These days I tend to avoid reading a series wherein the books aren't standalones. I'm so glad though that I finally got started with the Royal Saga by Geneva Lee! I'm hooked in Alexander and Clara's love story, and I can't wait to find out how their romance will be wrapped up in the third book.
So, here are my reviews for the first and second book of this royal series.
Publication Date: May 5, 2014
Book 1 of the Royals Saga
Synopsis:
When he kissed me, I was shocked. He was a stranger and still so familiar. It wasn't until I woke up to my picture splashed on the cover of tabloids that I realized I knew who he was.
Prince Alexander of Cambridge.
Royal bad boy.
Exiled heir to the throne.
He isn't Prince Charming. He's controlling. He's demanding. He's dangerous. And I can't say no to him.
We both have secrets—secrets that could tear us apart or drive us closer together—and as the paparazzi exposes each one, I have to decide just how far I'm willing to go for King and Country.
For readers 18 and up due to mature, erotic scenarios. Formerly titled "For King and Country".
My Review: ★★★★★ 5 stars
I was pleasantly surprised by COMMAND ME. I never thought I'd give a book with a Fifty Shades vibe 5 stars. The plot recipe just felt too used, too common now, and I've since learned not get my hopes up that much for billionaire hero romances and the like. I needn't have worried about this one though because it turned out really good, and I really liked it!
With this book, we don't just get a wealthy, alpha male with hints of dominance in him; we get a prince. Plus our heroine is this quiet lady who's not a pauper, but she's still not from the same regal social circles. So on the onset, my mind was going, this is going to be a Fity-esque book.
Whether or not the similarities are an incentive to read is subjective. What I can say about it though is that readers shouldn't have to worry so much because the story evolves into its own. Once the narration gets its teeth firmly into the main plot--which is of a royal having an affair with a half-american commoner--the story takes off on its own. And I was kept on the edge of my seat for the most part!
It's because Geneva Lee was able to emphasize the gravity of Alexander and Clara's situation. You could really understand the difficulties they were facing: that it's not just about them, that they don't have the luxury of being able to work on their relationship by themselves because Alexander is, again, a crown prince. He has responsibilities. There's the pressure of expectations from his father, the king, and the country at large. He also has a controversial past which include hearsays about his proclivities in the bedroom. It is very easy to understand the options Clara is faced with. Surely, everyone has had ideas about what Kate Middleton will go through before her marriage to Prince William, for example! So it was very easy to empathize with her.
In short, I was hooked. I wanted to know how this love story will end! The funny thing is by the time I finished with COMMAND ME I was even more hanging on to the edge of my seat. It ends with a cliffhanger, and it had me scrambling to get on to the second book ASAP! Good thing the second book is already out, so you can easily get on with the story seconds after you reach the end.
Lastly, I think it should be noted that this is an erotic book. It has lots of explicit sex scenes. Alexander is a dominant in the bedroom, but we just get a taste of that in this book. So for those who are not so fond of highly BDSM-oriented sex scenes, this should be right up your alley.
I've mentioned in another review that insta-lust/insta-love stories are tricky because either they will work, or they will not. Either they will be effective and seduce the reader, or they will come across as cheesy or creepy, or worse, disgusting and offensive. I think Geneva Lee achieved the positives for this series.
So, if you are in the mood for a steamy series that's well-written and has an exciting and addictive storyline, you have to try out this series, and start with COMMAND ME.
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Publication Date: November 11, 2014
Book 2 of the Royals Saga
Publication Date: November 11, 2014Book 2 of the Royals Saga
Synopsis:
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling BookAlexander had the world at his feet and me on my knees until secrets tore us apart.
I should stay away from him. I should run. But I'm addicted to him...to the pleasure and the pain.
He warned me about his dark side...about his past. But I have a dark side, too. Together we'll conquer our demons...if we don't destroy each other first.
Love doesn't always conquer all, but it can Conquer Me.
My Review: ★★★★★ 5 stars
Things have gotten even more serious for Alexander and Clara. The people who were vocally against their relationship are still just as vocal. Those that put a lot of strain into their relationship (ex: paparazzi, media, family drama) are now even more potent. They are literally bringing to fore the fears and hesitations these two people have when it comes to their relationship. Definitely not helping matters here!
Book 2 is basically about two people who are working very hard at making their relationship work. Sounds like your everyday boyfriend-girlfriend situation, huh? Except in this case we have a crown prince and a half-american commoner who isn't making the cut as far as the current monarch is concerned. Not that said monarch is such a model citizen himself... but it hardly matters because he is king.
What I loved about this book is that Alexander's father is not the only huge obstacle they have to face. Geneva Lee did a really great job at making this story as realistic as it can get, and that means putting a spotlight on the other obstacles like duties, personal careers, paparazzi, family and friends, jealous exes and poisonous, ambitious leeches. Add the emotional baggage Alexander and Clara carried all through these years, and readers will definitely have a handful.
Don't worry though because CONQUER ME isn't only about problems and angst. There are sweet, romantic moments here actually, and of course lots of sexy times. To be honest I skimmed over the last two sex scenes because I just wanted to find out what happens next. I don't see that as a very bad thing though because it only shows that the author was able to hook me into this love story. I just want to know if they will finally have an HEA; but of course, we still have book 3 to look forward to. So again, we get a happy-for-now ending.
The epilogue threw me for a loop. I'm still not sure if what I read is really part of the book! LOL! But even without it I would still be very excited for the third and final book.
I'm quite confident that I don't need urging for readers to get CONQUER ME if they went and read book 1 :D This series is addicting! It kind of feeds one's interest in showbiz/royal relationships, haha! Can't wait to find out if Alexander and Clara will really get their HEA!
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About the Author
Geneva Lee is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contem- porary romance. She lives in Kansas City with her family.
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