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Playing the Palace

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Playing the Palace
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Playing the Palace

2021 | Humor & Comedy | LGBTQ+ | Romance

Being a New Yorker means accepting that your bike will get stolen every few months and getting hit with one of the top five worst smells ever while walking by Penn Station, but it also means you believe in fairy tales and dreams that led you to the greatest city in the first place. As lofty as Carter Ogden's dreams are, he never expected to open his eyes one day and suddenly have the Crown Prince of England stare straight back at him. As an event planner, Carter doesn't usually get many perks, but when he helps set up an event that Prince Edgar is speaking at, he finds himself meeting the dreamy royal and even helping him loosen up for his speech. What begins as a chance meeting becomes a series of dates as Carter shows Prince Edgar how to truly live the New York life. When a photo of them together goes viral, Carter is flown to England to meet the Queen, who disapproves of the match: Carter is an American nobody who isn't suitable for the Crown Prince and the duties that come with it. But still, she gives them three weeks to prove to the Royal Family - and the entire world - that they're right for each other... the couple just didn't think they had to persuade themselves.

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Paul Rudnick
Published by Berkley

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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated

Jul 29, 2021  
Playing the Palace
Playing the Palace
Paul Rudnick | 2021 | Humor & Comedy, LGBTQ+, Romance
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Funny and sweet romantic comedy
Carter Ogden fantasized about the Prince of England growing up--who didn't? Openly gay Prince Edgar is handsome and easy to adore. When Carter meets Edgar through a work event, sparks fly. Before he knows it, it seems like the two are dating. But their relationship receives intense media scrutiny--and the disapproval of the Queen of England. Can they find a happily ever after when it seems like everything--and everyone--are against them?

"He was destined to become the king of England, and I was a nice Jewish boy from New Jersey; we both knew what we were supposed to be doing, but we were fighting it. When it came to emotional stability, neither of us had a prayer."

This is a cute and funny story overall. We have Carter, who is reeling from a breakup and does not feel worthy of love and then Edgar, who is scared to trust. It's not easy to be in a relationship when you're the Prince of England. As Edgar states, he's "a symbol and an institution." The two meet at the United Nations and there's definitely some insta-chemistry, but they are also pretty sweet together. You can't help but root for this pair.

"Because ever since I can remember, there's been only one unthinkable sin, and that was disgracing my family and my country, in any way. I was being held to a different standard, which I agreed with. I had one job: to represent the royal household and to make England proud, and I was a calamity."

The book is a little ping pong-ish in its highs and lows. Everything is good... and then it's not. Rinse and repeat. At times, it seems a little insane that Edgar and his family cannot trust Carter, yet you can understand how utterly crazy and invasive the British media is--we see it all the time. I would have liked to see the two communicate a bit more, but new relationships are hard.

The cast of characters in PALACE are wonderful--completely engaging. Carter's family and friends are adorable, especially his sister and aunt Miriam. They make you laugh and cry. There's an excellent vomiting scene with poor Carter that will have you cringing and chuckling. Parts of this story are just plain hilarious. But it's also serious in its look at finding love after loss, insight into homophobia, and seeking acceptance for yourself and your partner, no matter what kind of relationship you may be in.

Overall, this is a fast and fluffy romantic read that also offers a good take on acceptance. 3.5 stars.