Review – Be My Prince by Julianne MacLean

Publisher: St. Martin’s
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: From the publisher

Attention one and all. His Royal Highness, Prince Randolph of Petersbourg, will set sail for London in early June and reside at St. James’s Palace for one full month…Some say the true motive for the prince’s visit to our fair country is to seek and marry his future queen. I will therefore pose the question to our devoted and reflective readers: Who among us will be the chosen one? —From the London Ballroom Society Pages

Lady Alexandra Monroe has been told in no uncertain terms that she must set her sights on a proposal from Prince Randolph to better her family’s situation. Instead, she finds herself falling for his charming but dangerous younger brother Nicholas, a man whose passionate nature—and irresistible good looks—makes it impossible to remember her duty. But while she is torn between ambition and desire, a wicked scandal brews, shocking secrets are revealed, and soon she begins to wonder: can true love really conquer all?
This blurb came from the author’s website here.

My romance reading starting with historicals so I am always on the look out for the next historical that will remind me of that journey. When I read the blurb on the back of By My Prince it looked like it could be an entertaining read. While this did prove to be entertaining and a different take on the “must find a wealthy titled husband now” theme I didn’t quite buy into the entire story.

Lady Alexandra stood out from the many other young ladies looking for a title by her openness. She was very forthright about her goal to marry Prince Randolph but she did keep secret her lineage. While that openness got her attention from Prince Randolph she happened to be a little too forthright when talking to herself. During the Prince’s introductory ball Alex, seizing a moment to regain her composure, happened to make a less then flattering comment about the Prince’s right to rule. Fortunately or unfortunately, she was overheard by the Prince’s younger brother Nicholas, who decided to make his presence but not his name known. From that encounter Nicholas made it clear that he was attracted to Alex. He manipulated events and schedules to spend time with Alex under the guise of helping her pursuit of his brother. Alex is attracted to Nicholas but knows her obligation to her family and so she struggles against her competing desires. Nicholas also knows that he should be helping his brother find the future queen for their people but he couldn’t seem to stop pursuing Alex. Just when it seemed that Alex and Nicholas were going to follow their hearts fate decided to take a hand.

I can’t go into any more detail about the plot without spoiling the entire book.

Ms MacLean used an interesting technique of very openly foreshadowing when things were not going to go according to plan. It was almost like having a theatrical announcer in between acts. I found that while the break in the story flow did cause me to come out of the world, I started looking forward to the “announcements” because I wanted to see what was going to go wrong next. Even though I enjoyed reading this story I didn’t buy into the HEA. Alex seemed to have repeatedly prove to her husband, his family and her new country that she was there to rule at his side when the time came not betray him. Her husband on the other hand didn’t have to prove anything. I thought that he acted like a jerk the majority of their marriage despite the fact that he also wasn’t completely honest.

Be My Prince was a light entertaining read but I am not sure I will pick up the other two in this trilogy when they are released. Before I finished reading this book I already knew who the hero/heroine were going to be for the second book. I personally like to have a bit more suspense about what is coming up next. I also didn’t buy into their HEA. I think Alex’s husband and brother both needed a serious groveling session.

I give Be My Prince a C-

Links to purchase
Amazon | Kindle