Now that I'm concurrently reading four books I'm dying to be reading, I'm really confused by myself and why I read this all the way through. There were just many parts that weren't necessarily realistic--The instalove, whyyyy, the impassioned speech at the end that, while lovely and inspiring, was totally out of character and had no precedence--and a lot of fluff. Nice, but not particularly riveting. ( )

Super cute, I loved all the characters. ( )

The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle is a 2021 Berkley publication.

Piper Evans is a schoolteacher living with her mom who has some mental health concerns. She’s quiet, a little removed from the community after a public breakup with her fiancé. Her world is turned upside down when a pair of British royals move onto the adjacent property.

The first problem Piper encountered is the royal couple’s bodyguard, Harrison Cole. Harrison takes his job very seriously and considers Piper and her mother possible security threats.

Piper encounters Harrison on a regular basis and must tamp down on her attraction to him. She knows she must be careful around him because he is the type of guy she apparently has a weakness for- which nearly always leads to trouble…

What a cute story!

Obviously, the royal couple depicted in the story is based on Harry and Meghan which is going to appeal to royal watchers for sure. But, while the royal couple is an asset to the story, the primary focus is on Piper and Harrison. Both these characters are funny, and I loved, loved, loved the chemistry between them.

The author does call some attention to mental health and personality disorders, which is a part of life for many, but it is incorporated into the story without being heavy handed.

I also loved Piper’s love of romance novels and that she had podcast dedicated to them. I also loved her speech about romance novels and am in 100 percent agreement. Go Piper!!

This is my first book by this author, and I really enjoyed it. I thought it was poignant at times, but mostly it’s a funny, light, feel-good story that also reminds me of why I love romance novels too, and why I’m better off for it.

Yes, I too have been on the receiving end of the ‘judgement brigade”- but they should read this book and let Piper set them straight because she said it much more eloquently than I could.

Overall, entertaining and very enjoyable! I will definitely read this author again!

4+ stars ( )

I truly enjoyed this book. I get turned by some cotemporary romance; too much explicit sex (some is OK) or dumb characters or too ridiculous of a plot. But his one hit all the right notes -- good people, good world building, the right amount of sex, romance, angst and problems. I want to read more by this author.!! ( )

Schoolteacher, Piper Evans, has been living her low-key life, while taking care of her mother, who is living with mental illness. When Piper notices activity at the house next door, she thinks nothing of it because it is often rented out for periods of time. It isn't until she is confronted by Harrison Cole, the bodyguard to the famous royals, Prince Edward and Monica, that Piper realizes her life is about to change in several ways. Harrison finds Piper funny and is immediately drawn to her, but with his past and his current responsibilities, he knows that a relationship with her can go nowhere. Piper and Harrison bring out the best in one another so denying their feelings isn't really an option.

The Royals Next Door is a fun romance that parallels some of the recent headlines regarding the British Royal Family. Piper is a quirky protagonist, who learns to deal with her insecurities, and Harrison is a man who learns that a person's past doesn't dictate his future. As cute as this story is, the problems are solved a bit too quickly and easily including those involving Piper's mother, and some of the dialogue comes off a little preachy. Overall, though, The Royals Next Door is a very enjoyable book with positive mental health representation and a satisfying conclusion. ( )