Royal Crush

by E.M. Lindsey

As an actor, there's nothing more humbling than crawling my way back into the spotlight after a vicious spiral that nearly ended my career. But I'm determined to do it. Especially since the role of a lifetime was just dropped into my lap: the chance to play Camillo Soriano, the stone-faced, unflappable, second-born Prince.

This is my chance to make it, to prove to the world that I'm not the mess the media wants everyone to believe I am.
But things get complicated when the studio decides to hire a wheelchair consultant to ensure I’m doing the job right. And not just any consultant, but the Prince himself…

…and Camillo is not thrilled about the casting.

Now have a babysitter on set, and with Camillo’s standards, the infuriatingly gorgeous Prince isn't making it easy on me.

The man is an absolute royal pain, but the more I get to know him, the more I realize how much we’re alike. It’s becoming increasingly obvious he’s the only person who truly understands me, and the longer we’re together, the more I start to believe in fate.

Royal Crush is an enemies to lovers, actor/prince standalone with a snarky wheelchair using prince, a bitter former child actor, secret dates, tons of snark and banter, the inglorious realities of doing spicy scenes for a camera, a secret romance and a swoony, steamy happily ever after.

Genres: M M Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Contemporary, Disability, Royalty, Queer

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2025

About the author

E.M. Lindsey is the author of MM contemporary romance. She presently lives and works in the southeastern United States.

EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.

Reviews

[Florence . · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 “The only thing I have that belongs to me is you” stars

This book? Are you kidding me? Everything about this book just hit with a cold drink on a very hot summer day. It was everything I could ask for in a book but also so much more. This book made me feel every feeling possible. One second, I was squealing from glee, the second after I was crying my eyes out, then I was annoyed on behalf of the characters and just wanted to hug them and the circle continued over and over.
 
Mini-Blurb: Camillo’s, a prince that got into a bad car accident and got a spine cord injury, rights to his memoir were sold to be adapted into a TV show without his permission and Aleric, a jaded child star trying to find his big break after his career got destroyed when he was a teenager, got the role of Camillo. Camillo hates him because he wanted to be portrayed by a disabled actor, but …
 
I had fallen in love with him. I was willing to do anything and everything he asked except letting him go without a fight.

My favorite thing to read about is loveable jerks with a chirp on their shoulder and this book had two of them, so it was basically a match made in heaven for me. Camillo is a prince, so he must put up a front and act like his life is perfect and it made him closed off and refusing to let people in. Aleric was destroyed by the acting industry when he was a kid and has PTSD because of it and it makes all his interactions with everyone angry and defeated because he doesn’t trust anyone to treat him right. I liked how they were so angry with the world that they didn’t really know how to talk to each other at first, it felt so real. But I liked how they kept working on it together and they kept trying to open to the other, even I it wasn’t always easy, they always tried and that’s what matters to me. I loved how they were each other’s safe space to be vulnerable and themselves in.
 
I liked how they didn’t have to put up a front with each other and could just let go and be themselves, it was marvelous to read about. Also, can we talk about Camillo and Aleric as a couple? I absolutely adored them together. I loved how once they figured out how to communicate with each other, it was it for them. I liked how well they clicked together and how they were just happy to spend time with the other no matter what. I loved how they braved all the really hard things that were happening to them with one goal in mind, to be together. I loved how it was their end goal and all they wanted was to be together no matter what, it was so lovely to read, and it made me love their relationship to pieces.
 
Why the fuck did I care about what this man thought? Why did I suddenly want to cry and drop to my knees and beg him to teach me how to be good?

Also, can we just mention their dynamic for a minute? I adored how Aleric just wanted to be good for someone and be praised and how Camillo was more than happy to do so. They just worked together so well, and it was an absolute delight for me to read, and it was also really hot, so that’s always a plus.

My favorite kind of angst is when shitty stuff happens to characters and we get to read about their trauma about said events, it hits just right for me and this book delivered that in spades. I read the first 50% of this book while taking a bath and I cried so much I was pretty sure I could have overflowed the bathtub with my tears and that’s how I prefer my reading experiences to go if we are honest.
 
If you asked me what the best tropes for a book would be, it would just be everything this book contains, this was such a special one to me.

You can ask me for whatever you want and I’ll give it. And you can tell me what you will never want. And it won’t be on the table. Not ever.

[Drache.... (Angelika) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,75 stars.
My third book by this author (after Halo and To Touch the Light).
I'm not convinced their books are for me, though.

Like with the other two books it took me a while to getting used to the writing style.
The story felt rushed, lots of info dumping at the beginning, a few hot and cold interactions, then the MCs already were (kinda) close. There were things that didn't make much sense, and felt constructed yet unnecessary (the third act not break up for example).
Despite the ugly past both MCs had, that didn't have much impact on them, and I really don't know how I feel about that.

Nevertheless (as I did with Halo) I loved the interactions between the MCs once they started falling for each other. I loved the emotional intimacy, and appreciated that there wasn't a focus on sex, but on both MCs' emotional wellbeing. There was sex but it felt well written (although I can't judge its authenticity).

Overall I didn't not enjoy it.

If you're searching for a more gritty and heartbreaking take on the former-child-star-romance (without royalty, though) I highly recommend Stars In Your Eyes by Kacen Callender.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4 stars ⭐️

How was I supposed to go on knowing what he tasted like with no idea if I’d ever have the chance again?

TROPES:
🎬 Actor vs prince
👑 Disability rep
🎬 Trauma
👑 Hurt/comfort

A very sweet and romantic story between a prince and the actor playing him in a show.
Royal Crush was an emotional read, full of comfort.
I love when I get to see characters heal, I loved the chemistry between Camillo and Aleric.

“Would you like me to show you how to make me feel good?” His pupils dilated, and he dragged his lower lip between his teeth, nodding. “Mm.” I hooked a knuckle under his chin and held his gaze firmly. “Then pay attention. Be good… and get on your knees.”

There were only a couple spice scenes, but still very hot, showing more the emotional connection between the MCs rather than just the sexual. Just them grinding and caressing felt erotic and sexy.

Because in that single moment, for the first time that I could remember, I was truly happy.

Aleric’s story hurt, so getting to see him happy and loved was very heart-warming. I wish there were more romantic dates, more feels less talking. The ending, while nice and happy, definitely felt a little anti-climactic.

Lately, E.M. Lindsey’s works have been feeling a bit monochromatic for me, so I’m glad this one turned out to be a lovely read.

“Some things are worth it, Camillo.”

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Past forced drug use on a minor
- Parental neglect
- Discussion of past CSA
- Discussions of past SA & non-consensual humiliation
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Ableism
- Past non-consensual disability fetish (not between MCs)
- Mentions of stalking (not between MCs)

[Iz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

I'm really unsure on how to rate this!
On the one hand, I absolutely adored bits of it. On the other, I felt like something was missing.

First things first, though. The good.
Camillo as an MC was a freaking delight. I adored him. I loved that he was a jaded, bull-headed asshole, I loved witnessing how he finally managed to become more vulnerable and sure of himself as the novel went by, and I adored being in his head. I also really enjoyed Aleric as an MC, but he felt less fleshed-out than Camillo and idk, something was missing. He was still great though, sweet and and yes, a bit of an asshole too, but still pretty great.
And finally, I adored the disability rep; obviously, I can't say much about the accuracy of the rep, but it felt like E.M. Lindsey did a great job at it. Camillo's character felt real and fleshed out and I really resonated with him over his own contradictory feelings about his disability.
I think I need to give the rest of E.M. Lindsey's books a chance 'cause I know they've got plenty of rep just like this one.

On the other hand...
Camillo and Aleric's romance was enjoyable, but I felt like something was missing. This book is fairly short, so I know I shouldn't have expected more than what I got, but I felt like their emotional connection was a bit rushed. They went from dislike and distrust to trust and devotion very quickly, and I felt cheated out of the emotional arc.
I also wasn't a very big fan of the ending. There was a build-up to some sort of big resolution, but then it fizzled out and we know what happened only because the epilogue told us. Again, I felt cheated out of that, unfortunately.

So yeah, "Royal Crush" was a mixed bag for me. Some things I adored; others, not so much.
I will read more of this author though, and I can say that if you're looking for a quick, angsty, highly romantic story between a jaded prince and an anxious mess of an actor, this is it!

TWs/CWs: sexual assault on a minor (past; with coercion, drugging, abuse), abusive work environment, neglectful parents, car crash and injury details, hospitalization, abusive relationship (past; with sexual assault, non-con disability fetish, non-con humiliation), ableism, stalking.

Many thanks to GRR for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

E.M. Lindsey has truly become an all time favorite author of mine!!

Royal Crush is a powerful, and emotional read. What I love most about E.M's writing is how authentically and thoughtfully they portray characters with physical disabilities—not as a box to check in terms of having representation, but as fully realized people whose experiences are deeply explored.

Camillo and Aleric’s relationship had such beautiful growth. They both made assumptions about each other, but as they opened up, they became a safe haven for each other. The protectiveness on both sides melted me, and I swooned every time Camillo called Aleric “my darling.” I also appreciated the redemption arc for Camillo’s brother, Camillo deserved endless support and I was happy he finally got it from at least one person in his family.

Both Aleric and Camillo were consistently vulnerable throughout the book, and it was their closeness and how once they were "it" for each other, that really got to me. They were each other's person and it was truly just so beautiful to see.

I wish there had been a little more of opening up on Aleric's end and what he went through as a child actor because I'm nosy, but I think it fit the plot as Aleric wanted to leave that part of him behind and have his "comeback" moment.

Highly recommend this book!!

[Naz.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25/5 stars 1.5/5 spice

At the beginning I found the conservations between the main characters a little too awkward and uncomfortable. They would end abruptly and Camillo would be a tad too harsh and unapologetic with Aleric.

Once they started bonding and digging deeper into who they are with all of their past traumas you could see how well they actually fitted together. When they decided to get romantically involved the story really picked up for me. I was rooting for them to overcome all of the struggles that they would face.

Camillo wasn’t his grouchy self when he finally let Aleric in, he was super sweet and found his safe space in him. Aleric accepted him for him and never let his title or disability get in the way. Each time he made a mistake he always looked for a way to amend it.

Overall, this was a sweet read with complex characters. I liked how the author went into depth with Camillo’s disability and Aleric’s trauma with being a childhood actor who was taken advantage of from everyone in his life.

- Struggling chilhood actor X prince
- Disability rep
- Trauma
- A not so meet cute
- Grumpy X sunshine
- Working together on set

[Shawna (endemictoearth) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars - I went back and forth on my rating a few times while reading this book . . . there are some really great moments and declarations that will make you swoon, but ultimately I think it tackles too many big issues in too few pages.

The relationship between Aleric and Camillo starts off very antagonistically - they do really feel like enemies for a hot minute, but that quickly gives way to them realizing there's a lot more beneath their surfaces/reputations. I definitely believed that these two saw each other and were doing everything they could to support the other. No issues on that front.

However, the pacing is definitely a bit . . . abrupt? There is a lot packed into the final chapters of this one, and I would have preferred a longer book that felt less rushed.

Once again, I admire Lindsey centering characters with varied disabilities and giving them truly romantic happy ever afters, which is why I keep returning to their books (and will continue to read them.) This one didn't fully come together for me in the end, but I enjoyed many aspects along the way.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️. This was a really sweet and unexpected story. The cover makes it look like it’s super smutty and it’s not at all.

I really really loved the care and respect that was shown in how they portrayed their affection and love for each other. Camillo’s disability wasn’t a side note; it was a direct part of their story.

Aleric is a former child actor who has been through a lot of abuse and is trying to regain his life. He takes on the role of, Camillo, the prince of Caverna (a small fictional country) who after an accident is disabled and in a wheelchair. The story is based on Camillo’s own autobiography. They meet because Camillo is on set as his advisor. Each are strong characters in their own way; each smart and capable.

They are both struggling with their demons when they meet on set, and after initially fighting, fairly quickly become a couple. Both are openly gay.

The tension in the story comes from them trusting each other, Aleric learning and understanding more about Camillo’s disability, the terrible director on set, and a little drama from their pasts. Aleric is constantly dealing with assumptions about drug use, etc and Camillo is fighting to be sure his story is told how he wants. We also learn about a situation in his past that comes back to cause a little trouble. We also see his struggles with his disability, the low love/interest he gets from his royal family.

- no third act breakup. Low angst
- communication - these two talk to each other and are honest and direct from the beginning.
- no OM drama. No jealousy.
- moderate spice.
- dual POV; HEA; engagement in epilogue 17 months later.
- dislike to lovers
- love that Aleric is in active therapy and Camillo makes reference to his own.

Please give this little story a try. It was different and very sweet.

[purely.romantic · Rating 5 out of 5]

CWs and CNs and the end.

A brand new swoony stand alone by EM Lindsey featuring two angsty boys with big feelings and a lot to overcome. Meet Aleric, a former child star with an allegedly colourful past that made every seedy tabloid trying to make his comeback playing the role of Prince Camillo in a new TV show about the prince’s life. The catch? He is portraying a disabled person when he himself is not disabled, immediately making him Prince Camillo’s least favourite person on principle.

This was, as always, a fresh take on archetypes and tropes that we have seen before. Both characters had some legitimate demons and Camillo especially has every good reason to be wary of Aleric and dislike him for taking the spot of a disabled actor. And Aleric’s inability to understand the realities of Camillo’s life and some casual thoughtlessness demonstrate just how much wheelchair users have to deal with even when they are royalty leading much more privileged lives than the average person. Aleric is also hiding a gnarly past and has to claw his way up to the few opportunities that come his way while being disrespected by the very people who should be supporting him. And Lindsey allows the reader to confront these issues and systemic problems while seeing the complicated layers that make up individuals and their relationships to each other. These characters don’t belong with each other because they are perfect but because they are flawed in very human ways and also find a reason in each other to learn, grow and even stand up for themselves.

For both, breaking out of the moulds and reputations that have been created for them is difficult—in many ways it’s less effort to just let the chips fall where they may but both Aleric and Camillo find that the more their feelings for each other grow, the less interested they are in having their futures dictated for them. And as I do with every EM Lindsey novel, I found myself drawn to these two characters who feel so real despite, or perhaps because of their imperfections. Love finds them both in the most unexpected of ways, and in a situation where they both initially clashed in ways that were so awkward, and it was the easiest thing to root for their happily ever after. Highly recommend this very fun and very swoony, classically EM Lindsey novel for anyone who is a fan of their work, or for new readers who want to get a taste for these love stories.

CWs: past forced drug use; trauma and abuse specific to child actors; abusive caregivers; past car accident leading to permanent injury; discussions of past CSA; discussions of past SA; past non-consensual disability fetish; ableism; paparazzi stalking

CNs: This is an MM contemporary romance featuring a prince from a fictional country who is a wheelchair user and an actor. Tropes include enemies to lovers and praise kink. This is a medium heat romance with on-page sex scenes. I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary review.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

FREE today (November 3, 2025) on Amazon.

[The Secret Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4
Steam: 2
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: hurt / comfort, dislike to love, slow burn

A royal romance full of snark, unexpected attraction and sweet moments!

For characters that clashed at first sight, their story turned out to be sweeter and more romantic than I first thought would be possible. I loved the tension and connection between Aleric and Camillo, they were both snarky and while their initial interactions were a little hostile, there was also a lot of mutual attraction. Camillo had his reasons for being upset, and he made me consider quite a few things that I hadn't thought much of before.

These two both had their fair share of baggage and trauma, and I liked the way they shared and communicated. They were good for each other and the hurt / comfort was fantastic. Aleric's story in particular was heartbreaking, he'd been through a lot and it was heavy to read about his past. He constantly had people judging him without knowing anything about the abuse and mistreatment he went through.

The animosity between them didn't last very long, but created some lasting push and pull, and it was easy to adore their budding relationship. The emotional connection between them was amazing, and while there wasn't a lot of spice in this one, the intimate scenes between them were very hot. I loved how Aleric did his best in trying to understand Camillo and how to make him feel safe and treasured.

It took me a little bit to get into this one, but I ended up really enjoying Aleric and Camillo's story. The dislike to love and slow burn between them worked perfect, and they were very sweet together. There was a depth to their characters and their struggles, and it was easy to feel for both of them. E.M. Lindsey did a great job at handling the complexity of the characters as well as the heavier subjects.

-
I received an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Bess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the EM Lindsey that I absolutely love--loads of hurt, plenty of comfort, and a relationship between two imperfect people. Don't come into this book expecting instalove, and don't come into it expecting enemies who hate each other for half the book. Instead, I think they do a perfect job of capturing the push-pull that can happen between two people who are stuck together and can't help but self-sabotage sometimes. It contains super heavy topics, so please read and heed the CWs, but (as always) they handle them with the care and sensitivity that they deserve. It's been a while since I've read an EM Lindsey standalone that wasn't a holiday story, and I am selfishly hoping that there's some type of sequel (Cillian? please?) or follow-up. Totally solid 4 stars, might round up to 4.5 on a reread.

[b00ks_in_nature · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5
This was a great book that really made me consider things I hadn’t. Specifically, life as a wheelchair user. I realize that this is a fiction book and even with using sensitivity readers, it will not be accurate to everyone’s experience, as it couldn’t possibly be. However, I appreciated the insights it provided, and it makes me want to do more/better.

There are a few characters that are despicable, but Camillo and Aleric are wonderful. So are a few other characters, but man the way both guys are treated by various people in their lives is infuriating. It made me so happy when they found each other and were able to be authentic and happy. There is a little bit where Camillo is kind of a bonehead (though thinks he’s being helpful) but thankfully it is short-lived.

[Stephanie (NovelBound1813) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to E.M. Lindsey and Gay Romance Reviews for the digital ARC of this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Well, well, well....what can I say about this book. I have two overall thoughts about this book. Firstly, the representation of a disable character in this book was very thoughtful. It felt real and authentic, but wasn't fetishized or trauma porn. I appreciated how so many facets of living with a disability were explored in this book. It was very well done in my opinion. Unfortunately, my other thought is that everyone in this book is an asshole. At the beginning of the book I truly felt like the characters were unlikeable. They became slightly more likable as the book went on, but never truly reached likable status. Maybe that's why I felt like the chemistry between the two main characters wasn't strong. They talk about how they find each other charming, but they've really just been jerks to each other over and over again so I was pretty confused. That being said, I did feel an emotional connection to the characters when they talked about what they've gone through. Aleric has been torn down by his past and really deserved someone to help pick him up and believe in him.

E.M. Lindsey has written some books that I really enjoyed and the writing was still good, but I think these characters just weren't characters that I enjoy reading about. I also thought that the third act of the book was strange. There were two conflicts towards the end, one of which felt predictable and the other that didn't make sense to me.

[Showarst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore E.M. Lindsey’s writing and Royal Crush was no exception. I could not put this book down. Once I started, I had to see how these two men ended up. Aleric King and Prince Camillo were both men who had been through so much in their lives. Aleric was a child actor who had been abused and given drugs to make him ‘obedient’. Prince Camillo had the expectations of the Crown even before he was in the accident that changed his life. Both of them were abrasive at times fearing that no one would ever love them.

I absolutely adored Aleric and just wanted to wrap him up. When Camillo was cruel and nasty to him, I just wanted to protect him. Camillo was so unkind at times to Aleric that it was hard to always like him. Understand him: yes, like him: no. However, I loved watching Aleric wear down that abrasiveness that Camillo wore like armor. In exchange, Camillo gave Aleric what he needed: praise, some light domination, and at times even tenderness. These two truly fit together well, and I loved watching them fall in love. The ending just made me smile as it fit these two very well. I cannot wait to see where E.M. Lindsey takes us next!

I received an ARC from the author for my honest review

[ReadingRed125 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a different spin on the typical royal romance trope (great wheelchair rep). I liked the characters (an unhappy prince meets a former child star trying to get back into acting - both have untold parts from their past). The main storyline was interesting but this one felt a little rushed. From the moment they meet everything moves very quickly. I would have liked to see things move from dislike to flirty a little slower to let the reader really get to see them interact and see the relationship develop. But overall I enjoyed it. 3.5

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some seriously heavy subject matter and both characters have some deep trauma. It took me a bit to get into it because at first I did not like either character but as the story progressed I realized that was purposeful. Both men needed each other to become who they were meant to be. Definitely check the triggers because this has sensitive subject matter.

[Monikat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a unique and beautiful story. A first of it's kind for me. Having a main character with a disability and describing the romance with such a light touch, a delicate, caring, telling of the intimacy and the beauty and acceptance. So well done.
And so fun and sexy and romantic.
And the part with the snakes, omfg, too funny! 😅

[Ashley | adhdandread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Royal Crush by E.M. Lindsey
Length: 254 pages
Source: Gay Romance Reviews eARC
Publication date: April 17, 2025

3.75 ⭐️
2 🌶️

What to expect:
💙 Workplace MM romance
🩵 PTSD/childhood trauma
💙 ‘Your Highness’
🩵 Disability rep
💙 Hurt/comfort
🩵 Strangers to enemies to lovers

Summary
Aleric King is trying to get back into the acting world after years of being labeled a burned-out child star. He has the reputation of being a drug-abusing hot mess, but he’s finally landed the role that he’s sure will allow him back into that world's good graces: playing Prince Camillo Soriano in a TV adaptation of his memoir.

Upon reporting for filming, Aleric finds out that one of the stipulations for the show is to work with a wheelchair consultant to make sure that his performance is accurate and realistic. The consultant? Prince Camillo himself. And unfortunately, the cranky, acerbic man thinks Aleric is 100% not the man for this job. With both men so stubborn and standoffish, both of them so intent on protecting themselves from getting hurt again, it seems like this job might be over before it starts.

My Thoughts
One of the things I enjoy most about E.M. Lindsey’s books is that they pack a lot of emotional punch into not a lot of pages. I was about a quarter of the way into this book when I thought, “Uh oh, this one’s gonna hurt a bit.” Camillo is extremely cutting with his words when they first meet, not realizing that Aleric is much softer emotionally than the media has ever made him out to be. Not that some of his bitterness is unwarranted, because Aleric is pretty clueless about how Camillo’s disability affects his daily activities and routines. The prince quickly comes to understand that the man isn’t being maliciously ableist, though; he’s dealing with his own past trauma, which is constantly front-and-center in his body because it is so intrinsically tied to the acting world. For Aleric’s part, you can feel that he wants to do and be better whenever Camillo corrects him, not only to have a better performance but also because he wants to make the man happy.

While this definitely isn’t the author’s spiciest book, the sex scenes between Aleric and Camillo are incredibly emotional and intimate. Again, one of the thing I enjoy most about their writing. That being said, the books in their Words We Never Said series aren’t much longer than Royal Crush, but they feel longer because of the character development and how much of the relationship arc the reader gets to see. I’m torn between enjoying how Aleric and Camillo mesh together so easily and wanting to see more of that on the page. I really like these two men together and how they just fit, and I would have liked to see more of how they fell in love.

Similar hurt/comfort vibes:
📕 To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders
📗 E.M. Lindsey’s Words We Never Said series
📘 Hidden Scars by Andi Jaxon (Hockey Boys of Darby U series)

Final Thoughts
I feel like I label so many authors as a favorite, but I can’t help it. Add E.M. Lindsey to the list. What I love about their books is all the disability and mental-health representation. I love that they help “normalize” not having a typical brain or body and make space for us in the fiction world. So, yeah, I’d go pick up this one if I were you, and hopefully it will lead you to check out their other books as well.

There are several content warnings for this book (nothing graphically on-page), so be aware: past forced drug use toward a child, child-actor trauma and abuse, parental neglect and abuse, car accident leading to SCI, past SA and CSA (not by MCs), non-consensual humiliation (not by MCs), ableism, homophobia, trauma from paparazzi, and explicit sexual content.
— A

Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews and E.M. Lindsey for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine. Reviews regularly available on BlueSky, StoryGraph, Goodreads, BookBub, and Fable.

[Sandy Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved spending time with Aleric and Camillo. Abused washed-out former child actor (A) looking for a second chance, memoir-writing prince (C) and wheelchair user who's consulting on the TV series being made inspired by his book...

EM Lindsey has a way of sucking me into characters and story, and always includes disability rep in respectful and enlightening ways, and it works for me. This one was a little rushed and abrupt, too fast on the connection-to-ILY after too little time, and could have been even better with more time spent together before then, but, I still very much enjoyed these two and believed in their enemies-to-lovers chemistry. The author writes stellar intimacy whether it's sex or emotional.

Aleric's desperate to take this new chance to reclaim the job he once loved and prove himself as an adult. He suffered horrific abuse, including forced drug use and SA, as a child actor, and had a public meltdown. This is his best shot to come back.

Camillo is angry that a wheelchair-using actor was not cast in the part and wants nothing to do with the actor cast to play him. But he can't resist getting to know this prickly, in your face man who treats him like anyone else, doesn't hold back or kowtow, and has a shockingly soft underbelly that when Camillo realizes he's hurt it badly, he can't help but want to learn why and how to do better himself.

They were really fun on page together, and Lindsey doesn't hold back on the realities of being a paraplegic, but without making it fetish-y. Well, in this layperson's opinion, anyway, I know nothing about it. But appreciated the representation.

Some seemingly potentially important side characters weren't developed/didn't go anywhere, but those that did were used well. I particuarly loved Camillo's brother the crown prince. The main antagonist is absolute evil, and could have seemed a bit of a caricature, except....I suspect he's actually pretty accurate for some of those bastard users in this industry, so, maybe not. Ugh. Real life's probably even worse than fiction in this case.

There is OM almost-all-the-way action early on, and yes, it bothered me as it was graphic and on page, but, it stopped before...completion...and was early enough that I did keep going. Still. Really? Was it necessary to go that far? The character never appeared again and was dismissed in a "you're disposable" way that seemed cliche and unlikeable. If you're going to go there, at least use it later for romantic conflict? It happens immediately after the MCs had had their first kiss, too, (which ruined that for me of course) because the one was soooo horny afterward, so, even worse for me. But, still...early and I liked the story otherwise enough to keep going. Sigh. Just. Me. Whatever.

HEA, enemies-to-lovers, actor-prince pair, wheelchair user, celebrity themes. OM action on page after MCs kiss/connect, though it isn't QUITE all the way. But might as well have been. Recommended unless you have my safety issues, then, think about it. But still, recommended for the rest.

[Emily Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've long been a fan of E. M. Lindsey for writing authentic, flawed leads, and once again they crafted an engaging story that hit on some heavy topics but still felt hopeful and romantic in the end. Aleric's trauma from his mistreatment while being a child actor made me feel sick to my stomach. Though it was handled with as much care as it could have been, I recommend reading the trigger warnings before diving in because some of Aleric's recountings were difficult to read about. This story began several years down the road, after Aleric had time to heal and re-engage with the acting scene as an adult. His first big break was playing the role of Prince Camillo, who had decided to personally oversee the adaptation of his life story. Camillo and Aleric didn't meet on great terms, and they certainly didn't seem to like each other much during their first several days of shoots. Aleric had a lot to learn about accurately portraying Camillo's disability, and I was initially nervous about his abrasive response to Camillo's feedback before I understood that it was a stress response that Aleric was actively trying to overcome. It was hard to think poorly of Aleric when I experienced all of his internalized guilt and shame every time he screwed up with Camillo, and thankfully Camillo wasn't too much of a stuck-up royal to give Aleric some grace.

As the two of them got to know each other better, an unexpected chemistry began building between them -- one that I was eager to see develop into something more. Both men were fully aware that it wasn't a good idea to get involved, and so when they fell head over heels for each other anyway I knew it was the real deal. Life wasn't particularly kind to either man in this book, but Camillo and Aleric had plenty of little happy moments together to balance the scales. Getting physical was something that neither Aleric or Camillo took lightly because of their past negative relationship experiences, so seeing them build enough trust to bare all with each other was particularly meaningful to me. Though there was plenty of external conflict to complicate things for Camillo and Aleric, their relationship was a steady build throughout the entire book. It was honestly a relief to feel certain that the two of them could rely on each other, especially towards the end when things got pretty rocky with the studio. I know some people may have been expecting a big quest for justice or otherwise flashy ending to tie things up nicely, but I personally loved the direction Aleric and Camillo took. These men didn't need or want to be poster boys for any cause, and seeing them settle into a blissfully happy life together was all the closure I could have asked for.

**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

[J.E. Benoit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why the fuck did I care what this man thought? Why did I suddenly want to cry and drop to my knees and beg him to teach me how to be good?

Aleric King is looking to resurrect his acting career after a disastrous fall from grace years earlier. He’s pinning his hopes on the new series he’s been cast in playing the second-born Prince of Caverna. He’s not expecting to have to deal with the Prince himself, who has been hired as a wheelchair consultant. Prince Camillo is surly and not at all thrilled that Aleric was cast in the role instead of a disabled actor. But as they spend more time together, they realize they understand one another more than anyone ever has. Aleric is just starting to regain his footing in an industry that’s historically been unforgiving. Will his career survive if it comes out that he’s fallen in love with the Prince?

I didn’t want to feel anything for him. But he was charming. Good-looking, sure, but there was something else about him. Something a little lonely and hurt and lost. It was too familiar.

I loved Aleric and Camillo! They were so good for each other. I loved how at first they didn’t like each other, and made that fact well known, and even as they started to understand each other better, they still kept up that combative banter. But then they became so sweet. They each had reasons why they never let people get close, but they developed a level of trust that was beautiful to see. They were so soft and caring with one another. I loved how healing their relationship was for both of them.

As you’d expect from an E.M. Lindsey novel, the disability rep was top tier. It was interesting and eye opening to see how Camillo navigated day-to-day life after his injuries. Aleric may have started off unintentionally ableist but I loved how he made the effort to learn what Camillo needed and what he didn’t.

There was a bit of angst and drama circling these guys, and my only gripe about the book was that I wish the big external conflict that was hinted at near the end had been fleshed out a little more. It is resolved, at least, but it was quick, and I would have liked to see more of how Aleric and Camillo formed a united front to face it. But overall, I really enjoyed this story and was happy to see these guys get their HEA!

I wanted to bend for him.
To break for him.
And only because I knew he would never try to break me.

[Katriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Camillo and Aleric first meet it's... Explosive. While Aleric knew exactly who he was talking to, Camillo had no idea who he was talking to that day until he read an article about the child star who was portraying him in his upcoming movie.

These two did NOT get along at first, Camillo was angry they casted someone who wasn't disabled instead of casting someone who actually knew what it was like having a spinal cord injury like he did, rightfully so... But him lashing out at Aleric made the made get defensive and bitter, but Aleric was determined to do better, to be better.

Along the course of this journey these two men go through, we really got to see a beautiful representation of someone who keeps showing up and continues to try, listen, learn, and understand. Aleric wants Camillo to feel wanted, loved, and special, and he's determined to do his best to to make that happen. I adored the relationship these two have with each other, after they had some meaningful conversations about their past, they better understand each other. They learn about what triggers each of them them, what they do not like being done/said, among other things, and they both truly listen to the other. It's really beautiful.

In the beginning these two started off as enemies in a way, there was definitely a lot of angst early on in the story, but I liked how their relationship started, and how it developed. It felt like a natural progression of events and I loved everything about them together.

If you've ever read any of EM's stories then you know how much effort and detail they put in to portraying real life experiences as much as possible. Specifically when it comes to writing about various health conditions, and disabilities. I love when their stories are full of actual information about the disability or medical condition that they are writing about, it makes the characters feel so much more realistic and it makes the stories feel more believable. I love their writing and they did a lovely job with this one too!

I hope at some point we get a story about a certain bodyguard... And maybe one about Otis, too! Or maybe Otis and Cillian can be paired together?... Anyways, another great story!

[ivanareadsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

E.M. Lindsey is probably one of the most captivating authors i've read to date. Their charismatic narrative style and tone flowed with insightful energy, and once again opened my eyes to MCs who navigated the challenging world of not only physical disability, but the emotional and mental healing from toxic childhood trauma as well.

This was a story about reclaiming OG joy after parsing the dregs of a poisonous past of abuse, and finding passion there again years after. This was also one about identity and acceptance of the skin we're in and everything that comes with that.

Most importantly this was a story that demonstrated why it IS imperative that we as a society become more aware of the bodies around us, and to treat each other with kindness and compassion and dignity. The things we take for granted can be taken away in a heartbeat, with ramifications that can last a lifetime. So it's best to be considerate and remember how -for every single one of us- the course of living life can render a future of fragility in more than one way!

I loved Camillo and Aleric together. They were both so real and earnest and raw and that's something truly hard to capture when "royalty" and "infamous child actor" are the substantial aspects of their characterizations. But they wore their weighted banners well and i thought their growth and healing journeys were brilliantly done. The side/support characters as well were all so marvelous and unique and engaging that i would love to read any one of them in a spinoff!

I just had a really great time with this, but most of all i enjoyed the way this lovely romance made me quite introspective, taking stock of all my physical and emotional aspects that make me me, and reinforcing and expanding on the ways to be respectful of others.

I'm such a fan of what i've read of E.M. Lindsey so far, and happily i've an absolute mammoth ton of their romances collected over the years all of which i can't wait to devour once my arc reading lets up! Looking forward to whatever is next because this was a sweet and spicy poignant read that i 100% want more of in my life!

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew. This book is heavier than the fluffy romances I usually go for, but I'm glad I trusted the author and went with this one, because it was really good!

Camillo and Aleric have both been through hell in their lives. Aleric is determined to nail playing Camillo in a streaming TV show to prove that he is more than a child star who fell from grace, while Camillo wants to make sure the company doesn't take his memoir and make an awful awards-bait show that doesn't portray his disability correctly. They naturally don't meet under the best circumstances, but having to spend time together allows both of their walls to crack.

A thing I have always liked about this author is that they do not shy away from showing the realities of what living with a disability is like. There isn't any sugarcoating the difficulties, and I always end up learning a lot from their books. Camillo's life is hard, but he also isn't helpless, and he is a strong, independent, capable man even if he is confined to a wheelchair (and terrible at wheelchair basketball). Constantly being in the public eye hasn't helped matters at all.

And then poor, poor Aleric. His story shows the dark side of child acting and child stardom, and my heart absolutely ached for him. All he wants is to show the man he's become and move past his early career, but no one seems to want to let him. Playing Camillo is important for getting his life back on track, and he keeps constantly getting on Camillo's bad side unintentionally. (Which is another thing I liked: that Aleric wasn't just magically a perfect person around dealing with Camillo's disability. He is caring and not a monster, but also does have things to learn, as all able-bodies people have to. And to his credit, he puts in the work when he realizes it.)

I really ended up loving this story. There were a couple of plot points that didn't totally work for me, but it was honestly very minor. This is a book I am glad I picked up.

CW (read the warnings the author gives cuz I'm bound to miss some): sexual content, lots of medical content, hospital visit, child abuse, child sexual abuse, disability fetishization (not by MC), child drug use, trauma, PTSD

[Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

I was really enjoying this book. But there was no climax? There was a bunch of plot lines that had so much potential that were just glazed over in the epilogue or half set up and then forgotten. When it abruptly ended, I had to wonder if anything actually happened in the book at all or if it just tricked me into thinking something happened. All setup and no payoff.

The disability rep was cool. The writing was good. The characters were complex. Although Aleric's character was kind of all over the place for me tbh. His personality never seemed very clear aside from being subby. Actually, I really wanted both characters to be more dickish. They sort of lost their edge - especially Aleric - and I was really excited by how prickly they were in the beginning. There was some super light kink, but that was barely explored either.

They fell really fast for a supposed enemies to lovers vibe. Which could be okay because I liked exploring their relationship and I thought there would be more drama from all the other stuff I thought might happen in the book (none of it did), but I still have no idea why they fell soooo fast for each other. They went from furious at each other to almost planning their lives around each other because they made out once?

I dunno, it was like the author put so much effort and research into the character's disability and the ptsd rep that she sort of neglected the story. And I do require some sort of climax when I read a book. I really hate when I turn a page and see that a book has unexpectedly ended on me. The characters saying that they love each other when they've been in love for months isn't a climax.

And no, I will not finish the epilogue. I'm too mad at the book to bother putting more into it. There shouldn't be an epilogue when there wasn't even a complete story. Epilogues are optional, basic story structure is not.

And tbh, the blurb and the story itself hinted at a scene showing how awkward it is to film a sex scene. Never happened. There were never really any acting scenes at all. So don't expect any of that. Again, setup without payoff.

[Ariana (mostly offline) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Phew. What a struggle to finish.

Tbh, it didn’t start very well, either.
I simply found both MCs behaviour pretty strange at the beginning. The author is trying to show Camillo and Aleric as ‘enemies’- but somehow what she writes doesn’t quite gel. Their insults to each other are cutting, really hurtful and only make both MCs appear rather unlikeable. And for me there is very little justifiable reason for them to act in such a shitty way.

There is also huge discrepancy between what they think and feel in their minds and what they say and do to the other man, and on quite a few occasions this didn’t make sense to me and felt incongruous.

However, things improved as the two MCs get to know each other. The representation of someone with a spinal injury and in a wheelchair felt well done (not that I know anything about that). And I liked the way the two guys get to know each other more closely (even if it follows a very predictable, marginally unimaginative path) and how they develop sexually.

But then, there were so many little niggly things along the way that made me ask ‘why’, ‘how’ or what’s the point of that? For example:
.) The plot line about Hugo is built up and up to then dissolve into nothing but big fluffy smoke.
.) I don’t buy that EVERYONE on set (but Otis) would hate Aleric. Not after all that time. Makes no sense!
.) The director’s behaviour is just weird, and not really explained well enough.

The plot is just a beehive of ideas, which are not particularly well explored. There is definitely a sense of ‘too much’, like both guys having such a heavy backstory, the Hugo plot line, the disability and drugs themes, the royal problems (be it Camillo’s parents or the paparazzi) and so on.
And it is also obvious that quite a few elements have been taken from RL royal events.

So simply not my cup of tea.
I don’t think this author’s writing and me gel.

[yekcal2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

Unsure how I feel about this one. It’s an EM Lindsey book so I was expecting a great disability rep, trauma, angst, growth, tears, etc but this book fell flat in a few too many places :(

I’m not sure if the production or the publication was rushed but there were a few relationships that I would have liked fleshed out more. 256 pages isn’t a super short book but maybe it could have used another 60-70 pages?

• Cillian — seemed interesting and very special to Camillo but he only had a few spots and then we don’t see him again until we get to hear about how happy he is now with Carlo’s daughters

• Carlo — we got glimpses of him and a scene each with Camillo and Alerich but then pretty much nothing until we find out that Carlo and the family have visited, they’ve been working on their relationship, and it’s much better.

• Eric — why did we have that whole bit with Eric and Camillo asking him to be his best man but we are just told they’re engaged and plan to “do something”.

• Christophe and the whole TV team — this whole thing just ended weird. Almost like scenes were deleted which left it feeling disjointed and choppy. Hugo is never mentioned around the TV crew and the name Raul is always used but then near the end, Otis and Alerich are discussing the fact that Hugo contacted Otis with details about what happened. Why wasn’t Alerich concerned that Otis would spread that? Hopefully not because he was just a “good guy”. Then it comes out that Hugo knew Christophe and they were talking. How does that happen when hush money has been paid? What is the point of paying hush money if they aren’t hushed? And again, things are revealed that would have been better as part of the STORY!

I usually really enjoy EM Lindsey’s books but this one missed the mark :(

[Amanda Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I love about EM Lindsey—heartfelt, layered, and quietly powerful.

Royal Crush pairs two flawed, complex men—Aleric, a former child star trying to rebuild his career, and Camillo, a real-life prince and wheelchair user who’s not exactly thrilled that Aleric, who isn’t disabled, is playing him in a TV series. Understandably, that doesn’t sit well with Camillo, and their first meeting is awkward at best.

What follows is a beautiful, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers story packed with tension, vulnerability, and just the right amount of steam. Aleric and Camillo are both carrying heavy baggage—Aleric’s past is full of trauma and exploitation, and Camillo deals with constant ableism even as royalty. Their dynamic is raw and messy at times, but always authentic. They clash, they fumble, but they also grow—individually and together.

EM Lindsey has a real gift for writing characters who shouldn’t fit but do, not because they’re perfect, but because they push each other to be better. The romance isn’t instalove, and the “enemies” part never drags into cruelty—just a real, honest portrayal of two people figuring each other out. I was rooting for them from the start.

The writing is gorgeous, the sex is hot, the emotional beats hit hard, and there’s just enough swoon to balance the weight of the themes. It’s a thoughtful exploration of disability, identity, and reclaiming control over your own story—without ever feeling preachy.

If you’re already a fan of EM Lindsey, this is a must-read. And if you’re new, it’s a perfect intro to their brand of hurt/comfort and character-driven storytelling.

CW: trauma, child actor exploitation, abuse, past CSA/SA, ableism, and more.
This one handles heavy topics with care—but definitely read the content warnings first.

Also… I need more of this world. (Cillian’s story when?)

[Meredith (SweetReadsandTreats) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply stated, wow. This story hits you right in the feels from the first page and throws you into the deep end of this angsty and emotional story. Both characters’ lives have been fraught with hardships, tragedy, and pain. Then they meet under intense circumstances, on set for the filming of Prince Camillo’s autobiography which he did not want going to the screen. From the moment they meet, both men carry chips on their shoulders which sets them up for an intensely emotional enemies to lovers romance. I absolutely loved how even though Aleric and Camillo didn’t like each other for a while, they still respected each other and each time they unintentionally hurt the other, they worked to fix it. They couldn’t have been more different, opposites in so many ways, but each recognized the other’s pain. This story is not for the faint of heart and is an emotional journey rather than a steamy love story. It is a romance that will have you desperate for these two to find their HEA because they deserved it so very much.

I adored both characters and loved them more with each passing chapter. They both overcame so much, and recognized that in each other so they weren’t afraid to slowly reveal their past demons. This story completely consumed me. I started it last night and finished it today. I simply couldn’t put it down. I’ve long been a fan of E.M. Lindsey, but this might be her most emotional story yet. I love her authenticity to life’s messiness, representation, and different people’s journeys. She never shies away from telling her character’s full stories and does so with dignity and care. If you are looking for an angsty read that will take you on a wonderful journey to an HEA, I can’t recommend this story enough.