This book was AMAZING! I absolutely loved Cal and June! This series is quickly moving to the top of my favorite Stoker reads list.

We get to learn Cal’s backstory in the first book – The Protector, and I knew from reading that book that he was going to be someone special. Learning the rest of his story and seeing him all googly-eyed over June and the amazing way he treated her…*sigh* I was a total goner for him. He had such a heart of gold and after knowing what he and his friends had suffered as POWs, him taking the brunt of all the abuse to spare his friends; my heart seriously broke for all he endured. Yet there was joy in seeing him and June find their way to each other and the closeness and love they shared through everything. He was definitely her prince in every way. And, oh my gosh – the ending!

It was also amazing to see June’s resilience no matter what her stepmother and stepsister threw at her. She did her best to stay quiet, keep her head down and just survive. It was sad to see everything she had to endure from her horrible family day after day. But she was so strong to not let any of it break her physically or mentally. To still be a sweet, kind, and loving person and keep her positive personality through it all, and hanging on to the wonderful memories with her father to get her through the hard times and times of doubt. She had such inner strength and determination to survive her family and break free.

It was definitely the stuff fairy tales are made of for Cal to sweep June off her feet and take her to his home and help her start a new life for herself with the assistance of his close friends/family. They both had their own trauma and nightmares to deal with but as time went on and they became closer they had each other to lean on for support. It was heartwarming to watch them help heal each other as well as come to terms with their struggles for themselves.

This book was just so good. There’s humor, friends/family drama, suspense, lots of emotions, romance, and steam (and did I mention steam…whew!).

Thanks to NetGalley and Susan Stoker for the ARC.

This book was so cute! I love a good fairytale retelling, This book was heartwarming. I fell in love with the characters as they fell in love.

Before we go into this, let me just say: I’m not a fan of modern day Cinderella retellings and I don’t like 3rd person narration. So these are two factors that weigh heavily in my opinion of this book. But I enjoyed the first book and Cal was one of the most intriguing side characters, so I thought I would give this book a try anyway.
This story didn’t disappoint. We have Cal, who struggles a lot with his past and what happened to him, when he and his friends were kidnapped. June is the sunshine to his grumpy, even though she had a lot of hardship in the past. Both characters struggle with their imperfections and this struggle is absolutely believable, but there didn’t seem to be more to June, it felt like something to her character was missing.

What I still don’t understand is, why she stayed all this time with her stepmother and -sister. Her reasoning for that didn’t make any sense to me.

The plot is pretty shallow, there never really is a lot of danger for the characters and we mostly get to see how June and Cal interact and fall in love, which was nice and relaxing but I wouldn’t have minded a little more action.

Overall I enjoyed this book, I had fun with it. The next book will be about Bob and I feel like he is the one of the four that we know the least about.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

This second book in Susan Stoker's Game of Chance serious is cute and makes no attempt to hide that it's a Cinderella story, complete with a prince, wicked steps, and a sweet, overworked, orphaned heroine. Cal and June are both sweet, generous, and kind, and together, they are cuteness personified. But lest you think this is a clean read, be advised that it's verrry spicy, and Cal and June get into some very unDisneylike shenanigans.

I really liked this story but didn't love it. The wicked stepmother and stepsister are melodramatically evil, though the suspense attached to their parts in the story is scanty, at least up to close to the end and is pretty short even then. Instead, the time is spent with Cal second guessing whether he's "good enough" for June and then second guessing his second guessing. For June's part, she has a hard time believing that Cal could be attracted to her very unprincessy self. Their insecurities are totally believable, but I would have preferred a little more to the story. I wanted June to have had some kind of... hobby? skill? knowledge? even if she kept it from her steps. Actually, I had hopes of her cooking talent, but that went nowhere. I also need my MCs to be imperfect, and I don't mean physical flaws.

But as a romance, The Royal delivers just fine. It also includes an intriguing epilogue that serves as a teaser for book three, Bob's (Kendric's) story.

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

This book made my heart sing. Susan has a formula and it works most every time resulting in an entertaining, heartwarming read with an amazing hero and a very strong heroine. This is the second book in the series and one of my favorites, but the message is so clear - beauty is more than skin deep and none of us is perfect. I love the relationship between the 4 guys and the extension of that into the women they fall in love with. Really really a 5+ read for me.

I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy through Net Galley of The Royal . This is absolutely a Sensational Suspense Romance . Callum (Cal) Redmond was a POW with his three team members . He was tortured and horrible scarred . Cal is part of the Liechtenstein royal family. He and best friends live in Maine and have their own business . As a favor to his cousin he agrees to help a woman supposed to have a stalker . As he finds out quickly she is hoping to trap him into marriage . Cal is attracted to her stepsister June at first sight . June has been taken advantage of . They treat her terrible and stole her inheritance . Cal offers her a way out to a better life . She leaves with him never dreaming the spiteful women won't just sit back . As June and Cal struggle through Cal's past and fight for a future together danger is lurking for June way to close . This story is a suspenseful rollercoaster ride. It intriguing and intense and definitely emotional and sexy all rolled up together . I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend taking the time to read .

4.5!

The Royal follows (Prince) Cal Redmond and his Cinderella, June in Susan Stoker’s second book in the Game of Chance series.

Cal is doing a favor for a family member by checking out a potential stalker issue down in DC. June is basically treated as “the help” by her stepmother and stepsister, who is supposedly being stalked.

Cal immediately figures out that June’s step-family is making it up and decides to go back to Maine pretty quickly. He offers to bring June with him so she can escape the abusive situation she’s found herself in for the past 15 years. When they’re back in Maine, a potential relationship blossoms, but will they be on the receiving end of revenge from June’s step-family?

This was a super fun continuation to the Game of Chance series and I thought it was really well done. I was a little curious how a “Cinderella” story would be done by Stoker as princess retellings aren’t really her normal stuff but I think it worked really well! Basically just the familial relationships were borrowed from Cinderella and the rest was Stoker’s signature action and romance. Both books in this series have been pretty insta-love based which is fine but I’m excited to see if that will continue with Bob’s book next!

Wow!! I was completely captivated from the beginning and couldn't put the book down and was sad I had to say goodbye to my book friends when I got to the end.

The Royal👑

Cal is convinced by his cousin to investigate a case of a possible stalker for a wealthy family. Cal not wanting to refuse outright goes to see what he can do to help and steer the woman towards the police to further investigate. But upon arrival he sees June and later discovers more about who she is and how she’s connected to this wealthy family😢

I absolutely adored Cal and June. Each had their own obstacles and insecurities to overcome but together they forge a path to their future. That is until the past rears it’s ugly head and possibly shatters their future dreams❤️‍🩹 Grab some tissues as you’re going to need them❣️

Can’t wait to find out more about Bob especially after that MASSIVE reveal at the end😳 I received an advanced copy via Netgalley and willingly leave my honest review😍

A really good story that has Callum leaving his friends in Maine and going to D.C. because his cousin thinks a young woman is being stalked. Really what the woman wants is to be married to Callum for he is a Prince and while in the Rangers with his other buddies, they were captured and he was tortured the worst when they found out his identity. His belief knows will want him because of his scares. He meets Juniper Rose who he thinks at first is the help but later finds out that she was really the daughter of the man who owned the house at one time and has been working for her stepmother and sister for years. The two talk and one early morning she leaves with him back to Maine. Yet the stepmother finds out and hires someone to harm her. There is much more going on in this story and is very much worth the read. I liked all of the characters and the next book sounds just as fascinating.

The Royal is the 2nd book in the Game of Chance series, a Cinderella story with a touch of Beauty & the Beast. But what a story: It kept tugging at my heart strings from the first chapter to the last and made me tear up more than once! It's the classic tale of good triumphing over evil, with plenty of steamy-sweet sexy times and enough mistakes and misunderstands to make the romance believable and relatable. I loved not just the two of them together, but the whole well-deserved happy ending they got. A fantastic addition to my keeper shelf!

The story was very predictable and after the first few chapters I lost interest. This was not an interesting story for me

Susan Stoker does a great job of weaving elements of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast into her usual brand of romantic suspense. June is such an easy character to root for, but her brand of sunshine is lovely and not cheesy. And it’s rare for books to address body-image issues in men, and Cal’s are heartbreakingly believable. Not your typical prince or fairy tale!

I received a free ARC of this book on NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

To be honest, I did not have very high expectations going into this book because I have not read the first book or anything by this author before, but I am pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it.

Cal and June were so cute, and I feel like this book had all of my favorite tropes mixed into one. Royalty, damaged hero, small town, etc.

While I admit, some of the writing and scenes may have been a little cliché, I was totally here for the dramatic twists and turns. The story was just too entertaining for me to put down.

I am super excited about the series and I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future!

I don't really do well with people cover but have you seen the man on this one? He looks an Angel. A sight for sore eyes.

This was such a sweet small town romance. The characters were so accepting and I absolutely loved the little found family thing that they had going.

I need me a Callum Redmon. He was so patient with June. June, I'd give me left lung to save her. She's been through so much and still finds happiness in little things. Cal and June together made such a good couple. One look at Juniper and Callum never stood a chance. That guy was seconds away from writing love sonnets. The way the author describes Callum’s thought had me feeling all lovey-dovey. Them accepting eachothers and their own flaws and loving them. This book is a gem.

This book is modern day Cinderella retelling that includes a wicked stepmom, a stepsister and our Cinderella : June Rose who does all of the cleaning for them. June wants to get away from them but that would mean her leaving her dad's home behind which is filled with a lot of memories.

Tropes: Grumpy - Sunshine, Tortured Hero, Close Proximity, One Bed, Insta-love, Found Family.

Really excited about this book. It was an Absolutely phenomenal read. High will recommend to others to pick up as soon as it is released.

Cal meets June unexpectedly. He didn’t believe he would ever find that special woman. But when he meets June, he sees his future. Too bad he doesn’t think he’s good enough for her. So he decides to enjoy her while he can before she decides to leave him. If you read book 1 in this series you already know Cal was held captive and cut to shreds physically. He himself can’t stand to look at his body so in his mind, he must be awful looking.
June can’t help but fall in love with Cal. She too doesn’t believe she’s good enough for him. She has low self esteem thanks to her terrible step mother and sister.
No worries though, this one does end with a happily ever after. These two just need a little help to realize they are perfect for each other.
This was does have an element of suspense, but reads more like a romance story which I absolutely love!!!

Cal is a former military man and was a POW. He is a member of a royal family and is very rich. While he and his teammates were held captive, he was tortured terribly. He has scars all over his body and never lets anyone see his body. He is asked, by his family, to help a woman who is being stalked. Cal goes to D.C. and quickly realizes it's all made up. The woman is a model and wants Cal because he's royalty and thinks she's going to marry him.
June has lived with her stepmother and step sister for years and treated like a servant. Her father died shortly after marrying and they tricked her into signing over her house. She has a little weight on her and believes no one could ever want her. When she sees Cal, she's bashful but sees him for the handsome man he is. She has been planning to leave her family but she's saving up money. When Cal overhears her step family saying mean stuff about him, he asks June to leave with him.
When Cal and June arrive in Newton, Maine, he lets her stay with him until she gets on her feet. They get close and with so many walls that Cal has up around his heart, it'll take a while for June to knock them down. What they don't know is June's family is not through with her and Cal could lose her.

An excellent story. It's like Cinderella with evil step family and a handsome prince but sexier. Explicit sex. You will need tissues for the tears. I loved how June didn't let Cal's scars put her off. Cal is a hardworking man even though he has billions of dollars. They are perfect for each because they see past each others imperfections.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley*

Legit dropped everything I was doing yesterday when I saw I was automatically approved for this! I’ve been dying to get Cal’s story since being introduced to him in The Protector and this did not disappoint.

4.5⭐️ for Cal and June!

~A former POW, Cal no longer enjoys the spotlight or any form of attention. When family asks for his help to protect a woman from a stalker, of course he drops everything to help. He didn’t expect to be attracted to what he thought was the help. June never thought she’d be in the position she’s in at 32 but here she is trying to make the best of her situation until she has the means to leave.~

I love how Cal never saw himself as anyone’s Prince Charming (even though he’s an actual prince) yet the second he meets June and learns some of her story, he’s willing to be anything for her. SWOON! 😍

I won’t lie, at first I was confused as to why June stayed with her “family” so long but putting myself in her shoes, I probably would have done the exact same thing. I love that she took a leap of faith and made moved to take back her life.

The ending scenes though.. 😭 My heart was beating out of my freaking chest!!

*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review with my honest opinion.*

Thank you Netgalley for gifting me a copy of this book.

It was good. I loved the first 40% of the book, but then the next day, I just thought that the rest was too long and wanted to skip many parts that weren't interesting me. It could be because I was too impatient. Some aspects were also rather repetitive, which reinforced me wanting to skip some parts.

Otherwise, I still liked the book especially as some aspects were different from the usual elements we have in romances, such as Juniper and her discovery of the real world. I don't think I've read something like that before or at least I can't remember it.

I also wasn't a fan of the editing at the end. The last two parts are about the next book and I felt like they should have been separated from this story even if they are still a little linked.