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Unexpectedly Royal #1
Royally Seduced
***Author Note*** This book was a part of the Royal Court Anthology. The ending has been extended but there are no significant changes to the storyline.
Ghislaine Lavolier is just an accountant living a simple life, which is why she is surprised to find an unexpected package on her desk one day – a package with a mask, dress and an invitation to a distinguished soiree. At first, she is hesitant to accept the invitation, but figuring she has nothing to lose, she goes, only to find herself swept off her feet by a flamboyant prince into a world of extravagance and bliss beyond her wildest dreams.
Until she finds out who he is…
With one glimpse, everything Philippe Arnaud has ever known in his long life is irrevocably changed. Humans and shifters don’t mix. Yet, his bear isn’t listening. Ghislaine is his mate. He feels it in his blood, in his soul—but convincing her is another matter. She finds him obnoxious and annoying, but he knows a woman’s interest when he smells it.
And Ghislaine smells like one word: mine.
Ghislaine Lavolier is just an accountant living a simple life, which is why she is surprised to find an unexpected package on her desk one day – a package with a mask, dress and an invitation to a distinguished soiree. At first, she is hesitant to accept the invitation, but figuring she has nothing to lose, she goes, only to find herself swept off her feet by a flamboyant prince into a world of extravagance and bliss beyond her wildest dreams.
Until she finds out who he is…
With one glimpse, everything Philippe Arnaud has ever known in his long life is irrevocably changed. Humans and shifters don’t mix. Yet, his bear isn’t listening. Ghislaine is his mate. He feels it in his blood, in his soul—but convincing her is another matter. She finds him obnoxious and annoying, but he knows a woman’s interest when he smells it.
And Ghislaine smells like one word: mine.
- GenresShapeshifters
147 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2021
20 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Morris
130 books212 followersStephanie Morris is the author of interracial/multicultural romance.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 23, 2022
Short novella. There isn't a table of contents, although there are 24 chapters. That was a minor annoyance.
Another minor annoyance was the editing. For the most part it was ok but there were a few instances of missing or incorrect punctuation , wrong verb tense or wrong word used. "The sound the escaped her mother", for example, instead of "that". Another example: "the unprovoked attacked" instead of "attack".
Can't understand why the five-star reviews are waxing lyrical about how captivating the story is and how well-developed the characters are. That's laughable. The story is decent but has little depth or emotion. It didn't draw me in, nor did it make me me feel how much Philippe and Ghislaine love each other. You know that punch in your gut that you get when you read a romance and when the characters are hurting, you hurt right along with them? This book was unable to pull me along for that ride.
I like fated mates stories a lot. I like that there's generally little angst or push-and-pull between the main characters, because biology pushes them together and the pull to each other is irresistible. But Philippe was much too civilised and controlled for a shifter. For the first half of the book, if the author hadn't told me he was a shifter, I wouldn't have known it because there was absolutely nothing to indicate it. With shifters, you gotta sense that the civilised veneer is just that: a mask that hides the beast beneath the surface. Plus, they also usually have greater physical strength, better sense of smell, etc which didn't come into play at all in this story. Literally nothing in Philippe's demeanour or characteristics suggested anything bear-like.
As for Ghislaine, we know little about her except that she's an accountant and her mother is her secretary. She feels like a two-dimensional character that only exists to be Philippe's mate and to have sex with him. All their conversations where they get to know each other do not occur on the page. We only ever get to see them connect sexually. Ghislaine has reservations about dating a prince but agrees because she's physically attracted to him. And I never sensed that the physical attraction grew into anything more. Where is the gentle teasing, the banter, sharing of personal stories and personal history? Moments of vulnerability and giving and receiving comfort?
I think I was frustrated because this story could be so much more. It came so close but didn't quite get there. The way the climax was handled was frustrating, too. It seemed out of character for Ghislaine to react that way when she had faced everything else head-on. And the epilogue was too neat because all the while the queen has been depicted as this cold-hearted b*tch, why would she suddenly care? I felt like the author wanted the story to move in a certain direction, so she forced the characters to act in ways that didn't fit their personalities.
Having said all this, Philippe is great as a mate and is steadfast in pursuing and standing by Ghislaine. She likewise supports him as much as she is able or as much as she knows how. Her reaction to finding out that he's a shifter was believable and made sense. I liked the supporting characters and wish we could have seen both Philippe and Ghislaine interact with them more as a couple (why do Philippe's friends only come around when she's not there?).
The sex was repetitive for me and most of the time, did not advance the plot. There were a lot of sex scenes but they felt emotionless, like sex for sex's sake.
Another minor annoyance was the editing. For the most part it was ok but there were a few instances of missing or incorrect punctuation , wrong verb tense or wrong word used. "The sound the escaped her mother", for example, instead of "that". Another example: "the unprovoked attacked" instead of "attack".
Can't understand why the five-star reviews are waxing lyrical about how captivating the story is and how well-developed the characters are. That's laughable. The story is decent but has little depth or emotion. It didn't draw me in, nor did it make me me feel how much Philippe and Ghislaine love each other. You know that punch in your gut that you get when you read a romance and when the characters are hurting, you hurt right along with them? This book was unable to pull me along for that ride.
I like fated mates stories a lot. I like that there's generally little angst or push-and-pull between the main characters, because biology pushes them together and the pull to each other is irresistible. But Philippe was much too civilised and controlled for a shifter. For the first half of the book, if the author hadn't told me he was a shifter, I wouldn't have known it because there was absolutely nothing to indicate it. With shifters, you gotta sense that the civilised veneer is just that: a mask that hides the beast beneath the surface. Plus, they also usually have greater physical strength, better sense of smell, etc which didn't come into play at all in this story. Literally nothing in Philippe's demeanour or characteristics suggested anything bear-like.
As for Ghislaine, we know little about her except that she's an accountant and her mother is her secretary. She feels like a two-dimensional character that only exists to be Philippe's mate and to have sex with him. All their conversations where they get to know each other do not occur on the page. We only ever get to see them connect sexually. Ghislaine has reservations about dating a prince but agrees because she's physically attracted to him. And I never sensed that the physical attraction grew into anything more. Where is the gentle teasing, the banter, sharing of personal stories and personal history? Moments of vulnerability and giving and receiving comfort?
I think I was frustrated because this story could be so much more. It came so close but didn't quite get there. The way the climax was handled was frustrating, too. It seemed out of character for Ghislaine to react that way when she had faced everything else head-on. And the epilogue was too neat because all the while the queen has been depicted as this cold-hearted b*tch, why would she suddenly care? I felt like the author wanted the story to move in a certain direction, so she forced the characters to act in ways that didn't fit their personalities.
Having said all this, Philippe is great as a mate and is steadfast in pursuing and standing by Ghislaine. She likewise supports him as much as she is able or as much as she knows how. Her reaction to finding out that he's a shifter was believable and made sense. I liked the supporting characters and wish we could have seen both Philippe and Ghislaine interact with them more as a couple (why do Philippe's friends only come around when she's not there?).
The sex was repetitive for me and most of the time, did not advance the plot. There were a lot of sex scenes but they felt emotionless, like sex for sex's sake.
September 22, 2021
Absolutely Fantastic
WOW this just what I expected I really enjoyed this book it's the best, the characters are so captivating I actually found this story exciting right from the start the sass and friction is great. I enjoyed the fact they had so passion for each other, and how the chemistry between the two is realistic. I was captivated all the way through, but OMG the ending had me excited to read the next book in the series that I am wanting to fast forward to where I have binge read all three which I intend starting now.
WOW this just what I expected I really enjoyed this book it's the best, the characters are so captivating I actually found this story exciting right from the start the sass and friction is great. I enjoyed the fact they had so passion for each other, and how the chemistry between the two is realistic. I was captivated all the way through, but OMG the ending had me excited to read the next book in the series that I am wanting to fast forward to where I have binge read all three which I intend starting now.
April 22, 2021
Like Cinderella with bear shifters? All we know is Ghislaine is an accountant. She receives a box containing an invitation to a masquerade ball and a beautiful gown. She goes and meets Philippe and he sits next to her at the dinner. He is called away and she runs from the place. Not enough to hold my interest. All my copy had was first 23 pages.
April 25, 2021
You’ll Smile While Reading This, yes that good.
Wow, I’m glad my tablet was charged up. My power went off and I picked this to read and it was a fabulous read. Philippe & Ghislaine, this a sexy and beautiful romance. I loved that he was so protective and she was willing to fight for her man. This was a great read and I’m glad I picked it.
Wow, I’m glad my tablet was charged up. My power went off and I picked this to read and it was a fabulous read. Philippe & Ghislaine, this a sexy and beautiful romance. I loved that he was so protective and she was willing to fight for her man. This was a great read and I’m glad I picked it.
June 9, 2021
Damn Stephanie
Love love love love this book. Excellent reading really enjoyed it everybody do you have the purchases best ever. I just finish this tonight and I’m getting ready to get started on book number two. The characters in this book were awesome and the meeting was great get it soon.
Love love love love this book. Excellent reading really enjoyed it everybody do you have the purchases best ever. I just finish this tonight and I’m getting ready to get started on book number two. The characters in this book were awesome and the meeting was great get it soon.
April 23, 2021
Cute story
I love bear shifters! A sweet and sexy prince is great too. It's hard not to get caught up in this story. I read it in a day. Haha.
I love bear shifters! A sweet and sexy prince is great too. It's hard not to get caught up in this story. I read it in a day. Haha.
May 25, 2021
So Good! WOW!!
Well written story and well developed characters!! I couldn't put this book down and read it in just a few hours! Loved it!
Well written story and well developed characters!! I couldn't put this book down and read it in just a few hours! Loved it!
July 3, 2021
Great Read!
I loved this shifter romance! I loved the character development in both characters and what they had to go through. Can’t wait for book 2!
I loved this shifter romance! I loved the character development in both characters and what they had to go through. Can’t wait for book 2!
November 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this story
That’s it. It was really well written, the plot, the characters…all of it. And for a story under 150 pages that says a lot.
That’s it. It was really well written, the plot, the characters…all of it. And for a story under 150 pages that says a lot.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews