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Princess from the Past
Behind the imposing walls of the castle, free-spirited Bethany Vassal discovered that her whirlwind marriage to Prince Leo Di Marco was nothing like the fairy tale she'd imagined. Before long, the forgotten princess ran away, hoping the man she fell in love with would one day see sense and come and find her....Marrying Bethany is the only reckless thing Leo has ever done, and now he is paying the price. The time has come for him to produce a royal heir--and Bethany must return to the very castle from which she fled!
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First published February 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 24, 2017
A second chance story that begins three years after the heroine walked out. Hero is an Italian prince who grew up knowing his duty. Heroine married him after a whirlwind affair in Hawaii where she had traveled to scatter her father’s ashes.
They were married for 18 months with the hero growing more remote and the heroine throwing tantrums to get his attention. There were also cousins living with them at the castle, further making misery for the young heroine.
Their situation reminded me a lot of the Charles/Diana dynamic in the sense that this warm vibrant person didn’t know how to cope with the coldness of the hero or his slavish devotion to duty and the family name. So she left.
The hero let her go, thinking she needed the time to mature. She got some sort of university degree while living in one of the hero’s houses.
I’m vague on the details because the author is more concerned with their emotions and inner thoughts. There isn’t a lot of action. The hero pretends to agree to a divorce if the heroine returns to Italy with him. The heroine reluctantly goes and finds out the cousins have been banished from the castle. The hero is up to his old tricks, though. As soon as they arrive, he goes to Australia for five days. The heroine doesn’t mind as much because there are no relatives to criticize her.
Once the hero returns they begin to talk, argue and ignore their mutual attraction. The hero is happy to see that the heroine has a firm control on her temper, but he misses knowing what she is really thinking. They take sex off the table for 2/3 of the story, which is a welcome change. Because the heroine has changed, the hero is forced to interact with her in a different way and that makes him look at his own part in the break-up.
I liked that heroine focused on changing herself rather than the hero, since that was all she ever had control over. That “butterfly effect” did make the difference in their reconciliation. The hero was absolutely head over heels in love with the heroine – he never looked at another woman in the three years they were apart. He was condescending and awful at the beginning, but I warmed up to him by the end. The heroine clung to her idea that they loved each other but couldn’t live together for a bit too long – but I have to give her props for not melting away with lust for most of the story.
This is a slow-motion story that really takes the reader to the depths of despair before allowing healing to take place. I would have liked an epilogue that *showed* they were happy rather than hearing their thinky thoughts about risk and love and eternity.
They were married for 18 months with the hero growing more remote and the heroine throwing tantrums to get his attention. There were also cousins living with them at the castle, further making misery for the young heroine.
Their situation reminded me a lot of the Charles/Diana dynamic in the sense that this warm vibrant person didn’t know how to cope with the coldness of the hero or his slavish devotion to duty and the family name. So she left.
The hero let her go, thinking she needed the time to mature. She got some sort of university degree while living in one of the hero’s houses.
I’m vague on the details because the author is more concerned with their emotions and inner thoughts. There isn’t a lot of action. The hero pretends to agree to a divorce if the heroine returns to Italy with him. The heroine reluctantly goes and finds out the cousins have been banished from the castle. The hero is up to his old tricks, though. As soon as they arrive, he goes to Australia for five days. The heroine doesn’t mind as much because there are no relatives to criticize her.
Once the hero returns they begin to talk, argue and ignore their mutual attraction. The hero is happy to see that the heroine has a firm control on her temper, but he misses knowing what she is really thinking. They take sex off the table for 2/3 of the story, which is a welcome change. Because the heroine has changed, the hero is forced to interact with her in a different way and that makes him look at his own part in the break-up.
I liked that heroine focused on changing herself rather than the hero, since that was all she ever had control over. That “butterfly effect” did make the difference in their reconciliation. The hero was absolutely head over heels in love with the heroine – he never looked at another woman in the three years they were apart. He was condescending and awful at the beginning, but I warmed up to him by the end. The heroine clung to her idea that they loved each other but couldn’t live together for a bit too long – but I have to give her props for not melting away with lust for most of the story.
This is a slow-motion story that really takes the reader to the depths of despair before allowing healing to take place. I would have liked an epilogue that *showed* they were happy rather than hearing their thinky thoughts about risk and love and eternity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2011
Young, sheltered wife finds out that marriage to an Italian prince is not what she expected and she escapes to her hometown of Toronto. After 3 years, hubby brings her back to Italy on the pretext to agreeing to a divorce.
I did not enjoy this nearly as much as Crews's last HP - Katrakis's Sweet Prize - but it was good in its own way. This was a much more angsty read with great sexual tension. However, the way the H/h threw accusations at each other of their hurts without trying to listen to the other was very frustrating and just emphasized their immaturity and unlikability. The way they eviscerated each other made my stomach hurt. (Actually, my stomach was already hurting from food poisoning but you get the point.)
So far, I have read three of Crews's first 4 Presents and my recommendation would be KATRAKIS if you want to start with just one.
Grade: B
I did not enjoy this nearly as much as Crews's last HP - Katrakis's Sweet Prize - but it was good in its own way. This was a much more angsty read with great sexual tension. However, the way the H/h threw accusations at each other of their hurts without trying to listen to the other was very frustrating and just emphasized their immaturity and unlikability. The way they eviscerated each other made my stomach hurt. (Actually, my stomach was already hurting from food poisoning but you get the point.)
So far, I have read three of Crews's first 4 Presents and my recommendation would be KATRAKIS if you want to start with just one.
Grade: B
December 23, 2023
It was a tad boring.
February 14, 2012
The hero Leo and the heroine Bethany have been separated for three years when Bethany asks for a divorce. Leo had not been expecting the blow, and despite the separation he begins to realise that he doesn't want their marriage to end. He knows he made mistakes in their marriage after their whirlwind relationship, and didn't allow Bethany enough time to adjust to life as the wife of a prince, and now it is time to make it up to her. Bethany is disheartened when Leo tells her that their divorce has to be arranged in Italy, she knows that when it comes to Leo she is often blind sided by desire, she has spent the last three years rebuilding her confidence and is ready to move on with her life. When they are back in Italy, Leo immediately starts trying to win Bethany back, and she notices the changes Leo has made, as well as the effort he is making with her. The desire that drew them together in the first place is still alive and well between them, but Bethany is unsure about giving all of herself to their marriage again, fearing that she will only be left lonely and heartbroken again.
Royalty based romances are not really my cup of tea, and I only chose this as I really like Caitlin Crews's books. I did enjoy this book, but it didn't totally 'do it' for me. I really liked the plot, and the fact that the hero really wanted to make up for his past mistakes. The hero is a good character - he is a little bit too arrogant, but his love for the heroine is very believable. His attempts to win back the heroine is written beautifully, the story has plenty of passion and angst, as well as a bit of sparkle.
Well written and enjoyable, just not my personal favourite style of romances.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
Royalty based romances are not really my cup of tea, and I only chose this as I really like Caitlin Crews's books. I did enjoy this book, but it didn't totally 'do it' for me. I really liked the plot, and the fact that the hero really wanted to make up for his past mistakes. The hero is a good character - he is a little bit too arrogant, but his love for the heroine is very believable. His attempts to win back the heroine is written beautifully, the story has plenty of passion and angst, as well as a bit of sparkle.
Well written and enjoyable, just not my personal favourite style of romances.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
January 21, 2024
Do I remember reading this? Well, no! But I have good taste and I gave it four stars so it must be good.
October 1, 2011
This was a good read,Leo-Bethany met feel in love got married after which their world came crashing down,whatever misunderstandings that developed and became big issues between Leo-Bethany was their own fault and their lack of communication and understanding,both loved each other deeply but never talked or understood each other which lead to many bitter and angry fights and finally seperation.Its been 3 years and now Bethany has asked for divorce which further hurts Leo but he has a plan and is going to use it as his second chance to save his marriage and he brings Bethany back to Italy from there on how Leo is trying to find their love back and how Bethany keeps resisting and tells lies to get the divorce but Leo he is not going to give up
I wanted to give 3 stars but cause Leo and Bethany both respected their marriage vows i gave it another stars,we find very few book where husband actually take their marriage vows seriously and do not take seperation as an excuse to fall in OW's bed,i liked both Leo-Bethany but some times for their immaturity wanted to smack them both
Liked the ending a lot cause Leo loved Bethany deeply he did everything he could to keep Bethany but still she wanted divorce and it was killing him to let her go but he agreed to free her if that made her happy and Bethany she was not able to go,it showed clearly this is the power of love you just cannot get away from it,it binds two people together forever like Leo-Bethany were bound by their love and FINALLY their got their HEA
Good read
I wanted to give 3 stars but cause Leo and Bethany both respected their marriage vows i gave it another stars,we find very few book where husband actually take their marriage vows seriously and do not take seperation as an excuse to fall in OW's bed,i liked both Leo-Bethany but some times for their immaturity wanted to smack them both
Liked the ending a lot cause Leo loved Bethany deeply he did everything he could to keep Bethany but still she wanted divorce and it was killing him to let her go but he agreed to free her if that made her happy and Bethany she was not able to go,it showed clearly this is the power of love you just cannot get away from it,it binds two people together forever like Leo-Bethany were bound by their love and FINALLY their got their HEA
Good read
March 19, 2012
This one is dark and emotional and intense! Caitlin Crews really knows how to deliver the emotion -- and quite differently than you might expect.
It you don't like dark, steer clear. If you do, then this one is for you. :) I'll be thinking about this story for a while....
It you don't like dark, steer clear. If you do, then this one is for you. :) I'll be thinking about this story for a while....
February 5, 2011
1.5 stars this book had the plot for a really good story line but it just fell short in every way for me and really had to strugle to finish it.
November 7, 2011
Was reading this last night. Was crying my heart out. Really. When I woke up this morning, which is almost noon to be exact, my eyes were still swollen.
February 13, 2012
*sob* Angsty like whoa. Heart-wrenching, overwhelming, full of naked feelings. That final scene is a tearjerker. *rubs at aching heart*
May 24, 2016
I think Caitlin Crews is a great writer for these emotional reads. The few books that I have read of hers, including this one, are intriguing. They have the H and h in focus and nobody else. It is all about their past, their present and their future which depends upon them sharing and understanding where the other is coming from. This book is like that.
The h is emotional and naive. She does not know how to handle the prince she has married after a short but intense romance in Hawaii. Her insecurities and unhappiness are expressed through raging tantrums and fits which the H can never take seriously.
The H is a calm and even minded guy who thinks he is the one who is right and that the h is just looking for excuses to blame him. He stands on a moral high ground which frustrates the h because she is unable to express her valid points about his behaviour and when she does he brushes them away. This was in the past.
After a three year separation, the h learns to control her temper and tries to get across to the H in a calm and rational manner which disarms him. He is just waiting for her to break vases and shriek like a banshee so he can dismiss her. She has given up on the marriage and he has not. The rest of the book is their attempt to understand each other and work through their problems, all the while avoiding sex.
I think I wasn't able to get into the story much because there was nothing concrete to hold onto. Without proper background and explanation it just seemed like his word against hers and I didn't see a proper resolution in the end. So while I am convinced they love each other and want to make it work, I don't know how they are going to go about it. But they did seem determined in the end so good luck to them!
The h is emotional and naive. She does not know how to handle the prince she has married after a short but intense romance in Hawaii. Her insecurities and unhappiness are expressed through raging tantrums and fits which the H can never take seriously.
The H is a calm and even minded guy who thinks he is the one who is right and that the h is just looking for excuses to blame him. He stands on a moral high ground which frustrates the h because she is unable to express her valid points about his behaviour and when she does he brushes them away. This was in the past.
After a three year separation, the h learns to control her temper and tries to get across to the H in a calm and rational manner which disarms him. He is just waiting for her to break vases and shriek like a banshee so he can dismiss her. She has given up on the marriage and he has not. The rest of the book is their attempt to understand each other and work through their problems, all the while avoiding sex.
I think I wasn't able to get into the story much because there was nothing concrete to hold onto. Without proper background and explanation it just seemed like his word against hers and I didn't see a proper resolution in the end. So while I am convinced they love each other and want to make it work, I don't know how they are going to go about it. But they did seem determined in the end so good luck to them!
October 13, 2014
Can a young women overcome empty feelings of love from marriage with an arrogant Prince whose use to having what he wants, October 13, 2014
By Dina Bushrod
This review is from: Princess From the Past (Kindle Edition)
Powerful physical attraction throw in a cold, unemotional man and a young girl with no experience. We have two people here, marrying without real knowledge of what that might mean to both of them. Threw years of absence and then together again, one to end the empty marriage the other to get back what he sees as his; turns into a rollercoaster of held in feelings screaming to get out.
A strong book of emotions seen from both sides; learning what is truth. The emotions brought forth in this book made me feel their fears, hopelessness, sensual attraction, discovery of what is now and brought me to tears during the last chapter. The author makes you feel their thoughts and desires through her words.
I'm trying not to give you too much as you really need to read their story to really feel the power of their emotions. I highly recommend this book. I won this book with no conditions attached and I am giving a review based on the feelings this story has left me with. I can't wait to read more of Ms Crews novels; hoping they are as powerful as "Princess from the Past"
July 29, 2016
Bethany and Leo married quickly and rashly. When Bethany has regrets of their marriage, she runs, hoping Leo will hunt her down. Leo doesn't hunt her down and they remain separated for three long year.
Leo is finally expected to make some heirs, so he hunts down Bethany and gets her to come back to Italy by telling her that she is needed there for a divorce. Leo decides he won't and cannot give her up, so it becomes a fight to keep her.
The book was just okay for me, no sparks really and I had issues relating to the characters fully. I just felt there was no real depth to them, it all seemed completely faked out.
Leo is finally expected to make some heirs, so he hunts down Bethany and gets her to come back to Italy by telling her that she is needed there for a divorce. Leo decides he won't and cannot give her up, so it becomes a fight to keep her.
The book was just okay for me, no sparks really and I had issues relating to the characters fully. I just felt there was no real depth to them, it all seemed completely faked out.
February 5, 2012
Boy I don't rate 1 star very often, but this book was simply depressing.
All internal dialogue -- angst and what doesn't work in the relationship.
Very little dialogue. Found myself skipping over 1/2 page of text just to get to the next piece of actual conversation.
No other characters -- just the married couple who had been separated for three years and were psuedo-trying to reconcile.
The HEA was lukewarm and not terribly hopeful.
Ugh.
All internal dialogue -- angst and what doesn't work in the relationship.
Very little dialogue. Found myself skipping over 1/2 page of text just to get to the next piece of actual conversation.
No other characters -- just the married couple who had been separated for three years and were psuedo-trying to reconcile.
The HEA was lukewarm and not terribly hopeful.
Ugh.
February 6, 2012
i did enjoy this book much more than some of the HP recent offerings, though the book is not perfect, by any means. the hero was an arrogant entitled jerk to begin with, though he did make up for that in the end. i did wonder what became of the vicious cousins who made the heroine's life a misery in the marriage to begin with--they were introduced and eliminated practically on the same paragraph! i hate loose ends.
June 12, 2013
Rich, Handsome (Italian) Prince bound by duty neglects his meek, timid wife who, having decided that she's suffered enough, leaves the Palace one fine morning and makes herself a life and career (what exactly is not revealed!) in a small town 50,000 miles away from Italy! Now, all goes well until she decides to face the Prince to ask for a divorce from him and that's where our story begins.
For me, this book was more like a "Picked that, read that" experience! Not great but not bad either!
For me, this book was more like a "Picked that, read that" experience! Not great but not bad either!
November 3, 2013
After several hours watching 90210 on netflix one February 2012 weekend, I thought it was time to do something more productive. Onwards to finish my shelf of borrowed books!
This one, had actually borrowed from my mother's extensive collection of $0.99 romance novels, over a year ago.
All I can say about this book, CRAP. CRAP CRAP CRAP.
This one, had actually borrowed from my mother's extensive collection of $0.99 romance novels, over a year ago.
All I can say about this book, CRAP. CRAP CRAP CRAP.
April 6, 2012
Young, sheltered wife finds out that marriage to an Italian prince is not what she expected and escapes to her hometown of Toronto. After 3 years, hubby brings her back to Italy on the pretext to agreeing to a divorce. Quite angsty and heart renching at times.
May 18, 2012
I liked that the ending is more of a beginning for this couple. It was a refreshing take. Normally HP ends with the couple madly in love after working through their problems. Princess from the Past ends with the couple deciding to try again, which is refreshing and different.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2012
This was a quick read; the kind that takes you away from reality for a bit. I totally appreciated the fact that both the protagonists were able to tell the truth and make changes for the better which as a plot device seems sadly lacking in the genre.
January 19, 2014
Sorry I usually like the books from this author but I just couldn't get into this one. DFN
June 10, 2021
I spent the entire book wanting to push the hero off a cliff, but I enjoyed the whole drama.
March 21, 2025
Very good story, great characters.
March 17, 2021
Heroine married prince hero but he left her all alone and tried to change her into his ideal wife, that is a poised, confident woman who didn't complain about her duties and saw her husband very little. She tried to reason with him but he always treated her like a child so she left him. After three years she wants divorce and he doesn' want, so he persuades her to go back to Italy with him telling her it's necessary if she wants divorce. We understand that she was very unstable and she used to throw tantrums and he hated it. We understand that he always manipulated her with sex but never really listened to her. He also left her alone with his two cousins that hated her because she was not noble and not the kind of woman he was expected to marry. He only lived for his duty and neglected her completely. She was not mature enough so she rebelled but with no results. They try to talk but in the end she finds out his deception- he never intended to divorce her but simply manipulated her with sex, so she wants to leave him again (for good this time). But he declares his love to her and she decides to stay and try to solve their problem. There's really not an epilogue, because they agree to stay married and to work at their problems but we don't know if they will succeed. I found the book quite boring, I know that CC loves introspective monologues, and I like her for this reason, because often I can see really an evolution of characters, but in this case introspection is too much and I can't really see a change in their behaviour. I loved the part where they go to a picnic in the gardens of their mansion: it's like a symbolic journey into their lifes where they are both changed when they come back.
April 18, 2017
Very, very intense! This wasn't your normal H vs h and misunderstandings that can be cleared up easily. I loved that the reader was able to follow both Bethany's *and* Leo's journey as they fought and struggled to find their way in the hell that was their marriage.
June 4, 2021
Behind the imposing walls of the castle, free-spirited Bethany Vassal discovered that her whirlwind marriage to Prince Leo Di Marco was nothing like the fairy tale she'd imagined. Before long, the forgotten princess ran away, hoping the man she fell in love with would one day see sense and come and find her….Marrying Bethany is the only reckless thing Leo has ever done, and now he is paying the price. The time has come for him to produce a royal heir—and Bethany must return to the very castle from which she fled!
July 6, 2018
I was not a fan of this book. I had a hard time getting to like the two main characters. Ive read other books by this author and really liked them so I don't know what the difference was with this one.
July 27, 2018
Ok read
This was a very tiring read. The author is excellent but I felt there was way to much conflict and it took both of the characters way to long to realize it! Not a book I would recommend. Sorry
This was a very tiring read. The author is excellent but I felt there was way to much conflict and it took both of the characters way to long to realize it! Not a book I would recommend. Sorry
December 5, 2023
thanks for getting me out of a 1 month book hangover
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