The Princess Diaries: Volume 7 and 3/4: Valentine Princess

Any of the partial books are super small, but still fun. Really great series for younger children. It goes through topics in an age-appropriate way and follows Mia as she is growing up.

My daughter appreciated this as a Valentine's Day gift and is enjoying the peripheral storyline.

I really enjoyed this book, it follows the format of the traditional fractional princess diaries. Mia starts freaking when she finds out Michael hates Valentine's Day, complains to us and Tina for a few dozen pages, we get the usual rift between Lilly and Boris. At the end, everyone ends up happy on Valentine's Day, except Lana, who's mentioned in about 2 pages of this book. My one qualm is that Grandmere seems like a rich dotty old lady here, following the advice of an astrologist, rather than the snappy down-to-earth b**** we're all used to. But overall, it was a nice read, and a good way to pass the time waiting for PD IX.

I was so happy with this book. It was funny, entertaining, and ultimately a fast read. And I mean really fast... I don't even think this book took me an hour. Overall, I think all of Meg's Princess Diarie's fans are going to love this book...

Mia is on her way to Genovia when she discovers a time travel ticket (well, actually her old journal) that takes her back to her very first Valentine's Day with Michael. What a find! The first entry is for February 11th and tells how Mia met her grandmother's astrologist, Dr. Steve. Dr. Steve predicts grave danger plus a marriage proposal for Grandmere while Mia secretly scoffs. Mia doesn't believe it, yet she fears hearing her own forecast. Dr. Steve is insistent on telling it to her anyway. Mia is sure that Dr. Steve's predictions are foolishness; however, she is dismayed to hear him foretell that she will have a caboting relationship with a Leo. Mia screams that he can only be wrong since her beloved Michael is a Capricorn, and even suspects that Grandmere has put Dr. Steve up to his predictions simply because Grandmere doesn't like Michael. When Mia mentions the forecast to her friend, Tina Hakim Baba, Tina urges Mia to fight for Michael. She's horrified that Mia and Michael have made no Valentine's Day plans and says that Dr. Steve's prediction will come true for sure if Mia doesn't plan the perfect romantic celebration. When Mia casually brings up the holiday of romance with her best friend Lilly in front of Michael, she's dismayed to hear both of them diss it as a crass commercial ritual that they refuse to take part in. Tina insists that Mia must change Michael's mind about Valentine's Day by making it wonderful for him. The pressure is on, and Mia is in a quandary. How can she give a gift to someone without making it seem like she wants one in return? And how on earth can she give a Valentine's Day present to someone who hates the holiday? Meanwhile, Grandmere is spending too much time with Dr. Steve. Mia is worried. Is Dr. Steve conning her royal grandmother? This very quick read is pure enjoyment for Meg Cabot's many fans, with her signature rapid-fire wit and intriguing subplots. And, of course, it's full of heart. What could be more appropriate to the spirit of Valentine's Day? --- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon

Princess Mia is on her way to board a private jet so she can spend the summer in the country she will one day rule - Genovia - when she discovers that she can't find her precious journal. Upon searching for it, she stumbles upon the very first journal she ever kept, the one that recounts exactly how she spent her first Valentine's Day with Michael. And so we are brought back to when the two lovebirds first began dating. Mia is ecstatic that she finally has someone to spend the day of love with, but when she realizes that Michael is quite indifferent regarding the holiday, she feels as if her romantic plans are ruined. Suddenly, it becomes clear to her that she won't be receiving a simulated ruby encrusted necklace from Kay's Jewelers, or be taken out to a fancy restaurant, for a romantic candlelit dinner. No, it has finally become clear that Valentine's Day is not meant to be special this year. That is, until Kenny comes through with a Whitman's Sampler, sending Michael into a jealous funk, and giving him a reason to appreciate the wonderful Mia. But with Valentine's Day so close, Mia begins to wonder whether Michael will actually come through as her knight in shining armor, or if she'll be spending the night at Tina Hakim Baba's place watching old Audrey Hepburn films, and filling up on junk food. Over the years, I feel as if I have grown up with Mia. She has been by my side since I was a mere ninth grader - such as herself - and has gone through tumultuous relationships, and other teenage problems right alongside me. Which is why VALENTINE PRINCESS is sure to leave an impact on die-hard PRINCESS DIARIES fans. Meg Cabot has, once again, confronted a subject that female readers will have no problem identifying with: being alone on Valentine's Day. VALENTINE PRINCESS confronts the problem, and brings to light the feelings we all share, as we find ourselves spending the holiday of love alone; while at the same time showing readers that we don't always need a guy by our side for Valentine's Day, as long as we have great friends. Featuring a wonderful list of Audrey Hepburn films that will make anyone's Valentine's Day a little less lonely, Cabot has penned yet another wonderful tale about the Albert Einstein High School gang that will leave all readers feeling a little less sorry for themselves. The cure to feeling blue this Valentine's Day. Erika Sorocco