REVIEW: Stone Princess by Devney Perry

In Stone Princess (Tin Gypsy #3) by Devney Perry, When Presley Marks planned a small wedding in her home of Clifton Forge, Montana, she saw a day filled with happiness. Not a day where she would be left at the altar, with her fiancé not caring enough to even explain things in person. Nursing a broken heart and cursing the sight of all men was probably not the best time for Presley to meet movie star Shaw Valance. He’s set to film a movie in town about a murder that touched her and her chosen family–the guys of Clifton Forge Garage–in a big way. So Presley doesn’t care if she’s antagonistic or rude to Shaw. Until she realizes that he’s a whole lot different than his Hollywood persona. He’s actually a truly nice guy. And so handsome it makes her knees weak, which is the last thing her already tattered heart needs.

“You better not break my heart.”
He stepped closer…”It’s safe. I swear it.”
Safe.
That was the word I’d been looking for earlier.
It wasn’t as monumental as love, but for a woman who’d lived so much of her life in fear, *safe* seemed almost as important.

Shaw knew filming a movie in the small town where the events took place might lead to some negative feelings from the locals. But he never figured it would be a tiny firecracker of a woman who would read him the riot act and have him tied up in knots. Or that he’d like their lively verbal exchanges so much. Shaw has to admit that he loves picturesque Clifton Forge. And he could see himself settling down somewhere just like this someday–hopefully soon. If he has his way, it will be with Presley. But between them both having complicated pasts and her ex- fiancé showing up, dragging trouble with him, Shaw knows he’s in for the fight of his life.

‘There were more important things than money and a legacy.
Presley was more important. Her happiness. Her dreams. Her love.’

Devney Perry continued her popular Tin Gypsy series with Stone Princess, a romance that took an enemies-to-lovers trope to new heights. Heartfelt, thrilling, full of healing, and just flat out sexy, this is one book that had it all.

‘From here on out, I was the woman with ice in her veins. The woman with a heart of stone.’

Trigger warning: View Spoiler »Domestic/child abuse, suicide. « Hide Spoiler

I feel like I’ve said this a dozen times already, but I adore Devney Perry’s books. And I was SO happy that Presley, who we’ve gotten to know in the previous two books, got her own HEA. It was very much deserved. I’ll admit I wasn’t too sure about hottie mega-star Shaw as a match. But he was awesome–and way more down to earth than I imagined he would be. He and Presley made an adorable couple who were passionate in everything they did. Whether it was arguing about, well, everything, or in the bedroom. It totally worked. Oh, and I should mention that Stone Princess can be read as a standalone. There will be some spoilers from the first two books, but if you’re new to the series, feel free to jump in here.

I have a feeling readers will agree that Presley was the bomb! I got *such* a kick out of her and how she was a (petite) force to be reckoned with. She kept the guys at the garage–who she thought of as her brothers–in line and she was fiercely independent after a horrific childhood damaged her self-esteem and self-worth. That will be tough to get through for some, Presley’s recollections about her upbringing. But I thought Perry handled it well and showed it in a context that proved how much Presley had overcome as a survivor. Something that awed Shaw, in what she withstood and somehow stayed a wonderful, caring person instead of being bitter.

Shaw surprised me in the very best of ways. Being a movie star he had a touch of arrogance and swagger. But that was not at all who he was deep down. Instead, Shaw was thoughtful, cared deeply for his loved ones, and just wanted some normalcy in his hectic life. Presley and her family of choice certainly kept Shaw humble. And I can’t tell you how sweet and ridiculously cute a couple he and Presley made. Seriously. They made me grin and chuckle the whole time. I will say that Shaw did make a big mistake toward the last quarter of the book (a few curses might have been muttered by yours truly over it) but of course things worked out heavenly for the couple by the end. And oh what a setup Perry gave us for book four, Noble Prince! Cue the drama, suspense and sexy times…

With every new book I read of Devney Perry’s, I fall more and more in love with her characters and the intense storylines she creates. Stone Princess is a must read for fans who love a touch of grittiness to a romance that will still make you smile and that will scorch the pages with the heat level.

Book Info:

Publication: Published May 5th 2020 | Devney Perry LLC | Tin Gypsy #3

Presley Marks has just become a cliché: the jilted bride. Wearing a white dress, standing in front of her friends and family, she announces that her fiancé—according to his text—has forgotten about the wedding.

Humiliated and angry, she hides from the world in the mundane routine of her life. Working at the Clifton Forge Garage isn’t glamorous, but it’s safe from the spotlight.

At least it was, until Shaw Valance comes to town.

The notorious Hollywood actor is starring in a movie based on the town’s infamous murder. When he’s not on set, Shaw hovers at the garage, watching as they build his custom motorcycle and irritating her with his handsome smile. He was supposed to leave once filming wrapped and go back to his fancy life, not buy the house next door.

But Shaw might regret that purchase once Presley’s ex-fiancé returns, bringing with him a war between old rivals that could burn both their houses down.