Review: Royal Summer

 

Hannah is super excited to be spending the summer in Scotland working for her favorite author. She's hoping to receive some encouragement for her writing. Just as she's feeling settled and ready to work, the author announces she's following her boyfriend to Japan leaving Hannah in the lurch.

She has no idea what to do, but she really doesn't want to go home. Luckily, the new friend she made in the pub has a solution. He has a friend at the castle and can find her job in the gift shop. Hannah's not sure she trusts Finn, but she doesn't have a lot of other options. 

On her first day of work, she's stunned to learn that Finn is the actually the Prince of England. Hannah and Finn are like oil and water, but they spend the summer gravitating towards each other. Could there be something brewing between them?

Why I Read it: I'm a sucker for royal romances

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved the banter between Hannan and Finn. I loved how Hannah discovered his identity. I enjoyed her relationship with her co-workers. I loved the horse moments. The only thing I wish there had more of - tourist moments in Scotland (but I do realize why they weren't there). This was a fantastic summer romance novel that I didn't want to put down. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your public library's romance collection

Top Ten Tuesday: Royal Reads

 This week's topic is a genre freebie. I love books about royals, so I'm sharing some royal reads

Adult:

YA:

Want to read:

Are you fan of royal reads? Is there any you'd like to recommend?

Review: Rules of Royalty

 

Male - Male version of The Princess Diaries.

Jamie finds out on his 17th birthday that he's a prince of a small European country. His parents were not married. His mother died years ago, leaving his guardianship to her best friend. She wanted him to grow up without the added pressure of being a royal.

Jamie agrees to a trip during the summer - to see the country and meet his new family. As he's navigating society for the first time, his father gives him the number of someone who can help.

Erik is the prince of a neighboring country who's been asked to help. He agrees. Erik is also gay, giving Jamie an extra outlet for questions when they arise.

My Thoughts: I'm the biggest fan of the Princess Diaries books, so I was super excited to read this. And it lived up. I tore through this novel. 

Yes, it has this line:

Jamie has a great family and a great group of friends. Erik's family is very strict and his grandmother, the Queen, knows everything. Jamie and Erik were both interested in each other, but it took a bit for them to admit their feeling. I love books about Royals.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your library collection. 

Picture Book Review: The Corgi and the Queen

Life took an unexpected turn for the girl who would become Queen Elizabeth. Training to be a Queen was lovely, but her best friend Susan made life so much better. 

I loved this book - from the loving friendship to the secret moments to the family tree. This was a lovely story with great illustrations. Prefect for readers of all ages.

* Susan does die in the book, there's one page that showcases Queen Elizabeth by a grave. 

Review: Tokyo Ever After

 

Izumi's never felt like she fits in. She's a Japanese American living in a small predominately white town. She doesn't know her father's identity. But she discovers a clue in her mother's bedroom.

Before she knows what's happening, she learns her father is a crown prince of Japan. Suddenly her life has been turned upside down. She's traveling to Japan to learn more about him and her new family. 

But it's not easy. In fact, she's floundering. One moment the press loves her, the next she messes everything up. It doesn't help that her cousins love feeding her to the sharks.

Can she find her footing or is she in way over her head?

My Thoughts: Think Princess Diaries crossed with What a Girl Wants. Seriously I needed this to read this book. I loved it. I loved watching Izumi become a member of the royal family. She struggles - greatly at times and soars at other times. I loved watching her get to know her family. I loved learning more about Japan. I love her moments with her bodyguard - the brooding Akio. I loved their banter. I also loved the moments between the Crown Prince and Izumi. As well as the moments between Izumi's parents - especially orchids. I would love to read more of Izumi and her story - and luckily there is more coming!

Cover Thoughts: So amazing! I love the details

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your public and school libraries.