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The Christmas Princess
(The Wedding Series #5)
by
The Wedding Series
Prelude to a Wedding
Wedding Party
Grady's Wedding
The Christmas Princess
A Princess for a few weeks …
The coming Christmas season isn’t looking great for April Gareaux. Her job is uninspiring, her engagement is off, and she has nowhere to live. Certainly her family would take her in, especially Leslie and Grady Roberts and their circle of friends w ...more
Prelude to a Wedding
Wedding Party
Grady's Wedding
The Christmas Princess
A Princess for a few weeks …
The coming Christmas season isn’t looking great for April Gareaux. Her job is uninspiring, her engagement is off, and she has nowhere to live. Certainly her family would take her in, especially Leslie and Grady Roberts and their circle of friends w ...more
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Kindle Edition, 282 pages
Published
October 15th 2014
by Craig Place Books
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Start your review of The Christmas Princess (Wedding, #4)

This novel could have used an editor. While reading, I felt like we were skipping past scenes I wanted to see and lingering on scenes I did not. To my mind, there is nothing wrong with an author who feels uncomfortable with writing sex scenes - as long as she doesn't insist on including one anyway. Furthermore, the heroine (and others too, actually) had a tendency to behave in ways I did not find believable/consistent with her character. Perhaps a stronger internal voice would have helped?
...more

The Christmas Princess by Patricia McLinn
The Wedding Series Book Four
April Gareaux is fairly content in her life. If you can call being content being engaged to an older man who still lives with his domineering mother. A job that has her trying to convince the public what a great vegetable the Brussels sprout is, when she doesn't even like them. When offered an odd proposal by a man who says he can't tell her much about the offer, she is intrigued. When suddenly life around her starts to crumble ...more
The Wedding Series Book Four
April Gareaux is fairly content in her life. If you can call being content being engaged to an older man who still lives with his domineering mother. A job that has her trying to convince the public what a great vegetable the Brussels sprout is, when she doesn't even like them. When offered an odd proposal by a man who says he can't tell her much about the offer, she is intrigued. When suddenly life around her starts to crumble ...more

A truly delightful story! The characters in this story are so clear, so well developed. The plot happens as a logical extension of their decisions. The romance grows naturally and a little magically, and we get hints of a secondary romance rekindling, plus a teaser for the next book. Enchanting!
Sex: 1 long scene
Language: 0 F words, 29 Lord's name in vain, 0 S words
Violence: no
Cliffhanger: no
Do I need to read books before this one: no, but there were times I felt I missed something
Would I read m ...more
Sex: 1 long scene
Language: 0 F words, 29 Lord's name in vain, 0 S words
Violence: no
Cliffhanger: no
Do I need to read books before this one: no, but there were times I felt I missed something
Would I read m ...more

What an enjoyable book this was. The main characters of April and Hunter had layers of interesting to them. Both had painful childhoods even if they were wildly different.
April is such a kind, caring woman who is also pretty astute when it comes to people. She sees things that others often miss. And she's there to help the people she cares for. Everyone she meets usually becomes a friend because of that caring heart. Whether it be at the homeless shelter, or with hotel staff or the dog shelter ...more
April is such a kind, caring woman who is also pretty astute when it comes to people. She sees things that others often miss. And she's there to help the people she cares for. Everyone she meets usually becomes a friend because of that caring heart. Whether it be at the homeless shelter, or with hotel staff or the dog shelter ...more

3.25 stars
This is the first book of this author for me and it was pretty okay.
I was hovering around 4 stars and even more when the book began. What made me reduce the rating was the overuse of adverbs and the kind of awkward writing of sex scenes (two in succession somewhere around 75% of the book). What irked me was that the author's discomfort at writing them showed. A published book shouldn't have that.
The story has enough humor and Christmas to keep it happy and light despite the sad backs ...more
This is the first book of this author for me and it was pretty okay.
I was hovering around 4 stars and even more when the book began. What made me reduce the rating was the overuse of adverbs and the kind of awkward writing of sex scenes (two in succession somewhere around 75% of the book). What irked me was that the author's discomfort at writing them showed. A published book shouldn't have that.
The story has enough humor and Christmas to keep it happy and light despite the sad backs ...more

The Christmas Princess is part four of the wedding series but can be read as a stand-alone book.
April is engaged to an older man who lives with his mother and has no backbone. She works trying to promote brussels sprouts for her job. She had an unconventional childhood raised by her Grandma and family and adopted family of the heart.
Shortly into this book her engagement ends. She gets a strange offer from a special agent to pretend to be a long lost princess over the Christmas holiday period. Sh ...more
April is engaged to an older man who lives with his mother and has no backbone. She works trying to promote brussels sprouts for her job. She had an unconventional childhood raised by her Grandma and family and adopted family of the heart.
Shortly into this book her engagement ends. She gets a strange offer from a special agent to pretend to be a long lost princess over the Christmas holiday period. Sh ...more

Great new author for me!
I just discovered Ms. McLinn. I so loved The Christmas Princess. This story is a fast paced ,feel good story that you can't put down. April and Hunter's story is wonderful. I love in Northern Virginia and know all the locations mentioned in the story. It was just like being in the front row as the story was being told. Christmas in DC is magical and Ms. McMinn brought the beauty and magic to those who cannot be there to enjoy it. April and Hunter lead us on a mad chase to ...more
I just discovered Ms. McLinn. I so loved The Christmas Princess. This story is a fast paced ,feel good story that you can't put down. April and Hunter's story is wonderful. I love in Northern Virginia and know all the locations mentioned in the story. It was just like being in the front row as the story was being told. Christmas in DC is magical and Ms. McMinn brought the beauty and magic to those who cannot be there to enjoy it. April and Hunter lead us on a mad chase to ...more

April and Hunter have a lot of baggage from the past. April is one who gives of herself and gives her all. Hunter is totally devoted to his work, has thick walls around him and his heart. This is a beautiful story of how circumstances, opportunities and love can bring together too people in a wonderful way. And to give open mindedness to others and joy to another. Their romance grows in a magical way. All the characters are well defined and the story flows beautifully. I didn't feel I needed to
...more

This was a plausible story line of a King in a fantasy country trying to find his orphaned granddaughter who had been kidnapped about 20 years earlier. At the same time, a young man from the Department of State of the US government has found what he believes is a perfect candidate for his granddaughter who will spend the month of Christmas with the King while Hunter tries to convince the King to sign an extension of a US flyover treaty. It had some good characters, a little humor, and some cute
...more

3.5 stars.
Meh. Not bad, but not riveting.
If the King of Bariavak truly thought April might be his granddaughter wouldn’t he have his own people conducting such interviews? For heaven’s sake, wouldn’t he have DNA tests done?
Exactly! This one "little" implausibility really bugged me. Although… (view spoiler) ...more
Meh. Not bad, but not riveting.
If the King of Bariavak truly thought April might be his granddaughter wouldn’t he have his own people conducting such interviews? For heaven’s sake, wouldn’t he have DNA tests done?
Exactly! This one "little" implausibility really bugged me. Although… (view spoiler) ...more

Dec 08, 2019
Mary Baker
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
contemporary-fiction,
finding-happiness,
kidnapping,
romance,
modern-day,
suspense,
friendship,
in-a-series,
mystery,
adapting
I have been reading and enjoying books by Patricia McLinn for many years. When I see she has written a book, especially if it's a freebie, I don't hesitate to get it. A Christmas Princess is an interesting read, probably with an impossible plot, but at Christmas time, the unexpected often does happen. I liked April and Hunter and enjoyed the chemistry between them. Now I'm interested to see if King Josef ever finds his granddaughter which means I'll probably purchase the next book in the series.
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Really enjoyed this book, hadnt read any others in the series, but would go back and read them now.
found it a easy to read and enjoyed the characters. i dont give spoilers and prefer to let people make up their own minds, i feel that there is sufficient info on the book sleeve to entice a reader and then its up to them if they continue to read or not.
i will certainly look for other books by this author as i found her style an easy and interesting style. the characters were neither overworked o ...more
found it a easy to read and enjoyed the characters. i dont give spoilers and prefer to let people make up their own minds, i feel that there is sufficient info on the book sleeve to entice a reader and then its up to them if they continue to read or not.
i will certainly look for other books by this author as i found her style an easy and interesting style. the characters were neither overworked o ...more

Sweet HEA story
This is the story of April, a sweet, dog-loving young lady with a rough up-bringing, who is mistaken for the grand daughter of a king. Apparently the princess was abducted as an infant, and the king always hoped to find her. Besides the perceived physical appearance, there is a genetic abnormality that April possesses. Also in the mix is a handsome young man, Hunter, who turns out to have long-ago connections to the king. I don't have to tell you what happens between April & Hunte ...more
This is the story of April, a sweet, dog-loving young lady with a rough up-bringing, who is mistaken for the grand daughter of a king. Apparently the princess was abducted as an infant, and the king always hoped to find her. Besides the perceived physical appearance, there is a genetic abnormality that April possesses. Also in the mix is a handsome young man, Hunter, who turns out to have long-ago connections to the king. I don't have to tell you what happens between April & Hunte ...more

4 stars
I purchased a copy of the novel THE CHRISTMAS PRINCESS The Wedding Series Book 5 by Patricia McLinn and this review was given freely.
A mildly twisted transnational saga based on misunderstandings which features strong family bonds, drama,intrigue and moments of humor culminating in a happy ending and a hook for the sequel.
Special Agent Hunter Pierce convinces April Gareaux to pose as King Josef's long lost granddaughter in a plot to get US air clearance but finds love and peace while unco ...more
I purchased a copy of the novel THE CHRISTMAS PRINCESS The Wedding Series Book 5 by Patricia McLinn and this review was given freely.
A mildly twisted transnational saga based on misunderstandings which features strong family bonds, drama,intrigue and moments of humor culminating in a happy ending and a hook for the sequel.
Special Agent Hunter Pierce convinces April Gareaux to pose as King Josef's long lost granddaughter in a plot to get US air clearance but finds love and peace while unco ...more

Sweetest story ever!
I really enjoyed this story, between friendships and a possible love interest, this had it all. From start to finish, April was a people fixer. She had a big heart that needed a man who’s heart needed someone like her. Hunter’s childhood has scarred him and left him unable to love and enjoy life. Also a possible grandfather that needs to find a missing granddaughter, April fills his heart with a special friendship. It includes a preview for the next in this series, and it may ...more
I really enjoyed this story, between friendships and a possible love interest, this had it all. From start to finish, April was a people fixer. She had a big heart that needed a man who’s heart needed someone like her. Hunter’s childhood has scarred him and left him unable to love and enjoy life. Also a possible grandfather that needs to find a missing granddaughter, April fills his heart with a special friendship. It includes a preview for the next in this series, and it may ...more

Not sure about this one.
I really don’t know what to make of this book.
I don’t know if it’s really worth the five star reviews it’s been getting.
The plot, such as it was, was ok to a degree. Though it seemed a bit confusing at times, I didn’t always feel like I understood what was happening.
The characters were ok, though Hunter was entirely too closed off and April seemed a bit too naive.
I don’t think this book was for me.
I really don’t know what to make of this book.
I don’t know if it’s really worth the five star reviews it’s been getting.
The plot, such as it was, was ok to a degree. Though it seemed a bit confusing at times, I didn’t always feel like I understood what was happening.
The characters were ok, though Hunter was entirely too closed off and April seemed a bit too naive.
I don’t think this book was for me.

May 15, 2020
Jean Oram
added it
So now I need to read Katie’s story!
Loved this one. Great twists. You think the book is about one character and one story, but it’s really about something else. You think you want one thing and think it’s going to happen that way, but then the story shifts and holy cow...that’s good, too!
I loved the real life truth of how the right person can break through and change someone’s life.
Great layering of storylines and hidden clues. Expertly done!
Loved this one. Great twists. You think the book is about one character and one story, but it’s really about something else. You think you want one thing and think it’s going to happen that way, but then the story shifts and holy cow...that’s good, too!
I loved the real life truth of how the right person can break through and change someone’s life.
Great layering of storylines and hidden clues. Expertly done!

While I did enjoy the story, there were things that could be better. About 30% in and throughout to the end, there were so many errors that it was distracting. In several other areas, I actually got confused on the dialog and who was saying what and whether I'd accidentally skipped pages (happens when my bird taps my Kindle screen) -- I hadn't. The book definitely needs to be proofed/edited.
...more
...more

April prospects for the holidays, was looking less than what she hoped for, just being dumped. A special offer, to be a pretend princess, especially at this time of year. Hunter seeing her, and the joy she brings. There maybe more to this being a few weeks. A delightful addition to this series, to enjoy.

Great Christmas read
I was expecting this to be a light fluffy read. It is that but it's also more. It's about family and community and caring for others. And I loved the gentle twist in the end, and who the book was really about. If you're looking for a light read but with a little more depth, I recommend this. ...more
I was expecting this to be a light fluffy read. It is that but it's also more. It's about family and community and caring for others. And I loved the gentle twist in the end, and who the book was really about. If you're looking for a light read but with a little more depth, I recommend this. ...more

A perfect Christmas story
Absolutely delightful! All the characters are well developed, interact perfectly with each other and compliment the story. April and Hunters story has depth and substance as well as a slow burn romance. Highly recommend this to anyone looking for a wonderful Christmas romance!!
Absolutely delightful! All the characters are well developed, interact perfectly with each other and compliment the story. April and Hunters story has depth and substance as well as a slow burn romance. Highly recommend this to anyone looking for a wonderful Christmas romance!!

April and Hunter
This was the first book I read in the series and while it is a standalone, the beginning was jam-packed with characters that were interconnected from prior books and that was somewhat confusing. I wanted to quit around 19% but soldiered on.
Hunter - strong, silent, and solemn
April - sweet, sentimental, and sympathetic
This was the first book I read in the series and while it is a standalone, the beginning was jam-packed with characters that were interconnected from prior books and that was somewhat confusing. I wanted to quit around 19% but soldiered on.
Hunter - strong, silent, and solemn
April - sweet, sentimental, and sympathetic

Cute story - an agent from the Dept of State recruits a young woman who resembles a Princess kidnapped as a baby. In an attempt to get fly-over permission from the King of a tiny country, they bring him a woman who is potentially his granddaughter. Well, everybody has it wrong but the King and his own reasons for this Christmas project. Cute story

I wanted a happy Christmas story to carry me through the holidays. This book had so many characters ! And trying to keep up with who was related to whom was almost impossible. Names were dropped and I would back track to figure out who this person was. I finished the book. A disappointment that the holidays were marching on while I slogged through this book.

charade me not
A sweet loving heroine and a stoic broken hero combine to being joy to a king over Christmas but will her resemblance to the kings long lost granddaughter be their waterloo? Read this wonderful Christmas story for a few laughs and the wonderful feeling of family of choice not necessarily blood.
A sweet loving heroine and a stoic broken hero combine to being joy to a king over Christmas but will her resemblance to the kings long lost granddaughter be their waterloo? Read this wonderful Christmas story for a few laughs and the wonderful feeling of family of choice not necessarily blood.

This story is full of characters that make you want to help them. The twist of the story is unique but is hinted at as you go. You are taken through the story and allowed to learn everyone's story, not just the main character. Even characters you start out not liking become friends in the end. I hope there is more for these characters in the future of the series.
...more
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USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s novels—cited by reviewers for warmth, wit and vivid characterization – have won numerous regional and national awards and been on national bestseller lists.
In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.
Patrici ...more
In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.
Patrici ...more
Other books in the series
The Wedding Series
(7 books)
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