Royal Valentine is the last in The Improbable Meet-Cute series and this story is a little longer than some of the previous ones. However, it packs a LOT into the one story, moving at rapid speed. At times I had questions as there are multiple questions left unanswered. It’s a fun premise though and certainly a very different kind of meet cute.

Princess Ilaria of a fictional European country bordering Italy just wants some time alone to be anonymous. And where better than Rome? (She’s also got her eye on a photographer she saw from her hotel window). So she convinces her assistant to pretend to be her and sets out on her adventure. But she stupidly takes two zolpidem tablets (which she thinks is aspirin…seriously…) and passes out only to be rescued by said photographer Callum. It turns out he’s Scottish and more than willing to spend the day with her, having no idea who she is. They do lots of touristy things and Ilaria is nearly caught out several times and the evening brings a kiss or two. But then things turn sour. Can Ilaria rediscover the magic she had with Callum?

Ilaria and her family are part of a wider book series by the author. It’s relatively easy to understand what’s going on quickly. However, this novella packed in so much, so fast that some scenes left me with questions. Like why didn’t any of the Italians at the party and tourists recognise Ilaria? Why was Callum’s dialogue written with a Scottish accent when the majority of the characters are European and would also have an accent? (I found writing out Callum’s accent pretty annoying at times). The twist was clever, but the breakup was pretty unnecessary in such a short book. I’d like to read a slower, more fleshed out version of this story – I think it could be more fun. Wilson is good at laying out the scene and keeping the plot moving.

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3 stars for acute but unrealistic plot. There will always be times when people hide a part of who they are to make a new relationship work. But two Royals coming together, doing the same exact thing just seemed a little more fetch to make the story cutecute enough for me to want a longer version. writing style was good and grabbed my interest in wanting to read more from this author. ( )

Two royals trying to be anonymous in the big city when they meet and pretend to be people they are not. What will happen when the truth comes out? I liked this installment to the Improbably Meet Cute Collection. I listened to the audio which at times was difficult due to the accents. ( )

I have to admit that this story really just felt like it took a bunch of popular ideas and threw them all into a story. It was just mediocre in my opinion. The princess switches places and spends most of her time paranoid that she is going to be recognized and then the photographer she's become friendly with also has some secret he's not sharing. It was really weird that it was set in Rome and then he had this super Scottish (Jamie Fraser) accent happening. I mean it wasn't bad it just wasn't great. It was a quick read though to just pass the time. ( )

A very nice, light-hearted secret royal romance. If you like this trope you will enjoy spending around an hour with this story. ( )