A bratty boy prince needs: a firm but fair Daddy.Prince Renford is a royal brat. Nineteen and last in line for the throne, Wren hates his made-up job: Commander of Roses. Good thing his long-time valet has a firm hand—if only Wren could tempt him to break all palace protocol and use it.Thom Pierce is sixteen years older. Old enough to know he should ignore his prince’s less-than-subtle … less-than-subtle flirtation. He’s been burned by a higher-ranked boy before. His job and reputation are at stake if the palace catches a scandal unfolding under their noses.
Wren needs the part of Thom that he’s kept locked away for years. If the young prince wants to be taken as seriously as his older brothers, he has to grow up fast. Thom’s rules could help Wren become the man Thom knows he can be in time for the Royal Ball… or they could attract the very attention that forces them apart forever.
Welcome to the tiny European country of Rosavia, where roses ramble over alpine slopes and princes fall for the men of their dreams. Every Rosavia Royals book happens simultaneously, so books can be read on their own, or in any order… but keep an eye out for familiar faces around the palace!
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cannot believe this was the last book in the series. I’m gonna miss these princes so much! Thank goodness they’re just a book away.
Wren is the baby of the family, and most definitely the brat of the family. Being the fifth prince, he doesn’t have as big of a role to fill as his older siblings. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to be taken seriously. He’s 19 now, and he’s getting restless, and bored. So, when he was summoned to see his father, the King of Rosavia, he was looking forward to hearing what his royal duties were going to be. Well, he was, until his father spoke. He was assigned to be the Commander of Roses.
Wren is spiraling, and he’s desperate for someone to tell him what to do. He’s had this desire for a while. He has someone in mind, too: His valet, Thomas Pierce. Convincing him to change his perimeters is going to be a challenge, but if anyone can perfect the bratty boy persona, it’s Wren. It comes naturally to him. Thomas already knows what Wren needs, sometimes even before Wren knows. Shifting his role to include a more personal relationship goes against every protocol Thom follows. He’s not sure how much longer he can hold himself back. They have a strong connection and something deep within the other calls out to them, and it’s palpable. It’s ultimately inevitable.
This is Wren’s story about becoming the man he was meant to be, and his chance at a love to last a lifetime. I really enjoyed Wren and Thom’s relationship. It was sweet and definitely tugged at my heartstrings. It was fun to see the events from his perspective.
This is book 5 of the series and the final book. It can be read as a standalone, but I strongly recommend reading the whole series. It’s just that good. As mentioned before, I will miss our sweet princes. My time in Rosavia was utterly enjoyable, and as all good things must come to an end, it is time to bid them adieu.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. ***
5 Stars!
Barely Regal is Prince Renford (aka Wren, aka the baby of the family) and Thom’s (aka Captain Daddy, Sir) story. LOL
I fell for Wren from the small glimpses we got of him in the previous installments and he was just as fun and impetuous as he seemed then. And Thom was the reticent valet who didn’t want to give in to his charge’s advances, but of course, was powerless against them. They were super hot together and I loved the Daddy/boy dynamics, especially considering the fact that Wren was a prince and Thom was, in essence, his employee. I adored that Thom was so attuned to Wren’s needs and managed to put him in the right direction to start reaching his potential.
I loved that we finally got to see Ida von Tarr finally get her comeuppance! It was something I’ve been wanting since I listened to the previous two books.
Again, I can’t recommend this audiobook enough. Not only because E. Davies did a fantastic job wrapping the series up in this book, but because Kieran Flitton consistently delivered a flawless performance book after book after book in the series, giving each of the characters a distinctive voice and bringing them all to life.
Barely Regal is the fifth book in the Rosavia Royals series. Each book in this series focuses on one of the five brothers of the Rosavian royal family and is written by a different author. The books all happen simultaneously so it doesn’t matter the order you read them in. The events overlap, and it’s great to see the characters from all different angles and perspectives as you read through the series.
Wren is the youngest prince who has the reputation of being a brat. Tom is Wren’s valet who is not only 16 years older than Wren but also the dominant, steady presence Wren craves in his life. It doesn’t hurt that both men are hot with compatible kinks. Wren wants to be Tom’s boy and Tom wants to be Wren’s Daddy Dom. Unfortunately, their relationship is highly inappropriate and when the King and Queen of Rosavia find out about it, both Tom and Wren will have to fight for their love.
This book was full of steamy, kinky sex mixed with a lot of humor, and sweet, adorable romance. I loved the relationship between Wren and Tom and how much both men changed and grew together. They fit so well as a couple and it was fun seeing them get their happy ever after.
The audiobook was narrated by Kiernan Flitton who has a sexy and beautiful voice. I may be slightly obsessed with his voice. It’s such a pleasure to listen to him narrate the book. I love his range of emotions that he adjusts to fit each scene perfectly. The audiobook production was well done with no errors.
love it so much
I was excited to get to Wren’s story. I’ve liked his snark since the beginning, and I’m so glad to see that the bratty prince maintained that attitude all the way through. This one was loads of fun, and I loved the build-up as our young prince pushed all of Thom’s buttons. I don’t read much daddy dom romance; it’s just not my thing. That said, I don’t have anything major against it, and if I’m enjoying the story, that part doesn’t bother me. That was the case here. I just loved these characters and I really didn’t care if Wren called Thom Santa as long as they were together. They have that much chemistry. So, this last story in the Rosavia Royals is engaging and fun, it has plenty of snark and wit, and sexy – did I mention that it’s sexy? These guys are hot enough to steam up my glasses. Wren and Thom are a great way to wrap up this series, even if it is a little bittersweet to say goodbye. I’ve enjoyed all the princes’ romances, and I can’t imagine a better bunch of authors to pull this one together.
Barely Regal by E Davies is the fifth book in the Rosavia Royals series. This is a steamy yet sweet story of a younger prince finding love with his older Valet…. a bratty Boy finding a calming and strength with his Daddy. There is drama, romance and a bit of kink. Thom and Wren are fun characters and I truly enjoyed their story and the full picture of this royal family created by this series.
Throughout this series, Wren was the one I wanted to learn more about. The youngest prince, funny, mischievous cat lover. Thom is his valet but their feelings are changing. Wren needs Thom just as much as Thom needs him. A daddy and his boy. Loved it! I really hope there are more books about what happens to them later. Highly Recommend’n
Wren is tired of not being treated like an adult and trying to take a more serious approach to life. Thom is Wren’s valet and is 16 years older then him. He starts teaching Wren more about responsibilities which turn their relationship into a Daddy/Boy relationship.
I really enjoyed this book it was funny and sexy! I definitely recommend this book.
The final book in the series rounded up wonderfully the general backstory and brought us the only age-gap romance in the lot. It was amazing to witness Thom and Wren’s relationship, specially the little kink involved and how everything wrapped up. Loved it!
Renford “Wren” Langston Alder van Rosavia- last in line to the throne, flirtatious brat, and practical joker. Now nineteen, he was of age to discuss his royal duties. Wren did not expect it to be the palace rose cultivation program “As the Commander of Roses.”
He reacted as one might expect. Even in the midst of outrage, he could seek the simplest of comforts from his valet. Although ‘crushing’ on his valet had to remain a secret. Little did he know how comfortable the two of them would become.
Thomas “Thom” Pierce – junior valet and protector of the young prince. Thom struggled to find a way for Wren to learn machinations of his newly assigned royal duties. No one understood what made the young prince irritated or excited better than he. After a series of frustrations and terminating of professors, he came up with brilliant plan of teaching Wren himself.
Both understood each other in a way that required few words. Valet to the prince for ten years, he knew him in the most intimate of ways and understood the different personas; one for the public and the young man in private. The closeness between Wren and Thom made the intense sparks harder to ignore. Thom’s lust was out of control and Wren’s insatiable physique became harder to walk away from. Pent up sexual frustrations were just waiting to be unleashed.
Adorable couple, virgin prince, age gap, Daddy/boy, romance, steamy sex, lots of laughs, and unexpected acceptance.
**Another feline star of the show, Ladysmith.**
The final book in the series, I enjoyed the stories of each Rosavia prince, yet there is a sense of sadness as the series has come to an end.
**I received this book as an ARC for my honest review.**
I enjoyed the story of the youngest royal prince Wren and his Valet Thom. The will they – won’t they break with palace protocol to be together..
I enjoyed watching Wren grow into his role and see his relationship with Thom grow.
Songbirds & Oaks
I love Rosavia, the brothers and their chosen ones. This series made me happy and I hope we visit again. I want to get dirty with Wren and I’d follow all of Thom’s rules. I adore Wren and his brattiness and how serious Thom can be but the care he takes with Wren. “In Thom, Wren had finally found his freedom.” The trust and love they have is exhilarating and comforting and the bond they’ve cultivated makes my heart happy as does the fun they have together. A fantastic conclusion to an amazing series.
I’m sorry to the rest of the brothers. I just wanted to take his hand and help him find his way. Thankfully, he had Thom for that. I definitely give Thom credit for resisting as long as he could. This whole series made me very happy. Sure they can be read as standalones but why wouldn’t you want to experience all of Rosavia???
WHEW! Excuse me while I wipe the steam off my e-reader.
Note to you, future reader: bring tissues (and not for any tears!)
This was unexpectedly hot. Perhaps because it was my first dom/sub romance but holy moley. This struck the perfect balance between cheeky and hardcore that I didn’t even know I wanted. No, needed.
At first I was skeptical – I was trying to decide if the characters were hamming it up a little or if it was just my inexperience with this subculture that made me question the believability. Turns out, those feelings were the perfect mirror of Wren’s lack of experience, finding his way in a world he knew excited him, but also was totally unknown to him. That’s a feeling I can relate to as a gay man. It was also a humbling insight to reflect on as I read and deserves a hat tip to Ed Davies for capturing that depth so subtly, then turning it into a reader experience.
Davies absolutely nailed the slow burn and sexual tension (and the climax, in more ways than one.) The angst and insecurities were painted with a certain hand whilst the tired “age doesn’t matter” cliche made only one fleeting appearance, which you’ll no doubt find refreshing.
Thom and Wren felt real both as stand alone players and together in their relationship. Had there been an extra 100 or so pages, I have a feeling this would have become an even more outstanding example of the genre.
The dynamic of give-and-take that played back and forth between these two sweet and steamy men will resonate deep within you. Because life is like that – complex and uncertain. That said, it may not resonate for a guy who’s into strict dom/sub rules where the sub isn’t allowed to act out at all. But if you like a playful relationship with some well-enacted dominance from both boys, you’ll have a romp reading this.
The only reason I’m not giving this a 5* review is because it was just a little too short for me. I wish there was more detail on Thom’s previous scandal, some extra background on Wren’s teenage years and a little more flesh on the B-plot and B-characters. Still a cracker of a story that stands up on it’s own well 🙂
I was gifted an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the final book in a quintet of concurrent stories, a unique setup where each story focuses on one of five brothers (the Princes of Rosavia), but includes references to the others’ respective stories which are all taking place at the same time. The books are numbered in order from eldest to youngest Prince, but the stories can be read in any order. This story focuses on the youngest, Prince Renford (“Wren”), 5th in line for the throne, significantly younger than his eldest brothers and not taken seriously. Wren and his long-time valet, Thom Pierce, have always had an “intimate” although not sexual relationship, able to anticipate each other’s needs, read each other’s expressions and understand the other’s thoughts and feelings without having to be told. This story picks up with Wren, now age 19, no longer a child, but chafing against the restrictions on him, which are altogether too little and too much at the same time. He’s struggling to understand what’s missing, acting up and acting out, until he realizes what he’s desperate for is the structure, guidance and protection of a Daddy – a particular Daddy, inherently sensing the Dom latent in Thom. The story tracks the metamorphosis of their relationship as it expands and transforms into something similar to what they’ve been to each other all along, and yet not at all the same and so much more. All of the books have the theme of the Princes finding the person that completes them – two puzzle pieces that perfectly fit together, and it is prominent in this one as well.
The characters are relatable and highly likeable, particularly Wren, which is an interesting trick given that in the prior four books, all we saw was his “brattiness”. If the books are read in sequence, it should be a tough sell to find him endearing here. Credit to the author for creating a complex character with some depth.
The book is obviously based on a Dom/sub, Daddy/boy relationship and, as advertised, there’s some light BDSM kink throughout. It’s inoffensive though, and well balanced by some serious sexual tension that crackles throughout the book, particularly the first half, making it difficult to put down. This story is definitely different than the other 4 books and definitely worth a read.
* I received an advanced reader copy of this book and voluntarily agreed to provide my review, which reflects my independent opinion.
I loved getting to read this book. I loved how bratty Wren was and how Thom was such a good Daddy. I also loved how Wren embraced his new job title and how he realized that it was a really important job. Another awesome job by E. Davies. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series to see who the other princes end up with. E. Davies, you need to write more Daddy and bratty boy stories!
A sweet and sexy story in this wonderful multi-author series. I love daddy/boy stories and the author did a great job on this one. Prince Wren is the youngest and last in line for the throne and a total brat. Thom is his valet but he is also attracted to Wren and wants to take him in hand and help him on his journey of taking on more responsibilities. And what a journey they embark on as they discover their mutual attraction and that maybe what Wren needed all along was a daddy to really take him in hand! I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
The characters, especially Wren, has more depth than what is shown in public. He brazenly flirts with his valet, Thom, who is an older man and who’s been hurt by someone similar to Wren in his past. But as Thom starts to see what Wren is hiding deep inside, he takes Wren in hand and their relationship soon develops into something more. A good read!
A relationship between a prince and his valet was unthinkable for everyone but Wren. The bratty young man knew his heart, and what it wanted above all else was the love and care of the perfect Daddy, who also happened to be his older valet Thom.
I laughed so much during this book. Wren put in act a no holds barred attack to take down Thom’s defenses. Bratty behavior and a shamelss seduction, meant to show Thom what could be his if only he’d given up his scruples. The poor guy tried to fight, but how could he resist grasping happiness… and holding the perfect boy in his arms?
After reading all the five books in the Rosavia Royals series, I really want to make a special mention to all the valets. Having taken care of the princes from an young age, they were mentors and facilitators, but most of all, their best friends. What I found during the books was incredible relationship between the princes and their valets, full of banter, scoldings when necessary, a shoulder to cry on and a helping hand when needed. They were all charming people and I loved them.
4 ½ Stars
Barely Regal is a sweet and sexy read that allows two very different men to come together in ways neither of them expects.
I enjoyed watching Wren learn and grow emotionally and intellectually as the pages turned. His character has an innocence that is lovely to see.
Thom is steadfast and true but has been stifled by the life he has accepted as his lot. I enjoyed seeing him take back the control that had been wrested from him.
These two together fit like pieces of a puzzle, snug and secure and stronger together than they ever would be apart.
At this point, I am happy with the HEA but would love to see them in a few years to make sure it stayed real.
I have never read Daddy kink before. I decided to dip my toe into that particular water with Barely Regal since this author has never led me astray. Thankfully, that is the case once more. I was not overwhelmed with an overabundance of kink scenes, and the scenes depicted are sexy and fun. I won’t say that I will read this type of kink again, I probably won’t, but I do have a better understanding of it and feel better for having tested my limits with this author. Barely Regal is romantic and sexy, and if not for the term Daddy being used from time to time, I would have thought it was a light BDSM read. So, the bottom line of my personal preference; the sexy times were good even with the kink, but I preferred the romantic cuddle times.
I look forward to more from this author.