While Christina tutors the Heir Apparent, she captures his father’s heart.
Seeking safe harbor, Christina Newhart escapes to a Mediterranean island with daughter Lexi. King Marco Giovanni Pietro di Napolitano needs a governess for Gregorio, his teenage son. Christina tailors her resume to fit his requirements, but has she oversold herself? A skilled equestrian? She doesn’t ride. Upon arrival, … arrival, she finds her new pupil polite and teachable. His father? Charming but inflexible.
A widower, Marco wants nothing less than Harvard for Gregorio. Christina’s application had mentioned a son, a companion to Americanize the future king. Lexi is an unwelcome surprise. Marco’s mother Ama disapproves of the new governess and her purple-haired daughter. Undaunted, Christina sets out to claim her position. She will not be sent home and lose the generous fee that would ensure Lexi’s college tuition.
So she becomes Marco’s advisor. His Royal Highness needs a queen. A Gatsby gala will be perfect to screen prospects, with Christina’s help. Although many young women are eager to capture the handsome king’s heart and the crown, they’re not keen on the awkward Heir Apparent. Marco’s attention wanders. He sends his governess mixed messages. As she waltzes in his arms at the gala, Christina can’t deny the feelings she has for this impossible man, who supposedly kept his first wife in a tower.
And she can’t stop asking hard questions. Is Harvard Gregorio’s dream…or Marco’s missed opportunity? Ama enlists Christina’s aid to persuade Marco that Harvard will not be a good fit for her grandson. Can Christina change the mind of this proud, stubborn man? Will Marco realize his queen should be an experienced woman and mother, not a girl?
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I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
This was a wonderful story. I was completely enchanted in the royal family of Napolitano. Marco the King is simply adorable in how he reacts to some of the things that are said or done. He is unfamiliar with the ways of the American tutor he hired to help his son get into Harvard. Christina fudged on her application for the summer job to get her daughter away from her friends. Apparently Lexi is at the age where she is feeling her wings need to stretch but some of her decision are not appropriate.
I loved getting lost on the island and into the different scenarios. Christina and Lexi are so overwhelmed with the palace and the royal way of life. It was fun to see how the two different cultures reacted. I would have loved to have been able to have Marco’s POV in the book. This was written in Christina’s only. That is, until the end when the epilogue is written in a friend of Christina’s POV, Reena. A beautiful way to intrigue me into looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
This is a sweet, clean romance about two people in their early 40’s finding the love of their lives. I highly recommend this to anyone.
The perfect book for what I needed right now. This book lifted me up when i was in a down time in my life. Christina and Lexi are a mother /daughter team who are headed to a Mediterranean island to tutor the king’s son during the summer months so he can get into Harvard. King Marco a widower and Christina a divorcee have some of the funnies dialogue in a long time. This book is so well written and kept me laughing and really enjoyed it . I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
When you need to lift your spirits with a book, The Royal Governess by Barbara Lohr is sure to delight you. Even the opening paragraph is funny. I cannot say enough good things about this charming romance. I loved the characters – even grandma Ama. I liked their drive, determination and goals. This was rather like a fairy tale – just what we need as some of our social distancing restrictions are lifted. I am also glad there is another book in the works. Don’t miss this amazing story.
I haven’t enjoyed a book like this in a long time and certainly one that I will read over and over again with characters I want to know more about and could be their friend, and a fun, emotional and touching story that kept me totally involved in all that was happening and I really didn’t want to say goodbye to my new book friends when I got to the last page. I loved the instant attraction and undeniable chemistry between King Marco Giovanni Pietro di Napolitano and Christina Newhart who he hires to tutor his son to ensure his acceptance into Harvard. If you enjoy well-crafted, sweet contemporary romance that will leave a smile on your face and joy in your heart, don’t miss “The Royal Governess” the first book in the Romancing the Royals series by gifted author Barbara Lohr.
ONE REFRESHING THRILL RIDE!!!
Greedy gremlins! Barbara never ceases to amaze me with her keen wit and unique style, showcasing this artfully composed piece of perfection, riding one thrilling storyline and engaging plot, wrapping this baby up sleek, shiny and tight. Shattering boundaries and dispensing limits, displaying the strengths and weaknesses being weighed and balanced, booting this gem into the eye of the storm, breaking it down, knocking it into overdrive, launching it into a frenzy with a life-altering culmination. Coiled, knotted and tightly woven, displaying the explosive ups and agonizing downs, grounding in it’s simplicity and awe-inspiring in it’s depth. Shenanigans, escapades and mayhem rule the roost, rolling with the drama, turmoil, intrigue, misgivings, simmering mystique and intense situations, along with a double dose of moxie, you have one intoxicating experience. The attraction and chemistry builds as each layer is peeled back exposing an undeniable connection, binding them to one another perfectly. The characters are complex and genuine with traits and qualities that blend and flow, transforming into relatable personalities. The scenes are written with such abundant details and descriptions that feel as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Awesome job Barbara, thanks for sharing this little treasure with us.
The beauty of Barbara Lohr is that she puts her heart into every story that she writes. With a healing dose of common sense and the gift of imagination, she gives emotions quite a workout. Christina and Marco are the sweetest blend of hopefulness and empathy. The life lessons have not always been kind, but fate has some surprises waiting just around the bend. The Royal Governess is a human journey. It proves that even in our worst moments a little faith can go a long way.
A sweet romance perfect for a summer day
Christina knew Lexi needed to get away from the “friends” she was hanging out with. They were not the best influence on her. With the summer upon them, what better to do then to take a job as a Governess for the son of the King of a small island nation. Well, maybe she stretched the truth a bit in her application, maybe they think she is bringing a son with her, not a daughter, maybe they think she has equestrian skills she does not possess, maybe they think she has influence and will be able to get Gregorio into Harvard.
This is such a well written fun story about what parents want for their children vs with the children want for themselves. It is about the adults opening up their minds and their hearts to new possibilities, new adventures and maybe finding love in the process.
Barbara Lohr develops such amazing situations and characters, you feel like you are walking beside them through their journey.
I volunteered to read and review this book.
I laughed so much reading this book. Christina was a little crazy taking on a tutoring job in a European country she’s never heard of before to take her teenage daughter away from trouble makers. If I were Christina I wouldn’t know what to do with Lexi either. I was a good girl, who has never smoked and wouldn’t have thought of sneaking off to parties. Christina was little extreme in her over protectiveness and hovering at first, but she does loosen up by the end of the book. King Marco was naive at times and it was funny how much he didn’t know about America and American expressions. He was lucky his son was a good kid even if he didn’t share the same dreams. With horseback riding, infinity pools, and wine Napolitano sounds like a wonderful place to go away to on vacation.
The tutor, her daughter, the king, and his son.
Christina is the tutor for the heir and dad Marco’s desire for him to attend Harvard.
She’s also helping Marco find a bride.
So, there’s a bunch going on.
This book was like a modern day fairy tale as Christina Newhart and her daughter left for Napolitano so she could be a governess to Gregorio and help him get into Harvard. The book was so much fun to read because of the eloquent descriptions of the country and the castle. I had no problem picturing all of the details as I read.
I also enjoyed the humor and Christina trying to find her way around the castle with its many rooms, towers, and dungeons. It was fun to see the sparks that flared every time Christina was near King Marco although the king’s mother was not too happy about that. This is a beautiful first story in this series. If you enjoy Hallmark movies you will love this book! I cannot wait to read the next book about Christina’s friend, Reena. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
The storyline was well written, the plot flowed smoothly from page to page and the characters were created with such great detail and depth which made this book a very delightful read!
A sweet story of a divorced school teacher with a teen daughter who takes a summer teaching job for a widowed King’s teen son. Several funny mishaps happen but the King, Marco is actually amused by the teacher Christina. It is something the stodgy King needs. She even wins over Marco’s meddling and not so nice mom. The development of Marco and Christine’s relationship is entertaining and it shows how well they complement each other. I received a complimentary copy and this is a voluntary review.
Hired to get the king’s son ready for Harvard, Christina packs up her unwilling 14 year old daughter, Lexi, and takes off for the kingdom of Napolitano. Upon arriving she meets the standoffish Queen Mother, the handsome King, and his shy 16 year old son.
Trying to fit into the royal household has its pitfalls and rewards. Letting go of her daughter is made more difficult because Christina is a bit stuffy, a whole lot over protective, and not just a little bit attracted to the king.
I liked this book because it is different than a lot of the books coming out now. A little bit Regency romance with modern characters. The king especially is a throwback to the 1800s, but still a modern man.
The first lines of this book cracked me up; you have to read it yourself. Not sure I would have been as brave as Christina but she pushes thru on her and her daughter Lexi’s new adventure! What I enjoyed about this story was that Christina took a leap of faith not only with her own life, but Lexi’s as well, and tried to make life better for her and her daughter. She did what she thought she had to do. I’d say it turned out very well for them but no spoilers from me.
I thought it was hilarious that she couldn’t keep the titles straight for any of the royal characters. Not that any of the royals seem to offer much in the way of information when these two arrive. King Marco Giovanni Pietro di Napolitano is what I picture a European royal to be – just a wee bit self-centered (in a good way) and used to the world revolving around him. And these two Americanos show up and set his world on its head. Loved Gregorio, the young man Christina is there to help guide on his entry to Harvard but as all good stories go, it’s not as smooth as she hopes it will be.
King Marco’s mother blows both hot and cold so I couldn’t get a good handle on her but I adored her relationship with her grandson. Ms. Lohr gives us lots of character information to help weave the story, too. Lighter story that was a fun evening read for me.
Completely out of her comfort zone, Christina arrives at the Mediterranean island with her sulky daughter in tow. Despite the luxurious travel arrangements, their arrival is less than welcoming and both Christina and Lexi have second thoughts. An introduction to the Queen Mother does not dispel their misgivings, but Christina’s initial encounter with the King is both hilarious and cringeworthy. Finding their place in the Royal household is uncomfortable for both women, but it does bring a certain amount of healing to the strained relationship between mother and daughter. Gregorio is an awkward teenage boy but one with a gentle spirit, quite unlike his arrogant and demanding father. As Christina finds her way through her position tutoring the young man together with her daughter, friendships are built and an understanding of the young man’s needs begins to emerge. This novel is well written and romantic with humour and laugh out loud moments. The mix of characters was interesting and one could even warm up to Ama, who initially did her best to jeopardise Christina’s success. Marco is a charming hero, but his lack of contact and knowledge of the outside world comes with some hilarity. It will be interesting to see what the rest of this new series brings. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.