Royal Valentine (The Improbable Meet-Cute collection)
3.5 3.5 out of 5 stars | 10,781 ratings
Price: 1.99
Last update: 12-26-2024
About this item
Valentine’s Day becomes a Roman holiday for a princess in disguise in a dizzyingly romantic short story about making wishes come true by the USA Today bestselling author of The Chemistry of Love.
Princess Ilaria has had it up to her tiara with the paparazzi, her own wild reputation, and the public eye. Trading places with her assistant, Ilaria wants just one blissfully ordinary weekend. Then a handsome photographer with a sexy Scottish burr offers to be her guide. Sparks fly, but how long can they last? Ilaria’s secret has to come out—and it could ruin a perfectly serendipitous romance.
Sariah Wilson’s Royal Valentine is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s make a date of it.
Top reviews from the United States
Before Ilaria had gotten far she felt a headache coming on and took two aspirin tablets from Anne’s purse. Before she realized what was happening, she collapsed on the Spanish steps. When she woke up, she was in a man’s apartment and another young woman was there that she later realized was just a friend. The man’s name was Callum and his friend asked her if she had taken any of the pills in her purse, which turned out to be for sleep.
Callum had an Irish accent and said he would like to spend time with her if she could stay awake. They had a lovely day, and Ilaria liked him so much she wanted to tell him the truth.
It turns out that Callum had a secret too and this was a very well done novella that I quite enjoyed. It was a cute romance that was okay for young adults.
I also hate a relationship starting out with lies and in this case I could sort of forgive them of not disclosing their identities. But then they could not get mad at the other for hiding it.
I really could say more on the things that didn’t sit well with me, like changing Scotland or an island off it to now have its own kingdom. If that was the case, it would be minuscule to say the least but you can’t rewrite history.
Look I’m not a royalist but coming from a commonwealth country, I know how it works and what’s realistic. And it’s a pet peeve when authors just make up stuff to suit their story instead of being authentic. I’m all good if they create their own country and have a new sovereign but every single one has similar protocols and lines of succession as well as expectations. If you’re going to write a Royal novel, then these are things that are required to be included, not forgotten about or changed because it doesn’t suit the storyline.
What I Loved: Roman Holiday meets A Royal Switch, love at first sight, and a Scottish accent.
The royal princess of a vaguely European nation disguises herself as her assistant, in order to spend two days in Rome, exploring as a commoner. She meets up with a very handsome and charming Scottish photographer, and spends the day exploring the sites.
This is a familiar and always satisfying storyline. I liked knowing that I was going to get the happily ever after, no matter how it came to pass. Definitely an enjoyable and fun Valentine read.
The reader for the audiobook was incredibly talented with accents (her Scottish brogue was on point), I just wish she read a little bit faster. Had to speed up to 1.35 to get the story going.
Improbable Meet Cute Collection series. Contemporary romance novella. Six short stories with a Valentine theme, a meet cute, and a person, object or place in common with one of the other novellas but not connected.
Princess Ilaria is tired of the paparazzi following her around. Hoping to escape for just a couple of days, she trades places with her assistant Anne and goes out in Rome as if she is any other American tourist. A handsome Scottish photographer comes to her rescue and they spend Valentine’s Day at famous Rome locations and then have dinner with his roommates family eating pasta and dancing in a small courtyard. Is it enough for her or does she want more?
Sweet and flirty. They both enjoy the day but they both have secrets. Endearing.
References back to UW-Madison and Callum in the first book in the series as a connection.