I’m Princess Alice, and I’m determined to forge my own path outside the palace walls as I prepare to start university.
But when your father is the King and every move you make is scrutinized by the public, nothing is ever simple—especially when it comes to finding a flat and convincing my parents to let me live on my own.
Just as I think I’m getting things under control, another challenge comes my my longtime security officer, Bruce, announces his retirement.
Enter Arthur—the grumpy, rule-following officer assigned to replace him.
No matter how hard I try to have him reassigned, it looks like I’m stuck with him until the end of the summer.
Can I handle having him around, or will I discover that sometimes the greatest engineering feats happen in matters of the heart?
Engineering Love combines the glamour of royalty with the realities of modern life. If you love feel-good stories and royal romances, this book is for you!
Tomi Tabb writes the kind of romance she loves to read: smart, sweet, and strictly closed-door. From the competitive world of professional sports to the hidden lives of modern royalty, her stories are filled with slow-burn chemistry, heartfelt banter, and happily-ever-afters without the spice.
When she isn’t dreaming up her next meet-cute, Tomi is pursuing her doctorate in History, proving that you can be both a serious scholar and a hopeless romantic. A California native, she lives with her family and one very spoiled cat who firmly believes she’s the real royal of the house.
This royal romance between a princess and her grumpy bodyguard was a delight. I really enjoyed the grumpy-sunshine and opposites attract tropes.
I loved how down to earth Princess Alice. She’s sweet, a bit sassy, passionate about STEM, and just wants to have a more normal life.
With a change of bodyguards, Art is now assigned to help protect Alice. He’s her total opposite—quiet, stern, and stoic. It’s not long before Alice sees his softer side and completely falls for him. The romance between them is sweet and lovely.
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
This royal romance between Alice and her grumpy bodyguard, Art, is sweet and unexpected. I love how down-to-earth Alice is and how she just wants to be “normal,” doing all the ordinary activities that most people take for granted, especially as a young adult. A change in bodyguards delivers her a serious man, one with whom she quickly becomes enchanted with.
While Alice has a sassy streak, Art is gentle and stoic, and the plot ebbs and flows between her wanting to strike out on her own, cutting the royal apron strings, and figuring out a delicate balance of loyalty and desire because of her status. The matching of these two opposites allowed for some fun banter and opposition, which helped push the premise to inevitable levels.
I did enjoy the spunk, pleasing friendships, and comfortable feelings this story produced. I’ve always had a fascination with royals and it was fun having a front row seat to Alice’s tale.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
Rating: 5/5 I received the eARC for my honest opinion.
This royal romance book is about Alice, a princess and her grumpy bodyguard Art. This book was so cute and sweet, I loved the characters, I really liked the fact that the author made it feel like Alice was just a normal girl, and not a princess. I liked that the characters were likable and easy to connect with, I found the plot to be perfect for lovers of rom coms, and I found the pace to have been perfect for this book and their characters. I do wish we had more chapters but only because I loved the book so much.
This book starts with Alice wanting to have a normal, independent life but also knowing that it most likely wouldn’t happen. She is now on her way to Uni after the summer, and she knows that she has to break the news to her parents that she has bought a flat without their approval. Oh, did I forget to mention that on top of all that she has 2 new guards that will be watching her and one of them is really sexy. However, Alice's first impression of him was less than positive, he seemed stuck up for her.
I loved getting to watch these characters interact with each other and to slowly open up with their real selves. I loved getting to see Alice who is smart, spunk, a great friend, and a young woman who is just trying to see where she will fit into the world as her own person. I loved getting to know her more and learning more about her story. I loved the ending with her getting to talk about topics that were near to her heart, I did tear up at that part. I loved getting to see her interact with the different guys that she was set up with and seeing how she would handle those situations, but it was Art who stole my heart away with his big save of the day on one of her dates. I loved getting to know Art more as well, finding out that he has anxiety and doesn’t always come across the way that he would like, but once you get to know him more you will find that there is so much more to him. Like the fact that he has two cats and loves baking… i loves it enough to be on the greatest baking challenge in England. I found these characters fit together beautifully, where one is struggling, that is where the other one comes along and helps. Oh, and can we talk about the chemistry between these characters… AHHHH!!!!
I didn’t realize that there was a book before this one and I will be going back and reading it, even though you don’t have to because these books can be read as a standalone but trust me you will want to read the first one like me.
I want to thank Tomi Tabb for the opportunity to review this book.
I’m always excited to read books by new-to-me authors, so I was thrilled to read Tomi Tabb’s latest release Engineering Love. Well, I was not disappointed, this book was so fabulous. From the London setting to the royal FMC to hunky bodyguard MMC to the banter and swoon, this book had it all. The story focuses on Princess Alice, the second daughter of the king, as she embarks on her life after returning from her gap year of traveling. When a new bodyguard, Art, is assigned to watch over Alice, she is not happy. Art is robotic and annoying and doesn’t seem to want to work for Alice. Unfortunately, her father won’t replace Art, so Alice is stuck with him. As Alice and Art spend more and more time together, Alice starts to question her first impressions of Art. The story that follows is full of friendship, romance, and love. The banter and chemistry between Alice and Art was so good. Alice was so likeable, and even relatable as she tries to navigate life as a grown up. Art was what bodyguard dreams are made of. I loved how their relationship developed. I’m always a fan of a modern London setting, and this book satisfied all my yearning for a trip to London. From the palaces and the parks to the Thames to the tube, all the references made me remember my study abroad in London. It was so fun. I adored this sweet book. The story flowed beautifully and kept my attention to the end. The supporting characters were engaging and helped the story along. I loved Alice’s interactions with Eddie, Amanda, and Clara. The humor, banter, and swoon were on point. I’m going to have to check out the author’s backlist because I enjoyed this one so much.
Engineering Love was such a fun grumpy sunshine, opposites attract romance! I love royal romances especially set in London & was thrilled to read this darling romcom. I thoroughly enjoyed Princess Alice finding love with her stern body guard.
Princess Alice doesn’t like being in the limelight. After taking a gap year, she’s looking forward to starting university & having as normal a life as possible. When she’s unexpectedly given a handsome new body guard, she chafes under his serious, rule following personality. Arthur doesn’t seem thrilled to be assigned to her either. However, as Alice & Arthur get to know each other, they discover true friendship & love. But what happens when her father, the King finds out?
I loved Alice & Art! Alice was such a down to earth royal & I enjoyed her spunky personality. Art’s so kind & thoughtful underneath that serious persona. He loves his cats & wants what’s best for Alice. It was so fun following their whirlwind romance. Alice wants to experience things a normal college student would experience like going dancing & visiting escape rooms & Art’s right there with her. I loved the London setting & visiting all the sites.
Definitely recommend this fun, kisses only romcom! While it’s part of a series, it’s easily read as a standalone. Looking forward to reading the previous book in the series. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.
These days it seems it's easy to undermine the importance of a good, sweet romance. They're so hard to find that it's easy to forget they deserve a spot on the bookshelves. But Tabb has certainly carved out a much needed spot on the sweet romance shelf! And I thank her for it! I love her voice and the world she has created. It's like a warm hug that you need on a cold, rainy day. And for me, that's why I read. To get enveloped in a world, I don't want to leave.
This was my first five star read of the year and man, I needed this. It was like a warm hug. I spent the day enveloped in a wonderful sweet romance. And yes, I finished this all in one day. I can't remember the last time that happened to me. The day was filled with a swoony body guard protecting an endearing princess. I immediately connected with the FMC and placed myself in her shoes, even though she was a noble. And of course, I loved the body guard romance aspect. What's not to love? A broody man with tattoos up his arm melting for a woman who is off limits. . . yes please!!! Tabb's writing and storytelling flow seamlessly as she weaves in facts about London. Just perfect!
I for one know Tabb's books will always have a spot, front and center, on my bookshelves. And whenever I have a bad day, I will reach for one. I encourage you too, as well :)
Engineering Love is the second book in the Friends of the Unexpected Royals series. I had not personally read the previous book in the series, and found I was able to enjoy this one just fine as a standalone.
This was such a cute read. Right away, Alice drew me into her life--- she may have been royal, but she was also fiercely independent and wanted to make her own way in the world too. Arthur initially comes across as nothing more than a grumpy, rule-following security officer and let's just say her first impression of him was less than positive. But as they two spend more time together, she learns there's a lot more to him than she thought. A protective MMC who also struggles with anxiety and loves to bake? Yes, please. They were both such wonderful characters that I could not help but love together. It was a really fun story that kept me smiling throughout. This was the first book that I had had a chance to read from the author, but it has me looking forward to reading more in the future. If you love a good royal and/oy bodyguard romance, this is certainly one to check out.
Engineering Love is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
I love discovering new-to-me authors, and Tomi Tabb's latest romance was a delight! A princess and her bodyguard? Yes, please!
Princess Alice, daughter of the King, has just returned to London from her travels before she is to start Uni. She is upset to learn that her trusted bodyguard, Bruce, is being replaced by two younger officers, Angela and Arthur.
While Alice enjoys Angela’s casual attitude and talking books with her, Arthur is grumpy and reserved - but he is handsome and seems very protective. Meanwhile, Alice’s friends try to get her to go on dates, all under Arthur's watchful eye. Until Alice realizes her eyes are falling on Arthur more and more.
This is a charming and warm romance about the royals' inner workings. I enjoyed that Alice had other interests, such as architecture and engineering, and Arthur loved to bake. The theme of bullying added a lot of depth to the story, as did secondary characters with bright and cheery personalities.
This is part of a series, and while it can easily be read as a stand-alone, I’m excited to see where the next book takes us.
Tomi Tabb’s new book, Engineering Love, is like stepping into one of those captivating royal romcoms! I was immediately drawn to Princess Alice and her quest to carve out her own identity beyond the confines of royalty. Everything changes for her when her loyal bodyguard retires, and in comes Arthur—a rigid, uptight, and somewhat grumpy new bodyguard who unexpectedly captures Alice's attention, despite her best efforts to brush him off. This sweet contemporary royal romance had me hooked from start to finish! The chemistry and witty banter between Alice and Arthur sparkled with energy, making their interactions absolutely delightful.
If you're craving a feel-good story infused with English royal charm, don’t miss out on this book! It's a truly entertaining read that weaves together humor, heart, and a dash of royal intrigue!
Thank you to the author for an e-arc of the book. All thoughts are my own
Favorite Quote: “Sefton blows out air, then nuzzles his head against Art’s chest. My heart warms. It’s one of the most precious things I’ve ever seen. My two favorite boys. Wait. I freeze. No. Art’s not a boy. I mean, he is . . . but he’s more of a man than a boy. And he isn’t mine. He’s the security officer who’s here to protect me. Nothing more.”
I’d forgotten how much I loved the forbidden romance trope! I loved all the thoughtful little gestures Art did for Alice. 🥹
Even though this is a single pov story, you can feel the chemistry between Alice and Art very clearly!
Overall, I really enjoyed this newest release from Tomi Tabb.
Thank you to the author for the advance copy. All thoughts are my own.
Alice has grown up a princess- experiencing the challenges that come from living a life open to speculation and judgement. Now, as she becomes an adult, she wants the opportunity to explore new opportunities and figure out what she wants for her future. As she navigates new opportunities and challenges, she finds herself being drawn to the one person she can’t have a relationship with, her new protection officer. Will Alice find her way as a royal? Or will the pressures and difficulties prove to be too much? 👑 This was such a lovely story of finding your way and the gift of having people who support and love you through the journey! I loved Alice’s family and friends. Art shone in the way that he cared for Alice and supported her throughout this story. 👑
Thank you Toni Tabb for my complimentary eARC Of Engineering Love. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Do you remember the show The Royals ? I LOVED it and I am still mad about it being cancelled. Engineering Love is a much tamer version of that show. This is the second book in the Friends of the Unexpected Royals series and it may be read as a stand alone. While characters are mentioned from the first book there are no spoilers.
Perfect if you like: Royal/ Body Guard romance All the sights of London All things Royal
Ok. You know how we’re all a bit obsessed with royalty and body guards? Just me? This story was exactly my cup of tea. Princess Alice has to get a new bodyguard and Art shows up in all of his stoic glory. She’s got big decisions to make and a bodyguard to crack. First time read by this author and this is book 2, but I was easily on board with it and need to grab the first one now. Loved all the English vibes and bet it would make a great audio. So much fun!!
This book does a great job of showing Alice's growth as a young adult. I liked the way the author handled the bullying Alice has received throughout her life, and the sweet moments between her and Art. I struggled a little at the start of their relationship. This single POV book contains kisses only and no swearing. I read an ARC copy of this, these are my comments and reflections.
This is a wonderful sweet story that I am so happy I read. It is a forbidden romance, a princess can't fall for her personal security. Also neither Alice or Arthur were very happy to be together as princess and security. I loved how their sweet romance developed, there is some fun banter, a sweet and swoony romance making this a delightful, fun read.
Art is a bodyguard to Princess Alice. She had a bodyguard that she loved, Bruce. Well now Art is one of her new guards. At first she did not like him, then she liked him alot. they crossed the line when she reached over and kissed him. Now they have to see if they will ever be together.
Alice is a princess of the realm, and just wants to be a normal university student whilst also maybe hiding a little from the world. Art is her new bodyguard, supposed to protect her from all harm. Another great fun cozy clean romance with great details and research and a flowing lovely story.
Engineering Love by Tomi Tabb is such a cute royal and bodyguard book! I was smiling while reading.
Who doesn't love the grumpy vs. sunshine trope, and this one was taken to the max. The slow burn was cute, and this was such a meet cute book. I loved every single page of it!
After reading Coasting into Love, this one just didn't hook me. I loved Art and am always a fan of the guy who is protective and a tune to the girl, but this one just felt like it was lacking something and didn't have a lot of character depth.
This is another magnificent book. Once again, the author does a wonderful job making the royal characters feel like everyday friends for whom you wish the best. I truly enjoyed this book.
I received an advance copy. My review is left voluntarily and represents my honest opinion.
This is really cute. I enjoyed reading about a royal family. Arthur and Alice were a really sweet couple. I enjoyed how Alice grew throughout the book and how she gained more confidence. I loved the animal aspect and how she had a dog that she loved but was also a lover of horses and newly learning to love cats. I really liked Arthur and his sweet and sensitive side. He was quiet which sometimes made him come across as grumpy but he’s really just a softie. My one hang up is Art is a rule follower so I do feel like he was a bit quick to start breaking rules at a certain point for his personality. However, I still enjoyed reading about them.
There are several terms and places that I have not heard before so it was fun to hear these. What a sweet read!