Prince Salvadore Piacere is not only okay with his status as the “spare” royal - he revels in it. Salvy is more than happy to let his older brother Niccolo deal with the duties of the crown while he uses his position to burn through the finer things in life…especially women.
After one too many “I’m carrying the royal baby” scandals and one particularly wild night in Vegas, King Alfonso has had enough. He gives Salvy an ultimatum - either get serious and settle down, or join the church.
Salvy has no intention of spending his life in celibacy, but neither does marriage hold much appeal. To counter the king’s ridiculous threat, he comes up with a silly idea of his own: he’s going to hold a ball to pick out his future bride.
By the time the king learns of his younger son’s plans, the invitations have been sent and there’s no backing out. But there are two things Salvy didn’t count on, though—his scheming cousin Luca and Magdalena Rossi.
The former is angry over his lost birthright, and determined to be King of Cielo no matter what the cost. The second, is the royal tailor’s daughter. And while she has confidence in her ability to fit Prince Salvy with the perfect suit, she never dreamed she herself would be the perfect fit for his playboy soul.
I've been publishing New Adult romance novels for a little over a year, starting with Broken at Love and continuing with the rest of the Whitman University series. I adore telling stories, discovering the little reasons people fall in love, and uncovering hidden truths in the world around us – past and present.
In my spare time I cuddle my two dogs, pretend to enjoy exercising so that I can eat as much Chipotle as I want, and harbor a deep and abiding hope that Zac Efron likes older women. I loves reading, of course, along with movies, traveling, and Irish whiskey.
I'm hard at work, ALWAYS, and hope to bring you more Whitman University antics and at least one more Lowcountry ghost tale before the end of the year.
If you’re a fan of Young Adult fiction—science fiction or otherwise—please check out my work that’s published under the name Trisha Leigh. http://trishaleigh.com
I'm represented by Kathleen Rushall at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
So, I'm coming back to the world of romance with a book about smexy royal princes looking (or not) for love! These will be adult, so a little more mature than my Whitman University series, but hopefully just as fun!
If you love stories about royal princes, unexpected romance, playboys turned lovers, conniving uncles, and sexy widowers, I hope you'll consider checking them out this summer!
What do you get when you mix a spoiled sexy prince, a beautiful working-class childhood friend, and an ultimatum from a trouble-weary father who just so happens to be king? A steam fairytale fit for a princess, that’s what you get!
Prince Salvador Piacere has women falling at his feet, a life with little responsibility, and plenty of money to often stay far from Cielo leaving his older brother Niccolo to deal with the real responsibilities of being prince. After another scandal fit for tabloids, King Alfonso calls his son home with an ultimatum to find a wife and settle down--join the church. In retaliation, Salvador announces a royal ball in order to find a wife, but he never expects to come face to face with his childhood friend, Magdalena. Ten years have passed since they last saw one another, and it doesn’t take him long to realize he wants what he can’t have. She’s beautiful, talented, and not from a noble bloodline which means she’s off limits to marry.
Magdalena Rossi loves her father dearly, and she’s been training to take over his position as Royal Tailor for many years. His condition means she will have to return to the palace after staying away for a decade in order to make sure the clothing for the ball is perfect. She grew up with the Piacere princes, so she’s no stranger to the palace or Salvador’s reputation.
Lyla Payne unsurprisingly delivered a steamy romance with chemistry that will leave you fanning yourself and looking for your very own fairytale prince. Not only did she make me root for Salvy and Maggie to find their happy ending, she also brought in other characters I know we’ll be seeing again in the next book. I’m already excited to find out what happens with the Piacere family next!
As much as I absolutely love the fairytale parallels in this book, I think what I really love is the message that even though someone you’ve known most of your life might know all of your faults and secrets, that can also mean their love is far more unconditional since they see you for who you really are. Once again, Lyla has me looking for the deeper meaning behind the story, and I love the message of unconditional love for Magdalena and Salvador!
I wanted to like it a lot, but I only liked it some... it was okay. I just wanted Maggie to hold on to her principles more and Salvy to be less douchey. It was good, just not quite for me. A little to graphic for me as well. I just have a hard time accepting these guys who spend too much time being degenerates and end up with someone lovely without really having to do anything. It feels like women have no standards.
This is a fun twist on a Cinderella story. Salvy's redemption from playboy to Prince charming feels legit and his relationship with Maggie is adorable. I love their friends-to-strangers-to-lovers progression!
Salvador and Magdalene are one of my favorite couple from any romance I’ve read. Salvador, irresponsible, a playboy, yet oh-so sexy finds himself in a bit of bind. Here comes Magdalene, daughter of a tailor. Salvador is forced to get his life together, so he plans a ball to find the right bride. Magdalene, the seamstress and his best friend comes into his life, eventually making him realize she was all he ever needed! Basically, Cinderella without the evil stepmother or stepsisters.
The subplot was a bit weak and too predictable. I felt there should have been more drama with people of Cielo losing their homes by some shady real estate developer. Otherwise, I loved the emotional tug of war Magdalene and Salvador was going through. Wonderful they’ve gotten their happy ending, but the author could do better with the subplot, unless I’m gonna see Lucas in Book 2. We shall see!
This book is a beautiful retelling of Cinderella with a modern twist! I loved the friends to lovers element in this story and how the relationship organically developed!
Very interesting story. I liked how it went. It really was a Cinderella tale. It was a good read and I would recommend it for those who want something on vacation.
Whew!!!!! The amount of hotness that is in the book is off the charts!!!!! Right when you start the book BAM!!!!!! H.O.T.N.E.S.S.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And let me tell ya, it doesn't not slow down at all!!!!!!!!! I believe that I love this version of a Cinderella type story the best (Ever After is by far my favorite). This book made me have a little tears, it made me cry, I laughed, and I really wanted to jump in the book and punch people in the throat for the way that they were acting. Lyla does not disappoint at all with this book. She writes a beautiful love story, one that rivals all the other Cinderella stories out there.
The Playboy Prince started out as boring for me but turned out great in the middle towards the end. I love the relationship of Salvadore and Magdalena, especially how their development was portrayed in the story; from childhood friends to practically strangers to friends with benefits to lovers.
The story may seem cliche and very romantic but the book also gave me points about doing the right thing to do, despite it being hard, knowing who you really are, sacrifices that need to be made for the common good, and knowing when to fight and when to let go.
A modern day fairytale oh what fun. Now if Salvy had just listened to Maggie/ moo moo from when they were kids these two would have been happily married before they were 10yrs old lol.
Can Maggie forgive Salvy for teenage inappropriateness and get her best friend back? Can Salvy become the prince Maggie knows is inside him or will he continue to be the playboy prince.
This is a new, modern take on the Cinderella story. And by modern, I mean steamy, and by steamy I mean "holy smokes I am not sure I should be reading this at my kids football practice" lol. It is fun, endearing and a well written, modernized version of Cinderella that will leave you cheering for true love, laughing, and blushing.
Loved it! Maggie the royal seamstress at the beck and call of the playboy prince Savly to get ready for a ball where Savly must choose a bride? This Cinderella story will have you on pins and needles to the end. (yes pun intended) Lyla Payne wrote a great love story. I can't wait to read book 2.
I fell in love with these characters from the very first chapter. They are relatable and lovable. This book made me feel like I was the Cinderella in the story!