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Castles We Storm: A Forced Proximity Billionaire x Royal Romance
I’m the most powerful woman in the world, but it sure doesn’t feel like it. It may surprise you to learn that Her Majesty the Queen is as vulnerable to a bullet as anyone else.
Especially when someone would rather see me in a body bag than on the throne.
This is inconvenient for several reasons. One, I’m rather attached to staying alive. And two, Henry is back in Wesbourne and has decided that the safest place for me is locked inside his ridiculously pretentious penthouse.
Yes, I’m aware being roommates with a sexy billionaire sounds like a fantasy. Trust me, it’s not
Because Henry isn’t just insanely rich and intoxicatingly attractive. He’s the man who has broken my heart more times than I care to count. The man who knows exactly how to get under my skin, into my head . . . and dangerously close to my defenses.
Every glance feels loaded. Every conversation turns into a battlefield. And the longer we’re forced into close quarters, the harder it becomes to tell which threat is more dangerous—the one waiting outside, or the man inside.
Henry wants me to trust him, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to trust no one. If something gets broken this time around, I can promise you one thing.
It won’t be my heart.
Castles We Storm is perfect for readers looking
Contemporary romance booksRomantic suspenseModern royaltyHate to loveMorally gray MMCsHot billionaires and strong heroines who bring them to their kneesForced proximity“It’s always been her”
Castles We Storm is the second book in a trilogy. The first part of Henry and Celia’s story can be read in Thrones We Steal . This story may not be suitable for everyone. Please see sample for TWs.
Especially when someone would rather see me in a body bag than on the throne.
This is inconvenient for several reasons. One, I’m rather attached to staying alive. And two, Henry is back in Wesbourne and has decided that the safest place for me is locked inside his ridiculously pretentious penthouse.
Yes, I’m aware being roommates with a sexy billionaire sounds like a fantasy. Trust me, it’s not
Because Henry isn’t just insanely rich and intoxicatingly attractive. He’s the man who has broken my heart more times than I care to count. The man who knows exactly how to get under my skin, into my head . . . and dangerously close to my defenses.
Every glance feels loaded. Every conversation turns into a battlefield. And the longer we’re forced into close quarters, the harder it becomes to tell which threat is more dangerous—the one waiting outside, or the man inside.
Henry wants me to trust him, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to trust no one. If something gets broken this time around, I can promise you one thing.
It won’t be my heart.
Castles We Storm is perfect for readers looking
Contemporary romance booksRomantic suspenseModern royaltyHate to loveMorally gray MMCsHot billionaires and strong heroines who bring them to their kneesForced proximity“It’s always been her”
Castles We Storm is the second book in a trilogy. The first part of Henry and Celia’s story can be read in Thrones We Steal . This story may not be suitable for everyone. Please see sample for TWs.
- GenresRomance
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2026
About the author
Jessica Jude
9 books446 followersJessica Jude writes emotionally-charged kissing (among other things) books about royals and the elite. Her aim in all of her stories is to make you fall in love with the characters and use up box after box of tissues. Her characters are strong and independent, who make plenty of morally gray decisions. She likes her women fierce and her men possessive.
Her favorite scenes to write are arguments. She's been known to stir up drama in her own life when she gets bored, and her family is glad she has an outlet for her occasional Blair-Waldorfism. She lives in a big old house in the midwestern United States with her high-school sweetheart. She has dreamed of being an author since she was six and wrote her first book about a girl named Mary who got lost in the woods. Mary was eventually found, but sadly, the book was never published. Jessica is a homebody who loves to travel, a coffee candle junkie who doesn't drink coffee, and a very-loud-at-home introvert.
Find tropes and trigger warnings for her books at https://www.jessicajude.com/
Get exclusive bonus content by joining the fancy-schmancy Privy Council (aka email list) at https://www.jessicajude.com/newsletter
Watch BTS footage on Instagram @JessicaJudeBooks
Her favorite scenes to write are arguments. She's been known to stir up drama in her own life when she gets bored, and her family is glad she has an outlet for her occasional Blair-Waldorfism. She lives in a big old house in the midwestern United States with her high-school sweetheart. She has dreamed of being an author since she was six and wrote her first book about a girl named Mary who got lost in the woods. Mary was eventually found, but sadly, the book was never published. Jessica is a homebody who loves to travel, a coffee candle junkie who doesn't drink coffee, and a very-loud-at-home introvert.
Find tropes and trigger warnings for her books at https://www.jessicajude.com/
Get exclusive bonus content by joining the fancy-schmancy Privy Council (aka email list) at https://www.jessicajude.com/newsletter
Watch BTS footage on Instagram @JessicaJudeBooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
April 27, 2026
Castles We Storm by Jessica Jude
🏰🏰🏰🏰🏰
This book was just as good as the first! The tension—oh my god, it was everything. The back-and-forth was worrisome at first, but it worked so well. Celia and Henry are obviously destined to be together, but getting to the point where Celia was able to trust him again took time, and he didn’t make it easy, for a good reason.
The number of twists in this book had my head snapping back and forth, and my jaw was left hanging open. I had to put my Kindle down at one point because I was so stunned by the audacity of William.
I am also obsessed with Tundra—how could you not be?
The perfect angel.
This book took me less than a day, and just like my Thrones We Steal review, thank goodness I have book three to jump into immediately.
🏰🏰🏰🏰🏰
This book was just as good as the first! The tension—oh my god, it was everything. The back-and-forth was worrisome at first, but it worked so well. Celia and Henry are obviously destined to be together, but getting to the point where Celia was able to trust him again took time, and he didn’t make it easy, for a good reason.
The number of twists in this book had my head snapping back and forth, and my jaw was left hanging open. I had to put my Kindle down at one point because I was so stunned by the audacity of William.
I am also obsessed with Tundra—how could you not be?
The perfect angel.
This book took me less than a day, and just like my Thrones We Steal review, thank goodness I have book three to jump into immediately.
April 28, 2026
ARC Review
Another roller coaster ride with Celia and Henry! Going into this one I needed so many answers after the cliff hangers of the first. Now my only question is, where to from here?
Another roller coaster ride with Celia and Henry! Going into this one I needed so many answers after the cliff hangers of the first. Now my only question is, where to from here?
October 10, 2025
Another great entry in the Queen of Wesbourne trilogy!
I loved the sex in this book, and the whole forced proximity thing was great.
I recommend this book to fans of Twilight and The Vampire Diaries even though there's no vampires. The romance is similar, and the plot builds steadily.
I loved the sex in this book, and the whole forced proximity thing was great.
I recommend this book to fans of Twilight and The Vampire Diaries even though there's no vampires. The romance is similar, and the plot builds steadily.
May 20, 2026
Welcome back to Wesbourne. After a whirlwind few months, Queen Celia has proven that she is the rightful heir to the throne, and is now beginning to rule her country. Now, let’s see if she's able to make all of her plans and ideas come to fruition in Jessica Jude’s Castles We Storm, the second novel in the Thrones We Steal trilogy.
It’s been several months since the events of the first book. She’s settling into her role as ruler of a sovereign nation, but has put her emotions behind castle walls. Her country needs her once again, but these issues lead her to turn to Henry, the man who has broken her heart…again. Gone were the days when they could laugh and be comfortable in each other's presence. Now, it's filled with work and duty to the crown. Despite the animosity and tension, both anger and love, between them, they try to work together to solve these issues. When threats are made, failed assassination attempts occur, and lives are in danger, Celia is whisked away for safety, but is the danger coming from her mystery assailant, or the man who plays with her heart and emotions. It’s up to Celia to decide who she wants to let inside her castle while everyone else looks from the outside.
We get to see more into the inner turmoil going on with Celia, and a peak at royal life. Everything she does is weighed and critiqued, it’s up to her to decide which is the better option. Before, she couldn’t do much, but as queen, she could, or so she thought. Everything you do is for the crown, and every decision is like Damocles' sword dangling over your head. You never know if they’ll throw flowers or stones at you.
This story is more emotionally and psychologically charged than the first, especially when it comes to her relationship with Henry, and her own feelings. They can’t deny the attraction they have, the love for one another. Memories from their childhood to the few moments they had prior to Celia becoming sovereign queen are mixed with the secrets and lies each one has kept and told. Celia has gone through the wringer, and as a defense, she put up the castle walls around her heart. Revelations from those she loves causes her to only reinforce them. Like anyone who has been through too much trauma, it’s only when we learn the truth and learn to trust and accept others that those walls can come crashing down. You can't change that person, but once more facets of themselves are revealed, does that change how you see them, or do you accept everyone, faults and all. There are points when you’re yelling at Celia to see how much those around her care for her, but for her, once they’ve broken her trust, there’s no coming back from it. It takes time, and Celia realizes that the longer she holds grudges, the emptier her life becomes.
Trust. Such a simple idea, yet difficult to manage. How much can you trust someone before you can’t anymore. As Celia takes the crown, she needs to surround herself with those she trusts, but if everyone betrays her, who is left? You can build a castle with walls as high as you can make them, but what's the purpose of it if there is no one there inside with you.
It’s fun to see Celia and Henry’s relationship develop, and see how they have to work at it. Their relationship certainly hasn't been easy, but they'll always find a way back to each other. Can’t wait to see how it all ends in Crowns We Save.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from Jessica Jude for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My intentions are to write feedback that reflects my genuine thoughts and is written with the book’s genre and target audience in mind. I aim to review fairly and respectfully, focusing on the story’s purpose.
It’s been several months since the events of the first book. She’s settling into her role as ruler of a sovereign nation, but has put her emotions behind castle walls. Her country needs her once again, but these issues lead her to turn to Henry, the man who has broken her heart…again. Gone were the days when they could laugh and be comfortable in each other's presence. Now, it's filled with work and duty to the crown. Despite the animosity and tension, both anger and love, between them, they try to work together to solve these issues. When threats are made, failed assassination attempts occur, and lives are in danger, Celia is whisked away for safety, but is the danger coming from her mystery assailant, or the man who plays with her heart and emotions. It’s up to Celia to decide who she wants to let inside her castle while everyone else looks from the outside.
We get to see more into the inner turmoil going on with Celia, and a peak at royal life. Everything she does is weighed and critiqued, it’s up to her to decide which is the better option. Before, she couldn’t do much, but as queen, she could, or so she thought. Everything you do is for the crown, and every decision is like Damocles' sword dangling over your head. You never know if they’ll throw flowers or stones at you.
This story is more emotionally and psychologically charged than the first, especially when it comes to her relationship with Henry, and her own feelings. They can’t deny the attraction they have, the love for one another. Memories from their childhood to the few moments they had prior to Celia becoming sovereign queen are mixed with the secrets and lies each one has kept and told. Celia has gone through the wringer, and as a defense, she put up the castle walls around her heart. Revelations from those she loves causes her to only reinforce them. Like anyone who has been through too much trauma, it’s only when we learn the truth and learn to trust and accept others that those walls can come crashing down. You can't change that person, but once more facets of themselves are revealed, does that change how you see them, or do you accept everyone, faults and all. There are points when you’re yelling at Celia to see how much those around her care for her, but for her, once they’ve broken her trust, there’s no coming back from it. It takes time, and Celia realizes that the longer she holds grudges, the emptier her life becomes.
Trust. Such a simple idea, yet difficult to manage. How much can you trust someone before you can’t anymore. As Celia takes the crown, she needs to surround herself with those she trusts, but if everyone betrays her, who is left? You can build a castle with walls as high as you can make them, but what's the purpose of it if there is no one there inside with you.
It’s fun to see Celia and Henry’s relationship develop, and see how they have to work at it. Their relationship certainly hasn't been easy, but they'll always find a way back to each other. Can’t wait to see how it all ends in Crowns We Save.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from Jessica Jude for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My intentions are to write feedback that reflects my genuine thoughts and is written with the book’s genre and target audience in mind. I aim to review fairly and respectfully, focusing on the story’s purpose.
May 22, 2026
Castles We Storm was everything I wanted after finishing Thrones We Steal and somehow managed to raise the stakes even higher.
If book one hooked me with the royal intrigue, secrets, and emotional tension, book two completely delivered on the payoff.
One of my favorite things about this book was watching Henry and Celia’s relationship continue to evolve. The chemistry between them was absolutely incredible, but what stood out most was that their reconciliation didn’t happen overnight.
Henry had broken Celia’s trust, and I appreciated that the story allowed her to hold onto that hurt instead of immediately forgiving him. Watching Henry slowly work to earn back her trust made every moment between them feel more meaningful and believable.
And honestly, the tension?
Perfection.
Every conversation felt loaded with emotion. Every glance carried history. You could feel how deeply these two belonged together while also understanding why getting back to each other wouldn’t be easy.
Henry continued to be an amazing MMC. Protective, devoted, determined, and willing to fight for the woman he loves. But he also had to face the consequences of past mistakes, which made his character growth even stronger throughout the story.
Celia also continued to shine as a heroine. She carried enormous responsibility while navigating threats, political pressures, and personal heartbreak, yet never lost her strength.
Just when I thought I had figured everything out, another twist appeared.
The suspense and political intrigue remained just as strong as the first book, and there were multiple moments where I genuinely didn’t know what was going to happen next. The constant twists and turns kept me completely invested from beginning to end.
The romance, the yearning, the danger, and the emotional growth all came together beautifully, making this a sequel that absolutely lived up to the first book.
If you enjoyed Thrones We Steal, you definitely need to continue Henry and Celia’s story.
If you enjoy:
👑 Royal romance
🖤 Morally gray MMCs
🔥 Forced proximity
💕 Second chance love
👑 Political intrigue
💔 Emotional tension & yearning
✨ Trust rebuilding
🌙 Romantic suspense
⚔️ Twists & betrayals
❤️ Devoted MMC energy
then Castles We Storm is a must-read.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 4.5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4.5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 4.5/5
Thank you to The Author Agency and Jessica Jude for the ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own.
If book one hooked me with the royal intrigue, secrets, and emotional tension, book two completely delivered on the payoff.
One of my favorite things about this book was watching Henry and Celia’s relationship continue to evolve. The chemistry between them was absolutely incredible, but what stood out most was that their reconciliation didn’t happen overnight.
Henry had broken Celia’s trust, and I appreciated that the story allowed her to hold onto that hurt instead of immediately forgiving him. Watching Henry slowly work to earn back her trust made every moment between them feel more meaningful and believable.
And honestly, the tension?
Perfection.
Every conversation felt loaded with emotion. Every glance carried history. You could feel how deeply these two belonged together while also understanding why getting back to each other wouldn’t be easy.
Henry continued to be an amazing MMC. Protective, devoted, determined, and willing to fight for the woman he loves. But he also had to face the consequences of past mistakes, which made his character growth even stronger throughout the story.
Celia also continued to shine as a heroine. She carried enormous responsibility while navigating threats, political pressures, and personal heartbreak, yet never lost her strength.
Just when I thought I had figured everything out, another twist appeared.
The suspense and political intrigue remained just as strong as the first book, and there were multiple moments where I genuinely didn’t know what was going to happen next. The constant twists and turns kept me completely invested from beginning to end.
The romance, the yearning, the danger, and the emotional growth all came together beautifully, making this a sequel that absolutely lived up to the first book.
If you enjoyed Thrones We Steal, you definitely need to continue Henry and Celia’s story.
If you enjoy:
👑 Royal romance
🖤 Morally gray MMCs
🔥 Forced proximity
💕 Second chance love
👑 Political intrigue
💔 Emotional tension & yearning
✨ Trust rebuilding
🌙 Romantic suspense
⚔️ Twists & betrayals
❤️ Devoted MMC energy
then Castles We Storm is a must-read.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 4.5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4.5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 4.5/5
Thank you to The Author Agency and Jessica Jude for the ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If your vibe is:
🌹Contemporary romance books
👑Romantic suspense
🌹Modern royalty
👑Hate to love
🌹Morally gray MMCs
👑Hot billionaires and strong heroines who bring them to their knees
🌹Forced proximity
“It’s always been her”
"Castles We Storm" is the second installment of the Thrones We Steal series releasing May 19th by Jessica Jude. All three books release on the 19th and I'm already itching to read "Crowns We Save"! This is a first book I've read by Jessica and its definitely not my last. Her style of writing engages you emotionally and her style of writing for developing Celia, Henry and other side character's really stands out for me. If you are looking for a an introduction into the romance genre, this is hands down a great book(definitely believing the series) to start for a young adult reader trying to dip their feet before jumping head first.
This starts off with Celia a few months into her reign and a situation happens that brings Henry back into her life after three months and she definitely does not want him anywhere around but for her security, Henry is her safest opition so she agrees to stay with him. I'm a sucker for forced proximity and this hand melts into your hands with that trope. After a series of twists and turns, the unthinkabke happens. Finding out who is behind the chaos of the beginning of her reign really takes a nunber on her because she wants to be the best queen for Wesbourne but its hard to do that when she's hidden away for protection and she can't face her people.
While going through one situation; she is also trying to understand what has happened to her family wealth and how to fix it and things begin to turn up between Celia and Henry. Secrets keep occuring and she is questioning every move that is happening around her and when she leaves London and discovered Henry is at the castle that is when the books third act comes together and I crushed the last chapters because I knew Henry's father was always up to no good but Henry's part in the chaos of the monarchy? That threw me for a curve ball but as we read multiple times, "not everything is what it seems" really stood out as line through the entire story.
Now that ending? Chefs kiss. Amazing way to end this story but now I need that third book so lets get it released! 🤣 I was the opportunity to read this as an advanced readers copy from Hambright PR.
🌹Contemporary romance books
👑Romantic suspense
🌹Modern royalty
👑Hate to love
🌹Morally gray MMCs
👑Hot billionaires and strong heroines who bring them to their knees
🌹Forced proximity
“It’s always been her”
"Castles We Storm" is the second installment of the Thrones We Steal series releasing May 19th by Jessica Jude. All three books release on the 19th and I'm already itching to read "Crowns We Save"! This is a first book I've read by Jessica and its definitely not my last. Her style of writing engages you emotionally and her style of writing for developing Celia, Henry and other side character's really stands out for me. If you are looking for a an introduction into the romance genre, this is hands down a great book(definitely believing the series) to start for a young adult reader trying to dip their feet before jumping head first.
This starts off with Celia a few months into her reign and a situation happens that brings Henry back into her life after three months and she definitely does not want him anywhere around but for her security, Henry is her safest opition so she agrees to stay with him. I'm a sucker for forced proximity and this hand melts into your hands with that trope. After a series of twists and turns, the unthinkabke happens. Finding out who is behind the chaos of the beginning of her reign really takes a nunber on her because she wants to be the best queen for Wesbourne but its hard to do that when she's hidden away for protection and she can't face her people.
While going through one situation; she is also trying to understand what has happened to her family wealth and how to fix it and things begin to turn up between Celia and Henry. Secrets keep occuring and she is questioning every move that is happening around her and when she leaves London and discovered Henry is at the castle that is when the books third act comes together and I crushed the last chapters because I knew Henry's father was always up to no good but Henry's part in the chaos of the monarchy? That threw me for a curve ball but as we read multiple times, "not everything is what it seems" really stood out as line through the entire story.
Now that ending? Chefs kiss. Amazing way to end this story but now I need that third book so lets get it released! 🤣 I was the opportunity to read this as an advanced readers copy from Hambright PR.
May 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
“Castles We Storm” absolutely destroyed me emotionally and honestly… I expected nothing less after the chaos of “Thrones We Steal.” Celia and Henry are still just as toxic, devastating, addictive, and I’m STILL here for every second of it. The tension between them? Chef’s kiss. 🤌🏻
Henry and Celia consumed my thoughts the entire time I was reading this story. Their love is not gentle. It is obsessive, painful, possessive, messy… especially while Celia is trying to learn how to trust Henry again.
The tension in this book was unreal — and not just romantically either. The political manipulation, betrayals, secrets, loyalty shifts, twists, turns, and constant feeling that everything could collapse at any second had me stressed TF out… and I LOVED IT!!!!! I was flying through this book because I physically could not stop reading. Jessica Jude really knows how to make you feel emotionally invested right alongside the characters.
Celia is no fool either. She starts questioning everything happening around her, and honestly, I loved seeing that side of her. And Henry’s father??? WOWZERS. That man had me wanting to throw my Kindle across the room. 😭 Henry is finally starting to reveal what he has been hiding and let me just say… the emotional damage was REAL. 😬
And the spice? Yeah… this book DELIVERED. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ The forced proximity mixed with Henry finally opening up emotionally made the chemistry between them absolutely explosive. Their connection is built just as much on obsession and emotional intensity as it is physical attraction, which made every scene hit even harder. 😈 Thier romance was far more developed in this book and I loved watching it grow.
I absolutely cannot wait for the third book because this series just keeps getting better and better with every single installment. NEED IT IMMEDIATELY. 🖤
If you love:
👑 Royal x Billionaire
👑 Romantic Suspense
👑 Hate to Love
👑 Forced Proximity (Roommates)
👑 It’s Always Been Her
👑 Protective Hero
👑 Reformed Playboy
👑 Dog Mom Energy
👑 Moral
…then you need this book now.
I would like to thank Jessica Jude and The Author agency again for the exceptional read🖤
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
“Castles We Storm” absolutely destroyed me emotionally and honestly… I expected nothing less after the chaos of “Thrones We Steal.” Celia and Henry are still just as toxic, devastating, addictive, and I’m STILL here for every second of it. The tension between them? Chef’s kiss. 🤌🏻
Henry and Celia consumed my thoughts the entire time I was reading this story. Their love is not gentle. It is obsessive, painful, possessive, messy… especially while Celia is trying to learn how to trust Henry again.
The tension in this book was unreal — and not just romantically either. The political manipulation, betrayals, secrets, loyalty shifts, twists, turns, and constant feeling that everything could collapse at any second had me stressed TF out… and I LOVED IT!!!!! I was flying through this book because I physically could not stop reading. Jessica Jude really knows how to make you feel emotionally invested right alongside the characters.
Celia is no fool either. She starts questioning everything happening around her, and honestly, I loved seeing that side of her. And Henry’s father??? WOWZERS. That man had me wanting to throw my Kindle across the room. 😭 Henry is finally starting to reveal what he has been hiding and let me just say… the emotional damage was REAL. 😬
And the spice? Yeah… this book DELIVERED. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ The forced proximity mixed with Henry finally opening up emotionally made the chemistry between them absolutely explosive. Their connection is built just as much on obsession and emotional intensity as it is physical attraction, which made every scene hit even harder. 😈 Thier romance was far more developed in this book and I loved watching it grow.
I absolutely cannot wait for the third book because this series just keeps getting better and better with every single installment. NEED IT IMMEDIATELY. 🖤
If you love:
👑 Royal x Billionaire
👑 Romantic Suspense
👑 Hate to Love
👑 Forced Proximity (Roommates)
👑 It’s Always Been Her
👑 Protective Hero
👑 Reformed Playboy
👑 Dog Mom Energy
👑 Moral
…then you need this book now.
I would like to thank Jessica Jude and The Author agency again for the exceptional read🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5/5🌟
This second book in the trilogy just kept on delivering. If you’re reading this review, I’m going to assume you have finished book 1….and you know that starting book 2, we don’t know where our two lovebirds stand with each other. Listen, this forced proximity, mystery-to-solve, high action book doesn’t disappoint!! I fell in love with Henry in this book as he becomes way more open about his feelings and we can finally find out what is the big bad thing that he doesn’t want us to know! We love a man that isn’t afraid to lay his feelings on the line and Henry…well, Henry doesn’t disappoint here. I’m actually a little nervous going into book 3 because I’m content where this book leaves us, and you know we’re gonna go on an emotional roller coaster if there’s more to the story and we’re happy where we are. The spice level ramps up quite a bit in this book as well, I would rate 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ descriptive, open door spice and more than 3 scenes. Thank you to the author for the eARC. This voluntary review is my honest thoughts and opinions about the book. I’m ready to dive straight into book 3 and see how Jess concludes this amazing story!!
“But just because you don’t see the pain, doesn’t mean it’s not there.”
“Loving someone doesn’t mean they’ll love you back,” I say quietly.
“I know you think I don’t care.”
“You’ve said as much.”
He spins around to face me. “I never said that.”
“Then it was implied.”
“There has never been a point in my life when I wouldn’t have given up everything for you.”
“I know I hurt you. But I will do everything in my power to prevent anyone else from doing the same.”
“What if he hurts me again?”
“He probably will, because that’s what people do. But will it hurt any less to push him away?”
I know that doesn’t make me a hero, but I never wanted to be one.” His eyes are liquid onyx. “I only ever wanted you.”
5/5🌟
This second book in the trilogy just kept on delivering. If you’re reading this review, I’m going to assume you have finished book 1….and you know that starting book 2, we don’t know where our two lovebirds stand with each other. Listen, this forced proximity, mystery-to-solve, high action book doesn’t disappoint!! I fell in love with Henry in this book as he becomes way more open about his feelings and we can finally find out what is the big bad thing that he doesn’t want us to know! We love a man that isn’t afraid to lay his feelings on the line and Henry…well, Henry doesn’t disappoint here. I’m actually a little nervous going into book 3 because I’m content where this book leaves us, and you know we’re gonna go on an emotional roller coaster if there’s more to the story and we’re happy where we are. The spice level ramps up quite a bit in this book as well, I would rate 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ descriptive, open door spice and more than 3 scenes. Thank you to the author for the eARC. This voluntary review is my honest thoughts and opinions about the book. I’m ready to dive straight into book 3 and see how Jess concludes this amazing story!!
“But just because you don’t see the pain, doesn’t mean it’s not there.”
“Loving someone doesn’t mean they’ll love you back,” I say quietly.
“I know you think I don’t care.”
“You’ve said as much.”
He spins around to face me. “I never said that.”
“Then it was implied.”
“There has never been a point in my life when I wouldn’t have given up everything for you.”
“I know I hurt you. But I will do everything in my power to prevent anyone else from doing the same.”
“What if he hurts me again?”
“He probably will, because that’s what people do. But will it hurt any less to push him away?”
I know that doesn’t make me a hero, but I never wanted to be one.” His eyes are liquid onyx. “I only ever wanted you.”
May 20, 2026
Castles We Storm expands the world of the series beautifully by shifting from romantic royal drama into something darker, more intimate, and unexpectedly tense.
Where the first book thrived on unresolved history and reluctant duty, this one explores vulnerability through power. The heroine may technically be the most powerful woman in the world, but the novel constantly reminds us how fragile that position really is. The political paranoia and looming danger create an undercurrent of suspense that keeps the story moving even in quieter emotional moments.
The romance, though, is undeniably the centerpiece.
The hero is classic morally gray romance perfection: controlled, calculating, emotionally guarded, yet utterly undone by the heroine. What I appreciated most is that his protectiveness never felt performative. Beneath the sharp edges and billionaire polish is someone deeply terrified of losing her.
Their chemistry is more mature and emotionally loaded this time around. The banter remains excellent—quick, biting, flirtatious—but there’s also a tenderness beneath it that gives the relationship real emotional payoff. You can feel how much history, restraint, and unresolved longing exists between them.
The prose remains sleek and highly readable, perfectly suited to the glamorous-but-dangerous atmosphere of the series. Palaces, security threats, media pressure, private grief—it all blends together into something cinematic and compulsively readable.
I also enjoyed that the suspense storyline had actual stakes. Too often romantic suspense can feel secondary to the romance, but here the danger actively shapes the emotional dynamics between the characters.
Overall, this felt like a stronger and more emotionally grounded continuation of the series: romantic, tense, glamorous, and filled with the kind of aching devotion that romance readers live for.
Where the first book thrived on unresolved history and reluctant duty, this one explores vulnerability through power. The heroine may technically be the most powerful woman in the world, but the novel constantly reminds us how fragile that position really is. The political paranoia and looming danger create an undercurrent of suspense that keeps the story moving even in quieter emotional moments.
The romance, though, is undeniably the centerpiece.
The hero is classic morally gray romance perfection: controlled, calculating, emotionally guarded, yet utterly undone by the heroine. What I appreciated most is that his protectiveness never felt performative. Beneath the sharp edges and billionaire polish is someone deeply terrified of losing her.
Their chemistry is more mature and emotionally loaded this time around. The banter remains excellent—quick, biting, flirtatious—but there’s also a tenderness beneath it that gives the relationship real emotional payoff. You can feel how much history, restraint, and unresolved longing exists between them.
The prose remains sleek and highly readable, perfectly suited to the glamorous-but-dangerous atmosphere of the series. Palaces, security threats, media pressure, private grief—it all blends together into something cinematic and compulsively readable.
I also enjoyed that the suspense storyline had actual stakes. Too often romantic suspense can feel secondary to the romance, but here the danger actively shapes the emotional dynamics between the characters.
Overall, this felt like a stronger and more emotionally grounded continuation of the series: romantic, tense, glamorous, and filled with the kind of aching devotion that romance readers live for.
Review of advance copy received from Author
After he left her on the floor of his hotel room in London, Celia was convinced she would never see Henry again. When she finds herself in the hospital following a suspicious car accident, he rushes back to Wesbourne to be by her side, but she does not welcome him with open arms, especially when she finds out that he is the one in charge of her security. After another attempt on her life forces her to flee the palace, she is brought to his penthouse, which is allegedly the safest place in the country. Now she has to try to rule a country with a non-existant budget, all while sharing space with the only man capable of destroying her.
The more time they spend together, the more Henry shows her a different side of himself, but every time she considers letting him, he insists on keeping secrets, making her unable to trust him. Especially when she knows that if a bullet doesn’t end her, another heartbreak at Henry’s hands surely will.
This book was heartbreaking in so many ways. Having received an early copy from the author, I started it the moment I finished The Thrones we Steal, and it did not disappoint. Over the course of the two books, we see moments where it’s clear how much Henry cares about Celia, but something keeps holding him back from going all in, and yet, as much as he claims not to want to hurt her, he does it over and over again. He acts hurt that she won’t trust him, but has given her no reason to, and while he protects her body with everything he has, he has done nothing but break her heart. Henry is definitely a controlling alpha hero, but the glimpses of vulnerability he shows made me believe that he really did love Celia more than anything, I just wish he trusted her enough to talk to her and tell her the whole truth.
The more time they spend together, the more Henry shows her a different side of himself, but every time she considers letting him, he insists on keeping secrets, making her unable to trust him. Especially when she knows that if a bullet doesn’t end her, another heartbreak at Henry’s hands surely will.
This book was heartbreaking in so many ways. Having received an early copy from the author, I started it the moment I finished The Thrones we Steal, and it did not disappoint. Over the course of the two books, we see moments where it’s clear how much Henry cares about Celia, but something keeps holding him back from going all in, and yet, as much as he claims not to want to hurt her, he does it over and over again. He acts hurt that she won’t trust him, but has given her no reason to, and while he protects her body with everything he has, he has done nothing but break her heart. Henry is definitely a controlling alpha hero, but the glimpses of vulnerability he shows made me believe that he really did love Celia more than anything, I just wish he trusted her enough to talk to her and tell her the whole truth.
May 19, 2026
Castles We Storm by Jessica Jude had me completely hooked from start to finish. Celia is finally Queen, living the life she never expected but fully embracing the country and people she loves. The only issue? Someone wants her dead.
Henry, now fully in protector mode, takes his job of keeping Celia alive very seriously and hides her away in his penthouse where he can keep an eye on her at all times. Except Celia is absolutely losing her mind being stuck inside. No freedom, no Christmas decorations, no normalcy, and being forced to deal with Henry 24/7? Chaos waiting to happen.
What I loved most about this book is that even with the danger constantly surrounding them, the story still had so much warmth and humor woven throughout it. Celia trying to stay visible and present for her country while attempts are being made on her life showed exactly the kind of Queen she wants to be. And adding her mom and sister into the mix for the holidays? Pure entertainment.
But underneath all of that tension and chaos are the feelings Celia still has for Henry, and WOW did those emotions hit hard. The chemistry between them never disappeared, and being forced into close quarters only made everything more intense. You can feel the push and pull every single time they interact.
And honestly? Watching Celia try to manage household financials is one of the biggest plots of this series, witnessing her and Henry try to come up with a plan, may have been one of my favorite parts of the entire book because somehow it became just as stressful as the assassination attempts. Priorities, right?
This series just keeps getting better. The romance, the tension, the royal drama, the danger—everything blends together perfectly, and I already need the next book immediately.
Henry, now fully in protector mode, takes his job of keeping Celia alive very seriously and hides her away in his penthouse where he can keep an eye on her at all times. Except Celia is absolutely losing her mind being stuck inside. No freedom, no Christmas decorations, no normalcy, and being forced to deal with Henry 24/7? Chaos waiting to happen.
What I loved most about this book is that even with the danger constantly surrounding them, the story still had so much warmth and humor woven throughout it. Celia trying to stay visible and present for her country while attempts are being made on her life showed exactly the kind of Queen she wants to be. And adding her mom and sister into the mix for the holidays? Pure entertainment.
But underneath all of that tension and chaos are the feelings Celia still has for Henry, and WOW did those emotions hit hard. The chemistry between them never disappeared, and being forced into close quarters only made everything more intense. You can feel the push and pull every single time they interact.
And honestly? Watching Celia try to manage household financials is one of the biggest plots of this series, witnessing her and Henry try to come up with a plan, may have been one of my favorite parts of the entire book because somehow it became just as stressful as the assassination attempts. Priorities, right?
This series just keeps getting better. The romance, the tension, the royal drama, the danger—everything blends together perfectly, and I already need the next book immediately.
May 21, 2026
This was not it.
Celia became even more unbearable after the ending in Thrones We Steal. This was so repetitive and Celia has some major trust issues. Henry was better, not much to it though. Still would have liked his POV.
Majority of this book was them being in a Penthouse that the head of her security deemed safe. Who the head of that security was? Henry because all of sudden he became an expert in all things security, bodyguards, tech etc.. I think at one point this is brought up and I was even saying out loud since when do we know Henry was in the Military. Not once was this even mentioned.
Besides being unbearable, insecure Celia was also petty. Beck her ex-fiancé having moved on to a new relationship...OMG how dare he..*major side eye* It so happened to be with her assistant, Celia has the nerve to ask what Beck sees in the her friend/assistant and then to bring it up to Maisie that how dare she steal her fiancé.. not ex.. come on SHE LEFT HIM TO MARRY ANOTHER MAN.. To add the 2 cherries on top of this ridiculous part.. Celia asks Maisie to break it off with Beck and she hopes that once they make up as friends Maisie finally breaks up with Beck. Ok make it three cherries on top of this crazy sundae, Celia says why would she let this man (Beck) get in between them.. a man she doesn't even want....WHAT!!
Finally
I was already turned off with the "relationship" she kept with the man she loves ab*ser, going to him for advise but then to try and force Henry to talk it out with his father which he was adamant about not wanting anything to do with him and all she kept saying was hear him out. Yeah, no. DO NOT FORCE AN ABUSER ON THEIR VICTIM! NO HE CAN NOT JUST LISTEN TO HIM!
Sweet baby Jesus.
Not interested in the final book of this series.
Celia became even more unbearable after the ending in Thrones We Steal. This was so repetitive and Celia has some major trust issues. Henry was better, not much to it though. Still would have liked his POV.
Majority of this book was them being in a Penthouse that the head of her security deemed safe. Who the head of that security was? Henry because all of sudden he became an expert in all things security, bodyguards, tech etc.. I think at one point this is brought up and I was even saying out loud since when do we know Henry was in the Military. Not once was this even mentioned.
Besides being unbearable, insecure Celia was also petty. Beck her ex-fiancé having moved on to a new relationship...OMG how dare he..*major side eye* It so happened to be with her assistant, Celia has the nerve to ask what Beck sees in the her friend/assistant and then to bring it up to Maisie that how dare she steal her fiancé.. not ex.. come on SHE LEFT HIM TO MARRY ANOTHER MAN.. To add the 2 cherries on top of this ridiculous part.. Celia asks Maisie to break it off with Beck and she hopes that once they make up as friends Maisie finally breaks up with Beck. Ok make it three cherries on top of this crazy sundae, Celia says why would she let this man (Beck) get in between them.. a man she doesn't even want....WHAT!!
Finally
I was already turned off with the "relationship" she kept with the man she loves ab*ser, going to him for advise but then to try and force Henry to talk it out with his father which he was adamant about not wanting anything to do with him and all she kept saying was hear him out. Yeah, no. DO NOT FORCE AN ABUSER ON THEIR VICTIM! NO HE CAN NOT JUST LISTEN TO HIM!
Sweet baby Jesus.
Not interested in the final book of this series.
May 19, 2026
Emotional tension, romantic suspense, and forced proximity dynamics. Castles We Storm by Jessica Jude is an intense blend of royal suspense and billionaire romance where danger outside the palace is only matched by the emotional chaos inside it.
The story follows a powerful queen navigating threats to her life while being forced into close proximity with Henry—a wealthy, infuriatingly magnetic man from her past who has shattered her heart more than once.
What makes this story compelling is the constant tension between safety and emotional vulnerability. While external threats push her into hiding, it’s the emotional history with Henry that creates the real pressure.
This book leans heavily into:
* forced proximity romance
* royal protection and political danger
* second-chance emotional tension
* billionaire × queen dynamic
* hate-to-love intensity
* “we should not want this but we do” energy
Henry and the queen share a deeply complicated bond—built on history, unresolved pain, and a connection that refuses to fade no matter how much they try to resist it. Every interaction feels charged, as if one wrong word could reopen everything they’ve tried to bury.
The romantic suspense element adds urgency to the story, but the emotional stakes are what truly drive it forward. Trust becomes the central conflict—not just in terms of survival, but in matters of the heart.
It’s a story where love feels dangerous, protection feels personal, and proximity slowly breaks down every emotional wall that was meant to stay intact.
The story follows a powerful queen navigating threats to her life while being forced into close proximity with Henry—a wealthy, infuriatingly magnetic man from her past who has shattered her heart more than once.
What makes this story compelling is the constant tension between safety and emotional vulnerability. While external threats push her into hiding, it’s the emotional history with Henry that creates the real pressure.
This book leans heavily into:
* forced proximity romance
* royal protection and political danger
* second-chance emotional tension
* billionaire × queen dynamic
* hate-to-love intensity
* “we should not want this but we do” energy
Henry and the queen share a deeply complicated bond—built on history, unresolved pain, and a connection that refuses to fade no matter how much they try to resist it. Every interaction feels charged, as if one wrong word could reopen everything they’ve tried to bury.
The romantic suspense element adds urgency to the story, but the emotional stakes are what truly drive it forward. Trust becomes the central conflict—not just in terms of survival, but in matters of the heart.
It’s a story where love feels dangerous, protection feels personal, and proximity slowly breaks down every emotional wall that was meant to stay intact.
Review of advance copy received from Author
How can a person with so much power have so little confidence? How can a person who has power become so powerless when it comes to relationships? Jessica Jude writes characters so real,and so deep! Her characters are deeply relatable, are snatched from reality and made queen and princess, lords and rich people. Both Celia and Henry are deeply flawed characters that try to make it work: she cannot trust unconditionally because she got burned too many times. He cannot show her the love he has in his heart, because of fear. And all rolls and grows into a big ball of confusion until it burst.
This second book of the series of is spicier than the first, is like Celia and Henry discover the fire within them.
And a mistery is brought to light and solved!
I couldn't put this book down, Celia's story is fascinating and catchy. The whole book is in her point of view, and, unlike many book characters, she is flawed, she fails, she is jealous, petty, often wrong, she realizes she fails and tries to make things work, she loves and lives for her country. Celia is a monarch born to be a Duchess but she ends up Queen, a woman who lost a beloved parent to a terrible disease, a woman who loves deeply, Celia is a person like anyone of us.
Thank you, Jessica Jude for this book! Thank you for including me in your ARCteam! I have received this book as ARC from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This second book of the series of is spicier than the first, is like Celia and Henry discover the fire within them.
And a mistery is brought to light and solved!
I couldn't put this book down, Celia's story is fascinating and catchy. The whole book is in her point of view, and, unlike many book characters, she is flawed, she fails, she is jealous, petty, often wrong, she realizes she fails and tries to make things work, she loves and lives for her country. Celia is a monarch born to be a Duchess but she ends up Queen, a woman who lost a beloved parent to a terrible disease, a woman who loves deeply, Celia is a person like anyone of us.
Thank you, Jessica Jude for this book! Thank you for including me in your ARCteam! I have received this book as ARC from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 30, 2026
Spoilers ahead. ARC review. I liked parts of this book. I liked the development between Celia and Henry, but I felt like Celia changed fundamentally as a character at times. After multiple attempts in her life, Celia acted like a schoolgirl with a crush. She worried about Henry and his love life more than her own welfare. She never took the threat seriously, fighting against security at all costs to herself. It just didn’t seem believable from a character who had intelligence and common sense in the first book.
The other issue I had with Celia was her treatment of the former king. After it is revealed to her that he repeatedly committed CSA of his son, she pushed to get Henry to talk to him so his dad could be forgiven. She refused to listen to Henry when he said that would never happen and acted as though Henry was being petty when telling her his father was not a good person.
Outside of that, I enjoyed the forced proximity and the relationship between main characters. I liked getting to see Henry’s softer side. He remained a likeable character, and seemed much the same from the first book. I can’t wait to read the next book, but I’m very worried over the conflict. These characters have been through so much and I can’t handle seeing a fake breakup because I know they’re endgame. I definitely recommend this book, but do feel it is not as strong as the first.
The other issue I had with Celia was her treatment of the former king. After it is revealed to her that he repeatedly committed CSA of his son, she pushed to get Henry to talk to him so his dad could be forgiven. She refused to listen to Henry when he said that would never happen and acted as though Henry was being petty when telling her his father was not a good person.
Outside of that, I enjoyed the forced proximity and the relationship between main characters. I liked getting to see Henry’s softer side. He remained a likeable character, and seemed much the same from the first book. I can’t wait to read the next book, but I’m very worried over the conflict. These characters have been through so much and I can’t handle seeing a fake breakup because I know they’re endgame. I definitely recommend this book, but do feel it is not as strong as the first.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
👑 Royals
✌️ Second chance romance
🛏 Forced proximity
🔥 Slow burn
🔎 Suspense
🎢 Emotional rollercoaster
"Memories often become exaggerated with time, leading to disappointment when we try to relive those remarkable moments. That book we loved isn't nearly as good when we reread it. The dream vacation becomes a blur of frustration when we try to recreate it. The one that got away isn't quite the catch we make them out to be in our head. And then there are times - truly magical ones - when our expectations are exceeded, completely blasted away. Even in our wildest dreams, we never imagined things being so good."
Castles We Storm starts 2 months after Celia's coronation and her epic heartbreak from Henry. Henry has been keeping his distance but when Celia's life is in jeopardy, he immediately takes over her security detail.
I loved Thrones We Steal 😍 It had everything I wanted in a modern royal romance - a twist of fate leading to a royal coronation, plenty of drama, a lot heartache and a love that had stood the test of time despite challenges. Unfortunately, Castles We Storm just didn't hit for me. I was still pissed off at Henry from the last book and he didn't redeem himself enough for me.
I enjoyed the suspense and the who dunnit aspect, and enjoyed the returning characters. I also really love Jude's writing style.
🌶
👑 Royals
✌️ Second chance romance
🛏 Forced proximity
🔥 Slow burn
🔎 Suspense
🎢 Emotional rollercoaster
"Memories often become exaggerated with time, leading to disappointment when we try to relive those remarkable moments. That book we loved isn't nearly as good when we reread it. The dream vacation becomes a blur of frustration when we try to recreate it. The one that got away isn't quite the catch we make them out to be in our head. And then there are times - truly magical ones - when our expectations are exceeded, completely blasted away. Even in our wildest dreams, we never imagined things being so good."
Castles We Storm starts 2 months after Celia's coronation and her epic heartbreak from Henry. Henry has been keeping his distance but when Celia's life is in jeopardy, he immediately takes over her security detail.
I loved Thrones We Steal 😍 It had everything I wanted in a modern royal romance - a twist of fate leading to a royal coronation, plenty of drama, a lot heartache and a love that had stood the test of time despite challenges. Unfortunately, Castles We Storm just didn't hit for me. I was still pissed off at Henry from the last book and he didn't redeem himself enough for me.
I enjoyed the suspense and the who dunnit aspect, and enjoyed the returning characters. I also really love Jude's writing style.
May 18, 2026
Thank you again Jessica Jude for allowing me to read an early re-release copy of Castles we Storm, which is the 2nd book to Thrones We Steal. They release on May 19th!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Triggers:
-Fatal car Accident
-Pet Illness
-Sexual Abuse (off-page)
-Death of Parent (off-page)
-Terminal Illness/cancer (off-page)
-Parental affair
-Substance abuse and overdose (off-page)
-Verbal/emotional abuse
-Explicit sexual content (chapters 8, 30, 37)
-Language
In Castles We Storm, Celia goes through a tough time with someone trying to attack her. The only person who’s trying to save her, is Henry and she doesn’t want nothing to do with him but she has no choice.
“Henry wants me to trust him, but if there’s one thing Ive learned, it’s to trust no one. If something gets broken this time around, I can promise you one thing.
It won’t be my heart.”
I went through so many emotions in this book. I didn’t know whether to be sad, or throw my kindle across the room. Henry did grow on me more in this one, but then when I found out what he done at the end, I changed my mind. Even though Celia forgave him, I hope he doesn’t mess up again next book and they have no drama In their relationship.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Triggers:
-Fatal car Accident
-Pet Illness
-Sexual Abuse (off-page)
-Death of Parent (off-page)
-Terminal Illness/cancer (off-page)
-Parental affair
-Substance abuse and overdose (off-page)
-Verbal/emotional abuse
-Explicit sexual content (chapters 8, 30, 37)
-Language
In Castles We Storm, Celia goes through a tough time with someone trying to attack her. The only person who’s trying to save her, is Henry and she doesn’t want nothing to do with him but she has no choice.
“Henry wants me to trust him, but if there’s one thing Ive learned, it’s to trust no one. If something gets broken this time around, I can promise you one thing.
It won’t be my heart.”
I went through so many emotions in this book. I didn’t know whether to be sad, or throw my kindle across the room. Henry did grow on me more in this one, but then when I found out what he done at the end, I changed my mind. Even though Celia forgave him, I hope he doesn’t mess up again next book and they have no drama In their relationship.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this as an ARC, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read ❤️
Castles We Storm is the second installment in the Thrones We Steal Trilogy.
This book starts right after the first, Celia crowned queen and she begins to realize that not everything is as it seems. "You know what they don't tell you about being queen? No matter your age, you require a round-the-clock babysitter as though you are still in nappies."
Celia is thrown full force into royal duties. Meetings, public appearances and the inability to pay the royal staff who take care of everything around the castle. She reaches out to the one person that she knows would be able to explain everything to her, the former King. He explains that most royal families have their own income and fund the royal house that way. However, Celia doesn't have any of that, so he makes a serious suggestion...Celia needs to marry a wealthy individual in order to fund the royal household. Celia is on her way to an engagement when she is injured in a car accident, when she finally comes around, in walks Henry. The one man who she has been trying to get over.
Henry is back in Westbourne, ready and willing to make amends with the only person who has had his heart since they were kids. Walking away from Celia was the worst mistake he could have made, and now that they are thrown back in the same place he is bound and determined to win back her heart. But he is keeping secrets, secrets that could destroy them both. Henry takes over Celia's protection after another attempt on her life. With them now living under the same roof, they both need to figure out not only how to work together, but how to survive with each other. Celia starts to listen to her heart and beings to trust Henry, but can Henry being to trust Celia with his?
Contemporary romance books: 📖 ✨ 📱
Romantic suspense: 🕵️♀️ 💥 🖤
Modern royalty: 👑 🏙️ 🥂
Hate to love: 🤺 🧨 ❤️🔥
Morally gray MMC: 🌒 ⛓️💥 🗡️
Hot billionaires & strong heroines: 🏎️ 💼 🛐
Forced proximity: 🔒 🛏️ 🚪
“It’s always been her”: ♾️ 🏹 🫂
Castles We Storm is the second installment in the Thrones We Steal Trilogy.
This book starts right after the first, Celia crowned queen and she begins to realize that not everything is as it seems. "You know what they don't tell you about being queen? No matter your age, you require a round-the-clock babysitter as though you are still in nappies."
Celia is thrown full force into royal duties. Meetings, public appearances and the inability to pay the royal staff who take care of everything around the castle. She reaches out to the one person that she knows would be able to explain everything to her, the former King. He explains that most royal families have their own income and fund the royal house that way. However, Celia doesn't have any of that, so he makes a serious suggestion...Celia needs to marry a wealthy individual in order to fund the royal household. Celia is on her way to an engagement when she is injured in a car accident, when she finally comes around, in walks Henry. The one man who she has been trying to get over.
Henry is back in Westbourne, ready and willing to make amends with the only person who has had his heart since they were kids. Walking away from Celia was the worst mistake he could have made, and now that they are thrown back in the same place he is bound and determined to win back her heart. But he is keeping secrets, secrets that could destroy them both. Henry takes over Celia's protection after another attempt on her life. With them now living under the same roof, they both need to figure out not only how to work together, but how to survive with each other. Celia starts to listen to her heart and beings to trust Henry, but can Henry being to trust Celia with his?
Contemporary romance books: 📖 ✨ 📱
Romantic suspense: 🕵️♀️ 💥 🖤
Modern royalty: 👑 🏙️ 🥂
Hate to love: 🤺 🧨 ❤️🔥
Morally gray MMC: 🌒 ⛓️💥 🗡️
Hot billionaires & strong heroines: 🏎️ 💼 🛐
Forced proximity: 🔒 🛏️ 🚪
“It’s always been her”: ♾️ 🏹 🫂
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely love how the author wrote these characters and this entire world. They just reel you in. This was a fantastic continuation to this series. Theres a whole new set of problems for Celia and Henry. I love how messy they are. They are hot and cold. They are so realistic. Both make mistakes and are flawed. Between the back and forth Celia is questioning everything and doesn't always necessarily put trust where she should. It's very real and I love that.
There's definitely some twists in this that I did not see coming. I definitely got all my answers to all the questions I had from book one. I love how this one wraps up and ends. 😍 But with that it has me wondering what now? 👀 Looking forward to starting the third book. Very curious as to how this entire series will end.
✔️Romantic suspense
✔️Hate to love
✔️Royal x billionaire
✔️ Forced proximity (roommates)
✔️"It's always been you"
✔️ Protective hero
✔️ Reformed playboy
✔️Dog mom
✔️ Morally gray MMC
✔️Stuck in a cabin together
✔️First person POV
There's definitely some twists in this that I did not see coming. I definitely got all my answers to all the questions I had from book one. I love how this one wraps up and ends. 😍 But with that it has me wondering what now? 👀 Looking forward to starting the third book. Very curious as to how this entire series will end.
✔️Romantic suspense
✔️Hate to love
✔️Royal x billionaire
✔️ Forced proximity (roommates)
✔️"It's always been you"
✔️ Protective hero
✔️ Reformed playboy
✔️Dog mom
✔️ Morally gray MMC
✔️Stuck in a cabin together
✔️First person POV
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
4.5/5...delivers exactly what I wanted from a high-stakes royal romance: tension, angst, danger, and chemistry sharp enough to cut glass. Henry and Celia are absolute chaos together in the best way possible. What really worked for me was the emotional push-and-pull. Their history feels messy and believable, and neither character comes across as overly softened for the sake of romance. Celia is guarded, stubborn, and constantly balancing vulnerability with power, while Henry walks the line between protective and infuriatingly controlling. The romantic suspense angle also kept the story moving. The assassination threat adds genuine urgency, and I liked that the danger outside mirrored the emotional danger brewing between them. A few scenes circled the same conflict beats before progressing. Still, the payoff was worth it, especially if you enjoy intense slow-burn reconciliation stories where the characters are practically at war with their feelings. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Castles We Storm is the follow up to Thrones We Steal and it took me on another emotional rollercoaster ride.
As C settles into life on the throne and what it means to lead, she is also learning the dangers that come with wearing the crown.
Henry re-enters her life, this time as her protector, and as the lines between them blur once again, C is left wondering whether she can survive another dance between love, trust, and heartbreak.
I expected drama in book two, but I was not prepared for the emotional intensity of this story. I was already trying to piece my heart back together after the first book, only for it to shatter all over again.
As the mystery surrounding Henry slowly unfolds, the magnetic pull between him and C intensifies. They fit together so perfectly that it genuinely hurt to watch at times. I especially loved the development surrounding C’s personal security and her defiant decision to act against Henry’s wishes. There is so much more depth to both C and Henry in this instalment, and I felt every moment of it.
This story pulled me in completely and I loved every second of the emotional chaos.
I received this book as an ARC, however, this review reflects my honest thoughts and feelings shared voluntarily.
As C settles into life on the throne and what it means to lead, she is also learning the dangers that come with wearing the crown.
Henry re-enters her life, this time as her protector, and as the lines between them blur once again, C is left wondering whether she can survive another dance between love, trust, and heartbreak.
I expected drama in book two, but I was not prepared for the emotional intensity of this story. I was already trying to piece my heart back together after the first book, only for it to shatter all over again.
As the mystery surrounding Henry slowly unfolds, the magnetic pull between him and C intensifies. They fit together so perfectly that it genuinely hurt to watch at times. I especially loved the development surrounding C’s personal security and her defiant decision to act against Henry’s wishes. There is so much more depth to both C and Henry in this instalment, and I felt every moment of it.
This story pulled me in completely and I loved every second of the emotional chaos.
I received this book as an ARC, however, this review reflects my honest thoughts and feelings shared voluntarily.
May 15, 2026
*Thank you to The Author Agency and Jessica Jude for this gifted ARC in exchange for an honest and authentic review - All opinions are my own.*
For me this book had a lot of potential. But there were two clear points that made this a very difficult read.
One- it was VERY repetitive back and forth with lack of trust, protection, frustration, maybe they try again, rinse and repeat. I liked the first few times that Henry saves the day but after that it was too similar.
Two- never, ever- would someone who loves another person like Celia does, no matter the trust issues involved- would repeatedly encourage and force someone to engage, and hear the side of the abuser after the abused has clearly set boundaries on that exact thing. Wouldn’t happen and the plot just totally went sideways for me after the 2nd time she tried to force it.
There was no redemption for the storyline for me after that.
For me this book had a lot of potential. But there were two clear points that made this a very difficult read.
One- it was VERY repetitive back and forth with lack of trust, protection, frustration, maybe they try again, rinse and repeat. I liked the first few times that Henry saves the day but after that it was too similar.
Two- never, ever- would someone who loves another person like Celia does, no matter the trust issues involved- would repeatedly encourage and force someone to engage, and hear the side of the abuser after the abused has clearly set boundaries on that exact thing. Wouldn’t happen and the plot just totally went sideways for me after the 2nd time she tried to force it.
There was no redemption for the storyline for me after that.
November 19, 2025
Are you ready for a rollercoaster of emotions?
Castles We Storm is absolutely incredible. It’s the second book in a 3 book series following the same couple. These books are not stand alone and are intended to be read in order.
After Celia finds out she is the rightful heir to the throne in book 1, she is supposed to be finding her footing as queen in book 2. That is, until someone seems to be attempting to sabotage her reign. Will she be able to find out who is causing chaos or will she suffer the consequences of someone else’s actions? The emotions you will feel thought out this book are not for the faint of heart, but I’d reread this book in a heartbeat! I can not wait to continue this series!
Castles We Storm is absolutely incredible. It’s the second book in a 3 book series following the same couple. These books are not stand alone and are intended to be read in order.
After Celia finds out she is the rightful heir to the throne in book 1, she is supposed to be finding her footing as queen in book 2. That is, until someone seems to be attempting to sabotage her reign. Will she be able to find out who is causing chaos or will she suffer the consequences of someone else’s actions? The emotions you will feel thought out this book are not for the faint of heart, but I’d reread this book in a heartbeat! I can not wait to continue this series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so excited to receive an ARC of Castles We Storm by Jessica Jude, book two in the Thrones We Steal trilogy! It did not disappoint. This was an easy 5-star read for me.
The stakes are higher than ever, with Celia’s life in danger, yet her biggest struggle is protecting her heart. That emotional conflict added so much depth to her character. Henry’s determination to keep her safe while also winning her back created the perfect mix of tension and chemistry between them.
I especially loved the mystery element—trying to figure out who was behind the threats kept me hooked the entire time.
This book balances romance, suspense, and plot so well. The spice is definitely there and enjoyable, but it never overshadows the story. I can’t wait to see how it all wraps up in the final book.
The stakes are higher than ever, with Celia’s life in danger, yet her biggest struggle is protecting her heart. That emotional conflict added so much depth to her character. Henry’s determination to keep her safe while also winning her back created the perfect mix of tension and chemistry between them.
I especially loved the mystery element—trying to figure out who was behind the threats kept me hooked the entire time.
This book balances romance, suspense, and plot so well. The spice is definitely there and enjoyable, but it never overshadows the story. I can’t wait to see how it all wraps up in the final book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I dove straight into this one after the ending of Thrones We Steal, and what an absolute rollercoaster this one was.
Celia drove me absolutely insane with who she was willing to listen to Vs others. Who she was cross with and why, and constantly jumping to the worst theories possible over certain situations.
Henry absolutely needed to open up but at the end of it all I understood his reservations and why he was waiting.
Thankfully Celia finally turns a corner in this one and starts to stop herself from jumping to the worst case scenario.
Despite Celia making me want to reach into the pages and shake her, I still love her.
I hope in the third and final book that Celia and Henry finally get their HEA without all the heartbreak.
Celia drove me absolutely insane with who she was willing to listen to Vs others. Who she was cross with and why, and constantly jumping to the worst theories possible over certain situations.
Henry absolutely needed to open up but at the end of it all I understood his reservations and why he was waiting.
Thankfully Celia finally turns a corner in this one and starts to stop herself from jumping to the worst case scenario.
Despite Celia making me want to reach into the pages and shake her, I still love her.
I hope in the third and final book that Celia and Henry finally get their HEA without all the heartbreak.
May 19, 2026
This book had moments that made me just as mad as book 1 did, Celia and Henry are playing a back and forth game and it is truly killing me. They disagree on almost everything and it’s so funny to watch them run in circles with one another when they clearly feel the same way about each other, but are too stubborn for their own good. I really enjoyed the way the relationships in this book grew, not just between Celia and Henry, but with everyone else they interact with also. When I finished this I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders because I was so anxious about what the outcome would be for these two.
*Honored to have received an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*
*Honored to have received an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*
May 20, 2026
This series… such an emotional roller coaster. I loved the characters as equally as I hated them at times. Celia had so many trust issues (understandably) and that took a toll on her relationships, especially with Henry. We also learned of the deplorable things Henry’s father did in book 1, and there were a few times that I truly was annoyed that Celia was almost trying to get them to reconcile. But, these things do add to the plot and story as a whole and I understood the manipulation. But again, you think one thing was happening and it ended up being something completely different. I was very entertained and could not stop reading. This was probably just as angsty as the first and I loved it.
May 21, 2026
This is the second book in the thrones we steal series. I'm going to tell you what the very first one was on fire and this one just continued. I knew this one was going to be amazing just by the first couple sentences in the blurb.
"I’m the most powerful woman in the world, but it sure doesn’t feel like it. It may surprise you to learn that Her Majesty the Queen is as vulnerable to a bullet as anyone else.
Especially when someone would rather see me in a body bag than on the throne."
I'm going to tell you it lived up everything I thought it would be. Now that I'm finished with this one I'm going on to book three because I'm telling you what I am hooked. I am a huge Jessica Jude fan and cannot wait to see how this continues.
"I’m the most powerful woman in the world, but it sure doesn’t feel like it. It may surprise you to learn that Her Majesty the Queen is as vulnerable to a bullet as anyone else.
Especially when someone would rather see me in a body bag than on the throne."
I'm going to tell you it lived up everything I thought it would be. Now that I'm finished with this one I'm going on to book three because I'm telling you what I am hooked. I am a huge Jessica Jude fan and cannot wait to see how this continues.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I jumped straight into book two needing to know where Henry and Celia would go from the cliffhanger ending of book 1. It did not disappoint. This one was much more gut wrenching and I found myself frustrated with the Queens lack of confidence in herself and wanted to shake some sense into her when she couldn't see the love right in front of her. I was so enraptured with their story I lost sleep in order to finish this book. The ending however has me filled with anticipation because the story could end right here with HEA but knowing there is a third in this series I just know there is more devastation to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Jessica Jude for the chance to review this amazing story early!
After the cliffhanger in book one I literally binge read this. I can’t be responsible for that kind of feeling! Henry leaving Celia on the floor really REALLY did me in. I wasn’t sure he could be redeemed.
Ultimately, the lack of communication freaking SUCKED. I am so glad he came back, I know he loves her, and I got the ending I NEEDED. But there was a lot of internal struggling for Celia, and I felt like she kind of got stuck in her mind instead of trying to come out ahead together. Alls well that ends well though… right?! Except there’s a book 3! 🫣
After the cliffhanger in book one I literally binge read this. I can’t be responsible for that kind of feeling! Henry leaving Celia on the floor really REALLY did me in. I wasn’t sure he could be redeemed.
Ultimately, the lack of communication freaking SUCKED. I am so glad he came back, I know he loves her, and I got the ending I NEEDED. But there was a lot of internal struggling for Celia, and I felt like she kind of got stuck in her mind instead of trying to come out ahead together. Alls well that ends well though… right?! Except there’s a book 3! 🫣
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