Linniegayl's Reviews > Codename Charming

Wow! I haven't cried -- happy tears, mind you -- at the end of a romance in a long time. But tears are still dripping a few minutes after I finished this. I loved it!

Okay, how is this even possible? I really loved Battle Royale, the first in Ms. Parker's Palace Insiders series. And as I said in my review of that book, I was a bit irritated when I began the book that she had dropped her London Celebrities series (which I for the most part loved) for a new series featuring royals. Royals? I was skeptical. But no longer.

I probably liked this even more than Battle Royale, which seems barely possible. This book features Pet (the sister of the hero of Battle Royale) and Matthias (the tall, brawny, not spectacular looking bodyguard of Johnny, the fiance (now husband) of Princess Rosie we met in Battle Royale).

Pet and Matthias both have so much baggage, from horrible childhoods. But they've both made a success of their lives. Forced into a "fake dating" situation to protect Johnny, they get to know each other much better.

I really loved everything about this. I liked seeing the characters we'd met previously in Battle Royale. I loved some of the new additions who live in the palace. And most of all, I love Pet and Matthias.

How soon before I can read this again? I've listened to most of Ms. Parker's books in audio, and think I'll now search out the audio version of this.

Reread December 1, 2024: I did a reread of this in audio this time. I still agree with everything I wrote about the story. However, the narrator irritated me with the way she portrayed Matthias' voice. I know he's supposed to have a deep, hoarse voice, but this was like whispering most of the time.