All I needed to see was "modern retelling of Anastasia" to get me to click on "request"! Anything having to do with the Anastasia story and I am there, and this was a darling retelling. I got sucked in on the first page and didn't put it down until it was completely devoured. I absolutely adored Maxim and Finley. I loved this installment of Wilson's "The Royals" even more than "Royally Roma". Such a fun read, perfect for the beach on a warm summer day!

This book is actually Volume 2 in The Royals Series, from Wilson (Vol 1 being Royally Wed), but the first I have read from her. Loving the whole Romanov mystique, I was a goner from the first chapter, and quickly read through the whole book! This is a light, romantic take of the original movie, and for those who enjoyed it, there is the added nuance of comparing the two! Add in a good dose of mystery, romance and the history and you have a compelling beach read, perfect for a 'Summer getaway'! Make sure this is on your Summer reading list too!

Already, I want to cry, just from reading the quote from the real Anastasia.

Idiot detective. What, he can't lift a chair?

Is Maxim French, then? Or is he an American living in Pars?

Jeez Louise, what happened to her to make her so cynical?

I definitely don't trust this Gregory fellow.

I'd love to see the Louvre.

If it was so important to notify him, why did the policeman wait until nighttime to tell him he was potentially robbed?

Who sets up a meeting after work to get signatures on paperwork? This is fishy, Maxim.

He just crashed a private gala?

I'm glad she quit. Who needs the aggravation of working for that witch?

***4.5 Stars

Royally Romanov is the second book in the Royals series by Teri Wilson. It can absolutely be read as a standalone. It's actually the first book I have read by Teri and it won't be my last. It is a reselling of the 1956 Anastasia classic. I love history, I really do but I didn't know much of anything about the Romanov's story so it was an eye opener to me.

Maxim Laurent wakes up from a coma and has no idea who he is. What happened the night he was attacked. He remembers bits and pieces of his childhood. His grandmother. The only clue he has is the notebook he was holding during his attack. The notebook that says that his real name is Maxim Romanov. But that can't be right. The Romanov Empire was killed off almost one hundred years ago. This only proves to him that he was on a mission to figure out who he really was. Now, the twist is fate has shown him that he truly has no idea who he really is and why he was attacked at three in the morning at Point Zero. This makes him even more determined to figure it out. He also can't stop thinking about the woman he keeps dreaming about. Who is she? And what does she has to do with any of this?

Finley Abott is an art curator at the Louvre. She is also a newly published author. She wrote a book about the Romanov Empire. So when a stranger comes into the bookstore for a presentation of her book and spills that his last name is Romanov she is more than shocked. She is intrigued, confused, and foolish. There is no way he can be who he says he is. Anastasia has been dead for almost a 100 years. It was proven just a few years ago. DNA doesn't lie. But, what if it does? This could ruin the museum, her career, and the credibility of many scientists. But what if? What if, he is really Anastasia's grandson? She doesn't want to be made a fool of by believing a con-man, a sexy one but still. He came to her for help. Could she really turn away from something that could be one of the biggest discoveries in the last 100 years?

I was hooked. I love a good mystery and this was that. The clues. The discoveries. And add in some heat and love? Awesome! It's was a fun adventure for sure. Maxim and Finley make a great team. They felt something the minute they saw each other. He just knew she was the woman of his dreams. And she felt something for him as well even if at first he freaked her out.

Overall...it's a wonderful story with adventure, suspense, sexiness, and fun. I thought it was a unique love story.

Quotes:

“I know nothing about you, Maxim.”
“Neither do I.” He offered her a sad smile.

This was more than a kiss. It was an unveiling. She couldn’t have felt more exposed if she’d been undressed from head to toe.

“You don’t get to decide what I do and don’t do. Whether or not I help you is my decision, not yours.”

Review will post on The Dew on release date. http://dewonthekudzu.com