I have mixed feelings about this one. I really enjoyed the first third and the last third of the book. Like, a lot! I loved the setting, the concept, and the writing style. However, the middle part of the book was lacking. It was repetitive and the love interest was nowhere to be found. I was confused why Maggie was so in love with Freddie when he gave her absolutely nothing to work with. He would disappear for weeks, even months, on end with no explanation. He would even disappear in the middle of a party they were both attending! I liked his friends more than I liked him; they were actually present and seemed somewhat interested in Maggie. I also felt like some things were a little overdone. Maggie is clumsy. REALLY clumsy. She can’t seem to walk home from work without falling down. I’m so tired of the “clumsy girl” trope. I’m clumsy, but that’s not my whole personality! I also thought the coworkers and the women at the gala were unrealistically mean. Nobody talks like that to person’s face. Making fun of her hair, clothes, relationship status… I found that totally unbelievable.
The book did have redeemable qualities. Like I said, the setting was immersive. I learned so much British history just from reading this book. I loved that! Overall, it was a really cute story, there were just some things that annoyed me!

This was a cute story. The characters are fun, and it was interesting to take a journey to London. The story was a slow burn sweet romance. It took Freddie almost the entire book to grow a backbone and admit he was in love with Maggie. I spent most of the story wondering will they or won't they. I was hoping for more of a love story. I like it better when the characters have more time together as a couple and not just 30 minutes to the end of the story. That being said I did enjoy the book. I just felt I needed more from the story.

Again another book I devoured in one go! I love romance books like this! Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for access to this book

As a story about the relationship of a young woman to her home, the Tower of London, this is an informative one. As the story of a young woman falling for a royal guard, it falls short. Their interactions are few and far between. She has more connections to his fellow guards than to him.
The story picks up toward the ending but it is a long way to get there.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a jewel of a five-star read. I really enjoyed this story, there is just a lovely fluffiness to this story, but there is also an undercurrent that has an edge to keep it from being too light. There are some perfect British moments in this story, they will keep you hooked and make you smile. Maggie was a sweetheart and I just adored how she came out of herself, from peeking at the guards to jumping in with them. Watching her come out of herself with the aid of some boys will keep you hooked all the way through. I simply loved the details of this story as well, and it made me so desperate to go and visit the Tower again, I haven’t been since I was a child and loved getting to know all of the details, especially getting to know the Yeoman Warders and all of the different characters they are, seeing them in so much detail beyond the red tunics. I can’t forget the royal guards that all play their part, but this time its Grenadiers that shine their brightest shine and bring a beautiful light to this story as well as Maggie’s life.

A very cute addition to the contemporary romance shelf. Clawson's book would be great for fans of red, white, and royal blue and those who love to imagine they might someday come close enough to royalty to date a royal guard. Would highly recommend for a quick, cute read.

Wow, the best book I have read in a long time. A beautiful love story set in a real historic building, that many of us will have visited.
Although I have visited the Tower of London many times the facts about it entwined all the way through this tale of love between Maggie and her guardsman, I have learnt so much more about the tower during my read.

I really liked this romance! Maggie is an awesome main character. She's funny, nice and relatable. The romance was so soft, so nice and so amazing to see. I can really see chemistry between these two and I love that!

I absolutely Loved this book!! The characters were very interesting and relatable. I really loved how the author kept the story moving without it slowing down and getting boring. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.

This book was a true delight to read. It will make you smile and laugh. It will give you that feel-good and heartwarming feeling. And don't worry, because sometimes it will even be heartwrenching in the best possible ways. I had so much fun whilst reading this.
I loved the main characters, Maggie and Freddy. Maggie was such a fun person to read. She made me laugh out loud! And her insecurities and flaws only made her more real and honest. And how I breathed and clapped when she finally talked back to her trash ex-boyfriend.
Also, I just loved having an insider look at life in such a marvellous place as the Tower of London and the people who work there.
I can't wait to read more by the author!

I fell hard for this book - I loved it! The fact that the book is set in the Tower of London was totally captivating for me & I loved every detail, factual or not. Who knew that there was a pub inside the walls!
The setting and the storyline were totally refreshing and I can't stop thinking about this book, so much so that I cannot wait to visit the Tower as I haven't been since a child.
Funny, sad, cringy, romantic & totally fabulous!

Thank you Net galley and Avon/Harper collins for the advanced reader copy of this book!!

I’ve been reading too many dark romances lately so this was such a breath of fresh air.

The banter was hilarious and sexy and exactly what you need this 2023.

It so refreshing for authors to write with characters who don’t fit into the typical box of conventional compatibility which made reading this even more exciting and something readers can relate too

I thank this author for focusing on topics such as body insecurities and making them something that are more normalized.

Megan Clawson is the next watch out for author of 2023

The setting for this contemporary romance was certainly interesting, but I simply could not engage with the main character, Maggie, who is portrayed as seriously dim, clumsy, dreary, dull and an emotional wreck who is clueless most of the time. How is someone with a day job incapable of setting an alarm clock or walking in a straight line without falling over or embarrassing herself?
Plus, there was zero chemistry with her guardsman.
Sorry, not for me.

A solid rom-com debut. Essentially follows a tried a true romance formula but it's unique setting and the nature of the character's jobs help the book to stand out in the crowd. The cover is adorable and the book will have no problem selling off the shelves all on it's own. It will be an especially great crossover book for those who love a historical setting in their.books. My only criticism of the book is that I felt like the setting and it's history had more development than the characters and their relationship. A shift in that focus and this book would have been 5 stars for me.

This book was SO GOOD. I don’t even know why I requested an ARC copy of it, honestly I think the cover just looked cute, but I am so glad I did! Megan Clawson wrote a very cute, and surprisingly relatable, book about a woman who’s just having a time of it after her life essentially falls apart.

One thing I really liked about this book was the descriptions of her breakdowns and anxiety attacks. I know, I know, weird thing to be impressed with. However, I felt kind of seen when reading it. They were well written, and I recognized my own experiences with breaking down and anxiety in those moments. Also, I thought the dating aspect of it was SO RELATABLE. God, trying to find someone this day and age is horrible, especially on dating apps! (Thank god I’m out of that).

As for the romance, it was definitely more slow burn. But, it felt really naturally developed. I wasn’t necessarily screaming while reading, wondering when they’re going to GET TOGETHER ALREADY (well, maybe a little). It felt like the relationship progressed how it was supposed to. I also really liked the aspect of her living in the Tower of London and all the history we get reading it as well.

Now, for some little things. I loved the ravens and reading this book really made me want a pet raven. Also, it was the first royal book I read since the queen passed, so reading “His Majesty” instead of “Her Majesty” did feel kind of weird.

Overall I really enjoyed and gave it a solid 4.75 stars!

3.75 stars
I can totally see this being the next big romance title on a platform like TikTok which means my students will be talking it about it lots. For me, a fun read with an interesting concept.

3.75 Stars
Falling Hard for the Royal Guard is a super cute, clean romance.
Now I won't lie, when I requested to read this one I thought there would be some spice. But there is not. I just want to add that disclaimer at the beginning. However, I did enjoy this book.

I am a huge history nerd, so the setting of the book really pulled me in. Who wouldn't want to live in the Tower of London? That's where Maggie our MC lives with her dad and several other interesting characters.

Maggie is perpetually late. This is subject to many jokes and sadly video footage. Her boss also uses this as punishment and that irked me so bad. Maggie took a lot of crap from her boss and coworkers.

An accidental "lamp post" run in has her meeting Freddie, a member of the Royal Guard. Freddie introduces Maggie to the world behind the uniform and a few very fun friends.

We have Tinder dating (oh that first date lol).
Very cool Tower of London history.
Fascinating side characters.
And a sweet clean romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for an ARC of this book debuting in the Spring of 2023

3,5 stars! This was quite different from the usual rom-coms I read. Really liked the setting for this book, as a lover of history and really love London, it was a very nice environment to get immersed in. I disliked the FMC at the begginning, like grow a backbone woman. But thankfully we got a very good character development, all the dates made me think of the movie ”How to be single”. You really get to follow Maggie come to the realization that she is awesome just be way she is and you don’t need a man. Ofc we do have the gorgeous Freddie but apart from that! There was also things that the MMC does that I really don’t like but he makes up for it at the end. A very lovely HEA.

Rating: 4 stars ⭐

This was such a fun read! I liked that it was based in Londen and that he was a member of the Royal guard. 💂‍♂️

Read this book if you like rom-com books! ❤

Thank you to Netgalley and AvonBooksUK for sending me the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set in London late 2022 mostly within the grounds of The Tower of London.
A nice fun romance. I loved the descriptions of the historic buildings and daily routines of the people who lived and worked within the surrounds of the Tower of London.
Maggie Moore lives with her father in accommodation at the Tower of London. Maggie’s father is a Yeoman Warder and shows tourists around. Maggie sells entry tickets to the Tower of London, she is constantly late for work, very disorganised and dreams of having a better job.