To Win A Crown

True Blue Royal #3

by Rachel Hauck

She’s the secret daughter of the queen. He's the man sworn to protect her. When duty collides with desire, which will they choose?

Scottie O’Shay has the perfect life as creative director for her family’s beloved men’s fashion brand, which she embraces with grit, style, and southern charm. But when a reporter’s exposé reveals shocking secrets, she discovers she’s not just Scottie O’Shay anymore. She’s the secret daughter of the Queen of Lauchtenland.

Eager to know the mother who gave her up, Scottie flies to Europe for a brief visit only to find herself entangled in animosity and palace intrigue. Then there’s Michael Cross—a devoted protection officer whose piercing eyes and quiet strength make her feel dangerously at home.

Michael has loved and lost before. He won’t risk his heart again—especially not for an American clothing heiress who’s determined to cling to her O’Shay family roots.

Yet when a late-night kiss in a hidden doorway melts duty into devotion, neither one can deny the affection growing between them. Together they’ll discover a legacy of secrets and forgiveness powerful enough to heal a fractured kingdom.

On the verge of truly falling in love, devastating news from home yanks Scottie from her personal fairy tale into reality. She faces an impossible choice—the safe ground of Tennessee or the uncharted waters of Lauchtenland where love and a royal crown await.

The third enchanting installment in New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hauck's beloved series proves once again why readers can't get enough of her royal romances. Perfect for fans of Hallmark royal movies and beautiful literary romance— To Win A Crown is a tender, faith-filled story about second chances and the power of family that proves love is always worth the wait.

Read the rest of the
Book To Love A Prince
Book To Save A King

More royal romance by Rachel Hauck
The Royal Wedding Series
Once Upon a Prince (an original Hallmark movie)
Princess Ever After
How To Catch a Prince
A Royal Christmas Wedding
A March Bride (Part of the Spring Weddings Collection)

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian, Contemporary, Fiction, Book Club, Adult Fiction

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2026

About the author

New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Rachel Hauck writes from sunny central Florida.

A RITA finalist and winner of Romantic Times Inspirational Novel of the Year, and Career Achievement Award, she writes vivid characters dealing with real life issues.

Her book, Once Upon A Prince, was made into an original Hallmark movie.

The Wedding Dress has been optioned for film by Brain Power Studio

She loves to hear from readers. She also loves to encourage new writers and is a retired member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Executive Board.

A graduate of Ohio State University with a BA in Journalism, Rachel is an avid OSU football fan. She hopes to one day stand on the sidelines in the Shoe with Ryan Day.

Visit her web site to find out more and click on the icons to follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

www.rachelhauck.com

Reviews

[Robin Hatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook
Another fun visit with the House of Blue. Scottie and Michael were such a delight. I loved the entire series.

Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Glad I read it. Will probably read more by this author.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed others so much more.
1🌟 = I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.

[Heather Wood]

In To Save a King, Crown Prince John of Lauchtenland traveled to Tennessee to convince his older illegitimate half-sister to come meet her mother, the queen. In To Win a Crown, Scottie has a relationship with her mother, but her life is in Tennessee - until the queen asks her to come for a visit and appoints Michael Cross as her protection officer.
This book was super swoony! Michael is still grieving the loss of his fiancee, and both he and Scottie are torn between their responsibilities on both sides of their family and questioning where they belong. I really loved Michael, but I don't think there's a Rachel Hauck hero I haven't loved. I just really enjoy her writing and stories.
The extent of the faith message is pretty much that the eye of God is on you and an encounter with Jesus changes you. The faith is told in a fairytale sort of way so it's not super theological or deep, but it is sweet.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel is another author I have been reading for years. I have read nearly all of her books and her royalty stories are some of my most favorite. It was such fun to get Scottie’s story and take a return to Lachtenland. I really liked Michael and the the conflict and drama between royalty and “normal” life was done really well. I am sorry to see this series end!

[Linda Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story. Some of the language they used I never figured out what it meant, but other than that, I enjoyed the story.

[Natalie Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars because the last 1/3 is so fantastic and classic Rachel Hauck royal romance. Not as good as all the others but still magical and lovely. It was nice to be back in Lauchtenland!

[Lou Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story enjoyment rating: 8.5/10 Christian faith level: 3/3
“To Win a Crown” by Rachel Hawk is the third book in the True Blue series. It follows Scotty, who we previously saw as a side character, the illegitimate daughter of a Queen. Raised in America by her father to be the heir to his men’s shirt company, she eventually travels back to a fictional island kingdom in European waters that has a distinct Scottish feel. While trying to discover her role in the royal family and navigating the resentment of some in the kingdom, she is assigned a protection officer named Michael. He is a widower working through his own grief and past professional decisions, and as they spend time together, sparks ignite between them.
I really enjoyed finally seeing Scotty’s story. It felt like a contemporary romance with a bit of extra grit and a contemporary fairy tale feeling. While it isn’t a full fantasy book, there are small, important supernatural and allegorical elements, which is actually how the faith content is brought into the story. It was a sweet, cute romance that I think would appeal most to contemporary romance readers.

[Jeanne Alfveby Crea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved To Win A Crown and truly did not want it to end! A royal story of divided loyalties, unexpected love, forgiveness, and the unique character Emmanuel (name means = God with us), kept me engaged in this captivating story and turning pages until I couldn't keep my eyes open at night.

"Once upon a time there was a girl whose mother was a queen. But she was not a princess."
"She was a Tennessean. A southerner. A commoner. An O'Shay. Yet the blood of the Blue Royals, the long-reigning family of the North Sea Island Nation of Lauchtenland, also flowed in her veins."

Scottie O'Shay, raised by her wonderful single dad who devoted his life to raising her, also had lots of time with her grandparents Shug and Fritz, and is poised to take over the family business 'O'Shay Shirts' in Hearts Bend Tennessee.

After an extended visit with her mother, the Queen, Scottie's heart is torn between her past and her future. She has found purpose and love on her extended stay, yet her fierce loyalties to her father and the family business keep her heart and mind in Tennessee. I love the extended family on both sides.

With years of loyal service to the crown, the Queen appoints Michael Cross as protection and equerry to Scottie while she is in town. His humor, loyalty and dedication are admirable. Their friendship and later love, comes as an unexpected surprise with no feasible way to proceed.

Lovers of heartwarming stories will LOVE To Win A Crown. I know I did. In fact, I am a huge fan of this series and all the Hearts Bend stories.

Thank you to the author for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

[Misty Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Rachel Hauck book! As someone who has been obsessed with the Royal family since I was a little girl, I have loved this series but especially Scottie’s story. Her resilience, self discovery, and her heart make this story so captivating. It is filled with wonderful characters, mystery, and emotion that kept me completely engaged. This book and series did not disappoint!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Cayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5. The ending was sweet but I wasn't as in to this story as I was the first two. Still a good series though; Hauck writes royalty well!

[Laura Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to pick up this new story from Rachel Hauck. She is the author that got me back into reading a few years ago, with her beautifully written stories, and this one did not disappoint. I was intrigued right from the start. I absolutely loved this book!

To Win A Crown follows Scottie and Michael. After a breakup with her boyfriend, Scottie calls her mom, Queen Catherine, to share her heartbreak and gets invited to spend 8 weeks with her for the garden party and the spring season. She wants to get to know her mother better so she agrees and steps away from the family business for a couple months. Michael Cross is dealing with his own heartbreak after losing his fiancé two years ago. He has thrown himself into security work and gets assigned to protect and help keep Scottie's schedule but never expected to feel anything for her.

Rachel Hauck is so good at royal romance and this story was top notch! The characters are real and vulnerable. I especially enjoyed Scottie. She was kindhearted and I felt like I was on her self discovery journey with her. This story kept me captivated with the mystery, heartfelt emotions, and unexpected romance. I loved the theme of family and appreciated faith weaved into the story as God works to heal the wounds in both characters' past. To Win A Crown was a beautiful story that I did not want to put down.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 ⭐️

[Koren | the_blue_eyed_bluestocking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel is the author that made me fall in love with royal romances. I was just rediscovering loving to read for fun as an adult when I stumbled upon her Once Upon a Prince series. Rachel was also one of my very first ARC authors back when everything came through the mail! So to read and review this lovely story was an absolute no-brainer. I went into it expecting to be pleased and it definitely did not let me down.

One thing that sets Rachel apart as an author is a beautiful underlying element of the supernatural woven throughout her stories. I'm not speaking of magic, but a real truth that God is there and working in the mess and oftentimes miraculously.

Here in Scottie's story, she finds out that she isn't just a fashion ion from Tennessee, but the secret daughter of the Queen of Lauchtenland. Confronted with what seems like an impossible future, she is thrust into a new family, new experiences and new love. The tension of being divided between two worlds and having so much hanging in the balance while learning to lean into love is a major thread pulled throughout the story. But a Princess can't be with a commoner... but perhaps one who didn't know she was one will be tenacious enough to figure it out.

The wonderful characters, the warm storyline and the cozy mystery will have you captivated.

Happy reading!

I received a copy from the author for consideration. All thoughts contained here are my own.

[Leann Arave · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be a princess or not be a princess, that is the question! Scottie O’Shea thought she had her life all figured out. Heir to a large company, a great boyfriend, and a wonderful father, who has been there for her all of her life. She was told her mother that passed away after she was born, she is shocked when she finds out that was all a lie. Then her boyfriend tells her he’s going back to his ex. What else can go wrong?
I thought the story had so much great depth, I loved the family dynamics, the royal intrigue and swoony romance. There was also a holy spiritual twist that gave me goosebumps. I flew through this book. It was so intriguing to watch the characters grow. The storyline held your attention throughout and the romance was so sweet. It is a clean wholesome story. You could read it as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the other books and the series. You won’t be disappointed.

[Deena Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Hauck made me ugly cry!

Scottie just had her heart broken and she automatically reaches out to her mother, The Queen of Lauchtenland. Yeah, it’s a long story, but it’s covered earlier in the series.

What follows is an invitation to spend two months getting to know her mother’s life across the pond. Soon Scottie is caught up in the lifestyle of a royal.

It’s wonderful until she realizes something odd is going on back home in Heart’s Bend. She’s a woman torn between two lives.

Oh, did I forget to mention Michael Cross, member of the queen’s guard assigned to Scottie for the duration of her stay? Yeah, she’s definitely torn all right!

What will Scottie choose? Just how ill is the queen. Why is Michael so handsome? And may we please have one more book?

I could live in these pages forever.

I received an advance copy from the publisher. I’m under no obligation and my review has not been solicited. Highly recommend!

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance set in a Lauchtenland where the main character is the daughter of the queen. The daughter was raised by her father in Tennessee so is in Lauchtenland to get to know the country. It was an easy book to read.

[Maggie Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one ended up hitting too close to home with a family member being diagnosed with a disease a book character suffers from as well.

[Robin Rexroad · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Win A Crown is the last book in the True Blue Royal series. Scottie O’Shay is coming to Lauchtenland to help Queen Catherine with some royal duties while other royal family members are away. Scottie is torn between her family in Tennessee and the desire to know her mother better.
Michael Cross is assigned to protect Scottie while she is in Lauchtenland. He is also torn between family
And duty. I loved the relationship between Scottie and Michael. They have both been wounded by family members and through an encounter with Emmanuel, they learn the power of forgiveness.
The power of family dynamics, forgiveness and grace are big themes in To Win A Crown. There is also a mystery that Scottie and Michael set out to solve, which brings more healing and forgiveness.
This book kept me up at night wanting to read more! You will love all of the wonderful
Characters you meet along the way!
I loved this book and wish I could go to Lauchtenland!! I did receive an ARC of this book and all opinions are my own.
Thank you Rachel for such a wonderful book!!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Win a Crown did not disappoint! This is third installment in the series. I throughly enjoyed going back to Perrigynn Palace amd Lauchtenlamd. Scottie, Katherine’s daughter leaves Hearts end, and the family business to assist her ailing mother with her duties while her brothers and sisters are away she meets Michale Cross, Her bodyguard and of course a romance begins to bloom.
A mystery crops up ( I won’t spoil
It ) and Michael and Scottie go on a mission to a chapel. They see Emmanuel and the at the chapel and they go to o to solve the mystery.

[Rachel Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Scottie, confident American businesswoman and the surprise daughter of Lauchtenland's queen, travels to her mother's castle, she is instantly immersed in both the beauty and the danger of royal life. Her protection officer, Michael, fights demons from his own past. And, in a lovely touch of symbolism, Emmanuel is there to see them through it all. To Win a Crown is a fun, romantic journey exploring themes of life's unexpected turns, and how they make us see what truly matters. This book can be enjoyed as a standalone, but features character cameos from the True Blue Royal Series Books 1 and 2.

Favorite quotes:

"When her hand clasped his, he forgot all about protocol or even where he was standing."

"Love’s an enduring gift.”

"Where had he come from? She tried to speak but the moment his gaze met hers, she was both captivated and free, seen and yet hidden."

Note-I was ecstatic to receive an early reader copy of the book from the author. A positive review was not required.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

One kingdom. Three siblings. One Emmanuel. Three parts of God. The True Blue Royal trilogy began with the youngest child and ends with the oldest. All three have ties to the States, though, to be fair, Gus simply reconnected with a local gal he knew as a child there. I’m pretty sure Tennessee is relocating to Lauchtenland one person at a time! I missed Adelaide in this journey, but Emmanuel showed up at always the right time with the right message, even when words were not shared. God with Us, when we need him, whether we know it or not. A legend of the ages. A bit mystical, a bit myth, a little supernatural, but in all the good ways that make God real to life. Just like the Hand of God (Gus and Daffy), the Heart of God (John and Gemma), and the Eye of God.
Let’s just get this out of the way: To Win a Crown is a romance. Yup, I mean, if you don’t know by the author or the synopsis, now you do. But it’s so much more than just a romance because hello, that’s what Rachel Hauck gives me and why I keep coming back. Scottie has been a thread throughout the stories, so it’s only fitting that she end the series. From the long-kept secret, illegitimate daughter of the Queen, to meeting her mother, to where we are now. Scottie knows who she is, she knows what her future holds, and she knows that her kingdom is not with the royal family but with her family business back in Tennessee. She’s learning to bridge her two worlds, but her life and heart are in Hearts Bend. Until . . .
Scottie does more than just find a place for herself in the royal family and fall in love. She chooses to get to know Hammish Fickle, despite all the situations he puts her in to prove his point about the need for no Royal Family and absolutely no more Americans. She chooses to explore her own family history and discovers Wenthelen. Wenthelen is the key to so many things, but that’s all you get. Go read the book. Scottie wraps up the family story thread, she wraps up the Fickle story thread, and even the O’Shay story thread. There are a lot of neatly wrapped threads in this book. My dark ole heart finds it a bit too neat, but ya know, happily ever after is a thing for normal folks. But Emmanuel is the true thread of this book, for me. He brings the heart of forgiveness. And out of all the neatly wrapped up threads, that’s the one that really mattered for me. The Blue family is just the foil for the story of Emmanuel.

Originally published at https://fizzypopcollection.com/book-r...

[Jeanne Takenaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Win a Crown, the final book in The True Blue Royal trilogy, is the perfect ending for three royal siblings in the fictional country of Lauchtenland.

This story, centered on Scottie O’Shay—Queen Catherine’s daughter—left me laughing in some moments and teary in others. When Scottie is dumped by her boyfriend, she calls her mother to share the heartbreak. Queen Catherine invites her to spend time in Lauchtenland, a fictional nation in the North Sea. Though reluctant to step away from her role in the family business for eight weeks, Scottie agrees to go.

Michael Cross has lived with regret since losing his fiancée unexpectedly two years ago. He throws himself into the security work he loves, trying to outrun the past. So when the queen asks him to serve as bodyguard and scheduler for her daughter, he can only say yes.

Trouble—especially in the form of a party opposing the Blue family’s rule—has a way of finding Scottie. Michael is tasked with protecting her. But Scottie’s kindness, her passion for people, and her determination to seek the truth begin to awaken feelings Michael thought he had buried with his former fiancée.

This story is beautifully written, with winning, authentic characters and meaningful healing in multiple relationships. Both Scottie and Michael must confront deep wounds from their pasts, and their journeys feel honest and earned.

Lauchtenland itself is a vibrant presence throughout the series, especially in To Win a Crown. The settings feel so vivid and real to my soul.

I especially appreciated the way Hauck weaves faith into each of the three books—most powerfully here. The country’s iconic places reflect God’s work in the characters’ lives. In this story, we encounter the Eye of God (you’ll have to read to discover more). The picture of Emmanuel’s presence among the characters beautifully reflects God’s nearness in real life without ever feeling heavy-handed.

Themes of family and forgiveness are woven throughout the pages. The relationships are not simplistic but nuanced and messy, making the resolutions all the more satisfying.

I had eagerly anticipated this book, and it was well worth the wait. If you enjoy stories about ordinary people placed in extraordinary circumstances—stories of relational healing and enduring love—you will love this contemporary romance.

***I was gifted an advanced copy of this book by the author with no obligation to review. All opinions are completely my own.***

[Stephanie Neff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO WIN A CROWN!
Anyone who knows me well, would know that I carry a book with me just about everywhere I go. I never know when I might get a few minutes or even longer to escape into another world. I’m sure there are writer's groups or writing coaches that would say no matter the genre, a book has to appeal to people and speak to them where they are. This week I had a chance to read a book by a favorite author prior to it being published. I stayed up too late last night and basically did nothing else for most of today to finish a book that had me laughing and crying in almost equal measures. Rachel Hauck has become a very special author to me the last few years. (I discovered her country of Lauchtenland when another favorite author, #SusanMayWarrenFiction borrowed it for her writing.) In “To Win A Crown”, Tennessee lass Scottie O’Shay, a successful businesswoman, has a life that seems well laid out to a future she wants and embraces. Although she had learned recently that she was secretly the daughter of a queen she didn’t think that would really change her life. She isn’t a titled princess and has no aspirations to be one. She has a small town life she loves with people surrounding her she loves. Her work in her father’s family’s company has brought her enough fame (a GC cover!) and good fortune that she can comfortably travel in larger circles nationally, and internationally. When circumstances quickly change, she’s off to Lauchtenland for a visit. What she discovers while visiting her mother’s side of the family not only changed the course of her life, but the lives of many others. At the core of everything though, she saw that the path she thought her life was on was not the only one open to her. As so many of us have found in life when we look back we see how we were being perfectly prepared for a new season ahead. Rachel Hauck has wonderfully developed characters who stay true throughout their stories. This is the final book in this series and it had the perfect blend of characters introduced in previous books and new ones. A new reader would not have to have read the previous ones, but I would recommend it. Rachel does put enough background in the book that a new reader would not be lost with characters whose stories were already told in other books.
Thank you, Rachel, for the opportunity to read this wonderful book. 

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Win a Crown by Rachel Hauck is AMAZING! I loved every minute of this magical read. To be fair, I’ve basically said this about every book in the True Blue Royal series, but there is something extra special about this final installment. As with the first two books, my favorite aspect of this story is the significant appearances of Emmanuel. I truly long for Jesus. I love the idea that He appears on earth from time to time, spiritually speaking, and does something miraculous for a regular someone. Tenderly touching them and removing pain, flooding their hearts with peace, entering their dreams for a chat, giving words of wisdom…whatever it is, I love the idea of the divine breaching earth to give humans a moment of God. The moments with Emmanuel had me instantly sobbing for joy and want. They were all perfectly magical, uplifting, spiritual moments that make this book so good and utterly beautiful. As with all Hauck novels, the characters in To Win a Crown are excellent. Scottie is a wonderful heroine. She single-handedly saves an entire community just by being present and willing to listen. Scottie is a worker not a shirker. She is driven to solve problems. Scottie also genuinely loves people and wants what’s best for everyone. I really cheered for her throughout this whole story. Scottie is authentically awesome. Michael, the hero, is…real. He is very, very relatable in all he is going through. His issues are very human: abandoned by a parent as a child, lost the love of his life to illness, throws himself into work to make the world go away. I cheered for Michael, too, but in a different way. I just wanted this man to find some peace. The journey from friends-to-more between Scottie and Michael is perfectly paced: not too fast, not too slow. I love Scottie’s belief that talking at night makes vulnerability easier to handle cause the speaker can hide in the dark. I like this principle in general, but I also liked it for the story because it was a great way to get the main characters talking about real stuff. There’s nothing worse than a romance where the characters spend most of the book NOT talking when realistically one conversation would solve all the problems. Yeah, this book is NOT that!

To Win a Crown is a lovely Contemporary Romance. It was an absolute joy to read, and I am genuinely going to miss my time in Lauchtenland with all these uniquely endearing characters. If you’re in the mood for a sweet romance filled with heart and depth, then To Win a Crown is definitely the book for you.

I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on March 2, 2026, in order to review. I am under no obligation to leave a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Talita Adendorff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of the royal romances by Rachel Hauck, and I thoroughly enjoyed To Win a Crown as well.

It’s been a while since I read the first two True Blue Royals books, so at the beginning I found myself trying to remember who everyone was and how everything connected. But once I stopped focusing on that and simply allowed myself to enjoy the story, I was completely drawn in and didn’t want to put it down.

This final installment brings all the charm, emotion, and heart that Rachel Hauck does so well. Scottie O’Shay believes she has the perfect life working as creative director for her family’s fashion brand—until a shocking exposé reveals she is actually the secret daughter of the Queen of Lauchtenland. What follows is a beautiful journey filled with palace intrigue, hidden family wounds, second chances, and an unforgettable romance with royal protection officer Michael Cross.

The chemistry between Scottie and Michael is tender and believable, and their story unfolds with just the right balance of romance, emotional depth, and faith. I especially loved the themes of forgiveness, redemption, family, and discovering where you truly belong. As always, Rachel Hauck adds that little touch of magic that makes her royal stories feel warm, hopeful, and deeply meaningful.

This book is a wonderful wrap-up to the series and left me with all the emotions. I do recommend reading the whole True Blue Royals series, and it may help to do a quick refresher beforehand. That said, it can still be enjoyed as a standalone if you simply want to immerse yourself in this beautiful tale of love, forgiveness, and redemption.

Perfect for fans of Hallmark-style royal romances with heart, faith, and plenty of charm.

[Marylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this wonderful story, written by Rachel Hauck, we get a real feel of what it is to be a “Royal” and still be “Normal.”
Scottie O’Shay was a normal young woman seeking her place in her family’s American company. Then her world turned upside down when she went to visit the woman who gave her birth. The Queen of Lauchtenland.
Scottie was no princess and didn’t want to be, but since she was going to be in the country, she needed security details. Michael Cross pledged to give his life for the crown. His assignment was to protect the American daughter of the queen, so he would do his best.
I love stories about royal families and all the ideas of kings, queens, princes, and princesses. When I read them, I always think of the Cinderella story.
Yet, did you really know these “royals” are actually just human and deal with issues the same as we do? Like losing a loved one, health issues, being rejected, and struggling with not feeling loved!
With this story, we get all of that and more.
Rachel Hauck is an author who makes the reader feel like they are right there with the characters. Woven throughout this book are sweet moments from these two characters’ lives. Even though one of the characters is a royal, we still see things in both their lives that are very relatable to us as readers. The relationships with friends and family are so real. When we can put ourselves in the characters’ lives and understand their joys and pains, that is what makes a book great! This author has done that!
I highly recommend you pick this book up and enjoy all the pageantry and sweet romance of this magical book!

[Danielle Turko · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Scottie first learned her mother was still alive, she was shocked. Learning she was a Queen was even more surprising. It's been 3 years now since she found out about her mom, and she's slowly coming to terms with it. When she breaks up with her boyfriend and her mom invites her to Lauchtenland to help her with some social appearances, she decides this the perfect opportunity to get a change of pace and get to know her family a bit better. Leaving her job at the family company in the hands of her staff, she flies off to Europe to spend 8 weeks. Landing in Lauchtenland, she is quickly met with controversy and a small riot, but her protection detail Michael is there to help her. Michael has been living in the Operations center ever since the investigation was opened on last assignment protecting Scottie's brother which ended with a foiled assassination episode. He's actually enjoying the quiet, still grieving the loss of his fiancee Purnell. When he meets Scottie he begins to feel things again, but a Cross man can never fall for a member of the House of Blue. He just needs to remind himself of that when Scottie keeps turning to him for help.
This is the third book in the series, but as someone who hasn't read the first two I will say you can start right in on this book and not be too lost. The first two books are about characters that really only make cameos in this book, so don't feel as if you need to read them either. That being said, I will still read the first two books in the future

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody can write a royal romance like Rachel Hauck! She's definitely the gold-star standard, and she keeps the bar high in her latest novel To Win a Crown.

The third offering in the True Blue Royal series, this novel could stand alone, but it builds ferociously on the storylines of the first two books in a masterful way. Hauck delves deep into the feelings that main character Scottie O'Shay must have after growing up without a mother. I love the way To Win a Crown explores the deep need in all of us to be connected in a strong, personal way to others - and to God.

Forgiveness and redemption also carry top billings in this book. These themes resonate through the storylines of several characters, making these values both relevant and relatable. Doing the right thing, even when it's hard or unpopular, also takes a high priority in this book, and I love it. In a culture that currently values all things fun and easy, we need great examples of a plumb line, and that's what you'll find in To Win a Crown.

So that's why I love this royal romance. There's so much here: realistic characters, swoon-worthy scenes, deep lessons, quotable lines, fierce adversaries, as well as all the pomp and ceremony that make royal stories fun - that fans of both serious and fun stories alike will love it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Jenny Carlisle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love everything about Rachel Hauck's royal romances. When I heard about this one, I re-read the first two in the True Blue Royal series in preparation. Of course, the American Scottie needed her own story, and this book totally delivers. Rachel's books mix contemporary romance with just enough fantasy to amp up the fascination. Diving into Lauchtenland again, I learned to look forward to the forays to the Belly of the Beast, where pretense is dropped, and encounters with Emmanuel are expected. What struck home for me was the attitude of the successful young woman who has been lied to about her mother for her whole life. When the truth emerges, she could have been angry and resentful. After all, she could have been raised as a princess. Feeling a similar disconnect in my own life, I identify with the sense of what might have been. Scottie, however grows to realize that she has been blessed and loved by generations of people on both sides of the Atlantic. Her objective now is to find out what God has planned for the present, and for the rest of her life. As usual, the story is believable, while so very romantic and emotional. Thanks for another great read, Ms. Hauck.

[Gail Hollingsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet fairytale type story. I loved getting to know the characters in a magical sort of way. Scottie was helping run a men’s shirt manufacturing company with her dad in Tennessee. She found out she had been told a lie all her life, that her mother died. In her mid thirties she discovered her mother was actually a queen of a small country. She had finally visited a few times to get to know her better. Later she found out her mother was in ill health and Scottie came for eight weeks to help her when the rest of the family had obligations elsewhere. That’s where she met Michael, who was to be her “body guard”.
Scottie was a take charge, no nonsense type of person that led her into some scary situations in crowds she wasn’t used to. Michael sometimes couldn’t keep up with her. There also was a figure named Emmanuel, God with us, that always seemed to show up when needed. A large castle on top of a hill that was hard to get to unless hiked added to the mystery and “magic”.
All of these elements came together to form an unforgettable story. Now I’m ready to read the other two books.
This was a purchased ebook that I’m reviewing of my own free will. All opinions are mine.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a charming and sweet royal romance. Even though I haven't read the first two books in the True Blue Royals I was not at all lost or confused about anything that was going on in this book. I always appreciate when an author ties a series of books together in such a way that they can be started out of order without a newcomer being hopelessly lost, but still deliver little glimpses for the long time fans.
Scottie was a fun character, especially as she learned to deal with the realities of the expectations placed upon a royal family. Michael Cross made an excellent hero to Scottie's heroine in this story. The romance between them was very sweetly done, with good chemistry as well.
There were parts of this book that I felt didn't flow as well as it could have at times. It didn't necessarily ruin the story for me or anything, but it did at times keep it from being a real page-turner for me.
If you enjoy royal romances, with a dash of secrets and faith I think you'll enjoy this story.
*I read an early ARC from the author. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There is always a story behind the story, and if we seek truth, if we dare ask questions with an ear to listen, we make life better for us all.”

I have been waiting for Scottie’s story forever, and Rachel Hauck’s beautiful writing brought an authentic voice to the disenfranchised daughter of the queen. My visit to Lauchtenland flew by far too quickly, but Scottie’s journey progressing from the future CEO of a menswear company to being her parents’ shameful secret to Lady Royal and beyond was SO satisfying! Of course she had to be wooed by the hunky security detail assigned to her during a visit, but his beautiful soul is where Mick really shines. Riding along for the beginning of their relationship was an honor, and the ending (likely the last visit to Lauchtenland) was utterly satisfying. It’s the royal story you may have forgotten you needed, but will end up being unforgettable. I received an advanced copy of the book from the publisher and author via NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.