REVIEW

The Royals Next Door

by Karina Halle

2 Stars

GoodReads

At a Glance

Published08/31/2021

GenreContemporary Romance

FormatAudiobook

NarrationCassandra York

GoodReads3.68

My Score2

Spice Level

Book Summary

Piper Evans: elementary school teacher by day–avid romance reader and anonymous podcaster by night. She lives a quiet, reclusive life, taking care of her mother, who struggles with mental illness, avoiding her regrettable ex, who bartends in town, and trying to make inroads in the tight-knit island community that still sees her, five years in, as an outsider.

And she’s happy with how things are–really–until British royals rent the property next to hers and their brooding bodyguard decides she’s a security threat. Piper quickly realizes that one person’s fairy tale is an ordinary woman’s nightmare as a media frenzy takes over the island, and each run-in with Harrison Cole is hotter and more confusing than the last. But beneath Harrison’s no-nonsense exterior lies a soft heart, one that could tempt a woman who’s sworn off attachments into believing in white knights.

But when Piper finds herself smack in the middle of a royal scandal that rocks the island, she’ll need more than Harrison’s strong arms to shield her–she’ll have to do a little rescuing herself. With careers, hearts, and friendships on the line, Piper and Harrison will have to decide what they’re willing to give up for a chance at their own happily ever after.

[summary provided by GoodReads]

My Review

This book was a disappointment for me. While it had some humorous moments that made me laugh, it was marred by shallow characters, over-the-top spice, and a plot that went nowhere.

The profanity and vulgar language were overwhelming, and the two graphic sex scenes felt gratuitous and awkward. The way the male lead gawked at the heroine’s body, especially his focus on her muscles and figure, came off as juvenile and off-putting. The book touches on themes like racism, micro-aggressions, and misogyny, but they felt like forced inclusions rather than organic parts of the story.

Piper and her mom’s living situation next to the mansion on a Canadian island was a quirky setup, but the romance between Piper and the royal neighbor lacked depth and chemistry. The characters felt two-dimensional and flat, and there was no real tension or build-up in the romance. Piper psychoanalyzed herself constantly, and the lack of emotional depth made their relationship feel shallow.

The subplot involving her mom’s mental illness felt unnecessary and was used as a convenient plot device, without any meaningful exploration or real emotional stakes. It didn’t make sense in the context of the story and seemed more like an afterthought.

Overall, this story was a forgettable, cheesy romance with flat characters and a lack of real substance. It wasn’t a book I could get invested in, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful or memorable read.