Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Title: Royally Matched
Author: Emma Chase
Series: Royally #2
Format: Hard copy gifted from my mom
Synopsis:
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.
Review
It’s been over a year since I’ve read the first book in this series and, at first, I remembered why it took me so long to read this book.
If I’m being dramatic, I’ll say something like, “I wouldn’t have read this book if my mom didn’t give me the entire series all at once… and that would’ve been tragic.”
I liked the first book, I didn’t love it and my feelings seemed to carry over into this one at first… and then somehow, and I’m not entirely sure how or when it happened, this book shot from 3 stars to 5+ stars!
Here’s the thing: I am not a fan of reality TV. I don’t really care for TV too much in general, but reality TV really annoys me. When I realized that this book revolved around a reality TV show, I almost put the book down.
But by some act of fate, I didn’t. I stuck with it. And I’m so glad I did.
Once again Emma Chase managed to take a trite subject and ignite the chemistry between characters so believably that I couldn’t help but fall with them.
Henry is the aloof, but loyal and deeply good character I always gravitate toward and Sarah was one of the few bookish, shy heroines that I actually really liked. Because her shyness and her fears weren’t overdone or annoying to me. And her goodness matched Henry’s so perfectly, I ate it up.
Sarah was a unique character for me. She wasn’t the headstrong female lead that is popular, she’s introverted and quiet and unassuming, with a sparkling sense of humor that only people she is close to get to see.
The best part was that she deserved every ounce of this charismatic prince’s attention, and he hers.
I think my only qualm with this book was that the ending, after so much delightful build-up, seemed a bit rushed and maybe a bit forced and unnecessary, but it didn’t take away from the story at all. It just could’ve been done without.
All in all, a fantastic read. I’ll definitely be adding more Emma Chase books to my TBR!
Butterfly Rating: 5 Stars
Re-read Worthiness: YES!
Bookshelf Placement: Already there 🙂
Book Boyfriend Rating: 5 stars
I adored this book (well, this whole series actually). But you are so right! There was just something that transformed this book from a 3 to 5 and I’m not sure I could totally pinpoint it. I think the characters are really the strong point here and their growth from start to finish.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! It’s rare that a book can go from a 3 to a 5 (or that I stick with it long enough to let it!) but I’m so glad I didn’t give up on this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Henry, how I loved Henry! This was such a great series, and I’m glad that you enjoyed this one! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I ADORED him in this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Henry and Sarah are adorable together! I agree with what you said about Sarah. I thought she’s a lovely heroine. I’m glad you loved this book more than the first one. Great review, Bree! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. Sarah is definitely one of my favs.
LikeLiked by 1 person