Royally Duched

Duched #2

by Xavier Neal

I, Kellan Kenningston, am known for being three The 2nd Prince of Doctenn - who is beyond prepared to be an amazing uncle to the next heir of our name.Duke of Rockbridge - not that I am anymore sure of what that really means as I get older.And king of romantic gestures - okay, well, I typically am when it comes to my sassy, stubborn American fiancée.It is fairly swoon-worthy to give a toast about how much you love the woman you're going to marry even if it's required by royal decree.And I believe taking your bride-to-be out for a yacht ride is still very sweet regardless if you use the opportunity to persuade her into joining you for a business brunch.Most importantly, it is still quite thoughtful to organize a paintball battle in the palace garden for your future wife despite the fact you are doing it to make up for being a tad neglectful for a few weeks or perhaps, more accurately, a couple of months.The big problem we have?Dealing with the planning of a royal wedding, of course.Assuming that there is going to be a wedding at all.With the way things are going, my own country's out-of-date beliefs may have royally duched that possibility for me...*This novel does end on a cliffhanger. It is the SECOND book in a COMPLETED trilogy.- Contents of the novel have been updated (in 2021) to include additional material, but there are NO major plot changes.

Genres: Contemporary, Royalty, Romance

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2017

About the author

I'm USA TODAY Bestselling Romance Author who has published over ninety works to date.

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Reviews

[Andrea Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The continuation of Kellen and Bree's story is something else. Poor Kellen is besides himself not having Bree around. But he has a surprise for her that she can't refuse. These two have no idea what is about to go down when they go public in his country. I today society you would think we wouldn't have racism, but we still do which is a shame. Kellen is going to learn it the hard way, he will have repercussions for being with Bree, but it won't stop him. He fights for what he believes in, and he wants to show that no matter what your skin color is, everyone matters. The thing I loved about this book was his work with the kids, and how much he truest cares for the well being of his people. Bree though, this girl has a stuff skin. She's a little firecracker, and I love her. She won't back down from Kellen when he's being an idiot, which is ALOT!!! But he journey really starts in this book. Living in another country, leaving her family behind, not knowing what she's going to do for work. There's a lot going on with her. But finding herself is easier than she thought. When everything comes together, she know what her passion is and runs for it.

I'm excited to see what is going to happen next, how the family is going to handle everything. And I'm starting to love their father. He's going to make you love him in this one!!!

[april wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled

I am a fan of Xavier Neal's work but I just couldn't get into this book. I read part 2 thinking it would get better but it seemed to drag for me. I loved the characters but I think the discrimination and overt disrespect Brie endures for Kellan was just too much for me. Maybe it was too real....to Trumpish. White people are a true trip and Xavier did not hold back in showing that.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great follow up to the original and I loved see how the couple worked through their problems. I wanted to give this book five stars but I had to drop it for dragging the book out to a third one. There is no reason for their to be a third book except for the author to keep getting more money. Every book does not need to be a trilogy.

[Sheri Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving the ongoing story of Brie and Kellan. As we left the first book, Brie said good-bye to Kellan and sent him home to his family. It broke all our hearts to see her choose to leave him, rather than tear his family apart. But as we join the pair again, both are sssooo miserable and any repair that has been done to our hearts is undone.

But as luck would have it, Kellan and Brie find their way back to each other. And as we all know, Xavier can't just let a couple be happy. Try blending the life of a royal with the life of a commoner and see if problems don't arise. But Kellan and Brie, in their special way, work through each one together! But as we say good-bye to Kellan and Brie once again, another speed bump (a very big one, I'm afraid) enters their lives.

Just when you think you have it all figured out, Xavier throws in a curve. She is so famous for her curves and no matter how much we curse her, she won't quit doing it. If you haven't started reading Brie and Kellan's journey, I highly recommend doing it! Just do it!!

[Chandra Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story

She was a lot better in this story I'm sick of the to be continued so if youre anything like me wait until the box set is available

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars!!!

I was given this book in turn for an honest review.

With everything stacked against them, can Brie and Kellan find their way back to each other? Or will living the life of royalty become too much for them both?

I had been eagerly awaiting the second book in the Duched series after being left in shock from book #1 and Xavier Neal has not disappointed me. The love in which Brie and Kellan share is an all-consuming powerful and empowering love. The passion and intensity pours from the pages and takes our hearts hostage. Xavier Neal has done a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life and have them sneak their way into our hearts.

The path for Kellan and Brie is tough and full of challenges. Some that will make them stronger and some that will test their relationship and the relationship they have with Kellan’s family. Some family traditions are kept and some are redesigned as Kellan and Brie show the world their love is everlasting and they won’t allow narrow minds and judgemental people to decide their future path.

There isn’t a single thing I would change about either Kellan or Brie, their little twerks are what make them unique and loveable. Kellan’s charm, confidence and even his arrogance is nothing short of irresistible. Brie’s humour, challenging nature and her confidence shine through; she is fun to be around and a very loyal person.

As perfect as Kellan and Brie are, in so many ways; like every couple they have their flaws. Flaws that teach us to always remember to compromise, communicate and to love hard. No relationship is easy and each relationship is about hard work and a little give and take.

However, their story is far from over; as their story progressed and challenges seemed to ease, Xavier Neal throws in another twist and has left us in wonder; wonder as to how this revelation will affect Brie and Kellan and desperation for the next book!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well love conquered all…I think! Thank goodness I didn’t have to wait for this book to come out after reading the first in the series. If I thought the first one was great, this one was even better! It put me through an emotional roller coaster from laughing, being angry, then to crying! This book really touched some subjects that we deal with today pretty accurately. While Kellan and Brie’s banter continued, we got to see a side of Kellan we didn’t see when he was in the states. The business side of Kellan had me feeling torn between wanting to scream at him to show Brie some attention to completely understanding his point of view as well. He is forced to scramble for investors to keep his dream of helping others afloat all because he fell in love. Poor Brie, my heart completely shattered watching her be torn apart based on her background and something she has no control over! In this second book, Kellan and Brie are forced to endure many obstacles just to be together. Can they show the world it’s ok to love who you want without remorse? Without being shunned or shattered in the process? With the help of Kellan’s father Kenneth, they begin to see they can with the love and support of family. While Kellan and his father never had the best relationship, Kellan’s father is forced to accept Kellan’s bride to be, while opening his eyes and heart to the big picture. Together as a family they will change long in place traditions and create new ones, all while bringing dreams to life with the help of one unknown investor…but who is she? Yes I said she…someone from Kellan’s past….will she be the downfall of Kellan and Brie? We have to wait until the next book to find out…the suspense is killing me!

[Cherryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

They are not mindless sheep

That 's what the Kenningston family turn out to be. King Kenneth finally got tired of the snooty socialites when they viciously attach Brie for not being up to their code for Kellan. Kellan and Brie not only have the ordinary trials of an engaged couple planning a wedding but have to deal with what so called polite society deem correct. In this story, we see Kellan and Brie fall deeper in love despite the trials. We see Brie finding her place by Kellan's side.

I enjoyed the way Xavier wrote about the trials of this couple. People of so called good breeding can be just horrible. Thank goodness the king had a revelation. He was inspired by Kellan to turn his family around on the route of inclusion and not mean prejudice.

I say all of this to get to the part where the story starts getting good and BOOM....cliffhanger...I hate cliffhangers!!!.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man this book.. rocked me to my core and makes you truly want to slap the shit out of idiots! Kellan has to understand why Brie did what she did but it only helps when he realized that she is the only thing that makes his day truly matter. Sometimes meeting someone that truly opens your eyes to the world around you think you can truly connect with them on a whole different level. Sometimes you wish for something so amazing and it just happens when you least expect it that's what happens when you really get to know the Kellan and Brie

This is the 2nd book in this series and yet again Xavier Neal has this powerful way of bringing her characters to feel like they are really good friends of yours. I love how the characters have conversations and thoughts with the readers feels it shows another level of the character.

[Kierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

As this trilogy continues Brie and Kellen find themselves fighting against all odds.

Kenneth, Kellens dad and King as his doubts about how his son's relationship will look to the country and other people.

Kellen is still struggling on how to control his anger and outburst on behalf of his love Brie who has had to deal with people looking at her a different way because of her skin.

When Brie overhears a conversation between the king and Kellen she decides to make a choice that could tear them apart and leave them devestatingly heartbroken.

She loves Kellen so much to stand in the way of his responsibility and Kelln loves her just as much to break them for their love to outshine the rules.

Will they leave heartbroken and empty handed or is their love strong enough for the both of them to fight.

[L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, when book one left me hanging I was not pleased! Plus, I was too tired to order the second one and needed to go to sleep. If this one had already been on my Kindle I would have continued reading until these two love birds found a way to get back together. Even though Kellen's father's warnings were said out of concern, albeit selfish ones, and Brie was correct, they should have discussed ways to address the situation, not run away from it.
All marriages have problems, couples just have to hold on to their love and talk it out together.
Thankfully, things settle down and they get back together in book two, only to face bigger problems outside of themselves.
But everything will work out in the end. This story has to have a happy ending. Just got book three and am eager to get back to the story.

[Valerie Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok...Two for Two

The second installment had me hooked, too. There was a slower start to this one, but it picked up. The racism of the minor characters were fist, clenching maddening. Reminds me of how I feel when I watch Rosewood or any slavery movie or a movie about oppressed people. Steam comes out of my ears. Lol The bigotry and racism of the bougie, elitist characters, like the couple at the brunch party had me ready to pluck their eyes out, but I loved, just LOVED how Kellan and Brie and even the daddy, Papa King himself cut them down a size like surgeons. Lol The “clap back” was nice, neat, and noteworthy lol. On to the next one—the 3rd book. I’m super eagered to see how this love story ends. Ms. Neal, you did not disappoint.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Royally Duched is book 2 & you need to read Duched first.

When we left Brie & Kellian, my heart was broken & my reading life was in a funk waiting for Royally Duched. Thankfully, I didn't have long to wait! I started this book with extremely strong feelings towards certain characters. Surprisingly the person I was drawn to the most is a side (yet vital) character that I disliked. Royally Duched is a reminder that you never really know another persons heart or the motives behind their actions & words.
One of my favorite quotes
"What I know now, as I have to share a preplanned smile for all these people alongside him, is I appreciate the ones we share in private more than ever before. "

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kellan is like a child when he doesn't get his own way, "...he runs a hand through his blonde hair and whines, “But it’s my birthday. Can’t we wait to have an adult discussion until we’ve at least gone one round?” Kellan is such a considerate man, “you can have all the boring art **** you want delivered to you.” I loved that Brie was so feisty, it kept Kellan in line, “are you actually complaining while you’re still inside of me? That’s a ballsy move, even for you.” I really loved this book, and I can't wait for what book three has in store.

[Tammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up right where the first book left off. ( Thank goodness!) After a bit of heartbreak and torture our cliffhanger was resolved. (Again Thank goodness!)
So bring on the fun, the laughs and everything royal. Or maybe not. Our couple is having a rough time being accepted and finding time for loving.
But soon enough all becomes right in their romantic world and I am cheering, smiling and jumping for joy.
Then Xavier Neal pulls the carpet out from under my and I am left saying " Oh $hit" with this cliffhanger.

[Christa Bohannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The continuation of Kellen and Brie's story was great. I love how we get to see what the characters are think when they are speaking to us. This book not only shows the troubles that couples can go through but also how some people even in today's world are still so blinded by things such as where you are from, how you were raised and skin color. The whole Family steps behind Kellen and Brie to show their love and support for their relationship.

[Andrea Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo Xavier Neal

as usual another hit. i totally love kellan and brie. i can't wait to see what is in store for the couple next. i love how relatable the characters are and find myself laughing out loud. There are plenty of touching moments that keep me engaged with the story. well written and absolutely worth the time. Can't wait for the final installment so that i can read therm again and again. Thanks Miss Neal for giving me another great book boyfriend.

[Benita Cleaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

Really hate cliff hangers!! I enjoy reading about Kellan and Brie's relatioinship and that of his family. Brie handled adversity with such class. This story reminds us that being black is definitely a struggle. I loved when Kellan's father stood up for Brie, that really changed the relatioinship with his son. Good story. Oh! Black people don't blush...always rolling my eyes.

[Jackie Bragg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awwww

I actually started to love the father of Kellan now. Since he put those Racist ass in their place and had that heart to heart about his Mother 😭😭😭😭. I can understand now where he is coming from, so sad 😔😔😔😔. And the brother and sister law are so funny when She and Kellan make fun of him, along with paint ball fiasco. Xavier thanks for this series. It's has been a fun filled ride my Love. Now off to book 3 😘😘😘😘😘

[Jenn Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely in love with Kellan and Brie! I love their back and forth, the fire that is between them and how things are progressing. The story has some ups and downs and I'm there for all of it! There's great growth of character, the family bonding and dealing with outside forces. I'm read for the next book in this trilogy!

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[KristieReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 picks right up where Xavier left us in book 1. Kellan and Brie’s relationship is challenged by many outside sources. Some of the challenges are easier to overcome than others. Xavier confines to write these characters so beautifully. Kellan and Brie continue to make you laugh, swoon and at points make your heart hurt a little. They both have an amazing support systems that help them deal with what they are facing.

Looking forward to see where book 3 takes us. :)

[liz_loves_reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this second book in Kellan and Brie's story. Their ride to happiness has not been an easy one, and when they reconcile and move to Doctenn, it does become a tad bumpy due to the prejudice from the rich and influential "betters" (such a bunch of self-important a-holes IMHO).

King Kenneth finally realises that his family is important enough to fight for. Can Kellan and his new fianceé Brie make it to the altar without any more setbacks? I'm sure I'll find out in the next book.

[LaTanya Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

So worth it

Let me just say how much I love Kellan and Brie! This story of how they got back together and faced adversity was totally how they would do it. Really sweet that Kellan and his father made amends. Cannot wait for the next one, I really wanna know the story with this Felicity Malone, that's worth it being a cliffhanger alone!

[Michelle ♥ The Romance Vault ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was itching to get on and start Royally Duched after overcoming the cliffhanger in book 1.

This book doesn't read at all like book 1, there is no push pull, there is however tons of sex. Sex in this instance replaced the story and I was pulled out of their characters a lot this time.

Book 2 focuses on racism, which in itself can cause friction and angst and could be a page turner, but not for me in this case. How Kellan reacted to Brie's dilemma fell flat, unsupportive and generally the man was living in the dark most of the book.

Then I get to the end and bugger me it's another cliffhanger that I didn't know was coming!

Now here's my dilemma, if book 3 switches back to the way book 1 read, then I can't wait to get my mitts on it, but if it literally encompasses sex and not story it will make me sad! See my dilemma!

I received Royally Duched in return for an honest review.

[morganblake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have actually completed this series. I loved it! Brie and Kellan were funny, interesting, and relatable. Kellan was a true metrosexual and Brie was a breath of fresh air as a heroine. Not interested in fashion and nearly allergic to healthy eating. True story of opposites attract. As a follow-up to the first, it was all I could have asked for and more. Great read!

[Tami czenkus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so we know that this trilogy has cliffhangers and I know ya may wanna cuss out the author BUT....... Xavier Neal makes reading these stories SO worth while when you get to the end.
My emotions were all over the place while reading this story, I love how I felt like I was IN the story along with the characters and I laughed with them and cried with them.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

One step forward, two steps back seem to be the underling plot within the Duched trilogy.

Brie and Kellan prove that they are good together. They are willing to fight for each other regardless of how others perceive their relationship.
Their marriage was a culmination of the love and understanding they have, but was also just the start of their fight. Fighting for financial backing for projects, fighting for acceptance, fighting to make time for each other, all become a new norm.

Then a new/ex foe is added to the mix.

Just when you think they will get their HEA, Brie and Kellan learn their story continues.

[Isabel Debono · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoying how this story is unfolding.
Going public with their relationship brings about a whole new set of problems and issues to deal with.
Just wen things seem to be looking up... boom, cliffhanger.
Enjoying this trilogy... bring on book 3

I was given an ARC but voluntarily chose to review

[Tiffany Levin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely had me feeling way more emotions than I did in the first book - and I’m not mad about it! You finally start to feel something other than contempt for the king and you feel every single emotion for both Brie and Kellan! Their relationship continues to build and leads to a cliffhanger that could certainly spell trouble. Cannot wait to start the next book!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kellan and Brie’s story is becoming more emotional and more intense as it progresses. They are fighting some very heavy prejudices and negativity against them as a couple. At times their story broke my heart and made me cry. There are some happy moments in between the sad, which kept me fully engaged with their story.

I am excited to see how it all turns out in the end.