"A Royal Christmas" by Melody Carlson

A Royal Christmas (Sept. 5, 2023) by Melody Carlson.*

<This is a standalone novella.>

Life isn’t a fairy tale, certainly not for Adelaide Katelyn Smith. Growing up was a lean time with her mother, a single parent. Her mom’s been gone three years, and Adelaide’s barely been supporting herself by working at a coffee shop for over eight years as she strives to put herself through law school. Then one day a letter arrives notifying her that she’s a direct descendant of King Maximillian Konig V, the ruler of Montovia, a small European principality. After realizing it’s not a joke or a scam, Adelaide finds herself on another continent, her guide the prime minister’s handsome nephew, Anton Balazs, and the youngest member of Montovia’s Parliament. Her royal father is battling liver cancer and losing, but he’s overjoyed to meet Adelaide, and she’s thrilled to know the father she never knew she had. Unfortunately, time is short, and she’s already managed to make an enemy of Queen Johanna Maria Egger Bohm Konig. She clearly wants to make her son, Georg, king, as he is legally King Max’s son by adoption. Prince Farcus, the king’s brother, would be next in line for the throne, but he is missing. Adelaide will be charmed by the villages and a certain youngest member of Parliament. She has a chance at a fairy tale romance and a home in Montovia, but she expects to return to the States. Can someone change her mind?

            Channeling “The Princess Diaries,” this rags-to-royalty Christmas novella is a sweet escape from the routine of life. Adelaide is hard-working, sincere and indomitable. Queen Johanna may be shrewd, but she underestimates Adelaide, who won’t be treated like a rug and walked all over. It is easy to cheer Adelaide on and know that she’ll fall for Anton. Readers know the story will have a happy ending, but I would expect nothing less from a cozy tale full of holiday spirit with a dash of mystery and trickery.

            P.S. Does anyone have an excellent, tried-and-true recipe for sacher torte?

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”