Reign: a modern royalty romance

Reign by Roxie Noir is a modern royalty romance. Prince Kostya of Sveloria has his life mapped out: obey his father, marry an appropriate woman and take the throne. It’s the least he can do to serve his people well after decades of political turmoil. Then he meets Hazel Sung, the daughter of the US Ambassador and a hot mess. After dropping out of medical school, she has been backpacking through Europe before joining her parents in Sveloria. When their first meeting was a disaster and her welcome banquet doesn’t go well either, Hazel just wants to keep a low profile. After an accidental late night meeting on the castle ramparts, Kostya finds himself wanting to spend more time with her and willing to break every rule he knows. With the crown on the line, will Kostya choose his country or his heart? 

I usually don’t read modern royalty romance but I was intrigued by the premise. However, from the start, I was disappointed. The insta-lust was annoying. When he first meets Hazel, he is immediately turned on because she is wearing leggings! And then later relieves himself with mental images of her! Seriously?!?! I did like Kostya’s character as a crown prince who seems to have everything but hides troubling memories of the past. I did not care for Hazel’s character. I didn’t find her messy, quirky personality endearing. Given her mother’s high position, she doesn’t even attempt to be presentable? Overall, I did not enjoy this story. I did not like the stereotypical man who just can’t help his urges and a woman, an American woman at that, who lacks decorum. Maybe modern royalty romances just are for me. I do not recommend Reign. 

Reign is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook