This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Published by Grand Central Publishing
Released on July 7, 2020
Pages: 480
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
The Delight
This sequel to The Royal We was just as entertaining to me as the first one was. Second in line to the throne of England marries an American young woman amidst a huge scandal. Escaping to Scotland after the wedding was just the tip of the iceberg to what these two get involved in this time around. The delight was watching(reading)it all unfold.
Review
I had really looked forward to reading The Royal We and read it maybe a month or so ago. I was really pleased to find the sequel on Net Gallery recently. I’m glad I didn’t have as long to wait for the sequel as I’m sure many did, as it first came out in 2015. The timing was pretty perfect for me.
When Bex and Nick fell in love back at Oxford, they couldn’t have known what all lay in store for them in the future. They had a great group of friends, characters that were fully realized by the authors so well that you felt you knew them almost as well as you did the main characters. They partied just like the other students. The difference is that Nick is second in line to the throne. The group of friends insulated him from other students that just wanted to be his friend and/or lover. It literally takes years before Nick even introduces Bex to all that is royal. And once he did, betrayals to him happen by way of a friend and more importantly from his twin brother-also known as the Spare. The main secondary character is Nick’s brother, Freddie. I liked him just as much, if not better at times than Nick. All of this culminated in the wedding-a disastrous event if ever there was one. Now Bex and Nick are incognito in Scotland and that’s where this book really begins. Of course, the action moves to London pretty quickly.
This is definitely not a puff piece of writing. It’s not lighthearted, but rather how everything could really happen with all the problems and then some, that can occur when a prince that will be king marries a commoner from America. Sure she’s from a family with money, but that isn’t what the Queen is looking for in someone that will someday be queen. Queen Eleanor was a big part of the story this time around and is cranky as the day is long. She doesn’t like Bex and makes no secret about it. But Eleanor has her own huge secrets, something that Bex starts finding out.
This was the story of how Bex navigates the always hovering British press and the public that has many varied opinions of her. It’s Bex learning what it is to be married to a prince, and all her obligations to a new country and all the many new relatives she must stand up to. Through it all, she loves Nick to distraction and believe me, she has major distractions. At times, you wonder how it’s all going to end and will she and Nick ever make it. So much happens in this almost 500 page book.
I enjoyed the whole thing, although it took me awhile to read. Sure, some things could have been left out of the story and I am sure some will feel that way, but I didn’t have a problem with that. In fact, I would read another one if the authors decide to write it. But, I do think it’s done. This is not typical contemporary romance, but I do recommend it to adult readers of women’s fiction or romance. I found it to be pretty fascinating. I would definitely read The Royal We first as this book is a true continuation of that one.
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This set could be pretty interesting especially since it edges toward the real and not the fairytale.
Yes, it’s definitely realer than most and just as good in my opinion
It looks good and I hope you’ll also like book 1
Thanks! I did read and enjoyed book 1 as well.
Ooo, these sound fun. I don’t remember your first review but it may be that I simply wasn’t in the mood for the genre. This says clicky-clicky!
I didn’t review book one. I’m not sure why?
Great review you have here. I have been really curious about this. Planning on reading the first book soon since over the years I know that has been a favorite in the romance community. Like that this displays a more realistic approach that we don’t always see in romance.
Yes, it was realistic. He couldn’t even acknowledge her to his family for quite awhile in the first one. It was good though.
Overall, I loved the book, and though I felt like it was on the longer side, I cannot figure out what I would have cut out. It did feel weighty at times, but the tone fit what the couple was dealing with. I was left feeling happy overall, and I was especially happy with the friendship that developed between Bex and the queen. I would love to see a book for Freddy though
Oh I ended up really enjoying the queen as well. And Freddy definitely needs a book!
Book 1 had me curious…now I am tempted just so I can read book 2
I really liked book one and only read it about a month?before I read this one.