This wasn't bad, it was just underwhelming. I didn't connect to any of the characters and the plot felt like it's been done before.

Sadly, this book did not work for me. I loved the first book in the series but this one was a major disappointment.

This one is a second change romance between a royal bodyguard and a royal nanny who find themselves working together. There is still a spark between the two. Overall a sweet story. The children being nannied by Laila were fun. Overall, while a sweet story idea, the outcome was a little underwhelming, but still a solid story. Thank you to the Netgalley and the publishers for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I LOVED the Royals Next Door but this book did not live up to its predecessor. The writing felt choppy, it felt VERY steamy with not a lot of plot, and I just didn't feel very invested in the characters. I would recommend to skip this one but read The Royals Next Door if you 'haven't yet!

I didn't initially realize that this was part of a (loosely) interconnected series and I think I would have enjoyed it more had I had that background. It can certainly be read as a standalone but I felt like I was missing some of the plot.

I received this for free through netgalley for my honest review. Although I enjoyed reading this book, I was left wanting more from it. It just felt like there was something missing to make me want to pick the book up and not stop reading. Would read other books by the author but wouldn’t necessarily recommend this to others.

This was a slow read but it does have a lot of smoldering between the two. It's a heartbreaking story between two lonely people who get a second chance. I did enjoy the push and pull between the two and revisiting the Nordic King's family.

A fun entry into this series! Didn't quite live up to the first book, but still a joy to read. Karina Halle can do it all

A second chance romance between a royal bodyguard and a royal nanny. Laila and James had an affair years ago when working for monarchs Eddie and Monica, but it ended poorly when Laila admitted her feelings and James freaked out. Now years later, they find themselves working for Norweigian royals Magnus and Ella and their two children Bjorn and Tor. There's still an immediate spark between the two of them, but can Laila ever really trust James again?

Karina Halle is an author that never disappoints in her writing and her trademark compelling writing style still stands out in this book. My favorite parts of this book were Laila and her grandmother, it was really sweet and pulled at my heartstrings. The children were also really fun to read along with. I never really saw why Laila and James liked one another other than pure attraction: I would have liked more development of their relationship a level more than sexual chemistry. Overall really glad this book wa published and happy to read more by Karina in the future.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley

***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

James and Laila were never expecting to see one another again, so discovering they are working together at a remote country estate is, well, less than thrilling for both of them. It's clear from their initial interactions that both are still hurting from the way their previous relationship ended.

I enjoyed the development of this book and the characters. Watching them navigate the relationship in the present as well as healing the damage of the past made me feel very engaged with the story and with both of the main characters. I think this connection with them deepens the emotions of the story, and let me really feel the emotions of the characters and the things they are feeling.

I enjoyed and recommend this title.

This and other reviews can be found on our blog: https://www.bookedallnightblog.com/

Karina Halle’s *The Royals Upstairs* is a delightful and engaging romantic comedy that intertwines the lives of two richly developed characters, James Hunter and Laila Bruset, against the backdrop of royal life in Norway. From the moment readers are introduced to James, serving as a protection officer for the enigmatic Prince Magnus, the narrative grips you with its unique premise and captivating humor. What initially seems to be a tactical error for James quickly unfolds into a humorous and poignant journey filled with unexpected twists, emotional depth, and undeniable chemistry. James's character wrestles with the duality of his role. On one hand, he is the stoic protector, tasked with warding off threats to the royal family, while on the other, he is burdened with the guilt of having broken Laila's heart in the past. The tension between duty and desire creates a compelling conflict that drives the narrative forward. Readers will find themselves rooting for James as he navigates the complexities of his feelings for Laila, all while managing the antics of the "demon children"—a term Halle uses affectionately to describe the unpredictable royal kids who add an element of chaos to the otherwise serene estate. Laila, on the other hand, is a strong and relatable character. Taking the nanny position to care for the royal children while also being near her ailing grandmother in Oslo showcases her resilience and dedication. However, her encounters with James reveal layers of vulnerability as she grapples with unresolved feelings and the complications of their past. Halle expertly paints Laila's emotional landscape, allowing readers to empathize with her struggles and triumphs as she attempts to strike a balance between her professional responsibilities and her personal life. One of the standout features of *The Royals Upstairs* is Halle's ability to blend humor with genuine emotion. The witty banter between James and Laila is electric, filled with playful jabs that highlight their unresolved tension. As the story unfolds, the stakes rise, and readers are treated to a masterful exploration of second chances. The chemistry between James and Laila is so palpable that it practically leaps off the page, making their journey toward reconciliation both thrilling and heartwarming. The setting of a royal estate adds an enchanting layer to the story, immersing readers in a world of opulence and tradition. Halle’s descriptions of the estate’s grandeur contrast beautifully with the chaos of the children, creating a vivid backdrop for James and Laila’s rekindled romance. The narrative flows seamlessly, capturing the essence of royal life while grounding it with the relatable struggles of love and forgiveness. In conclusion, *The Royals Upstairs* is a delightful read that perfectly balances humor, heart, and romance. Karina Halle has crafted a story that not only entertains but also resonates emotionally with its audience. With engaging characters, a whimsical setting, and a plot that keeps readers on their toes, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance with a royal twist. Whether you’re a fan of second-chance love stories or simply seeking an enjoyable escape, *The Royals Upstairs* promises to deliver—so grab your copy and let the enchanting journey unfold!

Fun light romance that has you pulling for the main characters. A bit of holiday escape that kept you turning the pages.

A royal bodyguard and a royal nanny get a second chance at love when they get hired to work for the same royal family. I LOVED Karina Halle’s previous book the Royals Next Door, but unfortunately I did not connect with these characters or their love story in the same way. I did enjoy the royal family and the Norwegian culture in this story!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This was so fun!!!

Like a bodyguard x nanny romance, my immediate thought was say less. Laila and James have the best second chance romance and I loved every second of this book! There was so many sweet and tender moments that had me kicking my feet!! I cannot recommend this enough

This was my first book by Karina Halle and I loved it! I think the characters had such good depth. I loved a good second chance romance and this was no exception. And the main character Laila had such good depth and very interesting. I loved her relationship with her grandmother. And the children's personalities were so good. Also the spice in this book was GOOD!!!! Overall, it’s an enjoyable story with some laughs, steamy spice, second chance and a good happily ever after.

The Royals Upstairs
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“It’s all for you, love. I’m sitting here for you, because of you.”

Thanks so much to @berkleyromance for the free book! #BerkleyPartner #Berkley

When I saw this cover and read this title I had a preconceived idea about this book. Wow, I was wrong. Let’s be real, we all judge a book by its cover, but I never could have correctly guessed the contents of this story.
To my surprise, this book was set in Norway. It was cold, full of fjords, snowman building, and even an ice cave.
The story follows Laila, a nanny for the prince’s children, and James, one of their bodyguards. As I said, this story was nothing like I assumed it would be and that is honestly a great thing. I had a fun time with this book!
I really enjoyed the Norway setting because it felt so wintery! The characters were all very pleasant too! (except for one of the children. he was really annoying if I’m being so honest)
I will say there were wayyyyy more spicy chapters than I expected for a book that was barely over three hundred pages. So perhaps it took away from the plot a bit, but I still recommend this book!
I really enjoyed the flashbacks because when it comes to second-chance romance, that is one of my favorite qualities. I don’t read a ton of books that contain royal characters. If you aren’t into that either I would still recommend this! This is not your traditional royalty romance book.
Since it’s so short it’s a great choice as the end of the year approaches making it a perfect book to catch up on your reading goal. It definitely is on the cheesier side, but was still a very enjoyable, quick rom-com!

Read If You Like:
🧊he’s a bodyguard
🧊flashbacks
🧊second chances
🧊workplace romance
🧊set in snowy Norway

I really enjoyed this book! As a fan of Karina Halle, I was thrilled to see her latest release, and it didn’t disappoint. The characters are well-developed and engaging, though I felt they lacked some chemistry, which held me back from a full five-star rating. That said, the setting within the Norwegian monarchy was unique and added an exciting twist. If you’re into second-chance romances with a royal flair, this one is definitely worth a read!

Pretty good book. I am wanting to read more books by this author soon. I love how the story played out and hope others enjoy this book as well.

this book was cute but not a favorite. i liked the dual timeline but at times it felt a little too much and too much detail. overall, it was just a nice palette cleaners story and a good book to read between genres

⭐️ 3/5

“𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆’𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒚. 𝑮𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒇 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆; 𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚’𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒖𝒑𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. While this one wasn’t my favorite, I loved the premise of a royal contemporary romance! I enjoyed how it started with an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, but what frustrated me most was James’ character. It felt like there was a constant tug of war with what he wanted, and it seemed ridiculous how often he would pull back from Laila, only to flirt with her or grab her attention whenever it suited him. As for Laila, her indecisiveness also made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in their love story and chemistry. That said, the book was unexpectedly very spicy and well written, though at times it felt like there were more spicy scenes than actual plot development. Still, I’m looking forward to more of Halle’s work, as I do enjoy her writing style.