Royal Wedding - Meg Cabot

Royal Wedding – Meg Cabot

When i look back at my childhood, and the books i loved and constantly read and re read, the ones that spring to mind are the likes of Harry Potter, Goosebumps, the Darren Shan series, and then finally anything and everything Meg Cabot. I religiously bought (or had bought for me as i was too young to really earn money) each of the Princess Diaries books, as and when they were released, then i did the same for her Mediator series as well as her All American Girl series. I simply could not get enough of Meg Cabot. Each of her books are well worn and aged from the amount of times i would reread this series, absorbing each detail, bringing the world alive in my head and wanting to get lost in it forever. Her Princess Diaries series had a really profound effect on me and my education, i started to quite poorly keep a diary to help me deal with my feelings and emotions growing up, i went through a phase of wanting to become a psychologist like the Dr Moscovitz’s...unfortunately A Level Psychology was far harder than i expected and sadly i had to consider another career path. To this day i still have the passion to want to be a writer, and write novels as well. This book did everything to inspire me to want to do things and be successful growing up. Either way Mia Thermopolis was a massive part of my life whilst i was growing up, and when Ten out of Ten (Also known as Forever Princess) ended i was left with this gaping hole, where Mia’s world used to sit.

When i learned earlier on this year that Meg was releasing another book in the series, this time as an adult novel as opposed to the YA genre the earlier series took on, i honestly was ecstatic. Mia was back! 

‘For Princess Mia, the past five years since college graduation have been a whirlwind of activity, what with living in New York City, running her new teen community center, being madly in love, and attending royal engagements. And speaking of engagements. Mia's gorgeous longtime boyfriend Michael managed to clear both their schedules just long enough for an exotic (and very private) Caribbean island interlude where he popped the question! Of course Mia didn't need to consult her diary to know that her answer was a royal oui.

But now Mia has a scandal of majestic proportions to contend with: Her grandmother's leaked "fake" wedding plans to the press that could cause even normally calm Michael to become a runaway groom. Worse, a scheming politico is trying to force Mia's father from the throne, all because of a royal secret that could leave Genovia without a monarch. Can Mia prove to everyone—especially herself—that she's not only ready to wed, but ready to rule as well?’

Mia makes a sterling return in this novel, and it truly feels like it hasn’t been years since we last saw her. Cabot reigns in that quirky humour and wit that we all know and love, adding drama and twists and shocks all over the shop. Everything this series has brought us before. Seeing Mia as a newly 26 year old, was shocking really. Still the same age as me, but it really alarmed me at just how fast time has gone by, and just how much has changed in the years that this series started...so in essence, i am now beginning to feel old!

We follow Mia as her dad battles to win the election, whilst he appears to be having a pretty late mid life crisis, secrets are revealed and shocking news is announced and of course we have Michael and Mia’s engagement. I love that these two are still together, nothing was more heartbreaking than seeing the breakup in the 9^th book, and the heartache and depression Mia went through after it all. So to see the two of them now, stronger than ever was brilliant, Michael is still as swoon worthy as ever, and really is the ideal man.

I loved that Mia still has her high school friends...yes including Lana! Their dynamics hadn’t changed, they had simply all grown up. And Boris...wow...was not expecting so see Boris go down that path!! I have to say i did miss the walls of AEHS. But i loved seeing how Mia’s life has progressed since then and dealing with the situations that adult life is now throwing at her.

I wish we could have seen more of Helen, Mia’s mum, as well as Rocky her little brother...i won’t say much at Mr G, as i am still in denial over this...

It was also strange to not have Lilly as prominent in this book, i know she was a bit absentee in the 10^th book, due to the big fall out between her and Mia, but it was strange to see how the dynamics between the two of them had changed, and Lilly almost didn’t seem so domineering and controlling anymore.

I am struggling to write this review, as i really do not want to spoil what happens within the pages of this book, as for those, like me, who grew up with this series, reading it firsthand not really knowing what you are going into. Well, not only does it allow you to relive your youth, but allows you to be sucked straight back into the world, for the bumpy ride. Resulting, may i add, you finishing it, and feeling like you have just been spun around on one hell of a rollercoaster, and then spat back out clinging on for more.

I don’t know if this is the only book Meg Cabot is planning to write for the now adult genre Princess Diaries. I really truly hope it isn’t. But either way i am grateful she provided us with this, as i loved entering Mia’s world again and seeing where she is now in her life.

I would say if you are a fan of Meg Cabot, or know or have followed the Princess Diaries series, i would say pick this up. It is a light hearted, humorous, romantic read. Filled with twists and turns and brilliant, memorable characters *cough* Granmere *cough* I am 26 now, and yet i went back and reread the entire Princess Diaries series from the beginning again, and i still enjoyed it! So i would say if you haven’t followed the series, no matter what your age, it is still a quick, easy, funny read and i would highly recommend, along with this new adult version of the book too. I really truly hope, wish and pray that there will be another...pretty please...with Cherry and sprinkles on top!!!!

I have given this a 5 out of 5 star rating.