👑💋💕💍 “It Started with a Royal Kiss” (Greek Paradise Escape #2) (2022) 💍💕💋👑 – Book Review

 

MY REVIEW

 

 

Series: Greek Paradise Escape (Book #2)

Paperback: 256 pages

Publisher: Harlequin Romance Larger Print (July 26, 2022)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1335736743

ISBN-13: 978-1335736741

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

“An extraordinary kiss…
 
 …will transform her ordinary life!
 
 While artist Indigo is painting a formal portrait of Prince Istvan of Rydiania, her buttoned-up emotions are derailed when they share an unexpected kiss! After Istvan’s family ruined her father, Indigo was warned never to trust a Rydianian royal. But even though her head tells her they shouldn’t take this any further, Indigo sees something unique in Istvan. Putting her heart on the line, she knows he’s worth trusting…with her future!”

 

Thank you in advance to the author, Jennifer Faye, for providing a complimentary review copy through her review team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.

Jennifer Faye is my “go-to” author for the Harlequin Romance line, then again hers are the only “romance” line ones I have. So, to say she’s a favorite – is really an understatement. I’ve read her self-published series, Bluestar Island, as well as a Hallmark Published release in. These are in addition to eight (8) ROMANCE line ones (including this book).

 

That said, Faye NEVER disappoints. Her romance falls under “sweet” romance – off-page, discreet intimate scenes; clean language; and wholesome love stories. There are no religious themes, but the books won’t make readers blush either. Even the covers are sweet, mildly romantic, and modest.

 

This is the second book of the Greek Paradise Escape series, and can MOSTLY act as a standalone, though some of the background is established in the first book. And, a character from that book appears in this one (Hermione). Atlas is only mentioned. This picks right up from book #1, so readers might want to check out Greek Heir to Claim her Heart before diving into this one.

 

In this book, Faye continues the story of Indigo and Prince Istvan of Rydiania who readers met in the first book. And, the tale of the “Ruby Heart” is continued here as well.

 

There are very few “main” characters in this besides Istvan and Indigo.

 

As stated, Hermione returns in the first part of the book. Istvan’s parents (the king and queen) are in the book during the time in Rydiania, as well as Istvan’s sisters, namely Gisella.

 

Due to the fact that Istvan’s uncle abdicated, Indigo’s family was forced to leave Rydiania. Her father dies tragically and her mother needs assisted living which Indigo cannot afford.

 

As a result of her parents’ exile from Rydiania, Indigo has a “passive-aggressive” hate/love affair with Istvan, or rather the royal family. Still, she can’t help but be attracted to the crown prince. Yet, she is reminded of her father’s warning to not trust royals.

 

In addition to her other job, Indigo does caricatures which is how she meets Istvan for the second time in this sweet, romantic, and inspiring romance.

 

He sits down for her to “draw” him. She does one sketch that he loves and wants to keep, he asks for another to sell. He offers to pay, but it is a service of the hotel. She sees he is nothing like his father, but she doesn’t want to take the chance.

 

Istvan is closer in ideals to his uncle and perhaps thinks he had the right idea to abdicate, despite being banished from Rydiania. Yet, Istvan has been raised to be king, it is all he knows.

 

He still wants to have some fun and invites Indigo for dinner. When she doesn’t show, he goes to her. He then proposes that she do his official portrait for a fee. She sets up the terms only to discover that she has to travel to Rydiania. Despite needing the money, she can’t “travel”. Istvan insists.

 

The fee can help her mother into an assisted living apartment, and despite her late father’s warning – Indigo finally agrees to Istvan’s request. She doesn’t tell her mother either. Indigo worries about Istvan finding out who she is.

 

Once they arrive, Indigo wants to follow him to get an idea of “who” to draw. Istvan wants her portrait as his official one as he is looking to change up the monarchy once he is crowned.

 

Despite her best intentions on not staying at the palace and avoiding his parents, Indigo fails on both points. Her dinner with the king and queen doesn’t go as planned and almost sees her heading back home.

 

Istvan seems more interested in romancing Indigo than palace business. Indigo is trying to remember what her father said. But, while she sees his life as ideal – he wants nothing to do with it if he can’t have Indigo. Indigo has to wonder if he would want her if he knew who she was.

 

This is one of those “sweet” and charming romance reads. It swept me away to Greece and I didn’t want to put the book down as often as I was forced to. I kept wandering back to it. Faye’s short chapters definitely keep the pace going without looking like she is rushing it along. The descriptive writing puts readers right there in the middle of the story so much that one can feel the breezes, smell the aromas, and see the landscapes.

 

I have to admit that I liked Istvan a LOT more than Indigo. While I understand his parents basically did her parents dirty due to the forced exile, I felt that Indigo should’ve explained who she was and why she felt how she did up front. Istvan, in my opinion, did a lot to convince her how different he was from his parents, so that was a bit of shady dealings on her part. She also realizes at different moments how much she has misjudged him, yet continues to do so even up until about almost the end.

 

The introduction of the puppy was sweet – nothing like a puppy (or kitten) to show a man’s true personality. His mother didn’t like the puppy, so there is that to consider. [Note: while the cover shows two puppies, there is only one featured].

 

I had to laugh at Istvan following Indigo to the grocery store and him shopping as well. I closely related to Indigo’s mother with reading and binge watching a good TV show (both of which I seem to do late in the evening).

 

Faye also included the reality of an aging parent with an adult child watching as their once strong parent “fades” into a shadow of themselves. Anyone dealing with an aging parent in this way is sure to relate. Faye does keep it optimistic and hopeful.

 

Overall, this has the “happily-ever-after” all romances are required to have. I’m hoping to read about Istvan and Indigo again.

 

Fans of the author will definitely want to read this. As there is a third book coming out, I definitely plan to read that.

 

I also have book #4 of her Bluestar Island on my TBR list as well. It is safe to say I will definitely keep reading her work so long as she is writing.

 

 

 

RATING:

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

 

 

PREVIOUS BOOK IN THE SERIES:

Series: Greek Paradise Escape (Book #1)

Paperback: 256 pages

Publisher: Harlequin Romance Larger Print (January 25, 2022)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1335736743

ISBN-13: 978-1335736741

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

“From Greek island fling

To forever?

Managing a luxury resort on a picturesque Greek island is more than a job for Hermione Kappas. It’s been her lifeline since losing her home and family. So when gorgeous Atlas Othonos, who has recently inherited the resort, arrives set on selling it, Hermione has just two weeks to change his mind. But as their Valentine’s Day deadline approaches, it’s Hermione’s feelings for Atlas that are changing into something more …” 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author, Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming contemporary romances with rugged cowboys, sexy billionaires and enchanting royalty. Internationally published with books translated into nine languages. She is a two-time winner of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Award, named a TOP PICK author, and been nominated for numerous other awards.

You can follow her on the following social media accounts:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferFayeAuthor

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniferFaye34

 

Website: http://jenniferfaye.com/

 

 

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