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Smiling Shelves

Why The Royal We is More than Will & Kate the Remix

7/30/2015

4 Comments

 
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I have no problem admitting that I am an Anglophile. I've been to England four times. I would probably move there if I could. And yes, I loved the fairy-tale wedding of Will and Kate. And I will look at pictures of their adorable children any day.

So when The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan crossed my radar, it immediately went on my TBR list. I'm really not much of a sappy romantic, but didn't every little girl dream about getting swept away by a prince at some point?

The Royal We pleasantly surprised me, though, in being so much more than fairy-tale romance. It's understandably being linked to Will & Kate a lot, but it is much more than thinly veiled fan fiction. Here's why:

1. There are characters that make mistakes. I know it's part of being the royal family and all, but don't they always seem so perfect? Like they can never do anything wrong, although we all know better. Nick and Bex are clearly fallible humans just like us, complete with plenty of bad choices.

2. We see the good and the bad. The romantic moments and the fights. The confessions of love and the break-ups. This is not just a story about two people falling in love. This is the story of a relationship and what it takes to make that work.

3. We get a taste of what goes into making someone the picture-perfect princess. And what a sacrifice that must be for everyone who lives in the spotlight like that.
This book is much more than Cinderella meets the prince. It's even a lot more than Kate Middleton meets the prince. If you're looking for a book about a relationship, not just a love story, then this is the one.
4 Comments
Kate @ Mom's Radius link
7/31/2015 03:06:05 am

Great review! This book is already on my TBR list, but I'm more anxious to read it now. I'm not that into the real life royals, but I do love realistic relationships.

Reply
Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
8/2/2015 10:39:46 am

It really does give you a good look at a realistic relationship (despite the whole marrying-into-the-royal-family not being all that realistic. . .)

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Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness) link
8/2/2015 06:50:19 am

I'm not a huge Will/Kate fangirl, but I am super intrigued by the idea of a "commoner" making her way into the royal family. And I totally loved this book because that's a lot of what it was about. Plus, sarcastic and funny and just a great read. Great review!

Reply
Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
8/2/2015 10:41:57 am

That was always a dream of a mine as a kid - the prince would be in a parade and spot me in the crowd and sweep me away. :) That's probably partly why I loved this book so much. And the sarcasm just made it that much better!

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    My name is Julie, and I own a lot of books. As in, they are stacked on the floor because I've run out of room on the shelves. And those shelves? There are so many books on them that they smile -- not sag; smile. This blog will cover book reviews and all manner of other bookish things.

    You can contact me at julie@smilingshelves.com.

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