Michaels’ To Kiss a King *MAR full review* (Regency Royals 4)

Regency Royals (Book Four: To Kiss a King)

Jess Michaels

Stars:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐  (brotherly pugilism; fictional kingdoms; intrigue; heat; smart women)

Heat rating:     🔥🔥🔥🔥 (see the SEX-AND-SPOILERS section.)

 

This book is brand spanking new, so I can understand if you’ve not had time to read enough to deal with the typical MAR review. Here’s a spoiler-free NetGalley review for ya, just in case. I was able to advance review the book, thanks to NetGalley. I was beyond excited, since I think Jess Michaels is definitely one of the OGs of romance writing.

To Kiss a King is the fourth book in the Regency Royals series. You really should read the first three before you tackle this one; there is duplication of scenes from previous books with the focus being another character’s perspective of what happened, so you really do need to have read the others. They’re actually pretty quick reads (I legit ran through them all in a weekend), so I suggest you grab them before you give this one a whirl. If you don’t, just know that Imma be spoiling TF out of the previous three in this blog entry, so just be forewarned.

Kudos to Jess Michaels for adding content warnings at the start of her books. Adding those don’t hurt anyone and can only help. They’re also available on her website so you can see what is up before you buy.

Cover Rating: Okay, I am not a fan the cover. I’m SORRY, but it doesn’t do anything for me. The description in the story matches (short dark hair, angular face, well-trimmed beard) but the pic on the cover and the crown just made me sort of snort-giggle. I KNOW it’s fiction. I know it’s the author’s vision. I know my feelings about it matter not a whit. But he’s just not sexy on the cover. I do like the way he’s looking at her on the cover—that does work with the story. I also like how she looks though, which is why it gets a solid C. That’s okay, because I ADORED the previous book’s cover.

This book is about the eldest sibling in the royal family of the fictional island country of Athawick, King Grantham. We met headstrong little sister Princess Ilaria in the first book, To Protect a Princess; loyal adopted sister Sasha Killick in the second, Earl’s Choice; and rakish brother Prince Remington in the third, Princes Are Wild. Grantham has been featured throughout the series, but we really haven’t gotten to know the real him. He seems so strict and cold and forbidding, but we have seen in the previous books that he loves his siblings and his mother. His father was an absolute POS terrible person, and he doesn’t want to be like him (thank God), but Grantham has a lot on his plate running the kingdom. There’s a rebellion afoot, which we learned in the very first book when folks were trying to kidnap Ilaria. Grantham doesn’t have any friends, and has basically even pushed his siblings away—he feels the weight of the world (well, kingdom) is on him and it’s crushing him. But most of the subjects are very loyal to him . . . except for the rebels, of course.

Our heroine, Ophelia is the sister of Nathan, the Duke of Gilmore. His HEA with Abigail is the story of book three of the Three Mrs. series: The Duke’s Wife. If you’ve read that book, you’ll remember her, but knowledge of that series is definitely NOT required to read this one. The Three Mrs. series is interesting, and you’ll find out more about brother Nathan in all of those books, though his HEA comes in the final book in the trilogy.

Ophelia’s best friend is Priscilla, our heroine of book 3 and marrying/married to Prince Remington. Priscilla actually had her sights on Grantham in the beginning, but Grantham is absolutely not looking for a wife, even though, as king, he should be thinking of an heir—though he knows any marriage of his will be a strictly political liaison. Grantham wants peace and quiet, logic and—frankly—boredom. Ophelia is like a whirling dervish, always moving, always loud and boisterous. In fact, Grantham actually describes her as a hoyden (whatevs, my dude, that is a badge of honor). She is 100% NOT the sort of woman he should find interesting, yet he does. And, as a result, he is super rude to her.

Ophelia is sort of “stuck” in Athawick since they’re preparing for her bestie’s wedding to Prince Remington, which means she’s constantly running into Grantham. She can’t stand him, but she’s attracted to him. Oh, and absolutely everyone can see the heat between them EXCEPT THEM. He severely suppresses his emotions, because we all know how THAT works out (but it’s believable because I’ve actually had to deal with people who do this). Broken record time: again, I suggest you read the previous three books in the Regency Royals series before you read To Kiss a King, because you’ll learn a lot more about Grantham and why Ophelia absolutely loathes him.

Anyway, the book starts in the past, when the Athawickians (that names reminds me of a Lewis Carroll story) are doing a Season in London. The Duke and Duchess of Gilmore take their sister to meet the royal family. Ophelia is jokingly talking about how the King will fall in love with her. But when they meet, he’s a total dick to her. And she has no idea why it appears he just hates her on sight. He’s openly rude, dismissive, and cold. Ophelia can’t stand him either, so tit for tat. Her sister in law is there throughout and doesn’t seem to think he’s overly rude. Abigail is a sweetie, but man, she is missing a lot in this situation.

The book picks up a few months later, after the events of the previous book. We are readying for Prince Remington’s wedding to Ophelia’s bestie (caveat: I LOVED the third book and I adore Remi). Remington is interesting and vivacious. Granted, Grantham is a little envious of how Remi is, but, to quote the Bard, “uneasy is the head that wears a crown.” Grantham spends a lot of time sighing. All his family members are in love, but “he was the only sibling left who had not found his heart’s desire” (Loc 166). Anyway, Remi asks his bro if Lady Ophelia can stay in Athawick for a few weeks since Priscilla is getting married. Grantham is torn, because he is mighty attracted to the woman, so . . . he is conflicted and tempers that by being a jackass to the woman (eye roll 🙄). For instance, he’s watching her in the garden (correction: FROWNING at her), so when she looks up and sees him, her entire body language changes. Although I knew they were going to get together (it’s an HEA, so we know they find love in the end), I was discomfited by their interactions in the beginning of the book. It was slightly cringey (is that even a word?). There’s also a mystery in her past and Ophelia seems to think that it could be the reason why the King hates her with such irrational passion. Anyway, they are both thinking of avoiding each other the entire time she’s there. Oh yeah, that’s gonna work. It’s a palace, but it ain’t the size of a small city.

Anyway, enter Stephan Blairford, the head courtier, who I have loathed throughout the series. You should see the eye roll I unconsciously give whenever he’s introduced in the books. Hate. That. Dude. (I call him Rasputin in my head and I do not care. This is my fantasy.) Anyway, he comes to tell the King that more rebel fliers have been found: FREEDOM FOR ATHAWICK. The rebellion portion is an interesting addition and made this book unique. In many books, the subjects never complain about the monarchy, but we know that hasn’t always been the norm. So it’s nice to add that portion, as well as seeing how that affects the royals, not just the people rebelling. And you can see how Grantham is torn about how to deal with it—with force or some other way? Who can he trust? He also wants to help his people, so he’s not automatically inclined to punish and suppress those who want their opinions heard. Blairford thinks they need to be punished and brought down by violence. Grantham understands that violence COULD be a necessity, but he has no intention of using it as the first option.

So, surprise surprise, our H and h keep running into each other. He barely speaks so she decides to drive him totally freaking nuts by yapping nonstop whenever they’re together. Okay, so I have done this before—I talk a lot (SHOCKER! C’mon, I am pretty sure y’all figured out that, in all my squirrel-iness, I probably talk pretty much nonstop, including to myself). So she’s running on about everything under the sun and he stops her by asking her to dance. Which gut kicks her and shuts her up. Anyway, one waltz later, and Priscilla is concerned about what is happening between him and her friend. Of course, Ophelia is clueless. His MOTHER confronts him about it, and he scurries away. This guy (eye roll).

So yeah, everyone knows they have the mutual hots except them. Ophelia knows she’s attracted to him, but thinks he hates her. Grantham is powerfully attracted to her, and has been since he met her months ago in London, but fights it, because he is the King and he cannot be in love and he needs to think about his people, blah blah woof woof.

So speaking about what’s happened in Ophelia’s past . . . her brother makes note of it (no specifics) when he speaks to the King before he and the Duchess head back to London. He actually asks the King to keep an eye on Ophelia while he’s gone. Hmmmm. Well, it gets Grantham interested! But, hooo boy, this dude is such a clueless man, sometimes I just . . . can’t . . . even . . . For instance, she’s crying as she says farewell to her sister in law and brother. Grantham sees them and “felt a swell of desire to . . . comfort her somehow. Such an odd feeling for someone who could be so entirely frustrating” (Loc 418). Dude, you are so out of touch with your own feelings, I’m cringing.

Anyway, here comes one of the most amusing scenes in the book. She’s checking out his statue in the garden and legit getting aroused by the details of the statue’s face. And she breaks the damned thing. And of course, the King rolls up on her. And it’s the first time they actually have a lengthy conversation, and he’s actually not an asshole during it! He can joke! He can laugh! And the entire experience is supremely freeing to him. But, boom, a few hours later, they’re at dinner and he’s back to his old stone self (that statue is more alive than he is!). She’d felt like things were changing and then they’re back to SOP and she’s frustrated enough to go out onto the terrace to curse him. Well, of course he follows and . . . they end up kissing. And it’s good, but something makes her break away—the past. We learn a little more about what possibly happened, as she specifically thinks, “she had been utterly lost before, after all. To her great detriment” (Loc 661). Yeah, kissing a guy brings back something painful, that has to do with another guy (btw, if you’ve read the Three Mrs. series, you know).

But Grantham. SMFH at him. I mean, this dude is so extra, you gotta love him. He says things like, “you are speaking to a king,” when she wants to discuss the kiss. Still, JM gives us lines that are pure LIFE, like “drinking at nine in the morning was never a good sign” (Loc. 790). This is truth. When I was in college, they would sometimes have an event on Saturday called “the 5 at 9,” which consisted of tapping 5 kegs at 9:00 a.m. This was NOT a good thing. The good news is you’d be asleep by noon. That was the only good news. Whoa, squirrel is back.

Anyway, where the heck were we? Oh yeah, he’s drinking sherry (which will ALWAYS remind me of Frasier and Niles) and mooning over the woman he swears he cannot stand. His brother in law Jonah comes in, and yes, I definitely imagine Prince Harry whenever I read his name. His book was dedicated to Harry and Meghan, so I guess I’m not far off! Jonah and his wife, Princess Ilaria, are going to work on some intell re: the rebellion. Excellent. Oh, and then JONAH be like, “so, yeah, bro, I see you lusting after Ophelia” (my paraphrase) and Grantham be like, “whaaaaaaaaat? Who, me?” Dude, I want to make a PowerPoint presentation that goes:

 

You like her.

You’re not fooling anyone.

Wake TF up.

Lol.

 

The wedding is finally done, congrats Remi and Priscilla. But Ophelia spills the beans that R & P have been getting their freak on in the tower which infuriates the King. You see, for five years, starting at age 10, his abusive POS of a dad used to lock him in the tower for days with just water and a bucket and nothing else. I’m glad he told Ophelia this, because now she understands part of why he is who he is: “a man with weight on his shoulders and no outlet to release it” (Loc. 938). He rushes away to bless out his brother and she runs to stop him from ruining their special place by telling R & P what happened to him there. He actually listens, which turns into kissing. Jess Michaels’ words are fire. I just love her:

“And it would be so fucking easy to take what he wanted. To push her back into the shadow of the palace wall. To run his hands all over her body until she was shaking, begging. To align their bodies and take until they were soaked in each other’s sweat and shaking with merged pleasure.” (Loc. 987)

You can feel the tension in these words. And all the pleasure. But yeah, he’s started THINKING and he’s the one to pull away now. And in this scene, he’s giving me legit young Colin Farrell vibes. (And . . . I just surfaced from a deep dive of Colin Farrell photos. My family was about to call the authorities because I was gone just now.) And he says something else that makes sense and makes me feel for him. He says that Ophelia likes to play, but he cannot play. And she calls him a coward. You go, girl. But it doesn’t even stop him. Man, I do feel sorry for this guy.

So who is the next one to confront Ophelia? HIS MOTHER. Yep, Queen Giabella wants to learn more about Ophelia. Cuz Mama ain’t no fool. Ophelia changes the subject. Smooth. But if you think that’s gonna keep his mom from finding everything out, you don’t know moms.

So they’re meeting with advisors and representatives of the kingdom. And . . . she rolls out, makings sure to eyeball the King before she leaves and guess what? Cold, unfeeling, stone-hearted King Grantham follows. They end up in the Throne Room. (Okay, so all palaces have these? I am so building one in my 2-bedroom cottage in the city. See if I don’t.)

So, she sits on the throne and though that’s kinda wrong, I have to give her a pass because she’s trying to understand how much he has on him: “The wave of responsibility washed over her and she gasped for breath at the feel of it” (Loc. 1122). So even though I think it’s not cool that she hops on the throne, I definitely will let it go since she did it to understand him better. That being said, he comes in and tells her to get up and she refuses. So what do you think happens next? Well, if you want to know more, go down (heh heh, pun possibly intended) to the S-and-S section . . .

But yeah, he gets on his knees to serve her and they both enjoy it. In fact, you can tell he’s feeling smug for rocking her world like this. But, then, he just stares at her, and leaves the room. Yep, the King is back. The man is gone. And he’s disgusted at what happened. And man, I feel for the girl. Because that’s got to feel awful. I mean, my dude rocked her world, sure. But . . .

“And yet she wasn’t happy. No, she was wrecked. She had looked into his eyes and seen so much pain, so much regret, so much self-recrimination that she feared this would end whatever they’d just begun.” (Loc. 1201)

Okay, so to add insult to injury, my man rolls off and leaves this woman in a puddle, and heads to the tower, where he knows his brother and new sister-in-law are honeymooning slash scrumping like rabbits. FACE PALM. He has no shame; he walks in and says he wants to talk to Remi, lmao, who is shirtless. Hell, Remi is terrified something happened to their mother. Why else would his brother interrupt like that? But Remi is a great guy (the reason I love his book so much), and sits down to talk. Grantham is legit acting like he just killed someone and Remi’s pulling teeth, trying to get him to come out with it, and finally, Grantham says, in the freaking understatement of the year: “I kissed Ophelia.” Of course, his brother’s like, big whoop, until Grantham elaborates “not on the lips.” I legit laughed out loud when I read this. Grantham is freaking out, and letting the story out in pieces, but Remi is shook that his brother went down on a woman on the throne. Who are you and what have you done with my tight-assed brother?! Remi points out that their kingdom doesn’t look at sex the same way that the English do, but Grantham notes that she’s English (fair point). He’s going on about virginity and realizes that Remi has a look on his face. When he asks what he’s hiding, Remi says “it’s not my secret to tell.” So, Constant Reader, put two and two together and figure out that, yeah, clearly she’s not a virgin. Hm, this changes things a bit, doesn’t it?

So he wants to talk to her. Later. Alone. I’m not even going to beat around the bush (if you’ve read the book, you know why I said this). They meet up later. Alone. But this time, she initiates it, which makes me yell, as always, “you go, girl!” Oh wait, turn the lights back up and turn off the Marvin Gaye—they want to talk about things first. So he suggests an affair and she is of two minds, of course: (1) yay, Imma get on that and (2) disappointment. And it’s time for her to confess she’s not a virgin. She waits for anger and disgust, etc., but nope, he just wants to know what happened, if she feels like sharing what happened with him (not in a creepy way, btw). GRANTHAM POINTS GO WAY UP! And we hear more about what happened in the Three Mrs. series and the odious Erasmus Montgomery (I suggest you read that series, which I like even more than this one)! I also love how she comes right out and tells him she wants him to take precautions. Good for her. Anyway, Constant Reader, y’all know the drill: to the S-and-S we go!

As I mention below, JM’s writing is deliberate. So you really do not want to skim her books. Here, she guides you through Grantham’s transition from man to King as soon as they’re finished. You can feel the coolness, though he asks about her comfort, and then awkwardly asks if she wants to keep being his lover. And the fact that he legit schedules it. (I wish they had iPhones back in the day, so it could do the old auto-add event to calendar thing: “Affair with King, tomorrow night, his bedroom.” Yeah, you’d better mark that private!) JM brings you into the tension in the room. Like Ophelia, you are satisfied, but there’s something marring the occasion: “a sensation that although she had gained something tonight, that they had also missed out on an opportunity for something more” (Loc. 1645). You know those videos where they do the classic “cups & balls” tricks for dogs, using treats? The dog chooses the one with one treat, and then the person lifts up the other cup and shows that one hid five treats. You know how the dog does the I-cannot-believe-this-shit/You-have-disappointed-me-hoomin head cock? That’s ALL of us right now.

Anyway, next time we see the King, he’s in a meeting with his council, which is sort of slow (though necessary to the rest of the story) until Ophelia busts in the door. Someone set her up; told her to come to the meeting that she was NOT invited to, but instead of infuriating Grantham, he feels calm in her presence. My man, that’s a huge sign that you’re head over heels. Plus, my girl can hold her own, especially with officious Count Hadley, who has bad guy written all over him. He legit reminds me of  Snidely Whiplash in the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. She also reinforces Grantham’s feelings about the importance of the people: “ignore them and crush them at your own peril, Count Hadley” (Loc. 1699). Not only is she echoing what is already coming to the forefront of his mind, but he’s recognizing that she’s pretty badass. But he goes and RUINS it by telling her she shouldn’t concern herself with the situation she sees right before her eyes. I cannot be too mad, because he does the same to his brother/brother-in-law/mother/sisters.

However, the wheels start turning and the King realizes what a sneaky, traitorous POS Blairford is. FINALLYYYYYYYYY. Though it’s been clear as day throughout the last three books. Um, Your Majesty, dude has clearly been bad news, but you’ve ignored signs and red flags the size of, well, big ones. And kicks my man to the curb, which surprises Blairford (seriously?). Blairford actually lays hands on the King, and he’s lucky that it’s Grantham and not his nutso father, because King Alistair would have had him killed. Anyway, Grantham fires him, kicks him out, and calls his family together to tell them. And everyone is like, “ ‘bout damn, time, my man.” And he finally admits, not only can his family help him, but that he appreciates their help. And holy crap, the heavens are parting and the angels are singing (see what good sex can do for you???!!!), because it just hits him that his mother and her personal secretary, Dashiell Talbott, have something going on. We been knew that, my dude. I knew it in the first book!

So Grantham lets his family in a little, and then tries to take everything back on himself, but now, quiet little adopted sister Sasha ain’t playing that game and speaks up forcefully (see, sex can change you, lol, and now that she’s happily married and getting her freak on regularly, she’s no longer holding her tongue) tells him that his family WILL help him; he has no choice. (Note, I do not actually think that sex fixes everything, so please don’t @ me.) But finally, King Grantham realizes he’s not alone.

Ophelia and Priscilla get some alone time, which is nice because we learned so much about their friendship in the third book, I kind of missed their interaction. I mean, Priscilla is newly married and busy with her hot AF husband Remi, who gives me young Liev Schreiber vibes. Anyway, what’s also accurate is that Priscilla calls her out about not telling her best friend about her relationship with Grantham, which is legit BFF energy: How dare you not tell me that you’re getting it on with my husband’s brother? And God bless Priscilla, who basically says: yeah, lie to yourself that you’re not in love, my girl; it ain’t gonna fly. But then you gotta eye roll when she starts talking about her HEA and how Ophelia could have the same thing. Slow your roll, Merry Sunshine. The King needs a political match if he’s going to preserve his kingdom. But man, Ophelia breaks my heart when she explains that, though she’s happy?, their relationship is so complicated: “It is wonderful. So much better than anything I’ve ever experienced. And that is a gift he has given me that I will not soon forget. The gift I give in return is pleasure, a little break from the pressure on his shoulders. And the fact that I shall never ask for more than he can give” (Loc. 1877). I’m irritated that she’s come up with this herself, without working through it with Grantham, but also, I cannot blame her because his reactions have in no way indicated that he thinks their relationship can be anything but a secret affair.

Remi comes to find Priscilla, and breaks the news about Blairford. Luckily, they have to dash because Ophelia knows that Grantham needs comfort, so she heads to his study to find him. He’s worried that she is pitying him. He wants her and now, even though he has the same thought we are ALL having: “Honestly, at some point he needed to do this with her on a bed rather than a couch” (Loc. 1935). IKR? Who you telling? Anyway, y’all know the deal, so go down ↓↓↓ (which, actually, is appropriate here, lol).

 . . . because Ophelia and Grantham try something new (new to her). And she likes doing it to him, as you can tell. Then he kisses her right after and she’s throbbing with need and all of us are like THIS. But, who are we talking about here? The King, who is GOING TO RUIN THE SCENE in . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . yup. She offers to help him with the other issues, the King totally dismisses her with something that freaking gut kicked me and I wasn’t even the one who just did what she did for him: “ ‘You already did help,’ he said, pivoting back to face her, a false smile on his lips. ‘Very much.’ ” (Loc. 2005).  Dude, that was not complimentary! That was Snow Miser level cold. But she is back at his door that night (are they going to actually make love in a bed? We shall see). And she opens herself to him—telling him more about what happened with Erasmus Montgomery. The good news is that they made it to a bed. The bad news is that she’s head over heels and sees nothing can come of their relationship, and she’s resigned herself to just taking whatever she can, however she can.    

This second scene is hot but it’s also heartbreaking. Because now they understand they’re in love. This connection is terrifyingly sad and beautiful. He’s the King. He doesn’t see any possibility for his own happily ever after like his brother and sisters have. And not just because of the necessity of a political match. The chaos of his country is also holding him back. He doesn’t know what to do and he doesn’t want to drag her into the turmoil.  

Grantham is a mess and we want something to work for him. Ophelia has been through hells of her own and is strong enough to go through his, if he would just trust her. He also has a loving family and friends who would do anything, who WANT to do something. He’s hiding so many secrets (I mean, he JUST finally tells Remi about the tower).

We’ve been so caught up in those two falling in love, we haven’t paid a lot of attention on the rebellion. But it’s still going strong, as they find out when there are boos among the cheers of their loyal subjects. The guards want to remove the agitators, but Grantham refuses. He wants his people to have a voice. It still devastates him, and he walks away—you know Ophelia follows. He tells her to leave, and that he doesn’t want her, but she refuses. She holds him, and things are so terrible, it doesn’t look like anything good will come of it—the kingdom, their love.

It's about the time I stop narrating, because I don’t want to completely spoil the book. My plan is always to get you excited enough to buy the book and read it! And you should! 📕

As I said, in general, it was a pretty quick read—I actually finished all of the four books in the series in a weekend—it WAS snowing so I had a lot of free time. As I said, there were some cute parts, I laughed out loud a few times. Jess Michaels’ writing is always entertaining, though this didn’t require a lot of focus or brainpower. I liked the main characters enough to stay invested while reading—I felt sorry for Grantham with all he had going on to be king, and though I definitely didn’t love Ophelia in the previous book in this series, I started liking her in this one!

Time for the SEX-AND-SPOILERS section.

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Reminder, don’t continue if you don’t want to hear about sex and/or you don’t want to hear about the ending. Second reminder: this is an HEA, which means H (Hero) and h (heroine) are getting together before the last page. So you know it’s coming, pun intended (I will never not do this!).

Sex

Now, if you’re a Jess Michaels reader, you will know the woman can write a sex scene and there ain’t no 60% rule in her book. The first scene is when Grantham performs oral sex on Ophelia in the Throne Room. That’s no euphemism. She’s actually on the throne when he does. It’s the first time she’s ever experienced it, and clearly, he knows what he’s doing. It’s a detailed scene. But not super long.

The next scene is at about halfway point, once they’ve decided to embark upon an affair. He’s given himself over to his desire, so he’s in touch with the physical feelings he has for her. He is also slightly relieved since she’s not a virgin. I cannot blame the guy. I know virginity and the preservation of the line was historically a big deal, but that ain’t fun sex, so I have no doubt it was a relief for both of them not to have to go through all that mess. Also, I love the scene because she’s bossy and I am HERE. FOR. IT. #TeamBossyWomanButActuallyItIsJustBeingAssertiveAndKnowingWhatYouWantAndNotSettlingForAnythingElse. (Damn, you should NOT let Squirrel come up with hashtags, btw.) Anyway, this scene made me really like the characters. She’s nervous about being naked around him, which, honestly, most of us have felt one time or the other (or even many, many times). He’s not had sex with another person in two years. Okay, so there are some more parts that made me laugh, but in an utterly delightful way that doesn’t take away from the excitement or sexual tension. For instance, when he asks her if she’s ready before he pulls off his trousers and she retorts with a crack about trumpets sounding. I legit giggled. JM does not skimp on the foreplay, and her details are erotic without being gratuitous (though I am NOT against gratuitous nookie in novels; don’t think I’m badmouthing that here). JM is a master with words, so, as I said early, are not going to want to skim over anything. And reading it all allows you to see the transition from when he turns back into his King persona. Though he cannot stop thinking about what happened between them in graphic detail—okay this was a plus and I am glad she added this. Basically everyone does this and it makes the book more realistic. 👍

The next encounter is at the 62% mark, when she performs oral sex on him. She hasn’t ever done it before, so she asks him to help her learn what to do. Okay, Constant Reader, I need to come up with an oral sex description rating system, and it will probably be from 0 to Jess Michaels. Because she knows how to describe this scene. You can even giggle when he says something stupid like, “I’m going to spend” and she says, “I thought that was the point.” You giggle, but you’re right back in it when she admits she really liked doing it, and he kisses her right after. Yeah. Chef’s kiss time.😘

The second full on scene is in his bedroom—FINALLY, a bed. And finally, Grantham is all in. He’s hot and focused and letting his animal side out. Boom, he drops the mic with “I’m going to make you come, Ophelia . . . I’m going to do that over and over again until you are weak with it” (Loc. 2147). (Yeah, so do not threaten me with a good time.) And he’s doing everything this time, going down again, on the top, on the bottom, you name it. And taking his time at it! Oh, and he mentions tying her up with her stockings and when he doesn’t, we are all disappointed. Btw, JM wins the award for the most attractive description of . . . well . . . spend (you know I’m not trying to get slapped or shut down, so you know the fluids I mean 💦): “a glorious mess of pleasure and heat and connection” (Loc. 2249). I actually nodded while I was reading, and said, “Damn . . . well put.”

But wait, there’s more. (Cue my infomercial voice.) Next time is in her room, when he tells her that he’s hers. She takes charge and gives him a massage, but, say it with me folks, that old refrain is always, “I just wanted a back rub.” So yeah, it turns into more than a back rub. 😂

SPOILERS BELOW. BEWARE!

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Some spoiler-y things

I actually cannot put a lot in this section, because there is a pretty big spoiler that is important to the story and their lives. So read the book!

Final notes

I would recommend this series. It’s different than many other historical romance novels—particularly with a fictitious kingdom coexisting with England but not diverging into a fantasy realm. I REALLY liked the second and third books, and would give them 4+ out of 5 stars each. This one is nearly that good; it’s like a 3¾, but that would be way too picky so let’s round up to 4. By the way, the matriarch of the kingdom, Queen Giabella, is wonderful and I want to read a novella about her and her true love, her personal secretary Dash. A mature love story would be amazing. And . . . apparently there will be: The Queen’s Man is the fifth book and I’m preordering it as soon as I can.💕

 

❌ Mistakes (this is an ARC, so they may be fixed before official publication): Priscilla’s name is misspelled as Prisilla at Location 880.