I’ve said it before, and I will say it again…I adore the way Erin Nicolle (aka Erin Nicholas) writes the strongest heroines and the swooniest heroes. Rags to Royals (Book 3 in her Royals Gone Rogue series) is no exception.
In this second chance, small town, billionaire royal romance, Nicolle weaves an intricate, humorous, poignant and steamy love story. Scarlett Gale is a single mom, mechanic, and dutiful sister who lets her hair down for a semi-anonymous weekend of passion and connection with our hero, Prince Cian O’Grady.
Cian knows he has found the one his heart loves, but Scarlett leaves his bed and New Orleans without saying goodbye, determined that their encounter was one and done.
Fast forward 19 months. Pressured into an arranged marriage by his royal grandfather, Cian has other ideas…he’s determined to make the witchy, beguiling Scarlett his wife. He just has to find her and convince her she’s his perfect partner.
Nicolle’s rich storytelling, world building, and humor is present, but she also touches on some weighty topics in this book… single parenting, religious trauma/spiritual abuse, abandonment, and mean girl behavior. I love that her books always call attention to the emotional and physical needs and challenges of real life people, and that her characters are always part of a solution.
The duet-style narration for this book is beyond excellent, with Amelia Hugh and Connor Crais bringing Scarlett and Cian to life in ways that only elevate Nicolle’s storytelling.
Hugh’s performance as single mom and reformed mean girl, Scarlett, is magnificent, heartwrenching, heartwarming, & heat-inducing. Hugh also does a stellar job with the other female voices, including teen Mariah and an extensive cast of beloved side characters.
Crais makes every swoony, filthy-talking moment count, portraying Cian and a cast of male characters with his customary aplomb and skill, treating listeners not only to an American Cian, but also to his Irish, British, Cajun, and other accents in this audiobook.
This one is a feast for the ears and a must listen/read.
As usual, Nicolle twists, teases and sets up the next book (or two), and I am on the edge of my seat waiting for Recklessly Rogue releasing in February.