Can you believe it’s been 4 years since Mia found out she was a princess? I can’t, but it’s lovely to see how much Mia has grown by the time of Forever Princess. Probably with the help of a lot of therapy but she seems much more calm and in control of herself, knowing what she wants. Which is fitting as senior year is wrapping up. She’s been accepted to every school, J.P. is amazing and she finished her senior project.

But of course, things can’t stay even-kneeled for long. Mia has been lying to everyone around her and it’s starting to stress her out. It comes from a good place after all, who wants to be the girl bragging about getting into all Ivy Leagues?

Especially as she suspects that her title was a big draw. Which might explain why her senior project (a historical romance novel. Not a dissertation about the many techniques in Genovia’s vinegar) hasn’t been accepted by any publishers since she’s using a nom de plume. Add the fact that her father is losing the PM election to her detestable cousin and J.P. paying more attention to his magnum opus of a play instead of prom, she feels like a big fraud.

Then Michael returns and Grandmere puts aside her disdain for That Boy to pressure Mia to talk to him (after two years btw!) to donate his new invention to Genovian hospitals!

I love it all! Especially as this feels like a fitting full circle book with Mia’s graduation. She’s no longer the dorky, hyperexcited freshman we met. I mean, yes, still can be overdramatic and lost in her own world, but she has more of an appreciation for her life and the people around her. It’s cool to see where the other characters are ending up and I appreciate the drama that comes when Mia realizes that even though J.P. seems perfect on paper for her, he doesn’t give her the same spark as the one she feels for Michael. Of course, there’s additional smarmy reasons for Mia to break up with J.P. that nicely forshadowed his true nature but I liked the previous thread too before Mia realized what a jerk J.P. is.

I really enjoyed how they cleared the air when they reunite and made me hopeful for how their relationship will continue from this book forward.

All the other characters are also given suitable endings like Lilly who is still not friends with Mia again, but has gained success with her show in Korea and finds enough maturity to move on from her anger. Lena is still hilariously brash, Tina is a sweetheart and a big support of Mia’s book and so on. Also really enjoyed the girl talk between them when Mia is slightly offended of how they’re more impressed that she wrote a book than the fact that she’s not a virgin.

Also the prom scene, the prom scene is perfect!

Finally, my favorite part was the ending when Mia lists the lessons she has learned from being a princess. And no it’s not just about how to walk in high heels. But how to stand up for herself and be her own person, good friendships vs toxic friendships, and losing the things you wanted but didn’t need, and getting things you never realized you wanted.

And so the story ends. . . Until Cabot returned years later with a Royal Wedding!

I’ll admit I didn’t read this when it came out so it’s not much of a reread but I did know a few spoilers.

Set 5 years later, big things have happened like Mia’s father getting arrested, risking scandal and his position as PM, and her stepfather died. It almost feels like whiplash with how the last book ended so happily and hopeful with her father promising to bring bright prospects to Genovia. Also I liked Frank and Mia’s mom together.

Anyway, this book is the most adult for several reasons as Mia’s diary is more like a journal filled with notes of future appointments as well as her thoughts on the day. She’s still a bit scatterbrained and overly-concerned with her health but who can blame her with all the drama that’s happening. Aided by Grandmere spilling fake news stories like Michael proposing to Mia to take attention off of her son’s misdemeanors.

Then Michael does propose and suddenly Mia has a wedding to plan!

While I feel that the previous book was a good end to the series and that it could have stopped there. I can’t help but admit it’s great to see everyone again especially with all the new twists that have happened between the five years since then and now.

And yes, I was aware of one of the surprise twists involving Mia having a half-sister. I mean Cabot releasing a new middle grade series around her certainly gave it away. I’ll admit I found it a bit out of the left field, and it makes Phillipe look like a huge jerk, but they acknowledged that within the story so I’ll allow it especially as its clear that Mia adores Olivia and will add some grounding in her life since Olivia seems prenaturally mature at times thanks to her less-ideal upbringing.

And then the big twist at the end of the book which SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT

———————————————————————————————————————————————-Mia’s pregant with twins! Twins!

TWINS!

I had no idea that was coming, my jaw dropped, omg.

Soon the wedding falls to the wayside with that news which was a bit disappointing as I was waiting to read all the lavish descriptions and extravagance that Grandmere would order. But still, twins! It made me all the more excited to see how far Mia has come and how she’ll be as a mother considering all her work at her charity center. Now she’ll be a mother queen and it makes me super eager for her next book coming this May!

Oh yeah, while the Royal Wedding was a bit of a self-indulgent return to Mia’s world, it’s a welcome one to see everyone again and setting up even more exciting adventures about being a modern royal of a fictional country.