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sarful's review
5.0
4.5 A lot more angst as they navigate their future together, finding out if they have a future. I loved it.
orangeandmilk's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
rey_reads_right_now's review
4.5
Hate when they split a book in the middle. Slow parts. Would have liked more of the HEA.
ilyarozanov123's review
4.0
I have strong feelings about this one. Hence the rating. My overall feeling is a positive one. That’s not to say I didn’t have some issues, but in the end, I can overlook those in favor of what I did like.
The first, oh, 25% or so of this was lovely. Just lovely. Everything was coming out and things were tough, but they came home to each other, which made up for it. The drama/angst that followed was okay; more of the good aching kind than anything else.
The only major drama issue I had was that of Warner, Ben’s ex, but even that was minimal until the near end of the story when he showed up for one final shot. I was intensely uncomfortable by that whole thing; it ruined something for me. See, my main problem with this entire series was that I didn’t trust Ben. I didn’t feel secure in where he stood on things. I couldn’t stand the hold Warner seemingly had on him. Some of it was the (intentionally?) vague writing, I think, but I wasn’t sure that Ben wouldn’t fuck James over, even in the last chapter. He didn’t, but I really did not appreciate the way that uncertainty made me feel. Not that far into the story. He kept doing these complete 180:s.
On the other side of things, I absolutely adored James. He’s the kind of character that I felt protective about right from the start. I needed him to be happy. Which, of course, made me all the more angry with Ben when he couldn’t make up his mind. I’m so glad that James didn’t abdicate or lose his title. It would have made him so unhappy. James was so sweet and deserved all the good things. I especially enjoyed the way he’d marvel at normal things, such as catalogues and Slankets.
“This is why I’m doing this. He’s the reason why.”
I loved the way James and Ben supported each other. The way they found a home with each other. How it, eventually, once Ben finally got over himself, was worth all the rest. Other highlights include the way Ben supported James when Indigo was at her lowest, how Ben won over the Queen because he was the only one who understood how to talk to her, Kimberley and Cassandra (both great characters), and when James got to metaphorically kick Richard’s stuck-up ass.
I like the royal trope a lot but this is probably the best one I’ve read with that kind of plot so far. I had a hard time letting go and couldn’t put the book down.
——— Additional notes after second read:
Honestly, I had a hard time getting through this one again. I usually don’t have problems rereading any book I like, but I found myself distracted by how much Ben and his indecision bothered me.
I disliked him even more this time around. His few redeeming moments were whenever he helped with Indigo, the ways he supported James through that, and how he interacted with James’ family. The rest of the time, nearly all the way to the end, he kept inwardly sneering at the things James brought into his life. I couldn’t get past it. Even in the nice moments, his inner thoughts kept ruining things.
Mainly there was the entire situation with the asshole ex that Ben couldn’t seem to forget. I hated all of that. Ben let that guy subconsciously influence him on most everything. All of that led to him hurting James. Sure, royal life is daunting, and I can understand his reservations about living that life, but considering how well he fit in it and how he could do meaningful, good things there, his reasons to object felt more and more shaky the further we came in the story. It was basically just him being stubborn, ignoring what he’d discovered for himself in favor of some bullshit that had been brainwashed into him by the asshole ex.
But I still loved James. There are many fun and/or good moments in this book. I enjoyed the royal plot line outside of Ben’s particular story line quite a bit. Still, I doubt I will read this one again anytime soon.
The first, oh, 25% or so of this was lovely. Just lovely. Everything was coming out and things were tough, but they came home to each other, which made up for it. The drama/angst that followed was okay; more of the good aching kind than anything else.
The only major drama issue I had was that of Warner, Ben’s ex, but even that was minimal until the near end of the story when he showed up for one final shot. I was intensely uncomfortable by that whole thing; it ruined something for me. See, my main problem with this entire series was that I didn’t trust Ben. I didn’t feel secure in where he stood on things. I couldn’t stand the hold Warner seemingly had on him. Some of it was the (intentionally?) vague writing, I think, but I wasn’t sure that Ben wouldn’t fuck James over, even in the last chapter. He didn’t, but I really did not appreciate the way that uncertainty made me feel. Not that far into the story. He kept doing these complete 180:s.
On the other side of things, I absolutely adored James. He’s the kind of character that I felt protective about right from the start. I needed him to be happy. Which, of course, made me all the more angry with Ben when he couldn’t make up his mind. I’m so glad that James didn’t abdicate or lose his title. It would have made him so unhappy. James was so sweet and deserved all the good things. I especially enjoyed the way he’d marvel at normal things, such as catalogues and Slankets.
“This is why I’m doing this. He’s the reason why.”
I loved the way James and Ben supported each other. The way they found a home with each other. How it, eventually, once Ben finally got over himself, was worth all the rest. Other highlights include the way Ben supported James when Indigo was at her lowest, how Ben won over the Queen because he was the only one who understood how to talk to her, Kimberley and Cassandra (both great characters), and when James got to metaphorically kick Richard’s stuck-up ass.
I like the royal trope a lot but this is probably the best one I’ve read with that kind of plot so far. I had a hard time letting go and couldn’t put the book down.
——— Additional notes after second read:
Honestly, I had a hard time getting through this one again. I usually don’t have problems rereading any book I like, but I found myself distracted by how much Ben and his indecision bothered me.
I disliked him even more this time around. His few redeeming moments were whenever he helped with Indigo, the ways he supported James through that, and how he interacted with James’ family. The rest of the time, nearly all the way to the end, he kept inwardly sneering at the things James brought into his life. I couldn’t get past it. Even in the nice moments, his inner thoughts kept ruining things.
Mainly there was the entire situation with the asshole ex that Ben couldn’t seem to forget. I hated all of that. Ben let that guy subconsciously influence him on most everything. All of that led to him hurting James. Sure, royal life is daunting, and I can understand his reservations about living that life, but considering how well he fit in it and how he could do meaningful, good things there, his reasons to object felt more and more shaky the further we came in the story. It was basically just him being stubborn, ignoring what he’d discovered for himself in favor of some bullshit that had been brainwashed into him by the asshole ex.
But I still loved James. There are many fun and/or good moments in this book. I enjoyed the royal plot line outside of Ben’s particular story line quite a bit. Still, I doubt I will read this one again anytime soon.
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
katkinney's review
5.0
I was sooooo eager to read this part two after James and Ben’s story ended on a cliffhanger of sorts in part one. I completely fell in love with these characters and their British royal family romance with lots of secrets and a M/M romance that was finally going to see the light of day. If book one is all about Ben and James falling in love and James deciding to come out despite the consequences to his role as next in line to the British throne, book two is all about the fallout in the media and the royal family as they actually make the announcement. Great pacing. Lots of juicy drama, which Lilah Pace writes wonderfully.
In this book, where Ben and James were solidly a couple, trying to work out their next steps while in the eye of the public and the UK tabloids, it was nice to see their relationship progress to a more complex level, as well as see familiar characters like Indigo, Roberto, and the corgis (I do love books with adorable dogs.) Of course, there were bound to be problems with the paparazzi and seeing how the drama unfolds as these two struggle to create their HEA makes for a delicious read.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
In this book, where Ben and James were solidly a couple, trying to work out their next steps while in the eye of the public and the UK tabloids, it was nice to see their relationship progress to a more complex level, as well as see familiar characters like Indigo, Roberto, and the corgis (I do love books with adorable dogs.) Of course, there were bound to be problems with the paparazzi and seeing how the drama unfolds as these two struggle to create their HEA makes for a delicious read.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
almandine's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
achillespatroclus's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
aamna_theinkslinger's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
elfflame's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5