Catherine has spent her life being the perfect princess. She’s kept her hands clean, her head down, and most importantly—men at arm’s length. After all, most men are after only one thing, and for Cathy there’s a lot more at stake than her bed; she has to worry about the fate of an entire nation. But at the rate she’s going, Cathy is afraid she’ll give the Virgin Queen a run for her money. She is tired of waiting for someone good enough to come along. She has a plan, and it all hinges on seducing the one man who seems utterly unimpressed by all things royal. The one man she is tempted by more than any other . . .
When David arrives at the royal wedding of his friend, the newly ordained Duchess Samantha Rousseau, he expects to feel uncomfortable and out of his element, but he isn’t prepared to be targeted by Prince Alex’s gorgeous younger sister. With Cathy’s giant blue eyes, killer figure, and sense of humor, it won’t take long before he gives in. But when he finds out just how innocent the crown princess really is, will he play the part of knight in shining armor or the dashing rogue?
Nichole Chase is a daydreamer. No, really, just ask any of the math teachers that had the misfortune of seeing her name appear on their class schedule. For years she has had story lines and characters begging for attention, but she resolutely pushed them aside to focus on more normal (read, boring) jobs. Well, no longer! She is currently heeding the voices in her head and frantically writing their stories. Nichole resides in South Georgia with her husband, energetic daughter, super hero dog, Sulcata tortoise, and two cats. When not devouring novels by the dozens, you may find her writing, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.
Nichole is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of The Royal Series (Suddenly Royal, Recklessly Royal, and Reluctantly Royal). She has four other novels and several short stories published in different anthologies. Her next novel, The Accidental Assassin, will be available on November 4th.
Nichole Chase is represented by Rebecca Friedman of the Rebecca Friedman Literary Agency.
I am growing old and cynical and I'll die alone and be eaten by cats, that I'm going to buy, although I prefer dogs, because you can't be old, alone and cynical without cats, you just can't.
I can't stand so much sweetness. I was waiting for a problem to pop up just to feel good. I can blame my age (and don't forget cynicism), I can blame all the other books damn you other authors that made me expect problems or I can blame Nichole Chase for making everything so perfect and.. small (I mean the book not the willy -Willy Wonka Willy Wonka). But seriously now, the book was 220 kindle-pages. I've read short stories that were bigger!
Oh sorry, there is a problem with some paparazzi blah blah-who cares- blah.
You get a 3*. Because I want to be a princess.. Can I be old, alone and cynical with many cats as a princess?
You know how sometimes you just crave a mindless read just so you can be in a good mood? That's what I was feeling like when I grabbed Recklessly Royal. I enjoyed the first novel of the series and wanted to know more about one of my favorite secondary characters from the first book.
Cathy was a genuinely sweet, loyal and dedicated character from the very start, despite being a royal. She has never let her popularity get to her head and I liked how she was so involved in her charities. She had goals and while she faced obstacles, she worked hard to achieve them. Overall, I really enjoyed Cathy as a main character. Her love interest, David, on the other hand, I feel like we didn't get to know much. Quite frankly, he might have been lurking around in the book, but I never felt like I got to know him on a deeper level. I was quite glad to meet Alex and Sam from the previous book, although only briefly.
I read this book for the romance, but unfortunately felt like it was lacking. Cathy and David have great chemistry together for sure, but I simply wanted more. The story-line with the crazy assistant was also not my cup of tea and I honestly could have done without it. I did however enjoy Cathy's relationships with her older brother and her old assistant.
Overall, this was a cute and light read, but book 1 still remains my favorite of the series.
Argh, I hate when kindle books end at random percentages! This one ended at 88% - I thought there was more!
Anyway. On to the review.
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Maybe this was me stereotyping, but in Suddenly Royal, I pictured David as this shy, kind of geeky grad student. Apparently I was wrong. He is an "Adonis." Meh. Of course he is.
Honestly, I kind of wish that he had been geeky and awkward. Not only would I have found it more realistic, but I like having a male MC that isn't the perfect male specimen. You don't have to be a greek god to be good looking. But I digress. Besides, how would the author have accounted for the insta-lust/love if David wasn't an Adonis???
Anyway, I loved that the book started with Sam and Alex's wedding. Although the more they were in it, the more I wanted them in it. I could easily read another book on the two of them.
Alex?
But back to Cathy and David. It was a sweet story. There were some nice moments between them, but I just didn't fall in love with either of them. There wasn't the same chemistry as Alex and Sam had. Even in this book the chemistry between Alex and Sam came across as stronger than Cathy and David IMO. Overall thought it was a nice story, just nothing spectacular. My favorite part was Chadwick who provided a much needed comic relief throughout the book.
I picked up this book when I was swept up in Royal Wedding fever on Harry and Meghan's big day (which gives you a clue how long it's taken me to sit down and actually write this review!) and it hit the spot perfectly. The story starts with the huge royal wedding of the previous couple in the series so this was a brilliant choice for me to read while I was watching the build up to the real life ceremony.
Cathy is Alex's sister and has spent her whole life living in the spotlight as the princes of Lilaria. She loves her country and is proud of her heritage but sometimes life can be pretty stifling with the press watching her every move and people always wanting a little piece of her. She can never be sure if people are interested in her or just want to get close hoping they'll gain something so it is very hard for her to trust anyone new. She loves her brother and his new wife Samantha and has enjoyed helping organise their wedding but she's really ready to let her hair down and have some fun.
David is one of Sam's friends from America and he's travelled to Lilaria for the wedding but also to run the bird sanctuary that Sam started. He has a pretty low opinion of royalty and has no interest in life in a spotlight so he might just be the perfect person for Cathy to have a long wished for secret affair with.
Both books in this series have hit the spot perfectly when it comes to fun and light-hearted romance with a feel good factor. There has been no unnecessary drama between the couples, the romances have been sweet but heartfelt with a nice amount of heat and I've enjoyed spending time in this world getting to know the characters. I'm definitely looking forward to reading Max's story next and hope the series finishes with a bang!
I read this series a long time ago and it pops up in my mind from time to time and I thought why not give it a re-read. Loved it just as much this time as I did then.
Catherine is Alex’s sister, we met her in book one and you can see she has a great head on her shoulders but it is weighted down with so much responsibility. She is almost too afraid to live.
We really get to see her sibling love shine through she will do anything for her brothers and they in kind will protect her.
David is Sam’s friend from America and he has come to Lilaria to help the birds that Sam has been working with. He and Cathy hit it off in a cute way and things start to take shape. I love that he was such a gentleman, it really was what endeared him to me. Cathy didn’t even know she needed a gentleman until she had one.
The dynamic of this book is a lot different than the first because this really is centered around Cathy and her life. I found it intriguing.
I am on to the next in my reread.
Again loved the narration, the accents I just loved it all.
After I enjoyed Suddenly Royal so much, I knew I had to get my hands on Recklessly Royal - especially after the first three chapters of the latter were included with the former! Two things got me with those first chapters: 1) it takes place just before a very special event involving characters from the first book 2) there's a pole-dancing class that made me laugh. Just based on those two things, I was definitely raring to go for Recklessly Royal.
Recklessly Royal focuses on crown prince Alex's sister, Princess Catherine of Lilaria. She's a very funny, strong character - a little younger and more immature than Samantha from the previous book. In that book, she was a little big headstrong and really interested in having fun and partying, but it's been a year since she did that, and you can see that she's grown up a lot. Just in time, too, because along comes David Rhodes, Samantha's good friend, and a seriously sexy dude.
David is sweet, sexy, and hella passionate, and it's hard not to fall for him. He's obviously a really amazing guy who cares a lot about Cathy - and who doesn't care about her princess title. He's basically perfect for her...and their relationship is very cute and pretty sexy. But it was missing a little something.
For me, Recklessly Royal fell a little flat. The internal conflict in this book was basically Cathy trying to figure out how to be more herself as a royal. The external conflicts - like dealing with the paparazzi and a new assistant in the midst of someone else getting sick - were more prominent, and weren't exactly life-altering. For me, these conflicts were dealt with well, but not in a substantial way. They also didn't really get to me that much because, frankly, Cathy is pretty strong and has had to deal with being a royal all her life.
The other problem for me was that the romantic conflict was kind of fluffy. It stems from the fact that Cathy really doesn't believe there's anyone out there who will love her because she's a woman, not a princess. Throw in the fact that she's still a virgin, and she's at an age where she feels like she's ready to give up her V-card to pretty much anyone - and when David comes into the picture, he wants to wait and make sure she gets to experience everything - not just sex right away. It's a very adorable and noble gesture, but it makes the conflict pretty silly, because you know in the end they're going to get to it. It's definitely not something that drives the story along. I didn't feel like Cathy really changed or grew as a person because of it.
That said, as a fan of the series, it was still really fun to see what happened to the characters in the last book. It was also great that Chase continued to explore what it meant to be a modern royal - Cathy spends a lot of time trying to get an art program for kids started, and her work life is interesting and meaningful to her. Since I liked her character, it was nice to see her find someone to share her life with, and I liked the continuation of the series. While Recklessly Royal didn't set my world on fire, it's definitely a sweet and fun book, and one for fans of the series.
Bonuses: Romance Writing: I gotta say, Nichole Chase does a great job building the tension to a sexy moment. She's very, very good at making her readers (and characters) wait for the perfect moment for sexy times. She also kind of kicks arse at finding ways to make sexual encounters interesting, and adventurous, but not TOO adventurous, you know what I mean?
The Final Word:
Overall, I enjoyed Recklessly Royal, but I felt like it fit a little too much with the stereotype of a romance novel - fluffy and insubstantial. Even though David and Catherine's relationship is cute, it's not quite on par with Alex and Samantha's relationship in Suddenly Royal, and because of that, this romance wasn't quite as strong for me. Still, this is a good guilty pleasure read and it definitely left me wanting to go back and read Suddenly Royal again, and waiting for the next book in the series, Reluctantly Royal (due out in August).
I read Suddenly Royal last year and being useless I have yet to review it *sigh*. I will say that it is most definitely a adult fairy-tale – think The Princess Diaries for adults. Nichole Chase manages to create compelling, charismatic characters that you can’t help falling in love with and wishing you could change places with them :)
In Recklessly Royal, the focus switches from Alex to his younger sister Catherine. Cathy is a selfless person putting the needs of her family and her country before her own. However, the pressure of being in the public eye is taking it’s toll on her private life. She doesn’t know who to trust and has no-one she can truly lean on.
This is the second book I’ve read in a short space of time that shows how difficult life for royalty/celebrities really is. How they constantly have to questions the motives of the people around them, not being able to fully relax without the threat of harmless fun being twisted into something else by the press. You can’t help wanting to shield Cathy from any negativity she may encounter.
I will be honest and say that I had a hard time remembering David from the first book, I think this is because Alex is such a larger than life presence that every other male in the book fades into the background. I loved how calm and solid David was, he is so self-assured that he carries a sense of tranquility with him that transfers to other people especially Cathy. I really would have liked to see some of the scenes from his point of view.
I am not going to go into details of the plot as I think to fully appreciate it you need to read it. The nuances of life within the public eye portrayed within the story provides much food for thought, especially the way the paparazzi is run.
Recklessly Royal is an enchanting, character driven story that will leave you anxious for more.
This was the perfect start to my 24 in 48 hour readathon. This book was fun, sweet, sexy, and sassy. Catherine is a princess that has done everything right in the eyes of her kingdom. So when she meets David things get a little sticky as she starts to feel things. David is this rugged, American man that pushes Cathy without overwhelming her or using her. I really enjoyed the lightness of this book and look forward to reading the first and third books in the series of standalones.
This specific video review will be included in the July 2018 wrap-up and 24in48 Readathon Vlog.
For other video book reviews check out my Youtube Channel: Steph's Rom Book Talk.
I love, love, love Suddenly Royal, the first book in this series. And Recklessly Royal is an adorable follow-up. This book Cathy/Princess Catherine’s story. She is Alex’s younger sister and one of Sam’s best friends. It’s a little different from the first book, but so adorably Nichole Chase’s style that you can’t help but fall in love with it. And it was insanely easy for me to connect with Cathy. We are both young girls who can’t help but want to be loved. Granted, I’m not exactly a princess, but I can definitely understand the feeling of “forever alone-ness” that Cathy feels. Until she meets David, of course.
“Thinking about my love life, or rather the lack of my love life, was depressing. The chances of finding someone who would love me for me were so slim, they practically didn’t exist. What Alex had found with Sam was a miracle. I’d be lucky if I found someone who didn’t make me want to puke when I saw them.”
I adored the first third of the book, since there was so much Alex and Sam! We get to see them prepare for their wedding and go on their honeymoon! Well, it’s though Cathy’s eyes, but still. I really missed them, and I seriously need more of them in my life. Then they go on their tropical honeymoon, and Cathy can go back to focusing on herself. Except not really. Because she’s a princess.
“It hit me like a ton of bricks when I realized that it was because he saw me, the woman, not the princess. I never thought that would happen, and the feeling was intoxicating.”
She has many, many obligations to fulfill. She was always busy and on-the-go, she was always trying to do stuff for others, and she would barely ever take care of herself. But, I truly enjoyed watching Cathy put Cathy and Princess Catherine together, because throughout the book she felt like she had to switch between the two. A silly notion if they’re the same person. And, of course, I enjoyed watching her fall in love.
“I decided that it was worth it.” “Look, if we try this out and it doesn’t work, then fine. We’ll go our separate ways and I’ll deal with what happens. But I think we should give it a shot.” “But you don’t know me yet.” “I know enough. I know I want to know more.”
The synopsis might make you think that this book is in alternating POVs; however it is not, just like in book one. But, we get to know David plenty through Cathy. I thought their first few meetings were hysterical. Cathy was so unintentionally awkward with him! It was so cute! The first signs of a crush. Which turns into more of course.
“Cathy.” His sigh held a hint of frustration. “Not seeing you wouldn’t be easy. Not seeing you would be the most difficult thing I could do.” He reached up and touched my face. “And I’m not that strong.”
I didn’t pay much attention to David in the first book, but wow. He’s so patient, gentlemanly, protective, sensitive, and hot. He’s not the bad-boy that girls think they need these days. He’s genuinely a good guy, and it’s obvious that he fell for her quickly. He takes care of her and he brought her back to life. I think that’s pretty important in a relationship.
“Cathy, you deserve more than a one-night stand or a quick tumble in the sheets. You deserve to have it all—to experience it all. One step at a time. The teasing touches, the almosts but not quite. And then I want to make love to you. Not scratch an itch or check something off the list. I want you ready and willing, begging me for what you need.”
All in all, Recklessly Royal was just the adorable, quick read I needed. And there was plenty of steamy-ness. That lake scene? Wow, they might give Alex and Sam a run for their money! I think Max’s book is next? And if not I need it. He has the whole mysterious, tortured artist down to a tee. And he’s also a prince! I need him in my life. Just like I need more of all the characters. Even if Cathy and David’s cute story is wrapped up in this book, I would love to see more of them in future books. I mean I know she’s young and they still have a long road ahead, but I want to see them get married and all just like Alex and Sam!
“You know, I always thought I wanted a knight in shining armor.” I broke away from his kiss and looked up at him with a smile. “But I like my dashing rogue much better.” “Angel, shiny armor just means the knight never went to battle.” He kissed my temple. “And I fight dragons for you.”
**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
~~ 4 Sweet Love Story Stars ~~
Ever wonder what it would be like to be a royal? What a day in the life of a prince or princess would be like? Well this is the book to read. This book to me gave me a fairly accurate view of what it would be like to be royalty. Now don't get me wrong this isn't like reading a journal or anything...it was just a great view into their lives. If you liked Suddenly Royal, then you don't want to miss this book. I will say that I still liked book 1 better but this one is definitely worth the read. If you are looking for a sweet love story without a lot drama, then this is it. This could be described as a funny, sexy, swoony, easy to read, beach read. This book definitely doesn't have a lot of drama and what drama it did have was fairly predictable but over pretty quickly. This well a well paced book, nothing dragged but nothing was rushed. I really enjoy Nichole Chase's writing style, she knows how to draw you into a story and keep you intrigued until the end.
This is the second book in the Suddenly Series. This story is about Princess Catherine and David (Samantha's Friend from the States) We meet Catherine (Cathy) in Suddenly Royal, she is Alex's sister, I loved her character in that book and I continued to like her throughout her story. She has become BFF's with Samantha and I loved the banter they have between each other. In this book Cathy struggles in how to be both a Princess and a "normal" person. She is determined to find love and have it be with someone who loves her for her and not because of the crown or title she holds. It was fun to see her loosen up in this book. I loved that this book continued on where book 1 ended. So that means not only do we get Cathy's story we got to see the conclusion to Alex and Sam's story. I was so happy with everything that happened between them. We also got to know David pretty well in this book. I loved his character!!!! He was a good old southern boy from Georgia. I loved how he treated Cathy. He was funny and sexy when he needed to be but he was also sweet and swoon worthy too. I just have to say I had a lot of respect for David while reading this book. He handled himself so well, you don't see that in many books these days. My only complaint when it came to Cathy and David, was I wished we would've gotten more interaction between them. There is a part of the book were we don't see much of David and I would've liked more. But it didn't take away from me enjoying this book.
I loved that we got to see some of the old characters again. Jessie, Chadwick, Sam, and Alex were all in this book. We also saw a lot of Max (Cathy's other older brother). I loved the girlfriend bond that Sam, Jessie and Cathy have. They had me cracking up in the beginning of the book. I just wish they would've been in the book a little more. We see Chadwick throughout the whole story and is was just as great as he was in the first book. I loved meeting and getting to know Max…he was such a sweet and protective older brother to Cathy. I can't wait to read his story :)
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fun, easy, and sweet love story. This will for sure hit the mark for you. You also don't want to miss this book if you liked the first one or are a Fan of Nichole Chase.
Recklessly Royal by Nichole Chase is a 2014 Avon Publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Princess Catherine is preparing for the wedding of her brother and her best friend, Sam. She meets Sam's good friend David at the bachelorette party in which Catherine sort of makes a fool out of herself. Things get off to a shaky start because David is feeling a little protective of Sam and is worried she won't be happy living outside the US. But, at the wedding, Catherine and David have a moment together. Catherine is left feeling embarrassed once again in front of David. However, David steps up and begins to try and understand Catherine's life and why it is so hard for her to do the normal things others take for granted... such as going out to see a movie. As David immerses himself into Catherine's world he finds there are two sides to Catherine's personality. The public Princess Catherine, and the oridinary Cathy. Before the couple can begin to sort out what is happening between them, Catherine's long time personal assistant has a heart attack and leaves Catherine at the mercy of a woman named Tabitha. Tabitha's attitude and missteps will bring a world of grief to Cathy and David and could bring the budding fairytale romance to a crashing halt. This is a really cute contemporary romance/ chick lit novel. A princess longing for real love , but knowing that her evey move is being monitored makes romance very difficult. David is an American and has no idea what life is like for a princess. He doesn't know all that will go into just taking Cathy out on normal dinner and movie type date. He won't realize until it's too late the great lengths the media will go to in order to snap a few pictures of Catherine with her mystery man. While this book is written on the very light side of things, there is a little note of caution. We can judge the life of royalty or of anyone with fame or fortune, really. It all looks so glamorous, but in reality it can really suck. Naturally, things work out for the couple with each having to make some concessions. Hopefully, Catherine will have her assistant back and in good health for a long time in the future. Good, loyal people who do not have a hidden agenda are also really important to those under the microscope at all times. Overall I give this one a B. (3.5 stars rounded up to 4)
Catherine, é a princesa e filha caçula da rainha. Por isso, tem uma vida corrida com vários compromissos reais e em programas sociais. Ela tem 21 anos e é uma boa garota, daquelas mocinhas ingênuas, que faz tudo certo, e sempre pensa nos outros e o que eles vão pensar. Cathy ainda é virgem, e nunca teve um namoro sério, por achar que todos os caras que conheceu, gostava mais de Cathy como princesa, do que Cathy como mulher.
Até conhecer David. Ele vem para cobrir a Sam (do primeiro livro), na fundação que ela toma conta e conhece Cathy de uma forma bem interessante – Confesso que morri de rir nessa parte!
— Você está fantasiado de quê? De caçador perdido? —Tirei a mochila pesada de suas mãos e coloquei-a no chão. — Bom, vamos lá! Alguém ligue a música. — Eu rebolava um pouco e balançava as sobrancelhas. — Tire tudo, querido! — Já que você insiste, deusa.
Ele não está nem aí com a princesa, ele está interessado na Cathy real, e na mulher que há por trás da mulher da realeza. Ele não se importa com a agenda apertada, ou com os paparazzi atrás deles. Ele quer conhecê-la melhor, leva-la a um encontro, e fazer tudo do jeito que ela merece! E ele é top! Eita, que cara gente boa! Vou te dizer: entre David e o Príncipe Alex, fico na dúvida de quem escolher!
É tãoooooooooo fofo e doce! Amo livros assim, onde o amor é tão simples! Sabe daqueles filminhos da Sessão da Tarde, que acaba com você sorrindo? Ou então aqueles livros de banca? Pois é, exatamente, assim! A história é curtinha, e mesmo que você termine o livro querendo mais, tudo se encaixa de forma certa. Quer desestressar? Quer ler algo leve, doce, singelo e fofo? Se joga nesse então!
Estou doida para que saia logo o terceiro e último livro da série!
SERIOUSLY STILL NOT OVER HOW MUCH I ENJOY THIS SERIES?!!!!
Cathy and David were beyond precious. I love how their dynamic developed. The author is really good at writing the main characters and even supporting players. The minor characters who are in and out of the books for only a few pages or chapters even appear to be fleshed out or given some layers.
I think some of the plot was expected and predictable—and that’s the only reason I rated it below the first. I feel like if Goodreads had a better rating system this would have closer to a 3.5 or maybe 3.75 even depending on my mood haha.
Honestly I really enjoyed this witty, easy, fun read!
I couldnt find a reason to love this book It was really just normal.
Well, this book was as safe as the prequel. However, the second installment was just plain jane. There wasnt anything fancy :/ I need a climax in a book. To add on, Catherine's love story was just meh. Thankfully, it was a fast read.
Vévodkyně se mi hodně líbila, takže jsem se těšila i na pokračování s princeznou Cathy. Bohužel to nedosáhlo kvalitám prvního dílu, Cathy je sice super, ale David mě úplně nepřesvědčil, z minulého dílu jsem o něm měla trošku jinou předsavu, která by mi asi vyhovovala víc. Pořád se to skvěle četlo a bylo to zajímavé, ale Vévodkyně je prostě lepší.
It was a Royal Book. It was #2 in a series I already started. This one didn't have the MN connection. It was fine to listen to when I had nothing else to listen to. It was Royal. Absolutely nothing earth shattering in this book. Quite blah and standard. But I'm still going on to book 3 until some of my other holds come in.
Catherine has spent her life being the perfect princess. She’s kept her hands clean, her head down, and most importantly—men at arm’s length. After all, most men are after only one thing, and for Cathy there’s a lot more at stake than her bed; she has to worry about the fate of an entire nation. But at the rate she’s going, Cathy is afraid she’ll give the Virgin Queen a run for her money. She is tired of waiting for someone good enough to come along. She has a plan, and it all hinges on seducing the one man who seems utterly unimpressed by all things royal. The one man she is tempted by more than any other . . .
When David arrives at the royal wedding of his friend, the newly ordained Duchess Samantha Rousseau, he expected to feel uncomfortable and out of his element, but he wasn’t prepared to be targeted by Prince Alex’s gorgeous younger sister. With Cathy’s giant blue eyes, killer figure, and sense of humor, it won’t take long before he gives in. But when he finds out just how innocent the crown princess really is, will he play the part of knight in shining armor or the dashing rogue?
This is the second book in the series Suddenly by Nichole Chase and let me tell you this. I was not disappointed. I had read a few reviews before I read this book and they all talked about how this book was completely drama free and there were no problems for Catherine and life is not that easy in real life and I disagree with them. While the romance in this book was drama free and as you guys know I love books like that. ( That is my opinion, some people do not like that ), there was no way Catherine’s life could be described as easy in this book. It was just that she handled it maturely and did not go crying something bad happened in her life which is there in so many books you would not believe. She was stalked by the media to the point where she could not leave the house without getting attacked by them. She did all the work for Sam and Alex’s wedding which was amazing by the way. It was so great to see them married and there were a lot of other problems throughout the course of the book. I admire her as a person in this book because she has a lot of strength to deal with the stuff she went through. A lot of people would have broken down and cried for help. She never asked for help and I respected her for that. There was a bit of humour in this book as well. I love the way David and her met. It was hilarious and extremely embarrassing. There were certainly sparks there. David was a gentleman. That was for damn sure. He treated her like she was supposed to be treated. He didn’t treat her as if he just cared about the title. He treated her like you treat any women. With the same respect. It was nice to get to know David better as well. We did not know him as well in the first book. Just caught glimpses of him but, it was nice to see his love of wildlife as well. He was an introvert because he was good with crowds. Again he could not see that. What is up with these Americans and them not being able to see what is right in front of them. I swear the sex scenes are getting better. Nichole Chase is getting more practice at writing them because they were so hot I got burned in this book. The romantic scenes were so sweet in this book. The way they stood up for each other when media got out of hand. I had suspicions of Tabitha right from the beginning. I had a feeling she was leaking out information to the press. I hated her so much in this book. I felt so bad for Selene but, the way Catherine handled it, I was so proud of her. It was also nice to a get a closer look at Max, Alex and Catherine’s other brother. He is so different from the two of them but, I loved him and his protective instincts. Again the plot was good. I was completely into it and I am onto the next book. Nicole Chase, I love your books and they are great summer reads or any time chill reads really….. Just so you can get a happy ending and a fairytale romance ( not without its share of problems ).
Recklessly Royal is a charming and flirty story filled with humor, heart and passion!
REVIEW: The story: Princess Catherine has always done the right thing, being the perfect daughter, the perfect sister and most importantly the perfect princess. She always puts everyone else, but never lets anyone close enough afraid she's be hurt. She's tired of meeting men that only want her for her title and money, and she's reluctant to trust any man with her heart. But after meeting David at her brother's wedding, she she knows he different to any other men she's met before. He doesn't care about royalty and the life it can give. When he looks at her he doesn't see Princess Catherine, he just sees Cathy, a beautiful young woman.
As Cathy deals with increased media attention and the illness of a close friend and advisor, David is by her side to hold her hand through it all. He makes her laugh and forget the pressures of her royal obligations. But as the media attention grows and speculation of a royal romance increases, can their new relationship survive the pressures of such a public life?
The characters: Cathy is a sweet and caring young woman. She handles the pressure of public life so well, but underneath that she's incredibly frustrated, mainly with her love life, or lack of it. She wants to be able to trust people but is scared that she's going to get hurt. But when she does open up to David, we get to see a sweet and funny girl, who just wants to be normal.
I can't describe how beautifully David's character was written. He's smart, caring and dedicated. But what I loved most about him is that he's not a player or a stereotypical nerd, he's simply and intellectual man. He can see that Cathy puts on her 'Princess Face' in public and all he wants is to give her chance to just be Cathy. He also has a great sense of humor!
I also have to mention Max, Cathy's older brother. He's quiet and is very reluctant to deal with public media events, which gives him air of mystery. But he plays the big brother role perfectly, watching over Cathy throughout the story.
The romance: David never judged Cathy based on her title, he only ever saw her for who she really is. And while he was intimidated by the media and her very public life, he never used it as an excuse to not be with her.The romance was developed well, with plenty of interaction between them, as they get to know one another better. They have some really sweet moments together (and some sexy ones too!)
The Writing: Nichole's writing style is very effortless and natural. The story flowed well, making for a very quick read. There is also a really nice balance of sweet, sexy and funny - and I'm always a fan of a book that can make me laugh!
FINAL WORD: Recklessly Royal is a charming and flirty story filled with humor, heart and passion!
CONTENT: Sexuality: medium / a couple of sex scenes Violence: mild Language: mild-medium / occasional f word Drugs & alcohol: mild-medium / a main character gets drunk
I adored Suddenly Royal, and since then I've been dying to read this one. I did enjoy Cathy and David's story, though not as much as its predecessor. The book is a little on the short side, but it's definitely just as cute as Suddenly Royal.
In Recklessly Royal, we first get to see a glimpse of Sam and Alex's wedding. Yes, that's right! It was pretty awesome to read about that, since they got engaged at the end of their book. This book follows Alex's sister Catherine and Sam's best friend David. Cathy believes she'll never find a guy who'll love her for who she is instead of her status and wealth. Until she meets David, of course. He's like a breath of fresh air - different from anyone Cathy's come across. But being with a royal is all kinds of complicated. The last thing they want is to hurt each other, though they definitely can't fight the growing attraction.
Cathy's character isn't as compelling as Sam's, but I really liked her regardless. She's always been the good girl, managing to stay out of bad press unlike her brother Alex. But she's sick of it. I felt really sorry for Cathy at times, since even though she's got everything she could possibly want, she can never be completely free. She's still in line for the throne, and that comes with a lot of responsibilities. Cathy's attempts to seduce David provided a lot of comic relief to the novel. It really was amusing to see that! Especially since David, being such a good guy, wouldn't succumb to her. Not at first, anyway.
I really couldn't helping loving David. He's a lot like Sam - not at all into the whole royal thing. But Sam has had to change since she really is royal. David, on the other hand, doesn't. He's helping out with the birds while Sam's on her honeymoon, and that gives him and Cathy a lot of chances to meet. Not to mention, Chadwick (Sam's personal assistant from the previous book whom I totally loved) is helping David sort stuff out. And he does whatever he can to bring those two together. I loved David's chivalrous nature, and he's such a good guy. He really sees Cathy, not just Princess Catherine.
It was awesome meeting Max, Cathy's other older brother. He really intrigued me, because he doesn't seem to like being royal at all. He doesn't usually handle any of the responsibilities, and he has no interest in anything regarding the throne. He's an introvert, kind of like David. But I loved seeing how much he cares about his sister. He's very protective of Cathy, and would do anything (even talk to the press instead of her) to make sure she's okay. I'm so very excited to read his story in Reluctantly Royal!
I wish this book had been longer, because I didn't feel like much happened in it. Some plot threads, regarding Tabitha for example, weren't tied up completely, and the end felt a little rushed to me. But on the whole I liked the novel, especially Cathy and David's interaction. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one!
*Thank you to HarperCollins for providing me with an eARC for review*
Salve a tutti! Oggi vi parlo del secondo romanzo della serie Royal, di Nicole Chase, ovvero “Un perfetto principe azzurro”, edito Newton Compton editori. Protagonisti di questa storia sono Cathy, la principessa sorella minore del principe e futuro re Alex (conosciuto nel precedente volume) e David, amico e collega di Sam, la duchessa d'America. Ultimamente la moda dei reali sembra essersi impadronita delle autrici statunitensi, perché stanno pubblicando molti libri su questa scia. Nonostante questo, posso dire che il libro di Nicole Chase mi ha permesso di passere delle ore piacevoli e lontane dalle preoccupazioni, ma non per questo va tacciato di essere superficiale. Cathy è la minore dei tre principi e in qualità del suo ruolo di reale e diplomatica, deve sempre mantenere un certo contegno. Ma è anche un ragazza che sogna la vicinanza di un uomo che non la desideri per il suo ruolo o la corona, e finora non è stata molto fortunata. Entrare in relazione con le persone in modo sincero e creare delle relazioni vere per lei è doppiamente complicato, nonostante la sua personalità dolce e solare. Ed ecco che entra in scena David, il collega di Sam, sua cognata. Abbiamo conosciuto entrambi nel libro precedente, intravedendo soltanto la protettività di David nei confronti di Sam nonché la sua personalità "no-nonsense", che ho sinceramente apprezzato. David è il classico studioso un po' introverso che non ama stare al centro dell'attenzione e a cui non può importare di meno l’esistenza di classi nobiliari, da buon ragazzo del sud America. Forse è per questo che riesce a vedere Cathy per quella che è, ossia una ragazza in cerca di equilibrio tra ciò che è destinata ad essere e ciò che sogna di avere. Ci sono molti punti positivi in questa storia, sicuramente le interazioni tra David e Cathy sono uno di questi. Sebbene non ci sia il doppio punto di vista che tanto amo, lo stile è semplice e scorrevole, mai appesantito. Un altro punto di forza è come il cambiamento dei protagonisti avvenga gradualmente e come l'autrice coinvolga il lettore in questi passaggi. "La maggior parte delle ragazze voleva un uomo che le facesse sentire delle principesse, invece io ne volevo uno che mi facesse sentire una donna. E in quel momento capii chi sarebbe stato quell'uomo. Avrei solo dovuto convincere anche lui." Quello che forse manca un po' nella storia è l'originalità, ma questo non deve fermarvi dalla lettura di questo volume. Nonostante questo, la costruzione dei personaggi è ben svolta. Cathy è una ragazza divisa a metà tra ciò che vuole e ciò che deve e che ci si aspetta da lei. Nonostante questo non prova risentimento verso la sua famiglia, anzi, ha un rapporto bellissimo con loro, ma è rimasta scottata dalle esperienze passate e questo la paralizza. David ha in comune con lei l'amore per la famiglia, di cui va fiero. È molto riservato, un buon osservatore e molto intelligente, seppur introverso. Per Cathy prova ammirazione sincera e vorrebbe proteggerla, anche se va in contrasto con il suo naturale bisogno di starsene solo con i suoi pensieri. Non vi resta che leggere questa storia e farmi sapere che ne pensate. Alla prossima! Voto 3
Okay, so this was basically pure torture. I mean, I did like the book. Well, I did like the book when I was 24 % in. At 25 %, it all went to hell with that lame "losing your virginity should be something special!!!!" conservative propaganda from the Nice Guy TM (aka the love interest).
And believe it or not, it actually got worse. Reasons? a) the slut shaming. I'm not saying that the slut-shamed character wasn't stupid or didn't do awful stuff, but the fact that she wore a little more revealing clothes doesn't make her a call girl. And that she slept (by the way with her boyfriend, although that really doesn't matter) with a guy in a guest room (which was honestly the main problem - that they were in a guest room) really doesn't make her a slut/whore/whatever else the main character said. b) so many corny dialogues between the main characters. For example, the guy saying "you smell like an angel". Like, now hold up. hoooold up. what angel exactly did you sleep with?!? NOW who's the slut, heh?! c) the guy saying to the girl "you're different" is basically just another way of saying "you're not like other girls" and let me tell you I hate it when guys say "you're not like other girls". what's wrong with other girls. In fact, let me find an "other girl" right now, I'm outta here. d) the guy not even knowing who Donatello was except that he was also a ninja turtle?? And to think he's named David. I mean, I'm not saying he has to know he made the statue. But literally having NO idea at all? Also, he hates pizza. I'd jump out of that car, like, stat. e) it was so bad I was even a little mad about the fact that they had a movie/dinner date planned and only went to the movies (without even mentioning they didn't get to do the dinner or something), simply because the book was pissing me off and I was looking for other reasons to be even more pissed off. f) in what world are pictures of mother and baby sister of a guy dating a princess (without him even being in the photos) a lucrative way for paparazzi to make money? Especially since it's only mentioned for like three pages and not even brought up in a conversation where it'd really fit later on. I literally fail to see the point of even putting that there. (also, the sister was named Liberty Anne. Who does that to a child?! She was also autistic and idk, I felt as if the author, and I'm not saying she did it on purpose or was malicious, she definitely didn't, didn't really get what autism actually entails? I mean, the way she was mentioned, you'd think she was sick or something. No, her brain just works differently.) g) the "thank you" - "thank you, too" after what they get each other off. I felt as if I were reading a fifties' erotica h) unbelievably predictable plot. I mean, I called literally everything in the first 30 % of the book i) as a concerned citizen, I was kinda horrified that they didn't even use condom when they finally did it
also just a PSA j) i REALLY, like really really, like making lists.
Reckless - utterly unconcerned about the consequences of some action; without caution; careless.
Recklessly Royal is an interesting title for Princess Catherine’s story because it definitely doesn’t describe Catherine’s actions; it may describe Cathy, but she’s only allowed out when the public eye doesn’t have access to her. Because of her responsibilities as princess, Catherine usually walks the line as tightly as she can; she puts her duties as well as her assistance to others above herself, never letting herself go because she doesn’t want the media to latch on to an inappropriate story about her or let down her mother. But Catherine leads a lonely life and watching her brother and Sam get their happily ever after has only made it worse. She would give anything to have someone who would willingly love her for herself, not her title or how she could help that person make a name for himself by dating her, and just when she’s almost lost hope of having a relationship, David Rhodes comes to help out at the Bird Rescue while Sam is on her honeymoon. There are a few moments of recklessness for Princess Catherine/Cathy, but to me, she’s just being a 21 year old woman who wants to enjoy life without her every move being put under a microscope or in this case a camera lens.
David’s lifestyle is almost the complete opposite of Catherine’s. He’s definitely not used to the limelight he is thrust into by helping out Sam with the Bird Rescue, but he does his best to deal with the media and photographers. David is a charming and kind hearted man who allows Catherine to be Cathy…the girl who knows how to have fun and not take everything so seriously. They’re a great match because they complement one another and recognize when the other is struggling.
Recklessly Royal is a light-hearted and sweet read. There’s not a lot of angst, which is exactly what I needed. There are a few deceptions and difficulties throughout the story, but nothing that is over the top. It’s more about Catherine being able to be who she wants and needs to be as well as finding someone who can handle her lifestyle and still be with her for who she is not what she can do for that person. What I liked most about the book is that by the end of the story, Catherine and Cathy merge into a princess who knows her responsibilities but also understands that life is meant to be lived not merely existed.
A complimentary copy was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Princess Catherine knows how to handle the people of her country. She takes great pride in being a woman they can look up to. But she also likes to be just 'Cathy'. The girl who likes to lay around, read books or be silly with her family and new sister in law. And finding a guy that respects both her roles in life is anything but easy. They either want one or the other. But when David walks in to her life, her world becomes a bit more interesting. And it is about time.
** There was something special about the way his eyes met mine, the way his hands felt on my skin. It hit me like a ton of bricks when I realized that it was because he saw me, the woman, not the princess. I never thought that would happen, and the feeling was intoxicating. **
I loved seeing Cathy grow from her calm and demure Princess role to one that starts to embrace life and live a little. And it's all thanks to David. He really did come in and shake her world up a bit. They may come off as complete opposites to those around them...but truthfully, that is exactly what each other needed. To be fair they are alike in all the ways that matter: kind, honest, loving, and giving. And I do think it is funny that she set out to seduce him. But who's to say he won't be doing the same to her. David is character that is absolutely charming and I found him so irresistible. Definite Book Boyfriend material here.
Now let's not forget about Alex and Sam. Things are going good for them and it was nice getting to see them at the beginning and watch them enjoy their wedding. But the best part, aside from Cathy and David of course, is Max's part in the story. I am digging that guy way too much. And honestly, he didn't have a huge role in this story, but it was enough it has me looking forward to his book, RELUCTANTLY ROYAL. I have a feeling he is going to keep us on our toes in that one.
Such a wonderful and fetching (sounds royal'ish right?) read, I inhaled it quickly. If you read SUDDENLY ROYAL don't expect the same story. Because it is not. Cathy has her own life and own story to tell. There is romance and there is heartache but there is also humor and fun. You get a bit of everything is this sexy and entertaining read. Yes, Chase did an amazing job giving us something different, so you don't feel as if you are reading the same story over and over again. I recommend it and I insist you read it. Like now. 5 Royal Stars!
I just absolutely love this series. Even though this is only the second book, they just seem to get better and better. I love a princess book, you definitely can say my inner child comes out when I read a book like this. Yes its a little bit more on the steamier side of things but still, its a fairy tale romance you watch unfold before your eyes.
In the second book, Recklessly Royal, this book is told in Princess Catherine's POV (Alex's sister, Alex & Samantha's story was book one, Suddenly Royal) Yes you can probably read them as a stand alone, but you would be missing out on some pretty great stuff from book one. I adore Cathy as she likes to be called, she is sweet, sincere and cautious, in which you have to be when you are in the lime light as a royal family. She breaks my heart too, she is a good person through and through. She shines through out this book and I am a huge fan of all the characters I have meet so far. I haven't read a book lately that I just enjoyed everyone, well not everyone in this case, I would like to throat punch Tabitha, but I will let you read the book and I am sure you will feel the same as I do.
We meet David in book one, he is the best friend/brotherly like figure in Samantha's life. I really liked David in book one and was beyond thrilled when I was reading and found out he was the potential love interest in this book. He is a southern sexy man on a stick, one of my favorite scenes is when they were having the Bachelorette party and he walks in and Cathy thinks he is a stripper... I believe a few words used were... "Take it off..." I will leave it there...
The deeper I read the more I loved. The story of these two beautiful souls coming together was, magic. They complimented each other in everyway. David truly gave Cathy the fairy tale romance she deserved. He was also her protector and confidante, these two made me melt!!!
Nichole is an amazing writer and although these are the only two books I have read of hers so far, I can't wait to read more from her. She is so talented. I do not talk about a book I do not like and I have been talking about this series since book one came out. It is a breath of fresh air and a fun exciting romance. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did. Now... I wait... for Book Three...
This is such a fun, quirky, cute read. From the start, with lines about Queen Elizabeth parading around in her panties while singing the national anthem, you just know that it's going to be lighthearted and fun.
At first I was a little worried because I hadn't read Suddenly Royal yet, but while it would have been nice to have the backstory, it worked out just fine as a stand alone. BUT, I did go buy Suddenly Royal about a quarter of the way through this story. It's not something I wanted to miss.
Cathy- or Princess Catherine- is used to the royal life and the side effects that come with it. From boys treating her like trophies to be shown off to the rigid calendar of social and princess duties, she never thought she would find someone to connect with like her older brother, Alex, and her best friend, Sam, did with each other.
David is your not so average, good looking American guy. He comes to help with the running of FBT (Future Bird Trust) while Sam is on her honeymoon, and after a hilarious run in (like SERIOUSLY hilarious!!) with a drunk Cathy, he endears himself to her with his sincerity and down to earth personality.
Two people could not be more opposite that David and Cathy. She's used to high society and he grew up on a South Georgia farm. It's totally perfect and works so well for the story. He brings out her relaxed, live-life-in-the-moment side, while she brings out a side of him that is protective and less introverted. After a rough start in the romance department, a few ups and downs with the media, and one sincerely annoying and easy to hate from the start fill-in assistant, they find their groove. If one paragraph can sum the whole book up, it's...
"You know, I always thought I wanted a knight in shining armor." I broke away from his kiss and looked up at him with a smile. "But I like my dashing rogue much better."..
Recklessly Royal is such a cute, easy to read story. I think I finished it in like 3 hours, but it never felt rushed or too short. It's written perfectly, and would make the perfect beach read for spring break or this summer. This is such an adorable, adult take on the likes of the Princess Diaries. I'm seriously excited for Max's story in Reluctantly Royal. In fact, I've already pre-ordered that one!!
I really love Sam and Alex's story Suddenly Royal for a feel good read when I need to read something to make me happy. When I heard that Alex's sister Cathy was getting her own story in Recklessly Royal, it immediately went on my TBR list.
Cathy has lived in the spotlight her whole life, and lately she feels like she is living as 2 different people. First, there is Princess Catherine, the reserved public face she presents most of the time and the person who needs to be conscious of how every action and word can be interpreted. Then there is just Cathy, the woman who used to love to let loose, have fun dancing, loves to watch zombie movies, and is losing hope that she will ever find someone to love the real person she is. Those feelings are only amplified as she puts the finishing touches on planning the wedding of her brother and best friend.
Enter Sam's American friend David who was introduced as Sam's fellow grad student in the wildlife program in Suddenly Royal. Cathy can finally let herself relax for Sam's bachelorette party which leads to a REALLY funny first meeting with David. He is a gorgeous dark haired dark eyed outdoorsy type who immediately catches Cathy's attention like no one else has.
Their story is sweet and slow building as they navigate through the pitfalls of getting to know each other in and out of the public eye with paparazzi hounding them and an unfamiliar personal assistant after a scary event sidelines Cathy's most trusted adviser. For all her worldly experience as a princess, Cathy is still very inexperienced in other ways. David offsets her very nicely and was a willing participant in her education so to speak. ;-) Alex and middle sibling Max have a little brotherly fun with David, particularly since David enjoyed giving Alex a bit of a hard time about Sam when they first met.
I love that we get more Sam and Alex in this story and Recklessly Royal has a lovely epilogue including a little tidbit about them that Suddenly Royal fans won't want to miss. Overall Recklessly Royal was a lovely follow up to Suddenly Royal and I am looking forward to the final book Reluctantly Royal which will be Max's story tentatively due out in August.