A New York Times Books Review Best Romances of 2023 pick
Following Battle Royal, beloved author Lucy Parker pens another delicious romantic comedy about a fake relationship between a grumpy royal bodyguard and the charming, sunny assistant who melts his cold, hard exterior.
Petunia De Vere enjoys being the personal assistant to lovable, bumbling Johnny Marchmont. But the job has its share of challenges, including the royal’s giant, intimidating bodyguard, Matthias. Pet and Matthias are polar opposites—she’s spontaneous and enthusiastic, he’s rigid and stoic—but she can sense there’s something softer underneath that tough exterior…
For Matthias Vaughn, protecting others is the name of the game. But keeping his royal charge out of trouble is more difficult than he imagined because everywhere Johnny goes, calamity ensues, and his petite, bubbly assistant is often caught in the fray. Matthias hates the idea of Pet getting hurt and he’s determined to keep everyone safe, even if it means clashing with his adorable new coworker.
When a clumsy moment leads to a questionable tabloid photo, the press begins to speculate that Pet is romantically involved with Johnny. To put an end to the rumors, the royal PR team asks Pet and Matthias to stage a fake relationship and the two reluctantly agree. But as they spend more time together outside of work, they begin to wonder what real emotions this pretend connection might uncover. Especially when a passionate kiss leaves both of their heads spinning…
Genre: Romance
Following Battle Royal, beloved author Lucy Parker pens another delicious romantic comedy about a fake relationship between a grumpy royal bodyguard and the charming, sunny assistant who melts his cold, hard exterior.
Petunia De Vere enjoys being the personal assistant to lovable, bumbling Johnny Marchmont. But the job has its share of challenges, including the royal’s giant, intimidating bodyguard, Matthias. Pet and Matthias are polar opposites—she’s spontaneous and enthusiastic, he’s rigid and stoic—but she can sense there’s something softer underneath that tough exterior…
For Matthias Vaughn, protecting others is the name of the game. But keeping his royal charge out of trouble is more difficult than he imagined because everywhere Johnny goes, calamity ensues, and his petite, bubbly assistant is often caught in the fray. Matthias hates the idea of Pet getting hurt and he’s determined to keep everyone safe, even if it means clashing with his adorable new coworker.
When a clumsy moment leads to a questionable tabloid photo, the press begins to speculate that Pet is romantically involved with Johnny. To put an end to the rumors, the royal PR team asks Pet and Matthias to stage a fake relationship and the two reluctantly agree. But as they spend more time together outside of work, they begin to wonder what real emotions this pretend connection might uncover. Especially when a passionate kiss leaves both of their heads spinning…
Genre: Romance
Praise for this book
"Lucy Parker writes deliciously fun enemies-to-lovers perfection!" - Tessa Bailey
"There are so many things to love about this book! Its wit and warmth; the deft way Parker weaves in a Great British Bake Off-like competition; the scintillating royal secrets. But my favorite by far was watching the icy hero melt into a puddle at his sunshine heroine's feet. Battle Royal is the perfect reading-slump buster, and once again proves why Lucy Parker is the Queen of the Grump." - Therese Beharrie
"Delightful, funny, romantic, and surprisingly emotional, Battle Royal is Lucy Parker at her best. A wonderful must read romance that I could not put down." - Kristen Callihan
"Lucy Parker's books are marvels of wit and warmth and empathy, and Battle Royal is no exception. It's as delicious as the cakes baked by Sylvie and Dominic, from first page to last. I swooned, laughed, wept, and loved the story wholeheartedly, and I can't wait to reread it ASAP." - Olivia Dade
"As magical as it's heroine's confectionary creations, Battle Royal is absolutely enchanting. Lucy Parker is the Michelangelo of grumpy + sunshine. I gobbled this book up!" - Rosie Danan
"Battle Royal is Lucy Parker at her best! This book is the coziness of your favorite baking competition show with the snipe and spark of a great enemies to lovers romance. Try and have a snack handy while you're reading this one ... you will get hungry from all the delicious descriptions while Dominic and Sylvie bake, banter, and fall in love." - Jen DeLuca
"Lucy Parker's Battle Royal won my heart with its effortless effervescence and deep notes of aching poignancy. I adored this tale of rival bakers who forge an unexpected connection while vying for a royal commission." - Ruby Lang
"There are so many things to love about this book! Its wit and warmth; the deft way Parker weaves in a Great British Bake Off-like competition; the scintillating royal secrets. But my favorite by far was watching the icy hero melt into a puddle at his sunshine heroine's feet. Battle Royal is the perfect reading-slump buster, and once again proves why Lucy Parker is the Queen of the Grump." - Therese Beharrie
"Delightful, funny, romantic, and surprisingly emotional, Battle Royal is Lucy Parker at her best. A wonderful must read romance that I could not put down." - Kristen Callihan
"Lucy Parker's books are marvels of wit and warmth and empathy, and Battle Royal is no exception. It's as delicious as the cakes baked by Sylvie and Dominic, from first page to last. I swooned, laughed, wept, and loved the story wholeheartedly, and I can't wait to reread it ASAP." - Olivia Dade
"As magical as it's heroine's confectionary creations, Battle Royal is absolutely enchanting. Lucy Parker is the Michelangelo of grumpy + sunshine. I gobbled this book up!" - Rosie Danan
"Battle Royal is Lucy Parker at her best! This book is the coziness of your favorite baking competition show with the snipe and spark of a great enemies to lovers romance. Try and have a snack handy while you're reading this one ... you will get hungry from all the delicious descriptions while Dominic and Sylvie bake, banter, and fall in love." - Jen DeLuca
"Lucy Parker's Battle Royal won my heart with its effortless effervescence and deep notes of aching poignancy. I adored this tale of rival bakers who forge an unexpected connection while vying for a royal commission." - Ruby Lang
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