Royally Matched by Emma Chase Pages: 276
Series: Royally #2
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: ARC
Also in this series: Royally Screwed, Royally Endowed, Royally Yours
Also by this author: Appealed, Royally Screwed, Royally Endowed, Getting Schooled, Royally Yours, Dirty Charmer
Goodreads
Some men are born responsible, some men have responsibility thrust upon them. Henry John Edgar Thomas Pembrook, Prince of Wessco, just got the motherlode of all responsibility dumped in his regal lap.
He’s not handling it well.
Hoping to help her grandson to rise to the occasion, Queen Lenora agrees to give him "space"—but while the Queen’s away, the Prince will play. After a chance meeting with an American television producer, Henry finally makes a decision all on his own:
Welcome to Matched: Royal Edition.
A reality TV dating game show featuring twenty of the world's most beautiful blue bloods gathered in the same castle. Only one will win the diamond tiara, only one will capture the handsome prince’s heart.
While Henry revels in the sexy, raunchy antics of the contestants as they fight, literally, for his affection, it’s the quiet, bespectacled girl in the corner—with the voice of an angel and a body that would tempt a saint—who catches his eye.
The more Henry gets to know Sarah Mirabelle Zinnia Von Titebottum, the more enamored he becomes of her simple beauty, her strength, her kind spirit... and her naughty sense of humor.
But Rome wasn’t built in a day—and irresponsible royals aren’t reformed overnight.
As he endeavors to right his wrongs, old words take on whole new meanings for the dashing Prince. Words like, Duty, Honor and most of all—Love.
Royally Matched blends Chase’s signature witty, dry humor with reality TV. Henry, now the crown Prince, is a bit of a mess. He spent his life thinking he would never be King. That was his older brothers role. But, his brother abdicated the throne and Henry is trying to figure out how to be everything he has never been. But, before that, he decides to embrace the Henry he has always been and host a reality show in the palace. Because, what could go wrong?!
“If Harry Potter was the Boy Under the Stairs, I could be the Prince Under the Stage. Why the fuck not?”
Sarah is one of those heroines that I feel a deep kinship with. Her crushing shyness, her bubbly sibling, her love of solitude…she is my soul sister. She is also the daughter of a countess so her and her sister get an invite to royally matched. Sarah has no desire to be on the show; she simply wanted an excuse to get away from work for 6 weeks to avoid giving a presentation in front of hundreds of people. She agrees to be her sister, Penelope’s, assistant. Its win-win for her; she gets out of the work presentation without losing her job, and she doesn’t have to be on television. I had a moment or 2 when I was irritated with Sarah because of the whole Willoughby vs Colonel Brandon thing. However, thankfully, that passes quickly in the story and Sarah is willing to amend her perceptions.
Henry is quite perfect though. He has a reputation as the lothario and in some respects, that is true, but he is more than that. His poor behavior, womanizing and drinking, is to deal with his PTSD from his time in the service. You get to see some heartbreaking moments for Henry and it brought a few tears to my eyes. I wanted to cuddle him so hard!
“It’s the simplest thing in the world. The sky is blue, the earth is round…Henry loves Sarah. Isn’t that right?”
I loved that most of the girls on the show were not there to REALLY win Henry. He knows many of them, has slept with a few of them, but they have amiable relationships that don’t interfere with his budding interest in Sarah. And some of these ladies provide some hilarious comic fodder! While I was annoyed with Sarah at times, the book is enjoyable and heartwarming! Perfect read for a weekend mental escape from reality!
“When she was a lass, after just three hours she’d be up and about like that grotesque rodent with the bass drum.” He means the Energizer Bunny.
- POV: dual 1st
- Tears: a few…
- Trope: royalty
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
Idol by Kristen Callihan, Fake Fiancee by Ilsa Madden-Mills, Royal Scandal by Marquita Valentine…then you will probably like Royally Matched!
Royally Matched
And once you read the book, you will understand the significance of the song, Hallelujah. This is my favorite cover!
Glad you enjoyed this one. Sounds fun. I do love Pentatonix. Feel in love with Hallelujah when it came out. Thank’s for the review.
I love Hallelujah and it plays a big part in the book. So, I had to share my favorite version of the song for sure!
I had a fun time with this book. Henry is fantastic and I really liked seeing the deeper layers of his character.
Yes, I loved Henry. He was such a dynamic character!