Royally Arranged by Kate O'Keeffe: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

This arranged marriage was meant to save a monarchy. Falling in love was never part of the deal.

In 1992, I agree to marry Prince Frederic of Ledonia. It’s for duty, stability, the very survival of the monarchy.

Not romance.

It should be simple. Except nothing about Frederic feels simple. He’s controlled, reserved, known across Europe as the "Ice Prince". He's all sharp edges and cold silences, a grumpy heir raised to believe feelings are liabilities.

And I’m the last woman he would ever have chosen.

I laugh too loudly. I dance in the rain. I tell goat jokes to diplomats.

But now, my role is clear: smile for the cameras, don’t embarrass the Crown, and never forget this is an arrangement. But sometimes I catch Frederic looking at me like I’m not a duty, and when he takes my hand for the press, his grip tightens, as if letting go might cost him more than the Crown.

This royal "showmance" was never meant to be real, but if I’m going to marry a prince carved from marble, I’m determined to find the heartbeat beneath the crown. Even if it means risking my own.

The Author

USA Today bestselling author Kate O'Keeffe writes exactly what she loves to read: laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with swoon-worthy heroes and gorgeous feel-good happily ever afters. She lives and loves in beautiful Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, with her family and two scruffy dogs. When she's not penning her latest story, Kate can be found hiking up hills (slowly), traveling to different countries, and eating chocolate. A lot of it.

Book Review

For those of us who have read the Royally Kissed series, we already know a little bit about King Frederic and Queen Astrid of Ledonia (they are the parents of the royal siblings that this series follows). So, a trip back to 1992 to see how their love story started!? Yes, please! Honestly, this was the prequel that I didn't know that I needed... and I absolutely loved it! Frederic was exactly what you might expect from a future king... very proper and by the book. Astrid was his exact opposite, full of life and more of a free spirit. I loved how perfectly they balanced each other out, and how she brought out a different side of him just by being herself. Truly, it was impossible not to love these two. And having read the rest of the series already, it was also fun to see where each of their children got parts of their personalities. (But don't worry if you haven't read the other books! While I definitely think those who have will love seeing where it all began, I do think you could still enjoy this one just fine as a standalone.) If you love stories with Princess Diaries vibes, arranged marriages, opposites attract and some great 90s references too, this is one not to be missed. 

Royally Arranged is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. 


You can purchase the series here: https://amzn.to/4rb3qjc