michellesantiago's review against another edition
3.0
Cheeky King is the conclusion to the two-part duet about a sexy royal, Sebastian, and his royal guard, Penny that started with Cheeky Royal (check out my review of book 1 here).
I enjoyed Cheeky King. I thought it was a fine, satisfying conclusion to the Royals Undercover duet. I even liked Cheeky King slightly more than I did Cheeky Royal because I thought the overall writing was more solid and I liked the added mystery.
Sebastian and Penny drove me a little crazy though because of their whole constant "I should stay away from him/her" inner monologue (and convos with their respective BFFs) but the moment they're alone in the same room, they couldn't get their hands off each other but one pulls away and the inner monologue of "I should stay away from him/her" begins again. This cycle went on for a while, and I just wanted to reach in and give them a good shake. But, they did have great chemistry and whenever they get together it was H-O-T!
I liked Penny a lot more in Cheeky King. She was more mature and I liked seeing her stand up more for herself. As for Sebastian, I liked him a little less the first half of the book because he was being an asshole to Penny. He realizes this about himself and his best friend had called him out on it, and yes he was going through a lot after the events at the end of Cheeky Royal, but it didn't excuse his behavior. With that said, I did like Penny and Sebastian together and I liked when they finally got their hard-won HEA.
If you enjoy lighthearted reads with a royal twist, check out the Royals Undercover duet. If you read Cheeky Royal and enjoyed it, then Cheeky King is a must-read for you!
I enjoyed Cheeky King. I thought it was a fine, satisfying conclusion to the Royals Undercover duet. I even liked Cheeky King slightly more than I did Cheeky Royal because I thought the overall writing was more solid and I liked the added mystery.
Sebastian and Penny drove me a little crazy though because of their whole constant "I should stay away from him/her" inner monologue (and convos with their respective BFFs) but the moment they're alone in the same room, they couldn't get their hands off each other but one pulls away and the inner monologue of "I should stay away from him/her" begins again. This cycle went on for a while, and I just wanted to reach in and give them a good shake. But, they did have great chemistry and whenever they get together it was H-O-T!
I liked Penny a lot more in Cheeky King. She was more mature and I liked seeing her stand up more for herself. As for Sebastian, I liked him a little less the first half of the book because he was being an asshole to Penny. He realizes this about himself and his best friend had called him out on it, and yes he was going through a lot after the events at the end of Cheeky Royal, but it didn't excuse his behavior. With that said, I did like Penny and Sebastian together and I liked when they finally got their hard-won HEA.
If you enjoy lighthearted reads with a royal twist, check out the Royals Undercover duet. If you read Cheeky Royal and enjoyed it, then Cheeky King is a must-read for you!
joskypay's review against another edition
5.0
As I said about the previous book, loved this couple! So glad I didn't know that Royals Undercover Book 1 had a cliffhanger because I may have missed out on this awesome couple due to my general intolerance for cliffhangers, and that would have really sucked because I enjoyed this book SO much! I love love LOVE Penny, so adorably awkward! After meeting her in the first book, I IMMEDIATELY purchased this one the second I got to the end of the first part of their story. I'm so glad we get Lucas's story next! I might have gotten a tiny crush on him while he was helping Penny... I might have secretly hoped him and Ariel would hook up... but so long as he gets a deserving woman I guess I'll live lol. I hope the author has plans for Ariel down the road too, even if we only hear about it in passing. She's a trip!
fsmeurinne's review against another edition
5.0
Great ending to this duet story, I loved these books, the audiobooks where fantastic. Definitely will recommend them. Sebastian and Penny's story continues, he is now King and their relationship seems impossible, the death of the King is not what it seems so get ready for some intrigue, romance, steamy scenes, and forbidden love.
mags_louise's review against another edition
4.0
4.5⭐
This was a great conclusion to Cheeky Royal. I loved that Nana Malone threw in some angst, a bit of attitude and a sprinkling of suspense. Plus, all the revelations were great, and Penelope really grew as a character. And I enjoyed the new dynamic between her and Sebastian, and how the relationship they shared really changed. I also loved the moments of sweetness, heat and humour this story offered. Not to mention I was easily hooked throughout. And I can't wait to dive into Lucas's story and find out how he adapts to life as a Royal Prince.
I would happily recommend this Royal duet to others.
This was a great conclusion to Cheeky Royal. I loved that Nana Malone threw in some angst, a bit of attitude and a sprinkling of suspense. Plus, all the revelations were great, and Penelope really grew as a character. And I enjoyed the new dynamic between her and Sebastian, and how the relationship they shared really changed. I also loved the moments of sweetness, heat and humour this story offered. Not to mention I was easily hooked throughout. And I can't wait to dive into Lucas's story and find out how he adapts to life as a Royal Prince.
I would happily recommend this Royal duet to others.
hannahbanana's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book wasn't any better than the first one in the duet, and I was correct in my assumption that both books would have benefited from considerable editing and being smashed into one book instead of two.
We start the book with Penny and Sebastian back home and Sebastian embracing being King, after his dad was found dead at the end of book 1. We find out that it is suspected murder so we get a bit more of a mystery element tied in with the romance storyline. This murder storyline was ok, but I was really confused why things like an autopsy and basic investigating were not done as standard when the King dies unexpectedly. Why did the King have to give instructions in secret to his trusted advisor to investigate his death, instead of it just being part of standard protocol? We could have cut down on this book significantly had investigations just been part of standard protocol.
Sebastian has no issue stepping up and becoming King now, even though he spent the entire first book trying to find his half-brother so that they could take over the line of succession. He has a passing thought about it, but I really think it needed to be addressed more. He was so against being King that he spent months, possibly years, searching for his half-brother - and it is resolved with basically no page time at all.
The romance plot is not good either as they refused to talk or communicate with each other at all. Instead, Sebastian abuses his position of power to ensure Penny is around him at all times, even when it is clear she is uncomfortable. He goes through a cycle of using Penny for sex, insulting her or freezing her out, to only go back and use her for sex again. Penny spends her time giving in to Sebastian and then hating herself for not being able to rebuff his advances (despite him forcing her at every turn). Honestly, this is a perfect example of a toxic relationship that should be abandoned ASAP. Penny should be running for the hills!
A quote that really captured Sebastian's attitude towards their relationship - 'I supposed, I could try talking to her, but that wouldn't resolve the problem.'
We start the book with Penny and Sebastian back home and Sebastian embracing being King, after his dad was found dead at the end of book 1. We find out that it is suspected murder so we get a bit more of a mystery element tied in with the romance storyline. This murder storyline was ok, but I was really confused why things like an autopsy and basic investigating were not done as standard when the King dies unexpectedly. Why did the King have to give instructions in secret to his trusted advisor to investigate his death, instead of it just being part of standard protocol? We could have cut down on this book significantly had investigations just been part of standard protocol.
Sebastian has no issue stepping up and becoming King now, even though he spent the entire first book trying to find his half-brother so that they could take over the line of succession. He has a passing thought about it, but I really think it needed to be addressed more. He was so against being King that he spent months, possibly years, searching for his half-brother - and it is resolved with basically no page time at all.
The romance plot is not good either as they refused to talk or communicate with each other at all. Instead, Sebastian abuses his position of power to ensure Penny is around him at all times, even when it is clear she is uncomfortable. He goes through a cycle of using Penny for sex, insulting her or freezing her out, to only go back and use her for sex again. Penny spends her time giving in to Sebastian and then hating herself for not being able to rebuff his advances (despite him forcing her at every turn). Honestly, this is a perfect example of a toxic relationship that should be abandoned ASAP. Penny should be running for the hills!
A quote that really captured Sebastian's attitude towards their relationship - 'I supposed, I could try talking to her, but that wouldn't resolve the problem.'
aidaj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
catxbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I love these books😍 Penny and Sebastian are amazing and I loved the whole story, specially their heated moments...
I also loved Ariel and their friends, they feel like a true family.
I’m not used to read books about royalty but this books were definitely awesome ❤️
I also loved Ariel and their friends, they feel like a true family.
I’m not used to read books about royalty but this books were definitely awesome ❤️
mommasaystoread's review against another edition
4.0
A great conclusion to Sebastian and Penny's story. In addition to romance, Cheeky King gives us a bit of suspense and intrigue as those loyal to the crown look for a traitor in their midst. I will say that the mystery wasn't hard to solve, at least in part, but that didn't diminish the story for me. Sebastian and Penny make such a great couple, and I found myself rooting for them even when they had me completely exasperated with their back and forth. The thing about that back and forth is it is somewhat understandable. Both of them are kind of right about what put them at odds, but they're both kind of wrong too. So, even though they frustrated me to no end, the story was an engaging read and this pair is so much fun to root for.
bookflutter's review against another edition
5.0
Five Cheeky Stars!!
The perfect ending for Sebastian and Penny! Cheeky Royal is book two and we get to see what happens when Prince Sebastian become is King Sebastian.
A lot of hearts are hearting, there have been lies said, people have been deceived. It gets a bit sticky throughly this second book. Finding out who the murderer is isn’t as easy as it may seem.
Sebastian and Penny go through a lot of heartache during this time, mostly done by Sebastian to Penny. When the heart hurts, people tend to act out but love will conquer all.
When the time comes and King Sebastian has to make a move, he has no choice but to show Penny his love is for real.
These two will have you fanning yourself, yelling, and then swooning. King Sebastian is a little cheeky but he will always be Penny’s Cheeky King!
Highly recommended. Cheeky Royal should be read first before this one as this is not a standalone.
The perfect ending for Sebastian and Penny! Cheeky Royal is book two and we get to see what happens when Prince Sebastian become is King Sebastian.
A lot of hearts are hearting, there have been lies said, people have been deceived. It gets a bit sticky throughly this second book. Finding out who the murderer is isn’t as easy as it may seem.
Sebastian and Penny go through a lot of heartache during this time, mostly done by Sebastian to Penny. When the heart hurts, people tend to act out but love will conquer all.
When the time comes and King Sebastian has to make a move, he has no choice but to show Penny his love is for real.
These two will have you fanning yourself, yelling, and then swooning. King Sebastian is a little cheeky but he will always be Penny’s Cheeky King!
Highly recommended. Cheeky Royal should be read first before this one as this is not a standalone.
nell_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I hate books that end on a cliffhanger and that’s what happened with the first book. So I had to buy this book to find out what happens. Honestly? She should have ditched him. Yeah she lied and he lied, but he was using his position to literally stab her in the back. It ended well but that’s because he’s king (shrug).