Defying the Crown: When a Prince Falls for a Commoner: A Gay MM Royal Romance

by C.G. Macington

A heart-stopping royal romance where love transcends duty

When Daniel Ramirez, a witty but wounded insurance adjuster from New York, connects with the mysterious Harald on a mental health forum, neither expects the instantaneous spark that ignites between them. Their online friendship quickly blazes into something deeper—something worth risking everything for.

What Daniel doesn't Harald is actually Crown Prince of Denmark, hiding his royal identity to experience genuine connection for the first time.

When Harald travels to New York and their chemistry explodes in person, both men find themselves healing in each other's embrace. Daniel, scarred by his foster care upbringing and a devastating betrayal, discovers what true protection feels like. Harald, suffocating under royal expectations and his father's disapproval, finally feels seen for who he truly is.

But when Harald's secret identity is exposed, their fragile trust shatters. With the weight of a monarchy bearing down and both men spiralling into despair, can love conquer duty? Or will royal obligations force them apart forever?

Genres: M M Romance, LGBT, Mental Health

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2025

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defying the Crown is a stand alone MM romance by C.G. Macington. Every book I read by this author makes me love him more. This one I admit had some serious subject matter. It dealt with mental health issues, some off page and some on page. It made me so sad what these two men had to go through before meeting each other, and also what they had to go through after they met. Everything that happened, though, made the ending all the more special.



Crown Prince Harald is twenty six years old and is the next in line to the throne in Denmark. He has one younger sister and his father is the King. A King that is only concerned with public opinion. With old world traditions. Harald is gay but his sister is the only one who knows. His father would never accept it. Harald is very close with his sister but their father is truly horrible.

Daniel is twenty four years old. He lives in New York City and works as a claims processor for a large insurance company. It’s the most soul sucking job in the universe but he needs to be able to pay his portion of he rent. He shares the apartment with his two best friends.

Daniel was hurt badly in a relationship about a year ago and it has taken everything in him to make a come back. Harald is withering under the constant thumb of his father the king. A king that constantly tells him he’s not good enough. These two meet on line on a mental health website and strike up an immediate friendship. Texting soon turns to phone calls which soon turns to meeting in person.



These two were so, so, so cute together. Harald just wants to be himself when talking to Daniel or meeting him. He doesn’t want people to react to him because of his title. So he leaves that little tidbit out when talking to Daniel. When they first meet, it’s like they’ve known each other all along. With with every touch, every glance, that secret weighs Harald down. Until it’s too late.



I loved these two so much. They most definitely had to fight for their happy ever after though. I was so worried about them. I flew through about the last forty percent, wanting/needing to know what happened next. I am truly enjoying everything I have read by this author and so look forward to more!

[Meags · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

A few things to note about me as a reader:

1. I’m a lover of a good prince x pauper romance dynamic, especially when LGBTQ+ characters are involved.

2. I have mad respect for books that tackle serious mental health struggles in honest, informed, and relatable ways.

3. I am an absolute WHORE for epistolary romances (or any romance where characters fall first through words alone, sharing deep emotional connections before ever laying eyes on one another).

4. Hurt/comfort themes are my personal romance book-crack.

5. I read this particular (266 page) story in under 24 hours—which is super fast for me, Slowy McSlowReader.


All that is to say: I was in reader heaven when it came to the themes and tropes explored in Defying the Crown.

This is only my second read by (newish) M/M author C.G. Macington, but already I’ve found their brand of storytelling to be very enjoyable and easy to devour.

If you’re after a mid-angst read, with lovely, well-formed characters, solid pacing, strong emotional resonance and a damn swoony “against the odds” romance, then this might just be the story for you, too.


***A special thanks to the author and publishers (via Book Sirens) for providing an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Evelyn Bella (there WILL be spoilers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

First questions first. Which of the two had lube at the ready in the hospital? The dying one or the other, who was ALSO dying but at a slower rate?

These two are some horny ass MFs(but prepared). I'm not sure which of them was a boy scout.

I've wanted to read a book where the royal MC is an actual crown prince and not a spare because everyone seems to dodge that. This author didn't so yay for me.

BUT. The first 30% or so of this kinda bored me. I mean, it was necessary, I guess, to know both MCs as individuals before we got to know them as a duo(because those two got symbiotic AF in the truest sense of the term).

Anyway. At first they both spoke a bit like therapists. Too self-aware. They both had issues, sure. Issues for dayssss. But I was worried they wouldn't be able to truly bring the drama when I needed it.

I shouldn't have worried.

Of course what you'd expect to happen with a royal affair situation happens. They get outed. Very publicly.

But the reactions had me rolling my eyes.

Because let me tell you if the man I was in love with turned out to be a literal prince? LOL. Let's just say my reaction would have him reassessing a (very valid) suspicion that I could be a gold digger.

That said, I love this business of one MC deciding that if he can't have the other after exhausting all possible avenues to get him back, he'll simply......die.

Real lovers are so back.

If you don't waste away when you can't have him, what's even the point?

Man said I have energy for one thing, and if I can't have him, anything else is merely a waste of time holding on to a life I'd rather not live.

I fuck with that. That MC is alright in my book.

I received an advance review copy for free via BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I marked this midway because it was a Marmite book for me.

I liked the mental health rep and the cute way that Daniel and Harald bonded before they met in person. Their relationship moved fast, but sometimes they just do, so that didn’t bother me; it was endearing to listen to them fall in love despite what they both had going on in their lives. The trip to NY was cute, and facing up to Alex was enjoyable.

I wasn’t really a fan of the many POVs. I find two is more than enough, especially when the details being given weren’t that in-depth or added nothing. For example, I’m not sure Erik’s feelings added anything? For the most part, it’s not a very happy story, and I also thought the ending was a little contrived.

It’s definitely a Hallmark-type fairytale in the sense that the good guys win in the end and they get their happy ending. For the most part, it was enjoyable.

——————————————
I received an ARC of this from Book Sirens, and this is my honest review.

[Mrs.bookdarlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was unsure about this read, but it was great!
It's goes beyond a Prince and Commoner storyline! The author didn't an amazing job touching on sensitive topics!

I just want more of these two!

[read.beforeyou.think · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defying the Crown is a captivating blend of heartfelt mental health representation and a slow-burn, dreamy romance that somehow makes the impossible feel entirely real.

The story kicks off when Daniel meets Harald in an online forum. Their connection is instant, deep, and surprisingly lirty. What Daniel doesn’t know, however, is that Harald is hiding a pretty big secret—he’s actually a prince. While the truth stays buried for most of the book, when it finally surfaces, the story takes a dramatic turn that completely caught me off guard both the best and worst way.

What I appreciated most was the honest and vivid depiction of mental health—both Daniel and Harald struggle with their own emotional battles, but the way they communicate, open up, and allow themselves to be seen felt incredibly raw and real. There's vulnerability, disillusionment, and healing, all wrapped in beautifully written dialogue and genuine moments.

The romance is slow-burn perfection: thoughtful, passionate, and filled with open communication—though Harald’s big omission does complicate things. Still, every twist, secret, and revelation only deepened my connection to the story. The pacing is tight, the writing flows effortlessly, and I truly adored every moment.
Highly recommend this one—it’s moving, romantic, and full of heart.

[Naito Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defying the Crown by C.G. Macington is absolutely brilliant. I was initially drawn to it by the promise of hidden identity and MM romance, but what I got was so much more—a deeply layered, emotionally resonant story that surpassed my expectations.

What starts as a heartfelt exchange in a mental health support group beautifully evolves into a long-distance romance between Daniel, a grounded, kind soul from the foster care system, and Harald, a Crown Prince suffocated by the weight of royal expectations. Their slow-burn relationship is authentic, vulnerable, and built on honest communication—until the stunning reveal of Harald's true identity throws everything into chaos.

The emotional fallout is devastating in the best way, and what truly impressed me was how the author shifted the POVs to capture the grief, confusion, and heartbreak both men experience. The pacing is spot-on, and the story manages to balance quiet, intimate moments with high-stakes emotional drama without ever feeling forced.

This is one of those rare books that checks all the boxes: strong character arcs, tender romance, a fresh take on the royalty trope, and meaningful emotional depth. I adored it—and highly recommend it to anyone who loves MM romance with substance and soul.

[Daniela Peixoto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este livro foi escolhido á sorte, sem ler sinopse, apenas pelo titulo e porque a cor encaixa no meu Desafio Arco Iris. Foi um agradável surpresa. Não é uma temática pesada, mas aborda assuntos relevantes na temática lgbt, que em conjunto com a parte da realeza se tornam mais pronunciados. Uma leitura rápida e cativante, sem momentos mortos e personagens que nos atraem.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was graciously provided a copy of Defying the Crown by its Author CG Macington. The review is given without bias.

This one is not your RW&RB.

When a bad break up leaves Daniel drowning, his therapist suggests that he find someone to talk with that doesn't know his story. He finally gives in and signs up for mindsupport.com. He tells his story and signs off for the night.

Harald is drowning too. Drowning from responsibility and impossible expectations from his father. The King of Denmark. Harald can't get anything right, everything he does isn't good enough for dad. Not to mention his father doesn't know he is gay, no one really does. Harald sees a therapist too. She suggests using a web site to talk things out, Harald can be anonymous. No one needs to know. He finds a willing ear and someone to chat with.

This is a wonderful story about Daniel learning how to open up and let Harald in. Can he trust Harald with his heart?

Can Harald trust Daniel? What will happen when he finds out who he is? Harald has kept his title a secret, he desperately wants someone to love him for him and not the crown upon his head.

This was at times an absolutely heart breaking story. And on the opposite side, this story is so healing. CG brings the angst. Harald has so much to overcome and Daniel is so broken. I loved the realness of emotions even set in a fantastical backdrop of a royal family. I thought it was well written and the pacing was great. Bring the tissues and make sure you read the trigger warnings. This book is tough in a lot of places. Both Daniel and Harald do a lot of heavy mental health healing. It's gritty, raw, and incredibly emotional. I loved the secondary characters, they added so much to the story. For both MC's their support systems were sometimes the only thing that got them through.

All in all, I really liked this book. The characters were so real, and the writing pulled you in. I'll be glad to pick up this author again, maybe even a sequel? Erik might need his own story.

Again thank you to CG MacIngton for providing me with this book.

[Laura Wilke · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a certain amount of reality suspension you may have to do to really enjoy this book. But once you do, this a solid romance between two people with mental health issues. They each have challenges and personal demons. The story does go dark before it resolves in a very much earned HEA at the end. But there is some fluff and both main characters have wonderfully awesome supporting characters in each of their lives. And the ‘villian’ does get his comeuppance.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25 stars. The basic storyline wasn't particularly unusual, but the last part after the "breakup" was very powerful. I wasn't quite sure what Erik's role was throughout most of the story, but that turned out well. The ending was really touching. Harald and Daniel were both much stronger than they ever thought possible.

[Gelaskaca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the St Jude series.. understandable, because this was written before St. Jude series. I think the book needed another edit, and some of the ideas could have used some mor time to explore. There were some formatting issues, grammar issues, and the dialogue could use some more workshopping to be more believable and distinct.

[Gavin Stephenson-Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting take on The Prince and the Pauper theme. Daniel has been through the wringer of the foster system, shares a New York apartment with an oddball straight couple and works in a cubicle for an insurance company. He took his breakup with his cheating ex badly and is in therapy. Harald is the Crown Prince of Denmark and has mental health problems of his own with the expectations placed on him and hiding his sexuality from his father, the King. When these two meet in an on-line mental health forum they quickly build a friendship in their anonymity. As their relationship transitions into real life they quickly fall for each other. Both value that feeling of being really seen for themselves and not all the external trappings. Trying not to have external trappings interfere means secrets abound. Secrets that cause major heartbreak when they come out. Honesty is critical for any relationship but determining when and what to share is difficult when the knowledge could change the relationship dynamics so completely. Past experiences on both sides have to be overcome as they acknowledge that what they had was real.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[T Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairy tale with the best of happy endings. The romance, from the beginning to the conclusion of the book kept you reading as did the dramatic elements. Good friends, some good and some not so supportive family members and a love story that draws you into their world is always a good reading. Enjoyable and easy to get lost in all the while warming your heart with their journey to happiness.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel is going through some hard times. After a devastating breakup his life goes downhill. Not feeling worthy or loved he starts seeing a therapist who tells him to join a website with similar people as him. He chats with Harald, they have a great rapport & decide to take it up a notch with late night phone calls that last all night long. Harald never tells Daniel who he is, he wants someone to love him as Harald not as the Prince he is. He meets Daniel in New York, has a whirlwind romance till the public catches wind & Daniel finds out that Harald is a Prince. Devastated, Daniel leaves him ignoring his calls & texts. Lots of angst and heartbreak before they get their HEA. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marco · Rating 1 out of 5]

Defying the Crown: When a Prince Falls for a Commoner by C.G. Macington is a royal romance that tackles mental health but stumbles in its execution, particularly in its mid-section.

The novel addresses mental health struggles—such as abandonment, depression, and anxiety—with a certain sensitivity, which adds depth to the characters. The opening act, which builds the story, is engaging and bears some resemblance to Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.

On the other hand, the middle act feels lacklustre, clichéd, and predictable, losing the momentum built earlier. Side characters, like the prince’s secretary, are underdeveloped and add little to the plot. Logistical inconsistencies—such as unexplained language barriers or unlikely behavioural choices for a royal figure—break immersion. Additionally, the narrative suffers from repetitive dialogue when switching between characters’ perspectives.

While the premise is intriguing and the mental health representation is commendable, the execution falls short after the initial spark. As one reviewer aptly put it: “I like the premise of the book and it started out okay, but once the two main characters met in person, it went downhill fast.”

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Defying the Crown fits the classic romance formula of someone with an awful ex, someone with a secret, and the kind of chemistry that would be setting off alarm bells in real life. In short, romance novel catnip. The cast are charming, and the laundry list of romance tropes makes for a good time.

While I appreciated the addressing of mental health issues and how they intersect with people’s love lives, I found the way that Daniel and Harald talked about their problems insufferable. Acting like they’re the only people with real problems, and the constant “at least you’re not-” just rubbed me the wrong way. This was more of a problem in the early phases of the book, and fortunately the characters grew, but, oof, what a start. That said, the idea that sometimes you can find “baggage” that goes with yours is a really lovely, beautiful thing. People don’t have to be perfect, don’t have to be well, to deserve their own love story; and for people struggling through mental health issues, that can be a really difficult bridge to cross.

Overall, I think the book needed another edit, and some of the ideas could have used some mor time to explore. There were some formatting issues, grammar issues, and the dialogue could use some more workshopping to be more believable and distinct.

I would read the author’s work again.

Important note: $250 is nowhere near enough money for what the poor taxi driver went through. Justice for the taxi driver.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Maria E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a lot of gay royal romances in books but not in movies, until Red, White and Royal Blue came along. I really hope that the movie production people do the same for this book. It's not the same plot, but it does contain a common trope that I've seen a lot lately -- a prince trying to keep his identity a secret, and catfishing another person over the internet.

The two men in our story, Daniel and Harald have backgrounds as different as night and day. Daniel had an unhappy childhood in foster homes, while Daniel is none other than a prince. But he's not just any prince; he is the Crown Prince of Denmark, with all the trappings and responsibilities of a Crown Prince who will one day become King. They meet online, on an online mental health forum, and without knowing who each other one is, they fall in love. And when they finally meet in person, sparks fly, and they both find happiness until Daniel discovers that Harald is a prince, and they are both outed as gay.

This book contains a lot of angst, betrayal of trust, lover's betrayal, and a nod to suicide. Don't worry, they will have their happy ending but they have to go through a lot of heartache before they can get there.

[Mishukitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I hadn't already read several royal romances, I might have given this book a higher review.

No doubt that this is a well-written book (I read an ARC version, so I will forgive some minor text flaws). The description of depression, its overwhelming influence on your life, is particularly well done. I also appreciated the inclusion of some secondary characters' thoughts, which balanced the main characters' preoccupation with depression.

However, I HAVE read several royal romances, so I cannot avoid a comparison. This book just isn't in the same league as others. Eric's account added a lot of detail to Harald's story, describing his life from his early years. We receive only the very basic outlines of Daniel's story. Because I know Harald better, his reaction to Daniel's rejection is believable. Daniel just comes across acting like the man that had hurt HIM: only thinking of HIS pain, quick to blame the other, unwilling to talk things out and accept very apologies. The conflict's resolution feels contrived and overly sweet; everyone forgives, the villain gets punished, and love wins.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

C.G. Macington's Defying the Crown is a book with a lot of potential. The characters of Harald and Daniel have endearing elements to them, which makes for a romantic read.

With both main characters, Macington creates very vulnerable men. Both have a variety of mental health needs, and both utilize an online forum to share their journey outside of their normal therapist work. The premise for the most part works. I do think it is odd that in a mental health post they are sharing what they look like. At times, both their post made it feel like a dating app, instead of a support group.

Macington excels at setting description. Daniel's work was so miserably described that at times I was cringing while laughing out loud. And the descriptions of Harald's castle are lovely. Macington's descriptions of depression are also haunting, delving into heartbreak and loneliness in an authentic way.

The book overall is a solid read. At times, Macington gets stuck on phrases and ends up repeating some things too often. But it doesn't detract from the story too much.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lori Wilen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be a 5 star read for me. I have spent the past few years rereading and rereading Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston and now have another book that I can reread too. This had everything that Red, White and Royal Blue had. The charm. The wonderful characters. The great conversations. The awesome bantering. The realism of it all. Harry had the loving sister in his corner and Daniel the best friends. The way these two MC's meet and go about falling in love was beautiful to read. The book took some surprising turns that I wasn't really expecting but I truly wasn't disappointed at all. I love M/M fiction and I also like how in several of the books of that genre that I have read that the author takes nothing away from women by having strong women in support of the men in the relationship and this was no exception. The sister, best friend and Prime Minister were all examples of strong women. I received this book as an ARC and I thankful to the author and publisher. I have no hesitation in recommending this book especially to those who were fans of the Casey McQuiston book.

[CatOnABlueBackground · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, it's probably closer to a 3.5 for me. It's not exactly a happy story. There's a lot of mental health issues between the 2 of them. The prince has been institutionalized before due to a breakdown, and the American commoner has been institutionalized before due to a suicide attempt. There's more institutionalization (& near death) for the Prince at the end due go his refusal to eat. If all this is ok with you, then give it a try. It reads easily and quickly, the plot moves along nicely, and the side characters are well done & interesting.

It feels wildly unrealistic - but in a Hallmark movie kind of way. I just can't believe that the crown would let the prince air his mental health issues online (even though he used an alias, it would have been easy for any of his countrymen to have figured out it was him), or to let him go anywhere without his bodyguards. Everything works out perfectly in the end (again, super unrealistic, but Hallmark-realistic).

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part, this was a typical m/m royal meets commoner and they fall in love. The prince keeps his true identity a secret . When Daniel finds out he was seeing a prince things go haywire in the worst ways possible. Up to that point, I was unaffected ,

by the story, but that's where I lost it and cried because of all the hopelessness of the situation. Harald's father, the king was cold hearted and narrow minded. It hurt to read about his prejudices. Try this captivating love story with obstacles. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the premise of the book and it started out okay but once the two main characters met in person, it went downhill fast. Whenever the perspective shifted from one character to another, the same dialogue would often be repeated. It wasn't just the occasional line or phrase but entire conversations that had already been shown from the previous point of view. Also, Harald is in Denmark, so he would state his sister's height in centimetres rather than saying she was 5'3" (same thing goes for his use of 'cell' rather than 'mobile').

[Jimbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It held my interest very well throughout the book and I liked all the characters, but like many books these days, it's the small things that get in my pleasure reading . . . editing. Glaring holes and repeated phrases over and over and other little errors that detract from the enjoyment of the story. That is the only reason for the 4 stars.

[Donna Cansdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasure to read

Cinderella tale with mental health woven in, making a tender and heart wrenching love story. The two protagonists meet online in a support group and share trauma anonymously which is a refreshing modern twist and gives depth to their connection. Characters are engaging and absorbing. Recommended.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite Red White and Royal Blue but a light hearted story about two men who have nerodivergent issues meet online on an app their doctors recommended. One is a prince and the other is a commoner from the US.

[Book Addict · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the author's newer books.

[Alice Jago · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly not my fave. I love this author but not his best work. Really disappointed with the ending.

[Selbee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful, ridiculous, illogical....just very, very bad. Dropped after 50 pages.
One positive: good mental health representation so far. Though I don't know if the writer will use " love health all" trope to deal with it.
A latino gay American connects online with a danish gay prince. They exchange numbers and send each other photos. How is this not imprudent and going to blow up in their faces? Then there is a third POV narrator, the prince's secretary in love with him. Why?
It all looks very predictable (another Hallmark like romance!) which I wouldn't mind if it had been better written.