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A review by leslie_kent
The Line of Succession by Harry F. Rey
3.0
I love books about royals. Ones with glitz, glamour and drama. Quieter ones too. ([b:His Royal Secret|29485840|His Royal Secret (His Royal Secret, #1)|Lilah Pace|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1462303989l/29485840._SY75_.jpg|49767076] and [b:Red, White & Royal Blue|41150487|Red, White & Royal Blue|Casey McQuiston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566742512l/41150487._SY75_.jpg|61657690] come to mind.) So this had been on my radar for a while. But I held back because some reviews, like that of my friend Teal, said this was not a romance. (I'm sorry. I still don't know how to link reviews here.) I need the romance. I crave the romance. But I found myself in a mood for royalty. So I tried this.
And?
Reviews, like Teals, were right. I would not call this a romance. Although there are moments where I felt it was trying desperately to be one. Those parts were the weakest for me. They felt sappy, over done and full of flowery language. I wish I had highlighted some parts. I cringed a lot.
I also want to note that there are many characters and many POVs. It also alternated between the past and the present. None of this was a deal breaker for me. What I did struggle with was that the timelines and POVs shifted rapidly. Often there would just be a paragraph or two with one POV then it would switch to the past from that same character's POV then it would suddenly switch to a new character's POV within the same chapter. Talk about whiplash!
All of the above being said, I can't say it was a complete win for me. And yet, I wasn't bored and was mostly entertained. It definitely fit my glitz, glamour and drama requirements. Don't be looking for realism here. You won't find it. But then, I don't really read these types of books for that. The steam level was fairly low if this matters to you. Honestly, I had initially expected low steam but then had seen some reviews describing it as high and very erotic. For me, it never got to that level.
I enjoyed this one enough to check out book two in the future when I get my next craving for royalty glitz, glamour and drama.
And?
Reviews, like Teals, were right. I would not call this a romance. Although there are moments where I felt it was trying desperately to be one. Those parts were the weakest for me. They felt sappy, over done and full of flowery language. I wish I had highlighted some parts. I cringed a lot.
Spoiler
The central relationship between Prince James and Andrew is kind of an open one with sharing. That's not why it wasn't a romance for me. Or the only reason why, I should say. Open relationships with sharing can have plenty of romance. However in this case, Andrew admitted to feeling bored when it was just him and James. And then at other times, both guys seemed to ponder a future with just the two of them. It was all over the place and kind of confusing. But if sharing is not your thing, you may want to steer clear.I also want to note that there are many characters and many POVs. It also alternated between the past and the present. None of this was a deal breaker for me. What I did struggle with was that the timelines and POVs shifted rapidly. Often there would just be a paragraph or two with one POV then it would switch to the past from that same character's POV then it would suddenly switch to a new character's POV within the same chapter. Talk about whiplash!
All of the above being said, I can't say it was a complete win for me. And yet, I wasn't bored and was mostly entertained. It definitely fit my glitz, glamour and drama requirements. Don't be looking for realism here. You won't find it. But then, I don't really read these types of books for that. The steam level was fairly low if this matters to you. Honestly, I had initially expected low steam but then had seen some reviews describing it as high and very erotic. For me, it never got to that level.
Spoiler
Note: Surprisingly the hottest scene wasn't between the two main guys but between Andrew and another guy.I enjoyed this one enough to check out book two in the future when I get my next craving for royalty glitz, glamour and drama.