The Princess

by Lori Wick

The Princess

by
Lori Wick

book data

967 ratings, 4.00 average rating, 137 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		42%
4		27%
3		20%
2		7%
1		2%

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published

January 1st 1999 by Harvest House

details

Hardcover

isbn

0739401890 (isbn13: 9780739401897)

description

Now with a new cover, Lori Wick’s bestselling contemporary love story The Princess (over 200,000 copies sold) will reach even more readers.

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Sep 13, 2008

Rachel rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

bookshelves: christian-fiction

Read in September, 2008

recommended to Rachel by: it was sitting right in front of me!

Okay, it was sitting at the desk where I work, and my self control is pathetic. I cannot resist a fiction novel when temptation persists.
Lori Wick has this knack for writing love stories that make me wonder what world she's living on, cuz it isn't planet earth. Now on the bright side her stories are always clean, and the characters have great value systems and what have you, but I have read much better from her than this. It's not so much that the story was bad per se, just that it was so...more

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Mar 27, 2008

Nola rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

bookshelves: fiction---drama

Read in June, 2008

In most fairy tales, when the Princess and Prince get married, the story ends “happily ever after”. In Lori Wick’s “The Princess,” however, the vows are only the beginning. Although this is the story of an arranged marriage, I found its underlying message quite relevant to most people today, and I think it may especially help those who are struggling or considering divorce.

Prince Nikolai of Pendaran lost his wife before the novel begins, but she is quite present, especial...more In most fairy tales, when the Princess and Prince get married, the story ends “happily ever after”. In Lori Wick’s “The Princess,” however, the vows are only the beginning. Although this is the story of an arranged marriage, I found its underlying message quite relevant to most people today, and I think it may especially help those who are struggling or considering divorce.

Prince Nikolai of Pendaran lost his wife before the novel begins, but she is quite present, especially in the early pages. As custom rules that the crown prince must be married by the age of 26, and that fateful birthday draws nearer, Nikolai knows that he cannot in good conscience choose his own wife. Instead, he asks his parents to make the choice for him.

They select for his bride the lovely Shelby Parker, a sweet, goodhearted woman who shares the same Christian values as they royal family. Although startled by the decision, Shelby accepts the proposal, and the two find themselves married without even meeting. Perhaps the best sign of the distance between them when the Prince, thinking her the new help, introduces himself – after the wedding.

As Nikolai struggles with grief and Shelby struggles to connect to her distant husband, both learn that love does not come automatically with marriage. Indeed, we can make the choice to love our spouse – or to not love them. Nikolai especially struggles to draw closer to his wife, but after he has rebuffed her, Shelby also finds herself ambivalent and seeks to overcome the pain her husband unwittingly causes her.

Choice, then, is the message I pulled out of this novel. Marriage isn’t easy for anyone, royal or average. We disagree (fight, argue, whatever) with our spouses, we see them at their worst as well as their best, and the romance that begins even the best of marriages can easily fade away. But, like Nikolai and Shelby, we each must make the choice to love our spouse on a daily basis, and must seek ways to cultivate and grow that love.

I really enjoyed this novel. It felt a bit heavy-handed on the Christianity, occasionally preachy, but overall it was an enjoyable story. The characters struggled with realistic relationship problems, and, despite their royal origins, were easy to relate to. About the biggest problem I had came from the royal family itself – counting Shelby and Nikolai, there were (I think) four sets of royal couples, and this got a bit confusing. Still, overall, a great read!
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Mar 31, 2008

Judie rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

bookshelves: romance

Read in January, 2008

I just finished reading it for the second time. It is interesting to me, and I wonder why. It's an okay story, but it seems more about the heroine finding happiness in life because of herself, and less about the romance. I guess I think she took a situation and made a life for herself within the framework of her reality. Third reading-this time I was struck by the choice to love someone, rather than it beginning with infatuation.

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Apr 18, 2007

Nicole rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

bookshelves: loriwick

Read in January, 2004

recommends it for: Just Want A Really Good Story

I find myself re-reading the book a lot. It's just a great love story!

n the Land of Pendaran, Shelby Parker lives a humble but good life. Her special qualities are eventually noticed by the king and queen of the House of Markham, who seek a new wife for their widowed son, Prince Nikolai.

To uphold the tradition of their country, Shelby and Nikolai agree to an arranged marriage. But while Nikolai is a perfect gentleman in public, he remains distant at home, leaving Shelby ...more

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Jul 28, 2008

Jayne rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

bookshelves: fiction

I didn't know this was written by a Christian author before I started reading. At first when I read how much religion was incorporated in the story I was hesitant to continue, but I enjoyed reading the silent prayers the characters said and really there was no difference between the religious beliefs of these characters and my own. But, I must say that my favorite part of this book was the love story. (...Sigh...) Watching the love of this couple grow from a beginning of fear and dislike to the ...more

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Feb 17, 2008

Nikki rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

Read in January, 2009

I like to know little to nothing about books before I read them, sometimes this can get me in trouble. In the case with this book, I must have had different expectations, so perhaps I'm being too hard on it...? I found the book to be extremely dull and silly. The characters were so one-dimensional and wispy. There was no flaw to overcome, no conflict to resolve, not even the slightest bit of interest or chemistry. I liked that it was clean, but it was so annoyingly preachy--and I like relig...more

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Apr 06, 2009

Angela rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

bookshelves: fiction, religion, romance

Read in April, 2009

recommends it for: engaged or married individuals

Though it reads rather more like an episode of "Touched by an Angel" than a romance novel, I was finally able to settle back and enjoy this book by accepting what the author intended it to be: a strongly Christian prescription for marital bliss. The characters - especially the supporting cast - were all a little too perfect, and the plot was rather contrived. Wick, however, was able to mold the circumstances to convey heartfelt sincerity and realistic emotional conflict. I actually ...more

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Aug 27, 2009

Iris rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

bookshelves: 2009, christian-fiction, romance

Read in August, 2009

The Princess is a modern romance set in a small kingdom. Prince Nickolai's first wife died unexpectedly and he is required to remarry soon. With his permission, his parents arrange a marriage for him with Shelby Parker. The story focuses on how they learn to love each other after their wedding.

It is a sweet, clean story that shows that love is often more of a choice we make than a feeling. Shelby is written such that I imagine many Christian women identify with her in some way. ...more

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Jan 26, 2010

Mimi rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

Read in February, 2010

I couldn't decide whether to give this book the three stars for "I liked it" or 2 stars for "it was okay." It in between. The idea of the book, the plot, the themes: Excellent. The actual writing: Okay. See my dilemma?

This book begins with a widowed prince who needs to be married by his 26th birthday in able to keep his right to the crown and a sweet 20-something woman who the king and queen have chosen to marry their son.

The prince (Nikolai) is still ...more I couldn't decide whether to give this book the three stars for "I liked it" or 2 stars for "it was okay." It in between. The idea of the book, the plot, the themes: Excellent. The actual writing: Okay. See my dilemma?

This book begins with a widowed prince who needs to be married by his 26th birthday in able to keep his right to the crown and a sweet 20-something woman who the king and queen have chosen to marry their son.

The prince (Nikolai) is still heartbroken and in love with his deceased wife, but he knows it is his duty, and he marries Shelby (the aforementioned really sweet girl).

That all happens in the first chapter or so. I really liked that this book began with marriage, instead of ending with it. Yes, they still had to fall in love with the book, so you could argue that it ended in the same place that all books do, but still, LIFE DOES NOT END WITH MARRIAGE. The majority of life is usually lived after marriage, but so few books deal with it. Or maybe I'm just reading the books that don't. If you know of any good books that deal with after marriage, recommend them to me on here.

Back to my review. The writing was not horrible. I read the whole book. If it had been bad, I wouldn't have been able to. That said, it will not win any awards for writing. Situations that could have been fleshed out were not. The writer seemed to switch between characters and "being all knowing" when it seemed convenient to her. I would have appreciated a bit more kept secret, to be discovered later in the book.

Things of note: I really enjoyed the discussion of how worry is not trusting the Lord. I had never thought of it that way.

Also, the queen had many miscarriages before she was able to have her son, and she said that before she had Nikolai, part of her wished she had never even been able to conceive, so she could share the guilt with her husband instead of blaming herself for her miscarriages. I found that discussion very interesting as well.

This is a Christian novel, set in contemporary times. I kept expecting it to not be contemporary, probably because of the arranged marriage, but it was. So get used to that now. :)

All in all, I do recommend this book, might even buy it to have it on my bookshelf for my children when they're older.

It is appropriate for all ages, but younger kids will probably be bored. The intimacy that obviously must be touched on in a book that deals with after marriage is discussed very delicately and not explicitly. It is not vulgar or raunchy in any way.

In summary, I really liked the story and kind of wish another author would rewrite it.(less)

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Dec 26, 2008

Sarah rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

This is absolutely my most favorite book by Lori Wick!

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Mar 28, 2008

Brooke rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

Read in March, 2008

Okay so here is another classic on my list. I have read this book probably 7 or 8 times total. It is an easy read but very enjoyable. I love the idea of a modern day arranged marriage and how that would work in today's world. There are a few times when the book is a bit cheesy but I still love this story and the characters. Next to Sophie's Heart this is my favorite Lori Wick book.

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Dec 01, 2008

Michelle rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

bookshelves: 2008

Read in December, 2008

recommended to Michelle by: lib patron

This book came highly recommended to me and after reading it I can remember why I'm not such a fan of inspirational romance books.

The premise is interesting enough: a widowed prince, Nick, must remarry soon due to weird laws and has his family arrange a marriage for him with Shelby who is not royalty. Shelby and Nick must learn to love each other and more importantly trust one another as various difficulties arise.

This is supposed to be set in a modern kingdom but it is a...more

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Jul 17, 2008

Judine rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

bookshelves: christian-inspirational, romance

Read in July, 2004

Lori Wick found perhaps the only way to have an arranged marriage work at the turn of the 21st century: royalty. I find Nicolai's struggle between loving his dead wife and loving his new bride to be heart-felt and believable. I adore Shelby, but don't always think her not sharing her feelings about certain things works. Still a great late night read.

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Apr 28, 2008

Angela rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

recommended to Angela by: Joanna Jordan

I LOVE this book. It's a modern day fairy tale princess story. Shelby agrees to an arranged marriage to the prince of a created country. They meet for the first time on their wedding day and through their faith in God they learn to love each other. One of the best contemporary books I've ever read.

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Sep 05, 2008

Alycia rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

bookshelves: christian-fiction

Read in September, 2008

recommends it for: Anyone who likes romance books

I loved this book, it took me five hours to finish it.
What makes this book so special is that it's a modern day fairy tale, and Nicki and 'Red' spend more time developing their friendship and how well they know each other, rather than focusing all on...well you know. :) A very good book.

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Aug 30, 2009

Laura rated it:

(review of isbn 0736900349)

Read in August, 2009

This book started out great - fast, fun and interesting. I got a bit bogged down in the middle, and then the book kicked back into high gear for a happy ending.

I think I could easily adjust to the life of a princess. Charity events, balls, fancy dresses, dancing and public appearances. Being close to your family, having servants who are like your family and being taking care of at all times. Pretty great!

This book stressed the importance of open communication and talki...more

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Jan 12, 2009

Kathryn rated it:

(review of isbn 0736900349)

bookshelves: winter-challenge-08

Read in January, 2009

recommends it for: Christian females

Shelby Parker entered a marriage of convience hoping to honor both her God and her country. The prince entered the marriage in order to honor the countries tradition of marriage by the 26th birthday, after his first wife died, leaving him hurting and alone, without an heir to the throne. Through many trials and tribulations the royal couple must learn to come together and to find love, or else they will face a life of being lonely.

One of my favorite books ever written... one of the o...more

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May 15, 2009

Heidi rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

I bought this and didn't know what it was about and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the story. It is a story about choosing to love someone. It's about a young couple but I have to say that I was able to take some of the lessons of love from this. We do get to choose who we love and how we love them we just need to open ourselves up to be loved and to give that love in return.

This story was most likely written by a Born Again but I liked that it had morals and it ...more

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Sep 19, 2009

Rachelle rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

Read in October, 2008

For a good romantic read, this is one of my favorites. lori Wick writes a lot of books and it seems like in every one of them someone is getting "saved". I understand that is her "calling" as a Christian writer, but sometimes it's a bit much. This book isn't so much about that, but about a prince who has lost his first wife and must remarry and his parents choose this bride and he approves, but then later discovers what a great person she really is. i guess it's one of th...more

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Mar 21, 2009

Shelbi rated it:

(review of isbn 0736918612)

Read in March, 2009

I am not going to lie, I picked this book up mostly because the protagonist's name was Shelby and because I am not quite over my obsession with royalty and princesses. But honestly, this is probably the worst book I have read this year. It is predictable, cheesy and not even remotely interesting. It got to the point where I was merely skimming the book, when I decided it wasn't even worth my time.

I am going to have to provide some case-in-point evidence later. I really couldn't bel...more

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