TLC Book Tours: The Royal Nanny by Karen Harper

Title: The Royal Nanny
Author: Karen Harper
Format: ARC
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Publish Date: June 21, 2016
Source: TLC Book Tours

What's the Story?:

From Goodreads.com: "April, 1897: A young nanny arrives at Sandringham, ancestral estate of the Duke and Duchess of York. She is excited, exhausted—and about to meet royalty. . . .

So begins the unforgettable story of Charlotte Bill, who would care for a generation of royals as their parents never could. Neither Charlotte—LaLa, as her charges dub her—nor anyone else can predict that eldest sons David and Bertie will each one day be king. LaLa knows only that these children, and the four who swiftly follow, need her steadfast loyalty and unconditional affection.

But the greatest impact on Charlotte’s life is made by a mere bud on the family tree: a misunderstood soul who will one day be known as the Lost Prince. Young Prince John needs all of Lala’s love—the kind of love his parents won’t…or can’t…show him."

My Two Cents:

"The Royal Nanny" is the story of Charlotte "Lala" Bill who becomes nanny to the children of King George V and Mary of Teck. The royal couple are not particularly loving parents and Charlotte feels the need to fill the void in the children's life. The two eldest will eventually take the throne as King Edward VIII, who abdicates for his love, Wallis Simpson. An incredibly dedicated woman, Lala will give up love and sometimes her own feelings to give the children the life and love she feels they deserve. This is a great, intimate glimpse at a fascinating family and woman that will appeal to my fellow royal watchers.

So many royal children seem to lead such sullen lives. They may be surrounded by riches, but often seem poor in the amount of love that they are given. I loved how Lala recognizes that and instantly dedicates herself to the royal children in showing them love. She is such a great character and I love that the story is told from her perspective. It really got me involved in the things that she was doing and seeing.

With as much historical fiction as I read, I don't often visit the late 1800s or early 1900s nearly enough. I really enjoyed the time period and the settings! The children spend a lot of time being cloistered away in various palaces and castles and the descriptions of these places were really good. This book made me want to read more about this time period, especially if it were about the royals during this time period!