I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House. These are my thoughts.

I am in the minority here because I was not totally enthralled with the story. I would probably give it 2.5 stars but I will round up. I understand that this is fiction and we need to use our imagination and extend our belief but this goes beyond that.

Princess Charlotte is sent to the country to live with a family during the war to keep her safe. Her identity is only known by the owners of the estate. During her stay she falls in love with their son, Henry, and they marry before he goes to war. She is widowed at 17 and dies shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Anne Louise. All in the space of a year. During all this time no one tells the King and Queen what is going on and then the people she is staying with die too. A housemaid, Lucy, who loved Henry takes Annie and raises her as her own and when she dies 20 years later she tells her husband, Jonathan, the whole story. He approaches the queen and they verify that Annie is Charlotte's daughter and she is assimilated into the royal family.

There was a lot of repetition. Without the repetition the book would be a lot shorter.

I liked Annie. I thought she was very down to earth and knew what she wanted in life and didn't let the fact that she was a princess really change her much. I had no sympathy for Lucy. She was hateful to Charlotte because she felt she stole Henry from her and felt it was her right to take the baby. I wasn't feeling the great love she had with her husband, Jonathan. I did like Jonathan. He was very loving and was a true father to Annie.

The bottom line is I think fans of Danielle Steele will love this book. It was a quick read but just not my cup of tea.

I’ve read many books by Danielle Steel over the years, but actually have not read much from her lately. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in return for my honest review. I’m happy to say I really enjoyed this one. If you like historical fiction set in England give this one a try. It’s very typical Danielle Steel about a young girl who is a princess, a sweet romance and a happy ending. But this story also has some Royal family drama and loss during WWII so it’s not all roses, You may recognize a character or two being similar to real life royals too. It was a perfect read for right now and I recommend it.

Fans of Danielle Steele will not be disappointed. I always enjoy her reads and this was another good one. I really liked Annie’s story and how it spanned generations. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC.

This book was awesome!! I can't wait to get myself a copy! There's so much emotion and depth, and I love historical fictions. I'll probably be gifting this to my mother for her birthday!

I confess…Danielle Steel’s books have become one of my guilty pleasures. I started reading them a few years ago and after playing catch-up with her past novels, I now enjoy them in real time. They are fast and entertaining reads.

While this book might be categorized as historical fiction, it leans more toward fiction occurring in a framework of time between 1943 and 1967. King Frederick and Queen Anne, the British monarchy, reluctantly send their youngest daughter, Princess Charlotte to Yorkshire to avoid the dangers of London during the German bombings of WWII. In order to ensure her safety, she travels under an alias known only to the couple who have agreed to provide shelter for her. Charlotte falls in love with the couple’s son, becomes pregnant and marries him as he goes off to war. A series of untimely and tragic deaths leaves Charlotte’s baby, Annie, an orphan and her true identity as a princess remains hidden for over 20 years.

Royal is reflective of the author’s recurring theme of female protagonists who display courage, strength and the ability to transcend traditional women’s roles. I enjoyed the story line and the character development, particularly Annie as she lives a “normal” life only to discover that she is part of the royal family. She is a delight – grounded, hard-working and dedicated to her dream of being a jockey when no women were allowed in such roles. The descriptions of the royal family, their lifestyle, expectations and residences provided wonderful color to the overall story.

I do have a long-standing issue with one element of the author’s writing style, namely, the repetition of content from chapter to chapter. After reading so many of her books, I have become accustomed to it; while less bothersome now, it is still a bit distracting.

My thanks to the author, Random House Publishing Group-Ballentine and NetGalley for providing the opportunity to review an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a typical Danielle Steel book... I have read each and every one of her books and will continue to do so. This particular book has secrets that are held, and eventually told. There was a point early in the novel where I was sure I knew what was going to happen, I was right yet at the same time wrong.

The story line begins during WW2 and continues on through the early 1960's. The books has some themes that are very relevant for today still. I must admit I did feel as though part of the book was a little not believable with the circumstances of the story

Another bestseller by the infamous Ms Steel!!!!!! As usual she has captured my heart with her newest book about a family of British Royalty. This is a sad but happy story of a Princess who is sent out of country during the war and finds love and tragedy. Princess Charlotte finds love, marriage, and a baby when she is sent out to the country to avoid war. Sadly Princess Charlotte dies during childbirth. Her daughter Annie Louis is raised by a commoner and her royal heritage kept from her her whole life until the death of her believed mother. Then the story of her birth and heritage gets told and Annie Louise's life is changed forever. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for my honest review.

I received a free e-ARC of this book through Netgalley.

This book remains true to Danielle Steel's romantic writing style. It starts off with an adventure of the youngest princess being sent to the countryside during the London bombings, but quickly goes south. Lots of interpersonal relationships and deciding whether it's more important to follow your dreams or have a mate. It kept my interest until the end.

Beautiful book! Wow! I love all things royal fiction and this was just a beautiful and sad story. Well done.

For all fans of royal fiction, this book is for you. Danielle Steel weaves together a captivating narrative, set in the WWII era, about a princess sent away to the country during the bombings in London for health reasons. What's fascinating about this book, which I shy away a bit from calling historical fiction since it leans heavily on the fiction, is that it feels like it is real. The royal family in this book is all fictional, but their trials could be taken out of the Windsor chronicles.

Steel's trademark elements of wealth, heartache, love, and redemption are all present. It's a great escapist read and was just what I needed.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Big fan of Danielle Steel. She never disappoints.
Absolutely love her books.
Royal was a wonderful read.
Definitely recommend.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this book!
Most everyone loves a good Danielle Steel book! I enjoyed it but I must say I had a had a but of a time with the character Lucy. It was an escape for me and I enjoyed it....just not a favorite of mine!
I gave is 3 stars~

Another wonderful book by Danielle Steel. Set in the 40's through the 60's, this story follows Charlotte and her daughter Annie, both horse mad Royal Princesses. Due to tragic circumstances and the actions of a bitter woman, Annie does not know that she's a princess until after the death of her mother, when the truth comes out.
There are some wonderful supporting characters both in and out of the Royal Family.
As with all her books, I really enjoyed reading this story and will definitely be recommending it.
Thank you Danielle Steel, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

A historical drama and love story involving a Royal family that endures hardship during World War II. Charlotte is the Queens" daughter who is sent away to safety during the war. When she is away she encounters many hardships and tragedies. She keeps many secrets hidden from her family during this time. These secrets stay undiscovered for many years, until someone else discovered them and decided it was time to disclose them. A book about love, forgiveness, following your dreams and the bonds of family. I enjoyed the strong woman characters in this book who persevered through tough times when women were not given the same opportunities as men. This book was a heartwarming and heart wrenching story that I enjoyed immensely.

A quick read and there are no surprises here. There's a big focus on horses and horse racing. It was hard to go from not liking Lucy in the beginning of the novel to hearing about how she was a great wife, mother, etc. later on.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the opportunity to read this book and give an honest opinion. I was so thrilled to be chosen to read this book that I spent most of my Friday night and Saturday morning engrossed in this book. This book begins in 1943, where the King and Queen of England are trying to decide whether or not to send their youngest daughter who is not quite 17, and suffer from horrible asthma, to Yorkshire where she be safe and away from all the dust and debris from the bombing. Charlotte, said third daughter of the King and Queen, wasn't happy about the prospect but she agreed once they allowed her to bring her horse. At the manor house she is to live in, she find Henry, the nearly 18 year old son of her caretakers who she falls fast in love with. Right before he ships off to war, Charlotte becomes pregnant and she and Henry are married. Henry dies three months later and Charlotte dies during child birth. Her daughter, a healthy baby named Anne, is left remaining. Another young woman, Lucy, who was madly in love with Henry, decides to become the child's parent after both caretakers die. Before she leaves the manor, she finds paperwork that leads her to believe that the Charlotte that was living in the house is the Princess Charlotte who died around the same time Anne was born. Not to give any more spoilers (and my summary only covers the first two chapters!) but the book takes you on a journey with Lucy and Anne and how the find their way. I would recommend this book. It was a faster read than most Danielle Steel books but still very enjoyable.. #Royal #NetGalley

It is so easy to fall into a novel by Danielle Steel. Royal reimagines the British royal family with a third daughter who was sent away into the country during WWII. Charlotte falls in love, but life doesn't come out rosy for her. Her infant daughter is reared by another woman, who keeps her royal heritage a secret. Eventually Annie is told the truth and her life changes. Steel manages to incorporate all the fluctuating nuances of a young woman in the mid twentieth century. Although she alters the characters of the royal family it's still easy to tell who favors whom. It's a other soothing, satisfactory read from this prolific author.

Royal was the perfect, much-needed weekend escape! Some scandal mixed with deceit, love and loss, and the British monarchy combine for a fast paced story with an ending that left me satisfied. I caught one small oops - while the latter half of the story is set in the late 1960s/early 70s, there was a line 3/4 the way through about sending a text message. Danielle Steel has done it once again! Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #Royal - I really enjoyed it and, as always, am not sure I can wait two more months for her next release!!

Very enjoyable piece of Historical Fiction. This is the story of Princess Charlotte, who is sent to the country to live by the King and Queen for her safety and her asthma. Charlotte moved in with a lord and countess, becomes pregnant by their son Henry, and secretly marries him for the sake of the child. We also meet Lucy, a girl who lost her family and is not happy about Charlotte and Henry. Tragedy strikes and Lucy does a very selfish thing that at the time she was thinks is right but isn't. Years go by and the story centers on Annie, Henry and Charlotte's child and her journey to find her true identity and place in life. I liked this book, but predictable Danielle Steele plot.

Royal by Danielle Steel is another one off her wonderful standalone romance novels. The story begins around 1943 in war torn England, and the King and Queen decide to send their 17-year-old daughter, Charlotte, who suffers from asthma, to a safer place in the country. Charlotte is the youngest sister of three, and though very headstrong, she is weak and vulnerable. Charlotte is not happy going to Yorkshire, but the family promises to keep her identity a secret, and she slowly accepts the time she is spending there. She befriends the son, who works with the horses, which is her passion. In a short time, they fall in love and when she becomes pregnant, they get married before he is sent overseas. Tragically, her husband is killed, and they keep the secret from her real family. When Charlotte gives birth, her weakened state, causes her to hemorrhage and she dies. The Yorkshire family tells the royal family about her tragic death, but only says it was due to her asthma, no mention of her being married or her pregnancy.

Lucy, who was also a member of the household in Yorkshire, but who was also jealous of Charlotte, begins to take care and love baby Annie. Within a short time, the couple both will die months apart, forcing Lucy to find another job, which she will take Annie as her own. The story now follows Lucy, and young Annie, who loves horses, bringing her close to the stable manager. Eventually Lucy and Jonathan will marry and bring Annie up together. They were a happy family, as the years pass, until Lucy knows she is dying, and she tells Jonathan about the papers she hidden, revealing the true nature of Annie, who is rightfully a Royal Princess.

The 2/3 of the story really perks up and I loved watching a happy Annie, and her closeness to her step father, but most of all I loved how everything changed for her. We get to see the royal family, after a full investigation open their arms to the daughter of Charlotte, which was painful for them. Alexandra is now the queen, with Victoria, the second sister still having fun playing the field. Annie is happy to meet all her relatives, and is thrilled to get the chance to work for the Queen’s stables to train horses. Annie dream is the be a jockey, but it is not allowed for females. In a few years, she will have the opportunity to do this, and she proves how she excels in handling the horses. It was so much fun to watch the family, especially Annie as she becomes a household name in her endeavors to ride the horses.

Annie will fall in love with Anthony, her boss’s son, and they were really great together. Something will separate them, as Annie wants to continue her chance riding in the high stake’s races. I loved Annie the best of all the characters that Steel has given us, though I was not a fan of Lucy early on.

Royal was a wonderful and beautiful love story that spans over 30 years. I do feel that the beginning was a bit slow, but not for long, as I could not put the book down, since I was enjoying it so much. The early tragedy, leads to a remarkable enjoyable and fun story, surrounded by the wonderful characters created by Steel. I wholly suggest you read Royal, so very well written by Danielle Steel.