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The Crown Jewels #1
Fit for a King
Red, White & Royal Blue meets a modern-day Downton Abbey in this forbidden royal romance about a newly crowned king who falls for the sunshine footman assigned to serve him.
Nicholas
Being king was never the life I wanted. But it was the one I inherited.
Every decision I make belongs to Valoria. Every smile, every appearance, every promise.
Including the one that says I’m expected to marry a prince I’ve barely met.
It’s the perfect match.
The perfect alliance.
The perfect future.
Until my new footman starts reminding me there’s a difference between being loved by a nation… and being truly seen.
Noah
Serving the king is my job. Wanting him is my biggest mistake.
I’ve spent years standing just out of sight—straightening cuffs, opening doors, making sure the man carrying the crown never has to carry anything else.
He’s kind when no one is watching
Lonely in ways the world never sees.
But kings don’t fall in love with footmen.
They marry princes.
No matter what my heart wishes every time he looks at me.
When duty collides with desire, we’ll have to decide whether some fairytales are worth rewriting.
I already know the answer, though. I’ll never be Fit for a King.
Nicholas
Being king was never the life I wanted. But it was the one I inherited.
Every decision I make belongs to Valoria. Every smile, every appearance, every promise.
Including the one that says I’m expected to marry a prince I’ve barely met.
It’s the perfect match.
The perfect alliance.
The perfect future.
Until my new footman starts reminding me there’s a difference between being loved by a nation… and being truly seen.
Noah
Serving the king is my job. Wanting him is my biggest mistake.
I’ve spent years standing just out of sight—straightening cuffs, opening doors, making sure the man carrying the crown never has to carry anything else.
He’s kind when no one is watching
Lonely in ways the world never sees.
But kings don’t fall in love with footmen.
They marry princes.
No matter what my heart wishes every time he looks at me.
When duty collides with desire, we’ll have to decide whether some fairytales are worth rewriting.
I already know the answer, though. I’ll never be Fit for a King.
296 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Brooke Blaine
79 books2,547 followersBrooke Blaine is a USA Today Bestselling Author best known for writing romantic comedy and M/M romance. Her novels lead with humor and heart, but Brooke never shies away from throwing in something extra naughty that will scandalize her conservative Southern family for life (bless their hearts).
She’s a choc-o-holic, lives for eighties bands (which means she thinks guyliner is totally underrated), believes it’s always wine o’clock, and lives with the coolest cat on the planet—her Ragdoll/Maine Coon mix, Jackson Agador Spartacus.
She’s a choc-o-holic, lives for eighties bands (which means she thinks guyliner is totally underrated), believes it’s always wine o’clock, and lives with the coolest cat on the planet—her Ragdoll/Maine Coon mix, Jackson Agador Spartacus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
August 30, 2026
One last selfish act before I dove into my new life headfirst. What could possibly go wrong?
This book made me angry. I feel like I just wasted my time reading it, and normally these authors' books are some of my go-tos for comfort rereads. I found Nicholas's character completely contemptible and while I can rally behind an unlikeable asshat like any other dark romance lover, this was not a dark romance and there was no grovelling!!!!
The palace had a lot of staff members, most of whom were instructed to all but blend into the wall—myself included—but clearly he was looking for more than that. Not only a loyal footman, but a trusted sounding board, and I was more than up for the challenge.
Nicholas, new king of Valoria meets footman Noah and they decide in a matter of weeks that they are madly in love. They aren't subtle about hooking up all over the palace and the kingdom-- even though they know better. The whole risk-it-all-for-love thing is supposed to be very romantic but it makes no sense. Noah is the single income supporter of his entire family, so he has everything to lose if he's fired from his job. King Nicholas absolutely can't marry a commoner- except he apparently can with very vague political and personal implications (they hard-launch the relationship with zero attempt to let their PR people know so it seems like this was an easy step for him to do??) But okay, fine, I could get past all that if I could understand why they were so instantly in love. They spent very little time together and always in a position of navigating a massive power imbalance. They never had a chance to see what their life could look like as a couple because they had zero chill and went straight to omg but daddy I love him! levels of delusion about what was really going on. The longing looks and infatuated glances sound great, but you can't build a life on that. They both seem kind of isolated and lonely, and get together as a result of that over much else.
When he’d told me I was the only one he wanted to talk to, to be with… How could I resist that? I didn’t want to. Even if it meant living in a fairy tale a little bit longer.
Anyway, everything is supposedly great with the secretive hooking up (under the nose of Nicholas's betrothed!!) until the palace starts gossiping about Noah and Nicholas decides to end things by having one of his guards shut the door in Noah's face rather than end their relationship like a competent adult. Noah responds by moping around extremely conspicuously (no truth to the rumours here folks, he's just miserable for no apparent reason) and weirdly doing nothing to sneak into the king's rooms for some breakup closure. I can sort-of understand the two being so swept up in their love that they throw caution to the wind until Nicholas finally grows a pair and realizes how the rumours could affect Noah's career. But to end a relationship you supposedly can't live without with a door to the face is diabolical. No conversation, no tearful clingy goodbye, nothing. Just a door to the face and then silence. And that's what I cannot get over. Of course everything ends up all right in the end but what do you mean he just had someone shut the door in his true love's face?????? Argh I can't get over that. Imagine how that would feel to have a relationship end that way. It's so unkind. And again, no grovelling!!!!
I was so excited about this book and I'm really disappointed 😔. I still love these authors but this one was a huge miss for me.
September 5, 2026
I often complain about the lack of world building in books, but Fit for a King takes the biscuit.
The story is set in a fictional kingdom. Tablets, cars, and journalists are mentioned, so it's kind of modern day, but also not because there are arranged marriages and the household staff are referred to as servants, which screams British Regency.
Where is this kingdom? What epoch are we in? Do people in the kingdom have jobs outside the palace? Like are there lawyers and doctors and stuff? What sustains the economy? Is the kingdom a democracy? Is everyone white (kind of seems like it)? Why is English the de facto language? Do dragons exist?
I've no idea. Neither do the authors.
Noah, a footman, meets Nicholas, the soon-to-be king, when he comes to the palace for an interview. But it all turns into a practical joke when he interviews with Nicholas's twin brother posing as Nicholas instead. Haha, hilarious ... if you're 12. I found the entire setup incredibly juvenile and silly.
Nicholas has an assumed betrothed but dives head first into an affair with Noah. As an aside, Nicholas is supposed to be grieving the death of his father, but he doesn't seem remotely upset.
The relationship is romantic in the same way M/F Harlequin love stories are romantic: contrived, cheesy, expected, superficial.
And let's not forget the Cinderella vibes: Noah's parents are languishing in poverty until the king falls for their son, then ta-da they're at the coronation.
I stopped reading this author duo ages ago because they produce M/F, minus a pronoun, and always write about rich, privileged people, which I find incredibly tiresome.
Ella Frank is the worst offender. In 2014, I read Frank's Try and included the following in my review: "This is M/F erotica disguised as M/M." A decade plus later, nothing has changed.
P.S. Why is the dude on the cover holding a tray with empty wine glasses? First of all, Noah's a footman, not a server, but even servers don't go around toting three clean glasses on a tray (dirty, maybe, but typically more than three).
The story is set in a fictional kingdom. Tablets, cars, and journalists are mentioned, so it's kind of modern day, but also not because there are arranged marriages and the household staff are referred to as servants, which screams British Regency.
Where is this kingdom? What epoch are we in? Do people in the kingdom have jobs outside the palace? Like are there lawyers and doctors and stuff? What sustains the economy? Is the kingdom a democracy? Is everyone white (kind of seems like it)? Why is English the de facto language? Do dragons exist?
I've no idea. Neither do the authors.
Noah, a footman, meets Nicholas, the soon-to-be king, when he comes to the palace for an interview. But it all turns into a practical joke when he interviews with Nicholas's twin brother posing as Nicholas instead. Haha, hilarious ... if you're 12. I found the entire setup incredibly juvenile and silly.
Nicholas has an assumed betrothed but dives head first into an affair with Noah. As an aside, Nicholas is supposed to be grieving the death of his father, but he doesn't seem remotely upset.
The relationship is romantic in the same way M/F Harlequin love stories are romantic: contrived, cheesy, expected, superficial.
And let's not forget the Cinderella vibes: Noah's parents are languishing in poverty until the king falls for their son, then ta-da they're at the coronation.
I stopped reading this author duo ages ago because they produce M/F, minus a pronoun, and always write about rich, privileged people, which I find incredibly tiresome.
Ella Frank is the worst offender. In 2014, I read Frank's Try and included the following in my review: "This is M/F erotica disguised as M/M." A decade plus later, nothing has changed.
P.S. Why is the dude on the cover holding a tray with empty wine glasses? First of all, Noah's a footman, not a server, but even servers don't go around toting three clean glasses on a tray (dirty, maybe, but typically more than three).
Review of advance copy
👑🏰
Grumpy x Sunshine - (New) King x Footman - Royalty Romance
🏰👑
An enjoyable read - sweet with just the right amount of heartbreak to make the HEA worth it.
A King (Nicholas Valemont) and his footman (Mr. Noah Bennett), men from two totally different social classes, a forbidden romance.
It was doomed from the start, they both knew it and yet were utterly powerless to resist the first person to see them in ways no one had ever even wanted to before.
Their journey throughout the book is fun, a little sad, and well, just made me do a whole lot of smiling while reading it.
It does get a little hearbreaky there for a min, but in a way that's expected not something to be worried about.
I actually liked it (those parts).. which is not something I often say.
I just mean that it fits well with the story, and led to a very satisfying HEA.
For those that like to know about spice, there's very little, and what's there isn't very descriptive in a sexy way, imo, more emotional.
(It works for this story, cause ya know, sweet but I would be lying if I said I wasn't missing it.)
I would def recommend this when you need a sweet, light-hearted (with just the right amount of hurt) read.
Thank you to TAA for this free ARC. Rating and review are voluntary - opinions given are always my own.
An enjoyable read - sweet with just the right amount of heartbreak to make the HEA worth it.
A King (Nicholas Valemont) and his footman (Mr. Noah Bennett), men from two totally different social classes, a forbidden romance.
It was doomed from the start, they both knew it and yet were utterly powerless to resist the first person to see them in ways no one had ever even wanted to before.
"It was too easy to believe the version of us that existed behind locked doors was the real one. Where I wasn't a footman and he wasn't a king."
Their journey throughout the book is fun, a little sad, and well, just made me do a whole lot of smiling while reading it.
It does get a little hearbreaky there for a min, but in a way that's expected not something to be worried about.
I actually liked it (those parts).. which is not something I often say.
I just mean that it fits well with the story, and led to a very satisfying HEA.
For those that like to know about spice, there's very little, and what's there isn't very descriptive in a sexy way, imo, more emotional.
(It works for this story, cause ya know, sweet but I would be lying if I said I wasn't missing it.)
I would def recommend this when you need a sweet, light-hearted (with just the right amount of hurt) read.
Thank you to TAA for this free ARC. Rating and review are voluntary - opinions given are always my own.
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September 19, 2026
Fit for a King is book one in The Crown Jewels series by Brooke Blaine and Ella Frank. I love when these two write together. I’m also still going through my “royal” phase so I was beside myself when this series was announced. I loved it so much!
His Majesty Nicholas Valemont of Valoria always knew he would someday become king. He is the oldest by minutes to his twin brother, Gabriel. Their mother died when they were young and his father still had decades ahead of him to rule, until he didn’t. When he died suddenly, Nicholas was king before he was ready. Their father was stern, rarely smiled, and Nicholas had followed in his father’s footsteps. He’d been groomed since birth for the throne he would someday sit upon. That day just came a lot sooner than they realized.
Noah Bennett is a footman, as was his father before him. Noah came highly recommended and has been hired to become the new footman to the brand new king. Noah is good at his job, perfect actually. He is always the complete professional.
We’ll just say that Noah and Nicholas’s first meeting didn’t go as well as he hoped. But Noah powered past that and made sure everything he did from then on was perfect. Even if every time he looked at the king he got butterflies. And even when he thought he caught the king looking at him as well. Even when they had “a moment” that changed everything.
Nicholas has been urged by his advisors to marry the prince of their neighboring country to strengthen their ties. It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t even know him. On top of that, the more time he and Noah are together, the more Noah has taken over his every thought. Noah makes him think about things from a different perspective. He makes him smile. He makes him think about the throne as something that he could do great things for, not something that is a burden. He makes Nicholas a better man. But a king and a footman is unheard of. Nicholas is supposed to marry a prince, not a commoner. Even if his heart says something else entirely.
I loved this so much. It was so swoony and sweet. I adored both Nicholas and Noah. I also loved Nicholas’s twin brother, Gabriel. He was so much fun but also was the voice of reason when Nicholas needed one. Now I can’t wait to read his book in book two, The Spare Affair.
His Majesty Nicholas Valemont of Valoria always knew he would someday become king. He is the oldest by minutes to his twin brother, Gabriel. Their mother died when they were young and his father still had decades ahead of him to rule, until he didn’t. When he died suddenly, Nicholas was king before he was ready. Their father was stern, rarely smiled, and Nicholas had followed in his father’s footsteps. He’d been groomed since birth for the throne he would someday sit upon. That day just came a lot sooner than they realized.
Noah Bennett is a footman, as was his father before him. Noah came highly recommended and has been hired to become the new footman to the brand new king. Noah is good at his job, perfect actually. He is always the complete professional.
We’ll just say that Noah and Nicholas’s first meeting didn’t go as well as he hoped. But Noah powered past that and made sure everything he did from then on was perfect. Even if every time he looked at the king he got butterflies. And even when he thought he caught the king looking at him as well. Even when they had “a moment” that changed everything.
Nicholas has been urged by his advisors to marry the prince of their neighboring country to strengthen their ties. It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t even know him. On top of that, the more time he and Noah are together, the more Noah has taken over his every thought. Noah makes him think about things from a different perspective. He makes him smile. He makes him think about the throne as something that he could do great things for, not something that is a burden. He makes Nicholas a better man. But a king and a footman is unheard of. Nicholas is supposed to marry a prince, not a commoner. Even if his heart says something else entirely.
I loved this so much. It was so swoony and sweet. I adored both Nicholas and Noah. I also loved Nicholas’s twin brother, Gabriel. He was so much fun but also was the voice of reason when Nicholas needed one. Now I can’t wait to read his book in book two, The Spare Affair.
August 29, 2026
This rating is a direct result of what I know these authors are capable of. This wasn’t it.
Oh, it is cute sometimes, and entertaining, and silly and fun. I rec reading it if you’re in the mood for upstairs-downstairs in modern (made-up kingdom) times and can forgive a lack of depth.
But having enjoyed all their backlist and knowing the connections they can create, this book was a disappointment on a few levels.
Noah Bennet is coming to work at the palace as a footman to the king. I don’t know why he isn’t a valet, because his job of dressing the king and laying stuff out for him etc seems like things a valet does, not a footman. But. Fake modern kingdom, so 🤷♀️.
Nicholas is grieving for his father, the king who just passed, and grappling with becoming…the king. He’s in a weird headspace of needing time to process and not getting any because the kingdom waits for no man. And his new…footman…seems FAR too willing to act familiar and casual than any trained servant should.
Why? Well.
--As soon as Noah arrives, another servant immediately gives him misinformation and tries to fuck with him. No consequences.
--Also as soon as Noah arrives, his interview to meet the king winds up being not quite that, and this is a major spoiler but also incomprehensible to me, so here it is: . What. The. Fuck. Why would he do that to a brand-new person at the palace? What??? Of course that makes meeting 1 go…well, if you read it you’ll see.
I was so angry by this time on Noah’s behalf, I wasn’t even thinking about romance. Several of the people surrounding him are total assholes, far as I can tell.
Anyway, Noah and the king have a meet-not-cute, it’s tension and oh noes and will Noah be fired before he even starts? No of course not. And it does make the king…very aware of him.
My next issue with the story is that while Noah and Nicholas (two N names why???) are in the same palace, Noah being VERY conscientious and professional about his duties, they don’t…spend much time together. I had a sense of them becoming more comfortable with each other, but then the romance escalates at warp speed. But. Next obstacle.
The king has a…betrothed to be? Are they betrothed? Are they deciding if they will be? The late king (I think???) set up a possible marriage between his heir and the prince of a neighboring kingdom to strengthen ties, and that man, Alejandro, comes to visit to get to know Nicholas, and of course there’s OM drama. And the king does something so un-kingly and weird at their first big gathering, I was just…WHAT IS HAPPENING. If you want to know: WHAT???
So, unimpressed with this juvenile behavior, I was also confused when suddenly “betrothed-to-be” became “betrothed”—when? How? Why? Did they decide?
ANYWAY so then Nicholas and Noah’s…affair??? Amps up and they are intimate. So basically the king is cheating on his betrothed? But neither care about this? Because it’s arranged? I guess? And Nicholas does things to make it obvious he and Noah are involved, not doing anything to protect Noah’s reputation with the staff, and it was just becoming too much for my wee little brain to enjoy.
Their chemistry is…good? But it never feels like they really know each other…they’re on kingdom tour trip together and Noah is stuck in the car while Nicholas does…kingly stuff…and I guess they talk a lot during the long drives, but…I don’t know it just wasn’t magical.
I liked the end? Not because it ended, but, the right person made the effort.
It just wasn’t the incendiary magic of romance that I’m used to from these two in the past. The recent releases have not been as intense and complex.
HEA. Upstairs-downstairs king and footman in a modern setting. No OM action at all, safe on that front. OM drama from the fiancé, and honestly, he was right to be pissed. I would consider it cheating, on him, not the MCs on each other, but, also not really addressed, oddly. Not…not recommended? But, these two have many many better offerings.
Oh, it is cute sometimes, and entertaining, and silly and fun. I rec reading it if you’re in the mood for upstairs-downstairs in modern (made-up kingdom) times and can forgive a lack of depth.
But having enjoyed all their backlist and knowing the connections they can create, this book was a disappointment on a few levels.
Noah Bennet is coming to work at the palace as a footman to the king. I don’t know why he isn’t a valet, because his job of dressing the king and laying stuff out for him etc seems like things a valet does, not a footman. But. Fake modern kingdom, so 🤷♀️.
Nicholas is grieving for his father, the king who just passed, and grappling with becoming…the king. He’s in a weird headspace of needing time to process and not getting any because the kingdom waits for no man. And his new…footman…seems FAR too willing to act familiar and casual than any trained servant should.
Why? Well.
--As soon as Noah arrives, another servant immediately gives him misinformation and tries to fuck with him. No consequences.
--Also as soon as Noah arrives, his interview to meet the king winds up being not quite that, and this is a major spoiler but also incomprehensible to me, so here it is: . What. The. Fuck. Why would he do that to a brand-new person at the palace? What??? Of course that makes meeting 1 go…well, if you read it you’ll see.
I was so angry by this time on Noah’s behalf, I wasn’t even thinking about romance. Several of the people surrounding him are total assholes, far as I can tell.
Anyway, Noah and the king have a meet-not-cute, it’s tension and oh noes and will Noah be fired before he even starts? No of course not. And it does make the king…very aware of him.
My next issue with the story is that while Noah and Nicholas (two N names why???) are in the same palace, Noah being VERY conscientious and professional about his duties, they don’t…spend much time together. I had a sense of them becoming more comfortable with each other, but then the romance escalates at warp speed. But. Next obstacle.
The king has a…betrothed to be? Are they betrothed? Are they deciding if they will be? The late king (I think???) set up a possible marriage between his heir and the prince of a neighboring kingdom to strengthen ties, and that man, Alejandro, comes to visit to get to know Nicholas, and of course there’s OM drama. And the king does something so un-kingly and weird at their first big gathering, I was just…WHAT IS HAPPENING. If you want to know: WHAT???
So, unimpressed with this juvenile behavior, I was also confused when suddenly “betrothed-to-be” became “betrothed”—when? How? Why? Did they decide?
ANYWAY so then Nicholas and Noah’s…affair??? Amps up and they are intimate. So basically the king is cheating on his betrothed? But neither care about this? Because it’s arranged? I guess? And Nicholas does things to make it obvious he and Noah are involved, not doing anything to protect Noah’s reputation with the staff, and it was just becoming too much for my wee little brain to enjoy.
Their chemistry is…good? But it never feels like they really know each other…they’re on kingdom tour trip together and Noah is stuck in the car while Nicholas does…kingly stuff…and I guess they talk a lot during the long drives, but…I don’t know it just wasn’t magical.
I liked the end? Not because it ended, but, the right person made the effort.
It just wasn’t the incendiary magic of romance that I’m used to from these two in the past. The recent releases have not been as intense and complex.
HEA. Upstairs-downstairs king and footman in a modern setting. No OM action at all, safe on that front. OM drama from the fiancé, and honestly, he was right to be pissed. I would consider it cheating, on him, not the MCs on each other, but, also not really addressed, oddly. Not…not recommended? But, these two have many many better offerings.
Review of advance copy
I adored absolutely everything about this book. The longing, the passion, just everything about them!
Nicholas was kinda a tough nut to crack in the beginning not gonna lie 🤣 he’s the crown prince of Valoria, and we meet him when his father dies and he is thrust into taking over as king. He needs to be seen as this strong, courageous ruler stepping up, so he never lets anyone see any real emotion from him. Until Noah. And I just loved him-he was so great at breaking his walls down & getting inside. I loved that he got to see the soft side of Nicholas that no one else does.
One of my fav moments is when they first realize their attraction is mutual-that scene in the bathroom had me giddy & kicking my feet for real! Ugh the tension during that & then the dancing scene that followed 😩 Their push & pull in the beginning seriously had me feeling like I on a roller coaster. I was sick to my stomach every time Nicholas had to pretend in public that they weren’t together.
But they just couldn’t stay away from each other. Their relationship grows into love, and the longing from them both was so strong, wanting something more that just seems impossible.
The last like 30% of the book had me crying-that scene in the throne room killed me 😭 but I’m so glad Nicholas came to his senses, and they were able to have their happy ending.
I’m also looking forward to Gabriel’s book, he’s a meddling troublemaker & I love that about him! I’m so excited to see what shenanigans he gets up to in his own book!
My fav parts (there are so many):
I was wading into dangerous waters, but I’d be damned if I couldn’t stop myself from diving in headfirst.
“The idea you’d ever see me, ever be mine…” “You’re all I see.” I lifted myself up off the pillows to touch my lips to his. “Even when you aren’t there, you’re on my mind. Be with me, Noah. Claim me as yours.”
Everything about Noah Bennett made for a dangerous and intoxicating combination, one I couldn’t get enough of.
It was too easy to believe the version of us that existed behind locked doors was the real one. Where I wasn’t a footman and he wasn’t a king.
We were from two completely different worlds and yet somehow managed to fit into both.
Thank you so much for the advanced copy-these are my honest thoughts!
Nicholas was kinda a tough nut to crack in the beginning not gonna lie 🤣 he’s the crown prince of Valoria, and we meet him when his father dies and he is thrust into taking over as king. He needs to be seen as this strong, courageous ruler stepping up, so he never lets anyone see any real emotion from him. Until Noah. And I just loved him-he was so great at breaking his walls down & getting inside. I loved that he got to see the soft side of Nicholas that no one else does.
One of my fav moments is when they first realize their attraction is mutual-that scene in the bathroom had me giddy & kicking my feet for real! Ugh the tension during that & then the dancing scene that followed 😩 Their push & pull in the beginning seriously had me feeling like I on a roller coaster. I was sick to my stomach every time Nicholas had to pretend in public that they weren’t together.
But they just couldn’t stay away from each other. Their relationship grows into love, and the longing from them both was so strong, wanting something more that just seems impossible.
The last like 30% of the book had me crying-that scene in the throne room killed me 😭 but I’m so glad Nicholas came to his senses, and they were able to have their happy ending.
I’m also looking forward to Gabriel’s book, he’s a meddling troublemaker & I love that about him! I’m so excited to see what shenanigans he gets up to in his own book!
My fav parts (there are so many):
I was wading into dangerous waters, but I’d be damned if I couldn’t stop myself from diving in headfirst.
“The idea you’d ever see me, ever be mine…” “You’re all I see.” I lifted myself up off the pillows to touch my lips to his. “Even when you aren’t there, you’re on my mind. Be with me, Noah. Claim me as yours.”
Everything about Noah Bennett made for a dangerous and intoxicating combination, one I couldn’t get enough of.
It was too easy to believe the version of us that existed behind locked doors was the real one. Where I wasn’t a footman and he wasn’t a king.
We were from two completely different worlds and yet somehow managed to fit into both.
Thank you so much for the advanced copy-these are my honest thoughts!
August 27, 2026
⭐️
4.5 stars rounded up!
⭐️
Overall I absolutely ADORED this. I read it within hours, I was up until 6AM (no joke) finishing this because I couldn't put it down and this was a fun, quick read with a great romance at the center.
Noah Bennett is a commoner, a footman. He's very good at his job, but he's not royalty or nobility. Not in any way...fit for a king 😘. At least, in the way society says he isn't.
But Nicholas Valemont, the new King of Valoria after his father just died, knows he's fit to be by his side before long.
This type of story is so so fun. The King who falls not for another royal or high up noble, someone of "high birth" but someone who struggles to get by in life and who is supposed to be invisible, to blend into the walls as they do their duty and nothing else. And it's forbidden for them to be together in any real way. People will talk, people will judge, and it would ruin Noah's professional and personal reputation if it got out far more than the King of the country.
That just makes the sexual and romantic tension all the better, all the more juicy.
Nicholas has a twin brother, born just a few minutes after him named Gabriel and of course he *gets* to be the looser, funnier, more lighthearted of the two. And he's a bit of a prankster. So when Noah comes to interview for the position as the King's new footmen, it's actual Gabriel pretending to be him, and so Noah's *actual* first meeting with the real Nicholas is a bit more familiar than Nicholas was ever expecting.
It seemingly goes all wrong, but it gets Nicholas' attention toward Noah at the same time right away. Maybe he would have eventually noticed him anyway, but given how much he doesn't really notice most of his other staff aside from his closest staff to him who has been with him a long time, it might have taken awhile otherwise.
And Noah is not just a serve and leave type of footman. He, at times, perhaps speaks a bit boldly and out of turn with the King, and gets him out of his shell when no one else seems to.
But Noah is just a footman, right? And already Nicholas is expected to marry the neighboring country's prince, Alejandro de la Vega. That would be the appropriate match, yes? But the more Nicholas and Noah get to know each other, the harder forcing himself into that betrothal becomes. But there are protocols that a royal must adhere to, right? Especially the King.
Although our real royals have married "commoners" these days, so things are changing. Although this made up world is even more advanced, as it's not expected for Nicholas to marry only a woman, and they have "vetted royal surrogates" in this world.
It feels a bit Bridgerton-esque, how things are bit more advanced quicker in society than they were/are in the real world because it's how it SHOULD be, or should have been.
So how can these two ever have their happy ending when there's still an expectation that Nicholas marry a high born?
Well, after some heartbreak Nicholas can eventually say "fuck it" essentially, and choose the man he loves to marry anyway, and start another change in the world, that royals can marry who they want no matter their "station."
Gosh I loved these two and loved every second of reading this. My ONLY real reason for giving this .5 stars off was that while the romantic connection was amazing and wonderful and SO good, we didn't get as much sex as I was hoping. The spice was sparse in this one. We get only ONE penetrative sex scene and like a short blowjob just before in that same sex scene and like one separate hand job. A lot of kissing which is always fun and great, but yeah, I'm surprised out how little sex we got, especially when the chemistry was SO good between these two and it was so passionate between these two. I think some time could have been made for a sex scene or two more.
We're told they have more sex, not shown it. And near the end when they start more, they're interrupted - which, why? Let them have sex and THEN interrupted.
I guess also this world could have been expanded on more (are these two countries we're told about like Genovia in the Princess Diaries? Made up but still within our world? Is there still an England, US, France, etc etc?) and also maybe more could have been done with the scandal of it all of these two being together? Maybe it could have been more of a fight for them to be accepted by the royal household and society and such? It's not too big of a deal, and I get this is mostly supposed to be a fun entertaining romp more than anything else, but another 50 or 100 pages on this wouldn't have hurt, in my opinion. It would have just rounded out this storyline a *bit* better, to make the payoff of them going through angst and pain and heartbreak worth it (as in, I mean, they had a reason to go through all that by the reaction and fallout of them being together.)
But while there's gossip and shocked reactions, and some unhappy ones, for the most part it's accepted and they live happily ever after.
Which is lovely and I'm not mad at that, so this is only ultimately a niggle for me, and doesn't need to take off more than .5 stars, but it would have been more rounded and complete if it had explored that fallout a bit more in depth.
Otherwise, I loved this and couldn't put it down and I can't wait for Gabriel's book next. I have no idea who his love interest will be, but I'm excited to find out!
Until then! 🥰
Overall I absolutely ADORED this. I read it within hours, I was up until 6AM (no joke) finishing this because I couldn't put it down and this was a fun, quick read with a great romance at the center.
Noah Bennett is a commoner, a footman. He's very good at his job, but he's not royalty or nobility. Not in any way...fit for a king 😘. At least, in the way society says he isn't.
But Nicholas Valemont, the new King of Valoria after his father just died, knows he's fit to be by his side before long.
This type of story is so so fun. The King who falls not for another royal or high up noble, someone of "high birth" but someone who struggles to get by in life and who is supposed to be invisible, to blend into the walls as they do their duty and nothing else. And it's forbidden for them to be together in any real way. People will talk, people will judge, and it would ruin Noah's professional and personal reputation if it got out far more than the King of the country.
That just makes the sexual and romantic tension all the better, all the more juicy.
Nicholas has a twin brother, born just a few minutes after him named Gabriel and of course he *gets* to be the looser, funnier, more lighthearted of the two. And he's a bit of a prankster. So when Noah comes to interview for the position as the King's new footmen, it's actual Gabriel pretending to be him, and so Noah's *actual* first meeting with the real Nicholas is a bit more familiar than Nicholas was ever expecting.
It seemingly goes all wrong, but it gets Nicholas' attention toward Noah at the same time right away. Maybe he would have eventually noticed him anyway, but given how much he doesn't really notice most of his other staff aside from his closest staff to him who has been with him a long time, it might have taken awhile otherwise.
And Noah is not just a serve and leave type of footman. He, at times, perhaps speaks a bit boldly and out of turn with the King, and gets him out of his shell when no one else seems to.
But Noah is just a footman, right? And already Nicholas is expected to marry the neighboring country's prince, Alejandro de la Vega. That would be the appropriate match, yes? But the more Nicholas and Noah get to know each other, the harder forcing himself into that betrothal becomes. But there are protocols that a royal must adhere to, right? Especially the King.
Although our real royals have married "commoners" these days, so things are changing. Although this made up world is even more advanced, as it's not expected for Nicholas to marry only a woman, and they have "vetted royal surrogates" in this world.
It feels a bit Bridgerton-esque, how things are bit more advanced quicker in society than they were/are in the real world because it's how it SHOULD be, or should have been.
So how can these two ever have their happy ending when there's still an expectation that Nicholas marry a high born?
Well, after some heartbreak Nicholas can eventually say "fuck it" essentially, and choose the man he loves to marry anyway, and start another change in the world, that royals can marry who they want no matter their "station."
Gosh I loved these two and loved every second of reading this. My ONLY real reason for giving this .5 stars off was that while the romantic connection was amazing and wonderful and SO good, we didn't get as much sex as I was hoping. The spice was sparse in this one. We get only ONE penetrative sex scene and like a short blowjob just before in that same sex scene and like one separate hand job. A lot of kissing which is always fun and great, but yeah, I'm surprised out how little sex we got, especially when the chemistry was SO good between these two and it was so passionate between these two. I think some time could have been made for a sex scene or two more.
We're told they have more sex, not shown it. And near the end when they start more, they're interrupted - which, why? Let them have sex and THEN interrupted.
I guess also this world could have been expanded on more (are these two countries we're told about like Genovia in the Princess Diaries? Made up but still within our world? Is there still an England, US, France, etc etc?) and also maybe more could have been done with the scandal of it all of these two being together? Maybe it could have been more of a fight for them to be accepted by the royal household and society and such? It's not too big of a deal, and I get this is mostly supposed to be a fun entertaining romp more than anything else, but another 50 or 100 pages on this wouldn't have hurt, in my opinion. It would have just rounded out this storyline a *bit* better, to make the payoff of them going through angst and pain and heartbreak worth it (as in, I mean, they had a reason to go through all that by the reaction and fallout of them being together.)
But while there's gossip and shocked reactions, and some unhappy ones, for the most part it's accepted and they live happily ever after.
Which is lovely and I'm not mad at that, so this is only ultimately a niggle for me, and doesn't need to take off more than .5 stars, but it would have been more rounded and complete if it had explored that fallout a bit more in depth.
Otherwise, I loved this and couldn't put it down and I can't wait for Gabriel's book next. I have no idea who his love interest will be, but I'm excited to find out!
Until then! 🥰
![Profile Image for Megan [Jaded AF].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1634561405i/25103878._UY200_CR50,0,200,200_.jpg)
author-using-ai-confirmed-dnr
October 24, 2026Sad to see these authors using an AI artist for this series
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do-not-read
October 24, 2026ai “”””””artist”””””” made the cover
embarrassing behavior
embarrassing behavior
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really liked the Downton feel to this book! I don't usually go for Royal romances because I'm English so it's not as much of a novelty / fantasy to me, but this was engaging from the very start and I was so entertained!
I did feel like Noah was super naive to not realise the whispers, looks, and halted conversations were obviously about him, but I actually liked the way the atmosphere shifted around so much as it really added some tension to the story.
Nicholas was also a little clueless because he never really considered the implications for Noah if they were found out, but I also loved the way he totally thawed out from being the Ice King to Noah's super romantic partner.
These two were really good together and I loved the sneaking around, the twin swaps, and the whole upstairs/downstairs conflict. The shaving scene was so good, and I loved how there were so many moments where I was thinking that they were finally going to give in, but then they didn't! When they finally got together I was already cheering them on and hoping Alejandro would conveniently disappear...
I'm very curious to see who Prince Gabriel ends up with too because he was such a shit stirrer and I was living for his meddling!!
*****
I received an ARC of this book from The Author Agency, and this is my honest review
I did feel like Noah was super naive to not realise the whispers, looks, and halted conversations were obviously about him, but I actually liked the way the atmosphere shifted around so much as it really added some tension to the story.
Nicholas was also a little clueless because he never really considered the implications for Noah if they were found out, but I also loved the way he totally thawed out from being the Ice King to Noah's super romantic partner.
These two were really good together and I loved the sneaking around, the twin swaps, and the whole upstairs/downstairs conflict. The shaving scene was so good, and I loved how there were so many moments where I was thinking that they were finally going to give in, but then they didn't! When they finally got together I was already cheering them on and hoping Alejandro would conveniently disappear...
I'm very curious to see who Prince Gabriel ends up with too because he was such a shit stirrer and I was living for his meddling!!
*****
I received an ARC of this book from The Author Agency, and this is my honest review
September 23, 2026
I’m afraid I have to agree with all those 2-star reviews.
This is one badly conceived book.
It feels like Valoria, this ‘mythical’ kingdom, is set in a vaccuum. People talk and behave like in past times, but they have tablets and TVs (but no mobiles), lube and condoms. It is utterly jarring and weird. There is practical NO world building.
The king to be, Nicholas, annoyed me to no end with his juvenile and surly behaviour, particularly when he is letting it out on ‘innocent’ staff.
Noah, the footman, who behaves inappropriately (in a weird way) right from the start and has absolutely no common sense, whatsoever, also did not endear himself to me, in particular.
Why these two fall in love is still a mystery to me. Apart from pure sexual attraction, there is nothing I could detect that would have caused this miraculous event. They know nothing much about each other by the time they utter their ILYs. Where was the chemistry? The getting to know each other on a deeper level?
The plot is so predictable and unimaginative I was ready to DNF by 50%, but then decided to skim through the second half to give this a fair chance. I have no idea how two decent authors could end up writing something that unexciting.
Speaking of which … this is rife with banal conversations, repetitive phrases and well-trodden plot developments. And illogical behaviour (imo). Phew.
This could have been fun, but unfortunately it wasn’t.
This is one badly conceived book.
It feels like Valoria, this ‘mythical’ kingdom, is set in a vaccuum. People talk and behave like in past times, but they have tablets and TVs (but no mobiles), lube and condoms. It is utterly jarring and weird. There is practical NO world building.
The king to be, Nicholas, annoyed me to no end with his juvenile and surly behaviour, particularly when he is letting it out on ‘innocent’ staff.
Noah, the footman, who behaves inappropriately (in a weird way) right from the start and has absolutely no common sense, whatsoever, also did not endear himself to me, in particular.
Why these two fall in love is still a mystery to me. Apart from pure sexual attraction, there is nothing I could detect that would have caused this miraculous event. They know nothing much about each other by the time they utter their ILYs. Where was the chemistry? The getting to know each other on a deeper level?
The plot is so predictable and unimaginative I was ready to DNF by 50%, but then decided to skim through the second half to give this a fair chance. I have no idea how two decent authors could end up writing something that unexciting.
Speaking of which … this is rife with banal conversations, repetitive phrases and well-trodden plot developments. And illogical behaviour (imo). Phew.
This could have been fun, but unfortunately it wasn’t.
October 16, 2026
Fit for a King, wasn't wat I thought it would be.
Just OK, but to be honest, it's juvenile, shallow and cheesy at its core!
3⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story/writing: 3⭐️
Characters: 3⭐️
Enjoyment: 3⭐️
Quality Spice: 3⭐️
Audio: 3.5🎧
Tropes: MM, Royalty, Slow Burn, Grumpy/Sunshine, Forced Proximity,
Story: 3.5⭐️
To actually stomach this story, you constantly have to keep the 'alternate universe' tag in mind. All that tag really means is that the world building is miles away from reality—basically a standard historical romance (royalty, arranged marriage) slapped with a bunch of modern-day convenience patches, like accepted homosexuality, legal same-sex marriage, modern tech, and surrogacy.
The initial meeting between the king and the servant had some potential, but the romance that follows has zero depth or foundation. Because the setting is intensely pro-LGBTQ+—to the point where the king's arranged marriage candidate is even another prince—it actually ends up having a strong MF vibe. I read those exact tropes more than a decade ago; the only plot twist here is that we have the king as the bottom.
Final notes:
Fit for a King was my second Brooke Blaine & Ella Frank book. The first book All I Want for Christmas... Is My Sister's Boyfriend I really liked. So when I saw this new series I thougth it would be cute, sweet and a nice low angst read. But to be fair this book felt just OK! The book wasn't bad, but not good either.
Why these two fall in love is still a mystery to me. Apart from pure sexual attraction, there is nothing I could detect that would have caused this miraculous event. They know nothing much about each other by the time they utter their ILYs. Where was the chemistry? The getting to know each other on a deeper level?
The plot is so predictable and unimaginative I was ready to DNF by 50%, but then decided to skim through the second half to give this a fair chance. I have no idea how two decent authors could end up writing something that unexciting.
Speaking of which … this is rife with banal conversations, repetitive phrases and well-trodden plot developments. And illogical behaviour (imo). Phew.
This story could have been so much fun, but unfortunately it wasn’t.
For those that like to know about spice, there's very little, and what's there isn't very descriptive in a sexy way, imo, more emotional (It works for this story, cause ya know, sweet).
The relationship is romantic in the same way Harlequin books love stories are romantic: contrived, cheesy, expected, superficial.
And let's not forget the Cinderella vibes: Noah's parents are languishing in poverty until the king falls for their son, then ta-da they're at the coronation.
I liked the end? Not because it ended, but, the right person made the effort.
It just wasn’t the incendiary magic of romance that I would have liked it to be.
To be honest I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe only for readers who really like to read only royalty stories.
It functions maybe also as a palate cleanser, though I gotta be honest, it's juvenile, shallow and cheesy at its core.
What I liked about this book:
❤️🔥 It was a simple story
🏰 Low angst and save to read
👑 The ending epilogue of the wedding was nice.
🎧 The audiobook was good and DUO narrated
Some constructive criticism:
❤️🔥 Couple was OK, but we needed more.
🏰 The World building was mediocre
👑 This book could be more, but it missed dept.
Would I reread this book? No
Would I recommend this book? No
Would I like to read more of this author? Yes
Hopefully my review will help you decide whether you want to read this book.
Disclaimer:
This review is based on my own reading experience, moods, thoughts, reading style and likes.
So always check en read more reviews, too make a fair decision.
Just OK, but to be honest, it's juvenile, shallow and cheesy at its core!
3⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story/writing: 3⭐️
Characters: 3⭐️
Enjoyment: 3⭐️
Quality Spice: 3⭐️
Audio: 3.5🎧
Tropes: MM, Royalty, Slow Burn, Grumpy/Sunshine, Forced Proximity,
Story: 3.5⭐️
To actually stomach this story, you constantly have to keep the 'alternate universe' tag in mind. All that tag really means is that the world building is miles away from reality—basically a standard historical romance (royalty, arranged marriage) slapped with a bunch of modern-day convenience patches, like accepted homosexuality, legal same-sex marriage, modern tech, and surrogacy.
The initial meeting between the king and the servant had some potential, but the romance that follows has zero depth or foundation. Because the setting is intensely pro-LGBTQ+—to the point where the king's arranged marriage candidate is even another prince—it actually ends up having a strong MF vibe. I read those exact tropes more than a decade ago; the only plot twist here is that we have the king as the bottom.
Final notes:
Fit for a King was my second Brooke Blaine & Ella Frank book. The first book All I Want for Christmas... Is My Sister's Boyfriend I really liked. So when I saw this new series I thougth it would be cute, sweet and a nice low angst read. But to be fair this book felt just OK! The book wasn't bad, but not good either.
Why these two fall in love is still a mystery to me. Apart from pure sexual attraction, there is nothing I could detect that would have caused this miraculous event. They know nothing much about each other by the time they utter their ILYs. Where was the chemistry? The getting to know each other on a deeper level?
The plot is so predictable and unimaginative I was ready to DNF by 50%, but then decided to skim through the second half to give this a fair chance. I have no idea how two decent authors could end up writing something that unexciting.
Speaking of which … this is rife with banal conversations, repetitive phrases and well-trodden plot developments. And illogical behaviour (imo). Phew.
This story could have been so much fun, but unfortunately it wasn’t.
For those that like to know about spice, there's very little, and what's there isn't very descriptive in a sexy way, imo, more emotional (It works for this story, cause ya know, sweet).
The relationship is romantic in the same way Harlequin books love stories are romantic: contrived, cheesy, expected, superficial.
And let's not forget the Cinderella vibes: Noah's parents are languishing in poverty until the king falls for their son, then ta-da they're at the coronation.
I liked the end? Not because it ended, but, the right person made the effort.
It just wasn’t the incendiary magic of romance that I would have liked it to be.
To be honest I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe only for readers who really like to read only royalty stories.
It functions maybe also as a palate cleanser, though I gotta be honest, it's juvenile, shallow and cheesy at its core.
What I liked about this book:
❤️🔥 It was a simple story
🏰 Low angst and save to read
👑 The ending epilogue of the wedding was nice.
🎧 The audiobook was good and DUO narrated
Some constructive criticism:
❤️🔥 Couple was OK, but we needed more.
🏰 The World building was mediocre
👑 This book could be more, but it missed dept.
Would I reread this book? No
Would I recommend this book? No
Would I like to read more of this author? Yes
Hopefully my review will help you decide whether you want to read this book.
Disclaimer:
This review is based on my own reading experience, moods, thoughts, reading style and likes.
So always check en read more reviews, too make a fair decision.
August 20, 2026
"Heat flared in Nicholas’s eyes a second before his mouth crashed down on mine. That was it. That was all it took. I was lost the moment he kissed me, just like I’d known I would be if I ever acted on my fantasies. Gone was the careful, closed-off new king who could burn you with a look, and in his place was Nicholas, the man with lips softer than his scowl let on. "
Fit for a King by the powerhose writing duo Brooke Blaine and Ella Frank is the first book in their new series The Crown Jewels, which will likely be another soaraway success!
This is Nicholas and Noah's forbidden royal romance story, and it is a detour away from their recent darker themed books (which are my personal fave!), focusing more on the love story and the romantic, angsty, longing elements and related tropes. MM romance readers will LOVE this one!
What To Expect:
👑MM romance
👑Forbidden
👑Opposites attract
👑royal romance (king/footman)
👑secret relationship
👑slow burn
👑grumpy/sunshine
👑steamy times
👑HEA
4 stars
Fit for a King by the powerhose writing duo Brooke Blaine and Ella Frank is the first book in their new series The Crown Jewels, which will likely be another soaraway success!
This is Nicholas and Noah's forbidden royal romance story, and it is a detour away from their recent darker themed books (which are my personal fave!), focusing more on the love story and the romantic, angsty, longing elements and related tropes. MM romance readers will LOVE this one!
What To Expect:
👑MM romance
👑Forbidden
👑Opposites attract
👑royal romance (king/footman)
👑secret relationship
👑slow burn
👑grumpy/sunshine
👑steamy times
👑HEA
4 stars
August 29, 2026
It functions as a palate cleanser, though I gotta be honest, it's juvenile, shallow and cheesy at its core.
To actually stomach this story, you constantly have to keep the 'alternate universe' tag in mind. All that tag really means is that the world building is miles away from reality—basically a standard historical romance (royalty, arranged marriage) slapped with a bunch of modern-day convenience patches, like accepted homosexuality, legal same-sex marriage, modern tech, and surrogacy.
The initial meeting between the king and the servant had some potential, but the romance that follows has zero depth or foundation. Because the setting is intensely pro-LGBTQ+—to the point where the king's arranged marriage candidate is even another prince—it actually ends up having a strong MF vibe. I read those exact tropes more than a decade ago; the only plot twist here is that we have the king as the bottom.
I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this, unless your palate really, really needs a cleanser.
To actually stomach this story, you constantly have to keep the 'alternate universe' tag in mind. All that tag really means is that the world building is miles away from reality—basically a standard historical romance (royalty, arranged marriage) slapped with a bunch of modern-day convenience patches, like accepted homosexuality, legal same-sex marriage, modern tech, and surrogacy.
The initial meeting between the king and the servant had some potential, but the romance that follows has zero depth or foundation. Because the setting is intensely pro-LGBTQ+—to the point where the king's arranged marriage candidate is even another prince—it actually ends up having a strong MF vibe. I read those exact tropes more than a decade ago; the only plot twist here is that we have the king as the bottom.
I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this, unless your palate really, really needs a cleanser.
September 7, 2026
here’s the thing about forbidden romance for me. I need the forbiddeness to be emphasized before they get together. I don’t care if they’re fucking around knowing they shouldn’t, I want the YEARNING. The LONGING. the ANGST. 😭
August 13, 2026
5⭐️ ARC Review
Apparently all I needed was a grumpy, duty-bound king falling hopelessly in love with his sunshine footman to make me grin like a fool for two days!
I had so much fun reading this ARC. Nicholas and Noah completely won me over, and I loved watching their relationship slowly shift from king and servant into something neither of them could keep pretending wasn’t there…just two men falling hopelessly in love with each other.
Noah, who looked beyond the crown and saw the man carrying the weight of a kingdom on his shoulders.
Nicholas, who spent his life doing what was expected of him, only to finally discover something, and someone, worth breaking with tradition for.
The forbidden romance, the class difference, the stolen moments, the jealousy, the longing…all of it worked for me. I adored these two and loved watching them find a way to choose each other when duty and tradition said they shouldn’t.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from The Author Agency, and this is my voluntary, honest review.
Apparently all I needed was a grumpy, duty-bound king falling hopelessly in love with his sunshine footman to make me grin like a fool for two days!
I had so much fun reading this ARC. Nicholas and Noah completely won me over, and I loved watching their relationship slowly shift from king and servant into something neither of them could keep pretending wasn’t there…just two men falling hopelessly in love with each other.
Noah, who looked beyond the crown and saw the man carrying the weight of a kingdom on his shoulders.
Nicholas, who spent his life doing what was expected of him, only to finally discover something, and someone, worth breaking with tradition for.
The forbidden romance, the class difference, the stolen moments, the jealousy, the longing…all of it worked for me. I adored these two and loved watching them find a way to choose each other when duty and tradition said they shouldn’t.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from The Author Agency, and this is my voluntary, honest review.
August 18, 2026
✨May contain spoilers✨
I love me a forbidden romance but mix in a royalty aspect to it, I’m definitely going to read this. This is my first book collaboration I’ve read by these two and it makes me want to read more of their stuff.
Noah and Nicholas were such a fun time. Nicholas is the new king since his father just passed and he’s older than his twin brother, Gabriel. Noah is the new footman and from the moment these two, it’s all fun and games.
I loved from the moment that Noah just didn’t hold back. The whole breakfast scene was probably one of the cutest moments in the book.
Gabriel has to be one of my favorite side characters. He’s full of sass and if it wasn’t for Gabriel, Nicholas wouldn’t have done the right thing. Also, I love Violet. I hope we get to see more of her in book two.
My heart did hurt a few times in this book but yes; when Gabriel nudges Nicholas to go after what matters, the groveling was everything for me. Also, I love Noah’s parents without doubt.
If you’re looking for something sweet and very low sugar, I think anyone would love this book by Ella and Brooke.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
I love me a forbidden romance but mix in a royalty aspect to it, I’m definitely going to read this. This is my first book collaboration I’ve read by these two and it makes me want to read more of their stuff.
Noah and Nicholas were such a fun time. Nicholas is the new king since his father just passed and he’s older than his twin brother, Gabriel. Noah is the new footman and from the moment these two, it’s all fun and games.
I loved from the moment that Noah just didn’t hold back. The whole breakfast scene was probably one of the cutest moments in the book.
Gabriel has to be one of my favorite side characters. He’s full of sass and if it wasn’t for Gabriel, Nicholas wouldn’t have done the right thing. Also, I love Violet. I hope we get to see more of her in book two.
My heart did hurt a few times in this book but yes; when Gabriel nudges Nicholas to go after what matters, the groveling was everything for me. Also, I love Noah’s parents without doubt.
If you’re looking for something sweet and very low sugar, I think anyone would love this book by Ella and Brooke.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy
This was cute but a bit fluffy for my taste. It was predictable as well and I'd have called Noah more of a valet than a footman and I couldn't seem to get passed that for some reason.
It's a good read, don't let my reading slump put you off! It's not them, it's me!!
It's a good read, don't let my reading slump put you off! It's not them, it's me!!
August 25, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
This new book by the team of Frank and Blaine is set in the fictional monarchy of Valoria. We meet Nicholas at his father’s funeral and then meet Noah as he is interviewing for a position at the palace. Nicholas has to keep moving and even though his relationship with his father wasn’t the warmest, he still could use a moment to mourn. Noah is a bit stunned to find himself in the personal chambers of the young king, but he is trained for the job and knows it’s an incredible opportunity to provide for his family. There is some jealousy amongst the staff, of course, but the drama is kept to a minimum. There is levity from Nicholas’ twin brother, Gabriel, and it was nice to see that he was a support to Nicholas and not an antagonist.
Fit for a King is a romantic read that elevates everyday life as Nicholas and Noah live out their fairy tale. It was teased that there could be a book for Nicholas’ brother, Gabriel, and that looks like it will be a fun visit back to the kingdom of Valoria.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
This new book by the team of Frank and Blaine is set in the fictional monarchy of Valoria. We meet Nicholas at his father’s funeral and then meet Noah as he is interviewing for a position at the palace. Nicholas has to keep moving and even though his relationship with his father wasn’t the warmest, he still could use a moment to mourn. Noah is a bit stunned to find himself in the personal chambers of the young king, but he is trained for the job and knows it’s an incredible opportunity to provide for his family. There is some jealousy amongst the staff, of course, but the drama is kept to a minimum. There is levity from Nicholas’ twin brother, Gabriel, and it was nice to see that he was a support to Nicholas and not an antagonist.
Fit for a King is a romantic read that elevates everyday life as Nicholas and Noah live out their fairy tale. It was teased that there could be a book for Nicholas’ brother, Gabriel, and that looks like it will be a fun visit back to the kingdom of Valoria.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
August 12, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
Je ne suis pas attirée par les romances royales, mais comme je ne rate aucune sortie du duo Frank/Blaine, il était impossible que je passe à côté de celle-ci, d'autant qu'elle est vendue comme une sorte de crossover entre "Red, white & royal blue" et "Downton abbey" !
On est donc sur une romance interdite, entre Nicholas, le nouveau roi d'un pays fictif (j'imaginais un peu un petit pays comme la principauté de Monaco) et Noah, son nouveau valet. Et d'entrée de jeu, on est dans un schéma qui allie le côté traditionnel de la romance royale/conte de fées et une grosse touche de modernité et de progressisme, puisque l'homosexualité du roi est tout simplement une non-question. Il est gay, il va se marier avec un prince, et rien n'est remis en question sur ce point.
Noah intègre le palais royal au même moment où Nicholas endosse le rôle de (futur) roi, suite au décès de son père ; on voit donc les deux hommes se glisser en même temps dans une nouvelle vie, avec de nouvelles responsabilités et de nouveaux enjeux. J'ai particulièrement apprécié toute la première partie du roman, avec cette attirance électrique qui crépite en permanence entre eux, ce jeu de lutte contre leur désirs et leurs sentiments respectifs. J'ai dévoré ces chapitres-là comme de véritables friandises, au gré de leur publication sur le Patreon des autrices.
Une fois que les deux hommes cèdent à leur attirance, on part sur un vrai schéma de conte de fées, et cela donne lieu au livre le plus romantique que Brooke et Ella ont écrit jusqu'ici, et j'avoue que même si c'est charmant, doux et très romantique, j'ai été moins emballée par cette partie-là du récit. Ceci dit, il y a une très belle complicité entre Nicholas & Noah, une vrai complémentarité en dépit de leur différence de statut (et quelle différence !). Ils sont tout de même l'un comme l'autre très naïfs sur certains points concernant leur relation et le regard des autres ...
Gabriel, le frère jumeau de Nicholas, vole régulièrement la vedette à nos deux tourtereaux, et son personnage est particulièrement savoureux ; j'ai aimé sa relation avec son frère, et la complicité qu'il tisse peu à peu avec Noah. Son tome devrait envoyer du lourd !
Un conte de fées moderne et très romantique donc !
Je ne suis pas attirée par les romances royales, mais comme je ne rate aucune sortie du duo Frank/Blaine, il était impossible que je passe à côté de celle-ci, d'autant qu'elle est vendue comme une sorte de crossover entre "Red, white & royal blue" et "Downton abbey" !
On est donc sur une romance interdite, entre Nicholas, le nouveau roi d'un pays fictif (j'imaginais un peu un petit pays comme la principauté de Monaco) et Noah, son nouveau valet. Et d'entrée de jeu, on est dans un schéma qui allie le côté traditionnel de la romance royale/conte de fées et une grosse touche de modernité et de progressisme, puisque l'homosexualité du roi est tout simplement une non-question. Il est gay, il va se marier avec un prince, et rien n'est remis en question sur ce point.
Noah intègre le palais royal au même moment où Nicholas endosse le rôle de (futur) roi, suite au décès de son père ; on voit donc les deux hommes se glisser en même temps dans une nouvelle vie, avec de nouvelles responsabilités et de nouveaux enjeux. J'ai particulièrement apprécié toute la première partie du roman, avec cette attirance électrique qui crépite en permanence entre eux, ce jeu de lutte contre leur désirs et leurs sentiments respectifs. J'ai dévoré ces chapitres-là comme de véritables friandises, au gré de leur publication sur le Patreon des autrices.
Une fois que les deux hommes cèdent à leur attirance, on part sur un vrai schéma de conte de fées, et cela donne lieu au livre le plus romantique que Brooke et Ella ont écrit jusqu'ici, et j'avoue que même si c'est charmant, doux et très romantique, j'ai été moins emballée par cette partie-là du récit. Ceci dit, il y a une très belle complicité entre Nicholas & Noah, une vrai complémentarité en dépit de leur différence de statut (et quelle différence !). Ils sont tout de même l'un comme l'autre très naïfs sur certains points concernant leur relation et le regard des autres ...
Gabriel, le frère jumeau de Nicholas, vole régulièrement la vedette à nos deux tourtereaux, et son personnage est particulièrement savoureux ; j'ai aimé sa relation avec son frère, et la complicité qu'il tisse peu à peu avec Noah. Son tome devrait envoyer du lourd !
Un conte de fées moderne et très romantique donc !
September 11, 2026
Nicholas❤️Noah
Love them so so much!!!
This was such a beautiful and emotional forbidden romance! Nicholas and Noah completely stole my heart. Their relationship had so much longing, tension, and tenderness, and I loved how Noah could see the person behind the crown while Nicholas found someone who made him feel truly seen.
The class difference and Nicholas's responsibilities as king made their relationship so complicated, and there were so many moments where my heart was hurting for them. I loved the contrast between Nicholas carrying the weight of a kingdom and Noah being the sunshine who brought warmth into his life. Their stolen moments, the yearning, and the struggle between duty and desire made this such an addictive read.
I absolutely loved these two together and watching their relationship grow despite everything standing in their way. A beautiful royal romance filled with forbidden love, angst, tenderness, and plenty of moments that made my heart ache.
𝑯𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒅.
𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉.
❤️❤️
Love them so so much!!!
This was such a beautiful and emotional forbidden romance! Nicholas and Noah completely stole my heart. Their relationship had so much longing, tension, and tenderness, and I loved how Noah could see the person behind the crown while Nicholas found someone who made him feel truly seen.
The class difference and Nicholas's responsibilities as king made their relationship so complicated, and there were so many moments where my heart was hurting for them. I loved the contrast between Nicholas carrying the weight of a kingdom and Noah being the sunshine who brought warmth into his life. Their stolen moments, the yearning, and the struggle between duty and desire made this such an addictive read.
I absolutely loved these two together and watching their relationship grow despite everything standing in their way. A beautiful royal romance filled with forbidden love, angst, tenderness, and plenty of moments that made my heart ache.
𝑯𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒅.
𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉.
❤️❤️
September 14, 2026
Awful.Awful.Awful
Nicolas was awful, Noah was an idiot. The only one I liked a bit was Gabriel. The story was ridiculous and not at all like Red, White & Royal Blue.
I really should stop reading Ms Frank’s books. They aren’t for me anymore.
Nicolas was awful, Noah was an idiot. The only one I liked a bit was Gabriel. The story was ridiculous and not at all like Red, White & Royal Blue.
I really should stop reading Ms Frank’s books. They aren’t for me anymore.
August 13, 2026
This book hit me in an unexpected way! I was excited because it was quoted as being like red white and royal blue which I loved! I was absolutely not prepared for the wild ride this was I laughed I blushed and I absolutely cried!
This is the story of king Nicholas and his footman Noah! Noah needs this job to make sure to take care of his family
When he first meets Noah it actually isn’t him it’s his twin Gabriel so when he does official meet Nicholas he’s thrown off because he’s not the same he’s colder stricter
“Welcome to Montclair Palace, Noah Bennett. I have a feeling you’re going to be exactly what it needs.” And boy Gabriel wasn’t wrong!
Their attraction is instant and both try to keep it to themselves because of the consequences Nicholas has stepped into a role unexpectedly because of his dad passing and he’s trying to keep everything on the straight and narrow but he’s noticing Noah everything he does I mean Noah’s little smirk when Nicholas finally ate some breakfast!
The first time he shaved him! Damn the heat the almost kiss! It was the first time he asked him to call him Nicholas!
“Thank you for the shave,” he said. “I enjoyed it, very much.” “You’re welcome.” He raised a brow, and for a second I got a glimpse of the person behind the crown. The man who was just that—a man. “So did I.” Nicholas smiled then, actually smiled, then nodded and turned to cross the room to the door. “Have a good afternoon, Bennett. I know I will.”
So being the king he is to marry a prince through an arranged marriage it’s a man and it will form a alliance for their countries but being so close to Noah he doesn’t want this and their ballroom dance the little moments are what killed me the most but Gabriel switching so he can have a night off to be close to Noah! This led to their first kiss the tension the anger Noah felt because even though it was Gabriel with the prince Noah still had to watch and when he said to Noah “But there was no way I could go out there tonight and dance with someone else in the same place I’d held you the night before.” End me now! LOL Noah tried to be smart he stepped back and left the room because he knew this was going to end badly but the next morning their talk their feelings! “Leaving you last night was one of my biggest regrets,” he confessed. “Letting you leave was mine.”
I loved their little secret rendezvous in the secret passageway but what made me laugh was Gabriel after LOL he could literally smell Noah on Nicholas LOL
Their first time together was so sweet and loving and the bath afterwards as Noah and Nicholas was everything!
So Nicholas had to go on a tour and Gabriel suggested he let Noah go in his car which was allll fine and dandy but people started to notice little whispers they were spending so much time together but things got tense when he went to his princes Alejandro estate they had to stay away from each other so when Nicholas noticed Alejandro’s footman talking to Noah he had a reaction and Alejandro noticed and told him in so many words Noah would have to be gone when they got married!
Nicholas loved him so much he even took him to see his family when they were on the way back to the palace!
That’s where things got emotional that’s where they could he just them!
“For the first time, I understand what he meant. I’d give up everything…for this view.” My heart skipped as he took a step closer and lowered his forehead to mine. “For you.” “Nicholas—” “Let me say this, Noah. Let me tell you how much I love you. I can’t bear going another second without saying the words I feel.”“Everything’s against us, I know that. Nothing about this is fair. But no matter how many times I tell myself, no matter how many times someone else tells me this won’t end well, I can’t seem to stop my heart from coming back to you, to loving you.” He reached for my chin, no matter how many times someone else tells me this won’t end well, I can’t seem to stop my heart from coming back to you, to loving you.” He reached for my chin, angling my face up to his. “Yet I’m supposed to just forget you? Forget this face? This heart of yours? How do I do that? How do I stop loving you? Can you tell me?”“No, because I love you too. It’s foolish and pointless, but no matter how hard I try to push aside my feelings, they always come back stronger. Maybe it’s a case of better to have loved and lost than not love at all.” “I don’t believe that,” Nicholas said, ever the stubborn king. “In this case, I don’t believe you have a choice.” Nicholas’s eyes swirled with frustration and love as he ran his fingers down my cheek. “I don’t care. Choice or not, I love you, Noah Bennett. Nothing can change that.”
When they got back to the palace is when things started to turn at first it was ok but there were whispers and little things and when violet saw Noah’s gloves on Nicholas bed she told him what was happening the whispers about Noah the glances and he didn’t want to hurt Noah so he withdrew he got a new footman and Noah was absolutely devastated
Violet explained what happened what they talked about but he couldn’t bare being in the same rooms as him and not talking and touching I cried so much because you could feel their pain being so close but not being able to touch so Noah decided to leave the castle he was going to quit and as he was getting ready to leave he was asked to visit the throne room by the king! That moment was heartbreaking
He asked what if I ordered you to stay? And when he dismissed him yeah sobbing!
Without Noah in his life he retreated back to the cold king the detached one and everyone saw it Gabriel most of all when he walked in on him getting fitted for his coronation he could see how losing Noah was devastating his brother and he told him why not choose who you want your the king it’s like Nicholas didn’t even consider that so they switched again! Off to find his love but what I laughed at was his mom answering the door she’s like I don’t care if you’re the king you hurt him you’re dead! LOL
The reunion! Hallelujah! The expectations gone all he wanted was his love and Noah by his side!
“The man he loves is who the king should be expected to marry.” I gently swept that strand of hair from his eyes. “And I don’t love a prince, Noah. I love you.”
“Will you, Noah Bennett, do me the honor of marrying me? Of walking through life with me and helping to guide me to the right side of every decision, be it big or small?”
“Are you, um…are you allowed to do that?” A smile curved my lips as I leaned in. “What have I told you the entire time you’ve known me, Mr. Bennett? I’m the king. I can do whatever I want. And I want to marry you. If you’ll have me.” Noah grinned and nodded. “Then it would be my absolute pleasure to marry you, sir.”
Them coming back to the castle made me laugh because Noah was so nervous getting out of the car with a ring on holding the kings hand the shock and awe from everyone and when someone called him Bennett Nicholas is like sorry no Mr. Bennett to you LOL
He just loudly said this is my fiancé! I loved Gabriel preparing the dinner for everyone to meet Noah as his fiancée!
This book did give off red white royal blue vibes but in the best way! The coronation them stepping out on the balcony together with Gabriel by their side!
I’ll forgive crying so much because they got to be together out in the open loving each other and it was worth the tears!
This is the story of king Nicholas and his footman Noah! Noah needs this job to make sure to take care of his family
When he first meets Noah it actually isn’t him it’s his twin Gabriel so when he does official meet Nicholas he’s thrown off because he’s not the same he’s colder stricter
“Welcome to Montclair Palace, Noah Bennett. I have a feeling you’re going to be exactly what it needs.” And boy Gabriel wasn’t wrong!
Their attraction is instant and both try to keep it to themselves because of the consequences Nicholas has stepped into a role unexpectedly because of his dad passing and he’s trying to keep everything on the straight and narrow but he’s noticing Noah everything he does I mean Noah’s little smirk when Nicholas finally ate some breakfast!
The first time he shaved him! Damn the heat the almost kiss! It was the first time he asked him to call him Nicholas!
“Thank you for the shave,” he said. “I enjoyed it, very much.” “You’re welcome.” He raised a brow, and for a second I got a glimpse of the person behind the crown. The man who was just that—a man. “So did I.” Nicholas smiled then, actually smiled, then nodded and turned to cross the room to the door. “Have a good afternoon, Bennett. I know I will.”
So being the king he is to marry a prince through an arranged marriage it’s a man and it will form a alliance for their countries but being so close to Noah he doesn’t want this and their ballroom dance the little moments are what killed me the most but Gabriel switching so he can have a night off to be close to Noah! This led to their first kiss the tension the anger Noah felt because even though it was Gabriel with the prince Noah still had to watch and when he said to Noah “But there was no way I could go out there tonight and dance with someone else in the same place I’d held you the night before.” End me now! LOL Noah tried to be smart he stepped back and left the room because he knew this was going to end badly but the next morning their talk their feelings! “Leaving you last night was one of my biggest regrets,” he confessed. “Letting you leave was mine.”
I loved their little secret rendezvous in the secret passageway but what made me laugh was Gabriel after LOL he could literally smell Noah on Nicholas LOL
Their first time together was so sweet and loving and the bath afterwards as Noah and Nicholas was everything!
So Nicholas had to go on a tour and Gabriel suggested he let Noah go in his car which was allll fine and dandy but people started to notice little whispers they were spending so much time together but things got tense when he went to his princes Alejandro estate they had to stay away from each other so when Nicholas noticed Alejandro’s footman talking to Noah he had a reaction and Alejandro noticed and told him in so many words Noah would have to be gone when they got married!
Nicholas loved him so much he even took him to see his family when they were on the way back to the palace!
That’s where things got emotional that’s where they could he just them!
“For the first time, I understand what he meant. I’d give up everything…for this view.” My heart skipped as he took a step closer and lowered his forehead to mine. “For you.” “Nicholas—” “Let me say this, Noah. Let me tell you how much I love you. I can’t bear going another second without saying the words I feel.”“Everything’s against us, I know that. Nothing about this is fair. But no matter how many times I tell myself, no matter how many times someone else tells me this won’t end well, I can’t seem to stop my heart from coming back to you, to loving you.” He reached for my chin, no matter how many times someone else tells me this won’t end well, I can’t seem to stop my heart from coming back to you, to loving you.” He reached for my chin, angling my face up to his. “Yet I’m supposed to just forget you? Forget this face? This heart of yours? How do I do that? How do I stop loving you? Can you tell me?”“No, because I love you too. It’s foolish and pointless, but no matter how hard I try to push aside my feelings, they always come back stronger. Maybe it’s a case of better to have loved and lost than not love at all.” “I don’t believe that,” Nicholas said, ever the stubborn king. “In this case, I don’t believe you have a choice.” Nicholas’s eyes swirled with frustration and love as he ran his fingers down my cheek. “I don’t care. Choice or not, I love you, Noah Bennett. Nothing can change that.”
When they got back to the palace is when things started to turn at first it was ok but there were whispers and little things and when violet saw Noah’s gloves on Nicholas bed she told him what was happening the whispers about Noah the glances and he didn’t want to hurt Noah so he withdrew he got a new footman and Noah was absolutely devastated
Violet explained what happened what they talked about but he couldn’t bare being in the same rooms as him and not talking and touching I cried so much because you could feel their pain being so close but not being able to touch so Noah decided to leave the castle he was going to quit and as he was getting ready to leave he was asked to visit the throne room by the king! That moment was heartbreaking
He asked what if I ordered you to stay? And when he dismissed him yeah sobbing!
Without Noah in his life he retreated back to the cold king the detached one and everyone saw it Gabriel most of all when he walked in on him getting fitted for his coronation he could see how losing Noah was devastating his brother and he told him why not choose who you want your the king it’s like Nicholas didn’t even consider that so they switched again! Off to find his love but what I laughed at was his mom answering the door she’s like I don’t care if you’re the king you hurt him you’re dead! LOL
The reunion! Hallelujah! The expectations gone all he wanted was his love and Noah by his side!
“The man he loves is who the king should be expected to marry.” I gently swept that strand of hair from his eyes. “And I don’t love a prince, Noah. I love you.”
“Will you, Noah Bennett, do me the honor of marrying me? Of walking through life with me and helping to guide me to the right side of every decision, be it big or small?”
“Are you, um…are you allowed to do that?” A smile curved my lips as I leaned in. “What have I told you the entire time you’ve known me, Mr. Bennett? I’m the king. I can do whatever I want. And I want to marry you. If you’ll have me.” Noah grinned and nodded. “Then it would be my absolute pleasure to marry you, sir.”
Them coming back to the castle made me laugh because Noah was so nervous getting out of the car with a ring on holding the kings hand the shock and awe from everyone and when someone called him Bennett Nicholas is like sorry no Mr. Bennett to you LOL
He just loudly said this is my fiancé! I loved Gabriel preparing the dinner for everyone to meet Noah as his fiancée!
This book did give off red white royal blue vibes but in the best way! The coronation them stepping out on the balcony together with Gabriel by their side!
I’ll forgive crying so much because they got to be together out in the open loving each other and it was worth the tears!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2026
Oh, my heart!! I just love a happy ending that leaves me smiling and teary-eyed. This was a swoony romance I just loved!
Prince Nicholas of Valoria has spent his whole life preparing to become king. But he was hoping his father would stick around another 20 years or so before he had to assume the throne. Yet here he is, stepping into his destiny and dreading it.
The royal machine keeps moving, however, not leaving him a second to grieve for his father. The one thing that seems to brighten his days is his handsome new footman, Noah. Noah sees him for the man he is, not the crown he wears.
Noah knows the opportunity to serve as the king’s footman is an honor and it enables him to fully support his parents. He can’t stop noticing just how handsome King Nicholas is—and the fiery chemistry between them. But even if something were to happen, a king and a footman do not belong together.
Nicholas becomes engaged to a prince from a neighboring kingdom. It’s a strategic match that will benefit Valoria. But how can he marry someone who isn’t Noah? Is he supposed to sacrifice his own happiness for his kingdom?
I loved these characters, as well as Nicholas’ twin brother and one of the maids whom Noah befriends. There’s some great banter, some hot steam, and lots to swoon over. This was a great find, and I’m ready to dive into the next book!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
Prince Nicholas of Valoria has spent his whole life preparing to become king. But he was hoping his father would stick around another 20 years or so before he had to assume the throne. Yet here he is, stepping into his destiny and dreading it.
The royal machine keeps moving, however, not leaving him a second to grieve for his father. The one thing that seems to brighten his days is his handsome new footman, Noah. Noah sees him for the man he is, not the crown he wears.
Noah knows the opportunity to serve as the king’s footman is an honor and it enables him to fully support his parents. He can’t stop noticing just how handsome King Nicholas is—and the fiery chemistry between them. But even if something were to happen, a king and a footman do not belong together.
Nicholas becomes engaged to a prince from a neighboring kingdom. It’s a strategic match that will benefit Valoria. But how can he marry someone who isn’t Noah? Is he supposed to sacrifice his own happiness for his kingdom?
I loved these characters, as well as Nicholas’ twin brother and one of the maids whom Noah befriends. There’s some great banter, some hot steam, and lots to swoon over. This was a great find, and I’m ready to dive into the next book!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
September 8, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/6.
🌶️🌶️.5/5.
I loved Nicholas, the stoic King, and Noah, his footman. I loved how low staked this was. This was a lighthearted, sweet and deep romance.
I loved everything about these two and also the way Nicholas went after Noah too.
I loved Nicholas brother too and I can't wait for his story next.
🌶️🌶️.5/5.
I loved Nicholas, the stoic King, and Noah, his footman. I loved how low staked this was. This was a lighthearted, sweet and deep romance.
I loved everything about these two and also the way Nicholas went after Noah too.
I loved Nicholas brother too and I can't wait for his story next.
Did Not Finish
September 8, 2026DNF at 40%
This rarely happens to me; I get disappointed in a book enough to drop it mid-read. I don’t know if it was because of high expectations or because I was not in a mood to read a fluff, no substance romance, this book just grated on my nerves almost from the beginning. I gave it a chance to become interesting enough so that I could at least finish reading it, but that was a resounding failure.
This novel is set in a fictional modern kingdom that is run by a monarch, who is one of our MLs. Apart from this tiny detail, we do not get any other detail of this fictional world. We are told that the ML is the king and he is very busy meeting with foreign dignitaries, playing tennis with dukes, but there are no other specifics regarding the politics or the kingdom he is supposed to be running. So, a very vague world-building that lessened my interest. The whole story kind of started inside the palace and remained there.
To make away with the point of resistance from the public about having a king liking men, the authors had declared from the start that it was a non issue as the new king has a brand new fiancé who is a prince from another kingdom. It was very lazy writing IMO and reduced the forbidden-ness of the whole romance. The only point that the authors tackled with was that the love interest of the king is a footman and not that he is a man.
The main trope here is forbidden romance, but till the part I read, there wasn’t enough angst or yearning or enough forbidden-ness for me to keep going. Another stupid thing was the ‘twin swap’ that had been used here to drive the narrative. It was cringey and silly as hell. I expected more from authors who had been around for so long. The writing was sloppy, just a slapdash romance that may amuse you if you do not mind all the stupidity.
Lastly, I have a major issue regarding the cover. What kind of AI-generated slop is that? Even if it is AI, there should be some creativity. Why is a footman turned into a server? I was surprised when I saw it on Amazon and would have completely ignored the book if not for the authors and the blurb.
This rarely happens to me; I get disappointed in a book enough to drop it mid-read. I don’t know if it was because of high expectations or because I was not in a mood to read a fluff, no substance romance, this book just grated on my nerves almost from the beginning. I gave it a chance to become interesting enough so that I could at least finish reading it, but that was a resounding failure.
This novel is set in a fictional modern kingdom that is run by a monarch, who is one of our MLs. Apart from this tiny detail, we do not get any other detail of this fictional world. We are told that the ML is the king and he is very busy meeting with foreign dignitaries, playing tennis with dukes, but there are no other specifics regarding the politics or the kingdom he is supposed to be running. So, a very vague world-building that lessened my interest. The whole story kind of started inside the palace and remained there.
To make away with the point of resistance from the public about having a king liking men, the authors had declared from the start that it was a non issue as the new king has a brand new fiancé who is a prince from another kingdom. It was very lazy writing IMO and reduced the forbidden-ness of the whole romance. The only point that the authors tackled with was that the love interest of the king is a footman and not that he is a man.
The main trope here is forbidden romance, but till the part I read, there wasn’t enough angst or yearning or enough forbidden-ness for me to keep going. Another stupid thing was the ‘twin swap’ that had been used here to drive the narrative. It was cringey and silly as hell. I expected more from authors who had been around for so long. The writing was sloppy, just a slapdash romance that may amuse you if you do not mind all the stupidity.
Lastly, I have a major issue regarding the cover. What kind of AI-generated slop is that? Even if it is AI, there should be some creativity. Why is a footman turned into a server? I was surprised when I saw it on Amazon and would have completely ignored the book if not for the authors and the blurb.
September 13, 2026
so i binged this and absolutely DEVOURED it! the tension, the romance THE SWOONING! this was such a romantic book and i loved every second of it. was it predictable? sure, but who gaf i loved it anyway! and some may say too cheesy but i say bring on the cheese! those love confessions were beautiful
😭*forbidden romances hurt*
😭*forbidden romances hurt*
August 29, 2026
super cute
I loved them!! This book was so precious. You could truly feel their love for each other throughout. King Nicholas defying all odds to be with his precious footman Noah. We also got some really sweet side characters. I can’t wait for Gabriel’s book.
I loved them!! This book was so precious. You could truly feel their love for each other throughout. King Nicholas defying all odds to be with his precious footman Noah. We also got some really sweet side characters. I can’t wait for Gabriel’s book.
September 14, 2026
2.5 stars.
October 8, 2026
Ahhhhhhh!!!!!! Very cute read 🥹 Definitely a fun easy read, and who doesn't love a secret relationship 🙂↕️
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