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The Young Royals #1
A Royal Engagement
Despite being the second child of the King and Queen of Merveille, Alyssabeth thought that if she kept a low profile she could stay out of the media’s glaring spotlight and live a relatively normal life. That was until her father, the King, and her brother, the Crown Prince, are both killed in a hunting accident.
Her dream of joining the UN is no more and instead she needs to return to the small European country of her birth to pick up where her father and brother left off. Her Harvard degree in International Relations is forfeit and in it’s place she must become Queen, that is if the misogynistic Parliament can see past their prejudices.
Not much has changed in the small country in her four year absence, but there are two noticeable differences. Her brother’s two best friends Will Darkly and Jordan Wicks have grown up into two very intriguing men. Jordan practically sweeps her off her feet from the moment she steps off the plane, but Will’s more reserved, darkly intense interest in her gives her tingles.
Alyssa isn’t sure she is cut out to be Queen, but she knows that she wants to do her father and brother proud, so she is willing to give it her best shot, even if it means going toe to toe with Parliament. And then there is the small matter of her needing to be married in order to fulfil her birthright and take her place as the Head of State.
Her dream of joining the UN is no more and instead she needs to return to the small European country of her birth to pick up where her father and brother left off. Her Harvard degree in International Relations is forfeit and in it’s place she must become Queen, that is if the misogynistic Parliament can see past their prejudices.
Not much has changed in the small country in her four year absence, but there are two noticeable differences. Her brother’s two best friends Will Darkly and Jordan Wicks have grown up into two very intriguing men. Jordan practically sweeps her off her feet from the moment she steps off the plane, but Will’s more reserved, darkly intense interest in her gives her tingles.
Alyssa isn’t sure she is cut out to be Queen, but she knows that she wants to do her father and brother proud, so she is willing to give it her best shot, even if it means going toe to toe with Parliament. And then there is the small matter of her needing to be married in order to fulfil her birthright and take her place as the Head of State.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2016
574 people are currently reading
784 people want to read
About the author
Emma Lea
94 books175 followersI am a business owner, artist, cook, mother and wife. I live on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia with my wonderful husband, two beautiful sons, a dog and a cat (both of which are female because, hey, we needed to balance all that testosterone!)
I am a ferocious reader with eclectic tastes and have always wanted to write, but never had the opportunity due to one reason or another (excuses, really) until finally taking the bullet between my teeth in 2014 and just making myself do it.
I love to write stories with heart and a message and believe in strong female characters who do not necessarily have to be aggressive to show their strength.
I am a ferocious reader with eclectic tastes and have always wanted to write, but never had the opportunity due to one reason or another (excuses, really) until finally taking the bullet between my teeth in 2014 and just making myself do it.
I love to write stories with heart and a message and believe in strong female characters who do not necessarily have to be aggressive to show their strength.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
March 3, 2018
Here is how I envision this book went down:
Author: "You know that book, Pride and Prejudice? I super dig the love triangle between Wickham-Lizzie-Darcy. I am going to recreate that. But only that. Austen's subtle wit and social commentary? Not heavy-handed enough. We need to give our heroine a REAL fight against the patriarchy. While schmoozing hot men, of course."
This book had possibility, and I mean, I did finish it....
At the same time, it was a bit like watching a train wreck. I couldn't look away.
Alyssabeth is the 24-year-old "spare heir" of a small, thriving European country called Merveille. She attends Harvard and dreams of helping people by working for the U.N. Her Father and brother's sudden deaths, however, catapult her into the spotlight as heir presumptive. Now she must fight the patriarchal, backwards leaders of her small, otherwise progressive and modern European country who for some reason can't stand the idea of a woman becoming the monarch.
Thankfully, she has got the dreamy solider boy Jordan Wick by her side, and the moody Will Darkley not far behind.
(With a name like Darkley, can he be anything but moody?)
The plot circles around three arcs: Alyssa's fight for the throne, the suspicious nature of her Father/brother's deaths, and her relationship(s) with Wick and Darkley. A basic knowledge of Pride and Prejudice will tell you how the relationships end (and who the villain is.) This leaves only the fight for the throne as a suspenseful plot element, and unfortunately that is the only time I will ever use "suspenseful" in connection with it. Predictable, dramatic, and heavy-handed....yes. Suspenseful or exciting, not so much.
I think my biggest problem with this book is that the author wants to have her cake and eat it too. Alyssa moves to America to study and escape her apparently oppressive society, yet suddenly wants to become the monarch of said society. She frequently whines about her complete lack of education or ability to rule, but insists on ruling. Merveille apparently has never had a female ruler and strenuously opposes one, but was okay with the "spare heir" being a female. (What did they think was going to happen?!) Alyssa wants to be taken seriously and rule as queen, but she spends just as much of this book pining for the hot men around her. I could go on. The motivation in this book confused me immensely. Particularly as Alyssa fluctuates dramatically between...
and
Resulting in...
There were also a characters and scenes that felt out of place. Alyssa's French mother, for example. Or the evil Bishop who mishandles Scripture. Or even the famous scene from Pride and Prejudice recreated here where she overhears Darkley shrugging her off at a ball. (THAT WAS NEVER RESOLVED.) I suppose they were in the plot to make Alyssa feel more isolated, but they just felt...silly. What kind of "modern" country missed the entire feminist movement? Maybe I'd appreciate this book more if it dealt with tangible issues faced by women of the country...like equal protection or the ability to vote. Just a general attitude of "women should get married and leave the politics to the men!" felt too out of place to take seriously. And in a way, it is out of place.
What I'm trying to say is I understand patriarchal societies and that countries exist today that would strenuously oppose a female ruler, but usually because of religious reasons or because the country isolates themselves from the world. I don't understand why this country would hold such an attitude. It didn't fit. It came across as heavy-handed and forced on the reader (particularly as we are reminded of it over and over again.) It also assumes a very top-down approach to change, instead of the more natural, bottom-up approach that got most women the vote.
So goes my beef with the politics of this book. I'll touch briefly on the romance, but when it comes to insta-lust and hot, passionate kisses between people who practically are strangers, I think I've made my feelings known. Not a fan.
Darkley and Alyssa's relationship felt forced, and I think it was because of scenes like this:
"[His eyes] had darkened and his nose had flared and I'd felt my pulse quicken in response. There was some sort of chemistry between us."
Call me crazy, but coming from someone you've exchanged all of three sentences with, I'd call that something other than chemistry. Anger, maybe. It doesn't help that Alyssa goes on with...
"...my thoughts were on Will and the strange way my body reacted to him whenever he was near."
Pretty sure that is her fight or flight instinct kicking in, responding to the angry facial expressions being made across the room at her.
Her relationship with Wick plays out the way you would expect it to (if you expect lots of kissing), but it also felt...stretched.
To conclude, a romance mixed with internally confusing political drama that involved too many people wearing Armani suits. (No for real, everyone wears Armani suits in this book. WHY?!)
Hey, that could be my catchphrase for this one!
A Royal Engagement - WHY?!
(But again, for real, why is it called A Royal Engagement? Spoiler much.)
Author: "You know that book, Pride and Prejudice? I super dig the love triangle between Wickham-Lizzie-Darcy. I am going to recreate that. But only that. Austen's subtle wit and social commentary? Not heavy-handed enough. We need to give our heroine a REAL fight against the patriarchy. While schmoozing hot men, of course."
This book had possibility, and I mean, I did finish it....
At the same time, it was a bit like watching a train wreck. I couldn't look away.
Alyssabeth is the 24-year-old "spare heir" of a small, thriving European country called Merveille. She attends Harvard and dreams of helping people by working for the U.N. Her Father and brother's sudden deaths, however, catapult her into the spotlight as heir presumptive. Now she must fight the patriarchal, backwards leaders of her small, otherwise progressive and modern European country who for some reason can't stand the idea of a woman becoming the monarch.
Thankfully, she has got the dreamy solider boy Jordan Wick by her side, and the moody Will Darkley not far behind.
(With a name like Darkley, can he be anything but moody?)
The plot circles around three arcs: Alyssa's fight for the throne, the suspicious nature of her Father/brother's deaths, and her relationship(s) with Wick and Darkley. A basic knowledge of Pride and Prejudice will tell you how the relationships end (and who the villain is.) This leaves only the fight for the throne as a suspenseful plot element, and unfortunately that is the only time I will ever use "suspenseful" in connection with it. Predictable, dramatic, and heavy-handed....yes. Suspenseful or exciting, not so much.
I think my biggest problem with this book is that the author wants to have her cake and eat it too. Alyssa moves to America to study and escape her apparently oppressive society, yet suddenly wants to become the monarch of said society. She frequently whines about her complete lack of education or ability to rule, but insists on ruling. Merveille apparently has never had a female ruler and strenuously opposes one, but was okay with the "spare heir" being a female. (What did they think was going to happen?!) Alyssa wants to be taken seriously and rule as queen, but she spends just as much of this book pining for the hot men around her. I could go on. The motivation in this book confused me immensely. Particularly as Alyssa fluctuates dramatically between...
and
Resulting in...
There were also a characters and scenes that felt out of place. Alyssa's French mother, for example. Or the evil Bishop who mishandles Scripture. Or even the famous scene from Pride and Prejudice recreated here where she overhears Darkley shrugging her off at a ball. (THAT WAS NEVER RESOLVED.) I suppose they were in the plot to make Alyssa feel more isolated, but they just felt...silly. What kind of "modern" country missed the entire feminist movement? Maybe I'd appreciate this book more if it dealt with tangible issues faced by women of the country...like equal protection or the ability to vote. Just a general attitude of "women should get married and leave the politics to the men!" felt too out of place to take seriously. And in a way, it is out of place.
What I'm trying to say is I understand patriarchal societies and that countries exist today that would strenuously oppose a female ruler, but usually because of religious reasons or because the country isolates themselves from the world. I don't understand why this country would hold such an attitude. It didn't fit. It came across as heavy-handed and forced on the reader (particularly as we are reminded of it over and over again.) It also assumes a very top-down approach to change, instead of the more natural, bottom-up approach that got most women the vote.
So goes my beef with the politics of this book. I'll touch briefly on the romance, but when it comes to insta-lust and hot, passionate kisses between people who practically are strangers, I think I've made my feelings known. Not a fan.
Darkley and Alyssa's relationship felt forced, and I think it was because of scenes like this:
"[His eyes] had darkened and his nose had flared and I'd felt my pulse quicken in response. There was some sort of chemistry between us."
Call me crazy, but coming from someone you've exchanged all of three sentences with, I'd call that something other than chemistry. Anger, maybe. It doesn't help that Alyssa goes on with...
"...my thoughts were on Will and the strange way my body reacted to him whenever he was near."
Pretty sure that is her fight or flight instinct kicking in, responding to the angry facial expressions being made across the room at her.
Her relationship with Wick plays out the way you would expect it to (if you expect lots of kissing), but it also felt...stretched.
To conclude, a romance mixed with internally confusing political drama that involved too many people wearing Armani suits. (No for real, everyone wears Armani suits in this book. WHY?!)
Hey, that could be my catchphrase for this one!
A Royal Engagement - WHY?!
(But again, for real, why is it called A Royal Engagement? Spoiler much.)
June 20, 2016
A Royal Engagement is a nice clean romantic fast read, Had drama, intrigue at the palace, danger, and romance.
It opens right to the drama. Alyssabeth was sitting in a class at Harvard, when her security went in high alert and got her out of class and on private airplane. She had no idea what happening till she heard Aurora on Phoenix one.
Her father the King and her brother the Crown Prince were dead on a hunting trip. It might have been murder. She was no longer the spare who was living quietly a college student. She was now the Crown Princess soon to be Queen of Merveille.
She was met by the good looking Jordan Wicks her brother's good friend from childhood. He was now home and stationed at the Palace.
Her brother's other good friend was Will Darkly He grew up handsome too. Alyssabeth got tingles from him.
Everything has changed for Alyss. She has to get advisers, lady's waiting. She is sent to meetings for both the Queen and King roles. Her country had never had a Queen before.
This is the first book by Emma Lea that I have read it was worth the price and I will look for more books from her.
It opens right to the drama. Alyssabeth was sitting in a class at Harvard, when her security went in high alert and got her out of class and on private airplane. She had no idea what happening till she heard Aurora on Phoenix one.
Her father the King and her brother the Crown Prince were dead on a hunting trip. It might have been murder. She was no longer the spare who was living quietly a college student. She was now the Crown Princess soon to be Queen of Merveille.
She was met by the good looking Jordan Wicks her brother's good friend from childhood. He was now home and stationed at the Palace.
Her brother's other good friend was Will Darkly He grew up handsome too. Alyssabeth got tingles from him.
Everything has changed for Alyss. She has to get advisers, lady's waiting. She is sent to meetings for both the Queen and King roles. Her country had never had a Queen before.
This is the first book by Emma Lea that I have read it was worth the price and I will look for more books from her.
August 15, 2019
👑💜
I really enjoyed reading this book. Alyssabeth had to go through a lot to find the answers on what happened to her father and brother. I felt like was right with her through everything. I was happy she had Meredith and and Alex with her by her side. I enjoyed getting to know everyone in her life. I was happy see that she got her happy ending with Will. 💜
Can't wait to read more of this series. ☺
I really enjoyed reading this book. Alyssabeth had to go through a lot to find the answers on what happened to her father and brother. I felt like was right with her through everything. I was happy she had Meredith and and Alex with her by her side. I enjoyed getting to know everyone in her life. I was happy see that she got her happy ending with Will. 💜
Can't wait to read more of this series. ☺
June 23, 2017
Intriguing
Written well. Several plot twists to keep the read engaged with the story. You think one thing will happen but nope. You think everything is going great with one guy and it turns out he's a scumbag
Written well. Several plot twists to keep the read engaged with the story. You think one thing will happen but nope. You think everything is going great with one guy and it turns out he's a scumbag
December 24, 2019
DNF- I feel very turned off right now. Also it really annoys me when women are stupid when it comes to men.
May 29, 2022
Not a tiring book and easily read in a few hours if you can. Wish i had read it earlier and maybe appreciated it more. Royal is still a favourite subject of mine though. Cant wait to read the rest.
August 9, 2018
**Teeny tiny spoilers**
Ugh, I hate having to do this but reviews come with the good and bad. And this one is the latter.
No. Just no.
From start to finish this was one of those ‘rolling my eyes, really woman? face palm’ books.
The story started out promising enough. She’s sitting in a lecture, her security bursts in and whisks her away all to find out her father and brother have just been killed. Sad, right? Interesting? Definitely!
And that’s where it stops. From then on the stupidity takes hold and doesn’t really let go until the very end.
It’s all guns blazing for her to take up the mantle as head of state and queen and what do you know, Parliament isn’t happy about a chick ruling. Sadly, in our world today, this is still very plausible. Problem with this good concept is it falls flat on its face. Lys goes before Parliament to state her case, is dragged through a blender with them denying her birthright, and then they give her an ultimatum.
Umm, okay, whatever, I’ll bite.
She had thirty days to appeal the decision OR MARRY SOMEONE. Let’s add a touch of silliness by stating the person suggesting this little gem is none other than the Major General, who’s son just happens to be currently involved with Lys.
**shock** gasp***
I didn’t see this coming?? Wonder if he has an ulterior motive?? Hmmmm??????
Let’s continue the silliness by stating this handsome dude, Jordan, is portrayed as a sweet, good looking guy. YET for most of the time, Lys swings between swooning for the dunce and being annoyed and feeling like somethings off about him. Nooooo,
REALY?!! So why keep seeing him sunshine?
Ugh! Trust me. By the time the ‘shocking twist’ happens, you saw it coming from a mile away and can’t understand for the life of you why this intelligent princess couldn’t work it out?!
Let’s take a stab at the other love interest, Will Darkly, and his cheese.
Without giving the entire story away, he knew all along the dodgy nature of Jordan. AND YET HE LEAVES LYS AT THE GUYS MERCY!! Really buddy?!! Ignore the fact they end up hooking up, Lys is his dead best friends sister. Wills own sister had serious issues with Jordan. But Will doesn’t think, ‘hey, maybe letting this unimaginative snake pull a fast one on ANOTHER person isn’t a great idea. Maybe I SHOULD WARN HER?!!’
Nope.
Instead he sulks, loses his temper, and is about as helpful as a flat tire. Thanks for that!
And the promising angle of Lys taking on Parliament and ending the boys club reign over the country? What an idea! I was looking forward to the fight she was about to have on her hands for women’s rights. NOPE. WRONG AGAIN!
The whole thing flitters away into thin air magically fixed by a folder and flash stick she finds left from her brother. No witty battle. No proving women are just as capable of having authority as men. Nope. That story line is ditched. It was a real shame in my eyes.
I could go on and on about all the things that grated me, but I have other things to do so leaving this here.
The redeeming quality of this book is the writing. It’s solid and concise and I did highlight a few extremely well written pieces.
Ugh, I hate having to do this but reviews come with the good and bad. And this one is the latter.
No. Just no.
From start to finish this was one of those ‘rolling my eyes, really woman? face palm’ books.
The story started out promising enough. She’s sitting in a lecture, her security bursts in and whisks her away all to find out her father and brother have just been killed. Sad, right? Interesting? Definitely!
And that’s where it stops. From then on the stupidity takes hold and doesn’t really let go until the very end.
It’s all guns blazing for her to take up the mantle as head of state and queen and what do you know, Parliament isn’t happy about a chick ruling. Sadly, in our world today, this is still very plausible. Problem with this good concept is it falls flat on its face. Lys goes before Parliament to state her case, is dragged through a blender with them denying her birthright, and then they give her an ultimatum.
Umm, okay, whatever, I’ll bite.
She had thirty days to appeal the decision OR MARRY SOMEONE. Let’s add a touch of silliness by stating the person suggesting this little gem is none other than the Major General, who’s son just happens to be currently involved with Lys.
**shock** gasp***
I didn’t see this coming?? Wonder if he has an ulterior motive?? Hmmmm??????
Let’s continue the silliness by stating this handsome dude, Jordan, is portrayed as a sweet, good looking guy. YET for most of the time, Lys swings between swooning for the dunce and being annoyed and feeling like somethings off about him. Nooooo,
REALY?!! So why keep seeing him sunshine?
Ugh! Trust me. By the time the ‘shocking twist’ happens, you saw it coming from a mile away and can’t understand for the life of you why this intelligent princess couldn’t work it out?!
Let’s take a stab at the other love interest, Will Darkly, and his cheese.
Without giving the entire story away, he knew all along the dodgy nature of Jordan. AND YET HE LEAVES LYS AT THE GUYS MERCY!! Really buddy?!! Ignore the fact they end up hooking up, Lys is his dead best friends sister. Wills own sister had serious issues with Jordan. But Will doesn’t think, ‘hey, maybe letting this unimaginative snake pull a fast one on ANOTHER person isn’t a great idea. Maybe I SHOULD WARN HER?!!’
Nope.
Instead he sulks, loses his temper, and is about as helpful as a flat tire. Thanks for that!
And the promising angle of Lys taking on Parliament and ending the boys club reign over the country? What an idea! I was looking forward to the fight she was about to have on her hands for women’s rights. NOPE. WRONG AGAIN!
The whole thing flitters away into thin air magically fixed by a folder and flash stick she finds left from her brother. No witty battle. No proving women are just as capable of having authority as men. Nope. That story line is ditched. It was a real shame in my eyes.
I could go on and on about all the things that grated me, but I have other things to do so leaving this here.
The redeeming quality of this book is the writing. It’s solid and concise and I did highlight a few extremely well written pieces.
February 20, 2018
I really enjoyed A Royal Engagement. Emma Lea is a new author for me and when this popped up as a freebie I thought I'd give it a try. And I am glad I did.
Alyssabeth or Alyssa or Lys is the 'spare' of the royal family of Merville a small country in Europe. As the spare and a female to boot, she never thought she'd one day become Queen. She has been studying in the US and when her security team suddenly whisks her from her class and puts her onto a jet heading home, she knows something is not right. Much to her horror, she is told that her father, the King and her brother, the Crown Prince, have both been killed in a hunting accident. She is now the Queen-apparent, much to her dismay.
There are two men, Jordan and Will, who were her brother's best friends. Jordan is a military attache in the palace and Will is a 'gentleman farmer' running his own dairy, where he makes cheeses.
Jordan imposes himself on Alyssa while Will makes himself scarce. She is attracted to both men.
This was an easy read and I fell in love with Alyssa from the first page. There are a lot of people in this book -- the Queen- mother; Alyssa's security team (I loved her relationship with Meredith her one female guard); her ladies-in-waiting. They were all well-written characters easy to lie. Although there were a few people I didn't like at all. I don't do spoilers. LOL!
A Royal Engagement is the first in a series. I only hope there is a follow-up on Alyssa and her chosen consort. Guess I'll find out when I get around to reading the rest of the series.
Alyssabeth or Alyssa or Lys is the 'spare' of the royal family of Merville a small country in Europe. As the spare and a female to boot, she never thought she'd one day become Queen. She has been studying in the US and when her security team suddenly whisks her from her class and puts her onto a jet heading home, she knows something is not right. Much to her horror, she is told that her father, the King and her brother, the Crown Prince, have both been killed in a hunting accident. She is now the Queen-apparent, much to her dismay.
There are two men, Jordan and Will, who were her brother's best friends. Jordan is a military attache in the palace and Will is a 'gentleman farmer' running his own dairy, where he makes cheeses.
Jordan imposes himself on Alyssa while Will makes himself scarce. She is attracted to both men.
This was an easy read and I fell in love with Alyssa from the first page. There are a lot of people in this book -- the Queen- mother; Alyssa's security team (I loved her relationship with Meredith her one female guard); her ladies-in-waiting. They were all well-written characters easy to lie. Although there were a few people I didn't like at all. I don't do spoilers. LOL!
A Royal Engagement is the first in a series. I only hope there is a follow-up on Alyssa and her chosen consort. Guess I'll find out when I get around to reading the rest of the series.
December 3, 2018
Loosely based on Pride and Prejudice. It was okay, but not as compelling as I'd hoped. The romantic plot was quite predictable, given its basis and the political subplots were not much less predictable. I liked the characters, but the depth was missing. I would have preferred to hear more of Lys's plans for her appeal before it was conveniently unnecessary. Why was her first press conference in the royal press room at the very end of the book. Hadn't anyone been in charge of setting such things up? Why did she not know she had a speechwriter? Couldn't she have used some help from that person as she prepared to address the parliament? Obviously, this was mostly intended to be a love story, so these details were peripheral to that, but it would have added significant depth and realistic detail to the story, in keeping with other details that were included, such as the code names used at the beginning of the book as she's being ushered out of her class. Speaking of which, did Lys have no friends at Harvard besides her security detail? She's rushed out of the classroom and taken away from the school, yet never once does she contact anyone from the life she'd been leading for the past several years. 2½ stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2019
Recommended to me by my father. :) Although I did really enjoy this story, I have problems with it. It's pretty obvious after awhile who the shady character was, long before the end. That spoiled it a bit. Not sure how she could have written it differently though, so not gonna really fault her because I figured it out.
My biggest problem with this book is the Epilogue. it honestly has nothing to do with the book. Her coronation day is mentioned, but other than that the epilogue is basically the start of book 2 in the series. It's no longer from Alyssa's point of view, as the entire book was, but from Alex's point of view and Freddie's. (In fact, because she hated being called by her full name, it took me a minute to recognize who "Alexandra" was.) That's not the purpose of an epilogue! Give us the first chapter of the second book free if want (and she did!), but the epilogue is to wrap up the book we just read, give us a little glimpse into their future, etc. So this seriously disappointed me at the end to no longer have any idea what the author was doing. It was just confusing.
My biggest problem with this book is the Epilogue. it honestly has nothing to do with the book. Her coronation day is mentioned, but other than that the epilogue is basically the start of book 2 in the series. It's no longer from Alyssa's point of view, as the entire book was, but from Alex's point of view and Freddie's. (In fact, because she hated being called by her full name, it took me a minute to recognize who "Alexandra" was.) That's not the purpose of an epilogue! Give us the first chapter of the second book free if want (and she did!), but the epilogue is to wrap up the book we just read, give us a little glimpse into their future, etc. So this seriously disappointed me at the end to no longer have any idea what the author was doing. It was just confusing.
March 14, 2017
This book has a mash up of everything, it kept me intrigued like a mystery would, sad from the losses, suspicious of the staff including Jordan. I was even holding my breath about how Alyssa could find true love and secure herself as head of state. I was on the fence about Jordan from the get go, and was always wondering what was up with Will. I guessed it was jealousy and pride, not realizing the rabbit hole was bigger then that and went far deeper.
I am glad how things turned out, I am also imagining the life the Queen will have not only as head of state but of a spouse once she gets down the aisle.
This book is written elegantly, beautiful words selected that really set the tone make me feel like we're in the middle of royalty.
I would love to see what happens to Alyssa and Will and to the country. I'm also curious about the next story and about stories for Georgina, the ladies in waiting, those in the Queens security detail and the ladies maids.
I'm excited to read the next couple of books to see what is revealed. Including about Alex and Frederic.
I am glad how things turned out, I am also imagining the life the Queen will have not only as head of state but of a spouse once she gets down the aisle.
This book is written elegantly, beautiful words selected that really set the tone make me feel like we're in the middle of royalty.
I would love to see what happens to Alyssa and Will and to the country. I'm also curious about the next story and about stories for Georgina, the ladies in waiting, those in the Queens security detail and the ladies maids.
I'm excited to read the next couple of books to see what is revealed. Including about Alex and Frederic.
October 10, 2020
It's always fun to find a new author I enjoy. Although I write sexy romance with high heat elements, I often enjoy reading a more chaste romantic story, especially when it involves royals. This anglophile can never turn down a good story involving royalty from any country, real or imagined. A Royal Engagement by Emma Lea fits that bill perfectly for me. Pleasantly paced with romance and a bit of intrigue, A Royal Engagement clicked all the right buttons for me.
Young Princess Alyssabeth is abroad in the U.S. studying at Harvard, enjoying her anonymity, when her security team calls the code word she's practiced for her whole life, but hoped to never need to use. She is whisked home to a small (fictional) country in Europe, where she's told there's been an "accident" involving her family members, which changes the course of her own life and the future of her small country as well.
Romance, deceit and intrigue all play a part of the path which ultimately will send Alyssabeth (Lys to her closest friends) to ascend the throne herself
****Enjoyable stars!
-Author Kristin Kent
Young Princess Alyssabeth is abroad in the U.S. studying at Harvard, enjoying her anonymity, when her security team calls the code word she's practiced for her whole life, but hoped to never need to use. She is whisked home to a small (fictional) country in Europe, where she's told there's been an "accident" involving her family members, which changes the course of her own life and the future of her small country as well.
Romance, deceit and intrigue all play a part of the path which ultimately will send Alyssabeth (Lys to her closest friends) to ascend the throne herself
****Enjoyable stars!
-Author Kristin Kent
January 30, 2022
Just read it!😄
What did I like or dislike...? Um... I loved the plot, the main character was amazing, and I loved the hero; Will. The bad guy was very good at being bad. Um... I would recommend this amazing masterpiece of a book to anyone who enjoys reading about a persons struggles and gets through them. It is a good story about a princess and how she gets through the grief of losing her father and brother, ends up being dangerously charmed by the bad guy, and still ends up falling in love with the perfect man. Her struggle with tradition was very important in the plot and it was amazing how Emma Lea wrote the book! I fell in love with in by the first page, and trust me I know you will ,too!😍 I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. It was enchanting!
What did I like or dislike...? Um... I loved the plot, the main character was amazing, and I loved the hero; Will. The bad guy was very good at being bad. Um... I would recommend this amazing masterpiece of a book to anyone who enjoys reading about a persons struggles and gets through them. It is a good story about a princess and how she gets through the grief of losing her father and brother, ends up being dangerously charmed by the bad guy, and still ends up falling in love with the perfect man. Her struggle with tradition was very important in the plot and it was amazing how Emma Lea wrote the book! I fell in love with in by the first page, and trust me I know you will ,too!😍 I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. It was enchanting!
October 25, 2020
As soon as I realized that this was a royal remake based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, I was cautious. It has been done over several times and loses its shine with each book based on the same plot. However, I was impressed how the author maneuvered the storyline. Though everyone who has read Jane Austen’s masterpiece knows the overall narrative right away, the characters were fresh, and the story captivated me from the start. The only downside is a poorly edited book, with lots of errors still present and weak punctuation. Thankfully, although this did lessen the quality of the book, it did not lower the enjoyment of reading it.
April 24, 2021
Nice read- strong female lead
I liked the women can do what men can do undertones to this book. It was well put together and showed a glimpse of the struggle women had been enduring for centuries.
Alyssa, the main character, was strong and independent. While she was "innocent" about the opposite sex, she had had good instincts despite making mistakes. Though at times I found myself telling her as I read that was a bad idea, I know that I as well as many women have made similar mistakes. It is a good reminder and will hopefully help future generations of women to notice the warning signs of a bad man.
I liked the women can do what men can do undertones to this book. It was well put together and showed a glimpse of the struggle women had been enduring for centuries.
Alyssa, the main character, was strong and independent. While she was "innocent" about the opposite sex, she had had good instincts despite making mistakes. Though at times I found myself telling her as I read that was a bad idea, I know that I as well as many women have made similar mistakes. It is a good reminder and will hopefully help future generations of women to notice the warning signs of a bad man.
February 21, 2024
Great entertaining book
This story takes you back in time while also being in the future. Alyssabeth had her life planned out and was excited for the future. She never imagined that it would all be ripped out of her hands. When she returns home to take over she's not excited about it but makes it work. She didn't picture one of her brother's friends taking an interest in her much less both of them. Alyssa can't believe what she soon discovers of who she thought to know. Will Alyssa find the answers she so desperately needs before it's too late?
This story takes you back in time while also being in the future. Alyssabeth had her life planned out and was excited for the future. She never imagined that it would all be ripped out of her hands. When she returns home to take over she's not excited about it but makes it work. She didn't picture one of her brother's friends taking an interest in her much less both of them. Alyssa can't believe what she soon discovers of who she thought to know. Will Alyssa find the answers she so desperately needs before it's too late?
March 12, 2018
Heavy handed Pride and Prejudice references. Holy cheese and rice. I couldn't even give Jordan Wicks a chance because YOU KNOW he's George Wickham, the d-bag. But I die that the author found a way to get wet-shirt Darcy in there. Haha
Cute, enjoyable read. The ending felt a little rushed. If you're a fan of Pride and Prejudice, I think you'll enjoy this.
Now I'm left curious about the next book... will it be another retelling of a classic?
Cute, enjoyable read. The ending felt a little rushed. If you're a fan of Pride and Prejudice, I think you'll enjoy this.
Now I'm left curious about the next book... will it be another retelling of a classic?
November 1, 2018
Sad but still good
Young girl escaped her royal family to live life in U.S. but had to return on the death of her Father the King and her brother . she returned to think that her brother friend was good man and started seeing him only to find out he was the one responsible for the deaths. Luckily she finds support from group of ladies and another of her brothers friends. I didn't understand her Mother turning her back on her.
Young girl escaped her royal family to live life in U.S. but had to return on the death of her Father the King and her brother . she returned to think that her brother friend was good man and started seeing him only to find out he was the one responsible for the deaths. Luckily she finds support from group of ladies and another of her brothers friends. I didn't understand her Mother turning her back on her.
December 5, 2018
This is the first book in the young royals series.
It is about a family who experience the death of their King and the heir to its throne. This forces the young Alyssa to have to curtail her life and come home and take up the throne as the first queen for years.
This book has lots of twists and turns and we experience her falling in love.
Nice to have a story with no actual sex scenes it is all left to the imagination of the reader.
It is about a family who experience the death of their King and the heir to its throne. This forces the young Alyssa to have to curtail her life and come home and take up the throne as the first queen for years.
This book has lots of twists and turns and we experience her falling in love.
Nice to have a story with no actual sex scenes it is all left to the imagination of the reader.
July 24, 2020
A so so book. Some really cheesy parts, ("I'm blushing as I write this" writes the hero!), some unexplained things ( the heroine, a princess, hadnt been home in four years, even for holidays- which is never explained), and a VERY obvious plot! Not to mention that the day after her father and brother are killed, she's 'noticing' men and never really seems to be that upset. Definitely not reading the next in the series.
September 30, 2021
A Little long but nice
It is a slooooooow-paced book. I almost gave up because I thought it'd continue on the next book and is a loooooong series but got surprised when it actually ended with a good finish on the love story of Alyssa and ...spoiler haha... I read the briefs for the next books and I won't read them because I think is more of the same and this already took a lot of my time lol
It is a slooooooow-paced book. I almost gave up because I thought it'd continue on the next book and is a loooooong series but got surprised when it actually ended with a good finish on the love story of Alyssa and ...spoiler haha... I read the briefs for the next books and I won't read them because I think is more of the same and this already took a lot of my time lol
February 6, 2023
A great read
At first I found it difficult to like Alyssa but as the book went on she grew on me, despite how her naivete and lack of preparation to fight for her title before the house of lords really grated me.
I loved to see her character grow and develop as the story goes on and was a bit sad to not see more of her in her political role.
All together it was an enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward for Alex and Freddie's story.
At first I found it difficult to like Alyssa but as the book went on she grew on me, despite how her naivete and lack of preparation to fight for her title before the house of lords really grated me.
I loved to see her character grow and develop as the story goes on and was a bit sad to not see more of her in her political role.
All together it was an enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward for Alex and Freddie's story.
July 19, 2017
2.5. I can see my self reading the next book. BUT it was a simple plot and no charachter development. I think the timline makes it a little difficult and I find my self asking: how did that happen? And then I see theres something like "the weeks pass by" and then we have to imagine our self how it is possible the relationship would have progressed, but there's nothing describing it.
April 12, 2018
This was a fun royal romance from the perspective of a future queen. I enjoyed the concept of empowering women to have choices -- whether they want to become a business tycoon or a wife and mother. It's sweet and wholesome, but I was disappointed that the true love story didn't take place until the end of the book. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
December 19, 2018
Awkward character voicing
The point of view and voicing in this story just felt awkward. It made the whole story flow a bit poorly. The story itself was recently described and imaginative, but It was hindered by the voicing. There were a few editing mistakes in this edition as well.
The point of view and voicing in this story just felt awkward. It made the whole story flow a bit poorly. The story itself was recently described and imaginative, but It was hindered by the voicing. There were a few editing mistakes in this edition as well.
March 25, 2020
I love Alyssa's story! The book starts out with Alyssa having to return home to lead, and her journey trying to become comfortable in her new role. I like that she just doesn't fall into the role -- it wouldn't have been true to the story. And the suspense in the story adds another great element! Emma does a great job intertwining both Jordan and Will and leaves you guessing!
September 15, 2020
To be Queen
The struggles and heartbreak and triumph of a young woman trying to secure her place as head of her country after the deaths of her father and brother. Seems her country is being run by all men and women should stay home and cook and raise kids. Can she set her country into this century?
The struggles and heartbreak and triumph of a young woman trying to secure her place as head of her country after the deaths of her father and brother. Seems her country is being run by all men and women should stay home and cook and raise kids. Can she set her country into this century?
December 15, 2024
Great Story
I believe sometimes its good to read a story that is good hearted, simple, a great story plot, good hearted. That was this story for !e. No spice. Just clean hearted entertainment. I really enjoyed it. Emma Lea had my attention from the first few pages. This was a good read.
I believe sometimes its good to read a story that is good hearted, simple, a great story plot, good hearted. That was this story for !e. No spice. Just clean hearted entertainment. I really enjoyed it. Emma Lea had my attention from the first few pages. This was a good read.
June 24, 2017
Great read
I love books about royalty I have no idea why. The princess in this book has gobe from being the extra royal to the future queen. Watching the transformation is what makes this book so fun to read
I love books about royalty I have no idea why. The princess in this book has gobe from being the extra royal to the future queen. Watching the transformation is what makes this book so fun to read
July 20, 2017
2.5 stars
Very predictable. And the writing wasn't bad, it just needed work on the execution. Plus there was just no real progression for Lys and Will. Also the ending was way too rushed with no real good ending IMO.
Very predictable. And the writing wasn't bad, it just needed work on the execution. Plus there was just no real progression for Lys and Will. Also the ending was way too rushed with no real good ending IMO.
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