Royally Arranged

Royal Matchmaker, Book 2

By: Mckenna James

Narrated by: Addison Barnes

Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Ainsley is an aristocrat who dreams of landing a prince. Ben is a commoner whose work is his life. Will a secret fling lead them to a love neither saw coming?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a long list of things I desire in a husband.

He must be of noble birth. Wealthy, of course.

Thank goodness, my friend Caroline is working her royal matchmaking magic, searching for the perfect man to place a crown on my head.

I’m meeting kings, princes, the most eligible men in the world, so why is the only man I’m interested in Caroline’s brother?

Ben is a physician - intelligent, kind, and driven to help others. But he’s not interested in balls and high society. The man doesn’t even care about money! He’s a doctor who practically donates his time to his patients in parts of the world where medical care is scarce.

His idea of luxury is running water.

But his passion for life is intoxicating, and the way he looks at me makes me feel like more than a trophy. There’s something so real, almost primal about him that keeps me up at night.

I can’t tell Caroline. She’s put her reputation on the line to make me a queen.

Perhaps, Ben and I can have a secret fling.

No one needs to know.

Because, it definitely won’t last.

©2020 Mckenna James (P)2020 Mckenna James

Perfectly matched!

When your best friend is a matchmaker you have a long list of what you desire in a husband, should you hire her? Ainsley has always wanted to marry royalty to keep her line pure. She has put her trust in Caroline to find her a match, suitable for her father's approval, but each one is just not what she is looking for. No chemistry, boring, you name it, there is an excuse. But there is one man who does check almost all the boxes for Ainsley. Caroline's brother Ben is all she wants but can't have. Not of royal blood, these two decide while she is looking for a husband, a little friends with benefits action would be ok. But is it? Do feelings get in the way? What happens when Caroline does find her perfect match? And what will her father think? This book pushes all the right buttons for me. Low angst, great characters, a fun friends to lovers story that gave me all the feels. Ainsley is quite a woman. She tries to make everyone happy but knows it's not possible. Ben is all the warmth and love a woman can want. But at times, he plays the martyr! I enjoyed their journey and Caroline's unrelenting matchmaking. It's an easy, romantic listen that warms the heart.

Addison Barnes is a wonderful narrator. I find her voices so easy to listen to and she is spot on with her accents. I enjoy her witty banter, her comedic timing is always perfect and she finds the essence of the characters, matching them with the voice that is meant for them. It's always a pleasure to hear her narrations.

Charming!

Lord Greyson has once again called on Caroline Raines to make a match, this time for Lady Ainsley, socialite daughter of King Laurence of Tenebrae. She has a reputation as something of a wild child but, for the most part,it's not true. Ainsley expects to marry a prince and the first two that she meets simply don't fit the bill. One with bad breath and the other and hour and a half late for lunch, she's starting to think that there's no one who can interest her. Then, she sees a very handsome, casually dressed man who is obviously not a royal and she's surprised to see Caroline grab him in a big hug. Her brother, Ben, has been working for Doctors Without Borders and is staying with his sister until he has to ship out for Sudan. He's a doctor who isn't interested in the finer things in life; what's important to him is that he can get the supplies and medical staff that he needs. As he watches Ainsley with his sister and her suitors, he realizes that she's not anything like her reputation and he's interested in getting to know her better. Ainsley is attracted to him, but it won't do to marry a commoner. The heart knows what it wants and their hearts want each other. With a sister who is shocked by her brother's "indiscretions" with her friend, there's quite a bit of humor and a lot of love in their happily ever after. 
 Addison Barnes is an accomplished narrator who gives each character a clear and concise voice with her own dynamic voice.