Sunday, March 16, 2014

REVIEW and GIVEAWAY: SUDDENLY ROYAL by NICHOLE CHASE

Suddenly Royal (Suddenly, #1)Series: Suddenly #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: 11/26/13
Format: Paperback
Pages: 400
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3 stars

Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working toward a master’s degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it’s to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed.

Alex D’Lynsal is trying to keep his name clean. As crown prince of Lilaria, he’s had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women—especially women in the public eye. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She’s stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone’s front-page news.

While Sam tries to navigate the new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex. Giving in to them means more than just falling in love; it would mean accepting the weight of an entire country on her shoulders.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16143323-suddenly-royal


Every girl (or thirty-something woman - whatever) loves a good princessy, royal story, right? You know, like Princess Diaries or The Prince and Me...those types in which an average girl learns she's from descended nobility or a handsome young Prince falls in love with her and spirits her away to a far away land in which she awkwardly learns the royal ropes while charming the masses. Though I've never been a Princess type, I've always liked that sort of story. In fact, I nearly wore out my Princess Diaries DVD when I was pregnant with my oldest.

My point is, I was looking forward to Suddenly Royal. A lot of my friends enjoyed it, the cover is cute, and I like a lot of Avon books. (Which, by the way, I don't think I've read an Avon book with such a sweet and mostly innocent tone.) I think I've become broken over the last few years, because it seems I'm just not into the sweet-long-lost nobility-story anymore. I was surprised, but I just didn't get into Suddenly Royal like I anticipated.

I liked that Sam was a wildlife biology major. My husband is a wildlife biologist -specifically, a fish biologist by profession (sexy, right? Stand back, he's mine), so I thought I might relate to that in a way because I should have an honorary degree by osmosis and tag-along field trips. It seems that this angle was covered pretty well, though I could have honestly done with more royalty and less raptor talk. And let me just stop to say that if me talking about birds and hawks and such is confusing you, because -shouldn't I be talking about cute princes? - I'm going on and on about this because all of this is in the book a lot. A lot.

And now that I think about it, I think I focused on the realities and science *shudder* because I couldn't focus on the royal aspect. Now, I can get down with vampires (BDB!) and some really unrealistic plots, in my paranormal, but in reality, I like for details to make sense. It bugged me that the home country is fictional (but I get why) and that it's smack in the middle of Europe, on top or underneath of Germany or something. It reminded me of that episode of Saved by the Bell when Jessie's dad was marrying that woman from Lichtenberg. I'm just...I get cranky about geography, okay? I worked really hard on memorizing all those teeny tiny countries and I need for that to make sense. I'm sorry. I won't even bore you with my thoughts on the feudal-type system going on in Lilaria or why it took sooooo many years to locate Sam's family.

You know what? I'll just say this: If you are into modern day, super sweet fairy tales, you'll probably enjoy Suddenly Royal a lot. It was a charming story, with very little friction, besides the awkward-ish love scenes that came out of nowhere. (I'm sorry! ) Because this was very reminiscent of other Surprise-You're-A- Royal stories, I pretty much knew what was coming the entire time. Every character was perfectly pleasant and everything pretty much went according to plan. I know I've had a crankypants tone throughout this review and it honestly wasn't intentional. I honestly thought I was still into this trope and I guess I'm not, at least not without more drama or in a different category. This book is very popular, and I can see why, for those who enjoy this type of story. Suddenly Royal was a nice story, in my opinion, which results in my overall good rating.



Favorite Quote:

  "Put down the knife, Samantha."
  "Why?" I hadn't realized I was still holding it. Mu voice was too high; excited. This close to him my brain was turning to mush. His blue eyes peered down into mine and I felt small and feminine.
  "Because I'm going to kiss you and I don't want to be stabbed when I do it."



GoodReads reviews from: Jenny and Aydrea




Suddenly Series

Suddenly Royal (Suddenly, #1)  Recklessly Royal (Suddenly, #2)  Reluctantly Royal (Suddenly, #3)
(covers lead to GoodReads page) 



Purchase Links
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  iBooks



GIVEAWAY
Must be 18+ years of age; open to US only.


a Rafflecopter giveaway




About the author
Nichole ChaseNichole Chase is a daydreamer. No, really, just ask any of the math teachers that had the misfortune of seeing her name appear on their class schedule. For years she has had story lines and characters begging for attention, but she resolutely pushed them aside to focus on more normal (read, boring) jobs. Well, no longer! She is currently heeding the voices in her head and frantically writing their stories. Nichole resides in South Georgia with her husband, energetic toddler, super hero dog, Sulcata tortoise, and two cats. When not devouring novels by the dozens, you may find her writing, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.
  
 



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37 comments:

  1. Thanks for the giveaway. This is a series I have seen but never read. I remember wanting to be royal when I was little and would see Princess Diana everywhere in the news. She was so beautiful. :)

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  2. This is one of those books I have seen all over the place but never picked up, mostly because I just wasn't sure about it... i love The Princess Diaries as a movie but my taste in movies differs a lot from what I like in a book... I want some angst and drama in my books... glad I went with my gut on this one.... thanks for the honest review Andrea!

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  3. YES. Well, almost every girl loves them:) Eh, I'm sorry you didn't really get what you were expecting :( Ooooh! Your husband's job sounds so cool. Nick definitely approves, I'm sure ;) I don't like that all these not-real-royal-countries are from Europe and they make no sense whatsoever so I get you. I do love me some cheese, princes, princesses and romance so this could be a good read after a dark one? Idk. We'll see.

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  4. I probably wished to be royal as a child, but as an adult, I prefer the simpler life. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  5. I did wish to be royal when I was a teenager, but not now. This book sounds wonderful. Thanks for having the giveaway.

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  6. I sure have, ever since watching The Princess Diary's. Also, from every Disney movie ever made. (:

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  7. Of course, I grew up dreaming of being Cinderella.

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  8. Your husband is a wildlife biologist? You've got good tastes, Andrea! I'm all for people in science! I'm hoping to become a cancer biologist or forensic toxicologist myself.
    I'm sorry that the unrealistic parts of the book bugged you, Andrea. I can definitely see why it bothered you. I personally went into the book expecting a rather mindless, silly and fluffy kind of read, which is why I enjoyed it so much. I'm glad that you get cranky about geography. So many people I know suck at geography and it's quite disheartening. I'm sad this didn't blow your mind, but I hope your next read is phenomenal, Andrea! Lovely honest review.

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  9. I have this sitting to read, and adore the cover but it almost dare I say sounds YA. Wonderful review Andrea.

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  10. lol... no, not with todays paparazzi!!! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. First, this: My husband is a wildlife biologist -specifically, a fish biologist by profession(sexy, right? Stand back, he's mine), so I thought I might relate to that in a way because I should have an honorary degree by osmosis and tag-along field trips. I ADORE YOU AND LAUGHED OUT LOUD AT THIS QUOTE!

    Second: It seems that this angle was covered pretty well, though I could have honestly done with more royalty and less raptor talk «« Raptor jesus is not amused!!! I loved this review because you were honest. I've been on the fence about it too because it looks too cutesy for me. Great job!

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  12. This is one of those books that I see so many 5 star reviews...but I still have no desire to read.
    Plus, the reviews I have seen from bloggers I trust, like yours, aren't 5 stars...
    OMG, Saved By the Bell! I was obsessed with that show. Zach is still my fictional boyfriend :)

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  13. Wow, your hubby sounds Geekrotic LOL! I hate it too when the author gets too detailed with geography and stuff like that, I appreciate it in fantasy books but not in contemporary novels. Sorry it didn't quite work for you

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  14. When I was between 8-12 I was determined I wanted to be a royal princess!!

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  15. This sounds like it might be a great book for young teens to read! I would get bored with it too if it's too predictable, is bombarded with mostly science talk, and has awkward love scenes. Great Review Andrea!!!

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  16. Well it's hard not to dream about some Prince who falls for you, well Disney ruined us forever when it comes to that. However I don't like it that things aren't making sense here, cause I need them to do. Great review, Andrea :)

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  17. ha, when I was a little girl I probably wished to be a princess myself :P

    such a cute review, left me curious about this series. Plus it's a tame and sweet avon? oh, now I am intrigued.

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  18. This does seem like a really cute story and I love the cover, but I have to really be in the mood for something cutesy. I also need things to make sense. I just read a really cute fluffy book, but it all made sense and there was nothing odd about it. I find that a lot of these types of books are very predictable, but as long as it's fun and entertaining, I don't mind so much. I think that someday I would like to read this book, but I wouldn't make time in my schedule just to read it. Great honest review Andrea!! Also, I don't think I would ever want to be royal. Too much pressure and all that lol!!

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  19. No, I have never wished to be a royal. I am a pretty private person and that is a life that I don't think I could endure. They are in the public eye a lot and under way too much pressure to do everything right. Doesn't sound like a fun life to me!!

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  20. A little. It would be overwhelming and restrictive but I still would like to. In truth, my great great grandfather was disinherited from of a royal household in Essex England, after a bitter disagreement with his parents. My distant cousins who reside in the castle there and surrounding lands still will not speak to us when they discover who any of us cousins are.

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  21. I did when I was a little girl, wanting to be like the Disney princesses. But now, I know I wouldn't like being one. It's a cool title, but your life is under constant scrutiny and you have all these rules. It would suck.

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  22. Love the quote!

    Honestly, when I was really young, yep. Sure did. As I got older and saw what the Royals have to put up with, I realized there were no benefits worth the microscope they live under. :-)

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  23. This has been on my Amazon wish list for a long time. I didn't realize it was part of a series. Too cool. Lets see...have I ever wished to be Royal...every time I see Royals on the cover of magazines, I imagine what would it be like.....I would love to swap places for day (or maybe more!!).

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  24. Sorry this one didn't work out for you Andrea! I loved this one when I first read it last spring, and I'm wondering if I still will when I reread it for Recklessly Royal....

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  25. Nope, I can't say as I've ever wished to be royalty. I'm like you, Andrea, and have never been very princess-y. :) But I like this kind of story. LOVE The Princess Diaries. I'm sorry there were so many elements that didn't do it for you in Suddenly Royal but I'm glad you could enjoy some things. And your review is excellent, as always. ;)

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  26. Aw I'm bummed you didn't like this one. I'm like you and watched Princess Diaries etc soooo many times I could recite the lines by heart lol! But I think I enjoyed this book a lot more than you did. I just read the sequel, which I think was funnier than this one, but yeah, by the sounds of it you wouldn't like it much sadly. It's always interesting to hear different opinions on books I liked :)

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  27. I can not wait to read this book!!!!! :)

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  28. i too love the idea of sweet and modern day fairy tales

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  29. No, I have not wished to be royal. But, I have wanted to read this book.

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  30. Um...what? Birds? This is making me sad. Still I may read it.

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  31. No, I've never had a desire to be a royal. I don't like people in my business!

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  32. This sounds fun. Great review!

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  33. Sounds like a cute read.
    Have I wanted to be a royal? Hasn't everyone? It would be fun but it would also be a hassle, imagine having to look perfect all the time and living in fear of doing or saying the wrong thing. Thanks for the giveaway!
    Ann S

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  34. lol at the raptor talk. I really liked this book. But I like cheesy romantic sappy stuff. I must admit that now you mention the raptors, I could have done without as much of that. I think I probably brushed over all the bird shit.

    Ha! bird shit.

    And I agree, it was very predictable. Which I think would bother me most times. I was in the mood for something light and fluffy when I picked this one up. :)

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