From Cinderella in the palace shadows…
To his unexpected queen!

Lady-in-waiting Henna would do anything for the royal family that gave her a home when her own wouldn’t. So after Henna stops a marriage that would protect King Aleksander’s throne but ruin his life, she must face the Ice King’s fury!

Aleks’s coldhearted reputation isn’t a secret. His tough exterior is designed to fiercely guard against the heartbreak that once tore his world apart.

But then a transformational kiss with Henna awakens him to a surprising new possibility that could save his crown… And it starts with her!

Titles in The Royals of Svardia series include —  Snowbound with His Forbidden Princess —♥— Stolen from Her Royal Wedding —♥— Claimed to Save His Crown —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  Claimed to Save His Crown
Series:  The Royals of Svardia #3
Author:  Pippa Roscoe
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  August 23, 2022
Publisher:  Harlequin Presents
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Sometimes the most trite-sounding sayings are actually what completely describe what I’m trying to convey… so I’m just going to say – She saved the best for last.

Claimed to Save His Crown concludes The Royals of Svardia trilogy, and what a gripping, emotional story it is.  Aleksander has changed so much from the lighthearted boy that helped Henna escape the maze and find her own unique place in the palace, eventually as his sister, Freya’s lady-in-waiting.  There is a reason that Aleksander is so closed off from emotions, but they leak through when he least expects them, especially around Henna.  He believes that an emotionless marriage, an heir perhaps two will settle his kingdom for the future.  He wants nothing from his future queen except her acceptability for the crown, and her ability to accept his lack of emotion toward her or their future children.  And… eventually, he’s going to ask Henna to find just such a woman for him.  She’ll try but without much success – for what Aleksander wants and what he, and his country, needs are two far different things.

We’ll spend some time discovering just how Aleksander became the man he is today, and that journey is heartbreaking in so many ways.  We also will see how Henna has endured her own personal family issues after the death of her beloved father.  They both are hurting, and each is handling that pain in different ways.  In spite of his need for no emotions surrounding him, Aleksander cannot help but begin to fall for Henna in a way that makes him uncomfortable.  I liked Aleksander, never really loved him, but found him to be a fascinating example of how just one choice being made for him could indeed change a man’s life completely into someone those who love him cannot recognize at all anymore.

There came that moment for a reveal, and I cannot recall being more disappointed in a character in recent memory.  That cut to the quick – and no, no spoilers here.  Perhaps that is why I couldn’t love the man.  I adored Henna though, she’s strong, independent, and has more than a few surprises to deliver to those that believe they know her.  As a couple, they simply work… but it takes a bit of work to get to that point.

In all, I believe that Claimed to Save His Crown wrapped up this trilogy very well.  It’s passionate, emotional, and satisfying to watch it all come together for all of the royals of this kingdom.  I enjoyed myself in this world, and if you love some tough love, a beautiful setting, a stubborn king, and an even more stubborn heroine then this one would be perfect for you.  I’d recommend reading them in order if you can.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or author’s team via Booksprout. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent. I was not financially compensated for this review and no expectation of a positive review was promised.*

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