The Guard of Adriane Book Review
I hardly think of it as a betrayal. It’s a stupid rule.
After all, you can’t help but fall in love with your guard – forced proximity and all.
Synopsis
In the country of Adriane, Eric Sinclair is a precocious orphan who has had a rough childhood. When Princess Diana, heir to the throne, receives threats, he obtains the enviable role of being her personal bodyguard. What starts as a friendly business relationship quickly turns into much more, a forbidden attraction neither can deny. However, Eric's life may be in danger when their affection is discovered. With the help of her friends, Princess Diana must figure out a way to save Eric and their relationship.
REVIEW
The prequel to Audrey De Leon’s The Royals of Adriane series, The Guard of Adriane, takes us into the world of Adriane, where Eric Sinclair, an orphan with a troubled past, becomes the bodyguard of Princess Diana amid looming threats. Sounds intriguing, right? Unfortunately, while the premise held promise, the execution wasn’t quite as thrilling as I thought it would be. The story introduces a forbidden romance between Eric and Diana, but things get a bit awkward and unrealistic. The characters’ interactions feel forced and almost lack authenticity, and there are some inconsistencies in character development and believability during certain events, leading to moments that feel contrived or unrealistic. Descriptions, at times, verge on excessive, going into unnecessary details that do not significantly contribute to the narrative progression, and the drama occasionally goes overboard. For example, some behaviors and reactions, particularly those of Diana, sometimes seem exaggerated or implausible, impacting the story’s credibility. The pacing? Kind of like a rollercoaster – slow in some parts and then racing to wrap up toward the end. And let’s talk about those intimate scenes… as much as I tried to like them, they just weren’t my cup of tea or fit the flow of the novel. Overall, The Guard of Adriane is a good idea with a bit of a shaky delivery, though may be a fun read for those interested in books about royalty, downstairs/upstairs-esque storylines, and forbidden romance.
Content warnings include disordered eating, body dysmorphia, death, and poisoning.
Expected publication date is 2 December 2023.
Author Profile
Audrey De Leon never thought she’d be an author, but after writing her first story, a sci-fi romance at 14, it was inevitable. Her books are based on daydreams she made up to help combat insomnia as a little kid. Audrey was born in Manhattan, grew up in New Jersey, and then moved to L.A. with her family. In her free time when she is not writing, Audrey loves to read, sing, and act. The Jewel of Adriane was her first novel.
TL;DR
- Rating: 2.5 stars | Genre: Romance | Pages: 242
- Prequel to The Royals of Adriane series
- Forbidden romance between a guard and a princess
- Descriptions are a bit excessive, some awkward/unrealistic moments
- Tons of drama!
- Rollercoaster pacing
- TWs: disordered eating, body dysmorphia, death, poisoning
- Fun read for fans of downstairs/upstairs vibes
