Book Review: Robin’s impression of Counterfeit Commoner by Kelle Z. Riley
For our 700th post, the latest I Love Romance Blog review selection is Counterfeit Commoner by Kelle Z. Riley. Take it away, Robin!
Thanks!
Counterfeit Commoner by Kelle Z. Riley
I received this book for free. This does not impact my review.
Counterfeit Commoner, by Kelly Z. Riley, is a riches to rags fairytale about a young noble woman who falls in love with a man who is trying to leave his past behind. Lady Sophia de Lyons had just gotten off scot-free after being “ousted” out of her marriage to King Constantine Philippe Ramon D’ Malia by American Jill Bradley to her marriage. After agreeing to switch places with Grace Bradley, Jill’s sister, Sophia is suddenly thrusted into a life of freedom, only to end up alone, somewhat broke, and stranded in America. After an unlikely meeting with James “Mike” Michael Maguire, owner of the struggling pub Maguire’s Irish Pub and Grill, Sophie slowly learns how to be more independent, and to find happiness even in the struggle.
I think I enjoyed Counterfeit Commoner a lot more than I thought I would. It was charming, seeing Sophie try to get accustomed to American culture, thinking she’s making a mistake, when in actuality, everyone loves her. I love her interactions with the three Marys, and when Sophie’s family gets involved, I especially liked how Stephan bonds with Mary Margaret. It shows that, despite the disconnect Sophie has with her uncle and country, her family still cares for her and loves her. The same could be said for Mike; even though Mike’s previous choice in careers and lifestyle came back to bite him in the ass, he was still able to ground himself and protect his family. I loved how protective he was of his nieces and his sister and, to a certain extent, his dad.
However, what won me over was Sophie’s dedication to, not just Mike’s family, but his community as well. She was so friendly with the staff at the pub, and she was able to orchestrate an entire festival to promote Maguire’s and bring people together. I loved how Riley showed readers that Sophie was genuinely a sweet person, and how a relationship isn’t just about two people falling in love, although that is a big part of it. I suspect that this is the relationship Jill Bradley had with King Constantine, as well as Mike’s dad with Destiny, were just as charming, if not downright wholesome. It’s about two people falling in love and getting to know each other. As my father once said, love comes softly, and I feel that this is true for these two.
That being said, I was a little worn down by Mike’s perspective. We know you feel guilty about lying to your love. But you still did it, and I’d prefer if you’d own up to it. But what offset this was his romantic internal dialogue; then again, he is a writer, and I can certainly appreciate his sentimentality. Other than this, I enjoyed this book, and would give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book Info:
When she traded her tiara for a few days of freedom, she didn’t expect to find herself — or to lose her heart to the one man guaranteed to break it…
When Lady Sophia de Lyons, former fiancé to a king and protected daughter of the aristocracy, masqueraded as an American commoner, she didn’t expect to fall in love. She gets more than she bargained for when the man of her dreams turns out to be the tabloid reporter of her nightmares. Can she ever learn to trust him after he betrays her? Or will they both lose everything in a desperate gamble for love?
Universal Reader link: https://mybook.to/CounterfeitCommoner/
Here’s a teaser from the book…
She glanced over her shoulder at Mike. He leaned carelessly against a tree, hands in his pockets, looking at the trees and the sky until he saw her. Then he grinned — not the smirkof a man who knew a juicy secret about her, just the kind of smile that made her toes tingle.
Her toes were just the beginning. A flush of heat warmed her despite the wind as she remembered their kiss. The hours hadn’t dimmed her body’s response. Her breath quickened, and her nipples tightened as the lines between memory and reality blurred. Fire pooled low in her belly, burning a path to the juncture at her thighs.
Mike’s lips tipped farther up, his grin taking on a knowing edge.
She tore her gaze from his, fighting to keep her body under control. Her slip hadn’t changed the dynamics between them. But the memory of that kiss had incinerated any lingering innocence she’d gathered since the morning.
Sophia tilted her head, staring up into the colored, leafy canopy, admiring the tree next to her. She drew in a breath of the cool, fresh air and felt the heat in her cheeks subside. Intent on the tree, she traced its bark with her fingers. Rough, patterned with scars and blemishes, its life force pulsed beneath her touch. A rustle in the branches above drew her attention just as a shower of orange‐gold leaves floated down around her.
The maples were as unlike the gangly, pretentious palms of her home as she was unlike the mold the damn duke had tried to force her into. The palms towered, looming over the landscape, growing taller and more unreachable each year.
Each alike without individuality, without soul. They hid signs of age — tattered brown fronds of years past — under new green shoots, a perpetual illusion of youth even as they decayed and died. As unchanging as the Kingdom of Melesia.
Not so for the maples and oaks. Each tree twisted, bent, and branched out in its own unique statement of independence. Even in the face of winter — death — they blazed with color and vitality. She spread her palm across the rough bark, vowing to spend her days in Mike’s world like the maple — stretching to the sky and the world around her, blazing with life until the last moment.
As if summoned by her thoughts, Mike came close and put his hands on her shoulders. She relaxed into the familiar warmth of his body.
AUTHOR: Kelle Z. Riley
TITLE: Counterfeit Commoner (Riches & Royals, Book 4)
GENRES/TROPES: Royal Romance
DATE: May 30, 2023
PUBLISHER: Indie
ISBN/ASIN: B0BYTGPHQS
OUR RATING: ♥♥♥♥
REVIEWED BY: Robin G.
Guest Reviewer Bio:
My pen name is Robin Goodfellow. I fell in love with reading after I picked up Fallen by Lauren Kate. I am currently a licensed substance abuse counselor and LPC-A (although I hope to be an LPC soon). I was also a former math and special education teacher. Although I tried going to medical school, it didn’t work out. On the bright side, I’ve got more time for reading and writing! Mental health is a personal passion of mine, as is crochet, and annoying my husband.
This book looks fantastic! ♥ We’ll check it out…
Thanks for reading our latest book review on ILRB! ♥ Have a great weekend, everyone!
Originally published at http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com on June 30, 2023.
