ARC Review: The Royal Game by Linda Keir

Item: The Royal Game
Rating: 3.5
Author: Shannon

Posted October 30, 2023 by Shannon in ARC, Reviews, Shannon / 0 Comments

ARC Review: The Royal Game by Linda Keir

The Royal Game by Linda Keir
Genres: Contemporary
Publication Date: January 30, 2024
Pages: 334
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Find on: Goodreads

American pop singer Jennie Jensen is ready to marry the love of her life, England's Prince Hugh, but someone is determined to keep her from becoming a princess--any way they can. To give her fairy tale a happy ending, she'll have to play the royal game. Jennie Jensen is touring Europe, already living her dream, when Prince Hugh of Wales--the future King of England--appears at a gig and requests his favorite song. He's already smitten and soon, so is she. After a secretive, whirlwind romance, Hugh proposes, and when Jennie accepts, her world changes overnight. She's still learning to navigate the minefield of constant scrutiny, barbed social interactions, and royal protocol (there are rules about pantyhose), as she learns that not everyone in England is excited about the prospect of an American princess. When Jennie receives a threatening note, she can't help but see the parallels between herself and another young woman who struggled to adjust to royal Hugh's mother, Princess Penelope, who was killed in a mysterious plane crash. And as the threats to Jennie grow more serious, she digs into Penelope's past, discovering a woman who also suspected someone in the palace was out to get her. Was Penelope murdered? And is Jennie next? With the eyes of a nation on her as the royal wedding approaches, she's in a race against time to save her marriage ... and her own life. Both a charming love story and a thrilling mystery, The Royal Game reveals one woman's determination to find happily ever after--on her own terms.

Cocktails and Books received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.

I will admit, I read just about anything that has to do with the Royal family. When I saw this title on NetGalley, I quickly requested it.

Jennie Jensen is an American musician (I wouldn’t call her a pop star because it seems like her star is no longer rising when we meet her) who while on a European club tour discovers the fan who requested a repeat of her famous song (and who she gave crap to about the request) is none other than the Prince of Wales. What follows, is what happens when she finds herself trying to navigate the ropes of The Firm. Told in alternating POVs between Jennie (current day) and HRH the Princess of Wales, Penelope (past), readers discover the life of a princess is not all that we dream about as little girls. There’s a bit of intrigue that Jennie has to navigate as she tries to solve who wants her away from Hugh and the parallels between her situation and Penelope’s.

This was a cute story. There were definitely parts where I could see bits of Diana’s story in Penelope and then a mash-up of Will & Kate/Harry & Meghan with Jennie and Hugh. The influence was apparent, but the author put their own spin on the story to make it an enjoyable weekend read.

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Shannon

Owner at Cocktails and Books

I am a lover of alpha males with dirty mouths, strong heroines putting alpha males in their place, and the Chicago Blackhawks. I'm a proud hockey mom who can often be found at the hockey rink cheering on my favorite forward, with my kindle close by.