Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good Cinderella story. Maddie left New York and her cheating fiancé behind and returned home to Mountain Bend to help a friend. Now she spends her days waiting tables, baking, and trying to find a way to keep her small town from dying. The café owner, Kettle, and the other waitress, Sophie, have become her family. The arrival of two handsome but mysterious men at the café throws her life into turmoil.
Edward is the prince of a small island country with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Besides the challenges of reviving the island's economy, he is caught in a marriage dilemma. Contracted to a neighboring princess since they were children, he has learned that she is in love with another man but will honor the contract if necessary. Edward came to the US to escape for a while, for a chance to feel normal, and perhaps find a way out of the marriage so that someone can be happy.
I enjoyed the scene in the café when Edward and Maddie met. Sophie was funny, yet frustrating, in her bubbly forwardness, as Maddie tried to rein her in. I loved seeing Lancaster have to eat his words about Maddie's scones. But mostly I loved the instant connection between Maddie and Ward. He wants Maddie to spend time with him and is a bit flustered when she resists, not used to being told no. I liked seeing the way that both of them loosened up as they enjoyed the hot springs. Maddie is feisty and doesn't hold back her opinions and thoughts. His invitation to attend the concert with him unsettled Maddie, but she wanted to break out of the box she'd put herself in. The first part of the concert was great, and both of them lost themselves in their enjoyment of the music. Matters became complicated when Ward was recognized, and Lancaster had to get them out of there. I ached for Maddie and her feelings of betrayal as she learned the truth about Ward, and laughed out loud at her reaction as she melted away into the crowd to escape him. Ward earned points from me when he insisted on checking to be sure she made it home. I loved seeing him gather his courage and determination to see her and explain. He stunned himself and Maddie when he proposed a marriage of convenience to help him with his dilemma in exchange for his help with the town's problems.
I loved the development of Maddie and Ward's relationship. Though they went into it as a business contract, it was clear that there were already feelings between them. Ward is firmly convinced that love is not in his future as he has no idea what it is. Maddie believes that she can keep from falling for Ward. But the more she gets to know him, the more she sees the lonely man under the princely façade and wants to change it. Ward is fascinated and intrigued by Maddie's feistiness and down to earth attitude. The more that he wants to be with her, the harder he works to maintain his distance, knowing that she will leave. He also believes that he is no good for her and that keeping her with him would hurt her in the long run. Maddie refuses to give up on him, and slowly works her way past his walls. But an unexpected complication causes her to question her future with him. Can she stay with a man she loves with all her heart when there's only a business contract in return? I hurt for Maddie and her heartache over her belief that Ward didn't care. Ward's misery when Maddie disappeared was intense, as was his desperation to find her. His big moment at the end was deeply emotional as he bared his fears and feelings. Maddie's response was perfect and a life-changing realization for both of them. The epilogue was terrific. I would love to see if something develops between Sophie and Lancaster.
Edward is the prince of a small island country with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Besides the challenges of reviving the island's economy, he is caught in a marriage dilemma. Contracted to a neighboring princess since they were children, he has learned that she is in love with another man but will honor the contract if necessary. Edward came to the US to escape for a while, for a chance to feel normal, and perhaps find a way out of the marriage so that someone can be happy.
I enjoyed the scene in the café when Edward and Maddie met. Sophie was funny, yet frustrating, in her bubbly forwardness, as Maddie tried to rein her in. I loved seeing Lancaster have to eat his words about Maddie's scones. But mostly I loved the instant connection between Maddie and Ward. He wants Maddie to spend time with him and is a bit flustered when she resists, not used to being told no. I liked seeing the way that both of them loosened up as they enjoyed the hot springs. Maddie is feisty and doesn't hold back her opinions and thoughts. His invitation to attend the concert with him unsettled Maddie, but she wanted to break out of the box she'd put herself in. The first part of the concert was great, and both of them lost themselves in their enjoyment of the music. Matters became complicated when Ward was recognized, and Lancaster had to get them out of there. I ached for Maddie and her feelings of betrayal as she learned the truth about Ward, and laughed out loud at her reaction as she melted away into the crowd to escape him. Ward earned points from me when he insisted on checking to be sure she made it home. I loved seeing him gather his courage and determination to see her and explain. He stunned himself and Maddie when he proposed a marriage of convenience to help him with his dilemma in exchange for his help with the town's problems.
I loved the development of Maddie and Ward's relationship. Though they went into it as a business contract, it was clear that there were already feelings between them. Ward is firmly convinced that love is not in his future as he has no idea what it is. Maddie believes that she can keep from falling for Ward. But the more she gets to know him, the more she sees the lonely man under the princely façade and wants to change it. Ward is fascinated and intrigued by Maddie's feistiness and down to earth attitude. The more that he wants to be with her, the harder he works to maintain his distance, knowing that she will leave. He also believes that he is no good for her and that keeping her with him would hurt her in the long run. Maddie refuses to give up on him, and slowly works her way past his walls. But an unexpected complication causes her to question her future with him. Can she stay with a man she loves with all her heart when there's only a business contract in return? I hurt for Maddie and her heartache over her belief that Ward didn't care. Ward's misery when Maddie disappeared was intense, as was his desperation to find her. His big moment at the end was deeply emotional as he bared his fears and feelings. Maddie's response was perfect and a life-changing realization for both of them. The epilogue was terrific. I would love to see if something develops between Sophie and Lancaster.
