Member Reviews

Rose is hired as a nanny for Emilia and Max, two royal children, after their mother and nanny are killed. Rose’s sweet personality helps not only the family begin to heal, but also the entire staff. She sees Diego’s true character and pushes him to become the man he wants to be so that his family can all heal from the recent deaths but also from the Queen’s. This is another great read from Donna Alward. I couldn’t put this book down. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

Was this review helpful?

I adore royal romances, so I jumped on the chance to read this one.

Donna Alward does a wonderful job taking a pretty well-known trope of royalty and nanny and making it new and fresh. You can't help but cheer for the characters. Not only does Diego make the most perfect reformed rake, but Rosalie is his perfect foil. Everything about this story kept me hooked and reading on.

I am REALLY looking forward to more books in this series.

Was this review helpful?

Fairytale !

Rose is hired as nanny to Prince Diego's niece and nephew after their mother dies in a car accident.
As they spend time together trying to heal the kids and the family, the attraction keeps growing between them. But what kind a future could be in store for a Prince and Nanny ?
The playboy prince and the Nanny was a sweet read. My heart went to the little Emilia and Max. It was a heartwarming, well written and emotional read. A fairytale.

Was this review helpful?

The Playboy Prince and the Nanny by Donna Alward is the first book in her Royal Duology. Once again, Donna Alward give us a wonderful sweet delightful romance. The Playboy Prince and the Nanny revolving around a Royal family, but this book was so much fun to read, as every single character was great, and I loved every moment of it.

Prince Diego Navarro is with his friends at a bar, living the life of a playboy prince, when he sees on the television the news of terrible tragedy in his homeland of Mazazur. His sister in law and the nanny were killed in the horrific car crash, and Diego heads home to help his brother, Raoul, the crown prince, as well as his niece and nephew through this trying time. Raoul has always performed along with his father, the King all the duties required of nobility, leaving Diego to live his fun wild life. But Diego is determined to step in and show his brother and father that he is more than capable of handling any duties required. It will be Diego who will hire a new nanny to help with the children.

Enter Rose Walters, the new nanny, who has come with excellent references with the rich and famous. Rose knows the rules, and is very good at her job. Rose was wonderful with her two charges, Emilia and Max, and in a short time they come to love her, as does she, and helps them learn to adapt to the loss of their mother. When Rose arrived, she was met by Diego, and though he was handsome, caring and totally different than his playboy image, she knew she needed to avoid him as much as possible. Her attraction to him was real, and soon Diego will find himself enjoying the friendship he had with Rose. Both of them find it hard to keep their distance, as Diego tried to spend time with the children and Rose.

Of course, with a Royal family, pictures are secretly taken and Rose find herself exactly where she did not want to be; on the cover of the papers. She was help, and he was a prince. There could be no future. Rose must decide if she should stay, or leave the precious children, who would get hurt again. However, the Navarro family does not let the media dictate their lives, and to her surprise, Raoul and his father are supportive, finding themselves caring about her, too. Diego is determined to show Rose how much he loves her and that she will be accepted into the Royal family. I loved Diego and Rose together, and I adored both Max and Emilia.
The ending was so well done, happily emotional and very satisfactory. If you enjoy a sweet well written romance, with so many likeable characters, you should read The Playboy Prince and the Nanny. If you have not read Donna Alward, and you enjoy romances, you should be reading her books.

Was this review helpful?

This was a sweet story. I wish it could have been longer so the story felt more rounded out.

Was this review helpful?

Will appear at Romance Reviews Today soon. http://romrevtoday.com/ Site is currently moving to a new server.

THE PLAYBOY PRINCE AND THE NANNY – Donna Alward
Swerve
ISBN: 978-1-250-14253-5
August 2017
Contemporary Romance

Marazur – Present Day

Rose Walters is hired as a nanny for the Crown Prince of Marazur’s children, who recently lost their mother and nanny in a car accident. Rose has worked for others as a trusted nanny for years, and since she is somewhat estranged from her own family, is eager to go overseas and work in Marazur. She once met the younger prince of Marazur, Prince Diego, years ago and wonders if he remembers their exchange, but deep down, she hopes he doesn’t because back then she was literally a beggar. But the first person Rose meets at the royal castle is Prince Diego. He apparently doesn’t remember her, which relieves her worries, but wherever she turns, there he is, ready to step in and help with the children.

Prince Diego is the “spare heir” and, as such, is pretty much able to do what he wants, including getting involved in romantic scandals. With the recent death of his sister-in-law, he offers to step in and assist his brother and father while they cope with the tragedy. He agrees to meet the nanny and help her get acclimated into palace life, but Diego discovers to his shock that he’s intrigued by the demure, but pretty, woman. He then uses excuses to spend time with his niece and nephew—and Rose, their nanny. Diego wants Rose, but he isn’t getting involved with palace help forbidden due to the scandal it’d cause?

Rose is almost like Cinderella as she falls for the prince, but in this case, they’re living in modern times and she’s the nanny. Diego can have any woman he wants—and has indulged in many affairs—but once he meets Rose, he suddenly loses interest in his playboy ways. But first he must win her trust, and hope they can build something together out of the public eye, which is hard to do when the press is tracking your every move. Yet, Rose and Diego do spend time together at the palace, which cements their friendship. But will it lead to something even deeper, like love…and marriage?

THE PLAYBOY PRINCE AND THE NANNY by Donna Alward is the first tale in a two-book series about the two princes of Marazur, with the widowed Crown Prince Raoul’s story next. Rose is British and has been raised to respect the proper manners of help versus employers. Diego would like to throw that convention out the window, but he has to break down Rose’s barriers. Their romance builds slowly…and is sweet, rather than sensual. But just as Rose and Diego are ready to declare their love for each other, a crisis occurs that breaks them apart. Will they find their way back to each other?

This is a romantic tale of sweet love and the prince who finds his commoner bride. Don’t miss THE PLAYBOY PRINCE AND THE NANNY.

Patti Fischer

Was this review helpful?

Donna Alward takes us away from small towns (Jewell Cove, Darling VT) to the Mediterranean and to Marazur where the playboy prince Diego Navarro resides when he isn’t out and about living up to his reputation. “The Playboy Prince and The Nanny” is book 1 of Ms. Alward’s duology – Princes of Marazur.

Besides being the playboy prince, Diego cares deeply for his family. Sheltered by his brother Raoul after the death of their mother when they were young, Diego will do whatever it takes to bring back joy to the family after the tragic deaths of Raoul’s wife and their children’s nanny. Diego hires professional nanny Rosalie Walters and is instantly attracted to her internal light and happiness.
Rose, however, had briefly met Diego many years before and has always seen him as above her. She is filled with insecurities and lacks confidence from a remark her sister once said. Like Diego, Rose cares deeply for her family and puts them first and when she meets Diego’s niece and nephew she falls for them and wants to take away their heartache over losing their mother. She also finds herself falling for Diego, realizing he isn’t the man she met at the train station so long ago.

In “The Playboy Prince and The Nanny”, Diego and Rose must deal with who they are and not bring scandal to the monarchy. Their journey – Diego to prove to his family he can be more than a playboy and Rose to learn she is worthy of happiness and to put herself first – is heartwarming and emotional with a sweet undertone.

For those who have read Ms. Alward’s previous works, you may recognize Lucy (Diego’s half-sister) when she originally appeared in “The Rancher’s Runaway Princess”.

Next up for the Princes of Marazur will be Raoul’s story, “The Crown Prince’s Bride”, which will be released in January 2018 and I’m sure Ms. Alward will give us another heartwarming read.

Was this review helpful?

This was an enjoyable romance between Diego, the so-called playboy prince and the royal nanny, Rosalie. Donna Alward managed to create a very interesting character in Diego. While the world and his family see him as a playboy, Diego is very conscious of his duties to his country and to his family. So when tragedy strikes the family, Diego steps in to take charge. However, he never expected to find love out of the tragedy.
Perfect afternoon romantic read!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.

Was this review helpful?

utton is engaged that is until she brings her fiances' car to Wyatt Abbott's shop to have it refurbished. What is found under the seat will change the direction of her life.
Wyatt is more than happy to show Sutton how to have fun. While Sutton is getting through this.
Through it all they will both learn about each other and change each others life .

This is a feel good book


** I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

Was this review helpful?

What a perfect summer read! The Playboy Prince and the Nanny is a modern day Cinderella story taking place on the fictional Mediterranean island of Marazur. After a tragic automobile accident kills the Princess and the Nanny to her two children, Rose is hired as a replacement nanny. She turns out to be an exceptional caretaker and teacher. She also becomes attracted to Prince Diego, the younger brother of Prince Raoul. But this attraction cannot in her mind amount to anything since she is just “the hired help”, and he after all is a prince! Donna Alward tells this lovely fairytale in such a touching way. I was rooting for this relationship to beat all the odds that were against it, not only for Rose and Diego, but for the two adorable children as well. I’m looking forward to Prince Raoul’s story.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this most charming love story!

Was this review helpful?

If you are looking for a solid summer romance to read while at the beach or on vacation, look no further. The Playboy Prince and the Nanny is just the book for you. Rose Walters is hired as nanny for the two children of Raoul, whose wife has been tragically killed in an auto accident. When Rose arrives, she encounters Raoul’s younger brother, the playboy prince, Diego, who regularly is in the papers with another new adventure or girl on his arm. Diego Is the “spare” to his brother, and has never been taken seriously or given much of a royal family job to do, while Raoul, along with his father, has been carrying the load for the royal family. Thus, Diego has become the playboy prince. Upon arrival, Rose, realizing just how traumatized young Max and Emilia have been by their mother’s death, begins to worm her way gently into their hearts and souls, as well as those of the entire household, effectively healing as she does. At the same time, both she and Diego recognize an attraction/chemistry between them. The story slowly weaves its way through the long days and nights, as this household, and especially Max, Emilia and Raoul, recover from this tragedy and begin to rebuild their lives, and as the Rose-Diego relationship grows. The story plot and line were predictable from the start. Still, this is a great romance between Rose and Diego, with Rose’s effect on the children, Raoul and the entire household thrown in to balance the tale. I enjoyed watching the interactions between Rose and Diego, Rose and the two children and between Rose and the household. As can be expected, the couple has some questions/doubts about the relationship between Rose and Diego, but I never felt their relationship was not going to happen. Still, it was interesting to see how they handled them and to watch it grow to fruition. It was also fascinating to watch the real Diego emerge from the playboy prince to loving, heartwarming man, uncle and prince. The two children added a note of whimsy and interest to this story, which would have been much less interesting without them. As I said, if you are looking for a short, sweet romance to read, this is a great choice. I have read most of the other books by Donna Alward, and this one did not disappoint. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Was this review helpful?

Can a fairytale come true? Rose has fallen in love with her two new charges and she wants to help them both come to terms with their mother and nanny's death. But Diego the two in line to the throne just won't leave her alone, she knows that there can never be anything between them as they come from two different backgrounds. Diego knows that he needs to stay away from Rose but he just can't, she is the one that he has been waiting for but how can he prove that to her? A scandal is about to rock the kingdom and the only way out of it is for Rose to resign and to come back home heartbroken but Diego can't allow that to happen. But so much has happened that she might not want to take the chance on him so how can he change her mind? Can she trust the playboy prince that is the life of the party and always has gorgeous women around him to be faithful to her and can his family accept a commoner into the family? A great story for any day.

Was this review helpful?

Although this feels like it will eventually be book one of a larger series, this one completely stands alone and DOES NOT end on a cliffhanger. While there is a ton of sexual tension and attraction, there is no sex on-screen and minimal cursing (no f-bombs).

This book was what I think of when I see the term 'beach read' – and I mean that as a compliment. Although at it's core it dealt with an incredibly sad topic, this story wasn't at all heavy or depressing, it was the perfect combination of serious, light, happy, sweet, and hopeful. I loved that the romance between Diego and Rose blossomed naturally over time, it wasn't love-and-sex at first sight, but it grew organically and sweetly, even while their chemistry was off the charts. I also enjoyed that Rose didn't just fall at Diego's feet, she never lost her head because of his status, she kept her feet on the ground even as she fell head over heels for the charming prince.

If you enjoy a sweet and well-written book that reads like a very realistic fairy tale, you should definitely give this book a chance – you won't be sorry. I very much look forward to Raoul's book.

I requested and was generously granted an ARC of this story via NetGalley and the publisher. I was under no obligation to write this review, I did so because I enjoyed this story.

Was this review helpful?

Awe! This book was an unexpected surprise and such a delight to read! I normally don't care for stories that revolve around Royal families, so imagine my surprise when I started this one and couldn't put it down. I loved the development of relationships with this one. I loved how two seemingly different individuals could find love with one another. And I especially loved how family is shown to be one of the most important things in a persons life.

Donna Alward has a knack for writing these wonderful romances and I am highly anticipating her next book based on this one. I would definitely recommend this one to fans of the author, and also to those who are looking for a sweet and charming read.

Was this review helpful?

This is an absolutely delightful Cinderella story about a nanny and a prince. It was so realistic that I didn't see how it could possibly turn out positively. I was charmingly surprised - with a pair of endearing children, a hurting big brother and a couple who learned and grew together. I look forward to Raoul's story next!

Was this review helpful?

Rose Walters is an English nanny from Guildford in Surrey. She is hired to look after two royal children after their mother and nanny were killed in a road traffic accident. She has met one of the royal princes many years ago, although she doubts that he remembers her.

Prince Diego Navarro is the second son of the King of Marazur. Shielded by his father and older brother after his mother's untimely death he has become adept at playing the role of international playboy. However, he really wants to take more responsibility but neither his brother Raoul nor his father seem willing to give him any. After the death of his sister-in-law and the children's nanny, who was also his childhood nanny, he realises that his brother isn't stepping up to look after his children and so Diego hires a nanny to look after them.

Diego and Rose become close as the two of them try to help two distraught children through their grief, but they are keeping their fledgling relationship a secret from the King, something that worries Rose both professionally and personally.

I felt that there was a lot of back story, especially in relation to Rose's family, which didn't seem to go anywhere. I wasn't sure if her family had featured in other Donna Alward books or were going to become a feature in the next novel in this new series but it seemed kind of superfluous.

I have to confess, I am not a fan of contemporary royal romances so I hesitated A LOT before I accepted the invitation to review an ARC, but I have read several of Donna Alward's other books and enjoyed them so I thought I would put aside my prejudices and give this one a go. Whilst there was nothing at all wrong with this book, it didn't convert me and so the rating reflects my antipathy towards the whole genre rather than any issues with the novel itself. I'm sure if you like contemporary royals you will love this one.

So overall, a romance between an English nanny and a European prince, verging on the sweet and lots of mild angst about sneaking around behind the King's back.

Was this review helpful?

This was a sweet romance between the playboy aka Diego, the princes brother and this sweetheart, Rose, the nanny. I enjoyed the story and characters but I felt the story missed the mark in a few areas.

The story is that Diego's brother Raul loses his beloved wife and nanny in a car accident. He has two dorable children and Diego hires a new nanny for them, who is Rose. Rose is a nanny to the rich and famous and so her rep is very important and so while her and Diego are attracted they hide their relationship.

The big issue between the two is that she can't risk her reputation by dating Diego md well Diego wants to be with her but secretly too because he doesn't want to upset his family.

My first issue is that Rose was WAY too sweet. She goes along with everything and she never has an angry moment, no one is that sweet 100% of the time.

Second at times the story moves SO slowly amd I am not a fan of the romance hidden from the world. It just makes me feel very disconnected from the characters and for most of the book these two hide their romance.

There is also a mystery in this story and well I totally never saw that coming so well that part of the story I liked. I would definitely like to read the next story. Though this story was not my most favorite by the author, I did enjoy it.

Was this review helpful?

You know you can never go wrong when you pick up a book by Ms Alward. This one was no exception. What was interesting to me is the fact that I don’t like books about royalty and surprising I really enjoyed this one. To the point that I can’t wait for the story of Prince Raoul.
This story centers around Prince Diego, a playboy that is the “spare” and takes the persona of someone without cares and is all about having a good time. Or so it seems. Deep down, he really wants to contribute by helping the kingdom prosper , but he has cast the die as being the playboy and is not taken seriously.
When tragedy occurs in the kingdom, English nanny Rose , is hired to help with the children of the crowned Prince and Diego, also returns home to help the family put the pieces back together.
There is a little bit of a fairytale, CInderella story between Diego and Rose but there is more than that.
In her usual manner, the author reminds us that family is in fact everything and that even though life can be messy, there is also hope and love.
I appreciated the fact that she shows us that royalty are just people like us, with challenges, tragedies and family issues. The difference is that they are under the microscope and frequently what you read has been distorted.
Looking forward to the next book of the series.
I was gifted this copy by Netgalley and the publisher. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Was this review helpful?

The Playboy Prince and the Nanny by Donna Alward was my first book by Donna and it will not be my last...Even with the sadness of Raoul, Max and Emilia's loss the story of Diego and Rose is a true "fairy tale". From their meeting in the past to their undeniable attraction for each other,,,, the appeal of the young prince and princess....I laughed, cried happy and sad tears...and can't wait for Raoul's story in THE CROWN PRINCE'S BRIDE in 2018.

Was this review helpful?