THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIMERuby Keller is going rogue, or at least that’s the hashtag she’s using to document her vacation: #RubyGoesRogue. Illness kept her confined to her bedroom for much of her childhood, and as a result, she’s always played it safe, hiding behind her laptop and overanalyzing every decision. When a friend’s wedding takes her to London, she decides to push herself out of her … out of her comfort zone and take an uncharted adventure on her own…no laptop, no itinerary, and no one to get in her way. A chance run-in with a handsome British stranger was definitely not on the agenda…
Flynn Bowen travels the globe for his family’s chain of upscale hotels and resorts. He’s struggled to find his place within the business, so when his parents allow him to oversee the construction of a new location in Dubai, he’s determined not to let them down. When he meets Ruby, he’s enchanted by her passion and bravery, not to mention the chemistry between them. If circumstances were different, he could fall for this vivacious American beauty, but fate has only given them one magical day together. Can they find a way to grab their chance at love, or will geography—and their own inhibitions—tear them apart?
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A Sweet Read with the Realities of Life
I enjoyed this journey with Ruby and Flynn. Ruby is mainly an introvert, I think due to her health while growing up and she’s trying to break that pattern. She meets Flynn at Elle and Theo’s wedding and they had sparks, loved it. Flynn also has ADHD and has been kind of existing in life. Together, they find themselves and figure out that’s when they’re at their best and are there for each other thru all the ups and downs.
The final book in the Almost Royal Series, it can stand alone with an HEA, but it was so good to see all the bffs get their true loves and be able to stay close to each other.
Suffering an immunodeficiency disease throughout her childhood, Ruby’s parents rarely let her out of the house. Her room was her “prison”. As an adult, Ruby yearned to experience more in her life. So she decides to embark on a solo adventure, not planned and without a spreadsheet, after Elle and Theo’s wedding in London. But life never goes as planned. During the wedding, Ruby meets Flynn while hiding in a rose bush. Conversation flows and she’s truly intrigued by Flynn. When he offers to show her around London the following day, she jumps at the opportunity to start her adventure while seeing sites she may not have seen if not for Flynn. As the evening comes to an end, Ruby realizes she doesn’t want her time with Flynn to end…
Flynn Bowen has always had trouble focusing. Diagnosed late with ADHD certainly didn’t help either. While hiding out from his mother, Flynn meets Ruby. After rescuing her from a rose bush, Flynn realizes she’s the most fascinating woman he’s met in a long time. Not wanting their time to end, Flynn offers to show Ruby around on her first day in London. When Flynn has to leave Ruby the following day to attend a meeting, his thoughts constantly go back to Ruby. Upon hearing she’s sick, he races to her side…
All I can say is, I want a Flynn! I want a man who’ll fly across the world to be with me in sickness and in health. Flynn is supportive, loving, and kind. He comes from a family of money, but you’d never know it as he isn’t flashy or arrogant. Flynn was the perfect caregiver when Ruby was sick! I loved how Ruby helped Flynn discover his worth and his passion. I loved #RubyGoesRogue and when she taught Flynn to “game”. This was the perfect ending to the series! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.
Favorite Quotes:
I think you look like a woman who waited around for her letter from Hogwarts once upon a time, but I would hate to make a snap judgment.
Ruby was a gem in every sense of the word.
I’ve learned is that life can be short and fragile, and when you find something great, you should grab ahold of it, even if it’s not what you were expecting. And I definitely wasn’t expecting you, but here we are.
She was stabbing at her salad like it had personally offended her. Her expression betrayed nothing, but she was uncharacteristically quiet, which seemed somehow harder to take than if she’d just started yelling at him.
My Review:
I have enjoyed this pleasurable series of supportive, animal-loving, and spunky friends and am sad to see it end. This installment featured a major turn-about for Ruby. The cautious and highly organized Ruby left her spreadsheets and laptop at home and set off for her friend’s wedding in London with a mission to go off on her own and experience an unplanned, unscheduled, no reservations made, grand adventure. She was off to a good start with a sexy new acquaintance she met at the wedding acting as her London tour guide then he became a good slice more before they wistfully parted with no hope of seeing each other again.
But of course, that couldn’t be as then there would be no story. Ruby and Flynn’s tale was a sweet and gentle low-conflict tale with a bit of sightseeing, illness, and a bit of steamy goodness, then a devastating disappointment for Ruby until Flynn finally pulled his cranium from his colon and gave us our HEA. As we all know, I must have my HEA or I will be stamping my little foot in pique and turning the air blue with invectives. Thank ALL our lucky stars that I didn’t need to pull my boots on. 😉
So far, I’ve enjoyed my time with each one of these heroines, and Ruby’s story was no exception! The story was well written, engaging, and entertaining, however, I did have some issues with it as well.
I loved Ruby! I’d always connected with her the most in the series, and I loved the additional insight into her character. Flynn was a great hero for her as well, as his strengths and weaknesses seemed to compliment hers. I especially liked seeing how he dealt with his own perceived handicaps due to his diagnosis.
The problem I had, though, was it seemed like the entire relationship was built on the sexual chemistry between them. There wasn’t much in the way of romance to me, and it didn’t feel strong enough to withstand the hardships of a long distance relationship or constant travel.
All things considered, this was an engaging and endearing read, and despite it’s problems, my favorite of the series!
This was a cute story.
This time we have Ruby and Flynn, they meet at Elle’s wedding and hit it off immediately. So when Ruby tell him of her travel plans, his offer to show her London doesn’t look out of place.
Anyway, I liked Ruby and her free spirit in this one, she had such a crappy time growing up, I really wanted her to let loose and just go for it, girl. I liked that she still maintained a positive outlook of life, so much so that it influenced Flynn and his life decision.
Flynn was good too, he dealt with high expectations from his family and boy was that stressful. Still, I found him frustrating at times, like make up your mind, man. Lol.
It was great that Ruby was able to open his eyes and see himself as a worthy person.
A fun story all in all.
*Thank you to the author for providing a copy for which I’m giving my honest opinion*
Ruby the easy going gamer, Flynn Bowen the Hotel Heir who hates his job. In London for Elle’s wedding Ruby decides she is going on a adventure of a life time. What she didn’t have planned was meeting Flynn in the garden. One day in London was all it took to fall. But they live I. Two different country’s. Can they make it work. When Ruby falls sick in Paris and can’t come home Flynn takes care of her..
A great friends to lovers book. Lots of laughter and love. A great addition to the series. Three great friends all have found love. A must read book and series.
I received a advanced copy for a voluntary honest review by the Author.
5 ALL THE FEELS STARS!! OMG….This story made me feel all the feels!! Ruby and Flynn story is beautiful and heartfelt. I could not put this book down. Rachel Lacey is one of my go to authors, her stories are always phenomenal. You should definitely read this book.
Let Your Hair Down Book 3 Almost Royal by Rachel Lacey
5 Stars
Awesome! What a terrific story to a terrific series! I really did fall in love in it! Fully enjoyed!
“Everything about her was so pure. Not innocent or naive, just… genuine. Enchanting.”
“My adventure was finding you. And I can’t wait to see what we discover next.”
Absolutely loved everything! Highly recommend!!
When Ruby planned out her trip to London for he best friends wedding she finds what she least expected in the Rosebushes. Will this encounter change her #RubyGoesRouge vacation or add to her spontaneous travel plans?
I loved following Ruby and Flynn on their journey of self discovery. These two characters are so sweet and relatable that you wanted them to find their happily ever after.
While this book can be read as a stand alone, I feel you will truly understand the characters better if you read the entire series.
This is the third book in the series, so I was excited to get back to NC and the Rosemont Castle. Ruby has been a little more closed off than the rest of the girls and I was excited to see what her story held. Ruby is ready for an adventure. Life has held her back and she’s ready to spread her wings. I LOVED the chemistry between her and Flynn. They had an instant connection that doesn’t happen very often but it felt realistic. I was completely lost in their story and I didn’t want to leave their world. While they had no expectations, they couldn’t ignore the goodness to their relationship and the ease in which it came. I loved the things Flynn did for Ruby and I wanted it to last more than a holiday! This was such a great read and I can’t recommend it enough!
This is such a great series and Ruby and Flynn were my favorite couple!
In true fairytale style, Flynn sweeps Ruby off her feet but there are some bumps on their way to their happily ever after.
I loved these characters! I also loved catching up with Elle and Meghan from the other books. Definitely a must read!!
Let Your Hair Down feels like waking from a dream and stepping into a fairytale. Ruby and Flynn are the sweetest blend of storybook fantasy and emotional angst. Lacey takes the best parts of every childhood fantasy and packs them into an adult crowd pleaser. Two strangers brought together by fate, lose their hearts just as it’s time to say goodbye. Will they take a risk on forever or let romance pass them by? A haunting melody searching for the lyrics to make it whole.
Both Ruby and Flynn are wonderful characters and I enjoyed their sweet love story. I wish the Almost Royal series didn’t have to end. I would love more visits to Rosemont Castle!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy.
Really enjoyed Ruby and Flynn’s story. Ruby is taking a trip of a lifetime and watching her come out of her shell is refreshing. Flynn needs to figure out where he wants to be and who he is. Together they make a great pair. Appearance from the gang and love the gang got there hea. I am voluntarily leaving a review of the b
What a terrific end to this wonderful series! Almost Royal starts at the wedding of Elle and Theo from If the Shoe Fits with Ruby meeting Flynn by chance. What starts off as a day of sightseeing ends up being so much more than shy Ruby could have ever expected! A terrific fairy tale romance that I had trouble putting down. This book can be read on it’s own but I think the series is worth reading in order just to fully appreciate the friendship of the three girls and see how their lives changed so unexpectedly.
I have been totally loving this series by Rachel Lacey. The characters are all lovable and the main story is a little different. It’s what brought them all to where they are and it works.
Up this time we have Ruby’s story. Of all the girls she’s the quietest. She’d rather play games (get your mind out of the gutter its video games, not sex games) than be out in the world. She a list maker so she’s tops on my list. Ask my friends, I’m a huge list maker. Love that about Ruby.
With her childhood (read the book) you understand why she is the way she is. I loved that after her friends wedding in England she decided to go it on her own and live free, (#RubyGoesRogue) at least for a short vacation.
I kinda knew what was going to happen but surprisingly it didn’t take away from the story. I still really enjoyed it. I think that had to do with Flynn. He’s such a sweet, caring person that you can’t help but like. He’s so perfect for Ruby. Heck, they are perfect for each other. They each have the strengths the other needs in life. The balance between them works so well.
I loved how sweet he is to her when she needs it most. They fell in love and didn’t even know it at first. So cute. Not saying their story doesn’t have some pitfalls because it does. Life is seldom easy, but they are so bad that you think “damn man you could do better”.
I would read the series from the beginning it works better that way. You will get the build-up to each new story. And since the girls are all friends you’ll want to read all their stories anyways.
Let Your Hair Down is the third and final book in Rachel Lacey’s Almost Royal trilogy. While I am sad to see the series end, I loved that Ruby found her perfect HEA. This is very much a slow build…they fall in love while Ruby has pneumonia…it is well-worth it. Ruby and Flynn are the perfect complement and their love story a complete reflection of them. I enjoy Lacey’s light touch and highly recommend this installment.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
I have been looking forward to Ruby’s story ever since I read book 1 in the series & this story did not disappoint. Ruby meets Flynn while in England for their friends wedding. Since she would be in England Ruby decided to make it a true vacation & came up with her own hashtag to document her trip, she wanted to spread her wings since she had to stay at home so much as a child. Flynn was busy trying to find his place in his family’s business. Together they were wonderful & able to help each other.
I enjoyed Ruby & Flynn’s story. Ruby has been kept isolated due to an illness affecting her immune system. She still has to be careful about her health but has learned her limits. She’s finally gaining some freedom & has scheduled a vacation on her own to push her from her comfort zone. At Elle & Thea’s wedding, she meetsFlynn & they are instantly attracted to each other. Flynn helps her stretch her wings before he has to return to work.
Flynn is in his own type of containment. He is working for his family’s company overseeing the building of new hotels. Each building is constructed to specific standards. Due to problems he had growing up & the problems he felt he brought the family, he feels he owes them this. Flynn really comes alive though when he is using his architect degree & designing homes to fit their surroundings. Ruby tries to encourage him to reach for this dream. Can they find happiness & their own lives?
I really enjoyed seeing both Ruby & Flynn gain increased confidence & happiness as the story progressed. The peek into both Elle & Megan’s new lives was wonderful. All three remain close even as they find their significant others. Ms. Lacey has given us another story loosely based on a fairy tale but set in current times. The characters, the scenery & the plot all weave together to take the reader on an enjoyable trip.
What a great book. Ms. Lacey has done it again.
A little sad. It just grabs at your heart. Neither Ruby nor Flynn live close to each other. There in London for a wedding. Fate has him coming I her rescue in the rose garden. Ruby is off on an adventure but soon is experiencing London with Flynn. One she won’t forget anytime soon.
The worst part is that Flynn is leaving for a long time so this short few days is all they will have.
It’s heartbreaking when they say goodbye..
Buy the book and see what happens.
Love this series. Don’t miss any of them.