Falling for the Man She Married: A Royal Novel

by Carol Moncado

In just a few weeks, the coronation of Queen Catherine of Eastern Novigradia would see the crown - and the responsibility that comes with it - rest solidly on her shoulders and her shoulders alone.

Scary and intimidating? Yes, but her papa prepared her well.

When her younger sister finds an ancient document that threatens to derail the whole process, Catherine has only one choice.

But she can’t do it by herself.

Jacob Whitfield just returned to Eastern Novigradia, but he already landed a position in the Royal Archives and made a new friend - who happened to be the queen.

When he and the queen’s sister come across a document with the potential to change the queen’s life, Jacob knows he can help protect her.

The legacy of Catherine’s entire family tree hangs in the balance. She knows the answer but fears she will have to give up her chance at finding true love and happily ever after - unless, of course, she ends up Falling for the Man She Married?

Genres: Romance

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

When she's not writing about her imaginary friends, Carol Moncado is hanging out with her husband, four kids, and a dog who weighs less than most hard cover books. She prefers watching NCIS to just about anything, except maybe watching Castle. She believes peanut butter M&Ms are the perfect food and Dr. Pepper should come in an IV. When not watching her kids - and the dog - race around her big backyard in Southwest Missouri, she's teaching American Government at a local community college. She's a founding member and President of MozArks ACFW, category coordinator for First Impressions, blogger at InspyRomance, and represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency.

Reviews

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun royal read in a NewNiverse with new characters, new couples, and a new setting. I enjoyed Catherine and Jacob's story as Falling for the Man She Married involves overcoming an obstacle in order for Catherine to become queen. Loved this story as Catherine and Jacob navigate their marriage and Jacob learns to be the prince consort. An introvert, Catherine has insecurities as she transitions to becoming queen. Looking forward to book 3.

[Serena Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

No logró engancharme.




•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.



Falling for the Man She Married de Carol Moncado serie Dynasties of the Sargasso Sea libro 1

Argumento:

En tan solo unas semanas, la coronación de la reina Catalina de Novigradia Oriental vería la corona, y la responsabilidad que conlleva, descansar sólidamente sobre sus hombros y solo sobre sus hombros. ¿Aterrador e intimidante? Sí, pero su padre la preparó bien.

Cuando su hermana menor encuentra un documento antiguo que amenaza con descarrilar todo el proceso, Catalina solo tiene una opción.

Pero no puede hacerlo sola.

Jacob Whitfield acaba de regresar a Novigradia Oriental, pero ya ha conseguido un puesto en los Archivos Reales y ha hecho una nueva amiga, que resultó ser la reina.


Mi humilde opinión:

No suelo leer romances con temática de la realeza pero el titulo y la portada de este librito me llamaron. La historia es sobre Catherine, una joven que será pronto coronada como la reina de de Novigradia Oriental y descubre una vieja ley que dice que para ascender al trono necesita estar casada. Ella no esperaba hacerlo tan pronto ni que el joven que conoció en los pasillos del palacio con el que tuvo un momento se ofrezca como voluntario. A Jacob le apasiona la historia de la familia real y llegó para conseguir un puesto en los archivos reales. Después de encontrar la ley que dice que la futura reina debe estar casada y necesita un esposo no duda en ofrecerse.

Ni siquiera sé muy bien porque simplemente Catherine estuvo bien con casarse con Jacob. Lo acababa de conocer y simpatizaron antes de que él supiera que era la futura reina pero… Ni siquiera lo meditó, fue como si pensara: No tengo en mente a nadie mas entonces ya que estas aquí me caso contigo. Un problema menos para mi. Y nadie se oponía? Ni Jake quería pensarlo un minuto? Se ofreció nada más.

No pasó mucho tiempo en que estaba envuelta en todo el preparativo de la coronación que seguro me estresó mas a mi que a Catherine. Lo que esta genial, me encanta conocer la interna porque de eso trata también la historia pero lo encontré contado de un modo tan soporífero. Lo siento, estaba casi a la mitad del librito y me daban ganas de pasar página.

Quería gustarme la historia de amor que se estaba cociendo a fuego lento y que prometía algo dulce. Me emocionaba ver como se desarrollaría el romance porque todavía la pareja tenia obstáculos por delante, no se conocían del todo y había que construir una confianza que Catherine ya había perdido porque personas de su pasado la traicionaron. Aparte tenían que lidiar con su matrimonio y las inseguridades de una Catherine introvertida durante todo el proceso de transición a reina. Pero me dormí hasta con el primer beso! Ellos decían tener una química que no llegaron a transmitirme.

Esperaba mas de sus momentos a solas en la cabaña, sus noches compartiendo la cena o viendo juntos una serie, momentos donde las chispas deberían saltar y todo pasó sin pena ni gloria para mi. Honestamente, hasta sus conversaciones carecían de chispa.

El librito con un mundo de la realeza y un matrimonio por conveniencia no estaba mal, se nota que la autora sabe de lo que habla pero todo estaba puesto de una forma tan poco emocionante que no logró engancharme. En cuanto a los protagonistas, lamentablemente no llegué a conectar con ninguno de ellos ni siquiera me empujaron a alentarlos como pareja. Una pena.

[Marylin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in a new set of Royal books by Carol Moncado. It’s a whole new Royal family and country.
This story continues on after Prince Anthony and Madeline marry in the first book, Falling for the Widowed Prince.
Now it’s Catherine’s time to shine and learn all there is to being a queen. She doesn’t expect to have to marry anyone soon, but there’s an old law that is found, and now she needs a husband. Can she really grow to love Jacob?
Carol Moncado has long been labeled as the “Royal” storyteller, and her books are always full of delightful adventures with a touch of drama. I truly enjoy reading her books because I know they will be entertaining and bring a smile to my face.
I loved how Carol Moncado wove so many sweet moments into this story. She has a wonderful way of presenting all the pressures that might be placed upon the “royals,” even those who aren’t in line for the crown. She brought this story to life in vivid color!
So, if you LOVE reading stories about royalty and all that life can bring, you need to pick this book up and read it! You won't be disappointed.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first full-length book in Moncado’s “Newniverse.” So get ready for new countries, new characters, new royal traditions, and of course new couples whose lives are brought together in various unorthodox ways. If you have not yet read the prequel novella, “Falling for the Widowed Prince,” you will want to read that before this book. I’m enjoying getting to know these new characters and finding out how they come to love the men in their lives.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling for the Man She Married

This is a sweet and clean story of a young woman, Queen Catherine, who became queen of her country at a very young age. Needing to also be married before her coronation, she married a childhood acquaintance, Jacob Whitfield, who had come to work in the palace. I suggest you read their story to find out how he wins her heart.

[Teresa Fink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner by Carol Moncado!

Carol always has such wonderful characters, and that has not changed for this NewNiVerse (as she calls it). Her stories are well-written and really pull you in. I’m grateful that she’s writing in this universe so I may enjoy her characters in whatever universe they’re living in.

[Tristan RowLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new royal world

I always love Carol Moncado's stories, and was so excited for a new universe adjacent to her others. The story is lovely!

[Mia2Four · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally I like Ms Moncado’s books but this one just didn’t engage me. The lead characters had no depth and I wasn’t invested in them at all. They fell short.