Battle Royal

A Novel

By: Lucy Parker

Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown

Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

“Lucy Parker writes deliciously fun enemies-to-lovers perfection!” (Tessa Bailey, New York Times best-selling author)

Beloved author Lucy Parker pens a delicious new romantic comedy that is a battle of whisks and wits.

Ready...

Four years ago, Sylvie Fairchild charmed the world as a contestant on the hit baking show Operation Cake. Her ingenious, creations captivated viewers and intrigued all but one of the judges, Dominic De Vere. When Sylvie's unicorn cake went spectacularly sideways, Dominic was quick to vote her off the show. Since then, Sylvie has used her fame to fulfill her dream of opening a bakery. The toast of Instagram, Sugar Fair has captured the attention of the Operation Cake producers...and a princess.

Set...

Dominic is His Majesty the King’s favorite baker and a veritable British institution. He’s brilliant, talented, hard-working. And an icy, starchy grouch. Learning that Sylvie will be joining him on the Operation Cake judging panel is enough to make the famously dour baker even more grim. Her fantastical baking is only slightly more troublesome than the fact that he can’t stop thinking about her pink-streaked hair and irrepressible dimple.

Match....

When Dominic and Sylvie learn they will be fighting for the once in a lifetime opportunity to bake a cake for the upcoming wedding of Princess Rose, the flour begins to fly as they fight to come out on top.

The bride adores Sylvie’s quirky style. The palace wants Dominic’s classic perfection.

In this royal battle, can there be room for two?

©2021 Lucy Parker (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

I’m so bored

There’s no chemistry between the characters and I feel like this book just keeps going on and on…

Hard too follow

I had a hard time understanding the narrator and kept getting lost in the story. I finally gave up. Might like this if I read it instead of just listening.

funny, not your typical storyline

was an enjoyable read. loved that the storyline was complex, slightly predictable at times but that did not deter from the story

Darling!

This story was simply darling and the narration executed flawlessly! I just wish it was longer! ❤️🍰🦄

Touching and kind of adorable

Lucy Parker and Billie Fulford-Brown have become a bit of an auto buy for me. Parker's writing can get a little angsty at bits, but for the most part is pretty light and funny. although this book had some very touching parts about family, that even made me cry a bit. The only thing that felt odd was the interactions with the royals, I get they are people, but also there were a lot of personal things aired in front of two bakers.

Slow burn enemies to lovers

The story was engaging and humorous, but also emotional at times. I enjoyed the slow burn, enemies to lovers romance between the two main characters. The narrator was very good, might have worked better as a duet but not for lack of talent on her part

Again...Lucy Parker knocks it out of the park

Best romance I have read in a long time. The characters have depth, their motivations are clear, there is no ridiculous artificial drama provided by extraneous misunderstandings.

Simply excellent writing and narration.

So cute!!!

This love story was perfect and adorable. The love story progressed in my favorite way - no breaking up and getting back together here. They take their time but it's so worth it. Voice actress made the story come to life.

A wonderful Read

Absolutely delightful! I laughed, I cried, and enjoyed this story immensely!!! A wonderful story full of unexpected heart.

Not Parker's Best

This story felt a little formulaic for author Lucy Parker, whose stories tend to be more original than most rom-com stories. I always enjoy her writing and story structure, but found Battle Royal just a little hackneyed- it can't be easy to structure a new universe, which this book clearly does.

The biggest problem with the book is the upload: there is something wrong with it....I slowed the book to .9%, which helped, but the volume was a problem as well, I couldn't get it loud enough. Billie Fulford-Brown's narrative style is a bit whispery (if you've read any of my reviews, I'm not crazy about that kind of delivery), but the real problem is with the actual program.