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Madam Reads- The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan aka- The Fuggirls
I love the Fuggirls, have loved them for a long time now, and following this book, I will love them for a long time to come…forever!!
The Royal We landed on my doorstep the same day I returned from a tour of Windsor Castle, on a day when the Queen was at home. How serendipitous.
Based on the romance between Kate Middleton and Prince William, the story takes place over five series, from the present to the past to the future and right back. A delightful work of fiction. Rebecca “Bex” Porter is an American student on an exchange programme to Oxford University, and who should her first encounter in Oxford be with other than Prince Nicholas Wales, heir by day, porter once a while. Its rainy, its cold, Bex turns up soaked and doesn’t even realise she is being hosted by the heir to the English throne, and subject of her twin sister’s fantasies. Friendship is inevitable. Romance, probable.
Bex is immediately inducted into a close circle of friends and royal allies, although not everyone is cool with the sudden friendship between the “crass American mess” and the heir apparent for a number of reasons; firstly, she’s an American. Secondly, she’s an American. But love knows no nationality or identity, recognises no creed or loyalties, and Bex is not prepared for any of it. Indeed she tries to fight it, but it’s a losing battle as she soon realises, and when the romance blossoms, yes I said blossoms, between these two, it’ll give you butterflies. I heard myself going “awwww” on the train a lot. (oh by the way I’ve read it three times)
Love regardless, for most of the story Bex is at cross roads, she finds herself in situations that ultimately make her question whether Nick and his royal highness baggage is worth the sacrifices she has to make, to be with him, sacrifices that will essentially strip her of her identity literally and figuratively speaking, sacrifices that could lead to a future she never in her wildest dream imagined. Its not a question of the crown at stake, its a question of her heart and how much it will take. Love. Its a bitch.
Nick on the other hand is being pulled by different parties to make a decision on his life, his future, career etc. throw in a shady father, no nonsense grandma, the Queen, and a palace full of secrets, the strain is on, the pressure unbearable, and for once he would like to do something for himself without compromising his love. I enjoyed his character, getting know him beyond the façade he puts up for the world. I wonder if Wills really is like this.
Its a lovely story, with a lot of meat to the bones. Bex is a mess, I love the fact that she is not clean cut and goodie-goodie, she has foibles and is unafraid, she is fiercely loyal and protective, but likes to dance around the edges of the box, sometimes go outside of it. I love her relationship with her parents, especially her father, he guides her through the fog, reminding her who she is and where she comes from. Lacey, her twin sister, is a different kettle of fish; I really don’t like her, and I almost always wanted to punch her; she’s obnoxious and disloyal, and needy and my word she has a nerve and a half. Freddie, modelled after bonny Prince Harry, is ginger and fun loving, with a penchant for wild and fast times, but he uses a lot of his cheek to disguise the layers of uncertainty and insecurities that lies beneath.
Lies and secrets unfold, scandal is brewing and scandalous truths are lurking, and the press is closing in. How will they weather the storm that threatens the core of this beloved monarchy?
Heather and Jessica carry us along on this journey, making sure we aren’t left behind in any parts, and each part holds its own within the story, gearing us up for the coming series. From the beginning we are at the “gotcha!” They give an insight into the monarchy, quirks and protocol, with scenarios that cannot be far from reality, I would imagine. The story develops at a smooth pace, the ups, the downs, the back and forth, a series of rapid drama unfolding, leading us to an unexpected ending. That’s what I loved the most about this book, besides the story, its the unexpected yet perfect ending; that is the best gift you can give a bookworm, the pleasure of the unexpected. This story was thoroughly, throughly enchanting.