What Sam Rousseau loves most in the world, outside of her father, is working with wildlife. Being in a graduate program for wildlife biology, she is in just the right place to do what she loves. When a mysterious duchess summons Sam to dinner, she gets startling news that she herself is a long lost duchess. If that wasn't enough to handle already, the prince of the land, Alex, is annoyingly charming, especially with his own love of wildlife. Sam has to learn to wear a crown and navigate new love if she wants to adjust to the new life in front of her.

SUDDENLY ROYAL is a fun, romantic story with a serious side that tugs at your heart. The main character, Samantha, is spunky and has great heart. The relationship with her father is deep and shows a moving side to dealing with a parent who is ill. I like how their relationship is consistent throughout the story and doesn't only focus on the romance with Alex, though that part is swoony and awesome. Alex himself is very believable, and I love the progression of his relationship with Sam, how it builds steadily without rushing.

I'm a huge fan of stories with royalty, and SUDDENLY ROYAL does a wonderful job of showing the duties that Samantha would have as a duchess and how general royal life works for their small country of Lilaria. The strong love of birds throughout makes both an excellent motif and a nice little side aspect that makes the story unique. The secondary characters are also very fun and charming, especially Alexa's sister.

Overall, if you like movies like The Prince and Me or anything royal and fabulous, Nichole Chase has crafted a wonderful book with SUDDENLY ROYAL. I can't wait to get back into the world made there with the companion, Recklessly Royal.

Book Summary

Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working on a master's degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it's to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed . . .

As crown prince of Lilaria, Alex D'Lynsal has had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures in the press have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She's stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone's front–page news. While Sam tries to navigate her new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex. Giving in to them means more than just falling in love; it would mean accepting the weight of an entire country on her shoulders.