When a Texas gal punches a prince instead of curtsying, you know this isn’t your grandmother’s fairy tale.
Taking the bull by the horns is child’s play compared to ruling Malveaux. Yet here I am, a Texas girl turned princess, swapping tacos for a tiara.
Then I meet Europe’s most eligible bachelor, the irritatingly handsome Prince Alexander, and accidentally deck him instead of curtsying.
Oops.
I’d feel bad if he wasn’t such a self-satisfied jerk.
Now, I’m racing against a royal clock that ticks with the urgency of a preening peacock, trying not to let down my newfound country or my own wild heart. Alexander? He’s a walking contradiction, with a smirk that heats my blood and eyes that tell tales of a depth I didn’t expect.
Decisions aren’t exactly my rodeo, but this time, my choice could cost me my new crown—or lead to a love story that rewrites my happily ever after.
Will this Texas girl rise to the royal challenge, or is this one fairytale destined to end with the slipper never found?
👑 Enemies to lovers
👑 Reformed bad boy hero
👑 Fish out of water heroine
👑 No third act breakup
👑 Forced proximity
👑 Dual POV
… and peacocks 🦚
The Princess Diaries meets The Hating Game in this in this dizzyingly romantic modern royal romcom for grown-ups, where an American girl’s unexpected ascent to royalty collides with a fiery romance with a hot neighboring prince. The Backup Princess is a closed-door romance with all the sizzle but without the spice, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
All the titles in the Royally Kissed series can be read as standalone novels or as part of the series.
Readers’ Favorite Book Awards Medal Winner in the Romantic Comedy Category, 2024
Swoony Award Winner, Royalty Category, 2024
There are 2 options for the print book – one with facial features and one without. Click on the relevant image and you’ll be taken to Amazon’s site to purchase.
Praise for The Backup Princess:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I loved the snippets of humor in the narrative. Whether it was the conversations between Maddie and her grandma or Alex and his siblings, this made Maddie’s experiences more relatable and entertaining. If you are looking for a relaxing read at the end of a stressful day, I suggest this book.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Dive into a world where wonderful characters and sizzling kisses are just the beginning. This fast-paced story will have you flipping pages faster than a royal decree!” – bestselling author, Melanie Summers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “In a realm where amazing world-building meets toe-curling romance, this royal romcom spins a tale with all the vibes of a modern fairy tale. It’s fast-paced, flirty, and utterly irresistible.” –USA Today bestselling author, Whitney Dineen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Where every page crackles with sizzling chemistry and fast-paced escapades, this royal romcom brings amazing world-building and Princess Diaries vibes together for a match made in royal heaven.” –USA Today bestselling author, Delancey Stewart
What readers are saying:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Absolutely not to be missed!” – Amazon reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “So much swoony fun!” – Bookbub reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Y’all! It’s giving Princess Diaries vibes, and I’m 1000% here for it!!!” – Amazon reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A rich and wonderful rom-com with delightful characters and lots of humour.” – Goodreads reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This was The Princess Diaries on steroids!” – Bookstagram reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “The Princess Diaries meets Red, White and Royal Blue!” – NetGalley reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Love love loved it! A modern fairy tale with all the feels!” – Goodreads reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “There was so much chemistry between these two! It was practically hate at first sight for Alex and Maddie. But, I think that was what made it so much fun to watch them peel back the layers to discover their softer feelings for one another. Anyone who’s ever felt like a fish out of water can empathize with Maddie’s sudden change in circumstances. And everyone who’s ever been judged for who they were before they became a better version of themselves, will know exactly where Alex is coming from.” – Goodreads reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “If you’re like me and loved The Princess Diaries as a teen and are looking for a fun romcom with those same vibes— this is IT.” – Bookbub reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I absolutely loved everything about it… I loved the storyline, the sweet swoony scenes, this is really a great, clean story and I am already looking forward to the next in the series and hopefully they are about Alex’s siblings.” – Goodreads reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I love the witty banter and the strong aversion they had toward each other. There is definitely the fairytale vibe going on.. The characters were fun and Intriguing. The plot was well thought out and made for an entertaining and enjoyable read.” – Goodreads reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This story is full of fun times, plenty of sarcasm, flirtation, wittiness, struggles and love. I swooned with Alexander and loved Maddie’s spunk.” – Amazon reviewer
An AI imagining of Prince Alexander and Princess Madeline at the palace in Tleurbonne, Malveaux
Titles in the Royally Kissed series:
Each title in the series can be read as a standalone as each book is about one of the four royal siblings, Alexander, Sofia, Amelia, and Max. If you want to read them in order, here it is:
Book 1: The Backup Princess
Book 2: Royally Matched
Book 3: The Royal Runaway
Book 4: Royally Off-Limits
Below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about The Backup Princess
1. What is The Backup Princess about?
It’s a modern, closed-door royal rom‑com featuring Maddie, a regular Texas girl thrust into royalty in the fictitious European country of Malveaux, who accidentally punches playboy Prince “McHottie” Alexander instead of curtsying. The Backup Princess is a fun and swoony modern day romance that will have you laughing out loud and falling in love.
2. What tropes does The Backup Princess include?
This book features classic enemies‑to‑lovers, forced proximity, fish‑out‑of‑water, second‑chance royal duty vs. personal love, and a reformed bad‑boy hero—all in dual POV with cheerleading from palace peacocks.
3. Is it spicy or sweet?
he Backup Princess i is a closed‑door romance. There is lots of sizzling chemistry without explicit scenes, so it’s suitable for teens through to 90-year-olds!
4. Where is it set?
The Backup Princess is set in the fictional kingdom of Malveaux with connections to its neighbor Ledonia, complete with palaces, grand balls, and royal duties. Malveaux has a French feel, and Ledonia has an Italian feel.
5. Who are the main characters?
- Madeline/Maddie, a Texas-born princess heir to Malveaux
- Prince Alexander, the grumpy, reformed “party prince” of Ledonia, aka Prince McHottie
6. Do I need to read other Royally Kissed books first?
You don’t! Each title in the Royally Kissed series functions as a standalone with its own self-contained story. That said, the series features interconnected royals, so readers of the other books may appreciate cameos, and this title is the first book in the series.
7. What if I loved The Princess Diaries or The Hating Game?
This is a great match! Comparisons are frequent, and reviewers have specifically called it “The Princess Diaries meets The Hating Game”. The Backup Princess has and it has won awards in the royal rom‑com category with Readers Favorite Book Awards and the Swoony Awardsw.
8. Is there a happily-ever-after?
Yes! As a firmly rooted rom‑com, The Backup Princess guarantees a satisfying HEA .
9. When was it published and what awards has it won?
The Backup Princess was released April 4, 2024, it’s a Readers’ Favorite Medal Winner and a Swoony Award Winner in the royalty category for 2024.
10. Where can I buy it and in what formats?
The Backup Princess is available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook. Two cover styles are available for print editions. The ebook is available on Amazon and is in Kindle Unlimited.
11. Is The Backup Princess available in other languages?
Yes! The book is also available in German and is called Die Backup Princessen and in French as
12. What books is Kate O’Keeffe’s The Backup Princess similar too?
Royally Rearranged by Emma St. Clair, Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck, The Bodyguard by Katherine Center, Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter, Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood, and of course The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot for it’s royal theme and humor, and The Hating Game by Sally Thorne for its enemies to. lovers vibe.
13. Who enjoy like The Backup Princess?
The Backup Princess is perfect for fans of sweet, clean royal enemies‑to‑lovers romances who love to laugh and fall in love with rich characters, wonderful world building, and a wonderful happily ever after.