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annathechaoticreader's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I'm honestly shocked at how much I liked this book! I was close to a DNF at the beginning because I'm really not a fan of this kind of age gap and was worried there would be an icky power dynamic but the way the author handled it actually made me able to enjoy the book despite the 14 year age difference. If you're someone who doesn't care about/likes age gaps in romance books, then you'll probably rate it higher than I did!
The plot was interesting, the pacing was pretty ideal, the stakes felt believably high, the MC's were decently fleshed out and very lovable with great chemistry! It wasn't perfect and required a lot of suspension of disbelief but I found myself invested and easily able to overlook potential issues while reading! I loved how much the book reflected on the inherent issues with the British royal history and while remained sympathetic to how the royals were feeling, took every opportunity to point out corruption, colonialism and all of the atrocities the royal family has spearheaded. Not at all a book for the tories <3 I was pleasantly surprised with the nuance of the politics and how much I was actually invested in the political scenes with Oliver.
As a bonus, I learned a lot of fun facts from Callum!
The plot was interesting, the pacing was pretty ideal, the stakes felt believably high, the MC's were decently fleshed out and very lovable with great chemistry! It wasn't perfect and required a lot of suspension of disbelief but I found myself invested and easily able to overlook potential issues while reading! I loved how much the book reflected on the inherent issues with the British royal history and while remained sympathetic to how the royals were feeling, took every opportunity to point out corruption, colonialism and all of the atrocities the royal family has spearheaded. Not at all a book for the tories <3 I was pleasantly surprised with the nuance of the politics and how much I was actually invested in the political scenes with Oliver.
As a bonus, I learned a lot of fun facts from Callum!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
cozycritiques's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
“You’re so…you,” he says, and the way he says the words is the highest compliment, the best thing in the world.
- The Unlikely Heir
Tropes: Royalty, Politics, Workplace (ish), Mutual Pining, Bi-Awakening, Secret Relationship, Forbidden Romance, Age Gap, Texting, Opposites Attract, Slow Burn, Dual POV
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay, Bisexual)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶.5
CW: Past Infidelity, Death of a Parent, Toxic Media, Gun Violence, Injury
I’ve seen a lot of comparisons of this book to Red, White, and Royal Blue, especially with the recent release of the movie. And while the two have similar vibes—royalty, politics, pinning, secrecy, drama, forbidden romance—The Unlikely Heir is a fresh story that completely stole my heart.
From the start, I adored Callum. He was endearingly nerdy, a little messy, and wore his heart on his sleeve. He wasn’t at all who people expected him to be. He was an underdog, and I couldn’t help rooting for him as he navigated the (admittedly completely outlandish) hand he’d been dealt. I’m a sucker for opposites attract romances, so when I was introduced to Oliver, I knew I’d love their story. Oliver was driven, controlled, and a little closed off, but underneath the hard exterior was someone who loved deeply—once he allowed himself to, anyway.
The way their friendship and then romantic relationship developed was beyond sweet. I found myself constantly flipping between laughing out loud and giddy-kicking my feet every time they interacted. I loved their late-night texts filled with horrible yet hilarious puns and self-deprecating banter. And the level of care and comfort they provided each other once their friendship became more was probably my favorite part of the whole book.
The Unlikely Heir was witty, well-paced, and maintained a perfect balance between soft, romantic moments and political drama. I’m so glad I decided to pick up this book—especially since it got me out of a reading slump—and I can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out next year.
- The Unlikely Heir
Tropes: Royalty, Politics, Workplace (ish), Mutual Pining, Bi-Awakening, Secret Relationship, Forbidden Romance, Age Gap, Texting, Opposites Attract, Slow Burn, Dual POV
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay, Bisexual)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶.5
CW: Past Infidelity, Death of a Parent, Toxic Media, Gun Violence, Injury
I’ve seen a lot of comparisons of this book to Red, White, and Royal Blue, especially with the recent release of the movie. And while the two have similar vibes—royalty, politics, pinning, secrecy, drama, forbidden romance—The Unlikely Heir is a fresh story that completely stole my heart.
From the start, I adored Callum. He was endearingly nerdy, a little messy, and wore his heart on his sleeve. He wasn’t at all who people expected him to be. He was an underdog, and I couldn’t help rooting for him as he navigated the (admittedly completely outlandish) hand he’d been dealt. I’m a sucker for opposites attract romances, so when I was introduced to Oliver, I knew I’d love their story. Oliver was driven, controlled, and a little closed off, but underneath the hard exterior was someone who loved deeply—once he allowed himself to, anyway.
The way their friendship and then romantic relationship developed was beyond sweet. I found myself constantly flipping between laughing out loud and giddy-kicking my feet every time they interacted. I loved their late-night texts filled with horrible yet hilarious puns and self-deprecating banter. And the level of care and comfort they provided each other once their friendship became more was probably my favorite part of the whole book.
The Unlikely Heir was witty, well-paced, and maintained a perfect balance between soft, romantic moments and political drama. I’m so glad I decided to pick up this book—especially since it got me out of a reading slump—and I can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out next year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity and Death of parent
shamelesslyash's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
3.75
This is a cross between Boyfriend Material and Red, White, and Royal Blue. What happens when Callum, a prince, raised out of the spot light in California becomes the heir to the British throne in the blink of an eye? Well he's a mess. Then he meets Oliver, the prime minister. This is a slow burn of a romance. With Callum possibly being neurodivergent and demisexual. Oliver is gay and divorced. They develop a friendship that turns into more. I will say this is mid-spicy when it comes to romance. Little to no fade to black when it comes to spicy stuff.
The only thing I didn't like was the ending. It was too dramatic for me, but the epilogue makes up for it.
The only thing I didn't like was the ending. It was too dramatic for me, but the epilogue makes up for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
stormeno's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
4.0
Very similar to Red White and Royal Blue, but it develops its own plot and twists. The main characters are very loveable and have emotional depth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism