I so loved reading this wonderful story. It had just a bit of drama, a little heartbreak and yet a wonderful ending. I laughed in parts until I cried and I was totally cheering Carter and Prince Edgar on throughout the story. These two characters were so much fun and unpredictable. From pancakes to tabloids, I wasn’t sure what was going to be around the next corner for them. But, I definitely felt the chemistry roll right off the pages from the minute they met. They made each other so happy and Carter just had a way about him that put everyone at ease. I so enjoyed watching him get the stuffy, yet exceedingly handsome, Prince loosen up, open up and trust. And, the Prince showing Carter how to love again … that was just so special.

Yes, there were characters that you will love to hate. But, even though she came off as being a little bit of a bitch, you couldn’t help but like the Queen of England. Carter’s ex … yea, not so much. He was just a publicity hound always looking for attention. Carter’s friend were absolutely wonderful! They brought a sense of fun, excitement and adventure throughout the story. I loved them!

Paul Rudnick really brought the Royal Family into a hilarious and interesting light. I loved how he brought these wonderful characters together, wrote a story that had happily-ever-after that was just perfect for the two of them. He definitely knows how to bring humor into some situations that you wouldn’t expect. I smiled and cheered, laughed and cried … but … I most definitely loved this story and can’t wait to read more.

I really wanted to love this one but it just wasn't for me. Thank you Berkley for the opportunity to read this one.

I'm in the mood lately, like many others, for shorter, more optimistic books to read after the last year plus. Playing the Palace fits that description and provided a couple of days of entertainment.

This was my first official M/M romance. I found it to fit the traditional genre completely, so it was a satisfying read. The inclusion of something for those fascinated with British Royalty will add to many readers' enjoyment (although this family is fictional, one can definitely see real-life correlations to several characters!)

My favorite pro: the banter between both our couple and the surrounding friends, family, and staff! This banter made the story more realistic and enjoyable.

Recommended for those wanting a quick romance read, with a side of humor!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC, in exchange for an unbiased review.

Possibly my favorite book of 2021?
I keep hearing that it's the same as RWARB but since I haven't read that yet, I will say this. This book is stunning, clever and funny! It had me laughing multiple times. It's also brilliant and sexy as hell. Loved this book with all my heart. 5 stars☆

This is a great inclusive read that everyone will love! From the very first page I was hooked! If you need a good romance novel, this one is for you. I loved it! I can’t say enough good things about it and can’t recommend it any higher!

Playing the Palace by Paul Rudnick is a book that I read in one sitting. It's a great royal romance with "commoner" Carter meeting Prince Edgar and the hijinks that ensue. I especially appreciated the viewpoint of the Queen in this one; she was hilariously written and had me laughing out loud. I'd definitely recommend this for fans of RW&RB, but it stands in a class of its own.

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

I would like thank NetGalley and publish for ARC copy. I really enjoy this book humor it gave, I saw a little of myself in Carter when it relates to relationship, his roommates Louise at first she was over bearing and Adam was cool. I love Prince Edgar he act so normal. My favorite Abby she kept laughing and my least favorite was Carter EX Callum didn't trust him I looking forward to reading more from this Author not bad for first Novel.

QUICK TAKE: I love Paul Rudnick...in particular his alter ego, Libby Gelman-Waxner, so I was looking forward to his new book, though a little apprehensive due to the comparisons to another book about a gay romance involving an English Prince (I guess the gays really love their prince harry fantasy). The humor here is definitely a little more biting, and the story a bit more mature, but still found myself comparing this one to RED WHITE AND ROYAL BLUE, and found that book to be a better mix of humor, heart and romance than this one.

This was such a fun take on royal romance. I loved Edgar and Carter finding each other and working their way through a tough situation, They are fun and sweet and I like how they interact with each other. I loved all the London references and going to the set of Great British Bake off, So fun!

Playing the Place is a cute rom-com about an openly gay prince of Britain and the Jewish New Jersey boy he falls for. Suspend basically everything you know about the actual royal family, because this one is really nothing like the real one. Some moments had me cringing a bit from secondhand awkwardness but it’s a quick and easy read, perfect for a summer afternoon.

Playing the Palace is a fun rom-com that's sorely needed by anyone who's craving shenanigans and absurdity. Believe me, anything than can go wrong, will go wrong is the modus operandi here.

Carter's still smarting a little bit after his breakup (even though it happened a while ago). Every so often he still yearns for his ex. But his ridiculously fun job as an event planner leads him to the most unexpected meeting of his life - face-to-face with the dashing and handsome Prince Edgar of England. I swear this is the cutest of meet-cutes that one can ever encounter! Sparks flying. The guys being bashful. That instant I-get-you-already connection. It was all I could do not to squeal in excitement for them. And then they do start hanging out together and while it's fun, it's also just nonsensical.

As much as I enjoyed many parts of the story such as when Carter and Edgar get emotionally intimate and honest with each other, I felt like everything else happening around them was just too much. When something's going just right, it inevitably gets derailed by something else and it's usually because of some absurd thing, reason or person. Carter and Edgar are so normal and chill compared to everyone else in their lives and this includes their families. All other characters aside from these two are so extreme in personalities and mannerisms and that felt overdone to me. I also began to feel that Carter was turned into some ineffectual, haphazard influence for comedy's sake and that just didn't feel right. All the successive oopses just snowballed and became an utter mess.

The plus side of Playing the Palace is that it's a joy to read someone of Edgar's pedigree and high-profile position be accepted by the public. He still has to walk a fine line knowing that there are some out there who find fault with his sexuality and lifestyle, but it seems less harrowing at this point in his life as he's figured out how he wants to lead his life.

Circle back to the start, you want the ridiculous, the absurd, and laugh at physical comedy, this is the rom-com for you!

~ Bel

I had heard...not great things about this book, so I went in with pretty low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. No, it's not the most well written book, but...it's a royal romance. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and it succeeded at being funny and witty and putting together a fairly convincing romance. Anyone who says it's too much like Red, White & Royal Blue|has never read another romance, especially a royal romance; it's been done many times before and will be done many more times.

This was SO FUN, so WONDERFUL, so much love for this fluffy romcom! 10/10 would recommend and will be making everyone read it

Light & sweet romance, liberally spiked with humor, and just the right measure of drama and angst, for a summer or vacation read. Also a great choice for recovering after an intense or emotional read.

This was a quick read but it just wasn’t one I loved! I couldn’t really find myself caring much about the story and I feel like it was more me and not the overall story.

Wow. This book really took me by surprise. Of course, I got it like most people probably did, because it was about a gay American falling for a gay prince of England. Remind you of another book? Well, forget it cause it's not some clone of Red, White and Royal Blue.

I would say it's a bit of RWRB, mixed with the hilarity and outrageousness of Boyfriend Material. Is fucking funny, it's swoony, and most importantly it stands out on its own.

Carter is a Ln almost thirty gay man in NYC. Recently dumped (cheated on) and wondering what's the point to love. Enter, handsome prince Edgar, heir to the Throne and out and pride international homosexual. A chance meeting turns into IHOP dates and international plane rides. Royal mishaps abound wherever Carter goes trying to impress the unimpressable Queen of England to prove he's worthy of Edgar.

Don't go into if you what "accuracy" about how the Royals function. Or even believability. It's outrageous and ridiculous and easily sweeps you along for the chaotic and fun ride.

I rarely laugh out loud at books. Usually it's a mild chuckle, or a brief smirk and a thought of "that was funny". But I am not kidding when I say I was cackling at this. It was such a wonderful uplifting and ridiculous read.

If you want a light hearted book that's a quick read I'd easily suggest this cute story.

This one was fun, but a little all over the place, for me personally. I tried a couple of times to get into it, but it failed to fully pull me in.

Characters are fun and the writing has a whimsical feel to it.

I’d recommend this to fans of Red White and Royal Blue!

I wanted to enjoy this book so much and I did like Paul Rudnick's writing. Royal romances aren't a trope I enjoy in the genre but I wanted give this a shot. Unfortunately, my own disinterest in the premise got in the way of me truly loving this book.

The politics were light, the romance was heavy on this one.

I love that the humor wasn't overdone and no one tiptoed the line between humor and plain annoying, I had fun with this one and I will be looking out of more Rudnick.

A wonderful and insightful novel, gives of the feeling of reading about real people who you feel you belong with but ever so slightly more amazing.