A Royal Christmas ~ Review

A Royal Christmas
A Christmas Novella
by Melody Carlson

You know Christmas is coming when you get a Melody Carlson Christmas title in hand, and yes, I know Christmas is still a couple of months away. But I love reading Christmas books, and when the weather is way too hot, it makes me think it's cooler while I'm reading. So, win-win in my mind.

Now, Melody Carlson has created a unique twist on the royal-who-doesn't-know-they-are-a-royal storyline by bringing modern science into the mix, specifically a DNA registry. And now the fun begins. Because most people are going to at least question this as some sort of phishing attempt, even momentarily and Adelaide Smith definitely has questions.

Adelaide is a dedicated and hard worker who has been working in a coffee shop to help put herself through law school. Having never had much, Adelaide knows had to scrimp to make ends meet and is more than a little shocked when she gets an official-looking letter informing her she is the daughter of a king. 

Having been the daughter of a nurse, to suddenly be the daughter of a king is more than hard to believe. Adalaide feels as if she's been pulled into a fairy tale, or a Hallmark movie.  She now has a stepmother who is the queen is less than pleased at her appearance and icy, totally fitting the fairy-tale stepmother role. And then there is her stepbrother Prince Georg, who is best experienced personally while reading this book. 

Montovia is a quaint small nation that thoroughly captures Adalaide's imagination. As she tries to get to know her father in the time they have, Adelaide must navigate a new culture and a tenuous family situation, all while trying to avoid any royal missteps. And just when it seems to be settling into a routine, Adelaide overhears something that shakes things up and brings loyalties into question. This will be one Christmas she'll never forget!  And it wouldn't be a Melody Carlson Christmas book without a little bit of romance.        

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Adelaide Smith is too busy for fairy tales. She's been working hard to put herself through law school and now that the end is in sight, she's determined to stay focused on her goals. Then she receives a letter notifying her that she has been found through a DNA registry to be a direct descendant of King Maximillian V, the ruler of a small Eastern European principality called Montovia. She's understandably skeptical. This is the stuff of cheesy made-for-TV movies, not real life.

Although the pieces of this surprising family puzzle seem too good to be true, curiosity gets the best of her. At the king's invitation, Adelaide embarks on a Christmas break trip that is chock-full of surprises, including a charming village, an opulent palace, family mysteries, royal jealousies, a handsome young member of Parliament--and the chance at a real fairy tale romance with a happily-ever-after ending.

Spend this Christmas with bestselling author Melody Carlson as she whisks you away to a royal holiday you'll never forget!