The Princess Diaries (Princess Diaries, 1)

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The romance between them both was very exciting. Tho it moved pretty fast, I never felt like it was unrealistic. We had so many tropes, but I loved them all. Being in love with each other, but not knowing that the other one loves them too, a shorter version of from enemies to lovers, bed sharing and fake marriage. It’s an all new school year for Princess Mia, with all new classes, all new challenges . . . and all new worries. With a baby brother at home who won’t stop crying and a potential eco-disaster in her native land that has all of Europe in an uproar, Mia’s got a lot more on her mind than just a case of the sophomore slumps: Mia is now twenty-six years old. She's come far from her teen years and has proven to be a wonderful princess of Genovia. She has wonderful supportive friends, a job she loves, a loving but meddling family and Michael, her high school sweetheart. Then she finds out something about her father that could change her life forever. But because Grandmere is a nightmare (who can forget Helen and Frank's supposed wedding?) and the paparazzi like being paparazzi, there are... complications.

If you grew up with this series, this is absolutely the return to the universe that you wanted. But it's not for people who aren't die-hard fans. If you liked this series in passing, this book may not be for you... but if Mia and Lilly and Tina were your best friends growing up, you will love this book, flaws and all.

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Lily is more judgmental as well, and when she and Mia get in a fight it isn't just two seconds of screen time it lasts through the majority of the book. Mia makes a new friend in Tina, but feels the loss of her best friend. Michael is more of a presence in the book, helping Mia with her math work and talking to her about her issues with Lily. He isn't in a band but does play guitar, and they do have a slight flirtation. I think one of the reasons they might have aged up Mia for the movie though is because he is a senior and she is a freshman. There is a bit of a hint of a romance, though they never kiss or anything, and that kind of age difference, especially in high school, can be a bit much. Not as bad since she knew him her whole life but still some "ehhh" factor.

But honestly, honestly, seeing Mia go through what so many of us went through during the pandemic (plus more, since she is, of course, the ruler of a small but important country), has been balm to my soul. Not knowing what day it is, let alone what time. Struggling with kids being home from school, trying to get elderly relatives to take care of themselves. Weight gain from lounging around stress eating. Princess Mia is all of us! I wasn't expecting much of a plot. The plot is predictable, but it is comical and enjoyable. However, the plot only really appears in the last half of Ransom My Heart and it's extremely clear who the antagonists are.

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Royal Wedding Disaster (set during Royal Wedding, of course) – Olivia’s half-sister Mia is very busy learning how to take over the country while trying to plan a wedding and her father is actually getting remarried himself-to Mia’s mother!-and spends most of his time “renovating” the summer palace, although Grandmere says he is just hiding from the wedding preparations. Olivia hardly gets to see either of them. Fortunately, Grandmere has her own plans for Mia’s wedding, and needs Olivia’s help to pull them off. Fun Fact: Finnula has a dog with the name 'Gros Louis' which is French for 'Fat Louie' (Princess Mia's cat). And a grown up Mia never makes mistakes. She’s perfect while everyone around her is childish. With the addition of the twins it would have been fun to read about parenting fails and relationship dynamics under quarantine but instead the story is all about what everyone else is doing wrong and how much Mia loves wine.

And of course Grandmere, who has a plan to keep Genovia from being thrown out of the EU that seems to include making unscheduled appearances in the hallways of Albert Einstein High in her tiara, and forcing her only granddaughter to fondle the body parts of long deceased saints . . .I actually liked the ending of the story, it had me smiling until I went to bed. Of course, this was a Meg Cabot book, so I really had fun reading it, even though this isn’t YA. Ransom My Heart is more mature, more family oriented, more risky and deadly.

I don't know what's happening to me. I lie when I should tell the truth, and tell the truth when I lie." (4) Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo (Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi in the Movies), Princess of Genovia is the protagonist of the series. She is the daughter of Helen Thermopolis, a painter, and Philippe Renaldo, the crown prince of Genovia. Mia is also the current Princess Regent of Genovia. The Nostalgia—I loved Meg Cabot when I was younger. She was absolutely part of my foundation as a reader. I was really excited to revisit Mia and her friends and family for this reason. But I think I remembered the books wildly differently… You really expect me not to buy this?" Dr. Moscovitz asked. "My son is the world's greatest lover! It says so right here. Of course I'm going to buy this!"" Finnula Crais is out to catch a rich man. Why has Fair Finn switched from hunting game to hunting men? To help out her beloved sister, of course!I expected more from the worldbuilding since 1920's England seems so vague and it just seems like a generic countryside to me. There was nothing that distinct about Stephensgate or any other village they came across. So, I was disappointed by that factor. Personally, I haven't been in the happiest place lately and desperately needed a comforting hug. Unfortunately I abhor hugs. Mia Thermopolis lives in Manhattan with her artist mother Helen, going to a private school called Albert Einstein High and spending the summers with her father and his mother at her chateau in France. She knows they're rich, but she thinks her dad is just a politician. At school she's unpopular and has "triangular" hair; her best friend Lilly has her own tv show and is trying to expose the racism of the Chinese owners of the deli across the road for discounting Asian students 5 cents; she's in love with the most popular boy at school, Josh, who doesn't even seem to know she's alive; she's failing Algebra; and her mum is going out with her teacher Mr Gianini. Republic of Genoa: a historical republic bearing geographical and cultural similarities to the fictional modern Genovia.