Emilia Lancaster is the royal family’s dirty little secret. Born the illegitimate daughter of a duke, for twenty years she’s lived as a commoner… despite the regal blood running through her veins. But when the entire royal family is killed in a deadly attack, the line of succession swiftly changes course. With her ailing father appointed king and no legitimate heirs in sight, Emilia is pulled … Emilia is pulled from the shadows and thrust into a destiny she never wanted.
If this were a fairy tale, the palace would be paradise. In reality, with a father she barely knows on the throne, a deadly assassin still on the loose, and enemies around every gilded corridor corner — the callous, captivating Lord Carter Thorne chief among them — it feels more like a prison to Emilia. One filled with unattainable expectations, unfamiliar customs, and undesirable suitors.
They want her to behave like a good little girl.
They want her to put on her glittering crown and keep her mouth shut.
They’re about to be disappointed.
She may have agreed to be their princess…
But she’s no one’s puppet.
♛
DIRTY HALO is a royal romance about an ordinary girl who inherits an extraordinary legacy. Filled with forbidden love, murderous plots, and machiavellian intrigue, it is recommended for mature readers only. It is the first book in the FORBIDDEN ROYALS TRILOGY.
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Part one of a romantic mystery-thriller-mildly-forbidden-romance trilogy, Dirty Halo introduces us to Emilia, the hidden-away Lancaster heir. Emilia is new to being treated like royalty, but that also means she’s new to the cut-throat politics of the royal family. She has to adapt quickly and decide who she can trust. Alongside her new step-siblings, one of whom is the super sexy Lord Thorne, she’ll face drama and intrigue.
Emilia is a wonderfully sassy, relatable heroine who’s thrust from the shadows into the limelight. She’s *theoretically* living the dream, but nothing’s ever as simple as it seems.
Dirty Halo is a little different for Julie Johnson but so, so well done! There IS a cliffhanger, so be prepared for this story to pause, rather than wrap up. I can’t wait for Torrid Throne!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
YOU GUYS!!! OMG!! I am still trying to catch my breath from the amazing ride that was Julie Johnson’s Dirty Halo. Holy Crap was this an amazing amazing start to what I already know will be a truly phenomenal series. I could not get enough and am seriously DYING for book two!!
Without giving away any spoilers, when Emilia Lancaster is discovered to be the illegitimate heir of the reigning king, her whole life is in disarray. She is now forced to wade through an ocean of political treachery, secrets and lies as she comes to terms with her new life. But as she is further entrenched as the new princess, she has to determine who is friend, foe, ally and enemy before a dangerous assassin succeeds in a second deadly attack.
GAH!! I am so so hooked on this series and read it in one sitting. I am obssessed with Emilia’s sass and personality. She is the quintessential badass heroine we all love and gives as good as she gets. But every heroine needs her match and Lord Carter Thorne is that in spades. He is sexy, sinful, delicious and exactly the man who knows how to dish out what Emilia serves. I seriously cannot wait for Torrid Throne because that ENDING?! OMG!! HOLD ON FOR THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE!!! Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula
Amazing book that ends with a bang! I am new to Julie Johnson books, her style of writing keeps me entertained and unable to put the book down!
Emilia is out with her friend Owen, terrible news comes across the tv’s everyone is in shock. Emilia and Owen are confronted by some large men who take Emilia and take her away, she then meets a stranger in the car after he is picked up as well. They are taken to a remote place and this is where the fun begins! Crazy families are nothing new and Emilia is thrown in feet first into a world she only ever dreamed she didn’t want to happen…. but it did!
Cannot wait for the next 2 books!
Dirty Halo is the first book in the Forbidden Royals trilogy and the first book I have read by this author. I really loved it. It was a captivating, suspenseful and just amazing. I loved Emilia, she was sassy, sarcastic and strong. Carter was sexy and mysterious. I loved him! Chloe was hilarious. After that crazy ending, I am dying to read Torrid Throne.
This book had me from the very beginning. Julie Johnson was able to leave me wanting so much more from this book/series. I will say that this was the first book of hers that I have read but if they all are like this in writing style it will not be the last.
Emilia is a strong willed, independent, and sassy women. Even though she is all of these things she is hiding something that many people could only dream of, royal blood running through her veins. Even though this is the case she wants nothing to do with anything royal. The only problem is when the royal family is no more, she is thrust into the royal life she never wanted. On top of this she has to deal with the other half of her father’s family.
Carter Throne is every girls dream. He is dark, mysterious, and has many alpha aspects. Even though he is all of these things he does have a softer side that is shown a few times. Carter has a dark side that I would love to see more into and find out why he feels/acts the way he does.
Chloe is Carter’s sister and Emilia’s new step-sister. I absolutely loved her character. She is very carefree and kind of does whatever she wants and most of the time it is to go against what her mother wants.
Octavia is horrible. In the best way to describe her is she is a B***h of epic proportions!!!!
Overall, I loved this book and can’t wait to read Torrid Throne. Julie’s writing was in my opinion flawless in this book. The story flowed with many twists that keep me reading and wanting so much more. The ending left me with my mouth hanging open because I wasn’t ready for it to end.
OMG! This is SUCH a great book filled with so many emotions! I loved Emilia as well as Carter and Chloe. People trapped in a lie they didn’t choose filled with fake people and deception, just trying to do the best they can. And the ending! I CANNOT wait for the next book in the series!
Super start to what I’m expecting to be an epic series, as this author has never disappointed me yet!! Emilia’s story pulls you in, wraps you up & holds on tight. I’m beyond excited & ready for book 2 & 3!
OH. MY GOD!!! This book was amazing!!! I absolutely loved Carter and and Emilia. Chloe seems like such a fun girl! I kinda want to hang with her lol!!
What is up with Owen?!?! How could he do that to Emilia? After everything he knows, why???????
Octavia is the WORST. I want to know more about Alden, too.
I can’t wait for March!!!!
I really enjoyed this book. What a story and what a way to end book 1! I am really looking forward to the next part of this story with book 2. I definitely recommend this story and this author.
Dirty Halo (Forbidden Royals Trilogy #1) by Julie Johnson
4.5*
Wow! The first book in Johnson’s brand new series sets an amazing tone and having just finished a few hours ago, I’m left a little lost and confused and frankly, demanding the next book right tf now!
When the current King and Queen of Germania are killed in a palace fire, Emilia is dragged to the palace and her father (with whom she has had zero communication her entire life) and is essentially forced to take her place as the Princess of Germania. With that, comes a whole lot of secrets and lies, lust and intrigue.
I adored Emilia’s character: she was funny and super smart, stood up for herself without hesitation, and being human, also made some questionable decisions. I also adored Emilia’s new step-siblings: Chloe was hilarious and is well on her way to being a good friend and honestly, that’s a huge deal for me! Johnson could have made her into the evil stepsister (considering we already have the evil stepmother!) but instead she chose the good friend route. Love it. And her stepbrother? Lord Carter Thorne…. utterly delicious. That is all.
This is a fantastic start to a series and the only reason I’m giving four instead of five stars is because there was a small number of details I didn’t like and while they were minor enough, they’re still playing on my mind even hours later. Again, this book is the first in the series and does end in a cliffhanger but don’t let that deter you! I usually avoid books with cliffhangers without exception but I couldn’t resist this blurb and I’m so glad I didn’t wait.
*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
*Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.