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The Royals #2

Would Be King

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A dare turns into so much more…

All I want to do is get to work on time.
But a Prince Harry look-a-like is trying to steal my cab,
and that’s not going to happen.

In the midst of the battle,
I discover I lost my wallet.
So I bargain—a free ride for a kiss.

His lips taste like mint, and when he tugs me closer,
I can feel the hard muscles beneath his expensive suit.

The kiss ends just as we reach our destination,
and I’m so taken aback by the explosiveness of it,
I rush out without so much as a goodbye.
I’m a hopeless romantic with no time for distractions.

But fate, that bitch,
Has us pounding on the same locked door.

Already knowing I’m going to be fired,
I curse my new boss and his new rules.
The hot suit laughs,
And dares me to tell my new boss what a dick he’s being.
With nothing to lose, I accept.

Never in a million years could I have imagined he is my new boss.
Dating him is against the rules,
His rules.
He’s a rulebreaker, though,
And everyone knows a rulebreaker isn’t a forever-kind-of-guy.

So when he says let’s keep things casual,
I dare him not to fall in love with me.

But there’s a reason rules aren’t meant to be broken,
And finding that out is the hardest thing I’ll ever have to do in my life.

My rulebreaker has a name,
It’s Prince Maximus Montgomery.
And this is our story.

379 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 27, 2019

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About the author

Kim Karr

55 books4,561 followers
Reader * Chocolate Lover * Writer * Coffee Lover * Romantic * Beach Lover * Yoga Beginner

Kim Karr is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of eighteen novels. Best known for writing sexy contemporary love stories, she enjoys bringing flawed characters to life.

Her romances are raw, real, and explosive.
Her characters will make you laugh, make you cry, make you feel.
And her happily-ever-afters are always swoon worthy.

From the brooding rock star to the arrogant millionaire. From the witty damsel-in-distress to the sassy high-powered business woman. No two storylines are ever alike.

Get ready to fall in love.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,212 reviews1,282 followers
February 23, 2019
👑💜👑💜👑💜👑💜👑💜👑💜👑

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Gigi just moved to Manhattan three weeks ago. She wasn't going to find her dream fashion job back home in Texas.

It's hard living in this city, but today's the day her dreams might finally come true. She just has to be on time for this job ... but this horrible but very sexy Prince Harry lookalike just hijacked her cab!!!

LOL!

Of course we can guess that they're going to the same place .... and ... since the blurb already told us - he's her new boss. But that's obviously not the only thing he is .....

Let the fun times begin!

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Well, this was absolutely adorable & funny & sexy!


It's all about New York and fashion and royalty and finally finding The One and not being able to be together and ... resisting temptation.

But of course nobody is really resisting anything or rather anyone.

Too cute!

I adored Max and Gigi - they're so perfect for each other!

They're having so much fun together and they work together perfectly. If only this stupid real life with all its royal laws wouldn't get in their way!

But of course our darlings will fight through all that stuff to get to their happily ever after - and the reader enjoys every single sexy & exciting minute of that journey!

Can't wait to see what the next royal will be up to in the 3rd book!

WOULD BE KING was such an adorable & fun & exciting & sexy Royal Romance!!
Run to your nearest amazon for your own Prince Max - this one is MINE!!!!


The only thing I didn't like about the book ... the cover? The guy might be cute/hot/sexy in real life ... but whatever instruction the photographer gave him? NO! Nuh-Uh! NOT SEXY! Jeez. How can a picture like this land anywhere but in the trash or on some middle-of-the-night-call-in-porn-show on some crap tv station??? Ew.
Sorry. No offense intended to the model, photog, designer, author - but this cover doesn't work for me at all.


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Smokin Hot Book Blog Email
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,134 reviews911 followers
June 22, 2019
DNF

This is my second try with miss Karr book. The first book,Come a Little Closer, i end up with disappointment. And also Would Be King.

Again, like the first book i read, the story is lacking depth. The foundation of the characters are very shaky. All of the story is just about sex. When we get into the point where some explanation/resolution needed, more sex. Yes i know everyone likes sex. But its just too much in this book.

Without a good story or plot or layer into the story development, i just can not continue.

2 stars
Profile Image for ✰  BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰.
2,841 reviews12 followers
February 13, 2019
ARC received for an honest review

It is always a good day when a new Kim Karr story turns up on your kindle.

And a story with a ginger Prince - hells yeah!

I didn't even read the blurb before diving into this book, as I knew that after reading Washed Up Royal, I would be reading the rest of this series.

This book has a bit of a Harry/Meghan feel about it. The prince. The American commoner.

I love their banter, the push/pull between them as they try to deny their attraction and feelings for each other.

This was such a cute read. I was drawn into the story right from the beginning, and I just couldn't stop reading it. I loved getting more of the couple from Washed Up Royal, adored seeing more of the guys and girls from the Vesta Isles families.

And I am really looking forward to the next books in this series.



Smokin Hot Book Blog Email

Profile Image for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty.
3,985 reviews349 followers
February 28, 2019
description
In Would Be King, Kim Karr gives readers a leading man that is impossible not to fall in love with. From the very first introduction, I loved Max. Even with his wild ways and bossy attitude. The latter was one of my favorite things about him. I feel like I didn't really get a good idea of who he was in the previous book in the series, Washed Up Royal. But I'm so happy to have gotten to know him through this story.

And Gigi was adorable and funny and just perfect for Max. She's the kind of leading lady that you root for. She's so smart, and empathetic and just real, even in her very fairy tale like circumstances.

This book had a perfect beginning middle and end. It kept a smile on my face and left a happy reading glow when I was done.
Profile Image for Verna Loves Books.
426 reviews60 followers
March 1, 2019
Would Be King by Kim Karr was pure magic and the hopeless romantic in me was swooning through the whole thing. I'm still on cloud nine after finishing the book, it was such a breathtaking story.

When Gigi and Max first meet, you're going to be grinning like a fool. I loved their first encounter, how out of this world it was. Then the kiss! Oh my, talk about butterflies and stars, it was perfection. I loved the instant connection they had and that by the time they both get to their destination, fate had a way of making them stay together. These two push each others buttons and just kind of fall perfectly together. They're like a puzzle that has finally found all it's pieces and when they come together, it's enchanting. The two days they spend together is so romantic and you'll never want it to end. I can't express how much I loved these two together and how thrilling this book was. It was crazy good. But when all the secrets start to surface and Gigi discovers the truth about Max, you're going to be swept away and rooting for your new favorite royal. Max is everything! I mean I loved him the instant he smiled at Gigi.

Kim Karr's Royal stories are scandalous, yet spellbinding and leave your heart so full of love. I give Would Be King by Kim Karr 5 out of 5 I DARE YOU STARS!
Profile Image for Isha Coleman.
7,543 reviews153 followers
February 17, 2019
Karr dares readers to lend her our hearts and we willing accept. Max and Gigi are a heavenly mismatch. Off on her first big adventure, Gigi finds one bigger than she ever could have dreamed. What's a country girl to do, when she comes across her very own Prince Charming in the flesh? Would Be King is a swoon-fest. When fantasy and reality meet, there are no words to describe how wild the ride can be.
Profile Image for Kim.
2,624 reviews164 followers
February 10, 2019
4.5+ stars
Prince Maximus Napoleon Montgomery has been released from his betrothal contract to his best friend, Victoria, so has been sowing some wild oats. So much so that he has created a bit of a media scandal and the King and Queen are determined to bring him to heel...shipping him off to Newport did not help, and now he finds himself trying to stay out of trouble in New York, while also trying to avoid another arranged marriage.

Gigi Gatsby was just excited about getting a job in the fashion industry. Sparring during a cab ride with a arrogant ginger was not part of her plans, neither was falling for his dare. She certainly never conceived that he would be her new boss. And the company has a strict rule about no fraternization.

He's the boss. He makes the rules. So certainly he can break them if he wants to. But being the boss is only one reason anything between them would be forbidden. And Max wants to keep that secret as long as he can. Too bad their bodies and hearts are not getting the memo.

Gigi is a free spirit full of energy and sunshine. Max has made some recent mistakes in judgment, but he is a loyal, protective, and confident man. But he is finding out that the first thing he really wants out of life is the one thing he cannot have. Attempts to bring her into his life seem to just make things messy and complicated. He is stuck in limbo between love and duty. There are some rules even a rogue Prince is not allowed to break. Any relationship not only involves the two of them, but also the media, the royal family, and his country of Casanovia. And she is just a common American.

I totally fell for Max. He is a good guy but with just enough cocky and dirty edge to be tempting and sexy. And Gigi is just so vibrant and smart. Their chemistry is off the charts and their verbal sparring is fun.

This can be read as a stand alone but it also brings back Victoria, Adrien, Ava, Hunter, Rachel, and Truman we met in Washed Up Royal and gives us some more love connections. There are also underlying threats and opposition. and some twists and surprises.

This is an angsty, sexy, and emotional forbidden love story with some suspenseful components. I had some theories about how things might shake out, but I was wrong. There were many variables affecting his life. I liked the fact that some things surprised me. My heart really broke for them as their connection seemed at times to be driven by fate, and at other times seemed doomed due to circumstances beyond their control.

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Follow Me: Reviews by Tammy & Kim (Rachel and Jay) | Facebook | Twitter



Profile Image for Booked & Busy Book Blog.
927 reviews33 followers
February 26, 2019
Kim Karr has given us yet another delightful read with Would Be King! The story of Max and Gigi gives you all the feels and emotions you need in this cute, fun and sexy story. Max and Gigi are an absolute delight, their chemistry and banter is amazing. I love how their tale of love unfolded and I thought Kim Karr brought just that right amount of drama into the mix to make this a fantastic royal read!
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,841 reviews156 followers
May 24, 2019
I dare you not to fall in love with Prince Maximus Napoleon Montgomery - the ginger heartthrob who’s taking New York fashion industry by storm and razing a little hell in the process, even if he’s supposed to be keeping a low profile.

This ‘would be king’ has gotten himself into quite a bit of trouble, so he’s been shipped off to the states to right his ship, so to speak, in order prepare himself to fulfill his royal duties and prevent anymore unwanted bad press for his family’s name, but once a rascal, always a rascal, which means that Max doesn’t even have to be looking for trouble for it to find him, and with social media and the paparazzi constantly in both his personal and professional life, they’re bound to catch him in some rather precarious positions with quite the lovely American commoner regardless of the fact that he’s her boss and there’s a company no fraternization clause in place.

Gigi Gatsby is a pocket full of sunshine, which is exactly what Max finds most attractive about her. She’s creative, intelligent, and genuine, which is something lacking in the people Max usually surrounds himself with…these two have incredible chemistry and their attraction to each other is palpable but there are huge obstacles in their way that not even the brightness of Gigi’s heart and soul could surmount on their own.

Kim Karr expertly uses social media to help tell Max and Gigi’s story.The Casanovia Conquest and Tweets are perfectly placed and shed light on the way of the world when it comes to celebrities and royals. They also allow readers to see exactly how enamored society is and how free they are with their words while hiding behind their computer screen. It’s also a great way to show instead of tell specific details when it comes to what Max and Gigi have to deal with, especially Gigi when she has to accept information and figure out if it is the truth or more lies.

There’s quite a bit of drama to be dealt with in Would Be King, which is logical given Max’s royal heritage, the position he’s required to take, and the fact that what he truly craves is something he may not be able to keep.

I absolutely adored Max and Gigi’s story; it’s royally entertaining, heartfelt, and swoon worthy, and Max is definitely at the top of my list of all of Kim Karr’s book boyfriends.

4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
Profile Image for Tee loves Kyle Jacobson.
2,481 reviews174 followers
March 3, 2019
HOLY ROYALTY I loved this book. Kim knows how to write a royal romance like no ones business and I was so caught up in the story I could not put it down until I was done reading it. I had to reach the end and see what happened to Max and Gigi and what I got was so much more than I expected.

Gigi is running late for work one morning when she is hailing a cab when a strange man is trying to get the same cab. She is not in the mood and they fight for the cab when Gigi realizes she has lost her wallet so she makes a deal with the passenger a kiss to ride with him and she agrees and they kiss and the chemistry is explosive!

Then they get out of the cab and end up at the same place and she is like WTF is going on when they try to get in and can't. Then the handsome man makes a deal with Gigi that she can't say no to. Then the story starts to get so much better from here and things start to pop off and Max and Gigi have a ways to go to be together but they say it's worth the climb!
Profile Image for Reemah .
826 reviews
February 17, 2019
4.5 stars!!! Awe this book was super cute! It had such a light feel good flow to it! I loved Kim’s writing and story flow in this book!
Gigi grew up in Texas. She has adopted a love of fashion because it is something her mother loved and felt it was her way of being close to her. I loved her naivety, it worked well for the storyline.
Then you have Max, his life has always been determined for him. He is in New York to work to get his head in straight. He had every intention on staying off the radar until he met Gigi. Gigi was all the rules he shouldn’t be breaking but he couldn’t help it.
I loved their story. I thought it unfolded beautifully. I can appreciate the story especially after I fell in love with Prince Harry. I loved how the story was something I hadn’t read before. I am excited to see what else the series will bring!
February 17, 2019
4.5 stars!!! Awe this book was super cute! It had such a light feel good flow to it! I loved Kim’s writing and story flow in this book!
Gigi grew up in Texas. She has adopted a love of fashion because it is something her mother loved and felt it was her way of being close to her. I loved her naivety, it worked well for the storyline.
Then you have Max, his life has always been determined for him. He is in New York to work to get his head in straight. He had every intention on staying off the radar until he met Gigi. Gigi was all the rules he shouldn’t be breaking but he couldn’t help it.
I loved their story. I thought it unfolded beautifully. I can appreciate the story especially after I fell in love with Prince Harry. I loved how the story was something I hadn’t read before. I am excited to see what else the series will bring!

Reviewed by: Alexis R.
Profile Image for queen_of_the_books_18.
844 reviews223 followers
February 22, 2019
Would be king was a light, sweet read.
A Royal and a commoner love story... what’s not to like!

Max and Gigi were amazing and I loved their banter and the constant push and pull!

Prince Maximus has been a bit of a naughty boy, creating a scandal after he was off sewing his wild oats. His parents send him away to try and avoid more scandal.

Gigi was such a free spirit and just wanted to do well after landing a job in fashion. When her path crosses with Max, a cab ride and a dare later....sparks collide. Max wants her in his life but being a prince means that that isn’t an easy feat.

Max’s life is all planned out for him and Gigi isn’t part of the plan. Will they get their happy ever after of will all of the obstacles in Max’s life stop them?

I definitely recommend this book. I really enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Sissy's Romance Book Review .
8,770 reviews16 followers
February 26, 2019
Would Be King by Kim Karr is the story of Prince Maximus Montgomeryand Gigi Gatsby.
Max has been freed from an engagement and went a little wild...enough that his parents sent him to the US. Max end up meeting Gigi. Gigi is from Texas but loves fashion and its a way to be close to her mother. The two start sparing words and sparks are flying left and right. Their relationship is not work appropriate but unknown to Gigi, as a commoner it may not even be something they can purse. They were both so different but for me they fix well together. Enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Jos.
1,724 reviews135 followers
March 17, 2019
4.5 Royally Sexy Stars

Loved this book.....it was a fun, flirty, "cheeky" and very sexy read:) Max was all in and Gigi was just as smitten!

Wished the next book would have been on Ava and Hunter BUT their story pretty much "silently" coincided with this beautiful couple and by the end, In was kinda disappointed because I would have loved a book on them too!

Great sexy read.
Profile Image for Sandy S.
7,052 reviews181 followers
February 26, 2019
4 stars--

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 27 , 2019

A dare turns into so much more…

All I want to do is get to work on time.
But a Prince Harry look-a-like is trying to steal my cab,
and that’s not going to happen.

In the midst of the battle,
I discover I lost my wallet.
So I bargain—a free ride for a kiss.

His lips taste like mint, and when he tugs me closer,
I can feel the hard muscles beneath his expensive suit.

The kiss ends just as we reach our destination,
and I’m so taken aback by the explosiveness of it,
I rush out without so much as a goodbye.
I’m a hopeless romantic with no time for distractions.

But fate, that bitch,
Has us pounding on the same locked door.

Already knowing I’m going to be fired,
I curse my new boss and his new rules.
The hot suit laughs,
And dares me to tell my new boss what a dick he’s being.
With nothing to lose, I accept.

Never in a million years could I have imagined he is my new boss.
Dating him is against the rules,
His rules.
He’s a rulebreaker, though,
And everyone knows a rulebreaker isn’t a forever-kind-of-guy.

So when he says let’s keep things casual,
I dare him not to fall in love with me.

But there’s a reason rules aren’t meant to be broken,
And finding that out is the hardest thing I’ll ever have to do in my life.

My rulebreaker has a name,
It’s Prince Maximus Montgomery.
And this is our story.


•••••••••

REVIEW: WOULD BE KING is the second instalment in Kim Karr’s contemporary, adult THE UNKNOWN ROYALS erotic, romance series focusing on the fictional royal families representing the five Vespa Isles. This is Crown Prince Maximus Napoleon Montgomery of Casanovia, and American fashion expert Gianna ‘Gigi’ Natalia Gatsby’s story line. WOULD BE KING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Prince Maximus was first introduced in book one-Washed Up Royal.

Told from dual first person perspectives, as well as several third party ‘media’ observations WOULD BE KING follows the forbidden relationship between Crown Prince Maximus Napoleon Montgomery of Casanovia, and fashion expert Gianna ‘Gigi’ Natalia Gatsby. A new job, a shared cab ride, and a kiss with a stranger finds our heroine, Gigi Gatsby, facing her kiss-Max- the new owner of Bombshell magazine, and ultimately her boss. Refusing to go against company policy Gigi struggles with the ‘no fraternization ‘ policy due to her attraction and growing romance with Max, a man who is willing to bend the rules for the woman with whom he is falling in love. But things go from bad to worse when Gigi discovers that Max has left out some important information including the fact he is second in line to the thrown of Casanovia, a small principality in Europe. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Gigi and Max, and the potential fall-out Gigi continues to battle her attraction to a man who may or may not be betrothed to someone else.

Prince Maximus Montgomery is a bit of a manwh*re whose father is desperate to marry off his son to respected royalty. Not once but twice Max will back out of two potential marriages, marriages to women he neither loves nor adores. Meeting Gigi, an American commoner finds our hero throwing caution to the wind, caution that gets him in trouble on more than one occasion. Her entire life Gigi Gatsby has focused on fashion and landing the job at Bombshell magazine is the greatest coup of her life. Meeting Max, although accidentally in a cab, threatens not only her job but her sense of reality as their worlds collide and begin to spiral out of control.

The relationship between Gigi and Max is one of immediate attraction; a shared, wet cab ride wherein Gigi’s soul focus is on landing a new job, and Max’s focus in on the woman sitting next to him, in the pouring rain. As Max struggles to convince Gigi they are meant to be together, Gigi battles between head and heart, and the ramifications of losing her job, and ultimately falling in love with a royal prince. He $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are re-introduced to Gigi’s roommate and best friend Ava Smart who will fall in love with Max’s best friend Hunter Tigress, Ava’s sister Rachel and Prince Truman: Max’ brother Prince Leopold and his wife Petunia, as well as King Winston Alfred Montgomery and his new bride Queen Genevieve; Max’ s bodyguard Gabriel.

WOULD BE KING is a story of betrayal, vengeance, falling in love and letting go. Royal protocol is all about appearances but appearances are deceiving including the trust you place in the people sworn to protect. The premise is intriguing and emotional; the romance is flirty and heart breaking; the characters are colorful, energetic and charismatic. WOULD BE KING is a cross between ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, and the real-life romance between Harry and Megan-a forbidden romance trope- in more ways than one.

Copy supplied for review

www.thereadingcafe.com
Profile Image for Amy Dickinson.
1,378 reviews39 followers
February 28, 2019
I originally fell in love with Kim Karr with her Men of Laguna series. I think I read No Pants Required when it was free or .99 on Amazon, and I fell in love with her characters. Every one of her books engages me and pulls me in because the characters are compelling. There is usually some push and pull between the H/h that keeps you reading so you can see how it is resolved.

In January of this year, she released Washed Up Royal, creating a “universe” of royalty. With Washed Up Royal, we are vaguely introduced to Prince Maximus Napoleon Montgomery, the former fiance to Princess Victoria Blanchette. What do we find out about him? On breaking their engagement, Prince Maximus “lets loose.” He becomes a bit of a manwh$$$, potentially threatening his father’s kingdom.

Enter Karr’s latest offering in this series, Would Be King. Prince Maximus aka Max is living temporarily in New York City entering the world of magazine publishing as a way to engage in a life separate from being a royal. Quite frankly, he’s trying to find himself or escape the expectations of his position. Enter Gigi, a Texan transplant to New York City who is looking to break into fashion. Gigi and Max meet unexpectedly in a cab, and the sparks fly. Fortunately, they continue to cross paths and the fireworks continue.

This story is a story about acceptance. Max struggles to accept the stricture of royal life. He understands the responsibility of it, but the mantle that lies upon his shoulders is heavy, and he rebels against the expectations of his father and his country. Unfortunately, he cannot progress if he doesn’t come to accept his situation and find his space within that life. Similarly, Gigi struggles to accept that she can fit with Max and his world. As is the case with most stories about royalty, Gigi feels unworthy of Max’s title and responsibility. However, she grows to love him. Herein lies the angst of this story. Gigi sacrifices her own happiness so that Max can fulfill his obligations.

Together, Gigi and Max are fiery. They’re witty and brash and sexy. Reading them, for most of the book, is exciting and enjoyable. They pulled me through the story, even the parts that hurt my heart. I also loved how Karr fashioned Prince Maximus after England’s Prince Harry. Given his current popularity, the nod to our real prince adds another layer of character development to Max’s character.

Just like her Men of Laguna series and the ReWined series, I have fast fallen in love with Kim Karr’s books. There is so much more to explore with this new series of books, as there are several royals to consider. If they continue to be as interesting as Victoria/Adrien and Max/Gigi, this reader will be spending some serious book money.

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for PP's Bookshelf.
2,337 reviews358 followers
February 22, 2019
Are you feeling bored and sad? Do you need something to lit up your day? Or do you simply need something to forget all your worries and just feel good? If your answer to any of the above questions is yes, I have a perfect medicine for you. And that is Would Be King by Kim Karr. If the word entertainment needs an example in dictionary, Would Be King would be right there. This book is really the complete package. Drama, humor, sexual tension, swoony love and a modern day fairy tale all wrapped in amazing writing. Do you really need any more reasons to one-click this beauty?


Gigi Gatsby is running to the first day of her not-yet-finalised job at a fashion magazine in heavy rain and a series of misfortunes end her up in a cab acquisition fight with a drop dead gorgeous and charming stranger. That ends up in a life altering kiss and the kiss ends up making her late. She was going to lose her job but soon she finds out that the stranger is her boss. And they have this sizzling chemistry flowing between them like electric charges. And an weekend spent consuming and getting to know each other only make it difficult to walk away from this divine connection. Well it can't be that easy. Because Max Montgomery is actually a real life prince. Because they are boss and employee. Because the royal and commoner can't mix. But love has a strange way of working out things. The story turns into a chaotic yet delicious mess only to have the most romantic and heartwarming ending ever!


Fairy tales are really the first romance books I loved. The author put a brilliant contemporary twist to the prince charming meets Cinderella story. And I was brought back to my sweetest fantasies. The Royal family drama and secrets were expertly written. Max is the proverbial charismatic and enigmatic prince all of us dream of. But he has this reckless bad boy part that made him even better. Gigi is a wonderful woman. She is funny, smart, intelligent and beautiful woman with a heart of gold. She doesn't care about Max's royal status. The story has the right amount of angst and heartbreak to complement the dreamy swoony parts. The plot has interesting twists and turns to engage me completely. After all no fairy tale is complete without evil obstacles.

Even grown ups need fairy tales in their lives. I was living the dreams with Max and Gigi. Kim Karr brought my childhood fantasies to life again with very sexy flavors. Read Would Be King and lose yourself in the royal adventure. This book is intense yet flirty. The chemistry is burning yet soft. A perfectly balanced romance to make you swoon, sigh and die for.

Received ARC for Honest Review.
Profile Image for Spellbound Stories.
686 reviews400 followers
February 23, 2019
It’s been a bit since I read a book by Kim Karr, but I was reminded all over again how much I enjoy her stories after I started Would Be King. I read this cutesy romance in one sitting. Kim took the modern British Monarchy with it’s Prince Harry and Meghan Merkle craze and turned it into a quick, sexy and fun read. Max is the ginger prince who falls for American commoner Gigi. The story is told in dual POV and the quick pace kept me entertained throughout. Would Be King had me chucking out loud repeatedly and was the perfect light-hearted romance following several dark books that I had read for my blog. I loved the characters—Max and Gigi were adorable together. Complete opposites that fell helplessly for one another. Max was swoon-worthy—sweet, cocky and a bit dirty. Gigi was spunky and free-spirited. I haven’t read the previous book released in this series (Washed Up Royal) and suffered no trouble reading this one as a complete standalone. As a reader I love interconnected standalone romances—there is just something about getting to see glimpses of previous characters that is very rewarding. Now that I have read Max’s story, I want to go back and read Washed Up Royal to find out where the series began. I loved this book, and believe readers will too!


Quotes:
That small taste I had of her in the cab wasn’t nearly enough. I want more. Damn her. Damn her and all her spunk and beauty. I really was on my way to the straight and narrow.

The chemistry her and I share is insane. I’ve fucked dozens of women in the past four months, but not one has made me feel the way she does, and I haven’t even been inside her— yet.

Max Montgomery is anything but playful. Sensual. Alluring. Dashing. Arrogant. Cocky. All perfectly good words to describe him. Playful, not so much.

Max is my new boss, and I can’t be alone with him. Especially in the confines of a vehicle. The chemistry between us is just too insane.

I grip her face and pull her to me. Our lips collide in a wet and wild kiss. One filled with a crazy hunger and desperation on both our parts. Hers. Mine. And that off-the-charts chemistry sizzles between us.

She’s sunshine in a bottle and I have a feeling I’m about to get wasted.


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Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,027 reviews90 followers
February 19, 2019
* A review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. *

~ 5 Sunshine Stars ~

Well Kim Karr has done it again, she has me hooked on her newest series. Got love reading about Royalty!!

Would Be King is the second book in her Unknown Royals Series. This is a standalone novel and can be read that way. You don’t have to read Washed Up Royal before enjoying this book. But once you have read this book you will want to read all the books in this series. This book is told in Dual POV.

Would Be King has everything I look for in a romance novel. There is humor, steam, swoon worthy moments and just enough drama to keep you turning the pages. I even loved the added suspenseful element.

What happens when lust at first sight turns into love?? Can two people from completely different worlds find their HEA??

Well you can find out in Would Be King. This is the story of Prince Maximus and Gigi. We met Prince Max in Washed Up Royal. He is the ex-fiance of Princess Tori. After having been chosen since birth to marry Princess Tori, when that engagement is called off, Prince Max goes a little wild. Now he is being sent to the US to change and better his image, before going back to Casanovia. So he starts up a new fashion magazine…Bombshell!!! On his way to the launch photoshoot he has an interesting encounter with Gigi. I loved the accidental meeting with these two. Gigi is new to New York and has just landed a job as an assistant to a creative director for a fashion magazine (see where this is going?? lol) When she has a tough start to her first day, she stumbles upon a young good-looking man who is trying to steal her cab. Little does she know that cab ride is going to change her life for good.

Read Would Be King to see how Gigi and Max navigate the muddy waters of a Royal falling for a commoner. Can they truly get what they want…a HEA??

I loved getting to know Prince Max better in his story. I also loved meeting his best friend Hunter. It was also great getting to know Ava better with this story and seeing where he story went. The secondary characters were just as charming as the main characters, at least some of them ;)

If you are a fan of a royal romance story then you will want to read this story. It is one of the best ones I have read. If you are a fan of Kim Karr’s books, you won’t want to miss her latest gem. If you have never read a book by Kim, then this is the perfect place to start this amazing journey.

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Profile Image for Misty (Reds Romance Reviews).
3,150 reviews6 followers
February 15, 2019
Gigi Gatsby left Texas and headed for Manhattan with visions of a flourishing fashion career in her eyes. But once she arrives in the big city she realizes she has a long way to go to make her dream happen, everything is more expensive than she planned, and finding her dream job is taking longer than expected. When she gets a unexpected call telling her that they have a job for her, she is beyond excited to get started, but the morning of her first day she wakes up with a bad case of unfortunate luck. It's down-pouring rain, which leaves her drenched from head to toe, she loses her wallet, and then she winds up having to share her cab with a sexy and stubborn man. One that pushes her buttons, makes her swoon, no matter how hard she tries to maintain her dislike towards him, and kisses like a professional.

The moment their lips lock she loses all self control, and can't help but wonder if this is the start of her luck turning around. That is until she realizes they are headed to the same office building, and he just so happens to be her new boss! Surely this isn't going to turn out well...

Would Be King brings readers front and center into the lives of Gigi and Prince Maximus Napoleon Montgomery, and boy do these two have an enthralling and OH SO sexy story to tell. This forbidden office romance tale does not disappoint, it's pages are littered with humor, heart, and smoldering chemistry, it had me hooked in an instant. This likable pair rolled out the red carpet and welcomed right into their glamorous world and had me feeling right at home. They brought life to the pages, and supplied me with many laughs and swoons. If you are in the mood for a light-hearted, funny, and slightly sinful tale, then I highly recommend you pick this one up, what you find between it's page is sure to leave you thoroughly satisfied!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Profile Image for Mia Book Addict.
248 reviews23 followers
February 26, 2019
After finishing ‘Washed Up Royal’, I was looking forward to get my hands on ‘Would be King’. After breaking his engagement with Princess Victoria of Alexandria, not the Queen, Prince Maximus Napoleon Montgomery of Casanovia, aka Max, he gets wild, really wild. While sowing his wild oats, he keeps creating a scandal after scandal. So there comes a point that King and Queen are fed up with his antics. They decide best way to get him under control is to ship him to Newport, aka Royal playground, but their mission fails miserably. Now that King is really pissed, Max’s last chance is to stay out of trouble and run his aunt’s business in NYC.

Gianna Natalia Gatsby, aka Gigi, is really close to make her dream, getting a job in the fashion industry, come true. The only thing she needs to do to get her new job is be there on time but life has ways to mess with you and every freaking thing was working against her. First the rain, then heel getting stuck in sewer grate, metro card going down the drain and losing wallet. But Gigi being her lively and smart self gets into a cab with a ginger stranger. Even though, her brain and body says ‘Ginger Danger’, she doesn’t have a chance other than bargaining. So the deal is a kiss for a free cab ride. What she didn’t know that the person she shared a sizzling hot kiss is her soon-to-be boss and a Royal.

Other than the no tardiness rule, Gigi’s new company also has a strict no fraternization policy. But Max being the confident, cocky boss, who is a rule breaker, tries his best to tempt Gigi to break the rules. Gigi and Max are amazing together. They always have fun, the chemistry is off the charts and their banter is wonderful. Even though, their relationship is going well royal and commoner love is never easy. Max is stuck between his duty for his country and love of his life. And add his new betrothed, Princess Beatrice Hill, and King Rutherford’s plans for legalizing gambling, it becomes a mess.

‘Would be King’ was an adorable, light, fun and sexy read that you won’t be able to stop reading. It can be read as a standalone but I totally recommend you to read the first book ‘Washed Up Royal’. Next book in the series is ‘Wanna be Heir’, story of Prince Phillip Lexington of Catalina and I cannot wait to read it.

P.S. I would also love to read Rachel & Truman’s and Hunter & Ava’s stories. I hope they will get their stories as well.

• Would I recommend this book: Yes.
• Would I re-read this book: Yes.
• Would I read future books by this author: Yes.

e-ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

The review was originally posted on: https://miabookaddict.com/
Profile Image for Emma .
2,506 reviews390 followers
March 2, 2019
There is no doubt Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s relationship was the inspiration for the characters in Would Be King, especially as Max is a Prince Harry doppelganger #gingerbeard

You may remember Max as the Ex of Queen Victoria, who ended their arranged marriage in order to set Max free to pursue true love, although they have remained close friends. And pursue love or rather I should say lust is exactly what Max did; however, his freedom made him reckless and a little overzealous in his pursuit of good times landing him in hot water with the palace. In order to regain favour with his father, Max undertakes a serious business role at his Aunt’s fashion magazine.

Gigi is a recent New York transplant having moved from her family in Texas to pursue her dream career in fashion. Although she hasn’t quite found her feet in the big city feeling overwhelmed and out of her depth. When a job opportunity presents itself, the weather and the public transport system conspire against her, forcing her to share a cab with a handsome stranger *waggles eyebrows* Can you guess who that handsome stranger is?

As it turns out Max is not only the stranger sharing a cab but also Gigi’s new boss, and there is a very strict non-fraternization policy in place.

The chemistry between Max and Gigi is impossible for either of them to ignore, especially when they connect on so many levels. They bring happiness and contentment to each other just by their presence in each other's lives.

Unfortunately, the road to happily ever after is a bumpy one with Max’s royal status being the crus of their problems and all the rules and regulations surrounding the aristocracy.

Kim cleverly continues the thriller sub-plot from Washed-Up Royal within Would Be Prince adding to the tension within the narrative.

Would Be Prince is a quick, light read of the adult fairytale variety
Profile Image for Ana Rita.
1,704 reviews40 followers
March 17, 2019
Oh boy... This lady has a new book and I'm on cloud nine...
And after the book that I finished I really needed a softer one...
Kim Karr has given me some of the best books I've ever read and I know, without a doubt that this new book will nail it.
Her writing is sweet and intense, dark with a touch of light as well as some hot stuff into the mix.
Would Be King is her latest release and tells the stories of Max and Gigi.
But let me just say one thing. Despite the fact that this book is a standalone, I advise you to read Washed Up Royal. You'll see why.
Max is a bit bossy as well as a bit rude. He's used to have things done his way or no way. But what should you expect of a prince? After ending his engagement with his best friend Victoria his life had changed a bit. When a stranger enters the taxi he's in...
Gigi had this dream of working in the fashion department, so in order to achieve that she moved from Texas to Manhattan. When she enters a taxi to escape the rain she couldn't imagine the turn her life would get.
I just can't stop smiling. I really can't. This book was amazing.
Fantastic plot, super engaging, intense and beautiful. Each chapter was even more exciting than the other and I saw myself wanting to read non stop. I couldn't stop nor did I wanted to.
This book has the perfect mixture of love, loyalty, deceive, desire and greedy. It's amazing what we can do for love but it's deplorable the things you'll do for money or power.
I had fallen in love with this series after reading just the first book but let me tell you that this book cemented my love.
Hear me, heard me... This book has some hot scenes... Oh boy... Hot hot hot
Kim Karr you my dear are a genius. This series knocked me out and I can't wait for the next one.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Jody.
30 reviews4 followers
February 21, 2019
What happens when you have 2 people from two different worlds collide...more specifically, a royal and a commoner...the perfect love story filled with romance, lust, power, tears, angst, laughter, seduction, and heartache. "He's a royal. A Would be King. And I'm an ordinary girl. That hasn't changed. And it never will." In Kim Karr's, Would be King, we meet Prince Maximus Montgomery aka "Max" who is just pure temptation, trouble, sinfully sexy and of course, sensual, alluring, arrogant and cocky all at the same time. Then you have the commoner, Gianna Gatsby, aka "Gigi," a bright, sassy, ambitious beauty with big, brown, seductive, inviting bedroom eyes determined to make it in the fashion world. From the moment they meet that intense chemistry is off the charts, RAW, WILD and PRIMAL as they both fight to avoid intimacy at all cost. This becomes especially challenging when Gigi, landing her dream job as a fashion creator for the fashion publication, Bombshell, realizes her boss is the powerful, persuasive, potent and spellbinding Prince of Casanovian. Both know there is no fairy tale happily ever after ending. After all, it comes down to duty not love, or does it? There are books you read where you are like, "God, I love this" but then there is that book that takes over your heart and mind and your like OMG, while immediately texting all your book friends to download it NOW...well this is that book!!!!!!! Would Be King by Kim Karr can be a stand alone but is the 2nd book of the Royal Series (seriously though the first book of the series Washed Up Royal, another 5 star, must read). Kim with her masterful, all-consuming storytelling skills, does it yet again. This is without a doubt a "not-to-be missed" sexy, alluring 5 star read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Profile Image for Kimberly / Love Notes Book Blog.
2,423 reviews143 followers
February 25, 2019
3.75 stars. This was a pretty good book. Would Be King is Max and Gigi's story. Max is the "spare" to his throne in the small country in which his father is King and older brother is the heir. He was in an arranged engagement that recently broke up when his fiance found true love and broke up with him (in Washed Up Royal). After that, he went kind of wild and made headlines doing crazy things, being naked in public, and running around with lots of women. Now, he has moved to NYC to help run a family business and get his act together. There he meets Gigi, in a cab, and sparks fly between them, but she gets away. Max can't get her out of his head and soon finds he doesn't have to when she happens to be his new employee. He pursues her relentlessly. They struggle a bit with his responsibilities to marry a royal and with the employer/employee thing, but it all works out for them in the end.

Would Be King was a cute and sweet read. I liked Gigi and Max a lot. I definitely felt like they were meant to be and they adored each other. I did think this book was a little angsty for my own taste. Max went through a wild period after his broken engagement and went through a manho phrase (before he met Gigi). That past was brought up a good bit and bothered me. I wish that had been not as "in your face". There is also drama with a woman with whom his step-mother Queen wants to arrange a marriage for him. But, overall, neither of those things ruined the book for me. This was a sweet, sexy, fun and easy read.

Overall, I am enjoying this series a lot. Would Be King is an entertaining, fun, fairytale romance. I am looking forward to more from this series and Ms. Karr!

*arc provided in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.6k reviews163 followers
February 26, 2019
Gigi has just gotten her dream job for a fashion magazine, but on her first day, things are not going well just trying to get there, as everything that could go wrong is going wrong. And when she finally gets a cab, she finds herself next to a Prince Harry look-a-like as they battle it out for said cab, and in the middle of it all, she figures out that she lost her wallet. So she realizes that she has to figure out how to stay in this cab, and this is when he talks her into a kiss where they figure out that they have serious chemistry. Her day doesn't get any better when she learns that Max, the guy in the cab, is in charge of the fashion magazine, so they start a very frustrating push & pull journey that made me crazy. It's clear that they definitely hit it off in the sack, as sexy times light the sheets on fire, but she's not willing to let it become more than one night, while he's determined to keep it going. However, there's one little detail that he's kept from her, he's actually a Prince. It doesn't go over so well at all, but there's still more secrets. Obviously that means there's a ton of twists to keep the f-bombs dropping, which made me super happy. But I really loved the fact that Would Be King had a Harry/Meghan feel to it, not to mention, I wasn't a big fan of Max in the first book in this series, but totally fell in love with him in this story, and that was due to the brilliant Kim Karr. Finally, there's a ton of humor that kept me laughing, all the way to the ending when there was some dancing, and no, I won't give anymore details about that. Anyway, just read it for yourselves, as I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ALL!
Profile Image for Samantha Ortegon.
Author 1 book50 followers
February 27, 2019
I have to say that Would Be King by Kim Karr is one of my favorite royal romance reads. If you're looking for a story that gives you all the feels and grabs your attention from the start ... THIS IS IT!

Prince Maximus Napolean Montgomery delivers the heat in spades. His arrogance is perfect had me smiling and swooning, I really don't even know how to swoon but if that means feeling tingly and blushing ... then I was swooning away. We first were introduced to Max in Washed Up Royal, he set out to sow his wild oats after a breakup. He has become a royal bad boy in need of a reputation repair. He is sent to New York to run his family's fashion magazine business. He has set rules to keep him on track and out of the tabloids and social media. No distractions!

Gigi Gatsby is all distraction and the fact that she doesn't even realize it is what makes her loveable. Gigi has a new job and a boss that will drive her emotionally crazy but once she set her sights on what she wants the pull of the heartstrings will be worth it.

This story is unbelievably sexy, Max and Gigi's connection is magnetic from the start, and their comedic teasing banter kept a smile on my face. It's the rules, royalty regulations and all the obstacles that would only keep them apart that had me on the verge of tears. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat. I would give this story more than 5 stars because this story screamed passion, fashion, glamour, action, forbidden love, and risk-taking.

I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Ga Books LoverX.
2,356 reviews22 followers
February 21, 2019
It is every(ish) woman's dream to meet her Prince Charming and have her fairy tale experience, right? What happens when it actually happens to you? When the fairy tale comes with all of the pressure of being involved with royalty? Is it really that easy?

This was an amazing book by Kim Karr. I originally checked her out with her Rewined Series (which is great--check it out) and was super excited to read this. Let's just say I was not disappointed in the least!

Max, or Prince Maximus to most, is recently being shown as a complete playboy and sowing some crazy wild oats. So what does his father, The King, do about it? Why banish him to America obviously! His father puts him in contact with a relative to open up a brand new fashion magazine in the US where he has to succeed and show his father and the media that he is responsible. Then he meets Gigi.

Gigi absolutely loves fashion and is a HUGE spitfire and seems to have really bad luck sometimes. She is a breathe of fresh air to Max and he loves that she has no idea who he is.

The story line is beautiful and suspenseful. Will these two work out? HOW can they work out?
Also, MAJOR steam between these two which is hard once the paps find him. These two are so good together, but with all of the things in the way, can they make it work?

5 outta 5 stars from me! <3

PS: I received this book as an ARC in return for my honest review!
Profile Image for Clare Harrison.
1,074 reviews14 followers
February 25, 2019
Her love of fashion brought her to the city. The job of her dreams within reach.

The cost of a taxi ride in the pouring rain is one kiss. Simple right!?

Ordered to sort himself he found himself in the business world.

He surrounded himself by rules and regulations at his work place to calm his inner wild child and to keep control.

1. No dating
2. No romantic involvement
3. No sexual relations

Then as it rained upon his taxi, life suddenly got interesting.

Ohhh what a total swoonfest! Forget your Sleepless in Seattle, Titanic and Pretty Woman films they have nothing on this!!

Love or lust at first sight, that magical first kiss that changed everything.

The denial, the inner angst oh so poignant dramatic and adorable!

Maximus of royalty he's Dashing and cocky but also Caring and Considerate.

Gigi of the common folk, she's sassy, witty and cheeky through and through.

Two incredible characters that you yearn to find happiness.

I feel quite teary though it's not a sad book.

All that they went through I was with them every step of the way. Emotionally I am completely spent!

Tears are a sweet relief this book is more than worthy of them!

It's romance like I haven't read in a long time and I'm completely full off hearts, flowers, and gooey feelings.

Do you need your faith in love to be restored look no further!

A sensational read from start to finish. Five stars doesn't feel enough!
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