This is an odd book for me to review - royal romance isn't really my jam so I I never intended on reading it, but with the upcoming movie and it being on so many recommended lists I figured why not see what the fuss is all about. All in all - I'd say it was cute, but nothing groundbreaking.

While there are some laugh-out-loud moments, most of the writing seemed rather superficial and juvenile. It was the weirdest mix of pseudo-fan fiction & fantasy playing out in a contemporary setting. I feel it would have worked better for me if all the characters and political figures were fictional. Instead, we're in some alternate reality where President Claremont succeeded from Obama but the Royal family has been led by Queen Mary for 47 years and the next line (Henry's mother) was married to an action star?? If that can be fictionalized, why couldn't the scope of the American background be entirely fictionalized as well? It didn't work for me. Also, Harry, sorry Henry, is like...4th in line to the throne and they're scandalized by his actions while the next in line was married to an actor? Seemed a little silly to me.

The excerpts from historical love letters was a nice touch and my favourite thing from the book.