A Bravo Christmas Wedding - Christine Rimmer (HSE #2372 - Dec 2014)

Series: Bravo Royales (Book 9)

LOVE ON THE RANGE?

Princess Aurora Bravo-Calabretti is wishing for a mountain man this Christmas! But her most unroyal crush -- rancher Walker McKellan -- insists that they remain "just friends." Now he's her round-the-clock bodyguard while she is the maid of honor at her cousin's holiday wedding. Rory can't resist this Colorado cowboy…but she wishes she was walking down the aisle to meet Walker at the altar!

Both the best man to the groom and Rory's bodyguard, Walker can't shake his charge. As he begins to see Rory in a different light, a surprise snowstorm strands him with his princess…and sparks ignite into a holiday love affair! Can their Christmas passion blossom into a very Bravo happily-ever-after?

Wonderful conclusion to this fun series. Rory has gone to Colorado to be the maid of honor at her cousin's wedding. She's met by Walker, a man that's been a friend to her and her family for several years, and who she's cared for just as long. She thought she'd finally convinced her parents that she no longer needed a bodyguard, only to discover that Walker would be serving in that capacity during her stay. 

Walker didn't mind pulling bodyguard duty until he suddenly started seeing Rory as more than just a friend. Now he's fighting those feelings with everything he has. He feels that there are a couple things working against him having a relationship with Rory. First and foremost, she's a princess and he's just an ordinary guy. Second, he's been married once and it didn't work out. He had fallen hard for his ex and recovering from the hurt she inflicted had been difficult. He's just not willing to risk it again.

I loved seeing Rory and Walker together. They had been friends for a long time so there's plenty of history between them. It was fun to see him deal with her bad mood when she first arrived. He knew just what to say and do to snap her out of it. Rory had loved him for years, and had even made a move on him a few years earlier and had suffered from his rejection. She had resigned herself to being friends only, until she sensed that he was finally looking at her as a woman. Now she feels as though she has a chance at the life she really wants. I loved watching her show Walker how much she loves the ranch and the town, and that she isn't anything like his ex. Meanwhile Walker is trying desperately not to think of her as anything but a friend, and not being very successful at it. When that first kiss finally happens, he's overwhelmed with the way it makes him feel, but still refuses to accept the fact that he can have it all. Even though they have some scorching hot times together, Walker continues to insist that love is not in the cards for him.

His misery when Rory leaves to go back home is well deserved. I loved the lecture he got from his brother and how he starts to see what an idiot he was. I loved the ending and the way he surprised Rory, especially as he finally admitted his feelings. The epilogue was fantastic, showing them taking the time together to really get to know each other as more than friends.

The Earl's Pregnant Bride - Christine Rimmer (HSE #2360 - Oct 2014)

Series: Bravo Royales (Book 8)

THE STICK TURNED (ROYAL) BLUE…

And now the princess is in a pickle. Because the night that Genevra Bravo-Calabretti and the new Earl of Hartmore, Rafael DeValery, turned to each other, it was for comfort upon the death of his brother -- the man who was about to propose to Genny. It was not supposed to change their lives forever.

But it had. For Rafe, it cemented his awareness that he'd been in love with Genevra since forever. And for Genny, it made her realize that Rafe was not the second-chance brother, but the one who'd held her heart all along…now all she had to do was convince him of that. Hopefully before the new heir(ess?) to the estate arrived…

Very good book with a friends to lovers theme. Rafe and Genny's attempts to comfort each other over his brother Edward's death had turned physical and passionate. Now Genny's pregnant and Rafe insists that they marry. They've been friends a long time and marrying is no hardship for either. There's also this new and intense attraction between them.

I loved the obvious affection they had for each other, even though neither would speak of love. Rafe already knew that he was in love with her, but he was afraid to tell her. He has secrets about the night he and his brother were in that deadly car accident and he knows if he confesses his love he's going to have to tell her all. He is afraid that she would reject his love if she knew, so he keeps quiet and tries to be satisfied with what he has. He certainly can't complain about the passion between them. I really liked the way he showed how much he cared, involving Genny in the work on the estate and showing her how special she is. It takes a scare with Genny disappearing for him to take his courage in hand and risk it all.

Genny didn't start out knowing she was in love with Rafe. Her intention had always been to marry Edward, because Hartmore would be his. She had convinced herself she was in love with him. It wasn't until after his death and her marriage to Rafe that she realized the truth of her feelings. But she too hesitates to declare her feelings, because she doesn't feel like she's good enough for him. Genny looks at her sisters and sees beautiful and accomplished women and feels that she has nothing worthwhile to offer anyone. Even in college all her interests led back to caring for Hartmore. Her insecurities show up several times when dealing with other women at the estate. I really liked seeing the changes she goes through as she overcomes those feelings with Rafe's attentions.

The secondary characters in the book are all wonderfully done, with each having their own purpose in the story. I especially loved Rafe's grandmother and her way handling all the crises. Young Geoffrey was also a favorite with his clear adoration of his Uncle Rafe and Genny and theirs for him. Though he could have come across spoiled because of his occasional tantrums, they were obviously the result of the stresses he was under. His mother Brooke was one character that was hard to take. She came across as pretty much of a selfish bitch, not seeming to care what her son really needed. I was glad to see her redeem herself in the end. The other two women, Fiona and Melinda, were definitely characters that were unlikable. I detested Fiona's attitude toward her children and her marriage, and some of the things she said to Genny were terrible. Melinda came across as so sweet, but Genny was great at seeing through her. I loved seeing Genny warn Rafe to watch out for her, but typical man he didn't believe her until it was too late. The kitchen scene was great and I loved seeing it unfold. Genny's part was wonderful.

The Prince's Cinderella Bride - Christine Rimmer (HSE#2329 - May 2014)

Series: Bravo Royales (Book 7)

From Texas nanny…to palace princess!

It should never have happened -- the night of forbidden magic that turned Lani Vasquez and Prince Maximilian Bravo-Calabretti into lovers. After all, Lani knew all too well that an affair between a lowly nanny and the heir to the throne could only end in heartbreak -- her own. Which was why she had to end it before she lost her herself completely…

His New Year's Eve with Lani had rocked Max's world -- and now the Texas beauty wanted to be just friends? The single father had sworn he'd never marry again, but Lani had charmed his children and awakened his guarded heart. Will the prince catch his Cinderella before the clock strikes midnight?

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Bravo Royales series so far and have been anxiously awaiting Max's story. I was not disappointed. The emotional journey had me going through quite a few tissues. Lani is the nanny for Max's niece and nephew by day and a budding novelist in the evenings. Over the previous year she and Max have become friends as they bonded over their love of Montedoran history. On New Year's Eve that friendship took an unexpected turn when they shared a passionate night together. But Lani knows nothing can come of it and tries to pull back before either of them get hurt.

Max's night with Lani has rocked his world. He has kept himself emotionally distant for so long that being with her makes him happy, but also makes him very nervous. He has sworn that he will never marry again. While the world saw his marriage as a fairy tale, it had problems that Max doesn't want to risk again. When Lani pulls back after their night together, Max is determined that they will continue their relationship, but he wants to make sure it is clear what his terms are. I liked the patience that he showed in reining back on the physical relationship and going back to their friendship until she was more comfortable. He was sensitive enough to know that there was something bothering her at the beginning. I loved his support of her and the way that he didn't judge her about the things in her past. I really liked seeing him make her part of his everyday life, including being with his children and the rest of his family. He could see how perfect she was for him and his family, but he couldn't bring himself to think in terms of commitment. Even when he opens up to Lani about his marriage his fears won't let him take that final step. It made me hurt for him to see Max let Lani go when he can't give her what she wants and deserves. I loved seeing how it was his son who showed him what a difference Lani has made in his life and starts Max's final journey to letting go of the past and embracing the future.

Lani has had her own issues from the past to deal with. After making some poor choices at the age of eighteen that had a great impact on her self worth and her relationship with her family, she is finally beginning to be happy with her life. She loves caring for her friend Sydney's children, adores living in Montedoro, and is pursuing her dream of being a writer. She has enjoyed her friendship with Max and regrets the events of New Year's Eve. She wants to go back to the comfortable friendship they had but Max is resisting the idea. Her first objection that she works for his family is overcome when she is able to quit and write full time. Her second objection, the secrets of her past, doesn't faze him at all when she finally has the courage to tell him all. She knows of his decision never to marry again, which doesn't bother her as she doesn't plan to marry either. I loved seeing the happiness she and Max had together, both by themselves and with his children. His respect for her and his lack of judgement about her past goes a long way toward healing her heart. Their relationship changes the way she looks at things and she starts to wish for a real future with Max. She realizes that she's in love with him, but fears telling him because she knows it will change things. But those same changes make her realize that she deserves more than Max is offering, and though it breaks her heart she stands firm when she tells him so. I was so happy to see the way she had grown stronger in her belief in herself and how it paid off for her at the end.

I also loved the big part that family played in the story. Lani's relationship with her family had been so strained because of her past actions. Thanks to her relationship with Max she was finally able to overcome those problems and see that the love had always been there. It was fun watching them with Max and seeing them try to push him toward commitment. And I loved the closeness of the whole Bravo-Calabretti family. It was so much fun seeing them act like normal people. I really enjoyed the scenes with the kids, from Nick's complaints about the family breakfasts and dealing with his little sister to Lani and Max coping with Connie's upset stomach. I loved seeing Max as a normal dad rather than just a royal prince. One of the best parts was seeing Max's mom listen to Lani tell her about her past and be just as wonderful as Max about it. And then later telling Max to put his pride aside and let himself be happy. It's easy to see why she's such a wonderful queen and mother.