A review by starburst3625
Royal Rumble by Holly Kerr

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.