The Wild Princess by Mary Hart Perry

I was completely immersed in this novel. Is it a tad preposterous? Yes, but that's part of the fun.

We have here a fictional account of what may have been, with the heroine being a rebellious princess of the great Queen Victoria. First of all, I love that this wasn't a worthless princess like so many others we read about. This woman went to suffragist parades, fought to be in class with the boys, to paint nudity in a time when women did not do that. She also started the Women's Work Society and provided a place where destitute girls and women may learn crafts and sell them. I was greatly impressed by this princess.

As with any novel revolving around the royal family, there's secrets and traitors. Louise has secrets in her past...one I knew right away. I must say I wish the book had covered it better, not made it so obvious. I'd have preferred a surprise. Nevertheless, as Louise searches for an old love, a new one enters her life...but she's tied down to a man of her mother, the queen's choosing.

I loved reading about both the young girl and the young woman. The scandalous love stories are surrounded by intrigue as the angry Irish plot and set bombs and whatnot to try to harm the royal family. A traitor is in their midst. Two men from the American Civil War war are in the middle of it all. The princess's friend Amanda nearly stole the show at times with her own side story as well.

Truly, no end to the excitement in this one. I think there could have been more passion between the hero and heroine and I'd have liked some questions I had regarding Queen's Victoria's choices/meddling answered  more thoroughly, but I have to say this is a great read. I'll be watching for more by this author.

Four bikes. I received this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.