Title: The Royals Upstairs
Author: Karina Halle

Review:

✨★★★★☆ 4/5 Stars

Karina Halle's "The Royals Upstairs" is a delightful blend of romance, tension, and royal intrigue that is sure to captivate readers from the very first page. With its charming setting, engaging characters, and sizzling chemistry, this novel seamlessly intertwines the complexities of second-chance romance with the unique challenges of royal service.

James Hunter, the royal bodyguard to Prince Magnus of Norway, finds himself in an unexpected and less-than-glamorous situation. Instead of thrilling escapades, he's confined to a royal estate, dealing with unruly children and conspiratorial staff. To top it off, the children’s nanny is Laila Bruset, the woman whose heart he once broke and who remains embedded in his own.

Halle masterfully crafts the tension and unresolved feelings between James and Laila. James is a protagonist torn between duty and desire, his tough exterior hiding the regrets and hopes he harbors. Laila, on the other hand, is a spirited and dedicated nanny, whose initial exasperation with James slowly gives way to a rekindling of old emotions. Her vulnerability regarding her ailing grandmother adds depth to her character, making her journey of emotional rediscovery all the more poignant.

The forced proximity of James and Laila leads to a series of interactions that are both heated and heartfelt. Halle is brilliant in her depiction of their chemistry, making every glance, touch, and exchange crackle with underlying tension. The progression from animosity to intimacy feels natural, with each moment peeling back layers of their past and bringing them closer together.

Beyond the central romance, the royal environment serves as a rich backdrop for the narrative. The mischievous royal children, the staff's scheming, and the secluded estate all add layers of interest and humor to the story. The royal elements do not overshadow the romance but rather enhance it, providing a unique setting that differentiates the story from typical contemporary romances.

One of the standout features of "The Royals Upstairs" is its ability to balance the light-hearted moments with more serious, heartfelt issues. James and Laila’s journey isn't just about rediscovering love; it's about confronting past mistakes, personal growth, and making difficult choices for a better future.

However, the story does occasionally lean into predictable territory, particularly with typical romance tropes. Despite this, Halle's engaging writing style, well-developed characters, and the palpable chemistry between the protagonists ensure that the novel remains a compelling and enjoyable read.

In conclusion, "The Royals Upstairs" is a captivating tale of romance and redemption set against the backdrop of royal life. Karina Halle has crafted a story that is both heartwarming and exciting, with characters who will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. If you're a fan of second-chance romance, royal intrigue, and stories filled with emotional depth and sizzling tension, "The Royals Upstairs" is a must-read. Prepare to be swept off your feet by James and Laila’s passionate and poignant journey towards love and understanding.

I've been awaiting this novel for years and it did not disappoint. I adore Halle's writing, it makes me feel cozy and so relaxed. Lots of people are going to love this novel. I will be recommending for a long time.

The Royals Upstairs promises a sizzling romance between a royal bodyguard and a nanny, but it falls short of delivering the heat. James Hunter and Laila Bruset's second-chance love story is marooned by a lack of chemistry and a repetitive plot. James, tasked with protecting Prince Magnus's unruly children, finds himself stuck in a rural estate, and his reunion with Laila, whose heart he once broke, is more tepid than tantalizing.
Despite moments of genuine tension and potential, the story gets bogged down by predictable drama and meddling staff antics that feel more like filler than substance. The characters never quite break free from their clichés, making this royal romance more of a chore than a charming escape.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I thought this was a cute romance just not wowing me in any way. It was good and cute but not 5 star worthy.

This was a quick read and overall enjoyable. I felt like there was a thinner plot compared to Halle's previous novel. I really enjoyed the scenery and the characters.

Thank you for the advanced copy.

I was super excited to receive this galley as I loved The Royals Next Door. In my opinion, The Royals Upstairs id not nearly as good. It was lacking in plot and didn't draw me in as a reader. If this had been a standalone book, I probably wouldn't have finished it, but I kept waiting for it to get better because I enjoyed The Royals Next Door so much.

While I enjoyed the premise of "The Royals Next Door," a previous book by Karina Halle, had several issues with the writing. Unfortunately, this book likewise fell flat for me. The male MC was pushy and aggressive and I didn't like that at all. Men behaving badly in the name of attraction and love is just gross and not what I want to read in 2024. I wanted to love this book. I love royal-adjacent books and the story could have been so much better than it was. Halle missed the mark on this one.

I'm a little torn on this book. I really enjoyed the story and characters (and the spice was perfection) but it was a little overwritten. I think it could have used a little paring back ( a TINY bit) and it would have been 5 stars instead of 4.

The Royals Upstairs is a fun and a bit spicy story. I enjoyed the characters and their relationships.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Beware, I may have spoilers in this.

To be perfectly honest, I was a little disappointed in this one...

I didn't read the first book, and you definitely don't need to in order to read this one. Both can stand on their own. Although, you will get cameos of the characters from the first book in this one.

Both of the characters just didn't do much for me. The clearly had issues in the past that keep getting brought up, but they moved through it so quickly that it felt almost unnecessary to even have in the plot. Before the book starts, these characters had a quick relationship built up on insta-love. Something happens and they separate, have their own lives completely away from one another, and then BAM! They meet and...insta-love again?

The worst part is that I wanted so desperately for them to have chemistry and it just wasn't working. Something about them felt off. And I don't know if it was because the past "break-up" they had built up between them had no actual resolution or if it was just that both of the characters were lacking in an extra layer of depth.

It's really unfortunate because I think this could have had so much potential. But if you like second-chance romances and contemporary royal novels, this might work well for you.

Laila is the nanny for the children of the King and Queen of Norway and James has just joined as their bodyguard. Unfortunately, the two have a brief but spicy past that did not end well. Keeping their former tryst a secret while also trying to keep away from each other is going to prove more difficult than managing the holy terror of a prince.

I enjoyed reading a romance set in a different locale than usual - I don’t read many Norwegian-set books - and I admit, I’m a sucker for a royal connection rom-com. I do wish the two characters had a better relationship. There was something about their romance that left me cold. It felt a little mechanical, not only the romance aspect, but the spice as well (all the words were right, but they didn’t have any originality), and I never really bought his reason for not committing to her. Something about the book felt a smidge off like all the dots weren’t connecting. It wasn’t my favorite royal-adjacent romance, but I enjoyed getting to know a new world and reading my first Karina Halle book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I'll start this by saying I was so excited to read another book by this author after her fun "The Royals Next Door" which had me laughing and swooning. Unfortunately, The Royals Upstairs was very underwhelming. I didn't connect to anyone. The romance fell flat and the MMC was pushy and aggressive and I hated that. I'm not sure if there just was enough plot?

I enjoyed most of The Royals Upstairs. I wanted to love it all, but there was a lot of lag in the middle of the book where it was really hard to hold my interest. It does pick back up towards the end, but it was a struggle. I would say, overall, I enjoyed it but if you are looking for something fast-paced or intriguing, this might not be the one for you. 3 Stars

The premise is very promising. Unfortunately, the characters feel too childing for how old they are supposed to be and thus difficult to root for.

What a delightfully interesting story! I was drawn in from the time that I first read the description, and I knew that I had to dive right in! When we typically see a story about royalty, the focus is on the royals themselves. In this case, our MCs are the staff that serve and support these royals.

Laila, the FMC, despite having a tough exterior is loving, kind and sweet. She once gave her heart to someone and he broke it, so he's been the proverbial enemy since that day. The last thing that she expects is to see him employed by the same royal family that she's nannying for.

James, the MMC, has a difficult past that he continues to run from. It's made him wary of love and commitment. Despite his strong feelings for Laila, he ran away from them because he was terrified of what would happen if he gave into them.

When their paths cross once again on a new job, James is determined to start afresh. While Laila resists at first, he charms his way into her good graces. She is determine to keep him at arms length, but when he shows her a different side of him; the caring and kind man that she once fell in love with, she can't help but let him in, despite knowing that their relationship has an expiration date.

What was almost poignantly beautiful is how much James and Laila cared for each other. They were so attuned to the other's feelings and so considerate of the other's boundaries, despite their denial of how they truly felt for each other. It added the kind of depth to this story that you don't typically see in a rom-com.

4.5 ⭐️

I can’t find it within myself to focus on this one because I just don’t like it, sorry! So I won’t be finishing it. Thank you for the copy though. <3

I really wanted to like this book because I loved the first but this didn’t seem special to me like the first one. It felt like a chore to read. I did love the supporting characters though. The grandmas death reminded me of my own and it really hit hard. 3/5

Thank you so much for the advanced digital copy of The Royals Upstairs.

I absolutely love royal books, especially ones that feature the household staffs. Unfortunately I just wasn't feeling the chemistry on this one. The MMC was too aggressive and pushy, which I found distasteful and hard to read. I enjoyed the steam but even that seemed a little unrealistic to me.

The plot lacked punch and there were a lot of pages (even chapters) that could be skipped without impacting the story.

While I loved the idea and premise behind this book, it wasn't for me.

I do think fans of this author, especially those who have read the book where these characters meet, will likely appreciate this book.

The Royals Upstairs is a novel that actually follows those who work downstairs. Laila is a nanny for Prince Magnus and Princess Ella, watching their two very high energy child. James is the new bodyguard for the Norwegian family, and when he shows up at the palace, he runs into his old fling, Laila. She is mad at how he ended things last time, and we see through chapters of both their past and their present that perhaps they might fall if not in love, at least in bed together again.

Overall I rate this book 3 stars. It was original enough by having the setting in Norway, with a full cast of somewhat loveable characters. However I was not sold on the main characters themselves. James really lacked appeal as the male hero, and when he was 'flirting' with Laila the second time, against her wishes, he really just came off not as endearing or sexy but incredibly sleazy and low key gross. Overall, I didn't really feel like his background or his reasons for acting as he did, past and present, made much sense, and seemed more like an obvious plot device than a three dimensional, flawed character. I felt similar with Laila, more because she told us that she was the village weirdo and had been rejected in the past, but when push comes to shove, her community showed up for her and it seems like maybe she was just a goth as a kid? Even in the present day though her love of reading middle grade books, talking to her stuffed animals, and basically being like a child read as Peter Pan syndrome and didn't seem so endearing to me. And to imagine that both these characters should be together felt forced.

The story wasn't without its good moment though, I really enjoyed Prince Magnus and the shenanigans Bjorn was getting up to. The idea of having a cozy relationship between staff and the royals was a different dynamic than what I normally read about. And I always do love reading about Norway. And for those who are wondering, this is a four chilis pepper read, so don't be surprised.

This book is for you if you like second chance romances and stories in a royal world (without being royals themselves).
I would consider reading this author again, especially the novel about Magnus and Ella when they met (you don't need to read it before this one though).

I love the occasional royal romance, and have read a few of Karina’s others and really enjoyed so I was excited to get this one. The storyline was cute, the male main character James has been recently hired as a bodyguard for a royal family, and the female main character Laila is the nanny to their kids. James and Laila have both previously worked with other royal families together, and there is a little bit of history between them! We get some snippets of two years ago when they first worked together and present time. Unfortunately, I had a little bit of trouble connecting to the main characters, I wasn’t feeling their chemistry as much as I was hoping to. I think this one just sadly wasn’t for me, but I’ll definitely be trying this author again!