The Backup Princess

Royally Kissed, Book 1

By: Kate O'Keeffe

Narrated by: Sarah Sampino, Curt Bonnem

When a Texas gal punches a prince instead of curtsying, you know this isn't your grandmother's fairy tale.

Taking the bull by the horns is child's play compared to ruling Malveaux. Yet here I am, a Texas girl turned princess, swapping tacos for a tiara.

Then I meet Europe's most eligible bachelor, the irritatingly handsome Prince Alexander, and accidentally deck him instead of curtsying. Oops. I'd feel bad if he wasn't such a self-satisfied jerk.

Now, I'm racing against a royal clock that ticks with the urgency of a preening peacock, trying not to let down my newfound country or my own wild heart. Alexander? He's a walking contradiction, with a smirk that heats my blood and eyes that tell tales of a depth I didn't expect.

Decisions aren't exactly my rodeo, but this time, my choice could cost me my new crown—or lead to a love story that rewrites my happily ever after.

Will this Texas girl rise to the royal challenge, or is this one fairy tale destined to end with the slipper never found?

Contains mature themes.

©2024 Kate O'Keeffe (P)2024 Tantor Media

unless malveaux has a total internet ban...

just... no.
Too many crossovers of contemporary knowledge and utter cluelessness. The characters mention TMZ and COVID, but the royals don't know a 70 year old slang word ( "cool?") or other basic knowledge? The person teaching the "princess lessons" providing her with kleenex in the royal household instead of teaching her the use of proper handkerchiefs?
The FMC is naive beyone naive, and excessively clueless in world knowledge for knowing her mom was a princess. You leave the country and meet the press/country wearing grubby trainers, jeans, and a sweater? I swear this was partially written by ChatGPT.

The story is too pat, and there's no more than a gradeschool crush going on for chemistry.

The VAs did what they could, but between the accents and the story, neither could make either the FMC or MMC likeable.

I recommend The Runaway Princess by Hester Browne if you want a better Prince & Me story.