Do you believe in True Love's Kiss?



Princess Ivy is a Royal, a direct descendent of Myriana and Raed. Her bloodline is the most coveted because of its power to vanquish the Forces of Darkness. She's a mighty warrior on the battlefield and, unlike other princesses, Ivy is unafraid to use her power for her people. There isn't anyone who wouldn't want a magic Kiss from Ivy.



Expect Prince Zach.



Born as a half Royal and half Romantic, Zach believes in True Love's Kiss as the ultimate weapon against the Forces. Because of that, he's never been Kissed by anyone on the battlefield and instead relies on his unrivaled swordsman skills.



But as ominous signs reign down on the lands, Ivy and Zach are sent on a quest where the battles only get fiercer, the enemies stronger, and their love.....well that's a different battlefield.



Become a believer in the power of a Kiss in Lindsey Duga's debut fantasy YA!



A Princess Protagonist



I must say, I really enjoyed journeying through Lindsey Duga's world. She wrote a very compelling first person narrative through Princess Ivy, a strong individual who wanted nothing more than to save her people the only way she knew how: through her Kiss. While the Kiss can be bestowed on anyone, a partnership between two individuals brings out the full scope of their combined powers. Duga cleverly played off the power of a kiss in a way that appeals to the romantics at heart. The fantasy genre is often saturated with masculine roles that sometimes downplay females, so I liked the concept that only Princesses have the capability to harness a greater power and had the ability to enhance the magical abilities of others.



Ivy is a far cry from being the average princess. She fights alongside her soldiers, and treats them with familiarity on a first name basis, and is wholeheartedly committed to doing whatever it takes to defeat the Forces of Darkness. Altogether, Duga made Ivy a very relatable character with her passion and her character development.



The Romantic and the Realist



Zach was a fun foil to Ivy and they complemented each other so well. Their bantering definitely had its laugh out loud moments! No characters were made more for each other than Ivy and Zach, which is why readers will flash through the pages to find out if love really does conquer all. Even Ivy’s Royalist heart.





The Twists and Turns





Kiss of the Royal is a very action-adventure based book where the plot twists just keep on coming. When you think there is a safe moment BAM! griffins and evil dwarfs galore, and our dear characters are once again engaged in a battle. I also found myself questioning the established Royal History that Ivy was taught as a young age, and sure enough, Duga did not disappoint!

Let me start this review by saying that, Kiss of the Royal reminded me so much of the fairy tales I used to read obsessively - and still do - when I was a child! The setting was just so magical and the descriptions so vivid that, it was like everything was starting to unravel inside my head and what I was reading quickly transformed into moving pictures with shapes and colors I couldn't get enough of. I always try to imagine what I'm reading in my head because my imagination has no limits that I'm aware of but, this time, it was like the experience of reading Kiss of the Royal greatly exceeded previous ones! The world building was also wonderful and even though the story started out a bit slow, it picked up after a while and I got so immersed in it that I actually lost sight of reality for a bit.

I'm not going to go into great detail about the plot itself, I'm just going to tell you that, I've never read anything like it before and neither have you! This novel is the definition of originality and I'm so glad the synopsis made me pick it up because, I don't think I would've chosen to read it otherwise! It did sound a bit weird at the beginning but, weird has always been my favorite thing to explore so, I couldn't wait to get into it and discover its secrets! It was impressively unique and I was left in a state of awe after I got into the plot and actually realized how well though out it was! I was angry at one moment and laughing the next, which just shows that the story managed to actually make me feel things and experience what the characters were feeling right alongside them. I got frustrated at times because of how ridiculous some rules were and just about screamed when I realized that women were basically used by men in all aspects of their lives, to benefit a Kingdom that offered them nothing in exchange. It was such a stark reflection of the reality we live in but, with a Fantasy setting and it proved that you can incorporate problematic aspects of the world we live in to any Genre you choose but, you have to do it right. I definitely feel like Lindsey Duga nailed this aspect of the story because, she wanted it to be problematic and her plot underlined this unacceptable version of humanity none of us would've wanted to live in, even though our reality is close enough to its aspects of fiction. For me, that made the story even more relatable and I really enjoyed that fact that it was neither problematic nor offensive. Everything had a logical explanation and the author did a great job at giving a believable background and leaving no plot holes or question marks behind.

The characters themselves were extremely likable and even though I sometimes got frustrated with Ivy's complete devotion to a Kingdom that only saw her as a commodity, I could definitely understand where she came from! She was loyal and wanted to do what was best for her people, even if it meant putting her life at risk to save those she loved. As the Princess with the most powerful Kiss - the world is written with a capital K throughout the novel by the way, which I think is really interesting and highlights its importance - her duty is to serve in battle and share her magic with the partner chosen for him, because of his compatibility to her own power. When her last Prince is cursed and nothing can be done to save him, severing the bond is the only choice. Now, she has to find a new partner to find alongside with in battle and the chosen one is an outstanding swordsman with an undesirable legacy, that is completely opposed to accepting Ivy's proposition and conforming to the rules it inevitably comes with. Ivy's determination to convince him that together they're going to be invincible proves to be fruitless, since he's more than capable of handling himself without the magic a Kiss from her would provide.

Zach was such an interesting character as well! I loved his rebellious spirit and the fact that he went against the norms of a society that barely accepted him, without caring whether it would have an impact on his status or affect his quality of life. He's strong willed and determined to prove people wrong. As a Romantic, he see the world in a completely different way and Kissing for him is something sacred, not to be taken for granted. I was basically swooning by the end of the novel, because his behavior was so different from what I'm used to in Fantasy novels. The trope of brutal and powerful male characters has become so common nowadays that, straying from it is basically unheard of! I'm very glad Zach made it his mission to redeem that in a way!

Overall, Kiss of the Royal was such an interesting novel and I couldn't get enough of it! I loved the ending and I feel like I got the closure I was looking for! It defied the usual tropes I'm so tired of seeing in Fantasy novels and I couldn't have been happier for deciding to give it a chance! So, I obviously cannot recommend it enough! Make sure that you have an open mind going into it because the premise is definitely peculiar but, it's more than worth reading because of it! It's original, beautiful written and with great plot and character development throughout!

I really love this cover. The longer I look at it, the more I see. The heart represents love, there is a sword for the battles that must be fought, and even a dragon in the shadows. The contrast of black, silver, and pink work well with one another.

This novel was one that had a very unique twist on a typical fantasy. Lust is accepted as normal, not frowned upon. Rather, love is seen as illogical and not spoken of. A kiss is not seen as holding passion and deeper feelings, but the power to give additional strength or speed for battle, even the power to heal wounds. I have to admit I loved this premise of the power of a kiss. It was an aspect of a story I have never seen manipulated, other than in sleeping beauty. Yes, I know it sounds incredibly cheesy. I am one who loves the mushy romance though. Seeing the real power in true love is what I am all about, maybe that is because I have been one to experience it.

The characters were some of my favorite that I have come across in a while. Zach in particular. He was not the typically rude, snobbish, jerks that I have read about in many other novels. He was funny, modest, and kind from the start. Princess Ivy is incredibly strong and fierce. Though she has lost five battle partners, she is driven to continue helping her people. I was a little disappointed in the development of some of the other secondary characters. I felt some of them lacked sufficient background and depth.

The book moved at a comfortable pace, I did find that it moved much quicker near the middle or end. Once Princess Ivy and Zach set out on their quest, it seemed to push the story along quicker, filling scenes with more action. I was hoping for more of an intense battle scene at the end but was disappointed. It was not completely anti-climatic but I was hoping for something more than what was given. I think I always get my hopes up for these crazy intense final battle scenes.

The plot of this story was good overall, but some parts were predictable. There was one major plot twist that I did not see coming. I did enjoy the worldbuilding and setup for the novel. The two factions of people were described accurately. I loved how they each have their own belief of what love or lust are and what they mean.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and the lighthearted writing style. It was a perfect summer weekend read. If you are looking for an intense, action-packed romance this book is not for you. However…if you are looking for an easy read filled with romance and a little action on the side, this is a great pick. I do want to mention that there may be a trigger for those who have dealt with miscarriages. There are a few mentions to that in this book.

Not only do I have a review for you all today. I am also sharing with you some of my favorite quotes I came across while reading.

“Gifted though you may be, Ivy, your power isn’t unlimited”

“Romantica also practiced primitive traditions like marriage and courting. They even claimed the sex was more than just a release or a way to continue the bloodline.”

“Lust was a physical human reaction, a real, tangible thing that could not be denied. Romantica simply mistook Lust for Love. The truth was this: Love was nothing more than an illusion.”

“I do not care what you believe, or what you think I believe, but I refuse to use a kiss as a weapon.”

“Perish emotions and vanquish doubts. Lead by example.”

Royals use their Kisses to boost the power of soldiers, break curses, heal others, and for many other useful things. Ivy is determined to save her kingdom from the Darkness, hopefully making her mother proud. When her sixth partner dies, she is determined to find another one quickly. Prince Zach is an unusual prospect, but she decides to take him anyways. When he refuses to kiss her, she is livid. He thinks that a kiss is a sign of love and not a weapon, and Ivy believes that they will not be able to defeat the egg and break the curse without it. Ivy, Zach, and Ivy’s childhood friend must go on a journey together to try and break this curse, and slowly Ivy learns the truth about her history and about Kisses and Love.

The romance in this story was pretty clear from the start, but it didn’t feel forced. I felt able to learn more about Ivy and Zach without seeing them all over each other in every scene. Also, I was happy to see that there was no love triangle between Zach and Ivy’s childhood friend with Ivy at all. It just felt natural, which definitely fit the theme of “finding out what love is” quite well.

The character development was immense. Zach and Ivy were polar opposites who were both quite stuck in their ways. They had to learn about each other’s likes, dislikes, lives, and personal beliefs before getting close to each other. It was interesting to learn about both the Romantica and Royal versions of historical stories in this way.

The world-building was also unique. I wanted to learn more about the darkness and the new creatures that appeared at every turn in this story. The world seemed to be so big even though the story in itself didn’t seem that long. The inner workings of the world were described in detail, but I would like another novel in this saga to explore it even more.

The action scenes were all intense, and Ivy was definitely no damsel in distress. I was on the edge of my seat for almost all of these fun scenes! The plot was generally smooth, with no severe slow-downs or random scenes. I read it mostly in one day, but it was long enough for me to not be able to read it in one sitting.

I didn’t notice any grammar editing errors in my advance copy of this novel, and I didn’t see any formatting errors either.

I would recommend this book to lovers of YA fantasy-romance novels.

I received an advance copy of this novel and this is my voluntary review.

I had high hopes for this book based on the blurb (and the cover, to be honest). At first, I started to think that maybe my hopes were a bit too high, as while I liked the material being covered in the first few chapters, it felt a bit dry and info-dumpy. Plus, I was struggling to connect with Ivy and the other Royals.

But that slowly started to change when Zach showed up. Possibly my favourite thing about this book, he was not at all what I expected him to be. I suppose I was expecting a cocky type who had few words and did a lot of smirking and brooding. And, to be fair, he did that some of the time, but there was a lightness to him that the stoic and logical Royals (aka fantasy Vulcans) lacked. He could laugh and tease and not take everything too seriously. And even more than that, he could be vulnerable and scared and just feel everything. He was quietly confident and sure of his beliefs, not bending to the will of others while not disrespecting them either. People can learn from that attitude in the real world!

Under Zach's influence, Ivy started to open up to new feelings, as much as it absolutely terrified her, and this was a girl who could run into battle even when princesses were supposed to hang back in a protective shield and fight with long-range weapons. You see, emotions were Not Okay in Royal society, and she'd been taught that logic ruled above all, with emotions either being a weakness... or completely non-existent in the case of Love. But poor Ivy had been brainwashed and needed to hear other people's stories and beliefs to slowly start seeing that the world was not what she'd been taught.

And this world was pretty interesting. It was a little difficult to buy into it at first, but that's because what is initially presented was the Royals' set view of how magic works. Simply put, female Royals can recite spells in their minds while Kissing male Royals (it's in the blood?), and those spells can either simply work on the two people involved, or they can break curses placed on others. Battle Kisses can make princes stronger and faster, able to destroy monsters born of evil itself, courtesy of the Evil Queen. (And yes, there's a whole back story to this queen...or rather, there are multiple...) As the story progressed, Ivy learned more about not just the Romantica's version of events, but also what really happened, showing how truth and beliefs can be distorted over time.

As sappy as it was sometimes, I really liked the magic systems. There were two types, with some people possessing elemental powers, while Royals (descendants of two sisters) possessed a magic that worked through Kissing. This whole Kissing business was different from just kissing, though. Because Royal society didn't believe in emotions, Kisses were simply transfers of power. They didn't believe Love existed either, though they acknowledged Lust as simply something to be tended to when it arose; scratching an itch, if you will. There was no marriage, no courtship; councils dictated which princesses slept with which princes to breed strong Royals to fight the monsters. Yeah... It was supposed to be a rational way to procreate and benefit society, but it all sounds almost dystopian, doesn't it?

And when you find out the source of this system? Wow. It was pretty hard for me to read because it did bring up a lot of memories, scary feelings, and insecurities. Effectively, if you can love, then you can suffer, so why love in the first place? Wouldn't you want to spare yourself? So in some ways, I could see where the plot was going, but I was also surprised by how deep it went on this emotional front. I even cried at one point while on a plane!

Anyway, in this surprisingly good book, you will find a dystopian tale about a society that has shunned emotions under the disguise of a fantasy. But y'all already know this... Love Wins .

So this was a new fantasy concept for me. Kisses are not something that is shared for pleasure between two people but used between royals during battle.

"Royal Magic exists in every Royal, but it lies dormant. A Kiss is what unlocks the magic in the Royal and allows one or the other to use that power."

While the concept took a while to get used to, it works! I just had to get used to so many kisses going on lol.

I liked Ivy quite a bit! She just wanted to what was right for her people and defeat the wicked queen. She was willing to self-sacrifice herself for what she believed and that really honorable. Zach was probably my favorite character of them all! He was sarcastic and funny while also being really heroic. Even while his beliefs were different from Ivy, he never conformed or doubted them.

There was quite a bit of action here and I loved seeing women fighting against men on the battlefield. Some things I couldn’t predict while some things I could. Some downsides of this book were that it could have been a little shorter. I did get a little annoyed with Ivy going back and forth with herself.

So while it’s not a favorite of mine, I can appreciate the concept and it was a good read!

Quick Summary:

Kiss of the Royal follows Princess Ivy whose kiss is the most powerful in the kingdom. After losing yet another Prince to the Wicked Queens dark creatures Ivy is paired up with a foreign Prince known for his legendary skills on the battle field. Problem is he doesnt believe kisses should be used as a weapon and he's determined to prove they can fight the darkness without it. Ivy on the other hand is determined to change his mind before they are faced with a danger they cant defeat on their own. With a dark force brewing in the mountains Princess Ivy and Prince Zach will have to find a way to work together before this great force of darkness is unleashed on their world

My Thoughts:

I came to really like Princess Ivy. She's self sacrificing and wants to do whats right. She has this adorable sibling bond with her Page and a great relationship with her mentor. She also makes a wonderful spunky female friend along her journey. As for Prince Zach, I thought the way he stood by his beliefs was commendable. Both characters gets some good back story that helped me connect to them. I liked seeing the contrast between both characters beliefs and upbringing. I also thought the romance was interesting with Princess Ivy not believing in love. It was slower to develop and I really enjoyed that. Their constant butting heads made for some good entertainment.

I thought the fairytale gone wrong plot and play on true loves kiss was fascinating. At first I didnt like the idea of being assigned breeding partners and training little girls to use their kiss as a weapon, but it was obvious to me these notions would be challenged later on. Despite predicting the outcome I still loved how it was handled. Sometimes I get bored when theres a lot of traveling in a book, but it wasnt the case with this one. There was always something going on that kept the pace engaging. Im not one to pay much attention to the writing, but for the most part I thought it flowed well.

I would have liked a bit more world building because theres still some elements Im unsure about, like if being a pure blood royal meant that their ancestors were brother and sister because thats just weird. Im also not sure why they didnt send more mages to fight and how long does the kisses power last. I did like the different dark creatures and the Wicked Queens history. Im not sure if this is a series, but this book can stand on its own. I liked how things wrapped up and Id definitely consider picking up the next book if it is a series. Overall this was a quick and enjoyable read. If the premise sounds like something you would enjoy Id recommend giving it a shot.

This was the perfect read for today :) It was light while still dealing with deep topics such as love/ hate, logic/ duty, etc. I really liked the MC Princess Ivy- she comes across as a tough teen but as you get to know her, you get to see she has flaws which make her more likeable, and she grows throughout the book. She comes across several shocking revelations that go against teachings that were ingrained in her since she was little, making her have to choose through tough choices. The main male MC, Zack, is lovable and loyal to those he cares about. I really enjoyed Ivy and Zack’s interactions. And I loved Brom! I loved how the author was able to convey Ivy and Brom’s strong friendship to the reader, almost making me jealous of their deep friendship :)

Thank you to Entangled Teen for providing me with a free copy of this book for honest review. I was drawn in by the cover and premise. Magic Kisses, Dragon Hunting, and Magical Journeys are definitely my thing.
One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the premise. I love how it's set in an actual fairytale world. So many books now are inspired by fairytales, but Kissing the Royal made up its own fairytale world with the Forces of Darkness, a Dark Queen, and Magic Kisses. I thought that was really fun and creative. It was very fun with the battles, with the goblins, dwarves, and griffins. I love fairytales and this one really did feel like one. I could imagine someone reading a version of this tale in a true fairytale book.
I thought the overall story was fun. I kind of guessed at things that were going to happen and was right a couple of times, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment. The ending was very exciting and it just brought the whole story together. I also love that it is a stand alone. Those kind of books are a rare breed in the YA world.
I did think the story kind of dragged in the middle. The journey could have been shortened just a little. I'm also not sure how I really felt about the romance. I liked both Zach and Ivy, I liked them together, but I don't know if I felt their chemistry. I also wasn't sure why Bromley came along. He was kind of a background character and not a lot was done with him.
I would have really enjoyed for this to be a two perspective novel. Have both Ivy and Zach have chapters, so I could hear Zach's side of things as well as Ivy's. I think it would have worked really well.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed this. It was fun. I really enjoyed the premise and getting a kind of original fairytale tale. Thank you to Entangled Teen for providing me with a copy of Kiss of the Royal for honest review. I tend to find that Entangled Teen publishes really fun and addictive reads and this was no exception. Congrats to Lindsey Duga on her new book. I'd recommend it if Fairytales and Magic are your thing, also romance.
BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5
Shhh... we're hunting dragons + magic kisses

I was provided with an eARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.
This was a fantastic read with such a unique magic system! I loved the characters; Ivy is a force of nature, Brom is adorbs, and Zach is a total cinnamon roll! Sometimes it read a little...young?... but this didn’t really detract from the overall story. I was sucked in from start to finish and loved the twists and turns! I’d love to see more from this world, which makes the fact that it’s a clear standalone novel a little sad. I will certainly be checking out more from Lindsey Duga!

3.5 Stars
For me this book didn't start well. It was repetitive, the h was whiney, and it was slow. However about a third of the way through it really picked up for me. I'm glad I stuck with it, because I ended up really enjoying it. The world was interesting, but beyond that the story was fantastic. But for the beginning this was a solid 4 star read for me.

Princess Ivy has pure, undiluted royal bloodlines which makes her the most powerful female in the Legion's war against the Forces of Darkness. With her partners, she's taken down many dangerous goblins, trolls, wraiths, witches, and griffins. All with the unmatched strength of her Kiss and a protection spell before battle. You heard me right. In this fantasy societal construct, belief in love is outlawed, and kisses are used as weapons on the battlefield. I must admit, in the beginning of the book, I wan't entirely sold on the concept.

Imagining people in the army running around bestowing something as intimate as a kiss while gearing up to evil creatures...it's bizarre. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to immerse myself in this strange world. I'm glad I stuck with it though, because the poignant theme underneath all of it sold me in the end. This story is about the incredible power of love. Yes, it can destroy someone down to their core, but its restorative power is enough to heal kingdoms if you only have faith. The people of Myria have chosen to believe that familial and romantic love are silly fairy tales, the stuff of Romantica legend. Those who believe in such archaic nonsense are looked at as outcasts, and often arrested or punished for their weak emotions and actions.

Their heart was in the right place, or should I say their heads? They don't allow their hearts to rule them. Their goal was to bring down the Evil Queen, and the monsters that she conjured. People were suffering and dying, so they were doing what they felt would save the population in the fastest way possible. But the idea that Love didn't even exist? This was one thing that I found difficult to understand. Ivy's mother, Queen Dahlia had no time for her most days. When she did acknowledge her, it was only to show disappointment and disgust. So it's not hard to see how she could dismiss the concept so easily, and shy away from wanting to feel things. But what of everyone else who is taught to not believe? Surely their feelings of tenderness and affection can't be dismissed as simply a family "bond."

After Ivy loses yet another fighting partner, she's assigned to Prince Zach in the hopes that his unparalleled sword skills will make them an unbeatable pair. Now, more than ever, the Legion needs a way to defeat the enemy. Curses were multiplying, and there were signs that the Queen has created a Sable Dragon, and if hatched, there wasn't much hope of survival. On a desperate journey together to find the egg, it becomes more than just a dangerous mission to save their people. Along the way, their beliefs clash, and their patience snaps with each other. But we slowly see Ivy's eyes open to more than what the Legion has fed to her all of her life. She sees things that contradict her entire belief system. And she begins to reevaluate what she was fighting for, and how she was going to do it.

Zach was a wonderful prince. He was strong, devoted, valiant, and everything you would want in a sweeping fairy tale fantasy like this one. As the true romantic in the story, he was very passionate about the existence and meaning of true love. I enjoyed that HE was the romantic as opposed to the heroine. He really had his work cut out for him. Not only did he have to convince her of his love for her, but in the truth of love, of its entire existence. There was a lot of tension between these two as she fought the new emotions swirling through her. The repressed jealousy and attraction was really palpable and enjoyable. The ending really amped up the action and suspense, and I was actually surprised at how thrilling it was. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

The plot was certainly unique, and the romance was nicely delivered in the end. I didn't think that it was completely believable that the Legion would believe her stories of what she discovered after she came home. It would seem more likely that she would be immediately sent away or punished for even attempting to try to tell them the truth. Though overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the Kiss of the Royal, and would definitely read more by this author in the future.

A solid 4 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for the opportunity to read and review Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga!
In a world where kisses mean power, two royals struggle in keeping their separate beliefs from interfering with the work they need to do together- vanquishing evil. The unique storyline caught my interest and as infuriating as Princess Ivy and Prince Zach could be, they still made me smile. I enjoyed the part with the cursed amulet and the three emotional enchantments; Ivy’s and Zach’s characters shined. Intriguing and suspenseful, Kiss of the Royal earns a solid 4 stars!

I received a copy of this for a fair and honest review. I had no real idea what I was getting myself into with this book. Everywhere I turned people where talking about it and it was not even out yet. SO I decided I had to get my hands on an advanced copy. I did. Who would have thought one could get strength for battle from a kiss. Well that is how Princess Ivy was raised. She just can't seem to pick a partner for this tasks. She needs to safe her kingdom, but when she meets Prince Zach from a neighboring kingdom she believes she has found her partner in battle. But Zach does not believe they should just kiss. He thinks that kisses should me more than just something to be done on the battle field. It was an enchanting tale that I could get behind. I am not offering an spoilers. You will have to grab a copy and get all the juicy details for yourself.

Plot: In a magical world of an evil queen and ax-wielding dwarves, only those with royal blood had the magic to banish that evil power away. Because of the need for so many royal soldiers, the princesses and princes trained and reproduced with no real emotion behind it. Enter Princess Ivy, the no-nonsense princess who trained to stop a dragon's egg from hatching (and thus killing everyone) and Prince the Zach, the clumsy, but skilled swordsman, who refused to kiss anyone.



Kiss of the Royal read like a fairytale; there were mythologies, evil queens who came to be out of jealousy, and a journey to track down a dragon. I had a lot of fun reading this one, I thought that this book would have a more serious and darker tone, but it was filled with bantering and the overall journey kept me flipping pages. Kiss of the Royal centered around the idea of rejecting love for logic and reason. The notion was similar to Delirium, but I liked seeing how Duga explained the reasoning and highlighted how mythology could shift to meet the culture's needs.



Characters: Fans of constant bantering will absolutely adore Zach and Ivy together, I know I did! Zach and Ivy were like water and oil: Ivy acted with reason while Zach relied on his gut reactions. Zach was lovable from the start; he was barely tolerated by his own people and had a charming personality. It was heart-warming to see Ivy slowly come to terms with her growing attraction for Zach and what that meant regarding her upbringings. Another form of love that Duga explored was familial love and there were some precious side-relationships that I fell in love with.



Worldbuilding: Dwarves, dragons, and queens - oh my! The world was very much set in a fairytale world with equal parts fun and danger. I respected the amount of work Duga put in to craft the mythology and how she was able to play with perspectives.



Short N Sweet: Fans of lighter fairytales (with a lot of romance) will love this! I think Kiss of the Royal is the perfect summer read!

Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga is a young adult fantasy that takes the fairytale concept of "true love's kiss" and changes it in a unique and creative way that is completely different yet familiar at the same time.

For five centuries, the Legion has been fighting the Forces of Darkness lead by the Evil Queen. Combating monsters and curses, the Royals are trained for battle and blessed with a magic that can enhance their strength and spells through a Kiss. Royal Princesses and Princes are partnered to help each other on the battlefield as they continue to fight the Darkness. However, the Light is losing.

Princess Ivy, a direct descendant of Queen Myriana, who's sacred Kiss started the birth of the Royals, has struggled to prove herself to her mother that she is useful. However, when her fifth partnered prince falls to an incurable curse and she is left unprotected, Ivy has to find a new prince to partner with especially if she wants to complete her mission.

Prince Zach is a Romantica, unlike the Legion, he believes in Love and will not Kiss Ivy for the purpose of a weapon. He is more than prepared and willing to fight the Darkness without the aide of the Kiss. Two heroes with two different beliefs are partnered together to save the world as they journey to face the Darkness and the Evil Queen.

Overall Lindsey Duga has created some fascinating and intricate characters and a fun and entertaining journey within a fantastical world. I enjoyed the interactions between Ivy and Zach and what they were battling for.

(I voluntarily reviewed an advance review copy of this book I received for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)

Sooo in LOVEEEE! Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga is a wickedly entertaining and enthralling fantasy story filled with magic, myths, monsters, and royal princes and princesses battling forces of evil one KISS at a time.

I love romance stories, fairytales, and the idea that a “True Love’s Kiss” can defeat anything that is evil. When I first saw this book, the gorgeous cover and the title had me immediately intrigued. However, it was the unique premise that totally sealed the deal for me. I thought the idea about magical kisses and two unlikely heroes slowly falling in love as they battle Forces of Darkness was creative and so much fun. I expected to laugh, to swoon, and to have an epically awesome journey and I was not disappointed. In fact, I was so desperately charmed and hooked the entire time.

Some may find the idea of this book somewhat silly, and even cheesy, but I thought Lindsey Duga did fantastic at creating a world that’s different and undeniably enticing in its own magical way. The writing was mesmerizingly detailed and breathtakingly captivating that I was easily sucked into the story and could picture myself right beside the characters as they fought evil dwarves, griffins, wraiths, and curses. While some parts felt a bit slow, there were so many amazing surprises, thrilling battles, hilarious scenes, and heartwarming moments that made me excited and pleasantly entertained. I really enjoyed this story and the characters and that ending… I absolutely loved that ending.

The characters were incredibly badass, really fun, and likable. They had spunk, wit, and determination. Princess Ivy was powerful and the best in her Legion. She was stubborn and guarded, but also fierce, loyal, brave, and as much as she denied it, Princess Ivy let herself feel. Prince Zach won me over instantly with his charming personality, humor, and heart of gold. He was definitely my kind of hero – strong-willed, but adorably sweet, and courageous, but also vulnerable. I also really liked Brom and Millennia and enjoyed the roles they played in the story.

The romance was really slow burn in this one and I have to admit… I did get somewhat impatient a few times. Just when I thought this it for Ivy and Zach… after all the wait and pages and pages of me hoping for it…it’s finally going to happen…And then BAM. Nothing. I’m suddenly thrown off and the story moves on again. That being said, the anticipation and the delicious little tease here and there had me ridiculously swooning. It was frustratingly soooo good. I don’t want to say anymore, but my heart exploded into a million different FEELS and at the end of the day, that slow burn was definitely worth it.

This was a delightfully spellbinding read that kept me up late into the night! It was whimsical, fascinating, hilarious, and magical. It’s a wonderfully written YA fantasy story with exciting adventures, awesome fighting scenes, engaging characters, and swoony kisses. I loved this book and highly recommend to everyone who’s looking for something creative and fun.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley and for participating in a Blog Tour hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Blog Tour Post can be found here - https://sincerelykarenjo.wordpress.com/2018/06/30/blog-tour-kiss-of-the-royal-by-lindsey-duga-review-favorite-quotes/

I’ve been trying for a while to read this book and to be honest I just can’t get into it. I’m a few chapters in and I’m very confused — and not in a good way. Not for me.

Princess Ivy is the purest of Royal blood and the magic in her kisses is very strong. Still, she has now lost her fifth partner due to the Forces of Darkness. Losing a partner is hard enough as it is, but to know that her magic did not work was too much to handle. Ivy did not want to be cast aside and moved to the countryside to produce heirs if a new partner could not be found. She wants to help her people and beat the Forces of Darkness so her people and all of the other kingdoms could finally find peace. Unfortunately for Ivy, there was really no one left in her kingdom that could match her level of magic.

With the Forces of Darkness growing closer and a threat to her people looming in the background, Saevall’s Kingdom steps in to help. There is a new prince nicknamed The Swordsman’s Prince that is said to be able to defeat hordes of trolls and monsters all on his own without the kiss of a princess. When Ivy first meets Zachariah, The Swordsman’s Prince, she can’t believe for one moment that he is the answer they have been in search of. Zach is like no other prince she knows. He tells jokes, looks like a commoner, is clumsy, doesn’t believe in partnerships, and worst of all *gasp* He is half Romantica.

Ivy is a Royal by blood. She leads by logic and reason, much unlike the heretic Romantica who lead by love and emotion. Ivy can not even grasp the concept of love and does not believe in it. She thinks most people confuse lust for love and she is having none of that nonsense, but yet as much as she tries to deny it, she can’t help but to feel attracted to Zach in a way that scares her. They have a chemistry together that she never had with any of her other partners and it brings out a side to her no one has ever seen before. He tests everything Ivy has grown up believing in.

Zach does not believe in kissing for magic. He can fight monsters and trolls quite well on his own, thank you. He believes kissing is between people who love each other. He does not believe that kisses should be used as weapons. His refusal to kiss Ivy is a shock to the kingdom, but yet his fighting skills are epic and rumors swirl about in the kingdoms of his latest victories. Zach, like Ivy, feels the same connection, but he sets out to show Ivy that there is another world out there that is not just based on logic and reasoning, that magical kisses could do more harm than good and that love is the strongest weapon of all.

OMG! I freakin LOVE this story. Ivy and Zach compliment each other in so many ways and yet, it takes them a while to figure out what truly matters in a world filled with dark forces threatening them at every turn. When they are sent on a mission for the kingdoms, they finally get to know one another. There is a lot of push and pull mostly on Ivy’s part as she grew up believing one thing and Zach slowly chips away at her defenses and beliefs. I sooooo love Zach! He is definitely a force to be reckoned with, strong in his own rights, passionate about his beliefs, and truly wants Ivy to see the other side. I was really, really looking forward to their first kiss, flipping through the pages like “Where is it, oh come on stop teasing me already!” I don’t think I ever screamed at a book like I did this one. Lindsey Duga really knows how to draw you right in and keep you hooked and desperate for that very first kiss.

The world-building in Kiss of the Royal is simply amazing. A world filled with goblins, monsters, and Griffins that all come to life and make you feel as if you can actually see them and feel them. You can see yourself in the forest taking everything in. Kiss of the Royal really brings to life the mythology, lure and magic of the kingdoms in such a way that you actually wish you were apart of it. Duga has a way with words that just draws you right into the scene and it is both magical and fascinating all at the same time. The fighting scenes were absolutely phenomenal and I could feel my heart racing as Ivy and Zach faced danger after danger. I found myself rooting for them over and over again. Ivy and Zach are by far my favorite book couple of the year.

Kiss of the Royal blends magic and mythology with a sprinkle of romanticism and turns it into a fantasy filled with characters you will fall in love with, a story you can’t help getting immersed into, and a blossoming romance you will be rooting for up until the very end. Duga has created a world I wish to live in. I am truly heartbroken that this is a standalone story as I would have loved to see and read more. Lindsey Duga, thank you for being an amazing writer. You have won me over and have taken me into a glorious ride into your fantasy world. I can not recommend this book enough and five stars is definitely NOT enough to express how much I loved this book. A definite add on to my keeper shelf. If Fantasy is your jam, you NEED to be adding Kiss of the Royal to your reading list.

This is a middle grade fantasy which I love! It did take me a minute to get into (like all fantasy.. getting to understand a diffrent world takes a minute) Once I got into it I fell for it. Pretty hard. This is a story about Kissing. Not just kissing but magical Kisses that help defeat the enemy. Or that at least is what Princess Ivy believes and she needs a partner. Zach however believes Kissing does more harm than good and believes in Love. Dangerous thing to talk blasphemy to a Legion Princess but Ivy needs a partner desperately to stop the darkness and Zach is her only choice. His swordsmanship is incredible but will it be enough. Zach has his beliefs and Ivy has hers and when you are at war and your partner doesn't agree with you on what the strategy should be... the fate of your world is in jeopardy. Can these two come eye to eye or is it heart to heart?
Absolutely love this story. Teaching about love and the power of true love along with fun, charismatic characters. Perfect middle age read. No swearing. No sex. Just kids taking down fantastical creatures!