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Cedarwood Beach #5
Royal Fling
I left home to find my mother. I didn’t think I’d also find a real life prince.
Reconnecting with my missing past is easy. As is the connection to my mother’s mysterious, rich boss.
A Greek Adonis of a man who looks at me as if I’m the most delectable snack.
Imagine my surprise when I wake up naked in bed with him, only to find out he’s the Crown Prince of Elysia.
I know it’s not going to last. He has a future as a king and my version of a life of luxury includes a classroom full of elementary school children.
So what if he’s handsome, sweet and sexy? He’s only a summer fling. We could never be anything more.
The problem is… I’m falling in love with him.
Royal Fling is the fifth and final book in the Cedarwood Beach small town gay romance series and is completely standalone. It contains a romantic teacher, a hopelessly infatuated prince, surprise luxurious dates and a fairy tale ending like no other.
Reconnecting with my missing past is easy. As is the connection to my mother’s mysterious, rich boss.
A Greek Adonis of a man who looks at me as if I’m the most delectable snack.
Imagine my surprise when I wake up naked in bed with him, only to find out he’s the Crown Prince of Elysia.
I know it’s not going to last. He has a future as a king and my version of a life of luxury includes a classroom full of elementary school children.
So what if he’s handsome, sweet and sexy? He’s only a summer fling. We could never be anything more.
The problem is… I’m falling in love with him.
Royal Fling is the fifth and final book in the Cedarwood Beach small town gay romance series and is completely standalone. It contains a romantic teacher, a hopelessly infatuated prince, surprise luxurious dates and a fairy tale ending like no other.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2021
About the author
Rhys Everly
34 books190 followersRhys Everly-Lawless is a hopeless romantic who loves happily-ever-afters.
Which would explain why he loves writing them.
When he's not passionately typing out his next book, you can find him cuddling his dog, feeding his husband, or taking long walks letting those plot bunnies breed ferociously in his head.
He writes contemporary gay romances as Rhys Everly and LGBTQ+ urban fantasy and paranormal romances as Rhys Lawless.
You can find him and all his latest projects on rhyswritesromance.com
Which would explain why he loves writing them.
When he's not passionately typing out his next book, you can find him cuddling his dog, feeding his husband, or taking long walks letting those plot bunnies breed ferociously in his head.
He writes contemporary gay romances as Rhys Everly and LGBTQ+ urban fantasy and paranormal romances as Rhys Lawless.
You can find him and all his latest projects on rhyswritesromance.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 29, 2021
This book was ALMOST a trigger for me. Let me explain......my brother was given up for adoption due to circumstances similar to Luke. I felt for both characters because I was one of the people affected by the decision my mother had made. I loved how they found each other, the relationship they are able to have and most of all that they all live HEA. Honestly the bonus epilogue at the end was probably my favorite part.
September 29, 2021
Adorable end to the series
Cedarwood Beach ends with Luke heading to London to meet his birth mother and meeting a Prince.
Luke and August were cute together, they moved a little quickly for me but it was a fling. The dates were sweet and I loved the supporting cast.
Medium burn. Low angst
Cedarwood Beach ends with Luke heading to London to meet his birth mother and meeting a Prince.
Luke and August were cute together, they moved a little quickly for me but it was a fling. The dates were sweet and I loved the supporting cast.
Medium burn. Low angst
October 6, 2021
And the series of Cedarwood Beach comes to an end, with a story of enchantment.
An European prince who falls in love with an Afro-American teacher.
What begins with Luke's search for his birth mother turns into a summer fling.
Can love overcome real prejudice and social communication?
Another great Rhys Everly book which I reviewed with pleasure
An European prince who falls in love with an Afro-American teacher.
What begins with Luke's search for his birth mother turns into a summer fling.
Can love overcome real prejudice and social communication?
Another great Rhys Everly book which I reviewed with pleasure
September 28, 2021
I’m going to miss this series!! I would recommend reading the series in order to get the most from Royal Fling! I was so happy to get Luke’s story!! Luke finally finds his mother, although that had a heart-breaking back story, it was cathartic! He also finds August, who he met at the airport with a case of mistaken suitcase identity. The story was captivating, I literally couldn’t put it down, freakin fantastic! Rhys Everly wrote a really well written story, highly recommend. I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
September 29, 2021
👥A teacher & a prince: instant attraction but where can it go?👑
3.5-4 🌟 stars
This is an easy, romantic read. It's not one of my favorites in the Cedarwood series, probably just because I can not identify with all the royal privilege that Lucas runs into when he hangs out with August, the prince of the piece. And some of the conflict is so easily resolved it really seemed more fairytale than real life.
Virginia-raised grade school teacher Lucas gets so much more than he bargained for when he takes off during school summer break to search for his birth mother in London. Meantime August, the crown prince of a small Greek-speaking European country, is worrying about his parents' expectations for him to abandon London and get back home to take up more royal duties.
I really liked the leads' first and second encounters and the story about Lucas' birth mother and how/why she gave him up. There are some really fantastic lives-of-the-rich-and-famous dates and frenzied clinches. Everly has made the prince sympathetic, down to earth in his relationships with staff and friends even though he's fully ready to exploit his wealth and position to arrange unforgettable jaunts around the town. The romance has steam, almost from the first instance the guys manage some one on one time, but the dialogue and tone sometimes tends too sweet for my tastes.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
3.5-4 🌟 stars
This is an easy, romantic read. It's not one of my favorites in the Cedarwood series, probably just because I can not identify with all the royal privilege that Lucas runs into when he hangs out with August, the prince of the piece. And some of the conflict is so easily resolved it really seemed more fairytale than real life.
Virginia-raised grade school teacher Lucas gets so much more than he bargained for when he takes off during school summer break to search for his birth mother in London. Meantime August, the crown prince of a small Greek-speaking European country, is worrying about his parents' expectations for him to abandon London and get back home to take up more royal duties.
I really liked the leads' first and second encounters and the story about Lucas' birth mother and how/why she gave him up. There are some really fantastic lives-of-the-rich-and-famous dates and frenzied clinches. Everly has made the prince sympathetic, down to earth in his relationships with staff and friends even though he's fully ready to exploit his wealth and position to arrange unforgettable jaunts around the town. The romance has steam, almost from the first instance the guys manage some one on one time, but the dialogue and tone sometimes tends too sweet for my tastes.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
December 15, 2021
I like good plotted gay romances, but I don't know what I just read.
The first part was an entertaining romance, nice meet-cute, connecting with his mother, slowly develloping romance.
The second part somehow felt like a parody, everybody suddenly was super - friendly, -understanding, -sweet. What bothered me most was the fundraiser for a LGBT youth program: August plans his coming out of the closet, he is dressed in a blue suit and he dresses his boyfriend in a black suit jacket with a golden floral pattern???? That is appropriate for an event in fashion, creative, artistic circles but with royal and other high profile guests not so. Especially as the London press slandered Luke's name by digging up his performances in highschool as dragqueen.
My pet peeve is sloppy research and the author failed to google some things:
- Luke was on holiday, I assume summer, July? Then it is summer in London as well and as it is situated farther north than Virginia, sunset is not before 10pm, so arriving there at 8pm it would still be bright light.
- Travelling from London to Ibiza takes at least 2,5 hours and not 1,5.
- Luke's Jaja is 76, his father end fifties, his oldest brother 40. Did they all marry very young?
It was more fairytale than romance.
The first part was an entertaining romance, nice meet-cute, connecting with his mother, slowly develloping romance.
The second part somehow felt like a parody, everybody suddenly was super - friendly, -understanding, -sweet. What bothered me most was the fundraiser for a LGBT youth program: August plans his coming out of the closet, he is dressed in a blue suit and he dresses his boyfriend in a black suit jacket with a golden floral pattern???? That is appropriate for an event in fashion, creative, artistic circles but with royal and other high profile guests not so. Especially as the London press slandered Luke's name by digging up his performances in highschool as dragqueen.
My pet peeve is sloppy research and the author failed to google some things:
- Luke was on holiday, I assume summer, July? Then it is summer in London as well and as it is situated farther north than Virginia, sunset is not before 10pm, so arriving there at 8pm it would still be bright light.
- Travelling from London to Ibiza takes at least 2,5 hours and not 1,5.
- Luke's Jaja is 76, his father end fifties, his oldest brother 40. Did they all marry very young?
It was more fairytale than romance.
September 29, 2021
There’s a dreamy, almost fantasy-like quality to this story, and everything is remarkably easy and angst free (with the exception of the requisite “they almost don’t make it” moment towards the end, of course). Luke deals with the truth of his parentage and other shakeups in his family dynamic with equanimity and grace-- bombshells they may be, but he’s unflustered. The seemingly insurmountable challenges August faces as a prince (the duties, the security details, the conservative cultural expectations) also melt away with enviable ease. Their initial courtship is sweet (and a bit steamy), with dream dates, stuffed unicorns, and plenty of chemistry. Their HEA is over-the-top in a way that’s perfect for them both. This is a fluffy, unrealistic, enthusiastically fun read, and if that’s what you’re in the mood for, I’d say give this book a try.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 29, 2021
This was such an enjoyable book. I loved getting Luke’s story and I couldn’t put it down once I’d started but once I finished I did feel a little sad because it was the last book in the series.
I loved both Luke and August; they were perfect together and I was so jealous of all the wonderful dates August took Luke on. The scenes of Luke finding his birth mother were lovely and the inclusion of his brothers and father in the story were great additions.
Once again this author has given us a book filled with great characters, so many feelings, heat, fun times and some low angst. This was a great read and a great final book in the series.
I was given an ARC of this book to review and this is my honest and voluntary opinion.
I loved both Luke and August; they were perfect together and I was so jealous of all the wonderful dates August took Luke on. The scenes of Luke finding his birth mother were lovely and the inclusion of his brothers and father in the story were great additions.
Once again this author has given us a book filled with great characters, so many feelings, heat, fun times and some low angst. This was a great read and a great final book in the series.
I was given an ARC of this book to review and this is my honest and voluntary opinion.
October 1, 2021
Rhys has out done himself again with the last Cedarwood Beach story. I am so glad Lucas got his happy ending. This was a sweet romance I could not put down. I will miss this series, but now that I have them all I can reread them again. Lucas always dreamed of a Prince Charming and when he does actually meet a prince at first all he can do is laugh. He explains to August (the prince) that he has always had a childhood dream of meeting a prince. The two of them can not get enough of each other and find themselves also becoming friends as well. They believe this is just a fling, but , but the more time they spend together it becomes harder to let go.
I received a copy for an honest review.
I received a copy for an honest review.
May 5, 2022
Enjoyed this series!
This was the last book in the Karagiannis brothers’ Cedarwood Beach series! I enjoyed this journey as well as the love and support of the entire Karagiannis clan! Luke finally gets his true Prince Charming in crown Prince Augustine of Elysia. Luke and August find true love from his luggage being mistakenly by one of Auggie’s bodyguards, to supremely romantic dates to the horrors of dealing with paparazzi. Almost every Karagiannis male finds his happily ever during the course of this series and Luke is no exception. All around this entire series was a good read and I wholeheartedly recommend it!
This was the last book in the Karagiannis brothers’ Cedarwood Beach series! I enjoyed this journey as well as the love and support of the entire Karagiannis clan! Luke finally gets his true Prince Charming in crown Prince Augustine of Elysia. Luke and August find true love from his luggage being mistakenly by one of Auggie’s bodyguards, to supremely romantic dates to the horrors of dealing with paparazzi. Almost every Karagiannis male finds his happily ever during the course of this series and Luke is no exception. All around this entire series was a good read and I wholeheartedly recommend it!
May 10, 2022
2.25 Stars
Yes I loved Luke and August, a black American high school teacher and a European price, but while others have called Rhys Everly’s Royal Fling ‘low angst’, it’s hard for me to think of another M/M romance with higher angst.
I expect it helps to have read some of the earlier novels in Everly’s ‘Cedarwood Beach’ series to best appreciate this standalone story, but it’s still relatively easy to follow.
In my mind’s eye as I read Royal Fling, Luke looked much more like a younger Harry Belafonte or Sidney Poitier than the gentleman pictured on the cover. I expect that fact alone influences my review.
Yes I loved Luke and August, a black American high school teacher and a European price, but while others have called Rhys Everly’s Royal Fling ‘low angst’, it’s hard for me to think of another M/M romance with higher angst.
I expect it helps to have read some of the earlier novels in Everly’s ‘Cedarwood Beach’ series to best appreciate this standalone story, but it’s still relatively easy to follow.
In my mind’s eye as I read Royal Fling, Luke looked much more like a younger Harry Belafonte or Sidney Poitier than the gentleman pictured on the cover. I expect that fact alone influences my review.
September 28, 2021
Royal Fling brings us to the end of the Cedarwood Beach series, but it, and pretty much all of Rhys's work, is on constant reread status in my kindle. It has a real-life fairytale, new-to-the-series scenery (from an author who is familiar with the area), and Rhys's amazing sweet and heat style of writing.
I hate giving away the story in reviews, but It's great to see Luke get his time in the limelight and who wouldn't love August?
We don't get to spend as much time with some of the other family members, but we meet new ones and fall in love with EVERYONE!
I hate giving away the story in reviews, but It's great to see Luke get his time in the limelight and who wouldn't love August?
We don't get to spend as much time with some of the other family members, but we meet new ones and fall in love with EVERYONE!
September 29, 2021
I have always had a soft spot for books involving an incognito Royal and the unsuspecting person who meets them and falls in love. Lucas and August were too perfect. I also enjoyed how August had to realize that he needed to be more mindful of why he was doing things. Reasons matter! He doesn’t just get his way because he is a prince. Lucas is such a sweetheart and I loved the interaction between him and his birth mother. A sweet tale and worth reading. I have enjoyed the whole Cedarwood Beach series.
September 29, 2021
Luke got his Prince Charming in a whirlwind romance! I love the reasoning why Luke went to London in the first place. I was wondering how this guy who lived in a small town in the US would meet a Prince and fall in love. The plot was sweet, August and Luke were so adorable together, the setting was perfect as I love London, and their happily ever after was super Hallmark perfect. If you need a feel-good romance, pick this one up. You do not need to read any of the previous books although the entire family is fun to read about.
September 27, 2021
A misunderstanding at the airport (a suitcase explosion), a letter with an address and a teacher meets his prince. How will this work out with protocol, rules and expectations? Luke finding his mother and August when least expected.
Rhys Everly had me page turning looking for the happy ending. I am definitely going to be catching up on prior books.
I received a copy and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Rhys Everly had me page turning looking for the happy ending. I am definitely going to be catching up on prior books.
I received a copy and this is my honest and voluntary review.
September 30, 2021
This is the stuff from fairy tales!
Forget reality! Give me a super-romantic, dreams-come-true love story like Royal Fling any day and I will be the happiest person on earth!
I absolutely adored Lucas and August’s story, and Lucas finding his own birth mother, too.
It’s such a feel-good, romantic., heart-warming and well-written story.
A wonderful conclusion (sigh) to a great series I loved with all my heart!
Forget reality! Give me a super-romantic, dreams-come-true love story like Royal Fling any day and I will be the happiest person on earth!
I absolutely adored Lucas and August’s story, and Lucas finding his own birth mother, too.
It’s such a feel-good, romantic., heart-warming and well-written story.
A wonderful conclusion (sigh) to a great series I loved with all my heart!
October 3, 2021
On his way to meet the woman who gave him away as a child, Luke meets an arrogant man, August at the airport. Lo & behold this same arrogant man ends up being at the same house as his mother. As the get to know each other Luke finds August not to be the same as he was at the airport & the form a sort of kinship.
A beautiful, sweet and light read.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book for an honest opinion*
A beautiful, sweet and light read.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book for an honest opinion*
October 8, 2021
I absolutely LOVED IT!!!!! It was so sweet and adorable, not to mention HOT & STEAMY!!!! I loved every single character and how the story progressed. I loved the humour and the emotions, I felt every emotion the characters felt. This was a true fairy tale romance. I loved that Luke and August got their HEA despite the circumstances. They truely are a good match for each other. Rhys Everly well done on an amazing series.
November 23, 2022
Cute, sweet and a bit of drama!!
Contains: a teacher and a prince, bio mom, secret date, paparazzi drama, small city, sweet declaration of love.
The end of an amazing sweet serie fill of sweet fluffy little city love stories.
This story is well written. Love all the sweet moment but also the feeling to not belong to this new world and even the heartbreak hit hard. In the end.... love win. Hea.
Contains: a teacher and a prince, bio mom, secret date, paparazzi drama, small city, sweet declaration of love.
The end of an amazing sweet serie fill of sweet fluffy little city love stories.
This story is well written. Love all the sweet moment but also the feeling to not belong to this new world and even the heartbreak hit hard. In the end.... love win. Hea.
September 30, 2021
What if Harry and Meghan were gay? What if instead of being English, Harry was from Elysia? What if Meghan's name was really Lucas and Harry was August? Find out in Royal Fling...
Check out my full review here: http://www.mmromancereviewed.com/2021...
I received an ARC to facilitate my review
Check out my full review here: http://www.mmromancereviewed.com/2021...
I received an ARC to facilitate my review
October 1, 2021
Another fab book in the Cedarwood series, but sadly it’s also the last 😢
Luke and August are perfect together, the book was a sweet (but hot and steamy!) read, Luke and Paul both find their happy ever after’s, Luke finds his birth mum and his Prince Charming and August finds his soulmate! We catch up with other members of the family and its all just perfect!
Luke and August are perfect together, the book was a sweet (but hot and steamy!) read, Luke and Paul both find their happy ever after’s, Luke finds his birth mum and his Prince Charming and August finds his soulmate! We catch up with other members of the family and its all just perfect!
October 11, 2021
Beautiful ending for the series
As sad as it is to see this series end, Rhys Everly did a beautiful job with Luke and August's story. There were so many sweet moments mixed in with a little heartache. Luke's mom is adorable and her story was so sad. A wonderful end to this incredible series!
As sad as it is to see this series end, Rhys Everly did a beautiful job with Luke and August's story. There were so many sweet moments mixed in with a little heartache. Luke's mom is adorable and her story was so sad. A wonderful end to this incredible series!
October 21, 2021
I liked Royal Fling by Rhys Everly. It's the fifth and final book in the Cedarwood Beach series. I liked August and Lucas. They were cute together. Their story was a great way to wrap up the series, and I can't wait to read the bonus epilogue. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
March 27, 2022
This was a great series. I am sorry it is over. My only comment is the same as other series like this. I just can't overcome the idea that in real life the odds are doubtful that almost all the men in a family are gay. Didn't stop me from enjoying the series. The last book actually has a real Prince Charming. You can't beat that.
September 29, 2021
Wow! This was another amazing Cedarwood Beach book. It's the final book in the series, and I'm going to miss this group of fabulous characters. It can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the entire series, since all the books are outstanding. The writing draws you in immediately, and it's impossible not to fall in love with the characters. I really hope we get some future shirt stories from Cedarwood Beach.
September 30, 2021
luke and August's story was absolutely captivating there were sweet cute and adorable moments but also a few parts that made me tear up a little
I didn't want the story to end by the time I finished reading my heart was happy
I didn't want the story to end by the time I finished reading my heart was happy
October 3, 2021
I am sad that this is the end of this series but I absolutely love this story too. I love Luke and August! I am so happy that Luke got his prince. This is such a sweet and adorable story. These two are so perfect together and I love seeing how they get their happy ending. Such an amazing series.
October 8, 2021
An amazing way to close the delight that was this series!. August and Lucas are so perfect together and their story is easy to read, with almost zero angst and many amazing heartwarming moments. I loved so much modern fairytales and this one checked all my boxes. So perfect!
January 8, 2022
Change
I liked this book,,everyone has there own time to come out of there closets but when you are forced out some times that bad sometimes it’s good but the only person knows when your ready.
I liked this book,,everyone has there own time to come out of there closets but when you are forced out some times that bad sometimes it’s good but the only person knows when your ready.
February 26, 2022
This is not a typical start to a Royal romance. Luke is seeking his birth mother, and goes to see her where she lives, in London. She’s a nanny for a Royal family, which Luke doesn’t know.
He runs into August at the airport, then again at his Mom’s house, but only later learns August is a prince. They have a fling, but both develop feelings, and it makesAugust really look at what’s most important in his life.
Interesting plot, I love Luke being a down to earth teacher, and August’s romantic dates. Luke’s Mom is a cool character, as is his brother Leo, but my favourite supporting character is August’s sister Ginny.
KU
He runs into August at the airport, then again at his Mom’s house, but only later learns August is a prince. They have a fling, but both develop feelings, and it makesAugust really look at what’s most important in his life.
Interesting plot, I love Luke being a down to earth teacher, and August’s romantic dates. Luke’s Mom is a cool character, as is his brother Leo, but my favourite supporting character is August’s sister Ginny.
KU
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews