Barely Regal

Rosavia Royals, Book 5

By: E. Davies

Narrated by: Kieran Flitton

Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

A bratty boy prince needs: a firm but fair daddy.

Prince Renford is a royal brat. Nineteen and last in line for the throne, Wren hates his made-up job: commander of roses. Good thing his long-time valet has a firm hand. If only Wren could tempt him to break all palace protocol and use it.

Thom Pierce is 16 years older. Old enough to know he should ignore his prince's less-than-subtle flirtation. He's been burned by a higher-ranked boy before. His job and reputation are at stake if the palace catches a scandal unfolding under their noses.

Wren needs the part of Thom that he's kept locked away for years. If the young prince wants to be taken as seriously as his older brothers, he has to grow up fast. Thom's rules could help Wren become the man Thom knows he can be in time for the Royal Ball...or they could attract the very attention that forces them apart forever. 

Welcome to the tiny European country of Rosavia, where roses ramble over alpine slopes and princes fall for the men of their dreams. Every Rosavia Royals book happens simultaneously, so books can be listened to on their own, or in any order... but keep an eye out for familiar faces around the palace!

©2020 E. Davies (P)2020 E. Davies

Older is better!

What's a brat to do but fall for his older, more experienced valet?? Barely Regal is the story of Prince Renford. Wren is a brat that needs someone to keep him in line and keep him out of trouble. That's what Thom is hired to do and has been doing it for years. Thom has been in the same role before and has been burned before by a younger man and he vows to never do it again. What he doesn't bank on is the utter attraction he feels for the Prince despite the 16 year age difference. Despite his rule of never putting himself in the same position as in the past, he can't resist the charms and the needs Wren shows every time he's in the same room with him. What does he do? He gives in and makes the rules Wren needs in order to have the discipline needed to show his family he can be the Prince he's meant to be.

The daddy/boy kink is mild in this story but the dynamic of the two characters is magnificent. You feel the attraction between the two characters from the start, but Davies gives the reader the angst needed to make the story as steamy as the characters. I love daddy/boy kink and I will say there was just enough in this story to keep me reading and not feel it was overdone.

The narration of Kieran Flitton was as phenomenal in this book as it was in the others. I would most definitely recommend this book and would read it again.

I received this ARC as a part of the Gay Romance Review program for an honest review.

Didn't want to stop listening

This was an absolutely amazing audiobook. I had already read & loved the book by E. Davies, but Kieran Flitton makes even better, if that's possible. This is my second audiobook in this series, and Kieran did a great job keeping the voices straight for the characters that have appeared in both. Even though this is book 5, it can be listened to in any order.

Really enjoyed this series.

The first book was a little to whiny but I just had to know if the next story was better. It was but I think I enjoyed the last two books the best. Loved finding out with each story what was going on behind the scenes. Thought it was sad at how the brothers didn’t communicate and that the parents supported this way of thinking. But they did muddle through even though they still end the end had their secrets. So basically it was a slow burn series hitting the crescendo on the 4th book and bring it around on the 5th one. I did enjoy the narration of them all.

The youngest meets his match

I highly recommend reading this one last as it covers the most time and has another perspective of Leo's wedding (book 1).

There is some mild Daddy/boy kink but it was still a very fun book. Wren is such a brat and I loved hearing about his exploits in all the other stories and this was just a fun addition to the hijinks. Thom is such a great match for him and because of his history, it's great to see the support that they both get from both sides of the family.

I really love listening to Kieran's voice and he's done all the audios for the series so far and does a great job, however, I'm not really a fan of the intimate scenes. They seem a litlle too campy for my liking.

bratty prince finds his daddy

Barely Regal is book 5 in the Rosavia Royals series. I have really enjoyed this series and this book just might be my favorite. I do love age gap stories. Wren, the youngest prince has found the man he wants, now he just has to convince Thom. Wren is a bit of a brat and knows that Thom will be a good daddy for him. I love Wren and Thom's dynamic. I love how caring Thom is in giving Wren what he needs and not just what he wants. I also love how Wren took to his royal duties caring for the roses. I like how each book takes place at the same time and you get little bits of the other books mixed in.
Definitely recommend this book and series.
Narrator Kieran Flitton does another fabulous job. I've really his narration of this series.

Best of the series

This is the final book in a quintet of concurrent stories, a unique setup where each story focuses on one of five brothers (the Princes of Rosavia), but includes references to the others’ respective stories which are all taking place at the same time. The books are numbered in order from eldest to youngest Prince, but the stories can be read in any order.

This story focuses on the youngest, Prince Renford (“Wren”), 5th in line for the throne, significantly younger than his eldest brothers and not taken seriously. Wren and his long-time valet, Thom Pierce, have always had an “intimate” although not sexual relationship, able to anticipate each other's needs, read each other's expressions and understand the other’s thoughts and feelings without having to be told. This story picks up with Wren, now age 19, no longer a child, but chafing against the restrictions on him, which are altogether too little and too much at the same time. He’s struggling to understand what’s missing, acting up and acting out, until he realizes what he’s desperate for is the structure, guidance and protection of a Daddy - a particular Daddy, inherently sensing the Dom latent in Thom. The story tracks the metamorphosis of their relationship as it expands and transforms into something similar to what they’ve been to each other all along, and yet not at all the same and so much more. All of the books have the theme of the Princes finding the person that completes them - two puzzle pieces that perfectly fit together, and it is prominent in this one as well.

The characters are relatable and highly likeable, particularly Wren, which is an interesting trick given that in the prior four books, all we saw was his “brattiness”. If the books are read in sequence, it should be a tough sell to find him endearing here. Credit to the author for creating a complex character with some depth.

The book is obviously based on a Dom/sub, Daddy/boy relationship and, as advertised, there’s some light BDSM kink throughout. It’s inoffensive though, and well balanced by some serious sexual tension that crackles throughout the book, particularly the first half, making it difficult to put down. This story is different in tone and feel than the other 4 books and definitely worth a read.

Kieran Flitton’s narration here is, as usual, very good, with excellent diction and good pacing. I thought the emotional delivery was better here than in some of the other books in this series. The distinction between the characters was also more pronounced than in the other books. Overall, this book as well as the audiobook, are the strongest in the series.

* I received an advanced reader copy of this book and voluntarily agreed to provide my review, which reflects my independent opinion.

wonderful and sweet

I loved this story! I tried this book because I love E Davies even though I'm not a huge daddy fan. I'm glad I did. I though the story was excellent! Wren and Thom(Tom?) were a wonderful couple. the narration was excellent!

A Kinky Prince

Every Prince needs a Daddy, The romance starts off slow, but when it hits it's hot.
The narration was good, an excellent telling of a good book.
Who knew blueberries were sexy...

Who's your daddy

Prince Ren is always getting into mischief and being the youngest of 5 is rarely taken seriously. For this reason he is very put out when put in charge of the royal roses instead of something he thinks more befitting his station. Pierce, his loyal valet, tries to smooth the way and make this easier for the prince as he does with everything. What Ren needs is a firm hand and someone to take control. This is where Tom (Pierce's first name) comes into play. He is a dominant and can give Ren all the support he needs. This role reversal was so unexpected that it took a little time to get into it. This turned into such a sweet yet sexy story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrator was spot on. Having listened to 3 of these books now it is time to grab the last two and get the whole story!

Growing up stinks! BUT More toys PLEASE!🤣😍

Barely Regal: Rosavia Royals Book Five ~by~ E. Davies
MMy Thoughts Confessions and Review:

Lawd how I love when a good series comes together. Although I've not finished this one quite yet, (even though this is the third book I've listened to in this series ONLY because there are two remaining to be released to audio- more on that later) this is gearing up to be one of my favorite “Happy-Place” series since I started this beloved journey.


Our two MCs in Barely Regal belong in a class all by themselves. This age-gap, daddy/ boy slow-burn love story melted my heart and made my soul smile. Power exchange in these types of relationships is a heady thing and can make or break a person. This was almost the case for Captain Tom Pearce who serves as Valet to His Royal Brattiness, Ren, fifth in line to the throne of Rosavia.

When a Kingdom has an Heir and four spares, why shouldn't the youngest in line flirt, be the Jokester, push his Valet to the limits of any sane man with his all too skinny jeans and tight t-shirts, his flying innuendoes that cause dignitaries to blush and other such disparaging disruptions at royal functions?

Now he's finally reached adult status within the palace walls and his father, the king, deigns to tell him his lifelong career and job for the people of the kingdom is reduced to something menial and unrewarding. So, he responds in the only way a brat can by throwing a torrential tantrum. Thus, leaving his Valet, who has kept his inner daddy locked away too long, bursting at the seams to be set free.


The Bratty Prince and the Captain, oh MMy Sweet Baby Cheeses Captain was sooooo good. With chemistry, and friendship that has grown out of ten years of Captain Tom Pearce taking Care of Prince Ren, the slow burn off this one had me wishing for naughty things to happen long before they did. I must confess; however, the build-up of small teases and flirtations was so heady, I found myself love drunk from these two Men.

I found the background story of the Valet just sad enough you understood its validity in how it related to the overall arc. Often themes like this can take hard left turns down Angsty Avenue. However, Davies saves us from too much background gut-wrenching we need a fairytale cartoon to help balance us out again.


I also loved the new characters that were added. The figures of the older and younger woman who worked side by side with Ren added another layer to the buildup and pushing the story forward. They were a bit like the Fates, only not as "haggy" witch-like and more virgin/ crone. It was a cool concept whether it was planned that way or not.


Though part of a series, this one can be read on its own.

So much fun to read (listen to). This new to me narrator (Kieran Flitton) is quite good. At least my ears find his voice quite attractive... It makes for some REALLY good sMMexy time scenes. I'm unsure why the audiobooks were released in the order they were. I was out of the office that day. 🤣 Hopefully, the wait won't be too long for the final two.

The Story: Ed Rawked It! 4.50 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟.✨
The Narration: 4.50 🌟🌟🌟🌟.✨
Overall: 4.50 🌟🌟🌟🌟.✨

Sharonica Logic: love-blooms-only-when-planted-stars
🌟🌟🌟🌟.✨


I received a complimentary audio copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for a copy of my review.


Sharonica Logic💋

Royal brat gets his Daddy

Prince Wren is small brat in serious need of a firm hand. He is the youngest of the royal princes and full of mischief. There is only one person he listens to. His valet Thom Pierce. The man he always loved.

Enjoyed

I enjoyed following Wren and Thom as they explore their daddy/boy relationship and have to deal with Wren insecurities in how he learns and how he deals with his new role.

Climbing roses, rope, a brat, and a Daddy

Prince Renford of Rosavia is a pain in the you know what to his family, especially his elder brother Cas who is constantly cleaning up the messes of his brothers. Wren is known for being unreliable and unfocused. When his father makes him Commander of the Roses, he balks at what he considers a boring and tedious task. Little does he realize how much those roses will come to mean to him. All the family members have roses grown for them and it’s an honor to cultivate them. Wren just sees dirt and a legacy he doesn’t understand.

Thom Pierce has been Wren’s butler for quite some time. He’s watched with exasperation as the young man has grown. Yes, the prince wants to be taken seriously, but he hasn’t done much to avail himself of potential approval from his parents. Thom sees the potential in Wren but also knows a strong hand will be needed to curb the bad behavior and a guiding hand will be needed to help the prince meet and exceed his potential.

Wren being an insatiable flirty brat (Thom’s words) makes this a challenge. The young prince is a virgin, but that hasn’t stopped him from trying to tempt his butler into crossing lines that should never be crossed. Not only is there sixteen years between the two of them, but there is a massive power gap. Wren is supposed to be issuing the commands, but he yearns to be told what to do. He wants a Daddy to curb his worst tendencies.

Thom has been in the position of dominating a superior and it didn’t end well. He loves his job in the castle in Rosavia and doesn’t want to put it at risk. A visit to a sex shop later, along with some rope shenanigans, and he can see he’s going to have to take charge before Wren gets in real trouble. When their relationship is revealed, there’s a huge uproar within the royal family. But Wren is determined and a prince with a singular focus can be hard to change.

What will happen at the Royal Ball? Will Wren get his way? Will Thom have the courage to fight for what he really wants? Well, all will be revealed.

This is the final book in the Rosavia series but it can absolutely be read either as a stand alone or at any point in the series. I’ve read the books out of order but have enjoyed them all. I love watching the characters interact and putting the pieces together. Oh, and I have to mention the cats. Wren used to work at an animal shelter and he has brought home many strays who are often getting in the way – often to the betterment of the story and then men.

Finally, I have to mention Kieran Flitton. He did a lovely job narrating the series and I look forward to listening to more books by him in the future.

Regal Romance!

Wren is seen as the brat of the royal family and Thom is the one that tries to keep him in line. As Wren reaches out for what he needs, Thom is the one that he wants. As they try to figure out their relationship while under the pressure of the royal family, we will see how strong their relationship will be. You will find heat, laughter, tears, and sweetness.

Daddy Pierce

Wren and Pierce were so delicious to listen to. Kieran's portrayal of Wren was spot on. I felt the brattiness every time he spoke. And the firm Daddy tone he used when speaking as Pierce was great. I loved how these two developed their relationship and how they tried very hard to protect each other.

Loving the series

Another brilliant addition to the series. E Davies and Kieran Flitton did a great job. A bit different from previous books in the series I have listen to, but still an amazing story. Think this series shows the Rosavian pride.This series will definitely be in my repeat listening list.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Wowzah!

This was already my favorite of the rosavia royals books but the narration made it come alive! The daddy kink was light but super steamy and the chemistry off the charts!! This is a superb listen!!

An age-gap love story with royals... Yay!

This is one of my favorite tropes so when I discovered that this amazing series also had an age-gap romance, I must have to read It. This final book in the series rounded up beautifully the general backstory. It was amazing to witness Thom and Wren's relationship, specially the little kink involved and how everything wrapped up. in addition to the wonderful story Mr Flitton outstanding performance, acting in general and charism made everything even better. Loved It!

as good as the ebook

The story is always 4-5 stars, because if I wouldn't like the story as ebook, I wouldn't listen to the audiobook. I can't listen to an audiobook without knowing the book, that's not possible for me.

The performance from the narrator is also very important for me. I can't listen to a lot, because my English as a non-native-speaker isn't so perfect to follow a whole story over hours, when the narrator speaks too fast or too sloppy. Normally I have to SEE the person, who is talking to me in English. It took me a little bit, to come into the narrator, but at the end, it worked. I only have to take a few breaks between. I'm just not yet finish with the book, I’m over the half, but I listen enough to give a review.

PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings:

5* - very very good
it's like an A+

4* - very good and will be often re-listening
it's like an A

3* - it's more then a one-time-listening.
it's like a B

So hot!

There is just something HOT about the role reversal and seeing the master become the submissive, especially when it involves a royal! The teasing and sexual tension between Wren and Thom that marks the first third of the book had me waiting with baited breath for the eventual act. I’m not usually into age difference romance, but here the dynamic is different. It’s not an experienced, knowledgeable older man and a silly, foolish, ignorant young man. Wren is a prince, and well-educated. He’s not a fool, he’s intelligent, he just needs some discipline and refining. I liked seeing Wren grow, especially seeing him take on his position with the roses, even if he did not realize or acknowledge the importance of his task at first. I enjoyed his growth and seeing him learn how important his role was and watching him create something new in the garden.

The narration is great. Kieran does a wonderful job voicing the MCs and really captures Thom's tight formality and Wren's bratiness.

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.