Once Upon a Prince

Once Upon a Prince follows Susanna Truitt, a landscape architect from St. Simon's Island, Georgia, whose long-term relationship ends unexpectedly. As she focuses on her career and healing, she meets Nathaniel, a European man who appears to be a tourist in her coastal town. What Susanna doesn't know is that Nathaniel is the Crown Prince of Brighton Kingdom, visiting the United States before taking his throne. Their growing connection faces obstacles from royal protocols, cultural differences, and duties that threaten to keep them apart. The story moves between the American South and the European kingdom of Brighton, contrasting small-town life with the demands of monarchy. Both characters must navigate their responsibilities while questioning what they want for their futures. This contemporary romance explores themes of duty versus desire and the tension between personal dreams and inherited obligations. The narrative examines how faith and providence can guide decisions about love and purpose.

Readers describe this as a sweet, clean romance that follows familiar Hallmark movie patterns. Many note it provides light escapism without objectionable content. Readers appreciated: - The faith elements that feel natural rather than preachy - The coastal Georgia setting details - Character growth throughout the story - Clean romance without explicit content Common criticisms: - Plot relies heavily on romance novel tropes - Some dialogue and situations feel unrealistic - Pacing drags in the middle sections - Character reactions can seem overly dramatic Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (22,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,400+ reviews) BookBub: 4.4/5 (900+ ratings) Representative review quote: "Perfect for readers wanting a modern-day fairy tale without cynicism or edge. Just pure romantic escape." - Goodreads reviewer Some readers note this works better as a beach read than a serious romance novel.

The Royal We by Emma Cozzens and Heather Morgan An American college student falls in love with the heir to the British throne while studying at Oxford University.

To Catch a Prince by Sophie Kinsella A journalist mistakes a handsome businessman for a royal and finds herself entangled in a web of romance and mistaken identity.

The Selection by Kiera Cass Thirty-five girls compete for the heart of a prince in a reality show-style competition that determines the next princess.

Princess in Disguise by Lucy Monroe A European princess flees an arranged marriage and finds love with her bodyguard in a small American town.

Royal Match by Tyne O'Connell A London commoner attending an elite boarding school discovers she's falling for a classmate who happens to be a crown prince.

✧ The author, Rachel Hauck, served on the Advisory Board for American Christian Fiction Writers for six years and has written over 30 novels. ✧ The fictional kingdom of Brighton featured in the book was inspired by small European principalities like Monaco and Liechtenstein. ✧ "Once Upon a Prince" became a Hallmark Channel Original Movie in 2018, starring Megan Park and Jonathan Keltz. ✧ The novel launched Hauck's "Royal Wedding Series," which includes four other books featuring modern-day royal romances. ✧ The story's main setting, St. Simons Island, Georgia, is a real coastal location known for its historic landmarks and Spanish moss-draped oak trees.