Review: A Royal Kiss and Tell

A Royal Kiss and Tell by Julia London
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Following up to the first book, The Princess Plan , Lady Caroline is front and center with her love interest. For those who have not read the first book, this book can be read as a standalone. It will be more enjoyable learning the back history. Still, this story is easy to follow with well woven insights from the first book.

I confess I'm mixed about this story. I was hoping the story would be about Eliza's sister, Hollis. It is about Eliza's childhood friend, Caroline. Caroline is a hard character for me to like. She is shallow and her high opinion of herself is off putting. She's annoying with her "rules don't apply to someone as beautiful as me" attitude. She lives a sheltered and privileged life, fully funded by her brother. Whilst Hollis bemoans the fact that men either want her for her money or looks, she has not demonstrated anything worthwhile to admire. She is one of those characters you kind of feel pity for because she is so self-deluded. She isn't malicious; she's worse. She's careless and leaps to conclusions. She uses her influence quite frankly for bad rather than good. So what is there to like about her? I'm still not sure.

She does grow up a little in this story. She also finds something she is passionate about. This isn't her lust for her best buddy, Eliza's brother in law, Prince Leopold. She wants to design and make dresses. She also wants Leopold to notice her. They are an unlikely match and their romance felt contrived and forced. Their constant communication issues and inability to be honest with each other grated on me. They have the best of intentions from their point of view and yet each time, their help causes more things to go awry.

Character and lack of chemistry aside, this story is well written. The plot of human trafficking and how to foil this practice kept my attention. How Leopold responds to it and because his past behaviours undermines his plans, it is painful to watch. Not because it is bad, but because Leopold wants to right an injustice so badly yet every turn, his past wild behaviour is thrown into his face.

The conclusion to this story wrapped up very quickly into a happily ever after. Let's just say, Caroline's brother is finally able to taste the freedom. This romance is recommended to historical romance readers who enjoy a "prince charming" fairytale theme.
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