Review: #Royal by Devon McCormack
SYNOPSIS:
KEEGAN:
Sightseeing, gay bars…and if I’m lucky, maybe a couple of random hookups. That’s the extent of my plans when I sign up for a European vacay with my buddies. I’ve never heard of this Parlaisa country–but hey–a cheap flight and two-star hotel are perfect for a poor college kid, right? And the trip turns out to be even better than I could have possibly imagined when I end up in a bar with some sexy masked guy’s tongue down my throat.
And damn…what a tongue.
Even with his face partially obscured, Sexy Masked Guy can’t hide those hypnotic steel blue eyes, his chiseled jawline, or the gun show he’s working with under that tight T-shirt. But after our kiss, he proves to be nothing more than a cocky, dismissive a-hole. As if that isn’t bad enough, flash forward–after one hell of a misunderstanding, I’m arrested by the Parlaisan royal guard and taken to a dungeon, where I learn that Sexy Masked Guy is actually Sexy Prince.
Prince Owen Hawthorne III.
Yes, I was kissing the Prince of Parlaisa!
Even worse, pics of us kissing are posted on the notorious Prince Watch blog. Prince Owen III has been unmasked by the paps, and we’ve both been outed. And here I had been planning to finally tell my family about my inclinations towards rainbows, glitter, and c*ck as soon as I got back home to Fever Falls.
Seems like my vacation can’t get any wackier, but now Prince Owen needs a favor–a fake relationship favor. All I have to do is pretend to be his boyfriend for a good cause and some cash that I could really use right about now. But do I really want to team up with a guy who’s been nothing but a prick to me in the short time that I’ve known him?
Of course, before I know it, I’m in too deep. Fortunately, Owen’s strict ‘no messing around’ rule will keep this from getting out of control.
Even though I can’t stop thinking about how he knew exactly what he was doing with his tongue.
Even though he loves watching me prance around in my underwear.
Even though he can’t get enough of me on my knees, doing what I do best.
Dammit–did we already screw this up?
Talk about a #RoyalProblem.
#ROYAL is part of the Fever Falls series but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
REVIEW:
This book was a pleasant surprise, but I guess I should have expected that from Keegan. Royal romances are one of my weaknesses and this salacious read had everything from the fake-relationships, to blush-worthy banter and endless character growth. I think I fall a little more in love with Fever Falls with each book in the series.
The story starts off extremely raunchy, like Devon McCormack doesn’t even easy you in, he just drops you off in the middle to fend for yourself. Which initially, is a little off putting. But once you get past that and get to know the characters better, its clear there is a lot going on. Complex family dynamics, numerous secrets, and a fake-relationship provide endless drama to carry the story.
As a couple, I liked Keegan and Owen. Keegan really grew into his confidence and self over the course of the story. Owen was sort of all over the place emotionally. He was hot and cold, and there were several moments where he was an alpha-hole. At one point in the story, there is a disagreement and Keegan was the one to chase after Owen…when it should have been Owen begging for forgiveness since he was one who start the argument and said hurtful things. So while their banter and sexual chemistry was top notch, there were moments when the relationship needed a better balance.
The secondary characters in Fever Falls had me endlessly grinning. By the conclusion of the story, I was looking up to see if Keegan’s best friends, Steve and Casey, had a book because there chemistry was undeniable. But I really didn’t like Owen’s brother, Lucas. And while a decent portion of the story centered around this broken relationship….even when things seem to be mending, it felt like he was still against Owen being with Keegan. While Lucas kept verbally saying how supportive he was, his actions and behavior didn’t feel all that supportive.
In addition, there were a few little plot twists that seemed to be thrown in and literally came out of no where that I felt were unnecessary. As there was already so much going on, these twists really took away from the Keegan and Owen dynamic. Overall, it wasn’t a bad story but not one that I would probably pick up again.
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