| Title | : | Once Upon A Time: Billionaires in Disguise: Flicka (Runaway Princess Bride, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 371 |
| Publication | : | First published April 1, 2018 |
ONCE UPON A TIME, there was a beautiful princess, Flicka von Hannover, who lived an enchanted life. She jetted around Europe staging charity events with friends, had married a handsome prince in the most spectacular royal wedding of the 21st century, and should have lived happily ever after.
But then she found the handsome prince in bed with a duchess. And then a coffee shop barista. And then her own goddamn secretary.
Finally, the beautiful princess had had enough of the cheating prince, and she ran away.
The prince didn’t want to let her go. He couldn’t take his throne without her and sent henchmen to take her back to the castle. Her worried royal brother sent people to look for her, too.
The prince threatened her. He said that if the princess contacted her brother or any of her friends for help, he would kill her brother and her brother’s new, pregnant wife.
So the princess ran to the only person she could trust, a man who was frankly not a handsome prince.
Dieter Schwarz had been Flicka’s bodyguard for years. He had protected her from assassins, kidnappers, and high school dates who got too handsy after a few drinks. He was a sharp-witted, sharp-jawed, hard-muscled former Swiss Special Forces operator who had started his own private security firm, Rogue Security, and had no past that he spoke of.
No one knew that he had been her first lover and had broken her heart.
And he’s the only person who can save her.
Once Upon A Time: Billionaires in Disguise: Flicka (Runaway Princess Bride, #1) Reviews
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What was supposed to be an exciting read ended up being a dull farce. The plot intrigued me so I decided to give this book a read. I had fully expected maybe a chapter or so describing the situation up until the point where Flicka runs to the safety of her bodyguard whom she may have had chemistry with, and then exciting espionage and sizzling romance, but that didn't happen.
The plot is misleading. Almost the entirety of this book leads up to that plot, which I'm sure will continue into the next book. The fact that I wasted my time and kept reading, waiting for the content I was after only to find that it's in the next book made me feel cheated. You don't really hit any of the good stuff until you're about 70% into the book, and it's barely anything. If the rising action had been worthwhile, it would be forgivable, but it wasn't. I feel like the writing and pacing was so poorly executed. There was way too much filler content, I'm guessing to make the worldbuilding more believable? If you want to read a whole damn book about Flicka planning weddings, chapters upon chapters about her bitching at people about napkins and color arrangements, be my guest. There was way too much focus on unimportant and boring content, and not enough centered around the main plot or character relationships. Dropping only a little bit of mystery doesn't make for a good story, it's just a ploy to string you along so you'll finish the book and read the next. While I may want to see Flicka's character development, or who Dieter really is, or to see if their relationship flourishes, I don't really feel invested because the slow pacing and dull content doesn't make up for the time spent.
Characters and their relationships are a trainwreck with forced drama, and it was more annoying than exciting. In my opinion this was bad writing in an attempt to force a particular situation, and it wasn't done well.
I just feel that this book is a lie of a romance rolled up in annoying wedding drama, and it wasn't a particularly thrilling read. -
💝FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (6/9/2018)!💝
Blurb:
When a real princess falls in love with a man who is definitely not a prince, a royal fairy tale turns dangerous.
ONCE UPON A TIME, there was a beautiful princess, Flicka von Hannover, who lived an enchanted life. She jetted around Europe staging charity events with friends, had married a handsome prince in the most spectacular royal wedding of the 21st century, and should have lived happily ever after.
But then she found the handsome prince in bed with a duchess. And then a coffee shop barista. And then her own goddamn secretary.
Finally, the beautiful princess had had enough of the cheating prince, and she ran away.
Once she had stepped out of the royal fairy tale, life became grayer, grittier, and rougher. The prince didn’t like that she had left and sent henchmen to take her back to the castle. Her worried royal brother sent people to look for her, too.
But the princess didn’t want to be found. The princess got a job as a waitress in a diner in New York City and made her own way in the world. Even cut off from everyone she knew, she was more resourceful than she had thought she might be. She did okay. From hiding, she sent legal separation papers and then divorce documents, but the prince wouldn’t sign them. He said he wouldn’t let her go. Even in these modern times, the prince could lock the princess up in a dungeon of legal forms and provisions that she wouldn’t be able to break out of. The prince wanted his princess back because he couldn’t take his throne without her.
Until a man walked into her diner one day, one who was frankly not a handsome prince.
He was the last man on Earth the princess should have fallen in love with. -
This is the night my life ended, and though I didn’t know it at the time, the night I was reborn. — Her Serene Highness Friederike Marie Louise Victoria Caroline Amalie Alexandra Augusta—Prinzessin von Hannover und Cumberland (aka Fricka)
Your judgement of this book likely relies heavily on what you want for a book, what your expectations are. I don't read literature, it doesn't appeal to my tastes because I read to keep myself occupied usually fun and either sexy of fluffy. I can tolerate badly written books if they have redeeming features. This book is definitely not literature and it's not all that well written. It is problematic at points but has an enlightened take on marriage. Sort of. Expanding on that is spoilery. There were some aspects I didn't like in the writing. The intimacy wasn't great, it was all in the past tense too, which worked well. But I will warn that there is a sexual assault, not written the first person but it is there. Gretchen was so one dimensional, Blair Babylon did her best to make Gretchen irredeemable. But she essentially is the protagonist of so many novels.
It is a bit confusing but I think that might be deliberate. I am wondering what the post chapter heading passages are. Sometimes they are direct quotes from the chapter other times they just encompass it. It feels like they should be explained but aren't my current suspicion is it is a storytelling element to a reporter or biographer. this is part of a larger world I haven't read. The three series run almost concurrently. Wulf and Raes
The Devilhouse start a little earlier Alexandre and Georgies
Billionaires in Disguise: Georgie appears to run later. Knowing the extended world isn't necessary. What you need to know is explained.The characters are decent. Dieter is confusing there is a lot going on there, a lot of unanswered questions. Russians are involved, so is minor aristocracy that is not a good combination. Dieter is also tropey as all get out. The older man, in love with his charge, in love with his best friends sister, the man of mystery, the bodyguard. Before I move on I like Yoshi, of the little-used side characters. I can't help but think he's not a nothing character. You don't introduce a character like that and do nothing with him.
Fricka is a hard character to male a judgement on. She isn't the worst protagonist I've read she's sassy intelligent and using her position for good. She is vested in the world. But as a human being? She might be awful I don't know. She reminds me a bit of Princess Charlene. Depressing as that is, Charlene lights up around kids but I really can't imagine that marriage is happy. Also the Monaco and heir connection. My mind wandered. Fricka had one of the best responses to finding her husband of two days with his pants down. “Seriously? The barista? Come on, Pierre. I need you out there. People are noticing your absence. Keep it in your pants for a few hours.”. Theirs is a marriage of houses not of passion.
This book honestly has little to do with the blurb which is disconcerting. Another disconcerting aspect. Time. It makes it very hard to remember that the earliest chapters are out of time. That we see a broken Fricka very early on.
It's something and nothing. But I think it's what I needed. I got this free on Amazon, book two was free too. So I will read that too and see if I keep going after that. I can see why it gets the ratings it does.
I will betray my best friend three times before this story is finished, and my name is not Dieter Schwarz. — Dieter Schwarz
A representative gif:
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Flicka von Hannover thought she had it all. She married a handsome and powerful man, the crown prince of Monaco. Her wedding day was the event of the century and her charity cases gained several millions on that day alone. Flicka and her brother are used to the dangers that come with living in the spotlights and they have heavy security around them at all times. Soon after her marriage Flicka finds out that her husband isn't who she thought he was. His indiscretions are out of control and Flicka can't take and won't accept this behavior any longer. Her husband has always made it very clear what he needs from Flicka. What will he do when she's nowhere to be found?
Flicka married an, on paper, appropriate husband and she thinks love is logical. You can love someone in many different ways and Flicka thinks she can handle the fact that her husband constantly cheats on her. When he becomes violent towards her Flicka runs to the only person she trusts with her life, her personal bodyguard Dieter. She loved him once until he decided he couldn't lie to Flicka's brother any longer. Will Dieter be able to keep Flicka safe?
Once Upon a Time a heartbreaking love story about a princess who keeps herself away from finding true love. Flicka has a big heart and will spend all of her money on charities if she has the chance. I loved her kindness and my heart was aching for her, because she's a young beautiful woman who thinks she has to stay in a loveless marriage. Flicka is kindhearted and would do anything for anyone who needs it, but now the time has come for her to put herself first. She's fiery like a warrior princess and I was hoping for her to find true love again.
Blair Babylon writes about family in a wonderful manner. Flicka and her brother are fierce and they have a strong bond. I have a deep connection with my own brother as well, so it was easy for me to feel close to Flicka and her brother. Ever since I was a young girl I've loved to read stories about royal families. I always imagine how fantastic life would be living as a princess. Blair Babylon makes her princess come to life in a great way by giving her such an amazing personality. Once Upon a time is a gripping story about royal families, secrets and dangerous encounters. It is the first book in the Runaway Princess series and I absolutely can't wait to start in the next episode of Flicka's journey. -
It's a good read
It lost me in a few spots but for the most part very intriguing can't wait to read book 2 of the series -
Once Upon A Time has set my heart aflame with its fiercely devastating plot twists and unapologetically bold yet forbidden love. This story gave me the long awaited true love of an honest to goodness modern princess who favors love above duty and more than anything wants to watch her staid world burn down around her. Nothing in her world is as it seems, and only the truly battle hardened survive the obstacles and dangers littered in her path. If she isn’t careful, she might find yourself at the mercy of a danger far worse than losing her heart to the man who once shattered it.
Flicka can map her life out one event at a time. She knows what is expected of her. She plays the part to utter perfection. All the while her heart is screaming for more. She longs to destroy her perfect princess world. More than words can say she wants to live a life that she can never have. Two parts war within herself, and yet she knows she will always do what is expected of her since that is the only choice she can ever make. When the very foundation of her life is viciously shaken, she runs to the only man who has ever made her feel safe. Can she learn to shore up her protective shield one last time for the ultimate battle of her life, and can the heart learn to reset, move on, and try to live again?
I have been waiting for what feels like forever for this story! It feels like going home to revisit all of the wonderful characters from Blair’s previous series. I am tickled pink to delve deeper into the life of the reclusive princess and sister of Wulf. She always had so much more to her that I wanted to crack open and explore and now I am finally granted that wish. Oh happy day! Couple these incredible characters with Blair’s flawless and wickedly talented writing, and you have the recipe for literary perfection on a grand scale! Oh how I love visiting this literary heaven!
Blair Babylon sets my world on fire with her spectacular writing! This book is no exception. It is a marvelous start to a fantastic new series that is sure to amazing and delight all of her devoted readers and new readers alike. She is a refreshing delight to the world of staid and reused themes. She pushes you to the limit and then beyond until you realize that you are experiencing something so unique and grand that you can never truly wrap your mind or heart around it. It is a true mystery of the soul that will live and engrain itself onto every part of you. -
I can never say enough about this Author, or this SERIES! Her style of writing is simply exceptional, and the fact that it is the same story from differing points of view is beyond GENIUS !!! Because it doesn't seem like the same story at all !
In this story , WULF'S little sister, Flicka , is all grown up , and it is her wedding . Some of her past has been revealed in previous books, but here , we find out even more, And it is very emotional , as growing up can be for most people, but for her , it is even more so. Knowing that you were only conceived because your brother died , and left only ONE Heir to the ( in name only ) HANNOVORIAN Throne, must make one feel some kind of way. But Flicka is a PRINCESS, and takes her job very seriously ! She can whip up a party in 25 min flat , and is always up for a challenge--especially when it comes to relieving her peers of an awful lot of their families money ! She marries a man openly called RAT BASTARD, because she has a fatalistic viewpoint of the world she lives in, but is she really LIVING ?? Events happen that make her question EVERYTHING..... And NOW what is a PRINCESS to do ?? Why, she calls on her Brothers very good friend- and her former ( mostly ) Bodyguard, who took his roll guarding her body VERY seriously......VERY .....
BLAIR BABYLON has an amazing way of storytelling that leaves the reader biting their nails for the next installment . The good news, is that she is a MACHINE , and unlike other Authors , doesn't leave you waiting , and waiting, pining away . Her next book is available in May. And i have already pre-ordered mine !!!! And so will You :))) -
1 ★✩✩✩✩
This book is for you if… you are in search of worst practice examples of how to not write a book.
⤐ Overall.
I talked about how precious life is with a friend yesterday and not to waste time on things that don't pay off, no matter what they are. I once promised myself that if a book is not gripping me by about 1/3 in, it ain't worth it. Today, I am picking that up again.⤐ cringeworfy af. This book was so cringeworthy, I don't even know where to start and frankly, I don't wanna.
⤐ worst German since US-America started making Nazi-films.If you wanna use a foreign vernacular, know what you are talking about. As a native speaker of the German language and a lot of contact with Swiss German, this book was absolutely awkward and downright insulting. I almost eye-rolled myself into oblivion.
⤐ awful names. Just to make this clear. If you wanna make for a sexy alpha male, you do not go for Dieter Schwarz. Dieter Schwarz is not a sexy name. Kinda like Donald Trump. Just. Don't. Do. It.
⤐ messy and unstructured boring plot. -
Once Upon A Time: Billionaires in Disguise: Flicka by Blair Babylon is about princess Flicka, who just married another prince. However, her brother’s personal bodyguard still lets her heart beat faster, but she knows she cannot have him. When things go south, she knows that he is the only one that can save her. And He would do anything for her.
This was not the best book I have read, but I enjoyed it. The beginning was super weird. It took me a while to get into the story. Also, I can’t get over the fact that the author named the male protagonist Dieter. I just don't really like this name and all I can imagine is an old grumpy guy. I have to admit that I skipped some passages in the book, because I was not really interested in some things that were going on. Another annoying but also fun bit was when the author tried to describe how the words liebling and Wächter make Lieblingswächter. Because there were so many typos in this passage. For me as a native German speaker, this was quite hilarious to read.
Something I don't like about the book is that it is not a standalone. So, the book kind of ended in a cliffhanger and I don't know how it will go on. Also, I am not really interested in buying the next books. So, I will probably stick with not knowing how the story will end. Anyways, I liked the book. -
It's been a while since I had a book from this author and I couldn't start it fast enough. I'm in love with her writing and each book is a challenge.
Blair Babylon had proven that she can make you dream without leaving your house. Each book is a breathe of fresh air. Her writing is simple yet powerful, super detailed and engaging and with lots of hot stuff into the mix.
Once Upon a Time: Flicka is her latest release and it's the first book from the Runaway Princess Bride series. Let's just give into this new world.
This book explores Flicka's life.
Flicka had everything she could ask for. Being a princess she was happy doing charity events, being with friends and she had married a prince. He was supposed to be a gentleman but was a womanizer. One day she got courage to runaway from everything and started a new life away of everyone. She just wants to get her divorce and then move on but her ex has other ideas.
How can I say more about this story without spoiling? I can't do I'm not going to talk.
I'm in love and I want more, this story was what I needed at the moment.
The plot is amazing, very well written, super engaging and intense. The level of feelings potraited in this book are through the roof and once you start to read it ulyour will not be able to stop. Trust me. Been there and done that.
This book presented us with deceive, betrayal, abuse, lies as well as love, friendship, desire and sexiness. There were parts of the story that I wanted to slap someone but there were others that I wanted to get into the book and hold them. I've laughed and cried and because of that the story turned out to be even more appealing.
Blair you rock. Each book left me hooked and wanting more. I can't deny that I'm eager to get more from this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. -
3 stars. I read this because it was free on amazon and looked intriguing. I hadn't read this author before and wasn't aware that this is not a standalone. I'm kind of disappointed because I want to know what happens in Flicka and Dieter's story, but I'm not invested enough to read three more books.
there were some things I really liked about this - the writing style was definitely unique and interesting but not in a trying-to-be-too-cute sort of way. there was never a dull moment. I liked Dieter, and I want to know what his secrets are.
I had mixed feelings about some other things: I went back and forth on Flicka. she drank a whole lot, she is a little stupid to sneak away from her security when she knows she is in danger. the way she reacted to Pierre's ultimate betrayal seemed out of line with her semi-aloofness to him up to that point; I honestly found it very hard to reconcile her feeling that Dieter is the love of her life with the different kind of "love" she claims is between her and Pierre - that just nagged me the whole time.
if I had realized before downloading this that it was part one of four and definitely not a standalone, I probably wouldn't have bothered to read it even though it was free. oh well. -
DNF @ 17%
While I normally try to read at least 25% before abandoning a book, I'm on holiday now and didnt feel like it.. c'est la vie.
Reasons why I picked up this book:
- it was free
- the synopsis sounded good enough, who doesn't like a good modern fairytale?
- as an European I liked that (some of) the plot takes place in Europe.. (big mistake, why you can read beneath)
Reasons why I stopped reading:
- Flicka, really? how do you get from Fredericke to Flicka? and as a Dutch-speaking person, this annoys me even more
- Please, if you let your characters speak German, check your spelling!!! "Leibling" isn't a word and "Lieblingswächter" wouldn't be that inappropriate.
- Some of the characters were part of the swiss military. Really? How can a German do that? As a swiss person I really didn't buy that part..
- the switches between time and POVs really threw me off and made the story hard to follow..
All in all.. maybe the book isnt that bad. But for me the cons outweighted the pros by a long shot. -
Why????
You know I have read Blair's entire library (or close to it ) and you would think I'd have learnt my lesson...but no.
Without spoiling anything, you get to see history from the other billionaires in disguise series. I couldn't put it down and am now waiting for the next one to be released -
Emotional
This was a great start to the series. I really enjoyed the characters. The emotion was felt throughout the story. -
TL;DR: Boring as.
Some Thoughts
- I highly doubt any European royal family are as subject to assassination attempts as those in Babylon's books. I only know of a handful of attempts against Queen Elizabeth and she's been a reigning monarch for something like seventy years.
- The cover model bears no resemblance whatsoever to the hero.
- For someone apparently so interested in running charities, Flicka spends a hell of a lot of time throwing parties and none whatsoever on the charities.
- Actually, does she do anything other than throw parties? She is one of the most boring characters that I have ever read. I might believe that she wanted to subvert the system a little more easily if she spent less time going on about napkins.
- Marrying someone because you knocked them up is far from "doing the right thing".
- It really isn't necessary to make the romantic "competition" so completely revolting to justify characters moving on.
- It is entirely possible for cousins to talk to each other without them planning shotgun weddings. Also, if you need your monarch's permission to marry, I'd imagine they'd take more than thirty seconds to think about it.
- I laughed when I read Babylon's depiction of a London summer as like "a warm hug". Someone has never been on the tube in August 😂
- Rape threats/actual were entirely gratuitous in this story. Death threats were, frankly, more than enough to drive the narrative. -
A Review of Once Upon A Time (Runaway Billionaires: Flicka, Book 1) by Blair Babylon
Flicka - 5+++++ Stars
We finally get to see how things played out from Flicka's point of view. Gahhhh, there are sooo many things I want to talk about, but I really don't want to spoil this for others. If you are like me, you may want to have your copies of Rae and Wulf's story (and all of the epilogues that concern them) available while you are reading this. I found myself going back to their story to review things that I had forgotten or to verify things that I thought I remembered being slightly different. I know that this book ends on a cliffhanger, but I've also heard that Ms. Babylon has the full series ready to go at a quick pace so there shouldn't be a lot of lag time before we get the next book in the series. There are many twists and turns that threw me for a loop, but in a good way. I can hardly wait for the next book in the series to come out so that I can find out WTF is going on. Definitely one that you don't want to miss.
**Honest review voluntarily provided from a Complimentary Copy** -
In my opinion this is a set up book for the rest of the series. What this book did was go over many things from the previous series Billionaires in Disguise Wulf and Rae, Rock Stars and Billionaires Xan and Georgie. Many characters from previous books. Once Upon a Time did fill in some missing pieces from other books also. For the most part I enjoyed this book, but sometimes I felt it was rehashing things I already knew. I do understand Blair Babylon was trying to set this book as a standalone story, this was for possible new readers. In my opinion this book did not flow very smoothly it was choppy. With everything I have said I can't wait for the rest of the series. This is not the easiest story to read but I think it should be read for new and old readers.
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Audio Review: Once Upon A Time: Billionaires in Disguise: Flicka (Runaway Princess Bride, #1) by Blair Babylon, Narrated by Jason Clarke & Lucy Rivers
Dive right into the intensity that is Blair Babylon. Prepare to be taken on adventure of the heart. Once Upon a Time takes a dangerously steep route to love. Dieter and Flicka are an emotional high dive of heartache, danger and suspense. There's always a twist lurking in the shadows to draw you even deeper into the maze of a different kind of fairytale. Beautifully tragic. Breathtakingly emotional. Unpredictable romance. -
I enjoyed this book very much I'm on the next one now there is a third one that I also will be reading they all came in one book but I like to add them as each book as I'm reading them
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So...I found beginning and continue of the story a little bit repetitive, it is everything what we know already from the Ficka´s point of view. But it was interesting, and then start to be VERY good, so, 4,5 stars. and can´t wait for next part:)
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Blair Babylon, you Evil Genius! I want to hate you. But I love your work *sob*. Why cain’t I just quit you???
Forgive my tantrum. I’ll control myself now. But it truly is all Blair Babylon’s fault. She’s gone and written an amazing princess story (…back up and read that again: I just put the word “amazing” in front of “princess story!”), and I am obsessed. Now, while I think most women share at least a bit of the “Princess Gene” somewhere deep in their souls, I’m not one of those women that get totally absorbed by royal stuff. I’ve read a few, and liked some. But it’s not like I’m in love with all things having to do with handsome princes and royal weddings, etc. The blurb on this one, however, kind of grabbed my attention, so I decided to give it a try. Great galloping court jesters, am I glad I picked this one up!
Our modern day Princess and heroine, Flicka, has the heart of Diana, the intelligence of Grace, and the strength of a young Queen Victoria; all wrapped into the savvy package of a woman who could run a Fortune 500 company. Her life has been—interesting so far, which has made her the tough, independent woman she is. She doesn’t see love the way most women her age do, and considers marriage as a dynastic responsibility. So she thinks her marriage to the very handsome and wealthy Prince of Monaco will be suitable since she loves him enough, she believes.
With more twists and switchbacks than the famous mountainous roads of Monaco, this tale begins to unravel in delectable, outrageous, and sometimes horrifying ways. Nothing is really as it seems in Flicka’s incredible world where money can buy you anything except, perhaps, the truth. Betrayal seems to be the norm, after all, kidnappings and/or assassination attempts just seem to keep happening.
There have always been two people Flicka could count on, though—her brother Wulf, and her bodyguard, Dieter. Although she and Dieter had a few rough years, his instinct has always been to protect her. It’s ingrained in him. Even when she’s married to the Prince of Monaco and should be under the protection of their bodyguards, somehow Dieter is always close by making sure she’s truly safe. Dieter may not be royalty, but he’s definitely a hero you can love as he proves himself repeatedly. He’s wonderfully loyal, brilliant, bold, and tough. He’s also the only man that can help Flicka.
The characters are richly developed and engaging. Flicka’s down-to-earth views are surprising, irreverent, and fun. The tension and passion between Flicka and Dieter is chemistry at its best. As for the many Monarchs that flit in and out of the story line: well, they’re just a hoot in one form or another. Then there’s the plot itself, which is so engrossing and complex it nearly defies description, except for one word: WOW.
So what can the reader expect? This is a story you can share with your co-workers: there’s a bit of steam here, and adult language as well as adult situations. While there is a bit of violence (kidnapping, assassination attempts) running through the plot, humor is embedded throughout thanks to Flicka’s irreverent inner monologue, serving to ease the tension. This story focuses mostly on love, loyalty, and betrayal, and will touch every emotion you have before you’re through.
One word of warning, though… remember my rant at the beginning? Yeah. Flicka’s story does not end here. Our HEA is not gonna’ be at the end of this book, Dear Readers. But this story's too good to let go. I'm in for the series. -
International Intrigue & Complicated Love Means Exciting Story
I think the only writer I can think of in this genre that is comparable to Blair Babylon is JA Huss. The amount of intrigue, hidden backstories and mysteries is astounding. And the amount of detail (seriously, who knew there was all this stuff about religion involved in royal successions in this modern day???)
Dieter’s been a staple secondary character through all of the books in these interrelated series. He’s been mysterious, efficient and is the deadly, loving superhero sort just about any woman could fall in love with — and the Princess did. ;-D
Lots of intrigue. Lots of weaving of plot in with previous books - the scenes may be familiar, but they’re all from different POVs with different things going on, and no matter how difficult Babylon said it was to do, it’s a masterful book. Seriously, if there was a PhD in writing, I think Babylon earned it with this series. -
**NO SPOILERS** AUDIOBOOK🎧
We've been waiting for Flicka's story ever since we met her big brother Wulf, The Dom of the Devilhouse, & Prince of Hannover💙 She is a Princess of many Countries, Great Britain being one of them though she is far down the line of succession.
This Prinzessin's family line comes through the House of Hannover as does the Queen of England's forefathers. They are related, they are duty bound, they are Royals!!!
Flicka is marrying Prince Pierre Grimaldi of Monaco. She's a modern Princess that's 'doing the right thing' for their families, as is her Duty. They love each other & that's enough for her. She's had heart shattering love, she doesn't intend to be broken like that again!! She will carry on her Charity work & to perform Piano as often as possible. Music is in her soul & she needs something to nourish it after all!!
Flicka desperately wants to burn her world to the ground. The lifestyle they all bow to disturbs her deeply. But for now she pulls on her shiny suit of armor and bides her time until she can strike the first match & she's certain Pierre feels the same way about it too, they're perfect together!! 😊
Things start to go off course for our beautiful Prinzessin. Her spiteful, nasty Father & 'others' may or may not have a hand in events, it's always so hard to tell. All that's certain by the end of this book is Flicka seems to be in shock & running away. She's also not turned to her beloved big brother, Wulf, who raised her from 6yrs old!! Could it be him she's running from or his new Bride perhaps? Or could it be the known murderer amongst them all, that has fear thundering in her heart??
For the long term Blair fans, we are lucky enough to see almost all of our favourite characters & for the newer readers, this book will have you scrambling into Blair's backlist to read their full stories 😉
The diehard fans will be sighing over every sighting of our Book Boyfriends 'Wulf', 'Xan' & of course everyone's favourite Bodyguard, 'Dieter' Be still our pounding hearts 💙
Thankfully book 2 'In Shining Armor' is available for pre-order now & is released on 8th May 2018, I've 1 clicked that baby!!! 😀💕
I LOVE this Author's work. I have no idea how she keeps her complex, intricate & intertwined worlds straight throughout each series of books 🤔 Thankfully she does and we all reap the staggering benefits in books like this!! 💖 A 10 star read 🌟
Debbie, 1970, UK -
I wanted so very much to love this book!!! ...and I couldn't. I felt the mega-sort chapters, the flip-flopping between views, and Flicka's shallowness really effected all of that. Still, I stuck with it only to find out THIS ISN'T A STAND ALONE!!!! I was going to read to the end, but if there's more than one book, I can't do it. I wasn't a fan enough to feel anything towards any of the characters except a slight softening towards Deiter. Overall, could have beenn fun... wasn't.
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Usually I check to make sure I'm not reading a book with cliffhangers, but apparently this one got by me. Frankly, the characters didn't call to me enough, and the plot didn't grip me enough, to continue reading. Most of this book felt like it was beating around the bush, and never went anywhere.
Not a stand alone!
Contains sex scenes, swear words, and violence (attempted assassination, kidnapping, threatened murder, rape off page). -
DNF @ 36% Too many cooks in the kitchen with names I can't even pronounce. Foreign vernacular that doesn't even reference the English translation. I'm not even half way through and there has already been two assassination attempts. Just eye rolling and a silly plot. 2*not for me, not even a little bit*stars
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It was such a pleasure to once again dive into the first of Blair Babylon's Runaway Princess series. If I could give her 100 stars it would approximate how I feel about this book. So, I settled for the 5 stars allowed. Her opening sets the pace for this action filled adventure. The writing style is superb. It was so hard to put down once I started, I had to finish this first book. It is jam-packed with drama. Hints are dropped that Dieter is much more than he seems. We get some ties to other series, notably, Rae and Wulf and Alexandre/Xan/Alex and Georgie as well as Lizzie. In a previous series, culminating with the marriage of Rae and Wulf, we were left hanging with the sudden disappearance of newly married Flicka to Pierre Grimaldi. This is the series that will tell us why she vanished.
What I will remember about this series is that I have to read it again, just like I reread all of her other books. I am a Blair Babylon junkie. I can't get enough of each series and must read them again (and again).Princess Flicka, our heroine, is strong and capable. Dieter remarks that she would make a fine general mustering the troops and setting detailed plans in place to win a war. She takes command of the preparations for Wulf's wedding down to the smallest detail. Nothing escapes her notice. Her organizational skills are what she does best. The interaction with Dieter leaves me wanting more of them together. The pace of the Flicka series keeps getting faster and faster as we get to the end of this first book. My dilemma: to go right on to the next book in the series or reread this first one, pulling out additional clues and enjoying the action while I anxiously await the last two books to be released.
The salient point here is the filial bond between Flicka and her brother, Wulf. Then there is the romance and care that Dieter takes with Flicka. He trusts no one else to really protect her other than himself. In this story, Wulf's main focus is on his wife, Rae. He too would kill anyone who harms his sister. This book brings us assassination attempts, kidnapping, and so much more. What a psychological rush!
I've already purchased the next 3 books that make up this series, with one more, as yet unavailable to order, to finish with a HEA. Blair Babylon's books are a real treat to read. I've read everything she writes. I love her Billionaires in Disguise series. Other reviewers have stated that each series can be read as standalones. I found that I needed to read each series as a unit. If you have not yet tried her books, look her up and find the recommended reading order. This next reread, I'll try it that way. I did not go that route originally, but read all the Wulf/Rae books, then the Xan/Alexandre/Alex & Georgie, the Lizzie books, and the superb Working Stiff, Stiff Drink/Hard Liquor books. Then filled in with the additional books. I am looking forward to Maxence's book. This Runaway Princess series is one that was anxiously awaited by Blair's fans. I highly recommend it to you! One of the best books out this year! -
This is the much anticipated story of Prinzessin Flicka von Hannover. Sister of Wulfram von Hannover from Billionaires in Disguise:Rae. Flickas story begins within the same time frame as the original series. If you haven't read it yet, I will say I think it's better if you have. Reading the Billionaires in Disguise series in order will give you a greater understanding of how all of the other wonderful characters and the intricacies of their relationships with each other, fit in within Flickas series. Having said that, there is enough depth and description within the book in order to read it as a standalone. Be prepared to fall in love with some amazing characters.
At the beginning of BID:Rae, I originally felt that Flicka was the typical spoilt Royal. I should've known that Blair Babylon had a plan all along. You can always guarantee she'll take your heart and soul on one hell of a ride, spitting you out at the end, feeling completely the opposite to how you did at the beginning.
Flicka had a relationship 2 years previous. One that we learn throughout the book, broke her heart. Step in book villain Prince Pierre Grimaldi, the very aptly nick named Rat B&$!&£) by those who know him! Pierre and Flicka marry, Flicka thinking she has his heart at least. She believes their very grown-up marriage that he can put his d!(% anywhere, as long as she has his heart. After all, she's had the other kind of love, the one that leaves you broken, the kind she feels Hannovers were not meant to have.
Well, I should've known there were going to be some serious twists. Don't expect them to be on the page only, my goodness, my heart has been twisted too! To protect herself, Flicka is forced to go on the run.
I always have this issue when I buy a book from Blair Babylon. I'm so desperate to know what's going on, I read the chapter/contents page, trying to figure out what each of them mean. Followed by such a sense of excitement, only paralleled by Santa at Christmas time, I'm torn between devouring every page or holding onto it, not wanting it to end.
I don't want to give the game away. If you want to know why she runs or what all the twists are then all I can say is, as well as purchasing Once Upon A Time, make sure you clear your diary, buy shares in Kleenex (Or in my case Maltesers) and expect the unexpected! The second book in this series In Shinning Armour is already up for pre-order. I can honestly say I've never pre-ordered a book so fast in my life!
