4.5 Wine Glass #Review of Once Upon a Royal Christmas by Robin Bielman

Title: Once Upon A Royal Christmas
Author: Robin Bielman
Format: Kindle, 174 pages
Published: Tule Publishing (October 20, 2016)
ISBN: ASIN: B01LWMU7F1
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Wine Glasses

Colliding with a prince while dog walking isn’t how Rowan Palotay pictured meeting royalty, but then lately her life hasn’t gone according to plan. With one teensy tiny mistake, her job as a news reporter took a turn for the worse and now she’s lucky to have a small pet column in the local newspaper. Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and magic, but she feels like she’s forever stuck on the naughty list.

Prince Theodore Chenery is in Marietta shortly after the death of his mother to meet his grandparents for the first time. When an accidental run-in—literally—with Rowan leads to an unexpected friendship, he finds himself enchanted with the outspoken, feisty country girl. She’s unlike anyone he’s ever met and her special brand of kindness and honesty make it harder and harder to remember his obligations back home.

Rowan can’t afford one more mistake, and Theo’s future is already mapped out, but when they find it impossible to fight the passion and deep-rooted emotions between them, they discover what matters most. Until their relationship makes worldwide news…and Theo must decide whether or not to follow his heart or his royal duty.

Linda's Thoughts:
What prince wouldn’t make a country girl a little restless? Those eyes, that mouth, the broad chest, were a royal combination unlike any other. He only held power over her if she let him, though. He brushed his teeth just like every other person. Put on his shoes one foot at a time.
Prince Theo was just extraordinarily normal.
And she could handle him and her story.
Probably.

Rowan Palotay, who was introduced in FALLING FOR HER BACHELOR, gets her very own happy ever after in ONCE UPON A ROYAL CHRISTMAS by Robin Bielman. Let me tell you. It was worth the wait because Robin hit ONCE UPON A ROYAL CHRISTMAS out of the ball-park! I laughed and cried. It actually kept me awake until four am on a day I had to make an early appearance at work. But… I honestly couldn’t sleep until I’d read every word. It was a teensy slow for me at the very beginning - and, in hindsight, that might have totally been on me - but, man, once the story grabbed me, it didn’t let go.

Prince Theodore Chenery, our hero, has come to the small town of Marietta, Montana to meet his grandparents for the first time. His mother, who Theo adored, has recently passed away and Theo had promised her that he’d visit her hometown. Rowan and Theo first meet in a rollicking comedy of errors. Let’s just say that she made an unforgettable first impression. Theo is suitably impressed (!!!) and, much to Rowan’s surprise, insists that she be the reporter to write a story about him. This is the story of a girl meeting her Prince Charming only to find that he will always be out of reach.

Rowan and Theo make such a great couple. Their personalities mesh perfectly and the chemistry between them is sizzling from the get-go. From the very beginning, they both know that their time together is limited. Theo is engaged to another and his responsibilities as heir to the throne preclude any long-term relationship… or do they?

It was great catching up with Nick and Cassidy from FALLING FOR HER  BACHELOR. However, the snake wars between Rowan and Nick are not something I want to participate in… ever.

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from ONCE UPON A ROYAL CHRISTMAS:

“How bad is it?” she asked.
“Not bad.”
“You always wince when it’s not bad.”
Hawk chuckled.
Theo scowled at him. “It’s a little overly sensitive because I broke it six months ago.”
“I guess grace doesn’t come with the royal package,” she teased.
“My royal package is better than anyone else’s. Trust me.”
---

“Phew. I thought I was going to have to slay a few dragons for you while I was here.”
“I’m no damsel in distress, Your Highness. I can take care of myself.”
---

“Want to sleep over?”

Robin Bielman is one of my very favorite authors. I know that I can count on her books to have the most unanticipated and scrumptious endings that are guaranteed to leave the reader with a happy heart. ONCE UPON A ROYAL CHRISTMAS is a perfect holiday romantic escape. I sure hope Robin returns to this idyllic little town with another wonderful lighthearted story soon. If you enjoy holiday romances with plenty of snow and snuggling, I highly recommend that you pick up ONCE UPON A ROYAL CHRISTMAS soon!