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Rocky Royal Romance #3

Bringing Down the King

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A single mom itching to expose a royal scandal. A captain determined to protect his friend’s reputation. A natural enmity that doesn’t account for the long, lingering looks…

Brooke Everleigh’s first big story is everything she’d imagined it would be, holding accountable the man who’d cursed her source with a magic kiss –none other than King Edward. She wants his head on a platter, but she’ll settle for an admission of guilt and justice for his victim.

Captain Saint had hoped for more time to get used to his new job as chief communications officer before getting embroiled in a scandal. Clearing his best friend’s name isn’t going to be easy, especially when telling the truth might mean worse trouble. Plus, the pretty blonde who’s pressing things is getting under his skin–too bad she shut him down the moment they met.

When Brooke’s son lands in hot water at school, the school assigns the only available mentor: Captain Saint. With her son’s future at stake, Brooke is forced to cooperate with a man she doesn’t trust, regardless of how good-looking and good with kids might be. When the king makes it clear there’s no future for his chief communication officer and the reporter who’s trying to destroy his reputation, she’ll have to choose between her work and the captain who’s worked his way into her heart…

Bringing Down the King is the fourth book in the Rocky Royal Romances, a complete five-book series. If you like a sweet, enemies-to-lovers holiday romance with a twist of fantasy and a dash of suspense, one-click this romance now. This book has a guaranteed HEA; it contains mild cursing and frank discussion of adult situations, including the Me Too movement, but no open-door sex scenes. It was previously published under the title The Jinxed Journalist.

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2019

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About the author

Fiona West

25 books111 followers
Fiona West is an American author living in the Pacific Northwest. Writing romance is her favorite thing, followed closely by reading, knitting and drinking tea while looking out the window. When she’s not doing those things, she’s spending time with her husband and two kids. Her debut novel, The Ex-Princess, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was named one of their Best Books of 2019. Could Be Something Good, the first book in her new Timber Falls small-town romance series, is out now. Find out more about Fiona at http://www.fionawest.net or sign up for her newsletter at http://www.subscribepage.com/westwind.

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5 stars
19 (54%)
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9 (25%)
3 stars
6 (17%)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Khadeeja.
29 reviews1 follower
November 26, 2019
I don't usually read romance or fantasy (something I am actively working hard on changing) however this was a cheeky mix of the two. I was intrigued by the world that was referenced and described in the book and felt as though I wanted to read the other books just to broaden my knowledge. Some parts were slightly confusing initially but I figured this was just me getting used the pacing of the book. I liked the Way Saints character changed throughout the book. This was a lovely lighthearted witty read to break up my thriller and drama readathon.
Note: I was sent this as an advanced copy to review. This does not change or shape the honesty of the review I have given.
Profile Image for Angela Boord.
Author 8 books89 followers
December 17, 2019
4+ stars, especially if you like your sweet romance to have a little spice, too. And a little magic thrown in for good measure.

I had the pleasure of beta-reading this book, and I think that West just keeps getting better as a writer. This isn't a Hallmark Christmas story. Fiona gives heavy problems a light touch in her books, and the Jinxed Journalist probably has the most complex relationship in all of the Borderline Chronicles. But West's top-notch dialogue and sense of humor really shine through, making this the kind of read you can curl up with on a winter day when you just want a cozy story to read under a blanket.

Give it a try if you like enemies to lovers romances and quirky fantasy worlds not too different from our own.
Profile Image for Paula Leite.
260 reviews16 followers
August 23, 2020
3,5 stars!

✨I loved this book!
✨In this story, we follow Brooke, a single mother who just received a huge opportunity as a journalist. But Captain Saint will not allow her to ruin the royal family. He just didn't expect her to be able to unravel him.
✨In addition to an interesting story, we also get fantasy! I loved this new and different world, I just felt that it was such a good mix with our reality, that I got a bit confused.
✨The romance was super interesting! They go from hate to friends to lovers and I love the way they fall in love. They respect each other a lot, in relation to their personal and professional lives. Oh, and there’s a bunch of chemistry!
✨But I think the most interesting thing about the whole book was their relationship with Brooke's son. They all have such an interesting friendship and the whole plot behind it is really cool.
✨Definitely a quick and enjoyable romance to read!
895 reviews9 followers
December 28, 2019
With this series, each book gets better and better. While I like the characters, the plot is fairly routine, but what makes this series sing is the setting. Even with this book, I find it interesting to have modern life right along side magic in a world that is not Earth. Magic is now something like electricity in the sense it powers this world. There is so much in this world that the author could explore, such as the people. Without revealing spoilers, the author introduce a minority group that maybe akin to the Japanese in our world, but this is only based on the names of the characters. Unlike the other books in this series, there was no map of the world. While I felt like the map needed some work, I missed having sense on where I was in context of this world. Even though I know the meaning of the unique slang used by the characters, I also feel like an etymology on some of the words would be helpful. For example, one of the words that the author uses makes me wonder if she was inspired by the legend of the Jersey Devil. I also thought it was interesting that she used a real world event from our world as a basis for her story. For example, the conversation on pages 62-63 was very real concern in October 2018.

Verdict: I thought this was a good edition to the series. I still wanted more information on this world that the author Fiona West created, but overall I enjoyed the book.
Profile Image for Janna.
591 reviews56 followers
December 13, 2019
General info

Captain Saint is the communications officer for King Edward. When journalist Brooke steps into the picture to expose scandal about the king, things start to happen. Things take a turn when Saint becomes Brooke's son's mentor. They start to care about each other, but they face even more problems when the king forbids them from dating.

Things I liked

It is really nice to have a story about Captain Saint. He is one of the supporting characters in the first two books, but it is really nice to hear his story as well. The story was is easy and quick to read. It is nice that you still know most of the characters, so the story is easy to follow if you have read those. The love story itself is beautiful. It's not easy for them but that makes it more beautiful in my opinion.

All in all, I loved the story. The characters are great. The story is beautiful. It is easy to follow and it never gets boring.

* Free copy received from Book Sirens for an honest review
Profile Image for Melissa Carlton.
98 reviews
March 30, 2020
Captain Saint is an arrogant King’s guardsman who mentors young children as part of his service to the kingdom. Brooke is a very protective single mom to son Olly and not exactly a fan of Saint. She feels that his playboy ways and stubborn attitude make him a less than stellar example for her impressionable young boy. However, as they spend more time together, Brooke begins to see the softer side of Saint and their relationship continues to grow, in spite of many obstacles including the King himself. Can they overcome the pain of Saint’s past, the mistakes in her past, and her general distrust of men to find their happily ever after? The book is worth the read to find out.
Profile Image for Kaye Hinds.
23 reviews
March 2, 2020
Loved the storyline! Single mom relationships are so hard and trust is a huge factor. Great job with personifying the characters.
Profile Image for Amy Dickinson.
1,255 reviews30 followers
October 18, 2019
Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

I’ve had my eye on Fiona West since reading an ARC of her first book, The Ex-Princess. To say that I’m excited to see her evolution as a published author is an understatement. With The Ex-Princess, she undertook to create a fusion of romance and fantasy on the scope of Tolkein. Creating worlds while offering an unusual romantic pairing in Edward and Abbie seemed like a mammoth undertaking. If you read my review of that book (see here), you’ll note that I commented on the breadth of her book and its overwhelming nature. However, in the midst of her first book, you could see the genius behind her intent.

For the The Un-Queen, her second book, her story read more stream-lined, less overwhelming in its details. It was clear that, after setting up her world in the first book, she could focus more on the story of Edward/Preston and Abbie. Even more, she was able to offer a message underlying the story: keeping your identity in the face of a relationship.

Now, she is offering the next book in this series of standalones, The Jinxed Journalist. First of all, I’m a lover of alliteration, and the book’s title is enough to intrigue her reader. In this book, the story revolves around one of King Edward’s friends and confidantes, Captain Saint. As the voice of King Edward, Saint is responsible for handling the perceptions of King Edward within the news cycle.

Enter Brooke Everleigh, a persistent journalist. Brooke has received information about a news story that implicates King Edward in a scandal. Facing Saint in a press conference, she seeks after confirmation from the crown, only to be met with silence. As the story progresses, Brooke becomes vehement in her protection of the victim, and Saint maintains his protection of the crown. In the midst of their battle of wills, Saint becomes tasked with acting as a mentor for Brooke’s son. Through spending time together, Saint and Brooke become more attracted to each other. Unfortunately, her position as a journalist and his as the public face for the crown make it difficult for them to have a future. Even more, Brooke’s story further complicates their attraction. West has created quite a conundrum for Saint and Brooke in her story.

The strength of West’s newest book is its story. Since she has already laid the foundation of her fantasy world in her earlier books, West is able to spend her time in creating the challenge of Brooke and Saint’s relationship. These two are “enemies” at the beginning. This is the type of situation wherein their attraction to each other grows with each dig. Prior to Brooke, Saint is a playboy. He isn’t seeking after a relationship until Brooke burrows under his skin. It’s this tension that makes their relationship interesting. Each little dig builds more chemistry on the page until, as a reader, you cannot wait for them to consummate their relationship. West makes this chemistry palpable for her readers. It is the fire of this story.

As a hero, Saint is interesting. He’s multi-layered and complex. West crafts him with complications. At his surface, he seems uncomplicated. Yet, as his story progresses, we find that his past casts shadows over his present. With this character, West illustrates a need for vulnerability in relationships. Given his background, Saint struggles with “feelings.” He’s shut them down as a way to protect his heart from hurt. Through the character of Brooke, West teaches Saint, and effectively ourselves, that the risk of vulnerability builds a greater love if we’re willing to offer our heart to another. It’s Saint’s journey in The Jinxed Journalist that offers the depth of West’s story.

Between the fire and heart of West’s story lies Brooke. Brooke also struggles with vulnerability, mostly in the realm of asking for help. West’s articulation of Brooke’s struggles with integrity in journalism is a minor message of the book. There is an important discussion about abuse and the protection of the victims of abuse. West takes the time to carefully remind us that we need to care for the accusations of victims, but it also sets up the concern that the accused is given their space to defend themselves. The turmoil created by Brooke’s story becomes a thoughtful discussion about the truth in reporting.

As I devoured Fiona West’s The Jinxed Journalist, I couldn’t help but become excited for her. This new book shows the strength of her writing. Unlike her first book that seemed heavy and clunky at times, this book is streamlined and crafted to entertain and challenge her readers. Saint and Brooke have quickly become my new favorite couple in The Borderline Chronicles world. Saint’s heroic evolution and Brooke’s journey build a story that is equal parts sweet, sassy, and serious. West isn’t in the business of writing $exually-driven romance, but it’s not needed. Instead, The Jinxed Journalist is a book that will tug at your heart and entertain you until its last page.
Profile Image for Ashleigh.
3,411 reviews1 follower
April 30, 2020
The chemistry, sweetness, and twists in plot kept things interesting. Add in drama and passion and you have a good read.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
684 reviews7 followers
October 22, 2019
The playboy and the single mom star in this sweet holiday romance. He is one of the king's best friends and staunchest supporters, she is determined to bring the king down based on a very strong testimony. When her son is assigned a mentor, guess who gets the job?

Brooke and her son Olly were adorable! and Saint was just incredibly sensitive to challenges in their lives.

This book deals with a number of difficult subjects in a healthy, normalizing manner. That is one of the things I like best about West's writing. Her characters are real, and relatable.

(trying not to give spoilers!) The playboy to protector transformation is a difficult one, I thought there was something missing there. Captain Saint had a reputation as a playboy, but it wasn't really shown as part of his character. The transformation seemed to revolve more around the unhealthy relationship in his life, and him learning to make the hard decisions rather than acquiescing to the path of least resistance. That growth was echoed in other parts of the story. He grew from the amiable pleaser and incorrigible flirt (again making people happy) to someone who made decisions based on what was true, healthy and authentic to him.

This is book 3 in the Borderland Chronicles, and takes place just after the UnQueen, but is a tangential story and can be enjoyed without having read the other two. The characters from other book steal the scene when they make their appearances and are some of the funniest in the book. There is less magic in this book than the prior two, but just enough quirk to transport the reader into this unique world.
Profile Image for Rebecca Hefner.
Author 28 books1,109 followers
October 8, 2019
This is an engaging enemies to lovers story from a new-to-me author. The premise had me from the very start: a journalist looking to break a story about a king, and her unwanted attraction to the man who was sworn to protect the king's image. Our heroine, Brooke, is determined to hate our hero, Captain Saint, from the start, but he's so good with her son, Oliver, that her heart melts. Olly is such an adorable character, by the way, and he really injected the story with extra cuteness! There are many funny moments (Brooke is trying to curb her swearing, so she calls Saint a "Donkey") and some sizzling moments (Brooke gets pretty tipsy and tries to drunkenly seduce Saint, but he puts her to bed like a good gentleman...although it's very difficult for him!). In the end, Brooke has the opportunity to expose King Edward and she has to make a choice. Will she choose love or chase the story? The ending is great and lovers of romance will enjoy it!
Profile Image for Heather (Bookedwithheather).
120 reviews17 followers
October 22, 2019
This book played out like a great love story should. I could visualize it as a great movie. The characters were easy to love and the storyline was well written.

It takes us through a little bit of the life of Brooke a journalist writing a story that could incriminate the King. Will she be able to accomplish what she needs to or will her world get turned upside down. This book kept my attention and had me wanting more.

I did however at some points feel that the relationship growing between Brooke and Saint was dragging on. Basically I wanted to slap them both upside the head and tell them just to admit they liked each other.

But I just realized this was book 3 in the series and I completely read them out of order. In doing that it is good to know you could read this as a Stand-alone and be ok.

I received an advanced copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
4 reviews10 followers
November 2, 2019
A sweet and saucy romance that I didn't want to put down! Sparks fly between Brooke and Saint from the moment they meet, as she casually tosses a bombshell of a question to him while he fields a royal press conference. At the start, their relationship is one of mutual dislike... but as circumstances throw the two together against their will, they are forced to re-evaluate their first impressions of each other and dig deeper into their own prejudices and assumptions. Fiona West masterfully keeps the action snappy and the dialogue witty in this sexy (but clean!) tale - and I loved it! I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Michaela.
2,597 reviews19 followers
October 15, 2019
I haven’t read the first two books in this series. I enjoyed this one without having read the first two, though I could pick up hints of things hat had a good amount of backstory that I missed.

The bit of magic sprinkled through is very interesting and tastefully done.

I loved this story. It was sweet and clean and family oriented and heartwarming, plus it was also a Christmas romance. I honestly don’t think I would change a thing, which is rare. I’m excited to read more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
7,192 reviews85 followers
October 17, 2019
This is a well written holiday romance with an enemies to lovers story. The author brings strong characters in Brooke,who's looking to break a huge story and Captain,who's protecting the king. Then there's her adorable son,Oliver who just captures your heart and gets along very well with Captain. It's a heartwarming Christmas romance with a bit of magic and the paranormal. I enjoyed and would recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Profile Image for Barbara.
17k reviews8 followers
October 19, 2019
The third book in the The Borderline Chronicles series and the first book I have read in this series, I now want to read the other books. Journalist Brooke Everleigh and chief communications officer Captain Saint do not get off to a great start. Then her son Olly gets himself in trouble and he needs a mentor and Saint is it. I enjoyed reading how they come together. This is the first book by this Author that I have read. I want to read the rest of this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Varsha (bansheesbookstagram) .
150 reviews4 followers
July 5, 2020
I have always loved holiday romances, because of the magic, the adorability and the heaps of positive energy that always surrounds them! The Jinxed Journalist was no less! Absolutely loved reading about Saint and Brooke's love story! Loved Olly and his adorable words and behaviours. Absolutely adored Abbie and Edward as well! Fiona West has now become one of my favourite authors and I'm so so happy that I read this book! Do read it, highly recommended! It's funny, fast paced, swoony, steamy, with the right sexual tension mixed with cutesy romance! LOVED. IT.
3,403 reviews29 followers
October 13, 2019
The book is a good paranormal romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Pat .
18.3k reviews3 followers
October 18, 2019
Wonderfully written storyline with characters that were so well rounded that I was totally enthralled as I turned each and every page until the very last page!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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