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"The Crown Prince's Bride" by Donna Alward
A delightful contemporary 'fairy tale' romance. I was hooked from the very beginning. Although, I must admit that I did put the story aside for a good night's sleep.. but picked it right back up again in the morning...It was easy to become emotionally involved in this story, to truly care about the characters and to laugh and cry with them as well. I was gifted with a free copy of this story via NetGalley. It was a light fun read and I think you just might enjoy reading this story also..

Fans of Alward's series will not be disappointed with its conclusion, Stephani and Raoul's story delivers. Yes, the reader gets the expected barriers and mistrust, but the HEA is extremely satisfying. Looking forward to Alward's next book.

Will soon be posted at Romance Reviews Today and at the blog.
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THE CROWN PRINCE’S BRIDE – Donna Alward
The Prince Duology, Book 2
Swerve (eBook only)
ASIN: B0769Z8745
January 2018
Contemporary Romance

Marazur – Present Day

Stephani Savalas has been Crown Prince Raoul’s loyal and efficient assistant for ten years, and has had a secret crush on him despite his being married to her cousin. But now Raoul is a widower with two young children, and Stephani feels it’s time for her to move on before he finds himself a new bride. She hasn’t told him yet because she’s not sure how he’ll take the news, plus she’s in the midst of planning the wedding ceremony of Raoul’s younger brother Diego’s marriage to a commoner.

Raoul sees how busy Stephani has been working, and he wants to reward her with some time off—together. While he does still mourn the wife he lost in a car accident months ago, he is now aware of one thing: he’s attracted to Stephani. However, he’s not looking for a new bride at this time, and she makes it clear she doesn’t want to jeopardize their working and familial relationship because of the children. But neither can resist the sizzling chemistry that has them soon sharing kisses. Will a business trip to the French Riviera allow them to explore their attraction for each other? Will the tiny country of Marazur soon see another commoner walk down the aisle as the bride of a prince?

Readers first met Raoul and Stephani in Diego and Rose’s tale, THE PRINCE AND THE NANNY, out now, where Raoul had recently lost his wife and needed a nanny. Stephani has stood by Raoul’s side faithfully, though she has hidden her secret attraction to him. She has no desire to be the future queen, but is well aware that he’ll soon be ready to date—and marry—again. She has already started looking for a new job, but isn’t sure how to tell him. As the wedding nears, suddenly Raoul is hovering over Stephani, making sure she eats and rests, and promises her some pampering as a way to say thanks for all the hard work. But there is an awareness between them that leads to a heated kiss. The last thing either wants is a scandal, which means no secret trysts behind the palace walls. But will a business trip to France mean a chance to act upon their attraction? And if it happens, will it change their relationship?

THE CROWN PRINCE’S BRIDE is a tale of second chances. For Stephani, she has kept secret her feelings for Raoul all these years. She would never have dishonored her cousin. For Raoul, he wondered if he would ever find love again and now he realizes he might be able to with the woman right under his nose. While both THE CROWN PRINCE’S BRIDE and THE PRINCE AND THE NANNY can be read as standalones, you are missing out if you don’t read both. A tale that is both sweet and sensuous, grab a copy of THE CROWN PRINCE’s BRIDE and be swept up in the royal romance of Stephani and Raoul.

Patti Fischer

3.5 stars

Raoul and Stephani have known each other for years. And Stephani has loved him for almost as long. Even when he was married to her cousin. Now that Raoul has been a widow for a while, will he be ready to see that he can love again?

This was a little angsty. And honestly, Raoul was a bit of a jerk by his avoidance. I loved Stephani though. She was brave and strong and knew she deserved better than what she was getting

Thanks Netgalley and the Publishers. Not sure what I can say about this book, I plodded through half way and then gave up.

I just finished reading The Crown Prince's Bride. Once I started the book, I could not put it down! It is a wonderful story of 2 people who have much in common and yet are struggling to find their way to happiness.
I won't tell you the storyline because you can read that from the book jacket. Nor will I submit spoilers. TCPB is a sweet romance with characters you can love and relate to. They each suffer from the loss of a loved one yet cope with the loss differently. When life throws them a big curve, important decisions must be made. Do you choose love or does fear make the choice for you? Well done, Donna Alward! A beautiful story worthy of 5 stars.

Rating: 3.5/5*

Raoul is the Crown Prince of the Mediterranean island kingdom of Marazur. He was devastated by the death of his beloved wife, Cici and is finding it difficult to look forward to life without her. When his younger brother married Raoul stole a kiss from his assistant, Ceci’s cousin, Stephani. Unknown to Raoul, Stephani has been in love with him for years, but had accepted that her cousin was his wife and she would never do anything to endanger their marriage. Now, however, things seem much more complicated. Should he let his heart rule his head? Can they discover if their mutual attraction can lead to more? What about his family, the country and their friendship, should things now work out between them?

This is a story of life after the loss of a loved one. Both are still coming to terms with Cici’s death. Conflicting emotions, turmoil and angst are key features in this royal romance with many fears to be overcome before they can stand any chance of attaining their HEA together. Stephani really deserves praise for her patience with the vacillating, irresolute and conflicted prince. Thank goodness in the end his reformed, straight talking, recently married brother manages to help set him on the path to happiness! It is a sweet love story and an entertaining read.

I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

This book is loaded with drama,feelings and some humor thrown in. Raoul has to learn to live again and Stephani has to teach him how.

I enjoyed the relationship that developed bewteen the hero, Crown Prince Raoul and his assistant, and distant relative, Stephani. The writing was well developed and believable.

I was give an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book rather quickly. I was hoping it moved a little more. It was hard for me to connect with the characters.

3 Stars.

I don’t have a huge amount to say about the second book in the Royal Duology series (hence the lack of quotes). This is one of those books you pick up and plod through, then reach the end knowing without doubt you will have forgotten it by the time you have decided on what your next read will be.

That's not a bad thing if you are looking for something to fill some time, and aren’t looking for anything to heavy or angsty. But I have high expectations of this author, and Raoul and Steph’s story just didn’t have the depth or emotional connection between the characters that I have come to expect.

Not a total winner on this occasion, it certainly won’t deter me from reading more from the author in future.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

This Raoul and Stephani’s story. He was married to her cousin CeCe. CeCe died. Stephani loved him for years. He was afraid to love again. There were many twists and turns in their relationship. I loved the story. I will read the other books in the series.

I loved this book. In it, Stephani is the assistant to the crown prince. Raul, the crown prince, is also a widower with two children. Steph has been in love with him for years, but Raul has never seemed to notice her as anything more than an assistant. When circumstances provide an opportunity for Stephani to reach for it all, she does, but the results aren't what she had hoped for.

This is a fairly formulaic novel, however it is so well done that I didn't care. The author created characters that I cared about and felt invested in their story. While this is part of a series, it is a stand alone novel. The author is on my must read authors' list.

This book picks up right where The Playboy Prince and the Nanny leaves off. Although if you haven't read the first book, it can stand on it's own. Raoul is grieving the loss of his wife but eventually realizes that his assistant, Stephani, is more than just his assistant. Conflicted by his feelings for his dead wife and his new found feelings for Stephani, matters are further complicated by the fact that he is the future king. Once again, Donna Alward has written a very enjoyable, sweet contemporary romance. Filled with very likable characters, this story will grab you from page one as you root for Stephani to get her fairy tale romance.

This was a sweet love story which takes place on the fictional island of Marazur. Crown Prince Raoul is heartbroken from the tragic death of his wife, and fears to ever fall in love again. At the wedding of his younger brother, whom we met in book one of this series, Raoul lets his heart take over, or maybe it was too much alcohol, when he steals a kiss from his assistant Stephani. To complicate matters, Stephani is the cousin of Raoul’s deceased wife. Both are very taken by each other, but don’t know how to handle this situation. Can Raoul ever open his heart to another love? Can Stephani be patient to wait until he finally figures out his feelings? What about his children from his first marriage? Will they accept another woman as their mother? Donna Alward handles these complications with a lovely outcome which made me shed a tear or two. Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy in return for an honest review. I’m looking forward to more from this author.

Cute story. Worth a read. Not my favorite but thats a personal preference more than anything the author did wrong. I did love the story.

The Crown Prince's Bride (Royal Duology #2)
by Donna Alward
Definitely a buy book to me! I must say this was a quick read that I ended up absolutely adoring. From a down to earth royal to a heroine that made sense. All through the book this author gives romance, sweetness, reality, love and loyalty on each page. I was totally captivated by her way of writing. I have now reread the book again to make sure before reviewing that it was indeed so nice. It is not my normal like type of book but in this case, I made an exception! So if you want a light read that is engrossing and well written by a talented author buy this book. It makes me want to go and find all of her work and read them. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

I received an ARC from Netgalley. This was a nice, light and easy romantic read. I enjoyed the story between Raoul and Stephani. Love after loss is hard and this book represents all the thoughts, struggles and feelings of finding true love again.

The Crown Prince's Bride by Donna Alward is a fascinating tale. Spun with romance, action, and humor, this was a great plot. I was addicted. My favorite character was the assistant to the crown prince mentioned in this book. Stephani is a strong, smart, and beautiful woman. She has always loved the prince. Only he never really noticed her until she dressed up for a special event that he invited her to...from there things get complicated, messy, and fun.

Donna Alward's books are stunning. Her writing lures me deeply into her worlds. In this one, I get the Cinderella story. A regular woman working for a prince, finds her happily ever after. Just like Cinderella, the obstacles are there creating a game of tug and pull. Hotter, sweeter, and better than any fairy tale I've read. The characters, like Stephani, create a heartfelt connection that happens instantly. Overall, I recommend this contemporary romance to all.