Reading slumps can be the worst. For the month of June, I was reading middle grade books to get me back into reading. In July, I wanted to try to do Christmas in July, but I couldn’t get into it. I started watching Hallmark movies again and decided to try out Once Upon a Royal Summer by Teri Wilson. I’m so glad I did!

Lacey found her dream job: playing a princess character at a popular fairytale theme park in sunny southern Florida. Her diamond tiara might not be real, but the smiles of the children she meets every day certainly are. It’s just too bad that her ex-boyfriend was never impressed with her career choice.

Henry, the crown prince of Bella-Moritz, is trying to fulfill his young daughter’s birthday wish: to be a normal girl with a normal life. That’s why they’re pretending to be ordinary tourists at an American amusement park. Henry lost his wife four years ago, and he’s been going through the motions ever since. But could a meeting with a make-believe princess lead to real love?

Before I jump into this review, there are 2 things you should know about me. 1) I love most things Hallmark movies and books. There are the occasional ones I don’t like, and I find that I tend to shy away from the “royal” books and movies that are out there. 2) I fell in love with Teri Wilson when I read Christmas Charms. Will I be reading her back catalog? Yes. Will I immediately grab any new book she writes? Also yes.

I did start this story a bit skeptical, as I have not enjoyed many of the royal movies during my Countdown to Christmas. Everything about this book changed my mind immediately as we dove right into everything we know and love about Hallmark romances. We meet Lacey, who is the princess at a fairy-tale theme park, and her just-doesn’t-understand-her boyfriend. We meet Henry, who is not just a real prince, but who is also a father to a little girl who is about to embark on all things royal. He whisks her off to America to a certain fairy-tale theme park. Hmmm…what could possibly happen besides spending time with his daughter?

The way that Lacey and Henry meet had me chuckling and I knew that this was a story that I would not be able to put down. Lacey is then assigned to be their tour guide for the duration of their trip, and gets to know both Henry and Rose on a personal level. We also get to take a trip to Bella-Moritz!

All the classic Hallmark moments are there, from great side characters (I see you Ava and Ian!), hurdles to cross, royal customs that give you fish out of water feelings and a Queen who can’t see past her families traditions.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars! It had me wanting to travel to a theme park, meet some theme park royalty and have my own summer adventures. A big thank you to Hallmark Publishing for providing a free digital copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Will you be giving this one a try? Whar are your favorite Hallmark moments? Let me know in the comments below!