How to Catch a Prince (By: Rachel Hauck)

How to Catch a Prince
By: Rachel Hauck

Book three in the Royal Wedding Series is the best of this trilogy! If your heart pitter-patters at the lives of royals and romance, you won't want to miss this read - it was so good, in fact, that we have added it to our Golden List!

Storyline

American Heiress Corina Del Rey and Prince Stephen of Brighton (fictional European country much like England) fell in love a lifetime ago - or at least it seems that way. War, death and devastation tore them apart five years ago and each has done their best to forget and move on. Living on different continents, she is trying to get her career as a journalist started and he is a star rugby player. But when Stephen's brother, the King of Brighton, discovers what really lies in their past, Stephen is forced to reconnect with Corina and sort things out. Can these two work through the pain of the past to find love again? At first glance, it appears this book will be utterly predictable (although definitely enjoyable!). But it really isn't! There are surprises along the way, right from the very beginning, and with a bit of mystery thrown in. Seems that just when we knew where the story might be headed, it took another turn in a fantastically exciting direction. With exactly the right amount of plot, character development and action, this book quickly became a page turner.  

Depth

This category we were surprised at! Many times books centering around fairy tales, royal weddings and the like are largely fluff, merited on squeal factor and storyline, but this one went the extra mile to be deep and deal with some very harsh realities. Stephen and Corina, although born into privileged lives, are not strangers to grief and devastation. It is a frustrating, arduous journey for each of them (and subsequently us as readers!) to face their pasts, but ultimately is resolved in satisfying redemption.

Faith

God is all over this book, from Corina's strong dependence on Jesus to Stephen's journey back to the Lord from bitterness and anger. Corina's ability to hear her Creator speak to her heart, and her obedience to those Words are inspiring, and the Lord gives her the strength to obey Him. Stephen wrestles with where God has been when He has needed him, but (SPOILER alert) his redemption near the end of the book is one of the best we have ever read in a book. A few tears may have even leaked out of our eyes at that point. Also of note in the faith category is the very original storyline of some "heavenly beings" come down to earth to help Corina. Hebrews 13 says we must be sure to entertain strangers, for some may be angels - and this book delves into what that could look like. It was delightful to read!

Squeal Factor

Stephen and Corina have a very deep love for one another, and the chemistry is electric. As they remember their time together from five years previous, their memories are full of intimate, sweet moments that left us cheering for this relationship to find its ground again!

Overall
 
It's been awhile since we have put a book on our Golden List, and this one found it's way there quite unexpectedly! How to Catch a Prince has all the elements needed for a fabulous read. Romantic European settings, a royal family, Heavenly angels masquerading as people, and the depth of story to keep it all realistic makes this a must read for all book lovers. 

Rachel Hauck outdid herself with this one!  
 
Find it on Amazon: How to Catch a Prince

Once Upon a Prince (By: Rachel Hauck)

Once Upon a Prince
By: Rachel Hauck

Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck is the first book in the Royal Wedding Series. It is a modern day fairy tale that will leave you satisfied and wanting to read the next book in the series!

Storyline

Susanna Truitt has never been one for fairy tales; she's content marrying the man she has dated for the last 12 years. Adam, her Marine Corps boyfriend, is finally home from his last stint in Afghanistan, and Susanna is hoping for a proposal. Adam, however, breaks up with her; and Susanna comes to see she was more in love with "her plan" than Adam. What will she do now? 

Prince Nathaniel, aka "Nate Kenneth" when traveling and under disguise, is visiting St. Simons Island, GA when he comes to the aid or "rescue" of Susanna more than once. Nathaniel had no intentions of falling for someone, as he is to head home soon and take the place of his ailing father. What happens when a prince and an ordinary girl start falling for each other, but protocol from Brighton Royalty mandates that he may not marry a foreigner? 

Depth

Why is Susanna so cautious and wanting to trust in her plan and not "let go?" What in her past is keeping her from living freely in God's will for her? Nathaniel is under immense political pressure at home in Brighton. Not only is he to be King, but he also is being heavily influenced to marry a woman he does not love. We see character development in both Nathaniel and Susanna. It is a light read, a modern day fairy tale, but has more meat to chew on than meets the eye.

Faith

Faith is interwoven throughout the story. Both characters rely heavily on prayer and speaking freely to God. Themes of forgiveness, guidance, surrender and trust are beautifully portrayed in this book.

Squeal Factor

Who doesn't love a good fairy tale? That in itself gets us all giddy, wondering how in the world these two will end up together, if in fact they do! Susanna and Nathaniel are great together and the tension between them is real as they are both left wanting something they cannot have.

Overall

Anyone who has ever loved a fairy tale will thoroughly enjoy this book! A prince and an ordinary girl falling in love? Yes, please! Enjoy the journey as you read about the challenges and speed bumps that come along the way. By the end I promise you will be wearing a big ol' smile on your face! 

For more after you read this, check out a novella following this storyline called A March Bride; then onto the second and third book  in the series, Princess Ever After and How to Catch a Prince. 

Find it on Amazon: Once Upon a Prince