ARC Review: A Royal Pain by Megan Mulry
Author: Megan Mulry
Title: A Royal Pain
Release: November 1, 2012
Reviewer: Eowyn
Source: PublisherPurchase: | Book Depository
Bronte Talbott follows all of the exploits of the British royals. After all, they’re the world’s most preeminent dysfunctional family. And who is she to judge? Bronte’s own search for love isn’t going all that well, especially after her smooth-talking Texan boyfriend abruptly leaves her in the dust.
Bronte keeps a lookout for a rebound to help mend her broken heart, and when she meets Max Heyworth, she’s certain he’s the perfect transition man. But when she discovers he’s a duke, she has to decide if she wants to stay with him for the long haul and deal with the opportunities– and challenges– of becoming a royal.
A Royal Pain by Megan Mulry is a modern romance novel based in New York, Chicago and London. Bronte Talbot is your modern independent woman; she has an amazing job, makes decent money and is more than capable of taking care of herself. So what happens when Bronte’s independence and self -reliance meet the man of her dreams? It’s a bit rocky at times and makes for an intriguing read.
When Bronte meets Max she thinks he’s perfect. Having recently had her heart broken Max is sexy and leaving in 8 weeks. It’s a perfect relationship with no need to worry about what will happen past today. Magic happens as the two enjoy each moment and as their time comes crashing in on them they find themselves madly in love. How would you take it if you were an independent woman who discovers that you have fallen in love with the dreamy man you swore you was only a transition man and then discover he is a Duke in high demand? I can tell you, it is complicated.
One thing that I loved in A ROYAL PAIN is the fact that this romance actually takes a look at the complications in our characters’ lives that make them who they are. We learn about Bronte’s childhood and her relationship with her father and how it flavors her relationships now. I thought the discussions Bronte has with herself and the knowledge we gain about her relationship issues added depth and plausibility to the story. As she grows and realizes that her father was this man that she never realized while he was alive, I found myself thinking do any of us really know our parents?
There was one thing about this book that I didn’t like and want to point out, I apologize for slightly giving away the ending but I don’t feel that anything I am giving away is a surprise for a romance novel.
*Possible Spoiler*
I must say it’s more of a genre complaint than a complaint about Mulry’s writing. I just think it’s so cliché that a baby seems to come at the end of every romance. I admit that part of my irritation with the ease of which our heroine falls pregnant has to do with my own struggles with infertility but it just seems that in a modern day romance with an independent lead character that a woman can get behind it would have been nice to leave off the typical ending. I’m not sure why it seems that romance novels must all end with a happy couple expecting as if this is the perfect culmination to every romance. I would have preferred a more modern day take to go with this romance.
Overall, I loved Mulry’s novel and I am so glad that we were approached with an ARC. I read the book in one evening and perhaps it was falling in love with a man from another country or something else but I found myself remembering when I first met my husband. I was reminded how lucky we are to have found each other and I finished A ROYAL PAIN with a smile on my face. I will look for other works by Mulry in the future and I recommend this brilliant book to all, especially those who enjoy a good romance.
Sounds interesting. I agree that not every book should include a pregnant HEA. Some people are perfectly happy without children, and I know they’re probably less stressed and more financially stable than the majority of the population. If I’d only known then…….