Queen Giabella Of Athawick is on her own after her children have grown up and all gotten married. She is at a crossroads in her life - feeling a bit loss about what her role should be and lacking purpose it used to have now that she is the Queen Mother and not the ruling monarch. She spent years of her life dedicated to her country and her children, but they are grown and no longer need her in the same way. Neither does her country..

The one person in her life who hasn't left her side in the past ten years is her personal secretary, Dashiell Talbot. Unbeknownst to Giabella, Dash has been in love with her since they first met, but doesn't feel worthy given he's her employee. Gia has also had feelings for him, but never acted on them.

This book is full of all GOOD things and my favorite tropes - PINING, close proximity, someone playing matchmaker.

What I love about Jess Michael's writing is how fluid it is and the story just seems to flow seamlessly which is the hallmark of an excellent writer. I also love how characters from previous books make cameos on her books. I have never been disappointed in a Jess Michaels book and "The Queen's Man" is no exception. What a delightful conclusion to this series!

4.5 Stars
Queen Giabella of Athawick should be happy not restless. Her children are all married and in love, her land is at last at peace and she’s about to have more freedom than she’s experienced in her whole life. Only one man has been able to settle her during times of trouble: her longtime personal secretary, Dashiell Talbot. So when King Grantham asks her to tour the southern regions of Athawick to celebrate their upcoming democratic elections, she knows she’ll be well taken care of. And she agrees. Dash has served his queen for over a decade and it has been the joy of his life. And the challenge, considering all he ever wants to do is touch her. Gia is starting to have trouble controlling her own desires and everything that has been hidden, suppressed, denied is about to bubble to the surface with an explosion of powerful passion.
What a lovely finale to the series, it rounded off loose ends, it set the scene for the future of Athawick & it was a lovely romance that’s been brewing all the way through the series. I love a romance between an older couple & also a romance from different parts of society. I loved how Dash & Gia found their HEA & also the nudges they were given. A fitting ending to a very good series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I adored Giabella and Dash's story!! Through out this whole series, you could see the heat between these two and they finally get their moment!!! So glad that Michaels gave them their HEA!!

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Queen Giabella has always done her duty even when that included marrying a cold and heartless man for political gain. During the last years of her marriage, she had Dashiell Talbot who was her trusted confidante, personal secretary, and friend. Dashiell made Gia feel things she had never felt before, but she was always afraid to act on them. Thanks to her matchmaking son, Gia and Dash have the chance to explore their relationship away from prying eyes.

I've been rooting for this couple since the first book. Gia had suffered through marriage with her terrible husband, and I really wanted to see her get her happily ever after. I love the friendship that these two had, and how they really knew each other so well. They were two parts of a whole. It was also nice to read about an older couple. We don't see that a lot in romance, and I was happy to see them get a second chance at love. I think the only thing I had an issue with was that they both gave up so easily when it came to their relationship like where was the fight and the fire? They were just making silly decisions that I didn't understand.

Overall, an easy, quick, and enjoyable read. I have loved this series, and I'm hoping maybe we will see a few characters from this book get their own story. Maybe, just maybe someone could be redeemed a little bit. Fingers crossed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have adored the Regency Royals series from the start, and The Queen’s Man was the perfect conclusion to an exquisite series! Queen Giabella Of Athawick is at a loss to what to do with herself when she finds all her children happily married and her role changing. She feels unsure and lacks purpose. Her only constant is Dashiell Talbot, her faithful secretary for the past ten years – the man who has stolen her heart. Dash has loved Gia from their first meeting and has done everything within his power to give her a modicum of happiness in her turbulent life. With political and familial positions evolving, the couple must fight their way to a happily-ever-after.

Dash and Gia’s story was unique in many ways. I loved it best because this was a mature couple past child-bearing age. Both Dash and Gia were complicated, wise characters who were experienced yet very shy and uncertain in their feelings. The sweetness of the story and the romantic feel is enchanting. The couple’s fiery, sensual connection is fiercely passionate. This was the perfect friends-to-lovers story for any romantic at heart. The plot flowed seamlessly, and it was a page-turner. I was sad that this was such a short read; I could have read about Dash and Gia chapter after chapter.

The Queen’s Man is the fifth and final book in the Regency Royals series. Jess Michaels has created a passionately sensual romance that touched my heart. The Queen’s Man is my favorite book in this exciting series. The playful bashfulness of the couple set against the backdrop of maturity and upheaval was exceptional. The writing was superb. This was my first series with Jess Michaels, and I will be reading much more!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have enjoyed the Regency Royals series, and think seeing Gia and Dash finally have their moment is a perfect way to end the series. It was lovely to have some more mature romance! The story is well written and I loved how it all worked out in the end for this sweet couple. Well done! Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

The Greatest Duty

Jess Michaels finishes her Regency Royals series with a passionate, and steadfast love, strengthened by a decade of commitment. With all her children happily married, and the island she loves finally achieving a democratic vote, Queen Giabella (Gia) must now consider her own future happiness. Her past marriage was filled with loneliness, and resentment, but her secretary Dashiell Talbot (Dash) has always shared in the best parts of her life. Dash has loved the queen from the very moment he first saw her kindness, and dignity. Torn between commitment to the queen, and their passion, Dash only wants Gia to finally have a safe and happy home. After so long they can now reveal their desires, and explore an equal relationship.

Gia is wonderful as a supportive mother, and dedicated queen. Though her experience with her now deceased husband is left in the previous books, it is apparent that he was terrible to her. Despite all of the abuse, Gia is loving and impeccably kind to all the people she meets. Including making peace with the wrongs of the past. Dash has served Gia not out of duty, but for love. He has kept his feelings quiet to protect Gia and their family, doing his best to support them. His dedication, attention, and respect for Gia is lovely to read. Their romance is steamy and passionate, as they explore all the feelings and touch, they could never explore before.

Though this story is a bit sentimental, it is a very satisfying ending to the Regency Royals series. Both wrapping up some lose ends, and giving this sweet couple a happy ending they desperately deserve.

The Queen’s Man by Jess Michaels
Regency Royals #5

Great way to end the series ~ Loved Gia and Dash finally managing to get their happily ever after1

What I liked:
* That both Gia and Dash were older and yet still young at heart
* The way the wall between Queen and commoner finally came down
* That the two had so valiantly kept apart for so many years
* Who played a bit of secret matchmaker to facilitate the romance
* That I liked both main characters
* Seeing myself, a bit, in the role of Gia
* Catching up with the other couples of the younger generation and seeing how they were doing
* Thinking about how difficult it must have been to not step over the line of propriety with both Gia and Dash caring so much for one another
* The teaser at the end of the story that hints at what the 100th book this author will publish might be about – can’t wait!
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* That this is the end of this wonderful series…

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Finally, the story about Queen Giabella and her secretary Dash! A long unrequited love is pushed to the test when they travel to the countryside on a tour of the country. Dash has to overcome his feeling that he is a mere servant to the queen. The queen has to allow herself to be free to be with Dash. I found the book to be a bit anticlimactic. I was waiting for some big threat to occur that would draw them even closer. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Passionate Pen for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this mature love story about two people who have long been in love finally finding their happily ever after. This is the fifth book in a series, but stands on its own quite well. If you’ve read the previous stories, then you’ll have a stronger background on the secondary characters. Overall, this was a really good read.

The Queen's Man is a well-written and unique story by Jess Michaels. I liked the plot and how the characters ultimately became a couple. Good characters!

Queen Giabella is quite happy that all her children are settled with good, loving partners and that her country is on the way to democracy and peace. Even if she doesn’t know what to do with her life once she won’t be queen anymore… The only thing she knows is that she cannot share it with the man she’s secretly loved for years and who has never left her side until now. And the knowledge is killing her..
Dashiell Talbot has been Giabella’s secretary for ten years and has loved and worshipped her from afar. But he’s on a different path in his life now and he’ll have to part with her. Will one last journey together set them apart forever or will it bring to life the passion they’ve always shared?
The Regency Royals series gloriously comes to an end with this heartwarming book. It’s been a greatly emotional series and this is definitely a worthy conclusion. I loved Giabella and Dash and the fact that they are older characters I can finally relate to. Jess Michaels’s writing is perfection as always and I always marvel at her capacity of conveying her character’s feelings in the most delightful way. A five star read, this book and the entire series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Queen's Man, is the conclusion to the Regency Royals series. It wrapped the series up wonderfully. We have been getting brief glimpse of the connection between Dash and Giabella in past books. Almost like the appetizer. This was a great main course and dessert to boot.

Do you like a seasoned romance? I do, and there are not nearly enough of them out there. I love how Jess showed us that age does not diminish passion. Gia and Dash are great characters with a great story. Denial was the name of the game and it comes to a head when they decide to throw it to the wind with a little help from someone close. These two are one of my favorite characters. It is a novella and I wish it could have gone on and on.

I have always enjoyed the books of Jess .Michaels and this one manages to live up to expectations.

The fifth book in the Regency Royals series, I must admit to not have read the previous books in the series but I am definitely going to go back to read the others.

Queen Giabella had an unhappy marriage but her greatest friend through her marriage was her Secretary Dashing. Now a widow her new role in life is to support her son the king in his efforts to move his country forward.

To this end the King asks his mother and Dash to go on a tour of the island pour oil on troubled waters but being in such confined quarters is difficult when you are a core denying the love between you.

Such a lovely book, the characters are well written and I loved the fact that the characters were older.

If you are looking for a regency romance book that is not all about debutantes and the ton this is definitely an enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review

A good ending to this series and a refreshing story since it involves older main characters. Dash has been in love with the queen and been her friend for years. Gia feels the same way, but holds back because she isn't sure of his feelings and with her elevated station, she thinks nothing could ever come of it anyway.

The two are sent on a goodwill tour and along the way give into their desires. Romance and chemistry are well written in this story and this can be read standalone, but also serves as a satisfying ending to this series.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.

Queen Giabella of Athawick is at a crossroads. Her children are all well married and, with her country's new government, she’s about to have more freedom than she’s ever experienced in her life. Dashiel Talbot has served his queen faithfully for a decade, secretly in love with her the whole time. During a diplomatic trip, Gia and Dash are finally able to express the feelings that have been suppressed for so long.

This is book five of the Regency Royals series. The story can stand alone, but I recommend reading the whole series if you like large family dynamics. It's a lovely second chance romance with a "seasoned" couple. Their chemistry was wonderful, and they’re both great characters who deserve - and find - their happiness. I liked seeing Gia and Dash gently tumble over the friendship line after keeping their feelings in for years. I especially liked seeing Gia's sons nudge her and Dash into reaching out and taking what's right in front of them. I only wish it had been a bit longer!

Tropes: Royalty, Widow, Forced Proximity, Employer/Employee, Friends to Lovers, Road Trip, Secret Crush, Older Couple

Steam: 5

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #TheQueensMan #NetGalley

Whoohoo! The ARC gods bestowed upon me a copy of The Queen’s Man by Jess Michaels.

I have wanted this book to happen since I read the first book in the Regency Royals series, To Protect a Princess, and met Gia and Dash. As you may know, I am a 50-year old romance novel reader and blogger, so the thought of a mature couple got my juices flowing. Finally, someone like ME. So shout out to Jess Michaels for making my dreams come true. You should read the first three books in the Regency Royal Series before you get this one—believe me, you will not regret reading those! This series also loosely ties in with The Three Mrs. series, but knowledge of that isn’t required to enjoy Regency Royals.

If you read the rest of the series, you saw something between Gia and Dash, and were probably rooting for these two just like I was. They are great characters that you have grown to love—if you didn’t love Dash in the first book, you began to adore him in the second one when you saw how he rescued Sasha. They’re really good people who deserve their own story and happiness. We’ve seen so many romance novels that hint at a relationship between mature adults, yet those never get expanded on beyond a fleeting mention from the main characters.

Before I forget, let me talk about the cover. I LOVE it. It provides a hint to the unevenness of their status, plus the darkness further hints to a need to conceal their relationship. I also love the models. Their expressions are perfect for how I feel Gia and Dash’s relationship has been. They look as though they are trying desperately to fight their need to be together. This cover gets an A from me!

So what did I think about the book? I loved it. There’s a lot going on in the kingdom of Athawick. When we last left them, they were moving toward democracy, and ditching the monarchy. How is that going to affect Queen Giabella? And how is it going to affect Dashiell Talbot, who has been the Queen’s Secretary for nearly 12 years? Oh, it’s been clear from the beginning that something is felt between the two. Is there a happily ever after in the cards for these two? That question is what kept me from putting the book down until I finished it!

Now it’s been a year and a half since the Queen’s horrible husband, King Alistair, died. All of the kids are happily married. It’s time for the older folks to have fun. But it’s not going to be that easy, is it? There’s the social status issue, the change in the monarchy, etc. And to be honest, these two have never been clear to each other about how they feel. Well, they’re about to get a lot of alone time, as King Grantham asks them to tour the island prior to the elections. Let me grab my popcorn!

As I said, I loved this book and I want to officially petition for more 50+ romances. Why aren’t more writers doing this???? This one is as spicy as any book about 20 year olds and I. AM. HERE. FOR. IT. Shout out to Jess Michaels for normalizing intimate relations between mature adults. This is one of the reasons her books are automatic buys for me—she is great at throwing a curve into the usual romance themes.

The story was interesting, and does a great job of wrapping up the series. We got to see some of our old favorites from the previous books, though their presence didn’t take away from the two main characters. I am not spoiling anything, but I definitely smiled. And there’s an epilogue, which always gets extra points from me, especially at the end of series. I didn’t feel like I was left hanging, but neither did I feel that the ending of the series was rushed, which has been a complaint of mine with other authors’ series. I suggest picking up this book. Give it a whirl!

Queen Giabella of Athawick should be happy. Her children are all married and in love, her land is at last at peace and she’s about to have more freedom than she’s experienced in her whole life. And yet she’s…restless. Only one man has been able to settle her during times of trouble: her longtime personal secretary, Dashiell Talbot. So when they’re asked to do a tour of Athawick to celebrate their upcoming democratic elections, she knows she’ll be well taken care of. And she agrees.
Dash has served his queen for a decade and it has been the joy of his life. And the challenge, considering all he ever wants to do is touch her. But that is not his place and he has always been able to control himself before, nothing will be different now.
Except that Gia is starting to have trouble controlling her own desires and everything that has been hidden, suppressed, denied is about to bubble to the surface with an explosion of powerful passion. Will they be able to find a path to a real future? Or will the past keep them apart once again?
It seems the past will keep them apart once again.
Will they get a second chance at the love that haunts them?
This book ends abruptly and love is not the key.
I wish they had found their way to a happily ever after.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley.
This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

As her country is in the dawn of a new era, Queen Giabella of Athawick starts to look at her future. As the queen mother, she has had to hold herself aloof from her country, and only the love of her people, her children, and her loyal advisor, Dashiell Talbot, is what keeps her going. Since he joined her service 15 years ago, Giabella has loved Dash, but being married to the despot king, and also thinking herself too old to deserve happiness, she's never acted on her feelings. But now that she has been asked to tour the south of the country, with Dash by her side, she can't hold back, and she wants to explore her feelings and desires, especially as she sees them reflected in Dash. Dash, for himself, has loved Gia from the moment he set eyes on her, and seeing her love for Sasha, the orphaned child he's come to love as his own, and that Gia adopted, and her other children, made him want her more. Being by her side, day by day, is tough, but he would do everything to be with her, and sees himself as too low to be with a queen. Can they both allow themselves the chance for happiness - either only for a few days, or for the long term - before their lives change completely?

I've been waiting for this book ever since I read To Protect a Princess. Every time we saw Gia and Dash, we could see the longing and love between them, but forces have pulled them apart for so long. Now that all of the children are happily married, and starting their own lives and futures, Gia should be able to find her peace - but Dash is always in her thoughts, and she can't reconcile herself with being the queen, and being with him. She has hang ups from her marriage to the late king, and Dash seems too perfect for her. But learning that he wants to leave her side, and join the newly formed government, she feels loss and pain, and will do anything she can to be with him, even only for a few nights. This relationship has got to be one of the slowest burners ever - lasting over 15 years, but it was executed perfectly. Because of how well they both know each other, it's easy, once they get over their demons, for them to love each other. One of my favourite scenes - apart from the epilogue - was when King Grantham spoke to Dash, and I adore how well Dash is thought of, and loved, as a family member. In my opinion, the perfect ending to the series, and I can't wait for Jess' 100th book!