Battle Royal (Palace Insiders 1) by Lucy Parker-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 17, 2021

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:BATTLE ROYAL is the first instalment in Lucy Parker’s contemporary, adult PALACE INSIDERS erotic, romance series. This is bakers Sylvie Fairchild, and Dominic De Vere’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Dominic and Sylvie) following several intersecting paths, BATTLE ROYAL follows the acrimonious relationship between bakers Sylvie Fairchild, and Dominic De Vere. Four years earlier, Sylvie Fairchild was a contestant on Britain’s televised baking show Operation Cake but had somehow attracted the angry ire of our story line hero. Dominic De Vere has been a contemptuous judge on Britain’s Operation Cake, and now watches daily as his cross street competition is none-other than Sylvie Fairchild. To make matters worse Sylvie has been asked to be a judge for the new season of Operation Cake alongside our story line her hero, and with the announcement of an impending Royal marriage, both Sylvie and Dominic are finalists in a showdown to see who earns the rights to make the Royal wedding cake. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Dominic and Sylvie, as our couple must traverse a minefield of sabotage, infidelity, secrets and love.

Dominic De Vere is known to be a cold-hearted man who struggles with the simplest of personal overtures. Falling for Sylvie Fairchild means falling for his business competition but working together means a slow thaw of his heart that has been frozen for so long. Sylvie Fairchild is a fresh ball of energy but quickly discovers another one of the competitors is stealing recipe, recipes that only she should know. A series of miscues and catastrophes at work on both sides of the competition begin to reveal a possible betrayal in the mix.

The relationship between Dominic and Sylvie begins four years earlier when our heroine is a contestant on Britain’s Operation Cake baking show. Dominic takes an immediate dislike to our story line heroine but his vitriolic attitude can also be found directed at the other contestants. Working together reveals a different side to our story line couple, heart breaking pasts, and emotional pain. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Sylvie’s staff and co-workers: business partner Jay Fforde, assistant Mabel, Penny ; Dominic’s sister Petunia (Pet), and his employees Aaron and Lizzie; Royals Rosie and Johnny, Johnny’s personal security Matthias Vaughn, as well as baker Darren Clyde, several baking contestants, and members of the Royal house. There may be a story developing between Matthias and Pet.

BATTLE ROYAL is a complex story line that follows a number of intersecting paths that Lucy Parker blends smoothly and seamlessly into a wonderful and heartfelt story line. The premise has moments of humor and fun, heart break and darkness, betrayal and revenge. The romance is tender and seductive; the characters are energetic and colorful.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy