I need to start off by saying I normally enjoy stories by this author. No, I haven’t read them all, but I have read most and I’ve rated all but one as 4 or 5 stars.
Unfortunately, this one was hard to get through. I found myself bored and I started skipping whole chapters just to finish it. I was tempted to not finish it at all.
I didn’t particularly care for James. I thought he was arrogant and not very caring. Laila was okay. I simply just don’t feel like I connected with either character, therefore, I didn’t care how the story progressed or how it ended. I’m not sure why I couldn’t get into this one besides that simple fact.

I love the interconnectedness of this story to other books that Karina Halle has written. I loved the trauma that the characters worked through together and all the tension along the way. I love the supportive "friend" group and the found family aspect.

Thank you NetGalley, Karina Halle, and Berkley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This book sadly wasn’t for me… I tried reading it twice and didn’t make it past about 30%. I liked the writing style and the characters, but I just couldn’t connect with them. I’m sure if I had read more of her books I would understand the connections and like it more.

Anyone who is a fan of Halle’s prior work will enjoy this. Her style is polished and accessible. It feels like the story leans heavily into her existing fan base and doesn’t have a clean, stand-alone feel. I’d guess 3 stars from target but 4-5 for her fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

I had high expectations regarding this book. I read and loved Karina Halle previously book. Unfortunately, I didn't connected with this book, and ended up dnf it halfway. I truly tried multiple times, but I just didn't connected with the main characters. Something wasn't clicking for me. I found their connection too forced. I don't feel their chemistry or angst between them. But if you love reading about second chance romance, then read it if you want. It just wasn't for me.

This was a really fun book to read I really enjoyed the banter and the funny things and how laid back the royals are. Thanks for letting me read this book I really enjoyed it.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but "The Royals Upstairs" left me feeling pretty underwhelmed.

James Hunter's transition to becoming Prince Magnus of Norway's protection officer was supposed to be a thrilling change of pace. Instead, he finds himself stuck in the middle of nowhere, dealing with unruly children and the meddling of palace staff. And to add insult to injury, his ex-flame Laila Bruset is now the nanny for the royal children, stirring up old emotions.

While the premise had potential, the execution fell flat for me. The characters lacked depth, and the storyline felt shallow. Sure, it was nice to read about the Norwegian royal family for a change, but that novelty wore off pretty quickly.

Speaking of characters, Laila was the only one I found remotely interesting. Unfortunately, James came across as pushy and aggressive, which was a major turn-off. In a modern romance, that kind of behavior just doesn't fly for me. And don't even get me started on the lackluster chemistry between them—it felt forced and uninspired.

I get that romance novels often have their fair share of steamy scenes, but in this case, it felt like there was more focus on bedroom activity than actual plot development. I prefer a little substance with my romance.

"The Royals Upstairs" failed to deliver the swoon-worthy romance I was hoping for. With shallow characters, lack of chemistry, and a questionable male protagonist, it's safe to say this one missed the mark for me.

I must say, this book had me thoroughly entertained from start to finish. This book follows the story of James Hunter, a protection officer for Prince Magnus of Norway, who finds himself in a less-than-exciting situation when he is assigned to protect the prince on a remote royal estate. Little did he know, his ex-girlfriend Laila Bruset would also be there as the nanny for the royal children. The chemistry between James and Laila is electric, and their love-hate relationship adds an extra layer of tension to the story. I loved how their past relationship was explored and how their unresolved feelings for each other slowly resurfaced as they spent more time together. It was a delightful slow burn romance that had me rooting for them to get back together. Aside from the romance, the plot was also intriguing and kept me on my toes. I enjoyed the mix of royal drama, supernatural elements, and mystery that was woven into the story. It was a unique and refreshing take on the typical royal romance novel. The characters in this book were well-developed and relatable. I especially loved Laila's character, who was strong and independent despite her difficult past. James, on the other hand, had a tough exterior but showed a vulnerable side when it came to Laila. Their interactions were both funny and heartwarming, making them a dynamic and lovable couple. Overall, this was a delightful read that had me hooked from the first page. It was a perfect blend of romance, drama, and mystery, and I highly recommend it!

I just was itching to jump right into it and I have to tell you this author crafted a masterpiece! I loved every single moment of this book. And, I would definitely be on the lookout for the author’ next books.

Fun and spicy. I love second chance romances and loved the forced proximity of the story. It was a very enjoyable read it didn’t light sparks for me though but still I’d recommend it!

James is given the important task of protecting Princess Ella and her sons, but his job becomes even more challenging when his former flame, Laila, is brought in to help care for the children. Their complicated past and lingering feelings create a tense atmosphere as they try to navigate their professional responsibilities while also grappling with their undeniable attraction. As the Norwegian royals try to play matchmaker, the romance between James and Laila is a rollercoaster of intense passion and tender moments. However, I felt like this was rather boring and tedious to get through and needed more depth then bedroom chemistry!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending the arc!

Oh man this was was royally disappointing! Pun intended. There was just nothing here that was working for me. I felt the absence of not reading another of Halle's books that was so very tied in even though I was not made aware that was the case here. I want to love the royal aspect, but when it is too close to reality it feels odd. All this could be saved if the romance was swoony, it was not.

Thank you @netgalley and @berkleypub for the eARC of The Royals Upstairs in exchange for an honest review!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Royality. Norway. Second chance love. All in! James is renowned for his duty to protect royalty and the Norwegian royal family has a child that needs all the extra hands they can get. It is just his luck that the children’s nanny is none other than the woman whose heart he broke, Laila. Watching James completely squirm out of his comfort zone as a Scot in Norway is a fun treat. Both James and Laila have deep rooted pain and trauma that they must work through in the novel, but the heavy topics and balanced with lightness and laughter. And the tension between James and Laila is so thick you would definitely need a Viking sword to cut it! The Royals Upstairs is a fun departure from our typical royal reads!

Review is posted on Goodreads and will be on Instagram well before publication!

Halle continues her Nordic royals series, this time focusing on a second-chance romance between the help. Scottish protective agent James and Norwegian nanny Laila are surprised to be meeting again at Skaugum Estate, the remote seat of the royal house of Norway. While both were employed for a Prince Harry and Princess Megan knockoff severl years ago in England, they conducted a clandestine affair until she started to develop feelings and made the mistake of telling the man she was falling for him. Her confession made him pull back. When they reconnect, Laila tries to maintain boundaries, but James pushes through them–presumably the chemistry is just too strong. He gets under her skin by doing things like jerking off so she can hear him through the the thin walls of her bedroom next door. Both Laila and James have had traumatic childhoods and the story allows for them to work some of those things out while simultaneously doing their fabulous jobs for their fabulous employers in a richly detailed, quirky and authentic setting. The steamy passion and spicy scenes are juxtaposed against short days and long cold winter nights, the northern lights, and the antics of the royal offspring. Characters in other books appear and there is just enough context for the reader to feel in the know, rather than missing out, on previously published novels relating to this one.

While it was refreshing to read about the Norwegian royal family instead of the British one, I found the pushiness of the male protagonist distasteful and bordering on aggressive and non-consensual, and it was very off-putting for a modern romance. James’s giant tirelessly pounding c**k and Laila’s multiple orgasms rendered this romance more into the fantasy realm for me. A quibble, but the svelte couple in shadow on the cover do not represent the built bodyguard and curvy woman portrayed within the pages.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #TheRoyalsUpstairs via #NetGalley courtesy of Berkley Romance.

While the cover isn’t my favorite, this romance certainly charmed me! I love nanny romances and that in with royals, it was sure to be a good time.

I absolutely love a good Royal fiction novel and this one was no exception! I loved the romance between the bodyguard and nanny I thought that was really different and fresh. I cannot wait to share more soon. This would make a great Netflix movie or Hallmark!

This one just didn't work for me at all. The characters didn't click and the chemistry/relationship felt forced.

Thank you for the early copy for review.

I'm a sucker for any love story, but throw in royalty and I'm hooked! This is a wonderfully spicy book that tells the tale of two people overcoming their fears and falling in love. I honestly wanted more time with these characters!

Becoming a dedicated fan of Karina Halle was inevitable after immersing myself in her captivating "Experiment in Terror" paranormal romance series and thoroughly enjoying her standalone works. Her talent as an author is undeniable. If you found pleasure in "Wild Heir," brace yourself for another treat because Crown Prince Magnus of Norway and his beloved wife, Ella, grace the pages of this tale as supporting characters.

Enter Laila Burset, the compassionate nanny from Liechtenstein in her late twenties, and James Hunter, the charming Scottish bodyguard, hired to care for Magnus and Ella's family and their two young boys. The allure of this story lies not only in its superb characterizations but also in its execution of the enemies-to-lovers trope, along with elements like forced proximity and workplace romance.

From the moment I met Laila, an introverted, bookish soul with a heart of gold, I found myself rooting for her. However, my feelings toward James were more complicated, given his past actions that hurt Laila deeply. Yet, his Scottish charm, playful demeanor, and vulnerability gradually won me over, despite my belief that he could have done more to redeem himself.

The narrative centers around James, newly appointed to protect Princess Ella and her sons, with the added complication of Laila, his former lover from his time in England, now tasked with caring for the children. Their shared history and unresolved feelings create tension as they navigate their professional duties amidst sparks of undeniable chemistry, all while the Norwegian royals play matchmakers.

In summary, this romance is a blend of intense passion and heartwarming moments, with standout characters like Prince Magnus and Lady Jane stealing the spotlight. I recommend delving into "Nordic Royals" and "Royals Next Door" to gain a deeper understanding of the characters, although this book can be enjoyed as a standalone. Karina Halle expertly weaves enough backstory into the narrative to keep readers engaged.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for graciously providing me with a digital review copy of this delightful book in exchange for my honest thoughts.