Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

The fourth book in Kate O'Keeffe’s Royally Kissed series, Royally Off-Limits, introduces a fizzy royal rom-com about Prince Maximilien of Ledonia, a roguish royal dubbed “Man-Child Max” after he plunges down a slip-’n-slide, falling into a pond. Max has never responded well to being forced into doing something he does not want to do, but the royal family must salvage his image. So, his father assigns a documentary by his most unforgiving critic, journalist Fabiana Fontaine. Max is not aware that she is actually Valentina Romano, disguised as Fabiana. She is the daughter of a lord who was disgraced and banished years ago by the royal family, and she has spent her adult life hiding behind non-prescription glasses, bleached hair, and biting sarcasm. As they navigate the gilded ballrooms and the summer palace, antagonism turns to attraction. But Valentina’s secret identity threatens their growing trust and a love she never meant to find.

Kate O'Keeffe’s characters are boldly accomplished; they are multidimensional and hilariously relatable. When we meet Max, he is the party prince, but there is a humanity in his character shown in his self-funded youth outreach program to help disadvantaged kids from poor families get a fair chance at life. Valentina carries the wounds of her family, and she hides them with her cynicism and sharp wit. What fascinated me most in these two characters is how cleverly the author lifts the veil, slowly revealing what they genuinely feel and who they are authentically when the world is not watching. With effervescent humor, Royally Off-Limits delivers a snappy, first-person dual narration and delightfully absurd scenes that will keep you laughing out loud, like the foam-gun war in a children’s ball pit and the impromptu blanket fort. This fast-paced romance is infused with suspense as you wait nervously for Valentina’s confession and the exposure of a villain.