ONCE UPON A PRINCESS

Two authors create a compulsively listenable royal romance, wonderfully wrought by Fleur Strange's nuanced narration. In an age of smartphones and social media, British Princess Olivia, aka Charlie, manages an incognito country retreat. While reconciling herself to an arranged engagement, an improbable connection develops between her and Rosie, a small-town cafe owner in Cornwall. Both women are portrayed as strong, complex characters with delightful chemistry. Strange moves between posh London accents and regional Cornish dialogue with ease, enhancing the listener's immersion. Charlie and Rosie are surrounded by a well-characterized, complementary cast of family and friends, including supportive sisters, pesky ex-girlfriends, and a duty-bound queen. Despite external pressure to conform, secret identities, and buried aspirations, the lovers emerge with an emotionally satisfying ever after. J.R.T. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2019]