I received an advance copy of this via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was cute. It's a typical chick lit book with an interesting what if backstory because of Anastasia and all of the hidden references. For what it is some parts were asked to suspend disbelief and if you can do that the story between the two leads - Maxim and Finley - pays off.

ARC copy for an honest review...I admit it's very much a chick-lit read based on the "fantasy" of Anastasia's survival so it's very much packed with historical references like the Grand Duchess herself and the famed Faberge eggs which I find adds weight. However since it's based around the "fantasy" surrounding her survival, I found some parts of the narrative too unconvincing to believe like how it can be possible in the first place. Yes there was the romance, which actually got steamy...I'll leave it to the reader's imagination.

This delightful story will take you on an enchanting trip to the City of Paris and embroil you in a hundred year old mystery. When the book begins Maxim is in the hospital, having suffered a vicious attack, and with no memory of who he is or of his previous life. The investigating police officer gives him a notebook which belongs to him and which is full of information about the Russian royal family, ending with a page stating "I am Maxim Romanov". Meanwhile, Finley is a curator at the Louvre mounting an exhibition of Romanov family objects and publishing a book about them. When they meet sparks fly between them as they begin to figure out if Maxim really is the descendant of the Grand Duchess Anastasia. This is a combination of a love story, a mystery story, a history story and a description of Paris so inviting that it will make you want to get on a plane for a trip there of your own. I was hooked from the very first page and I highly recommend it.

All I needed to see was "modern retelling of Anastasia" to get me to click on "request"! Anything having to do with the Anastasia story and I am there, and this was a darling retelling. I got sucked in on the first page and didn't put it down until it was completely devoured. I absolutely adored Maxim and Finley. I loved this installment of Wilson's "The Royals" even more than "Royally Roma". Such a fun read, perfect for the beach on a warm summer day!

This book is actually Volume 2 in The Royals Series, from Wilson (Vol 1 being Royally Wed), but the first I have read from her. Loving the whole Romanov mystique, I was a goner from the first chapter, and quickly read through the whole book! This is a light, romantic take of the original movie, and for those who enjoyed it, there is the added nuance of comparing the two! Add in a good dose of mystery, romance and the history and you have a compelling beach read, perfect for a 'Summer getaway'! Make sure this is on your Summer reading list too!

Already, I want to cry, just from reading the quote from the real Anastasia.

Idiot detective. What, he can't lift a chair?

Is Maxim French, then? Or is he an American living in Pars?

Jeez Louise, what happened to her to make her so cynical?

I definitely don't trust this Gregory fellow.

I'd love to see the Louvre.

If it was so important to notify him, why did the policeman wait until nighttime to tell him he was potentially robbed?

Who sets up a meeting after work to get signatures on paperwork? This is fishy, Maxim.

He just crashed a private gala?

I'm glad she quit. Who needs the aggravation of working for that witch?

As the second book in her Royals series, Teri Wilson taps into the Romanov legacy and the rumors about Anastasia. She takes us to Paris where we meet a man who has no memory of who he is, but due to a notebook, thinks he might be connected to the Romanov family. As the book progresses, we learn more about the Romanovs and what might have happened to Anastasia.
Maxim Laurent is severely beaten one night near Notre Dame and left for dead. When he awakes in the hospital, he has no memory of who he is. The only clue is a notebook detailing his research into the Romanov family and a strong indication that he might be Anastasia’s grandson. Maxim has to do everything he can in order to find out who he really is.
Finley Abbot, assistant curator for the Louvre, is working on an exhibit in honor of the 100th anniversary of the assassination of the Romanov family. She has traveled extensively including to Russia to get access and permission to borrow priceless artifacts from the Romanov dynasty. When Maxim shows up with his story, Finley knows two things to be true. One, if his story is correct and he claims the Romanov treasure, her career is over. Two, he is the most attractive man she has ever seen.
Ms. Wilson keeps you guessing until the end about whether or not Maxim is related to the Romanovs or if he is just a con man. We go along with Finley and Maxim as they try to find the truth about his past and to help him recover his memories. We travel to the Louvre and around the city. We see the danger that they are both in as someone seems determined to stop Maxim from finding the truth.
I did like this book especially because the fate of Anastasia has always be an intriguing mystery. There were moments when the book moved quite slowly and didn’t seem to be going anywhere only to speed up before slowing again. I found this pacing difficult to maintain throughout the book.

***4.5 Stars

Royally Romanov is the second book in the Royals series by Teri Wilson. It can absolutely be read as a standalone. It's actually the first book I have read by Teri and it won't be my last. It is a reselling of the 1956 Anastasia classic. I love history, I really do but I didn't know much of anything about the Romanov's story so it was an eye opener to me.

Maxim Laurent wakes up from a coma and has no idea who he is. What happened the night he was attacked. He remembers bits and pieces of his childhood. His grandmother. The only clue he has is the notebook he was holding during his attack. The notebook that says that his real name is Maxim Romanov. But that can't be right. The Romanov Empire was killed off almost one hundred years ago. This only proves to him that he was on a mission to figure out who he really was. Now, the twist is fate has shown him that he truly has no idea who he really is and why he was attacked at three in the morning at Point Zero. This makes him even more determined to figure it out. He also can't stop thinking about the woman he keeps dreaming about. Who is she? And what does she has to do with any of this?

Finley Abott is an art curator at the Louvre. She is also a newly published author. She wrote a book about the Romanov Empire. So when a stranger comes into the bookstore for a presentation of her book and spills that his last name is Romanov she is more than shocked. She is intrigued, confused, and foolish. There is no way he can be who he says he is. Anastasia has been dead for almost a 100 years. It was proven just a few years ago. DNA doesn't lie. But, what if it does? This could ruin the museum, her career, and the credibility of many scientists. But what if? What if, he is really Anastasia's grandson? She doesn't want to be made a fool of by believing a con-man, a sexy one but still. He came to her for help. Could she really turn away from something that could be one of the biggest discoveries in the last 100 years?

I was hooked. I love a good mystery and this was that. The clues. The discoveries. And add in some heat and love? Awesome! It's was a fun adventure for sure. Maxim and Finley make a great team. They felt something the minute they saw each other. He just knew she was the woman of his dreams. And she felt something for him as well even if at first he freaked her out.

Overall...it's a wonderful story with adventure, suspense, sexiness, and fun. I thought it was a unique love story.

Quotes:

“I know nothing about you, Maxim.”
“Neither do I.” He offered her a sad smile.

This was more than a kiss. It was an unveiling. She couldn’t have felt more exposed if she’d been undressed from head to toe.

“You don’t get to decide what I do and don’t do. Whether or not I help you is my decision, not yours.”

Review will post on The Dew on release date. http://dewonthekudzu.com