Series: Palace Insiders, Book 1
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 17, 2021
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
Ready…
Four years ago, Sylvie Fairchild charmed the world as a contestant on the hit baking show, Operation Cake. Her ingenious, creations captivated viewers and intrigued all but one of the judges, Dominic De Vere. When Sylvie's unicorn cake went spectacularly sideways, Dominic was quick to vote her off the show. Since then, Sylvie has used her fame to fulfill her dream of opening a bakery. The toast of Instagram, Sugar Fair has captured the attention of the Operation Cake producers…and a princess.
Set…
Dominic is His Majesty the King’s favorite baker and a veritable British institution. He’s brilliant, talented, hard-working. And an icy, starchy grouch. Learning that Sylvie will be joining him on the Operation Cake judging panel is enough to make the famously dour baker even more grim. Her fantastical baking is only slightly more troublesome than the fact that he can’t stop thinking about her pink-streaked hair and irrepressible dimple.
Match…
When Dominic and Sylvie learn they will be fighting for the once in a lifetime opportunity to bake a cake for the upcoming wedding of Princess Rose, the flour begins to fly as they fight to come out on top.
The bride adores Sylvie’s quirky style. The palace wants Dominic’s classic perfection.
In this royal battle, can there be room for two?
Sylvie Fairchild and Dominic De Vere have been at loggerheads ever since she was a contestant on Operation Cake, a Great British Bake Off-style show. She accidentally beaned him with a unicorn hoof, he voted her off the show, she loves edible glitter and fantasy, he’s a staid traditionalist, he’s grumpy, she’s sunshine… you get the idea. Four years later, Sylvie has a successful shop on the same street as Dominic’s and they’re still poking at each other. It’ll only get worse now that Sylvie is also a judge on Operation Cake. Sylvie and Dominic are also competing for the contract of a lifetime: the opportunity to make the cake for Princess Rose. The monarchy loves Dominic’s style but the bride is drawn to Sylvie’s personal, fantastical touch. The stakes have just been raised on Dominic and Sylvie’s personal battle. Which baker will prevail? More importantly, will being in close quarters cause the simmering attraction that’s always been between them to boil over?
Battle Royal is sweet, sassy, and sparkling! Lucy Parker swept me away with this enemies-to-lovers/opposites attract romance. There’s fondant and fun for ages, but Parker gives the book emotional depth that will hit you in unexpected moments.
I wish Sylvie were real just so I could be friends with her (and go to her amazing bakery, Sugar Fair). She’s bright, sparkly, and so loveable, but there’s a core of loneliness to her. I loved that she had a found family and Parker does a great job showing those relationships but my heart still broke for Sylvie and all she’s lost. I adored Sylvie’s sweetness and spine of steel, her determination, and her whimsy. Dominic is a harder nut to crack at first. He comes across as cold and foreboding; a staid traditionalist who will never color outside the lines. But Parker does an excellent job of showing his true character and his growth without changing him completely. There’s a core of loneliness in Dominic that broke my heart and I wanted to see him find love. He seems like he’s made of ice but he really does have a good heart, one that’s slightly battered. He is unexpectedly sweet and incredibly supportive; he just has trouble showing it sometimes. Dominic and Sylvie’s romance starts off slow burn but once things turn you’re in for a ride. The two of them are not as different as they seem and I loved how well they complemented one another. It’s a bumpy ride for them at times but I truly enjoyed watching their relationship unfold.
Relationships – romantic, familial, and between friends – are at the heart of Battle Royal. I enjoyed how Parker interwove all types of relationships throughout the story. The one small issue I had with the book is there were a lot of plot points vying for attention (to give them away would spoil the book) and the elimination of one or two would have given the others room to breathe and develop better. Even with that issue, I still adored Battle Royal from beginning to end and I cannot wait to see what Parker has in store for Dominic’s sister, Pet.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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