A Princess for Christmas is the literary equivalent of a cozy sweater, a warm hug, and a rich cup of cocoa. It is funny, sweet, and comforting without being overly cutesy. I was almost ridiculously charmed by this book which brought me so much joy in mid-pandemic meltdown.

It’s December in New York City, where Leo Ricci is the superintendent of the apartment building where he lives with his eleven-year-old sister, Gabby. He’s been taking care of her since their parents died two years ago. He picks up extra money by driving a cab, which is how he meets Princess Marie of Eldovia. Marie is in New York City on business. She is trying to keep her family’s watch business alive by networking and visiting stores that sell their upscale watches. When Leo gives Marie a ride to a party they soon find themselves in what Leo calls “A Hallmark movie, but with sex.”

This book opens with Gabby telling Leo that she has gotten her first period, a scene which is soon followed by Marie helping Leo pick out a selection of menstrual pads for Gabby at CVS at one in the morning. Marie offers to pay for them but has no cash and “We don’t take princess credit at CVS, honey,” the clerk tells her. I laughed so hard I scared my cat.

Gabby is thrilled to be friends with a real-life princess, Leo is thrilled because Marie hires him to be her driver in New York for an amazing amount of money, and Marie is thrilled because Leo keeps finding little breaks for her in her schedule that are just long enough for her to see Rockefeller Center or eat some real New York food. I am thrilled because this combination of play (tourist things!) and the hard work of being a parent and a friend and a royal who takes her responsibilities seriously is my absolute romance recipe. I swear the second they walked into that CVS I was a goner.

Both Leo and Marie had parents who died at Christmas (her father is still alive, but has become distant and autocratic since her mother’s death). So they are gentle with each other and try to make each other’s holiday seasons enjoyable – especially when Marie invites Leo and Gabby to Eldovia, home of a chocolate festival (!!!!!). This is the more escapist half of the novel. Eldovia is right out of a Hallmark movie (Leo mentions this more than once) and Leo and Marie try having no-strings-attached sex as Marie’s last fling before having to enter a political marriage. If you like snow, chocolate, snow globes, and beer then you will love this part of the book.

What I love about Leo and Marie’s romance is that it begins with two people being kind to each other and builds from that point. Marie and Leo are consistently considerate to one another even when they fight. They are both natural caregivers for the people around them and they also have flaws that keep them grounded and real. One of my favorite moments involves Marie asking Leo to sign an NDA. By the time he finishes explaining why that makes him angry, she sees his point of view so clearly that she apologizes and retracts her request. When Marie finishes explaining why she asked for one in the first place, Leo sees her point of view so clearly that he apologizes and insists on signing one. It’s just hilarious and lovely to see two people listen to each other so closely that they have a brief mini-fight after the main fight just so they can switch sides and argue the other person’s point.

Even though this book is full of hot chocolate, beautiful dresses, and a real castle, Marie and Leo have real problems of the familial, emotional, and economic kind. These realities keep the story from being cloying, while the picturesque aspects keep it from being depressing. That said, the New York City portrayed was very straight and very White, which I found disappointing given the realities and demographics of today. While Leo’s Italian American heritage is explored, I’d have loved to have seen more inclusiveness in this story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I found it to be feminist and sexy, loving and funny. It was the book I had no idea I needed and it comforted me right down to my toes. I absolutely recommend this as a holiday de-stressor and I am hoping that there is a more inclusive sequel for some of the supporting characters.