📣 my feelings about this historical are a bit complicated but I’m a CM stan!

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 what’s your favorite spring flower? I’m a tulip fan & I have a special place in my heart for daffodils!

I so enjoy Charis Michaels’ take on romance novels: if you haven’t read any of them yet, I would liken them to Lisa Kleypas’, but often with a healthy dose of Tessa Dare thrown in.

The Prince’s Bride feels a bit heavier from her than I’m used to, & with good reason, I think, given the hero’s backstory. Gabriel’s a French prince who has lived in hiding for years after his father was killed during the French Revolution & his family was torn apart.

So obviously Gabriel’s backstory, & his lingering feelings regarding freedom, captivity, & social expectation, are pretty dark.

Though his backstory offers an interesting variation on historical romance for me, I sometimes find it too short-sighted, particularly when it comes to considering the Revolution itself.

Moreover, the lives of Gabriel & heroine Lady Ryan are so different, & Gabriel’s needs & wants feel so strong, that I didn’t feel 💯 about their compatibility, even though I totally bought their attraction & their love.

I realize that this review is basically just a discussion of things that didn’t work for me so far, so let me say again that I really enjoy CM’s writing style, & the attraction between reclusive Gabriel & his serene Lady Ryan is very clear, believe you me.

If you’re a fan of angst, you will probably really like this one, bc it takes you for an angsty ride. While they are aspects of this book I really liked, & I’m a CM stan for sure, overall this romance didn’t leave me with that feeling of total satisfaction that I wanted.

3.5 ⭐️. Out 05/21.

CWs: Violent man trying to compel Lady Ryan to marry him. Previous dog attack. References made to killed father & the French Revolution in general.

[ID: Jess, a white woman wearing a blue sweater, holds the ebook in front of a small bouquet of flowers (orange, purple, & pink) & a tree trunk.]

Book 2 in the hidden royals series did not disappoint. Even though it is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. However, its so good you will find yourself going through the authors back list for your next read. It had everything I love in my romance including wit, charm, romance, longing, mystery. So so good. Highly recommend! Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for approving me to read and review this ARC. I cant wait to read more from this author.

I think this could be one of my very favorite Charis Michaels books yet. Michaels writes such unexpected and delightfully fun love stories. Her plots are just a little different from other historical romances and I can't help but sink into them.

This series is about hidden royals. Royals from the French court who were forced into hiding and then discovered by a potential suitor. Gabriel is a recluse living in hiding in a forest when Ryan finds him. She is in need of help from an imposter prince who has decided to terrorize her family and force her into an abusive marriage. He is VERY reluctant to be found and even more reluctant to emerge from hiding. But she is the reason he will push is own personal boundaries. It's sweet and fun and light, but also swoony with just the perfect amount of steam.

Lady Maryanne, aka Lady Ryan, and Prince Gabriel Du Orleans were destined from childhood.
Although Gabriel was a French prince, and Ryan, the daughter of an English earl, these two were betrothed by their fathers as children.
The French Revolution came to be, his father was guillotined, his mother fled the country, and he and 2 siblings were separated and placed into hiding from violent revolutionaries.
After fifteen years, an evil cousin wants to take over the betrothal for the property rights in Ryan's dowry. Ryan needs Gabriel's help to stop it, so she journeys to his hiding place to find him.
He is beyond reluctant, lives in a cave modeled into a home, has maintained a false identity, and is an expert horse trainer and healer. He wants no part of leaving his life as it is. Going public may mean his death or danger to those he has loved.
But his attraction to Lady Ryan and hers to him is undeniable, which leads him to give in to her request.
The story is told from the internal angst of both characters as well as the
dialogue and plot. It is an interesting tale and has a healthy amount of heat between the two with the happy ending I expected. The story moved a bit slowly at first, and in the end, the anticipation of the final conflict was greater than the actual meet between Gabriel and the antagonist.
I enjoyed the book and would read more from this author.

This was a fantastically written historical novel. A first for me to have read by this author. Although this book can be read as a standalone, I had come to discover that it is part of a series. I have not read book 1 but will definitely be adding it to my TBR list!

A love story of a forgotten arranged marriage turned into a marriage of convenience. I loved the journey of Gabriel and Lady Marianne (Ryan) and their journey of love. Their chemistry and passion was off the charts!! The passionate scenes were tastefully written, not overly graphic, but well done to allow the reader to see the growth in their relationship. I was not an insta-lust but one much deeper and respectful. Gabriel was rough and grumpy but you can't help but feel compassion for him and the trauma he experienced as a young boy. The story highlights the rediscovering of who Gabriel was and how life had shaped him and reconciling the life he was born in to and obligated and needed to have closure over. I loved Ryan.....her love and devotion to her family and going to great lengths to ensure safety and freedom. Her graciousness and understanding to Gabriel as childhood memories and fears that were blocked out, surfaced rather quickly and swiftly. There were many times it would appear he was selfish with what he did not want to do or face BUT deep down you knew it was out of hurt and once he connected with Ryan, his walls begin to fall and was willing to put himself on the line for her and her family.

In all honesty, I was not ready for this story to end and my only complaint is not getting an epilogue to know that they have begun a family but since I know another book will be in the works, I will patiently wait for the next installment for little updates on the happy couple.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for this ARC in consideration of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Lady Ryan ventures off into the woods to find her exiled French Prince betrothed and as goofy as that sounded this was such a fun read. I loved the dynamic between Gabriel and Ryan, the letters they kept is honestly one of the sweetest things.

This book had great pacing, there was no real down moments or boring scenes. I was captivated and wanted to know how Ryan would solve this dilemma of an imposter Prince and save her family. Gabriel took a bit more to warm up to as I wasn’t a big fan of the “oh I was raised in the woods talking is hard” thing that he kept doing.

I enjoyed other books by this author and now am tempted to go back and read the first in this series.

✨”As you wish…” as long as you wish for a prince who literally won’t enter society but it’s fine because he lives in a cave with a waterfall and intends to tend to all of your hurts and offer you massages and show up when you least expect him to because he thinks you’re afraid…✨

This book was so soft and fantastic. The hurt/comfort really hit different, especially since she was like the ONLY woman he’d ever had a long conversation with in years. So not only is he mystified she’s real, but he’s also giving her massages and tending wounds and just being so protective.

I loved how he was truly a recluse and how she was really good at letting him push the limits himself. It was so dramatic!! I was like how is this poor man going to handle being in public again??? And then when he made that first step! If I had a nickel for every time a fear of dogs in a histrom makes for the most heartwarming scene, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice!!

My only quibble with this book was the Chekov’s waterfall because where was the waterfall sex???? Sure we got a sensual foot/ankle/leg massage in said waterfall—that I LOVED—but! a girl can still dream.

But all in all, this one was nearly perfect. It was just as earnest and soft as book one!! Plus, I LOVED seeing Killian and Elise. It absolutely filled my heart right up. I can’t wait for book three because I truly have no idea what’s become of their sister!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 🌶️🌶️.25/5


I received an eARC from the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.

4.5-5 Stars! This is the 2nd book in the ‘Hidden Royals’ series and can be read as a standalone. The main characters are Gabriel & Lady Ryan. I really enjoyed both of them & loved the dual point of view in the book. The main characters from book one are in this book often and I loved the little look into their lives now. I couldn’t help the smile on my face when the royal siblings met again after years! I did want a little more of a conflict in the book but it was still entertaining and enjoyable. A scared prince, a damsel in destress who tracks him down, tons of chemistry, the princes sister & her adorable family, an imposter and a cave/cabin with an indoor waterfall? Yes, please! No wonder the prince didn’t want to leave! An indoor hot spring waterfall and no other people around? Sounds like paradise!
Definitely loved this book & really can’t wait for the third & final book in the trilogy to come out next. Highly recommend this book and book one, although this one can be read without reading book one first.
*I received this book at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*

3.5 Stars The Prince's Bride by Charis Michaels is a historical romance set during the Regency era and was not what I was expecting at all!

Lady Marianne "Ryan" Daventry was betrothed to French Prince Gabriel d'Orlean when they were infants, the marriage arranged by their fathers. In the years since the arrangement was made, the French Revolution executed Gabriel's father and sent the rest of the family into exile. A cousin now claims to be the new Prince of Orlean and insists the betrothal be honored, so Ryan makes her way into the forest to find the lost Prince and ask for his help to stop this imposter. Gabriel Rein has abandoned his former life as a Prince and now lives in a modest dwelling in the woods, training horses. He saves Ryan from highwaymen and is shocked to learn of her mission to find him. While Gabriel empathizes with Ryan's plight, he refuses to leave his sanctuary in the woods.

This one was a bit slow at the start, but the action really picked up after the halfway mark, when new characters were introduced on page. As I said, this wasn't what I was expecting and the plot moved pretty fast. It never felt like there was a lull or I was growing bored, which isn't always the case with historical romance sadly. I recommend this one if you like adventurous historical romance!

Disclaimer: I have received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! Thank you so much, @avonbooks and @harpervoyagerus, for giving me the opportunity!

A forgotten arranged marriage turned into a marriage of convenience?! Sign me Up!

This is the perfect book for someone who needs a good palate cleanser and wants something light and fun to read! But also, it's PERFECT for someone who is just starting out in historical romance!

The story begins with Lady Ryan searching for the lost exiled French Prince named Gabriel D'Orleans, which she so happens to do so by fate when he saves her from roadside hooligans. She's trying to find him in hopes that he will announce that he isn't dead so that his horrendous cousin, Maurice (who is claiming that since he is now Prince D'Orleans, the betrothal falls to him), will leave her and her family alone. She had no idea that Gabriel was still alive, and the only thing she had to go off for a possible location was a letter she received from him when they were children.

Of course, after living years in solitude in the forest, only having a few grooms and horses as a company, it was evident that Gabriel wasn't leaping for joy to be the "prince charming" and "knight in shining armor" Ryan needed. The most he could do was offer her help via his estranged sister at an estate just outside of the nearest town, Pewsey. However, surprising everyone, he showed up at his sister's door to offer his help to Lady Ryan, which was an offer of marriage, but only in the name so that they may return to their separate lives. He will return to his forest home, and she will return to her home and be able to rid herself of Maurice.

Overall, I loved the idea of this book. I love arranged marriages, marriages of convenience, and gruff, grumpy heroes. It had everything I loved, and I was here for it!

The story started out slow, as there was a lot of backstory to learn about why Ryan was searching for Gabriel, how awful Maurice was, and how he was an imposter. Then, we tried to learn a bit about Gabriel as well, how he ended up in the woods, what happened to him that made him become a recluse, and why he was scared to show himself to the world and announce his existence. However, it became a lovely read once you got through it.

I loved the sexual tension that began to build in the beginning, which fed off of old childhood feelings and memories that they had of each other. Even as they tried to ignore the growing feelings, and how they yearned for each other, the tension was *chefs kiss*.

I loved how sweet and considerate Ryan was to Gabriel, how understanding she was to WHO he was, and how he wished to live his life and WHY! Instead of fighting him and begging him to save her and her family, she understood and defended his choices on why he wished to stay in the forest. I also enjoyed seeing Gabriel's struggle with being around his sister for the first time in over a decade and how hard it was to come to terms with who and what he was and where he came from.

Despite the slow start, it was such a delightful read, and I would recommend it to any historical romance lover!

This is a story that I never would've seen myself reading and actually enjoying. But, for some reason, the reverse-Rapunzel-esque premise of this story intrigued me and I knew that I had to give it a shot!

Ryan, our FMC, is the proverbial heroine. She is brave and strong and fiercely loyal. When the rest of the ladies of the land are enjoying the protection of their families, she sets off on a dangerous mission for the sake of her family.

Gabriel, our MMC, has hidden himself away from the rest of humanity since he was a child. But, alas, he happens to be the real prince that Ryan was betrothed to as a baby.

When these two finally meet in the middle of nowhere, the sparks are almost instantaneous. There's clearly an attraction there, but Gabriel struggles to entertain the thought of re-entering society and leaving behind the sanctuary that he's created for himself.

In the end, it's only his feelings for Ryan and his innate need to protect her from unforeseen dangers that lures him out of hiding and back to his roots.

4 ⭐️

As an avid reader of Charis Michaels' work, I am once again in awe of her brilliance in crafting captivating stories. "The Prince's Bride" is a delightful departure from traditional princess and prince narratives, instead highlighting the strength and resilience of women in love. Lady Marianne "Ryan" Daventry's quest to find the lost prince is not only an adventure filled with intrigue and danger but also a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Michaels' characters are beautifully nuanced, and Prince Gabriel d'Orleans, with his rugged charm and hidden identity, is no exception. His unexpected romance with Lady Ryan is tender and passionate, drawing readers into their world with every page.

What sets "The Prince's Bride" apart is its ability to transcend stereotypes and deliver a love story that is both heartfelt and empowering. As I read, I found myself fully immersed in the lush setting of Savernake Forest, rooting for Lady Ryan and Gabriel every step of the way.

In all honesty, I never wanted this story to end. Michaels has once again proven herself as a master storyteller, and I eagerly anticipate her next literary masterpiece.

The Prince's Bride by Charis Michaels was the first book that I've read by this author, but it definitely won't be my last.

Gabriel is a prince who doesn't want to be a Prince. He just wants to be left alone with the horses he works with and given his peace.
Marianne (Ryan) is his betrothed who is rescued by him and neither know who the other really is.

Gabriel reluctantly saves Ryan from highwaymen and their attraction to each other is instant, but he is hesitant to get close to anyone and she invariably pull shim out of his shell and he isn't able to resist her, even though she doesn't put pressure on him to do so.

I really enjoyed the plot - they were betrothed as children, he went into hiding to protect the ones he cared about, the new claimant to his title insists he's going to marry Ryan and she is off to find her rightful groom to save herself from this imposter.

A great story and I enjoyed all of the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in consideration of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Wow. I really loved this book. The first half was definitely a 5 star book, but it did lose a bit of something after that. You are immediately pulled into the story and I really enjoyed the hero and heroine together. Their personalities complimented each other. It was sweet and steamy.

I loved this book!! It was fabulous and well done. The characters were on point and I thought the plot was well developed. I would recommend this book to others.

First off I love Charis Michaels. She has a way with writing strong historical romance heroines that are neither total fluff or modern women trapped in history. This book reminds of how charming Ms. Michaels' writing is. She will go along with a trope (lost prince found in this one), but then she shakes it up a little. (Our Prince really does not want to go back or be a Prince at all) I liked the relationship between all of the characters. And was pleasantly surprised when a couple form the previous book had an actual effect on the plot of this one (don't worry thesis still stand alone) And the steam was nice and steamy (though more on the sweeter side of steam) Thank you Avon for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was my first read by this author and thr book was entertaining and very fast paced.

Ryan is in search of her childhood betrothed to help settle a problem with his cousin. Using clues she's makes her way to a forest where he had last written about in his letter at age 10. She finds him and requests his help.

Gabriel has lived in hiding forever afraid to harm those around him as he's french royalty. He breeds and trains horses and lives in an underground cave house. Except he's not small like a hobbit! He's tall, strong and delectable.

The two meet, there's instant attraction, and slowly Ryan is able to pull Gabriel out of his self imposed shell to help her.

Ryan is marvelous. She's brave, smart and very kind. While she requests she never imposes on Gabriel, quickly understanding his fears. She sacrifices her life to save her family and estates from Gabriel's grubby cousin. She protective and sweet.

Gabriel while reserved is not closed off. His past actions were all done with the intention to protect those around him. However, it takes a lot of courage for him to leave his sanctuary and follow Ryan in the end.

A sweet romance with enough character and plot development to make it interesting.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and the set-up for French royals trying to forge their way after the trauma of The Terror is so unique and fresh! But this one didn’t work for me as well as book one (which is the older sister of our MMC!)

I loved that this was a sorta kinda second chance between the daughter of an Earl and a Prince of the French royal family. Betrothed as children, they haven’t seen each other in 15 years since Gabriel fled France and took to living in the woods in England. It’s a unique story set-up and I thought both characters were so lovely. Gabriel is a bit of a recluse that’s determined to stay buried as the prince. And I loved that we really get to see his struggle with wanting to help Lady Ryan but being terrified to do it because it means giving up his life rehabilitating horses in peace. And Ryan is my favorite type of historical lady: fiercely protective of her family but also kind compassionate to Gabriel’s fears.

Unfortunately I struggled with the pacing and it really made it hard for me to enjoy the story. The first 40% takes place over 24 hours and then the rest of the story is a mad dash to fulfill the plot and relationship development and story resolution. If it had been more evenly spread, I wouldn’t have had such a hard time getting through the story. But I was really struggling to stay engaged.

Not my least favorite from Michaels, but not one of her best.

Lady Ryan ventures to England from the Channel Islands to search for the long lost Prince D’Orleans. They were betrothed in childhood and now his cousin is laying claim to the princedom in Gabriel’s absence. Gabriel has retreated into the forest, changed his name and life, in order to keep himself safe. What he doesn’t realize is that the revolution in France is long over, and no one is searching for him anymore. This is the second installment of the D’Orleans children but can be read as a stand alone. Gabriel’s transition from the lone man back to civilization is done very well. He fights it but realizes his love for Ryan triumphs over everything!

I really adored this romance. From the lush writing to the character growth.. everything about The Prince’s Bride worked for me. I highly recommend it!