Upon rereading this book, I have a much different reaction to it. Maybe it’s because I don’t read tell-all biographies, so I’m already not a fan of the style, but the narration came off as being catty when I think the author was going for witty. My main problem is with some of the plot “twists”—if only because there’s a twist at the end of the last twenty chapters. At that point, it stops being surprising and more plodding. (And some of the twists you could probably guess from the beginning of the book.) Also, the Springsteen references don’t contribute to the plot, and come off as more of a gimmick (“Cover Me” inspires a glove craze? Seriously?) and there’s too many pop culture references that come off as overbearing instead of witty. ( )

This well-executed monologue details the life of Isabella Cordage, a minor noble who marries the Prince Raphael of the city-country Bisbania. Narrated by an intimate, but mysterious person connected to Princess Isabella of Bisbania, the narrator tells the travails of Isabella's rise to princess-ship in the tiny city-country: from her trip up the stairs, earning her the moniker 'Dizzy Izzy', to the journalists capturing the image of her spurting water out her nose on in outside cafe. The narrator also parts with valuable insider information from the happenings in the castle: the car mechanic who imparts the wisdom of Bruce Springsteen to Isabella, the prince's jealousy of his finacee's relationship with the mechanic, amongst other conspiracies in the palace.

This book has all the juicy twists and turns of a soap opera plot, or real life royalty. If one reads between the lines, a reader can guess as to which royal family Beverly Bartlett makes with sly references, homages to certain events that happen in Louisville, and even denouncements of presidents. And the cliffhangers are certainly juicy enough to keep you reading as to what happened! A book I will certainly keep. ( )

There's a promising idea here – the European princess who finds guidance through the lyrics of Bruce Springsteen (as which of us has not, from time to time), but it's poorly executed – in fact, the title and blurb have very little relationship with the story. It's also written in a strangely flat, mannered way, which may be deliberate, but makes it hard going. Add in a preposterous story, and generally unsympathetic characters, and it was all rather a waste of time, really. ( )

"Princess Izzy and the E Street Shuffle" is one of those random books that find its way into my hands at the bookstore, and I immediately know I must have it... even if I've never heard of it before.

Isabella Cordage is the daughter of a small-titled family in a small country called Bisbania, and therefore one of the few suitable playmate for Raphael, Prince of Gallager and heir to the throne. Over the years, they became close friends.

Since Raphael isn't likely able to marry for love, he married for companionship. Isabelle fit the bill. Much like one real life princess, she became instant tabloid fodder, overshadowing her husband.

Everything she wore fell under scrutiny (and occasionally became the latest fashion). Everything she did, no matter how little, was big news. A spill down the stairs earned her the nickname Dizzy Izzy.

Before her marriage into the royal family, Isabella attended Yale and picked up an amount of Americanism. She also picked up a crush on her car mechanic Geoffrey, a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen.

Geoffrey dispenses advice through Springsteen lyrics, which Isabella always manages to intreprete as an answer to her fashion woes. Shortly after marrying Raphael, Isabella engages Geoffrey into her service and brings him and his wife Mae to Bisbania.

Five years after marrying, a small plane carrying Geoffrey and Raphael crashes into the sea. Only one body was found. The story creeps along from a light-hearted royal chick lit into something vaguely sinister but nonetheless compelling.

Narrated from a the POV of a know-it-all observer, this novel reveals enough cliffhanger chapter endings to keep the pages turning. Was the plane crash really an accident or was it murder? Who is this observer and how does she know so much?

Beverley Bartlett keeps you on the edge of your seat until the last page of her debut. As for me, this impulsive buy is a keeper.

(2006)