Prince Charming (Royals) by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Prince Charming (Royals #1)

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: 2018

Genre: YA

Pages: 297

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Women Authors; Monthly Motif - One Sitting Reads; Romance

Meet Daisy Winters. She's an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair, a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who's nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond. 

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince's roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown--and the intriguing Miles--might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.  

This novel was originally published as Royals, which is the copy I borrowed from the library. I went into this book with extremely low expectations. It’s just that I don’t usually read contemporary romance and definitely not Young Adult contemporary romance. But apparently, I’ve been on a streak lately. This story ended up being a delight romp through the royals of Scotland from the perspective an average American. I loved Daisy from page 1 and kept rooting for her throughout the story. I would have liked to have seen a bit more between Daisy and and Ellie, but did enjoy her interactions with all of the Royal Wreckers. Light and fun. Just what I needed. And I put the second book, Her Royal Highness, on hold at the library.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Demon Glass (Hex Hall #3)

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Hyperion 2012

Genre: YA Paranormal

Pages: 327

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series; I Love Libraries

Hailed as "impossible to put down," the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted. Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that's what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn't as confident. Sophie's bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it's too late?

A fitting end to the series. I wasn't particularly surprised by anything that happened in this volume, but I did enjoy the ride. Hawkins writes in a very easy manner, pulling the reader along at a fast pace. I enjoyed the characters (especially Archer) and the storyline. And even though one particular death was devastating, I understand why it had to happen. Overall, a very good fun series. Now I can finally read School Spirits that has been sitting on my shelf for over two years.

Hex Hall:

• #1 Hex Hall
• #2 Demonglass
• #3 Spell Bound

Next up on the TBR pile:

Demon Glass by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Demon Glass (Hex Hall #2)

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Hyperion 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal

Pages: 359

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Finishing the Series

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

I sped through this middle volume of the trilogy. It was fast-paced and action filled. We follow Sophie to England and to the Council and then lots of things happen. I enjoyed getting to meet her father and learn about the history of the Prodigium and specifically her family. I loved the inclusion of Cal and Jenna. And I especially enjoyed the continuing storyline between Sophie and Archer. But I must say that this volume left the readers on one hell of a cliffhanger...

Hex Hall:

• #1 Hex Hall
• #2 Demonglass
• #3 Spell Bound

Next up on the TBR pile:

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1)

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Disney Hyperion 2010

Genre: YA Paranormal

Pages: 323

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (YA of US); Popsugar -- Alliteration; Finishing the Series

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father—an elusive European warlock—only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium

I have School Spirits sitting on my unread shelves and put it on my TBR list for this year, but didn't realize that this was a spin-off series. So I decided to start at the beginning with Hex Hall. I sped through this book, not that it was life-changing or super emotional, but because it was highly enjoyable and easily read. I immediately loved Sophie and the assortment of side characters at Hecate Hall. I was drawn into the world and loved discovering the secrets locked within. I will definitely be continuing on with this series. In fact, I've already put the other two books in the trilogies on hold at the library.

Hex Hall:

• #1 Hex Hall
• #2 Demonglass
• #3 Spell Bound

Next up on the TBR pile: