#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this spellbinding tale from Danielle Steel, a princess is sent away to safety during World War II, where she falls in love, and is lost forever.As the war rages on in the summer of 1943, causing massive destruction and widespread fear, the King and Queen choose to quietly send their youngest daughter, Princess Charlotte, to live with a trusted noble family in the … with a trusted noble family in the country. Despite her fiery, headstrong nature, the princess’s fragile health poses far too great a risk for her to remain in war-torn London.
Third in line for the throne, seventeen year-old Charlotte reluctantly uses an alias upon her arrival in Yorkshire, her two guardians the only keepers of her true identity. In time, she settles comfortably into a life out of the spotlight, befriending a young evacuee and training with her cherished horse. But no one predicts that in the coming months she will fall deeply in love with her protectors’ son.
She longs for a normal life. Far from her parents, a tragic turn of events leaves an infant orphaned. Alone in the world, that child will be raised in the most humble circumstances by a modest stable manager and his wife. No one, not even she, knows of her lineage. But when a stack of hidden letters comes to light, a secret kept for nearly two decades finally surfaces, and a long lost princess emerges.
A fascinating story of family and royalty, and an unforgettable portrait of an extraordinary young woman and the man who brings her home, Royal is an exhilarating work from America’s most beloved storyteller.
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Royal by Danielle Steel
The very first book I read by Danielle Steel was called “The Ring”. I was about 17 and it was one amazing book set during WWII. I feel in love with this wonderful author and have loved her books since. The “Royal” pulled me into the story from the very first page. There is everything in this book that you expect. The first is the WWII story. You see the affect of the war on people up from the royal family to the poor. You see what families had to do to get through this horrible war. You see young love develop, unexpected death, and compassion. All the characters are likeable and the book was easy to follow. The book was right up my alley with my love for WWII period.
I would gladly recommend this book to family and friends through review’s on social media, Amazon, Goodreads, Netgalley, and Bookbud.
I received this complimentary copy from Netgalley and publisher company. I was under no obligation to write a review. The review is my thought and opinions.
4 1/2 STARS!
An awe inspiring story of strength and sacrifice! While not nearly as easy to emotionally connect with as your typical Danielle Steel novel, ROYAL was fast paced, plot intensive and simply delightful. I loved it!
Seventeen year old Princess Charlotte was too ill to be around the bombing aspects of the war in London so the youngest child of the ruling King of England was sent to live in the countryside of Yorkshire for a year. While there, she fell in love with the son of her caretakers.
Destiny leaves behind a child who is raised as a commoner with no trail left of the royal lineage she carries. Fate brings the truth to the surface after nearly two decades and the knowledge of the lost princess is shared with the royal family, and the story plays out the details of their reunion.
I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a royal family saga with hints of romance.
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Ballantine and the Author Danielle Steel for an ARC of this book in exchange foe an honest review.
I love reading Danielle’s books and I’m definitely a fan of hers.
I love the way she combines historical fiction with romance and I also love anything British Royalty related.
This book was a great combination of all and of course the strong female protagonist.
You’ll have to read to find out if she gets her fairytale!
June 1943
England and its people have endured several years of bombings by the German army during World War II. The King and Queen have 3 daughters, two of whom have helped with the war effort. They are the oldest, Princess Alexandra, and Princess Victoria, the middle daughter. Their third and youngest daughter, Princess Charlotte, has asthma and the Queen wants her nearby and protected from the dust resulting from the bombings which makes her asthma worse. Many families have sent their children away to keep them safe from the bombings and some have not seen their children for several years.
A quiet, older couple, the Earl and Countess of Ainsleigh, of Yorkshire have been selected for Charlotte to stay with for the better part of a year. She does not want to leave her family but agrees to their wishes. Their home and holdings are quite large and Charlotte can have her beloved horse with her to ride. She will be known as Charlotte White, not Charlotte Windsor, except the Earl and Countess know her true identity. They have a son, Henry, who is Charlotte’s age and who will be leaving to join the army soon. Another young refugee who lost her parents in the war, Lucy Walsh, will also live with them.
Charlotte is a lovely, petite young woman. When she arrives in Yorkshire, she is surprised that she will be living in a tiny maid’s room and will be expected to help with serving and cleaning up the meals. Soon, Charlotte and Henry enjoy riding horses together and they fall in love. When she becomes pregnant, they marry. Alas, after a difficult childbirth, Charlotte dies but her daughter, Annie lives. Lucy steps up and takes care of her. Will she contact the royal family to tell them of Charlotte’s death and give Annie to them?
I really loved this sweet story. It is historically correct and the characters are perfectly created. The love between Charlotte and Henry is beautifully written and Annie’s life as she grows and matures is very compelling. Danielle Steel has written yet another wonderful book. Enjoy!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Royal by Danielle Steel is exactly what I love about this author. A story with so much feeling, emotional and full of angst. I was captivated from the start. Setting during World War 2, the royal family must make a difficult decision. They decide to send their youngest daughter, Princess Charlotte away to keep her safe. No one could have predicted what happened next! The story is full of love, loss, secrets, hope and so much more.
Happy reading!
3.5 Stars…I haven’t read a Danelle Steel book in YEEEEARS because they all started to sound the same, but I actually enjoyed this book!
There’s very little dialogue here (there’s more towards the end). The story is told almost in a fairy tale kind of way. It’s very detached and moves along quickly. It’s as if someone was recounting a tale that someone had told them and they’re passing it down.
One thing to keep in mind about this story…it’s very happy-go-lucky. Everything is ‘perfect’ and ‘amazing’ and all-around sunshine and lollipops. Yes, there’s death and deception, but you never really FEEL it. It’s just something that propels the story forward.
Princess Charlotte is young and beautiful and an amazing horse rider. Henry is young and handsome and SO in love with her. Even when they find themselves in trouble being pregnant and unmarried, that problem is quickly solved by a hasty marriage and they’re just so gosh-darn happy!
There are a lot of deaths in a fairly short time, but we never really feel attached to any of the characters, so you don’t feel a whole lot of grief.
Annie lives a perfect life with her family on the Markhams estate and even once she finds out who she really is, the Royal family welcomes her with open arms and is so accepting and caring. Every single one of them! And she’s the best rider, just like her mother and everything just comes so easy for her!
This book is 100% a filler book…there’s no real substance to it, but it’s a pleasant way to pass an afternoon. It’s a great book to take your mind off all the crazy that’s going on out in the world right now, and the perfect light reading in between some heavier books.
Overall, while this certainly isn’t anything special, it’s not a bad way to pass an afternoon.
Royal by Danielle Steel is an excellent historical fiction that has it all: romance, the suspense of England during wartime (WWII), tragedy, love, loss, friendship/family, and acceptance and forgiveness. Any historical fiction that includes royalty always initially draws me in, however it takes a talented author to craft a story of interest all the while creating an aura of respect and authenticity concerning the represented (albeit even loosely) royal individuals that then sets itself apart from the crowd. Ms. Steel has succeeded in all of those aspects yet again with this novel. I have to admit that I am late to the game when it comes to reading books from this author in the distant past, however I have read the last five, and she has impressed me each time.
This book was a nice change of pace from some of the stressful, quick-paced, and rough novels that are present at this time. I enjoyed the pacing, plot, and I enjoyed all of the details that Ms. Steel added in regards to the English royals that were wrapped into this book. I enjoyed reading about Charlotte, and in an effort not to give anything away to unsuspecting readers, I definitely felt for her during this book. But just when we think tragedy will take top listing, we find rays of light always breaking through. I also enjoyed Annie as another main character, and enjoyed seeing her life and future transform throughout the story. I really enjoyed the positive outcome despite all the obstacles, tragedies, and secrets. It definitely left me feeling warmth, happiness, and satisfaction.
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press/Ballantine Random House Publishing Group for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
This book is one to look out for. Danielle Steel you have me on this one. Many thanks for the thoughtful story.