The Controversial Princess (The Smoke & Mirrors Duology Book 1)

Jodi Ellen Malpas always delivers great chemistry and this is no exception. The princesses duty and impending engagement to a family friend leaves her restless. All that changes in a chance meeting with a tall, dark and handsome stranger who leaves her confused and wanting more!

Absolutely LOVED this book! So ready for the second edition to see what happens! Utterly speechless. You feel the love and heartbreak... you can feel something coming. Definitely recommend this book.

Every time I read another Jodi Ellen Malpas book on the day it comes out it surprises me. Each time I think there is no way any other book could be this good, then she releases another that knocks me off my chair. The best part of this book is how I got to read it during the crazy weeks of TV coverage of Prince Harry's wedding. Prince Harry and Meghan did it all with class. Yes his American Hollywood actress wife went up against those 5 or more "Must Rules to Date a Royal" let alone have a royal wedding. Prince Harry loved & married her anyways. God and we so love him for it. Cheering both of them for weeks was great. They didn't disappoint either as I sat in N.Y. watching and wishing them years of nothing but good luck & Love.
This authors book didn't disappoint either! One royal princess falling madly in love at her 30th birthday to an American worldwide known Hollywood actor. Gasp! She's a renegade princess sneaking off drinking, affairs and all round causing her guard Damon mush stress. Bodyguard Damon is married and has been at her side for most her life. You quickly find he is the only person who cares about her well being & true happiness. Damon has been there through all the outbursts, scandals and one night stands. A lesson of how a royal princess navigates through a terrible family, tyrant cruel father, a brother in military, brother the heir & his wife constant scorn plus every other dysfunctional royal member in the extended family. Did I mention the Princess with a explosive attraction to a very hot knickers dropping American actor? This sexy American actor is smitten with his Princess in every way. You won't put this book down. I read it straight through the second it hit my Kindle paperwhite. Yes that book hangover was completely worth it! Buy this book (part #1) it doesn't disappoint and #2 is releasing quickly this summer. Hurry you don't want to keep Princess Adeline Catherine Luisa Lockhart waiting!

Thank you Jodi! I haven't a single clue how you keep straight control of your characters. How do you handle all them running rampant (some dangeous with scissors) in your head? Many thanks for writing smashing books about all of them. Books that take me away from real life for a few moments to enjoy each character you send my way. <- That right there is called an American reader -> complete Malpas fan of your writing "Buttering You Up" to hope you give us book #3 one day......

I struggled to finish the book and I highly doubt I’ll get the follow up. I know a lot of readers love this author’s books but I find her character development to be severely lacking. I also had trouble finishing This Man for the same reason. The heroine was not appealing to me and seemed very immature and foolish for a 30 year old. Hero was a little better. While there was supposed to be all this passionate chemistry between them I just was not feeling it. They barely had any dialogue which I despise.

Disappointed bc I was really looking forward to a good royals story and the blurb sounded awesome but the execution was poor.

For God’s sake! Hold your horses ladies because Jodi Ellen Malpas has done it again! She penned a marvellous book with slight touches of suspense and set it in the Royalty World! The Controversial Princess is bloody perfection. It gives me the goosebumps. I devoured this book like a famished bookworm. I couldn’t put it down. I had a blast. It literally rocked my world. I still have a dreamy air around me wondering if I could be a princess and have my own southern temptation just like Princess Adeline.

This book defies any Royal Romance book that was written before. Jodi’s elegant writing enticed me like no other writer has before. Without any doubt she is the queen of contemporary romance! She delivered an intense, stunning, mind-blowing story with royalty touches that sent me directly to cloud number nine in heaven. I wonder what on heart possessed her to create such a tempting and defiant story. Jodi’s mind is like a web of pure talent and it’s ready to catch you!

The plot is refreshing and the pacing is fast. Each chapter is a great delightful! I can’t imagine a greater enjoyment than reading Jodi’s books, especially this one. The Controversial Princess is a rebellious masterpiece packed with all the feels of what is not expected to be as a challenging, provocative, exciting and very tempting.

Princess Adeline is the strongest, fierce and “most real” royal. She is a feisty, sassy clever heroine worthy of my respect because, honestly, aren’t you bored of the typical perfect princess? She is all the opposite of what is expected from her. You can think that being a princess is all glamour and fancy clothes but there are many duties and protocols to follow. Adeline is defiant of what they the “good” customs. She feels like a bird locked in a golden cage. Her soul craves freedom and her heart craves real love. Her world turned upside down the day she met her equal, her American Boy. He will make her brake all the rules. She will only submit to him. Giving all the control never felt so forbidden!

Josh Jameson is hot as the southern sun. He is temptation and trouble (a dangerous combination). The man is sin on legs. He is illicitly gorgeous. He is almost too much to resist. His possessive and arrogant attitude makes him impossibly attractive. He is a dominant, an untamed alpha male. To be a sex symbol and a hot actor give him brownie points! He likes the challenges and certain princess will rock his life. The woman he wants is forbidden for him and every commoner. She is like a star that shines far away in the sky, untouchable and beautiful. She is a temptress to his control.

Adeline and Josh’s affair will defy the English monarchy in the best and worst ways possible. They shouldn’t be together. They should stay away but the chemistry and the forbidden feelings are stronger than following the rules. Their story is developing in between lies, secrets and smoke mirrors. The power and ambition of third parties attempt to separate them. Sacrifices must be done. Fights should be won. But will they be strong enough to fight the monarchy?

The main success of this book is in the choice of characters and the suggestive plot of something forbidden and scandalous. Everything screams greatness and magnificence: from the classy cover (as usual in Jodi’s books) to the big cliff-hanger ending! I can’t wait to read the conclusion of this duet! I am sure it would be epic. Jodi never disappoints her readers.

This book reaffirms why Jodi Ellen Malpas is in my top list of favourite authors. I absolutely love every word of this book. I swear no one writes romance like she does. It’s unique and magical the way she manages to create such powerful and possessive alpha male characters and empowered female heroines. I highly recommend you this book. This is a must read you should not miss!

The Controversial Princess is a spectacular, breathtaking read!
I was so very lucky to get the chance to early read this book, and OMG I feel so absolutely privileged to have been given the chance and here I will tell you why. This book was written with such a strikingly different formula to what we would normally expect from Jodi and it just astonished me so much that she could write such a book as this, that she could so easily ambush me emotionally with her words, that she could pick me up on a high, spin me around and then suddenly rip my heart out. I was emotionally drained by the end of this book but WOW it really was a fantastic adrenaline rush while reading!
It just shows how adaptable Jodi as a writer is, that her writing can change and adapt to cover almost every romance trope that there is and no matter what she writes I always know that I won't be disappointed by the quality of the story.
The start of this book tells us about Princess Adeline Lockhart as she is getting herself ready to attend her 30th birthday party and right from the very first paragraph you get the feeling and sense of dread that she is so very unhappy. We get to know that she feels trapped in her life of privilege, and knowing that she has no choice but to attend when it's the last thing that she wants to do. I really felt deeply for Adeline's predicament of the King trying to forced her to marry someone she doesn't want while being in love with someone else. I really got to love her character throughout this book, of her wild escapades and of her planning how to get what she wanted. She is after all just young woman that wants to live a normal life and Jodi wrote her as a strong heroine that I could easily connect with and fully understand why she felt so totally trapped because of who she is.
Oh my! Josh Jameson is a very bad boy! He is all temptation and hotness wrapped up in a very pretty package. I could so easily have fallen in love with him and I could totally see why a Princess would bow to no one else but him. Jodi wrote him as an not so over the top controlling alpha male but he certainly goes after what he wants and that is where the attraction is for Adeline as he treats her as a normal woman. They had a powerful attraction that could only go one way and that's explode.
Can you tell by now how much I loved this book? Well it had everything that you could want in a romance and it ticked all the boxes for me and more.
The Heroine is 5/5 (She is one epic lady)
The Hero is 6/5 (HAWT!!!)
The Setting 5/5 (Loved it)
The Romance 5/5 (Swoon worthy)
The Sex 6/5 (Off the charts)
The Secrets & drama 5/5 (OMG)
This story was certainly a blast to read and I'm really excited that it's not so long to wait (August) for the release of the second and concluding book to this series as there is so many questions and answers I need to know after the epic ending to this book. I really think that this is one of the best books that Jodi has written as it's such a deeply emotional story.
A brilliant 5 Star read!

First of all, this story is scandalously fun.

Second, the princess on the cover may look demure and graceful, but the real princess inside is rambunctious, booze-obsessed and very unladylike. What's more, the romance is anything but conventional. Don't hesitate and dive in!

The royal life of duties and public performance in the story is shown in detail and counterbalanced by a wild behaviour behind closed doors for this strong-willed princess. She's in charge of her rebellious bouts of fun because she cannot decide on anything else. After all, her father the King rules her life, too.

That's why meeting Josh Jameson is like applying fire to black powder.

OMG.

The first encounter between the hot American actor and the sassy British princess is alive with incendiary flirting and electrifyingly naughty passion. It surprised me to say the least. It's hot, it's outrageous, and so forbidden it is plain sinful.

The heat crosses boundaries and will tinge your cheeks. All of them :-D

Though this romance is more than flesh-deep. It touches on the need to connect with another human being beyond traditions or expectations. It appeals to anyone's crave for freedom and true happiness.

I love, love the moment Adeline and Josh give in and accept their fierce longing for each other. They share moments of stark pleasure and delightful laughs. Those conversations around a certain premiere are so heartfelt!

This mismatched couple fight against hungry media, old-fashioned royals and unmovable conventions to get their happily-ever-after. Entertainment and gasps are guaranteed throughout that process.

The drama gains momentum up to an exhilarating climax overflowing with defiance, tragedy and wildly shocking cliffhanger. Wow. I NEED the continuation that will release this August! Like oxygen…

(I'm happy to share my honest opinion of this book that I reviewed on my blog Literaria)

This book started out fan-freaking-tastic and I could not get enough of Josh and Adeline’s story. Their chemistry was off the charts hot. The first time he told her to “kneel”…um YES PLEASE! Whatever you want and it’s yours, Josh. He’s the bad boy, American hotshot actor and he’s everything she shouldn’t want but can’t resist. Adeline was such a strong-willed, zero f$#K’s given kind of lady and I loved that about her. Even though that’s the attitude and persona she put out there, there was so much more to her and it took Josh to pull it out of her. Their connection was intense, hot, sweet, and loving…everything you’d want in a romance.

There are lies, scandals with twists and turns here and there; when the lies started pouring out, I was surprised by a couple. My mind was going in a different direction and I still think I might be right but I will have to wait and see. There were characters in the book that made you love them or hate them. Her personal bodyguard, Damon was one that I adored. You could feel the love he had for her and he did everything in his power to protect her. I would love to get a little snippet from his POV where he watched his Princess finally fall in love. There were several I did not trust and still do not trust but I don’t want to give anything away so my lips are zipped.

Overall the story was good and kept me wanting to read. There were some parts that seemed to be too drawn out but power through because you will want to finish the story. I can’t wait for the next book and see how the storyline plays out. Not to mention get some much needed answers.

Another great book from JEM. Now, to be honest, the first quarter of the book was really slow going for me. But once things started happening, I couldn't put this book down!!!

Princess Adeline is life. She's amazing. And JEM wrote her in a fashion where I found myself envying her while simultaneously feeling bad for her, and she was totally relatable, even to a mere peasant such as myself. LOL!!! She's brave, despite her feeling she is not. She's fun and flirty and feels that her life should be just that, her life.

Josh was something else. I wasn't sure how I felt about him at the beginning, but, oh my, he certainly worked his way into my heart. He's a man who goes after what he wants, consequences be damned. He's sexy and swoony and I just love him.

Their relationship progressed rather quickly, but it still felt very real. The ups and downs that they had to deal with, what with both of them being famous.

I loved most of the secondary characters, especially Damon, and I loathed some of the characters as well. LOL!!!

I also went into this blind, not realizing this was a duet, so that ending totally threw me for a loop. Whoa!!!

I'd definitely recommend this book. It was so well written, with great characters and a unique, refreshing plotline. Once I finally got into the story, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd definitely recommend it!

I love the Royals......everything about them is fascinating!! So when I heard about this book, (yes I know it’s fiction) I was super excited because it’s about a Royal Family and a rebellious Princess. A match made in heaven.

Her Royal Highness Princess Adeline Catherine Luisa Lockhart is 30 yrs old and a bit of a trouble maker. Josh Jameson is the American movie star whose father is friends with the King. When Josh and Adeline meet, the games begin. They have an attraction and a connection. It’s cocky, playful, dominant and submissive. And it develops into something more. But The Royal Family doesn’t do things normally. Josh and Adeline can’t happen. The King will never give his blessing because they adhere to rules and to their obligations. Josh, American, Playboy, ..... those are no things Royal.

Josh and Adeline’s relationship has its up and downs. The downs are her family, her responsibilities, and the life that has put constraints on her life. Meeting Josh is freeing and awakening. She feels alive and finally with someone who really understands her. And for Josh, Adeline is the first woman who has made home want more.

This first book lays out all the royal protocols and the dynamics of the royal family. There are some mysteries and intrigues while reading. All the members in and surrounding the royal family are addicting. The ending is very unexpected. There are certain aspects of the story that I did figure out but it only heighten the story.

So now I must patiently wait for the next book. I’m excited to see how things play out. I love that Josh and Adeline have a fierce and powerful connection and love. I just hope that the Royal Family can see that as well.

The Controversial Princess is so much more than a typical contemporary royal tale and Jodi Elle Malpas’ princess is nothing like the spoiled princesses that some romance stories portray. Princess Adeline may live in luxury and want for nothing in the material sense, but she would give anything to be her own person - one who is allowed to make her own decisions and live her life however she deems fit. But Princess Adeline lives more like a prisoner in a gilded cage than a young woman who has her whole life in front of her, and it’s that sense of imprisonment that leads her down a forbidden path, putting her in a rather precarious position because as much as she comes alive while doing something with herself in mind and no one else, the damage she may cause to her own life and to the life of someone who comes to mean everything to her may be irreparable on multiple levels.

JEM has crafted one dynamic heroine in Princess Adeline; it’s easy to understand why Adeline feels the way she does about her life and her family because that information is explored and expanded on throughout the course of the book, and as readers become privy to everything that hides beneath her royal family’s facade, we can’t help but wish that Adeline’s life was her own and that she could be the amazing and dynamic woman that must remain locked up due to royal decrees and dictates and a father who will force his will upon anyone and everyone who he commands.

Princess Adeline is stifled by expectations, imprisoned due to her ‘royal responsibility,’ and caged in a role that she would never choose for herself. But everything changes for her when Josh Jameson enters her life, and while Josh is the complete opposite of any man that the King would advise she have a relationship with or even marry, the fact that she choose Josh and everything that he brings to her life makes Adeline feel more alive and freer than she’s ever felt, and even though she knows that a future with Josh may be an impossibility, she cherishes her time with him and dreams of a way that they can spend their entire lives together.

Josh Jameson is absolutely a forbidden conquest for Princess Adeline, but to readers, he is everything that her life is missing, and we can’t help but cheer them on and hope that their stolen moments become something lasting. But with everything going against Adeline and Josh, nothing will be easy for them, and in true JEM fashion, the twists and turns in the plot line as well as the interference from other characters will result in a bevy of complications - obstacles that will, at times, not seem worth the risk until Adeline and Josh realize that time spent together just might be worth any price.

The Controversial Princess, the first book in Jodi Ellen Malpas’ Smoke & Mirrors duet, proves just how amazing a writer she is because it includes everything I’ve grown to love about JEM’s multifaceted plot lines and her intricate character development. And, while this is only book one of Princess Adeline and Josh Jameson’s story, meaning that readers will have to impatiently wait to see what happens with the wayward princess and her Hollywood heartthrob.

4.5 Poison Apples

5 Stars

Controversial Princess by Jodi Ellen Malpas is the first book in the Smoke & Mirrors Duet. It was un-freaking-believable!!!! That ending!!! Holy WOW!!! It was everything I thought it was going to be! Full of secrets and hidden agendas, Controversial Princess kept me intrigued and left me wanting so much more. I don’t know how Ms.Malpas does it-she writes with such conviction and passion that you can’t help but fall in love with her words.

I am going to try to keep this as vague as possible because I feel you need to experience everything firsthand-Princess Adeline wants to be free. Free of her controlling father, the King, and free to do what she wants. But we all know life isn’t that way and duty comes first. Adeline is rebellious but still fears her dad. Everything changes though when American actor Josh Jamison, comes barreling into her life. He is a force to reckon with and will not bow down to her. She wasn’t expecting that or him at all. What happens when you mix a Royal with a possessive but loyal actor? A damn explosion!!!!

I really don’t have the words to describe everything I felt while reading this story. I was completely blown away at how yes, at its core, it’s a romance novel but it had much more than just love-it was taboo and exciting. The characters were just fantastically written with so many layers that you needed to know the why and the how. Overall Controversial Princess was PHENOMENAL!!! I am seriously going to be sitting here on pins and needles waiting for book 2!!!

Royalty falling for a Hollywood celebrity is not new, and Prince Harry wasn't even the first to do so. Does Prince Rainier of Monaco and Oscar-winning actress Grace Kelly ring any bells? So, no, the idea of someone born into a reigning monarchy falling in love with someone who knows what it's like to have cameras capture their every move, whether they're working or not isn't as novel a concept as you'd think, but let's be honest here: it still piques our interest to heightened levels each and every time. Bestselling author Jodi Ellen Malpas's new Smoke & Mirrors duology explores the idea of a princess known for both her beauty and notoriety and a Hollywood heartthrob known for being sinfully irresistible and how the possibility of an "us" can exist in the worlds they're a part of. After all, happily-ever-afters are only guaranteed for princesses in fairy tales. Reality, indeed, bites...hard.

The Controversial Princess is none other than Her Royal Highness Adeline of England, also known as Adeline Catherine Luisa Lockhart or simply Addy to her brother Prince Edward, aka Eddie. Her story is one she shares with Joshua Jameson, an American actor who may be considered "royalty" in Hollywood but doesn't have the regal background deemed worthy to be with someone like Adeline. These two were like a couple of comets streaking through the sky but destined to crash into one another. There love story is far from conventional; it certainly isn't a fairy tale, but it's one that's filled with tempestuous passion and romance. I can't really give much away in terms of the story, but what I can say is that this is, without a doubt, one of the most heartrending royal romances that I've ever read, and I've read A LOT in my years. This gets five-plus stars, and now the waiting begins for His True Queen. ♥

Controversial is definitely an appropriate title for this Princess. She is very beautiful, witty, smart, sassy, sounds like me no wonder I loved her, (inserted wink here). Adeline, sorry, Princess Adeline is as far from royalty etiquette as you can get. If there is something you shouldn’t do then she most definitely does it.

Just because a person, okay royalty has money, power, and pretty much everything, he or she desires, it doesn’t always equate to that. You can still have all those things and more, but loneliness can be crippling. The need to have a love that excites you, that one person that knows you is quite different than living the life Princess Adeline has lend so far.

Joandisalovebooks heartthrob, Josh Jameson is enough excitement for any Royal Heir to cope with, yes cope and not contend. He’s a force to be reckoned with, but oh! The orgasms, that’s what’s counts, right? How can any woman refuse a man that has magical powers that sends us up in space? Never been there myself, but hey I’m not dead yet. (good job my husband doesn’t read my reviews, I’d be divorced in a week)

Most romance books that have a happily ever after are predictable in the sense we know no matter what happens we are going to love the ending. What’s different about this romance? It’s a new and fresh plot, for me anyways. I love reading storylines that are so far from anything I have read. This Author AKA known as JEM to her fans, has talent for bringing her stories to life. You may not like everything she has ever written, but you can’t ever say she isn’t a writer worthy of some pretty awesome acknowledgements.

I know I am like hundreds probably thousands of women out there that just can’t wait for the next book. Thank you for another great adventure, Jodi.

Wow, just wow !

The Controversial Princess by Jodi Ellen Malpas is the first book in the Smoke and Mirrors Duet. This book was highly anticipated by me and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.
There are only a couple of authors I can rely on to write stories that speak to me every single time. And Jodi Ellen Malpas is one of them. I still remember reading the This Man Series and how I was blown away. I was sucked in and instantly a fan of the author’s writing. That was the beginning, I haven’t regretted it once. The Forbidden is one of my absolute all time favorite reads and near to my heart.
With The Controversial Princess J.M. Malpas wrote a story that spoke to me in more ways than I can count.
Meet Adeline Lockhart. She's a 30 year old princess, groomed to represent kingdom and country. Deep inside she's a free spirit, but heritage and fate keep her trapped in a golden cage, restricted by rules.

The Controversial Princess is a story full of twists and unexpected turns. I was captivated from chapter one. I started reading and I couldn't put the book down. And now I'm sitting here with a major book hangover and don't know what to do. I was so deep in with the characters and I connected so easily with them.
I'm a sucker for royal stories and The Controversial Princess fits right in. When that works for you too – you better one click this book. The Controversial Princess was fantastic from beginning to end, a romantic, enchanting and at the same time raw and gritty story. A story that needs to be read. I highly recommend The Controversial Princess and can't wait for the second book, His True Queen.

The princess is indeed controversial. Actually, she is a lot of things and not all of them are good. It took me a while to warm up to her because I didn't like her character. Once she made up her mind about what she wanted I started to like her. She was constantly pushing Josh away and she kept doubting him and his affection/love towards her when Josh kept proving how much she meant to him. He is a great guy and I would love to see a part of the story from his point of view. Since the title is " His true Queen" I have reason to hope that he is going to be the one who will tell the story of the second book. This story is told only from Adeline's point of view and I got used to it pretty fast despite being a little annoyed in the beginning. The ending of this book is a cliffhanger, but to me at least is not a huge one. On the plus side the final book in the duet will be released in less than three months, so we won't have to wait long.

Adeline is a lot like Eleanor from The Royals (the tv show) and that resemblance to the character made me picture the princess as Alexandra Park. One other thing that I connected with the reality is who a princess is supposed to date. Why can't Adeline have her American boy when in reality Harry got Meghan? I didn't get why her father and brothers were so against it. It's not like Josh is a nobody. Finally, I want to say that the whole time I was reading the book or taking a break from me American Boy by Estelle and Kanye West was playing in my head. I hope now that I have finished the book, it will go away.

Ahh this is definitely one of the harder reviews for me to write and I’m not sure exactly how to word it but I’m going to try.

I struggled with this one big time. I had such a hard time getting engaged with this storyline and specifically these characters. I couldn’t quite feel their connection at first and I found myself taking breaks while reading. I had trouble understanding Adeline’s actions and perhaps it was because of her age in the story. She’s wild and rebellious and with her age I just had trouble seeing that in a 30 year old. Maybe it’s cause I was boring and ready to settle at that age.

However with that being said I did continue reading and will say that once I got to the halfway point the storyline for me got interesting and I started to feel the connection. Perhaps it was seeing her act differently then she did in the first half of the book maybe it was seeing her feeling towards Josh changing and her becoming less rebellious and wanting more.

As well a flurry of activity happens in the last 40 percent of this book that is full of twists and turns a some shocking moments that have now made me somewhat desperate to see what happens next.
Seriously had my mouth gaping at the end of this thinking omg no way !!!

See how this review is so difficult. The first half I struggled with and the last half I devoured. I will absolutely read the next one. I think that those that enjoy a royal story with a few twists and a lot of Hot stolen sexy moments will enjoy this.

This book had perfect timing in my opinion. Being all caught up in the recent Royal Wedding it was nice to dive into Jodi's book and get lost a little more in the "Royals". I can't honestly say which character I was truly more in love with, Princess Adeline or Josh Jamison.

Both of them are used to being high profile and both hating all of the unwanted attention. Josh could pretty much have any woman he wants but the one he wants is highly unattainable. Well that is until Princess Adeline decides that she too wants what she shouldn't have.

Josh and Adeline where fun to spend time with as they started to fall for one another in more than just the physical way. Stealing moments whenever they could just added to the intensity of their passion when they were finally able to be together.

Let us not forget Damon though, Princess Adeline's security and driver who was more like a father figure to her and protector. I could tell at times he was torn in doing what was best for her vs. what she wanted. His loyalty to her knowing no bounds in spite of his better judgment at times.

This book was amazing. A great love story with secrets and deceit laced throughout. This being a duet I knew that there would not be a happy ending but what Jodi leaves us with are questions and excitement to see what comes next. Where will the cards land now that the house of cards has tumbled? I for one, can't wait to see.

For God’s sake! Hold your horses ladies because Jodi Ellen Malpas has done it again! She penned a marvellous book with slight touches of suspense and set it in the Royalty World! The Controversial Princess is bloody perfection. It gives me the goosebumps. I devoured this book like a famished bookworm. I couldn’t put it down. I had a blast. It literally rocked my world. I still have a dreamy air around me wondering if I could be a princess and have my own southern temptation just like Princess Adeline.

This book defies any Royal Romance book that was written before. Jodi’s elegant writing enticed me like no other writer has before. Without any doubt she is the queen of contemporary romance! She delivered an intense, stunning, mind-blowing story with royalty touches that sent me directly to cloud number nine in heaven. I wonder what on heart possessed her to create such a tempting and defiant story. Jodi’s mind is like a web of pure talent and it’s ready to catch you!

The plot is refreshing and the pacing is fast. Each chapter is a great delightful! I can’t imagine a greater enjoyment than reading Jodi’s books, especially this one. The Controversial Princess is a rebellious masterpiece packed with all the feels of what is not expected to be as a challenging, provocative, exciting and very tempting.

Princess Adeline is the strongest, fierce and “most real” royal. She is a feisty, sassy clever heroine worthy of my respect because, honestly, aren’t you bored of the typical perfect princess? She is all the opposite of what is expected from her. You can think that being a princess is all glamour and fancy clothes but there are many duties and protocols to follow. Adeline is defiant of what they the “good” customs. She feels like a bird locked in a golden cage. Her soul craves freedom and her heart craves real love. Her world turned upside down the day she met her equal, her American Boy. He will make her brake all the rules. She will only submit to him. Giving all the control never felt so forbidden!

Josh Jameson is hot as the southern sun. He is temptation and trouble (a dangerous combination). The man is sin on legs. He is illicitly gorgeous. He is almost too much to resist. His possessive and arrogant attitude makes him impossibly attractive. He is a dominant, an untamed alpha male. To be a sex symbol and a hot actor give him brownie points! He likes the challenges and certain princess will rock his life. The woman he wants is forbidden for him and every commoner. She is like a star that shines far away in the sky, untouchable and beautiful. She is a temptress to his control.

Adeline and Josh’s affair will defy the English monarchy in the best and worst ways possible. They shouldn’t be together. They should stay away but the chemistry and the forbidden feelings are stronger than following the rules. Their story is developing in between lies, secrets and smoke mirrors. The power and ambition of third parties attempt to separate them. Sacrifices must be done. Fights should be won. But will they be strong enough to fight the monarchy?

The main success of this book is in the choice of characters and the suggestive plot of something forbidden and scandalous. Everything screams greatness and magnificence: from the classy cover (as usual in Jodi’s books) to the big cliff-hanger ending! I can’t wait to read the conclusion of this duet! I am sure it would be epic. Jodi never disappoints her readers.

This book reaffirms why Jodi Ellen Malpas is in my top list of favourite authors. I absolutely love every word of this book. I swear no one writes romance like she does. It’s unique and magical the way she manages to create such powerful and possessive alpha male characters and empowered female heroines. I highly recommend you this book. This is a must read you should not miss!

The Controversial Princess is a spectacular, breathtaking read!
I was so very lucky to get the chance to early read this book, and OMG I feel so absolutely privileged to have been given the chance and here I will tell you why. This book was written with such a strikingly different formula to what we would normally expect from Jodi and it just astonished me so much that she could write such a book as this, that she could so easily ambush me emotionally with her words, that she could pick me up on a high, spin me around and then suddenly rip my heart out. I was emotionally drained by the end of this book but WOW it really was a fantastic adrenaline rush while reading!
It just shows how adaptable Jodi as a writer is, that her writing can change and adapt to cover almost every romance trope that there is and no matter what she writes I always know that I won't be disappointed by the quality of the story.
The start of this book tells us about Princess Adeline Lockhart as she is getting herself ready to attend her 30th birthday party and right from the very first paragraph you get the feeling and sense of dread that she is so very unhappy. We get to know that she feels trapped in her life of privilege, and knowing that she has no choice but to attend when it's the last thing that she wants to do. I really felt deeply for Adeline's predicament of the King trying to forced her to marry someone she doesn't want while being in love with someone else. I really got to love her character throughout this book, of her wild escapades and of her planning how to get what she wanted. She is after all just young woman that wants to live a normal life and Jodi wrote her as a strong heroine that I could easily connect with and fully understand why she felt so totally trapped because of who she is.
Oh my! Josh Jameson is a very bad boy! He is all temptation and hotness wrapped up in a very pretty package. I could so easily have fallen in love with him and I could totally see why a Princess would bow to no one else but him. Jodi wrote him as an not so over the top controlling alpha male but he certainly goes after what he wants and that is where the attraction is for Adeline as he treats her as a normal woman. They had a powerful attraction that could only go one way and that's explode.
Can you tell by now how much I loved this book? Well it had everything that you could want in a romance and it ticked all the boxes for me and more.
The Heroine is 5/5 (She is one epic lady)
The Hero is 6/5 (HAWT!!!)
The Setting 5/5 (Loved it)
The Romance 5/5 (Swoon worthy)
The Sex 6/5 (Off the charts)
The Secrets & drama 5/5 (OMG)
This story was certainly a blast to read and I'm really excited that it's not so long to wait (August) for the release of the second and concluding book to this series as there is so many questions and answers I need to know after the epic ending to this book. I really think that this is one of the best books that Jodi has written as it's such a deeply emotional story.
A brilliant 5 Star read!

First of all, this story is scandalously fun.

Second, the princess on the cover may look demure and graceful, but the real princess inside is rambunctious, booze-obsessed and very unladylike. What's more, the romance is anything but conventional. Don't hesitate and dive in!

The royal life of duties and public performance in the story is shown in detail and counterbalanced by a wild behaviour behind closed doors for this strong-willed princess. She's in charge of her rebellious bouts of fun because she cannot decide on anything else. After all, her father the King rules her life, too.

That's why meeting Josh Jameson is like applying fire to black powder.

OMG.

The first encounter between the hot American actor and the sassy British princess is alive with incendiary flirting and electrifyingly naughty passion. It surprised me to say the least. It's hot, it's outrageous, and so forbidden it is plain sinful.

The heat crosses boundaries and will tinge your cheeks. All of them :-D

Though this romance is more than flesh-deep. It touches on the need to connect with another human being beyond traditions or expectations. It appeals to anyone's crave for freedom and true happiness.

I love, love the moment Adeline and Josh give in and accept their fierce longing for each other. They share moments of stark pleasure and delightful laughs. Those conversations around a certain premiere are so heartfelt!

This mismatched couple fight against hungry media, old-fashioned royals and unmovable conventions to get their happily-ever-after. Entertainment and gasps are guaranteed throughout that process.

The drama gains momentum up to an exhilarating climax overflowing with defiance, tragedy and wildly shocking cliffhanger. Wow. I NEED the continuation that will release this August! Like oxygen…

(I'm happy to share my honest opinion of this book that I reviewed on my blog Literaria)

This book started out fan-freaking-tastic and I could not get enough of Josh and Adeline’s story. Their chemistry was off the charts hot. The first time he told her to “kneel”…um YES PLEASE! Whatever you want and it’s yours, Josh. He’s the bad boy, American hotshot actor and he’s everything she shouldn’t want but can’t resist. Adeline was such a strong-willed, zero f$#K’s given kind of lady and I loved that about her. Even though that’s the attitude and persona she put out there, there was so much more to her and it took Josh to pull it out of her. Their connection was intense, hot, sweet, and loving…everything you’d want in a romance.

There are lies, scandals with twists and turns here and there; when the lies started pouring out, I was surprised by a couple. My mind was going in a different direction and I still think I might be right but I will have to wait and see. There were characters in the book that made you love them or hate them. Her personal bodyguard, Damon was one that I adored. You could feel the love he had for her and he did everything in his power to protect her. I would love to get a little snippet from his POV where he watched his Princess finally fall in love. There were several I did not trust and still do not trust but I don’t want to give anything away so my lips are zipped.

Overall the story was good and kept me wanting to read. There were some parts that seemed to be too drawn out but power through because you will want to finish the story. I can’t wait for the next book and see how the storyline plays out. Not to mention get some much needed answers.

Another great book from JEM. Now, to be honest, the first quarter of the book was really slow going for me. But once things started happening, I couldn't put this book down!!!

Princess Adeline is life. She's amazing. And JEM wrote her in a fashion where I found myself envying her while simultaneously feeling bad for her, and she was totally relatable, even to a mere peasant such as myself. LOL!!! She's brave, despite her feeling she is not. She's fun and flirty and feels that her life should be just that, her life.

Josh was something else. I wasn't sure how I felt about him at the beginning, but, oh my, he certainly worked his way into my heart. He's a man who goes after what he wants, consequences be damned. He's sexy and swoony and I just love him.

Their relationship progressed rather quickly, but it still felt very real. The ups and downs that they had to deal with, what with both of them being famous.

I loved most of the secondary characters, especially Damon, and I loathed some of the characters as well. LOL!!!

I also went into this blind, not realizing this was a duet, so that ending totally threw me for a loop. Whoa!!!

I'd definitely recommend this book. It was so well written, with great characters and a unique, refreshing plotline. Once I finally got into the story, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd definitely recommend it!

I love the Royals......everything about them is fascinating!! So when I heard about this book, (yes I know it’s fiction) I was super excited because it’s about a Royal Family and a rebellious Princess. A match made in heaven.

Her Royal Highness Princess Adeline Catherine Luisa Lockhart is 30 yrs old and a bit of a trouble maker. Josh Jameson is the American movie star whose father is friends with the King. When Josh and Adeline meet, the games begin. They have an attraction and a connection. It’s cocky, playful, dominant and submissive. And it develops into something more. But The Royal Family doesn’t do things normally. Josh and Adeline can’t happen. The King will never give his blessing because they adhere to rules and to their obligations. Josh, American, Playboy, ..... those are no things Royal.

Josh and Adeline’s relationship has its up and downs. The downs are her family, her responsibilities, and the life that has put constraints on her life. Meeting Josh is freeing and awakening. She feels alive and finally with someone who really understands her. And for Josh, Adeline is the first woman who has made home want more.

This first book lays out all the royal protocols and the dynamics of the royal family. There are some mysteries and intrigues while reading. All the members in and surrounding the royal family are addicting. The ending is very unexpected. There are certain aspects of the story that I did figure out but it only heighten the story.

So now I must patiently wait for the next book. I’m excited to see how things play out. I love that Josh and Adeline have a fierce and powerful connection and love. I just hope that the Royal Family can see that as well.

The Controversial Princess is so much more than a typical contemporary royal tale and Jodi Elle Malpas’ princess is nothing like the spoiled princesses that some romance stories portray. Princess Adeline may live in luxury and want for nothing in the material sense, but she would give anything to be her own person - one who is allowed to make her own decisions and live her life however she deems fit. But Princess Adeline lives more like a prisoner in a gilded cage than a young woman who has her whole life in front of her, and it’s that sense of imprisonment that leads her down a forbidden path, putting her in a rather precarious position because as much as she comes alive while doing something with herself in mind and no one else, the damage she may cause to her own life and to the life of someone who comes to mean everything to her may be irreparable on multiple levels.

JEM has crafted one dynamic heroine in Princess Adeline; it’s easy to understand why Adeline feels the way she does about her life and her family because that information is explored and expanded on throughout the course of the book, and as readers become privy to everything that hides beneath her royal family’s facade, we can’t help but wish that Adeline’s life was her own and that she could be the amazing and dynamic woman that must remain locked up due to royal decrees and dictates and a father who will force his will upon anyone and everyone who he commands.

Princess Adeline is stifled by expectations, imprisoned due to her ‘royal responsibility,’ and caged in a role that she would never choose for herself. But everything changes for her when Josh Jameson enters her life, and while Josh is the complete opposite of any man that the King would advise she have a relationship with or even marry, the fact that she choose Josh and everything that he brings to her life makes Adeline feel more alive and freer than she’s ever felt, and even though she knows that a future with Josh may be an impossibility, she cherishes her time with him and dreams of a way that they can spend their entire lives together.

Josh Jameson is absolutely a forbidden conquest for Princess Adeline, but to readers, he is everything that her life is missing, and we can’t help but cheer them on and hope that their stolen moments become something lasting. But with everything going against Adeline and Josh, nothing will be easy for them, and in true JEM fashion, the twists and turns in the plot line as well as the interference from other characters will result in a bevy of complications - obstacles that will, at times, not seem worth the risk until Adeline and Josh realize that time spent together just might be worth any price.

The Controversial Princess, the first book in Jodi Ellen Malpas’ Smoke & Mirrors duet, proves just how amazing a writer she is because it includes everything I’ve grown to love about JEM’s multifaceted plot lines and her intricate character development. And, while this is only book one of Princess Adeline and Josh Jameson’s story, meaning that readers will have to impatiently wait to see what happens with the wayward princess and her Hollywood heartthrob.

4.5 Poison Apples

5 Stars

Controversial Princess by Jodi Ellen Malpas is the first book in the Smoke & Mirrors Duet. It was un-freaking-believable!!!! That ending!!! Holy WOW!!! It was everything I thought it was going to be! Full of secrets and hidden agendas, Controversial Princess kept me intrigued and left me wanting so much more. I don’t know how Ms.Malpas does it-she writes with such conviction and passion that you can’t help but fall in love with her words.

I am going to try to keep this as vague as possible because I feel you need to experience everything firsthand-Princess Adeline wants to be free. Free of her controlling father, the King, and free to do what she wants. But we all know life isn’t that way and duty comes first. Adeline is rebellious but still fears her dad. Everything changes though when American actor Josh Jamison, comes barreling into her life. He is a force to reckon with and will not bow down to her. She wasn’t expecting that or him at all. What happens when you mix a Royal with a possessive but loyal actor? A damn explosion!!!!

I really don’t have the words to describe everything I felt while reading this story. I was completely blown away at how yes, at its core, it’s a romance novel but it had much more than just love-it was taboo and exciting. The characters were just fantastically written with so many layers that you needed to know the why and the how. Overall Controversial Princess was PHENOMENAL!!! I am seriously going to be sitting here on pins and needles waiting for book 2!!!

Royalty falling for a Hollywood celebrity is not new, and Prince Harry wasn't even the first to do so. Does Prince Rainier of Monaco and Oscar-winning actress Grace Kelly ring any bells? So, no, the idea of someone born into a reigning monarchy falling in love with someone who knows what it's like to have cameras capture their every move, whether they're working or not isn't as novel a concept as you'd think, but let's be honest here: it still piques our interest to heightened levels each and every time. Bestselling author Jodi Ellen Malpas's new Smoke & Mirrors duology explores the idea of a princess known for both her beauty and notoriety and a Hollywood heartthrob known for being sinfully irresistible and how the possibility of an "us" can exist in the worlds they're a part of. After all, happily-ever-afters are only guaranteed for princesses in fairy tales. Reality, indeed, bites...hard.

The Controversial Princess is none other than Her Royal Highness Adeline of England, also known as Adeline Catherine Luisa Lockhart or simply Addy to her brother Prince Edward, aka Eddie. Her story is one she shares with Joshua Jameson, an American actor who may be considered "royalty" in Hollywood but doesn't have the regal background deemed worthy to be with someone like Adeline. These two were like a couple of comets streaking through the sky but destined to crash into one another. There love story is far from conventional; it certainly isn't a fairy tale, but it's one that's filled with tempestuous passion and romance. I can't really give much away in terms of the story, but what I can say is that this is, without a doubt, one of the most heartrending royal romances that I've ever read, and I've read A LOT in my years. This gets five-plus stars, and now the waiting begins for His True Queen. ♥

Controversial is definitely an appropriate title for this Princess. She is very beautiful, witty, smart, sassy, sounds like me no wonder I loved her, (inserted wink here). Adeline, sorry, Princess Adeline is as far from royalty etiquette as you can get. If there is something you shouldn’t do then she most definitely does it.

Just because a person, okay royalty has money, power, and pretty much everything, he or she desires, it doesn’t always equate to that. You can still have all those things and more, but loneliness can be crippling. The need to have a love that excites you, that one person that knows you is quite different than living the life Princess Adeline has lend so far.

Joandisalovebooks heartthrob, Josh Jameson is enough excitement for any Royal Heir to cope with, yes cope and not contend. He’s a force to be reckoned with, but oh! The orgasms, that’s what’s counts, right? How can any woman refuse a man that has magical powers that sends us up in space? Never been there myself, but hey I’m not dead yet. (good job my husband doesn’t read my reviews, I’d be divorced in a week)

Most romance books that have a happily ever after are predictable in the sense we know no matter what happens we are going to love the ending. What’s different about this romance? It’s a new and fresh plot, for me anyways. I love reading storylines that are so far from anything I have read. This Author AKA known as JEM to her fans, has talent for bringing her stories to life. You may not like everything she has ever written, but you can’t ever say she isn’t a writer worthy of some pretty awesome acknowledgements.

I know I am like hundreds probably thousands of women out there that just can’t wait for the next book. Thank you for another great adventure, Jodi.

Wow, just wow !

The Controversial Princess by Jodi Ellen Malpas is the first book in the Smoke and Mirrors Duet. This book was highly anticipated by me and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.
There are only a couple of authors I can rely on to write stories that speak to me every single time. And Jodi Ellen Malpas is one of them. I still remember reading the This Man Series and how I was blown away. I was sucked in and instantly a fan of the author’s writing. That was the beginning, I haven’t regretted it once. The Forbidden is one of my absolute all time favorite reads and near to my heart.
With The Controversial Princess J.M. Malpas wrote a story that spoke to me in more ways than I can count.
Meet Adeline Lockhart. She's a 30 year old princess, groomed to represent kingdom and country. Deep inside she's a free spirit, but heritage and fate keep her trapped in a golden cage, restricted by rules.

The Controversial Princess is a story full of twists and unexpected turns. I was captivated from chapter one. I started reading and I couldn't put the book down. And now I'm sitting here with a major book hangover and don't know what to do. I was so deep in with the characters and I connected so easily with them.
I'm a sucker for royal stories and The Controversial Princess fits right in. When that works for you too – you better one click this book. The Controversial Princess was fantastic from beginning to end, a romantic, enchanting and at the same time raw and gritty story. A story that needs to be read. I highly recommend The Controversial Princess and can't wait for the second book, His True Queen.

The princess is indeed controversial. Actually, she is a lot of things and not all of them are good. It took me a while to warm up to her because I didn't like her character. Once she made up her mind about what she wanted I started to like her. She was constantly pushing Josh away and she kept doubting him and his affection/love towards her when Josh kept proving how much she meant to him. He is a great guy and I would love to see a part of the story from his point of view. Since the title is " His true Queen" I have reason to hope that he is going to be the one who will tell the story of the second book. This story is told only from Adeline's point of view and I got used to it pretty fast despite being a little annoyed in the beginning. The ending of this book is a cliffhanger, but to me at least is not a huge one. On the plus side the final book in the duet will be released in less than three months, so we won't have to wait long.

Adeline is a lot like Eleanor from The Royals (the tv show) and that resemblance to the character made me picture the princess as Alexandra Park. One other thing that I connected with the reality is who a princess is supposed to date. Why can't Adeline have her American boy when in reality Harry got Meghan? I didn't get why her father and brothers were so against it. It's not like Josh is a nobody. Finally, I want to say that the whole time I was reading the book or taking a break from me American Boy by Estelle and Kanye West was playing in my head. I hope now that I have finished the book, it will go away.

Ahh this is definitely one of the harder reviews for me to write and I’m not sure exactly how to word it but I’m going to try.

I struggled with this one big time. I had such a hard time getting engaged with this storyline and specifically these characters. I couldn’t quite feel their connection at first and I found myself taking breaks while reading. I had trouble understanding Adeline’s actions and perhaps it was because of her age in the story. She’s wild and rebellious and with her age I just had trouble seeing that in a 30 year old. Maybe it’s cause I was boring and ready to settle at that age.

However with that being said I did continue reading and will say that once I got to the halfway point the storyline for me got interesting and I started to feel the connection. Perhaps it was seeing her act differently then she did in the first half of the book maybe it was seeing her feeling towards Josh changing and her becoming less rebellious and wanting more.

As well a flurry of activity happens in the last 40 percent of this book that is full of twists and turns a some shocking moments that have now made me somewhat desperate to see what happens next.
Seriously had my mouth gaping at the end of this thinking omg no way !!!

See how this review is so difficult. The first half I struggled with and the last half I devoured. I will absolutely read the next one. I think that those that enjoy a royal story with a few twists and a lot of Hot stolen sexy moments will enjoy this.

This book had perfect timing in my opinion. Being all caught up in the recent Royal Wedding it was nice to dive into Jodi's book and get lost a little more in the "Royals". I can't honestly say which character I was truly more in love with, Princess Adeline or Josh Jamison.

Both of them are used to being high profile and both hating all of the unwanted attention. Josh could pretty much have any woman he wants but the one he wants is highly unattainable. Well that is until Princess Adeline decides that she too wants what she shouldn't have.

Josh and Adeline where fun to spend time with as they started to fall for one another in more than just the physical way. Stealing moments whenever they could just added to the intensity of their passion when they were finally able to be together.

Let us not forget Damon though, Princess Adeline's security and driver who was more like a father figure to her and protector. I could tell at times he was torn in doing what was best for her vs. what she wanted. His loyalty to her knowing no bounds in spite of his better judgment at times.

This book was amazing. A great love story with secrets and deceit laced throughout. This being a duet I knew that there would not be a happy ending but what Jodi leaves us with are questions and excitement to see what comes next. Where will the cards land now that the house of cards has tumbled? I for one, can't wait to see.