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The Royals #2

Unexpected Princess

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Love is a tricky mess. As the prince and heir apparent, finding someone who looks beyond my status is frustrating. I have high standards one must uphold to grab my attention. Not just anyone will do.

Only one woman rises to the top. Lucky for me, tonight is her debut in high society and I’m here to stake my claim. If all goes as planned, later everyone will learn what I’ve known all along. Winifred Batista was born to be by my side.

One unforeseen obstacle stands in my way. A group of potential suitors, handpicked by her family, are prepared to steal her from me. Denying her any say in the choice.

I’m not about to let that happen.

Although Winnie is skeptical of my genuine interest, I will convince her eventually that we’re destined for each other. Nothing and no one will stand in my way.

Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2024

66 people are currently reading
113 people want to read

About the author

C.R. Riley

32 books97 followers
C. R. Riley doesn’t believe in rules when it comes to romance. Her books are bold, emotional, and unapologetically steamy, spanning tropes like enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, secret pasts, and forbidden attraction. What ties them all together? Deep emotional connection, crackling sexual tension, and characters who love like it’s the only thing keeping them alive.

Writing across sub-genres, C. R. thrives in the chaos of big emotions, tough choices, and the kind of love that doesn’t come easy—but always feels earned. Her goal is simple: give readers stories they feel in their chest and remember long after the final page.

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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for lovelust andbloodygoodbooks.
335 reviews9 followers
April 25, 2021
So I purchased this book in the 99p sale and I am soo glad I did. After reading Antonio and Larkins story I was completely gripped into this series and this book certainly does not fail and of my dreams for it.

Winnie is the youngest of her siblings with older sisters who always terrorised her and a mother who enjoyed watching and treating her like the black sheep. Always calling her names and reminding her that she is to do as is told and as is expected of her. Winnie is a quiet soul who literally does as she is told and always works hard to try and make them proud of her. We first meet her at her coming-out party at 18 where negotiations are allowed to begin for her to be wed but One prince has other ideas.

Esteban has loved Winnie since the day he clapped eyes on her but wants to make sure they are both ready for what would be in store for both of them should anything unfold and he also wanted his Winnie to become the women her knows she can be. He wants her to fly the nest, travel and experience the world away from the clutches of her awful family. In making sure Winnie got that life he had to make sure that the heat was completely off of any budding romance between them and he also wanted Winnie to Love him because she wanted to. OMG seriously guys Estaban is everything. I fell in love with him from the very beginning a true gentleman in a dying breed.

Their love story has many twists and turns and events that keep them apart but the love they have for each other and the connection is unbreakable, they literally are each others soul mates. they bring out the best in each other, always want the best for the other and are bloody HOTT between them. Both Characters grow and develop and are another couple who save themselves for the right one and a truly wonderful love story with plenty of heat thrown in for good measure when they finally do unravel, although they both nearly slipped a few times whilst each other company.

C.R Riley this is another amazing book that I couldn't put down. I loved it and can't wait to read the My Nobel fight.

My Overall rating is 5 💋💋💋💋💋
My passion rating is 4 💋💋💋💋
Profile Image for Michelle Duncan.
548 reviews10 followers
April 16, 2021
Unexpected Princess Review

This was a great coming of age story where Prince Esteban and Lady Winifred’s love story spans the course of years before they take any real sort of action on that love. I adore that Winnie came up with a sweet nickname for the Prince.

Winnie and Stan overcame massive roadblocks that would likely derail most couples. Stan gave Winnie the time and space she needed to grow to be able to live some of the life she wanted to before taking on a major role.

I love that we got to see more of King Antonio and Queen Larkin and that we got more of an introduction to other members of the royal family. My mind is going a million miles a minute wondering how these other characters are going to get their happy endings.

I 100% recommend this book and am looking forward to books three and four of the Royal Series.

“Something about him melts all my defenses and brings out this crazy woman who cannot control herself. For that very reason, I thought it best to maintain a safe distance until we were both ready to do something about it.”
Profile Image for S.P. Dawes.
Author 6 books63 followers
August 5, 2020
Beautiful

Beautiful coming of age story where two people had a connection and never gave up on it, even after so many obstacles. Winnie's family are hectic and bring much drama, but this only ever helps Winnie's sweet character come through, even when she discovers her back bone and takes the centre stage she deserves. Stan is just simply besotted with her and he's every woman's dream, I'm sure. Can't wait to find out more about this family.
Profile Image for Terry Hammoutene.
1,447 reviews12 followers
July 19, 2020
Prince Esteban and Winifred have been through many things through the years. He is waiting patiently for her. He hates what she goes through with her family and wants her to experience life. This story goes through years, we get to see how Winnifred evolves into the woman she should be. I love the way it was weaved and it keeps your interest.


Profile Image for Shannon Burton.
313 reviews10 followers
February 6, 2022
Good

I like the way Estaban waited on Winnie I’m glad some restoration happened with her family. Her mother was terrible though. Overall a good read
5 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2023
This was uplifting and exciting.


The unlikely mating was a joy of reading about a loving couple and then another. Not many of us will every reach that heaven on earth but it is a wonderful dream.
Profile Image for everything.kate.reads.
266 reviews
March 27, 2023
I adored this sweet, fantastically paced and well imaged book. It was VERY hard to put down.
An overwhelmed Prince makes major changes in his private life and the politics of his family, country.
While he tries to calm the political scene, he potentially meets the reluctant woman of his dreams.
The fictional Royal Family and country take you on a delightful, realistic look at interconnected relationships between couples and families….and for King and his reluctant bride, the way they fit with each other and beyond.
Profile Image for Dawn.
44 reviews18 followers
June 11, 2020
This book, just like the first one if you haven't read it, is amazing. From start to finish I was rooting for both main characters and was so invested in them as a couple.

The story follows Prince Esteban and Winifred Batista. Esteban has know who he wants to marry for quite some time now but doesn't make his feelings known to Winifred till her coming out ball. But thats not entirely enough for him, he wants Winifred but also wants to her to continue her own dreams before settling down. That means sending her off to college, while there they try to have a long distance relationship but being a prince doesn't always make things go that smoothly and before long there are problems afoot. Once back from college things change and both realized that they are still in love with one another....

The story weaves in and out of several years and several ups and downs before they are finally together but it was all done in a fantastic believable kind of way that keeps you on your toes and keep reading. The words, the feelings, the storylines that these two go thru to be together and then stay together made me hope that the book would never end. Even once they were together and married I was still on edge waiting to see what happened next. It is definitely a must read book!
Profile Image for Melissa May.
341 reviews4 followers
June 3, 2020
I am so happy I found C.R Riley and she gave me the opportunity to read her books with this ARC. This book is the second in the The Royals series and although it can perfectly be read as a standalone I would recommend to read them in order because that way you will get to know the characters ( and their family) better.
I like C.R Riley’s writing style, the point of view from the characters, she makes you feel like you are part of the story.
I just loved how the romance between Esteban and Winifred developed over the years. This book made me laugh and almost made me cry, and made me very angry with some of the characters, because of the way they treated Winnifred. Tried to put her down and make her feel akward and useless. Although (without giving away spoilers ) things get better at the end. I think it’s great how Winifred managed to survive the comments and reprimands, she’s very strong and I loved that.
The relationship between siblings,parents and spouses are all part of this book and it makes it very realistic.
I can’t wait to read the next book ( about Lorenzo) in this series. Definitely 5 stars for this excellent read! I highly recommend this book.
I received this Arc from the author and this review is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Ashleigh.
3,411 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2020
What you need to know: this book contains no cheating, no cliff-hangers and a HEA.
Book 2 in a series, but can be read as a stand-alone (although, I'll be going back for book #1 soon!).

The extra: I have really enjoyed reading this book, the author did such a great job developing the characters, that I feel like I really know them, and not just the major characters, but the minor ones too.
Also, it caused me to lose quite a bit of sleep while I was reading it, because it was so hard to put down at night!
Profile Image for Oksana.
112 reviews8 followers
June 11, 2020
This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. I like C. R. Riley's character development and writing style. I absolutely adore Winifred and Esteban and their story. Apart from developing the major characters, the author also paid attention to minor ones which made for a very interesting story.
This book was impossible to put down, and I'm looking forward to what happens next in the series.
Profile Image for Avery Maxwell.
Author 22 books1,035 followers
June 13, 2020
I stayed up ALL night to finish this book and loved every single thing about it. I am always nervous about reading a new author or a new series, however, this one did not disappoint! I accidentally read this book first not realizing it was number 2 in the series. First, I am proof it can totally be read as a stand-alone, now that I have gone back to read book 1 I had a little more insight but as I was reading Unexpected Princess I did not feel like I was missing out on anything.
Now for the story! Winnie and Stan are unbelievable. I loved everything about their story. It was unique in that their love story spanned multiple years, not days and yet I never once felt as if the story wasn't moving along. the pacing of this story is what made their love story so special. Stan is the prince every princess wants and the supporting characters (the DUKE-yeeees, is all I can say about him) make this entire story amazing. It is a definite must-read! Kudos to C.R. on one incredible story...I can't wait to see where this series takes us next!
Profile Image for Traci Sek.
Author 12 books47 followers
July 23, 2021
Another hot one!

CR does it again with this explosive story of for bidden love between a prince and a woman who feels she has no self-worth thanks to her evil sisters and mom treating her as if she was the scum of the earth when she’s given the chance at freedom she takes it and finds out that she does deserve happiness

Prince Esteban is another swoon worthy book boyfriend who has to let the woman he loves find her true happiness and does the unthinkable by pushing her away so that she can become the woman she deserves to be. True love has no timeframe! This story gives a whole new meaning to the saying Patience is a virtue. I can’t wait to read prince Lorenzos story next and highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Kriss Jordan.
198 reviews1 follower
September 28, 2023
So funny story! 😂😔

I thought I was reading “unexpected Princess “ by Alexa Riley (on my kindle) which is a 60ish page book so when I found my self reading for about an hour and was only 15% through I realised something was wrong 😂🫣


Turns out this is book 2 of a whole different series and a whole different author 😐 being someone who doesn’t DNF I thought let’s give it a go 🤷🏼‍♀️we’ll 372 pages felt like 600 😂

I gave it 2 stars because i think I might have enjoyed it if I had gone into more aware. I unfortunately don’t love slow burns. I don’t need it to be wam bam thank you mam. But this kind of slow burn killed me 🫣


Sooooo yeah. I think the writing was great it just too slow unfortunately! 😆
Profile Image for carly woakes.
128 reviews3 followers
April 25, 2021
Incredible

This book ticks all the boxes and will have you feeling soo many amazing emotions. Just incredible I am seriously lost for words.

Esteban and Winnie are the most endearing and amazing characters and their story of true love will have your heart melting.
Profile Image for Sarah.
598 reviews10 followers
June 24, 2022
This is Prince Esteban's book, and is a beautiful coming of age story. I adored Stan & Winnie's unique story that developed over the years. Even with all of the obstacles put in their way, and the time and space Stan gave Winnie to live her life and grow into the woman he always knew she could be, their love shone through. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews135 followers
Want to read
January 21, 2024
🎁 Books 1 & 2 in the Series are FREE on Amazon today (4/26/2022)! 🎁
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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