How to Pursue a Princess

Duchess Diaries, Book 2

By: Karen Hawkins

Narrated by: Alison Larkin

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

The sensible solution to her family's dire financial woes is for Lily Balfour to marry the Earl of Huntley, a wealthy widower handpicked by her matchmaking godmother, the Duchess of Roxburghe. Huntley is pleasant and attractive, the perfect candidate in every way. But Lily knows she's in big trouble as soon as passionate, unprincipled Prince Wulfinski sweeps a hot, possessive glance over her.By his own account, Wulf is a pauper, barely able to afford his own cottage. Yet nothing will stop him from pursuing the elusive beauty with every cunning trick he can muster. But which is more important: power and money...or love everlasting? To make the right choice, both Wulf and Lily must trust their hearts, not just their heads, to lead them to the happiness they desire.

©2013 Karen Hawkins (P)2013 Tantor

Good but not great

The love scene was very rushed and didn’t seem very sensual. The ending could have been better. Overall a good book but I wouldn’t call it great. I thought Huntley needed some explaining to do considering he was courting her but I don’t want to give anything away. Some parts of the book just seemed rush when there were other nonsense in the book that had nothing to do with anything. Odd. Narrator was good as she always is. Some very funny moments though.

Hawkins is Awesome, Larkin Not So Sure About

The narration of Alison Larkin both added and detracted from this story. I think she did a good job of portraying Lily and the other significant female figure in this story, the Duchess of Roxburghe. Larkin had the right combination of youth and maturity for Lily's character, but it was her rendition of the Duchess that stuck in my mind the most. It was as if I was listeing to Angela Lansbury, telling people what to do. Talk about funny! However, it was Wulf's character that fell flat in this part of the story. His voice didn't fit with what I had imagine his character sounded like from the words. Overall, the narration wasn't bad but Larkin's high and somewhat squeaky voice took some getting used to. I did, but it took a while.

Hawkins has once again written another wonderful and adventurous story of love. It featured entertaining characters and a wonderful romance. Not to mention a fabulous setting combined with a unique hero. In some respects, this was a traditional romance but in other ways it wasn't. The heroine isn't a shy missish miss, uknowledgeable about the world, yet still a tad naive. The hero was commanding and wealthy, yet not afraid of making a commitment. This combination made for a nice change while reading. Fans of her other books will no doubt enjoy this one as well.

I do want to mention that this book, the second in the series, can be read alone but I do want to mention that this book, the second in the series, can be read alone but reading the first story before attempting this one wouldn't hurt. This was a story of couple and how they got together, with nothing left unresolved between them. The element that binds them is the family troubles and was clearly explained in the beginning.

The Duchess kept me interested

if I didn't listen to book one in this series I think I would have enjoyed this book more. I'm not saying I disliked this book at all it's just that I enjoyed the first book more. I think maybe it was the personalities of Lily and Wulf. Lily is so focused on pleasing her family and Wulf is focused on getting what he wants. It just seemed a little flat. I did like the fact that the Duchess is still playing cupid and meddling in peoples love lives.....keeps it interesting. ;-)

I

Absolutely! Pure Entertainment!

A historical romance with a captivating and fresh story, believable characters, rich dialog and enough humor, sizzle & heartwarming moments that places Karen Hawkins among the masters of this genre leaving the mediocre behind. Narrator nailed it right down to the prim, prudes & pugs!

Another Charmer

Thoroughly enjoyable romp with a delightful heroine & hero. My only quibble with the reader was her accents which were too broad for the Prince and his grandmother.

Very fun

An enjoyable romp at a British house party, complete with rival Earl's and princes and a lady who wants to follow her heart but can she?

Fantastic!!!

Karen is my favorite Romance author. This book is definitely one of my favorites by her. I love the storyline and characters who you can't help but fall in love with. I highly recommend it.

Lovely read

This book was brilliant, and is the second in a series. There were a few places I laughed until tears came up. The story isn’t anything particularly new to us regency romance readers, but the writing makes it feel new. And I adored the MCs. I plan to listen to all her books.