Review: Royal Secrets by Kathleen Irene Paterka

Royal Secrets
written by Kathleen Irene Paterka
published by Kathleen Irene Paterka

find it here: Amazon, Smashwords, Goodreads

Why did I pick this book: I participated in the blog tour hosted by CLP Blog Tours. My original posting date was Monday, July 29th. Unfortunately, a technical glitch didn’t allow me to finish the book in time for that post. (A spotlight and excerpt were posted. See it here.) But the glitch has been fixed and here is my review. (I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)

Did I enjoy this book: I did enjoy Royal Secrets. It was a quick read that held my interest until the end.

Lily didn’t want any part of her mother’s wedding chapel in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, her daughter did. So, when Tori runs off to Nevada to be with her grandmother, Lily finds herself back where she started and unearthing plenty of secrets.

The secrets were hinted at and alluded to from the beginning. The suspense about what was really going on kept escalating. It made me want to continue reading the story to find out what happened and how everything would work out. Lily was a tough woman who was trying to make a life for herself and her daughter that she felt was best for them. I didn’t love Lily. I didn’t hate her. She was alright but a bit too immature in some ways and too closed off in some ways. I felt bad for her as the story progressed though. Mimi loves her wedding chapel and the history sometimes more than her own daughter, or so it seems to Lily. I know Mimi did what she did for Lily, for the most part. But I don’t agree with all of her decisions. Tori loves the fairytale and is rather naïve about a few things. She was also a bit of a brat. Mimi loves Tori so much and vice versa. Tori wants to someday run the Royal Wedding Chapel. She wants to make other brides’ fairytale dreams come true.

This was a fun read. Did it blow my sock off? No, but that’s okay. Was I expecting something different in the ending, and the story as a whole? Yes, but that’s okay, too. Books are supposed to surprise you and not be predictable. Royal Secrets was not predictable and I thought it was a good escape from every day life.

Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book. It was a fun read with some mystery involved. A good chick lit, quick read.

Will I read it again: I will not.

About the book – from Goodreads: The Royal Wedding Chapel of Las Vegas

Where dreams come true
and are just as easily destroyed…

Immersed in the regal world of weddings and romance, Lily Lavender grew up believing in brides, grooms and happily-ever-afters. A direct descendent of the British royals, it seemed her destiny and royal birthright to someday assume a position as wedding coordinator in their family-owned wedding chapel business. But when her mother Mimi’s third marriage eventually fails, Lily’s dreams of her own happily-ever-after quickly fade. She’s no longer interested in a life of assisting brides walk down the aisle into a life of disillusionment and possible divorce. Lily turns her back on The Royal Wedding Chapel and leaves Las Vegas to fashion a life of her own.

Years later, Lily—now a single mom—discovers her teenage daughter has run off to Las Vegas, lured by Mimi to help run the chapel. Determined to save her daughter from the broken dreams of Sin City and the nonsensical world of which family fairy tales are made, Lily returns to Las Vegas. But nothing prepares Lily for the royal drama which awaits her… or the sins and secrets she stumbles across that threaten to close the chapel and ruin her family forever.

Happy reading wherever you are and whenever you get a free chance!!!