Falling Hard for the Royal Guard

It's fair to say, I was captivated with this one.

A really unusual concept- and I will forever love trying to order a pizza delivery to the Tower of London- I thought Cornwall was hard enough!

A great storyline- troublesome ex, superb setting- totally unique, and a cheeky lead with Maggie in the reins.

Nothing will beat this historical backdrop, and I liked the way it was like a backstage pass to the Tower.

Royally brilliant. I stand and salute this read.

I do love books where I can picture the setting because it is local to me, and this was a perfect example.
Maggie, our heroine, lives in the Tower of London. Lives there. Yup, I didn't even know people lived there!
She lives in special housing for the Beefeaters, one of whom is her father.
She works at the ticket booth, a job she never thought she would be still at, all these years later, and she finds herself the butt of her colleagues' jokes as the clumsy, lumbering red-haired girl who can't even get a date.
But fate changes for her when she bumps into someone she thought was a lamp post, and he ends up being someone she spends plenty of time with as friends.
Maggie tells Freddie historical stories of the Tower of London, complete with ghost tales, and he introduces her to parts of the Tower that were out of reach, seeing as he is a part of the Royal Guard.
As she slowly lowers her barriers with him, she can feel there are parts of his life he is hiding, which she finds out most shockingly.
A great cast of characters, including the different Beefeaters, the rest of Freddie's troop, and the ravenmaster, with her cryptic yet apt words of wisdom.
I read it in a day. really enjoyed it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for an ARC.

I was immediately drawn to this book by the fun, bright and eye-catching cover. I believe this author is new - you would never know this by reading this book.

This has to be one of the best books I’ve read this year! Maggie was a phenomenal main character, so deeply flawed and yet so utterly realistic. Freddie was swoonworthy…there’s just something about the guardsmen and this added to his intrigue as a character. There’s a scene near the beginning of the book where Maggie stares at Freddie while he’s on duty and he winks at her…that moment ignited the story!

There were lots of characters in this book, but the author did a great job of making them unique and identifiable in the story.

Finally, this book was enriched with the tales of the Tower. I have never been overly interested in history, and despite visiting the Tower of London many times, I have taken elements of it for granted over the years. I absolutely loved the facts woven into this story and I can’t wait to revisit the tower with a renewed interest.

5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚

I really loved this! Falling Hard for the Royal Guard is a well researched and incredibly unique story. Maggie was the ultimate flawed character, both having too high expectations and too low expectations at the same time. Freddie was frustrating but irresistible. Clawson introduces a lot of different supporting characters throughout the book, but they were all so well defined I didn't get confused. There were some slow parts which dragged out a bit too long, but once the plot was off again, the plot fell into a good rhythm afterwards. I would love to read this from Freddie's perspective!

what a fascinating backdrop for a rom com! I have never been to the Tower of London and am now invested in visiting, not least to see all the places described in the story!
I thoroughly liked the character of Maggie, not quite where she wants to be but muddling on through anyway, with the support of her dad and her adopted family of Beefeaters.
Freddie took a while longer to warm to- I like my heroes open and honest, not dark and brooding but he really came into his own once he relaxed!
overall a thoroughly enjoyable feel good book.

This book was a true delight to read. It will make you smile and laugh. It will give you that feel-good and heartwarming feeling. And don't worry, because sometimes it will even be heartwrenching in the best possible ways. I had so much fun whilst reading this.
I loved the main characters, Maggie and Freddy. Maggie was such a fun person to read. She made me laugh out loud! And her insecurities and flaws only made her more real and honest. And how I breathed and clapped when she finally talked back to her trash ex-boyfriend.
Also, I just loved having an insider look at life in such a marvellous place as the Tower of London and the people who work there.
I can't wait to read more by the author!

Wow, the best book I have read in a long time. A beautiful love story set in a real historic building, that many of us will have visited.
Although I have visited the Tower of London many times the facts about it entwined all the way through this tale of love between Maggie and her guardsman, I have learnt so much more about the tower during my read.

I really liked this romance! Maggie is an awesome main character. She's funny, nice and relatable. The romance was so soft, so nice and so amazing to see. I can really see chemistry between these two and I love that!

I fell hard for this book - I loved it! The fact that the book is set in the Tower of London was totally captivating for me & I loved every detail, factual or not. Who knew that there was a pub inside the walls!
The setting and the storyline were totally refreshing and I can't stop thinking about this book, so much so that I cannot wait to visit the Tower as I haven't been since a child.
Funny, sad, cringy, romantic & totally fabulous!

This book was SO GOOD. I don’t even know why I requested an ARC copy of it, honestly I think the cover just looked cute, but I am so glad I did! Megan Clawson wrote a very cute, and surprisingly relatable, book about a woman who’s just having a time of it after her life essentially falls apart.

One thing I really liked about this book was the descriptions of her breakdowns and anxiety attacks. I know, I know, weird thing to be impressed with. However, I felt kind of seen when reading it. They were well written, and I recognized my own experiences with breaking down and anxiety in those moments. Also, I thought the dating aspect of it was SO RELATABLE. God, trying to find someone this day and age is horrible, especially on dating apps! (Thank god I’m out of that).

As for the romance, it was definitely more slow burn. But, it felt really naturally developed. I wasn’t necessarily screaming while reading, wondering when they’re going to GET TOGETHER ALREADY (well, maybe a little). It felt like the relationship progressed how it was supposed to. I also really liked the aspect of her living in the Tower of London and all the history we get reading it as well.

Now, for some little things. I loved the ravens and reading this book really made me want a pet raven. Also, it was the first royal book I read since the queen passed, so reading “His Majesty” instead of “Her Majesty” did feel kind of weird.

Overall I really enjoyed and gave it a solid 4.75 stars!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! Especially the fact that the author actually lives in the Tower of London.

Loved this book. Modern but enriched with history. A feel good book with a fantastic ending. Easy to read and the pages just kept turning

What a great book! I love everything by this author and this book was no different! I couldn't put this down and was up all night waiting to see how it ended!

This is a jewel of a five-star read. I really enjoyed this story, there is just a lovely fluffiness to this story, but there is also an undercurrent that has an edge to keep it from being too light. There are some perfect British moments in this story, they will keep you hooked and make you smile. Maggie was a sweetheart and I just adored how she came out of herself, from peeking at the guards to jumping in with them. Watching her come out of herself with the aid of some boys will keep you hooked all the way through. I simply loved the details of this story as well, and it made me so desperate to go and visit the Tower again, I haven’t been since I was a child and loved getting to know all of the details, especially getting to know the Yeoman Warders and all of the different characters they are, seeing them in so much detail beyond the red tunics. I can’t forget the royal guards that all play their part, but this time its Grenadiers that shine their brightest shine and bring a beautiful light to this story as well as Maggie’s life.

5⭐️ this is the debut novel by Megan Clawson and oh wow this book is fantastic!
This book is so fluffy and full of humour it’s a perfect light hearted easy read! I devoured this book in just over a day I could not put it down. The author gave a great insight into the history of the Tower of London and it’s inhabitants.
I fell in love with Maggie and Freddie, they are just perfect together.

I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book

This book is the perfect romcom. I absolutely loved it!

Maggie is such a relatable character (other than her living in the Tower of London!). Her insecurities and anxieties were well-written and something that most of us feel. I loved that she wasn’t the perfect female MC.

Falling Hard for the Royal Guard has swoony romance, funny moments, a little heartbreak, and kept me wanting to read until I got to the end. I also loved the little facts about the Tower of London and it’s history that were sprinkled organically throughout the story.

This is one I’ll definitely be recommending to others!

I loved this book for so many reasons and one of the main ones is that a lesser known fact about me si that I grew up in the Tower of London as my dad was - and still is- a Beefeater and this book brought back so many memories of living there through my teenage years and still going back there to visit my family now. And yes it really is hard to get a takeaway delivered to one of the most famous buildings in London.
Now back to the book - the story is so compelling and cute and the writing is so engaging that I read this in one sitting, I couldn't put it down. I loved it

Loved this book. Full of history as Maggie loves and works in the Tower of London, but also full of humour as she tackles life with growing confidence. There is something so endearing about Maggie, something very real that her happy ending becomes something that made me read on through to the end with no break!

This book was SOOO good!!!! I loved the setting - getting to see the ins and outs of living at the tower. The trials and tribulations of tinder dates was relatable and Freddie was just so charming :)

A brilliant debut for this author. A completely unique setting for the heart warming alow burn romance to be set in.

A really interesting opportunity to learn more about the guard and those who live within the tower of London.

Great MC and perfect love interest.

‘Falling Hard for the Royal Guard’ is a humorous rom-com set in the Tower of London - a story of unrequited love between an unlikely heroine and a mysterious guardsman - written by debut author Megan Clawson.

Maggie Moore is a quirky-but-clumsy redhead 26-year-old living with her beefeater father in the Tower of London. Faced with the daily bitchiness of her ticket-office colleagues and narrowly avoiding her obsessive ex-boyfriend, Maggie seeks refuge in her love for the Tower’s steep history and its secrets and mysteries from lifetimes before her. 🏰

When she literally bumps into a man who looks like he’s just stepped out of one of Maggie’s classic romance novels, her new acquaintance introduces her to the life of the guardsmen behind their uniforms and what they get up to when off-duty.

Will Freddie be brave enough to reveal his true identity before Maggie’s heart catches her off guard? 💂🏻‍♀️👩🏼‍🦰

In Maggie, the author Megan Clawson creates quite an underlying complex character for such a lighthearted rom-com. While she seems to be vibrant and self-assured on the outside, there are times she struggles with body confidence and her place in the world. The ‘mirror scene’ in particular was a real heartfelt moment in the book - my heart really went out to Maggie. 😭💔 Freddie’s guardsman friends provide an additional layer of humour to the story, contrasting to Freddie’s gentility and stiffness.

Don’t miss this humorous rom-com coming soon in Spring 2023 - you’ll laugh, you’ll cry and then you’ll swoon! For me, this is one of those books that you feel happy and glad to have discovered.

I highly recommend ‘Falling Hard for the Royal Guard’ for fans of Emilia Clarke in ‘Me Before You’ and all those romance lovers with an interest in London’s royalty, palaces and history.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Avon Books/Harper Collins for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved the history of this book and the insights into life inside the Tower of London. Although predictable, Freddie and Maggie’s relationship gave me the warm fuzzies and it was lovely to see it develop. Occasionally I found the story veered off on a long tangent or got a bit waffley so it doesn’t quite get 5 stars but a pleasant read nonetheless.

Maggie’s dad is a Beefeater and after breaking up with her douchebag of an ex, she had moved in with him into the Tower of London. Unfortunately for Maggie, her ex won’t leave her alone and keeps showing up at the ticket office of the Tower, where she works. Despite living only a few minutes from her workplace, Maggie isn’t always on time, which means she has to take the money to the safe at the end of the day, which she hates doing as it is supposedly haunted. As she’s leaving, Maggie bumps into one of the royal guards, who doesn’t respond in the kindest way. The next day on her way to work, Maggie sees the guard, Freddie, at his post and knowing he can’t respond to her, she decides to say a few things to him about his manners.

What follows is such a cute slow burn relationship that had me gripped to the pages. I loved each of their interactions as they spend more time together and Maggie was introduced to Freddie’s troop. These two had a lot of chemistry and it was such a unique story with an amazing setting. As they get closer, Maggie realises Freddie is keeping something from her, but she can’t figure out why he won’t be honest with her when he seems to want the same things she does. I couldn’t put this down and definitely recommend it if you want a fun romance!

This book was great! I couldn't put it down! The premise was fresh and new, which is hard for me to say as I read so much each year! Sometimes it feels as though I keep reading similar stories, but this was a so original!

This book is the first by this author and I must say I enjoyed it very much.
It has wit and charming characters. I personally like books set in places I know and have been to. Such was the case with this one. The Tower of London is such a beautiful site and I have been there several times as a tourist. With the detailed descriptions in the book, it felt like you were right there.
Sometimes the description was right down to the last detail. Grandiose. I felt like I was getting a real insight into the history of the Tower.

Maggie is a great character who develops a lot over the course of the book, from lonely, sad Maggie to an enthusiastic and lovely strong woman.
Freddie is a bit mysterious and you don't really get to know him, but later on you have a completely different picture of him, and also understand why he did some things the way he did.
The other guards are terrific and wiry, really good friends that everyone wants.

Overall, I think it's a very successful book with ups and downs, with funny parts and serious topics, with romantic love confessions and total asshole behaviour. A good mixture that I can only recommend!

Keep it up!

As a ten-year-old, I went on a school trip to the Tower of London & I loved it. This book takes me back there with the continuing fascination with the history of the tower.
Maggie Moore lives at the tower with her dad who is a 'Beefeater' & she works in the ticket office. Maggie moved in with her dad when her relationship broke down & she is very disillusioned with the dating world. Her head is turned by a Royal Guard, Freddie, but will anything happen?
A wonderful researched book by this debut author. Makes me want to visit the tower again & I may catch the eye of a Royal Guard too. Great read!

A stunning debut novel! I absolutely adored this book.

The setting and the ideas behind it are so unique and original and the characters really captured my heart. It was like nothing I've read before.

Very excited to see what Megan Clawson writes next!

I went into this, honestly, because of the title! I am a sucker for all things royal and this sounded right up my alley. Spoiler alert: it was!



This book follows Maggie, a down on her luck twenty something living at home in the Tower of London after a bad breakup. A series of unfortunate incidents lands her (quite literally) into the orbit of royal guardsman Freddie. The two begin an unlikely friendship that leaves Maggie (and maybe also Freddie) wanting more. But is that even possible for the pair?



I was very surprised to learn this book was inspired by the author’s own life living in the Tower of London! I learned so much about the royal guard because of this book and would love to visit one day! I found the book to be incredibly charming and brimming with British humor and heart. I enjoyed following Maggie’s story and character growth. I also loved that each raven in the book had its own name and distinct personality. I definitely recommend you add it to your TBR or request from your local library!



Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!

I found this book a little difficult to get into but that could be my lack of concentration at the minute but once I got into it I couldn't put it down and read it I'm 3 sittings. I was hooked on Maggie and Freddie, rooting for them from the start. I felt lost when I had finished the book hoping to discover further how the relationship grew between them.

I loved this romantic novel.
filled with humour and great characters, i think that Maggie has summed up how most women feel about romance at the moment, but still hope when you least expect it.
This book made me feel fuzzy inside and brought back my love of romance.

A laugh out loud enjoyable read. What an impressive debut from Megan Clawson. The characters were really relatable and the storyline had me hooked from start to finish. I can’t wait to read more by Megan Clawson. Thank you for the early proof.

I'll be honest, I requested the ARC copy of this this one because of the guardsman on the cover - we have a history of Grenadiers in my family, and it instantly appealed. When I realised the story was about a girl who lived at the Tower of London, I was even more grateful I requested it! One of my favourite places in London, so I really hoped it would meet my expectations. Did it? Yes, and then some! I didn't expect to find myself laughing, crying and going through the complete emotional wringer, I simply couldn't put it down.

Maggie lives at the Tower, as the daughter of a Beefeater, and works in the ticket office. Returning home from a terrible day at work, she collides with what she thinks is a lamppost, but is in reality Grenadier Freddie. What follows is a will they/won't they romance, with many fabulous supporting characters (the ravenmaster and Freddie's Guard colleagues were my favourites). I loved the little insights into the workings of the Tower, and particularly liked the description of the Grenadier emblem as a shuttlecock - something I've always said myself!

I am completely split on this one. I enjoyed it, and that has to be uppermost in my review. It was a fun novel and it was engaging and romantic. I will say now that the many passages about the Tower of London, the building, the people, the everyday life there, the history (it is Gruffydd not Griffin!!) are stunning, warm, human and enlightening and I lapped all that up and loved every word. For that alone, it is clear, this romance exists. Thank you, Megan, for shedding light on this amazing place and what life really is like living there. I could read these little details all day and never tire of them.

I read some of the authors concerns for the reviews left for her via social media and I read the novel on that basis alone - what was everyone talking about and what upset Ms Clawson about these reviews? I'm nosy.

Maggie, the main protagonist, is plagued with anxiety and that seems to have made some readers get frustrated and see her as a very childish version of a late twenty-something female in the modern world. That wasn't an issue for me. Maggie has issues, and she has anxiety and she reacts appropriately - no issue for me there. Her antics are hilarious and one wants to give her a big hug and stern talking to. If Megan and Maggie are at all similar, I'd like to be her friend.. She's likeable, she's sweet, she means no harm - what's not to like?

So, the point of my indecision. Easy to read and engaging characters. It's the plot. It gets a little lost between a 'I have to complete x number of dates and the last one will be memorable' and a pure romance. It gets a bit lost in something more Austen towards the end and I think it needed to decide what it was. Maybe I'm old but I was a little uncomfortable with the 'loads of half-dressed men and Maggie in the officers mess' aspect of the story. It wasn't well enough explained why someone with anxiety in society would be at all able to stay in such a position. It seemed out of place however much fun I'm sure it would have been. It grated.

That being said, returning to my first point - I liked it. I wanted to read to the end. I wanted to know what happened. I think some of the description was unexpected and fresh, the fine detail of the romance was a delight and the knowledge that only Ms Clawson could have gained herself of living in the Tower of London and the sense of who the Beefeaters are and the family life they have led, is, for me, worth the whole experience. I'll read it again and wish there was more. And that is what this romance is about. Whatever you think about Royal Guards, you will fall hard for the royal palace, and if you are not searching for 'casemates' on maps, you have no heart.