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tankytoon's review
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This second book is so much better than "His Royal Secret". While the first book was mostly fluff and fucking, "His Royal Favorite" explores more depth and drama after the initial highs of being secretly in love wears off.
Despite having bad experiences with past lovers, both James and Ben overcome their fears of loving and loneliness to become each other's strength. We see this played out in numerous circumstances, during James' tumultuous foothold as Prince Regent, during Ben's loss of his journalistic career, and also during Indigo's mental health crisis, among others.
Both were an inch away from quitting, James from his Royal duties and Ben from his place at James' side, but they are trying their best to accommodate each other that they temporarily neglected to see the bigger picture: that they cannot be selfish and abandon their responsibilities to self-indulge in a supposed freedom that will never be there in the first place. That the key to finding happiness is not by hiding but to fight for it.
The narrative in this sequel is more poignant and pragmatic. The way that both James and Ben matured in the process of learning from each other is commendable.
I loved how the book tackled the issue of mental health, how supportive many characters were, and not just lip service.
The monthly epilogue is also creative as it allows a gradual sequence of ending and not merely a obligatory stamp of HEA.
Despite having bad experiences with past lovers, both James and Ben overcome their fears of loving and loneliness to become each other's strength. We see this played out in numerous circumstances, during James' tumultuous foothold as Prince Regent, during Ben's loss of his journalistic career, and also during Indigo's mental health crisis, among others.
Both were an inch away from quitting, James from his Royal duties and Ben from his place at James' side, but they are trying their best to accommodate each other that they temporarily neglected to see the bigger picture: that they cannot be selfish and abandon their responsibilities to self-indulge in a supposed freedom that will never be there in the first place. That the key to finding happiness is not by hiding but to fight for it.
The narrative in this sequel is more poignant and pragmatic. The way that both James and Ben matured in the process of learning from each other is commendable.
I loved how the book tackled the issue of mental health, how supportive many characters were, and not just lip service.
The monthly epilogue is also creative as it allows a gradual sequence of ending and not merely a obligatory stamp of HEA.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Mental illness, and Blood
Minor: Death
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