What do you think?
Rate this book
Birth Order
"Miller’s engaging debut takes readers on a turbulent ride of secrets and betrayal set against a backdrop of royal intrigue. Readers who enjoy royal intrigue with a sprinkling of lasciviousness will soak up this thriller.” —BookLife"
Modernity and tradition clash in this conspiracy tale about the British monarchy.” — Kirkus Reviews
A gripping modern tale about an ancient tradition.
Dr. Angela Francis has an exclusive London OB-GYN practice whose star patient is longtime friend, Clementine Princess of Wales. They are thrilled once Clementine discovers she is pregnant, and even more so because she’s having twins — a boy and a girl, with the girl positioned to deliver first, making her the heir to the British throne.But when Clementine goes into labor in Angela’s absence, the delivery is handled by her partner, Dr. Nigel Godwin, who performs a cesarean section — and the outcome is far from what either Angela or Clementine expected.Angela is determined to unravel the mystery behind the delivery and is desperate for clues. Can she put aside her own self-doubt to soothe the anguish of a trusted nurse, look beyond the sordid secrets that Nigel has kept from her and dodge the wall of dangerous obstacles placed by the Privy Council for the Preservation of the Monarchy in order to find the truth? Fast-paced and edgy, BIRTH ORDER is a glimpse behind the royal curtain that suggests there is more to every story than what you read in tabloid headlines.
Power. Privilege. Paparazzi. Pregnancy. Princess.
Modernity and tradition clash in this conspiracy tale about the British monarchy.” — Kirkus Reviews
A gripping modern tale about an ancient tradition.
Dr. Angela Francis has an exclusive London OB-GYN practice whose star patient is longtime friend, Clementine Princess of Wales. They are thrilled once Clementine discovers she is pregnant, and even more so because she’s having twins — a boy and a girl, with the girl positioned to deliver first, making her the heir to the British throne.But when Clementine goes into labor in Angela’s absence, the delivery is handled by her partner, Dr. Nigel Godwin, who performs a cesarean section — and the outcome is far from what either Angela or Clementine expected.Angela is determined to unravel the mystery behind the delivery and is desperate for clues. Can she put aside her own self-doubt to soothe the anguish of a trusted nurse, look beyond the sordid secrets that Nigel has kept from her and dodge the wall of dangerous obstacles placed by the Privy Council for the Preservation of the Monarchy in order to find the truth? Fast-paced and edgy, BIRTH ORDER is a glimpse behind the royal curtain that suggests there is more to every story than what you read in tabloid headlines.
Power. Privilege. Paparazzi. Pregnancy. Princess.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2021
12 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 12, 2021
This was an easy read about the British monarch in the birth order of twins. A girl and a boy. And the ramifications A lot of twist and turns and a little bit of misdirection.
May 1, 2021
This is an easy read with lots of twists & turns, if your a royalist you will enjoy this story. The story is well set out and I enjoyed all the references to traditional hierarchy within the royal family. Good characters with a wide range of human traits (both good & bad)!! Loved the way the author included references to the struggles experienced by veterans and the impact on their loved ones.
Only bits I didn’t like was - no explanation how Graham just showed up at the right time to save Angela. And the bit where Angela overhears the Prince & Clive - not sure why that was included as I felt it just left more questions than answers.
Otherwise great story that kept me interested throughout. No dull, long winded or repetitive bits.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Only bits I didn’t like was - no explanation how Graham just showed up at the right time to save Angela. And the bit where Angela overhears the Prince & Clive - not sure why that was included as I felt it just left more questions than answers.
Otherwise great story that kept me interested throughout. No dull, long winded or repetitive bits.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
June 6, 2021
Book Sirens gave me the opportunity to read an ARC of “Birth Order” by Audrey Miller, in return for an honest review.
If you’re into the Crown and Royalty, this book is one you should definitely read. It refers to how some people still think males have prevalence over females, especially where it concerns being the heir to the throne. They would prefer the Salic Law (“But of Salic land no portion of the inheritance shall come to a woman: but the whole inheritance of the land shall come to the male sex”) i.e. the feudal rule by which the whole real estate of an intestate passes to the eldest son, rather than let the firstborn child be the one to inherit, whether it be son or daughter. This law was changed in The United Kingdom in 2013, when Queen Elizabeth II issued a new law that regardless of sex the first born child will succeed to the Crown. However, some countries still know Salic Law, Monaco being one of them.
In this book the Prince and Princess of Wales are expecting twins, one male and one female. It is expected by the position of the children that the girl will come out first, therefore being the heir to the throne. The forces behind the Crown want to insure that the male twin is delivered first and the female second.
This was a well thought-out story of people who will stop at nothing to ensure male succession and the consequences thereof.
Well worth four stars.
If you’re into the Crown and Royalty, this book is one you should definitely read. It refers to how some people still think males have prevalence over females, especially where it concerns being the heir to the throne. They would prefer the Salic Law (“But of Salic land no portion of the inheritance shall come to a woman: but the whole inheritance of the land shall come to the male sex”) i.e. the feudal rule by which the whole real estate of an intestate passes to the eldest son, rather than let the firstborn child be the one to inherit, whether it be son or daughter. This law was changed in The United Kingdom in 2013, when Queen Elizabeth II issued a new law that regardless of sex the first born child will succeed to the Crown. However, some countries still know Salic Law, Monaco being one of them.
In this book the Prince and Princess of Wales are expecting twins, one male and one female. It is expected by the position of the children that the girl will come out first, therefore being the heir to the throne. The forces behind the Crown want to insure that the male twin is delivered first and the female second.
This was a well thought-out story of people who will stop at nothing to ensure male succession and the consequences thereof.
Well worth four stars.
July 5, 2021
I got Birth Order by Audrey Miller, from BookSirens for a fair and honest review.
Birth Order is set in a fictional British Royal Family, were the Monarch has changed the rule that a the first born baby of the monarch will be heir to the throne no matter it is a boy or a girl.
Birth order does this by having a situation were the first children to be affected by this new law are twins, a male and a female. In addition to this the child which will be born first is the girl.
However, on the Day that the Princess goes into labour early, her obstetrician, is in America, finalising her divorce. Which means the babies are born by caesarean section with the male child born first. This procedure leaves the mother in danger and her original obstetrician trying to work out what happened.
Birth Order is one of those novels, which if you judged it on its literary merit, it would do very poorly, however, this is one of the books that will be an enjoyable to read on an aeroplane going on holiday or on the beach when you get there.
With just enough characterisation even with the lead roles, to allow the story to move on at a brisk pace. With plenty of set ups in the book some more believable than others, that have varying degrees of danger or tension.
So in conclusion if you want to read a light enjoyable read that will take allow you to relax then Birth Order by Audery Miller is the book for you.
Birth Order is set in a fictional British Royal Family, were the Monarch has changed the rule that a the first born baby of the monarch will be heir to the throne no matter it is a boy or a girl.
Birth order does this by having a situation were the first children to be affected by this new law are twins, a male and a female. In addition to this the child which will be born first is the girl.
However, on the Day that the Princess goes into labour early, her obstetrician, is in America, finalising her divorce. Which means the babies are born by caesarean section with the male child born first. This procedure leaves the mother in danger and her original obstetrician trying to work out what happened.
Birth Order is one of those novels, which if you judged it on its literary merit, it would do very poorly, however, this is one of the books that will be an enjoyable to read on an aeroplane going on holiday or on the beach when you get there.
With just enough characterisation even with the lead roles, to allow the story to move on at a brisk pace. With plenty of set ups in the book some more believable than others, that have varying degrees of danger or tension.
So in conclusion if you want to read a light enjoyable read that will take allow you to relax then Birth Order by Audery Miller is the book for you.
May 21, 2021
In Audrey Miller’s Birth Order, an OBGYN misses the delivery of her most important client. When she returns, she realizes that there were some discrepancies with the delivery that did not make sense. What she finds is a conspiracy of royal proportions.
This novel could have been much more sinister. The whole premise of the book is that the princess is supposed to have a set of twins, a boy and a girl, and the girl was supposed to be born first, but the doctor who did the delivery takes the boy out first. This of course has grave consequences, but the why of it does not have the gravitas that it should have.
I like that the main character was black, and it ultimately did work into the plot, but she really could have been anyone that wasn’t a member of the nobility. That being said, homegirl really was in over her head and I don’t think that this was really made clear to her until the end.
There’s also a ton of flashbacks, but the author doesn’t give a lot of warning. They are quite necessary, but the transitions aren’t super clear. You think you’re moving to a new day and you’re suddenly three weeks back. I just was not for it.
I’d recommend this to anyone who likes conspiracies and books about royals. And British dramas. This is definitely for the British Dramas crowd.
This novel could have been much more sinister. The whole premise of the book is that the princess is supposed to have a set of twins, a boy and a girl, and the girl was supposed to be born first, but the doctor who did the delivery takes the boy out first. This of course has grave consequences, but the why of it does not have the gravitas that it should have.
I like that the main character was black, and it ultimately did work into the plot, but she really could have been anyone that wasn’t a member of the nobility. That being said, homegirl really was in over her head and I don’t think that this was really made clear to her until the end.
There’s also a ton of flashbacks, but the author doesn’t give a lot of warning. They are quite necessary, but the transitions aren’t super clear. You think you’re moving to a new day and you’re suddenly three weeks back. I just was not for it.
I’d recommend this to anyone who likes conspiracies and books about royals. And British dramas. This is definitely for the British Dramas crowd.
June 3, 2021
Primogeniture - NOUN
the state of being the firstborn child.
the right of succession belonging to the firstborn child, especially the feudal rule by which the whole real estate of an intestate passed to the eldest son.
We are aware that royal families in the past have been raised based on the importance of male heirs. In 2013 Queen Elizabeth II issued a new law that regardless of sex the first born child will succeed to the Crown.
Now we have a story of the Prince and Princess of Wales expecting their first child. Only to discover it will be twins, a first in the Royal Family since King James of Scotland. The forces behind the Crown are at work to insure the male twin is to be delivered first and the female is born second. But what happens when Baby A is the girl and Baby B is the boy.
This was a fascinating story of what if's and the people who will stop at nothing to keep things the way they have always been.
I received an advance copy from Book Sirens for an unbiased review.
the state of being the firstborn child.
the right of succession belonging to the firstborn child, especially the feudal rule by which the whole real estate of an intestate passed to the eldest son.
We are aware that royal families in the past have been raised based on the importance of male heirs. In 2013 Queen Elizabeth II issued a new law that regardless of sex the first born child will succeed to the Crown.
Now we have a story of the Prince and Princess of Wales expecting their first child. Only to discover it will be twins, a first in the Royal Family since King James of Scotland. The forces behind the Crown are at work to insure the male twin is to be delivered first and the female is born second. But what happens when Baby A is the girl and Baby B is the boy.
This was a fascinating story of what if's and the people who will stop at nothing to keep things the way they have always been.
I received an advance copy from Book Sirens for an unbiased review.
September 1, 2021
Birth Order
The plot is something out of a fairy tale - the princess gives birth to twins (an heir and a spare). An evil Earl arranges the birth order of the C-Section born twins with the OB-GYN, thus ensuring his preference for heir of the Crown.
The cast of characters all bear a slight resemblance to England's Royal Family, but shuffled together a bit. It was fun tying quirky traits to their real life-inspired Royals!
While the plot of this novel was engrossing and held HUGE potential, it was cut short by severely underdeveloped characters and unbelievable ethical decisions made by the protagonist- a doctor who completely ignores her Hippocratic Oath to play amateur detective.
Audrey Miller has real writing skills. I hope her next novel takes it up a level and really develops important characters. I feel like I JUST barely missed out on an incredible reading experience.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The plot is something out of a fairy tale - the princess gives birth to twins (an heir and a spare). An evil Earl arranges the birth order of the C-Section born twins with the OB-GYN, thus ensuring his preference for heir of the Crown.
The cast of characters all bear a slight resemblance to England's Royal Family, but shuffled together a bit. It was fun tying quirky traits to their real life-inspired Royals!
While the plot of this novel was engrossing and held HUGE potential, it was cut short by severely underdeveloped characters and unbelievable ethical decisions made by the protagonist- a doctor who completely ignores her Hippocratic Oath to play amateur detective.
Audrey Miller has real writing skills. I hope her next novel takes it up a level and really develops important characters. I feel like I JUST barely missed out on an incredible reading experience.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 14, 2021
Birth Right was an entertaining book about royal twins and the espionage surrounding their birth. The book held my interest but it seemed circuitous and hard to follow at times. While it didn't affect the outcome of the story terribly, I wished that several characters, particularly Graham, had been explored a bit more. The ending seemed a bit rushed, seemingly stitched together quickly to tie the book up when several more chapters could have been added.
A good beach read
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A good beach read
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 9, 2023
This started out as a fun piece of fiction. I could see the plot unwinding itself and thought I’d picked a winner. However, the author felt it necessary to spice up the plot with storylines and scenarios which crossed the line to obscene. Thank goodness for Kindle which allowed me to scroll page after page until we stepped out of the swamp and back to interesting. Horribly disappointing. The graphic scenes added nothing to the story and in the end, the author reverts back to biblical scripture. A messy irony.
June 8, 2021
I enjoyed most of this book. I love all things Royal and will admit that's why I picked this one up. The story is solid and engaging with well-developed characters.
What did not work for me and thus my 3-star rating was the sex scenes. I've rarely heard sex described in this way. I read this book alone yet found myself blushing.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What did not work for me and thus my 3-star rating was the sex scenes. I've rarely heard sex described in this way. I read this book alone yet found myself blushing.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 30, 2022
Fans of modern monarchies will like this drama-thriller. For the first time, England is possibly looking into it's first born Queen, thanks to a law that states the first child regardless of gender will become Queen or King someday. The Princess is pleasantly surprised to find out she's pregnant with boy/girl twins. Who will be born first? Blackmail, murder and greed all play a part into who will eventually reign someday.
Read
June 13, 2021What a page turner Birth Order was for me. The suspense was intriguing and kept me focused on who, what and why. Truly looking forward to more stories by this author, Audrey Miller. Will recommend it to my reading buddies who are always on the hunt fir a good story. Makes you wonder if this has ever happened before.
May 20, 2021
Solid book with a good story. It was slow in a few spots but nothing horrible. It was a straight forward story and plot line. Nothing hard to figure out or remember.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 20, 2021
Very interesting spin on the complications a royal birth can create. The monarchy truly is an institution and they will do whatever necessary to protect that institution.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews