Conquering His Virgin Queen by Pippa Roscoe is part of the Mills & Boon Modern imprint. Odir Farouk is about to become King and needs to win his wife, Eloise, back. She left him 6 months ago due to his distrust of her after a misunderstanding over a scene he witnessed between her and his brother. Distance and a lack of communication between the pair of them also hindered the development of their marriage of convenience into a meaningful relationship. The pair of them have to overcome the influence of their parents if their second chance at marriage is to succeed. Odir will have to overcome his fear of love (after seeing his father fall apart after losing his mother) and Eloise will have to come to terms with her mother's addiction to painkillers after her father leaves her alone and unloved for years on end.

The story takes place over a period of around 12 hours and incorporates flashbacks to their pasts. It is well written and interesting to see a fast paced storyline crammed into such a short space of time.

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for an honest review, I am a #MillsandBooninsider #conqueringhisvirginqueen

I got hooke from page 1. Eloise and Odir story makes you wish the story will ever end. Pippa Roscoe wrote a story about two people with trust issues but were able to overcome it.

Prince Odir of Farrehed, about to be King. Strong and sexy.
Princess Eloise, about to be Queen. Suppressed, yet strong willed.
Princess Eloise has escaped, due to the absence of her husband straight after their marriage and his untimely return catching his younger brother, Prince Jarhan kissing her!
Prince Odir has watched how his father's rule almost ruined his country, now he will do anything to bring it back to what it should be for his people, including finding and bringing back his missing wife.
There is duty, heartache and chemistry packed into this book. How will these two overcome the secrets of their pasts?
Read on to find out!
This book was received free from NetGalley via Mills and Boon Insiders, but that does not influence my opinions.

First time I have read a modern romance where the story is told by the hour over a short period of time (12 hours to be precise in this story). I enjoyed the intensity that this brought. I liked the characters; Eloise is caring, vulnerable and resilient. Odir is strong and powerful but in need of help to open up to love, which is where Eloise his estranged bride comes in. There is lots of internal conflict which keeps you turning the page. I wanted to know more about some of the secondary characters and their motivations, as their stories were quite interesting such as Odir’s brother Jarhan.
The back story for both characters are well thought out and there is lots of emotion and passion. I was glad of the epilogue to find out about their happy ever after; a good sign that I cared about the characters. All in all, a great debut for Pippa Roscoe, I look forward to reading more of her work.
Thank you to Netgalley and Mills and Boon for the read.

A little escapism is always lovely. Internationally themed, this contemporary romance allows the reader to see what life is like living with a prince and it's not as romantic as it first appears.
Eloise accepts an arranged marriage because she likes Odir and believes they could grow to love the other. Odir, bound by duty ignores her after their marriage and finally sends her away when he thinks she has forsaken her marriage vows. She runs away, but now he's found her and wants her back, but she has other ideas.
Odir is afraid loving Eloise will weaken him and threaten his kingdom. Eloise will only be his wife again, without compromise and their rekindled passion seems doomed to fail.
I like the structure of this novel; each chapter covers an hour in their reunion, the sense of time slipping away from them increases the story's dramatic tension and makes it fast-paced.
Character-driven, past tragedy and heartache are explored, making their actions more understandable. Loyalty and duty rule both their lives, everything they do is for others. To achieve the love they both desire, they must consider what they want as individuals, and at times this seems to be unlikely.
Sensual love scenes echo their poignant journey. Complex characters, both Eloise and Odir negotiate a problematic emotional path full of angst and pain before they realise what is truly important to them.
A fascinating snapshot of the professional and personal faces of a royal romance, which doesn't stint on angst, drama and romantic sensuality.
I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Well written and engaging, this debut romance held my attention throughout. I liked the unusual format and I'm very much looking forward to Pippa Roscoe's next book.

I received a copy of this book through Mills & Boon Insiders and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

For a debut novel, this book was very well written. Crown Prince Odir Farouk has just 12 hours to bring his absent wife back to his side in order to avoid unrest breaking out with his country's neighbours when he has to announce the death of his father at a press conference. The book is written in hourly segments as to how he wins his estranged wife back. The old King had used Odir and Eloise's wedding to cover an invasion of a neighbouring state and the couple hadn't even consummated their union before Odir had to depart on a six month mission to calm tensions in the immediate regions. Eloise felt superfluous to requirements as Odir left her behind and had no contact with her, and so she took herself off to work in a clinic in Switzerland until her inheritance was to become payable on her birthday. I won't give any more spoilers as I really think this book is well worth reading for yourself. You won't be disappointed.
I wrote this as an insider for Mills and Boon, but all views are my own.

4.5 - "I always wanted you…" Stars!

If Conquering His Virgin Queen is the first book Pippa Roscoe has written, and she isn’t actually another established author using a pseudonym, then I am mightily impressed, actually scratch that I am still impressed. Because any author that can write a story that offers so much emotion and depth, but apart from the epilogue only covers twelve hours in this couples life has writing skills, that I am keen to see more of in the future.

She was a bought bride-a pawn used by powerful men…

Nothing massively new in the tropes used in relation to Mills & Boons go-to story-lines but the writing style was refreshing, the characterizations of Odir and Eloise easy to get along with, and the sexy times well placed and meaningful. This is a husband and wife with issues, issues that are bad enough that one of them believes that after six months apart divorce is the right way to go.

He had held her at a distance because she had truly been the only threat to the barriers around his heart.

One longing for love, the other unsure if they are capable of it, circumstances being what they are if it wasn’t for the fact this publisher guarantees a happily ever after, you could conceivably question whether this couple have a chance at working through their problems on their initial reconnection.

"One day I will take you to a proper bed… But right now I just can’t…"

This is an author who already has a loyal fan, I devoured this book, and I cannot wait to see what is released next. This story was so well presented I would love to see Pippa take a couple on a longer journey, over a more extended page count at some point in the future too.

Outstanding Debut, 4.5 Stars 🌟
Prince Odir Farouk Al Arkrin has twelve hours to win his wife back; 8am tomorrow morning Odir needs Eloise to stand by his side in front of the International press and present a united front as news of his father's death is released and he assumes his place as Sheikh of Farrehed, but as the clock ticks down can Eloise and Odir confront their pasts and fears in time to be united and live the HEA they both deserve!
Ms Pippa Roscoe’s debut novel is written in an hour by hour format which brings an extra edge and enjoyment to the reader experience. Conquering His Virgin Queen is the perfect introduction to Ms Roscoe's unique style and on this book alone I have already added her to my must read author list, and I have my fingers tightly crossed that Natalia will be getting her own story soon, please!
Congratulations Ms Roscoe for an outstanding debut, with strong characters that capture your readers hearts, I know I won't be alone in losing myself in your future releases.
Fyi I received my copy from Netgalley and Mills and Boon via Mills and Boon Insiders, but this does not influence my opinions as all opinions are my own.

The M&B Modern imprint is one of my go to’s when I want a quick, sexy, low-drama fix and Conquering his Virgin Queen comfortably ticked those boxes.

“There’s only one birthday present I want from you, darling, and that’s a divorce.”

This story was very much driven by Odir and Eloise as they realise that their feelings go way beyond that of a marriage of convenience. I love a couple who bring as much passion to their personal battles as they do the bedroom and there is certainly no shortage in either department and, as secrets and revelations come tumbling out, you’re willing Eloise and Odir to find their HEA.

“I used to think that you were my Prince Charming. That you would come and rescue me from my evil father.”
“I still can, Eloise.”

The fact that this takes place over 12 hours is what made this story stand out for me—I’ve previously only read novellas working to this formula. And although a tight timeframe to conquer, Pippa Roscoe does an outstanding job in bringing together all the elements to create an alluring romance, which never feels rushed. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.