10 Royal Fantasy Romance books where a Prince falls for a commoner
Introduction
Royal Fantasy romance books are my go-to read when I want something magical and lovely.Ā
Princes who fall in love with a common girl, forbidden romance…there is something addictive about this subgenre.Ā
Contemporary romance and rom-com books use this plot device with a lot of success as well.
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Table of Contents
What is so alluring about fantasy royal romance books?
It often involves one of the most popular tropes, the Forbidden romance trope.
For example,Ā Princes who are already engaged with another royal or the family disapprove of the girl, despite their love for each other.
Sometimes they are enemies as well. A common girl from a distant realm and a Prince from the enemy kingdom who fells in love with her.
The Royal can be hiding his real identity from the Main character, generating a variety of plot twists often used by authors of this subgenre.
Some common sub-tropes that are often seen in this subgenre are:
- One horse trope ( when they both have to ride together )
- One bedĀ
- Touch her and you die
- Reluctant allies
- Love triangle
- bodyguard trope
Royalty fantasy romance is one of my favourite subgenres and these are notable examples you won’t be able to stop thinking about!!
What is Royal Fantasy romance?
Royalty Fantasy romance is a very popular subgenre of fantasy romance. It is often portrayed in an alternate world with magic elements and fantastical creatures.
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There are often not historically accurate but they take some bits from some time periods.. For example, you can encounter a Royal fantasy romance book with a clear Viking influence but with fashion from the Stuart era .
Gaslamp fantasy royal romance as a more specific subgenre
There has been a rise in this very specific subgenre lately. It clearly differentiates from the more broader royal fantasy genre in that this one is indeed clearly delimited and very specific.
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Gaslamp fantasy refers to a period inside the Georgian Era called the ā Regency eraā It is particularly short and owes the name to the second ā RegencyBillā proclaimed in 1811 which made The Prince of Wales the Regent Prince called George IV.
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Authors of gaslamp fantasy rely almost exclusively on worldbuilding, manners, and fashion from this particular era. Basically, every book by Jane Austen is a portrait of the era. Men with cravats and tailcoats, a lot of arranged marriages, court rumours and banter.Ā
Royalcore as a style and subgenre
Royalcore is a popular trend in Tiktok , Pinterest and Instagram that embraces European west royalty fashion ranged from medieval fashion ( 1050 ) till the lats Years of the Victorian Era. It has been influencing not only fashion but decor and make-up too.Ā
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Pastel tones and floral patterns are preferred in this style and home decor adds gilded accents to embrace the royalty aesthetic.
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Off course is only logical to assume that this aesthetic has in some way influenced writing too ( as we are seeing right now with the rise of gothic fantasy romance books but that’s a story for another time ) and this book list is further proof of it.
Royal Fantasy Romance Books where a Prince falls for a normal girl
āI think I might fetch you the moon if only to spare your tears again.ā
"I begin to fear you've done me irreparable damage. I should like to know who to blame.ā
Genre: Royal Fantasy romance
Published: 2022/ Ongoing Series
Pages: 500
Spice level: 1/5
Synopsis
To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom forced to hide in plain sight.
The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he canāt put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdomāand the world.
Why you have to read it:
This Woven Kingdom is the first book in the new fantasy romance series by Tahere Mafi, the author of the popular Shatter Me series (which you should read, by the way ā it’s so good!).
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You can expect a lot of tension and angst, similar to Shatter Me, as well as very well-detailed worldbuilding.
Our crown prince, Kamran, is the perfect example of a ‘golden retriever’ book boyfriend ā the perfect cinnamon roll . He’s incredibly sweet and irrevocably in love with our heroine, Alizeh.
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I won’t say much more to avoid ruining the surprise, but Alizeh is a coveted girl, not only by Kamran. Fans of darker and morally ambiguous characters will also rejoice with this series. š
āHeroes don't get happy endings. They give them to other people.ā
āI'm not going to tell you to trust me, because that's a terrible idea.ā
Genre: Fantasy romance
Published: 2021/ Ongoing Series
Pages: 417
Spice level: 1/5
Synopsis
For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings . . . until she learns that the love of her life will marry another.
Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic, but wicked, Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.
But after Evangelineās first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game ā and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than sheād pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy.
Why you have to read it:
One of the best fantasy romances you can read right now.
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Plain and simple, this book took the community by storm and shattered our hearts into pieces.
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Our heroine, Evangeline Fox, is a common girl who loves happily ever afters and is desperately searching for a happy ending for herself.
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Could she find her perfect and forever love in the person of the dangerous Prince of Hearts? Only fate will tell
āIām a broken man, Emrys. Iām different to that person in the woods last time. Iām different to the boy you grew up with. I worry the darkness within me will eat me alive.ā
"... I will always be grateful for that little boy who saw the real me when I stood petrified in that gloomy courtyard. From that very first moment, I was never truly alone.ā
Genre: Royal Fantasy romance
Published: 2023/ Ongoing Series
Pages: 388
Spice level: 2/5
Synopsis
Bryce Quinlan had the perfect lifeāworking hard all day and partying all nightāuntil a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. Sheāll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.
Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purposeāto assassinate his bossās enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, heās offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach.
As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent Cityās underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passionāone that could set them both free, if theyād only let it.
Why you have to read it:
Emrys is a normal girl who lives with her parents and twin brother Ralph. But due to her hidden magic abilities, she is abducted and taken into the Kingās Palace for the King to make use of her rare powers.
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There she meets Prince Finnean, who will be her confident and friend, but when trouble arises in the Kingdom he may be forced to choose between Emrys and his duty as Prince and Heir to the Throne..
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More characters are introduced later on in the story and a possible love triangle, but it is undeniable the attraction between Finnean and Emrys.Ā
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This book is perfect if you love slow-burn romances and plot twists. The last third part of the book left me in pieces!!
The memory of how devilishly handsome Tadhg had been last night couldnāt compare to the reality of seeing him in the fading light, with a layer of stubble accentuating the strong line of his jaw and dark brown hair falling into his kohl-smeared eyes.
"Iāve decided Iām going to call you Maiden Death.."
Genre: Gaslamp /Royal Fantasy romance
Published: 2021/ Ongoing Series
Pages: 411
Spice level: 2/5
Synopsis
The Manipulator
I can manipulate the emotions of anyone who lets me.
I will make you hurt, make you cry, make you laugh and sigh.
But my words don’t affect him. Especially not when I plead for him to leave.
He’s always there, watching and waiting.
And I can never look away.
Not when I want him to come closer.
The Shadow
I didn’t mean to fall in love.
But now that I have, I can’t stay away.
I’m mesmerized by her smile, by her eyes, and the way she moves.
The way she undresses…
I’ll keep watching and waiting. Until I can make her mine.
And once she is, I’ll never let her go.
Not even when she begs me to.
Why you have to read it
If you are looking for a book with Pride and Prejudice vibes this one is for you. It has Princes, royalty, and witty banter, all mixed with deliciously wicked Faes.Ā
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Our heroine Keelynn is willing to do everything to avenge her sister’s murder and to do that, she allies with a grumpy half-fae who will become a reluctant ally in her quest to find the killer.
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A classic gaslamp fantasy romance, with a lot of plot twists and with the love interest Tadgh being a mix of Cardan from The Cruel Prince and Jacks from Once Upon a Borken Heart.
Totally recommended!
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āThe king was right about one thing. I am a great thief. I can steal just about anything. But a faerie princeās heart? I wouldnāt know where to start..ā
āMay you always have a star to wish on, Abriella, and a reason to believeā
Genre: Royal Fantasy romance
Published: 2021/ Completed Duology
Pages: 448
Spice level: 1/5
Synopsis
For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings . . . until she learns that the love of her life will marry another.
Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic, but wicked, Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.
But after Evangelineās first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game ā and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than sheād pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy.
Why you have to read it:
A complete duology, this book came out as a total surprise and was a hit among readers.
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Is the first incursion from the author in the Fantasy Romance genre and has everything you could want:.
– A very well done love triangle,
– Faes, Princes, royalty and a common girl involved in a battle between two powerful enemies who will have to decide between saving The Kingdom or betraying the love of her life..
"Iāll marry you. Iāll sign the contract. But donāt think for a moment weāll be anything more than cold allies.ā
"I wanted you then and I want you now, and it infuriates me that you feel nothing in return.ā
Genre: Royal Fantasy Romance
Published: 2021/ Book 1 of 3, Completed Series
Pages: 384
Spice level 1/5
Synopsis
Every young woman dreams of marrying a king.
Everyone except for me.
Because the king I am to wed has razor sharp fangs and a thirst for blood.
All my life I knew Iād come of age during the Hundred Year Reaping. According to the ridiculous treaty, two human girls are sent to the faelands as brides for the fearsome fae king and his devilish younger brother.
Not me. I was supposed to be safe. Two girls were chosen from my village already. But when they are executed for offending the king, my sister and I are sent in their place.
What a mess. Then again, maybe itās not so bad. The younger brother Iām paired with doesnāt seem as monstrous as Iād expected. Heās delightfully handsome too. But nothing compares to the chilling, dangerous beauty of the fae king. And when my sister flees the castle and her terrifying husband-to-be, Iām left to marry him instead.
If I go through with this, I might not survive my wedding night. If I donāt, no one is safe, neither human nor fae. An ancient war will return, bringing devastation we havenāt seen in a thousand years. Can I sacrifice myself for the good of my people? Or will a dangerous desire be the death of me first?
If I donāt lose my heart, the king will certainly lose his. Iāll carve it out with an iron blade if I have to.
To Carve a Fae Heart is an enemies-to-lovers fantasy, perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince, ACOTAR, and The Iron King. If you like snarky fae, brooding fae royals, sizzling romance, and fierce heroines, you’ll love this breathtaking fae fantasy.
Why you have to read it
Evelyn and Amelie are two human sisters that get themselves involved in a Treaty that obliges them to marry two Royal Faes. Amelie runs away and Evelyn has no other choice than marry The King of the Autumn Court, Aidenā¦but his brother, Prince Cobalt has other plans for her.
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A traditional enemies-to-lovers with royal intrigue and a badass heroine.Ā
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Fans of Nesta and Jude Duarte will definitely enjoy Evelynās killer instincts.!!
āCardan grins at me as though we've been great friends all our lives. I forgot how charming he can be--and how dangerous that is.ā
āThis is what you wanted, isnāt it?ā he asks. āWhat you sacrificed everything for. Go on. Itās all yours.ā
Genre: Royal Fantasy romance
Published: 2018 / Book 1 of 4 Completed Series
Pages: 370
Spice level: 1/5
Synopsis
Once, weād worshipped them as Gods.
For nearly 400 years, the Veil has protected us from the Fae of Alfheimr. In their absence, our lives have shifted from decadence and sin to survival and virtue under the guidance of the New Gods. Iāve spent my entire life tending to the gardens next to the boundary between our worlds, drawn to the shimmering magic like a moth to the flame.
Then, we died on their swords.
All of that changes the day the Veil shatters, unleashing the fae upon our world once again. The magic of faerie marks those of us they mean to take, but the Mist Guard protecting Nothrek will kill us all before they let the fae have us. Thereās no choice but to flee everything Iāve ever known, not if I want to live to see my twenty-first birthday as a free woman.
Now, theyāll claim whatās theirs.
But before they capture me, Caelum saves me from the Wild Hunt. Fae-marked and on the run, he is able to fight back in ways I only dream of. From tentative alliance to all-consuming passion, our bond strengthens as the fae close in and evil lurks ever nearer. With my life on the line, he is everything I shouldnāt dare to want and a distraction I canāt afford. I canāt seem to stay away, not even with something greater on the line.
My heart.
Why you have to read it:
One of the most beloved series by the Fantasy Romance community, In this series we meet Jude, a plain and ordinary human girl who was raised by a ruthless Fae general. With the help of his stepfather, she learns the art of the sword and how to avoid becoming a victim in this cruel Faerie World
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Ā Cardan is the youngest heir to the Crown, and with his pompous friends, he will try to make Jude and her twin sister life impossible in hopes of them going back to the human world.
Steamy Royal Fantasy Romance books where a princess falls for a commoner
This subcategory has a reverse twist. Instead of a male Prince, we have a Princess and the love interest is a common guy.
3 of 4 of this book are quite steamy, so if you are looking for spicy reads these ones are definitely for you!!
āPrincess,ā he said, kissing her neck as he lowered himself between her legs, āI would rather die than hurt you.ā
āSo did you like it?ā āIn some cases.ā āWhy did you do it in the other cases, then?ā Jaghar grimaced. āYou donāt have that many options with men.ā
Genre: Royal Fantasy Romance
Published: 2021/ Book 1 of 3 Completed series
Pages: 217
Spice level 5/5
Synopsis
She despises his coldness. He loathes her nosy questions. But when a war threatens their small kingdom, they have no choice but to work together…
The Princess…
Three years at a foreign court have completed Vivietteās education as crown princess of the Peaks. Now the threat of war forces her to return home: back to the thorny intrigues of Rock Hall, and to a father who still believes sheās a helpless little girl. Despite his concerns, Viviette is determined to protect him and her kingdom ā even if it means she must cooperate with the cold, bitter Spymaster she hates nearly as much as their enemies.
The Spy…
Jaghar is already dealing with a looming war, a spurned lover and an old enemy stirring up memories he never wanted to confront again. The last he needs is the return of his kingās daughter, with her rebellious streak and her endless questions. But the princess is no longer a little girl he can easily ignoreā¦ And as she manipulates herself into the diplomatic machinations of the kingdom, she awakens something in him too ā something he thought the pain of his past had killed for good.
A threat of warā¦
Armies are gathering at the Peaks’ borders. Dark conspiracies are taking shape in the shadows of Rock Hall. Someone must budge ā or someone must die. But even with the king’s life on the line, the princess and the spy cannot deny the forbidden fire flaring up between themā¦
VelvetĀ is the first book ofĀ The Princess & The Spy, a steamy fantasy romance trilogy taking place in the dangerous, passionate world of the Five Kingdoms. Perfect for readers of enemies to lovers fantasy and adult fairy tale romances, it tells a story of deadly intrigue, dark secrets and sizzling forbidden love.
Why you have to read it
An exquisite royal fantasy romance, Met Viviette, the Princess from the Peaks, she was sent for 3 years to a friendly Kingdom to perfect her skills and manners to be ready to be Queen in the near future.
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But when she is back, she has to endure again the Kingdomās Spymaster, who after 3 years continues to be a bastard with no feelings and treats her still like a child.
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The book takes place in the Stuart era, Court politics, betrayals, mystery, and an easter egg for people who read her other series “Iron”.
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If you fancy aĀ VERY steamy fantasy royal romance this one is definitely for you!
"Was there really not a decent man to be found in the entirety of Redwood? Or did only the wrong ones find their way to her room?"
"If I send you after a promising opportunity to remove one of my most troublesome adversaries, Runo, I donāt expect you to fuck her first thing after your arrival and then let her escape."
Genre: Fantasy romance
Published: 2021/ Book 1 of 3 Completed series
Pages: 236
Spice level: 5/5
Synopsis
He was supposed to kill her, not to melt her iron heartā¦
Steamy assassin fantasy romance ā Enemies to lovers ā Grumpy / Sunshine
The Queen
Two years ago she poisoned her violent husband. Now Tamar, Queen of Redwood, rules her kingdom on her own, with an iron fist and a closely guarded heart. Surrounded by scheming nobles, she can never afford to lose control of her court ā or of herself. But when an infuriatingly handsome assassin breaks into her room one night, her careful web of authority shatters at once.
The Assassin
Raised in the treacherous Taavi Empire, Runo knows every rule of survival. Donāt love, donāt get attached. Kill, and live. His newest target may wear a crown, but thanks to a traitor offering him an easy way into her rooms, even the Iron Queen of Redwood will have to make peace with her mortality soon. Except that Tamar turns out to be everything but the easy prey Runo assumedā¦
A Dangerous Alliance
But as they play their deadly game of survival, a far greater danger looms. With a nameless traitor now out for both their lives, the queen and the assassin have no choice but to close an uncertain alliance. And as shadows of the past draw them deeper and deeper into a tangle of deceit, sizzling hate turns into something much more dangerousā¦
IronĀ is the first book ofĀ The Queen & The Assassin, a steamy fantasy romance trilogy taking place in the dangerous, passionate world of the Five Kingdoms. Perfect for readers of enemies to lovers fantasy and adult fairy tale romances, it tells a story of deadly intrigue, dark secrets and sizzling forbidden love.
Why you have to read it:
Another royal fantasy romance from the great Lisette Marshall.Ā
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A historical fiction placed in the same Universe as Velvet with a cunning and fierce widowed Queen who will do everything for her Kingdom and a ācheerfulā assassin who – you guessed it- has to accomplish one only task: Kill Viviette and escape the Kingdom alive.
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If you like the Grumpy Sunshine trope you will love this book.It has a good amount of banter and excellent spice scenes.
"A hot spark of desire flashed through my chest, and I wouldnāt mind if he touched me in a different way.ā
Why are you so . . . kind to me? I should be a charge to you, a woman you must chaperone and assess, yet you treat meāā
Genre: Royal Fantasy Romance ( Vikings and medieval)
Published: 2021 / Book 1 of 3 Completed series
Pages: 348
Spice level 1/5
Synopsis
Long ago, Elise’s ancestors stole the crown from the fae king. As the niece of the brutal, current king, her purpose is to do whatever is asked to ensure her family keeps the throne for centuries to come. The trouble is, Elise would rather sneak into gambling halls with the servants than be a silent princess at a ball.
Soon reckless games are ended when her uncle forces her into negotiations for a marriage. If she refuses, her deathly-ill father will pay the price.
Trapped by her sense of duty, Elise is given to the charge of Legion Grey, the handsome and mysterious dowry negotiator. But Legion holds more than her future in his hands. He incites her anger and a forbidden passion.
“A hot spark of desire flashed through my chest, and I wouldnāt mind if he touched me in a different way.ā
Elise
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Why are you so . . . kind to me? I should be a charge to you, a woman you must chaperone and assess, yet you treat meāā
Elise
Why you have to read it
Emlyyn is cousins with the King but she receives the same treatment as a princess. The King wants to marry her to a wealthy nobleman and, he chooses a ā Negotiatorā to be in charge of selecting the correct suitor for her.Ā
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This honour falls to Herr Legion Grey, a very mysterious man who seems to have ulterior motives and will incite some not-so-good? Thoughts on our heroine Elise.
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I STRONGLY SUGGEST not to read the blurb of this book. For reasons I cannot comprehend the author decided to add some very specific spoilers in the synopsis so better not read it if you are planning to begin the series.Ā
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I edited the blurb and removed the spoilers so it is safe for you to read it from this page.
"Oh, fuck my permission"..We're finished talking, sweeting. So very fucking finished"...
"Very well. I was destined for hell. The Royal Thorn had slayed me to the besotted edge of lunacy."
Genre: Royal Fantasy romance
Published: 2022/ Book 1 of 6, ongoing Series
Pages: 543
Spice level: 4/5
Synopsis
SECOND EDITION with spicy adult content including extended, new, and revised scenes.
WARNING: Reviews prior to October 2022 do NOT reflect the second edition or its adult content.
Spicy enemies to lovers fantasy romance.
STAY AWAY FROM THE COURT JESTER. ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE A GOOD LITTLE PRINCESS.
The Court Jester marks his targets with a ribbon. Thatās how I find out Iām next.
The moment that band of scarlet fabric appears on my pillow, I know itās a promiseāa bad omen delivered by someone wicked.
Heās powerful. Heās sinful.
They whisper about him in the castleās shadowed halls. Everyone fears his devilish tongue, yet everyone desires his heated touch.
With each seductive temptation, I fall under the jesterās spell. With every forbidden moment, he ignites a fire that Iāve never known before.
But the jester is guarding a treasonous secret. And becoming his obsession is dangerous.
As a good little princess, I should know. Because if I donāt risk my ruin, Iāll surely sacrifice my heart.
WARNING: This is the first book in a scorching hot NA/New Adult fantasy romance series with explicit sexual content and language. For readers 18+ who want heavy steam and enemies to lovers.
Why you have to read it:
If you have read The Cruel Prince and wanted more steamy scenes, this is the book for you.Ā
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Our female main character is the Princess of Autumn, who is invited to a Reunion organized by the Court of Spring where important issues about the Kingdom are going to be discussed.Ā
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But the Spring Court has a special weapon to turn the Courts into their bidding. The Court Jester is not only there to entertain guests,Ā but to gather information and make Briar succumb to his charming and seduction games.Ā
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This one is on the spicier side and Poet the Court Jester is absolutely delicious!!
Final thoughts
I hope this post has inspired you to add a lot of books to your TBR .
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Royal Fantasy romance is one of my favourite subgenres. And is one I crave a lot. I just can’t simply wait to find a good royal romance when Im in the mood for it..I need it right away! haha
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In other words, this List is for all my book besties who love royal fantasy and for all the romance readers who want to enjoy one of the most enchanting and “feel-good” subgenres. Enjoy!!!
QUESTION: Do you enjoy reading royal fantasy romances? What’s your favourite?Ā
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