Member Reviews
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
I really tried to like this book but that was just not something I could do.
The characters were poorly written. Especially the side characters who had no emotional depth at all. They were unmemorable and has nothing distinctive about any of them. They were simply plain and unlikable.
A good 50% of the chapters felt like reworded versions of each other. It was so boring and predictable.
I was promised a cute and funny romance novel but was given lines that I knew were supposed to be funny but just weren't. I'm sorry, but It honestly made me cringe.
Princess Arabella wants to do something wild and crazy, just once, for the first time in her life. Crazy things like wear a red dress to a wedding. King Winston and the royal advisers will never allow this, of course. I mean, just think of the scandal! But this is where Will Banks comes in. He’s the star of an outdoors adventure show that's unfortunately been falling in ratings. He gets a new showrunner with lots of ideas to shake things up, only one idea of which is a female co-host. Enter Arabella, who uses her in with the showrunner to fast-track her way into the co-host role. Will is reluctant to take her with him but feels that he has little other choice. Will Arabella surpass expectations? Will she and Will survive in the wilds? Will they overcome their differences and come out as fire-forged friends, or maybe more? Find out today.
I exceptionally enjoyed this read. I've so missed Princess Arabella and Avnonia, whom we first meet when Arabella's brother Arthur hosts Tessa in their home in the Crown Jewels series, and I've been really looking forward to my next trip to Avonia. Even though we don't spend that much time there this time, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and it provided a welcome escape into a fantasy for a little while, for which I am very grateful.
This sounded like an interesting story, but it didn't deliver for me. I couldn't get invested in the story, and DNF'd about 30% of the way through. I loved the Paradise Bay series from this author, so I had high hopes, but it just didn't work for me. I'm giving this 3 stars because I don't believe it's fair to give a poor rating to a book I didn't finish.
Good grief I love this author and this series. Sweet, humorous and lovable characters that keep a smile on my face. This, for me is the definition of a great summer read!
I first want to thank Net Galley for allowing me to read an ARC of Royally Crushed. This was my first time reading anything by Melanie Summers. I found myself getting upset with Princess Arabella, but overall it was a good book and I do recommend.
Will is a survival specialist with his own TV show. Arabella signs up to be his co-host out of wanting freedom from her family and responsibilities, and Will is not keen on her now role to begin with. Arabella and Will are enemies-to-lovers at its romantic finest. Princess Arabella has a lot of growth as a character, you see her gain a lot of courage.
There is two more books in there story but this one did end on a happy note and not a cliffhanger.
2.5 stars
This was supposed to be a cute fun romance book and it was partly but... Arabella, our main girl, is the most frustrating human being in this whole universe. I kept wondering: "Is she really this stupid or what?" Because the decisions she made... omg! And people around her... do better! Especially if you said that you care about her!
And don't get me start with the side characters, especially the men.... they were all one dimensional characters. It was like same personality with different faces.
Overall this book left me wanting more or something else. I'm actually bummed because the synopsis sounded really promising but the delivery was not great.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review
4.5⭐️
I love a good spare heir romance novel. Gives you the romance but also the realistic side where only a spare could manage some random life partner. I also appreciated that Arabella was almost 30 when she decided she needed to step out of her comfort zone and find herself.
The adventure these two go on is great because it’s truly an adventure. They make it their own and learn about the wild and each other. I did spend a lot of time wondering “wait were the cameras on for this scene?” Which I didn’t love as a constantly pervading thought.
The newscasters bothered me. Like it was just trying too hard to add entertainment value when really an update was all that was needed. Additionally, the conflict resolution was great but the timing of it was too “perfect” for me.
I enjoyed the characters and will likely pick up the next in the series!
Thanks to the author and netgalley for the copy in exchange for this honest review
Princess Arabella and Will are so different on the paper, but they've been through similar losses, which makes them perfect matches.
I haven't read the previous series leading to Royally Crushed : it s not necessary to the understanding of the book.
It was quite predictable (it s pretty much a thing in this genre) but it was really funny and interesting on survival in a rainforest (some stuff I didn't know about bonobos ;) ). Also, I really enjoyed the end of their adventure in the forest (no spoiler) !!
Melanie Summers was a nice discovery and I will probably read other of her books in a near future !!
Thank you Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange of an honest review.
4.5 stars rounded up! Okay I adored this book… it was funny, cute , sweet, predictable (in the best ways), adventurous and sexy. I’m also a sucker for royalty stories - think it goes back to loving Disney / Disney princesses!
Arabella and Will are dramatic and lovable characters and their story has me wanting to go off on a jungle adventure! In some ways it reminded me of that Amazon show Worlds Toughest Race.
What I liked:
- Despite being a princess Arabella is super relatable and likeable and I loved that she wasn’t a fresh-faced 18-year old but an almost 30 year old at a crossroads in her life.
- learning about the wildlife like the bonobos was fun and hilarious and I followed it all up with my own Google searches haha)
- that the characters are also a part of other stories by the author (I will likely be grabbing these other books as I love her writing and the world she built)
- All of Arabellas sassy character development and standing up for herself. She is a warrior! And I LOVED the ending of the adventure (no spoilers).
What I didn’t like:
- some of the chapter titles gave a bit away
- wasn’t the biggest fan of the news reporters personalities BUT I did appreciate the updates
- I’m a little curious and confused how it will make that good of a show to watch because it seemed like they barely had the cameras on the last half in the wild?!?!
Would definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys chick lit/ romantic comedies and is looking for a funny, sassy, fierce heroin!
This one was ok.
I think I am just not into “ chic lit “ anymore.
I will recommend it to friends who like this kind of books but I don’t think I will be continuing on into the books
Thank you NetGalley for sending this arc for an honest review!
Hate at first sight?? Yessir. Because you know what that means ;) enemies to lovers in a royally contemporary romance. When it comes to royality I suck out all the joy in it. Makes me satisfied because I imagine myself as a princess. This was like the selections meets the hating game and I was so here for it. I didn’t shed a single tear of sadness from how much at laughed at the charcaters. In a good way ofc. EVREYTHING about them was perfect and plzzzzz the prince can marry me.
This book exceeded my expectations. When I started it I thought it was going to be a tacky The Princess Diaries kind of book. Don't get me wrong, I love The Princess' Diary... but when I was a kid. But thank God this one was so fun, sweet, and lighthearted. Making me laugh and smile a lot.
I liked the characters, though of course there were things that annoyed me, but that's totally fine. I think the characters and the plot are well-developed and very well-written making it super enjoyable and easy to read.
Although the instant-love trope is one of my least favourites, this didn't feel like that instant. Yes, there was an instant attraction but there was also an enemies-to-lovers stage and the right amount of disagreements. I just wished the enemies-to-lovers part would have lasted a tad longer, but it's totally understandable if we consider that they had only 10 days to fall in love.
This is the first book I read by Melanie Summer, and after having glimpses of the other families and stories, I'm so tempted to read the previous book in this delightful world she has created.
What a fun and light read! A princess and a survivor-type adventure show host are dropped in a rainforest and have to find their way out while filming along the way. Each has their own motivations for doing the show and each is an engaging character. Finished this in one day and it makes a great summer read. I'm looking forward to the next two books in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Royally Crushed by Melanie Summers is a dreamy rom-com, but really a dream series. Arabella is a wonderful protagonist and main character. Likewise, I am intrigued by the plot and writing style; it's engaging, but even better when there's dialogue between the characters. As of yet, I am a big fan of this series. Well written!
Fun read from this author. I have read other books from her and this one was great. The more I read from them, the more I want to find every book they have ever written. Was a good read. Do it.
Crazy Royal Love series is the baby of Crown Jewel series & Paradise Bay series. A crossover you didn't know you needed until you got one!
I CANNOT tell you ENOUGH how Hilarious, Romantic & Adventurous this was!
What happens when a Sassy Princess who's out to prove her worth & a Hunky Adventurer who's determined to bring the ratings of the show up are teamed up together? Its pure hate & loathe at first sight.
I simply loved Arabella. She's smart, funny, sarcastic & a lovely human being. The way she handles herself inside & outside the Royal decorum screams Poise & Brilliance ( except for the not-so-smooth breakdown she had in the middle of the forest). The instant decision of going on a reality tv was so out of her character & comfort zone, yet she chose do it.
The scene where she shows up in shorts(finally breaking the royal dresscode)in jungle but is made to wear a hideous jumpsuit still cracks me up till date.
Will, Oh dreamy Will. Drop dead gorgeous, snarky, rugged outdoorman with every bit of warrior & fighter cell in his body, is the most strongest person I've ever met ( except as you read along, you realize what a softie he is). The self-made, take-no-shit man who couldn't NOT pout when he was compared to Bear Grylls. Apart from being a pain in the ass, he's an amazing brother who constantly tries to do right by the show so that he could buy the dream boat for his brother.
And Boy! What Sparkling & Electrifying Chemistry these two have. I loved every second of their adventure. Their constant bickering, nagging, fighting, being mean & rude each other was all worth in the end when they realize their feelings for each other, and let me tell you its perfectly romantic, chaotic & satisfying.
Both of them proved what its like to care for someone at their worst, and not give up on each during toughest of times. And I kid you not, the sacrifices they made or were willing to make(which was even a sin to think about in the beginning) to help, save & protect one another was phenomenal & passionate to the core.
I always look forward to a Melanie Summers read. She is a clever writer who With tongue-in-cheek brings contemporary, real bits into her story. This sweet, heart-warming tale is a delightful escapist read. I found myself happily slipping from one chapter into the next, as I followed the adventures & misadventures of Will Banks & Princess Arabella through the jungle. This can be read as a stand alone book.
A funny sweet story about two very different people who must survive in the jungle . He is an outdoor man and she is a Princess . Will they make it or not ?
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was in a slump, and I picked this because Melanie Summers’ books are always super easy and super fun to listen to. This was a cute book, and it is exactly what I needed!