Princess Rozala of Denbourg enjoys her reputation as a wild child, especially when it annoys her father, the King. When Roza’s latest girlfriend brings scandal to the palace doors, her father sends her to Britain, in the hopes that time with her cousin Queen George and the new Queen Consort will finally make her face her responsibilities.
After overcoming personal demons and quitting the high-stakes world of finance, Lennox King is content to keep her life simple. As the new director of a hospice charity, she uses a strict business approach to help the charity grow and prosper.
When Roza comes to work at the charity under orders from the Queen Consort, babysitting a spoiled princess is definitely not on Lennox’s agenda. But when passion flares between them, will Lennox’s past stop their relationship in its tracks, or will a twist of fate bring a new future that neither was expecting?
Jenny Frame is from the small town of Motherwell in Scotland, where she lives with her partner, Lou, and their well loved and very spoiled dog. She has a diverse range of qualifications, including a BA in public management and a diploma in acting and performance. Nowadays, she likes to put her creative energies into writing rather than treading the boards. When not writing or reading, Jenny loves cheering on her local football team, which is not always an easy task! Jenny Frame is the Royal Academy of Bards 2013 Hall of Fame Author.
2.5 stars..An imaginative and entertaining read...Frame's savvy knowledge of history,language,clothing and customs,paired with her graceful writing,witty and questionable dialogue raise the bar for period romance...honestly i went into this book thinking that i was gonna love it but came out not liking it,wasn't for me as much as i thought...
Royal Rebel is a quite typical story by Frame -- a lesfic version of royalty/aristocracy fairytale romance with distinctive butch-femme relationship dynamics. I have read all of her books and a better part of her free online stuff, which means that I know what to expect from her vivid imagination, and so far I had not been disappointed. In short, this is another light and enjoyable read that reads easily and quickly. I recommend reading A Royal Romance prior to this book, because the protagonists from that book, George and Bea, are also quite important here, but it is not mandatory to enjoy the main romantic pairing, Lex and Roza. If you want to spent a few hours in the company of fictional royals with an obligatory happy ending, reading this book is a good way to do it.
I think what I liked the most about this book is the thought that Great Briton could have a gay monarch. I'm not sure why but that thought made me very happy. Apparently this is a second book in a series. I never read the first book and had no problem reading this one as a stand alone. Yes there were a few references but nothing that affected this book directly.
The two main characters Princess Rosala who the book is primarily about and Lennox King who is a director of an international charity. Lex is asked to teach Rosala the business in order to bring some structure to the Princesses life. The book really concentrates on a rebel calming down and connecting with her family . But also she is looking for someone to see her and love her. The relationship of Rosala and her father is not good. She adores her brother.
It is a nice read. The last third of the book is the best. That is when it really takes off and moves a bit faster. I do also like the idea of out with the old stuffy people and bring in more modern thinking people.
Yes I would recommend this book. I am going to have to read the first book just because I enjoyed this one. Enjoy!
Loved this - suspend all reality and just go with the flow. Silly? Yes. Believable? No. Likely? Not on your Nellie. Love it? Yes, and again yes. Bliss.
My name is Kexx. I'm a Jenny Frame "Royal Romance" Addict.
ARC provided by NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This is an ok read, and it's an improvement on the first book in the series. However, I still had issues with it. First of all, the underlying premise is ridiculous. Are the readers really supposed to believe that royal families don't vet the romantic partners of the royals? Doubtful that any prince or princess in this day and age could date an arms dealer.
Also had issues with the characters, Roza's brother and father were both wooden, and Rosa herself was a whiny pain In the ass for a great part of the book. The chip on her shoulder was so big I'm surprised she could walk upright.
George and Bea (and other minor characters from their story) also make appearances and the romance between Lennox and Rosa is better towards the end of the book.
I didn't hate this, but I'd didn't love it either, not Frame's best, but it's still an ok read.
3.5 rounded up Another enjoyable Royal romance. I especially like that one of the MCs had a difficult past and fought to overcome her demons throughout the book.
* The copy provided by NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. in exchange for an honest review. *
It's a nice, imaginative read. This is a book you practically read for one afternoon, with a cup of tea or coffee, tucked away in your cozy, comfortable couch... It has its complex moments, like dealing with addiction and insecurities, but overall, this is a very pleasant book.
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. I like Jenny Frame and have loved the last two novels that I read from her. This was a good book, but it took me a while to get into it. If you have read the first book in the royal romance series, you will love seeing George and Bea again. THis is a nice romance to read on a rainy day. Enjoy.
Royal Rebel by Jenny Frame is the second book in her A Royal Romance Story series. You don’t have to read A Royal Romance to enjoy Royal Rebel, but fans of the first will be happy to hear that George and Bea are back and stronger than ever.
3.8 stars I had this book on my kindle for a long time but always gave priority to reading other books. After buying the newest in the Royal series I decided to read the earlier books again first. Though I liked the first book A Royal Romance that I read before better than this one and felt that there were many similarities between the storyline of Royal Romance and that of A Royal Rebel, I stil enjoyed reading this feel good romance a lot. I am now looking forward to reading the third book.
3.5 stars I did enjoy the book but I just could not justify rounding up to 4. This was an audio book with a very good narrator.
This is the second in Jenny Frame's Royal Romance series. Frame definitely has a favorite MC trope - a very Butch and a femme. Usually the Butch character is the Boss or Queen or Duchess and the femme is the commoner although she mixed it up this time. The femme is a Princess however the Butch commoner is also her boss. Do you sense a theme here? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy this trope and I've enjoyed Frame's previous books (published and online), it just that this book wasn't unique enough and the MC's not that engaging especially the Princess Roza.
In one way I could identify with Roza. My Mother also died in childbirth when I was born. I was lucky to have a Grandmother who raised me when I was young and later my older sister. However, I couldn't identify with her immaturity and selfishness.
Georgie & Bea from book one are in this book also. I think George and Bea are my favorite Frame couple, so it was good to see them again (they have more than just a cameo).
*** Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review ***
Alright Book Peeps
Another one for the meh pile from Netgalley. After the whole Breakwater debacle I thought "okay a fantasy read was maybe not in the cards for today so let me switch it up and read a contemporary". This is how I came to read Royal Rebel. It was contemporary with royalty that had a plot similar to The Prince and Me but with a f/f relationship. I was sold but in the end it just didn't live up to my self imposed hype.
Firstly I will give the book kudos for the world building. It wasn't exceptional but it was better than I was anticipating after reading the first few chapters. One of the stars is definitely for how well the political landscape is laid out and the position of all the pieces and their titles so you know their strengths and weaknesses. I also really appreciated how sussed out the family dynamics were because it added to the story as well even though sometimes I felt like it was thrown in your face to often. For example, Rozala lost her mother and the author just kept throwing this in your face throughout the book that she was lonely, reckless and a attention seeker because of it. In the beginning I was sympathetic but not even a 1/4 into this I was over it.
This brings me to character development. Its very hard for me to rate a book high when the main character is crap. This book is primarily about Princess Rozala and so I have to believe in her in order to like her. I really felt that all of the "development" that Rozala went through was just to achieve some recognition from Lennox. Near the end she was starting to think of her people as well but it was to big of a jump for me at that point. I didn't think she would have the fortitude to really handle everything that was happening. The only reason I believe she succeeded in anything was because of Lennox. Now Lennox, who is Rozala's love interest, was a different story. This character was really well done. She had depth and complexities that read as very genuine to me. You really saw her combat her feelings for Rozala and really struggle with her responsibilities of managing a non for profit organization and while handling her relationship with the monarchy. All of Lennox's chapters were really great to read because I felt they moved the story along because they weren't all just focused on herself and they were all in a constant melancholic internal monologue * side eyeing Rozala*. Based off of the tenacity and growth of this character alone was why this book came up from a 1 star to a 2.
This wasn't my fave book but I am a bit curious to read the first book in the series to see if it was done any better. I am in no rush at all though so it may never happen. I don't think I would recommend this as I am hoping there is better f/f royal contemporary books out there that are much stronger. If you know any please comment down below so I can give them a go.
Good story and characters, was nice to know more about Bea and Georgie. Lex and Roza made for a nice couple despite the ghost in the closet as both women had demons to overcome. Roza was a party girl looking to be loved and Lex's demon from her old addictions made her feel she was not worthy of love. Together they worked it out.
*ARC provided by Netgalley and the Publisher for an honest review*
I have read a few of Frame's online and published works so I'm quite familiar with her writing style and unfortunately this book was a bit too similar to some of her online publications. I really enjoyed the first book with George and Bea and I enjoyed getting to see how their life together was progressing in this book but this book just solidified the similarities between the authors Dalton Family series and this series, it was just a 21st century re-imagining of the same story.
I only really started to enjoy this book towards the end, when Roza and Lex left the city, because that was the only time that I felt like the story finally had something that made it stand out and the characters seemed to become their own and not copies of characters in the Dalton series.
Besides my issue with the similarities, I do think that if you are a first time reader of Frame's work you will definitely enjoy this book, especially if you like the handsome butch's and really steamy sex scenes. I really hope Jenny Frame add something new to her future books for those of us who have read almost all of her work and are getting tired of the same story line just in a new package (maybe it's just me).
This was an okay read. A light, fluffy story, for the most part. This is the second book in the Royal Romance series. The two mains from book 1, are a part of this book, but most of the book centers on two new mains, Princess Rosa and Lex. You could read this book without reading book 1, but I always personally recommend reading series books in order.
While this is a perfectly fine romance, with a happily ever after, nothing in this book really grabbed me. I had a lot of trouble caring about the two mains. I found myself almost wishing this book was just about George and Bea, from book 1. There was nothing wrong with Lex and Rosa, I just could not really connect with them. I was hoping for them to be happy, but I didn't really care, like I wanted to.
I realized for most of the book, I found the way characters acted irked me. The King hates his daughter and blames her because her ex was an arms dealer, that traded with terrorists. I'm suppose to believe the women the princess dated was not vetted? And that Rosa was somehow suppose to know how evil she was, when the rest of the kingdom did not. Another scene that irked me... Rosa is working for the charity Bea and Lex run. Lex makes Rosa get her coffee to show that she is the bad butch boss. A Princess forced to make someone coffee? Yeah don't really believe it. Little things like that in the book just didn't sit right with me. It was really weird too, I didn't not care for the sex scenes. They were so close to being steamy, but instead I found them uncomfortable. Maybe it was too much talking going on? Instead of steamy, it verged on being cheesy porno. "What does it feel like getting f#cked just a few feet from everyone, huh? What would they think Princess? Would they think you're such a bad girl who like to get f%cked?" Maybe there is something wrong with me, but these kind of lines, don't really do it for me. I needed more showing, less talking.
While I have plenty of issues, I did like about the last 1/4 of the book. That was when things got more interesting. I liked meeting Lex's family and then what happened with Rosa. That was really what I wanted to see more of. Unfortunately, the book ended, just when it started to get good.
I really do like royal romance type books, this just didn't work for me. I can't say that it was anymore than just okay. But, I do think people who are looking for a light, fluffy, HEA romance, will like this more than I did.
An ARC was given to me by BSB, for a honest review.
It felt fantastic to get my hands on this book. I was so excited, that a few days before I re-read the first book in the series ‘A Royal Romance’ (for review click here). If you read my review for that you know how much I adore it and when I heard there was going to be a sequel it just cemented my love for Jenny Frame’s writing even more.
There are four main protagonists in this novel and the book is written from the perspective of all four. Firstly from the perspective Queen George and her wife and Consort Bea (who are carried over from book 1) and now and more prominently from Princess Rosa of Denborg and Lennox King, a Charity Executive.
I was ecstatic that George and Bea’s story was followed through into this book because I don’t think I was ever ready to truely give up on them, especially George. I don’t want to give any spoilers but their love is still solid and they are navigating marriage and the monarchy splendidly, that is until the arrival of George’s Cousin, The Princess of Denborg, Rozala and her rebel attitude to make waves.
When Roza arrives she is put to work at the Queens most cherished charity, ‘Timmy’s’ in an attempt that she will learn responsibility and understand the value of hard work. Roza didn’t expect the dashing Lennox to be her boss when she starts at the charity. Lennox intrigues Rosa as she is distant, brooding and unbelievably attractive.
There is definitely chemistry between the two of them and it spills from the page making the reader further engrossed in this wonderful story.
There is without a doubt more twists and turns in this book than the first and a few I was not expecting until the moment it happened and it left me a little stunned.
I hope Jenny Frame continues this series into a book about the Prime Minister as I am intrigued by the character and never seem to get enough of her even when she is riling up the monarchy.
Can’t wait to see what comes next from Jenny Frame.
I really enjoyed the first book between George and Bea and have been eagerly waiting for the next book in the series. I can honestly say I was not disappointment. I will say however, that enjoyed parts with George and Bea the most and their intimate scenes were better than Roza and Lex. Depsite that, the story was nice. I did feel that obstacles were downplayed a bit ( the Thea situation and even Lex's issue). I fet both played a role in the stort but I feel the Thea issue was on the path to be big and then happened and then was solved. And honestly if i was Roza i would have been pissed at Lex for not once but multiple times dping what she did. But thats just me. Regardless, fans of the first book should like this one. The writing is well done and the dialogue and characters are enjoyable. Hooefullt we get more of Lali and Cammy in the next book and maybe even Story will make an appearance.
This was a quick read but an enjoyable one. I liked how the characters have their problems and work though them but overall it is a typical royal romance novel where a princess falls in love with a commoner and they want to be together but think they can't and then finally come together. The only thing I did not like is the butch/femme aspect of it but I like femme/femme romances more but that is a personal preference that doesn't influence the rating.
I rec'd an ARC from NetGalley/Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review. No synopsis needed. A romance with main characters Princess Rozala (Roz) and Lennox King (Lex). George and Bea (from "A Royal Romance") flesh out the storyline. This is a quick read from Ms. Frame that satisfies. I hope that the author continues the tale of George and Bea. 3.5 stars.
Royal Rebel is an excellent addition to the Royal Romance series. I love Lex and Rosa. They are so different from Bea and Georgie of the first book. Lex, for example, is a recovering addict. She has been drug and alcohol free for the past six years. Since turning her life around she’s dedicated her life to Timmys and helping others. She stays away from relationships in fear of being drawn back into her addictions. Rosa is a wild child. But her wild ways are a cry for love and affection from her cold hearted father. Her mother died during child birth and her father closed himself off to Rosa after her mothers death. Rosa and Georgies family lives have been so different. Georgie had love and encouragement, while Rosa got a cold detachment and reprimands. Her behavior while not like is understandable to me. Lex challenges her from the beginning to be more and Rosa flourishes under Lex’s love and attention. We get to see how Georgie and Bea are adjusting to marriage and life as Queen and Queen Consort. Also, Bea is pregnant! Yasss I’m so excited for Georgie and Bea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Spoiled bratty royal gets sent to her royal cousins' care in the UK to learn a thing or two about responsibility and growing up. Recovering addict and Timmy's director resists then falls, then backs out, then accepts relationship.
This was a very good book! The story development and character development were equally well done. Ms. Frame created a very different type of characters for this storyline as opposed to the one with Queen George. This characters were rather flawed even though they had well meaning hearts. Feet of clay and that sort of thing. I wish the character of George had been able to deal with the PM better than she did. Bo was a total dick with the way she treated Roza and Lex. Ultimately, we still had a happy ending. Well done! Looking forward to more books in this series if at all possible.
I’ve mentioned elsewhere that while I’m not a great fan of mainstream category romance’s ‘royal’ titles, I have quite a lot of affection for their lesbian romance counterparts. I only got around to reading the first book in this series very recently, right in time for this, the second book, to come up for review. Although the novels are set almost thirty years into our future (presumably to avoid too many comparisons with the current British Royal Family), they pretty much read as contemporary stories, with only a few pieces of extra technology, most notably in the field of medicine, thereby enabling our heroines to more easily have babies together, as well as some offshoots from medical applications perking up the sex toys industry. Generally, however, the plots and characters are very familiar to even the most casual of royal watchers, right down to the idea that the Royal Family (Buckinghams, not Windsors) were beset by scandals and divorces in the late twentieth century, but have been enjoying much less turbulent relationships in the twenty-first century. Not so the Royal Family of the small state of Denbourg (which I’m assuming is supposed to be somewhere in Northern Europe), and especially not the second in line to the throne, Princess Rozala.
Roza has rebelled against her father’s strict rules all her life and is convinced that she is unwanted by her entire family, ever since her mother died shortly after giving birth to her. No stranger to making headlines, Roza finally exhausts her father’s patience, when her latest – and much older – girlfriend, turns out to be an international drugs and arms dealer. Having been unceremoniously dumped by said girlfriend, Roza is angry and dismayed when she is ordered to leave the country and spend some time visiting quietly with her cousin Queen Georgina and the new Queen Consort Beatrice.
George has always been fond of Roza, and so she and Bea hatch a plan to teach the princess to embrace responsibility by finding her a job at the charity where Bea used to work. The charity’s new director, Lennox King, is not one to put up with spoiled rich girl histrionics, as she quite capably proves on Roza’s first day. Sent home for turning up late and hung over mortifies Roza, but she perseveres, and soon becomes an enthusiastic, if sometimes misguided, charity worker.
Meanwhile, Lennox is impressed at the change in Roza and cautiously begins to court her. Just as the two seem to be settling into a far more adult relationship than Roza has enjoyed before, political upheavals back home thrust the princess back into the limelight for very different reasons, and she fears that Lennox will not adapt well to the changes.
I enjoyed this book, although not so much as I did the previous one in the series. It isn’t really a standalone novel since the relationship between George and Bea takes up nearly as much page-time as does that between Roza and Lennox. I’d have liked to see a little less of the former pair and learn a little more about Roza’s discoveries about her mother’s background. I also felt we never completely got a handle on what Lennox looked like, which felt as if it could have been a missed opportunity to throw a little more diversity into the mix. Then again, my imagined Lennox might look nothing like the author’s idea of the character, and further description might have come as a disappointment to this reader. I’m keen to explore the author’s other books, but less sure if there’s any more mileage in this series.
Normally I adore Jenny Frame’s books and the character’s she writes. The summary of this book was initially what drew me in, and I wanted so much to love it like I’ve loved her other books. However, I just couldn’t. The story itself was mainly good, solid writing with enough time spacing everything out that it didn’t feel rushed. I had two big issues with this book. One is Lex’s character. I love her as a person and can even understand her motivations and hesitancy with how she’s been described. My biggest problem with her character is actually tied into my second problem with this book. (Pretty big spoiler ahead, venture carefully) Outside of my two biggest issues, I loved this book. I loved the relationship that developed between the two of them as they worked together, and I loved Roza trying to help Lex with her issues. The relationship between the two was slightly annoying at first but it developed into something that felt good. I also liked the side characters quite a bit. Major Ravn is my personal favorite. Also, as someone who doesn’t have personal experience, I liked the way Jenny Frame handled Lex’s addiction. In summary, this isn’t my favorite work of Frame’s but if you’re looking for something to occupy your time and you enjoy Frame’s writing, I’d recommend it.
Jenny Frame has created yet another royal fantasy. I have read a few of her books, but after reading this one, I know I will be purchasing the other books she has written. I found it to be an enjoyable read which had a smooth and steady pace. It is a romance with a story plot which was well planned. This is the second book in her Royal Romance Story. Although it is not necessary to read the first book in the series, “The Royal Romance”, it would be more enjoyable to already know some of the characters.
In this book, there are two main characters and quite a few supporting characters. The two main characters are Princess Rozala “Rosa” of Denbourg and Lennox King, the director of a hospice charity. Rosa is a spoiled young woman who is always bringing embarrassment to the family. Because of her last major public mistake, she is sent to England to be with her cousin Queen George and her Queen Consort Bea. It is through their connections that Rosa obtains a full-time position at the charity organization. It is here that she meets Lennox. Of course, they are attracted to each other but each one has their own issues which prevent them from being together.
The supporting characters are quite charming. I look forward to the next book in this series. King George and Queen Consort Bea make a wonderful couple. Lennox has a sister that anyone who has a little sister will chuckle at her antics. The assistants to each of the royalties were nicely done.
I enjoyed this romance and rate it a 4-1/2 stars out of 5. It is definitely a nice summer read.
I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
I didn't read the first book of the series but it didn't affect my enjoyment of this book, despite the protagonists from the first book playing quite a major part in this book.
I found Rosa and Lennox both together and apart as quite interesting characters, each with their own strengths and baggage that they have to deal with before they can be together. I thought the romance was sweet, though I wish there had been more of a build up in the first half of the book, and I liked how everything resolved itself at the end. I really liked the supporting characters of Ravn, George and Bea as well as Rosa's brother and father. The plot twist was surprising, I hadn't been expecting it at all, and I liked the effect it had on the romance plot as well.
This was a cute, fun romance novel which was fairly easy to read and quick to finish. 3.5 stars because I really wish the romance had been developed a little more and the book was slow to get going.
*I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Princess Rozala is known as the Royal Rebel because she purposely attracts negative attention, partying and getting trouble. Her relationship with a much older woman ends when it's learned that the woman is a terrorist arms dealer. As a result, Roza's father sends her to England under the watchful eye of her cousins, the Queen and Queen Consort (who were the MCs of the first Royal Romance book).
In an effort to put Roza on a better path, the Queen's Consort sets her up to work at a charity under the supervision of Lex, the butch CEO. Controlled and health conscious to an extreme, Lex works hard to resist Roza's charms worried that giving in will interfere with her 6 years of sobriety. But as always, love finds a way.
This author excels at butch-femme pairings, with the butches on the more masculine side of the spectrum. The book is mostly a fun read for those who enjoy royal stories and this kind of pairings.
This is the first book I've picked up from this author, and it was kind of a let down.
I understood immediately that some part of my subjective judgment was due to the writing. The dialogues were meh and the transitions from "oh sweet we're connecting and shi" to "oh I did something wrong uh" were too unsmooth and direct for my liking. Some dialogues were okay-ish but they were too fast, even for a quick read.
The plot on the other hand, I definitely would liked if the writing didn't bother my picky ahh so much. I skimmed through the other end of the book when the King and the Prince died. I was so attached to that part of that story, for the King and Roza to talk, for Roza to receive an apology from the King and UGHHH i'm just mourning what could've been. I wish that had more part of the book and not so much of George and Bea. I get it, people from the first book on the series, but I was just focused on Roza and Lex anyway.
Not bad not good 2/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.