The Unlikely Heir: A Forbidden MM Royal Romance (Unlikely Dilemmas Book 1)
£4.70
My boring life working in an insurance call center in sunny California just took an unexpected turn. Thanks to my misbehaving relatives, I’ve leaped from obscurity to royalty as the new heir to the British throne.
But my welcome in England is about as warm as the weather. I arrive to discover a country horrified at the thought of an American version of Prince Charming and ready to revolt against the monarchy. I vow to my grandmother, the queen, that I will do everything possible to help her save the crown.
Unfortunately, royal life isn’t easy. From bewildering traditions, traitorous friends, and malevolent swans, the only thing I’m succeeding in is providing entertainment for the tabloids and social media trolls.
And then the broodingly handsome prime minister, Oliver Hartwell, bursts into my life.
With his meteoric rise from poverty to the most powerful man in the country, Oliver understands my current plight. Innocent messages of support turn into late-night chats—and unexpected feelings.
But there’s one major problem. The royal family must remain politically neutral at all times.
So how can I keep my promise to save the monarchy when I’m falling in love with the prime minister?
A forbidden romance filled with humor and drama featuring a bumbling Prince of Wales and a stern yet dashing prime minister, with a love that could transform a nation.
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Additional information
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| File size | 1900 KB |
| Simultaneous device usage | Unlimited |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 416 pages |
by annie
Went into this book not really sure what to expect. Would it be a bit of fluff. Or just a clone of R W & Royal Blue. Pleased to say I was very pleasantly surprise. The 2 MC’s were both very appealing. Big shout out to who did the research for all of Callum’s knowledge. Learnt some stuff myself.
As a Londoner I go into these books hoping not to cringe too much if London/ royals are involved. Wasn’t too bad at all. The story regarding Callum and Oliver was a joy, with a touch of “oh no”. And I never figured the end, so good surprise there.
If asked is it worth a read….. definitely yes….
by Jnoley
I, like I imagine a lot of of readers do, approached this book whilst coming down from a soaring Red, White and Royal Blue high. (Personally I preferred the movie, the book for me was a solid 3/5.) To say this book was a rehash, cash-in or spin off however would be an enormous injustice to this author.
The Unlikely Heir had the swooping locations, glamour and dazzling love story I was so craving but also a slight, if healthy, dash of grounding realism. Jax Calder has clearly conducted a huge amount of research into not only the UK Royal Family but also politics, geography, culture and even colloquial, every-day Brit-speak As one myself, I can confirm that they got it approx 99% correct- a feat for a native, never mind someone from the other side of the world.
Rather than shoehorning in this research for sake alone however, context is used to add fizz to the plot and solidly sew the looming central conflict. The separation of royalty from politics is a smart pivot for the whole book and repeatedly tugs the love story back down from the heights of a potentially unengaging fairy tale. It isn’t just that the characters can’t- just can’t -be together, there’s a very tangible and omnipresent reason why.
Yes, on paper a Prime Minister falling for the Prince of Wales sounds literally incredible, yet there’s just enough in The Unlikely Heir to remind the reader that these roles actually do exist in real life and although unlikely, there’s no reason this couldn’t happen one day- maybe.
Although a layered supporting cast is thin, Oliver and Callum are painted well and their personalities had me very much invested, despite their somewhat unrelatable set of circumstances. Callum’s mini obsessions and rainbow of fascinating facts was a particular highlight.
My only criticism of their relationship timeline would be a seemingly impressive lunge from ‘feeling something’ to ‘love of a lifetime’. I’d have enjoyed a further instance of their connection growing deeper before we dived in head first- but maybe I’m a masochist.
Nevertheless, Jax Calder uses the ‘impossibility’ of these two characters falling in love, not to create a throwaway, saccharine romance between two inaccessible characters but to construct a very well structured, emotionally thrilling journey. It’s set out early in Oliver and Callum’s relationship that they cannot continue to see eachother whilst remaining in their respective roles; both men of which are ultimately fervently passionate about and do a lot of good for people. This meant that although from the beginning I set my heart on a happy ending, I had the refreshing joy of having absolutely no idea how it would be achieved.
The climax is not only satisfying, but an absolute RIDE. In addition, the conflict just prior to the fantastic final set piece creates a heartbreaking, but delicious appetiser that compliments the finale brilliantly. As much as I love my escapism, (and The Unlikely Heir has it in spadeloads), I needed that brief episode of gut punching angst to make that sweet resolve even more ascending. Moreover I definitely did NOT see that other certain twist coming.
This book tended to my post-Red, White & Royal Blue hangover like a massive English fry-up (google it if you’re unsure), and left me feeling fresh as a daisy.
Ultimately however, comparing the two books actually does The Unlikely Heir a disservice. Jax Calder provides more plot, more character, more fun, more love, more grit and more joy. It’s a shame this one didn’t precede the other.
If for whatever reason you’re hesitant, give it a go- I promise you won’t be disappointed. It’s joy.
by Cadiva
While this has the feel of a present day UK, I think it’s best to suspend all belief in what the actual way of doing things currently is, and just go with the author’s alternate reality flow.
Because, while there are a couple of minor errors, they’re ones that don’t affect the overall premise and, even if some of the plotlines are outlandish, it all works when rolled together in the narrative.
It definitely helps that both the main characters are utterly brilliant, Callum is adorable, a golden retriever in human form, while Oliver is dedicated, passionate, and committed to his causes.
I never quite reached eye-rolling levels, as an English person reading this, but it did skirt close with the final plot element.
No spoilers here, but yeah, that almost went a step too far for me to give it the necessary power it needed.
I would have loved to have seen the same threat, but it coming from a different perspective within the context of the situation.
Still, this is the story being told and it does work as is to provide for a suitable Third Act shock twist in the later part of the book.
There’s a healthy bunch of secondary characters who add necessary depth, and I will admit to having my radar pinged between the two who will be the subjects at the heart of book two.
It’ll be interesting to see how Jax makes one of them become a character I want to root for as, presently, I’d be happy seeing them yeeted out of the Houses of Parliament permanently!
There’s been a run on ‘falling for the prince’ romances in the last few years, interest seems high in the idea of British Royalty, even if the actuality of them leaves a lot to be improved.
This isn’t anything like Red, White, and Royal Blue, though, so fans of that YA/NA style romance should temper their expectations.
What you do get instead is a really lovely romance between two men who understand perfectly the high stakes that their relationship draws and the very real, potentially catastrophic, outcome of them falling in love.