These Royals will ruin you.Easton Royal has it all: looks, money, intelligence. His goal in life is to have as much fun as possible. He never thinks about the consequences because he doesn’t have to. Until Hartley Wright appears, shaking up his easy life. She’s the one girl who’s said no, despite being attracted to him. Easton can’t figure her out and that makes her all the more irresistible. … more irresistible.
Hartley doesn’t want him. She says he needs to grow up.
She might be right.
Rivals. Rules. Regrets. For the first time in Easton’s life, wearing a Royal crown isn’t enough. He’s about to learn that the higher you start, the harder you fall.
Warning: This book has a cliffhanger. The story will be resolved in Cracked Kingdom, due out January 2018.
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Easton Royal! When I finished the first few books in this series, I wanted an Easton book. Many didn’t like him, but I loved him. Weird, right? I don’t usually like the cocky playboys in books. Somehow, his character worked for me. He balanced out the varying personalities of this family.
Easton is destructive, aloof, and over the top. I didn’t expect anything less from his character. I also knew that he had a softer side. It truly is the Easton way. I had already gathered that from the previous books. Appearance is everything. Reputations are to be lived up to, good or bad. That is Easton. His no care, but soft heart, attitude made this story all the more enjoyable.
Easton has met his match with Hartley. The perfect yang to his yin. The person to challenge him, mold him, wake him up. She is that breath of nerdy air that someone like his character needs but never wanted. She is the temptress that he can’t stay away from. She is the quiet one that awakens his inside. She is the one who consistently tells him no. We all know what happens when a character like Easton is told no… She is now his number one infatuation.
Hartley is a mystery. Quiet, closed off, private. She is the quiet queen of the school, and no one (not even her) knows it. All she wants is to lie low, finish high school, and get the heck out of town. You know what they say about the best laid plans… Easton Royal will F them up!
This story is a great roller coaster. I was captivated by what was happening and what could possibly happen next. I couldn’t read this story fast enough. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to read it, which is why it took me so long to get around to it. I wasn’t a huge fan of the last book in this series, so I was very apprehensive to keep going. I am glad I finally picked up this book. Now on to the next because, THAT ENDING!!!!
3.5 stars
I was so looking forward reading this book as I got hooked while reading the first three. Easton is a very special character and I was dying to read his story.
Maybe after Reed’s and Ella’s story my expectations regarding the suspense was too high, so I was quite disappointed with the lack of suspense within “Fallen Heir”.
However it was interesting and very well written being inside Easton’s head. How torn apart he actually is and why he always tries to escape his real life while fighting or drinking.
So therefore I wasn’t as glued to the pages as with the books before and that’s the reason I can’t give more stars.
The end was quite surprising and unexpected. It really left me with “WTF?” and I can hardly wait to get my hands on “Cracked Kingdom”!
I’d been looking forward to the Easton book, but he was horrible in this one.
Full gif-ied review here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2003138918
*3,5-4 stars*
This is the fourth installment in the series and the story of Easton and Hartley. I have to say this is my least favorite book in the series although it had really good parts in it. I just expected a bit more.
Easton has had a bad case of addictions throughout his life and feeling like the outsider of the family, he doesn’t really know what to do with himself; he just gets bored so easily. When he first lays eyes on Hartley, there’s something about her that intrigues him to want to know more about her. But she doesn’t want to do have anything with him and although she keeps him at a distance, she can’t help but feel close to him. But there’s more than meets the eye and when her past comes crashing into her present, they’ll have to decide what’s worth fighting for…
2.5 stars
To be honest, I am a tad bit disappointed with this book. I really had high expectations when it came to Easton from reading the first three books. Unfortunately the book did not live up to my expectations. It was like Easton from the first three books was a completely different person than the Easton in Fallen Heir. I could not believe I was reading a book about the same character. I thought we’ll get a fun, at times troublesome, but loving Easton, but instead we got a whiny, spoiled brat that thinks that his shit does not stink just because he is a Royal. It got old really fast. All through out the book he made one bad decision after another. A lot of times he made these decisions because he wanted to be helpful, but all it ended up doing was making the situation even worse. I almost felt bad for him…
I am not sure what to think of Hartley. I did not connect with her as I did with Ella, but I do not dislike her. I just feel indifferent. Hopefully next book will be better.
This review MAY contain spoilers.
I was so eager and excited to read a book centered around Easton. He was the character that I gravitated to in the first three books and I am overjoyed that we get to hear his story as well. This book definitely did not disappoint.
The world-building was pretty much set up in the first book of the series. This is a contemporary series that takes place around predominantly wealthy people. The authors did a good job of making me believe the extravagance of the wealth. Their world-building really brought me into the story. I truly felt like I was experiencing things with the characters. This book is no different from that first book. The details perfectly describe the surroundings and very much set the mood.
I really enjoyed the plot in this book. While this story centers upon a different character than the first three books, the main story arc still continues. I was glad for this because I really wanted to know how things were going with all of the characters that I came to love in the previous books. I loved how Easton’s part of the story is woven into things that occurred in the previous books. Things are not always what they seem and the suspense was tantalizing!
The character development in this book in amazing. Easton is in a dark place and his struggles are evident throughout the book. We get to see him spiral down and try to face his demons while also falling in love for the first time. I really felt connected to his character. I also loved Hartley’s character development. She is also going through some serious issues and I really loved her journey. She closes herself off from everyone and Easton weasels his way into her life. They are both lonely at the core and their characters compliment each other quite well.
On that note, the romance was lovely. It is nice to see another side to Easton. He has been a total man-whore throughout the series, but then he starts falling in love with Hartley and it changes him. She completes him in a way that no one else has before. When they first meet Hartley wants nothing to do with him and tells him as such. He persists though because she intrigues him. No girl has ever said “no” to Easton Royal. He pretty much forces his way into her life to get to know her, though not in a creepy way. They make a deal to be “friends” and Hartley makes him promise that it will only be friends. The way that they fall in love is really beautiful. There is jealousy, friendship, and love in all the right ways.
Overall, this was a brilliant addition to this series! The drama is still running strong in all the right ways. If you loved the first three books then you will love this one as well! I loved Easton’s voice just as much as I loved Ella and Reed’s voices. Perhaps even more than theirs. This book will play cat and mouse with your emotions and leave you wanting more. I can’t wait to finish the last book of the series!
READ AND REVIEWED AUGUST 2017
I can’t remember who recommended Paper Princess to me a year ago. Honestly, I thought it was just one of those YA reads that I would soon forget when I get to finish it. But when I finally met the Royals and Ella Harper, I was surprisingly drawn to them and never wanted to let go. For the next two sequels, I became engrossed in their world, entangled in the controversies and scandals of the Royal family and became involved with the students of Astor Park.
I devoured each and every page of Paper Princess, Broken Prince and Twisted Palace. And now, it’s Easton Royal’s turn in the Fallen Heir. And boy, what a rollercoaster ride this had been.
The day I got the ARC for Fallen Heir, it was 5:30 am and I literally fell from my bed when I saw it on my Kindle. I couldn’t stop myself from reading it even though I’ve got tons of paper work and deadlines to attack. When a Royal fell into my lap, I made sure he becomes a priority. And so Easton did.
I finally got inside Easton’s head, the seemingly happy-go-lucky son of Callum Royal, the easy-going brother of Reed and Ella’s super adorable male bestfriend. He had ladies waiting at his beck and call, even teachers couldn’t resist him. But there was one girl who didn’t bat her eyelashes at him. She intrigued him. She wasn’t as gorgeous as his sister Ella, but she definitely got something going on with her. Her name is Hartley Wright, mysterious, studios, upright and uptight; and she might just be the right one Easton had been looking for.
Or so he thought.
The wonder twins were also back, Lauren milking them or getting her fill with the twin Royals. I really hate Lauren here, I wanna throw her outside the mansion. And Felicity Worthington (gosh, I remember her name is similar to Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle series) I really really hate that girl. She’s nothing but a tyrant wanting power above all else. And yes, I don’t like my namesake, Claire, too. Ugh.. This girls were even more annoying than Steve and Dinah combined in book 3!
But overall, let me say that This. Is. The Bomb!
I don’t know how to vocalize or express how I feel about this book. It feels like I’m at a losing end of my insanity. But it was really fun reading Easton’s POV, I got to know him better and deeper everytime he opened his mouth. Sure, he was kind of obnoxious and conceited and egotistical, but deep within him was a heart that knew how to care and love.
That ending though! Super unexpected. My mouth was literally hanging open when that explosive cliffhanger careened towards me and crashed!! Nooooooo!!!!!
As much as I want to scream and comfort Easton Royal, I can’t. My emotions are all out of place. I think I’m gonna cry. Erin Watt, why do you do this to me, to us? To Easton? WHY!!!
I am reeling right now! Like my heart literally hurts! I can’t see how anyone will ever come back from how this book ended…
I’ve been hooked on The Royals series since I first picked up Paper Princess. I love how the first part of the series was wrapped up with the first three books, but then we got to learn more with a book about Gideon and then this one about Easton. I was hopeful that Easton’s book would wrap up nicely and then we’d get a book about the twins. Nicely is not how I would describe how this book wrapped up, however. We’ve got a massive cliffhanger on our hands, so be ready with Cracked Kingdom or you’re gonna be upset.
I want Hartley and Easton to be ok. I want the twins to be ok. I want Hartley’s family to realize the kind of mistakes they are making. And right now, all I want to do is pick up Cracked Kingdom and keep reading!!!
I immediately panicked when this was released. Am I emotionally ready for Easton’s book? Will this diminish my love for any of the Royal brothers? What if I *gasp* don’t like Easton’s heroine??
So dear reader, I hemmed and hawwed for about 72 hours before I finally opened it and started. And like I should have expected, once I started I couldn’t stop. Our hero and heroine are Easton and Hartley (and no, she is not a side character from the previous books). I loved watching their friendship unfold. East seems like a bit of a loner, so it was interesting watching him learn how to have a real friend. If you haven’t read the previous books (which I highly recommend you do), then you may not be aware of our little Easton’s troubles. He is an angsty kid – a nice cocktail of ADHD, grief, guilt, and addiction. I’m not going to psychoanalyze East, but just note that his issues are real important to the progression of the story.
I refuse to spoil this book for you all. But I will note that Fallen Heir ends in a cliffhanger…and the next book doesn’t come out until January. Near the end Prince Consort B tried to talk to me. What was he thinking??? LEAVE ME ALONE I’M BUSY WITH MY FEELINGS.
Erin Watt, how do I love thee…
Not a bad story. I read this almost 9 months after finishing books 1-3. I needed a break and I am glad that I did. I think it gave me more appreciation for Hartley and Easton. I think if I had read them (books 1-4) back to back I would have compared them to Reed and Ella.
I liked the Easton story line, though there was a point (about 70%) that his attitude and behavior started to wear on me. I can only take so much of a character without and growth or development. I think that happens in the next book, but I am not in a rush to read it.
Hartley was a fun character to a point, she was so gloomy and sad that it was hard to want to read more about her. The times she was happy it was fun to watch her personality bloom. But that never lasted. I also don’t care for her story line with her family. It jyst doesn’t work for me.
This felt similar to books 1-3 but also a tad bit lesser. I liked it, but it didn’t wow me like the others. I think I will read the next book, as this one ended on a major cliffhanger, but not immediately. It will go into my TBR pile and I will get to it eventually.
This Royal family is rather addicting. I devoured the first three books, Gideon’s story we got in the newsletters, and now Easton’s book.
I don’t think I am 100% sold on Easton and Hartley. This is the reason for my 4.5 stars instead of 5. I would have liked to have finished this book rooting for them but I am not there yet. I am hoping to get there in the next book. Everything else in this book hit their marks for me, I loved this book. I enjoy a good cliff hanger if it is done right. I do not care for the ones that feel like the book is just stopped mid story. I like the ones that end a story but leave you hanging for the next book. This ladies know how to do a good cliff hanger and man was this one a heck of a one. They covered a lot of ground in this book. We got the reasons for Easton’s reckless behavior, updates on everyone, introduction and history for Hartley, so so much more. Read and soak it all in so you don’t miss anything!
Great job ladies, this is another epic addition to The Royals series. I can’t wait for the next book!
Holy #&*&$#+/(!!! What the french toast is up with that cliffy?! Omg I’m fine. It’s FINE. Right? My god I can’t even with this series. These teenagers kill me. Seriously, kill me. Gah I’m so glad I waited so I can dive right in to the next book. Man all this stupid ass drama sucks this gal right in. I’m moving on!
This book took a few chapters to hook me and then I didn’t want to put it down. Easton is a very different perspective to read from compared to Reed and Ella and so far his story is twisted in a much different way. Going to start the next book now.
Unpopular opinion time here. I didn’t love it. I was really expecting more from Easton’s book! I would’ve given it two stars but went ahead with three because of the love I had for Easton in the previous books.
It started off super strong and I was all in. It was after the middle that it went downhill for me. I loved that we got to see Eastons POV throughout the whole book. It wasn’t so bad being in his head, but I wanted more from Easton, so much more. I know he wouldn’t make a complete turn around but I really wanted to see Easton evolve as a character. And not because of Hartley, because he actually wanted to change his life. That is not what happened here.
Hartley was okay. I kind of admired how she was handling her life. She was supporting herself and never went back on what she felt just to make her parents accept her again. She seemed so normal, unlike all the other rich kids that we meet at Asher Prep. Sadly after all that praise, it goes back to what Easton thought about her in the beginning. She was plain! I couldn’t connect with her and she isn’t very memorable.
I didn’t feel any chemistry between Easton and Hartley. Sure there some moments where there was a little something, but not enough to sell me on them being together. As friends? I’m all for that. They both needed someone, someone who understood what going on in their life or try to.
“I know what it’s like to be alone. I know what it’s like to want and not have. I don’t want Hartley to feel that way. Not anymore. Not while I’m around. ”
On another note, I did enjoy the brother-sister relationship between Ella and Easton. That was really good to see them interact, even if he kept saying stuff out of anger most of the time.
Of course this book ends on a cliffhanger like the others ones. So I’ll be reading Cracked Kingdom, because I have to finish the series out. I owe it that much.
I know this review turned into a rant. The more I thought about it when I sat down to type this up, the more it just came out that way. Overall I still love the series, it just doesn’t compare to Ella and Reed’s story in books 1-3.