Review: Falling Hard For The Royal Guard by Megan Clawson

Love is in the heir in this royally good rom com debut releasing in Spring 2023 – perfect for anyone who likes relatable heroines (with great hair), hot and aloof book boyfriends (with great hats), near misses, almost kisses and a corgi or two.

Despite living in an actual castle, happily ever after is evading Margaret ‘Maggie’ Moore.

From her bedroom in the Tower of London, twenty-six-year-old Maggie has always dreamed of her own fairy-tale ending.

Yet this is twenty-first century London, so instead of knights on white horses, she has catfish on Tinder. And with her last relationship ending in spectacular fashion, she swears off men for good.

And then a chance encounter with Royal Guard Freddie forces Maggie to admit that she isn’t ready to give up on love just yet… But how do you catch the attention of someone who is trained to ignore all distractions?

Can she snare that true love’s first kiss… or is she royally screwed?

A right royal rom com, perfect for fans of Red, White and Royal Blue and The Royal We.

Margaret "Maggie" Moore is back living with her dad, a Beefeater at the Tower of London after ending her seven-year relationship with Bran. She's lonely and hates her job. When she literally bumps into a handsome man, she's instantly smitten but he's angry at her clumsiness. She brushes off and dismisses the incident until she sees the same man again…under vastly differing circumstances…!

Maggie is likeable but I also felt sorry for her. She's stuck in a rut and suffering the consequences of her previous actions. She finds solace in her surroundings; she's a history fanatic who has embraced where she lives.

The narrative is a blend of fascinating historical facts and an insight into the somewhat chaotic happenings in the otherwise mundane life of a woman searching for more than she currently has. Maggie's upbeat, but shows that even the strongest of women gets hurt when things go wrong.
In contrast, Freddie is aloof. The author hints at his background and character so we are grateful for the fun antics of the other guardsmen he is serving with and for them collectively embracing friendship with Maggie.

The tentative bond between Maggie and Freddie is slow as they develop a friendship based on mutual curiosity and interest. However, other shenanigans in Maggie's life at the Tower, tend to distract away from the blossoming attraction. Yet, the author's enthusiasm for the Tower of London is such, that a reader will want to turn the pages to discover more…

As a reader, I always love reading a book, where I can learn something new and Ms Clawson has written a delightful and fun novel brimming with history about the Tower of London with a sprinkle of romance and high jinks.

Overall, If you are intrigued by British Royalty, history, and romance, this is a book for you.

***arc generously received courtesy of Avon via NetGalley***

AMAZON US          AMAZON UK

Book Review: Dreams of the Cottage by the Sea by Rebecca Alexander

As the waves crash against the boat, Nicole wonders if the island will be as magical as she remembers… Will it offer her the new beginning she’s been searching for?

When Nicole finds herself in need of a new start, she instantly thinks of Morwen Island. She remembers the beautiful, remote place from her student days and, as she thinks of its cobbled streets and salty sea air, she wonders if this might be the place where she can begin again…

As she settles into island life, Nicole begins to feel like her old self. And when a knock on her cottage door brings handsome local Josh, who she remembers from her time on the island, she is instantly attracted to his charming smile. With their shared passion for the island’s wildlife, they spend more time together, and soon Nicole finds it hard to ignore her growing feelings. But is her fragile heart ready to embrace the possibility of love once more?

When Josh suggests they investigate the supposedly haunted old house where Nicole lived as a student, she is forced to put her feelings for him to one side. She recalls the past heartache she felt there all too well and, as she looks up at the crumbling old building, she wonders whether the locals are right. Does the house still have secrets to hide?

As she explores, Nicole learns about the women who lived there during the Second World War, a long-forgotten family secret, and a loss that will break her heart…As Nicole pieces together what really happened during the war, she feels a stronger pull to the island than ever before. Will she be able to uncover what became of the women who lived in the old house? And, if she does, will she learn from their story, and open her heart to a new life with her one true love on Morwen Island?

AMAZON US          AMAZON UK

Having read the previous books in The Cottage by the Sea series, I couldn’t wait to dive into Rebecca Alexander's latest instalment, Dreams of the Cottage by the Sea; the third title based on the Atlantic island of Morwen.

Recovering from devastating injuries sustained after a horrific car crash, Nicole is slowly trying to piece together her life. She rents a cottage on an island where she lived during her student days and hopes, a complete change of scenery will help her heal and regain strength whilst deciding what she wants to do with her life.

Readers are instantly confronted with the challenges Nicole faces as soon as she arrives on Morwen. Those who are familiar with the series will quickly recognise familiar characters as she settles into her new home for a year. It isn’t long before her passion for nature conservation leads to a meeting with Josh, the local wildlife warden.

Ms. Alexander’s beautiful island descriptions draw the reader quickly into this duel timeline novel. The overall feel of the narrative is uplifting; exploring the power of community support, the beauty of the natural world, and the resilience of the human spirit. The protagonists are both mourning their losses, creating empathy and an unexpected connection. All this is artfully interwoven with the history and secrets of the cottage during WWII. The characters are relatable and inspiring, and their stories remind us that even in the face of adversity there is hope.

Overall, Dreams of the Cottage by the Sea is a must-read for anyone seeking a heart-warming and uplifting story. I also highly recommend the other novels in this tremendous series; all are stand-alone.

***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher Bookouture via NetGalley***