Ruling the Princess

Full review appeared at Reader's Edyn on 03/30/20 Genevieve is in a tough spot. Her small country is on the brink of joining another which could be a positive step in the right direction. But before the merger is even brought to the table, an accounting of the expenditures of the royal family must take place. And lucky Genny, she’s been picked to have her accounts gone through at great length. When her accountant sends her a list of places to begin cutting expenses, she balks. He lunges, she parries, and so their relationship goes. But the sizzling attraction they both felt at their first meeting only turns their battle of wills into a form of foreplay. Hooking up is inevitable at some point, but the thrill that Genny feels each time she and Theo are at odds is like nothing she’s ever experienced before. He obviously strongly dislikes the royals and isn’t afraid to push back. Their verbal spars become addicting and soon so does their naughty pleasures. But Theo has old feelings of spite that he’s nursed over the years and Genny doesn’t remember him from their much younger years. She’s unsure why he seems to hate her, but she is determined to bring him around and show him that she’s all about her people. Most unfortunate is that there seems to be a traitor in their midst and when the heat is suddenly thrust upon Theo, Genny breaks everything off with him. She’s been burned so many times before and the very idea that he could have betrayed her is more than she can handle. Theo is finally right where he’s wanted to be since childhood – back home where he belongs and, in a position to stick it to the Royals. A dang nuisance if there ever was one. They spend frivolously and care for only their selfish little selves. He ought to know, having been on the bad end of one of their debacles, which ultimately cost him everything he loved. To says he’s been harboring a grudge is putting it mildly. But his reputation is a solid one and even if he ends up turning in a glowing report, it will be because that was what the evidence provided; even if it’s the last thing he wants to do when he arrives on assignment. While Theo definitely hates the Royals, he is also internally at war with himself. He desires Genny to the point of distraction and is quickly befriending the other younger members of the family. Never would he have imagined himself in this position; defending and protective of the Royal family. But he’s honorable above all and as tough a pill as it is to swallow, he comes to grips with his mistakes and owns them. When a plot against the family which is tied directly to his position makes itself known, Theo knows it is up to him to keep the threat from harming the unsuspecting family. His role has shifted in what seems like the blink of an eye from punisher to protector. What’s even more astonishing is that he’s perfectly fine with it. But he and Genny have so much working against them that he’s unsure this won’t be anything more than temporary despite how much he wants permanency. When Genny rejects him, he is at a loss of how to fix it. Before he can get back to wooing her, he has to save the family and he’s going to need some help with pulling it off. I have to preface this review by explaining that I have not read the first book in the series. However, there was enough included within this book that I didn’t feel that I had to, or that the deficit was harmful in any way. Within this book, I was still allowed to get to know Kelsey and Elias a bit and with enough to basically piece together the first book with little effort. However, I did not feel a great connection with either Kelsey or Elias and didn’t come away with a need to go back to the first book to find out what I had missed. I did, however, fall completely in love with Christian! Good grief I cannot wait until I can read his book. And I am proud to say that I successfully guessed who his romantic interest would be...

This is a wonderful romance that I loved. Genevieve is a princess with a problem - a royal auditor nitpicking through her personal spending, almost as though he has a vendetta. Theo is an auditor with an immense issue with royalty and with Princess Genevieve in particular. What follows is an entertaining story that romance fans will love. I loved the characters in this book and especially loved the way the three siblings interacted and how their relationships have developed since the first book in the series (The Princess Problem). While this is a stand alone novel, the series is so good that you really owe it to yourself to read them all. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series. I've added the author to my must read authors' list.