GRR Reviews Courted: Gowns & Crowns, Book 1 by Jennifer Chance

Courted is a good introduction to the series and a modern day fairy tale about how a regular girl can fall in love with a prince. While the story was as old as time, it's the wrinkles of paparazzi and other obligations that improved the overall reading.

Aspiring violist Emmaline deferred her graduate program a year ago to help caring for her parents when they got into a serious car accident. Now her deferment is almost up, but her parents still needed her, and she can't seem to play anything right. With caretakers in place, she reluctantly accepted a friend's offer for a fast and furious European tour with some BFFs and their adventures brought them to Garronia, one of the Eastern Med kingdoms still ruled by royalty. And while on the beach, Em was almost run over by Crown Prince of Garronia, Prince Kristos Andris, and his men on beach exercises. Then when Em took a swim and was having problems with the undertow, she was rescued by Kristos himself. Kristos did not want to be crown prince, but his nation needed one after his brother's plane was lost at sea. But he refused to kowtow to the responsibilities yet. When fate delivered a gorgeous dreamy-eyed American girl into his arms, Kristos kissed her... and the photos immediately went viral. Now that paparazzi are flooding the country, and the four girls found their hotel room ransacked and passports stolen, Kristos immediately took them in on royal accommodations, while attempting PR damage control, either present Em as an old acquaintance, or ignore the story hoping it dies down, for the girls will never find peace. But in the meanwhile, he'll gladly spend as much time with Em as he could, both knowing it was just a fling... Or is it?

The emotions feels to ring true, and while this is a bit of insta-lust neither gave in immediately, none of the "I saw him and felt something I've never felt before" superlatives. Both characters have obligations and while not all things were wrapped up neatly it's an enjoyable read. All the tropes follow naturally and none feel forced.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Girl temporarily escaping from her obligations to family and school falls for the prince who rescued her on the beach

Tropes: royalty, different worlds, performer, fling to a thing, woman in peril, protector, forced proximity

Overall Rating:  4/5