In this case, it was the sheer likability of the main characters and the wit and warmth of Browne’s writing that kept me turning the pages, not any real hunger to find out “what happens next.”Īlthough I ended up really enjoying the book on the whole, I can only award it four stars. Not that chick-lits are bursting with suspense as a rule, but at least there is a flimsy veil drawn across how Our Heroine and Mr Perfect end up together. This review is spoiler-free and here’s why: the title of the book alone is a huge spoiler, the prologue is an even bigger one, and the back cover blurb gives away one of the biggest “surprises” in the whole book. In short, this is a fun, charming novel with well-drawn sympathetic characters, witty dialogue, and a terrific first person narrator. And Amy's family has its own troubles that make the inevitable media spotlight a potent threat to Amy's and Leo's happiness. The romance between Amy and Leo is incredibly sweet, and Browne takes care to get the reader heavily invested in their relationship before springing the inevitable obstacles that come with marrying into an eccentric royal family complete with American supermodel mother, playboy brother, and chip-on-the-shoulder older sister who actively hates the male primogeniture tradition that locks her out of succeeding to the throne. Little does Amy know that her helper is Leo, Rolf's older brother and a prince in his own right. When Jo decides to host a 'Heaven and Hell' fancy dress party, their flat is crashed by Rolf, a drunk European prince, and his entourage - which includes a sober and very handsome man who helps Amy repair a little of the damage done by royalty. I gulped the book down as fast as I could.Īmy Wilde is a London-based gardener whose speciality is wildflowers (I see what you did with the name there, Browne.) She lives in a flat with her mad posh friend Jo, who never met a social occasion she didn't like and couldn't conquer.

Her writing is warm, and funny, and real. I loved Hester Browne's voice in this book. So I was reluctant to read THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS, but it was at my library and I needed something to read so.

I tried to read Hester Browne's first book and put it down after, oh, 20 pages or so.

The Runaway Princess by Sylvia Edwards