Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Imogen has lived in her small Canadian town all her life, most of it at the Crystal Lake Lodge. First, her parents managed it; now, that job belongs to her. Though accustomed to dealing with famous people, she's a bit nervous about the upcoming visit of royalty. Those nerves jump to double-time as Prince Luca arrives a day ahead of schedule, and just as a winter storm also arrives. Through unexpected circumstances, Imogen and Luca end up snowed in alone together at the Lodge.
Luca's life is being turned upside down. His fiancée broke off their engagement the day before their wedding, in love with another man and pregnant with his child. To add insult to injury, it turns out his father's first wife had a child no one knew about, making him no longer the heir to the throne. He came to the small Canadian town to find his long-lost sister before the news gets out and causes a scandal.
Though Luca starts out all stiff and proper, it's quickly evident that there is a heart under that stiff exterior. I liked how he stepped in to make sure Rachel got to the hospital, even though it left him stranded alone with Imogen. There was a connection between Luca and Imogen from the moment they met. Both of them saw past the surface of the other and sensed the pain that each dealt with. I enjoyed seeing Luca put his royalness aside and allow his softer side to show. He won my heart with his understanding of Imogen's pain and his heartfelt view of her future. At the same time, Imogen saw the loneliness that was so much a part of Luca's life that he barely saw it himself. Her determination to show him what a "normal" Christmas is like was sweet. As Luca experienced everything from building snowmen to roasting hotdogs over the fire, the sparks between him and Imogen grew stronger. Imogen knew she was falling for Luca and that there was no future in it, but she resolved to embrace the time they had together.
Their brief idyll came to an end when the roads opened and Luca could proceed on his mission. Sparks of another kind flew when Imogen found out his reason for being there. I loved seeing her stand up to Luca and his pronouncements, especially since he's not used to people telling him no. It was interesting to see how his outlook on some things changed after a few days with Imogen, and the effect it had on his subsequent actions. I liked the scenes with his family and his ex's family after his return home. I enjoyed the way that he convinced Imogen to visit his home, even though it also involved a bit of deception. The scenes at the castle were great, and I particularly enjoyed Luca's statement to the press. I ached a little for both he and Imogen. Her love for him was undeniable but caught in the belief that there was nothing possible for them. Luca wanted her in his life but was afraid that she wouldn't want to be part of his. I loved the ending and the scene in his garden.
This is the first of the trilogy and I am looking forward to the other books.
Luca's life is being turned upside down. His fiancée broke off their engagement the day before their wedding, in love with another man and pregnant with his child. To add insult to injury, it turns out his father's first wife had a child no one knew about, making him no longer the heir to the throne. He came to the small Canadian town to find his long-lost sister before the news gets out and causes a scandal.
Though Luca starts out all stiff and proper, it's quickly evident that there is a heart under that stiff exterior. I liked how he stepped in to make sure Rachel got to the hospital, even though it left him stranded alone with Imogen. There was a connection between Luca and Imogen from the moment they met. Both of them saw past the surface of the other and sensed the pain that each dealt with. I enjoyed seeing Luca put his royalness aside and allow his softer side to show. He won my heart with his understanding of Imogen's pain and his heartfelt view of her future. At the same time, Imogen saw the loneliness that was so much a part of Luca's life that he barely saw it himself. Her determination to show him what a "normal" Christmas is like was sweet. As Luca experienced everything from building snowmen to roasting hotdogs over the fire, the sparks between him and Imogen grew stronger. Imogen knew she was falling for Luca and that there was no future in it, but she resolved to embrace the time they had together.
Their brief idyll came to an end when the roads opened and Luca could proceed on his mission. Sparks of another kind flew when Imogen found out his reason for being there. I loved seeing her stand up to Luca and his pronouncements, especially since he's not used to people telling him no. It was interesting to see how his outlook on some things changed after a few days with Imogen, and the effect it had on his subsequent actions. I liked the scenes with his family and his ex's family after his return home. I enjoyed the way that he convinced Imogen to visit his home, even though it also involved a bit of deception. The scenes at the castle were great, and I particularly enjoyed Luca's statement to the press. I ached a little for both he and Imogen. Her love for him was undeniable but caught in the belief that there was nothing possible for them. Luca wanted her in his life but was afraid that she wouldn't want to be part of his. I loved the ending and the scene in his garden.
This is the first of the trilogy and I am looking forward to the other books.
