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Calico Cove #2
Not My Prince Charming
To: Jackson (Not My Prince Charming) Dumont
From: Lola Pappas
What did you think was going to happen when you came back to Calico Cove after being gone for years? That I would forget how you were my best friend before you became my worst enemy? Or did you want me to pretend that night at the bonfire when you humiliated me in front of everyone didn't happen?
I don’t care that you’re handsome as sin and rich AF, or even that you're pretending to worry about my family's diner—I’m not falling for your charm again.
To: Lola
From: Jackson
Please let me prove myself to you. I can still be your Prince Charming.
Not My Prince Charming is a Cinderella retelling including one nasty stepmom, two clueless step-sisters, a godfather with gold eye shadow, a best friend lost and found, hot action on a boat, and a LOT of groveling.
From: Lola Pappas
What did you think was going to happen when you came back to Calico Cove after being gone for years? That I would forget how you were my best friend before you became my worst enemy? Or did you want me to pretend that night at the bonfire when you humiliated me in front of everyone didn't happen?
I don’t care that you’re handsome as sin and rich AF, or even that you're pretending to worry about my family's diner—I’m not falling for your charm again.
To: Lola
From: Jackson
Please let me prove myself to you. I can still be your Prince Charming.
Not My Prince Charming is a Cinderella retelling including one nasty stepmom, two clueless step-sisters, a godfather with gold eye shadow, a best friend lost and found, hot action on a boat, and a LOT of groveling.
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 20, 2022
1036 people are currently reading
1113 people want to read
About the author
Hailey Shore
16 books203 followersI love cold wine, hot coffee and writing swoony rom coms.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
not-for-me
January 15, 2025Just no… SPOILERS
5 year separation where he fully knew he was gonna go back and claim the heroine and all he did was get better in bed 🥴 (and work on himself too… I guess 😒) in the meantime, she was celibate (she remained a virgin).
Nerp.
Not. For. Me
5 year separation where he fully knew he was gonna go back and claim the heroine and all he did was get better in bed 🥴 (and work on himself too… I guess 😒) in the meantime, she was celibate (she remained a virgin).
Nerp.
Not. For. Me
October 5, 2023
This was sooo cutee🥺
The way he’s been into her since they were kids and did his best to grow up to be the best for her😭
I love me a man obssessed and that just want her to be happy!!!
Also really liked the fact that the 3rd act conflict was resolved with AN ADULT CONVOOO!!!! Like we need more of that in books plssss
AND that epilogue, I need Vanessa’s story ASAP
The way he’s been into her since they were kids and did his best to grow up to be the best for her😭
I love me a man obssessed and that just want her to be happy!!!
Also really liked the fact that the 3rd act conflict was resolved with AN ADULT CONVOOO!!!! Like we need more of that in books plssss
AND that epilogue, I need Vanessa’s story ASAP
August 4, 2023
Cinderella retelling isn't exactly my favorite trope, but this would do... Childhood friends to enemies kinda helped to move to a different direction.
The only thing I didn't like was the safety during the years they haven't seen each other.
May 14, 2023
Calico Cove series
Happily Ever After…Maybe? — 3.75 stars
>>Not My Prince Charming — 3.25-.5 stars
The Grump, the Bride & the Baby — TBR
Her Fake Date For Christmas — TBR
Can’t Take the Heat? — TBR
✔️ (childhood) friends to (teen) enemies
✔️ (teen) enemies to (young adult) lovers
✔️ a smutty modern riff on Cinderella
✔️ small town
Not My Prince Charming starts so well. I like HS’s approach to setting the story up by beginning with extended glimpses into Lola & Jackson’s history instead of going back & forth between past & present throughout like most romance authors do. Going from their start, when they met as children the first summer his family vacationed in Calico Cove & became fast friends to things taking a turn & they became enemies throughout their teens to the present & now in their twenties when Jackson makes his return, after staying away the last few years. Having done that gave such a solid understanding of what created their dynamic in the present was a big plus imho. I think it was also a smart decision looking back from only Lola’s POV added another layer of tension.
It was still good when Jackson’s POV became part of the present, but that’s where the storytelling gradually started losing steam. The pieces of his family history that really influenced his behavior as a teen & into the present were there, yet didn’t feel fleshed out. I felt more for him from Lola’s take on what was going on with him growing up. His POV just didn’t pull at the heartstrings like Lola’s past heartaches, even though the details were there to do it. What happened felt sort of generalized, like a slightly summarized version from his POV.
I also wanted Jackson to grovel more. I’m glad he’d grown & recognized the error of his ways, but after the things he had done, I think more was merited. Lola deserved lots & lots of it.
One aspect I genuinely found frustrating was that
Aside from the latter, I definitely liked NMPC. It was a fun read for the most part. The beginning was simply more engaging & developed is all. I’m still quite curious to find out what’s to come in Calico Cove. Especially now I know who Roy’s h is.
Happily Ever After…Maybe? — 3.75 stars
>>Not My Prince Charming — 3.25-.5 stars
The Grump, the Bride & the Baby — TBR
Her Fake Date For Christmas — TBR
Can’t Take the Heat? — TBR
✔️ (childhood) friends to (teen) enemies
✔️ (teen) enemies to (young adult) lovers
✔️ a smutty modern riff on Cinderella
✔️ small town
Not My Prince Charming starts so well. I like HS’s approach to setting the story up by beginning with extended glimpses into Lola & Jackson’s history instead of going back & forth between past & present throughout like most romance authors do. Going from their start, when they met as children the first summer his family vacationed in Calico Cove & became fast friends to things taking a turn & they became enemies throughout their teens to the present & now in their twenties when Jackson makes his return, after staying away the last few years. Having done that gave such a solid understanding of what created their dynamic in the present was a big plus imho. I think it was also a smart decision looking back from only Lola’s POV added another layer of tension.
It was still good when Jackson’s POV became part of the present, but that’s where the storytelling gradually started losing steam. The pieces of his family history that really influenced his behavior as a teen & into the present were there, yet didn’t feel fleshed out. I felt more for him from Lola’s take on what was going on with him growing up. His POV just didn’t pull at the heartstrings like Lola’s past heartaches, even though the details were there to do it. What happened felt sort of generalized, like a slightly summarized version from his POV.
I also wanted Jackson to grovel more. I’m glad he’d grown & recognized the error of his ways, but after the things he had done, I think more was merited. Lola deserved lots & lots of it.
One aspect I genuinely found frustrating was that
Aside from the latter, I definitely liked NMPC. It was a fun read for the most part. The beginning was simply more engaging & developed is all. I’m still quite curious to find out what’s to come in Calico Cove. Especially now I know who Roy’s h is.
November 17, 2022
4.5 Lola and Jackson Stars
I really enjoyed this gorgeous book by a 'new to me' author and I will definitely be reading more by her.
This is a childhood friends > enemies > lovers story and it had me hooked from the start. Lola is one of the best heroines I have read and is definitely going into my Heroine Hall of Fame shelf. She is funny, loyal , a bit snarky , sassy and determined.
Jackson is a sweet kid and at first my heart ached for him but then he definitely drives Lola away and those scenes were devastating.
His upper lip curled, then, into a sneer. “You are not my friend.”
“That’s not true,” I whispered.
“Every minute with you was a waste of time.”
Lola is the local girl and the daughter of the owners of Pappas' Diner and Jackson Dumont is the eldest son of a very affluent family . He is one of the 'summer people' that visit for a holiday and then go back to their fancy lives. Summer people are not popular , even if their money sustains the town's economy.
Lola and Jackson fall out but cross paths now and then. They both turn eighteen and that is when there is a five year gap before they meet again and Lola's nemesis returns to town.
The story flowed well. It made me cry , laugh , rage a bit and beam from ear to ear at the end. I thought Jackson redeemed himself well and ended up feeling sorry for him - Lola does not forgive easily.
My kindle catnip is a small town romance, with all the quirky secondary characters and this book absolutely delivered that.
The ending was very much HFN and I would have loved an epilogue about them. To be clear, I was absolutely convinced they would be together forever.
The epilogue is actually about Vanessa, Jackson's little sister. I will be reading her book , The Grump, The Bride & The Baby although it seems to have an illustrated cover and I much prefer the suit cover for Not My Prince Charming.
...His skin, which smelled like expensive cologne and sea air and him. It was my favorite smell. I kissed him, and he was my favorite flavor. I loved him, and he was my favorite feeling.
HEA? HFN
Cheating? No
Be aware
I really enjoyed this gorgeous book by a 'new to me' author and I will definitely be reading more by her.
This is a childhood friends > enemies > lovers story and it had me hooked from the start. Lola is one of the best heroines I have read and is definitely going into my Heroine Hall of Fame shelf. She is funny, loyal , a bit snarky , sassy and determined.
Jackson is a sweet kid and at first my heart ached for him but then he definitely drives Lola away and those scenes were devastating.
His upper lip curled, then, into a sneer. “You are not my friend.”
“That’s not true,” I whispered.
“Every minute with you was a waste of time.”
Lola is the local girl and the daughter of the owners of Pappas' Diner and Jackson Dumont is the eldest son of a very affluent family . He is one of the 'summer people' that visit for a holiday and then go back to their fancy lives. Summer people are not popular , even if their money sustains the town's economy.
Lola and Jackson fall out but cross paths now and then. They both turn eighteen and that is when there is a five year gap before they meet again and Lola's nemesis returns to town.
The story flowed well. It made me cry , laugh , rage a bit and beam from ear to ear at the end. I thought Jackson redeemed himself well and ended up feeling sorry for him - Lola does not forgive easily.
My kindle catnip is a small town romance, with all the quirky secondary characters and this book absolutely delivered that.
The ending was very much HFN and I would have loved an epilogue about them. To be clear, I was absolutely convinced they would be together forever.
The epilogue is actually about Vanessa, Jackson's little sister. I will be reading her book , The Grump, The Bride & The Baby although it seems to have an illustrated cover and I much prefer the suit cover for Not My Prince Charming.
...His skin, which smelled like expensive cologne and sea air and him. It was my favorite smell. I kissed him, and he was my favorite flavor. I loved him, and he was my favorite feeling.
HEA? HFN
Cheating? No
Be aware
January 16, 2025
3.5 stars - I liked a lot about this book. I liked the beginning length of the book that was heroine-only POV. We don’t hear from the hero until we get to the current timeline. This helped build the tension. I liked the bully-ish plot. I liked the virgin heroine. Overall this was a fairly solid read.
I didn’t rate it a 4 because I didn’t like how the h lost her virginity (accidentally) through fingering by the H. This is my 2nd least favorite deflowering means. (The first being deflowering via sex toy 🙄). I feel like these two had waited so long to be together that they deserved a more romantic first time. For one the sexual scene feels a little out of left field— they aren’t really at a place yet where I’d expect more than maybe some intense kissing. The fingering scene is so awkward and cringe and made me sad for them. Honestly? I wasn’t really all that into ANY of their sex scenes. They lacked spark/passion/edge… SOMETHING. I did like that they didn’t immediately jump to full intercourse, because I like a build-up with makeout scenes that become increasingly intimate…. But I didn’t like that they go straight to oral sex. Especially when the whole reason he’s not having sex with her is because she doesn’t trust him yet… but oral sex, IMO, requires a lot of intimate vulnerability that didn’t really make sense in this “no trust” context.
The other thing that bothered me is that the hero says he left her for 5 years so that he could go off and “become a better man for her”. He fully planned to come back to claim her eventually…. And yet it’s never made clear when he was gaining his sexual prowess/experience - was it during that 5 years after he knew he loved her and planned on being with her??? … I mean I suppose you could say he was becoming a better lover FOR HER, I guess??? 🥴🫣 The heroine is fully unbothered by this, she actually seems pretty happy with it, which I found unrelatable. If the hero hadn’t said that he always planned to come back for her I wouldn’t have cared… but as-is, this irked me. How long has it been since he’s been with others? How many? Who? Will these bed buddies show back up at some point?? Why doesn’t he feel weird about her being a virgin still while he was (maybe) out screwing others, since he’d planned to be with her the whole time?? Maybe some introspection on his part would have helped?? The author does throws out a line in his POV that makes you think that he probably wasn’t some crazy manho, but I don’t think it was enough given the circumstances. The vagueness created a lot of unnecessary questions…. I mean it’s totally possible that his experience happened prior to their first kiss and the 5 year separation… if that was the case, then the author missed a golden swoony opportunity. It would have been amazing to have him confess he hasn’t been with anyone since their kiss… but alas, we are just left speculating and side-eyeing… Anyway, this wasn’t cute.
Overall though, I liked it more than I expected. I thought I’d DNF in the first chapter based on that romcom-y coded cover. I credit the engaging writing style for this.
I didn’t rate it a 4 because I didn’t like how the h lost her virginity (accidentally) through fingering by the H. This is my 2nd least favorite deflowering means. (The first being deflowering via sex toy 🙄). I feel like these two had waited so long to be together that they deserved a more romantic first time. For one the sexual scene feels a little out of left field— they aren’t really at a place yet where I’d expect more than maybe some intense kissing. The fingering scene is so awkward and cringe and made me sad for them. Honestly? I wasn’t really all that into ANY of their sex scenes. They lacked spark/passion/edge… SOMETHING. I did like that they didn’t immediately jump to full intercourse, because I like a build-up with makeout scenes that become increasingly intimate…. But I didn’t like that they go straight to oral sex. Especially when the whole reason he’s not having sex with her is because she doesn’t trust him yet… but oral sex, IMO, requires a lot of intimate vulnerability that didn’t really make sense in this “no trust” context.
The other thing that bothered me is that the hero says he left her for 5 years so that he could go off and “become a better man for her”. He fully planned to come back to claim her eventually…. And yet it’s never made clear when he was gaining his sexual prowess/experience - was it during that 5 years after he knew he loved her and planned on being with her??? … I mean I suppose you could say he was becoming a better lover FOR HER, I guess??? 🥴🫣 The heroine is fully unbothered by this, she actually seems pretty happy with it, which I found unrelatable. If the hero hadn’t said that he always planned to come back for her I wouldn’t have cared… but as-is, this irked me. How long has it been since he’s been with others? How many? Who? Will these bed buddies show back up at some point?? Why doesn’t he feel weird about her being a virgin still while he was (maybe) out screwing others, since he’d planned to be with her the whole time?? Maybe some introspection on his part would have helped?? The author does throws out a line in his POV that makes you think that he probably wasn’t some crazy manho, but I don’t think it was enough given the circumstances. The vagueness created a lot of unnecessary questions…. I mean it’s totally possible that his experience happened prior to their first kiss and the 5 year separation… if that was the case, then the author missed a golden swoony opportunity. It would have been amazing to have him confess he hasn’t been with anyone since their kiss… but alas, we are just left speculating and side-eyeing… Anyway, this wasn’t cute.
Overall though, I liked it more than I expected. I thought I’d DNF in the first chapter based on that romcom-y coded cover. I credit the engaging writing style for this.
February 3, 2023
Cinderella lobster style
This was a cute story but it took to long for them to get together. And he loved her soooo much and yet he still had other girls and I just didn't want to hear what he did with another girl. Seriously he did that. She was okay with it but I wasn't. She of course was innocent and didn't have any boyfriends. I did like Georgie the cook and their relationship. It was cute. I just didn't like all their time apart. Just get together already. I really liked the other two stories in the series but this one was just okay. It was totally a Cinderella with an evil stepmother and two weird step sisters and her room was in the attic. Started out great though but they left the romance wait too far into the book.
This was a cute story but it took to long for them to get together. And he loved her soooo much and yet he still had other girls and I just didn't want to hear what he did with another girl. Seriously he did that. She was okay with it but I wasn't. She of course was innocent and didn't have any boyfriends. I did like Georgie the cook and their relationship. It was cute. I just didn't like all their time apart. Just get together already. I really liked the other two stories in the series but this one was just okay. It was totally a Cinderella with an evil stepmother and two weird step sisters and her room was in the attic. Started out great though but they left the romance wait too far into the book.
April 26, 2023
Will add review but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book! Am going back to read the previous book in the series now. Especially loved the reference to New Zealand rugby players😜
March 18, 2023
After reading and absolutely adoring Happily Ever….Maybe? I couldn’t get to this one fast enough. I totally enjoyed it to but reading it right after I noticed a number of similarities and if I were to read it again (or maybe more likely when) I would read a few other books, maybe of different genres in between.
Like the first book is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, this is a Cinderella retelling. We meet Lola in the first book. She is a waitress at Pappas, a very popular diner in the small town of Calico Cove. This book opens when Lola is a young girl and her parents own Pappas. She spends a lot of time there and loves her life. One of the features of Calico Cove is a lot of very wealthy people own summer mansions. At the beginning of one summer she meets Jackson, son of one of the summer people and they become inseparable friends. He doesn’t make it there every summer and over time there is a 180 degree change in Jackson. He goes from her best friend to treating Lola with disdain and even cruelty. Lola experiences other devastating losses. First her beloved mother dies and then her father remarries a nasty woman with two nasty daughters and when he passes, rather than leaving Pappas to Lola, who loves the diner with all her heart, he leaves it to her wicked stepmother. Through it all Lola perseveres and is able to maintain a healthy positivity that is amazing. Jackson continues to come in and out of her life and things only get worse. This first part of the book is told through time jumps. And then we settle down to what happens currently.
Lola’s stepmother is determined to sell Pappas and Jackson is back needing to explain his actions over the years. Saying much more means spoilers so you’ll need to read it to find out what happens. And reading it will be good as it’s another great book. Lola’s is such a treasure and while we hate Jackson, we get a clear insight into why he behaved the way he did. Lola doesn’t make things easy on him, deservedly so, but we can’t help rooting for him.
There is a third book in this series I’ve picked up from KU that I’ll be reading soon. Not next, but soon.
Like the first book is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, this is a Cinderella retelling. We meet Lola in the first book. She is a waitress at Pappas, a very popular diner in the small town of Calico Cove. This book opens when Lola is a young girl and her parents own Pappas. She spends a lot of time there and loves her life. One of the features of Calico Cove is a lot of very wealthy people own summer mansions. At the beginning of one summer she meets Jackson, son of one of the summer people and they become inseparable friends. He doesn’t make it there every summer and over time there is a 180 degree change in Jackson. He goes from her best friend to treating Lola with disdain and even cruelty. Lola experiences other devastating losses. First her beloved mother dies and then her father remarries a nasty woman with two nasty daughters and when he passes, rather than leaving Pappas to Lola, who loves the diner with all her heart, he leaves it to her wicked stepmother. Through it all Lola perseveres and is able to maintain a healthy positivity that is amazing. Jackson continues to come in and out of her life and things only get worse. This first part of the book is told through time jumps. And then we settle down to what happens currently.
Lola’s stepmother is determined to sell Pappas and Jackson is back needing to explain his actions over the years. Saying much more means spoilers so you’ll need to read it to find out what happens. And reading it will be good as it’s another great book. Lola’s is such a treasure and while we hate Jackson, we get a clear insight into why he behaved the way he did. Lola doesn’t make things easy on him, deservedly so, but we can’t help rooting for him.
There is a third book in this series I’ve picked up from KU that I’ll be reading soon. Not next, but soon.
January 17, 2024
I enjoyed this book. I want to make that clear. This was a good, sweet story, with all the angst and slow burn that I love so much. With that said, though, there were definitely some things that I didn't necessarily like so much and other things, were they done a bit differently, that would have made this book absolutely perfect. Let's just jump into it, shall we?
~Contemporary Cinderella Re-telling
~Small Tourist Town
~Friends to Enemies to Lovers
~He Falls First
~FMC/heroine/h: Lola, 23, virgin, small beach town local that has been hit with the tragedy stick way too many times and is now desperately trying to save the restaurant that has been in her family for 3 generations.
~MMC/Hero/H: Jackson, 25, sexually experienced, regularly vacationed to the town every summer since 10, trust fund guy, MIT graduate that is now a real estate tycoon?? (is that a thing? IDK, we're going to make it a thing and that's what this man does with his time and money)
In the first chapter, we learn that Lola and Jackson first met when she was 10 and he was 12. They became fast friends and were inseparable, but given that Jackson came from a very wealthy family that owned a vacation home on a private beach, they thought the working class locals were beneath them. Undeterred, Jackson sneaks around and does whatever he has to do to be with his best friend, Lola. They collect shells, Lola shares her snacks and lunches with him because he's always hungry since 'his dad was mad at him' and he wasn't allowed to eat. At the end of this first summer, we find out that Jackson's dad is abusive. When Lola's mom finds Jackson with a black eye and busted lip, she threatens to contact CPS. This creates a rift between Lola and Jackson and an even bigger conflict between the two families.
Through a series of chapters and events, we learn that Jackson starts treating Lola terribly in the subsequent summers he visits and channels all his anger towards her and her family, leaving bad reviews for her family's restaurant online, and openly antagonizes her every chance he can.
When Lola is 18, her mother tragically passes away in a car accident and Jackson returns to the beach town that summer to discover what happened. He attempts to talk to Lola multiple times, but Lola, already heart broken because of her mother's death, only sees him as her nemesis. And when Jackson sees how his friend Simon is looking at Lola and how Lola is looking at him in return, he gets extremely jealous and this eventually leads to a very public outburst that humiliates Lola. It's because of this that Jackson does not return to Calico Cove for another 5 years..
This is essentially where the story starts. I was initially upset when I learned that we had a 5 year time jump after the chapter that I assumed was already the start of the story. I mean, 85 pages in, you don't really expect another time hop, but it did work itself out and, in the end, was just fine. However, this story HEAVILY relied on the miscommunication trope. Not generally a fan of that and can't say that I've been converted after reading this book either. It grew to be incredibly frustrating when so many problems could have been avoided had just ONE, civil, adult conversation taken place. Also, I can't say that I liked that it was said in the book that our heroine, Lola, lost her virginity to Jackson while he was fingering her because he broke her hymen then and she bled. To be honest, I just didn't like how any of that was handled and I'm the queen of loving a good story with a virginal heroine. It just felt so out of place, completely unnecessary, and left the most awkward feeling to a moment that should have been handled with reverence in my opinion. Not to mention, why the hell wouldn't Jackson have sex with her?! That kind of open rejection can really mess with a girl's self esteem and it seemed so strange that for the longest time he was ok with oral sex and mutual gratification through multiple techniques, but would not do the actual deed with her even when she wanted to. (Oh and for the people that care to know, they did use a condom when they eventually did said deed.)
Lastly, I want to touch base on something that's been bothering me because this is the SECOND book this year I've read where the epilogue was about a side character. Authors, can we please not do that? Like, I get it, you're trying to garner interest in your next book, but I don't think that's the best way to go about it. I feel like I'm being tricked or force fed new material when I was really just looking for a cute little bow to top the story I actually chose to read.
Final Thoughts:
I liked this book and would recommend to someone that's looking for a light hearted, small town romance about second chances and accepting that sometimes the happiness you've so desperately been looking for has always been right there in front of you.
3.5 "Summer Fun" Stars
~Contemporary Cinderella Re-telling
~Small Tourist Town
~Friends to Enemies to Lovers
~He Falls First
~FMC/heroine/h: Lola, 23, virgin, small beach town local that has been hit with the tragedy stick way too many times and is now desperately trying to save the restaurant that has been in her family for 3 generations.
~MMC/Hero/H: Jackson, 25, sexually experienced, regularly vacationed to the town every summer since 10, trust fund guy, MIT graduate that is now a real estate tycoon?? (is that a thing? IDK, we're going to make it a thing and that's what this man does with his time and money)
In the first chapter, we learn that Lola and Jackson first met when she was 10 and he was 12. They became fast friends and were inseparable, but given that Jackson came from a very wealthy family that owned a vacation home on a private beach, they thought the working class locals were beneath them. Undeterred, Jackson sneaks around and does whatever he has to do to be with his best friend, Lola. They collect shells, Lola shares her snacks and lunches with him because he's always hungry since 'his dad was mad at him' and he wasn't allowed to eat. At the end of this first summer, we find out that Jackson's dad is abusive. When Lola's mom finds Jackson with a black eye and busted lip, she threatens to contact CPS. This creates a rift between Lola and Jackson and an even bigger conflict between the two families.
Through a series of chapters and events, we learn that Jackson starts treating Lola terribly in the subsequent summers he visits and channels all his anger towards her and her family, leaving bad reviews for her family's restaurant online, and openly antagonizes her every chance he can.
When Lola is 18, her mother tragically passes away in a car accident and Jackson returns to the beach town that summer to discover what happened. He attempts to talk to Lola multiple times, but Lola, already heart broken because of her mother's death, only sees him as her nemesis. And when Jackson sees how his friend Simon is looking at Lola and how Lola is looking at him in return, he gets extremely jealous and this eventually leads to a very public outburst that humiliates Lola. It's because of this that Jackson does not return to Calico Cove for another 5 years..
This is essentially where the story starts. I was initially upset when I learned that we had a 5 year time jump after the chapter that I assumed was already the start of the story. I mean, 85 pages in, you don't really expect another time hop, but it did work itself out and, in the end, was just fine. However, this story HEAVILY relied on the miscommunication trope. Not generally a fan of that and can't say that I've been converted after reading this book either. It grew to be incredibly frustrating when so many problems could have been avoided had just ONE, civil, adult conversation taken place. Also, I can't say that I liked that it was said in the book that our heroine, Lola, lost her virginity to Jackson while he was fingering her because he broke her hymen then and she bled. To be honest, I just didn't like how any of that was handled and I'm the queen of loving a good story with a virginal heroine. It just felt so out of place, completely unnecessary, and left the most awkward feeling to a moment that should have been handled with reverence in my opinion. Not to mention, why the hell wouldn't Jackson have sex with her?! That kind of open rejection can really mess with a girl's self esteem and it seemed so strange that for the longest time he was ok with oral sex and mutual gratification through multiple techniques, but would not do the actual deed with her even when she wanted to. (Oh and for the people that care to know, they did use a condom when they eventually did said deed.)
Lastly, I want to touch base on something that's been bothering me because this is the SECOND book this year I've read where the epilogue was about a side character. Authors, can we please not do that? Like, I get it, you're trying to garner interest in your next book, but I don't think that's the best way to go about it. I feel like I'm being tricked or force fed new material when I was really just looking for a cute little bow to top the story I actually chose to read.
Final Thoughts:
I liked this book and would recommend to someone that's looking for a light hearted, small town romance about second chances and accepting that sometimes the happiness you've so desperately been looking for has always been right there in front of you.
3.5 "Summer Fun" Stars
April 15, 2025
I loved many aspects of this book. Lola exasperated me for some reason. Her stubbornness? It was really, really shitty that her father disinherited her. Wtf!? It also really bothered me that Tiffani and Jackson’s father never got their just desserts. I’m not sure I can stomach Vanessa’s book even though I bet it’s with Roy. Vanessa was a POS in this book. Overall, I really liked this book, but I was sort of disappointed that Lola remained a virgin…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2023
4.2 stars
I, for one, am definitely charmed (thank you Isabella. R for writing the review that made me want to read this!). The quality of the writing took me by storm. It was funny, sweetly angsty, a great Cinderella retelling of sorts, had great characterisation, actual decent grovel and an incredibly well-plotted story. I did not do it on purpose but here I am again with a NA romance, and with some slight chick-lit side to it. All things that normally are not high in my TBR. But because of the author's magic with words, I really enjoyed reading it.
HS wrote the childhood, teenager and new adult phases so well and seamlessly. I usually am not a fan of reading long back stories, but again, her pen worked her magic into me. The main characters felt so alive and genuine. They oozed of palpable emotion. All set in a dreamy coastal setting. Jackson was a very fumbling, clumsy, open-your-mouth-insert-foot H, but he was touchingly so. His obsession with Lola and his determination to win back her trust was very heartwarming. And Lola, oh Lola, she was a real gem. Salt of the earth h with a sassy-nice, witty side. And so strong in the face of problems. She may fall down but does not break. No wonder Jackson could never forget her!
About the grovel, it was much on the show side than talk side. And oozing so much sincerity and tenderness that I defy anyone remaining ice cold in the face of it. Imagine it: one of the very first thing Jackson planned out to woo Lola was to organise a Masquerade (in effect anonymously), invite the whole town... just to get Lola to come and maybe allow him to talk to her ❤! It felt refreshing to have a determined but not overbearing H who made Lola's feelings his absolute priority. He never forced her to see his ways, and instead, he humbly accepted his blunders, regrouped and retried his best later on.
But to be honest, Jackson is lucky that Lola is a compassionate girl who had deep down remained sensitive to his wellbeing because, really, the shitty YA attitude he pulled with her for years could have broken irredeemably a girl less strong than Lola. He did apologise very sincerely, more than once, but as always, I am greedy and wanted more powerful words and self-beatings 😅. I feel that had Lola not been having real big life issues to handle, she might have resented more his past behaviours and made him work yet harder. But hey, they are so good when they are together that if it works for them, I am happy for them!
I had a wishful thinking thought while reading: I think it would be the dream if one day HS decided to re-tell the book mainly from Jackson's perspective. To explore his teen angst about his family and Lola, his wake up moment, his self loathing, the five years where he became a better person for Lola, his feelings on his wooing failures and successes with Lola... I would definitely auto-buy that book!
I felt a tiny bit let down by the ending because the story did not give much on what happened next between Jackson and his family, and how Lola and the diner was faring. Of course the story is mainly a romance, but these plot threads had quite important roles in bringing them back together that I wanted to have some closure. That said, the extra epilogue was very sweet and cute.
100% recommended for the quality of the pen and the sweetly angsty romance.
P.S.1 The song 'Copacabana' is referenced in the story, but while reading, I had 'Whatever Lola wants' on repeat in my mind 😊
P.S.2 I think this book would be fabulous onscreen, like an edgier, sassier and sexier Hallmark type of movie!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2025
4 beautifully written ⭐️
I really enjoyed the writing in this book, it was vivid and came alive for me. The story is solid and the blurb is pretty much where we are going. It’s a story of regret and misunderstandings and projection of your own hurt onto others. It’s definitely a good reminder to be careful to judge those around you, before you have walked in their shoes. It was a realistic portrayal of their development!
It could have been a 5 ⭐️ read for me, if the h’s had been a little more mature. It bothered me throughout the book that she lived with her stepmom and step siblings at 23!!!! That is either failure to launch, at least it is weird, and it isn’t addressed. They clearly dislike each other, and it bothered me throughout the story. I would have understood, had they been close. It makes me see the h as passive, too passive.
The other thing that bothered me, was her lack of interest in anything other than the diner. SHE WAS GOING TO Colby! Then her mom dies and she doesn’t go, for 5 years she does not take not a class in a community college, nothing to learn restaurant management? It’s so dumb! She is making business plans, but has never seen one in real life.
It would have been more believable if she had made choices to take over the diner, instead of serving coffee. It made me annoyed with her. College isn’t for everyone, but the h had plans that would have benefited with a degree.
Should you read it? Yes because the writing is
Lovely and the story is cute.
I really enjoyed the writing in this book, it was vivid and came alive for me. The story is solid and the blurb is pretty much where we are going. It’s a story of regret and misunderstandings and projection of your own hurt onto others. It’s definitely a good reminder to be careful to judge those around you, before you have walked in their shoes. It was a realistic portrayal of their development!
It could have been a 5 ⭐️ read for me, if the h’s had been a little more mature. It bothered me throughout the book that she lived with her stepmom and step siblings at 23!!!! That is either failure to launch, at least it is weird, and it isn’t addressed. They clearly dislike each other, and it bothered me throughout the story. I would have understood, had they been close. It makes me see the h as passive, too passive.
The other thing that bothered me, was her lack of interest in anything other than the diner. SHE WAS GOING TO Colby! Then her mom dies and she doesn’t go, for 5 years she does not take not a class in a community college, nothing to learn restaurant management? It’s so dumb! She is making business plans, but has never seen one in real life.
It would have been more believable if she had made choices to take over the diner, instead of serving coffee. It made me annoyed with her. College isn’t for everyone, but the h had plans that would have benefited with a degree.
Should you read it? Yes because the writing is
Lovely and the story is cute.
January 6, 2024
I loved the relationship between the heroine and her mother, it was beautiful. I liked the groveling at the end. I hated the hero being a bully for no fucking reason except for him being all sad and misunderstood, like really absolutely hated it.
I mean, yeah, he kinda made it up at the end but [heroine's] betraying body syndrome is one of my pet peeves so the whole story was just kinda spoiled for me.
Still loved the writing, and the town, and the setting. So I'll be reading more by the author.
I mean, yeah, he kinda made it up at the end but [heroine's] betraying body syndrome is one of my pet peeves so the whole story was just kinda spoiled for me.
Still loved the writing, and the town, and the setting. So I'll be reading more by the author.
August 17, 2023
Jackson's childhood treatment of Lola may have been understandable because of his father's abuse but he continued to bully and humiliate her long after he was an adult. There was no excuse for that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2022
I'm not usually a big fan of fairy tale retells...it's not a trope I often reach for. But after reading and loving Hailey Shore's Happily Ever Maybe? and meeting Lola, I was intrigued. And I knew going in that Jackson was not adult Lola's favorite person. But why was the question.
Honestly, Jackson was not my favorite person through most of the book, either. He started out great, as a tween who Lola befriends and I had high hopes for a teenage summer romance. He has some heavier stuff going on in his rich, snooty family, and Lola and their friendship is his lifeline. Then things change.
Lola is a character I loved from page one straight through to the end. She's optimistic, despite the sorrow in her life. Everyone in town loves her and all she wants is to run her family's diner. She's got a hilarious friend in Georgie and her steps are more stupidly annoying that evil. But having Jackson back in town throws her for a loop.
So, stuff happens, Jackson's behavior is explained and by the end, he's not the jerk he had been. Cuz it's a romance, right. But no matter how many times I wanted to toss my ereader in disgust of the character, the story and writing of Hailey Shore held me back. Because she weaves a tale that is interesting and engaging, all while making the reader cheer for Lola and dislike Jackson.
It's all about feelings, though. And that's what reading should be. Whether is sadness, anger, laughter or tears, we want to feel something when we read a book. And this author does that in Not My Prince Charming. And those are the books I will always want to read and definitely recommend to readers like myself.
Honestly, Jackson was not my favorite person through most of the book, either. He started out great, as a tween who Lola befriends and I had high hopes for a teenage summer romance. He has some heavier stuff going on in his rich, snooty family, and Lola and their friendship is his lifeline. Then things change.
Lola is a character I loved from page one straight through to the end. She's optimistic, despite the sorrow in her life. Everyone in town loves her and all she wants is to run her family's diner. She's got a hilarious friend in Georgie and her steps are more stupidly annoying that evil. But having Jackson back in town throws her for a loop.
So, stuff happens, Jackson's behavior is explained and by the end, he's not the jerk he had been. Cuz it's a romance, right. But no matter how many times I wanted to toss my ereader in disgust of the character, the story and writing of Hailey Shore held me back. Because she weaves a tale that is interesting and engaging, all while making the reader cheer for Lola and dislike Jackson.
It's all about feelings, though. And that's what reading should be. Whether is sadness, anger, laughter or tears, we want to feel something when we read a book. And this author does that in Not My Prince Charming. And those are the books I will always want to read and definitely recommend to readers like myself.
October 20, 2022
Not My Prince Charming by Hailey Shore this is book Two in the Calico Cove Series. This is the story of Jackson and Lola. Jackson and Lola when they where young were friends even though they were from different standing. But when Jackson got older he started to have an attitude that Lola couldn't get along with. So they started having issues that pulled them apart. Now in their present day they seem to be getting a second chance. Enjoyed and can't wait to read more from this author and series.
March 31, 2023
3.5 stars
Another great Calico Cove story ❤️🙌 I really loved Lola and because I’d read book 3 first I went into it loving Jackson, which was a good thing because he isn’t as great in this story 😂
Honestly, this book should’ve been split into two books, there was so much time spent on their relationship as kids and them teenagers (which was really important!) but the present day part felt rushed. Jackson was in love with her all along, but we didn’t see that until the present day and so his actions felt random and rushed at the end.
Also, I do understand why he lied, but he lied/mislead/hid so much! It stressed me out. And, after the physical and emotional abuse he experienced as a child, I would’ve liked it to be addressed a bit more other than “I went to therapy and am now good”.
All this being said, I love them both and love Calico Cove ❤️
Another great Calico Cove story ❤️🙌 I really loved Lola and because I’d read book 3 first I went into it loving Jackson, which was a good thing because he isn’t as great in this story 😂
Honestly, this book should’ve been split into two books, there was so much time spent on their relationship as kids and them teenagers (which was really important!) but the present day part felt rushed. Jackson was in love with her all along, but we didn’t see that until the present day and so his actions felt random and rushed at the end.
Also, I do understand why he lied, but he lied/mislead/hid so much! It stressed me out. And, after the physical and emotional abuse he experienced as a child, I would’ve liked it to be addressed a bit more other than “I went to therapy and am now good”.
All this being said, I love them both and love Calico Cove ❤️
Read
July 19, 2025I like the concept of this book and I got about 40 percent in. There's were some sweet moments and sngsty ones. I just don't think this book was for me. More YA/ New Adult then what I am used yo and skipped around alot. The story is well written and entertaining, just not what I was looking for
June 12, 2023
** Audio Review**
Oh, my heart! Not My Prince Charming by Hailey Shore was a sweet and spicy Cinderella retelling romance that made my heart all giddy and gooey with love. This was my first book by Hailey Shore, and won't be my last. Lola and Jackson had to overcome a long history of painful family drama, but in return, they experienced many magical heartfelt moments that ultimately lead to their forever HEA.
Samantha Brentmoor and Wayne Mitchell narrate this audiobook, and this was the first time I'd heard these two paired together. Samantha performed the majority of the book and was the perfect fit to voice Lola. Samantha stretched her range in this performance starting with a young innocent kid, Lola to a much older wiser adult, Lola, and various side characters in between, including one arrogant British prick. Plus, her gruff male voice for the prince-like hero, Jackson was dreamy. (Yes, lady!) Wayne's portrayal of the charismatic Jackson had an air of mystery that piqued my interest until all was revealed. Plus, both narrators were spot-on performing Jackson and Lola's slow-burn simmering chemistry.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of a modern-day Cinderella retelling with a rich prince-like hero, a passionate and determined diner girl, small towns on the coast, childhood friendships, annoying twin step-sisters, a greedy stepmother, extravagant beach parties, locals vs. wealthy tourists, a fashionable fairy godfather, masquerades, slow burn steamy times, hidden agendas, and a HEA that will last long after midnight, then you will love Lola and Jackson's romance. I am looking forward to more from Hailey Shore.
Oh, my heart! Not My Prince Charming by Hailey Shore was a sweet and spicy Cinderella retelling romance that made my heart all giddy and gooey with love. This was my first book by Hailey Shore, and won't be my last. Lola and Jackson had to overcome a long history of painful family drama, but in return, they experienced many magical heartfelt moments that ultimately lead to their forever HEA.
Samantha Brentmoor and Wayne Mitchell narrate this audiobook, and this was the first time I'd heard these two paired together. Samantha performed the majority of the book and was the perfect fit to voice Lola. Samantha stretched her range in this performance starting with a young innocent kid, Lola to a much older wiser adult, Lola, and various side characters in between, including one arrogant British prick. Plus, her gruff male voice for the prince-like hero, Jackson was dreamy. (Yes, lady!) Wayne's portrayal of the charismatic Jackson had an air of mystery that piqued my interest until all was revealed. Plus, both narrators were spot-on performing Jackson and Lola's slow-burn simmering chemistry.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of a modern-day Cinderella retelling with a rich prince-like hero, a passionate and determined diner girl, small towns on the coast, childhood friendships, annoying twin step-sisters, a greedy stepmother, extravagant beach parties, locals vs. wealthy tourists, a fashionable fairy godfather, masquerades, slow burn steamy times, hidden agendas, and a HEA that will last long after midnight, then you will love Lola and Jackson's romance. I am looking forward to more from Hailey Shore.
October 20, 2022
This is the second book in the Calico Series. A modern fairytale retelling Cinderella-esque story. I'm a total sucker for a fairytale retelling, especially an authors fresh take on Cinderella. Lola and Jackson were summer childhood best friends but over the years, turned major enemies. Jackson comes from a wealthy family who summers in Calico Cove. Lola, born and raised in the town, also growing up in her family diner. These two were best of friends, understood each other, but things didn't stay that way soon after that. Over the years, you got snippets of their battles against each other, and Jackson was just mean, but she gets some reprieve for about 5 years.
Enemies to lovers, wealth, girl on the "wrong side of the tracks", with a lovely set of friends and a great "fairy godmother". I liked this story, it was great to see Jackson's side and him trying to redeem himself to the one girl who was his everything even though he didn't understand it at the time. I wish there was more of them finally together as a couple but overall, I enjoyed Jackson and Lola's story. Looking forward to the next one!
Enemies to lovers, wealth, girl on the "wrong side of the tracks", with a lovely set of friends and a great "fairy godmother". I liked this story, it was great to see Jackson's side and him trying to redeem himself to the one girl who was his everything even though he didn't understand it at the time. I wish there was more of them finally together as a couple but overall, I enjoyed Jackson and Lola's story. Looking forward to the next one!
October 20, 2022
I do enjoy fairytale retellings, and Not My Prince Charming is based on Cinderella. Lola & Jackson were best friends as children, but somewhere along the way, they turned into bitter enemies. Jackson is from a wealthy summer family while Lola grew up in her family diner, the diner that she's now running as an adult & will protect with everything in her. Everyone loves Lola, and her "fairy godmother" was so much fun, but she did have the stepmother & stepsisters. They weren't evil per se, just more along the lines of completely moronic LOL! Jackson comes home, and Lola is none too pleased, and frankly, I didn't blame her as we get past & present together so I wasn't a fan of Jackson for the longest time to be honest. However, he's back & determined to make her his but he has a fight in store that's for sure. Will he be able to change her perception of him?! Not My Prince Charming was ultimately a light second chance story with a kicker of humor that I enjoyed so I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
January 22, 2025
Such a sweet story of Lola and Jackson who met as kids. His family is RICH and bought the beach property and put up keep out signs. As a child she couldn't believe they bought her beach. She is a 10 yr old and Jackson is 12 yrs old. they met while she is collecting shells and they become friends for a few summers. He is summer person not a local.
Jackson who is abused by his mother and father is noticed by Lola's wonderful mom and she threatens to call child protective service. Lucas's mom then comes and offers her a check to forget the incident and not make trouble. Lola's mom tears it up and tells Lola to be nice to Jackson.
After this everything changes he becomes a real awful, entitled prick and Lola who thought he was her friend now hates him. He goes out of his way to embarrass and humiliate her for next 8 yrs. He then comes back for his sister's wedding and tries to be nice to her. By now she thinks she hates him and doesn't trust him.
I really liked these characters and the whole story was so good. Emotional, with some drama for sure but a great love story!
Jackson who is abused by his mother and father is noticed by Lola's wonderful mom and she threatens to call child protective service. Lucas's mom then comes and offers her a check to forget the incident and not make trouble. Lola's mom tears it up and tells Lola to be nice to Jackson.
After this everything changes he becomes a real awful, entitled prick and Lola who thought he was her friend now hates him. He goes out of his way to embarrass and humiliate her for next 8 yrs. He then comes back for his sister's wedding and tries to be nice to her. By now she thinks she hates him and doesn't trust him.
I really liked these characters and the whole story was so good. Emotional, with some drama for sure but a great love story!
October 11, 2022
I've got to be honest, I thought this was a fun read, but also frustrating. Overall, I found the story quite enjoyable. I thought this Cinderella reimagining was lighthearted and easy to read. It's when we get to the characters that I started to have trouble. Honestly, to be fair, for the most part, I really liked Lola. On the other hand, my feelings about Jackson were much more complicated. Despite my petty annoyances, I really thought this was a very good read. I am electing to post a forthright review.
September 16, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ Slow burn small town romance, first time reading this author and it was enjoyable but I found the MMC & FMC not as rememberable as the side characters. I’m excited to read the next book which is more my sort of tropes currently as it is a marriage of convenience.
If you love:
Childhood friends to enemies to lovers
Billionaire x waitress
Second chance
Slight bûlly/ enemies to lovers
Slow burn
V heroine
He’s back to win her back
Then this is for you
If you love:
Childhood friends to enemies to lovers
Billionaire x waitress
Second chance
Slight bûlly/ enemies to lovers
Slow burn
V heroine
He’s back to win her back
Then this is for you
July 24, 2024
Grovel = H is in love with the h, so that means he bullies and humiliates in both words and deeds the h for years, right? RIGHT?? H went out of his way to intentionally and maliciously hurt and shame the h. His grovel was that he was young but that he really and always has genuinely loved the h...and h pretty much just takes him back. H had some other secrets he kept from the h, but those did not phase the h who still accepted H's apologies. She may not have forgiven him right away, but she let him back into her life fairly easily.
I am always on the lookout for drama llama books and this one had the diet version. It's not the book's fault that I like more extremes, so don't let me review prevent you from diving into the book.
I am always on the lookout for drama llama books and this one had the diet version. It's not the book's fault that I like more extremes, so don't let me review prevent you from diving into the book.
August 15, 2025
Very cute, I can see the resemblance to the Cinderella story. I liked it as a story, I liked the characters (except for the hero’s sister and her fiancé), I liked the small town where the action takes place.
It’s not an exceptional book, I’m not sure I would necessarily recommend it, but at this moment it worked perfectly, it suited my mood.
It’s not an exceptional book, I’m not sure I would necessarily recommend it, but at this moment it worked perfectly, it suited my mood.
October 31, 2022
Super fun, modern day Cinderella retelling. This made me feel all the things. I spent most of the book unsure if I liked Jackson, yet still found myself rooting for him. Loved the snippets of him and Lola over the years and really enjoyed the second chance aspect. Really fun read. *I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 30, 2023
It was a nice light read, after reading something heavier.
October 23, 2024
Cute book with a Cinderella theme.
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