Royally Deceived (Love Over Murder Book 2)

De: JD Carothers

Narrado por: John Hartley, Stephanie Nemeth-Parker

Prince Xander has one job to do: become king. Unfortunately, that means the confirmed bachelor must find a bride.

Engaging the help of an elite matchmaking service guarantees finding a suitable wife. What he didn’t expect was to be friend-zoned by one of the ladies...especially when she’s the first woman to spark his soul.

When Ariana loses her job in a NYC PR firm, she heads to London following her dream of becoming a romance writer. A friend’s matchmaking service is the perfect starting spot for research into royal love lives. Swearing off men was supposed to be easy, until Prince Xander asks for help.

Monarchy, matchmaking, and murder entangle Xander and Ariana in a dangerous plot. Will it turn their friendship into forever love, or will fate keep them apart?

This is book two in the series, but it can be listened to as a stand-alone. HEA guaranteed.

©2023 Dreamlific Publishing (P)2023 Dreamlific Publishing

Royally Good

J.D. Carothers' "Royally Deceived" delivers a charming blend of romance, intrigue, and royal escapades, making for an enjoyable audiobook experience. The narrative centers on Prince Xander, tasked with finding a bride to secure his ascension to the throne, and Ariana, a PR professional turned aspiring romance writer. Their paths collide through an elite matchmaking service, setting the stage for a delightful "friend-zoned" romance.

The audiobook's narration effectively captures the characters' personalities, bringing Xander's regal charm and Ariana's witty determination to life. The pacing is well-maintained, balancing the development of the romantic relationship with the unfolding mystery surrounding a potential murder plot. This adds a layer of suspense that keeps listeners engaged.

Carothers skillfully navigates the familiar tropes of royal romance, injecting fresh humor and relatable character dynamics. Ariana's initial resistance to Xander's advances provides a refreshing twist, fostering a genuine connection between the characters. The supporting cast adds depth to the story, enriching the royal backdrop and the matchmaking service's quirky environment.

The blend of lighthearted moments and suspenseful twists works well, creating a satisfying listening experience. While the premise is rooted in familiar romance themes, the execution feels unique. The audiobook successfully transports listeners to the opulent world of royalty, making "Royally Deceived" a delightful escape. The story explores the conflict between duty and personal desire, adding an emotional core that resonates. Overall, "Royally Deceived" is a well-crafted audiobook that delivers a satisfying mix of romance, humor, and intrigue.

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Matchmaking, Mystery and Murder ❤️

This was a fun story with a bit of suspense and mystery, and feels like The Bachelor mixed with a mistaken identity trope. Maybe throw in a little we're-just-friends-vibe as well ☺️

This was my first experience with JD but after this I clearly need to go find book 1. I enjoyed the surprises in this book & went in without reading the blurb so I really didn't see anything coming, which for me worked out great. I knew I would still get my HEA but I really like getting to play the who-done-it game and finding out who would come out on top at the end. Ariana was fun and up for almost anything in the name of research 😉 while Xander was struggling with life changing decisions about a future he might not be ready for. The friendship that developed between these 2 was quick but sweet.

I really enjoyed the narration here. John's smokey sultry Xander worked very well with Stephanie's smooth and engaging Ariana (This was my first by Stephanie and I can't believe I haven't listened to her before-time for a deep dive 🤗) They gave lovely performances and I found their styles and pacing worked great for me.

Romantic, suspenseful, and royally entertaining!

Royally Deceived is the second book in JD Carothers’ Love Over Murder series, and it pulled me in from the very beginning. We follow Prince Xander, charming, soon-to-be-king and Ariana, a novelist hopeful, caught up in a reality show-style dating setup with a twist: murder.

Their instant connection was electric, and the fact that there’s a past connection they don’t even realize at first made it all the more delicious. The suspense elements were woven in perfectly, adding just the right amount of tension.
The story is a great blend of romance, drama, and mystery that kept me engaged the whole time. But when Xander suspected Ariana of deceit? That moment crushed me and definitely rooting for some serious groveling.

And the audiobook performance was outstanding. John Hartley brought Xander to life with a swoon-worthy accent and emotional depth. Stephanie Nemeth-Parker perfectly captured Ariana’s voice, strong, vulnerable, and real. Their duet narration took the story to another level.

If you love royal romances with mystery, emotion, and a fantastic audio experience, don’t skip this one!

Gripping

Prince Xander is the crown prince of Catalinius and is in need of a bride even though the last thing he wants is to get married.

Employing a matchmaking service he meets Ariana and from the first moment he is drawn to her.

I really enjoyed this story and the friendship that developed between them was heartwarming.

This book was an entertaining listen with a good balance of suspense and romance. In fact I was surprised by a number of the twists and turns.

The narration by John Hartley and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker brought the characters to life for me. Their voices were easy to listen too and they brought all the passion, drama, romance and suspense to their performances.

Enjoyed this royal romance with a touch of suspense!

Royally Deceived by J.D. Carothers was a royal romantic suspenseful ride full of swoony twists and gripping turns that kept me guessing till the very end. This is book two of Carothers' Murder and Romance Are on the Menu series, and it is taken the top spot for me in the series so far. Royally Deceived can be enjoyed as a complete stand-alone.

Stephanie Nemeth-Parker and John Hartley narrate the audiobook, and this was the first time I'd heard these two paired together. Stephanie brought grace and poise to her performance of Ariana highlighting her passionate, dedicated, and determined persona. Plus, all of her accents were on point! (Yes, lady!) John's portrayal of Prince Xander was regal and dignified emphasizing his loyal loving and charismatic persona to the crown and Ariana perfectly. The slow-burning chemistry between Ariana and Xander was magnetic and undeniable in audio!

Overall, I enjoyed this book! If you are a fan of a royal romance with a hunky heroic prince, a fierce brave novelist, monarchy, matchmaking, suspense, murder, slow burn steamy times, mistaken identity, deception, plot twists, and a HEA that is crown worthy, then you will love Ariana and Xander's story. I look forward to more from J.D. Carothers.