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justcatherine's review against another edition
3.0
I typically read closed door/clean romances and this is NOT that. I think this book is my favorite of the 4 in the series. The characters and their development seems more believable and despite more physical involvement than I normally want to read about, I felt like their romance was a little more plausible. (Partly, I think, because Xander wanted to prove that he had changed from his reputation & the author held off more physical content in favor of letting their relationship grow initially).
nightwalkerr's review against another edition
5.0
It was so good!! It was like watching a royal romance movie the whole time. They are so good together and make each other better. Not was better than her tea date with the queen. It was amazing, I loved that she stood up for herself and everyone and it was 100% Queen shit.
gracefullypunk's review against another edition
2.0
These books are entirely interchangeable
Ugh, "mystique" again? A silly nickname? The exact same proclamation that a woman is independent but then love wins out? Even the exact same fight -- the woman does something foolish and automatically thinks the man hates her, overshadowing the drama they all claim infects the older royals? To be honest, I rather wish I could dash off books with the same plotline and call them a series.
To be fair, the fairly strong women supporting one another are why I keep reading, and I want to know how Bella comes into herself in book 4, as she's really the only one who hasn't come across as strong from the start.
Ugh, "mystique" again? A silly nickname? The exact same proclamation that a woman is independent but then love wins out? Even the exact same fight -- the woman does something foolish and automatically thinks the man hates her, overshadowing the drama they all claim infects the older royals? To be honest, I rather wish I could dash off books with the same plotline and call them a series.
To be fair, the fairly strong women supporting one another are why I keep reading, and I want to know how Bella comes into herself in book 4, as she's really the only one who hasn't come across as strong from the start.
spclteach's review against another edition
5.0
Love, love, love
I was so ready to read this story about this couple and it was nice to revisit other characters in the book too. Poppy and Xander’s story was perfect and I can’t wait to read the next story.
I fell in love with the characters in this series and would recommend it to everyone!
I was so ready to read this story about this couple and it was nice to revisit other characters in the book too. Poppy and Xander’s story was perfect and I can’t wait to read the next story.
I fell in love with the characters in this series and would recommend it to everyone!
emmascr's review against another edition
5.0
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. If you follow me then you know that I am a HUGE fan of Aven's writing. So when Aven asked if I would beta read this book I was super excited. I loved the first two books in this series and I've been waiting for Xander's story for what feels like forever! Of course, Prince Xander couldn't just have any girl he needed the right girl and that girl is Poppy!
Poppy Davies is the girl we all want to be. She is strong, independent and she fights for what she wants. Poppy Davies is the girl that we can all aspire to be. She fights for not only herself but her friends too.
If you have read the first 2 books then you would have met Xander. A cheeky playboy who's got a reputation. But in this book, we get to know the real Xander. The one who puts those he loves above everything. The one who has the responsibility of being the future King! Oh, Xander! I fell for Xander very early on in this book. He is so much more than the playboy the papers make him out to be.
Aven's writing always manages to capture my heart. I get drawn into not only the characters but the locations, the fashion, the whole world. Aven does such detailed research and it comes across in the book. Even down to the little things.
I love, love, love the squad. They are there for each other through everything. They only want each other to be happy. It's such a rare thing that it's something we all covet. I love their banter and their witty comebacks all said with love.
This is a perfect love story. It's filled with ups and downs. Laughter and tears. If you need a real pick me up then grab this book now!
Poppy Davies is the girl we all want to be. She is strong, independent and she fights for what she wants. Poppy Davies is the girl that we can all aspire to be. She fights for not only herself but her friends too.
If you have read the first 2 books then you would have met Xander. A cheeky playboy who's got a reputation. But in this book, we get to know the real Xander. The one who puts those he loves above everything. The one who has the responsibility of being the future King! Oh, Xander! I fell for Xander very early on in this book. He is so much more than the playboy the papers make him out to be.
Aven's writing always manages to capture my heart. I get drawn into not only the characters but the locations, the fashion, the whole world. Aven does such detailed research and it comes across in the book. Even down to the little things.
I love, love, love the squad. They are there for each other through everything. They only want each other to be happy. It's such a rare thing that it's something we all covet. I love their banter and their witty comebacks all said with love.
This is a perfect love story. It's filled with ups and downs. Laughter and tears. If you need a real pick me up then grab this book now!
khaleesimod93's review
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Xander and Poppys' story has blown all the others out of the water! They are explosive, sweet, and completely perfect for each other in every single possible way. I can't honestly think how Bella's or Victoria's story could top this. Their story was riddled with so much drama, but Poppy handled it like a pro. And the side characters? Absolute perfection. The squad, Helene, Jillian, and Arthur made this book even better!
“What else do I have to do to prove it to you?” Xander asks in exasperation. “I’ve never had to work this hard in my life to get a woman to have dinner with me.”
I absolutely died when Poppy made Xander work for a dinner date!! She did not give him an inch, and I adored her for it! Seriously, she couldn't be more perfect for him. He has been so used to women falling at his feet, and Poppy REFUSED, even though she thought he was hot as hell. Her descriptions of him are AMAZING!!!
"My heartbeat quickens. His voice. I didn’t notice it in the chaos of this morning, but it’s smooth and rich. Seductive. Like a luscious ganache, silky and decadent—one you can’t resist. I clear my throat, for fear if I don’t, I might squeak. Or blurt out that his voice is as sexy as a melted chocolate."
“Your past is your past. As mine is mine,” I say. “Where we are now—and where we go—is what matters.”
"You're about to make a huge presentation, and everything was ruined. But you didn’t explode in anger. You didn’t cry. You didn’t panic. You didn’t flail about and blame everyone around you. You were steel. In a moment of chaos, you chose to be calm."
"This man would move heaven and earth for me, I realise with a thundering heart. Xander would already go to war for me. I’ve only known him for a few days, but I know this as much as I know my own name."
These quotes only exemplify why they are perfect for each other. Poppy is a quiet calm when needed, but also doesn't judge his past. He admires that calmness when his world is chaotic. Xander would burn the world for her, and she calms his chaotic world!!
"I would walk through fire for you. Yet despite all of this, you’re going to rip away the future I want. The future I deserve. And I’m bloody furious at you for it.”
“No. If you think you can be the man I love, then you know where to find me. But I won’t come after you. I know who I am. What I’m willing to sacrifice. And if you can believe in yourself, if you can trust our love to face the challenge of living in this gilded cage, then I will talk to you. But not until then. I don’t want to see you unless you believe that as passionately as I do.”
Poppy doesn't accept anything less than she deserves. She walked away from a crown, a prince, a love, because she knew he needed to grow up and fix himself. That type of self-respect is not bought nor easily found! I was so proud of her. I know she was devastated, but she loved herself enough to walk away when it wasn't right for her and for him. She was strong enough to break her own heart and Xander's so he could grow and learn to see himself as the amazing man he was.
The bedt part of this book is Poppy putting bitch Queen Antonia in her damn place!!! It showed why Poppy is going to be an amazing queen and why she's perfect for Xander. She fights fiercely for those she loves, even when they won't fight for themselves. I'm so proud of how she handled every interaction!!
“What else do I have to do to prove it to you?” Xander asks in exasperation. “I’ve never had to work this hard in my life to get a woman to have dinner with me.”
I absolutely died when Poppy made Xander work for a dinner date!! She did not give him an inch, and I adored her for it! Seriously, she couldn't be more perfect for him. He has been so used to women falling at his feet, and Poppy REFUSED, even though she thought he was hot as hell. Her descriptions of him are AMAZING!!!
"My heartbeat quickens. His voice. I didn’t notice it in the chaos of this morning, but it’s smooth and rich. Seductive. Like a luscious ganache, silky and decadent—one you can’t resist. I clear my throat, for fear if I don’t, I might squeak. Or blurt out that his voice is as sexy as a melted chocolate."
“Your past is your past. As mine is mine,” I say. “Where we are now—and where we go—is what matters.”
"You're about to make a huge presentation, and everything was ruined. But you didn’t explode in anger. You didn’t cry. You didn’t panic. You didn’t flail about and blame everyone around you. You were steel. In a moment of chaos, you chose to be calm."
"This man would move heaven and earth for me, I realise with a thundering heart. Xander would already go to war for me. I’ve only known him for a few days, but I know this as much as I know my own name."
These quotes only exemplify why they are perfect for each other. Poppy is a quiet calm when needed, but also doesn't judge his past. He admires that calmness when his world is chaotic. Xander would burn the world for her, and she calms his chaotic world!!
"I would walk through fire for you. Yet despite all of this, you’re going to rip away the future I want. The future I deserve. And I’m bloody furious at you for it.”
“No. If you think you can be the man I love, then you know where to find me. But I won’t come after you. I know who I am. What I’m willing to sacrifice. And if you can believe in yourself, if you can trust our love to face the challenge of living in this gilded cage, then I will talk to you. But not until then. I don’t want to see you unless you believe that as passionately as I do.”
Poppy doesn't accept anything less than she deserves. She walked away from a crown, a prince, a love, because she knew he needed to grow up and fix himself. That type of self-respect is not bought nor easily found! I was so proud of her. I know she was devastated, but she loved herself enough to walk away when it wasn't right for her and for him. She was strong enough to break her own heart and Xander's so he could grow and learn to see himself as the amazing man he was.
The bedt part of this book is Poppy putting bitch Queen Antonia in her damn place!!! It showed why Poppy is going to be an amazing queen and why she's perfect for Xander. She fights fiercely for those she loves, even when they won't fight for themselves. I'm so proud of how she handled every interaction!!
chelsbethbaute's review against another edition
4.0
I needed an Aven book in my life and Royal Icing delivered. It follows Poppy, a biscuit artist, and Prince Alexander aka Xander Wales. Poppy can’t believe Xander is interested in her because he is the heir to the thrown. But Xander loves Poppy for who she is and so does the rest of his squad. My ONLY complaint is that Poppy talks a lot about having a steel backbone and being strong. But she is constantly doubting herself which bummed me out. Be confident in who you are, girl! If you love any other Aven Ellis book, I guarantee you’ll enjoy Royal Icing!
lexareadsaalatte's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.25