Heart of a Prince (Crowns \u0026 Courtships, #1) by Carol Moncado

Heart of a Prince (Crowns \u0026 Courtships, #1) Reviews

• 
  Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽

  2.5 stars. Kindle freebie romance time again. I'm sorry to be mean here, but we need to keep things real. I'm an outlier and most of my clean romance-lovin' GR friends enjoyed this one, so take this for what it's worth if you're generally a fan of this kind of sweet romance book.
  
  So for a change of pace, we have an ordinary dude, Jordan, who meets up with a (widowed) princess when he lands on her family's private beach. Crown Princess Astrid is inclined to tell him to get lost at first, but he's (a) too tired from windsurfing to leave right away, and (b) a nice sensitive (and cute, of course) guy, so they start talking and hit it off ... though she doesn't tell him she's a princess, and she gives him one of her middle names instead of Astrid. He thinks she's just from an extremely wealthy family, which, to be fair, is also true.
  
  Anyway, they start hanging out, both thinking this is just a fun summer fling (with a few kisses here and there but nothing more intense than that). But when the press gets hold of some pictures with them kissing in the sand, the jig is up. Astrid's country is like Victorian-age strict when it comes to PDA, and it's either a quick marriage or loss of (first) place in the succession and exile for our princess. Yes, for reals. Faced with this choice, both Astrid and Jordan agree to marry.
  
  It's realistic that a marriage like this, despite good intentions from both people involved, is going to run into some serious issues. But it was all just too long and meandering for me. There were some pretty good scenes (I especially liked a particular discussion about not friend-zoning), but it was surrounded by a lot of not-very-interesting fluff. Jordan learns how to behave like a royal, yada yada. I ended up doing a fair amount of skimming.
  
  Other problems: I was over Astrid's personal issues long before she was. And there was a late twist involving her first husband that I didn't think was fair play.
  
  Recommended for not-very-critical critical clean romance fans. I think the freebie part ends today, so grab it while you can if this is your brain candy of choice!
• 
  Tricia Mingerink

  I have weird reading tastes. I enjoy genres ranging from thrillers to fantasy to some sci-fi to chick lit to historical fiction to Christian historical romance. About the only genre I don't usually enjoy is contemporary...unless it is a modern day royalty story. I don't know why, but I've found I happen to really enjoy those.
  
  If you liked Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding Series, then you'll enjoy Carol Moncado's Crown & Courtships series. I devoured the Royal Wedding series, and had heard about Carol Moncado's books for a while and finally picked one up. I realize I started with the last series in her connected world, but oh well. They hooked me, and I will definitely be going back and binging the rest of her books.
  
  The author has created a whole world of connected monarchies on a series of islands stretching across the Atlantic from the north Atlantic all the way to the Sargasso Sea. I loved the whole political system and trade and give and take between the island kingdoms that make them feel like real countries that could exist. I also loved that the islands were in the Atlantic and shared more cultural similarities with the US and South American countries than with Great Britain. Most of the other contemporary royal novels I've read usually have a made up country based on Great Britain. Which is cool, if done well, (such as Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding series), but it was fun to read a series with royal characters I could relate to because their way of talking and culture is very similar to mine, even if they are royal. American royalty, if you would.
  
  The faith element in the books is very light. A few prayers and mentions of God. If you are looking for a deep read, these aren't it, but if you want a light, quick read that will leave you smiling, these definitely fit the bill.
  
  For being romance novels, the romance part is very, very lightly done, which I appreciate. It fades to black on certain scenes far earlier than many Christian romance novels are doing nowadays. You know what happens between the married couples, but it is treated as so normal and everyday it doesn't need to be focused on, making these books (at least the ones I've read), clean enough that I would have no problem handing them over to a twelve-year-old sister if I had one.
  
  The tension is mostly character-driven. I loved Astrid and Jordan in this book, and even though I'm now in the third book in the series, I think they still hold my heart the dearest. Their romance is so sweet and cute and Sofia is just adorable.
  
  Re-Reading Update: I listened to the audiobook, and loved this just as much the second time around! The audiobook is amazing, and I hope the author continues to make more of her books into audiobooks!
• 
  Aimee (Getting Your Read On)

  I'm a sucker for these royals romances. I can't seem to help myself. This one sweet. Clean. Enjoyed the cross over characters from previous books. :)
• 
  Annette

  Sweet, with some interesting obstacles to be overcome.
• 
  Kathy

  I don't know why I keep coming back to this author other than I enjoy her writing style and characters. She's a good storyteller. Like the other books of hers I've read this is not well edited. There are continuity errors and grammatical errors and this is 100% predictable. But I'm able to overlook those issues because somehow I fall in love with the setting and the characters and find that I am able to just escape into a nice, sweet, clean fairy tale like world.
  
  Content: Clean
  
  Source: Kindle Unlimited
• 
  Kristen

  Enjoyed this one a lot. Really liked Jordan's character and Astrid while she had a lot of baggage and issues to deal with I liked her character too.
  
  There were some areas that dragged a bit, especially the award ceremony where he went on and on about a character that had no real part in the book except a great doctor.
  
  Overly all I enjoyed it.
  
  Moral Note: Some talk of intimacy in marriage.
• 
  Margaret Nelson

  I was going to save this book for next week's camping trip, but thought I'd just read a chapter or two when I first got it... Well, I ended up reading way too late into the night because I had to find out what happened! Moncado grabs the reader's interest right away, and doesn't let you go until the end. I always enjoy her books because they make the little girl dream of finding a prince (or princess) to love seem like a real possiblity. Her characterizations and dialogue are very well done. The characters feel like good friends, and it's always fun to catch up with those from previous books as she weaves them into the new one. It's also always fun to find out what new plot ideas Moncado has dreamed up, and what twists you never suspected will take place. This book does not disappoint.
  
  If you haven't read “Dare You,” the prequel to this new series, you might want to do that first, but it's not absolutely necessary.
• 
  Bhriv

  Heart of a Prince, written by Carol Moncado, is book 1 of Crowns & Courtships series.
  
  Get your tissues ready...Moncado did an AWESOME job on this book! I'm not even a crier when I read! I think it touched MY heart because I know a bit about the topic of this book...someone very close to me has had to deal with something very similar. Right off the bat, I'm crying my eyes out! Truly a lovely storyline! She did a GREAT job of writing the "real" parts and, as usual, the fictional parts are never wanting!
  
  Once again she takes us on a book vacation to her fictional land of royalty, this time to San Majoria with Crown Princess Astrid. Can't help but love Jordan and Sofia, too! Anyone who loves contemporary Christian fiction that have a fictional royalty base, you will love Moncado's books!
  
  I was given an ARC by the author. All thoughts and comments are my own.
  
  
• 
  Ogz

  A very sweet “not-real” story about a Princess of San Majoria and her husbands. Jordan didn’t have a clue where fate will get him. With his heart, he landed on a private beach and found himself loving the Princess. Months later, the truth unfolds to the Princess, and the entire episode reveals how much in love she’ll ever be. There was one factor, “the heart”.
  
  I gave this book 3 stars because it was more about organ donation than anything else, which I find very emotional and heart warming. I think this book is half a star. No offence to the author but it was quite cheesy and so unrealistic. The story line didn’t hold much of my expectation and it ended like in a utopia way. I wish there was more to it. I don’t think it should been a series. I was expecting Isaiah to do something to both Eyjanian and the San Majorian families. Quite disappointing to be honest.
• 
  Susan Snodgrass

  When I read Carol Moncado's first book, I knew I would follow her. I am a royal watcher, Great Britain mostly, and I adore her royalty books. She starts a new series here and it's off with a bang. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. It's like she is taking her reader inside the royal houses in her stories and we all have a 'fly on the wall' view. Great story!
  
  
  *I was given a preview copy of this book . My opinions are my own and honest.
• 
  Marylin

  Another fantastic Royals story by Carol Moncado.
  In this story she weaves some of our favorite characters from a few past book and blended them together nicely.
  If you LOVE stories about the Royals and their lives you'll love this new series. Hopefully there will be many more to come!
  The author has brought warmth and heart tugging moments to this book. It deals with some touching issues of loss, grief, organ donation, and the possibility of finding love again.
  When I pick up a Carol Moncado book I always know I won't want to put it down until I'm finished. This book didn't disappoint me.
  There were times I had tears in my eyes, times I laughed out loud, and times I wanted to scream at the characters. All of this makes a fantastic storytelling and Carol Moncado is a master storyteller!
  I received this book from the author and all opinions are my own. I highly recommend picking it up and reading it.
  But be forewarned, you might miss meals and sleep before you finish it!
• 
  Pattisue

  Crown Princess Astrid of San Majoria’s story book marriage to Andrei Barnes was destroyed after a brief eighteen months of bliss. Canadian Jordan Haines is just visiting for the summer. He is just a “moderately-extreme, adventure loving, guy. His kindness and love will finally heal her broken heart.” “They met on the anniversary of the worst day of her life.” She has had to make impossible heartbreaking choices and deal with devastating loss. “Taking care of her was more important than protocol or expectations.” Can Jordan compete with Andrei’s ghost and memory? His love for Sofia and her instant acceptance of him helped heal Astrid’s heart. “Andrei was her past, Jordan was her future.”
  
  I enjoyed the steady pace as Astrid slowly opens her heart to love. Great family connections and support. Moncado has created a unique, storybook universe. I love her royal romances.
  
• 
  Martha

  I enjoyed this story of Jordan and his bride, with again, the theme of Moncado's books, a wedding of convenience.
  
  I thought the theme with transplants was very unique as well and I really thought it lent itself to the story, bringing to the forefront a topic that has frightened me in the past.
  In many marriage of convenience stories, the romance moves swiftly, the relationship is easy and no struggles are had at all. This is not so in this story. You find it a bit more realistically portrayed if it were to happen.
  
  Of course, we are in a fantastical world of royalty, where things are not based in reality anyhow! I loved this lovely summer read!
• 
  Nina Yahnke

  Loved it!
  
  I really enjoy all of Ms. Moncado's books, this one was no different. I love how each character has their own voice. Sometimes an author will have all the characters across their series talk the same, act the same, react the same, ect , but Moncado always has a unique voice and circumstances for each character that leaves the reader wanting to know more, and she delivers with giving character cameos in later books. I can't think of a single thing I'd change in her books. This one was an enjoyable read!
• 
  Andrea Byers

  Jordan is back visiting San Majoria and winds up on a private beach to rest, meeting “Sofia”, Princess Astrid. Both are pretty private, but like spending some time together. This story focuses on them getting to know each other, with other people being introduced to us. A very touching story that weaves us through learning to let go of past hurts and to trust again. I loved meeting the rest of Princess Astrid’s family as well as appearances from Dare and Betsy and a few others. Wonderful story.
• 
  Anne

  Heart of a Prince is the first book I've 'read' by this author and it won't be the last. If you're a fan of Return to Me (the movie), you will definitely enjoy this story! I thought the characters were well developed, and even though the plot line was familiar, it had its very own personality that I loved! I listened to the audio book as it was included in my subscription. The narrator is excellent!!! No review was required.
• 
  Linda Rainey

  Carol Moncado pulls us again into the world of royals with this new series, beginning with the romance of Jordan and Astrid.
  Tension and suspense together with the romance pull us through the book.
  I loved all the new characters, especially little Sofia, the setting, and the storyline.
  The story brought tears to my eyes and the ending was amazing.
• 
  Rebecca Martin

  I love Carol Moncado! She not only is from my home state but, brings her characters to life in such a way you want to hold on and enjoy the ride.
  
  I have been looking forward to Heart of a Prince for a while now and as soon as it was downloaded to my kindle I couldn't put it down. I would highly recommend it and all of her other books that will make this one come to life even more.
• 
  Colleen

  Heart of a Prince
  
  I totally enjoyed every chapter in this book. I absolutely love thus author and look forward to reading more books from her. I love the message on organ donation and after reading this book I feel compelled to learn more. I would definitely recommend this book.
• 
  Tabitha Dukes

  It was like I was watching a movie.
  
  I couldn't put it down! I was so enthralled by the words printed on the pages, I felt as I was watching a movie. I could visualize the words the authored had penned so intently. Great book! I am looking forward to reading more of the author ' s works.
• 
  Josephine

  Jordon was great!
  
  This was a really fun story and Jordan was a perfect character. It’s a really different kind of story setting with royalty. I loved the common man bing so right to step up into the Royal place. The story had just a tiny touch of faith that was important to the story, but it was small. All the characters were great. There was no villain. Clean and fun story!