Review - The princess problem

The princess problem by Melanie Rachel

Elizabeth knows she is a princess by birth, but as she grew up with her relatives, the Bennets, it didn’t matter. Until now. Now, as she just turned eighteen an invitation from the Thurnian King arrives who wants to welcome his granddaughter into the royal family. Despite it being winter, she and the Thurnain ambassador are to depart soon.

Fitzwilliam Darcy is on his way to London to meet his sister and face family matters when he is surprised by a snow storm. Confined to an inn, he faces a young girl whose companion claims that she is a Thurnian princess. Darcy thinks her a liar because he knows for a certainty that there are no princesses living in Thurnia.

When circumstances force them to continue their journey together Darcy observes the puzzling behaviour of Elizabeth’s companion and her own conduct and he suspects that not all is as it seems.

Is Darcy’s suspicion correct? Will he be able to find out the truth about the princess and her odd companion? And will this encounter leave his heart undamaged?

The book was very well written by the author Melanie Rachel. I always like her variations very much and have therefore thoroughly enjoyed her new story. I must confess that, at first, I was not so sure what to expect because “Elizabeth is not a Bennet” is not my favorite trope. But let me assure you, Elizabeth is very much the Elizabeth Bennet we know because she was raised by the Bennet Family but has a royal parent.

I liked the Bennet family so very much in this variation. Due to the changed family ties the girls are better educated and especially Mrs Bennet and the younger girls are better behaved. I loved the warmth with which they interact with one another and that Elizabeth is a real part of their family. A beautiful picture.

The story takes place shortly after Elizabeth’s eighteen’s birthday. You can well recognize her character from the original story but, in my opinion, sometimes she lacks wit and cleverness, especially when confronted with her companion. With Darcy she quarrels but her companion can do as she pleases, Elizabeth is only embarrassed but does not put her in her place - besides her being the princess. Maybe it is due to her young age that she sees no way to confront an older lady, but quarreling and fighting with Darcy she does with her usual wit.

Darcy was, on the one hand, a real hero in this story but, on the other hand, he was not all the time really quick to understand. It took him ages to acknowledge that Elizabeth was in fact a princess, and he only is willing to acknowledge it after a man tells him the same that Elizabeth told him all the time. That was a bit vexing. But I really loved his gentlemanly behaviour and his willingness to do everything to save Elizabeth from a dangerous situation.

I really loved the simmering attraction and feelings between Darcy and Elizabeth. They are aware of one another from the very first moment but their different opinions about the princess problem keeps them apart for a long time.

I really love that some dried peas, like in another fairy tale, have a very prominent role in this book =) . I will not tell more, but especially at the end they have a very important and sweet role. But you need to read and smile for yourself.

The book is mostly about Darcy and Elizabeth and their traveling companions. Whereas I liked Darcy’s coachman and his assistant I found Elizabeth’s main travel companion, Mrs Hobart, rather annoying - but at the same time she is perfect to laugh about because of her follies.

The story takes place before the original events of Pride and Prejudice and none of the usual villains is a part of it. You definitely need to discover for yourself if there are any villains at all and, if there are any, what are their motifs 😉.

If you like to know how an accidental meeting at an inn and a heated quarrel about the princess problem will lead to happiness for Elizabeth and Darcy you should definitely read this excellent book.

I highly recommend it.

I received a free copy of the book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.