Typical Danielle Steel book. I do not love books about royalty, and it was a little depressing at times.

First and foremost, I must mention that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. From the moment I laid eyes on the cover, I was captivated by its chic and alluring design. It perfectly encapsulates the essence of the story within its pages.

"Royal" was released in 2020, a year when many of us found ourselves confined to our homes. For me, this book was a welcome escape from the monotony of everyday life. Set during World War Two, the story revolves around a princess named Charlotte who is sent to the countryside for her safety. Despite the tumultuous times, Charlotte finds solace in her passion for horse riding and is well cared for in her new surroundings.

However, tragedy strikes when Charlotte falls in love, becomes pregnant, gets married, and ultimately dies during childbirth, all within the span of a year. It is a heart-wrenching tale, but the baby, Anne, is fortunately well cared for and loved by another girl hiding on the farm. Anne grows up oblivious to her royal heritage, as she is never told the truth about her relatives.

One of my favorite characters in the book is Jonathan, Anne's stepfather. He plays a pivotal role in introducing Anne to her royal relatives, doing the right thing despite the challenges he faces. On the other hand, Lucy, a bitter woman who resented Charlotte, raises Anne as her own and reveals the truth about her mother on her deathbed. While Lucy may not have been a likable character, I appreciate that she at least had the decency to inform Anne about her true origins.

Danielle Steel's ability to surprise her readers is undoubtedly one of the key factors that draws me back to her novels time and time again. While she may have her own romantic formula, she consistently manages to infuse her stories with unexpected twists and turns, making each reading experience a delightful surprise.

One such novel that exemplifies this element of surprise is "Royal." Set against a historical backdrop and featuring a fictional royal family, this book takes readers on a captivating journey filled with ups and downs. From the very beginning, Steel's storytelling prowess shines through as she introduces us to a world that is both familiar and enchanting.

It is worth noting that the story does feel rushed at times, with repetitive elements and a few plot flaws. Nevertheless, it still manages to maintain a decent storyline. In "Royal" offers a quick and enjoyable read. While it may not hold many surprises, it serves its purpose as a delightful escape for a few hours.

"Royal" by Danielle Steel is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Its captivating cover, engaging storyline, and elements of surprise make it a worthwhile read. Despite its flaws, it provides a satisfying escape from reality, which is something we all crave from time to time.

I was really hoping to like this, my reading app has a lot of DS but if this is anything like the other books I am not impressed.
Lots of repetition, like describing the same scenario every chapter, everyone died (spoiler?) and it was just so weak.

Characters were boring and flat, the plot was weak, the ending was pathetically predictable, I have no doubt that Danielle Steel is using ghost writers and this book was definitely not up to her previous work.

I've never read a Danielle Steel before, but this was an Audible daily deal and it looked like an intriguing concept. I liked the narrative voice: it was very matter-of-fact, almost like a documentary except that the British royal family during WWII has been fictionalized. But about an hour in, the main characters jump into bed together. I was bummed, as I was otherwise enjoying the story, but I was hoping for something a little more Jane Austen-esque. So I stopped listening.

I think this is the first Danielle Steel book I've ever read. I had high hopes, as Steel is a bestselling author who has written dozens of books. (Also, the cover is gorgeous.) Honestly, though, I was really disappointed when I began reading.

The story line was promising, but the book description revealed the first 65% of the book, and the remaining portion was incredibly predictable. The characters were all one dimensional and flat. The writing was heavy handed and repetitious. The style of prose land overwhelmingly on "telling" over "showing".

I forced myself to power through, and I do think the last 15% of the book was the best portion. I can't recommend the book overall, though.

When avid readers discuss Danielle Steel, there are two distinct camps. If you are in the "there's no way I'd read a Danielle Steel novel" group, there's no need to read further. But if you're like me, and pick and choose which of her many books you'd like to read, I think you'll enjoy Royal.

The book takes place in England. It starts during the summer of 1943. It’s wartime and bombs are falling throughout London. Families are sending their children to the country for safety. The British royal family is no different. They send the youngest of their three daughters, Princess Charlotte, away for protection. What occurs during her time in hiding is best not to reveal. Years after the war, Annie, a child of royal birth, is raised in secret with no knowledge of her true family.

This fairy tale-like book is classic Danielle Steel. It is filled with struggles, tragedy, triumph and love. And horses. Like the real British monarchy, the royals love their horses.

Royal is written in a light, easy style and you’ll anticipate every turn along the way but it’s a sweet book and sometimes a nice book like this is what we need every now and then.

Rated 3.75 rounded up.

Review posted on MicheleReader.com.

Super fun an easy read. I like they kind of romance this is. It's pure, young and innocent. There were bits of repetition that contradicted itself when describing love for a character or lack of love but all in all I enjoyed!