Title: Runaway ReRead
Author: Susan Copperfield
Series: Royal States #8
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

None of the characters in the Royal States series has the happiest of backgrounds. But something about Cassandra’s history is so much harder than the others. You have to read the book to find out exactly what happened. But wow, is the abuse in this situation hard to read about. Yet, I love how she is able to rise above and find a great happily ever after with Thomas.

I really enjoyed how this romance starts with an overworked aide deciding to run away. And then somehow kidnapping the heir while she was at it. Her immediate connection and frustration with her feelings for Thomas made it even more entertaining. As with the rest of this story, that connection just gets so much cuter as you find out more of the back story to their adventures and relationship.

Runaway is a good, fun book that expands on the Royal States phenomenal of contagious empathy. I seriously enjoyed the running away and falling for each other component of this story. Although, it might have also been how heavily Thomas’ mother encourages all of the shenanigans that really made this adventure adorable.

This whole book was filled with joy, love and shenanigans. And I adored it. I loved how much empathy everyone has for each other. And how Thomas’s has learnt her lessons in love from mistakes made in Cold Flame. I was smiling and chuckling throughout this story. One of the many reasons why I loved this reread.

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Title: Cold Flame
Author: Susan Copperfield
Series: Royal States #7
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Even though I know that Rachel is one of the more overtly traumatised of the characters in the Royal States series, it was still a bit of a hit and a bit sad. Although, I do enjoy how well Copperfield deals with such a touchy subject. She manages to make the trauma a serious and important aspect of her personality, without it being so heart heavy that it’s impossible to smile and enjoy the story. It’s a tricky balance to deal with parental abuse in a way that is respectful, but to still keep a light playfulness to the storyline, and I am, yet again, impressed with how Copperfield is able to do so.

Possibly one of the things which almost make Rachel’s abusive history kind of worthwhile is her therapy animals. She starts off adopting rats, and then, quite frankly, it gets more and more insane from there. I had multiple moments of joy and laughter throughout as I imagined this quiet and reserved woman spoiling her pets. And requiring the less than common animals to be her support and emotional comfort in times of stress. I just have dogs, she got a whole zoo of very cool animals to love and adore.

As a secondary character, Ian keeps showing up throughout the Royal States and Agents of the Royal States novels, but his importance and connections within Cold Flame just make me want to read his story all that much more. (I’m honestly not sure if it’s even out at the time of writing this review, but I know that it’s coming!) I love that he is kind of irritating, and initially seems to be this incredibly selfish and somewhat annoying side character. But, as the story and the series unfold, it becomes clear that he actually has the best intentions and is incredibly helpful… he just enjoys being somewhat insane and irritating whilst he does the helping thing.

The recognition that Rachel’s not so great background requires a patient and loving man is absolutely realised in Ethan. He is sweet and cute and so immensely supportive of all of Rachel’s quirks. Although, he is definitely a little bit too concerned when she freaks out, and his spirals are very entertaining. I also thoroughly enjoy all of his manipulations to get her within his life, but his patience at not jumping in and finding her immediately. He’s a great support and I really enjoyed reading their love story.

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Title: Bonds ReRead
Author: Susan Copperfield
Series: Royal States #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Even though this is my second read through, Jack and his ability to Ice Weave is something that I just can’t get out of my head. I love the idea that his Talent is a unique mutation, and that he uses it in such a way that it’s all about saving people. Plus, it’s an indication of how well this world is evolving and growing throughout the series. With each and every book, the Talents are diversifying, and the world is growing more complex. Kind of like in real life.

Something about a Search and Rescue guy falling for a Doctor Princess works really well. They are so well suited, and I really enjoy how they are both all about protecting and caring for others, just in slightly different ways. I particularly love how their talents and abilities match together really well in a survival scenario. One that would test even the best trained – yet, they are able to not only survive, but kind of thrive in the situation and deepen their relationship. It’s a great display of how two people’s talents and interests are able to complement one another other build a stronger whole.

Everything about the Royal States series is about the crappy pathways that power can (and does) take people on. All of the bad things that happen to Jack and Melody are because of one man’s search and obsession with power. And the lengths that some people will take to get it. When I was younger, I would’ve thought that this was just a nice story, but as an adult, and in the world we live in now – I understand that men like this really exist. Which is absolutely terrifying. Yet, it also gives me hope, because there are good people in the world.

I loved everything about rereading Bonds. It is definitely one of my favourite Royal States novels – probably because of Jack and his skill set. I just love that this is a story about someone who has dedicated his life to saving others, and, even when he falls in love and has to change his life course, finds a way to continue on with his legacy and need to save others. A fantastic novel that left me thinking of how power can corrupt, but there will always be people to fight and provide hope.

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Title: Huntress ReRead
Author: Susan Copperfield
Series: Royal States #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

This might be one of my favourite unexpected marriages in this series. I mean, it is an incredibly crass hunter marrying into the Royal Family. That alone was going to be entertaining, but all of the other nuances to how this works… that just made it so much better. And much more humorous and amusing. Sure, Copperfield is great at making points about the social landscape of the world, America in particular. But, she also does this with such great humour that I couldn’t stop smiling throughout.

One aspect of this that I found particularly hilarious was the fact that it was a hunter and a turkey shapeshifter. Yes, turkeys are not the most friendly of birds. Alright, they’re kind of assholes. But they are still often considered “prey” and hunted – I mean, we tend to eat them. So a huntress deciding on a prey shapeshifter was going to be hilarious anyway. Adding in the fact that the “prey” animal is more than willing to beat the crap out of anyone and everyone… absolutely priceless.

Huntress is yet another fun and insightful novel – I love that it goes deeper and further into the issues of child marriage and predation. Copperfield is able to highlight the damage that these horrifying “social norms” can have on people. It’s also the start of ending the practice in the Royal States, something that gives me heart and hope. Yes, this is fantasy, but I love that there is a potential for ending such a terrifying practice.

Unlike some of the other villains in this series, the ones that are the greatest challenge to the couple are actually those who love him most. I love that it’s a reminder that our family, whilst they may love us, don’t always know what’s best for us. Rather, we all have our own biases and beliefs that can make us make poor choices. Luckily, in this case, they realise in time to undo the damage that they start to do. But, it’s almost too late…

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