A dare turns into so much more… closer,
I can feel the hard muscles beneath his expensive suit.
The kiss ends just as we reach our destination,
and I rush out without so much as a goodbye.
But fate, that bitch,
has us pounding on the same locked door.
Already knowing I’m going to be fired,
I curse my new boss and his new rules.
The hot suit laughs,
And dares me to tell my new boss what a dick he’s being.
With nothing to lose, I accept.
Never in a million years could I have imagined he is my new boss.
Dating him is against the rules.
His rules.
He doesn’t seem to care.
Turns out he’s more than a rulebreaker.
He’s royalty…and in danger.
When Prince Maximus Montgomery tells me we need to keep things quiet,
I taunt him with a dare of my own.
Unbeknownst to me, it’s a dare that could cost him his life.
Is it too late to take it back?
There’s a reason rules aren’t meant to be broken…
And finding that out is the hardest thing I’ll ever have to do in my life.
more
Kim Karr has given us yet another delightful read with Would Be King! The story of Max and Gigi gives you all the feels and emotions you need in this cute, fun and sexy story. Max and Gigi are an absolute delight, their chemistry and banter is amazing. I love how their tale of love unfolded and I thought Kim Karr brought just that right amount of drama into the mix to make this a fantastic royal read!
I am loving this series. Max and Gigi are a great couple and I love the way they met. The sparked flew from the very first moment and the feelings they share only get stronger.
Nothing is ever easy or perfect in a relationship, so look out for Beatrice. She is the surprise that Gigi is not looking for.
Will Gigi learn who Max really is before he can tell her? Can she accept what she learns? Will Max be able to give her in the end?
Read this series, it’s all I can say. It is worth reading and I recommend each book I have read so far. And if you do read the series, I hope you love each story too.
Floved. Witty, HOT, cute, a dash of suspense.
Max has spent most of his life knowing he was marrying one person and when that changed (remember Washed Up Royal?), he may have gone on a wee bit of a bender. Booze and broads…very un-royal behavior. So he ends up ‘banished’ to the US to run one of the family businesses.
One rainy day, he finds himself sharing a cab with Gigi. Gigi, with whom he has instant chemistry, AND it turns out, ends up being a new employee at his magazine.
Gigi who is determined to succeed at her new job that she messes up by being late on her first day.
But Gigi and Max wind up shaking things up personally, professionally, and royally.
Exceedingly enjoyable read. Our own Price Harry to love.
After reading Washed Up Royal, I wanted to know more about Tori’s ex-fiance Prince Maximus so I dove into Would Be King. If the blurb isn’t enough to indicate Max is inspired by the real life Prince Harry, then the shenanigans Max gets up to in this story will definitely convince you as fiction imitates reality! So I guess it was a little bit fitting that I finished reading this book on the day that the new British royal made his entrance into the world.
Max has been sent to the US to lay low and clean up his image a bit, but from the moment he meets Gigi he knows things are about to get complicated. Gigi is Ava’s roommate (Ava was introduced in Washed Up Royal, but this isn’t a significant plot point if you haven’t read that book) and she is desperately looking for a job in the fashion industry so she jumps at the opportunity to work at start up magazine Bombshell. Suffice it to say nothing goes right as she tries to make it to her first day of work on time, and her first meeting with Max sets the stage for everything that is to follow- except she has absolutely no idea who he really is.
Max loves the fact that the chemistry they share is not potentially tainted by his royal status and that Gigi just sees him as Max, her boss and sometimes a jerk. But family circumstances back home are constantly in the back of his mind, and the evil stepmom doesn’t hesitate to remind him of his royal duty in the most unpleasant of ways.
This story was definitely more angsty than Washed Up Royal, especially as Max struggles with the choice between duty and love and tries not to break Gigi’s heart in the process. I am loving these royals so far and I can’t wait for the next book featuring one of the bachelor princes introduced during Tori’s search for a husband in the first book!
Just ugh. Stopped reading after 40 minutes. Could not stand the heroine & hwe whining from the get go….
Oh boy… This lady has a new book and I’m on cloud nine…
And after the book that I finished I really needed a softer one…
Kim Karr has given me some of the best books I’ve ever read and I know, without a doubt that this new book will nail it.
Her writing is sweet and intense, dark with a touch of light as well as some hot stuff into the mix.
Would Be King is her latest release and tells the stories of Max and Gigi.
But let me just say one thing. Despite the fact that this book is a standalone, I advise you to read Washed Up Royal. You’ll see why.
Max is a bit bossy as well as a bit rude. He’s used to have things done his way or no way. But what should you expect of a prince? After ending his engagement with his best friend Victoria his life had changed a bit. When a stranger enters the taxi he’s in…
Gigi had this dream of working in the fashion department, so in order to achieve that she moved from Texas to Manhattan. When she enters a taxi to escape the rain she couldn’t imagine the turn her life would get.
I just can’t stop smiling. I really can’t. This book was amazing.
Fantastic plot, super engaging, intense and beautiful. Each chapter was even more exciting than the other and I saw myself wanting to read non stop. I couldn’t stop nor did I wanted to.
This book has the perfect mixture of love, loyalty, deceive, desire and greedy. It’s amazing what we can do for love but it’s deplorable the things you’ll do for money or power.
I had fallen in love with this series after reading just the first book but let me tell you that this book cemented my love.
Hear me, heard me… This book has some hot scenes… Oh boy… Hot hot hot
Kim Karr you my dear are a genius. This series knocked me out and I can’t wait for the next one.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
5 STAR Review by Jodi for Ruby Red Romance Review
Would Be King was everything I was hoping for and so much more. Who doesn’t love the idea of marrying a prince? Even in America, we love the Royals. I felt like I was watching that love story all over again. Kim Karr has become a favorite author of mine. When I get free time to read, I enjoy rereading her stories. They are so well developed and keeps you wanting more.
Gigi is over the moon excited about her new job in fashion. Leaving Texas to pursue her dream, Gigi can’t wait to get started. Meeting an arrogant, Prince Harry lookalike, was never part of the deal. On top of that, he hijacked her cab. The cherry on top, Harry wannabe is now Gigi’s new boss. Max is arrogant and hiding a secret. One that could change how everyone sees him. While Max was arrogant, he was so much more. The attraction between these two was instant and amazing. I loved watching the fall and I loved cheering for them.
This book takes place after Washed Up Royal and is a standalone in the interconnected series. This book features Max, good friend and former betrothed of Princess Victoria from the first book. After Max and Tori end their engagement, Max gets a taste of freedom and goes a little wild. He is banished to the US to run a fashion magazine his great aunt has purchased. Gigi has been hired to work at the magazine as a last minute replacement. Coincidentally, Gigi is the roommate and best friend of Ava who also makes an appearance in Washed Up Royal.
Gigi has no idea who Max is, but since he’s her boss she wants to keep their relationship secret to avoid backlash at work. Once she finds out the truth, though, that is the least of their worries.
I enjoyed this book a lot. I liked Max the brief times we saw him in the first book. He was so much more in this one. He and Gigi were so good together. There was so much here, too – the romance, the difficult queen, family drama, and even a bit of a thriller aspect with a crime being committed and the subsequent events.
The ever present gambling in the Vespa Isles thread continues. I am beginning to think there is more to that story than real estate. I hope we get more information in the next book in the series.
* A review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review *
Well Kim Karr has done it again, she has me hooked on her newest series. Got love reading about Royalty!!
Would Be King is the second book in her Unknown Royals Series. This is a standalone novel and can be read that way. You don’t have to read Washed Up Royal before enjoying this book. But once you have read this book you will want to read all the books in this series. This book is told in Dual POV.
Would Be King has everything I look for in a romance novel. There is humor, steam, swoon worthy moments and just enough drama to keep you turning the pages. I even loved the added suspenseful element.
What happens when lust at first sight turns into love?? Can two people from completely different worlds find their HEA??
Well you can find out in Would Be King. This is the story of Prince Maximus and Gigi. We met Prince Max in Washed Up Royal. He is the ex-fiance of Princess Tori. After having been chosen since birth to marry Princess Tori, when that engagement is called off, Prince Max goes a little wild. Now he is being sent to the US to change and better his image, before going back to Casanovia. So he starts up a new fashion magazine…Bombshell!!! On his way to the launch photoshoot he has an interesting encounter with Gigi. I loved the accidental meeting with these two. Gigi is new to New York and has just landed a job as an assistant to a creative director for a fashion magazine (see where this is going?? lol) When she has a tough start to her first day, she stumbles upon a young good-looking man who is trying to steal her cab. Little does she know that cab ride is going to change her life for good.
Read Would Be King to see how Gigi and Max navigate the muddy waters of a Royal falling for a commoner. Can they truly get what they want…a HEA??
I loved getting to know Prince Max better in his story. I also loved meeting his best friend Hunter. It was also great getting to know Ava better with this story and seeing where he story went. The secondary characters were just as charming as the main characters, at least some of them 😉
If you are a fan of a royal romance story then you will want to read this story. It is one of the best ones I have read. If you are a fan of Kim Karr’s books, you won’t want to miss her latest gem. If you have never read a book by Kim, then this is the perfect place to start this amazing journey.
I have to say that Would Be King by Kim Karr is one of my favorite royal romance reads. If you’re looking for a story that gives you all the feels and grabs your attention from the start … THIS IS IT!
Prince Maximus Napolean Montgomery delivers the heat in spades. His arrogance is perfect had me smiling and swooning, I really don’t even know how to swoon but if that means feeling tingly and blushing … then I was swooning away.
We first were introduced to Max in Washed Up Royal, he set out to sow his wild oats after a breakup. He has become a royal bad boy in need of a reputation repair. He is sent to New York to run his family’s fashion magazine business. He has set rules to keep him on track and out of the tabloids and social media. No distractions!
Gigi Gatsby is all distraction and the fact that she doesn’t even realize it is what makes her loveable. Gigi has a new job and a boss that will drive her emotionally crazy but once she set her sights on what she wants the pull of the heartstrings will be worth it.
This story is unbelievably sexy, Max and Gigi’s connection is magnetic from the start, and their comedic teasing banter kept a smile on my face. It’s the rules, royalty regulations and all the obstacles that would only keep them apart that had me on the verge of tears. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat. I would give this story more than 5 stars because this story screamed passion, fashion, glamour, action, forbidden love, and risk-taking.
I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Y’all. I’m a sucker for books that include royal characters. This one has a bit of a different flare from Author Kim Karr. Usually her books are pretty angsty or at least some suspense. Would be King, to me, has a bit more comedy included.
The characters: Max & Gigi.
Gigi is a called, last minute, for a job and she *has* to be on time or she’s fired before she starts. On her way to her new job her taxi is hijacked by a guy that could resemble Prince Harry. The cab ride is goes from 0-60 in the steam level until Gigi has to get out for her job. Though seconds later the look-a-like is opening the locked door for her to get to her job.
Confused, Gigi makes her way to where she’s supposed to reports only to be let go = because she’s late! Oh this is where it gets fun people!
From there Gigi and Max are subordinate and boss respectfully. He demands her time and presence knowing nothing can come of their attraction. Having a relationship with a woman that doesn’t know who he really is is refreshing and he tries to hold onto it as long as he can.
You know as well as I do those secrets don’t last long, right? Boy does it blow up in their faces. To the point where you want to shove your hand in the book and shake Max for being so stubborn and reluctant to live in the real present instead of the fantasy he created.
I enjoyed this royal romance even if it was a tad messy in spots. The romance not the book. 🙂 If you’re a fan of this trope, definitely add this one to your list. It’s a keeper, like Max.
Chemistry, secrets, a cab ride, a dare…and that is just the beginning of Would Be King by Kim Karr. Throw into the mix characters that you want to love, who keep the story interesting, and a great plot, and you have a book that I loved. It was hard to put down at times, and I found myself snickering as I kept turning the pages.
Gigi meets Max by accident and doesn’t realize it’s her new boss. She is excited about her new job working for a magazine, but things aren’t what she expected. Chemistry grows, scorching both of them, but it’s not an option…or is it?
I loved this story and highly recommend one-clicking this book today. 4 stars. It has great characters and an amazing plot, which means you keep turning the page until the end…because trust me, you want to see how this one ends.
WOULD BE KING is the second instalment in Kim Karr’s contemporary, adult THE UNKNOWN ROYALS erotic, romance series focusing on the fictional royal families representing the five Vespa Isles. This is Crown Prince Maximus Napoleon Montgomery of Casanovia, and American fashion expert Gianna ‘Gigi’ Natalia Gatsby’s story line. WOULD BE KING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Prince Maximus was first introduced in book one-Washed Up Royal.
Told from dual first person perspectives, as well as several third party ‘media’ observations WOULD BE KING follows the forbidden relationship between Crown Prince Maximus Napoleon Montgomery of Casanovia, and fashion expert Gianna ‘Gigi’ Natalia Gatsby. A new job, a shared cab ride, and a kiss with a stranger finds our heroine, Gigi Gatsby, facing her kiss-Max- the new owner of Bombshell magazine, and ultimately her boss. Refusing to go against company policy Gigi struggles with the ‘no fraternization ‘ policy due to her attraction and growing romance with Max, a man who is willing to bend the rules for the woman with whom he is falling in love. But things go from bad to worse when Gigi discovers that Max has left out some important information including the fact he is second in line to the thrown of Casanovia, a small principality in Europe. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Gigi and Max, and the potential fall-out Gigi continues to battle her attraction to a man who may or may not be betrothed to someone else.
Prince Maximus Montgomery is a bit of a manwh*re whose father is desperate to marry off his son to respected royalty. Not once but twice Max will back out of two potential marriages, marriages to women he neither loves nor adores. Meeting Gigi, an American commoner finds our hero throwing caution to the wind, caution that gets him in trouble on more than one occasion. Her entire life Gigi Gatsby has focused on fashion and landing the job at Bombshell magazine is the greatest coup of her life. Meeting Max, although accidentally in a cab, threatens not only her job but her sense of reality as their worlds collide and begin to spiral out of control.
The relationship between Gigi and Max is one of immediate attraction; a shared, wet cab ride wherein Gigi’s soul focus is on landing a new job, and Max’s focus in on the woman sitting next to him, in the pouring rain. As Max struggles to convince Gigi they are meant to be together, Gigi battles between head and heart, and the ramifications of losing her job, and ultimately falling in love with a royal prince. He $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are re-introduced to Gigi’s roommate and best friend Ava Smart who will fall in love with Max’s best friend Hunter Tigress, Ava’s sister Rachel and Prince Truman: Max’ brother Prince Leopold and his wife Petunia, as well as King Winston Alfred Montgomery and his new bride Queen Genevieve; Max’ s bodyguard Gabriel.
WOULD BE KING is a story of betrayal, vengeance, falling in love and letting go. Royal protocol is all about appearances but appearances are deceiving including the trust you place in the people sworn to protect. The premise is intriguing and emotional; the romance is flirty and heart breaking; the characters are colorful, energetic and charismatic. WOULD BE KING is a cross between ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, and the real-life romance between Harry and Megan-a forbidden romance trope- in more ways than one.
Would Be King by Kim Karr is the story of Prince Maximus Montgomeryand Gigi Gatsby.
Max has been freed from an engagement and went a little wild…enough that his parents sent him to the US. Max end up meeting Gigi. Gigi is from Texas but loves fashion and its a way to be close to her mother. The two start sparing words and sparks are flying left and right. Their relationship is not work appropriate but unknown to Gigi, as a commoner it may not even be something they can purse. They were both so different but for me they fix well together. Enjoyed this book.
It’s been a bit since I read a book by Kim Karr, but I was reminded all over again how much I enjoy her stories after I started Would Be King. I read this cutesy romance in one sitting. Kim took the modern British Monarchy with it’s Prince Harry and Meghan Merkle craze and turned it into a quick, sexy and fun read. Max is the ginger prince who falls for American commoner Gigi. The story is told in dual POV and the quick pace kept me entertained throughout. Would Be King had me chucking out loud repeatedly and was the perfect light-hearted romance following several dark books that I had read for my blog. I loved the characters—Max and Gigi were adorable together. Complete opposites that fell helplessly for one another. Max was swoon-worthy—sweet, cocky and a bit dirty. Gigi was spunky and free-spirited. I haven’t read the previous book released in this series (Washed Up Royal) and suffered no trouble reading this one as a complete standalone. As a reader I love interconnected standalone romances—there is just something about getting to see glimpses of previous characters that is very rewarding. Now that I have read Max’s story, I want to go back and read Washed Up Royal to find out where the series began. I loved this book, and believe readers will too!
Quotes:
That small taste I had of her in the cab wasn’t nearly enough. I want more. Damn her. Damn her and all her spunk and beauty. I really was on my way to the straight and narrow.
The chemistry her and I share is insane. I’ve fucked dozens of women in the past four months, but not one has made me feel the way she does, and I haven’t even been inside her— yet.
Max Montgomery is anything but playful. Sensual. Alluring. Dashing. Arrogant. Cocky. All perfectly good words to describe him. Playful, not so much.
Max is my new boss, and I can’t be alone with him. Especially in the confines of a vehicle. The chemistry between us is just too insane.
I grip her face and pull her to me. Our lips collide in a wet and wild kiss. One filled with a crazy hunger and desperation on both our parts. Hers. Mine. And that off-the-charts chemistry sizzles between us.
She’s sunshine in a bottle and I have a feeling I’m about to get wasted.
After finishing ‘Washed Up Royal’, I was looking forward to get my hands on ‘Would be King’. After breaking his engagement with Princess Victoria of Alexandria, not the Queen, Prince Maximus Napoleon Montgomery of Casanovia, aka Max, he gets wild, really wild. While sowing his wild oats, he keeps creating a scandal after scandal. So there comes a point that King and Queen are fed up with his antics. They decide best way to get him under control is to ship him to Newport, aka Royal playground, but their mission fails miserably. Now that King is really pissed, Max’s last chance is to stay out of trouble and run his aunt’s business in NYC.
Gianna Natalia Gatsby, aka Gigi, is really close to make her dream, getting a job in the fashion industry, come true. The only thing she needs to do to get her new job is be there on time but life has ways to mess with you and every freaking thing was working against her. First the rain, then heel getting stuck in sewer grate, metro card going down the drain and losing wallet. But Gigi being her lively and smart self gets into a cab with a ginger stranger. Even though, her brain and body says ‘Ginger Danger’, she doesn’t have a chance other than bargaining. So the deal is a kiss for a free cab ride. What she didn’t know that the person she shared a sizzling hot kiss is her soon-to-be boss and a Royal.
Other than the no tardiness rule, Gigi’s new company also has a strict no fraternization policy. But Max being the confident, cocky boss, who is a rule breaker, tries his best to tempt Gigi to break the rules. Gigi and Max are amazing together. They always have fun, the chemistry is off the charts and their banter is wonderful. Even though, their relationship is going well royal and commoner love is never easy. Max is stuck between his duty for his country and love of his life. And add his new betrothed, Princess Beatrice Hill, and King Rutherford’s plans for legalizing gambling, it becomes a mess.
‘Would be King’ was an adorable, light, fun and sexy read that you won’t be able to stop reading. It can be read as a standalone but I totally recommend you to read the first book ‘Washed Up Royal’. Next book in the series is ‘Wanna be Heir’, story of Prince Phillip Lexington of Catalina and I cannot wait to read it.
P.S. I would also love to read Rachel & Truman’s and Hunter & Ava’s stories. I hope they will get their stories as well.
• Would I recommend this book: Yes.
• Would I re-read this book: Yes.
• Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
I love Kim Karr’s books! Just going to say that now. I really enjoyed reading Would Be King! Even though it doesn’t say that this book is a series. I first read about Prince Maximus in Washed Up Royal. This book really can be read as a standalone.
BTW Washed Up Royal was good but, I thought Would Be King was juicy and full of fun. I loved the chemistry between Maximus and Gigi Gatsby (you know this girl has to be fun with a name like that)!
Max was born Prince Maximus Napoleon Albert Montgomery and he is being sent away from his kingdom due to his playboy lifestyle and scandal. He is the epitome of the royal bad boy.
I love the way Gigi met Max! The chemistry between them is off the charts good! I love books that make you feel good and Would Be King is one of those books! This book is more than a romance there is nail biting suspense too! Needless to say I really enjoyed reading Would Be King and can’t wait to see what is next for these royals!
What a great spin of a classic Cinderella story. I’m not sure about the ginger hair but Max sure was the poster child for bad boy prince. He was funny, smart and had a smile that made the women swoon all over the world. Enters Gigi who is smart, (hopeless) romantic, has a kind heart and makes him see that there is more to life than parties and easy woman.
Their chemistry was incredible since the first time they met. As I expected for this kinda story we have secrets that are destined to keep them apart. But luckily for us the bad guys are taken down, Max finally tells her everything and they find her “glass slipper” and manage to live and love happily ever after.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Kim Karr has been dazzling me with her recent releases. In Would Be King we get an office romance with a twist! The new boss, well he is the sexy ginger Prince Maximus Montgomery. When Max and Gigi meet, they have some words, a dare, a kiss and just when Gigi wants to run away, they realize they are going to the same place. What’s a girl to do?
Of course, the man she wanted to run away from is her new boss and…a prince. Gigi is sweet, caring and on the innocent side. Max had a heart of gold, but also has a lot of responsibilities and duties. He was trying to lay low, after some bad choices, but Gigi changes all that. Though the sparks fly between them right from the start, being in a relationship with a prince is definitely not easy!
I loved reading Would Be King by Kim Karr. It was sweet, light and a bit angsty and such a good read. Max and Gigi had great chemistry and banter. They had a bit to work through, but their journey was captivating. Though this can be read as a standalone, but for long time readers of this author we get to see some old friends as well.
4.5-stars. Read and reviewed for Reviews From The Heart.
Happy reading.
Her love of fashion brought her to the city. The job of her dreams within reach.
The cost of a taxi ride in the pouring rain is one kiss. Simple right!?
Ordered to sort himself he found himself in the business world.
He surrounded himself by rules and regulations at his work place to calm his inner wild child and to keep control.
1. No dating
2. No romantic involvement
3. No sexual relations
Then as it rained upon his taxi, life suddenly got interesting.
Ohhh what a total swoonfest! Forget your Sleepless in Seattle, Titanic and Pretty Woman films they have nothing on this!!
Love or lust at first sight, that magical first kiss that changed everything.
The denial, the inner angst oh so poignant dramatic and adorable!
Maximus of royalty he’s Dashing and cocky but also Caring and Considerate.
Gigi of the common folk, she’s sassy, witty and cheeky through and through.
Two incredible characters that you yearn to find happiness.
I feel quite teary though it’s not a sad book.
All that they went through I was with them every step of the way. Emotionally I am completely spent!
Tears are a sweet relief this book is more than worthy of them!
It’s romance like I haven’t read in a long time and I’m completely full off hearts, flowers, and gooey feelings.
Do you need your faith in love to be restored look no further!
A sensational read from start to finish. Five stars doesn’t feel enough!