Book Review: Paper Princess (The Royals, #1) by Erin Watt
When I first stumbled upon Paper Princess, I’ll admit, the allure of a “poor girl meets rich boy” trope caught my attention. With a name like Erin Watt, I was curious how this story would unfold. What I didn’t anticipate was the whirlwind of chaos and frustration that would come with it. Buckle up, because what follows is a rollercoaster of feelings—I’ll try to make sense of it all.
From the outset, Paper Princess presents itself as a classic contemporary romance, where Ella, our naive protagonist, is thrust into a world of opulence she’s never known. We quickly learn that she’s the estranged daughter of a wealthy man, navigating her new life with a bunch of rich kids who are equally petulant. With layers of love triangles rearing their heads—yes, you read that correctly—I was, at times, perplexed by the sheer mishandling of this potentially juicy plot.
Erin Watt’s writing felt all over the place. I mean, the dialogue often resembled what you’d expect from a teenage Wattpad story rather than a refined narrative. The character development was shaky at best, leaving me asking, "What was the actual point?" The love triangles felt half-hearted and abandoned midway, leaving me wondering if the author lost her way in the complexity of them.
As for character dynamics, let’s talk about Reed—Ella’s love interest. What a disaster. Yes, we get that this is a hate-to-love romance, but I’ve never found myself rolling my eyes so hard at a character. Reed’s initial behavior is cringe-worthy; he’s both disrespectful and dismissive. Bullying Ella while masquerading as a tortured soul, the portrayal felt harmful rather than romantic.
One of the more troubling aspects was how the book dealt with serious themes. Ella’s backstory of loss and hardship was touched upon superficially. Rather than delving into her trauma in a meaningful way, the narrative skimmed the surface, reducing complex feelings to mere plot devices. It felt like a missed opportunity to explore real emotional depth.
Notably, the narrative features disturbing moments, especially regarding consent and the aftermath of drugging, which caused a visceral reaction. It left me grappling with feelings of discomfort rather than connection—questions of morality and representation danced in my mind. The portrayal of female rivalry seemed utterly misplaced, reinforcing some troubling stereotypes—a point that I found perplexing in a story crafted by female authors.
Yet, in the midst of all that chaos, I did find moments where I could appreciate Watt’s attempt to weave drama into modern-day experiences. For all its flaws, there’s glimmering potential in the characters and plot arcs, which some readers might enjoy if they’re looking for an indulgent guilty pleasure.
In conclusion, Paper Princess is certainly not for everyone. If you can overlook problematic elements and enjoy an over-the-top, sometimes dismal romance, you might find something in this book. However, if you’re seeking nuanced storytelling and relatable character arcs, I’d encourage you to take a different path. The reading experience, for me, was fraught with frustration, but it also sparked conversations about portrayal and character dynamics that I think are worth having.
So, if you’re intrigued by trending themes of wealth and rebellion—or simply enjoy a wild ride of a read—perhaps give it a shot. Just maybe keep the wine close; you might need it!
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