Review: Royally Matched by Emma Chase

Royally Matched by Emma Chase

Series: Royally #2

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: February 21, 2017

Format: Audio

Narrator: Shane East and Andi Arndt

Source: OverDrive

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Some men are born responsible; some men have responsibility thrust upon them. Henry John Edgar Thomas Pembrook, Prince of Wessco, just got the motherlode of all responsibility dumped in his regal lap. He’s not handling it well.

Hoping to help her grandson rise to the occasion, Queen Lenora agrees to give him "space" - but while the Queen's away, the Prince will play. After a chance meeting with an American television producer, Henry finally makes a decision all on his own:

Welcome to Matched: Royal Edition.

A reality TV dating game show featuring twenty of the world's most beautiful blue bloods, all gathered in the same castle. Only one will win the diamond tiara; only one will capture the handsome prince's heart. While Henry revels in the sexy, raunchy antics of the contestants as they fight for his affection, it's the quiet, bespectacled girl in the corner - with the voice of an angel and a body that would tempt a saint - who catches his eye. The more Henry gets to know Sarah Mirabelle Zinnia Von Titebottum, the more enamored he becomes of her simple beauty, her strength, her kind spirit...and her naughty sense of humor.

But Rome wasn't built in a day, and irresponsible royals aren't reformed overnight. As he endeavors to right his wrongs, words take on new meanings for the dashing Prince. Words like duty, honor, and, most of all, love.

I picked up Royally Screwed last year on a lark, expecting a fluffy, mindless rom-com. And I got more than I bargained for. In addition to being funny and sexy it was surprisingly emotional. So I was excited to continue on with the series but was doubtful that future books could live up to the bar set by Nicholas and Olivia’s story. 

“I’ve never been very good at doing what I’m told.

It’s a problem. Or a reflex. If they say left, I go right. 

If they say sit, I jump. If they say behave, I get drunk and 

spend the weekend screwing all three of the Archbishop’s tripled nieces.

They were nice girls. I wonder what they’re doing this Friday?”

Well, color me impressed because Royally Matched was every bit as good (if not better) and I was so sold on Henry + Sarah. Once again Emma Chase managed to strike this perfect balance of light and funny rom-com with surprisingly serious background stories that packed an emotional punch. The former spare heir has been thrust into the role of Crown Prince and isn’t handling it particularly well. I cringed when I initially read about the dating show aspect since I am NOT a fan of reality TV (and find the dating shows especially vapid) but somehow Chase even managed to make that work. I loved seeing Henry go from a party guy in the first book to a more mature man who was struggling with the weight of the crown and the future of the monarchy. Quiet, reserved Sarah was so relatable with her love of books and her fear of public speaking and, while her background was heartbreaking, I wanted to stand up and cheer as her confidence grew. 

“He could crush me; the foreshadowing is clearly written. 

It’s a tale as old as time: the inexperienced bluestocking 

and the bed-hopping rogue. Bloody hell, I’m a trope.”

I loved how Henry and Sarah complimented each other so perfectly, even if outwardly they were the unlikeliest of partners. They brought out the best in one another and Henry was so completely and refreshingly open with his feelings for Sarah that it was impossible not to get a little completely swoony at times. Just as with the first book, there were moments that made my heart hurt and got me all teary. An added bonus was getting to revisit some favorite characters. 

“I want to be a better man for you and because I love you 

so much, I actually believe I can be.”

The narration by Shane East and Andi Arndt was perfection. They further cemented their place as two of my favorite narrators. They both embody the characters so well and infuse so much emotion into their performances. Arndt in particular shows such range and despite the varied cast, there was a never a doubt as to which character was speaking. (I’m a total fangirl for all of her narration!)

“My story hasn’t been written yet … but I know it begins with you.”

Royally Matched was a swoony modern-day fairy tale complete with the handsome prince. And in Emma Chase’s hands it also had great banter, laugh out loud moments, a shy librarian with a dirty sense of humor, and some steamy sexytimes. I don’t know how the third book in the series can possibly match this one but I can’t wait to find out.

4/5 STARS

HAVE YOU READ THE ROYALLY SERIES?