I hadn't read the first book in this series, but I will have to get it to read about Diego and Rose. Stephani has been in love with Raoul for years. The problem is, he was married to her cousin and she is his assistant. He just doesn't see her that way. He has been grieving the death of his wife and Stephani has been there through it all to help him and his children. She has been a good friend. Then on his birthday, Raoul finally really looks at her. Will he open his eyes and see what they could have? Or will he keep his heart locked away forever?

This is a “sweet and clean” story – there are no f-bombs, and any sex is of the fade-to-black variety. If those things bother you, you have nothing to worry about here. While this is the second book of the series, you do not have to have read the first to appreciate this one. It completely stands alone.

This story was great. It was so great, in fact, that I found myself reading while I made dinner because I needed to know how it all worked out for Raoul and Stephani. I really, really liked Stephani and just wanted her to have her happily ever after with Raoul and the children. Raoul's pain, heartbreak, and hesitation to get involved again were palpable while reading this story, and it broke my heart for him. Even when he acted like an idiot toward the end, it was easy to forgive him for it because he was coming from a place of mental torture and pain. (High five to Diego for calling him on his crap.) I also loved Marco – the way he took care of both Stephani and Raoul was beautiful and so sweet.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a “royal romance” and/or a story about two people in a difficult situation who have to fight to make their love work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the generous chance to read this story.

I loved this story. Stephani had worked for Prince Raoul for about 10 years. He had been married to her cousin, had two wonderful children and died in an auto accident. Ceci had been gone for several months and Raoul was just now coming out of deep grief. Stephani had been in love with him for years, but never showed it. She loved her cousin and missed her terribly. At a party, they kissed and the Prince immediately pulled away and apologized. They started getting closer and during a week away, gave into their passions. Unfortunately, on their last day the King had a heart attack and Raoul pulled away. She couldn't take it anymore and planned to leave. He was shocked to say the least. His brother tried to talk to him and he just wasn't ready to commit. What follows is predictable, but written very well. The story told of many conflicts and how they were resolved was perfect. I loved how much Stephani loved his childred and they loved her back. I look forward to more of Donna Alward's books.

The tiny kingdom of has been through a challenging year, with the death of Crown Prince Raoul's wife, Cecilia, and a near-scandal involving his younger brother Diego and Rose, nanny to Raoul and Cecilia's children, Max and Emilia. Rose and Diego are now engaged, but Raoul is still broken-hearted, unable to imagine ever finding true love again, and equally unable to imagine spending the rest of his life alone.

Meanwhile, with his father's advancing years and declining health, Raoul is able to bury himself in the work of running the tiny kingdom. Helping him keep things running smoothly is his assistant, Stephani. She's been there all the time, mostly in the background, for nearly ten years. She's smart, capable, efficient--and beautiful and kind. And Cecilia's cousin.

At Diego and Rose's engagement party, after too much scotch, they exchange a kiss. Then they both try very, very hard to forget it.

At its base, this is just a fun, romantic, "she marries a prince" story, but the characters here are complex and interesting. They respond in real and convincing ways to the real complications of their situation. Raoul is a near-perfect prince, but he's got some real emotional scars affecting him, too.

This isn't a story where the first marriage has to be revealed as fatally flawed for the new romance to be justifiable. I was especially pleased by that. Real life is hard enough; I've never liked the idea that you can only find love once, and that if you don't find that one right person, you're out of luck.

It's an enjoyable, fun book. Recommended if you're looking for a satisfying romance.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, and am reviewing it voluntarily.

This book, The Crown Prince's Bride is Prince Raoul's story which follows after the story of Raoul's brother Diego. This story begins with the preparations for and the wedding of Prince Diego and Rose, the former nanny to Raoul's children. I was very interested after reading Diego and Rose's story, The Playboy Prince and the Nanny, to find out what would happen in Crown Prince Raoul's life. In Diego's book Raoul's wife, Cecilia dies in an automobile accident. I wondered then if Raoul would get over his grief and find happiness again. This is his story and the road to happiness for him turns out to be very bumpy.

If you enjoy reading about a hero and a heroine who are both special, loving people who are drawn to each other and support each other in good times and in bad times then you will very much enjoy Raoul and Stephani's story.

<http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=64440>

"The Crown Prince's Bride" by Donna Alward
A delightful contemporary 'fairy tale' romance. I was hooked from the very beginning. Although, I must admit that I did put the story aside for a good night's sleep.. but picked it right back up again in the morning...It was easy to become emotionally involved in this story, to truly care about the characters and to laugh and cry with them as well. I was gifted with a free copy of this story via NetGalley. It was a light fun read and I think you just might enjoy reading this story also..

Fans of Alward's series will not be disappointed with its conclusion, Stephani and Raoul's story delivers. Yes, the reader gets the expected barriers and mistrust, but the HEA is extremely satisfying. Looking forward to Alward's next book.

Will soon be posted at Romance Reviews Today and at the blog.
http://romrevtoday.com/

THE CROWN PRINCE’S BRIDE – Donna Alward
The Prince Duology, Book 2
Swerve (eBook only)
ASIN: B0769Z8745
January 2018
Contemporary Romance

Marazur – Present Day

Stephani Savalas has been Crown Prince Raoul’s loyal and efficient assistant for ten years, and has had a secret crush on him despite his being married to her cousin. But now Raoul is a widower with two young children, and Stephani feels it’s time for her to move on before he finds himself a new bride. She hasn’t told him yet because she’s not sure how he’ll take the news, plus she’s in the midst of planning the wedding ceremony of Raoul’s younger brother Diego’s marriage to a commoner.

Raoul sees how busy Stephani has been working, and he wants to reward her with some time off—together. While he does still mourn the wife he lost in a car accident months ago, he is now aware of one thing: he’s attracted to Stephani. However, he’s not looking for a new bride at this time, and she makes it clear she doesn’t want to jeopardize their working and familial relationship because of the children. But neither can resist the sizzling chemistry that has them soon sharing kisses. Will a business trip to the French Riviera allow them to explore their attraction for each other? Will the tiny country of Marazur soon see another commoner walk down the aisle as the bride of a prince?

Readers first met Raoul and Stephani in Diego and Rose’s tale, THE PRINCE AND THE NANNY, out now, where Raoul had recently lost his wife and needed a nanny. Stephani has stood by Raoul’s side faithfully, though she has hidden her secret attraction to him. She has no desire to be the future queen, but is well aware that he’ll soon be ready to date—and marry—again. She has already started looking for a new job, but isn’t sure how to tell him. As the wedding nears, suddenly Raoul is hovering over Stephani, making sure she eats and rests, and promises her some pampering as a way to say thanks for all the hard work. But there is an awareness between them that leads to a heated kiss. The last thing either wants is a scandal, which means no secret trysts behind the palace walls. But will a business trip to France mean a chance to act upon their attraction? And if it happens, will it change their relationship?

THE CROWN PRINCE’S BRIDE is a tale of second chances. For Stephani, she has kept secret her feelings for Raoul all these years. She would never have dishonored her cousin. For Raoul, he wondered if he would ever find love again and now he realizes he might be able to with the woman right under his nose. While both THE CROWN PRINCE’S BRIDE and THE PRINCE AND THE NANNY can be read as standalones, you are missing out if you don’t read both. A tale that is both sweet and sensuous, grab a copy of THE CROWN PRINCE’s BRIDE and be swept up in the royal romance of Stephani and Raoul.

Patti Fischer

3.5 stars

Raoul and Stephani have known each other for years. And Stephani has loved him for almost as long. Even when he was married to her cousin. Now that Raoul has been a widow for a while, will he be ready to see that he can love again?

This was a little angsty. And honestly, Raoul was a bit of a jerk by his avoidance. I loved Stephani though. She was brave and strong and knew she deserved better than what she was getting

Thanks Netgalley and the Publishers. Not sure what I can say about this book, I plodded through half way and then gave up.

I just finished reading The Crown Prince's Bride. Once I started the book, I could not put it down! It is a wonderful story of 2 people who have much in common and yet are struggling to find their way to happiness.
I won't tell you the storyline because you can read that from the book jacket. Nor will I submit spoilers. TCPB is a sweet romance with characters you can love and relate to. They each suffer from the loss of a loved one yet cope with the loss differently. When life throws them a big curve, important decisions must be made. Do you choose love or does fear make the choice for you? Well done, Donna Alward! A beautiful story worthy of 5 stars.

Rating: 3.5/5*

Raoul is the Crown Prince of the Mediterranean island kingdom of Marazur. He was devastated by the death of his beloved wife, Cici and is finding it difficult to look forward to life without her. When his younger brother married Raoul stole a kiss from his assistant, Ceci’s cousin, Stephani. Unknown to Raoul, Stephani has been in love with him for years, but had accepted that her cousin was his wife and she would never do anything to endanger their marriage. Now, however, things seem much more complicated. Should he let his heart rule his head? Can they discover if their mutual attraction can lead to more? What about his family, the country and their friendship, should things now work out between them?

This is a story of life after the loss of a loved one. Both are still coming to terms with Cici’s death. Conflicting emotions, turmoil and angst are key features in this royal romance with many fears to be overcome before they can stand any chance of attaining their HEA together. Stephani really deserves praise for her patience with the vacillating, irresolute and conflicted prince. Thank goodness in the end his reformed, straight talking, recently married brother manages to help set him on the path to happiness! It is a sweet love story and an entertaining read.

I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

This book is loaded with drama,feelings and some humor thrown in. Raoul has to learn to live again and Stephani has to teach him how.

I enjoyed the relationship that developed bewteen the hero, Crown Prince Raoul and his assistant, and distant relative, Stephani. The writing was well developed and believable.

I was give an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book rather quickly. I was hoping it moved a little more. It was hard for me to connect with the characters.

3 Stars.

I don’t have a huge amount to say about the second book in the Royal Duology series (hence the lack of quotes). This is one of those books you pick up and plod through, then reach the end knowing without doubt you will have forgotten it by the time you have decided on what your next read will be.

That's not a bad thing if you are looking for something to fill some time, and aren’t looking for anything to heavy or angsty. But I have high expectations of this author, and Raoul and Steph’s story just didn’t have the depth or emotional connection between the characters that I have come to expect.

Not a total winner on this occasion, it certainly won’t deter me from reading more from the author in future.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

This Raoul and Stephani’s story. He was married to her cousin CeCe. CeCe died. Stephani loved him for years. He was afraid to love again. There were many twists and turns in their relationship. I loved the story. I will read the other books in the series.

I loved this book. In it, Stephani is the assistant to the crown prince. Raul, the crown prince, is also a widower with two children. Steph has been in love with him for years, but Raul has never seemed to notice her as anything more than an assistant. When circumstances provide an opportunity for Stephani to reach for it all, she does, but the results aren't what she had hoped for.

This is a fairly formulaic novel, however it is so well done that I didn't care. The author created characters that I cared about and felt invested in their story. While this is part of a series, it is a stand alone novel. The author is on my must read authors' list.

This book picks up right where The Playboy Prince and the Nanny leaves off. Although if you haven't read the first book, it can stand on it's own. Raoul is grieving the loss of his wife but eventually realizes that his assistant, Stephani, is more than just his assistant. Conflicted by his feelings for his dead wife and his new found feelings for Stephani, matters are further complicated by the fact that he is the future king. Once again, Donna Alward has written a very enjoyable, sweet contemporary romance. Filled with very likable characters, this story will grab you from page one as you root for Stephani to get her fairy tale romance.