REVIEW: Royals by Rachel Hawkins

**I received an ARC from the publisher. I was in no way compensated for this review, and these are my honest opinions.**

Royals by Rachel Hawkins

Release Date: May 1, 2018

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Summary: Meet Daisy Winters. She’s an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her to join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond.

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown–and the intriguing Miles–might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.

I've loved Rachel Hawkins for years since I read her Hex Hall series! I remember binge-reading the first two and then having to wait for the last one to come out . . . and wow that was 5 years ago. I didn't get as into her Rebel Belle series, but my love for her books returned with Royals. I love books that center on royalty, especially contemporary ones, so I was so excited for this book!

Now to start my review . . . *Stefan from Saturday Night Live voice* This book had everything:

• 👑 a fictional royal family of Scotland (that Rachel made up! and did intense world building for this fake family I love her omg)
• 👑 the younger sister of the crown prince's fiancée who is forced into the spotlight and has to learn some, uh, "proper etiquette" from . . .
• 👑 a swoonworthy love interest who is the best friend of . . .
• 👑 the hot royal trash/mess of a prince
• 👑 fake dating
• 👑 SARCASM. I love Daisy okay
• 👑 witty banter!! amazing ship!!
• 👑 guys in kilts
• 👑 did I mention fake dating

So yes, I wholeheartedly adored this book! I read it in about two sittings and only took breaks because of things like, you know, life and sleep and school and whatnot. I laughed, I teared up because of antics and cuteness, I laughed some more.

I really loved all of the characters so much, especially Daisy and Miles. Daisy's thoughts and reactions to anything are my everything honestly. MILES'S reactions to Daisy are amazing. I mean:

     "I need a list of every den of iniquity in the city of Edinburgh," I blurt out.
     Miles stares at me for a moment before blinking owlishly. "I . . . don't have a list like that?"

And, wow, I've never read a book that describes being the younger sister so well. Daisy talked about wanting to live her own life, but it's always interrupted by what Ellie wants, what Ellie does. I totally understood her mixed feelings about being in Scotland and being sucked into the royalty hole (I mean. not that I've been in this exact position, but similar-ish). The friendships as well were so good! Daisy and her best friend Isabel have such a strong relationship that's really an anchor for Daisy throughout the book. Miles and Sebastian too; it was so nice seeing how much they all care for each other.

Royals was a bundle of cuteness and sweetness and everything I needed, honestly. With a sarcastic main character and lovable characters (even the hot messes), it definitely lived up to the hype and then some. I can't wait for the next book! Look out for this one on May 1.

Here's a little picspam I made for the book! It took me forever honestly because the colors didn't match so I had to mess around with it for a while. Click for a bigger preview! (Note: Images are not mine.)

And some of the characters have Instagrams too! How cool is that? Check them out here: Sebastian's page | Flora's page | Alexander's page

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About the Author: Rachel Hawkins was a high school English teacher before becoming a full-time writer. She lives with her family in Alabama.

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