The Royals Next Door

May 1, 2021

When word spreads across insular Salt Spring Island that British royalty are looking to rent the mansion next door to Piper Evans's house, Piper's private life suddenly becomes extremely public. She has enough on her plate, between caring for her mother, working through her own trauma, prepping for the coming school year, and putting together her romance podcast. She doesn't have time to deal with with Harrison Cole, the royal couple's extremely hot and serious bodyguard, who is determined to ensure that Piper and her mother follow protocol. With Harrison making regular appearances in her life, Piper begins to understand that there's an exceedingly kind and complicated man underneath his stern exterior, and she can't deny their chemistry. When it becomes clear that Harrison has similar feelings, a simple crush blows up into a complicated bond that could lead to a royal incident if they aren't careful. Both Harrison and Piper will have to tear down their secluded worlds to make their summer fling into something more. VERDICT Halle (A Nordic King) delivers a romance brimming with tension and fun, while putting mental health and trauma recovery at its center.--Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash

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June 14, 2021
This lighthearted romance from Halle (Bright Midnight) imagines the life of the civilian neighbor to a Prince Harry and Meghan Markle–inspired royal couple. Elementary school teacher Piper Evans has her hands full with work, an obnoxious and hard-to-avoid ex, and her mother, who has dependent and borderline personality disorders. She has no time for the rumors that British Prince Eddie and his glamorous African American wife, Monica Red, are moving to her small British Columbia island—until they and their entourage rent the house adjacent to hers. Most intriguing is Harrison Cole, the royal couple’s handsome, hard-ass bodyguard. Harrison is dedicated to his job and determined not to let his attraction to scatterbrained Piper distract him from his duty, but Piper, needing an outlet for all the pent-up angst in her life, meets his stern attitude with plenty of sass, and sparks fly. When the paparazzi catch wind of their relationship, Piper and Harrison become front-page news, jeopardizing Piper’s mother’s well-being and both of their careers. The improbable premise offers plenty of wish fulfilment, though the fun is somewhat marred by the handling of Piper’s mother’s mental illnesses, which are filtered through the burden they place on Piper. Still, the sparkling love story will appeal to fans of Jasmine Guillory. Agent: Taylor Haggerty, Root Literary.

August 1, 2021
British royalty, with similarities to Harry and Meghan, and their hot bodyguard move into the mansion next door to schoolteacher and secret romance novel podcaster Piper Evans. On this small island in British Columbia, Piper shares her tiny home with her mother, who is coping with mental illness. Piper discovers that her new royal neighbors are actually quite friendly, but it's the brooding, tattooed bodyguard, Harrison Cole, she can't stop thinking about. As she teases out the sweetness beneath his tough exterior, she becomes enamored, but paparazzi linger nearby, always waiting for any whiff of scandal. Piper's sassy, fun personality shines in Halle's romcom, and the heat level rises pleasingly in the latter half. The open talk about mental illness and therapy is refreshing, though it can feel a bit too defining for Piper's mom, and is nearly a plot device. Just the same, Harrison is a swoon-worthy hero, and Piper's finding confidence and speaking up for herself are enchanting. A charming, sexy, and fun read.

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