I was very excited to read The Royals Upstairs after loving the first book of the series. This installment was a sweet, second chance romance between exes James and Laila. I found James to be very sweet and caring towards Laila.

However, I found a few of the royal characters to be rather unrealistic and uncaring about their own son and staff. Bjron was a nightmare, and his troublemaking antics were getting on my nerves.

While not as enjoyable as the first novel, I still enjoyed reading the Royals Upstairs

2.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The book starts off with the main couple Laila and James separated but meeting again due to them working for the same royal family. She is the royal family's nanny and he is the new royal family bodyguard. They had a one night stand in the past that was fueled by insta love and that pretty much sums up their romance as well.

Once they meet again, both Laila and James are instantly attracted to each other again. They do have issues in the past that they need to work through. Laila only has her grandma as the only living family member left and she has a medical condition. James was married and then had a divorce that he needed to process and heal from.

It seems like whenever there is a serious issue that affects either Laila or James, it isn't treated as a serious issue and glossed over mostly with them hooking up. There were so MANY smut scenes between Laila and James that I was like ANOTHER ONE, really? Was it really necessary to insert another one and does it contribute to the plot. Even with the abundance of romantic interactions that Laila and James have together, I couldn't feel their chemistry at all. I am a fan of the second chance romance trope but I wasn't a fan with how it was used in this book.

When James Hunter took a new role as protection officer to Prince Magnus of Norway, he was excited for the challenge and change that came along with it. However, when he arrives at the royal estate, nothing is as it should be. To make matters worse, he runs into the woman he never thought he'd see again; the woman whose heart he broke, Laila Bruset. With their jobs on the line, Laila and James must find a way to coexist with one another. However, the more time they spend with each other, the more sparks build between them. Will they risk it all for a second chance at love?

I thought this book was an okay read. I liked the plot and thought it started off strong and had really great potential. I enjoyed Laila and James' reunion. You could tell that despite the hard feelings, the chemistry was still there. I liked the push and pull between the two main characters, however, I will admit that I didn't really care for James. There was just something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. And I won't lie, I was hoping that this story would have a more royal flare to it. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely royals in this story, but since they weren't main characters, I was left wanting more.

Overall, I think this book will be a hit for some and a miss for others. For me, it was just okay.

I liked this! I read other books in this series and they went from being excellent to a dud. This one was quite good.

James Hunter's new assignment is to work as a protection officer to Prince Magnus of Norway. He is reunited with Laila Bruset, the nanny. James and Laila's have history together. They used to work for the same royal family, and they started secretly hooking up. When Laila began to develop feelings for James, he dumped her. Now that they are forced to work together, Laila has to avoid making the same mistakes again.

This book was all telling and no showing. James acts like a child and can't handle any emotions. The choice to sandwich two sex scenes around a funeral was so weird and jarring. It was fun to read a contemporary romance book set in Norway, but the plot and characters were boring.

Content: dementia, death, sex

4.5 Stars

Leila + James

A few years ago, when they both worked for the british royal family, they started a little affair. And it didn't end well.
And now they're working together again - this time for the norwegian royals.
Still hating each other - or rather Leila hating James for how things ended. Add two very diffucult children and the snowy remoteness of the estate ... it won't be easy to get to our happily ever after.

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN ....

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That was adorable.
I loved the snowy locations and all the norwegian sights and sounds and tastes and all the things. We never get to go to Norway as romance readers. I loved it all.
And of course we remember Magnus!
And his mini-me Björn is just as fun and challenging.
And it's cute to see how Laila and James are fighting against and for that happy end.
Cute royal-adjacent romance.
Would love to see it on TV one day.

THE ROYALS UPSTAIRS was a sweet + funny + sparky + sexy love story in a beautiful snowy setting. Run to your nearest book dealer for your own James - this one is MINE!!

Overall, I liked the premise. The idea that they were stuck together in a remote job was appealing. I liked the main characters as well. Both were likeable and I could understand how their past struggles were causing problems for them now. However, I felt like the book dragged in the middle and the pacing felt a bit off. I wasn't sure exactly where the issue was exactly but it made it hard to continue to the end. However, I would still recommend this to people looking for a fun romance because overall the idea of royal staff in a winter locale felt creative and enjoyable.

The Royals Upstairs
By Karina Halle
Laila Bruset has taken a job as the royal nanny for the Norwegian royal children in order to be closer to her ailing grandmother. This wasn’t her first royal nanny gig but her original job didn’t end well because of an affair with the royal bodyguard, James Hunter. She thought they were headed for a happily ever after but when James panics the heartbreak sends her running to the new position.
James can’t forget Laila and their previous relationship but he has no clue where she went. When he is offered a job as royal bodyguard to Prince Magnus of Norway he jumps at the chance to start anew. But James has made a tactical error. Little did he know that Laila was working for the same royals!
The sparks fly when the two meet again and tension is high. Can James win her trust again, much less her love? With a bit of matchmaking from the household staff, not to mention the royals themselves, Laila and James grow closer but can they ever trust each other completely?

I love a lot of books by Karina halle, but this one kind of fell flat for me. I was excited to see some of the characters from the Royals series (which I LOVE) but it wasn't the same without them as main characters. Laila and James were ok, and had some good chemistry, but I just wasn't able to get into this book.

I’ve been waiting for this book ever since The Royals Next Door! This one was equally fun and with Halle’s signature sexyness. Loved the unique northern setting as well! Royal fans will be so pleased.

I really enjoyed this one! I loved the tension between Laila and James. It was so much fun how they were trying to fight their past with each other. I loved how both of them put their jobs so important in their lives. It created so much different types of drama and issues. Marcus was hilarious and I loved how encouraging and supportive of the two he was.

I loved this book and the characters. The Royal Nanny and The Royal bodyguard sign me up. Truly a page turner for me. I love Karina’s book and this didn’t disappoint.

Super cute! Probably too steamy for some but I thought it was pretty well done! I love all things royalty so if you do too you’ll enjoy this book!

_The Royals Upstairs_ by Karina Halle is a steamy and cute romance that is a quick read. Told from the perspectives of James Hunter, a royal body guard, and Laila, a nanny for the Norwegian royal children, it follows the affair of the two coworkers from a rocky beginning in England that ended in heartbreak, to a second chance for love in a secluded estate in Norway. It’s a romance read with charm that will keep the reader engaged to the very end.

This was cute but a bit underwhelming. I liked the premise but I think the execution didn’t really work for me. The characters, while having tragic backstories, felt shallow and lacked chemistry which made the plot drag. I never really felt like the stakes were as high as they should be, and I kept getting the then/now timelines mixed up. I think this would have been better as single POV with better communication between the characters so we still know what's going on in both of their heads. I would prefer diving deeper into one character’s psyche over just skimming the surface of both. I liked the couple moments of suspense at the end and would have enjoyed some more of that to raise the stakes! Overall this lacked the banter, tension, and high stakes that I expected after reading The Royals Next Door. The MCs talked about how their chemistry was electric but it didn’t shine through for me.

Content warnings: death of parents (in the past), death of a parental figure, grandparent with dementia, parental abandonment (in the past)

After his divorce, James Hunter leaves his position as royal bodyguard to UK Prince Eddie. When James is ready to return to work, Eddie refers him to Prince Magnus of Norway. James arrives in Norway expecting to be in the city (Oslo) and finds himself in the middle of nowhere. And worse, his ex is the royal nanny.

James and Laila were together while working for Prince Eddie and his wife Monica, but it ended badly when Laila admitted her feelings and James walked away. Now they have a second chance to be together if they can get past how things ended in the UK.

While not a direct sequel, some of the characters from Halle's previous novel The Royals Next Door show up in this novel. Reading the previous book isn't necessary.

Recommended for romance readers, especially those who like the second chance and forced proximity tropes. Royal watchers may also enjoy this royal-adjacent novel. Not recommended for clean romance readers because sex scenes are described in detail.

Representation: orphan, adult who grew up in foster care

This book was amazing and I devoured this book in just a few sittings! I loved the character development and how the story progressed.

Title: The Royals Upstairs
Author: Karina Halle

Review:

✨★★★★☆ 4/5 Stars

Karina Halle's "The Royals Upstairs" is a delightful blend of romance, tension, and royal intrigue that is sure to captivate readers from the very first page. With its charming setting, engaging characters, and sizzling chemistry, this novel seamlessly intertwines the complexities of second-chance romance with the unique challenges of royal service.

James Hunter, the royal bodyguard to Prince Magnus of Norway, finds himself in an unexpected and less-than-glamorous situation. Instead of thrilling escapades, he's confined to a royal estate, dealing with unruly children and conspiratorial staff. To top it off, the children’s nanny is Laila Bruset, the woman whose heart he once broke and who remains embedded in his own.

Halle masterfully crafts the tension and unresolved feelings between James and Laila. James is a protagonist torn between duty and desire, his tough exterior hiding the regrets and hopes he harbors. Laila, on the other hand, is a spirited and dedicated nanny, whose initial exasperation with James slowly gives way to a rekindling of old emotions. Her vulnerability regarding her ailing grandmother adds depth to her character, making her journey of emotional rediscovery all the more poignant.

The forced proximity of James and Laila leads to a series of interactions that are both heated and heartfelt. Halle is brilliant in her depiction of their chemistry, making every glance, touch, and exchange crackle with underlying tension. The progression from animosity to intimacy feels natural, with each moment peeling back layers of their past and bringing them closer together.

Beyond the central romance, the royal environment serves as a rich backdrop for the narrative. The mischievous royal children, the staff's scheming, and the secluded estate all add layers of interest and humor to the story. The royal elements do not overshadow the romance but rather enhance it, providing a unique setting that differentiates the story from typical contemporary romances.

One of the standout features of "The Royals Upstairs" is its ability to balance the light-hearted moments with more serious, heartfelt issues. James and Laila’s journey isn't just about rediscovering love; it's about confronting past mistakes, personal growth, and making difficult choices for a better future.

However, the story does occasionally lean into predictable territory, particularly with typical romance tropes. Despite this, Halle's engaging writing style, well-developed characters, and the palpable chemistry between the protagonists ensure that the novel remains a compelling and enjoyable read.

In conclusion, "The Royals Upstairs" is a captivating tale of romance and redemption set against the backdrop of royal life. Karina Halle has crafted a story that is both heartwarming and exciting, with characters who will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. If you're a fan of second-chance romance, royal intrigue, and stories filled with emotional depth and sizzling tension, "The Royals Upstairs" is a must-read. Prepare to be swept off your feet by James and Laila’s passionate and poignant journey towards love and understanding.

I've been awaiting this novel for years and it did not disappoint. I adore Halle's writing, it makes me feel cozy and so relaxed. Lots of people are going to love this novel. I will be recommending for a long time.

The Royals Upstairs promises a sizzling romance between a royal bodyguard and a nanny, but it falls short of delivering the heat. James Hunter and Laila Bruset's second-chance love story is marooned by a lack of chemistry and a repetitive plot. James, tasked with protecting Prince Magnus's unruly children, finds himself stuck in a rural estate, and his reunion with Laila, whose heart he once broke, is more tepid than tantalizing.
Despite moments of genuine tension and potential, the story gets bogged down by predictable drama and meddling staff antics that feel more like filler than substance. The characters never quite break free from their clichés, making this royal romance more of a chore than a charming escape.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!