Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Laying Low
SERIES: Princeton Royals
AUTHOR: Amy Lane
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 246 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 4, 2026
BLURB:
Anthony McCauley has always been easy to love. Kind, confident, and raised by parents who never let him doubt his worth, he’s certain he can win over the shy, intriguing Reg Royal.
Instead, Reg assumes Anthony is flirting with his beloved little brother.
Reg has spent his life trying to stay invisible. Convinced that someone as bright as Anthony couldn’t possibly want him, he keeps his distance—until Anthony’s persistence finally begins to draw him out of his shell.
Then everything goes sideways.
Forced on the run with two teenagers hunted by ruthless criminals and a corrupt government agency, Anthony and Reg have no choice but to rely on each other. Anthony discovers the strength beneath Reg’s quiet exterior, while Reg learns that Anthony’s optimism is matched by unwavering loyalty. As danger closes in, friendship deepens into something impossible to ignore.
Protecting two kids may be the hardest thing they’ve ever done. But trusting that they deserve each other might be even harder.
Laying Low delivers slow burn, forced proximity, and a found-family road trip where two men falling in love have to out-hack a cartel, a mob boss, and their own government to keep two teenage runaways alive. Perfect for readers who take their opposites-attract pining tender and their on-the-run suspense breathless.
REVIEW:
Note: This is the third book in this series and contains major spoilers for the previous books. This book takes place directly after the events of the second book.
The Royal family is once again embroiled in a situation not of their making. Anthony, son of Rory, boyfriend of Val Royal, has jumped into the Royal family with both feet. As an only child with two doting families, he’s not used to the noise and chaos of a big family. But he loves it. He is particularly interested in Reg, the next to the youngest brother. Reg is sweet and shy and just tries to hide. But Anthony sees him.
Reg has skills. Both in tech and as it turns out as an artist. He’s been volunteering at the local high school with the Art Department and Club. He always assumes that nobody would be interested in the least interesting Royal. He assumes that the baby golden boy, Chance, is the object of everyone’s fantasies. He even assumes that about Anthony.
Anthony realizes that he’s going to have to convince Reg that it is HIM that he’s interested. Not Chance. Chance wishes him good luck. It takes three months of hanging around for Reg to actually ASK Anthony to do something with him. And that something is come to the Art Club exhibition/fundraiser.
Anthony is thrilled to finally get an invite. Like a real date? When he shows up just before the event though, things suddenly go awry. The nephew of the Art teacher, Reynaldo, is being sought by masked men claiming to be ICE. Um, maybe? But not. And it seems that maybe Reynaldo’s boyfriend Ilia is not exactly who he seems either. Now it seems both Bratva and a cartel are both involved here. Reynaldo’s not exactly who he seems either. And what about if they call in actual ICE??
Anthony and Reg get the boys away and hide them for the time being, but they need a plan to get them away from all this mess. Whether it’s the government or the mob, these kids are in danger. And the Royal family is not about to let them down. So off the four of them go on a road trip to hopefully get these kids safe someplace. Changing cars, paying cash for hotels, encrypting phones, hiking away from ICE and other bad guys, it’s going to take all of Reg and Anthony’s strength and ideas and cunning to stay one step ahead.
Oh man! This was crazy! Amy Lane never shies away from the real world and how that’s affecting people. This book makes it next level with the additional of Ilia and Reynaldo’s families causing additional problems. The Royals are all aboard for the ride in one way or another – whether it’s calling in favors, keeping the guys informed on what’s happening or showing up like the cavalry in an old Western. Even the Royal mom gets into the act on this one. It’s a high-octane romp trying to outrun and outwit the many people chasing them. I can’t wait for the next book! I’m sure somebody else will be in trouble soon 😉
RATING: 
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Wow, worst review I have ever seen.