Friday, July 16, 2021

Review - - Her Royal Payne

Her Royal Payne
by Shana Galen
The Survivors - Book 10
Publisher: Shana Galen
Release Date: June 15, 2021
Reviewed by PJ




He’s a pain…literally.

Rowden Payne, known as The Royal Payne, makes his living in the high stakes world of bareknuckle boxing. The disavowed son of a duke likes the focus boxing requires. It keeps his mind off the tragedies in his past. But just as he’s poised to knock out his biggest rival, he’s mesmerized by a pair of exotic hazel eyes in the crowd. He finds himself flat on his back and short fifty pounds.

She’s a prude with a problem.
Modesty Brown’s father has vanished. The strict minister has never disappeared before, and Modesty is left having to rely on elders of the church for help. But when she becomes a burden to them, she has to seek out her aunt, a woman of high rank. Modesty’s only way of finding her is by asking the only man she knows of that class—Rowden Payne. Unfortunately, she’s the one responsible for the Royal Payne losing his crucial fight.

Sometimes the hardest hit is the one to the heart.
Rowden doesn’t want to care for anyone or anything, but if he can just help Modesty find her father, he can be rid of her. Soon the revelation of her father’s secrets and lies puts Modesty, Rowden, and their friends in danger, and if Rowden can’t admit his feelings for Modesty, he’ll lose her forever.

PJ's Thoughts:

I should begin by saying that, yes, this is the 10th book in Shana Galen's The Survivors series but, no, you don't have to have read the earlier books to thoroughly enjoy this one. The 9th book, Sweet Rogue of Mine (read PJ's review) is the only other book in which Payne has a (secondary) role. However, The Survivors is one of my all-time favorite historical romance series and I do highly recommend all of the books. 

After meeting Rowden Payne in Nash's book, I was curious about what type of heroine Galen would create for him. I have to admit, I never guessed it would be the prudish daughter of a puritanical, fire and brimstone preacher! But, as unlikely as that pairing may seem, these two are so good together, each being exactly what the other needs to fill their hearts with happiness. I loved Modesty's evolution as she throws off the yoke of perfection she's spent her life carrying and begins to discover who she is and what she wants. I adored Rowden, ached for his anguish over what he'd lost, and cheered for what he found with Modesty. I loved the caring between them, the humor, and the passion. 

Leading a wonderful secondary cast of characters are Rowden's boxing manager, Chibale Okoro and London's most sought after dressmaker, Madame Renauld. Their romance was sweet, passionate, and definitely sigh-worthy. I loved seeing this successful Black couple prominently placed in the book. 

Other secondary characters evoked a plethora of emotions, enriching the overall story. Highlights for me included Rowden's manservant, Trogdon (I could so vividly envision this character!), and former hero and heroine, Ewan Mostyn (still a man of few words) and Lady Lorraine (still a force to be reckoned with). 

Shana Galen once again has created a world of passion, danger, brotherhood, and love that reeled me in and kept me engaged from beginning to end. Ten books in and I'm still eager for more. 


10 comments:

  1. I've enjoyed her books - thanks.

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  2. This one sounds like a hoot! The cover image is lovely: red haired girl in unlovely gray dress, but she Sparkles!

    Susan in AZ

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  3. Like you, I love this series. Ms Galen is a treasure.

    Hope everyone is well and safe and happy.

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  4. Great review PJ. I too enjoy Shana's stories.

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  5. I read this book right after if was released. Shana is one of my auto-buy authors. I never miss a book she has written and I love each and every one of them. I believe there are 2 more books left in this series. I agree that each book is a 'stand alone' story, but I also believe they should be read in order to get the full effect of the characters that carry through the books and some of the background for the entire group of Survivors. I think if read in order, the reader will enjoy each book more but that's just MHO!

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  6. I also love this series...as well as anything Galen writes!

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  7. I've read quite a few of this series and really enjoyed it. Shana's books rock!

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  8. Shana Galen is an author I have enjoyed. This mismatched couple sounds like they will lead us through a fulfilling, enjoyable story. Thank you for the review and recommendation.

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  9. I think I've somehow never read a Shana Galen book. It certainly sounds like I have to remedy that posthaste!

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  10. I've been loving this series since book 1. His Royal Payne did not disappoint!!

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