Last week, Aven Ellis released the fourth book in her Modern Royals series. Pitch to Palace follows the story of Bella York and Camden Tremblay. I have been EAGERLY anticipating this story since the end of Royal Icing. The moment Bella made her appearance in that book, I knew I was going to be hooked. And then when Bella met Camden in Royal Icing, I just KNEW their story was going to be amazing.
In Pitch to Palace we have Bella and Camden. Bella is a princess, is incredibly smart, and is looking forward to when she finishes school. Although she doesn't want to be a working royal, she isn't completely sold on working in the archives either. Thankfully she still has a bit of time to decide on her future employment. At a recent get together, Bella met Camden Tremblay, and she was fascinated. Until he distanced himself upon seeing her sister. Bella's build is different than that of her sisters, and she is incredibly uncomfortable about it. Bella tries to hide her body, and is often the punching bag for the press when she is caught out and about. They never have anything positive to say about her, and it's beginning to take a toll. Camden is a professional soccer (football) player, and has been for some time. He's known in the media, and they don't always publish the best stories about him. The day that Camden met Bella though, something flipped in him. He no longer had the desire to go out partying, drinking, and taking random women home. Also when he did try to date, Bella was on his mind. He could not get that princess out of his mind. Flash forward to Christian and Clementine's wedding, and Bella shows up in a gorgeous dress that "some" would question. Bella is already self conscious, but is determined to rock this dress. While at the reception, Bella knows that Camden is in attendance. He's friends with Christian and Xander after all so it makes sense that he's attending. Bella is avoiding him the best she can, until Camden finally finds her. She agrees to talk with him, and as he's apologizing, Bella goes off on him. She's angry. She's hurt. She's embarrassed. She's protecting herself. Camden waits for her get it all out, and then takes his turn giving her words that she desperately needs. Later that evening, the duo runs into Queen Antonia. She takes one look at Bella's dress, and immediately has words ready to fire. Camden quickly defuses the situation, and is simply amazing. Thus begins the story of Bella and Camden. There is a lot that happens after this point of the story, and it is all wonderful.
If you've been around for any period of time, then you know I have read EVERY SINGLE BOOK that Aven Ellis has written. The moment I discovered her back in October 2019, I was hooked. I immediately binged every book out there, and I have no regrets. I am a fangirl through and through. Each book Aven writes, I find myself anticipating and recommending. This book is no different. As I mentioned above, I had been waiting on Pitch to Palace for sometime now. Honestly though I was captivated by Camden when he made a brief appearance in Rinkside in the Rockies. I knew then that I would love for him to be a main character in one of Aven's books. Camden being the leading man for Bella was just perfection. Now I can't lie, when I first met Bella and Camden, I thought there was a chance they could take the #1 spot for Aven couples. That is currently held by Matt and Holly from On Thin Ice. At the end of Pitch to Palace though, I will say that Bella and Camden are in the #2 spot. They were not enough to bounce Matt and Holly. (Holly being a Minnesotan may just keep her at #1) Back to Pitch to Palace. I loved how vocal Bella was about what she needs, and what she deserves from a relationship. I also loved how Camden was right there making his case. He was essentially telling her it was the same thing for him. I loved how he loved her body, and he saw no flaw with it. I loved how easily both characters read the other, and knew just what to say when it was needed. I loved that Camden was there for Bella during an extremely rough time, and continued to be by her side whenever he could. As I passed the 50% mark in the story, I found myself wondering when the dramatic moment was going to happen for our couple. I was wondering how it would play out, and how explosive it would be. I had this entire moment built up in my head, and then it fell a bit flat. Which I feel horrible saying. I think the fact that it took so dang long for this moment to occur also played a part. I was expecting something a bit more grand/dramatic/explosive. I was expecting the separation to be a bit longer, and the heartache/questioning/pining to be a bit more drawn out. The reunion happened quickly. I did enjoy the fact that it wasn't the typical scenario, and that the roles were flipped. That I did appreciate. Even how the reunion was written, I was happy with. When it is all said and done, I loved the book. I gave it a solid 4 out of 5, and these two are second on my list of favorite Aven couples. Also, I loved all the setups for future books. My mind is reeling with who will end up with who, and how their stories will flow.
As per usual, I loved the characters. Yes, even Antonia because she just brings the conflict. The setting was fabulous. The words spoken by Camden were appreciated. And I just loved getting to spend time with this cast of characters. Aven has written another wonderful book.
Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts,
Laura
Laura
BLURB
She was a princess who found solace and happiness in books, determined to stay hidden from the world forever. But will her crush—a sexy Canadian footballer with a playboy past—be the one to lure her out of her shell and into his arms instead?
Comfort for Isabella York is found buried in the pages of books. Bookended between two beautiful sisters, she is a different kind of princess, quiet and studious. Judged harshly on social media and in the tabloids, which compare her to her thin, outgoing sisters, a shy Bella has no desire to become a working royal for the House of Chadwick upon graduating from university, preferring to work in the family’s dusty archives instead.
But hiding from the limelight may not be an option where Camden Tremblay is concerned. Sinfully gorgeous and with a wild past, Camden was the crush Bella longed for from the day she met him—and she knew he would never look her way.
Until he did.
Camden re-enters her life and they both see there is more to each other than meets the eye. He turns Bella’s life upside down like a snow globe, filling her life with a magic she has never known. But with each of them fighting their own insecurities, can this high-profile romance survive the intrusive eyes of the press—and the greatest crisis to face the monarchy to date?
If you love British royals, a sexy hero, a heroine who finds herself and a happily ever after, then you will love this heartwarming and romantic story.
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EXCERPT
“Your Royal Highness,” he says, his voice shaking with a fury to match mine, “you can do many things, but telling me how I feel isn’t going to be one of them. You might not believe my apology, and that’s your choice. But you do not get to tell me I’m not sorry. Because I am. I am so damn sorry that I can’t get what happened out of my head, and it’s been weeks since I last saw you. This isn’t like me. I’m not haunted by women or what I’ve done in my past, except for this. I can’t shake this, Bella. I can’t.”
“Why? Because I’m kind? Sweet? Xander and Christian’s cousin, so you feel bad? Do you feel guilty because, oh, poor Bella had her feelings hurt when you forgot she existed the second Victoria appeared in the room? Well, you’ve made your apology. I’ll never speak of this again, and I’ll always be nice to you when our paths cross. You are cleared. Your conscience is free.”
Camden’s lips part in utter surprise. “But that isn’t what I want.”
Now the flames have reached a boiling point. I’m spilling over with hot, molten anger from years of playing this part, and Camden is about to bear the wrath as I do something I’ve never done in my entire life.
Let go.
“I don’t care if that isn’t what you want!” I roar at him. “This is about me. What I want. I don’t want apologies. I don’t want to be asked for forgiveness and if we can be friends. I don’t want to be the girl men just talk history with or joke with. I don’t want to be befriended by men who are hoping I’ll put in a good word with Victoria. I want to be seen for who I am. I want to be desired for the body I have. I want someone to not only like me for my intelligence but to find equal excitement in my curves. In my flesh. I want someone to look at me and want to kiss me until my lips are swollen out of passion. I deserve to be wanted for all those things, and I might never have that, but I won’t settle for less. I won’t! So take your apology and get out!”
I gasp as soon as the final shout of anger escapes my lips. Camden is staring at me in complete shock, and my anger is immediately replaced by horror.
Hot tears brim on my lashes. I’m shaking all over, trembling like a leaf. What have I done? My God, did all those words come out of my mouth? My throat grows dry. The room has no air.
“I’m sorry,” I manage to get out. “Your apology is accepted. Please go.”
Camden doesn’t even flinch. I notice his chest is rising and falling, too, no doubt in anger.
“Please,” I beg of him.
He doesn’t move. Not even an inch.
“Get out!” I cry in frustration, the tears now falling.
“No,” he says, his voice deadly calm amidst my emotional sea of torment.
My heart sinks in humiliation and despair. I have no choice but to go down this path of truth, as I am the one who set us both on this road.
“I told you what I need, and you don’t want to give that to me. So please forget this happened and please leave me alone.’
Something in him snaps with those words. I can see it in his eyes. Camden strides over to me in the blink of an eye. Before I can think, he takes my hand in his, and to my shock, he quickly leads me to one of the massive oak pillars in the room, whirling me around and pressing my back into it.
“You’re wrong,” he says, bracketing my face with his hands.
I gasp from the shock of his touch. The room begins to spin. Camden Tremblay is now inches from me, touching me. If he weren’t pressing me into this pillar, I’d faint. I’m sure of it.
“Look at me,” he commands sharply. “Bella, look into my eyes.”
I gaze up at him through my tears. My God. What do I see in his eyes? They are sparking with anger, that I can see, but there’s something else there, too.
“I can give you what you need,” he says, his voice raw with urgency. “Because I need it, too.”
And then his mouth is on mine.
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AUTHOR BIO
USA Today bestselling author Aven Ellis began her publishing career in 2013 with her debut release, Connectivity. She currently writes romantic comedies featuring royals, billionaires, aristocrats, and athletes.
Her books are designed to make readers laugh out loud and fall in love. Happily-ever-after endings and good-boy heroes are guaranteed.
Aven lives in the Dallas area with her family. Aven loves shopping and fashion and can spend hours playing with fragrances in any department store. She can be found chatting it up on social media, eating M&Ms, and crushing on the latest outfit the Duchess of Cambridge is wearing.
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