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The Improbable Meet-Cute #6
Royal Valentine
Valentine’s Day becomes a Roman holiday for a princess in disguise in a dizzyingly romantic short story about making wishes come true by the USA Today bestselling author of The Chemistry of Love.
Princess Ilaria has had it up to her tiara with the paparazzi, her own wild reputation, and the public eye. Trading places with her assistant, Ilaria wants just one blissfully ordinary weekend. Then a handsome photographer with a sexy Scottish burr offers to be her guide. Sparks fly, but how long can they last? Ilaria’s secret has to come out—and it could ruin a perfectly serendipitous romance.
Sariah Wilson’s Royal Valentine is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s make a date of it.
Princess Ilaria has had it up to her tiara with the paparazzi, her own wild reputation, and the public eye. Trading places with her assistant, Ilaria wants just one blissfully ordinary weekend. Then a handsome photographer with a sexy Scottish burr offers to be her guide. Sparks fly, but how long can they last? Ilaria’s secret has to come out—and it could ruin a perfectly serendipitous romance.
Sariah Wilson’s Royal Valentine is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s make a date of it.
71 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,415 reviews
January 31, 2024
Out: writing how the accent sounds. In: literally anything else
January 23, 2024
1.5⭐
So I was going to rate this 3-stars, but then there was a third-act breakup that was actually terrible. Also, how can a 70-page story have that🤦♀️? The rest in this series didn't. Anyway, let me tell you that it ruined the whole book. The mmc literally was basically disgusted the she was actually a princess and then was like, “I thought you were just this American girl that would mean nothing🙄.” Blah blah blah. Then going on and saying that he doesn't want a relationship especially not with someone like her. The audacity of this man.
“This was what I’d been waiting for. A man willing to fight for me, to stand by my side, to accept all of me.” Girl, what he literally just left you and then came back because his family told him to🙅♀️.
So I was going to rate this 3-stars, but then there was a third-act breakup that was actually terrible. Also, how can a 70-page story have that🤦♀️? The rest in this series didn't. Anyway, let me tell you that it ruined the whole book. The mmc literally was basically disgusted the she was actually a princess and then was like, “I thought you were just this American girl that would mean nothing🙄.” Blah blah blah. Then going on and saying that he doesn't want a relationship especially not with someone like her. The audacity of this man.
“This was what I’d been waiting for. A man willing to fight for me, to stand by my side, to accept all of me.” Girl, what he literally just left you and then came back because his family told him to🙅♀️.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2024
2.5🌟
New author and narrator for me. Just didn’t work.
Least favorite. Wish I could have ended the collection on a high note. I almost DNF but it's a short story so...
Oh well…
Now onto the next audio short story collection! So many to choose from…where shall I start!?🤷🏼♀️
New author and narrator for me. Just didn’t work.
Least favorite. Wish I could have ended the collection on a high note. I almost DNF but it's a short story so...
Oh well…
Now onto the next audio short story collection! So many to choose from…where shall I start!?🤷🏼♀️
February 14, 2024
A third act breakup in a 70 page novella is insane.
January 26, 2024
This one felt like at any moment there would be a Vanessa Hudgins jump scare.
January 25, 2024
Royal Valentine by Sariah Wilson
Improbable Meet Cute Collection series. Contemporary romance novella. Six short stories with a Valentine theme, a meet cute, and a person, object or place in common with one of the other novellas but not connected.
Princess Ilaria is tired of the paparazzi following her around. Hoping to escape for just a couple of days, she trades places with her assistant Anne and goes out in Rome as if she is any other American tourist. A handsome Scottish photographer comes to her rescue and they spend Valentine’s Day at famous Rome locations and then have dinner with his roommates family eating pasta and dancing in a small courtyard. Is it enough for her or does she want more?
Sweet and flirty. They both enjoy the day but they both have secrets. Endearing.
References back to UW-Madison and Callum in the first book in the series.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Improbable Meet Cute Collection series. Contemporary romance novella. Six short stories with a Valentine theme, a meet cute, and a person, object or place in common with one of the other novellas but not connected.
Princess Ilaria is tired of the paparazzi following her around. Hoping to escape for just a couple of days, she trades places with her assistant Anne and goes out in Rome as if she is any other American tourist. A handsome Scottish photographer comes to her rescue and they spend Valentine’s Day at famous Rome locations and then have dinner with his roommates family eating pasta and dancing in a small courtyard. Is it enough for her or does she want more?
Sweet and flirty. They both enjoy the day but they both have secrets. Endearing.
References back to UW-Madison and Callum in the first book in the series.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
February 5, 2024
Royal end to the meet cuteness novellas 🥰🤗 This was a fun valentines flight of love!
October 1, 2024
4 ⭐
Omg that one as so cuuutee!! 😭💗
I'm glad to know that I don't end this series with a bad taste in my mouth. The protagonists were super adorable 💗💗
Now I need more recommendations on royal romances, so if you know of some I would greatly appreciate it :)
Omg that one as so cuuutee!! 😭💗
I'm glad to know that I don't end this series with a bad taste in my mouth. The protagonists were super adorable 💗💗
Now I need more recommendations on royal romances, so if you know of some I would greatly appreciate it :)
July 15, 2024
⁀➷ .75
🩰
✦ The author phonetically spelled out the mmc’s scottish accent. I wanted to kms.
🩰
✦ The author phonetically spelled out the mmc’s scottish accent. I wanted to kms.
July 12, 2024
So I like didn’t like this one it was just TOO cheesy & stereotypical for me. But like the breakup did still make my stomach hurt but im just sensitive 😂
January 23, 2024
A cute take on a classic story. A Royal Princess trades places with a commoner (her assistant) for one weekend to see what life is like without the pressures of a crown. She quickly develops a crush on a cute local who doesn't recognize her true identity. This one felt like a mix of a Hallmark holiday movie and an early 2000's romcom.
3.75 stars
3.75 stars
June 9, 2024
Quick, cute, clean, no language, will probably never think about it again.
February 10, 2024
•| ⊱✿⊰ |• 2,9 Stars •| ⊱✿⊰ |•
Ilaria is a princess who wants to enjoy a weekend as a normal person.
This is such a cliché…
She trades place with her assistant.
She meets a photographer that has his own secrets too.
February 18, 2024
Couldn’t cope with the Scottish accent in this, made me cringe so much 😫
February 16, 2024
3 stars
This started so cute but I wasn’t happy that there was a . Overall I’ve enjoyed these Valentine’s shorts.
This started so cute but I wasn’t happy that there was a . Overall I’ve enjoyed these Valentine’s shorts.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 3 stars
Narrators: Jesse Vilinsky
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 2h 01m
February 19, 2024
Imagine writing a novella and having a third arc break-up.
February 5, 2024
Not engaging
The writing and dialogue was very stiff. I also didn't care about the main couple at all. I assume this character part of a series, but I found the female heroine blah. I have just never got into secret royal romance stories set in the modern era. I don't mind historical novels with secret dukes, counts, etc., it just makes more sense back then.
The writing and dialogue was very stiff. I also didn't care about the main couple at all. I assume this character part of a series, but I found the female heroine blah. I have just never got into secret royal romance stories set in the modern era. I don't mind historical novels with secret dukes, counts, etc., it just makes more sense back then.
February 4, 2024
The Improbable Meet-Cute is a collection of six short stories involving improbable first encounters which all take place on Valentine’s Day. This was a sweet and enjoyable way to start my February.
• The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren (4 stars)
• Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez (4.5 stars)
• Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne (3 stars)
• Drop, Cover, and Hold On by Jasmine Guillory (3 stars)
• With Any Luck by Ashley Position (4 stars)
• Royal Valentine by Sariah Wilson (3 stars)
Read or listen for free with Kindle Unlimited.
• The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren (4 stars)
• Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez (4.5 stars)
• Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne (3 stars)
• Drop, Cover, and Hold On by Jasmine Guillory (3 stars)
• With Any Luck by Ashley Position (4 stars)
• Royal Valentine by Sariah Wilson (3 stars)
Read or listen for free with Kindle Unlimited.
February 17, 2024
It probably isn’t necessarily “1” level bad…but I enjoyed it at the “1” level. Even 70 pages was too long for me on this one. Absolutely nothing new to the “princess trying to escape life as a princess” trope here. I didn’t like the MC. Really didn’t like her love interest (he “wasn’t looking for a relationship right now” but totally was when he thought she was some American nobody? Very dumb. There was horrible insta-love. There was a third act break up for no good reason (all in a LESS THAN 100 PAGE BOOK. Hooooow?!? *Why*?!?!) I’m glad it wasn’t longer, though. Overdone trope. Nothing unique. Nothing believable or romantic IMO.
February 26, 2024
my least favourite out of all six. this one felt very rushed. though the plot seemed interesting, the execution was poor. the accent-ed dialogues were unnecessary and it took me over 50 pages to realise that ken meant know. either way, i really enjoyed this sweet series.
August 4, 2024
This is just not the story or author for me. I recognize I'm not the target audience for this novella, because I really dislike royalty romance stories and usually only tolerate them in the occasional Harlequin Presents, where the editors seem to think we're all still stuck in 6-year-old-I-wanna-be-a-princess mode. But I'd just read the rest of the (mostly) fun Improbable Meet-Cute stories so thought I'd just finish off the series, hoping to be pleasantly surprised. But it wasn't to be.
I'm grateful this wasn't a full-on retelling of Roman Holiday, not only because it's one of my favorite films, but because it was so fresh in my mind after rewatching it literally just hours beforehand at a Valentine's Day event at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. But even without a play by play rehash, the story is dull, the characters are barely sketched in, there’s no real spark between them, and the dialogue is painfully juvenile. His getting mad 3/4 of the way through the story FOR SOMETHING HE WAS ALSO DOING also irritated the shit out of me. I would be more outraged by it, except I'm not a huge fan of hers either.
Several of the other books in this series have surprised me and I very much liked 4 out of the 6. But it's disappointing to have the series end on such low notes.
I'm grateful this wasn't a full-on retelling of Roman Holiday, not only because it's one of my favorite films, but because it was so fresh in my mind after rewatching it literally just hours beforehand at a Valentine's Day event at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. But even without a play by play rehash, the story is dull, the characters are barely sketched in, there’s no real spark between them, and the dialogue is painfully juvenile. His getting mad 3/4 of the way through the story FOR SOMETHING HE WAS ALSO DOING also irritated the shit out of me. I would be more outraged by it, except I'm not a huge fan of hers either.
Several of the other books in this series have surprised me and I very much liked 4 out of the 6. But it's disappointing to have the series end on such low notes.
June 7, 2024
this series was so damn disappointing
January 23, 2024
3.5⭐️ Princess Ilaria, sick and tired of the paparazzi, decides to trade places with her assistant for just one day of being "ordinary". When she meets a handsome Scottish photographer, sparks fly almost instantly. But with a end date quickly approaching, will she be able to tell him the truth about her identity, and if she does, will he forgive her the lie?
One day I will finally come to terms with the fact that I am just not a fan of the royal romance trope, unfortunately, that day is not today. That said, I think this was pretty cute overall and the royalty aspect worked here especially for this type of novella. Roman Holiday is a fantastic movie and Wilson did a good job of retelling it with such a unique and fun twist, my jaw might have dropped for a moment.
Read if you like:
•royal romance
•insta love
•mistaken identity
•roman holiday
Available on KU and Audible (free to listen).
One day I will finally come to terms with the fact that I am just not a fan of the royal romance trope, unfortunately, that day is not today. That said, I think this was pretty cute overall and the royalty aspect worked here especially for this type of novella. Roman Holiday is a fantastic movie and Wilson did a good job of retelling it with such a unique and fun twist, my jaw might have dropped for a moment.
Read if you like:
•royal romance
•insta love
•mistaken identity
•roman holiday
Available on KU and Audible (free to listen).
February 5, 2024
The story was a nod to Roman Holiday. Not a film I was gaga over, but appreciate more after reading this. Why oh why did Wilson endow her MMC with a Scottish accent? She never missed a chance to insert a “dinnae” or “ken” into his speech. Like over salted food, a little goes a long way. In this case it pulled me out of the story.
January 24, 2024
Royal Valentine, Sariah Wilson
Narrator: Jesse Vilinksy
I think this was the longest story in the bunch, and I guess that means there was room for a breakup? It was bad but wasting time in novellas with breakups is a bit annoying. It was a cute little Roman holiday novella, but pretty forgettable.
✨Undercover royalty
✨”Twin” swap
✨When in Rome
✨Scottish hero
✨Valentine’s Day
Narrator performance: I was mad confused for a hot minute because my attention slipped for a second and I thought he said he was Italian so I was like WHY is Jesse doing a Scottish brogue 😂 turns out he was Scottish and Jesse nailed it lmfao. (Jesse Vilinsky is one of my favorite narrators.)
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 0🌶️/5
I received an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
Narrator: Jesse Vilinksy
I think this was the longest story in the bunch, and I guess that means there was room for a breakup? It was bad but wasting time in novellas with breakups is a bit annoying. It was a cute little Roman holiday novella, but pretty forgettable.
✨Undercover royalty
✨”Twin” swap
✨When in Rome
✨Scottish hero
✨Valentine’s Day
Narrator performance: I was mad confused for a hot minute because my attention slipped for a second and I thought he said he was Italian so I was like WHY is Jesse doing a Scottish brogue 😂 turns out he was Scottish and Jesse nailed it lmfao. (Jesse Vilinsky is one of my favorite narrators.)
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 0🌶️/5
I received an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2024
they talking about spending the rest of their lives together when they met that same fucking morning. ALSO him being mad at her for having a secret when he HAD THE EXACT SAME SECRET ?????
March 25, 2024
THE BEST OF THE COMPILATION!!! YAY! So heartfelt. So beautiful! So amazing! Read this NOW! I’ve never read this author before but I’m chomping at the bit to read her books!! AGH! My heart is SO FULL!
January 25, 2024
💫3.5 stars💫
Amazon Original Stories - The Improbable Meet-Cute
Amazon Original Stories - The Improbable Meet-Cute
February 11, 2024
Can we not write how accents sound please, it makes it unbearable to read, plus an unnecessary third act breakup even though they weren't together? and then a rushed ending? Makes no sense at all.
Nothing about this novella made sense actually.
Nothing about this novella made sense actually.
February 17, 2024
This series started off so well. I’m sorry this one didn’t work for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,415 reviews