Clean romance, like barely a kiss at the end, clean. Debut author and it shows. Not a bad debut per se but am looking forward to what this author will do in the future. The author clearly has a passion for the history of the Tower of London and its occupants but the main character was a rough one for me. For me it just didn’t flow as well as I’d hoped it would.

I have been watching so many tiktok videos of people trying to make royal guard laugh it made me want to read this book so badly. it was so cute and interesting. Loved!

I was looking forward to this book but was a little disappointed. I love the detailed descriptions of The Tower of London, they are absolutely fascinating. I didn’t like the Maggie so much, the book says she’s 26 but she acted more like 16. Her character is inconsistent throughout. I didn’t hate it but I wouldn’t reread it either, 3 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

“Falling Hard for the Royal Guard” had such such promise. But I just couldn’t relate or care enough about the main character. And it’s hard to write about a love story between two characters when one character doesn’t really do much? Maggie and Freddie have such such such potential. But I needed to know Freddie was invested. After watching Maggie struggle with love, it would have been more rewarding as a romance reader to have a romantic interest unable to help himself around her, especially during his very important job. Lots of missed opportunities for funny antics. Needed a bit more development for me. However I see so much potential for Clawson as a writer so I won’t discredit her yet considering this is a debut novel.

Freddie and Maggie meet at the tower of London where they both are at work. He is keeping a secret that will hurt her, so.do they have a future together? A great read.

Falling Hard for the Royal Guard by Megan Clawson
‘Stories only make sense when you stick around for the ending.’
~~~
This RomCom was SOO cute. I always love when the bodyguard gets the girl. Then there was the London setting that just made it all come together perfectly I thought; for this book. It’s hard to put into words. There was also the topic of a lost parent, and a toxic ex. So be cautious of certain topics if they alarm you.
Course I’m also doing this at 4 in the morning, but whatever. No spice, but some cuteness for relationships just starting out. I would absolutely recommend this for those just starting the RomCom phase, and just wanting something a little on the soft side.
Thank you Megan Clawson, Harper 360, and NetGalley for the eARC.

Okay so this book follows our main character Maggie as she goes through a break up and then tries to put herself out there again to date. She is a military daughter so she is moved around A LOT and has finally settled in one place with her dad for a while. She doesn’t really have any friends as she’s seen as an outcast, but she ends up becoming friends with some of the guards. They help her change up her Tinder profile to find a guy, but in the end, she gets much closer to one guard in particular than she does on finding a guy from Tinder.

Overall this was a good book but it wasn't quite as cute as I expected. I feel like it kind of fell flat and I didn’t understand the whole focus on the details of the Tower much. I realize she lives and works there, but I feel like she should have ventured out a lot more if she really wanted to change aspects of her life.

This was absolutely adorable! I loved how our main characters helped each other grow and were just fun and silly together. This is a light hearted Rom Com that makes you feel. Read this book,you won't regret it!

This was just okay. The story was told with showing rather than telling which is not my favourite. I felt like I was being told how I should be feeling rather than being invested in the scene unfolding around me

Megan Clawson’s debut novel Falling Hard for the Royal Guard is captivating and full of charm as she takes us into the Tower of London. It’s time to walk along those streets through sacred spaces, and explore London with fresh and witty dialogue rich in details. A delightfully fun adventure that transports you into the Tower of London, a place with hundreds of years of history, secrets etched in walls, and gossip that lingers long after you’ve left.

Maggie Moore is a bit clumsy, sometimes unable to articulate her thoughts, and even a bit anxious in her quest for love, acceptance, and hope. It’s hard to feel normal when you live in the Tower of London, your dad is a Beefeater, and you are reminded of your faults on a daily basis at work. What will happen when she runs into a mysterious man and can’t stop thinking about him? Who is he and why is he there? Can she avoid the security cameras and stay out of the daily gossip?

Freddie Guildford is a Royal Guard assigned to the tower and is expected to live by duty, honor, and obligations. When he runs into Maggie his plans are turned upside down. Will he find the courage to tell Maggie the truth before it’s too late?

Journey into a place rich in history with ghosts and charm as Maggie navigates living in the Tower of London, the people she meets, and the men she attempts to date on her question to find her own prince charming in a pond full of frogs.

This sweet romance has just enough sweetness to put a pink blush on your cheeks, and leave your heart full of joy. Thank you Harper 360, Harper Collins Publishing for this advance reader copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper360 for providing the ARC.

This was a cute romcom with a fun leading lady and her stoic royal guard of a boyfriend. There were times that I laughed, and times that I loved the interactions betwen Freddie and Maggie, but overall, I just felt like this book was pretty mid tier for me.

Maggie was not in a good headspace to pursue a relationship with someone after her breakup from her gross boyfriend. She also was a doormat that dealt with a lot of crap from her coworkers and her boss, to the point of just straight up harassment.

I didn't like how ineffective both Maggie and Freddie were at managing their emotions or expectations with one another, or really even just being honest with each other. It seemed so selfish of Freddie to keep Maggie in the dark about what was going on in his life and not let her make a uniformed decision before she fell in love with him about how to handle their relationship. It led to some pretty frustrating character encounters and I feel like it detracted from the overall story.

Not sure if there's any I'd submit at criticism, but overall this book was not my cup of team.

Set at the Tower of London!

Margaret (Maggie) Moore never planned to live at the Tower of London and work at the ticketing booth but accidently running into Freddie, one of the royal guardsmen might be changing that. Freddie and his friends teach Maggie how to step out of her comfort zone by forcing her to go on some dates. Dating makes her realize that there might be something more with Freddie but now when she finds out his secrets.

I loved the parts about the Tower of London but I really disliked Bran and Freddie’s friends and family but the ending made it better.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Margaret "Maggie" Moore is back living with her dad, a Beefeater at the Tower of London after ending her seven-year relationship with Bran. She's lonely and hates her job. When she literally bumps into a handsome man, she's instantly smitten but he's angry at her clumsiness. She brushes off and dismisses the incident until she sees the same man again…under vastly differing circumstances…!

Maggie is likeable but I also felt sorry for her. She's stuck in a rut and suffering the consequences of her previous actions. She finds solace in her surroundings; she's a history fanatic who has embraced where she lives.

The narrative is a blend of fascinating historical facts and an insight into the somewhat chaotic happenings in the otherwise mundane life of a woman searching for more than she currently has. Maggie's upbeat, but shows that even the strongest of women gets hurt when things go wrong.
In contrast, Freddie is aloof. The author hints at his background and character so we are grateful for the fun antics of the other guardsmen he is serving with and for them collectively embracing friendship with Maggie.

The tentative bond between Maggie and Freddie is slow as they develop a friendship based on mutual curiosity and interest. However, other shenanigans in Maggie's life at the Tower, tend to distract away from the blossoming attraction. Yet, the author's enthusiasm for the Tower of London is such, that a reader will want to turn the pages to discover more…

As a reader, I always love reading a book, where I can learn something new and Ms Clawson has written a delightful and fun novel brimming with history about the Tower of London with a sprinkle of romance and high jinks.

Overall, If you are intrigued by British Royalty, history, and romance, this is a book for you.

***arc generously received courtesy of Avon via NetGalley***

Falling Hard for the Royal Guard by Megan Clawson is a royally good rom-com. This is the story of how Maggie met Freddie and the beginning of their unique relationship. Will Maggie finally find her happily ever after? Read Falling Hard for the Royal Guard to find out.
Falling Hard for the Royal Guard is full of quirky unforgettable characters you can’t help but fall for and root for. You’re in for a royal treat with this rom-com.

Unfortunately this book is not for me. I DNF at about 20%. I was expecting a fun romantic comedy but that isn’t what this book is, in my opinion. I just didn’t care for the main female character and I felt the writing was exaggerated and cliche. Cute premise, but it didn’t deliver.

The author takes you behind the walls. literally, to a place few people can access. Descriptions abound. Some of the slang may be a bit of a challenge for American readers. The heroine is an endearing klutz. The hero is elusive in a stiff upper lip way. If you like British history, you will enjoy this debut book.

Super entertaining! Maggie’s story is for anyone who’s ever entertained fantasies of living in a castle or having a fairytale romance. Readers will love the cast of Maggie’s everyday life, filled with protective beefeaters and affable guardsmen.
This book has a lot of heart, though I found it somewhat lacking in writing and pacing. Many of the chapters start with Maggie waking up, and her various blunders get a bit repetitive. I would’ve loved to learn more about the guardsmen and the beefeaters, who are all strong side characters that could’ve benefitted from more depth. But overall, this book was a good time.

Falling Hard for the Royal Guard is an enjoyable first novel from Megan Clawson who actually lives in the Tower of London, as does her main character Maggie. However, Maggie has many interesting run ins with the guards and CCTV as she goes through daily life in the Tower, and as she meets Freddie, an attractive guard with whom she has a hilarious run in one evening. A fun look at life in the historic Tower!
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

2/5 ⭐️
I unfortunately had to DNF (did not finish) this book at the 25%. I could tell almost instantly I wouldn’t mesh with the style of writing, but I wanted to keep going to see if I got used to it or it got better. Sadly it didn’t. For me at least, it was a little too casual and slightly cringey at times. However, this is my personal taste, obviously others enjoyed this book.
You can see the author is very knowledgeable regarding the Tower of London and the guards. I would’ve preferred though if more of the information was shared through dialogue.
I’m sad I ended up not liking this book because I enjoy romcoms and especially anything British (I’m an American). But I unfortunately just couldn’t get past the writing style.
Thank you to NetGalley & HarperCollins & Avon for providing an advance reader copy for my honest review.

Falling Hard for the Royal Guard is a fun and unique royal romance. Written by someone who lives in the Tower of London herself, this book follows the story of Maggie and her romance with Royal Guard Freddie. If you are a fan of royal romances and looking for a new spin on them, pick up this book!