What do you think?
Rate this book
Arunthia #1
Princess in the Iron Mask
A princess in hiding
Dispatched by the king to retrieve his headstrong, errant daughter, Lucas Garcia thought this was just another day at the office. That's before he meets Princess Claudine Verbault, who's adamant that returning to the kingdom that banished her as a child is never going to happen.
A barely concealed attraction!
Hidden from the spotlight, the now-independent Claudia has learned the art of being the anti-perfect princess. But Lucas does not look like the kind of man to accept insubordination! If only she could bargain with this frustratingly immovable man…and give him something to distract him from his duty!
Dispatched by the king to retrieve his headstrong, errant daughter, Lucas Garcia thought this was just another day at the office. That's before he meets Princess Claudine Verbault, who's adamant that returning to the kingdom that banished her as a child is never going to happen.
A barely concealed attraction!
Hidden from the spotlight, the now-independent Claudia has learned the art of being the anti-perfect princess. But Lucas does not look like the kind of man to accept insubordination! If only she could bargain with this frustratingly immovable man…and give him something to distract him from his duty!
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
12 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Parker
59books59followersVictoria Parker's first love was a dashing heroic fox named Robin Hood. Then came the powerful, suave Mr Darcy, then Lady Chatterley's rugged lover and the list goes on. Thinking she must be an unfaithful sort of girl, but ever the optimist, she relentlessly pursued her Mr. Literary Right and eventually found him lying between the cool, crisp sheets of an M&B Harlequin romance. Her obsession was born.
If only real life were just as easy...
Alas, against the advice of her English teacher to cultivate her writers muse, she chased the corporate dream and acquired various uninspiring job titles and a flesh-and-blood hero before she surrendered to that persistent voice and penned her first romance. Turns out creating havoc for sassy heroines and devilish heroes who are dynamite-at-first-sight truly is the best job in the world.
Victoria now lives out her own happy-ever-after in the north-east of England with her alpha exec and their two children - a masterly charmer in the making and, apparently, the next Disney Princess. Believing sleep is highly overrated, she writes until 3am, ignores the housework and still loves nothing more than getting cosy with a romance novel. When she isn't buried in a book she loves discovering far-flung destinations and getting into mischief with her rather wonderful extended family!
If only real life were just as easy...
Alas, against the advice of her English teacher to cultivate her writers muse, she chased the corporate dream and acquired various uninspiring job titles and a flesh-and-blood hero before she surrendered to that persistent voice and penned her first romance. Turns out creating havoc for sassy heroines and devilish heroes who are dynamite-at-first-sight truly is the best job in the world.
Victoria now lives out her own happy-ever-after in the north-east of England with her alpha exec and their two children - a masterly charmer in the making and, apparently, the next Disney Princess. Believing sleep is highly overrated, she writes until 3am, ignores the housework and still loves nothing more than getting cosy with a romance novel. When she isn't buried in a book she loves discovering far-flung destinations and getting into mischief with her rather wonderful extended family!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 4, 2018
This author's first book with HP and the pace is a little off. I was bored and found myself skimming. The hero is a protective alpha, sent to bring the bio-research scientist heroine home to her family's mythical kingdom.
They fall for each other as they learn each other's tragic backstory (heroine had a childhood disease that kept her away from her parents since the age of 12) (hero had a battered mother who he failed to protect from his abusive father), evade the press, travel to the mythical kingdom, have grief and guilt tinged sex, and eventually sort it all out.
Both have to let go of the past to have a future and zzzzzz . . .
There was nothing wrong with either of their characters. The premise was fine. The narrative just felt overdone and belabored with extravagant descriptions, repetitious dialogue and inner monologues.
They fall for each other as they learn each other's tragic backstory (heroine had a childhood disease that kept her away from her parents since the age of 12) (hero had a battered mother who he failed to protect from his abusive father), evade the press, travel to the mythical kingdom, have grief and guilt tinged sex, and eventually sort it all out.
Both have to let go of the past to have a future and zzzzzz . . .
There was nothing wrong with either of their characters. The premise was fine. The narrative just felt overdone and belabored with extravagant descriptions, repetitious dialogue and inner monologues.
August 12, 2013
Welcome to the land of HPlandia Victoria Parker! This was a really good debut novel that I enjoyed .The book started out for me anyway,kind of slow ,but it picked up the pace when both H/h returned to their homeland where the heroine is a princess.She has been living in London since she was a young child.Her parents had sent her there for medical treatments to combat a childhood immune disease.She grew up feeling unloved and unwanted as she never had contact with them afterwards.She is now a biochemist dedicated to finding a cure for this obscure medical illness.
The hero comes to take her back for an important family function,the heroine ,Claudia,resists untill she is blackmailed by the hero,Lucas.
I liked both characters,each had their share of past hurts and tragedy in their young lives that affected them as adults.There was instant attraction on both sides and I liked how their relationship played out till they finally succeeded in doing the deed.The book turned romantic towards the end which I loved.This is why I read these books,for the fantasy and the sheer romance.
My only complaint!!!! Why no epilogue in this book,I would have loved to see them married with a baby of their own.They truly deserve their hea.
The hero comes to take her back for an important family function,the heroine ,Claudia,resists untill she is blackmailed by the hero,Lucas.
I liked both characters,each had their share of past hurts and tragedy in their young lives that affected them as adults.There was instant attraction on both sides and I liked how their relationship played out till they finally succeeded in doing the deed.The book turned romantic towards the end which I loved.This is why I read these books,for the fantasy and the sheer romance.
My only complaint!!!! Why no epilogue in this book,I would have loved to see them married with a baby of their own.They truly deserve their hea.
November 9, 2017
I shouldn't have read it with my current mood, but I did so...
I was team Claudia from the very beginning and no matter what Lucas says about the king and queen, they didn't redeem themselves at all. Plus I expected at least one of the sisters to show up and try to talk to the h or something, anything!
Lucas constant flagellation got boring or me instead of moving. And no epilogue.
Won't be my last VP but I'll probably wait until I'm in better mood.
I was team Claudia from the very beginning and no matter what Lucas says about the king and queen, they didn't redeem themselves at all. Plus I expected at least one of the sisters to show up and try to talk to the h or something, anything!
Lucas constant flagellation got boring or me instead of moving. And no epilogue.
Won't be my last VP but I'll probably wait until I'm in better mood.
March 15, 2013
Everyone wears masks, masks to protect themselves from hurt, masks to give them courage to face situations beyond their control, no matter the person there is always some kind of mask.
Usually there is only one person that is able to make you drop the mask long enough to see the person you are underneath, and that is also the person that will show you that you no more need the mask then you need the pretence.
And in this simply spectacular début this author shows that masks are indeed overrated. The read is about Princess Claudia, she is quite the unusual kind too, she lives in a one bedroom flat in a not so great area, she works long hours as a biochemist and dresses like a frumpy old woman.
Why any Princess in the world would live in such a manner when she could have designer dresses, be living in a palace and spend her days shopping or lounging on the beach is unthinkable right?
In this read however the author very quickly showed me the reasoning behind Claudia'a actions and all was crystal clear, I could pick up that of course there is some dashing man that is going to come in and sweep her off her feet.
But what I did not see coming my dear reading friends is that the hero would be absolutely incredible, a "I only want you to protect me hero" ,this one is a real soldier that can do the entire guns blazing ,glass shattering I am coming to save you and will protect you with my life and it is no act!
Unlike other Mills and Boon Modern reads that involve a perfect gentlemanly hero, this one was so much more exciting and it was as if I was reading thrilling suspense that had met up with the world of romance to give me as reader the most exquisite perfect hero. Making this Modern the WOW one of the year!
The character of Claudia was one that I could connect with as she hides behind a mask of pain to bury the hurt from her childhood but I was also thrilled to see that she finds her strength and courage through Lucas, letting go and blossoming into a real woman.
I simply could not get enough of I'll take you to heaven and back again Lucas, he was simply amazing in every sense. Powerful, arrogant forceful in his mission, and I really loved that he also finds the courage to let go of his tormented past.
The backdrop setting was gorgeous as the author described the the lavish surroundings and also the ocean and the calm it brings to ones soul but also the recklessness when a storm hits and this matched up perfectly the emotions of her characters.I also loved the feeling of protection that was depicted through not only Lucas' s actions but his words.
The dialogue was delicious as conflict moment after conflict moment gave the book that perfect go getting spirit it needed to make it an action packed read. I loved that the author let her words really show the true heart of what the characters try to protect and what they really are.
I highly recommend this read for all readers, you will be left with breathless moments of sadness and of joy. Grab a box of tissues trust me you will need them!
5/5 star review
" For King and Country he will protect her, even if he has to keep her shackled to his bed"
August 31, 2013
Rating 3.25 stars
My rating for this book increased in the last half because the first half was weird, the hero came across as controlling, ruthless and judgmental jerk. He manipulated the heroine and I so didn't get his obsession with 'duty'! The heroine felt abandoned by her parents, when as a 12 year old they sent her to another country, alone, suffering from a disease that left her with scars and self-esteem issues. The book does become better later on and the writing was good.
My rating for this book increased in the last half because the first half was weird, the hero came across as controlling, ruthless and judgmental jerk. He manipulated the heroine and I so didn't get his obsession with 'duty'! The heroine felt abandoned by her parents, when as a 12 year old they sent her to another country, alone, suffering from a disease that left her with scars and self-esteem issues. The book does become better later on and the writing was good.
May 8, 2013
3.5 stars!
It was a sweet and steamy fast read. Very well written and both characters were likable! This is a great read for those of us who like a bit of romantic predictability mixed with passionate love scenes. I was, however, slightly disappointed by the ending because I have a thing for cute babies in epilogues and there wasn't such an epilogue.
It was a sweet and steamy fast read. Very well written and both characters were likable! This is a great read for those of us who like a bit of romantic predictability mixed with passionate love scenes. I was, however, slightly disappointed by the ending because I have a thing for cute babies in epilogues and there wasn't such an epilogue.
September 14, 2018
I think my reading taste have evolved a little bit from my last reading of this HP.
It was good but not five star.
It was good but not five star.
February 10, 2014
VP's debut book is a good read with a predictable storyline and well- developed characters. Claudia and Lucas are a great couple. Each has his own demons from childhood. Each cope by closing off and never getting close to anyone. Together they have an explosive chemistry. And they help heal each other.
February 21, 2016
She doesn't wear a mask ONCE in this book. lol. I feel cheated...
June 7, 2013
Princess In The Iron Mask by Victoria Parker: We meet Princess Claudine Verbault, a brilliant biochemist desperately looking for a cure for JSMS Juvenile Dermatomyosytis. She has first hand knowledge of this painful disease. Diagnosed at a young age and sent to England by her parents for treatment she felt abandoned and unloved. When she really wanted love, compassion and understanding.
Lucas Garcia, is the Head of National Security and he will stop at nothing to bring the Princess back to Arunthia. He is focused, emotionless, intense and has secrets that has made him the man he is today. He will never love and he lets his feelings known up front. He has no problem walking away after a night of passion, so don't think this is anything more.
The passion between these two was scorching. Loved that Lucas fought his feelings and while he tried to resist, in the end he couldn't. The attraction was believable and Lucas soon learns just from watching Claudia that she is not the spoiled Princess he once thought her to be.
I do one major issue with this book. While the plot was good, the characters Amazing. I seriously felt sick at the use of the word "Dios" throughout the story. It became so redundant that, I word searched it upon finishing this book. It was used 94 times in a 194 page novel. I seriously hope this is not something we have to look forward to in future books from this author.
For a first time author I was very impressed, and I hope my one complaint does not keep readers away. This is a Harlequin worth the read.
4.5/5 stars
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lucas Garcia, is the Head of National Security and he will stop at nothing to bring the Princess back to Arunthia. He is focused, emotionless, intense and has secrets that has made him the man he is today. He will never love and he lets his feelings known up front. He has no problem walking away after a night of passion, so don't think this is anything more.
The passion between these two was scorching. Loved that Lucas fought his feelings and while he tried to resist, in the end he couldn't. The attraction was believable and Lucas soon learns just from watching Claudia that she is not the spoiled Princess he once thought her to be.
I do one major issue with this book. While the plot was good, the characters Amazing. I seriously felt sick at the use of the word "Dios" throughout the story. It became so redundant that, I word searched it upon finishing this book. It was used 94 times in a 194 page novel. I seriously hope this is not something we have to look forward to in future books from this author.
For a first time author I was very impressed, and I hope my one complaint does not keep readers away. This is a Harlequin worth the read.
4.5/5 stars
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2013
I LOVED this book so much! Claudia and Lucas are the most lovable characters and will stay with me far beyond this book. The storyline is original and heart rending, the ending fabulous.
Victoria has a fantastic way of painting a picture for a reader in such a totally unique way.
Cannot wait for her next book!
Victoria has a fantastic way of painting a picture for a reader in such a totally unique way.
Cannot wait for her next book!
November 5, 2015
Claudia is a bio-medical research princess. She used to be a pretty girl princess, but then she became an abandoned in a London hospital for having a disfiguring childhood illness princess.
For inexplicable reasons she now owes it to her country to come home and be a receiving posies from cute children princess. Lucas, the Royal security expert, brings her home, even though she hates her parents and doesn't want to go to the damn ball. Claudia and Lucas do hit it off, because Lucas thinks she's hot, and she lets him carry her around a lot, so he gets to feel all manly and protective.
I never completely got the whole Duty thing, and why choosing to be a useful science person over being a useless Royal person was so terrible. And Claudia wasn't the only absent princess, her sisters where off living in other countries. There was probably a male heir, but I don't think he's mentioned in the book, and all of this added up to me thinking that Claudia's parents were atrocious people and all their children hated them. Plus, they'd clearly been incompetent at running the country, because Lucas had apparently rescued them all from criminals a couple of years back, and now the whole country would probably elect Lucas as King if they had any say.
Lucas was also going through this whole 'I only want meaningless sex' phase because of his traumatic past, so there was an awful lot of plot going on in this book and not enough space to explain and resolve it all.
For inexplicable reasons she now owes it to her country to come home and be a receiving posies from cute children princess. Lucas, the Royal security expert, brings her home, even though she hates her parents and doesn't want to go to the damn ball. Claudia and Lucas do hit it off, because Lucas thinks she's hot, and she lets him carry her around a lot, so he gets to feel all manly and protective.
I never completely got the whole Duty thing, and why choosing to be a useful science person over being a useless Royal person was so terrible. And Claudia wasn't the only absent princess, her sisters where off living in other countries. There was probably a male heir, but I don't think he's mentioned in the book, and all of this added up to me thinking that Claudia's parents were atrocious people and all their children hated them. Plus, they'd clearly been incompetent at running the country, because Lucas had apparently rescued them all from criminals a couple of years back, and now the whole country would probably elect Lucas as King if they had any say.
Lucas was also going through this whole 'I only want meaningless sex' phase because of his traumatic past, so there was an awful lot of plot going on in this book and not enough space to explain and resolve it all.
April 3, 2013
A stunning debut by a hugely talented author who is destined to become one of Presents stars. After suffering from a rare childhood illness and feeling her real parents abandoned her to her fate, Claudia Verbault has turned her back on her destiny and has immersed herself in trying to find a cure so that others will not have to suffer the torment she went through. When Lucas Garcia bursts into her life, determined to make her return to the tiny kingdom and take her rightful place, Claudia is equally determined to resist him. But the very sexy bodyguard extends an offer she dare not refuse.Can Claudia trust him to see the vulnerable woman behind the mask she wears?
June 19, 2013
An absolutely stunning debut by author Victoria Parker. Wonderfully written and emotionally intense throughout.
Claudia has no intention of becoming the princess she was born to be. She is happy hiding her past behind a mask that no-one gets to see beneath. That is until the very delicious Lucas arrives to take her back to the country of her birth. The only way he can do that is to take away the life that sheilds her to fulfil his duty. Lucas has a past that fuels his determination to succeed in his task, but when Claudia strips away his buried emotion how can he protect her when he can only offer hurt?
Claudia has no intention of becoming the princess she was born to be. She is happy hiding her past behind a mask that no-one gets to see beneath. That is until the very delicious Lucas arrives to take her back to the country of her birth. The only way he can do that is to take away the life that sheilds her to fulfil his duty. Lucas has a past that fuels his determination to succeed in his task, but when Claudia strips away his buried emotion how can he protect her when he can only offer hurt?
April 13, 2013
I know this sounds awful but I wish there'd been more drama between the heroine and her parents -- such a big deal was made over their horrible treatment of her when she was a child (neglect, not abuse), and yet, it was almost brushed aside and just lightly explained away.
Still, entertaining, with plenty of heat.
3/5, possibly 3.5/5...
Still, entertaining, with plenty of heat.
3/5, possibly 3.5/5...
dnf
September 19, 2013I was intrigued by the set-up, but the style seemed very overwrought to me.
December 10, 2014
I loved this one even more than #2 (I read them out of order!)...
I am now going to read ALL the books by Victoria Parker.
I am now going to read ALL the books by Victoria Parker.
January 25, 2018
Princess Claudia has been "The Lost Princess" since her royal parents deposited her in a London hospital. Her medical condition was "ugly" and her parents had no idea how to help her and wanted this "defective" daughter out of sight. Claudia has become a medical researcher, now mostly recovered, and is trying to find a cure for her childhood disease. Enter Lucas, head of security for her kingdom, who has been given the task of bringing Claudia home for her parents' anniversary so the royal family could appear as a "united front".
May 21, 2013
3 STARS
I was hoping for a little bit more interaction between her family. The plot was good but I wanted to know about Lucas and his past. I guess I wanted more depth and less sex and thoughts of it.
Claudine a scientist was hoping to get more funding for her research. She felt she was close to a cure. So others who had her condition as children won't suffer as much as she did.
As a child she was sent away from her family to London hospital and raised their. Now her parents remember her and want her to come home. Claudine has no wish to go back and be hurt again.
Lucas was asked by the King to bring his daughter back home. Lucas thinks she is spoiled and should come back and do her duty. He will do anything to do his own duty. Even if the beautiful Princess doesn't want to do hers. Lucas makes a deal with her. If she will spend three weeks in her own country she will get her funding for her research.
Both have to look back and face their own issues with the past before they can move forward.
I felt sorry for Claudine and my heart hurt for her and I want her to be happy.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest opinion of it by Netgalley.
Publication Date: May 21, 2013 | Series: Harlequin Presents (Book 3152)192 page ISBN-10: 0373131585
Discription below taken off of Amazon.
Dispatched by the king to retrieve his headstrong, errant daughter, Lucas Garcia thought this was just another day at the office. That's before he meets Princess Claudine Verbault, who's adamant that returning to the kingdom that banished her as a child is never going to happen.
A barely concealed attraction!
Hidden from the spotlight, the now-independent Claudia has learned the art of being the anti-perfect princess. But Lucas does not look like the kind of man to accept insubordination! If only she could bargain with this frustratingly immovable man...and give him something to distract him from his duty!
I was hoping for a little bit more interaction between her family. The plot was good but I wanted to know about Lucas and his past. I guess I wanted more depth and less sex and thoughts of it.
Claudine a scientist was hoping to get more funding for her research. She felt she was close to a cure. So others who had her condition as children won't suffer as much as she did.
As a child she was sent away from her family to London hospital and raised their. Now her parents remember her and want her to come home. Claudine has no wish to go back and be hurt again.
Lucas was asked by the King to bring his daughter back home. Lucas thinks she is spoiled and should come back and do her duty. He will do anything to do his own duty. Even if the beautiful Princess doesn't want to do hers. Lucas makes a deal with her. If she will spend three weeks in her own country she will get her funding for her research.
Both have to look back and face their own issues with the past before they can move forward.
I felt sorry for Claudine and my heart hurt for her and I want her to be happy.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest opinion of it by Netgalley.
Publication Date: May 21, 2013 | Series: Harlequin Presents (Book 3152)192 page ISBN-10: 0373131585
Discription below taken off of Amazon.
Dispatched by the king to retrieve his headstrong, errant daughter, Lucas Garcia thought this was just another day at the office. That's before he meets Princess Claudine Verbault, who's adamant that returning to the kingdom that banished her as a child is never going to happen.
A barely concealed attraction!
Hidden from the spotlight, the now-independent Claudia has learned the art of being the anti-perfect princess. But Lucas does not look like the kind of man to accept insubordination! If only she could bargain with this frustratingly immovable man...and give him something to distract him from his duty!
June 14, 2013
While the summary is a little bland, I decided to give this a try. I was extremely surprised to find myself drawn in by the characters of Claudia and Lucas. Their dialog and chemistry are a perfect combination to keep you invested in the story. Ms. Parker was able to do what a lot of HP writers can’t do. In 185 pages, she had you fully invested in these characters. I really wish she would have focused more on Claudia’s family and their back story. There is a big rift between Claudia and her family and it was a golden opportunity to take this HP one step further. There was actually a lot of potential for this story to be drawn out. In fact I could easily see Princess in the Iron Mask as being a full fledged contemporary romance novel. Kudos to Victoria Parker for creating an unique set of characters and for constructing a HP novel that goes above and beyond the standard.
June 29, 2013
This is a great book with an awesome storyline and equally awesome protagonists.This the author's first book and I can't wait to read her next.
The story revolves around Princess Claudine and her bodyguard Lucas.They both are strong characters and have been wonderfully being portrayed by the author.I loved both of them and they were well suited for each other.The only thing I did not like was the attitude of Claudine's parents and thought they were easily forgiven for their mistakes and that is the sole reason for taking away a single star.The story potrayal between the daughter and the family was a disappointment
This is a great book and i loved it.If you like hot intense and passionate romance and strong characters then you will love this.
The story revolves around Princess Claudine and her bodyguard Lucas.They both are strong characters and have been wonderfully being portrayed by the author.I loved both of them and they were well suited for each other.The only thing I did not like was the attitude of Claudine's parents and thought they were easily forgiven for their mistakes and that is the sole reason for taking away a single star.The story potrayal between the daughter and the family was a disappointment
This is a great book and i loved it.If you like hot intense and passionate romance and strong characters then you will love this.
June 8, 2021
A princess in hiding
Dispatched by the king to retrieve his headstrong, errant daughter, Lucas Garcia thought this was just another day at the office. That's before he meets Princess Claudine Verbault, who's adamant that returning to the kingdom that banished her as a child is never going to happen.
A barely concealed attraction!
Hidden from the spotlight, the now-independent Claudia has learned the art of being the anti-perfect princess. But Lucas does not look like the kind of man to accept insubordination! If only she could bargain with this frustratingly immovable man…and give him something to distract him from his duty
Dispatched by the king to retrieve his headstrong, errant daughter, Lucas Garcia thought this was just another day at the office. That's before he meets Princess Claudine Verbault, who's adamant that returning to the kingdom that banished her as a child is never going to happen.
A barely concealed attraction!
Hidden from the spotlight, the now-independent Claudia has learned the art of being the anti-perfect princess. But Lucas does not look like the kind of man to accept insubordination! If only she could bargain with this frustratingly immovable man…and give him something to distract him from his duty
July 2, 2013
my 1st book by the author n i'm very impressed. very touching n very sweet. der were intense emotions involved n i was going 2 give a 5 star bit compared with my all-time favourites, this was definitely a 4 star. it's still a keeper though;) dunt miss it
August 24, 2013
I really, really enjoyed this debut book by Victoria Parker. I loved the storyline, which was a bit different from usual Harlequin Presents stories, adding to its appeal. I found it interesting that Claudia's parents sent her away after she fell ill when she was twelve years old, scared and alone in a new country without any family around to help her during her time in England. Which broke her heart (and mine) because she was alone and isolated away from her country and her family. She had a hard enough time dealing with her disease while with her family since she was a Princess that was hidden away because of her disease, making her feel out of place and the non-pretty daughter that was a great disappointment to both her parents, and when they sent her away that confirmed her fears and her self-confidence hit such a low that she began hiding herself from the world even when she was recovered from her illness and only was concerned with work and lived for that, and building up walls around herself so no one could get close to her again and hurt her like her parents did when she felt they threw her away like she was nothing, a problem to keep hidden. So she vowed to cut people out of her life, including her parents, and vowed never returned to her country and be the Princess that she was, refusing to invite hurt on herself. So, that made me intrigued with lots of questions and want to keep reading, wondering if her parents were really that cruel to her and didn't want anything to do with her or were they trying to protect her. And I wanted to find that out.
And of coarse when Lucas came into the picture, working for her parents to bring her home again, and there was an instant attraction from the get go, which she had never felt before because she never allowed herself to. And Lucas was very much attracted to her despite her wearing baggy clothes and these awful eye glasses, but he saw right through that and saw the real world. And just from the moment the met sparks flew and lit the pages on fire with such awesome chemistry that there was no doubt of their attraction to one another and later their feelings for one another. And there was so much sexual tension between the two that I was dying to see their first kiss and see if it was as hot as the tension between the two, and it was even hotter and just a great moment.
But their relationship wasn't just about the physical, though it was a big part of it, but they got to know each other and their fears and vulnerabilities and show one another who they really were. And even when they learned all the faults the other had, they cared and loved them even more, being even more connected to one another, creating that intimacy that is important in any relationship. I loved how it built in this book and could really see and feel Lucas and Claudia fall in love with one anther, which is what any great romance should do. And Lucas and Claudia did in fact have a great romance in this book, one I was rooting for. They were just perfect for each other and fit each other so well, and they just needed each other bringing out the best in one another. Lucas showed Claudia that she was beautiful and of worth, and even showed her that she should give her parents a chance again. While Claudia showed him that he was lovable and not to blame for his mother's death and he needed to forgive himself and move on from the past so that he could move on with his life.
I just loved how each of them showed their trust and love and vulnerabilities to one another, and it was the sweetest moments in the book. I just loved both characters so much and rooted for them the entire time and wanted them to get their happily ever after that they both deserved after the pain they both suffered in their lives.
This was just such a great debut from Victoria Parker, and just loved her writing style that was filled with angst, mouth watering sexual tension, and just likable characters that anyone would feel for. Even though their first kiss didn't take place until halfway through the book with the anticipation building and building throughout making me want to see them kiss desperately and whetting my appetite along the way with certain almost scenes, but even despite it seeming forever for them to kiss and me wanting to see that first kiss, it was good to have that lead up to it, which in my opinion made the kiss even more hot and better, because it just added to the build up in their relationship as well and it was nice to see and made it interesting to watch and see what happen next. The pacing was good and didn't feel rushed at all or make it unbelievable that these characters were falling in love with each other because the development of their relationship was that great and flowed nicely in the story. And it drew me into their story, which was great and very enjoyable, making it a great, fun read.
I hope Victoria Parker writes more books in the future because I definitely want to read them if they are anything like this one was with the character and relationship development and just that sexual tension as well as anticipation of when they first kiss. Those are the types of books I love with kind of this push and pull between the characters for a little bit until they final give in to temptation and their attraction for one another. I love the sparing as well, which these characters did in this book as well, building up that tension and intensity between the two until it explodes and I hope that future Victoria Parker's books do the same because that is really the sign of a great, hot romance, and I want to see it, and I definitely want to read more from Victoria Parker in the future and hopefully it will be very soon.
And of coarse when Lucas came into the picture, working for her parents to bring her home again, and there was an instant attraction from the get go, which she had never felt before because she never allowed herself to. And Lucas was very much attracted to her despite her wearing baggy clothes and these awful eye glasses, but he saw right through that and saw the real world. And just from the moment the met sparks flew and lit the pages on fire with such awesome chemistry that there was no doubt of their attraction to one another and later their feelings for one another. And there was so much sexual tension between the two that I was dying to see their first kiss and see if it was as hot as the tension between the two, and it was even hotter and just a great moment.
But their relationship wasn't just about the physical, though it was a big part of it, but they got to know each other and their fears and vulnerabilities and show one another who they really were. And even when they learned all the faults the other had, they cared and loved them even more, being even more connected to one another, creating that intimacy that is important in any relationship. I loved how it built in this book and could really see and feel Lucas and Claudia fall in love with one anther, which is what any great romance should do. And Lucas and Claudia did in fact have a great romance in this book, one I was rooting for. They were just perfect for each other and fit each other so well, and they just needed each other bringing out the best in one another. Lucas showed Claudia that she was beautiful and of worth, and even showed her that she should give her parents a chance again. While Claudia showed him that he was lovable and not to blame for his mother's death and he needed to forgive himself and move on from the past so that he could move on with his life.
I just loved how each of them showed their trust and love and vulnerabilities to one another, and it was the sweetest moments in the book. I just loved both characters so much and rooted for them the entire time and wanted them to get their happily ever after that they both deserved after the pain they both suffered in their lives.
This was just such a great debut from Victoria Parker, and just loved her writing style that was filled with angst, mouth watering sexual tension, and just likable characters that anyone would feel for. Even though their first kiss didn't take place until halfway through the book with the anticipation building and building throughout making me want to see them kiss desperately and whetting my appetite along the way with certain almost scenes, but even despite it seeming forever for them to kiss and me wanting to see that first kiss, it was good to have that lead up to it, which in my opinion made the kiss even more hot and better, because it just added to the build up in their relationship as well and it was nice to see and made it interesting to watch and see what happen next. The pacing was good and didn't feel rushed at all or make it unbelievable that these characters were falling in love with each other because the development of their relationship was that great and flowed nicely in the story. And it drew me into their story, which was great and very enjoyable, making it a great, fun read.
I hope Victoria Parker writes more books in the future because I definitely want to read them if they are anything like this one was with the character and relationship development and just that sexual tension as well as anticipation of when they first kiss. Those are the types of books I love with kind of this push and pull between the characters for a little bit until they final give in to temptation and their attraction for one another. I love the sparing as well, which these characters did in this book as well, building up that tension and intensity between the two until it explodes and I hope that future Victoria Parker's books do the same because that is really the sign of a great, hot romance, and I want to see it, and I definitely want to read more from Victoria Parker in the future and hopefully it will be very soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2020
Mills & Boon-O-Meter : 4 out of 5 (but like 3 for a normal book)
- Surprisingly soft 💁
- A bit of a different hero, a bit of a different heroine. My girl is not only a vanished princess, but one with a vision, life and dream outside her romance with the hero
- Has quite a few tropes, but it's an easy and enjoyable read
- Surprised with ending (which was not that tropey). Unlike a lot of romances, the heroine did not become a princess again
- We stan men who talk about their feelings and cry ❤️
- Unlike most M&Bs, this one was pretty convincing that they feelings between the two is true love. He has her back, and she has his 💪
- Surprisingly soft 💁
- A bit of a different hero, a bit of a different heroine. My girl is not only a vanished princess, but one with a vision, life and dream outside her romance with the hero
- Has quite a few tropes, but it's an easy and enjoyable read
- Surprised with ending (which was not that tropey). Unlike a lot of romances, the heroine did not become a princess again
- We stan men who talk about their feelings and cry ❤️
- Unlike most M&Bs, this one was pretty convincing that they feelings between the two is true love. He has her back, and she has his 💪
March 26, 2018
The title of this book lead me to believe that the story was going in another direction. While I did enjoy the story and the characters there were some parts that were a bit out of me or weren't explained as well as I would have liked.
November 21, 2020
Not a fan of the writing and characterization. I know Spanish so this was really painful to read as the hero would inorganically say Spanish words and phrases that took me out of the story for being awkward. There was also not a very well developed romance between the hero and heroine. Their interactions were lacking chemistry. Oh and the sex scene was so horribly written. It was filled with euphemisms and metaphors that made no sense and was so cringy. I was very shocked since I had expected better from Harlequins. No one wants to read a sex scene that wants to make you claw your eyes out. I did try to read the second book in the series, which had a better premise but I put it down because the hero’s cousin was really disgusting and it is not challenged.
tw/cw:
child neglect and horrible parenting, chronic illness, sexism.
tw/cw:
child neglect and horrible parenting, chronic illness, sexism.
September 20, 2017
3.5 Stars!
June 24, 2021
This one kind of falls flat for me. The romance works. It's fine, typical for this brand. I believe in it, and I believe in the h and H. Both of them were interesting characters who held my attention for the entire book, and they had good chemistry.
The problem is there were greater conflicts than could not be resolved by the page count in the book. The h had a lot of issues with her parents, due to the things they had done, and none of that was even remotely resolved. I think Victoria Parker did that in order to get the parents to do things for plot purposes in getting the h and H together, but it did make the book very unsatisfying for me. I wanted some kind of resolution, or at least, an honest conversation between the h and her mother about the past. But we never get that in the book. So for me, this one lands flat.
The problem is there were greater conflicts than could not be resolved by the page count in the book. The h had a lot of issues with her parents, due to the things they had done, and none of that was even remotely resolved. I think Victoria Parker did that in order to get the parents to do things for plot purposes in getting the h and H together, but it did make the book very unsatisfying for me. I wanted some kind of resolution, or at least, an honest conversation between the h and her mother about the past. But we never get that in the book. So for me, this one lands flat.
July 5, 2013
Publisher:
Harlequin
Age: Adult
Series: N/A
Interest: Guilty Pleasure/Nice Cover
Source: Netgalley
A princess in hiding
Dispatched by the king to retrieve his headstrong, errant daughter, Lucas Garcia thought this was just another day at the office. That's before he meets Princess Claudine Verbault, who's adamant that returning to the kingdom that banished her as a child is never going to happen.
A barely concealed attraction!
Hidden from the spotlight, the now-independent Claudia has learned the art of being the anti-perfect princess. But Lucas does not look like the kind of man to accept insubordination! If only she could bargain with this frustratingly immovable man…and give him something to distract him from his duty! (summary from ŷ.com)
*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This has not influenced my opinion in any way.*
Harlequin Romances are one of my favorite guilty pleasures to indulge in when I have a little (emphasis on the little) room for a reading break. I'll be one of the first to admit that a number of them are filled with so much cheesy romance, you gain five pounds just by looking at the cover. Princess in the Iron Mask laid it on thick in the first 30 pages or so. Claudine uses words similar to god-like, graceful and predator to describe Lucas, while he uses the terms curvy and "way too sexy to be dressed up in a lab coat" for Claudine.
What originally interested me in the story was the idea of an MIA princess who refused to feel obligated to her country. What kind of treatment in her kingdom would inspire that level of avoidance? I admit to Claudine having a good reason at the beginning for abdicating any feelings of tenderness for the crown. Still, I felt like that, one of the most solid parts of her character, was swept aside as a misunderstanding in order to expedite the plot. It made me feel confused because I was disappointed in the resolution of such a huge conflict in her life, yet the explanation for it felt too plausible to dismiss.
Lucas was like every other romance hero ever. He's a god guy and worthy of a woman who loves him, but he doesn't feel he is because of some childhood or teenage tragedy involving a loved one. I liked Lucas because of his banter back and forth with Claudine, but other than that there was nothing very distinguishing about him.
The side details were really what kept me interested in the novel. (Well, that and the hot makeout in the stairwell, but that's another story.) I constantly wondered why Claudine's parents had decided to leave her on her own, to be completely independent when she was the Crown Princess. This is of course me assuming there was some character-driven reason for it, not a convenient plot hole. I was very interesting in examining more of the relationship between Lucas and the King as well as Lucas and his second in command. I adored the little endearments Lucas and Claudine said in Spanish, I believe?
I had never heard of JDMS before and was a little interested in the illness. I liked the idea that the princess hadn't always been perfect, but instead suffered a few serious self-esteem issues from her past. (Even though to Lucas, she grew up absolutely drop-dead gorgeous anyhow.) I'm happy the author decided to include the illness, especially given that her son has the same condition.
For Claudine and Lucas, I would have preferred a more drawn-out and torturous game of "I lust after you, you up for a f***?" But, this is a short novel and I can understand the need for speed in that area.
Princess in the Iron Mask was exactly what I expected, a fun, sexy and best of all, distracting read. It was a good Harlequin novel which I wouldn't mind reading again. I'd actually like to see an extension of this world with a few of the side characters. Princess had an interesting world worth exploring. If you're a solid romance fan, or just looking for a short book to read in an afternoon Princess in the Iron Mask will be perfect for you.
Teaser Lines: "Does Lucas know how you feel about him?"
A breath she'd had no idea she was holding whooshed out out of her and her head bowed- her mask slipping to shatter upon the floor. "God. I hope not."
"Too. Late."
Happy Reading,
My Summer Girl Books
Age: Adult
Series: N/A
Interest: Guilty Pleasure/Nice Cover
Source: Netgalley
A princess in hiding
Dispatched by the king to retrieve his headstrong, errant daughter, Lucas Garcia thought this was just another day at the office. That's before he meets Princess Claudine Verbault, who's adamant that returning to the kingdom that banished her as a child is never going to happen.
A barely concealed attraction!
Hidden from the spotlight, the now-independent Claudia has learned the art of being the anti-perfect princess. But Lucas does not look like the kind of man to accept insubordination! If only she could bargain with this frustratingly immovable man…and give him something to distract him from his duty! (summary from ŷ.com)
*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This has not influenced my opinion in any way.*
Harlequin Romances are one of my favorite guilty pleasures to indulge in when I have a little (emphasis on the little) room for a reading break. I'll be one of the first to admit that a number of them are filled with so much cheesy romance, you gain five pounds just by looking at the cover. Princess in the Iron Mask laid it on thick in the first 30 pages or so. Claudine uses words similar to god-like, graceful and predator to describe Lucas, while he uses the terms curvy and "way too sexy to be dressed up in a lab coat" for Claudine.
What originally interested me in the story was the idea of an MIA princess who refused to feel obligated to her country. What kind of treatment in her kingdom would inspire that level of avoidance? I admit to Claudine having a good reason at the beginning for abdicating any feelings of tenderness for the crown. Still, I felt like that, one of the most solid parts of her character, was swept aside as a misunderstanding in order to expedite the plot. It made me feel confused because I was disappointed in the resolution of such a huge conflict in her life, yet the explanation for it felt too plausible to dismiss.
Lucas was like every other romance hero ever. He's a god guy and worthy of a woman who loves him, but he doesn't feel he is because of some childhood or teenage tragedy involving a loved one. I liked Lucas because of his banter back and forth with Claudine, but other than that there was nothing very distinguishing about him.
The side details were really what kept me interested in the novel. (Well, that and the hot makeout in the stairwell, but that's another story.) I constantly wondered why Claudine's parents had decided to leave her on her own, to be completely independent when she was the Crown Princess. This is of course me assuming there was some character-driven reason for it, not a convenient plot hole. I was very interesting in examining more of the relationship between Lucas and the King as well as Lucas and his second in command. I adored the little endearments Lucas and Claudine said in Spanish, I believe?
I had never heard of JDMS before and was a little interested in the illness. I liked the idea that the princess hadn't always been perfect, but instead suffered a few serious self-esteem issues from her past. (Even though to Lucas, she grew up absolutely drop-dead gorgeous anyhow.) I'm happy the author decided to include the illness, especially given that her son has the same condition.
For Claudine and Lucas, I would have preferred a more drawn-out and torturous game of "I lust after you, you up for a f***?" But, this is a short novel and I can understand the need for speed in that area.
Princess in the Iron Mask was exactly what I expected, a fun, sexy and best of all, distracting read. It was a good Harlequin novel which I wouldn't mind reading again. I'd actually like to see an extension of this world with a few of the side characters. Princess had an interesting world worth exploring. If you're a solid romance fan, or just looking for a short book to read in an afternoon Princess in the Iron Mask will be perfect for you.
Teaser Lines: "Does Lucas know how you feel about him?"
A breath she'd had no idea she was holding whooshed out out of her and her head bowed- her mask slipping to shatter upon the floor. "God. I hope not."
"Too. Late."
Happy Reading,
My Summer Girl Books
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.