Reluctantly Royal, by Gillian Archer, is an sexy/erotic contemporary romance. The settings for this story are Monaco and Las Vegas. While this story is definitely fictional there are references to the royal family of Monaco and their American princess. Most readers will not even know who and it's not important to know except that Monaco is a real principality with real royalty. The story introduces the reader to HRH Prince Lucien (Luc) Arthur Beauregard Mathieu Grenier and his brother HRH Sovereign Prince Sebastien Laurent Pierre Hadrien Greiner. Luc is the 'black' sheep of the family who has returned home after the deaths of his father and his twin brother. Sebastien wants Lucien to go to Las Vegas to attend conference and make a keynote speech. Lucien agrees with the what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas attitude. Sebastien has planned a stay that includes a full calendar of meetings (not play). Luc meets Hannah in a 'dive' bar in Las Vegas and the fun begins. The storyline develops with Luc and Hannah having fun and sex avoiding the press, dealing with his security and generally getting to know each other. There's plenty to learn about these two lovers lives and the influences of their families that affect them. While I could have done without all the sex the story was quite interesting and there are a lot of interesting characters involved with the royal prince.

Luc is the Prince of Monaco dealing with the death of his father and twin brother. His older brother tells him he needs to settle down with a girl of the correct bloodline, AKA a princess.

A partyboy at heart, he decides to put off duty for one last trip, to Vegas. Where he meets Hannah, who is beautiful, down to earth, and adventurous. He keeps his identity secret while wooing Hannah and she has a secret of her own.

I read a few romances every now and then, usually as a mood booster (winter slump is real, guys). This is a super cute read. It's told from Luc's view which isn't that common in the romance world. If you're looking for a quick, cute read this one is for you.

3.5 stars

Reluctantly Royal by Gillian Archer is a well written and entertaining read.
The storyline is easy to follow and I found myself turning the pages late into the night. I just didn't want to put it down.
The characters were likable, endearing and they made me smile watching their relationship develop.

Overall, Reluctantly Royal is a good start to the An HRH Novel series, looking forward to the next book.

Reluctantly Royal is a fast, entertaining, and emotional romance story. This story made me laugh and tear up at various parts.

The main characters were easy to fall for and enjoy.

Prince Lucien is reluctant to his royal duties as the spare. He once was living his own life and full of passion. Now, he's simply just going through the motions of day-to-day activities. Ever since his twin brother died, he hasn't truly been living. Luc often doubts his ability to live up to the royal standards.

Hannah Allen is full of laughter and life. She's caring and able to stand up for herself. Hannah is strong and independent after what has happened in her past. When she meets Luc, there's an instant connection. He's only suppose to be a weekend fling for the short amount of time he's in Las Vegas, her hometown.

Luc wants more time with Hannah. Which means, he'll have to tell her who he truly is. Things do go as planned.

Can this be the beginning of a relationship or will family, insecurities, where they are from, and their personal lives tear them apart?

I truly hope Luc's brother Bastien has his own story, although I wanted to smack him several times in this book.

Lucian/Luc has been summoned by his brother to dinner. His brother is the Sovereign Prince of Monaco and his name is Bastien. Luc was the spare prince. Then to have to meet in the York room ,ade Luc’s blood run cold and he doubted it was for anything good. Luc didn’t like his brother treating him so formally. Luc had a identical twin Julian until a year ago and he had been half of Luc’s soul. But the plane Julian had been on went down over the Atlantic Ocean. Luc had taken his cushy life on the Continent for granted. Bartien said he felt it was time they gave the people a reason to celebrate and next week he would be announcing his engagement to Princess Helene and the wedding would be in the spring. Princess helene was the third in line to the belgian throne. Bastien added he hoped his wedding would bring their people hope. Then Bastien also said it was time Luc started considering his future as well, then Luc said he was not sacrificing every shrewd of himself and his dignity to marry a stranger on Bastien’s say so. Luc added he was not going to be a miserable mess like their mother or a lecherous butt like their father had been as he too had died. Luc was not participating in a dynastic marriage. Bastien said the real reason ne had called Luc to the palace was to ask Luc to take Bastien’s place in the Global Gaming Expo at the end of the month as Bastien would be busy with press conferences and negotiating wedding plans with Belgium. Then Luc was surprise dto find himself in Las Vegas for the Expo. Hannah was a cosmetologist. Luc met Hannah at a karaoke bar and kept his identity secret. Luc wanted to have some fun without being noticed or used for who he was. Hannah had no idea who luc was but there was a definite attraction on both sides when they met. Hannah was the type of person to do as she wanted, when she wanted , and with whoever she wanted.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick easy sweet romance. I liked that Hannah realistic and Luc had to convince her to give them a chance. I loved Luc and Hannah together. This did drag for me at times but I did like the plot. The relationship did go a little too quick for me. I liked how Luc nor Hannah gave up on each other. But some things just seemed to resolve too easily. I liked there was some drama in this book. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend.

Reluctantly I must admit this book came across too crass too often for my taste, folks. It’s never a good thing when you find yourself wondering why the author went in this direction. The main characters’ actions and dialogue just didn’t seem to fit. From Hannah’s unclassy choice of a first date, to what they saw there, and to her crude response later when some drunk men came onto her in front of Luc, she herself came across as someone that would definitely be an embarrassment in the long run to anyone who had to worry about class and respectability. Sure, she was pretty, as we were told repeatedly, but I wasn’t enamored by her. I suspect a sob story will eventually surface to make her appear saintly and misunderstood enough to be worthy of this reluctant prince.

Luc soon lost some of his distinguishment, as well. For much of the same reason. I could be more specific, but what would be the point. Just know at 30% I didn’t find this author’s writing style consistent and appealing enough to stick around through the inevitable embarrassing tabloid press and royal outage at such a mismatched couple that is sure to come.

Here’s to hoping others enjoy it. I wish the author all the best. This book unfortunately just wasn’t for me.

Title: Reluctantly Royal, Author: Gillian Archer, Pages: 229, stopped reading at 30%.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/PR firm.)

Loved the story and how Luc wanted to support her through her troubles. I would recommend this book to any of my friends.

Quick and fun read, predictable but enjoyable plot. Who doesn't enjoy a rags to riches, royalty romance after all?

This was an adorable story. I wish we had gotten some of Hannah's POV, but oh well. I don't typically like royal romances, but I really enjoyed this one. It was sweet and sexy with a beautiful HEA.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

This was a cute love at first sight romance. Prince Luc of Monaco was thrust back into his royal duties after a tragic accident involving his twin brother and father. He is struggling being the new spare and still, after a year, grieving for his twin brother. So his brother Prince Sebastian sends him on a trip to Las Vegas to represent Monaco and the gaming industry. All Prince Luc wants is to be treated “normal.” So he rounds up his guard detail and goes out to a low key bar. There he meets Hannah. She is the opposite of everyone he knows. She is loud and boisterous and he is smitten from the beginning. He introduces himself and they spend the night dancing. They both want to spend more time together so they set up a date the next day. It’s a whirlwind from here on out. Hannah and Luc compliment each other and their romance is refreshing to watch. I really liked these two characters.

I love books about royalty and was excited to read this, but for me the last half of this book fell short. I did like the book and there were some sweet moments.

Lucien lost his father and twin brother a year ago in a plane accident. Now he is second in line to the throne of Monaco. A position he does not want. When his brother informs him he will have to pick a wife soon, Luc adamantly argues against it. To momentarily appease him, Bastien sends Luc to Las Vegas on a business trip. It is the perfect place for Luc to forget about responsibilities and experience a bit of freedom.

Hannah has a past filled with pain and suffering. Through all of her struggles, she has learned to live life to its fullest. It is in one of those carefree moments that Luc first lays eyes on her and he is enthralled with her effervescent beauty and charm. They indulge in a one night only that leads to more and soon they are in a relationship that has a definite expiration date.

I absolutely loved this book! Told completely in Luc’s point of view I enjoyed that his thoughts were what I would think a man would think. Lol! So many times Hannah would be talking and his mind would drift off to other more carnal musings before she’d call him out for it. One moment he was offering the sweetest compliment and then he’d tag on a dirty suggestion.

The ending has some angst in it and while I knew that Luc was there to stay, I did worry how things were going to work out with this couple. Ms. Archer did an amazing job bringing life and love to these characters and I look forward to more in this series.

This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Random House Publishing – Loveswept.

Reluctantly Royal
By: Gillian Archer

💕📚⭐️⭐️⭐️.5📚💕

Royal Prince Lucien of Monaco has had his world turned upside down. He’s been throw into being the next in line after his Brother Sebastian the current raining prince. He lost his twin brother his best friend and the best person he ever knew. He feels like the world is caving in on him. When his brother sends him to Las Vegas for a business trip he plans to try to let go a bit. So on his first night in Las Vegas his goes to a karaoke bar where he is captivated by Hannah and her care free spirit. These two have great history from the first night they meet. What you’ll discover is that what you see on the outside might not be real.

Even though I had a hard time getting invested in this book I’m glad I stuck it out. It’s a sweet love story.

Thanks to Netgally for letting me read and review!!!

Based on the synopsis for this book I thought I would love it. I usually love that whole prince sweeps a commoner off her feet story. But this book just didn't do it for me. I had a really hard time getting into it to begin with. It seemed slow. There were parts that I liked. Hannah seemed down to earth. Luc could have been a much better character I think. Them together just didn't seem to work in my opinion. There is some conflict with his family because he chooses someone who doesn't have royal blood. But on a whole, for me this book was just ok. Some people may love it, it just wasn't for me though.

The good storyline and great characters kept my interest from the very first page until the turn of the very last page!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

Reluctantly Royal by Gillian Archer was a great read. Luc, who was a Prince, went for one last trip to Vegar before he had to settle down. His brother (also his twin) and his father were killed in a plane crash so he went from the third son to the spare. While in Vegas, he met Hannah, and they figured they would have a good time for the week. As she accepted him for him, not knowing he was a prince,, he could see she was a sweet and down to earth girl and lived in the moment I great story which I totally enjoyed reading.

Lucien was the youngest son of the Crown of Monaco. And it should be noted that he hates every minute that he is forced to act according to what is expected of him.
Exactly so, a few years ago, he enlisted in the Air Force.
But unfortunately, with the death of his father and his twin brother, Julien - the good prince - Lucien had to return home.
Now, his older brother Sebastian - Bastian - was perfectly in the throne of the Principality of Monaco.

Bastian wanted Luc to act on his title, and he was already beginning to trace the fate of his younger brother, something Luc would bravely fight against.
Bastian announces his own engagement to another princess - all done as a business deal without emotion. And that, Luc did not want for his life.

Luc is then sent to represent Bastian at an event about hotels and gambling.
His surprise was that the event would take place in Las Vegas, and Luc intended to enjoy his seven days of semi-freedom, even though he put his bodyguard team in desperation.
Except Dimitri, who was his bodyguard and friend.

On his first night at Sin City, Luc goes to a karaoke bar and is enchanted by a girl who sang in a bad tune but had a contagious laugh, and for some reason, Luc wanted that feeling in his own life.
Hannah and her friend introduce themselves, they were in celebration.
She was simple, cheerful, with a big heart, worked as a hairdresser, and did not even know who Lucien was.

The couple gets more and more involved and Luc begins to have stronger ideas regarding Hannah staying in his life.
But Bastian thought differently, and maybe the fairy tale was not as beautiful as in the movies.

This is another book that contains as plot a Royal Family.
The author manages to blend fantasy with reality, and bring a cute novel with some snippets of comedy.
In its near ending a surprise for the female character, and as for that I must say that touched me deeply because I faced the same problem.
In addition, it is interesting to see how roles can change in the blink of an eye, and the rogue become the best example.
5 stars

I wanted to like this story more than I did. It was a case of Too Much Too Soon. There was a lot of sexual tension and attraction which I get. But some of the flirting and visiting questionable places early in their "dating" was kind of strong. I know they only had a short time but I can see why his bodyguard was somewhat disapproving.
The emotional elements to the story were there though. I have to give the author good marks for that though. The things that Hannah had been through came through the story really well. And the emotions that Luc experienced through the loss of his twin was also well done. Luc's older brother's attempts at controlling him was enough to make you mad on his behalf.
Some of the conversations between Luc and Hannah were fun as well. When they weren't all about sex, which there will be plenty of. She had reasons to want to live full out, she had missed out on so much of life earlier in her life.
There will be a unexpected twist towards the end of the book that adds to the drama.
The story is told mainly from Luc's P.O.V. and I can see why. It really helps keep the "surprise" just that.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read that hits all the spots. It was sweet, sexy, had a little angst, and the toad of a big brother prince. Luc was not supposed to be the spare prince but when his twin brother died he suddenly became the spare and had to step up and leave his military life for the royal one. A trip to Vegas for a conference and he meets Hannah. Sparks and chemistry and paparazzi galore. This was a well written and fun book. Definitely recommend this one.

**Received this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley**