Title: Royally Lost
Author: Angie Stanton
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: May 6, 2014
Summary: Dragged on a family trip to Europe’s ancient cities, Becca wants nothing more than to go home. Trapped with her emotionally distant father, over-eager stepmother, and a brother who only wants to hook up with European hotties, Becca is miserable. That is until she meets Nikolai, a guy as mysterious as he is handsome. And she unknowingly finds herself with a runaway prince.
Nikolai has everything a guy could ask for-he's crown prince, heir to the throne, and girls adore him. But the one thing he doesn't have...is freedom. Staging a coup, he flees his kingdom and goes undercover on his own European tour.
When Nikolai and Becca meet, it’s their differences that draw them together. Sparks fly as they share a whirlwind of adventures, all the while dodging his royal guard. But Becca's family vacation ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say goodbye forever, will his destiny catch up to him, or will they change history forever?
My Review:
This was my first Angie Stanton book and I was excited to start it. Very soon after I started reading the story it reminded me in certain of JUST ONE DAY by Gayle Forman. In certain instances this is a deterrent for me from enjoying the book, but in the case of Royally Lost it actually made me more excited to read on.
The story is about a recent high school graduate who is on a European vacation with her family. For most teenagers a trip like this would be exacting and one that is anticipated with joy. But for Becca is anything but that. For Becca it is another attempt by her Step-mother to try to get them to get closer as a family. A family dynamic which has been missing since the death of Becca's mother. A trip of anywhere would have been one that she was dreading, but Becca believes Europe is boring filled with one ancient church after the next. Dylan, Becca's brother is able to make the best of any situation but Becca, all she wants is an ice-cold Diet Pepsi and to go home.
Our other main character is Nikoli a crowned prince who feels trapped in the responsibilities of this position and the stifling way his parents insist of keeping the monarchy from modernizing and doing what is best for their country. Forced to join the military against the wishes, Nikoli does the only thing he can think of and runs away.
In chance meeting in Budapest, Nikoli and Becca's paths cross and they find an almost immediate attraction towards one another, but it was passing glance as Becca has to rejoin her family on their ship. But fait strikes again and their paths cross one more in a different port and this time the decide to spend some time together. The spend time getting to know each other and they realize that despite their differences they seem to have the same problems. Both of them are desperate to live their own lives are forced to follow the wishes of their parents. But the one thing they don't talk about is the fact that Nikloli is a prince and that his family is after him. Will the truth come out? And what will happen to once their summer is over and they both must return to their lives?
There were many aspects of this story that enjoyed. I enjoyed reading about the Becca and Nikoli's European adventures. I also really enjoyed Nikoli's character and his beliefs and what he wants to accomplish in this country. I loved also reading about the relationship between Dylan and Becca. I am a sucker for an overprotective brother and certain things that Dylan says that is super cute and brought a smile to my face.
But my biggest issue with the book unfortunately was that I could not find myself relating much to Becca. She knew nothing about European history and frankly was almost ignorant about anything other than McDonalds French fries and diet Pepsi. I know many American's are unfamiliar with European history but can appreciate the beauty of the country and enjoy exploring the country and not be so aloof and uninterested in anything besides a European boy.
However that being said. I did enjoy reading this book and finished it one day. Despite Becca's uninterested in Europe I frankly loved reading about the different places Becca and Nikoli adventures and made me miss my own European vacation.
About Angie: Angie Stanton never planned on writing books; she wanted to be a Rockette. However, growing up in rural Wisconsin, with her brothers' 4-H pigs as pets, dance didn't work out. Instead she became an avid daydreamer. After years of perfecting stories in her head, she began to write them down, and the rest is history.
Angie is the author of six books including Royally Lost, Rock and a Hard Place, and Snapshot. She graduated with a Journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin, and is a proud double finalist of the National Readers Choice Awards for Love 'em or Leave 'em.
Website: http://angiestanton.com/
Twitter: angie_stanton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngieStantonAuthor
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Posts
I've seen this cover around, but only now read the summary. Sounds fun, so I added it to my TBR :)
ReplyDeleteIt definitely was a fun read :)
DeleteI love the name...Becca :). That is one great name :).
ReplyDeletehahah yes!
DeleteI liked your review so I added it to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteThank you Andreea! I am glad to hear that!
DeleteI love these kinds of books! Travel and unlikely romance :)
ReplyDeleteLovely review :)
Thank you :)
I've seen this on a lot of blogs. Its been getting good reviews and I would love to read it. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDelete