Description
Having grown up in the palace, the daughter of two senior staff members, Bayley Lorbera knows all about palace life. Like where the best leftovers are stored after hours, and which forks go with which courses, and the quickest way to make an escape from any room in the castle. And the fact that she’s definitely not princess material. Princesses are supposed to be elegant, outgoing, and effortlessly charming. Not shy, average-sized, glasses-wearing, purple-haired girls more comfortable in fictional worlds than the real one. Bayley is perfectly content playing backup in a ballgown to the royal family while she works her way through the list meant to turn her into the kind of person she wants to be.
Hence the laughter when her best friend, Prince Cameron of Peverell, proposes. He can’t possibly be serious, can he? Marriage? Love? No way. Because seriously—not princess material. But Cameron is determined to win her, and she’s just as determined to prove to him how unsuited she is to the role, and find him someone who is. Easy, right?
Tracie Heskett –
Hannah Currie’s The Princess List checks all the boxes: original, fun, light-hearted, entertaining, realistic characters, inspirational, delicious treats, silly details, and best friends trope. The author weaves faith in through the main characters more than other royal stories I’ve read. Aside from the castle, ball gowns, and Bayley not having a real job, the characters seem like real people in a real setting, not royals. The Queen is a charming character, and I would have liked to meet her earlier in the novel. Bayley’s emotions are a little overdone, but we like her enough to engage with her story. It’s intriguing (and thought provoking) to read a story where the villain is the heroine herself. And what’s not to like about Cam?! John is the perfect friend, and he needs his own story. When I was halfway through the book, I didn’t want to put it down (although life dictated I had to). I wanted to stay in the story world and keep reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
MJSH –
“Love is vulnerability and discouragement and joy and delight mixed together in a great big bowl of hope.”
3.75 for this book.
I wasn’t prepared for the book to start out with the marriage proposal so I felt off-kilter at the beginning. Bayley and Cameron’s story was not necessarily about romance but about deep-abiding friendship that turns into more, understanding of what real love means, and resting in God’s perfect plan. Bayley and Cameron’s faith journeys were heartfelt and moving. Bayley’s first-person voice was sweet and kind but her self-denigrating nature saddened me throughout the story. The road to self-discovery and faith was long and rocky for Bayley even though she had such great cheerleaders in her family and friends. Cam’s third-person voice was understandably frustrated and goal-oriented but his kindness and thoughtfulness came through in all his interactions. I loved being back in the Peverell castle and catching up with King Thoraben and Queen Kenna and their children. There is something about royalty in a small and charming nation that grabs everyone’s heart. Despite the enchanting setting and delightful friendship and banter between the main characters, I didn’t connect with Bayley or Cameron. Perhaps I’m too old to enjoy the YA angst and indecision. Those who love YA royalty stories will surely enjoy this book.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of WhiteCrown Publishing and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
Mackenzie Harting –
I love all of Hannah’s Princess books! This one was just as good! I appreciated Bayley’s character appearance, and the purple hair was a fun touch! The characters were relatable and lovable.
One of my favorite quote sections – “So, do it afraid. Write the story terrified. If there’s one thing I’ve learned since becoming queen, it’s that I’ll never be fearless. I’m not supposed to be. There will always be things that terrify me. But I can be faith-filled. I can choose in those moments of fear or doubt to move in faith instead. Trust that God and His love for me—and those in my care—is good, and that His control and plan is perfect.”
(Excerpt From, The Princess List – Hannah Currie)
I received a complimentary copy for reviewing. All thoughts are my own.
Margaret Nelson –
This is the first book in a new series by Currie, 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 Daughters of Peverell first, you’ll understand a lot of the historical references in this new series, but it’s not absolutely necessary.
I enjoyed visiting Peverell again, and meeting this next generation of royal heirs and their friends who have grown up in the palace with them – children of staff members. There’s a lot of emotional angst for these teenagers and young adults, trying to figure out life and romance. I appreciated the many insights into dealing with fear, failure, not measuring up, and life purpose. Sometimes I lost patience with how long it takes some of the characters to figure things out, but it’s all quite true to life.
I think all ages will enjoy reading this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Kathryn Pfeifer –
Since I first discovered Hannah Currie several years ago, I have become addicted to her books. I was highly anticipating her new series, Heirs of Peverell, and I jumped on the chance to read The Princess List. This story was absolutely delightful. While I loved reading about favorite characters from the first Peverell series, I quickly became enchanted with this new generation of characters. They were quirky, passionate, real, vulnerable, and refreshing. I especially loved how Currie emphasises faith and penned a plot that reveals the importance of trust and identity in Jesus Christ.
This book was a joy to read, and I highly recommend all of Currie’s books. They are tender and hopeful, full of truth and purpose.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Katie Fitzgerald –
The Princess List is a gentle Christian royal romance with a clear, uplifting message about self-worth. Bayley’s journey toward seeing herself as princess material despite what others might think or say, paired with her love story with the wonderful Prince Cameron, make this story a great example of how a real relationship ought to work, not just for royalty, but for every young couple seeking a true partnership. As a 40-something reader, I didn’t quite feel like the target audience for this novel, but it is so well written and would top my list of recommendations for young adult and new adult readers who want a romance with Christian themes and healthy fictional role models.
Suzie Anne –
“It’s okay to change who you are, or even become someone you didn’t expect. That’s not failure.”
I’ve been doing a lot of crying while reading lately, and maybe it’s just because I’m overly emotional, but I prefer to believe the books God’s placing in my TBR are ones specifically to encourage and challenge me in this season of life. So, I unashamedly admit that I cried my way through The Princess List, because I’ve been where Bayley is, and some days feel like I’m stuck there.
Bayley’s struggles with fear, living up to her own expectations, and doubts about whether who she is can be enough for the role of crown princess made me feel so seen. The way she fights – mainly with herself – and takes up burdens and responsibilities with the belief that doing so will help her become someone worthy is a conundrum I, and countless others, face, making this story one that is so need in the YA/NA market.
It’s not all serious, though. With a fun list that includes frogs, giraffes, waterfalls, and stargazing, not to mention a caring crown prince and sweet group of friends, Currie beautifully balances the difficult realities of life with moments of fun and threads of humor and friendship. I am so excited for Izzy’s book, and while I (impatiently) await it, I’m going to read the original Peverell stories.
I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Meagan Myhren-Bennett –
The Princess List
Heirs of Peverell #1
By Hannah Currie
There’s nothing like getting an unexpected marriage proposal just as you are taking your first steps to find who you are. No, I have not personally experienced a marriage proposal, but this is what happens to Bayley Lorbera just as she’s about to board her first airplane to a country that isn’t Peverell. And, of course, it has to come from her childhood best friend, who is also the prince of Peverell. Nope, not happening ever – she knows she is most definitely not princess material. Now she just needs to convince Cameron that there is someone better for him, somewhere.
But Cameron isn’t about to take no for an answer, not when he knows that Bayley is the only woman her will ever love. But how is he to convince her of the truth he knows in his heart? But will his determination actually push Bayley away? And what if Bayley finds someone he could actually learn to love? Is he trying to force something that was never meant to be?
I loved how this book unfolded and how “the list” played such an important role. I think the underlying truth I got from this book was not the journey to find love or marriage, but learning to trust in God’s timing and path. Worthiness is not determined by the opinions of others, who see only the outer appearance filtered through their own prejudices; no worthiness is a gift given by God. We have only to accept His gift.
This is a book I would recommend to teens and up.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Talita Adendorff –
What a treat it was to be back in Peverell.
I’m a huge fan of Hannah Currie, and the very first book I read by her was the story of Prince Thoraben and Kenna. Since I read it when it was first published, some of the details are a little hazy now, but it was an absolute pleasure to return to Peverell and read the story of their son, Prince Cameron, twenty-five years after Ben and Kenna’s happily ever after.
This time, the spotlight falls on Cameron and his best friend, Bayley Lorbera. Having grown up in the palace as the daughter of two senior staff members, Bayley knows royal life inside and out. She knows where to find the best leftovers, how to make a quick escape from any royal function, and most importantly, that she is definitely not princess material. In her mind, princesses are elegant, charming, and effortlessly graceful—not shy, glasses-wearing, purple-haired girls who would rather escape into fictional worlds than stand in the spotlight.
So when Prince Cameron proposes, Bayley’s first reaction is laughter. Surely he can’t be serious. Marriage? Love? A future queen? Not her. Determined to prove how unsuited she is to royal life, Bayley sets out to find Cameron someone she believes would make a far better princess. Cameron, however, has other ideas.
I’ll admit this book is definitely aimed more at a young adult audience, dealing with many of the insecurities, questions, and challenges that younger readers can relate to. Yet it remains a wonderful read filled with faith, friendship, humour, and relatable characters. Bayley’s struggles with self-worth and identity are handled beautifully, and her journey is both heartwarming and encouraging.
As always, Hannah Currie creates characters you can’t help but root for and a story that leaves you smiling long after you turn the final page.
I thoroughly enjoyed returning to Peverell and am already looking forward to reading the stories of all the Castle Kids. I sincerely hope each of them gets their own happily ever after.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but the views and opinions are completely my own.