coronation arc
⭐⭐⭐
〰️
⭐⭐⭐ 〰️
🤝 Fake Dating 🍼 Accidental Pregnancy ⚠️ Age Gap
👑 Royal Romance 🌩️ Grumpy x Sunshine 🌶️ Open Door Romance
SPOILERS
❗❗❗
SPOILERS ❗❗❗
Synopsis
Cleo White has never done me wrong and I had such a great feeling about this book’s release! The plot, the tension, the romance, the emotions. I am so glad this book is finally out in the world and am so thankful to Cleo and her team for sharing it with me!
Benedict is the newly crowned king of Stelland, against his and the public’s wishes, unfortunately. In hopes of getting a break from it all, he attends an exclusive and prestigious party, known for it’s devious encounters. Also in attendance that night is much younger Hollywood actress, Zelda. The two hit it off for a night of fun and part ways… Or that’s what is supposed to happen. The positive pregnancy test was definitely not part of the plan…
Cleo and her sweet assistant, Danie, sent me the most GORGEOUS PR package for the release of Coronation!
“It was never supposed to be me. Nobody bothered to prepare me for the role. I was the spare...”
Favorites
One thing Cleo will always pop off with is a clever and unique plotline. She takes grumpy x sunshine and age gap to the next level with 41 yr old broody king, Benedict, and 25 year old Hollywood darling, Zelda. Their instant attraction was off the charts and had, even me, sweating during their first night together. If I were to nominate any author for a "Charge your vibe before opening this book" award, it would hands-down be Cleo White.
Benedict and Zelda felt like the perfect modern-day couple. The paparazzi was simply obsessed - and I LOVED the newspaper articles breaking up the storyline. They were clever transitions and a great way of incorporating how the outside world perceived the intimate moments we were viewing behind-the-scenes.
My top THREE favorite elements include:
- first weekend at Fernmoor House (it was giving honeymoon)
- he's cold as ice to everyone BUT HER
- the backseat scene (which one you ask 😜)
“The house could burn and I wouldn’t stop looking at you.”
ICKS
This was a much longer book than we usually get from Cleo, and for me, I don't think it necessarily had to be. The conflicts were great. The spicy scenes were phenomenal. The characters had great development. Though, the pregnancy surprise was really drawn out. By 70% through I had, honestly, forgotten all about it. In my opinion, the plot had great depth and structure without it.
The one thing I wished for more of was the "arrangement" that was planned by the crown. There was a very important meeting and a huge decision that Benedict let Zelda make, but we never heard about it again. He did beg for a second chance - which was so hot by the way - but never openly admitted it was no longer an arrangement. I would have liked to hear more about this, either between the couple themselves, or one of their PR teams, at least.
“I hadn’t known it then, but I do now: never again will my heart be wholly my own.”
Final Thoughts
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend to anyone in need of a SPICY read. It wasn't one of my favorites from Cleo, but I had such a blast reading as part of the arc team. Thank you so much for the opportunity and the beautiful PR package, Cleo and Danie!
