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Wondering what to read in between seasons of The A Male Friend Who Spins it AroundCrown?

Obviously, there are tons of books about royalty. But while sitting down with a great biography or historical fiction about times long ago is always a treat (try Wolf Hall or anything by Philippa Gregory), THIS LIST is much more precise: Fictional stories set in modern times that are royal or royal-adjacent. Basically, the books that got written once everyone became obsessed with Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.

I'm talking women discovering they are princesses! People inconveniently in love with a prince! A kidnapped princess discovering she maybe has feelings for her new protection officer! Give them all to me!

Now, there is a lot of trash -- and quick cash-ins -- in this genre. I read it all, and the six titles below rise above the rest and are worth your while when you're looking for a happy love story. I had a flat-out great time reading each one of these feel-good gems, and I bet you will as well.

Here's what you should read next if you...

...Want a fun alt-history fantasy to escape our current hellscape:

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Red White & Royal Blue 

by Casey McQuiston

A world where a competent woman is running the United States? Sign me up. 

...Love Will & Kate, and were pro-American Princess even before Meghan Markle came onto the scene:

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The Royal We 

by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan

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Here's what you need to know: I *love* this book. I've recommended it to approx. 20 people in my life, and they all wind up loving it, no matter how skeptical they were at first. 

...Miss The Princess Diaries, and want some action-adventure alongside your royal romance:

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The Royal Runaway

by Lindsay Emory

A princess is stood up on her wedding day. The horror! 

When Princess Theodora hasn't heard from her fiancee after he embarrasses her in front of the whole country, she begins to suspect something may be off and sets off to discover what happened -- and gets way more than she bargained for in the process. 

This book is for those who want a princess story, but who are less into love triangles and more into running away to a secret island. There's a little bit of mystery, some government secrets, and OK, yes, also some kissing. But not with a prince! With a maybe-spy!

Intrigued? I was!!

...Really enjoy Hallmark holiday movies:

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Royal Holiday

Jasmine Guillory (Out Oct. 1)

This is a great book to read with a cup of hot chocolate (or goblet of wine!) this fall. Guillory has broken out over the last few years with her expertly crafted romance books, and this one is loosely inspired by Doria Ragland, Meghan Markle's awesome mom.

...Devour stories about the interconnected love lives of a group of friends (so...Gossip Girl):

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American Royals

by Katharine McGee (out Sept. 3)

The premise is deeply silly: America set up their own royal family after the Revolutionary War, and in 2018 the House of Washington is still ruling in the U.S. But get onboard with that (you'll be fine; after the first few pages, it's rarely talked about) and you've got a super captivating story -- with alternating chapter points of view -- about the young adult royals and their scheming and/or loyal friends. They are all falling in and out of love with each other, and balancing duty to the throne with what their hearts desire.

...Work hard for a living, and honestly just want to read some steam:

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A Princess in Theory

by Alyssa Cole

Your friend who is into romance novels has probably already told you about this hit. But just in case...

Naledi is a grad student minding her own business juggling multiple jobs completely unaware that as a baby she was promised to an African Prince, Thabiso. When Thabiso tracks her down in NYC, sparks fly and clothing is removed -- but Naledi has no idea the guy she is falling for is a real-life prince. WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN SHE LEARNS THE TRUTH?!?!?!

This slow burn story is a dream because Cole takes time to really develop Naledi and her world, and also doesn't make Thabiso perfect, which of course makes him all the more intriguing as a character.

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Topics Books