Review: The Swedish Prince by Karina Halle
SYNOPSIS:
**A standalone romance inspired by the classic film, Roman Holiday.**
I never believed in fairy-tales.
Never held out for Prince Charming.
Growing up poor in small-town California as the oldest of six siblings, I knew I would never ride off into the sunset with anyone. That was even more apparent when a senseless tragedy took the lives of my parents, forcing me to become the sole guardian of our dysfunctional household at the mere age of twenty-three.
Then a fateful encounter literally brought Prince Charming to my doorstep.
At first I thought Viktor was just your average businessman passing through, albeit obscenely handsome, six-foot-five, blue-eyed, and mysteriously rich.
But soon I discovered the truth behind Viktor’s façade.
Beneath his quiet, enigmatic gaze and cocky charm, is a man who is running away from who he really is. A role he’d rather not fulfill.
He is Viktor of House Nordin, His Royal Highness, The Crown Prince of Sweden.
Yet uncovering Viktor’s secret was only the first step.
I didn’t expect to fall in love with him.
I didn’t expect to have my whole life turned upside down.
When you’re from two different worlds, can your hearts meet somewhere in the middle?
Or do happily-ever-afters only exist in fairy-tales?
REVIEW:
So true confession, I have been on a royal’s binger this holiday season. I picked up The Swedish Prince a couple of months ago; however, I had trouble getting into it. Which I mean, how? Look at that fine *ss fella on the cover, that jawline is drool-worthy. But I have never seen Roman Holiday, and for some reason the story wasn’t jellin with me so I put it aside and recently decided to pick it back up, cue the swoon.
This story was absolutely adorable, I fell so hard for Maggie and Viktor, coming from dramatically different worlds and trying to make it work. After their initial encounter and when all the truth is revealed, I am basking in the happy glow. Then when Viktor returned to Sweden I was emotionally gutted! I sat sobbing as he departed and uncertain of the future these two so clearly deserve together.
Then a while passes and they have a chance at love again, but wait. Nothing in life is ever this easy, even I know that. So cue the dumpster fires of difficult parents, invasive paparazzi, and grief. I watched as these two navigated the challenges and tugged at my heartstrings. There wasn’t a single moment where I wasn’t cheering them on, swooning endlessly, or giggling.
While both characters have backgrounds plagued with death, the real star of the show is Viktor. And I’m not saying that because of his devilish good-looks and Princely title…no, Viktor just has a way with words. He eloquently captures the consumption that grief has on the heart. While simultaneously captivating me with describing how the love works. Don’t even get me started on the Swedish dirty talk because I CAN’T. He just knows his was around the English and Swedish languages and it had me feeling all the heart eyes, he’s the definition of swoon.
Even Maggie’s endless siblings added all the heartfelt moments as well as laughs. From their unique names to their wacky personalities, you couldn’t help but want to hug this rag-tag team. I was captivated but they story, absolutely endearing!
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“People are inherently selfish at heart, even with family. They’ll push others away in order to save themselves.”
LINKS:
