Audiobook Review: Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

Author: Lucy Parker

Narrator: Billie Fulford-Brown

Title: Battle Royal

Series: Palace Insiders #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Humor

Format: Audiobook

Published: August 17, 2021

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Ready…

Four years ago, Sylvie Fairchild charmed the world as a contestant on the hit baking show, Operation Cake. Her ingenious, colorful creations captivated viewers and intrigued all but one of the judges, Dominic De Vere, the hottest pastry chef in London. When her glittery unicorn cake went spectacularly sideways, Dominic was quick to vote her off the show. Since then, Sylvie has managed to use her fame to help fulfill her dream of opening a bakery, Sugar Fair. 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, the go-to for sweet-toothed A-List celebrities, and a veritable British institution. He’s brilliant, talented, hard-working. And an icy, starchy grouch. Learning that the irksome 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’re both determined 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?

Review:

Found this one randomly while looking for a cover with food on it (yes, yes for a reading challenge not because I'm chonky). This sounded divine so why not?

Here we have Dominic and Sylvie. The two share a love of baking, but everything about them couldn't be more different. Dominic is grumpy and professional. He wants perfection and clean lines. Sylvie is spunky and loves colors and trying new things. The two originally met while Sylvie was a contestant on a baking show and Dominic was a judge. After a...mishap, Dominic voted Sylvie off the show. Sylvie may have lost the crown but she truly made something of herself and her baking skills. Now the two are butted up against each other when Princess Rose is getting married. The bride wants something fun, but the palace wants classic. Can there be room for both?

This was amusing to be sure. 

I liked Sylvie a lot. She is adorable and I would hire her to make my cake! Also, I want her to be my friend!!!! Dominic.........well..............I didn't like him. Once you get his backstory and understand him more, you might warm up to him a bit. I did end up warming up to him by the very end but the whole time I was just rolling my eyes. DON'T GET ME WRONG. I loooove grumpy lads (look at my hubby - he is the King of the Grumps), but Dominic was just plain mean sometimes. He just rubbed me the wrong way. 

Dominic's sister, Pet, was a delight. I wonder if she gets a book? *researches* Yayy! Her's is the next and now I'm super excited! Eeeee! 

I did enjoy the little side stories like Princess Rose and her guy. They were sweet. 

This had some humor, but I wouldn't place this in the humor category. Drama, romance, and a sprinkle of humor. Which fair enough. Sometimes TOO much humor can ruin a nice plot. 

The narrator was good. New to me. Her girl voices started to blend together a bit if I wasn't 100% focused. There were a couple of times I had to rewind because I was confused. Like I thought Pet was talking to Dominic...and then she said something sexy and I was like, "WHAT?" And then I realized Pet left the room and it was Sylvie. 

All-in-all, this was delightful. A sprinkle of humor with some nice characters and a cute romance. I wasn't a fan of Dominic's until the end (Sylvie deserves a King) but my heart did melt a tiny bit for him and I finally understood it. Maybe he'll be better in book 2 when we see him as a side character. ;) I'll give this 4 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Peachy

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #44

- Library Love #24

- Romance Reading Challenge #24 (Food on cover)