Reviews

Royal Rumble by Holly Kerr

fsmeurinne's review

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4.0

I was utterly charmed by this delightful romance that rekindles the flames between Lady Camille and Prince Odin amidst an impending arranged marriage. Their past, filled with heartache and unsent letters, adds layers to their complex relationship. Camille's fiery spirit and Odin's struggle with duty and desire create a compelling dynamic. The story skillfully weaves humor, romance, and character evolution, addressing themes of love, duty, and second chances with a light touch. Miscommunications and unresolved issues add tension, making their journey toward understanding and love all the more rewarding. This enchanting tale, promising the start of an engaging series, captures the essence of rediscovery and the joy of finding love where it was once lost.

bookedbyfizz's review

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5.0

Royal Rumble" by Holly Kerr is a delightful romantic comedy that weaves together the enchanting elements of arranged royal marriages, enemies-turned-lovers, and the complexities of rekindled pasts. With a backdrop of a tiny island nation and a charming whirlwind romance, Kerr crafts a tale that is both sweet and entertaining.

The story revolves around Prince Odin of Laandia and Lady Camille of Saint Pierre, who find themselves entangled in an unexpected royal marriage due to an archaic 18th-century French rule. Camille, in need of a husband to ascend to the throne, is faced with the proposal from Prince Odin, the second son of the King of Laandia. However, their history is not as simple as it seems. A decade ago, Odin broke Camille's heart, and now, they must navigate the challenges of their shared past and present to make their marriage work.

Camille's reluctance and sharp-tongued demeanor add a layer of complexity to the plot, creating a delightful tension that keeps the readers engaged. Kerr skillfully explores the dynamics of forgiveness and second chances as the characters grapple with their past and attempt to build a future together. The emotions are palpable, and the character development is well-executed, allowing readers to connect with the protagonists on a personal level.

The author infuses the narrative with humor, making "Royal Rumble" a genuinely enjoyable read. The inclusion of adorable dogs, sword fighting, and snowball fights adds a whimsical touch to the story, creating a lighthearted atmosphere that balances the deeper emotional moments. Kerr's writing style is engaging, with a perfect blend of wit and charm that brings the characters and their world to life.

The pacing of the book is well-maintained, keeping the readers invested in the unfolding romance between Camille and Odin. As the wedding deadline approaches, the tension builds, and readers are left eagerly anticipating the resolution of the characters' conflicts.

I loved Royal Rumble and was constantly giggling and kicking my feet in the air throughout the story. <3

foreverwintertv's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

booksbur's review

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

 I started reading this book because it popped up on NetGalley, I was curious about the cover and the synopsis. I didn't know the author @hollykerr.author but it's always a good time to discover new authors. 
 This book pushed me out of my comfort zone. I mean, as a cliché (and as a reality), second chances are not my thing. But this book has changed my mind. The character of Lady Camille as the main character, is the best thing about the book. At first when I read the first part of the story of how they met, I almost cried because of how beautiful and furtive it all was.
This book has taken me out of my comfort zone.I mean, as a cliché (and as a reality), second chances are not my thing.But this book has changed my mind.The character of Lady Camille as the main character, is the best thing about the book.At first when I read the first part of the story of how they met, I almost cried because of how beautiful and furtive it all was.
This book brings a new vision, which is not seen so much in the Royals stories. A King who was in a heavy metal band?Also the incorporation of social networking into the royals in a very "natural" way.He even managed to include a reality show in the plot, this book has everything I like.
"Royal Rumble" is the beginning of a saga, I can't wait to see what happens in the next book (it's not officially out yet, it's published on February 6th). I hope to know more about Prince Gunners and Lyra in the second book.
.
Thanks to @NetGalley for this ARC. 

books_i_am23's review

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3.0

I received a copy of Royal Rumble from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Our main characters Camille and Odin shared one magical night 10 years ago. Flash forward, they are now entering into an arranged marriage. Both have things to gain from this marriage, but can they get over the past to make this marriage happen?

Camille was such a strong-willed gem, and boy did she make Odin woooork to make up for his past mistakes.

Odin is a literal Viking prince, and I loved seeing him fall for Camille.

Royal Rumble was such a fun time that had me all in and rooting for the couple. With such a great cast of supporting characters, this book was a heartwarming start to a series.

foveangel's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

starburst3625's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

“Marriages of convenience should be convenient. This is not.” I enjoyed this second chance romance, which involves the reader with the Royal family in a small fictional country. It was fun to suspend reality a bit and follow the arranged engagement of Prince Odin and Lady Camille. On the surface, this appears to be a strategic and political marriage agreement, born out of damage control and political necessity. “I’m the Band-Aid they’re sticking over the road rash of embarrassment, and that never works because, when you rip the bandage off, half the new skin comes off too.” The question is, how much more emotion is churning under the surface? Camille and Odin have a history. They both had a lot to sort through. “She’s got really high walls that I doubt I’d be able to scale, so I’m doing my best to break them down instead.” “Someone did this to her and I have a horrible suspicion that’s it might have been me.” Camille definitely struggled the most to trust and see the possibilities. “Since Camille has arrived, it’s been two steps forward with us and about a thousand back.” It was lovely to watch them grapple with the growth (reemergence?) of their feelings for each other as they spent time together. “‘The two of you could be perfectly happy together if you let yourselves.’” I liked both the main characters and the side characters were especially fun. (I look forward to seeing more of each of the brothers, Kate, and Jackson. Plus Lyra, of course.) There are some nice sweet moments and some funny ones as well. This is a closed-door story with some innuendo and a small amount of mild harsh language.

sarahsbookstack's review

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lighthearted medium-paced

4.5

This was cute. It's funny to me that a Prince went onto a reality dating show and didn't make it to the end 🤣.
Odin and Camille met 10 years ago and had a wonderful night together. She proceeded to write him letters until he stopped responding. Now all these years later, they are arranged to be married.

I like Camille. She is a spitfire! She doesn't take crap from the people that jeer at her because they don't want her to marry Odin. The snowball fight lol.
I thought that Odin really stumbled a lot with Camille by constantly putting his foot in his mouth but it was also endearing to me. I can't wait for more in this series

readingnicole's review

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lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

˗ˋˏ ♡Thank you Holly Kerr and NetGalley♡ ˎˊ˗

˗ˋˏ୨୧Introduction୨୧ ˎˊ˗
This is "Royal Rumble" by Holly Kerr. The main genre for this is romance. We have two main characters Camille and Odin. Odin is a prince of a land called Laandia, and Camille is the daughter of a prefect from Saint Pierre. They have been put into an arranged marriage due to a mistake made by Prince Odin, however they both have something to gain in this marriage, but is there spark of love from their past connection still there?

˗ˋˏ୨୧Writing style୨୧ ˎˊ˗
The writing style in the book is very easy to get through, it was easy to follow and engaging, I loved reading the parts that were said in italics. I loved being in the head of the characters and knowing what they felt. The book I would say was fast paced, however that might be because I am a reader on the quicker side.

˗ˋˏ୨୧Characters୨୧ ˎˊ˗
Camille: She is a strong willed lady, she does not care about others opinions on her. She has a lovely little dog called Betty White (love the name), who she takes care of very well. She is also good at reading people, like how she understood the personalities of Odin's brothers just from one dinner. I like how she did not let the reaction and actions of the people of Laadina get to her head, and instead of cowering in fear she talked back and showed them that she did not care. Literally girl boss. P.S I hate her father

Odin: Honestly at the start I felt that he was just dumb, as he made stupid mistakes and did not understand the very obvious things that everyone else can see. However, during the book he did end up redeeming himself. He listened and fixed his mistakes. Forgetting that he as a character is realistic, we all make mistakes and some things we do not realize until someone else tells us. I liked that from his POV we gained an understanding of his actions. P.S I love his father

˗ˋˏ୨୧Originality୨୧ ˎˊ˗
To me I would say that this is a theme or type of book I have not read before, however take that with a grain of salt as I am still somewhat new to reading.

˗ˋˏ୨୧Enjoyment and impact୨୧ ˎˊ˗
I loved reading this book, it was easy to read and made me feel things inside (the kissing), I am waiting for the rest of the books in this series, I believe they will be about the other brothers. I will be buying this book when it is out and will be reading Ms. Holly Kerr’s other books.

˗ˋˏ୨୧Target audience୨୧ ˎˊ˗
People who want an easy, quick, romance, dual POV, royal, kinda arranged, communication and fun book.

˗ˋˏ୨୧Overall assessment୨୧ ˎˊ˗
Overall I loved this book, but sometimes I felt that we were happy then there was a problem, then happy, then problem, but it makes it a bit more realistic as nobody's perfect. I will be needing a novella of this couple though, and Camille’s father in a pit of fire. I do recommend for people not wanting too much. 4 stars!


marbooks88's review

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4.5

I loved this book! It was everything I look for in a romance- main characters that I want to be friends with, unexplored feelings, cast of memorable supporting characters, and of course a happily ever after. Plus, this is the start of a series and I can't wait to read the rest of them.

Lady Camille is next in line to be prefect of a small island nation and because of an ancient rule she must be married to do so. Her father, the current prefect, wants her to shrink into the background (hello graupe dress) and enter into an arranged marriage that will be beneficial to both nations. Camille has 6 broken engagements because she wants more than an arranged marriage and fading into the background. This time she is hopeful, she met Prince Odin 10 years ago and can't forget him even though her broke her heart. Will the connection still be there? Will the Prince want her to be herself?
Prince Odin has always thought about duty and country and wants to marry. He agreed to the arranged marriage after a disastrous stint on a reality show but what is the real reason for suggesting Camille? Has the Prince ever thought beyond what he thinks is his duty to what he truly wants? Can he be honest with himself and Camille or is this doomed to be a 7th broken engagement?