The Reluctant Royals series returns with a good girl searching for the life that’s not too big, and not too small, and the bad boy prince who might be just right for her…
Nya Jerami fled Thesolo for the glitz and glamour of NYC but discovered that her Prince Charming only exists in her virtual dating games. When Nya returns home for a royal wedding, she accidentally finds herself up close and personal—in bed—with the real-life celebrity prince who she loves to hate.
For Johan von Braustein, the red-headed step-prince of Liechtienbourg, acting as paparazzi bait is a ruse that protects his brother—the heir to the throne—and his own heart. When a royal referendum threatens his brother’s future, a fake engagement is the perfect way to keep the cameras on him.
Nya and Johan both have good reasons to avoid love, but as desires are laid bare behind palace doors, they must decide if their fake romance will lead to a happily-ever-after.
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Release Date: Apr 30, 2019
Series: Reluctant Royals
Book: 3
Heat Level: Hot
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Avon Books
Price: $5.99
I don’t know what I expected with this book, but it delivered in leaps and bounds.
Yes, it’s not often I have two books to gush about in a month, but Cole couldn’t not have ended this series on a higher note. The characters are so deep, the issues timely and telling. Add in all the right things I love in a romance: inclusion, comedy, endearing nicknames, and the best HEA… one where two people grow for themselves as much as each other.
Let’s start with the characters. Nya and Johann. Sidenote: You can read this book without reading others in the series but reading the others will let you in on a lot of little details you might miss. Nya, is the cousin of Naledi, the heroine from A Princess in Theory. Nya has been through a lot. Her father is a snake, and he’s left her with a train car full of baggage. She had to rebuild herself and though the character has been doing a bit of that in the series books leading up to his one, she grows even more in this story. She’s up against the voice in her head, the one her father helped put there. The one telling her she’s dreaming too big or not able to stand on her own two feet.
Enter Johann. Known by tabloids worldwide as a playboy and jokester, not one person takes him seriously and that is his goal. He’s all about his family and sacrificing his privacy in the heart hope his younger brother, the future king, can have what he can’t. Except, Johann has a heart of gold and there’s a lot more about this hero than meets the eye. He’s got an interesting back story that was very endearing and reminded me of my own son.
These two come together by pure circumstance, but the attraction they already had for each other makes it even better. Watching Nya and Johann pretend to fall in love is as sweet as how they try to protect themselves from losing the love battle. With both of them eager to be who they truly are, to whip away the masks they hide behind. Only with each other do they discover it’s possible. Outside of the love story is plenty of interesting and meaty backdrops involving Nya’s father, Johann’s family and their status as royalty, and a bit of suspense with phone hacks and conspiracy theories.
This is a quick, enjoyable read that anyone with an interest in royal life can get behind. Get whisked away and this is perfect for fans of Harlequin Presents, but dare I say better than.
~ Landra
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