Reviewed by Danielle
TITLE: Fit for a King
SERIES: The Crown Jewels
AUTHOR: Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 296 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 25, 2026
BLURB:
Red, White & Royal Blue meets a modern-day Downton Abbey in this forbidden royal romance about a newly crowned king who falls for the sunshine footman assigned to serve him.
Nicholas
Being king was never the life I wanted. But it was the one I inherited.
Every decision I make belongs to Valoria. Every smile, every appearance, every promise.
Including the one that says I’m expected to marry a prince I’ve barely met.
It’s the perfect match.
The perfect alliance.
The perfect future.
Until my new footman starts reminding me there’s a difference between being loved by a nation… and being truly seen.
Noah
Serving the king is my job. Wanting him is my biggest mistake.
I’ve spent years standing just out of sight—straightening cuffs, opening doors, making sure the man carrying the crown never has to carry anything else.
He’s kind when no one is watching
Lonely in ways the world never sees.
But kings don’t fall in love with footmen.
They marry princes.
No matter what my heart wishes every time he looks at me.
When duty collides with desire, we’ll have to decide whether some fairytales are worth rewriting.
I already know the answer, though. I’ll never be Fit for a King.
REVIEW:
The king of Valoria has died rather unexpectedly and his eldest son – by five minutes – Nicholas becomes king at a time he did not expect. He just now deal with the death of his father and the duties of becoming the new king. Needless to say he’s less than happy about the situation. His younger by five minutes twin Gabriel would have been a much better fit, but that’s not how these things go 🙁 So he needs to step up.
Noah Bennett arrives at the palace just after the king’s funeral and he’s to be taken on as the new king’s footman. He’s come from another noble house with a very good recommendation. He’s a bit thrown off by the house and it’s not helpful when other’s in the house decide to play practical jokes on him – ones that could cost him the position. As he’s the sole support of his family, this would be disastrous. He meets the king who asks him questions which he answers truthfully. He also meets the head of staff after being misled by others in the household. Luckily he’s offered the job.
The first time he goes to assist the king, he’s surprised by his demeanor. He seems nothing like the man he spoke to before. Noah writes it off as grief and exhaustion. But when the king asks him something they had already discussed and the king is adamant that they have never met before, well it’s clear who the culprit is here. Noah is mortified – he’s already made so many mistakes in the first days here and he needs this job. He is determined to succeed. He feels for the king and wants to truly take care of him and serve him to the best of his ability.
Noah starts by encouraging the kind to eat breakfast. The king does not like breakfast. But after a few days, he tries the fruit. And the toast. He tells Noah that he has not won anything 😉 Their relationship changes slowly as the king notices more and more about Noah. He’s interested in him in a way he hasn’t bene interested in anyone in a long time. Maybe ever. There is danger here though. Their stations are so different. And while the King can survive a scandal, it’s unlikely that Noah could.
The closer they get, the more Noah and Nicholas both want. Although they know realistically that this can never be anything real, that doesn’t stop them for falling for each other. The deeper they get, the bigger the stakes and the more dangerous this liaison becomes for both of them.
When Nicholas ask Noah for something that is highly unusual for a footman to do while a king is on tour, things get better. And worse. They are enjoying the tour and Nicholas is a hit with his people. Noah enjoys seeing Nicholas be the king he knows he can be for the people of Valoria. But their closeness is not approved of by others – both the king’s intended groom and the staff are talking. And not in a good way.
Nicholas doesn’t see a way that this will end well. He doesn’t want to hurt Noah, but when they are almost caught, it’s clear that this is already putting Noah at risk. As Nicholas puts back up his walls and avoids Noah, it doesn’t actually make things better for Noah. In fact, it makes things worse. His heart is broken and being forced to watch the king get ready for his formal engagement and coronation from afar are pure torture.
If only there were a way for them to truly be together.
Oh my! This was such a swoony romantic story! Noah and Nicholas were such a perfect fit – if it weren’t for that pesky class problem. Noah truly sees Nicholas and it’s maybe the first time anyone has outside of his late mother and his twin Gabriel. With Noah, he can relax. He can be himself and acknowledge the burden that he’s now facing. He acknowledges his extreme privilege and he knows what he must do for his people, but he really could use a partner. His intended, the prince of a neighboring country, is gorgeous, but they really don’t have a lot in common other than the political advantage of the marriage. They don’t know each other really at all. Poor Nicholas had never really been jealous before and he doesn’t handle it well 😉 Noah is a sweetheart. Heart of gold. Devoted son. Devoted servant of his king. Hopelessly in love with said king. That his feelings are returned is the best thing that has ever happened to him. And also the worst thing that has ever happened to him. And without Gabriel, who knows where these two broken hearts would have ended up. Gabriel is something else entirely – the spare – but one who genuinely loves his brother and wants him to be happy. Even if it is a bit unconventional 😉 I truly cannot WAIT to see what happens to him in the second book 😀 Highly recommended, especially for fans of class difference romances that end happily.
RATING: 
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