Danielle Steel delivers a modern-day Anastasia story infused with war, love and heartbreak. Unlock the leather box instead of jewelry and Annie in the place of Anna and the crown will be royally surprised with its new princess.

What started as Charlotte's story transitioned into Lucy and Annie's compelling tale. When 17-year-old Princess Charlotte was sent to the countryside to keep her safe during the war, little did the king and queen know that temptation was stirring.

Henry and Charlotte's affair was the product of war and their young but love for each other. Secretly wedded before the baby was born, the couple didn't realize that they unleashed a chain of events that would forever alter the monarchy.

Lucy’s spurned advances and jealousy of their relationship, prompted her to steal baby Annie after her mother's death. Raised as a stable manager and housekeeper's daughter, despite her modest means, Lucy couldn't hide Annie's heritage. Will Annie figure out the truth or remain a pauper instead of a princess?

Thank you #NetGalley and the publisher for the early read in exchange for an honest review. I loved Annie's story and the fact that despite her stately surroundings, she remains true to herself. Nature vs nurture, Anastasia syndrome and staying true to form are explored in Steel's latest serving.

I enjoyed the story especially the horse racing sections. I felt like I was flying along with the protagonist coaxing the horse to cross the finish line. That being said, the second half, I thought was stronger than the first. Once Annie learned the truth, the novel continued at a fast pace until its fitting end. Does Annie remain #Royal or return to her roots? Readers will have to wait until August 18th to reveal her decision.

I’m a sobbing mess of emotions after this one! This is a beautiful love story that spans generations!

The beginning of this story starts off a little somber! A war, a short lived love and loss so great it could consume you! Through all the darkness though love creates a ray of hope!

This story shows us how love and family can help heal us from heavy losses! It also shows us that our dreams are worth fighting for!

I don’t want to dive into The Who’s and how’s because nothing should be given away! Just know that there are some very emotional events that take place but just as life is you have events that restore hope and solidify love!

I was mesmerized by Danielle Steel's writing with Royal. I really enjoyed the characters and how you seemed to float from character to character as their lives progressed or ended throughout the story. I was constantly asking myself what was going to happen next. I loved the bits and pieces of romance, but the true star was the relationships and family ties that were happening throughout. Annie was by far my favorite character we were introduced to, and I would love to see a sequel in her next phase in life. Overall I really enjoyed this book.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher Random House Publishing Group for letting me read this ARC.

Danielle Steel will occasionally work in some real life historical figures and occurrences in her books and her new one, “Royal” does exactly that. As you can guess by the title, it revolves around the British royal family in the time of World War 2. Because of all the bombing going on, the King and Queen send their youngest of three daughters to the country for safety. While there, she meets a boy, gets pregnant, and dies shortly after childbirth. Raised by another person, a commoner, who happened to be at the same house as the royal princess, this child grows up not knowing she has royal blood. While the members of the royal family all have different names, there is quite a similarity to many of the real life members.
This was a very quick read, and something that was needed amongst all the stress due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a great escape into another world, where even if bad things happen, you know that all will end up well by the end of the book. Wouldn’t it be nice if real life were like that right now?
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

I am a huge fan of Danielle Steel’s books and was thrilled to be given a chance to read an advanced copy of this book! It was a fascinating historical romance and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I was fascinated by the characters and touched by their moving story.

Danielle Steel's historicals are my favorite! I like the way she takes a time puts her own stamp on it is unprecedented. That being said, this WW2 storyline was a little weak and it didn't feel like a true Danielle Steel novel. Of course, nothing compared to vintage Steel, but this didn't read like her at all. That doesn't mean that is wasn't a satisfying book, because it was, but it will not go down as a favorite.

Danielle Steel gives us the story of love and devastation all in a few chapters. We are introduced to Princess Charlotte who is sent to the country because of her weakened condition like so many children were encouraged to do during the war. While hiding out, she falls in love with Henry, the son of the family she is staying with during this time. Meanwhile, there is another girl this family has taken in who has also fallen in love with Henry. When Charlotte falls pregnant, they marry in haste instead of waiting until he returns from the war. They have also decided to tell Charlotte's parents about the baby and marriage when they come to pick her up after the war.

The family took Henry to the train station to send him off to the army. Charlotte kept herself busy while waiting for letters from Henry and the short visit during Christmas. Tragedy strikes when they receive the dreaded telegram from the War Office extending their sincere sympathy to his family. Tragedy strikes again when Henry's father's cough turned into pneumonia leading to his death. Charlotte and her mother-in-law Glorianna are saddened and support comfort for each other. Tragedy keeps striking this family when Charlotte dies shortly after giving birth to her daughter Anne Louise and Glorianna passes away from a heart attack in her sleep.

What becomes of Anne Louise? All those who knew the truth about her birth have all passed away within months of each other. Secrets are buried away until it is time to deal with what you have done with your life as you face death. Truth always has a way of coming to light. But what does this mean for Anne Louise and those who she considers family and those who considers her as family? Will she flourish when her true heritage is finally revealed or will she hide it away so it does not alter her reality?

I have enjoyed Danielle Steel's stories as she takes you on a journey that has you crying and laughing throughout the story. I look forward to another adventure with her. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Randon House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this privilege.

This is my first Danielle Steel read. The story is of a royal family and their love of horses. It was a very easy read about a young girl who does not know she is of the royal line. Some of the dialogue is a bit repetitive at times which was a bit distracting. I think my biggest challenge was the character of Lucy. She was very hard to like but was a critical character in the plot. You want to like her by the middle of the story but I found it difficult based on the early interactions with her. Overall, a quick easy read.

One can never go wrong with a Danielle Steel novel, to me. I return to her books again and again and have for years. She continually delivers well written stories that are entertaining and, most often, heart warming in their delivery. Royal is a perfect book to escape with and be entertained through the pages. In particular, this story is about a royal family who sends their child away during World War II as it rages on in Europe. While under the protection of a lovely family, Princess Charlotte (who is third in line for the throne) falls in love with the son of the family. As she comes into her own, she must navigate her life of love and loss and ultimately make decisions regarding her future. This read is charming and light, it is delightful in a storytelling sense and sure to entertain at the heart of what it is written for. I enjoyed this tremendously and the romantic notions are heart warming. As always, I recommend Steel to the fullest. She never disappoints.

Royal
A Novel
by Danielle Steel
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
Delacorte Press
Women's Fiction
Pub Date 18 Aug 2020 | Archive Date 31 Oct 2020

I try to keep up on the new releases as the Director of a small library. This book was not the one for me, however, I know if I purchase it... which I will .... it will go out. Danielle Steel has a large number of fans and they never tire of her books. Like I said, this book did not keep my attention. Good points, no vivid sexual descriptions.
3 star.

This book is set in WWII when a young princess, 3rd in line to the throne, is secretly sent to the countryside for health reasons. The young Princess and the the son of the family she is staying with fall in love and have a child. The royal family is not aware of the child. After the child is orphaned a young woman, also staying with the family, decides to keep the child and raise her as her own. Many years pass before the true identity of the child is revealed. This was a typical Steele book. It was an entertaining book and held my interest to the end. Most of the characters are likable. I would give this book 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

As always, Danielle Steel pulls her reader in from the first page. Enjoyed this book about a royal family...the story flowed, the characters were well developed and Royal kept me turning the pages. Another page turner by Danielle Steel.
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book is about an unknown princess of England, Anne. She is the daughter of Princess Charlotte, youngest child of the King and Queen of England. Charlotte is sent to the countryside during WW II due to her asthma. This story expects us to believe there was a different royal family of England and a princess had a baby that was hidden for 18 years. Far fetched.

This is the first book I’ve read by Danielle Steel. The story captured my attention and was different than I expected it to be. I was drawn in by the storyline surrounding a royal family. What surprised me is that this is the first book I’ve read in a long time that covers almost thirty years of time in one book. I was hesitant about that after getting attached to the characters but ended up loving how fast it moved. This book was like reading a whole series in one sitting. I loved how each character captured my attention and how the story evolved! It was fast paced, a good amount of suspense, interesting plot twists, but not too heavy that made it unenjoyable.

I also really appreciated that there was very little language and sexual content. If there was any sexual content, it was kept to a minimum and wasn’t descriptive. This gives me hope to read other works by this author! It’s very hard to find good books like that.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

Danielle Steel has done it again - another heartwarming page-turner which drew me in from the very first page and kept me riveted all the way through. I loved the characters, the story, the horses and the plot. I highly recommend it and know it will be extremely successful.

I am usually charmed by Steel’s books, so I was excited about reading this. Honestly, I felt like I got Barbara Cartland, not prime Steel.

This was a totally trite tale about a princess....not worth retelling. I have been loving her recent books, so this was a disappointment.

Thank you Netgalley for for allowing me to read this ARC.

Once the reader gets through the numerous deaths and to the gist of the story, the book seems to be almost over. I did enjoy the historical aspect of this novel. That being said, it was just too realistic especially the horse part. Also, I noticed that yet again, the author mentions St. Tropez. One might hope that in a book about WWII this might be left out. I want this author to write a book like The Ring. Forget the rich lifestyle and the travels...of modern time. Concentrate on history. There was much sadness in the story... for a quick read....