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?

22 comments

  1. I haven't read ANY book by Emma Chase yet, but this series sounds like one to start with. The best books are the ones that give you more than what you asked for. I live for funny, sexy reads with emotional balance. <3

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    1. I Know Emma Chase has several series (Tangled, Legal Briefs) but I am so glad I started with this series (Royally). Both books have been so much fun with the perfect mix of humor and emotion. I definitely recommend it! :)

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  2. I can never get into audiobooks, I have tried. But it's all about the voices. I might be interested in this one though, it sounds like there's a good balance in the voices and the story itself sounds good. I like Emma.

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    1. The narrator can definitely make it or break it. I've come across a couple that practically ruined the book for me but I've also discovered some real favorites and have looked for other books they've narrated.

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  3. I don’t read many straight up romance anymore but this sounds excellent! I love the outgoing guys paired with the quiet girls with heartbreaking backgrounds... it’s just a trope I love and even when it’s not done as well as in this book, I can still read to the end! And I love this audiobook has 2 narrators! How fun!

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    1. I also enjoy that trope, Dani! I have a hrad time connecting with the loud, outgoing life of the party girls. They might as well be another species. LOL But when the outgoing guy takes the time to notice the quiet girl... I love it. And I just love the books with dual narrators! :)

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  4. I really need to start this series. I like Emma Chase a lot and don't know why I have put it off!! Glad you enjoyed this. Great review!

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    1. I actually haven't read any of Emma's other series (Tangled or Legal Briefs) but I'm definitely hooked on this one. It's the kind that I just want her to continue writing about other characters in this group. :)

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  5. it's amazing how fairy tales keep captivating readers in all ways and forms! Movies, fantasy books, sci-fi retelings [Lunar Chronicles] and even contemporaries ones!

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    1. Yes! I love it when an author can put their own unique twist and make something fresh and new.

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  6. I suck! I need to start this series. I have the first two books and am just a slacker. *shame* You would think with all the audiobooks I listen to, I would have such audio centric opinions like you. That's awesome, by the way, and great review. You have me sold on starting this one soon.

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    1. Oh, I hope you do, Sam! This series has totally taken me by surprise. So much more than I expected. I thought it would just be funny rom-com tropes but I swear both books have brought me to tears!

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  7. This sounds like something I'd really like! I borrowed the first book from my library (love OverDrive), and I believe it's the audiobook version. You're making me want to get to this one sooner rather than later! “My story hasn’t been written yet … but I know it begins with you.” I love that quote. :)

    Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. Isn’t that quote just swoony? :) I’ve listened to both books (Royally Screwed and Royally Matched) on audio and have totally enjoyed the experience. The narrators are great and helped get me so invested in the stories. (I borrowed them from Overdrive, too!)

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  8. I've had Royally Screwed waiting on my kindle for about a year now. I keep hearing good things about the series but something else always jumps to the forefront and pushes it back. Think I need to change that for this sounds awesome and I can't possibly read it without starting at the beginning! (Especially when I already own book 1 but not book 2, lol!)

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    1. I hope you find time for it soon, Nicola! This series has totally taken me by surprise and I’m loving it. :)

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  9. This sounds great! I have no read any books by Emma Chase, but this sounds so intriguing. 100% need to check this out.

    PS. I have nominated for The Versatile Blogger award! In my latest post <3

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    1. I certainly recommend it! I;m excited to continue with the series.

      Thanks for the nom - I’ll have to check it out. :)

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  10. I have seen this series everywhere, was curious but now reading your review feel a bit like I am missing out. I am glad to hear that there are character growth in this book. Not a big fan of reality TV either, but it can be done well in books at times.

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    1. Yeah, typically when reality TV or a dating show is used as a plot device I run the other way. I’m just not a fan. But Chase totally made it work (without me rolling my eyes - bonus!) and I was truly invested in Henry and Sarah’s story. I’m so glad I gave this series a try because I’m hooked!

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  11. I watch so much reality TV it's a shame. I'll probably like this one because of that then, haha. I wasn't as in love with Nicolas and Olivia as I would have liked, but I am super curious about this series!

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    1. I totally feel like odd man out when it comes to reality TV. LOL
      I was positive there was no way I would enjoy this one as much as Royally Screwed but I think I might have liked Henry and Sarah even more than Nicholas and Olivia.

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