Adorably packaged, insightful and hilarious! I loved every page of this smart little book. It's a rare find: a publication geared toward women that focuses on their own enjoyment, not man-pleasing, child-rearing or (heaven forbid) career advancement. There's a proper time for those things, too, of course... right after you've taken the morning off to go shopping with your poodle-in-a-purse in tow.

I really wanted to like this book - it had such potential to be fun and motivating. The illustrations were terrific and the subject could have been quite witty in the right hands. But the text quickly descended into a trivial guide to shopping and all things selfish and superficial.

Catagnoli's explanation of a princess in theory and in practice seems entirely based on a trite model of a pampered, self obsessed woman. All based on your ability to consume of course. I shop therefore I am... a princess!

I was looking for inspiration in the form of an elegant narrative with lessons in loveliness, grace and everyday nobility. Instead princessdom here is all about 'me, me, me', Manalo Blahnik and how big your diamonds are. Burberry trench coats, Barneys as a place of worship, Tiffany-blue, Vera Wang wedding dresses... haven't we seen all these characters somewhere - far more interesting - before (like Vogue)?

The quizes are beyond ridiculous. I thought the author must have been joking but she seems to have some unguarded moments (such as an unladylike obsession with lip waxing) which suggest otherwise. I fear she took it all Rather Seriously which is why this book is not funny at all.

And there's a whole - boring - chapter dedicated to The Princess Pooch (a pedigree dog of course). Give us a break...

Sadly the main message of this book is how you can justify any kind of narcissistic, self serving, consumeristic behaviour with delusions of royal grandeur.

Books like this give princesses a bad name.

Being a Princess is not a state of mind. It's a way of life. A way of life that entitles you to act as you see fit. And wearing amazing clothes as you do it. Many may find the title Princess demeaning, but once you read through Francesca Castagnoli's PRINCESS, you will see that it is actually a title that any self-respecting woman would be happy to hold. A title that brings power, poise, profashionalism, and more along with it. With various chapters that give you tips on clothing, guys, parties, pooches, and the coveted wedding, PRINCESS is a must-read for the princess in all of us.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

This is one of the cutest books possible for self-proclaimed girly girls. I find myself picking it up on a frequent basis. I read it at work, while taking a bubble bath, on a plane and at the beach. It is adorable!

I like how the author reminds us that it's okay to pamper ourselves silly and indulge. She also says that a proper princess needs to be able to take care of herself, which scores big points in my book. No "latch onto a man" stuff here: I love it. The section on weddings was great too.

If you are a girly girl, this book is a must.

I loved this book, I read it in one night - I laughed out loud and was totally inspired to transform my life. It's a lot of fun for girls who want to bring out their inner princess!