👑💍💕 “Royal Rumble” (Love in Laandia #1) (2024) 💕💍👑 – Book Review

MY REVIEW 

 

 

Series: Love in Laandia (Book #1) 
Paperback: 329 pages 
Publisher: Three Birds Press (January 23, 2024)  
Language: English 
ISBN: 1989203310
ISBN-13: 978-1989203316
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information 

 

“Prince Odin of Laandia and Lady Camille of Saint Pierre are getting married. The story of their whirlwind romance is sweet and swoon-worthy and completely made up.

 

Camille
 I need a husband and the second son of the King of Laandia just proposed.
 Sort of.
 Because of some archaic, idiotic 18th-century French rule, I need to be married before I take over as ruler of my tiny island nation. And after Prince Odin’s quick exit from The Suitorette reality romance show, it’s obvious he’s looking to make a match.
 The only problem? Ten years ago, Prince Odin broke my heart. And he just told the world all about it.
 I’ve got to marry him, but I’m not in the mood to forgive him.
 
Odin
 On paper, Lady Camille is the perfect choice for a royal bride. Smart, beautiful, ready to rule—but it’s the sharp-tongued temper and the tendency to hold grudges that has me worried.
 Yes, we have a past, but it only lasted one night, ten years ago. And several—hundred—letters. I thought she would have gotten over it.
 I thought I might have gotten rid of her letters before now too.
 When I suggested Lady Camille as my bride, it was a good PR move after my reality romance humiliation. But seeing her again brings back memories I thought I’d forgotten
 
 The wedding will be in six weeks, but will Camille forgive me before it happens? And what kind of marriage will we have if she doesn’t?
 
Royal Rumble is an arranged royal marriage, enemies-to-lovers, closed-door sweet romantic comedy full of missed opportunities and adorable dogs, sword fighting and snowballs.” 

 

Thank you in advance to the author, Holly Kerr, for providing a complimentary review copy through Kate Rock Book Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own. 

 

This is my first introduction to Kerr’s writing, and traditionally – I don’t read romantic-comedies (rom-coms). I’m more of a romantic-suspense, or straight romance type. Yet, something about this story grabbed me. 

 

I think most people, at least those alive back in 1981, got their royal wedding fix (and fantasy) with Charles and Diana’s wedding. It was, at the time, a true fairytale. As I was little – I didn’t remember it at all. I know they were married July 29, 1981 (a day after my mom’s birthday). My mom was in the hospital and saw the wedding on TV when it aired. That was on 7/28 here in the U.S, making her believe, for years, it was on her birthday.

 

But, just 30 years later, on my own birthday – 4/29/2011 – Prince William and Catherine Middleton got married. So, that’s my “fairytale” there. I did find that odd though – Charles/Diana around my mom’s birthday; William and Catherine on my ACTUAL birthday. 

 

I’m sure most girls (and some women) wouldn’t mind that fairytale happily ever after. I’m sure that some dreamed of finding a prince and marrying him. Me? That was never me. Not really. Not in for all the pomp, grandeur, and chaos that is royal life. 

 

The first book – in any type of series, regardless of genre – is a difficult one to set up. The author has to set-up a recurring theme and story, tell a complete story to somewhat wrap up by the end of the book, and introduce all the characters in the series while focusing only on the main characters for the current story. 

 

Kerr introduces readers to:

 

💍 Lady Camille

🎩 Lord Arnaud (Prefect of St. Pierre and Camille’s father)

👑 King Magnus (Laandian King)

🍻 Prince Kalle 

👑 Prince Odin

🛻 Prince Gunnar

👑 Prince Bo 

👑 Princess Kyra (mentioned, not seen)

 

There are very little content or trigger warnings. There is the beginning of something – “chickens …”, but it is cut off. There is a use of bad@$$. There is a mention of multiple intimate partners on Odin’s side, but nothing mentioned beyond that. There is the mention of a same-sex relationship. This is not on page or even a key part of the story, and is mentioned casually.

 

Some of the tropes used are enemies to lovers (or rather an enemy to lover), second chance, arranged marriage/marriage of convenience. Arranged marriages/marriages of convenience are not a strange romance trope, or strange ideas for royal families. In the early days of the monarchy, arranged marriages were for political reasons, one famous one was the marriage of King Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon, a political alliance between England and Spain. 

 

Camille and Odin’s marriage is about on the same order. She needs to get married to assume the position of prefect for St. Pierre. She’s doing it more or less for the people of the island as her father’s cousin (the next relation in line) wants to pawn the island off on Spain who intend to turn it into another Alcatraz. Camille can’t let that happen though.

 

She’s already had six (6) failed engagements, and can’t afford to lose this one. 

 

But, she’s also devastated that her husband-to-be revealed she was a past love during his time on the reality show The Suitorette, even worse is the episode airs on the same day they announce their engagement. 

 

As it turns out, 10 years earlier, Camille and Odin met – sort of fell in love. She wrote letters, and then – heard nothing from him. So, the marriage is presented as a “rekindled friendship to romance” – which it is ANYTHING but.

 

She’s then forced to stay in Laandia until the wedding to ensure it happens. But, it isn’t a happy time, and she exiles herself to her room for a few days.  One thing she is aware of when she leaves her room – there are a certain group of “fans” – the Odinites, who don’t like her and want her to go home. Camille isn’t opposed to the idea. 

 

However, as she needs this “alliance” – she has to stay put. She also wants to know why Odin went on the show, and he wants to know why she stopped writing him. It is a recurring theme throughout the book.

 

They slowly start spending time together, and even though it is “fake” – Odin wants it to be more, and Camille does as well. 

 

During a shopping spree, she begins to wonder if she does want to return to St. Pierre and realizes she misses nothing about the island. She is wondering if the uncertainty surrounding the future of the island is a bad thing. 

 

She eventually warms up to the idea of making it a “real” marriage, which Odin has no issue with. But, he isn’t sure how he really feels about her. He likes her, loves her, could love her 🤷🏻‍♀️💁🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️(really, dude?) 

 

However, the past creeps into the relationship, as well as personal agendas that threaten the marriage before they even say “I do”.

 

As someone who hasn’t read many rom-coms – I was immediately drawn in by it and there were times I was laughing, times I was frustrated, and times I wanted Betty White to pee on someone 🤣 I was invested in the brothers, Kate, Jackson, and even King Magnus. 

 

Kerr is spot on when it comes to the “groupies” who follow someone and seemingly think they know better. In some cases, it is referred to as a “fandom”. 

 

Having been part of one (a successful TV series that is STILL airing) from about 2011-2015 – I saw and read a LOT of stuff – some? Disturbing. The only reason I was in the group to begin with – I liked the TV show (still do despite all the cast changes). I also met some good people. Around 2014, we began parting ways. By 2018 none of us were in contact with each other, which I’m okay with. But, it gave me an inside look at some of the more “rabid” fans and how scary they can get when they don’t get their own way – either with TV actors, movie actors, or even other types of public figures. Odin sees it when he’s out shopping with Camille, even going so far as to wonder why the fans would think that reviling her would make him like them. I’ve long wondered that too. 

 

I had a HUGE laugh with this line “Kalle tried to explain it to me, after he overheard a few of the more die-hards at his bar. Holding a meeting in the bar owned by the heir to the king, really shows how little these people do think”. Honestly, I gave up wondering what people were thinking and pondered what they were thinking with, or if they were even thinking at all. It was SO refreshing to see an author bring that up. 

 

While Odin tried to be more approachable – that had a dark side as well – his “fans” only wanted him with one of their own, definitely not Camille. 

 

I LOVED the references to the movie Frozen with the “be less Elsa, more Anna. I definitely knew what Madam Carol meant. It is a sad, but sweet movie – like most Disney films are. And, yes – I absolutely LOVED “Let it Go”.

 

I also loved the reference to The Golden Girls (TV series) with Camille naming her dog Betty White since that was her favorite. In a hilarious twist, Odin preferred Estelle Getty. And, I have to say – I did love Sassy Sofia! The Golden Girls was one of the RARE tv shows my late grandma enjoy. I remember many nights watching it (before DVRs were thought of) with her and my mom. 

 

To be honest – I’m really not a fan of the illustrated/faceless covers. There’s just something too juvenile and/or unoriginal about them. So, that didn’t really stand out to me. 

 

There were a few typos and an error. One was about a Mario Kart game. Odin makes a reference about playing it on the PlayStation, yet Mario games were (at least in the U.S) exclusive to Nintendo devices. I wasn’t able to find a game on Amazon, eBay, or any other research. 

 

Even though this is a new-to-me author, she won’t stay that way. I’ll likely read Gunnar’s story in Royal Retelling coming this May (or as soon as the paperback is released). His story gets hinted at in this book, with the epilogue being from his POV.  Also, Camille and Odin’s wedding won’t be until that book – so, it’s definitely on my TBR.  

 

I’m also wondering if each sibling is going to have a story as I definitely want to read Kalle, Bo, and Kyra’s stories. I’m also looking forward to Camille and/or Odin confronting Lord Arnaud who scurried off like a rat 🐀

 

I thought the potential pairing of Kate and Jackson was sort of humorous – there is an actress by the name of Kate Jackson who I loved watching in the 1980’s spy-rom-com Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983-1987). If y’all haven’t watched that – it has its share of royals, fake-dating, intrigue, and sweet romances too. 

 

The plot can seem slow and drag a bit in places. The short chapters did keep my attention and keep me reading. This is definitely a great little weekend read. 

 

This was one of those quirky and sweet reads that has some slow-burn romance, but nothing spicy in this sweet royal romp 🚫🌶️

 

And, just like the author – I prefer Star Wars over Star Trek as well. 

 

 

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;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html) 

 

 

Next Book in Series:

 

Series: Love in Laandia (Book #2)

Publisher: Three Birds Press (May 14, 2024)

 

“What if Prince Charming fell for the wicked step-sister?

Stella:
 Not going to happen because I find nothing charming about Prince Gunnar.
 We were friends when we were kids, so I should know. Gunnar is an inconsequential playboy who is too childish to take on a role in the royal family.
 Plus, I kissed him once. But we were twelve and it was during a game of Truth or Dare so that doesn’t really count. I don’t know why I mentioned it.
 
Gunnar:
 I desperately need a date for Odin’s wedding so when Stella suggests I take her step-sister Daphne –
 Actually, Stella told me not to, which means I’m definitely going to take her. And Daphne is the perfect date that’s not a date – she’s pretty, perky and most important, not interested in me.
 But as the wedding approaches, I find myself spending more time with Daphne – and Stella – and start to wonder if I’ve picked the wrong sister.
 
 Royal Retelling is the second in the Love in Laandia series, an enemies to lovers, sweet royal romantic comedy.”

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 

Holly Kerr wants everyone to have a happily ever after, full of fun banter and friends to talk about it with.

 

She’s a lover of water, wine, and dirty martinis, prefers beach to mountain, Star Wars over Star Trek, and really wishes she liked chocolate.

 

She writes fast-paced, sweet romantic comedy with the door shut, action chick lit about sassy Canadian super spies, and women’s fiction about families and small towns.

 

 

She can also be found on the following social media sites:  

 

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

  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollykerr.author

Website: https://www.hollykerr.ca/ 

 

 

**This review contains Amazon affiliate links. 

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