- Title: The Princess Stakes
- Author: Amalie Howard
- Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca on June 29, 2021
- Genre: Historical Romance
- Pages: 352
- Formats Available: Paperback & Digital
- Rating: 4/5
Trigger Warnings: Racism, Violence, Unwanted Sexual Advances
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) of The Princess Stakes with a request for an honest review.
Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Pre-Order Now: Amazon US (Affiliate Link)
The Princess Stakes Blurb
Born to an Indian maharaja and a British noblewoman, Princess Sarani Rao has it all: beauty, riches, and a crown. But when Sarani’s father is murdered, her only hope is the next ship out—captained by the boy she once loved…and spurned.
Captain Rhystan Huntley, the reluctant Duke of Embry, is loath to give up his life at sea. But duty is calling him home, and this is his final voyage. Leave it to fate that the one woman he’s ever loved must escape to England on his ship.
“The PRINCESS STAKES came along just when I needed it most. There’s star-crossed, swoony, steamy love, true to the genre—but there’s also a subtle, searing focus on racism, colorism, and what it means to belong that is rare for a historical romance, which elevates it to a unique and truly resonant read.”—JODI PICOULT, New York Times bestselling author
Amazon
My Review
The Princess Stakes is one of those romances that you didn’t know you needed until you read it. I love historical romances, and this one is fantastic. Amalie Howard does a fabulous job of giving us the aristocracy we love with a touch of something different.
Princess Sarani is a heroine I can get behind. She is beautiful and intelligent yet deadly to cross. When danger comes looking for her, she protects herself and those she loves. Unfortunately, her blind faith in what she believes to be true borders on insanity.
Rhystan is a handsome devil with a heart of gold. I loved him from the start, even though he was a bit of a jerk. His ego wouldn’t have fit in the Titanic. His ridiculous concern about his duty as a Duke over that of the love in his heart is maddening. I grumbled under my breath a lot at Rhystan, but irresistible, he remained.
I loved every scene set in India. I wish there had been more. However, the ship’s setting is my favorite. They didn’t spend much time on the ship, but the tension and anticipation skyrocketed while on the sea. The British setting was much the same as every other Regency romance out there. Not that this sameness is a bad thing. I still enjoyed following the characters through ballrooms. But, the intensity wasn’t as palpable.
I award The Princess Stakes 4 out of 5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and will be reading more of Amalie’s work in the future.
About the Author – Amalie Howard
AMALIE HOWARD is a USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author, most notably of The Beast of Beswick, “a smart, sexy, deliciously feminist romance,” and one of O-The Oprah Magazine’s Top 24 Best Historicals to Read. She is the co-author of the #1 bestsellers in regency romance and Scottish historical romance, My Rogue, My Ruin and What A Scot Wants, and has also penned several young adult novels, critically acclaimed by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, VOYA, School Library Journal, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Kid’s INDIE NEXT selection. Of Indo-Caribbean descent, she has written articles on multicultural fiction for The Portland Book Review and Ravishly magazine. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and three children.
I love a book that changes settings. A regency set in India, must be fantastic. Great review!
Oh, it was delightful. The two settings made it even better. Also, a good part of the time they were in a ship, so 3 settings. ?