book 2 in this series. I plan to pre-order than one. Keep them coming, Carol!
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Jessebelle finds, two weeks before the event, that she's to marry a prince...that it was arranged by their fathers.
Malachi learns his father, the King of Mevendia, owes his friend his life, who asks the king to repay him by having one of his sons marry his daughter...a plain, inconspicuous 19 year old, with no royal training.
Being a dutiful son, also realizing his arguments are falling on deaf ears, decides to make the best of it, marry her and be the best husband he can.
And he is! He's absolutely perfect. Kind, encouraging, supportive, and always try to make his shy wife seem beautiful. Jessebelle comes out of her shell ever so slightly with each public appearance, all the while, their marital "duties" are put off until the time she feels comfortable with him and their marriage. What they don't know is that if she's not pregnant within 6 months, the prince has to put her out and be chosen a new wife...and one is already waiting in the wings.
Great story which only gets better the closer to the end you get. Some very surprising secrets are let out of a bag and everyone is in shock.
Good book, great writing. I recommend this! -
I enjoyed the premise of this book. I thought the drama that unfolded was a little much.
Anyway, not one I will read again, one of their preaching moments (there were a few) left an awful taste in my mouth - "Remember, the Prince of Peace didn't come to live in a palace. He was considered by most to be the bastard child of a carpenter..." I've never heard my Savior referred to in such a degrading manner and never want to again. He is the Son of a Heavenly King and a amazing mother Mary. That was just an awful statement.
So....yeah.
Moral Note: Mostly the stuff mentioned above, otherwise no language, talk of mistresses -
Amazing, utterly amazing.
I was very skeptical when I first started this novel, I didn't know how it was going to go from the opening chapters; however, the deeper and deeper I read into the book the more I became hooked. The story line was very different and there was twists at every turn.
I understand that some people with look at the summary for this novel and see a "typical" princess novel, but it goes so much more deeper than anyone can even imagine. I have learned to not judge a book by it's cover, and now I have also learned not to judge a book by the first few chapters.
Give this story a try, I promise you will not be disappointed. You have so many twists coming your way, you won't want to put this novel down. -
Jessabelle and Prince Malachi have a very different start to their marriage. I loved how he started off deciding he'd make the best of it and that he was a very multifaceted person. Jessabelle frustrated me at first because I really didn't feel like she was trying and I couldn't understand why she was acting how she did. As you continue reading, you get more of her back story and it makes a bit more sense. I loved watching their growth together. Now I just need to find out what happens with Lizbeth!
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Excellent
This story is well written with lots of twists and turns to keep you turning pages. An arranged marriage in this day and age, unheard of unless you are a Prince. Never to have met your soon to be wife is a shocking thing. But imagine if you are the bride that knew nothing of the agreement till a few months before the wedding.
This book was fascinating and definitely worth the read. -
READ IT
I wasn't sure at first about this story. Prince Malachi being forced to marry Jessabelle and vice versa. The story seemed kind of blah. What can I say, Jessabelle was boring and pitiful. I am so glad I continued reading. Malachi's determination to prove to Jessabelle that he will keep the new vows he made and her learning to be a "princess" was heartwarming. But it was all the twists and turns that happen later that makes this a great story. -
Will there ever be a "happily ever after"?
A marriage arranged before she was born, throws very shy and innocent Jessabelle into a marriage with Prince Malachi, even before they meet. Being thrust into the royal spotlight is hard enough, but sharing a room and a bed with her sudden husband has her terrified! Palace intrigue, plots, schemes and old secrets make this an irresistible read. -
I absolutely loved this book! Then I realized it was part of a series AND BOOK 4 of it! *face palm*. It was a fine read on its own and the characters are lovable and frustrating at the same time! I was up until 1:30 in the morning because I just HAD to know what was going to happen! I’m now reading the rest of the series IN ORDER, and it does fill in some small details but nothing of great consequence!
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Terrific Book by a Terrific Writer
Anybody, almost, can write boy meets girl, girl gets away, girl gets boy. That's not Moncado's style.
Shakespeare had his problem plays. Moncado has her problem romances.
The reader--and I am a writer, a writing teacher, and a book reviewer as well as an Amazon critic -- canNOT figure out how Moncado is going to make the story work out.
I look forward to more of her work. She is top of the line. -
captivating
Marriage to a Prince? Isn't that what every girl dreams of? Not Jessabelle. A king's promise to his friend has Jessabelle doing just that after her father arranges a marriage between her and Prince Malachi, the second prince as the crown prince refused to marry her.
The author masterfully weaves mystery and romance to captivate the reader until the very end. -
At the very beginning of this book, I was trying to decide if this one was my favorite. I read these all out of order and I recommend you do not do that!
I loved how the past was dealt with in this story, and how a marriage that should have been loveless was worked through in a lovely way, without passionate details! -
Arranged marriages are strange and I felt really bad for Malachai and Jessabelle with their situation. I felt like jessabelle was absolutely terrified of kai for some reason. I wish there was an explanation of why she acted like a scared little puppy. But in the end when they found out she was pregnant it was so happy!!! And when they said I love you it was perfect!!😍
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It seemed like it was geared a bit toward a YA audience, although I don't get that from the description or other reviews. And there were a lot of typos.
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Sweet story with some interesing twists. It just moved a bit slow for me.
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4.5
