Which Best Rated Historical Fiction Books Explore Royal Court Intrigue?

He was her personal bodyguard. He was hired to protect her body with his own life. Princess Romaine ‘Romy’ Eloise Santángel-Ordoñez, heiress to the throne of Deltora, doesn’t know much about men, especially dangerous men like Kingston, her new bodyguard. How could she when she’s practically a prisoner in the palace? But one look from him, and she’s willing to learn all he wants to teach her. Kingston ‘King’ Rossdale is a man with a dark past and a reputation as a huge playboy. When he meets Princess Romaine, he knows he shouldn’t mix business with pleasure, but nothing can stop him from claiming the body of the gorgeous woman he was hired to protect. Then Romy disappears and nothing can stop King from finding her, not when he needs her so much more than he ever imagined…

Catherine has spent her life serving the royal family of Eldoria and hiding her feelings for Prince George, friend and the heir to the throne. But when a reckless night ends with him stumbling into her arms, everything changes. Prince George doesn’t remember what happened, but Catherine does. But when the reality of what happened that night begins to grow inside her, she runs, not for herself, but to save him from the scandal that could destroy the crown. But secrets have a way of resurfacing, especially in a kingdom full of spies, enemies in silk gowns, and a rival princess whose family is plotting to take the throne. When a huge scandal and the truth threatens the monarchy, Prince George must decide: His duty to the crown or the woman who carries his heart, and his heir.

Princess Elara Windsor never wanted the throne, just one night of freedom before her sister forces her back to royal duty. But her last wild night ends in the arms of a tattooed stranger whose touch ruins her…and sets her fate. No names. No promises. No consequences. Until the next morning, when Elara returns home…and discovers the man she slept with is Prince Damon Valen, the man her sister is destined to marry and the future king of two kingdoms. Worse: Elara is carrying his child. Bound by law, trapped by bloodlines, and hunted by those who would kill the unborn heir, Elara is forced into a deadly game of power, lies, and forbidden longing. In a palace fueled by betrayal, where her sister becomes queen and her lover becomes her enemy, Elara must choose: Expose the truth and destroy a kingdom… or protect the man she can never have.

Princess Christie has secretly desired her older brother, Gregory Halrion, the crown prince of Aerithia, since childhood and has always feared she was cursed for harbouring such forbidden feelings. But when a secret DNA test reveals she isn't a Halrion by blood, her shame turns to hope. She believes she was meant to be with him. The royal family knows the truth. Yet, her love for Gregory remains forbidden. As rumours grow into scandal and a palace conspiracy threatens to destroy her bond with Gregory, and the Halrion dynasty itself, Christie is forced to choose between duty and desire. And when her true identity is finally revealed publicly… Will her love for Gregory still be forbidden?

"The Prince I Love to Hate is an absolute must read! This romcom will have you rooting for Niamh and Olivier right from their hilarious first meeting. - Harlequin Junkie Blog top pick This prince? He’s anything but charming. I’ve never been the girl who’s dreamt of a prince rescuing me from a fire-breathing dragon before whisking me away to his castle. So when I fly all the way to Ireland to find my long-lost dad, I have no intention of playing the damsel in distress to some dude. But the night I encounter—and accidentally wallop upside the head—Prince Olivier of Salasia, my plans are completely upended. This prince is the opposite of charming, though. After thirty seconds in his presence, I want to feed him to a dragon. But fate is a fickle b*tch. Before I know it, I agree to team up with Olivier in the search for my dad. As I travel across Europe with this actual honest-to-god prince, I wonder, what’s the worst that could happen? It’s not like I’ll be stupid enough to fall in love with Prince Charming."

Two Princes, one school. A forbidden connection that threatens world power. Rowan Ashbourne, the indifferent second son of the Ashbourne royal family, arrives at Hillsborough Boarding School expecting nothing but quiet. Instead, he meets Theo Bellamère, the adored French prince and senior prefect, whose charm hides his competitive nature. What begins as rivalry quickly turns into a forbidden attraction, one that must remain secret amidst family expectations, school politics, and the shadowy schemes of the Valecourt Dominion. As scandal, betrayal, and danger close in, Rowan and Theo must choose between their duties to the crown and their desires against the crown.