In this dramatic romance from Pippa Roscoe, will she become a part of his royal world?
From Cinderella in the palace shadows… To his unexpected queen!
Lady-in-waiting Henna would do anything for the royal family that gave her a home when her own wouldn’t. So after Henna stops a marriage that would protect King Aleksander’s throne but ruin his life, she must face the Ice King’s fury!
Aleks’s coldhearted reputation isn’t a secret. His tough exterior is designed to fiercely guard against the heartbreak that once tore his world apart. But then a transformational kiss with Henna awakens him to a surprising new possibility that could save his crown… And it starts with her!
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.Read all The Royals of Svardia
Book 1: Snowbound with His Forbidden Princess Book 2: Stolen from Her Royal Wedding Book 3: Claimed to Save His Crown
Pippa Roscoe writes sexy romances for Harlequin Mills & Boon and loves every happy ending in each of her books. With a major coffee addiction and a mild not-so-secret crisp eating compulsion – she spends her days fantasising about extraordinary romances, exotic locations and true love against all odds.
After graduating with a degree and a masters from Goldsmiths University, Pippa spent four years working on the BBC medical drama Holby City. After switching industries to publishing and spending five years as an editor working with incredible colleagues and inspirational authors, she finally decided to follow her own dream of writing and swapped London for Norfolk.
In her spare time she looks longingly at the countryside which she promises to roam, if she can drag herself away from her computer for long enough. She prefers to write outside in the sunshine, but during the winter is consigned to the kitchen – the warmest room in the cottage!
She can’t remember a time when she wasn’t dreaming about gorgeous brooding alpha heroes and sympathetic innocent heroines. Totally her mother’s fault of course – she gave Pippa her first romance to read at the age of seven! Pippa is inconceivably happy that she gets to share those daydreams with you all.
This was a great way to finish off a series, I have been really looking forward to see how Aleksander finds his HEA after all that he has done to get his sisters theirs and I loved it from start to finish, although it wasn’t an easy journey for him or Henna.
Aleksander has been under a lot of pressure after taking the crown four months ago, he needs to prove to his people that he is worthy of the crown and he has done what he thought was right by his sisters and now he must find someone for his Queen who does not want an emotional connection, someone who will give him heirs only, his heart has a wall built around it and as far as he is concerned it stays in place, even if his feelings are rocked by Henna, his sister’s lady in waiting.
Henna has been a part of the royal household for many years now, firstly by becoming friends with Princess Freya when Aleksander saved her from the maze and introduced them, becoming her lady in waiting has been fabulous. But when Freya is away and Aleksander needs her help as his secretary, life is getting harder especially when he asks her to help him find a wife without love and she stands up to a King.
This is a story filled with emotion and passion, sensually beautiful as Henna pushes Aleksander in ways that no one else ever has she makes him see the truth about life and love and in turn she finds a man who knows how to love and care for his country and his family. Henna is a beautiful caring and loving heroine and deserves the love that Aleksander bestows on her so much. This is a story that I highly recommend it did leave me sighing and smiling.
My thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.
ARC provided by Booksprout and Author in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I tired connecting with the characters, it was a struggle. Also the story just wasn't very engaging.
The hero, King Aleksander rescued Henna from an unpleasant home life when she was younger. She is now lady in waiting to one of the King's sister. But Henna's life is now at another transition, everyone is marrying or looking for a future spouse. One of those is the king and he's asked for her assistance in finding his future bride.
What progresses is a connection between the two, where they open up about their past relationships and hurts. An attraction develops and things escalates to an emotional and physical relationship. It's a struggle for each to let go of the past and move forward. But each eventually works through trust and emotional healing. They get their HEA. Nice epilogue.
Unfortunately I just didn't feel there was much spark between the two, especially the first half of the book. Reading about their emotional attachments to their past relationship and how it molded them was almost to extensive, took away from their development and story. It effected my perspective for the rest of the story. I kinda lost interest and wasn't as invested.
Unfortunately this wasn't quite the romance I was hoping it would be. A disappointment.
A great ending to The Royals of Svardia series. I didn't love Henna and Aleksander's book quite as much as Marit and Lykos' story (Stolen from her Royal Wedding) but it was still a really enjoyable Cinderella-esqe read.
Great epilogue as well as it gives you full updates on all three siblings.
Looking forward to reading whatever Pippa has in store for her readers next!
ARC generously provided by the author via Booksprout in exchange for the above honest review.
I have enjoyed so many of this author’s books in the past, but I’m afraid I didn’t enjoy this or the first two in this trilogy. PR can write very well but I’ve found this series incredibly unattractive and difficult to get into. I didn’t buy into the world-building and I didn’t like the Royal family.
This must be one of the most unattractive royal families in both contemporary fiction or the real world - and their so called rigid sense of duty, regardless of the cost to themselves and others, has struck me as totally unbelievable and undesirable. So much casual cruelty, so much insensitivity - I couldn’t like it.
In this book we spend half of it looking back at the lives and dramas of the two main characters. The King, Alexsander is such a selfish, cold and rigid hero that it is hard to understand why the heroine would fall in love with him. The sex scenes didn’t really convince me of an emotional bond.
And this secret organisation - seriously? We’re now into Bourne territory and Robert Ludlum did a much better job.
I hate being so negative about such a talented writer who has given me so much pleasure in the past. I think in this instance, the royal family that she created simply lacked credibility and the behaviour and motivation of the characters became unattractive and difficult to understand.
It’s hard to justify monarchical systems of governance in 2022 but I can just about suspend disbelief in Mills and Boon’s myriad fictitious monarchies - if they’re based in a credible facsimile of reality! Sorry I’d give the writing 5 stars but the premise and plot developments brings it back to 2/3.
Claimed to Save His Crown never claims to be a fairytale. Roscoe turns a journey of heartbreak into a celebration of courage. Henna and Alek show love from every vantage point. From beautiful to broken, theirs is a poignant tale that imprints itself on the soul.
Sometimes the most trite-sounding sayings are actually what completely describe what I’m trying to convey… so I’m just going to say – She saved the best for last.
Claimed to Save His Crown concludes The Royals of Svardia trilogy, and what a gripping, emotional story it is. Aleksander has changed so much from the lighthearted boy that helped Henna escape the maze and find her own unique place in the palace, eventually as his sister, Freya’s lady-in-waiting. There is a reason that Aleksander is so closed off from emotions, but they leak through when he least expects them, especially around Henna. He believes that an emotionless marriage, an heir perhaps two will settle his kingdom for the future. He wants nothing from his future queen except her acceptability for the crown, and her ability to accept his lack of emotion toward her or their future children. And… eventually, he’s going to ask Henna to find just such a woman for him. She’ll try but without much success – for what Aleksander wants and what he, and his country, needs are two far different things.
We’ll spend some time discovering just how Aleksander became the man he is today, and that journey is heartbreaking in so many ways. We also will see how Henna has endured her own personal family issues after the death of her beloved father. They both are hurting, and each is handling that pain in different ways. In spite of his need for no emotions surrounding him, Aleksander cannot help but begin to fall for Henna in a way that makes him uncomfortable. I liked Aleksander, never really loved him, but found him to be a fascinating example of how just one choice being made for him could indeed change a man’s life completely into someone those who love him cannot recognize at all anymore.
There came that moment for a reveal, and I cannot recall being more disappointed in a character in recent memory. That cut to the quick – and no, no spoilers here. Perhaps that is why I couldn’t love the man. I adored Henna though, she’s strong, independent, and has more than a few surprises to deliver to those that believe they know her. As a couple, they simply work… but it takes a bit of work to get to that point.
In all, I believe that Claimed to Save His Crown wrapped up this trilogy very well. It’s passionate, emotional, and satisfying to watch it all come together for all of the royals of this kingdom. I enjoyed myself in this world, and if you love some tough love, a beautiful setting, a stubborn king, and an even more stubborn heroine then this one would be perfect for you. I’d recommend reading them in order if you can.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or author’s team via Booksprout. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent. I was not financially compensated for this review and no expectation of a positive review was promised.*
Pippa Roscoe ups the passion and intensity in a searingly emotional Harlequin Presents novel that hits all the right buttons: Claimed to Save His Crown.
Cast out by her own family, Henna will always be grateful for the royal family that welcomed her into their home and their hearts when hers had thrown her out onto the street. There is absolutely nothing she will not do for the people that mean the world to her, so when she puts a stop to the marriage that could have secured King Aleksander's throne but destroy everything he holds dear to his heart, Henna finds herself having to face the music - and Aleksander's wrath!
Aleks's fearsome reputation precedes him. The fearsome king has a very good reason for being tough and uncompromising and for keeping others at bay and not letting anybody in. He had once let his feelings get the better of him and lived to regret it and vowed never to make the same mistake again. He is furious with Henna for her foolish actions have cost his kingdom dear. However, his anger turns to red-hot desire when he gives into temptation and kisses Henna...
Could Henna help him save the monarchy? Will she manage to destroy the impenetrable barriers Aleks had built around his heart? Or is theirs a love that is not meant to be?
Claimed to Save His Crown is a heart-wrenching, poignant and passionate contemporary romance that continues to affirm Pippa Roscoe's standing as one of the most gifted writers writing for the Harlequin Presents line. Sexy, sensuous and powerfully written, Claimed to Save His Crown is another must-read by Pippa Roscoe.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Why did this book have to take me into some emotional turmoil? Indeed, the last series of The Royal of Svardia loaded so much angst and loss between the two characters, Aleks and Henna.
Frankly Henna had captivated me from the first series when she ordered Aleks to fix Freya and Kjell’s dilemma and Aleks acted upon it. Henna is Freya’s best friend and Lady-in-waiting but since Freya has been preoccupied with her happiness with Kjell, she has more works from Aleks which she often refuses. I hadn’t the slightest inkling that the issues Aleks has to deal with would be so complex. He has trust issue because of the heart wrecking experiences when he was so young meanwhile Freya is the real modern Cinderella with cruel sister and unloving mother.
These two broken-hearted characters wouldn’t let them to be selfish. They can’t indulge into their sexual temptation because of the fear however when Aleks has to meet a secret community to save his sister he needs a completely trusted back up and he has no other candidate but Henna.
I couldn’t stop myself from being taken into their journey finding the happiness they deserve, how they ought to sacrifice their feelings for best and it was so awful and sorrowful to have seen them enjoy their temporary temptations but, hey it’s Pippa Roscoe’s book and HEA is always guaranteed. I just loved the stories of Svardia with its unique plots and characters, the heart-warming family ties, and its satisfying and uplifting ending. Thank you, Pippa Roscoe, for this ARC which I voluntary reviewed.
I was really looking forward to this book after reading the other two in the Royals of Svardia series and Henna. This was a less dramatic story than the previous two as Alek and Henna have known each other since they were children. She has been around the palace for years as his sister Freya's P.A. and we met her in the first book. With Freya spending time with her new partner from book 1, Henna has been seconded to Alek's department. When he tasks her with the job of organising an arranged marriage for him, Henna has had enough. She's been headhunted for her organisational skills and recognising her unhealthy preoccupation with Alek, she decides to go. If only she hadn't seen the disaster in the making of his upcoming nuptuals and decided to do something about it. . If you're looking for tropes, this is the forced together one where propinquity has it's way with them. Nicely done Ms Roscoe. Alek's past is one that could happen to anyone young immature man in his situation. It was heartbreaking at the time and it was understandable that he shied away from further pain. Henna is the perfect partner for him. She understands him better than anyone and while not royal, has the knowledge to take her place in the palace. I really enjoyed seeing these two break through the protocols to find something real with each other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Henna, Princess Freya's lady in waiting and best friend enters a room in the palace where the king, Freya's brother, Aleksander and her cruel step sister Vivicca are visiting. Knowing what kind of a person Vivicca is, Henna cautions the king against taking Vivicca as his queen to be. Aleksander pries out of Henna the story justifying the her warning and dismisses Vivicca, but not before Vivicca has taken the opportunity to humiliate or attempt to humiliate Henna.
During his time in college, something happened to Aleksander that made him swear against love in all its shapes or forms.
The author has created, with careful research as well as a God given talent, a romantic adventure in the world of Royalty with its protocols, pomps and traditions that may have applied in The past but no longer have a place in our modern society. The mysteries surrounding Aleksander and Henna's pasts that are consequential to their attitude in this day and age, are approached with tact and knowledge and , as the plot progresses, this author uses her gift to virtually take the reader on a trip through a vast range of emotions that make this book a page turning, 5 Stars rated great read that I highly recommend.
CLAIMED TO SAVE HIS CROWN by author Pippa Roscoe is a Harlequin Presents series release for September 2022. King Alek is determined to find a bride for himself quickly who would be at his side to help protect his throne. But all the possible applicants did not pass muster. Henna was screening his possible brides for him. But he could not keep Henna out of his mind after a scorching hot kiss with her. What would he do now? Could he propose to her instead? Henna had a huge crush on Alek growing up. But they were adults now. And he was her king. Could the passionate kiss lead to something more permanent? And would she be even willing to go there? CLAIMED TO SAVE HIS CROWN is a fast-paced exciting romance. Author Pippa Roscoe has a spell-binding way with her writing. I could visualize the story as it unfolded on the pages. She also did a marvelous job of bringing these two characters together for their happy ever despite their emotional baggage. This is an emotional and thrilling story with royal romances and royalties as well as family warmth and relationships. Highly recommended for all readers of romance.
King Aleksander cares deeply for his people and wants them to believe he is worthy of the crown. He needs to find his Queen now, but she must accept that she will not have an emotional connection to him. All he needs is a woman to give him heirs. His heart is otherwise closed off permanently after an incident when he was young and his pregnant girlfriend killed their child. His emotions died that day. Now it is just a matter of duty for him to marry. The only other woman who ever pulled an emotion from him was Henna, his sister’s lady in waiting.
Aleksander needs Henna to find a wife for him who accepts his conditions of no love. Henna cannot allow that to happen. She refuses to let him ruin his life. Will Henna help Aleksander to see the truth and give love another chance with the right woman? He loves his country. Can he love the woman who will be his Queen? Will he see that Henna is a worthy candidate who has always loved him, even if she lacks royal bloodlines? All it might take is a heartfelt kiss…
I hated it, I absolutely cannot stand that he still planned to marry another woman (even presenting her to his kingdom as his fiancee) til almost the end of the book.
I didn't like the hero and how manipulative he was. Hero was drawn to the heroine for years and still constantly slept with other women (he watched her nightly walks for 3 years). It was brought up that he had vices (women) and how well he hid them from people knowing. He didn't go into detail with heroine but he made comments or she asked him questions about them. To his credit he didn't flaunt his casual flings in front of her.
I liked the heroine, but was disappointed that she had to be manipulated by hero (arranging the job offer) to decide to move away. She didn't come to that conclusion herself. I truly feel like she would have stayed there and watched him be with his new wife, suffering but staying because she loved the palace and all the people there. P.
*I did not at all like the addition of secret club of billionaires thing felt so unnecessary
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is book three in The Royals of Svardia series and it is Alek and Henna's story and it is definitely a must read and a great end to this series. After Alek becomes king the pressure is on for him to find a woman that will become his queen but he doesn't want any emotional connection just someone to produce a heir and Henna seems to be the best person to help him find what he needs. Henna didn't have a easy life until Alek rescued her and gave her a position in the palace but when he asks her to find him a bride he didn't know how Henna feels about him especially as he is cold, closed off and doesn't show emotions but can one kiss between them change everything well you will just have to read this book to find out. I absolutely loved this book and I couldn't put it down and had to keep turning the pages to see what would happen next as it was so addictive. I look forward to reading more book's by Pippa Roscoe in the future.
CLAIMED TO SAVE HIS CROWN is the conclusion to Pippa Roscoe’s The Royals of Svardia trilogy. The story is edgy, entertaining and simmering with raw tension. I was swept up from the onset in the drama between Henna, a lady-in-waiting and King Aleksander. The way the H makes h’s heartbeat skip with giddy desire was an utter delight to read. I swooned when Aleksander said, “No other woman will wear my ring, or my crown.” 🥹 Every minute detail in this royal trilogy keeps you hooked. There is never a dull moment between the pages and the author deserves all the praise when it comes to creating characters who march on to the page with lofty pride. Their flawed personalities give them that realistic aura. Anticipating to see what Ms. Roscoe’s genius pen wields next in the world of high-octane drama and sizzling romance!
This is the 3rd and final book in the “The Royals Of Svardia Series”. Alek and Henna have known each other since childhood and she has been around the palace for some time now. Henna has secretly crushed on Alex who set is King of Svardia. Henna is Alek’s sister Freya Lady in waiting. After an incident with Alek’s previous girlfriend from his teenage years he has closed himself off to love. Henna has been tasked with the job of organizing an arranged marriage for Alek and Henna has had just about enough and she decides to leave. The two fall for each other but Alek refuses to let his heart get involved but eventually things change and Henna has won Alek’s heart. Henna and Alek find their way back to each other what an awesome finale.
I received an ARC via Booksprout and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Henna has been friends with Princess Freya since her brother found her lost in their maze. Aleksander has been struggling with many things he is responsible for. Before his sister's engagement party, he needs to find a wife so when news of his sister's infertility come to light it won't be so bad. He turns to Henna for help but no one she mentions works for him. Sparks fly between them, and Aleksander only acts on his attraction when she announces she'll be quitting soon. Will Aleksander see that she is the one he needs at his side before its too late?
This is an amazing story that will draw you in from the first chapter on. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Will Alexsander find love where he least expects it? I am drawn to Henna’s story when Aleksander introduces her to his sister which leads to a job that she excels at and a home away from her stepmother. Yet fast forward and her boss is getting married and she feels at a turning point in her career when an outrageous job offer that is almost too good to be true. Yet when Aleksander needs a queen, who better to help him find one than Henna. Yet as the two work together, something develops between them that is unexpected or is it? I wanted to “Gibb-slap” Alexsander to get his act in gear! Yet when the cat is let out of the bag on how her job offer came to be, what will Henna do? I read this story in one sitting as no where to put the book down as needed to know what happens next.
Loved this sweet complicated book with Aleksander and Henna who meet as teenagers and she ends up as his sisters friend and lady in waiting while he becomes King of Svardia. She falls in love with but he is keeping his heart closed off after a broken heart experience as a teenager but he can not help but fall for her but he will not give her his heart. He decides to name another his Queen because he knows he will never love her but when Henna decides to take a job in another he knows he can not let her go.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Temptation abounds! The long-awaited HEA for King Aleks is decadently divine in the final book in The Royals of Svardia trilogy! The chemistry is electrical, the gentle spirit of Henna is a draw and the kind heart of Aleks towards his sisters already had us half in love with him before the story even began. I really enjoyed this series as a whole and Aleks and Henna in particular.
I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a fast paced royal romance with attention grabbing characters and dramatic plots as they race towards forever.
Claimed to Save His Crown finishes the trilogy with Aleksander's story. It is filled with lots of heart-breaking memories from the past making both him and Henna into the persons they are. While he is supposedly the boss, it takes her strength and determination to finally push him towards the future. There's a meet-up with all the characters from the previous books and a sweet HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. It is a fairytale romance for Henna and Alek but it has its bumps. Both had suffered loss and it shaped them into who they were at present time. Alek manages to drive off Henna but not before she tells him she loves him and a few truths that he ends up taking to heart. A truly open conversation with his sisters and ex has him arranging a meeting with Henna where he wins her back.
This book is the story of King Aleksander of Svardia and Henna Olin, the best friend and lady-in-waiting to his sister Freda. The King and Henna had met as teenagers and their friendship had continued with a growing chemistry burning between them. This is a tale of past losses and how they can alter your life without that special someone showing you a different path to true love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Claimed to Save His Crown concludes The Royals of Svardia trilogy. Lady-in-waiting Henna and King Aleksander’s story has two people with pasts they have to overcome if they are to get a happy ending. The angst, drama, secrets and romance. A great story to end this trilogy on. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a well-written, heartfelt, well-developed love story that snared my attention from the beginning and kept me hooked until the last word. I will definitely be reading more Pippa Roscoe books.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
King Aleksander did not realise or appreciate the fact that Henna was the woman for him. He spent a long time denying his feelings for her that he almost lost her altogether. Luckily for him he was able to track Henna down and confirm his love for her.
In book 3, "The Royals of Svardia" series, we have Henna Olin and King Aleksander (Alek's) story. We read about how they met and what makes them who they are. Their love story is a push and pulls as they finally decide to take their relationship one step further.
Pippa Roscoe has done a great job with this third installation of the series. The character work and story line were well written and kept me entertained.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.