I've read quite a few of Ms. Stoker's series, but I have to say that this Game of Chance Series is a bit different than her others in that there's more emotional heartbreak in these. Maybe it's just me, but I love books and series that give me all the "feels" and this series certainly does that. The Royal which is the 2nd standalone in this series may be promoted as a re-telling of the Cinderella story but I think it's more than that. If you're hoping for that, I think you'll be happy and if you're not, I think you'll be happy! We read about Cal's horrific torture in the first book so I was prepared for some heart-tugging moments in this one and I definitely got them. Juniper is his perfect soulmate -- needless to say, I was hoping for their HEA throughout their journey. I don't want to ruin the suspense or surprise or enjoyment of this read by saying more -- suffice it to say that it hits all the marks of a modern-day royalty/Prince Charming-Cinderella/suspenseful romance that is hard to put down. I've grateful to have been given the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this book through NetGalley.

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️.5

Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley.

General Thoughts: ARC review. I was super excited to be approved for this ARC because I loved the first in this series, and I was very interested in Cal. I hadn't known anything about the author before reading the first, but after really enjoyed that one, I had high hopes for this one.

This is a pretty direct modern version of Cinderella plus Beauty and Beast elements. Like pretty directly at first. I enjoyed the story much more once we got out of the direct Cinderella retelling world and got more into the Beauty and the Beast world. June, the FMC, is the embodiment of the new Cinderella "have courage and be kind" motif. Particularly, the be kind. But what really caught my interest and kept it was Cal. Oh, how I liked Cal, his character, his background, everything. Cal was the one who kept me interested.

On the whole, I enjoyed the book. However, because I had such high expectations, it fell a little short. I thought June's reason for allowing herself to be treated so poorly by her family for so long didn't make sense, I thought the current plot was a bit shallow at times, and it was a bit light on the suspense elements compared to her others.

BUT I loved Cal and the look into his character. I don't know much about the character of book three, but I can't wait to learn more. I'm interested in that one. I would definitely still recommend this one, it just wasn't my favorite of hers.

Steam Meter: ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥.5 Some sexual content. Very high level and not overly descriptive. More frequent.

Romantic Tropes
-dual POV (third-person)
-small town romance
-Cinderella Beauty & the Beast mash-up
-scarred hero
-former military
-insta love
-plus-size heroine

You can read more of my reviews at mylastromance.com. You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.

If you’re looking for an interesting take on the retelling of Cinderella then The Royal is for you.

Juniper is a young woman who’s been pushed around so much in her life by her evil stepmother and sister that I loved seeing her finally find her voice and Cal was a great hero. I really liked that he had his own emotional baggage from past trauma and wasn’t some perfect alpha male. They both saved each other in their own way. Definitely recommend

4.25stars- THE ROYAL is the second instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult GAME OF CHANCE erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on a group of former US Special Forces soldiers (Callum ‘Cal’ Redman, Kendrick ‘Bob’ Evans, Jackson ‘JJ’ Justice, Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman) who own and operate a tree service, search and rescue, Appalachian Trail maintenance company called Jack’s Lumber. This is thirty seven year old, Callum Redmon, and thirty-two year old, Juniper Rose’s story line. THE ROYAL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Cal and June, THE ROYAL follows the building romance and relationship between thirty seven year old, Callum Redmon, and thirty-two year old, Juniper Rose. Callum Redmon is royalty; a prince who has chosen to live and work in America alongside his military brothers in the aftermath of his recovery from imprisonment and torture in the Middle East. At the request of his second cousin Carl, Cal has reluctantly agreed to work security for a young woman who claims to have a stalker but Cal begins to suspect this assignment is nothing but a ruse. Meeting house servant Juniper ‘June’ Rose gave Cal pause when he discovered June was a virtual slave of her step-mother and step-sisters, and within hours of arrival, Cal devises an exit plan for both him and the woman with whom he would fall in love. All is not well in the Rose household, and June is about to discover that ‘running’ away only places an even large target on her back. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Cal and June, and the potential fall-out as June comes face to face with her own stalker, and Cal struggles with the demons from the past.

The world building focuses on the imprisonment, torture and recovery for our story line hero. Callum Redmon, a prince by birth, was made to suffer by his captors for who he was, and what he represented. Scarred and slow to reintegrate into society, Cal struggles with his attraction and need for our story line heroine, battling between head and heart knowing he is no longer the man he had once been. As Cal and June dance around one another, June must prove Cal is worthy of both happiness and love, and a future together.

The relationship between Cal and June is one of immediate attraction but June struggles with issues of low self-esteem and poor body image; and Cal’s scars are a reminder of what was and what will never be. Saving June means taking out heroine away from the only family she has left but it also means protecting our heroine from the same people meant to do harm. The $ex scenes are passionate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters include Cal’s former military teammates and co-workers, as well as their significant others. We are introduced to June’s step-mother Elaine, and her step-sister Carla Green, and several members of a seniors home who become a second family, and protector for our story line heroine.

THE ROYAL is a Cinderella-esque story of betrayal and jealousy, power and control, abuse and neglect, freedom, acceptance and forgiveness, healing and love. The character driven premise is heart breaking and emotional; the romance is provocative and steamy; the characters are broken but struggling to heal.



THE READING CAFE: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/the-royal-game-of-chance-2-by-susan-stoker-a-review/



GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5739828194


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BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1487420281

This is like a modern Cinderella story. Callum Redmon, a former military guy with a royal background, crosses paths with Juniper Rose, who's stuck doing all the work for her stepfamily and claims she's got a stalker. As Callum reluctantly gets involved, their bond grows deeper. The author mixes romance with suspense and throws in hints of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. Callum's dealing with body image issues from rough past experiences and Juniper's resilience is inspiring. While the danger factor isn't off the charts, focusing on their personal growth and emotions keeps the pages turning. And those side characters? They add a nice layer to the story. Stoker's a champ at blending feelings and classic tales into a modern love story. Give this story a shot – I sure enjoyed it!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This was a modern-day retelling of Cinderella with a little bit of Beauty and the Beast mixed in. I'm all for fairytales being given a new current filter, but this one just didn't work for me.

The premise sounded promising. Cal, ex-military (with royal blood) was tortured and left scarred both physically and emotionally. June is the plump-size "Cinderella" who lives with her conniving stepmother and stepsister. There is a plot to get Cal to come play bodyguard because the stepsister supposedly has a stalker. When in reality she wants to trick him into making her a princess, yada yada. The whole storyline and characters become quite cartoonish. The evil stepmother and stepsister are so over the top, not to mention the guy they hire. Also, I don't mind a little spice in my books when it adds to the story, but there was just too much graphic sex (I admittedly had to skim over...)

I did enjoy the seniors that June works with and that storyline and even the ending was emotionally charged. While there were some parts I found worthwhile, the other parts had me rolling my eyes or fast forwarding through smut.

I have enjoyed some of this author works in the past, it is just a hit or miss for me. This time the latter...

2.5 stars

The Royal is a Cinderella / Beauty & The Beast like book.
This is an emotional read.
Juniper has had a rough life since her father died, and her step mother & step sister treat her like garbage.
She meets Cal, former military and a member of a royal family when he is summoned to help her step sister with her "stalker".
They both feel an instant attraction/connection to one another and it builds from there.
This was an enjoyable read with some suspenseful & steamy moments.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Stalking - sort of.

Cal is a former soldier who loves his new job. Suffering from the effects of his torture and PTSD, Cal isn't someone who thinks that he's going to ever find someone to share his life with. To add to the issues, he's also royalty and while people know that he only shows up when absolutely necessary, they know his bank account is hefty. When his family calls him to help suss out a stalker for a friend of his cousin, Cal reluctantly says that he'll help.

June is a modern day Cinderella. After being taken advantage of by her stepmom and stepsister for most of her life, June is ready to break free. Doing that is scary and when June sees Cal and hears what her stepsister has in store, June shows her rebellion in small ways. I loved it.

June and Cal are fantastic for each other. Each broken or bent in their own way, both will lean on each other to learn what love is. When someone from the past doesn't like their new romance, it will take the love that they have for each other to figure out what's going on and who's trying to destroy their lives.

I really loved this story and the hope that it showed. It was inspirational and truly a great love. I can't wait for more. The only reason for the four stars instead of five is the predictability.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series, and I would recommend that you read them in order, so that you get the full impact of the background of the men living in Newton, Maine.

Cal was the one who suffered the most when they were imprisoned and tortured, due to him being a prince and the most newsworthy. His body is now so disfigured that he cannot even face himself in a mirror, so he has no expectation of ever falling in love and being accepted by a woman. That has not stopped gold diggers trying to gain his attention.

Carla is one such woman, but it is her stepsister, June, who actually attracts his attention – and not just because she affects his heart, but because she is clearly a slave to her stepmother and stepsister. In true Cinderella fashion, the prince saves the day – but has the danger really passed?

Both Cal and June are very attracted to the other, but neither thinks they are worthy – so we do have to deal with quite a lot of denial – but the inner voice musings are a worthwhile price to pay for the goodness and joy of the story. It is impossible not to wish them every happiness!

This is book 2 in the Game of Chance series, and while it can be read as a standalone, I would read the first book in the series before this one. It introduces all of the characters and talks about what they all went through before they are where they are now. Former military man and member of a royal family Callum Redmon can’t deny his sense of responsibility. So when his cousin’s latest love interest claims to have a stalker, Cal reluctantly meets with the young woman and her mother. He wants to write off the situation as a complete farce—if only his feelings for another member of the household could be as easily dismissed. Since her father’s death seventeen years ago, Juniper Rose has been at the cruel beck and call of her stepmother and stepsister. Her fantasies of escape mean leaving behind her father’s beloved home, but enough is enough: when Cal offers her a way out sooner rather than later, June takes the leap. Cal’s home in Maine with his military brothers seems like the safest place to start fresh. But as Cal and June’s fairy-tale romance blossoms into something real, they find that the dangers stalking them may have been real all along.

I absolutely loved this story! Cal has been through so much and still managed to come out the other side. Even though he doesn't think that he will be able to find someone who can overlook his scars and what he was left dealing with after being held captive, it was not only beautiful to read about June not caring but to see him realize that he is more than just his scars. He is more than what his captor's left him with. This man has such a beautiful soul but he hides it behind gruffness. But it just made me love him even more. June is this super sweet woman who seems to never want to rock the boat. She stayed longer, and kept her cool longer, than I ever would have. But it's just her character. And some might see it as a flaw, but the world could use more people like June. I loved this story and how it all comes together, and I especially loved the way the people she takes care of step up for her! I can't wait for the next book in this series!

While this boy took a little more damsel in distress tone than I'd hoped, I really enjoyed this addition to the series. I've been waiting to hear more on Cal for awhile, and this one lived up to my hopes.

I loved everything about this story as the characters took me through every possible emotion, as Prince Callum Redmon and Juniper “June” Rose, battle to recover from their pasts. While a POW, Cal was tortured and barely survived, but his scars both mental and physical run deep. Juniper has stayed in her home as slave for her stepmother and stepsister out of love for her deceased father, but that is about to change. Her stepsister arranged to have Prince Redmon come to the home, believing that she was being stalked. She wasn’t, but planned to trick Cal into becoming her husband making her a princess. He soon realized that it was all a set up and after watching the horrible treatment that June received, took her along with him to Maine. As they begin to fall in love, will he ever allow her to see the scars that cover his body? Cal is concerned that her relatives will try to strike back at her for leaving them; can he keep her safe? Is there a chance that they can finally overcome their pasts and find joy and love, together? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Juniper Rose lost her father unexpectedly at age fifteen and has been catering to her stepmother and stepsister ever since just to be able to stay in the house her father loved. She's finally had enough when they hatch a plot to against a royal prince just to get him close enough for her stepsister to seduce him into marriage.
Cal Redmon never wanted anything to do with the Royal life and is happiest working with his friends in the logging business in Maine. When he does a favor for his cousin by investigating a stalker of his love interest, he's not fooled and suspects a plot. But after first sight of June, he sticks around anyway for her. After hearing her story he decides to rescue her and bring her back to his hometown for a fresh start. But he never expected her to rescue him from his torture lonely life. How can this woman accept his scars if he can't stand to look at himself in the mirror?
I was skeptical at first of another Cinderella retelling and it did start out a little predictable. But Cal isn't your average Prince Charming. He's scarred both mentally and physically and needs the love of the right woman to heal. And June has her own issues to overcome after the mental abuse of her family. It was hard to read at times but a beautiful ending as they learned to trust each other to accept their flaws.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Well I have been reading The Royal for days. I start, stop, start again and stopped so many times that I lost count. I have read quite a few Susan Stoker books. They're entertaining but not very deep and that's fine. The Royal is a twist on Cinderella meets the military. Cal is a former special ops service member that was tortured in captivity. He is a distant member of a European royal family and when his group was captured he took the brunt of the torture because of his royal status. Cal gets sent on a wild goose chase by his cousin. A young woman says that she's being stalked but she really only wants to marry into royalty. It's then that he meets our Cinderella aka June. She is the quiet stepsister of the family that Cal is looking into security for. She isn't traditionally beautiful however as you get to know her, her beauty shines from within. Cal sees how June has been living and he cannot fathom leaving her behind so he takes her to his home and friends in Maine. There really isn't much to the story until about the last 25% when the action kicks in. Honestly this wasn't one of my favorite Susan Stoker books but I am sure that her fans will gobble it up. It was told from dual POV and there is a lot of inner thoughts, angst, heat and and an HEA.

June has kept a promise for more than half her life. But the conditions have finally become too much. However will she take a leap of faith when an escape is offered?
Cal has money and a pedigree. But his last mission left him with scars. He sees himself as a monster but when a family favor leads him to June can he see the man she does?
The Royal is the latest installment in Susan Stoker's Game of Chance series. I enjoyed getting to know Cal better. He is used to perfection. Now that his entire body is scarred he sees himself as the beast. Meeting June allows him a moment in time to see the world through her eyes. The innocence and joy she sees in everything. Surprising since her life has been nothing but drudgery since the death of her father. But as the two fall in love can the trust in each other? Can they move past their fears? I thoroughly enjoyed finding out. And I cannot wait to see where Ms. Stoker will take us next.

I have not read the first book in this series but I don't feel like it was required in order to read this story. However, I'm sure it would have given background knowledge on not only the main male character but also his friends. That being said, I think this could be read as a standalone.

Cal is a former military prisoner of war and a member of the Liechtenstein royal family. He lives in Maine along with his ex-military buddies. After being involuntarily signed up to investigate a case of stalking, Cal travels to Washington D.C. at his family's behest to settle the issue. There he meets Juniper, also known as June, and her step-family. June is essentially Cinderella in this story. After her father died, her stepmother and step-sister took over her home and inheritance and manipulated June into becoming their housekeeper, cook, etc. Juniper's step-sister is an over the top self absorbed "model" that has concocted a stalking story in a plan to snag herself a true royal prince.

The Royal follows Cal and Juniper as they help each other overcome the hardships they have had to endure in their pasts. It was a nice romance book with, in my opinion, little spice in the bedroom. It's not fade to dark but it's definitely not erotica. The last part of the book had me wondering when more drama would appear but I don't think the way everything played out was bad, it was just a bit more Hallmark than I was originally expecting. Also, in the epilogue, it gives hints as to who and what the next book will be about, which definitely sounds interesting! Overall, I thought the book was entertaining and a great read!

Just FYI, I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for this honest review.

I am a fan of this authors series and this is no exception. This one is a re-telling of Cinderella. Cal isn’t big on being Royal because he has women who only see his lineage, and not the man he is. Duped into spending some time with June’s family, he stumbles upon a woman he really sees and values. The journey for June and Cal is one that has many battles for them to overcome. Great ending

When Cal goes to DC to protect a woman from a stalker due to family obligations, he doesn’t expect to meet the woman who will change his life forever. Ever since he came home from being a POW and badly disfigured all over his body, he never thought any woman would ever stir desire in him again. Juniper aka June, has been made into a servant ever since her father died in her teens and now years later she is done with the harassment, belittlement and mental and emotional abuse she has endured by her step mom and step sister. She has little to her name except for a few dollars she has saved over the years and is willing to leave her beloved home to get away. Cal knows there is something fishy with the step mom and sister and concludes there is no danger to the step sister, only to himself since the two seem to want to grab a prince and his money but he isn’t falling for the act. Instead he meets June and wants her in his life and is willing to whisk her away to his small town and let her start over…hopefully with him…but her “family” doesn’t take the hint and they will do whatever it takes to bring him back and get rid of June for good.
Oh my, I couldn’t stop reading this book, flipping the pages and devouring the book page by page. His beauty to his beast, his Cinderella to his Prince…his Princess. These two lit up the pages and the attraction was fireworks, the vulnerability they both show to each other and the emotional scene near the end, brought tears to my eyes…both times that I read this book. There’s steam, suspense, surprises and amazing characters. Can’t wait for Bob’s story and to read about all these characters again and again.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*

*3.5 stars*

Not just surviving…

I love the family and new life Callum has created with the men he served – and survived – with during his military service. He overcame so much but his scars were a constant reminder of what he went through. And while he was royalty but that was only a part of who he was. Juniper was a breath of fresh air to him, a woman who saw past his royal title and was going to push past any and all of his boundaries….

Juniper was stuck. Stuck in a much-loved house that hadn’t been a home for a long, long time. Finding themselves unexpected allies, they were going to offer each other not only a lifeline but love as well…

I love this author’s writing style and it was in full force here as Callum and Juniper grew ever closer, thwarting the evil that was her step-family. There was no need to guess who the bad guys were as Juniper played her Cinderella role, and Callum his prince persona, perfectly. If I wanted to question why she stayed as long as she did, I quickly came to not care as their road to happily ever after was bumpy indeed.

With trademark humour and a support cast, this was a fun romp with Callum’s crew at their side to fight the bad guys together. I’m thrilled there will be more stories to come as I’m simply having too much fun in this series to leave it now…

Susan Stoker is one of my go-to authors when I’m in the mood for action packed romance with alpha military heroes who are cinnamon rolls for the ones they love so I was curious about a different type of story from her.

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with this book because I’m not a huge fan of retelling but I really enjoyed this book and felt it was done really well. I can’t imagine why I doubted Ms Stoker, she never disappoints.

This story is very emotional and will really hit you in the feels. It digs deep and will break your heart but don’t worry, it gets put back together again with a great ending.

I also really loved the side characters, they are all really well developed and were a great addition to the story. As always, I can’t wait to read the next book and highly recommend this series!

A Cinderella story with 2 scarred, figuratively and in real life, characters who find their way to each other but with all sorts of baggage! This is the second book in the Game of Chance series about 4 friends who were prisoner of war together and when they were rescued, retired from special forces and moved to Maine to a small town and became lumberjacks and guides on the AppalachianTrail. Cal was super grumpy but totally taken with June who was Miss Sunshine but with emotional scars. I loved this story as Cal and June find their way to their HEA. I am loving this series. The guys are good, protective alpha, and the women are sweet, and loving. Ms. Stoker has another winner of a book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own