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Love in Caledoni #1
Throne Off Course: A Royal RomCom Enemies to Lovers Romance
He’s an ice-cold prince with a duty complex. She’s a historian with a talent for making royals uncomfortable. Their mutual loathing is going just fine—until they realize falling for each other might be inevitable.
Prince Alexander of Caledonia has spent his life being exceedingly proper. He upholds tradition, keeps his emotions locked away, and definitely does not enjoy working with a certain aggravating historian.
Emilia Carter does not care about royal protocol. She cares about facts—especially the ones the monarchy would rather keep buried. Hired to research a royal exhibition, she arrives armed with historical accuracy, a podcast that’s mildly slanderous, and zero patience for Alexander’s stuffy, control-freak tendencies.
Their interactions? A disaster. He’s too rigid. She’s too reckless. Their debates could qualify as a contact sport. And yet, no matter how hard Alexander tries to keep his distance, Emilia keeps pulling him into arguments he should ignore—and emotions he definitely shouldn’t be feeling.
Then comes his best friend Sebastian's latest scandal-ridden party, where the Ice Prince does the unthinkable—he actually has fun. One moment, he’s the disciplined heir everyone expects. The next, he’s making reckless choices, questioning everything, and realizing—with dawning horror—that the person he wants most is the one woman he can never have.
With Queen Eleanor tightening her grip, a very public engagement looming, and the entire country watching, Alexander has a follow the future that’s been planned for him or risk everything for a woman who refuses to bow.
Witty, sharp, and royally irresistible, Throne Off Course is a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers rom-com filled with scandalous history, reluctant attraction, and one very inconvenient romance that could change the monarchy forever.
Prince Alexander of Caledonia has spent his life being exceedingly proper. He upholds tradition, keeps his emotions locked away, and definitely does not enjoy working with a certain aggravating historian.
Emilia Carter does not care about royal protocol. She cares about facts—especially the ones the monarchy would rather keep buried. Hired to research a royal exhibition, she arrives armed with historical accuracy, a podcast that’s mildly slanderous, and zero patience for Alexander’s stuffy, control-freak tendencies.
Their interactions? A disaster. He’s too rigid. She’s too reckless. Their debates could qualify as a contact sport. And yet, no matter how hard Alexander tries to keep his distance, Emilia keeps pulling him into arguments he should ignore—and emotions he definitely shouldn’t be feeling.
Then comes his best friend Sebastian's latest scandal-ridden party, where the Ice Prince does the unthinkable—he actually has fun. One moment, he’s the disciplined heir everyone expects. The next, he’s making reckless choices, questioning everything, and realizing—with dawning horror—that the person he wants most is the one woman he can never have.
With Queen Eleanor tightening her grip, a very public engagement looming, and the entire country watching, Alexander has a follow the future that’s been planned for him or risk everything for a woman who refuses to bow.
Witty, sharp, and royally irresistible, Throne Off Course is a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers rom-com filled with scandalous history, reluctant attraction, and one very inconvenient romance that could change the monarchy forever.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 10, 2026
couldn’t put the book down
Love this story. I was smiling so much. I couldn’t put the book down. Kept saying “one more chapter”
Definitely 10/10
Love this story. I was smiling so much. I couldn’t put the book down. Kept saying “one more chapter”
Definitely 10/10
April 26, 2025
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book so much! The banter was amazingly funny, the political scheme executed very well. I want more!
May 2, 2025
Oh my gosh, I absolutely loved this book! The banter was so amazing. I loved the way Sebastian was teasing Alexander about Emilia! Also, the chapter names??? I was already dying of laughter! Basically, this book was hilarious and such a fun read. I completely recommend it if you’re looking for a little comedy in your life!
October 19, 2026
When I was searching for a feel-good, clean rom-com, Throne Off Course by Hailee Carmel caught my eye for three distinct reasons. First, it was on Kindle Unlimited, which meant a low-risk, free try. Second, it gave me strong Tokyo Ever After and Tokyo Dreaming vibes with the enemies-to-lovers and royal-and-commoner tropes. Finally, the book itself pulled me in—the synopsis mentioned a historian hearing comments about herself from a prince before she even spoke, and that tension really excited me to see how two very distinct individuals could navigate everything.
Once I dove in, the list of things that worked for me was long, but I loved how the characters broke the usual molds. Emilia Carter was wonderfully unconventional compared to the typical naive female leads who get all dazed around royalty; I loved her authority, her passion for history, and her unique way of interpreting it. Alexander wasn't a typical charming prince either, but a very introverted and observant one. His transformation was so enlightening, from his love for history and the deep decency he maintained with Emilia, to his unfiltered interactions with the public. What really got me was how unselfish he was—he thought not just about himself, but about Emilia, his mom, his dad, Sebastian, and even Genevieve.
The supporting cast added so much, too. Thomas had this silent, brief care and support for Alexander that was really worth mentioning. Sebastian Hawthorne was that annoying friend who speaks the truth and sees past your title, and his growth from comic relief to genuinely considerate was lovely to see. Even Eleanor was a wonderfully grey character, molded by her circumstances rather than being a flat, complete antagonist. Surprisingly, even though I personally have no interest in politics and monarchy, the way it was portrayed in the book was actually engaging on the contrary.
As for what didn't quite work, while it mostly reads like a clean book, there is just one scene that prevents it from being completely clean. Beyond that, the ending just didn't quite land for my personal taste—though maybe if I read it another time in a different mood, I might just like it more.
In the end, it was a really refreshing read. For those who loved Tokyo Ever After and Tokyo Dreaming, this is definitely for you with a touch of history and politics, and it's perfect for anyone who loves a rom-com that offers something new to learn along the way.
Once I dove in, the list of things that worked for me was long, but I loved how the characters broke the usual molds. Emilia Carter was wonderfully unconventional compared to the typical naive female leads who get all dazed around royalty; I loved her authority, her passion for history, and her unique way of interpreting it. Alexander wasn't a typical charming prince either, but a very introverted and observant one. His transformation was so enlightening, from his love for history and the deep decency he maintained with Emilia, to his unfiltered interactions with the public. What really got me was how unselfish he was—he thought not just about himself, but about Emilia, his mom, his dad, Sebastian, and even Genevieve.
The supporting cast added so much, too. Thomas had this silent, brief care and support for Alexander that was really worth mentioning. Sebastian Hawthorne was that annoying friend who speaks the truth and sees past your title, and his growth from comic relief to genuinely considerate was lovely to see. Even Eleanor was a wonderfully grey character, molded by her circumstances rather than being a flat, complete antagonist. Surprisingly, even though I personally have no interest in politics and monarchy, the way it was portrayed in the book was actually engaging on the contrary.
As for what didn't quite work, while it mostly reads like a clean book, there is just one scene that prevents it from being completely clean. Beyond that, the ending just didn't quite land for my personal taste—though maybe if I read it another time in a different mood, I might just like it more.
In the end, it was a really refreshing read. For those who loved Tokyo Ever After and Tokyo Dreaming, this is definitely for you with a touch of history and politics, and it's perfect for anyone who loves a rom-com that offers something new to learn along the way.
May 16, 2025
Sweet once it got moving!
In all honesty,
I really enjoyed this book! It was really sweet… but, just read the beginning and then jump to a little past the middle. lol, that’s when it actually started getting interesting and the plot was engaging. It actually had me laughing and rooting for the rebellion, the ending was so sweet and not super drawn out. I and 100 an Alexander and Sebastian fan!!! They are adorable in their own ways and ahhh yeah, the women were actually intelligent and not complete brats and obnoxious. It was refreshing! There was only a few moments when my eyes rolled, especially in the beginning and up until that point (a little past the middle) when I was like Gosh, she is insufferable! But then it became more realistic and focused. The story stared to have a point and not just turn into a self pity party.
I am going to try and read the next one, first time in a while where I am actually looking forward to continuing a series! I recommend this book! Check it out, it’s sweet, funny, romantic, and actually has a good plot!
In all honesty,
I really enjoyed this book! It was really sweet… but, just read the beginning and then jump to a little past the middle. lol, that’s when it actually started getting interesting and the plot was engaging. It actually had me laughing and rooting for the rebellion, the ending was so sweet and not super drawn out. I and 100 an Alexander and Sebastian fan!!! They are adorable in their own ways and ahhh yeah, the women were actually intelligent and not complete brats and obnoxious. It was refreshing! There was only a few moments when my eyes rolled, especially in the beginning and up until that point (a little past the middle) when I was like Gosh, she is insufferable! But then it became more realistic and focused. The story stared to have a point and not just turn into a self pity party.
I am going to try and read the next one, first time in a while where I am actually looking forward to continuing a series! I recommend this book! Check it out, it’s sweet, funny, romantic, and actually has a good plot!
August 26, 2025
Hands down, the best book I have read in the past decade. Characters were well done, the interactions were truly funny and there wasn't a predictable falling out between the two main characters! In my opinion, this would make an excellent movie script! Looking forward to reading the next book. Huge fan, well done!
December 16, 2025
This was a super cute read. I love the banter between Alexander and Emilia. I also appreciated that there were actual stakes and more political intrigue than you would normally find in a royal romance type book.
May 27, 2026
Such a lovely and funny story!
I liked the blurb and am glad I downloaded the book on KU. The back story of the queen is a little sad and you understand how she became so hard. I fell in love with all the main characters and will definitely read the sequel!
Highly recommended!
I liked the blurb and am glad I downloaded the book on KU. The back story of the queen is a little sad and you understand how she became so hard. I fell in love with all the main characters and will definitely read the sequel!
Highly recommended!
October 28, 2025
This was a pretty good book for a debut. I enjoyed the story and liked the fictitious country the author built.
April 2, 2025
I loved the banter between the characters in this book. I also enjoyed Alexander's dry humor, Emilia and Harpers friendship and Sebastian's antics.
What I didn't expect was a well executed political sub-plot and believable villains. It's not your average fluffy royal romance.
What I didn't expect was a well executed political sub-plot and believable villains. It's not your average fluffy royal romance.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews