This sequel to The Royal We picks up right where it left off: after Nick and Bex's wedding, which was not at all the magical TV event everyone expected, after a tabloid story insinuating a romantic relationship between Bex and Nick's younger brother, Freddie. They're not in the good graces of the press, the public, or the queen. Tough they've repaired their relationship and escaped anonymously to Scotland, real life calls them back as the queen falls ill. And juggling the public appearances and royal duties, the pressure of the press, and the family secrets that begin to surface all strain that repaired relationship again. I wasn't quite sure how this sequel would be pulled off, as often what drives books like The Royal We is the will-they-won't-they drama of how a relationship is going to work out; once it's after the wedding, is there enough to make a story interesting? Well, yes, there most definitely is, when it comes to this book, because "heir affair" has quite a few different angles: there's the rumors of a literal affair that kicked off the whole wedding day drama and the publicity and family relationship fallout from that, there's the heirs in line to the throne and the pressure on them especially as the queen's health declines, there's of course the immediate bump-watch frenzy regarding the next heir as soon as the wedding is over - and there's even a historical family lineage angle as Bex discovers journals left by the queen's sister in their new living quarters. It's pretty chock-full of all kinds of stuff, maybe a little soap-opera at times, but in a totally fun way. I loved being back with these characters, and I loved the behind-the-scenes look at royal life, the types of things like public tours abroad that you saw Harry & Meghan doing after their wedding, or hospital visits and state dinners and such that you see pictures of Will & Kate doing. It's not the romance you might expect, especially as regards the fertility journey Bex struggles with, but it's very fun royal watching all the same.

I did not read The Royal We when I decided to read The Heir Affair. However, book two gives you details of what occurred in the Royal We and you get a clear picture of what happened to Nick and Bex after her scandal goes public.

Post wedding drama and public outcry Bex and Nick decide to retreat from their royal lives. As they are trying to regroup in hiding more drama follows.Queen Eleanor falls ill which leaves everyone in the family or “The Firm” scrambling to decide what to do next. This makes Bex and Nick begrudgingly leave their hiding spot and back into royal life.

Moreover, in London, the discomfort of Bex and Nick’s decision to leave still loom over the family. Bex is desperately trying to piece Nick and his brother, Freddie, back together. After what happened the brothers' relationship was strained and they continue to find a path toward reconciliation. Especially, now that the Queen's health is in jeopardy and a future heir is expected, everyone needs to come together to decide what's best for the future of the monarchy.

This time around more secrets and cover ups are exposed. Demands are made but when confronted Queen Eleanor must decide if the truth is worth telling.

For the most part I liked <i>The Royal We</i> and was excited when I got the notification that there was an ARC for the sequel. I had just finished <i>The Royal We</i> and was looking forward to jumping right into the second book. It was surprising to me how disappointing the sequel was. The charm of the first book is missing, and the characters become insufferable (with the exception of Bea, she's still great). Without going into spoilers, there are two plot points that are just bonkers and just too ridiculous to go along with. If I didn't receive the ARC, I wouldn't have even bothered to finish the book.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

This one was enjoyable. It had been quite awhile since I've read "The Royal Wedding". However, this books sucks you right back in to the plot and characters. The author writes very well. There is humor and heartache. The plot device with the disguises got old after awhile. They know someone knows their disguises and still use them to go out... what? Also, there didn't feel like a resolution of the Clive thing. Reading the last chapter of this book on Mother's Day brought a tear to my eye.

If you loved The Royal We, you will love The Heir Affair! It picks up right where we left off with all of our favorite characters: Bex, Nick, Freddie, Cilla, Gaz, Bea...even Lacey! There is so much packed into this book. We dive even deeper into the relationships and personalities of our main characters as they begin to live their lives within the confines of the monarchy. They face hard choices, triumphs, and shocking revelations about people they thought they knew. It is juicy and fast paced in all the best ways.

Great follow up to The Royal We. I just can't help loving these books and the "inside" view of the royal life. It's so good for us, too, to see the pressures it takes on the royals that we want this peek. Another winner

I was thrilled to dive back into Bex and Nick's world in this sequel to The Royal We. What a great summer read! Bex and Nick's newlywed life certainly has its ups and downs - anyone would have some issues after all they've been through, but it's so nice to see how they love each other and work through all of it. It kind of killed my Cubs-hating heart to live through the 2017 World Series win again, but the way Bex spent that evening was delightful.

Stellar secondary characters are one of the reasons these books are so enjoyable. More Gaz is always a good thing. Georgina's life story is fascinating. As part of a group who wore fascinators when we discussed this book, I'm excited to recommend this one widely!

I think this book ultimately failed because (while written very well) I was rooting for the heroine to end up with someone who wasn't the hero. They has so much more chemistry than Bex did with her own husband. Plus, the time skip meant that we missed all the romantic marriage development with Bex/Nick (if I had seen that, maybe I would've changed my opinion). It was decent, but I didn't love it.

I hadn't read the first book in this series in a bit so I suggest if you're going to read this book, definitely refresh your mind about the relationships between all the characters because you will need to remember the different relationships when the book begins.
That being said, I greatly enjoyed the first book in this series and was hoping this would be the same. The book started off somewhat slow, probably since I didn't remember all the intricacies of how everyone knew and related to one another, however by the second half of the book, I couldn't put it down. I read through the second half in one evening and was happily surprised how well written it was.
It's fairly long so you won't feel like you need to rush through it but don't be surprised if your love of Bex, Nick and Freddie makes you want to devour it in one sitting like it did me.
The characters were very well developed, the relationship between Bex and the queen was very interesting and well done.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to read something that is light and happy but at the same time engaging, fun, and touching.

The Heir Affair picks up right where The Royal We leaves off. After being betrayed by their closest friends, Nick and Bex are hiding away trying to regroup and fix their damaged relationship. While their wedding did take place, the fall-out affected everyone around them and they aren’t sure how to move forward in a way that placates their angry family and public while remaining true to themselves and their relationship. A family emergency brings them back into the royal family drama and they navigate their first years of marriage with the same humor and feeling as the first book. I don’t want to give away too much since it won’t be released for a few more months, but it is definitely nice to see these characters mature. For those who have issues, be aware there is a story line about infertility issues.

I loved Heir Affair, the highly-anticipated sequel to The Royal We. It’s been five years between books, but you would never know it. This book jumps right in mwhere The Royal We left off, and if you loved the characters, including Gaz, Lady Bollocks, and more, you’ll be thrilled to dive back into their world.

Here’s the description from Grand Central Publishing:

“After a scandalous secret turns their fairy-tale wedding into a nightmare, Rebecca "Bex" Porter and her husband Prince Nicholas are in self-imposed exile. The public is angry. The Queen is even angrier. And the press is salivating. Cutting themselves off from friends and family, and escaping the world's judgmental eyes, feels like the best way to protect their fragile, all-consuming romance.
But when a crisis forces the new Duke and Duchess back to London, the Band-Aid they'd placed over their problems starts to peel at the edges. Now, as old family secrets and new ones threaten to derail her new royal life, Bex has to face the emotional wreckage she and Nick left behind: with the Queen, with the world, and with Nick's brother Freddie, whose sins may not be so easily forgotten -- nor forgiven.”

I laughed, I cried, I gasped, I was angry, and then suddenly, the book was over. Not going to lie- I’m already wishing for another.

It’s funny, because I’ll admit that I struggled with the first book. I loved the characters and the vivid details, but it just felt like it dragged in points and I was frustrated. I did NOT have that problem with Heir Affair, and in fact, sped through it.

This is definitely a 4 star read, probably even 4.5. Read with tissues, Cracker Jack, and Miller Lite.

Fans of The Royal We, of British rom coms, and of the yank-nabs-Royal trope will all rejoice.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.**

Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan are at it again with a follow-up to 2015's The Royal We with the aptly-named The Heir Affair. Following Bex and Nick after a major (and unflattering) news story breaks during their wedding, readers can satisfy their curiosity about what happens in the aftermath.

The Heir Affair is, unsurprisingly, incredibly well-written, with elevated but accessible prose that will captivate bibliophiles with wide-ranging reading interests. The story line is compelling, and will keep its reader up well past bedtime turning pages. While the topics can be heavy at times - mental wellness, marital woes, and more - each chapter will keep you laughing and falling in love with all of the characters again. The Heir Affair stands out among other romance novels because of just that: the depth of every character, not one of them overlooked. Each character we meet is complex, with a well-defined background and, occasionally, mysterious motives. Moreover, this read will stay with you, and you won't suspect the twists that are coming.

You'll fall in love with the world that Cocks and Morgan have dreamed up all over again in The Heir Affair which, one could argue, is infinitely more gratifying than The Royal We. This is the book that should be on every romance-lover's beach towel or nightstand this summer - highly recommended.

Nick and Bex are back! Well...not really. They have actually run away and left behind the Queen, the family, Clive, and all of the other drama that exploded at their wedding. Eventually they have to give up their bubble to return to the real world and their responsibilities. How will the Firm treat them now that truth (or part of the truth) is out there? How will the public respond to Bex now that she is their future queen? All things and more in The Heir Affair.
The sequel had everything that the first book had- love, fun side characters, and royal DRAMA. I thought that what this book lacked in romance, it made up for in a more tangible love story between Nick and Bex with real things happening that could possibly happen to a real couple. I really enjoyed it and hope there is more to come.

Many thanks for NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC, which I was happy to receive, as I had very much enjoyed the authors' previous book, THE ROYAL WE. I found this follow-up a diverting read, but less compelling and entertaining than its predecessor. Perhaps it's a function of the genre - I get that it's not meant to be realistic fiction - but I found the various plot twists and some of the characterizations were just too over the top in this sequel. Still worth skimming if you are a huge royal watcher or fan of the first book. Three stars from me.

The Royal We is one of my favorite books. I’ve read it several times and never felt disappointed. When the sequel was announced, I was so freaking excited. It’s been almost 4 years since the first book came out, and I had honestly not expected another book. That being said, I was curious to see how it would play out and where it would pick up.

The Heir Affair picks up shortly after Bex and Nick’s wedding. To no one’s surprise, Clive did drop the story about Bex and Freddie. As a result, the wedding was absolutely disastrous. Bex and Nick handle it by running away on a long honeymoon or sorts. Called back to the palace as an emergency, the two of them are forced to deal with the repercussions of what happened before. They struggle to learn how to adapt to their new roles, their relationship with each other, and of course, how they react with Freddie. Readers get to see their favorite (and not-so-favorite) characters return, and they are every bit the same as before (not in a bad way). Another thing that didn’t change from the first book was the drama. It’s impossible to write a book that spans over years and not make the characters have their ups and downs. This boon covers a shorter amount of time, but still runs the reader through the wringer. Drama drives the plot and keeps the trouble coming for Bex and Nick. At times it can get tiring, but overall I think it just shows the reality of life—it’s freaking messy.

When it comes to character development, Iloved what the authors did in The Heir Affair. We first met Bex and Nick when they were in college, and now they are in their late twenties and married. Every character continues to mature and grow in new ways. There was development in individuals, but also in relationships. I loved to see how Bex’s relationships with Nick’s family members expanded. We got more one on one scenes with Bex, the Queen, and Marta the Queen. I especially loved Marta and thought she was brilliant and quirky. There are so many unique aspects of the characters and plot that just make me continue to love it so much more. The first book may have given us an overview of the many characters, but this book went in-depth and developed them further.

The ending was not quite what I expected, but in some ways it was more perfect. Bex and Nick’s story ends on a high note. Their group of friends all remain close, but have their own lives as well. Freddie got what he wanted, and I’d be interested to read a spin-off about him picking up at the ending of this book.

To conclude: This book fulfilled my expectations and exceeded them by continuing the stories of favorite characters and reminding us that while life isn’t always perfect, it’ll be perfect as long as we have the support of our loved ones.

I loved this peek into an imaginary royal family and the intricacies of their royal and familial dynamics. As always, our narrator Bex shares with us life from her no-frills perspective. When there are things to do, whether it’s redecorate a house, restore a broken relationship, or sneak out of the palace for a Big Mac, Bex gets it done. Along the way she exposes the privilege of living as royalty, alongside its more disagreeable moments. There were a few superfluous storylines that didn’t drive the plot or have any resolution along the way. Is this a hint at book three? I very much enjoyed this installment and am excited to rejoin the Clarences as they begin a new life as parents. I’m also curious how Freddie will adjust to his new life circumstances. I hope there is more to come!

Cute follow-up to the Royal We. A little long, but the characters were interesting and I enjoyed the backstory about the Queen's sister.

I finished the Heir Affair (the sequel to The Royal We) and I’m just irrationally mad that Bex and Nick and Freddie and Gaz and Cilla and Lacey aren’t my friends.

Spending more time with them was a gift. The book comes out in July and I’ll warn you it isn’t the romance you might be expecting but it’s still so, so good!

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC and thank you @fuggirls for these amazing books.

I loved this follow-up to The Royal We! The final third of the book went a bit off the rails for me-- it felt a little bit like the authors were concerned they didn't have enough plot and added in a bunch of twists-- but it was a delight and comfort to return to familiar characters. I could read about Nick, Bex, Freddie, and their friends for many more books.

I’m a huge fan of The Royal We. That deliciously fun book about an American marrying into the British Royal Family came out in 2015, years before Meghan Markle was even a twarkle—er, sparkle—in the eye of the royal landscape (landscapes have eyes!) Are Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan ancient sea witches risen from the waves to tell the tales of royal scandals yet to come? Clearly. I’ve read the Royal We a good half dozen times, both on audio and on the page, and it’s just such a comforting favorite book. Great for any royal lover or anyone who wants a fun story. I recommend it all the time (including right now, to you! Go read it!)

So naturally I was stoked to get this advance copy! It was the perfect pandemic treat and was such a joy to spend time with these characters again, hearing what happened to them in Happily Ever After. (Spoiler: Happily Ever After is not all it’s cracked up to be. But we knew that.) It has all the funny, absurd, heartwarming characters and plot lines you loved in Royal We, with a few things you probably didn’t see coming.

The Royal We is one of my all-time favorite books for being fun, topical, warm, and feeling like it’s pulling back the curtain (I know it’s fiction!) But it isn’t perfect (nothing is!) and neither is its sequel. I don’t want to spoil it, so I’ll just say I had two small quibbles: 1) there are a couple of brief things that took me out of the moment with their absurdity and 2) both The Royal We and The Heir Affair use a plot device that’s a personal pet peeve: characters don’t talk to each other about their problems, and if they did, some things could be resolved. There’s a bit of that here, and it’s not my favorite. But I also don’t care? And if you liked the Royal We, I don’t think you will either. You’ll love spending time with these characters again. Each moment with them makes it worth it and these books are such a comforting joy. Also, the poignancy of their timing and the topics in the book are yet again clearly the work of their ancient sea witch magic. Heather and Jessica, you’ve done it again!

http://www.caitlinhannah.com/blog/2020/5/4/book-review-the-heir-affair