As an English major and the editor of the Literary Magazine at Denberg University, I’m fully focused on school. Struggling with being the utter disappointment of my parents–who happen to be two amazing academics–I’m doing my best to prove myself. Stranded on campus with nowhere to go this holiday season, I’m determined to stay on task. But then, Maven Stone calls my name, and everything … everything changes…
Suddenly, I’m on a whirlwind vacation with Maven and his two fraternity brothers, Chance Montgomery and Banyan Iburgess, chasing dreams I never knew I had.
I’m Giovanna Amsel, and this is the first part of our unconventional love story.
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A unique heroine with a fresh voice, compelling writing, and three amazing guys to swoon over make Unconventional the perfect start to an engaging contemporary reverse harem series. I, for one, could not put it down!
Loved this book! Rebecca Royce is a very talented author, but she really knocked this story out of the park. The best recommendation I can give is that I didn’t want it to end.
I loved this series! It was one of the earlier contemporary reverse harem stories that I read, and I was inspired by the glimpse of how a unique relationship such as this one could actually play out. Royce is a gifted sci-fi/fantasy author, but I feel she is exceptionally talented at taking an unusual situation for real-life, everyday people, and making you believe it.
I absolutely loved this book. I’d give it ten stars if I could.
I was definitely surprised by this book! I listened to book 1 of Rebecca Royce’s college contemporary RH series and definitely fell in love with these amazing characters right away. I smiled a lot while listening and thought some of the guy’s antics were very funny. The guys were very different from each other, which I appreciated, but they had some similar issues with their upbringing that connected the 3 of them to Giovanna (horrible parents, deaths, scandals, etc.). The only reason I couldn’t give it 5 stars is because there was some repetitive dialogue that I noticed that took me out of the story multiple times. I think it was mostly hearing “I love it” a lot and small variations of that in a small amount of time. I think if that wasnt the case, it would have been a 5 star for me. I still really enjoyed it and went on to buy books 2 and 3 to listen to as well!!
The narration I thought was good too. It wasnt my absolute favorite narrator but I didnt have much to pick at (sorry I can be a little picky with narrators haha). I would definitely listen to Jessica again. She did a good job with a male voice but it wasnt easy to distinguish between them and sometimes one would have a hard NY accent but it wasnt consistent.
Overall, I really liked this series and recommend it to all contemporary and RH lovers. The plot wasnt too rushed, the relationship and tension building was spot on, and backstories of the characters and horrible family situations really tugged at my heart.
Recommend stars (almost 4.5 stars!)
This book and audiobook is amazing! Such a unique storyline and I love the characters! This story grabs your attention from the beginning and keeps it until the very end. And If you are looking for steam, you found it! The narrator for the audiobook is fantastic! I cannot wait to see what is next in this gripping story!
I fell in love with this series, it pulled at my heart and had plenty of steam. I devoured the whole series in one weekend. I know I will definitely be reading more of Rebecca’s work.
Love this series!
This was a good start. Some minor editing errors but otherwise great. Not too many RH are believable, but I liked how the guys had down to earth problems and how even one had the spoiled “I get what I want” mentality that “we” associate with rich people.
Overall good read and I would like to see where Rebecca goes with it.
Exceptional story holding my interest from beginning to end. The well-developed characters, families opening up the story too much much more than a simple romance.
I’ve only read Wings of Artemis series and Last Hope series, both scifi…so I’m excited and nervous for this contemporary series. But omfg, it’s been more than amazing. The writing style felt calm so, at first, it lulled me to expect a light read. I couldn’t have been more wrong at that. It might have depicted the rawness of real emotions from real people but at the same time it’s been written so prettily I can’t help but be pleased the whole time. And I’m pretty much sold from that mysterious prologue. I can’t honestly wait for that moment to take place already. But first things first…
Giovanna. (Warning: girl-crush babbling ahead.) Ugh, I freaking adore her. Newest to my collection of fave heroines. She’s this no-nonsense gal. There’s this quiet braveness to her, like you’d thought she’s meek but be surprised that when she would speak up, she’s pretty much straight-on but not insensitive about it. She’s funny at times, but more of the it just comes naturally type. I’m still on a laughing trip at that scene with Banyan’s mom. You go Girl-ie! Just so freaking cool. Not your conventional badass, but more of the modest and unpretentious confidence kind.
The guys are so great with her. I admit I find them sketchy the first time, like is this some kind of elaborate stupid college dare or something along those lines? because i’m sure i’d bail. but yeah, these guys earned my interest fair and square. I freaking love how they balance each other. I also love the fact that they’re all like a breath of fresh air. They aren’t the usual mix of guys in a contemporary settings. I love how the author manage to create these characters as they are. And hur-freaking-rah, I haven’t been irritated with any of the three at any point of the story. Now, they aren’t perfect. But I have genuinely enjoyed reading about them all throughout the read.
Overall, I find the pacing of the story perfect. The attraction, chemistry might be instant but I love how they take their time building the relationship in a casual settings. And not in a frustrating way, mostly because heroine and heroes are mature. Another thing I love is how Giovanna fits the trio like a glove. The transition of being cautious around these three stranger to being able to open up with another easily…beautiful. I think this is pretty much what I have in my mind whenever i think of contemporary new adult RH romance.
Unconventional: A Reverse Harem Love Story Reverse Harem Story Book 1
by Rebecca Royce
Unconventional is heartfelt, heartbreaking and heartwarming book 1 of A Reverse Harem Love Story which is a new contemporary romance in three parts by Rebecca Royce. This is hands down one of the best stories of Rebecca Royce’s Reverse Harem Love Storytelling I’ve ever read and I can’t wait to read them all. Rebecca Royce is a one click author -to-me , I’m happy to say that I couldn’t even wait to read this book, I have read it three times already and I will read it again. From the opening chapter (truthfully, the very first page) I knew that it was going to be something special. Oh my it had the hooks in me instantly from the first page, it’s s wonderful, charming, utterly heartbreaking, and fantastic, I knew this book had me feeling a mix of sweet emotional things already. This story might not read like any of your typical closeted- contemporary-reverse-harem-love story because It’s so much more, plus Rebecca Royce’s writing is so compelling in a you can’t read this fast enough’ kind of way, but yet it also manages to be incredibly emotional. What I enjoy so much is her prose isn’t weighed down by unnecessary flourishes or metaphors but it’s definitely pure, you get one-hundred percent
undiluted perfection that doesn’t get distracted from the characters or the blazing hot scenes. The charm of the relationship at the getting acquainted stage, the hitting rock bottom with violence along with all the personalities at this level, there is bigotry along with prejudice that some characters can wielded like a weapon against people who wants to live different, I enjoy how it’s all expressed, shown dramatically and gratuitous, but without crossing over into trite. The descent into seduction and romance the following of love is hot and raw. That very personal choice to stay close as one, even when there is one woman to love three men. The inherent goodness of these characters, all with their struggles and baggage it feels all so real. I had my hand on my heart for a number of chapters because it’s giving you so much feeling. But for all of this goodness, there is darkness in the story too. So much of this story is coming into themselves, loving discovering each other and owning it no matter what or who wants love and hold you. Unconventional features Giovanna Amsel, Maven Stone, Chance Montgomery and Banyan Iburgess. The story features an unconventional relationship that has it’s beginning in an even more unconventional setting. Giovanna is a junior at Denberg University, which is a small liberal arts college. She’s an English major and the editor of the Literary Magazine even with her introverted dyslexic she is still a good student. These are three gorgeous guys who are realistic but all may seem too good to be true. Maven baggage is his guilt, along with his fear of becoming like his father. Chance hides baggage with his easy laughter but he still has scars. Banyan baggage is he’s artistic but he likes to use it as a sharp weapon because it hard to give and receive love freely. Again this book has humour, sadness, blazing hot you may need a box of Kleenex for your tears, a fan or two, this is book 1 of 3. They all make my heartwarm, I want the guys to love Vonni wrap her up in their arms to protect her. I absolutely enjoyed all four of these characters and the book makes me want to protect them all but of course Vonni has her space. The happily ever after of this romance is so perfect, so well earned, and yet every step of the way is natural without feeling as though there were elements thrown in to delay things for the sake of the plot. There is parts I had to put my big panties on just to read those parts but I definitely enjoyed every minute that I read it. I’m so excited to read book 2 in this series.
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