The Rourkes: Books 1-3

The Rourkes #1-3

by Kylie Gilmore

Dive into sexy, royal romantic comedy with the Rourkes!
The Rourkes Boxed Set includes three full-length novels: Royal Catch, Royal Hottie, and Royal Darling.

Book 1: Royal Catch
Gabriel
I’m the crown prince of Villroy, heir to a kingdom, bound by duty to marry and produce an heir.
I expected a quiet arrangement through royal channels, instead I got a palace full of women vying for my hand. And how do they “win” this barbaric game set up by my crafty mother? By figuring out how to save the kingdom’s faltering economy through a series of challenges. This undignified circus is beneath a man of my stature! Proof being that a saucy, ill-mannered woman wearing body-hugging clothes is in the lead. I could never love someone like that, let alone marry her.

Anna
The plan sounded simple.
I pose as my friend, pick up her inheritance, and return with the cash to keep her out of jail. (Apparently, being a princess in hiding is no excuse for identity theft.) So, yeah, I’m not exactly royal. I’m an orphan, a self-made woman, and proud of it. Suddenly I’m in a battle royale with a bunch of crazy competitive women for “riches beyond our dreams.” I’m in a time crunch, which means I need to win this competition fast. Only, that means winning over the judge; the smoldering hot grim-faced Gabriel. And now I find myself wanting to compete for more than just the money. But could a royal prince ever fall for a commoner like me?

Book 2: Royal Hottie
Phillip
I never expected to be the prime target of a bachelor auction, compliments of my outrageous sister-in-law, the new queen. I don’t care if the internet has turned me into a royal hottie meme, I am not a piece of meat. So when the first eager single woman arrives at the palace, I send her packing. Only the damn woman refuses to leave.

Ruby
Why would I want to buy a date with an arrogant rude prince? I’m here to do a job, which I desperately need, and no delusional prince is going to stand in my way. Obviously, the “royal hottie” believes the hype.
So how did I end up winning the top prize in a royal bachelor auction, and what will I do with him?
I can’t let myself fall for a playboy. Besides, we’re heading in opposite directions. He’s going on an international tour for a year or more, and I absolutely have to get back to the US. Only this prince is used to getting what he wants, and now he wants me.

Book 3: Royal Darling
Jackson
Being a rock god isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It’s become a soulless grind. Which is why I’m now on my mate’s houseboat, far away from the spotlight, hoping to find my way back to the music.
Yeah. Not gonna happen.
I’ve just discovered a stowaway on board, and I can’t believe who she is. A bloody princess? And the prim little woman won’t leave the boat, so I make an offer to scare her off—a no-strings fling.
Only she says yes.
I say no, and she promptly locks herself in my bedroom.
I swear I’m dropping her off at the next port.
She’s trouble wrapped in a pretty virginal package, and I know I shouldn’t touch.

Emma
I’m a runaway bride trying to make a clean escape. But when Jackson Walker discovers me hiding on his boat—after I get over the shock of stumbling upon a rock star’s hideaway—I immediately know he’s exactly what I need.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Amazon, Contemporary Romance, Rom Com, Anthologies, Enemies To Lovers

900 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 10, 2020

About the author

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***THE SEXY PART is out now!***

Kylie Gilmore is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifty humorous contemporary romances. Her series include Happy Endings in Clover Park, Unleashed Romance, the Rourkes, the Happy Endings Book Club, Clover Park, and Clover Park Charmers. With more than three million downloads of her books, readers all over the world love escaping into her hilarious feel-good romances featuring strong bonds with family, friends, and community.

Kylie lives in New York with her family, a demanding cat, and a nutso dog. When she's not writing, reading hot romance, or dutifully taking notes at writing conferences, you can find her happily crafting what will surely be future family heirlooms.

Join the Gilmore Goddesses Readers Group to chat about Kylie's books in a non-spoilerly way. Also, man candy. Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Gilmo...

Find out more about Kylie and upcoming books at www.kyliegilmore.com. Sign up for Kylie’s newsletter at https://www.kyliegilmore.com/newsletter

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KYLIE’S BOOKS

HAPPY ENDINGS IN CLOVER PARK
The Kissing Part (Book 1)
The Sexy Part (Book 2)

UNLEASHED ROMANCE
Fetching (Book 1)
Dashing (Book 2)
Sporting (Book 3)
Toying (Book 4)
Blazing (Book 5)
Chasing (Book 6)
Daring (Book 7)
Leading (Book 8)
Racing (Book 9)
Loving (Book 10)

THE ROURKES
Royal Catch (Book 1)
Royal Hottie (Book 2)
Royal Darling (Book 3)
Royal Charmer (Book 4)
Royal Player (Book 5)
Royal Shark (Book 6)
Rogue Prince (Book 7)
Rogue Gentleman (Book 8)
Rogue Rascal (Book 9)
Rogue Angel (Book 10)
Rogue Devil (Book 11)
Rogue Beast (Book 12)

HAPPY ENDINGS BOOK CLUB
Hidden Hollywood (Book 1)
Inviting Trouble (Book 2)
So Revealing (Book 3)
Formal Arrangement (Book 4)
Bad Boy Done Wrong (Book 5)
Mess With Me (Book 6)
Resisting Fate (Book 7)
Chance of Romance (Book 8)
Wicked Flirt (Book 9)
An Inconvenient Plan (Book 10) 
A Happy Endings Wedding (Book 11)

CLOVER PARK SERIES
The Opposite of Wild (Book 1)
Daisy Does It All (Book 2)
Bad Taste in Men (Book 3)
Kissing Santa (Book 4)
Restless Harmony (Book 5)
Not My Romeo (Book 6)
Rev Me Up (Book 7)
An Ambitious Engagement (Book 8)
Clutch Player (Book 9)
A Tempting Friendship (Book 10)
Clover Park Bride: Nico and Lily’s Wedding
A Valentine’s Day Gift (Book 11)
Maggie Meets Her Match (Book 12)

CLOVER PARK CHARMERS
Almost Over It (Book 1)
Almost Married (Book 2)
Almost Fate (Book 3)
Almost in Love (Book 4)
Almost Romance (Book 5)
Almost Hitched (Book 6)

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBook today (2/23/2021)!🎁

[Isha Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a fine line between fantastically, funny and realistically, wise. Gilmore walks it like a pro. She steals the heart right out of your chest, then gives it back for safe keeping. I've fallen hard for those unpredictable, irresistibly addictive royals. The Rourkes know how to keep it cute, while losing control. There's always room on my shelf for Kylie Gilmore.


Royal Catch uses humor and heart to tackle sexism in an insightful, delightful and always entertaining way. Gabriel and Anna blend over the top fantasy with modern fairytale and witty dialogue, to create irresistible romance. Gilmore proves how talented she really is by uses laughter to deliver a powerful message.


Ruby and Phillip are delicious together. The chemistry is off the charts. Their banter is a cross between foreplay and frustration. Kylie Gilmore lays her cards all on the table and walks away with the winning hand. Royal Hottie is a sexy, sassy, tasty ball of fire. Fun, flirty and fabulous.


Royal Darling gives readers a chance to follow a runaway bride into the arms of her bad boy prince. Emma and Jackson are worlds apart when it comes to life experience, but when it comes to matters of the heart, fate has a few plans of it's own.

Merged review:

There's a fine line between fantastically, funny and realistically, wise. Gilmore walks it like a pro. She steals the heart right out of your chest, then gives it back for safe keeping. I've fallen hard for those unpredictable, irresistibly addictive royals. The Rourkes know how to keep it cute, while losing control. There's always room on my shelf for Kylie Gilmore.

[Birgit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three books in one boxed set. I just about liked this, because I liked the plots as such, and the protagonists - although the latter fulfilled close to every stereotype there ever was about royalty and how they would behave, some of that very outdated and farfetched. What I did not like overly much was this hit-over-the-head trying to be funny - I know this is only my personal taste, but that was too forced for me, although I did get used to it after a while.
On the whole, yes, I did enjoy the stories, they passed the time, but not more for me.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This boxed set is the first three books of The Rourkes series. Each could be a standalone book, but the intertwined stories cover the oldest two boys and the oldest girl if Villroy's seven Prince and Princesses.

The first is how the Crown Prince meets and falls in love with an American, while thinking she is a princess.

The second is the "Hottie Prince" who is sexing his way through Europe after a bad and very public break up. He meets an interior designer at the castle and mistakes her for someone else. His error lands him in trouble and he needs to find a way to make it up to her.

The third, is the fifth born, but oldest girl, of the family. She flees an arranged marriage and falls into the arms of a rocker looking to find his music again after a tragedy.

[Janejellyroll · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a three-book set. Rated individually, I would say that the first book was 2 stars and the next two were each 3 stars. Gilmore is a writer with a good flow - for the most part the dialogue rings true to how people would actually talk, the pacing is good, etc.

In the first book an American hairdresser impersonates a princess to participate in a contest to determine who will marry the crown prince of Vilroy, a fictional island kingdom close to France. The contest is a mixture of the "Bachelorette" and "Survivor."

The elements of improbability in the first book are very high - the contest is pretty ridiculous, the events that allow the hairdresser to learn about the contest are far-fetched, and the way the princesses act during the competition is beyond comprehension (they regularly assault each other, sometimes quite seriously). One of the themes of the first two books is that "women act terribly around attractive men" -- which may be true, but is pushed beyond the point of believability into something that more closely resembles misogyny. The idea is that the FMCs of the first two books are the only kind, sane, non-violent women around and it just got old.

In the third book, Gilmore decides to drop the "women are crazy" angle and it was a much more enjoyable reading experience.

[Jennifer Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Royal Must Read!

This book was so amazing I never wanted it to end and now will be buying the rest of the books in this series. Needless to say I'm hooked and can't get enough of these steamy hot royals. The books are so well written and flow seamlessly, Kylie Gilmore does a truly wonderful job of writing books that keep you wanting more. I'm hooked and if you are looking for a steamy read with all the things that make for a good romance this series is a definite must read!!!

[Patti Dinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it !

So, these stories are about 2 brothers and a sister, all falling in love with an American. Since they are across a river from France, this was no easy feat to do.
The story lines are original on all 3 stories and don’t start a book late because you will not stop reading until you have finished the book.
The author did a great job.

[Gina Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

You have to read this series. It won’t disappoint. I have read almost every series Kylies has written and I have enjoyed them all. She gives you insight, laughter and of course love. You will enjoy all the ups and downs and maybe relate to a thing or two. I highly recommend starting to follow Kylie.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Fall

In love the non royal way. Each of these couples have found love with such different people. First Gabriel & Anna, they met because she was trying to help a friend. Phillip and Ruby when she came to finish off the interior design for the spa for Anna. And Emma & Jackson when she ran from an arranged marriage.

[Cali Jewel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all three of these sexy and fun adventures filled with exciting charters, witty banter, heart racing twists and emotionally thrilling turns. Really love this series and these three are a great deal in one box set.

[Tammy Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

I was hooked from the first book in this series. I have now finished the first three books and I will be reading the entire series. Strong characters and not just the men but the women also. A great read.

[Sandra Casile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic series

I loved all three books. The prince to become king and falls for a commoner, the second prince fell hard the same way and their sister falls for a rock star after she runs away from her wedding.

[Smhlavelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Overall I really liked the stories. There was a good balance of romance and action and character development. I definitely struggled with Anna and Gabriel's story, but by the end I got into it and I did really enjoy books two and three. Not sure if I'll continue the series.

[Shirlgig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a 3 book set, Royal Catch, Royal Hottie, and Royal Darling. The first 2 were about the Roarke brothers and the last was about their sister, Emma.

They were all good books, but Emma was the big surprise to me. She was so feisty and really loved her rocker guy. Love Kylie's writing.

[Cheryl Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great family! I couldn't stop reading!!! Read about the Rourkes if you want to enjoy a story!!!!

[Karri Henley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa!!

The first 3 books in this series! Wow! I was throughly entertained! I enjoyed getting to know each and loved seeing each character in the other books!

[Peni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please see individual stories for review.

[Pat Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rourkes

The books were fun reading and Light reading. Not too based in reality but with likeable characters. Enjoyed the read.

[April Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such hot Royalty

Just loved this set of 3 to start my journey on the Rourke collection. Such well written books with just the perfect amount of hotness and life challenges.

[Mary Jane McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I'm really enjoying this series and getting to know the Rourke's. I've enjoyed each story and all the characters and can't wait to read the rest of the books.

[Sandra R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great job

[Karen Scotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming and quick read

A charming and quick read. It has great character development. All three stories support the other making the story lines better. I recommend these highly

[Angelique · Rating 5 out of 5]

These first three of the Rourke Royal series are fantastic! I love how Kylie Gilmore intertwines the stories of these six characters over 3 books. I also appreciated how each book tried to upset the established norms in the world of the books. These twist and turns kept everything interesting and left you wondering exactly how the characters would find their happily ever after. I highly recommend!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Royal Catch...This novel starts off with Anna, a wild and rowdy visitor, mistakenly thinking Prince Gabriel was the butler! The shenanigans only get better from there. Prince Gabriel is in need of a wife before taking his place as the next King of Villroy. His father, the current King, is dying of cancer. In order to please his father and his mother, Gabriel goes along with their “Survivor-type” contest in hopes of finding a wife. The contests, although rigged for the most part, were HILARIOUS! Those princesses are mean! Anyway, Gabriel finds himself drawn to the one girl who doesn’t seem to know anything about royal protocol, is outspoken, but also kind. As the competition comes to a close, Gabriel realizes he can’t live without Anna, a commoner. Can royal protocol be broken for true happiness?

Royal Hottie...When Gabriel turns to his brother Phillip to take his place as the future King in Royal Catch, Phillip realizes he needs to get serious about his life. He’s always been the “player, hottie”, but realizes that’s not who he wants to be anymore. He wants something more fulfilling. When he mistakenly thinks a visitor has sneaked into the castle in order to win a date with him, he acts rudely. Ruby, an interior designer, is at the castle as a guest. Ruby was hired to help Queen Anna transform a suite in the castle into a “royal experience”. When he realizes his mistake, he apologizes and offers to help Ruby. The more time they spend together, the more Phillip is drawn to Ruby. But he says some inconsiderate things that hurt Ruby’s feelings. She flees back to the states, leaving heartache in her wake. Phillip has a lot of groveling to do to win Ruby’s heart ❤️.

Royal Darling...Princess Emma is the only sibling, besides Gabriel, who agreed to an arranged marriage. She was engaged at 16 and promised to wed at 25. But on her wedding day, she ran. Uptight Emma decided she needed to experience life, loosen up and find herself. She runs and finds an unoccupied boat to hide on. When the owner, rock star Jackson Walker, returns to find a stowaway...he’s not pleased! They’ve met before and didn’t really like each other. He tries numerous times to kick Emma off the boat, but is unsuccessful. He doesn’t need or want any more negative press, but it’s exactly what happens. Emma’s brother whisks them away to a secluded cabin until things blow over. But spending time helping the princess loosen up and “find” herself, brings back his musical muse. They're like oil and water, but also a perfect match. When their month long reprieve comes to an end, will it mean the end for them as well? PS...I loved the Cocoa Puffs scene!

If you’ve never read a Kylie Gilmore novel, you’re truly missing out! These stories are interconnected, but can be read as stand-alone novels. They’re well- written; have great, well rounded characters; are heartfelt, and funny. While they delve into the history of Villroy, they aren’t historical fiction. I hadn’t started this series, but found the first three novels are EXCELLENT! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Love Kylie Gilmore new series of the Rourkes. The Royal Catch is an humorous entertaining story of the King and Queen of Villroy inviting princesses to castle to have them participate in a contest similar to Survivors and the Bachelor. They invite them to the castle under the guise of the princesses receiving a small inheritance but they are looking to find a royal wife for their son the heir to the throne, Prince Gabriel. Anna, a beautician from Tampa is pretending to be her cousin Princess Polly to claim Polly’s “inheritance”. Unbeknown to the Princess, Prince Gabriel will be their inheritance for the winner. The princess games were creative and funny.
I loved that Phillip was billed as Prince Hottie especially for the bachelor auction and his push back when he meets Ruby and mistakes her as one of the women who would be bidding on him. Ruby, a fan hottie girl and interior decorator hired by the Queen finds the Prince rude and arrogant. Ruby gets to know Phillip through his help with the interior decorating of rooms in the castle and finds Phillip has more depth then what was reported in the news. Loved the relationship between Phillip and Ruby when he feels that everything should go his way and Ruby pushes back because what she does is just as important to her.
Royal Darling is the perfect name for Princess Emma story in the Rourke series by Kylie Gilmore. Emma is a Royal Darling perfectly molded in the image of her mother and engaged since 16 to a prince from another kingdom to marry after her 25 birthday. On her wedding day she was given the chance to runaway and she stows away on a boat of bad boy rocker Jackson Walker. Emma’s story was my favorite! l loved how Emma is finding her voice and her own personality with the support of Jackson. Family and duty play an important part in Emma life plus her over protective brothers. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series of the Rourke of Prince Lucas. This series is one not to miss reading!

[Quinn Fforde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Rourke family! This is a great introduction to their world.

Anna is my favorite character. She blows in and turns everything upside down, and it is absolutely hilarious! She is the perfect match for Gabriel. They have the same core values, but Anna has a spark that nothing can put out. Gabriel needs her fun and zest. They have chemistry from the first moment she walks into the palace. They know they can't be together, but they can't stay away. I loved that!

Phillip has been doing a great imitation of the classic international playboy prince, but now he wants more. I really enjoyed the glimpses into his efforts to make the world a better place. Ruby is terrific. She is in a tough place in life and doesn't have as many choices as Phillip has. I thought she was gutsy and smart. She is definitely the kind of friend I would like to have. Ruby sees the real Phillip and doesn't back down when things get tough.

This was a lot like Sleeping Beauty in a modern context. Emma has been sleepwalking through her life, and it is time to wake up. She wants to reinvent herself, and she thinks Jackson Walker is the perfect person to help her. The problem is that Jackson needs some reinventing himself. He is struggling after the loss of his bandmate, and he isn't sure exactly who he wants to be now. They will help one another define a new life, and we get to read about it.

[Janeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Royal Catch
We get a glimpse of the Rourkes in the last two books of The Happy Endings Book Club series. Gabriel & Anna are drawn to each other from the very first meeting but they both have goals they are working towards that don’t really match up.

The Survivor meets The Bachelor competition to find a bride is a hoot from the beginning.

Royal Hottie
The series just gets better!

Prince Phillip is the 1st member of the royal Rourke family that we met back in Josh & Hailey's story (Happy Endings Book Club #10). Even then, he could pour on the charm, living up to his "Royal Hottie" title!

But when he meets Ruby, she is immune to his charm and makes sure he knows it!

As they spend time together working on Anna's project in the palace, they become friends, and eventually more, as their chemistry is off the charts. But things get a little messy when Phillip puts down Ruby's work as a designer as "fluff".

It will take some time, and some groveling, but Phillip finally realizes that love comes first; everything else is secondary.

Royal Darling
Emma & Jackson meet totally by accident and honestly don't really like each other in the beginning. But there is a draw that they both feel and eventually the pull is just too strong.

A great story about self discovery and finding the things and the people that make you your best self.

[Maria Cecília · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spare some time to read this series as you won’t want to put it down! These are amazing, funny, romantic, steamy love stories. The best royal series I’ve read. The plot is very creative, full of layers and carry a depth that make these stories convincing and very very romantic. It´s easy to empathize with Kylie´s characters, even when they are royals that live on an idilic small little island in the Mediterranean sea. Each character has its own unique personality that makes them realistic, serious, funny, but all very loyal and capable of deep loving.The books make us feel all the rollercoaster of emotions and hope for the HEA. I´m sure you won´t stop on this first collection!

Merged review:

Spare some time to read this series as you won’t want to put it down! These are amazing, funny, romantic, steamy love stories. The best royal series I’ve read. The plot is very creative, full of layers and carry a depth that make these stories convincing and very very romantic. It´s easy to empathize with Kylie´s characters, even when they are royals that live on an idilic small little island in the Mediterranean sea. Each character has its own unique personality that makes them realistic, serious, funny, but all very loyal and capable of deep loving.The books make us feel all the rollercoaster of emotions and hope for the HEA. I´m sure you won´t stop on this first collection!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rourkes Boxed Set Books 1-3 includes the first three books in the The Rourkes series. In Royal Catch, Prince Gabriel is in need of a wife before he takes over as king. He is not happy when his parents invite royals from from other countries to participate in a competition where the winner becomes his wife. However, neither Gabriel or his parents are ready for American Anna, who is impersonating a friend who needs help, and all the craziness that follows.

The Royal Hottie book focuses on Prince Phillip who is known around the world as the playboy prince. However, after seeing his brother get married, he is thinking about settling down and taking a more serious role in trying to revitalize Villroy. So how does he end up getting roped into participating in a bachelor auction and how can he get Ruby to bid on him?

The Royal Darling is about Princess Emma who as a runaway bride ends up stowing away on a boat owned by rock star Jackson Walker. After ditching her arranged marriage, Emma wants to break away from her royal duties and shed her 'good girl' image. Jackson is suffering after a loss. As they try to find themselves, will they also find love?

This is a great series. I have read all of the books and really enjoyed them. I definitely recommend the books.

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Royal Catch
Gabriel, heir to the throne, does everything expected of him, even being the judge to a princess event with him as the prize. Anna takes Polly's place in the event at her desperate need of assistance. Gabriel has hidden depths, not even his family sees. Hilarious read with terrifying princesses.

Royal Hottie
I was glad Phillip was more than the playboy, even though he continued to act like one. Ruby is independent but falls apart dramatically after a relationship ends. I wish Philip's groveling included actual groveling, it was glossed over quickly.

Royal Darling
Emma and Jackson are both at a crossroads. Emma has finally broken from her perfect princess pedestal, and Jackson lost his music from the stress of the loss of his friend. At first meet, they are too first to work as a couple. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.