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Royal #1
The Royal Runaway
For fans of The Princess Diaries and The Royal We comes a fun and daring novel about a modern-day princess who teams up with a spy to find out what happened to the fiancé who left her at the altar—and who just might get her own fairytale in the process.
Princess Theodora Isabella Victoria of Drieden of the Royal House Laurent is so over this princess thing.
After her fiancé jilted her on their wedding day, she’s finally back home after spending four months in exile—aka it’s back to press conferences, public appearances, and putting on a show for the Driedish nation as the perfect princess they expect her to be. But Thea’s sick of duty. After all, that’s what got her into this mess in the first place.
So when she sneaks out of the palace and meets a sexy Scot named Nick in a local bar, she relishes the chance to be a normal woman for a change. But just as she thinks she’s found her Prince Charming for the night, he reveals his intentions are less than he’s the brother of her former fiancé, a British spy, and he’s not above blackmail. As Thea reluctantly joins forces with Nick to find out what happened the day her fiancé disappeared, together they discover a secret that could destroy a centuries-old monarchy and change life as they know it.
Funny, fast-paced, and full of more twists and turns than the castle Thea lives in, The Royal Runaway is a fresh romantic comedy that will leave you cheering for the modern-day royal who chucks the rulebook aside to create her own happily-ever-after.
Princess Theodora Isabella Victoria of Drieden of the Royal House Laurent is so over this princess thing.
After her fiancé jilted her on their wedding day, she’s finally back home after spending four months in exile—aka it’s back to press conferences, public appearances, and putting on a show for the Driedish nation as the perfect princess they expect her to be. But Thea’s sick of duty. After all, that’s what got her into this mess in the first place.
So when she sneaks out of the palace and meets a sexy Scot named Nick in a local bar, she relishes the chance to be a normal woman for a change. But just as she thinks she’s found her Prince Charming for the night, he reveals his intentions are less than he’s the brother of her former fiancé, a British spy, and he’s not above blackmail. As Thea reluctantly joins forces with Nick to find out what happened the day her fiancé disappeared, together they discover a secret that could destroy a centuries-old monarchy and change life as they know it.
Funny, fast-paced, and full of more twists and turns than the castle Thea lives in, The Royal Runaway is a fresh romantic comedy that will leave you cheering for the modern-day royal who chucks the rulebook aside to create her own happily-ever-after.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 659 reviews
August 29, 2020
As an avid Royal fan (British and other European), I always enjoy reading fictitious romance type books based on them.
I listened to the audio version of this and it was an entertaining experience.
Princess Theodora of Dreidan has been left at the altar. She doesn't understand why her fiancee (Christian) did not turn up. After some months have passed she tries to get away for an evening and sneaks out of the palace undetected. She meets a mysterious man (Nick) in a bar. There seems to be more to the story of her fiancee's disappearance. Just who exactly is Nick Cameron? Can he be trusted? Does he know where Christian is?
It was a fun book. Filled with a bit of mystery, romance and espionage. I didn't quite connect with the characters of Thea and Nick fully. I wish there was a bit more substance to their romance. Perhaps even affection but I realize this was a lightweight, fun type of story. Overall a nice and easy book to read or listen to.
I listened to the audio version of this and it was an entertaining experience.
Princess Theodora of Dreidan has been left at the altar. She doesn't understand why her fiancee (Christian) did not turn up. After some months have passed she tries to get away for an evening and sneaks out of the palace undetected. She meets a mysterious man (Nick) in a bar. There seems to be more to the story of her fiancee's disappearance. Just who exactly is Nick Cameron? Can he be trusted? Does he know where Christian is?
It was a fun book. Filled with a bit of mystery, romance and espionage. I didn't quite connect with the characters of Thea and Nick fully. I wish there was a bit more substance to their romance. Perhaps even affection but I realize this was a lightweight, fun type of story. Overall a nice and easy book to read or listen to.
August 26, 2018
Last week on one of the hottest days of summer, I took a road trip with a couple of friends and we decided that ice cream would be the perfect treat to cool us off. As we were driving, all of us were talking about what flavor of ice cream we were going to get. I was torn, do I get my safe, consistent, and reliable vanilla. You can’t go wrong with vanilla or then my mind wandered to the rich, decadent, exotic taste of chocolate. I walked up to the counter, money in hand, still debating the voices in my head, when the decision became so simple. I will get a vanilla and chocolate swirl, the best of both worlds. Plain and exotic all rolled in one.
Lindsay Emory’s, The Royal Runaway, is just like that swirl cone I had. It was fun with some added mystery and adventure mixed in.
Jilted at the altar, Princess Theodora Isabella Victoria of Drieden, comes back home after a forced four month exile by the monarchy in hopes of letting the rumors die down.
Thea is expected to jump back into her role of the “perfect” princess and tackle all of her royal duties with her perfect princess smile and wave.
The beginning of this book has all of the makings of the perfect Hallmark movie. We see Thea portray the rebellious Princess as she sneaks out of the palace one night for an evening of “regular” fun. Of course per script, she meets Mr. “Tall, Dark and Ruggedly Handsome Nick”. I found myself daydreaming as to who would play the roles of Thea and Nick, the book takes a deeper turn and suddenly the chocolate portion of the book begins.
Mr. Rugged Handsome Nick, is a British spy in search of Thea’s former fiancée, who happens to be his brother. Thea and Nick find themselves involved in a mystery with threads of lies, betrayal, crooks, deception, blackmail, kidnapping, and danger.
Thea and Nick must uncover the mystery surrounding his brother and the monarchy before it’s too late.
So if you are looking for a fun, fast paced, intelligent Princess story, then The Royal Runaway is the book for you. Just remember to have both vanilla and chocolate ice cream on hand while reading.
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley. #netgalley #royalrunaway
Lindsay Emory’s, The Royal Runaway, is just like that swirl cone I had. It was fun with some added mystery and adventure mixed in.
Jilted at the altar, Princess Theodora Isabella Victoria of Drieden, comes back home after a forced four month exile by the monarchy in hopes of letting the rumors die down.
Thea is expected to jump back into her role of the “perfect” princess and tackle all of her royal duties with her perfect princess smile and wave.
The beginning of this book has all of the makings of the perfect Hallmark movie. We see Thea portray the rebellious Princess as she sneaks out of the palace one night for an evening of “regular” fun. Of course per script, she meets Mr. “Tall, Dark and Ruggedly Handsome Nick”. I found myself daydreaming as to who would play the roles of Thea and Nick, the book takes a deeper turn and suddenly the chocolate portion of the book begins.
Mr. Rugged Handsome Nick, is a British spy in search of Thea’s former fiancée, who happens to be his brother. Thea and Nick find themselves involved in a mystery with threads of lies, betrayal, crooks, deception, blackmail, kidnapping, and danger.
Thea and Nick must uncover the mystery surrounding his brother and the monarchy before it’s too late.
So if you are looking for a fun, fast paced, intelligent Princess story, then The Royal Runaway is the book for you. Just remember to have both vanilla and chocolate ice cream on hand while reading.
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley. #netgalley #royalrunaway
May 16, 2018
I mean, if the author can't give it five stars, who can? ;-)
November 4, 2024
2.5
First thought— silly as in the kind that can be fun but also the kind that inspires eye rolling.
A better description— if Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum was a princess and met a guy who was a good balance of both those hotties in her life. Then add a royal family from a made up country, and you’ve got the gist of it.
I really wanted to like it because the premise sounded fun (although the fake country wore on me— gotta give props to the author for all the history she created for her made-up locale) but after awhile I was nearly skimming just to reach the end… and with the villain getting away, I’m sure there’s a next book. Just don’t think I’ll be rushing to check it out!
First thought— silly as in the kind that can be fun but also the kind that inspires eye rolling.
A better description— if Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum was a princess and met a guy who was a good balance of both those hotties in her life. Then add a royal family from a made up country, and you’ve got the gist of it.
I really wanted to like it because the premise sounded fun (although the fake country wore on me— gotta give props to the author for all the history she created for her made-up locale) but after awhile I was nearly skimming just to reach the end… and with the villain getting away, I’m sure there’s a next book. Just don’t think I’ll be rushing to check it out!
August 16, 2018
I flipping love this book! Awesome combination of genres and so entertaining. I could not stop reading.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love it when a book is completely different than what you expect when you read the synopsis. This is the first book from this author that I have had a chance to read and review. Showcased as a contemporary romance, this book is so much more than that. Emory crosses multiple genres with interest and intrigue.
From the very first chapter I knew I was going to thoroughly enjoy this book. You just get a feeling from the flow of the story and I was so happy that I was completely right.
This book captured me in the beginning and I was sucked into hours of reading at a sitting. The author has crafted a story that takes a look into the sheltered life of royalty. Sometimes we think how wonderful it would be to live life like that. But then you read a book such as The Royal Runway, and you realize much of their life is lived in the public eye. Even heartbreaking shame is laid out for all to see.
This is not a story of just romance per se, but more a story of truth, history, intrigue, treason, connection, emotion, and protection. This book is a complete package that will leave you breathless in many parts, and engrossed throughout.
I absolutely love this type of story because it grabs a hold of you deep down inside and leaves you begging for more. A wonderful five star effort by this author. I will definitely be looking for more from her in future
* advance copy received for review consideration
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-royal-ru...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love it when a book is completely different than what you expect when you read the synopsis. This is the first book from this author that I have had a chance to read and review. Showcased as a contemporary romance, this book is so much more than that. Emory crosses multiple genres with interest and intrigue.
From the very first chapter I knew I was going to thoroughly enjoy this book. You just get a feeling from the flow of the story and I was so happy that I was completely right.
This book captured me in the beginning and I was sucked into hours of reading at a sitting. The author has crafted a story that takes a look into the sheltered life of royalty. Sometimes we think how wonderful it would be to live life like that. But then you read a book such as The Royal Runway, and you realize much of their life is lived in the public eye. Even heartbreaking shame is laid out for all to see.
This is not a story of just romance per se, but more a story of truth, history, intrigue, treason, connection, emotion, and protection. This book is a complete package that will leave you breathless in many parts, and engrossed throughout.
I absolutely love this type of story because it grabs a hold of you deep down inside and leaves you begging for more. A wonderful five star effort by this author. I will definitely be looking for more from her in future
* advance copy received for review consideration
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-royal-ru...
October 10, 2018
3.5 Stars
If you’re looking for a silly romantic comedy with just a touch of suspense to escape into for a few hours, this is your book. It’s advertised for fans of The Princess Diaries and I think that’s the perfect way to describe this. The plot may differ but that entertaining, fun quality with a touch of a fairy-tale is there. I found all of the characters to be highly entertaining and I really liked the dynamic between Nick and Thea.
This is a great book to read on the beach or after a bad day at work. It doesn’t take itself seriously and neither should you. It was just a lot of fun and left me smiling at the end.
If you’re looking for a silly romantic comedy with just a touch of suspense to escape into for a few hours, this is your book. It’s advertised for fans of The Princess Diaries and I think that’s the perfect way to describe this. The plot may differ but that entertaining, fun quality with a touch of a fairy-tale is there. I found all of the characters to be highly entertaining and I really liked the dynamic between Nick and Thea.
This is a great book to read on the beach or after a bad day at work. It doesn’t take itself seriously and neither should you. It was just a lot of fun and left me smiling at the end.
Read
August 20, 2019Had to DNF this at 52% because it was just soooOo dull.
September 28, 2018
I absolutely loved The Royal We, so I had to get my hands on The Royal Runaway after reading the blurb that pretty much said if you loved the one, then you'd be a fan of this book! Plus, I'm royal-obsessed anyway, whether it's a real-life royal or a made up one, so I'm all about a book with a Princess in it but when you add the word "British spy" to the synopsis, that makes my mind race to thoughts of James Bond, and I'm more than sold!
Princess Theodora of Drieden has just been left at the altar by her fiance, Christian Fraser-Campbell, the ninth Duke of Steading, right before they were supposed to walk down the aisle and say "'I do'." In front of the entire world who has been watching their courtship unfold and wedding festivities play out on television, social media, and magazines, and not to mention all the heads of states and royalty who are in Dreiden to attend her non-happening wedding! Now, that's not embarrassing at all, is it?
Instead of getting married, Thea, as she's known to her friends, is sent by her grandmother, Queen Aurelia, to the Island of Perpetua in the North Sea for four months to pull herself together, a place where all the women in her family have been sent if they "couldn’t be controlled." Apparently, Thea has spent a lot of time on this island because she likes to be rebellious and flout royal protocol by sneaking out of the palace quite frequently under her bodyguard's watchful eyes because she starts to feel stifled and restless if she's stuck in one place too long without any freedom to just BE. Since she's second in line for the throne, as you can imagine, she's very rarely given any time to be Thea but must be Princess Theadora most of the time and play the role she was born into.
It's no wonder that almost as soon as Thea's back from Perpetua, she's sneaking out of the castle and trying to hide in dark pubs. It's there she meets a dark, dangerous, sexy Scot named Nick who is searching for his kinsman, one who is presumed dead. They flirt, they kiss, wow do they kiss, and they have some serious chemistry! Then Nick blackmails her with pictures he paid someone to take of them kissing because he wants her help. It turns out the sexy Scot is actually her ex-fiancés brother and a British spy. He wants answers like yesterday about where the hell his brother is since no one has seen him since the night before the wedding, so things just went from bad to worse.
Actually, things get a WHOLE lot worse when Thea has to run away with Nick because it seems like one or more of her bodyguards might be trying to kill her, so the two end up on the run trying to stay ahead of the bad guys and figure out what happened to Christian and who are the bad guys! Really, it could be anyone!!
Even though the story was completely implausible in parts, I thoroughly enjoyed it and the characters (or most of them). Thea is one strong, tough as nails Princess! I loved reading about an empowering female character; sure, she fell apart at first when she was left at the altar, but she picked herself right up and then did what it took to protect her country and her people and learns to walk a line between her royal duties and having freedom for herself. And this is a romance!! But don't worry, it's not a very heavy romance so don't be turned off by the romance part! It was the perfect mix of romance, adventure, and everything in between.
The Royal Runaway left me with a smile on my face, and I found it a pleasure to read! If you're looking for a fun read, then this is the book for you! Be sure to look for The Royal Runaway by Lindsay Emory when it comes out on October 9, 2018!
**Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC to read in exchange for my fair and honest review.**
Princess Theodora of Drieden has just been left at the altar by her fiance, Christian Fraser-Campbell, the ninth Duke of Steading, right before they were supposed to walk down the aisle and say "'I do'." In front of the entire world who has been watching their courtship unfold and wedding festivities play out on television, social media, and magazines, and not to mention all the heads of states and royalty who are in Dreiden to attend her non-happening wedding! Now, that's not embarrassing at all, is it?
Instead of getting married, Thea, as she's known to her friends, is sent by her grandmother, Queen Aurelia, to the Island of Perpetua in the North Sea for four months to pull herself together, a place where all the women in her family have been sent if they "couldn’t be controlled." Apparently, Thea has spent a lot of time on this island because she likes to be rebellious and flout royal protocol by sneaking out of the palace quite frequently under her bodyguard's watchful eyes because she starts to feel stifled and restless if she's stuck in one place too long without any freedom to just BE. Since she's second in line for the throne, as you can imagine, she's very rarely given any time to be Thea but must be Princess Theadora most of the time and play the role she was born into.
It's no wonder that almost as soon as Thea's back from Perpetua, she's sneaking out of the castle and trying to hide in dark pubs. It's there she meets a dark, dangerous, sexy Scot named Nick who is searching for his kinsman, one who is presumed dead. They flirt, they kiss, wow do they kiss, and they have some serious chemistry! Then Nick blackmails her with pictures he paid someone to take of them kissing because he wants her help. It turns out the sexy Scot is actually her ex-fiancés brother and a British spy. He wants answers like yesterday about where the hell his brother is since no one has seen him since the night before the wedding, so things just went from bad to worse.
Actually, things get a WHOLE lot worse when Thea has to run away with Nick because it seems like one or more of her bodyguards might be trying to kill her, so the two end up on the run trying to stay ahead of the bad guys and figure out what happened to Christian and who are the bad guys! Really, it could be anyone!!
Even though the story was completely implausible in parts, I thoroughly enjoyed it and the characters (or most of them). Thea is one strong, tough as nails Princess! I loved reading about an empowering female character; sure, she fell apart at first when she was left at the altar, but she picked herself right up and then did what it took to protect her country and her people and learns to walk a line between her royal duties and having freedom for herself. And this is a romance!! But don't worry, it's not a very heavy romance so don't be turned off by the romance part! It was the perfect mix of romance, adventure, and everything in between.
The Royal Runaway left me with a smile on my face, and I found it a pleasure to read! If you're looking for a fun read, then this is the book for you! Be sure to look for The Royal Runaway by Lindsay Emory when it comes out on October 9, 2018!
**Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC to read in exchange for my fair and honest review.**
September 3, 2020
Um livro viciante, prendeu-me desde a primeira página, quem olha para a capa e o título, acha que é um livro chick lit ao género de O Diário da Princesa, mas não podia estar mais longe da realidade, é um livro envolto num mistério, a princesa foi abandonada no dia do seu casamento, o seu noivo desapareceu do mapa... não se sabe se está morto, escondido, se foi raptado e o porquê? Talvez ele tenha descoberto segredos que o palácio queria esconder...
Um político que quer destruir a monarquia...
Uma rainha que tem esqueletos no armário...
Uma princesa em fuga...
Um espião enigmático...
Já quero ler o segundo livro...
Um político que quer destruir a monarquia...
Uma rainha que tem esqueletos no armário...
Uma princesa em fuga...
Um espião enigmático...
Já quero ler o segundo livro...
January 1, 2020
This book was totally not what I was expecting. I was expecting a fluffy read. What I got was so much more! Romance, Mystery, a Princess with a backbone. Nick was amazing and I am already looking for the next book
August 13, 2018
~*Full review here on The Bent Bookworm!*~
Fluffy. A little bit funny, a lot ridiculous. Requires much more suspension of disbelief than my usual picks, but even still it was entertaining enough to finish. The title feels a bit misleading, as Thea never really seems to run away…she just sort of flounces off and disappears for a few days but doesn’t really go far. But anyway…
The plot is a bit…farfetched. Hence the required suspension of disbelief. The locale is obviously based on England, but the author has invented another country (I suppose so no one can say she’s dissing the actual British royal family?) and culture. Said country and culture is pretty much England…except England is also mentioned. Color me confused, for the first few chapters until I gave up trying to understand and just rolled with it. Then there is the issue of Princess Thea’s fiance’ abandoning her at the altar, and all the other super-secret-squirrel-stuff…and then there’s the other guy, who, yes, sounds hot, but in a very generic sense. Oh well, it was still cute.
I struggled a bit to really connect with and feel for the characters. Both Thea and Nick are just kind of…flat. Not in an annoying way, there just didn’t seem to be a lot there other than Nick’s oh-so-attractive-secretiveness about his past life and Thea’s terribly, exhausting choices between family duty and her heart’s desires. Oooookay, first world problems much? That is, at least, pointed out in the book. Thea needed a backbone. Nick needed to think more with his big head instead of his little one, all James Bond style.
The end was a little rushed, but it tied up all the loose ends nicely. All in all The Royal Runaway was a light, quick and easy read but without a whole lot of substance – which sometimes is exactly what is needed.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Fluffy. A little bit funny, a lot ridiculous. Requires much more suspension of disbelief than my usual picks, but even still it was entertaining enough to finish. The title feels a bit misleading, as Thea never really seems to run away…she just sort of flounces off and disappears for a few days but doesn’t really go far. But anyway…
The plot is a bit…farfetched. Hence the required suspension of disbelief. The locale is obviously based on England, but the author has invented another country (I suppose so no one can say she’s dissing the actual British royal family?) and culture. Said country and culture is pretty much England…except England is also mentioned. Color me confused, for the first few chapters until I gave up trying to understand and just rolled with it. Then there is the issue of Princess Thea’s fiance’ abandoning her at the altar, and all the other super-secret-squirrel-stuff…and then there’s the other guy, who, yes, sounds hot, but in a very generic sense. Oh well, it was still cute.
I struggled a bit to really connect with and feel for the characters. Both Thea and Nick are just kind of…flat. Not in an annoying way, there just didn’t seem to be a lot there other than Nick’s oh-so-attractive-secretiveness about his past life and Thea’s terribly, exhausting choices between family duty and her heart’s desires. Oooookay, first world problems much? That is, at least, pointed out in the book. Thea needed a backbone. Nick needed to think more with his big head instead of his little one, all James Bond style.
The end was a little rushed, but it tied up all the loose ends nicely. All in all The Royal Runaway was a light, quick and easy read but without a whole lot of substance – which sometimes is exactly what is needed.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Twitter | Bloglovin | Instagram | Google+
March 27, 2022
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the duo but it focused on the mystery and politics more than I would have liked.
October 4, 2018
THIS is the princess book I've always wanted to read! The usual fluff, and jewels and gowns and balls? NOT part of this story! This book has some serious girl-power, with a kick-a$$ princess who is seriously OVER being just that. Meet Thea, Princess bad-A$$ of Dreiden, who takes no BS, charts her own path, and just might save some lives in the process, all the while taking charge of her own Happily Ever After.
We start off at a pretty low point in Princess Theodora Isabella Victoria of Dreiden's life. She's been embarrassed in front of the entire country - left at a the altar at her own wedding by her fiancé - no explanation, no warning. Just gone. She's been in seclusion for months, to mend her broken heart, while the queen attempts to take the spotlight off the controversial princess and the drama that's unfolded.
But now she's back. And not sure if jumping back into public appearances and faking smiles is really what she wants to do with her life. Soooo.... she sneaks out to a bar. And with all good stories that start with sneaking out to a bar, craziness ensues! A thrilling mystery, a super hot Scottish dude named Nick, and secrets uncovered about not just her missing fiancé, but of the entire monarchy. And she's determined to get to the bottom of it (and Nick ;) as well)
I loved this fact-paced high-energy story and I tore through this book in a day. I loved the characters, the dialogue, the royal aspect, and the rugged sexy (maybe) Prince Charming. Lindsay Emory has written a super fun tale that I think is worthy of a crown!
We start off at a pretty low point in Princess Theodora Isabella Victoria of Dreiden's life. She's been embarrassed in front of the entire country - left at a the altar at her own wedding by her fiancé - no explanation, no warning. Just gone. She's been in seclusion for months, to mend her broken heart, while the queen attempts to take the spotlight off the controversial princess and the drama that's unfolded.
But now she's back. And not sure if jumping back into public appearances and faking smiles is really what she wants to do with her life. Soooo.... she sneaks out to a bar. And with all good stories that start with sneaking out to a bar, craziness ensues! A thrilling mystery, a super hot Scottish dude named Nick, and secrets uncovered about not just her missing fiancé, but of the entire monarchy. And she's determined to get to the bottom of it (and Nick ;) as well)
I loved this fact-paced high-energy story and I tore through this book in a day. I loved the characters, the dialogue, the royal aspect, and the rugged sexy (maybe) Prince Charming. Lindsay Emory has written a super fun tale that I think is worthy of a crown!
February 8, 2019
Quite honestly speaking, The Royal Runaway was probably one of my most disappointing reads of 2018. In theory it should be the kind of book that works for me. We have a princess breaking the rules, a sexy scot, a mystery, A LOT OF things that would draw me in. In actuality, The Royal Runaway ended up completely disappointing me. The characters were blander than actual cardboard. The plot fell flat, and even though there was a strong mystery element, it just didn’t work or get my blood pumping. I wasn’t invested in any of the outcomes. The only good thing I can possibly say for this book is that I finished it. It wasn’t so painfully boring that I had to DNF. I expected and hoped for more but alas, sometimes you just read shitty books.
January 17, 2019
Song for summary: You Make Me Feel... by Cobra Starship
This was a slow read for me. The characters were mysterious, royal, and well connected; while the plot was an action-packed adventure brimming with politics and romance. I didn't love the characters to be honest, I felt a disconnect between Princess Theodora's personality and her more common, grounded alter ego, Thea. The switch between a formal monarchy to a simple commoner seemed to be a bit of a stretch at times. Nevertheless, the storyline was highly inventive and keep me entertained throughout the novel.
This was a slow read for me. The characters were mysterious, royal, and well connected; while the plot was an action-packed adventure brimming with politics and romance. I didn't love the characters to be honest, I felt a disconnect between Princess Theodora's personality and her more common, grounded alter ego, Thea. The switch between a formal monarchy to a simple commoner seemed to be a bit of a stretch at times. Nevertheless, the storyline was highly inventive and keep me entertained throughout the novel.
September 29, 2018
3.5 stars
This book was put on my radar by a good friend who loved it and after reading the synopsis, I was all over it.
I liked Thea and Nick. She’s struggling, but loves her family and the history of the monarchy. He’s gruff and gruff and just so very gruff. Together they bicker and have some sweet moments and flashes of chemistry. There are several other characters, but this story is all Thea.
Plot wise, it did lag a bit for me. Even with the secrets and spies thread, I was expecting things to fall more on the clandestine rendezvous side of things...not the constant searching for papers and detailed recounts of oil pipelines. I was looking for banter and kissing with a side of spies and it was the opposite.
Overall, it was a fun read. And while I enjoyed the characters {and the epilogue}, I was never really captivated by the story.
**Huge thanks to Gallery Books for providing the arc free of charge**
This book was put on my radar by a good friend who loved it and after reading the synopsis, I was all over it.
I liked Thea and Nick. She’s struggling, but loves her family and the history of the monarchy. He’s gruff and gruff and just so very gruff. Together they bicker and have some sweet moments and flashes of chemistry. There are several other characters, but this story is all Thea.
Plot wise, it did lag a bit for me. Even with the secrets and spies thread, I was expecting things to fall more on the clandestine rendezvous side of things...not the constant searching for papers and detailed recounts of oil pipelines. I was looking for banter and kissing with a side of spies and it was the opposite.
Overall, it was a fun read. And while I enjoyed the characters {and the epilogue}, I was never really captivated by the story.
**Huge thanks to Gallery Books for providing the arc free of charge**
July 8, 2019
2.5 stelle
Purtroppo non mi ha convinto... La storia d'amore rimane in secondo piano, peccato perché aveva del potenziale; lei mi ha annoiato a morte quando si cimentava nelle sue lezioni di storia di un paese che nemmeno esiste 😂 l'unica parte che un po' si salva è quella suspence...
Purtroppo non mi ha convinto... La storia d'amore rimane in secondo piano, peccato perché aveva del potenziale; lei mi ha annoiato a morte quando si cimentava nelle sue lezioni di storia di un paese che nemmeno esiste 😂 l'unica parte che un po' si salva è quella suspence...
June 17, 2018
A fun mashup of THE PRINCESS DIARIES meets Jason Bourne. This was outstanding from start to finish. Add to your TBR.
October 7, 2018
***4.5 Stars!***
Do you love a slow burn romance, with sexual tension and sarcastic banter? How about romance with a side of mystery? The Royal Runaway by Lindsay Emory has all of that, plus intriguing characters, and a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat while snorting with laughter.
Princess Theodora Isabella Victoria of Drieden of the Royal House Laurent is also known as the Runaway Princess. She's second in line to the crown, and while she fully accepts her destiny, she often feels suffocated within the walls of the palace and needs to escape. Especially after having been left at the altar. Not able to take it any longer, Thea sneaks out of the palace and ends up at a local bar. Dressed in running gear, she hopes the locals will not recognize her because she's very aware that she doesn't have her security detail. When she meets Nick, she may be on guard, but she can't help but fall for his charm. It is when she discovers that he is the brother of her former fiance' and a blackmailing British spy that her already shaky world turns upside down.
GAH! I can't get this grin off my face! I loved this book!! This charming story was funny, sexy, and mysterious. It was a perfect choice this rainy weekend as I as hole up in bed with a nasty cold.
I was provided a review copy by the Gallery Books. This did not influence my opinion of the book nor my review.
Do you love a slow burn romance, with sexual tension and sarcastic banter? How about romance with a side of mystery? The Royal Runaway by Lindsay Emory has all of that, plus intriguing characters, and a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat while snorting with laughter.
❝Does this work with women, usually? This ...❞ I gestured to all of him. ❝This roguish scoundrel act?❞
❝You're having a drink with me; you tell me.❞
Princess Theodora Isabella Victoria of Drieden of the Royal House Laurent is also known as the Runaway Princess. She's second in line to the crown, and while she fully accepts her destiny, she often feels suffocated within the walls of the palace and needs to escape. Especially after having been left at the altar. Not able to take it any longer, Thea sneaks out of the palace and ends up at a local bar. Dressed in running gear, she hopes the locals will not recognize her because she's very aware that she doesn't have her security detail. When she meets Nick, she may be on guard, but she can't help but fall for his charm. It is when she discovers that he is the brother of her former fiance' and a blackmailing British spy that her already shaky world turns upside down.
❝I'm not meant for the spotlight. Or for cages,❞ he said, gesturing at the centuries-old painted ceiling above us. ❝No matter how pretty.❞ He stepped in front of me and pulled me to him. ❝Neither are you.❞
❝You don't know me.❞
❝I know you'll run. You always do.❞ Nick's eyes glinted. ❝You aren't meant for cages, either,❞ he said, a dark promise in his words.
I trailed my fingers along the leather spines of the history books I'd been studying. ❝One man's cages is another woman's duty.❞
❝One and the same, Princess.❞
GAH! I can't get this grin off my face! I loved this book!! This charming story was funny, sexy, and mysterious. It was a perfect choice this rainy weekend as I as hole up in bed with a nasty cold.
I was provided a review copy by the Gallery Books. This did not influence my opinion of the book nor my review.
May 28, 2019
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I expected this to be the light, fluffy contemporary I thought I needed after reading a such a hard-packing book (The Book Thief), but it wasn't that at all, in the best possible way.
Summary
Princess Theodora Isabella Victoria of Drieden of the Royal House Laurent is so over this princess thing.
After her fiancé jilted her on their wedding day, she’s finally back home after spending four months in exile—aka it’s back to press conferences, public appearances, and putting on a show for the Driedish nation as the perfect princess they expect her to be. But Thea’s sick of duty. After all, that’s what got her into this mess in the first place.
So when she sneaks out of the palace and meets a sexy Scot named Nick in a local bar, she relishes the chance to be a normal woman for a change. But just as she thinks she’s found her Prince Charming for the night, he reveals his intentions are less than honorable: he’s the brother of her former fiancé, a British spy, and he’s not above blackmail. As Thea reluctantly joins forces with Nick to find out what happened the day her fiancé disappeared, together they discover a secret that could destroy a centuries-old monarchy and change life as they know it.
Don't get me wrong, in a way, this was still a light contemporary. However, I think it packed more of a punch that I gave it credit for. While there wasn't a lot of character development the plot was full of many twists and turns that kept this story interesting for me. The main thing that kept me hooked however was the chemistry between Thea & Nick. I wanted them together from the very beginning and their chemistry was very enjoyable, and it wasn't written in a cringey sort of way. Other parts of the book were kind of cringey though, like the naiveness of Thea. Oh my god it got so annoying how naive she could be at some points. I pushed past it though because 1. Chemistry 2. Plot. (like I mentioned before).
If you are looking for a contemporary with good chemistry between characters (even with a lack of character development) and a plot that will keep you hooked. I would recommend this, it was a great read.
Pre-Review
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I was going to. I thought it was going to be more of a fluffy contemporary, something to uplift me (which it did anyways) but it was so much more action packed and full of twists and turns! I ended up really liking it a lot.
Review to come on both GoodReads & my blog https://jademelody.wixsite.com/melodious
I expected this to be the light, fluffy contemporary I thought I needed after reading a such a hard-packing book (The Book Thief), but it wasn't that at all, in the best possible way.
Summary
Princess Theodora Isabella Victoria of Drieden of the Royal House Laurent is so over this princess thing.
After her fiancé jilted her on their wedding day, she’s finally back home after spending four months in exile—aka it’s back to press conferences, public appearances, and putting on a show for the Driedish nation as the perfect princess they expect her to be. But Thea’s sick of duty. After all, that’s what got her into this mess in the first place.
So when she sneaks out of the palace and meets a sexy Scot named Nick in a local bar, she relishes the chance to be a normal woman for a change. But just as she thinks she’s found her Prince Charming for the night, he reveals his intentions are less than honorable: he’s the brother of her former fiancé, a British spy, and he’s not above blackmail. As Thea reluctantly joins forces with Nick to find out what happened the day her fiancé disappeared, together they discover a secret that could destroy a centuries-old monarchy and change life as they know it.
Don't get me wrong, in a way, this was still a light contemporary. However, I think it packed more of a punch that I gave it credit for. While there wasn't a lot of character development the plot was full of many twists and turns that kept this story interesting for me. The main thing that kept me hooked however was the chemistry between Thea & Nick. I wanted them together from the very beginning and their chemistry was very enjoyable, and it wasn't written in a cringey sort of way. Other parts of the book were kind of cringey though, like the naiveness of Thea. Oh my god it got so annoying how naive she could be at some points. I pushed past it though because 1. Chemistry 2. Plot. (like I mentioned before).
If you are looking for a contemporary with good chemistry between characters (even with a lack of character development) and a plot that will keep you hooked. I would recommend this, it was a great read.
Pre-Review
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I was going to. I thought it was going to be more of a fluffy contemporary, something to uplift me (which it did anyways) but it was so much more action packed and full of twists and turns! I ended up really liking it a lot.
Review to come on both GoodReads & my blog https://jademelody.wixsite.com/melodious
September 9, 2024
A very cute, fast read.
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October 3, 2018
After being jilted at the alter by her fiance in the most public way imaginable (a royal wedding), Thea returns from four months of seclusion determined to get her life back on track. But when taking an unapproved jaunt into town to burn off steam, she meets the sultry, crude Nick Cameron, who quickly embroils her in an adventure of running from her guards, creative financing, hacking and the idea that her missing fiance might have had a nasty demise after all...
Parts of this I absolutely adored. I liked Thea, even though her "I'm a princess and must be perfect at all times" attitude was a little annoying (well, that is how she was raised), and I got super annoyed at how Miss Intelligent couldn't put two and two together to figure out what the hell was going on until it was actually happening. And she decides—inexplicably, illogically—to trust Nick, the man who blackmailed her, above everyone else. But she does rally and gather up her courage and strength at the end of the story to turn things to rights, even if I was mildly disappointed by how she handled it.
I had a love-hate relationship with Nick. He maybe have been a handsome Scot, but he was handsy, rude and a downright asshole, and this doesn't really change throughout the entire book. Even when he decides he has feelings for her (they have an insta-lust thing going on), he's still a dick. It's just that Christian is an even bigger asshole, so I suppose Thea didn't have too many options to begin with.
So let's focus on what I loved. I absolutely loved the made-up country of Drieden. I loved all of its pretty extensive history and how it was laid out and wrapped into the storyline, and how Thea loved her family and her people's pasts and tried to use them to guide her. I wanted to visit it, particularly the cold and sea-lashed island-convent of Perpetua where Thea was exiled.
I wouldn't exactly call this similar to The Royal We, since that book was unabashedly a Kate Middleton fanfic (with two adorable and very real characters in Bex and Nic), although it was kinda like The Princess Diaries. I'd call it more like most romance novels venturing into the thriller aspect of things.
It's a quick, fun read. Just don't start analyzing the details or asking too many questions about the plotline, because you'll get a headache.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
Parts of this I absolutely adored. I liked Thea, even though her "I'm a princess and must be perfect at all times" attitude was a little annoying (well, that is how she was raised), and I got super annoyed at how Miss Intelligent couldn't put two and two together to figure out what the hell was going on until it was actually happening. And she decides—inexplicably, illogically—to trust Nick, the man who blackmailed her, above everyone else. But she does rally and gather up her courage and strength at the end of the story to turn things to rights, even if I was mildly disappointed by how she handled it.
I had a love-hate relationship with Nick. He maybe have been a handsome Scot, but he was handsy, rude and a downright asshole, and this doesn't really change throughout the entire book. Even when he decides he has feelings for her (they have an insta-lust thing going on), he's still a dick. It's just that Christian is an even bigger asshole, so I suppose Thea didn't have too many options to begin with.
So let's focus on what I loved. I absolutely loved the made-up country of Drieden. I loved all of its pretty extensive history and how it was laid out and wrapped into the storyline, and how Thea loved her family and her people's pasts and tried to use them to guide her. I wanted to visit it, particularly the cold and sea-lashed island-convent of Perpetua where Thea was exiled.
I wouldn't exactly call this similar to The Royal We, since that book was unabashedly a Kate Middleton fanfic (with two adorable and very real characters in Bex and Nic), although it was kinda like The Princess Diaries. I'd call it more like most romance novels venturing into the thriller aspect of things.
It's a quick, fun read. Just don't start analyzing the details or asking too many questions about the plotline, because you'll get a headache.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
September 14, 2018
I wanted to live this book. The elements were there. But I felt like I was supposed to believe in a romance that was never really seemed to develop between Thea and Nick was there. That the government would let a little thing like embezzlement go. And in the end, the bad guy never really gets caught. It all made for an underwhelming story, despite having a quirky heroine I liked.
January 28, 2019
Four stars for this one!
‘The Royal Runaway’ brings back the nostalgia of Nancy Drew except in this story Nancy and Ned Nickerson actually have a romantic relationship. 💏
Thea is a princess. And just a few months ago, she’s stood up at the alter. After taking some advised time away from the public eye, she is forced back into royal duties. But she isn’t feeling it. So one night she sneaks out and meets Nick. (Now this is where I thought the book would take a turn toward a cute chick-lit “Princess Diaries” esque rom-com... nope I was wrong.)
Nick is British Intelligence... a spy 🕵🏽♂️. And he’s investigating the disappearance of Thea’s fiancé. Nick has another secret, he knows Thea’s fiancé very well. And has his own personal motives for finding him. So together they pair up to understand how and why Christian (the fiancé) went missing.
This leads the team down a dangerous rabbit hole full of gun shots, embezzlement, murder, betrayal, sexual tension, and surprises!
My true opinion: it’s really fun! It was a perfect, concise story with excellent character development. There were a couple fumbles, but that didn’t hold the story up at all. Go grab a copy and support this author!
‘The Royal Runaway’ brings back the nostalgia of Nancy Drew except in this story Nancy and Ned Nickerson actually have a romantic relationship. 💏
Thea is a princess. And just a few months ago, she’s stood up at the alter. After taking some advised time away from the public eye, she is forced back into royal duties. But she isn’t feeling it. So one night she sneaks out and meets Nick. (Now this is where I thought the book would take a turn toward a cute chick-lit “Princess Diaries” esque rom-com... nope I was wrong.)
Nick is British Intelligence... a spy 🕵🏽♂️. And he’s investigating the disappearance of Thea’s fiancé. Nick has another secret, he knows Thea’s fiancé very well. And has his own personal motives for finding him. So together they pair up to understand how and why Christian (the fiancé) went missing.
This leads the team down a dangerous rabbit hole full of gun shots, embezzlement, murder, betrayal, sexual tension, and surprises!
My true opinion: it’s really fun! It was a perfect, concise story with excellent character development. There were a couple fumbles, but that didn’t hold the story up at all. Go grab a copy and support this author!
February 7, 2020
FULL REVIEW HERE: http://meganprokott.com/the-royal-run...
You know how sometimes you just want to sit down with something cute and completely unrealistic? That is this book. I love a Mia Thermopolis moment, which we get from this book, and I’m very into royal tropes all around right now. The author does a great job of inventing a country that seems vaguely realistic but also sweeps you away into an alternate reality.
You know how sometimes you just want to sit down with something cute and completely unrealistic? That is this book. I love a Mia Thermopolis moment, which we get from this book, and I’m very into royal tropes all around right now. The author does a great job of inventing a country that seems vaguely realistic but also sweeps you away into an alternate reality.
October 10, 2018
★★ 4.5 stars! ★★
Set in the fictional European monarchy of Drieden, The Royal Runaway reads like an Old Hollywood whodunit caper set in modern times. The story is part mystery, part suspense, and part romance, all told in the fresh voice of Lindsay Emory.
Princess Theodora isn’t necessarily happy with the royal status quo, but she’s resigned to the fact that she was born second in line to the throne of Drieden. This familial obligation has both dictated her upbringing and her decisions, but has also taken its toll on Thea and her happiness. Not only was she willing to settle down with a man who was deemed suitable by the queen (not for love), but she was humiliated by being stood up on her wedding day. Thea’s quite headstrong and loves to take as much time for herself as a busy schedule affords, which means she is adept at sneaking out of the castle unaccompanied.
Enter Nick, the enigmatic stranger Thea meets in a pub on one such excursion. He oozes danger and intrigue, which is exactly why Thea is initially drawn to him. The adventure they embark upon is both intriguing and dangerous. It’s definitely not all-danger-all-the-time and we get to see several tender moments develop between the characters. All of it had me flipping pages to get to the end, not only to find out who the culprit was but to see if there would be a happily ever after.
I’m so happy to have discovered the ‘make-believe monarchy’ trope. Not only are they a fun glimpse into modern royalty, with its juxtaposition of traditions and history balanced with current issues and struggles, but they are also highly entertaining. The Royal Runaway definitely checks all of those boxes and I recommend it if you are looking for a cozy, suspenseful mystery!
ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
▸ Purchase: Amazon US | Paperback
▸ For more reviews, visit http://www.totallybex.com
Set in the fictional European monarchy of Drieden, The Royal Runaway reads like an Old Hollywood whodunit caper set in modern times. The story is part mystery, part suspense, and part romance, all told in the fresh voice of Lindsay Emory.
Princess Theodora isn’t necessarily happy with the royal status quo, but she’s resigned to the fact that she was born second in line to the throne of Drieden. This familial obligation has both dictated her upbringing and her decisions, but has also taken its toll on Thea and her happiness. Not only was she willing to settle down with a man who was deemed suitable by the queen (not for love), but she was humiliated by being stood up on her wedding day. Thea’s quite headstrong and loves to take as much time for herself as a busy schedule affords, which means she is adept at sneaking out of the castle unaccompanied.
Enter Nick, the enigmatic stranger Thea meets in a pub on one such excursion. He oozes danger and intrigue, which is exactly why Thea is initially drawn to him. The adventure they embark upon is both intriguing and dangerous. It’s definitely not all-danger-all-the-time and we get to see several tender moments develop between the characters. All of it had me flipping pages to get to the end, not only to find out who the culprit was but to see if there would be a happily ever after.
I’m so happy to have discovered the ‘make-believe monarchy’ trope. Not only are they a fun glimpse into modern royalty, with its juxtaposition of traditions and history balanced with current issues and struggles, but they are also highly entertaining. The Royal Runaway definitely checks all of those boxes and I recommend it if you are looking for a cozy, suspenseful mystery!
ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
▸ Purchase: Amazon US | Paperback
▸ For more reviews, visit http://www.totallybex.com
March 20, 2021
Light, nice, well-written and totally improbable. I noticed the plot holes but it was fun.
There were times in my life when I could have chosen an entirely different path. Sometimes I was aware of the significance of these waypoints. Sometimes I only recognized them later.
I saw this one for what it was.
My life would never be the same after this moment. What I said would affect whom I could trust, whom I could love, whom I could grow old with.
There were times in my life when I could have chosen an entirely different path. Sometimes I was aware of the significance of these waypoints. Sometimes I only recognized them later.
I saw this one for what it was.
My life would never be the same after this moment. What I said would affect whom I could trust, whom I could love, whom I could grow old with.
August 28, 2023
Thea is a princess from Drieden who is dealing with the sudden surprise of being jilted by her fiancé on her wedding day. When she runs away from the castle in search of escape and meets Nick, she decides that being daring might be what she needs at that moment. Unfortunately she picks the wrong guy when Nick is not who he seems to be. Nick is looking for his brother, the jilting fiancé, and needs Thea to help him out. What follows are wild goose chases, searches for the truth and crazy James Bond moments that kept me interested and wanting more.
The characters were fun, pretty cheeky, and there were loads of chemistry. I loved where the story went and how it wasn't just your average romance where the action takes the back seat. In fact, the only reason I gave this 4 stars was because it was a little confusing when all is revealed and I had to reread it all several times to completely understand. There is a lot going on and a lot of people involved. But this also is what made it so good! Be prepared to travel the British countryside and seize the day.
The characters were fun, pretty cheeky, and there were loads of chemistry. I loved where the story went and how it wasn't just your average romance where the action takes the back seat. In fact, the only reason I gave this 4 stars was because it was a little confusing when all is revealed and I had to reread it all several times to completely understand. There is a lot going on and a lot of people involved. But this also is what made it so good! Be prepared to travel the British countryside and seize the day.
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