Description
Princess Isabella of Peverell couldn’t be more thrilled for her brother’s new romance. Nothing could make her happier, not even a perfectly baked dark chocolate cheesecake drizzled with fudge sauce and topped with strawberries cut into roses. With a few curls of toasted coconut tossed around for that extra flair. Because baking is all about the presentation. But life? Life is all about the romance.
Not that Izzy’s ever experienced romance herself. She knows enough about love to know one can’t force it. At least for oneself. For others? Absolutely. Why wouldn’t the rest of her friends want to be as blissfully happy as her brother? If she can take a few ingredients and turn them into the most beautiful high tea, surely she can find perfect matches for her friends. She’s the princess, after all, and what better legacy to leave as a royal than one of love and care for her people? If she just happens to find a man to love her along the way, even better. Only life doesn’t follow a recipe, and as decisions and their consequences start piling up around her, Isabella finds herself in over her head. And the one man who’s always been there for her just walked away.
Margaret Nelson –
This is the second book in Currie’s series Heirs of Peverell. The series follows her Daughters of Peverell series, with stories of the children of the main characters in that first series. If you have the chance to read the Daughters of Peverell first, you’ll understand a lot of the historical references in this series, but it’s not absolutely necessary.
As in the first book, there’s a lot of emotional angst for these teenagers and young adults who have grown up together in the castle as they try to figure out life and romance, whether they are royalty or commoner . Princess Isabella is a loveable but very scatterbrained young woman who thinks she needs to matchmake for all her friends, make a name for herself, and hopefully fall in love herself along the way. When she gets frustrated, she spends the night baking all sorts of delectable goodies in the castle kitchen. Reading tip – do not read this book while hungry! 🙂
There were times I dispaired of Isabella ever getting her act together, and she really throws a wrench in her whole story… but you’ll just have to wait for that plot twist! Thankfully she gets lots of wise advice on love, handling frustration, and trusting God’s grace from her friends and parents.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Tracie –
Hannah Currie’s Recipe for a Princess continues to acquaint readers with royal life in Peverell, the story kingdom. There’s not quite as much focus on the Castle Kids as in The Princess List. Currie successfully updates readers who are new to this series, bringing the story world to life. Izzy is a strong, quirky character, and for me, John was the real hero in this story. Izzy’s Steven rabbit trail made for a messy middle, with her character growth slowing during that part. One of the novel’s strengths, though, is the author resolved the mess into an ending that works well with strong reader takeaways, truth and grace for all.
Mackenzie Harting –
I enjoyed Izzy’s story! I wasn’t ready for it to end when it did. Hannah writes fun, lovable, and relatable characters. I loved the grace storyline throughout. Here were 2 favorite quote snippets:
“She’d corrected me right away. It’s not happy, it’s hopeful, because no matter what shadows come, it faces the sun…A longing for that kind of hope. One that doesn’t give up but just keeps looking to the light.” 🌻
“Then maybe you need to give yourself the same grace God does. If He doesn’t hold on to your mistakes, why do you? That’s the thing about grace. It’s a gift, and a gift only means something if it’s accepted.”
I enjoyed that this one picked up right after The Princess List! So you should read it first 🙂
Thank you for my e-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are mine.
Megan Schaulis –
Perfect to read with your daughter
Hannah Currie always has a fresh spin on royal fiction. Recipe for a Princess blends baking and a hint of Jane Austen’s Emma into a precious story of grace and forgiveness.
I thoroughly enjoyed being in Princess Isabella’s head. Her thoughts are realistic, scattered, and relatable. Her struggles are believable. The desire to prove your value and leave a legacy while hating that you need help, and then resenting that help…all too real.
I’ll admit, the first 70% of this book, I thought it was a lovely little jaunt, a simple happy read. Then my jaw dropped. Did she just…no…but, oh wow. In short, don’t underestimate this story and it’s powerful message of grace as truly underserved favor.
Note: The book deals a little bit with loss of parents, which may be hard for some readers. The romance is squeaky clean with no lustful thoughts and only brief non-descriptive kisses. I would be comfortable handing this to a ten year old who enjoys royal stories. It would make a good read-aloud/read-together book for a mom and daughter.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Candide –
Recipe for a Princess by Hannah Currie was an amazing read !
I had read the first book in this series and I really liked the fact that book two starts just where book one ends 🙂
I really enjoyed the story and all the funny characters. Izzy is going through a lot and it is great to imagine that even though she is a princess, she also goes through hard stuff just like us !
It was really nice to hear also about the characters that were in the first book and read about them too.
I can’t wait to read the third book in this series 🙂
— I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. —
LeAnn Arave –
First tip: have a treat with you at all times as you read this book otherwise you will be on the hunt for baked goodies. Isabella, Princess of Peverell loves to bake. If she’s taking out her frustration, sadness, or just can’t sleep you could find her in the kitchens of the palace, usually at midnight. Her other passion is seeing people in love. Now that her brother is engaged she focuses her attention on other unsuspecting singles. Finding someone to love her is a whole other story. You might think of Jane Austen‘s Emma. This is a charming and heartwarming story. There will be many familiar faces if you have read the first book of the series. But it is not necessary to enjoy the story on its own. The characters will creep into your heart and take root. You will cry with them, applaud them, and cheer them on. And there is a twist that will take your breath away. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Kathryn Pfeifer –
As someone who loves to bake, this book was right up my alley! I have loved all of Currie’s Peverell series, and this book was an excellent addition. Featuring Princess Isabella, we pick up right where the previous book, The Princess List, left off. Containing all my favorite characters from the series, this story highlights the struggles of Isabella and John as they figure out their feelings for each other amid the challenges of royal life. I loved the emotion, the characters, the setting, all of it. Currie is truly an excellent storyteller, and I cannot wait to see what she writes next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.