Tabs’ review of Carrying The King’s Pride (Crowns & Kingdoms, Book 1) by Jennifer Hayward
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Presents 01 Mar 16
Harlequin Presents are my go-to reads when I’m seriously stressed out or need a slump-breaker. They’re fast paced, filled with drama and over-the-top alpha males, and are usually just what the doctor ordered for me. My favorites, though, are the ones with heroines who do not put up with the hero’s bullshit. It feels like this has been on trend lately for a lot of the HP authors I prefer and I’m a huge fan of it. Call them on their shit, ladies! It’s delightful! This latest by Jennifer Hayward is totally in line with that trend and I thoroughly loved it.
Sofia and Nik have been in a no-strings relationship for a while and the sex is totally hot, but Sofia can feel herself just starting to have feelings for Nik and doesn’t want to wait around for him to grow bored and break up with her. So she pulls the trigger herself, they have some smoking goodbye sex, and then go their separate ways. Complications ensue on two separate fronts when tragedy strikes and Nik has to go home and take the crown he never thought he’d have to bare, while Sophia discovers that one reckless move resulted in some unplanned baby-making.
I really, really love the sex in this book. First, I truly love that Sophia is sexually aggressive and instigates sex on more than one occasion. There’s a lusty beej in chapter 2! I cheered so hard. Second, the sex is only of the “enthusiastic consent” kind. Nik totally tries that standard-HP-hero “your mouth says no but your body says yes” bullshit, but Sophia shuts that shit down. She refuses to sleep with someone who doesn’t respect her and she sticks to her guns on that. You go, Sophia!
On an entirely non-sexy front, I also really like how rulership of a country is portrayed in this book. Princes and kings are a dime a dozen in HPs, but they rarely do anything that involves the actual work that comes with those titles. In this book, Nik is having trouble with a neighboring country. He has to strategize. He has to hold peace talks and negotiate. He has to perform actual commander-in-chief duties and it’s not easy.
Basically, I loved the hell out of this book. I loved the no-nonsense heroine who demands to be treated with respect. I found the political plot genuinely intriguing. The hero was a real jerkface, but he had to genuinely change and get over himself to get his HEA. So the romance totally worked for me. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. My body is ready, Jennifer Hayward! Please and thank you!
Grade: A
Summary:
One last New York night with Sofia Ramirez is all Prince Nikandros Constantinides allowed himself before returning to Akathinia, after a dreadful accident took his brother’s life. But before the royal rebel is crowned, Nik discovers that he didn’t leave Sofia behind alone!
In a baby’s heartbeat, Nik turns Sofia’s world upside down and whisks her away to his Mediterranean kingdom. Dissolving a politically perfect engagement is not what Nik—or his country—had in mind, but this proud prince will do whatever it takes to legitimize his new rule…with a wife and child!
Other books in this series:
