Her Royal Highness (Royals Book 2)

I enjoyed this book a good deal. It was fast, fun, and fluffy. I felt that the diverse representation of LGBTQIA+ characters was done well, without being stereotypical or clearly just trying to earn the title of a diverse book.While it was an enjoyable, binge-in-one-day read, it isn't the strongest, most developed romance I've read. Given that the main character has been close with her friends back in Texas since before grade school, apparently, it seemed odd to let the characters drop off completely by a third of the way through the novel.There were also some plot points in the book that never got resolved or happened "off-screen," that the novel would've benefited from having shown.Finally, I felt that the novel's pacing was a little inconsistent, with the narrative taking its time to unfold and introduce you to the characters at the beginning and shifting into high gear after the setting changes, even though this portion could've used an equally paced exposition. I think this pacing issue came down to relying a little too much on telling (through dialogue or internal stream of consciousness) instead of showing. Having maybe 50 more pages in the book would've given it the space it needed to really create well-rounded, reoccurring characters, making the novel more believable as a slice out of someone's intricate life.There were also a few things that I really loved about the book. I loved that the main character is unsure of who she is but isn't all consumed by it and is just slowly finding her way, which is a perspective not often found in YA. Usually an insecure character is angsty beyond reason, but Amelia/Millie had a great balance of nervousness and unabashed passion for what she likes, like studying hard and geology.I also loved that the book was in first person and was told in a stream of consciousness way, making you feel closer to the MC and privvy to her changing thoughts about those around her, including her love interest.I additionally enjoyed the snippets from the tabloid magazines between each chapter, as I thought it was a creative way to move the plot forward and give different perspectives. I wished it would've been flushed out a little more as it could've provide a better connection to her old friends in Texas. I also would've liked a resolution to the tabloid's insider source (which continued after the supposed guilty party was caught?).Overall, it was an enjoyable, fast, cute read. Perfect both for sunny summer days or for cloudy, rainy days (as it fits the Scotland mood perfectly). The romance progressed a little fast from hate to love and felt more insta-lovey, but it was still sweet.

Well, maybe it was me who was prejudiced about the plot line, but it was very tightly constructed. I kept thinking put Alfred Hitchcock's line, "Put an ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances." The author puts an ordinary girl in an extraordinary circumstance and it works well. Plus, the bonus for me is that the MC was more like me than almost any character in a story I've read. She kept doing things that left me thinking, "Of course. Exactly." Strangely, I misinterpreted what happened at the climax of the book and I can't wait to go back and see what I missed. Yes, it's that good that I assume that am just obtuse and missed the point, not that there is some annoying hole in the book. Yes, I know what I missed, when I think about it, but I'm looking forward to the second read through to feel it play out. The reader for the audio book is excellent. I think American, because she didn't botch the Texas accent. Her Scot's accents are very very good, at least for an American's ear.

This book was EVERYTHING. I crave books like this where it’s a light and fun rom com with nothing too sad and tragic happening. I finished it in a few hours because I was hooked and needed to know what happened. I haven’t seen these beloved tropes done with queer characters often and I hope we see more in the future.

Loved this read, wish it could have gone on further and would LOVE to see what happens next between Millie and Flora (and the rest of the whole gang). The first few chapters are all about setting up the foundation of who Millie is and how different boarding school life is for her. And, of course, the seed of her anxiety about having feelings for someone so completely unavailable...or is she? At the same time, Flora is well developed, which isn't always easy to do in a first-person narrative where we're privy to the lead's inner dialogue but are left to guess for the love interest. Here we can track Flora's feelings in a believable way that intrigues. But it would be fun if there *is* a next book that it could be told from Flora's POV.

Bought this book to read on the beach and flew through it in 2.5 days. I loved the tension between Flora and Millie that builds up throughout the book. The characters are interesting and the plot was fun. It's a great queer girl romance book that will leave you wanting more. It was such a relief to read a contemporary romantic story that isn't about straight people. My only negative feedback is that it could have been gayer, and it ended too soon.

While this book is definitely not going to be the next great American novel, it is a cute read. The only thing missing was one final chapter. A few pages from the royal wedding reception, or a royal visit to Texas. I would have even settled for a another excerpt from the tabloids, about the new royal couple being sickeningly mostly together.

Rachel Hawkins is not stranger to writing queer characters, she in fact wrote the books that had my first encounter with a lesbian (my mother was still in the closet at that time, as were all my friends and myself) Jenna from Hex Hall (which is also a great read and if you want to give your child a harry potter replacement it could be it). I read those books in the sixth grade, they where all published.While I'll never be certain, the me who went through 7 additional years without finding (though in some of those years I was not reading as much as I did in the sixith grade) a story about a girl falling in love with another girl, a lot of pain could have been avoided if this book had been right by the hex hall trilogy.

It's refreshing to see a YA royal rom-com that breaks the norms and focuses on a couple of girls falling in like/love.With Hawkins' signature humor and love of All Things Scottish, it's a delight!

This was such an easy read that I ended up devouring it in one go. Who wouldn’t, when the world is exploding and there’s fluffy f/f romance to bury ourselves in? The plot was simple and that was fine, because the focus was definitely on character and relationship development, which worked really well for me. This was sold to me as rivals-to-friends-to-lovers and that was exactly the arc we took. I was really pleased when the rivals-to-friends section wasn’t hurried for the sake of romance. We got to see Flora and Millie at each other’s throats in that catty way that only teenage girls at school can manage before their relationship developed in a way that felt very natural, with a slow climb from rivals to friends and an unexpected sudden slide into love. I also liked that there were reasons for the rivalry put in place that made sense, explained Flora’s behaviour and weren’t just disappeared for the sake of romance.All of the relationships in the book were equally satisfying and solid. Millie isn’t running away from a problem family, she’s got a family and support system that she loves. Flora and her brother have a strong, loving relationship that leads to them supporting each other rather than fighting. I just love to read about characters with healthy families behind them – long gone is the YA trope of getting the family out of the way and forgetting about them. The friendships in the book were equally satisfying and I loved Millie’s relationship with Lee, Saks and Perry. They’re wholesome, supportive friends, and I was feeling warm and fluffy the whole time I was reading. My only real criticism is that the ending felt a little rushed, and I desperately wanted to read about Flora meeting Millie’s family and friends. At least there was one single fanfiction waiting to scratch that itch.

Absolutely brilliant read about two women finding love, it really was totally cliché and I loved it.Exactly the book I would have wanted when I was 16, and even years later it doesn't disappoint.The gay does not lack or disappoint.

I read this in one go, because I just couldn’t put it down. Rachel has a real way with writing characters, and Millie, Saks, Perry etc are brilliant additions to her Royals universe. It made me laugh, even made me cry a bit, and the ending was PERFECT.Really hoping there’s a Royals #3 in the works...

Personally the book felt very slow and I didn't get into it until about halfway through. Even then it wasn't a particularly satisfying story. There were basically 4 or 5 scenes that had me really enjoying the book but the rest just didn't do it for me.

This is one of the cutest books I've ever read and then there's the angst.