Ransom My Heart

by Mia Thermopolis, Meg Cabot

Overview

A “hilarious medieval romance [and] sure-to-please page-turner” from the heroine of the New York Times–bestselling Princess Diaries and her creator (Booklist, starred review).
 
Mia Thermopolis, Princess of Genovia and star of Meg Cabot's insanely popular #1 New York Times bestselling Princess Diaries books, has “penned” her first historical romance novel . . . with help from Meg Cabot.
 
He's a tall, handsome knight with a secret. She's an adventurous beauty with more than a few secrets of her own. Finnula needs money for her sister's dowry, and fast. Hugo Fitzstephen, returning home to England from the Crusades with saddlebags of jewels, has money, and lots of it. What could be simpler than to kidnap him and hold him for ransom?
 
Well, for starters, Finnula could make the terrible mistake of falling in love with her hostage.
 
Princess Mia Thermopolis, Meg Cabot's most beloved character, has always been an outspoken animal-rights activist and committed environmentalist. In keeping with Mia's true spirit, Meg will be donating her advance to Greenpeace.
 
“Thoroughly enjoyable and funny.” —Publishers Weekly

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061984761
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	08/18/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	420
Sales rank:	911,831
File size:	933 KB

About the Author

MEG CABOT’s many books for both adults and teens have included numerous #1 New York Times bestsellers, with more than twenty-five million copies sold worldwide. Her Princess Diaries series was made into two hit films by Disney, with a third movie coming soon. Meg currently lives in Key West, Florida, with her husband and various cats.

Editorial Reviews

The gimmick to accompany the conclusion of the Princess Diaries is this delightful historical romance written by series heroine Princess Mia Thermopolis ("with help from" Cabot, who is donating all proceeds to Greenpeace). Finn Crais is the resourceful daughter of a miller living in Stephensgate, England, in 1291. When Finn's older sister, Mellana, gets pregnant by a troubadour and has no money for a dowry, Finn agrees to carry out Mellana's ridiculous plan to abduct a wealthy man and hold him ransom, settling on Earl Hugh Fitzstephen, fresh back from the crusades and loaded with gold and jewels. Finn doesn't realize who it is she's captured, and Fitzstephen, owing to a curiosity about Finn and wanting to see where the kidnapping will lead, plays along. As to be expected, passions become enflamed, and Finn discovers her sister's plan may not be a simple as she originally thought. Though predictable, the novel is thoroughly enjoyable and funny. Cabot's fans, and particularly those graduating from the Princess Diaries, will be pleased, especially as they may have read brief excerpts in Forever Princess, the series finale (Reviews, p. 55). (Jan.)

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Publishers Weekly

Selecting an author is the first oddity of this book. Is it Thermopolis, the fictional main character from Cabot's "The Princess Diaries" series, or is it Cabot, who in her introduction points out that similarities between the characters of Mia's imagination and those in Mia's (fictional) world are purely coincidental? Then there's the medieval setting that juxtaposes proper historical details with women who are saucily outspoken and in total control of their lives. As for the plot, it's simple and familiar: the fair Finnula, confirmed tomboy, kidnaps Hugo, the Earl of Stephensgate, on his return from the Crusades and angrily falls in love only to become a reluctant bride/lady. Before their happy ending, they uncover who's trying to kill Hugo and frame Finn while sharing their combative joy with family and friends. Is it new author Thermopolis writing a standard, formulaic romance, or is it Cabot poking fun at what can make some romance novels seem so cliché? With likable characters and snappy dialog, this book will be sought by Cabot fans of all ages; however, sex scenes prevent it from being suitable for her youngest readers.
—Stacey Hayman

Library Journal