Book Review-A Royal Kiss and Tell by Julia London

A Royal Kiss & Tell by Julia London
Also in this series: The Princess Plan , A Princess By Christmas
Series: A Royal Wedding #2
Published by Harlequin on May 19, 2020
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Pages: 384
Format: eBook
Source: Library

Every prince has his secrets. And she’s determined to unravel his…
Every dashing young man in London’s ton is vying for Lady Caroline Hawke’s hand—except one. Handsome, delectable roué Prince Leopold of Alucia can’t quite remember who Caroline is, and the insult is not to be tolerated. So, Caroline does what any clever, resourceful lady of means would do to make sure a prince remembers her: sees that amusingly risqué morsels about Leo’s reputation are printed in a ladies’ gossip gazette…all the while secretly setting her cap for the rakish royal.
Someone has been painting Leo as a blackguard, but who? Socially, it could ruin him. More important, it jeopardizes his investigation into a contemptible scheme that reaches the highest levels of government in London. Now, Leo needs Lady Caroline’s help to regain access to society. But this charming prince is about to discover that enlisting the deceptively sweet and sexy Lady Caroline might just cost him his heart, his soul and both their reputations…

A Royal Kiss and Tell is a book I have been meaning to get to for a while. But when I was able to read this for my book club of the month I was beyond excited. Now if you want to hear our thoughts on that …check out Remarkably Lisa’s channel on YouTube to watch. I absolutely had such a fun time with the first book “A Princess Plan” and just couldn’t wait to delve into this one and I will be honest that I am not even sure why I waited so long for this one here. But I am so happy that I finally took a chance on this one because it was such a delightful read and offered some valuable romantic elements in it that worked for me.

But looking at Eliza, Caroline realized that she did indeed want one day to be in love with a man who would be as devoted to her as Prince Sebastian was to his bride. She wanted to feel everything Eliza was feeling, to understand just how that sort of love changed a person.

A Royal Kiss and Tell features some delightful characters:

• Prince Leopold of Alucia-Beta hero, protective, has alpha-like moments, honorable, stoic

• Caroline Hawke-Aristocrat, obsessed with image, loves clothing, and to be the center of the party

A Royal Kiss and Tell is the second book in the series and this book takes us to the wedding of Bas and Eliza. Caroline is determined to be the center of the party, she craves the attention and is thrilled for her best friend in her marriage to a prince and this fairy tale wedding. Caroline is attracted to Bas’s brother, Leopold, who clearly doesn’t like her or barely even notices her. But Caroline is determined to be noticed by him, and both of them get into verbal matches, and to anyone on the outside, they are enemies. But when circumstances have Leopold and Caroline together, building intimacy is growing between them. But when Leopold learns of a plot against the royals and women being trafficked from his country into England, he is appalled and determined to get to the bottom of it. But when scandal erupts Leopold wonders if he will be able to reveal the scandal to all and give these women a safe place to harbor. A love forms between Caroline and Leopold, but they are worlds apart, and will they be able to find their HEA?

I prefer women, Caroline,” he murmured. “I prefer women who are confident of their place in this world…but perhaps those who hold their tongues when they ought.”

A Royal Kiss and Tell is a story that I will admit I was highly apprehensive about. The first third of the story I was on the fence about and was really hoping that this one wouldn’t turn into a DNF of a read because I REALLY didn’t want to have to do that at all. I wanted this one to be enjoyable and especially with it being a group read with a live show discussion, I wanted to be able to have some affection for this story. But Julia London worked her magic for me and once I hit about 40% I was HOOKED into this book so well. I just didn’t want to put it down. I think this is where the turn of the relationship builds between Leopold and Caroline, seeing the growing intimacy and also the hidden crime-filled plot that builds in the storyline. I honestly never expected this plotline to happen. So I do want to warn readers who want to read this book, that there are elements of human trafficking and it does have its darker moments, so please know that going in. The blurb of this book does NOT convey this aspect and it really should. So fair warning on that.

“What is it that women do in their boudoir? It seems fairly straightforward, does it not? A petticoat, a few pins in the hair,” he said, fluttering his fingers at his head.

The romance that builds between Leopold and Caroline was so captivating and I had a blast with their bantering but once we get to the point where their walls come down, and transparency enters the relationship and they connect on a deeper level, is when the romance explodes in so much beauty and swoon-worthy moments. These two make such a great time and when Leo truly shares what he is dealing with, this is when I truly fell in love with her. I struggled so much with her character, that seeing this part of her really sealed the deal for me. I couldn’t get enough of seeing how her unique outlook adds something different to the mystery they are both trying to solve. I just wanted them to have their happy ending, because they truly deserved it, especially in seeing how much Leopold sacrifices. There are some side characters that I am hoping get their story told.

She knew herself well enough to know that she was in desperate trouble. Her heart was headed for collision with reality, and it was going to shatter into pieces very soon, because Hollis was right—she loved Leopold. And now he was going to ruin everything by being a good man.

Overall I found A Royal Kiss and Tell to be a stunning story that delves into some difficult issues, builds a plot of intrigue and danger, and a romance that is passionate and angsty filled in its entertaining ways of this world this author has built. Guaranteed to deliver a delightful journey to its readers.

There seems quite a lot that should be said, but time restricts me, so I will write this: I never believed love would find me. I never believed that in my position, I would know the luxury of love. My world was a fog of pleasure and privilege, but then you came along and pierced that fog. I never dreamed I would meet someone like you, much less love someone like you. I fear this love I hold for you will drive me to madness. I think of you every day and I will for the rest of my life. I will hold dear what we have shared. I will never have the strength to feel this way again, and I want you to know, no matter what else, I loved you beyond compare and will burn for you for the rest of my days. 

About Julia London

Julia London is the New York Times and USA Today best selling author of more than two dozen romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular historical romance series, the Cabot Sisters, including The Trouble with Honor, The Devil Takes a Bride, and The Scoundrel and the Debutante. She is also the author of several contemporary romances, including Homecoming Ranch, Return to Homecoming Ranch, and The Perfect Homecoming.

Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction.

Website | Goodreads