I wish that I would’ve known this book was a sequel to THE ROYAL WE. I had a hard time connecting to the characters and even by halfway through the book, I still felt disconnected. It also felt like the voice was off. I read a lot of royal books and the language always feel very refined, whereas this was a lot more vulgar than I expected. I’m not giving it a bad review because I think that would be unfair considering there was a prequel and I’m sure that would’ve made a big difference.. The writing itself was beautiful and the characters were well developed, I just feel like you need to read the first one to connect to them. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

The Heir Affair is the long awaited sequel to The Royal We. This book pretty much picks up where the first book left off, and takes us through the first few years of the Nick and Bex's turbulent marriage. After their wedding, they leave for a long self-imposed exile while they let the scandal cool down regarding Bex and Freddie's romantic encounter prior to the royal wedding. While that scandal blazes in the background, they are learning how to be married, dealing with the difficult Queen and Nick's father, and also learning how to accept their responsibilities and place in the royal family. They also begin trying to start a family amidst a lot of pressure from the British people for an heir to the throne, and they quickly learn their journey to parenthood is going to be a difficult and complicated one.

I think it was really wonderful to get to read a second and very lengthy install of two literary characters I loved so much. However, this book was heavy! While The Royal We had a lot of light, romantic moments, this book was definitely more serious and focused on the struggles and obstacles those in the spotlight must overcome. I would have liked more chapters of Nick and Bex really being happy together, as it was hard for me to hundreds of pages on end where they weren't even talking to each other in their first year of marriage. I do think this is an accurate representation of this lifestyle and is definitely a really interesting peek into royal life and the pressures they face at that level. If you are picking this up thinking you are getting a fun royal romance read, this is really not that. The last forty pages of the book were my favorite, but I felt like it took a really long time to get the pay off and the satisfaction of seeing the characters in a happy place at all.

The Royal We is one of my all-time favorite books, so expectations were high when I cracked open The Heir Affair. But The Heir Affair managed to be just as dishy and delightful as the original. The book plot went places I never expected, and it could have easily become soapy nonsense, but Cocks and Morgan handled it with such care. I loved getting to spend time with these characters again, and see new sides of many of them. Somehow, Cocks and Morgan pulled off the impossible: they made me completely forget that the House of Windsor exists. Queen Eleanor WAS the Queen for as long as I was reading the book. William and Harry? Shrug. Give me more Nick and Freddie!

I adored this long-awaited follow-up to The Heir Affair. It draws back the curtain to reveal what happens AFTER Nick and Bex’s happy(ish) ever after, in the wake of the royal sex scandal that broke DURING their wedding!

I loved settling back in with my favorite characters—not just Nick and Bex and Freddy, but the whole gang, ESPECIALLY QUEEN ELEANOR. She totally stole the show in this one, proving she has a heart as big as her crown.

The Heir Affair made me laugh out loud. It made me cry. It is more than just a rom-com. It explores deeper issues that just paparazzi perils and scurrilous reporters. Bex and Nick struggle with miscarriage and infertility—issues that effect thousands, regardless of rank or status. Secrets of the past are unearthed and legacies and responsibilities have to be faced head on.

And yet I loved that Bex is still Bex through it all. She’s still the spunky American the Prince fell in love with—just with more life under her belt.

If you’ve read The Royal We, you need this sequel in your life. A definite five star read!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for my advance reader copy.

A few years after THE ROYAL WE, it was a complete joy to revisit these characters in THE HEIR AFFAIR. It took no time at all for me to feel familiar again with Bex, Nick, Freddie, Cilla, Gaz, and the rest of the gang... not to mention the formidable Queen Eleanor, who becomes all the more real and complex in this sequel. I loved watching her relationship with protagonist Rebecca develop, largely as a result of the latter's distinctly American approach to forging their bond.

The story takes off in the second half, especially, as Bex and Nick work to expand their family. Infertility is an issue still discussed all too rarely, and I thought the way the authors explored that subject matter in this storyline, in particular, was great. I'm sure many women will feel seen in their own fertility journey thanks to THE HEIR AFFAIR.

Things also get pretty juicy in the second half! Secrets are revealed, family dynamics become more complicated, and I was absolutely flying through it.

Readers also have a happy ending to look forward to!

The Royal We really grew on me, so I was really excited for the sequel! I love books about royals and drama. This one was less about personal drama and more about avoiding public drama. The Heir Affair seeks the stability behind the chaos of being in the public eye, as Bex and Nick settle into married and royal life.

Much like the first book, a LOT happens in this one. The reason I liked The Royal We so much is because it was told like a confessional; this one felt less so because they’ve learned their lessons about causing scandals. They’re dealing with the fall-out of the “Freddie seemingly slept with Bex” thing, both publicly and personally.

Obviously Nick is still working through that whole situation despite Bex’s reassurances. They’re adjusting to married life on top of the strains of appearing perfect in public. Although she has practice with it, Bex has to grow more accustomed with even more time in the spotlight. And unfortunately, their relationship with Freddie has shifted, to say the least, and they’re all getting used to that too.

I can’t really say much more about the plot because of spoilers. Just know that, towards the middle, it went down a plot line where I was like NO WAY that they would do this, but it turned out okay. And then when I thought we were in the clear, they introduced another more drama-filled plot line. So suffice it to say that the amount of melodrama that I expected from and have come to love about these books was certainly delivered. While it may not have as many little events as the first book, this book still managed to surprise me although I will say that this one deals with heavier plot lines than the first one.

There’s also the return of some of our favorite characters (Gaz, Cilla, Bea, Lacey, and Gemma) although we don’t get to see as much of them as I would have liked because this is very much Bex and Nick’s story. However, it was nice seeing that Bex has a support system amidst all this chaos.

Bex’s relationship with Nick’s family grows. We get to see more of Eleanor, which was hilarious honestly because her and Bex’s interactions are just so funny. Freddie has a nice character arc where he has to realize that he can’t be the sad spare forever and that he has to take charge of his own life. I even managed to like Richard somehow? Yeah, I don’t know either.

Overall, this was a great sequel that brings the hilarity and drama of its predecessor while also dealing with heavier plot lines that hold more consequences. We get to revisit Bex and Nick and all the other characters we love. It’s a return to a fun book, one that allowed me to forget about the stress we’re all feeling right now.

I loved the follow up to The Royal We. This one took some twist and turns that I never expected.

All of the old gang is back and I love them even more the second go round.

Bex is still relatable. I'm still rooting for Freddie and this time I love the Queen.

Solid follow up to a cult classic

It was lovely to see these characters grow up in book two, and to learn more about who they became, and where they came from.

Oh, how I loved THE ROYAL WE. And when I heard THE HEIR AFFAIR was up for review (thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing!), I have to admit I squealed a little.

It was wonderful to return to these characters and the seemingly safe walls of Buckingham Palace. But as we saw in the first book, secure it is not. We have drama, trauma, and tough situations as we go deeper than the first book’s storyline of falling head-over-heels in love. There are twists and turns, and the relationship between Bex, Nick, and Freddie is fraught. After the wedding, we are in the real parts of life, though, and I thought the authors handled them with wit, grace, and style. I loved the book; it was what I needed in a time of quarantine. A light, fun read with an exciting storyline following characters that make both you laugh and cry.

Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for a chance to read this complimentary advanced reader’s copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I requested this book on netgalley mostly because I am slightly obsessed with the British monarchy so I look forward to reading books that talk about them.  I also didn't realize this was a sequel that is clearly my bad for not doing my research before hand.  I did enjoy the book.  The characters were a little hard to keep up with in the beginning because again this was a sequel so a lot of their stories had already been told.  The different story lines were great from the fertility story to the Queen's secrets.  I don't want to spoil too much for you.  I did feel like the book was a little longer then necessary there were elements of the stories that I felt were a little unnecessary.  All in all this was a really fun read even without reading the first book.  I would recommend this book to those that like a quirky love story and a happily ever after.

I was a bit disappointed by this. The first one is one of my favourite books, but this one felt a bit...tawdry and soap opera-ish. The drama took precedence over strong characters - except Eleanor, who I enjoyed. Her evolving relationship with Bex was a lot of fun.

I loved The Royal We and couldn't wait to get my hands on the follow up. It did not disappoint! I love the balance between escapism (living a royal life) and heavier topics (infertility). One should read The Royal We before reading The Heir Affair.

First time reading this author. I didn’t love the book, but I’m sure people will connect to it way better than I did. The writing was done well. There was nothing wrong with this book, but it just wasn’t for me. Again, I stress that the book just wasn’t my cup of tea. I guess I should have done my research about what I was reading. Besides with everything going on in the world I was distracted.

3.5, rounded up because this was exactly the diversion I needed during this quarantine.

It's here! The highly anticipated sequel to 2015's bestselling The Royal We, The Heir Affair is finally making its way into the public. Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan have delivered more of the same-- which is to say that while it's not exactly earth shattering, if you enjoyed the first book in the series, you'll be chuffed with this follow up.

For anyone wondering whether they *have* to have read The Royal We to be able to get into this book, the answer is no. There are plenty of moments where the authors fill you in on what you might have missed. That being said, their recaps serve better as reminders of what you might have read and forgotten in the 5 years between books (no need to re-read). I'd recommend taking the full tour de Lyons, if you've not read the first book.

All of your favorite characters are back, in their full glory, perhaps none more so than the apple of every reader's eye, Freddie, as well as a few new characters. Most notably, Princess Daphne, who, at first blush, seems rather obnoxious, but then I really grew to like her. No more Bex-Freddie shenanigans... Well... Okay, yes, there is tons of dramz with Freddie. But this time, the scandal isn't nearly as frustrating as before. This book isn't quite as 'fun' as its predecessor, but it matures alongside its characters. Though Nick is his typical, Manic Pixie Dream Boy-self, he finally lets his hair down (or, at least, what's left of it), albeit for brief romps, such as in ski gondolas. Surprisingly, one of my favorite elements of this book is the relationship forged between Queen-Grandmother Eleanor and Bex. I love the snarky Queen, and am I the only one who felt badly for her? I mean, yes, she's a slave to the Crown and forces others to bend to its might and antiquated traditions... But, guys, she's A SLAVE! TO THE CROWN! The real villain here is Prince Dick, amiright? Ugh. I didn't like him before and I like him even less here. Oh, yeah, and Clive.

If you had a problem with the length of The Royal We, this one's even longer. Great, if you're enjoying the journey (as I did); not so much if you're just looking to add numbers to your 'read' list.

I loved The Royal We, and when I found out we were getting a sequel I immediately started dreaming about what the book would be about. The Heir Affair was not what I was expecting... but not necessarily in a bad way.

The Heir Affair picks up after Bex and Nick's Royal Wedding Gone Awry. Their ex-friend publishes a story alleging that Bex had an affair with Nick's younger brother Freddie, and Bex becomes the most hated Royal Bride ever. Bex and Nick, facing a country that hates them and a very unhappy Royal Family, run away. The Heir Affair covers Bex and Nick coming to grips with the complicated relationships between each of them and the myriad members of the royal family, especially Freddie. We see them trying to find their place in the Royal Family, and fighting for what they want in their lives. And we get a juicy side story about Princess Georgina, the Queen's little sister (if Nick=Will and Bex=Kate, Georgina=Margaret).

Like The Royal We, The Heir Affair takes place over several years. A LOT happens, and we get to see the characters grow and mature. One of the things I liked about The Royal We was how REAL it seemed. I wondered at the time if it was because the authors used tidbits from the real Kate and Will, but now that they are venturing into territory that doesn't as closely resemble the reality of the British royal family, I see that's just how they write. This isn't a typical Royal Rom-Com. We don't always get what we want. Life, feelings, and relationships are complicated, and I love that The Heir Affair captures that. That being said, there is plenty of romance.

So, if you love royalty, love reality, and love drama... check out The Heir Affair. But make sure to read the Royal We first (and not just because it is a spectacular book). I recommend The Royal We to everyone, and am happy to say that the sequel is just as spectacular. I really hope we get to revisit the Lyons family again!

Bex Porter and Prince Nicholas, heir to the throne, finally make it to the altar. As the adorable couple ultimately survived their rocky road to matrimony, they are devastated after the ceremony when a friend turned paparazzi publicizes a scandal they can not escape. After they spend their first newlywed months hiding out in the countryside, the happy couple returns to face the music and try to regain the Queen’s favor. The ups and downs of their rollercoaster life gently mimics royals we see on the news and the emotions many young couples experience. I waited five years for this sequel after devouring The Royal We, unfortunately it dragged for me and the characters felt completely contrived.

Overall this book was enjoyable. Slipping into the secret lives of "the royals". There were times the dialogue was hard to follow, there seemed to be a lot of misplaced banter just to make the characters seem witty but it honestly just messed with the flow of the story.

That took a strange turn, but, at the end of the day, I got to re-experience the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series, but with the queen of England in tow. I'm calling it good.

This book is a pretty perfect sequel to The Royal We. It has the same great blend of royal gossip insideriness and well developed characters grounded in real emotion. The plot veers into the outlandish regularly, but for the fun of it and aforementioned groundedness of the characters' emotional responses, I didn't mind at all. I'd definitely read and recommend others from these two.

The follow up to “The Royal We,” was just as fun and enjoyable to the original. I do wish we could have gotten a little more from some of the characters we got to enjoy that first time around (and more comeuppance for Clive!). I do feel like it ends with an opening for a final book to complete a trilogy, so fingers crossed.