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Royal Icing
Ten days. Two life-changing projects. One royal mess.
Trapped by an ironclad noncompete in a Manhattan bakery where she’s spending her December doing all the work for none of the credit, Emma Clark is saving every penny. She’s going to open her own place and make a better life for her and her mom, who is struggling after a health crisis. The light at the end of the tunnel is still years down the road when a life-changing holiday opportunity falls into her lap.
Before she can say “Yule log,” Emma’s slinging croissants in a snow globe of a European castle and masterminding the greatest dessert the kingdom has ever seen. If she impresses the impossible-to-please queen, the money will speed up her timeline by a full two years. It’ll be smooth sailing as long as she doesn’t do anything stupid, like falling for the devastatingly handsome Prince Leo, who spends his days ignoring royal protocol and getting his hands dirty outside the castle walls.
Leo isn’t looking for a diversion, not even a gorgeous sugar-dusted one. He’s laser-focused on building a new women’s shelter when Emma stumbles into his life just in time to save it. Their connection is instant, undeniable…and so problematic.
The queen has one rule: no dating Americans.
It should be an easy one to follow. After all, they don’t even live on the same continent. It’s not like they’re going to knowingly sabotage their own lives and careers just to make out under the mistletoe. Right?
Trapped by an ironclad noncompete in a Manhattan bakery where she’s spending her December doing all the work for none of the credit, Emma Clark is saving every penny. She’s going to open her own place and make a better life for her and her mom, who is struggling after a health crisis. The light at the end of the tunnel is still years down the road when a life-changing holiday opportunity falls into her lap.
Before she can say “Yule log,” Emma’s slinging croissants in a snow globe of a European castle and masterminding the greatest dessert the kingdom has ever seen. If she impresses the impossible-to-please queen, the money will speed up her timeline by a full two years. It’ll be smooth sailing as long as she doesn’t do anything stupid, like falling for the devastatingly handsome Prince Leo, who spends his days ignoring royal protocol and getting his hands dirty outside the castle walls.
Leo isn’t looking for a diversion, not even a gorgeous sugar-dusted one. He’s laser-focused on building a new women’s shelter when Emma stumbles into his life just in time to save it. Their connection is instant, undeniable…and so problematic.
The queen has one rule: no dating Americans.
It should be an easy one to follow. After all, they don’t even live on the same continent. It’s not like they’re going to knowingly sabotage their own lives and careers just to make out under the mistletoe. Right?
382 pages, ebook
Published November 13, 2025
815 people are currently reading
1219 people want to read
About the author
Madison Score
6 books632 followersMadison Score is the author of the Claire Hartley Accidental Mystery series (and the younger, weirder sister of Lucy Score.) She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, son, and perpetually-shedding corgi. For some reason her parents allowed her to get a degree in Creative Writing, which she now utilizes to craft stories with comedy, romance, and sometimes a hefty dose of crime.
When she’s not writing or chasing after her tornado of a toddler (seriously, how many times can he upend our rubber tree?) you can find her blatantly ignoring recipes in the kitchen, flailing her body around in the gym, or bingeing true crime podcasts, TV, and movies.
Follow her on Facebook and Instagram if you want to see an excess of poorly-photographed foods during her weekly Madison Tries It segment.
When she’s not writing or chasing after her tornado of a toddler (seriously, how many times can he upend our rubber tree?) you can find her blatantly ignoring recipes in the kitchen, flailing her body around in the gym, or bingeing true crime podcasts, TV, and movies.
Follow her on Facebook and Instagram if you want to see an excess of poorly-photographed foods during her weekly Madison Tries It segment.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
November 20, 2025
4💫
this was soooo hallmark coded!!! I absolutely loved this holiday romance. it had everything you wanted in a holiday novel- from christmas traditions, christmas town events, and christmas baking, it was PERF!
the romance was so sweet and wholesome. leo was a PRINCE (literally🤴) but my gosh the way he loved her and showed his appreciation for her was perfect.
I loved how much growth we got from the characters in this book. the book didnt end when they finally admitted their feeling for each other and wanted to have a relationship, but continued to show our characters achieve their goals and grow as individuals too. i loved following along their personal journeys and seeing their how much their character developed from the beginning.
absolutely loved this and recommend it if you want a cute and fun holiday read!!!!🎁🎄🎅
thank you to madison score and hambright pr for the arc!!
this was soooo hallmark coded!!! I absolutely loved this holiday romance. it had everything you wanted in a holiday novel- from christmas traditions, christmas town events, and christmas baking, it was PERF!
the romance was so sweet and wholesome. leo was a PRINCE (literally🤴) but my gosh the way he loved her and showed his appreciation for her was perfect.
I loved how much growth we got from the characters in this book. the book didnt end when they finally admitted their feeling for each other and wanted to have a relationship, but continued to show our characters achieve their goals and grow as individuals too. i loved following along their personal journeys and seeing their how much their character developed from the beginning.
absolutely loved this and recommend it if you want a cute and fun holiday read!!!!🎁🎄🎅
thank you to madison score and hambright pr for the arc!!
December 15, 2025
This was such a cute and festive rom-com/hallmark style story. It really felt like a good old fashioned Barbie movie, I was so tickled reading this…. Lots of giggling and laughing out loud at the outrageously unrealistic scenarios.
Our main character Emma, a baker from Brooklyn NY (rep!!), horrifically overworked by her asshole boss, suddenly gets a chance to accompany her to Lynoria, a fanciful place where dreams come true.
Prince Leopold, the spare, fulfills his time as the second heir to the throne by giving back to his community and being a great leader overall.
Honestly most of this book also felt like reading a Zohran Mamdani fanfic and I’m not even mad he’s my King frfr.
I’d give it a 4/5 overall
Thank you to Hambright Publishing and Author Madison Score for allowing me to read this!
Our main character Emma, a baker from Brooklyn NY (rep!!), horrifically overworked by her asshole boss, suddenly gets a chance to accompany her to Lynoria, a fanciful place where dreams come true.
Prince Leopold, the spare, fulfills his time as the second heir to the throne by giving back to his community and being a great leader overall.
Honestly most of this book also felt like reading a Zohran Mamdani fanfic and I’m not even mad he’s my King frfr.
I’d give it a 4/5 overall
Thank you to Hambright Publishing and Author Madison Score for allowing me to read this!
December 12, 2025
this was so hallmark coded!!! and I absolutely loved it!!!
it had everything I’d want from a holiday romance - the christmas town, the multitude of christmas activities, and the heartwarming romance. and it starred a prince as the MMC, I mean, come on, how was I not supposed to fall in love?? an impossible ask
emma and leo’s journey to falling in love was so precious to read about and I just couldn’t stop smiling over how adorable and kind these two were!!
I also appreciated how much substance this story had and despite the romance being a focal point of the story, there were many other additional plot points that kept me engaged throughout and wondering how these two were going to resolve it all. I also loved how madison score tackled really heavy topics and handled them with the care and compassion they deserve. it made this story feel all the more real and gave these characters motivations that made SENSE!!
and a moment for emma’s mom - she’s the definition of resilience and proof that despite all the hardships one can experience in life, there is still hope for a better future. some of her one liners and words of wisdom resonated with me personally and I just really loved her as a character.
if you’re looking for the perfect christmas read this season, look no further. I will definitely be re-reading this book in the following holiday seasons!
thank you to hambright PR and madison score for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
it had everything I’d want from a holiday romance - the christmas town, the multitude of christmas activities, and the heartwarming romance. and it starred a prince as the MMC, I mean, come on, how was I not supposed to fall in love?? an impossible ask
emma and leo’s journey to falling in love was so precious to read about and I just couldn’t stop smiling over how adorable and kind these two were!!
I also appreciated how much substance this story had and despite the romance being a focal point of the story, there were many other additional plot points that kept me engaged throughout and wondering how these two were going to resolve it all. I also loved how madison score tackled really heavy topics and handled them with the care and compassion they deserve. it made this story feel all the more real and gave these characters motivations that made SENSE!!
and a moment for emma’s mom - she’s the definition of resilience and proof that despite all the hardships one can experience in life, there is still hope for a better future. some of her one liners and words of wisdom resonated with me personally and I just really loved her as a character.
if you’re looking for the perfect christmas read this season, look no further. I will definitely be re-reading this book in the following holiday seasons!
thank you to hambright PR and madison score for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2025
Enchanting!
I couldn’t have loved Prince Leo and Baker Emma more! I was enchanted by the whole scenario of a Prince falling for a commoner against all the odds. Royal Icing is a wonderful book full of deep and emotional themes, and a happily ever after just in the nick of time!
I couldn’t have loved Prince Leo and Baker Emma more! I was enchanted by the whole scenario of a Prince falling for a commoner against all the odds. Royal Icing is a wonderful book full of deep and emotional themes, and a happily ever after just in the nick of time!
November 9, 2025
Royal Icing is a swoon-worthy confection of romance, ambition, and holiday magic that left me grinning from page one to the final kiss.
If you’re craving a story that blends The Great British Bake Off charm with The Princess Diaries whimsy, Royal Icing is your perfect treat. Emma Clark is a heroine you’ll root for with your whole heart—scrappy, talented, and fiercely devoted to her dreams and her mother. Watching her go from overworked Manhattan baker to royal dessert mastermind in a snow-globe European castle is pure escapist joy.
And then there’s Prince Leo. Sigh. He’s not your typical brooding royal—he’s warm, grounded, and deeply committed to building a women’s shelter. His chemistry with Emma is electric, tender, and full of delicious tension. Their forbidden romance, complicated by a queen’s “no Americans” rule, had me flipping pages like mad, whispering “just one more chapter” until 2 a.m.
Score’s writing sparkles with humor, heart, and just the right amount of heat. The banter is sharp, the pacing brisk, and the emotional beats land with sincerity. I laughed out loud, teared up more than once, and cheered for every croissant Emma slung and every rule Leo dared to break.
What elevates Royal Icing beyond a sweet holiday romance is its depth—Emma’s drive to create a better life, Leo’s passion for social change, and the way both characters wrestle with duty versus desire. It’s a story about choosing joy, even when the odds are stacked against you.
Five stars, no hesitation. I’ll be recommending this to every romance lover I know, especially those who adore holiday settings, strong heroines, and princes who aren’t afraid to get flour on their hands. Madison Score has baked up something truly special—and I’m already hungry for her next book.
If you’re craving a story that blends The Great British Bake Off charm with The Princess Diaries whimsy, Royal Icing is your perfect treat. Emma Clark is a heroine you’ll root for with your whole heart—scrappy, talented, and fiercely devoted to her dreams and her mother. Watching her go from overworked Manhattan baker to royal dessert mastermind in a snow-globe European castle is pure escapist joy.
And then there’s Prince Leo. Sigh. He’s not your typical brooding royal—he’s warm, grounded, and deeply committed to building a women’s shelter. His chemistry with Emma is electric, tender, and full of delicious tension. Their forbidden romance, complicated by a queen’s “no Americans” rule, had me flipping pages like mad, whispering “just one more chapter” until 2 a.m.
Score’s writing sparkles with humor, heart, and just the right amount of heat. The banter is sharp, the pacing brisk, and the emotional beats land with sincerity. I laughed out loud, teared up more than once, and cheered for every croissant Emma slung and every rule Leo dared to break.
What elevates Royal Icing beyond a sweet holiday romance is its depth—Emma’s drive to create a better life, Leo’s passion for social change, and the way both characters wrestle with duty versus desire. It’s a story about choosing joy, even when the odds are stacked against you.
Five stars, no hesitation. I’ll be recommending this to every romance lover I know, especially those who adore holiday settings, strong heroines, and princes who aren’t afraid to get flour on their hands. Madison Score has baked up something truly special—and I’m already hungry for her next book.
December 9, 2025
4.50 ✨
1.50 🌶️
⁀➴ Overall: This was a very sweet Christmas romcom! It handles heavier topics with care and shows so much personal growth for the MCs.
⋆⟢ Tropes + Vibes:
🎄 holiday romcom
🔒 forced proximity
💔 Emotional scars
🐠 Fish out of water
🎭 Mistaken identity
🏘️ small town
💙 third person, dual POV
🖤 cw: dom3stic v!0lence
⁀➴ Bookish Breakdown:
This is a great holiday romcom with some insta-attraction and then a sped up timeline for the MCs falling in love. Our FMC, Emma, is visiting the country of Lynoria to bake a fantastic centerpiece showstopper to impress the queen, who also happens to be our MMC, Leo’s mother.
I thought the concept of Leo being the prince of a country that Emma hadn’t even heard of was a super adorable meet-cute situation! The two of them instantly made sense to me. Sometimes, insta-attraction or insta-love can come on too strong, but I think it was perfect in this scenario. The MCs only really have ten days to get to know each other, and they do their best to have conversations, be vulnerable with one another, and really feel like it makes sense that they’re so into each other so quickly.
I completely loved how selfless both of the MCs were. They were both willing to make all of the sacrifices to take care of those who mattered to them the most. They were so kind. It was incredibly endearing! I thought it fit so incredibly well with the Christmas spirit vibes. I thought the plot for their futures was well handled. It added a little extra tension that kept you wanting to read more to see how everything would play out!
I would definitely recommend this as a heartwarming winter read. That said, there is a content warning for DV that I think readers should keep in mind. There are descriptions of past incidents on page.
Thank you to Madison Score and Hambright PR for the review copy!
1.50 🌶️
⁀➴ Overall: This was a very sweet Christmas romcom! It handles heavier topics with care and shows so much personal growth for the MCs.
⋆⟢ Tropes + Vibes:
🎄 holiday romcom
🔒 forced proximity
💔 Emotional scars
🐠 Fish out of water
🎭 Mistaken identity
🏘️ small town
💙 third person, dual POV
🖤 cw: dom3stic v!0lence
⁀➴ Bookish Breakdown:
This is a great holiday romcom with some insta-attraction and then a sped up timeline for the MCs falling in love. Our FMC, Emma, is visiting the country of Lynoria to bake a fantastic centerpiece showstopper to impress the queen, who also happens to be our MMC, Leo’s mother.
I thought the concept of Leo being the prince of a country that Emma hadn’t even heard of was a super adorable meet-cute situation! The two of them instantly made sense to me. Sometimes, insta-attraction or insta-love can come on too strong, but I think it was perfect in this scenario. The MCs only really have ten days to get to know each other, and they do their best to have conversations, be vulnerable with one another, and really feel like it makes sense that they’re so into each other so quickly.
I completely loved how selfless both of the MCs were. They were both willing to make all of the sacrifices to take care of those who mattered to them the most. They were so kind. It was incredibly endearing! I thought it fit so incredibly well with the Christmas spirit vibes. I thought the plot for their futures was well handled. It added a little extra tension that kept you wanting to read more to see how everything would play out!
I would definitely recommend this as a heartwarming winter read. That said, there is a content warning for DV that I think readers should keep in mind. There are descriptions of past incidents on page.
Thank you to Madison Score and Hambright PR for the review copy!
November 20, 2025
PEAK CINEMA 🗣️🗣️🗣️
This was such a fun read!! Ultimate holiday romance TBH. It served up the perfect holiday vibes. I need it as a hallmark movie ASAP
Maya drove me insane idk how Emma did it. I loved how similar her and Leo both were doing everything for everyone!!
I was obsessed with her dog and the side characters added to the story perfectly.
There’s so many funny situations and fun dialogue!
I loved her relationship with Ruby and it all went to shit so fast. My heart was racing. I could not stop reading!!
By 60% it felt like it was 2 books in one tbh cuz so much happened but I loved how it wrapped up.
Contents warning: domestic abuse
The added secret relationship part?? Perfection.
I loved this book!!
This was such a fun read!! Ultimate holiday romance TBH. It served up the perfect holiday vibes. I need it as a hallmark movie ASAP
Maya drove me insane idk how Emma did it. I loved how similar her and Leo both were doing everything for everyone!!
I was obsessed with her dog and the side characters added to the story perfectly.
There’s so many funny situations and fun dialogue!
I loved her relationship with Ruby and it all went to shit so fast. My heart was racing. I could not stop reading!!
By 60% it felt like it was 2 books in one tbh cuz so much happened but I loved how it wrapped up.
Contents warning: domestic abuse
The added secret relationship part?? Perfection.
I loved this book!!
November 11, 2025
✨ARC REVIEW✨
This was super cute. A tad cheesy, a hint of Hallmark, a sprinkle of "I don't think that would fly with the real royals of the world", a pinch of Christmas vibes, and a splash of adorableness.
This had a fun plot, ridiculous drama, and really great characters.
I was totally here for our Royal Highness, Leo 😍 A dreamy, down to earth, tall and good looking fellow. He was really out here doing the most to be the perfect package and I ate it right up.
Emma was such a good written character. I love the depth her background and past traumas brought to her. She's just trying to survive and will doing anything to help her and her mom. I loved her tenacity.
These two, Emma and Leo, really did make a great couple. I really enjoyed their chemistry and I was fully invested to see how these two could make it work. Considering one is a royal family member and the other a baker from NYC.
This was definitely a cute read to get into the holiday spirit. Definitely cheesy and a little hard to believe BUT I am here for it and would definitely recommend!
Thank you to Hambright PR and Madison Score an e-arc copy! 💕
This was super cute. A tad cheesy, a hint of Hallmark, a sprinkle of "I don't think that would fly with the real royals of the world", a pinch of Christmas vibes, and a splash of adorableness.
This had a fun plot, ridiculous drama, and really great characters.
I was totally here for our Royal Highness, Leo 😍 A dreamy, down to earth, tall and good looking fellow. He was really out here doing the most to be the perfect package and I ate it right up.
Emma was such a good written character. I love the depth her background and past traumas brought to her. She's just trying to survive and will doing anything to help her and her mom. I loved her tenacity.
These two, Emma and Leo, really did make a great couple. I really enjoyed their chemistry and I was fully invested to see how these two could make it work. Considering one is a royal family member and the other a baker from NYC.
This was definitely a cute read to get into the holiday spirit. Definitely cheesy and a little hard to believe BUT I am here for it and would definitely recommend!
Thank you to Hambright PR and Madison Score an e-arc copy! 💕
December 2, 2025
Cute little Royal Hallmark Christmas Baker Story.
December 2, 2025
DNF @ 65% this was kind of cute and then it went downhill very fast
November 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars
Holiday romances are one of my favourite cozy reads for the season, but this book is the icing on the cake! 🧁
It’s an absolute delightful adventure of accidental meetings, mistaken identities, and misunderstandings baked into gooey warm love. It also focuses on caring for aging parents and the importance of community service, which I really liked (and made me love Leo just as much as Emma!).
TROPES ✨
🎄 Holiday romcom 🏘️ Small town 🔒 Forced proximity 🐠 Fish out of water 💔 Emotional scars 🎭 Mistaken identity
BLURB✨
Ten days. Two life-changing projects. One royal mess. Trapped by an ironclad noncompete in a Manhattan bakery where she’s spending her December doing all the work for none of the credit, Emma Clark is saving every penny. She’s going to open her own place and make a better life for her and her mom, who is struggling after a health crisis. The light at the end of the tunnel is still years down the road when a life-changing holiday opportunity falls into her lap. Before she can say “Yule log,” Emma’s slinging croissants in a snow globe of a European castle and masterminding the greatest dessert the kingdom has ever seen. If she impresses the impossible-to-please queen, the money will speed up her timeline by a full two years. It’ll be smooth sailing as long as she doesn’t do anything stupid, like falling for the devastatingly handsome Prince Leo, who spends his days ignoring royal protocol and getting his hands dirty outside the castle walls. Leo isn’t looking for a diversion, not even a gorgeous sugar-dusted one. He’s laser-focused on building a new women’s shelter when Emma stumbles into his life just in time to save it. Their connection is instant, undeniable…and so problematic. The queen has one rule: no dating Americans. It should be an easy one to follow. After all, they don’t even live on the same continent. It’s not like they’re going to knowingly sabotage their own lives and careers just to make out under the mistletoe. Right?
Holiday romances are one of my favourite cozy reads for the season, but this book is the icing on the cake! 🧁
It’s an absolute delightful adventure of accidental meetings, mistaken identities, and misunderstandings baked into gooey warm love. It also focuses on caring for aging parents and the importance of community service, which I really liked (and made me love Leo just as much as Emma!).
TROPES ✨
🎄 Holiday romcom 🏘️ Small town 🔒 Forced proximity 🐠 Fish out of water 💔 Emotional scars 🎭 Mistaken identity
BLURB✨
Ten days. Two life-changing projects. One royal mess. Trapped by an ironclad noncompete in a Manhattan bakery where she’s spending her December doing all the work for none of the credit, Emma Clark is saving every penny. She’s going to open her own place and make a better life for her and her mom, who is struggling after a health crisis. The light at the end of the tunnel is still years down the road when a life-changing holiday opportunity falls into her lap. Before she can say “Yule log,” Emma’s slinging croissants in a snow globe of a European castle and masterminding the greatest dessert the kingdom has ever seen. If she impresses the impossible-to-please queen, the money will speed up her timeline by a full two years. It’ll be smooth sailing as long as she doesn’t do anything stupid, like falling for the devastatingly handsome Prince Leo, who spends his days ignoring royal protocol and getting his hands dirty outside the castle walls. Leo isn’t looking for a diversion, not even a gorgeous sugar-dusted one. He’s laser-focused on building a new women’s shelter when Emma stumbles into his life just in time to save it. Their connection is instant, undeniable…and so problematic. The queen has one rule: no dating Americans. It should be an easy one to follow. After all, they don’t even live on the same continent. It’s not like they’re going to knowingly sabotage their own lives and careers just to make out under the mistletoe. Right?
November 15, 2025
Summary:
Emma Clark is an extremely talented pastry chef, but her potential is limited by her strict noncompete clause and her caregiving responsibilities for her mother. When she’s offered a rare holiday job in a European castle straight out of a storybook, her hope of giving her mother a better life and finally starting her own bakery begins to feel within reach. What she doesn’t expect is an instant connection with the royal family’s youngest son, Prince Leo, who is determined to improve the lives of his citizens no matter the cost. With strict palace rules and family expectations standing in the way, their undeniable chemistry becomes a challenge, and they are left to choose between duty and desire.
The Sparks:
✨ Characters are easy to like, so you naturally want to root for them
✨ Christmas + European castle = magical holiday vibes
✨ Addresses real-world problems realistically, lessens the “cheesy” factor often found in holiday romcoms
✨ Fun mix of tropes that keeps the reader hooked
✨ Cozy, comforting tone ideal for a light seasonal read
✨ Satisfying HEA that delivers on holiday romance expectations
The Shadows:
🖤 A little predictable, but that familiarity is part of what makes it a warm, cozy comfort read
🖤 The love story moves quickly, leaving less room for yearning or a satisfying slow burn
Special note:
🎄 Thank you to Madison Score and Hambright PR for providing me with early access to this book. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4.5/5
Emma Clark is an extremely talented pastry chef, but her potential is limited by her strict noncompete clause and her caregiving responsibilities for her mother. When she’s offered a rare holiday job in a European castle straight out of a storybook, her hope of giving her mother a better life and finally starting her own bakery begins to feel within reach. What she doesn’t expect is an instant connection with the royal family’s youngest son, Prince Leo, who is determined to improve the lives of his citizens no matter the cost. With strict palace rules and family expectations standing in the way, their undeniable chemistry becomes a challenge, and they are left to choose between duty and desire.
The Sparks:
✨ Characters are easy to like, so you naturally want to root for them
✨ Christmas + European castle = magical holiday vibes
✨ Addresses real-world problems realistically, lessens the “cheesy” factor often found in holiday romcoms
✨ Fun mix of tropes that keeps the reader hooked
✨ Cozy, comforting tone ideal for a light seasonal read
✨ Satisfying HEA that delivers on holiday romance expectations
The Shadows:
🖤 A little predictable, but that familiarity is part of what makes it a warm, cozy comfort read
🖤 The love story moves quickly, leaving less room for yearning or a satisfying slow burn
Special note:
🎄 Thank you to Madison Score and Hambright PR for providing me with early access to this book. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4.5/5
December 16, 2025
✨ Thank you to Madison Score and Hambright PR for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. ✨
Royal Icing is a contemporary holiday romance filled with small-town charm and themes of growth. Emma works at a bakery while caring for her disabled mother in a NYC apartment. When her boss receives an invitation to a royal ball, Emma tags along—only to be ditched and left to handle all the work on her own.
Leo is the spare to the heir, driven by a deep desire to help his people. He’s committed to ensuring everyone in his village is fed, clothed, and safe, even when that means challenging long-standing traditions. His push for change—rooted in empathy and listening—often puts him at odds with his family and royal protocol.
A chance encounter between Emma and Leo leaves both of them intrigued and unable to forget one another. As their paths continue to cross, they begin rooting for each other in both life and love. Both characters are deeply selfless and determined to achieve their goals, and I especially loved the moments when Leo stood up to his family over issues that truly mattered.
Madison Score delivers a well-rounded story with engaging characters and heartfelt moments. If you enjoy holiday romances with a sweet, made-for-TV-movie feel, this book is a perfect pick.
#HPRRoyalIcing #MadisonScore #HambrightPR #BookReview #HolidayRomance
Royal Icing is a contemporary holiday romance filled with small-town charm and themes of growth. Emma works at a bakery while caring for her disabled mother in a NYC apartment. When her boss receives an invitation to a royal ball, Emma tags along—only to be ditched and left to handle all the work on her own.
Leo is the spare to the heir, driven by a deep desire to help his people. He’s committed to ensuring everyone in his village is fed, clothed, and safe, even when that means challenging long-standing traditions. His push for change—rooted in empathy and listening—often puts him at odds with his family and royal protocol.
A chance encounter between Emma and Leo leaves both of them intrigued and unable to forget one another. As their paths continue to cross, they begin rooting for each other in both life and love. Both characters are deeply selfless and determined to achieve their goals, and I especially loved the moments when Leo stood up to his family over issues that truly mattered.
Madison Score delivers a well-rounded story with engaging characters and heartfelt moments. If you enjoy holiday romances with a sweet, made-for-TV-movie feel, this book is a perfect pick.
#HPRRoyalIcing #MadisonScore #HambrightPR #BookReview #HolidayRomance
November 20, 2025
Princess Diaries vibes meets The Christmas Prince in this cozy Christmas read! I was hooked right away and didnt want to put it down. I loved it so much!
She's an amazing baker and he's a prince just trying to do what's best for the people of his kingdom. Their love is forbidden since his mother, the queen, doesnt want him to date an American. Their meet cute was adorable and it was forbidden love at first meet. I loved the Chemistry between Emma and Leo and I couldn't get enough of their story.
This story had just the perfect amount of sweetness ❤️ Definitely going to be an annual holiday reread for me! Also I need to know where I can get some espresso croissants in my life!
Rating 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 2/5 🔥🔥
Thank you Hambright PR and the Author for the ARC!
She's an amazing baker and he's a prince just trying to do what's best for the people of his kingdom. Their love is forbidden since his mother, the queen, doesnt want him to date an American. Their meet cute was adorable and it was forbidden love at first meet. I loved the Chemistry between Emma and Leo and I couldn't get enough of their story.
This story had just the perfect amount of sweetness ❤️ Definitely going to be an annual holiday reread for me! Also I need to know where I can get some espresso croissants in my life!
Rating 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 2/5 🔥🔥
Thank you Hambright PR and the Author for the ARC!
November 11, 2025
This book was an absolute Christmas delight to read! The meet-cute is beyond adorable and hilarious. The chemistry and attraction is instant and undeniable. The characters are amazing and flawed in the best way! And the story was full of Christmas magic! Emma and Leo are from different sides of the world, but they're definitely meant to be together. I loved that they couldn't resist the pull between them. The tension was wonderfully built up, and all of their moments leading up to that first kiss was delicious! I loved the backstory we get from both characters about their own personal traumas. Emma is someone who finds safety and security in a plan, and she's determined to meet her goals without anyone derailing them, including a charming prince. Leo knows that his family would never approve of Emma, but more importantly he knows he could never ask her to give up her dreams to stay with him. Leo does everything he can to help her accomplish her goals, and Emma is determined to help Leo see his community projects happen. These two show so much growth, and I loved every page of it! This was definitely a fantastic holiday read!
November 22, 2025
Thank you hambright pr and the author for an ARC of Royal Icing!! This was a perfect holiday romance from start to finish! It’s like if The Princess Switch and A Christmas Prince had a baby, this would be the result. Needless to say, I ate this up.
December 19, 2025
There’s a part that reminded of Kristen Wiig losing her everloving mind at the baby shower in Bridesmaids. Except the FMC did it to the queen. You know, the mom of prince she liked. That went well.
November 14, 2025
If you enjoy fun, whimsical holiday reads, then this one is for you. Add on the royal falling for a commoner, and you’re set. If you’re like me and you love quick holiday novellas, you’ll want this one. This time of year is great for an escape. A baker from NYC is just who Leo needs. Naturally, she isn’t on the acceptable list. Love prevails. As do the baked goods. Get ready to get into the holiday spirit.
November 28, 2025
My first book by Madison Score and it won’t be my last. I enjoyed this one so much I just had to buy Love Among Vines too! Well deserved 5 star rating for a great read!
Spice: 2/5
Talented baker Emma is at her wits end and counting down the days until she can leave the café she bakes at and also leave her awful boss, Maya. Maya is always unpleasant despite Emma’s baking skills being the only thing keeping Maya’s cafe open. Emma’s dream to leave is unfortunately far in the future as she needs to save as much money as she can whilst also being the main carer for her mother, Lisa. Out of the blue an invitation is sent to the bakery for Maya and Emma to go to a country in Europe called Lynoria and meet with their Royal Family to create a masterpiece for the Royal Family’s 500th anniversary celebration with an extremely substantial fee to be paid to them both for what they create. So, Maya and Emma journey to Lynoria. After the initial meeting it becomes very apparent that the queen will be extremely difficult to please. Emma goes into the local town for inspiration and whilst there she has a “meet cute” with a handsome stranger and both are shocked at the sudden intense connection they feel for each other. Unknown to Emma the man in question is actually one of the royal family. However, Prince Leo, constantly tries to get away from his title and also tries to use any royal power or money he has for the good of his country and its people. The next day when Emma presents her ideas to the royal family, she is in total shock to see Leo sitting at the table with them and finds out his true identity. She is upset Leo didn’t tell her who he was but when he apologizes, they both realise he might be able to help her with ideas to win over the queen and so they begin to spend time together. The pressure is on, and Emma can’t afford to jeopardise this chance at changing her and her mother’s life, but she also finds it increasingly difficult to ignore the powerful connection that both her and Leo feel for each other. Will Emma be able to create something special enough to win over the queen and at the same time get the life changing money that her and her mother need? And with Emma and Leo living continents apart plus the queen making it clear that Leo is not to date an American, will love find a way or will things just be a holiday romance that leaves them both broken hearted at Christmas?!
This was such a fabulous read that I loved from the very first page. I adored both the main characters; Emma and Leo and thought that together they made the perfect pair and I was constantly rooting for them. Emma was a funny resilient beautiful soul as well as a talented baker and Leo was amazing using his royal status for the good of his people and country. I also really liked the people who supported Emma and Leo- in Emma’s case her mum, Lisa, their two dogs and her best friend Lola, and in Leo’s case, his sister, Ruby and best friend, Sal. I loathed Maya every time she was on the page, which was great writing by Madison Score to generate such a strong feeling from me for a fictional character! I can’t lie I squealed in delight at the “Sweet Valley High Twins” reference with Emma, as I too grew up on those books, so I really liked that. I also learnt a lot from the story too as they were a number of words and phrases that I had to look up, and I loved that it broadened my horizons like it did.
Overall, I couldn’t get enough of this story, and I greedily devoured it. Lynoria was the BEST escape for me, and I highly recommend this for any readers who enjoy the romance genre. I was so sad to say goodbye to Emma and Leo, but I can’t to read what Madison Score writes next. Totally deserved 5 star rating for a 5 star romance story!!
Thank you to Madison Score, Hambright PR and BookFunnel for my advanced reading copy. Out now.
Spice: 2/5
Talented baker Emma is at her wits end and counting down the days until she can leave the café she bakes at and also leave her awful boss, Maya. Maya is always unpleasant despite Emma’s baking skills being the only thing keeping Maya’s cafe open. Emma’s dream to leave is unfortunately far in the future as she needs to save as much money as she can whilst also being the main carer for her mother, Lisa. Out of the blue an invitation is sent to the bakery for Maya and Emma to go to a country in Europe called Lynoria and meet with their Royal Family to create a masterpiece for the Royal Family’s 500th anniversary celebration with an extremely substantial fee to be paid to them both for what they create. So, Maya and Emma journey to Lynoria. After the initial meeting it becomes very apparent that the queen will be extremely difficult to please. Emma goes into the local town for inspiration and whilst there she has a “meet cute” with a handsome stranger and both are shocked at the sudden intense connection they feel for each other. Unknown to Emma the man in question is actually one of the royal family. However, Prince Leo, constantly tries to get away from his title and also tries to use any royal power or money he has for the good of his country and its people. The next day when Emma presents her ideas to the royal family, she is in total shock to see Leo sitting at the table with them and finds out his true identity. She is upset Leo didn’t tell her who he was but when he apologizes, they both realise he might be able to help her with ideas to win over the queen and so they begin to spend time together. The pressure is on, and Emma can’t afford to jeopardise this chance at changing her and her mother’s life, but she also finds it increasingly difficult to ignore the powerful connection that both her and Leo feel for each other. Will Emma be able to create something special enough to win over the queen and at the same time get the life changing money that her and her mother need? And with Emma and Leo living continents apart plus the queen making it clear that Leo is not to date an American, will love find a way or will things just be a holiday romance that leaves them both broken hearted at Christmas?!
This was such a fabulous read that I loved from the very first page. I adored both the main characters; Emma and Leo and thought that together they made the perfect pair and I was constantly rooting for them. Emma was a funny resilient beautiful soul as well as a talented baker and Leo was amazing using his royal status for the good of his people and country. I also really liked the people who supported Emma and Leo- in Emma’s case her mum, Lisa, their two dogs and her best friend Lola, and in Leo’s case, his sister, Ruby and best friend, Sal. I loathed Maya every time she was on the page, which was great writing by Madison Score to generate such a strong feeling from me for a fictional character! I can’t lie I squealed in delight at the “Sweet Valley High Twins” reference with Emma, as I too grew up on those books, so I really liked that. I also learnt a lot from the story too as they were a number of words and phrases that I had to look up, and I loved that it broadened my horizons like it did.
Overall, I couldn’t get enough of this story, and I greedily devoured it. Lynoria was the BEST escape for me, and I highly recommend this for any readers who enjoy the romance genre. I was so sad to say goodbye to Emma and Leo, but I can’t to read what Madison Score writes next. Totally deserved 5 star rating for a 5 star romance story!!
Thank you to Madison Score, Hambright PR and BookFunnel for my advanced reading copy. Out now.
November 20, 2025
Royal Icing is the kind of holiday romance that feels like stepping into a warm kitchen on a cold day—sweet, comforting, and full of heart. Madison Score blends festive charm with real emotional depth, creating a story that’s as cozy as a mug of hot cocoa but layered enough to truly stick with you.
The characters were what made this book shine for me.
✨ Our heroine, Emma is warm, talented, and wonderfully human—someone you root for instantly. She’s navigating her passions and personal challenges with a softness that felt so relatable.
✨ The love interest has that steady, gentle charm that slowly wins you over chapter by chapter. Their connection grows with such authenticity—quiet moments, playful banter, and emotional beats that hit in all the right ways.
Their chemistry is chef’s kiss—sweet, satisfying, and built with honest, intentional tension. It’s the kind of romance that isn’t loud or dramatic, but warm and deeply felt, like icing being spread slowly over a fresh cookie.
And the atmosphere? Delicious. Baking, festive coziness, family dynamics, and small emotional surprises give the book more texture than your typical holiday romcom. It’s soft and comforting, but not shallow. A perfect December read when you want something feel-good but meaningful.
If you love:
✨ character-driven romances
✨ baking/cottagecore holiday vibes
✨ gentle emotional arcs
✨ swoony-but-soft love interests
✨ a story that leaves you warm and a little gooey inside
…this one belongs on your TBR immediately.
The characters were what made this book shine for me.
✨ Our heroine, Emma is warm, talented, and wonderfully human—someone you root for instantly. She’s navigating her passions and personal challenges with a softness that felt so relatable.
✨ The love interest has that steady, gentle charm that slowly wins you over chapter by chapter. Their connection grows with such authenticity—quiet moments, playful banter, and emotional beats that hit in all the right ways.
Their chemistry is chef’s kiss—sweet, satisfying, and built with honest, intentional tension. It’s the kind of romance that isn’t loud or dramatic, but warm and deeply felt, like icing being spread slowly over a fresh cookie.
And the atmosphere? Delicious. Baking, festive coziness, family dynamics, and small emotional surprises give the book more texture than your typical holiday romcom. It’s soft and comforting, but not shallow. A perfect December read when you want something feel-good but meaningful.
If you love:
✨ character-driven romances
✨ baking/cottagecore holiday vibes
✨ gentle emotional arcs
✨ swoony-but-soft love interests
✨ a story that leaves you warm and a little gooey inside
…this one belongs on your TBR immediately.
December 18, 2025
Book Review⭐️⭐️��️⭐️
Thank you to the author @MadisonScore
and @hambright_pr for the #gifted e-book.
Winter wonderland + a prince wrestling with duty to his people vs duty to himself + a gorgeous American baker he absolutely should not fall for = the perfect holiday setup.
Royal Icing delivers a festive royal romance packed with:
👑 A prince who hates royal rules and loves getting his hands dirty
🎄 Small-town charm + Christmas magic
🥐 Baking & forced proximity
❄️ Mistaken identity
💔 Traumatic pasts & family drama
✨ Different worlds colliding
Madison Score creates a well-rounded holiday rom-com with engaging characters and heartfelt moments. The story has that cozy, made-for-TV-movie feel that’s perfect for curling up with during the Christmas season. I especially loved the internal tug-of-war between royal duty and personal happiness—it added real emotional depth.
✨ Favorite Quote:
“He had an absurd, almost irresistible urge to kiss her. The music, the snow, the beautiful woman in front of him. It was like one of those kitschy snowglobes sold by shops in the village.”
⚠️ Heads up: This one was spicier than other books I’ve read by this author, which personally wasn’t my favorite—but readers who enjoy a little extra heat may appreciate it.
If you love royal romances, holiday baking vibes, and snowy small towns, this is a sweet (and slightly spicy) seasonal read to add to your TBR.
Thank you to the author @MadisonScore
and @hambright_pr for the #gifted e-book.
Winter wonderland + a prince wrestling with duty to his people vs duty to himself + a gorgeous American baker he absolutely should not fall for = the perfect holiday setup.
Royal Icing delivers a festive royal romance packed with:
👑 A prince who hates royal rules and loves getting his hands dirty
🎄 Small-town charm + Christmas magic
🥐 Baking & forced proximity
❄️ Mistaken identity
💔 Traumatic pasts & family drama
✨ Different worlds colliding
Madison Score creates a well-rounded holiday rom-com with engaging characters and heartfelt moments. The story has that cozy, made-for-TV-movie feel that’s perfect for curling up with during the Christmas season. I especially loved the internal tug-of-war between royal duty and personal happiness—it added real emotional depth.
✨ Favorite Quote:
“He had an absurd, almost irresistible urge to kiss her. The music, the snow, the beautiful woman in front of him. It was like one of those kitschy snowglobes sold by shops in the village.”
⚠️ Heads up: This one was spicier than other books I’ve read by this author, which personally wasn’t my favorite—but readers who enjoy a little extra heat may appreciate it.
If you love royal romances, holiday baking vibes, and snowy small towns, this is a sweet (and slightly spicy) seasonal read to add to your TBR.
December 2, 2025
I really liked Emma from the moment we met her in this book. She is hard-working, resilient, and had a plan. Having a kind heart and a strong will is hard to maintain sometimes. Emma does it flawlessly. When she suddenly finds herself in international lands and baking for royals, she begins to question everything.
Leo is a sweet and caring man that just wants to take care of his fellow countrymen. He is laser focused on an upcoming project and won’t let anything steer him off course… until he gets smacked in the face with feeling for an American woman set to leave. He is kind, compassionate, and ready to make compromises to make anything work.
I enjoyed their relationship and the characters as individuals. I do feel like Emma was a bit dense to try and stick to a plan so rigidly that it had no room for modification lol but i still loved her. The book had an epilogue which made me do a happy dance too! Highly recommend.
Leo is a sweet and caring man that just wants to take care of his fellow countrymen. He is laser focused on an upcoming project and won’t let anything steer him off course… until he gets smacked in the face with feeling for an American woman set to leave. He is kind, compassionate, and ready to make compromises to make anything work.
I enjoyed their relationship and the characters as individuals. I do feel like Emma was a bit dense to try and stick to a plan so rigidly that it had no room for modification lol but i still loved her. The book had an epilogue which made me do a happy dance too! Highly recommend.
December 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 — Royal Icing by Madison Score
🌶️/5
This one was honestly just really sweet. Nothing life-changing, nothing earth-shattering — just a cozy little holiday romance that feels like a warm pastry and a soft blanket.
It’s written in third person POV, which I know matters for a lot of romance readers. I read tons of fantasy, so it didn’t bother me, but worth mentioning for anyone who prefers first person.
The baking elements were cute, but listen… this book had me Googling pastries every five minutes and getting irrationally hungry. Between the European castle setting, the strict queen, and the charming prince who does not act very princely, it definitely delivers on the cozy Christmas vibes.
Overall?
A predictable but adorable read. Sweet, light, and easy — just not something that stuck with me after.
Perfect if you want a holiday romance that goes down easy and won’t break your heart… only your diet.
🌶️/5
This one was honestly just really sweet. Nothing life-changing, nothing earth-shattering — just a cozy little holiday romance that feels like a warm pastry and a soft blanket.
It’s written in third person POV, which I know matters for a lot of romance readers. I read tons of fantasy, so it didn’t bother me, but worth mentioning for anyone who prefers first person.
The baking elements were cute, but listen… this book had me Googling pastries every five minutes and getting irrationally hungry. Between the European castle setting, the strict queen, and the charming prince who does not act very princely, it definitely delivers on the cozy Christmas vibes.
Overall?
A predictable but adorable read. Sweet, light, and easy — just not something that stuck with me after.
Perfect if you want a holiday romance that goes down easy and won’t break your heart… only your diet.
December 7, 2025
Royal Icing is a contemporary novel that has the vibes of The Prince and Me and all of the beauty of a Hallmark Christmas movie! We are introduced to Emma who works in a Manhattan bakery and is in for a big break when royalty wants them to cater some desserts for them. She ends up making the acquaintance of Prince Leo who is the spare heir who objects to royal protocol but is devoted to the well-being of his people.
I will say I was quite impressed with this book. There was enough drama without it being too dramatic. While I find modern regular people falling in love with royalty stories to be slightly overdone this ine was perfect in its own way. Overall this is a good book that really helps you embrace the upcoming holiday mood.
I will say I was quite impressed with this book. There was enough drama without it being too dramatic. While I find modern regular people falling in love with royalty stories to be slightly overdone this ine was perfect in its own way. Overall this is a good book that really helps you embrace the upcoming holiday mood.
November 25, 2025
If you've watched all the Hallmark Christmas movies, and want more - this book is for you!
New York pastry chef, Emma, is struggling. But her baked goods are amazing. Which is how she gets a chance to go to the small country and bake for the royal family, and get enough money to open her own business. And when she's there, she has an embarrassing meet cute with the prince.
What follows is a touching story full of heart, hard work and love.
Definitely recommend for a cute holiday read!
New York pastry chef, Emma, is struggling. But her baked goods are amazing. Which is how she gets a chance to go to the small country and bake for the royal family, and get enough money to open her own business. And when she's there, she has an embarrassing meet cute with the prince.
What follows is a touching story full of heart, hard work and love.
Definitely recommend for a cute holiday read!
November 21, 2025
Such a sweet cozy hallmark romance! I enjoyed this one, definitely brings out the holiday love spirit.
Thank you Hambright Publishing for this ARC read
Thank you Hambright Publishing for this ARC read
December 2, 2025
Was it realistic? Meh. Did I care? Not at all. Very cute, Christmasy story.
December 10, 2025
This book had so much depth to it. It was more than just a sweet Christmas romance. It had domestic abuse representation and food deprivation. I loved the romance between Leo and Emma. They had so much chemistry. It was fun to watch them grow and tackle challenges together. Thank you Hambright PR and Madison Score for the advanced reader copy
December 27, 2025
Another feel good Christmas tale mixed with charm and romance. Love a good come from different worlds fall in love kinda read. The bonus epilogue was cute. I’d highly recommend. This one was royalty!
November 30, 2025
4.5 stars! Really cute story - it’s like a Hallmark movie in book form
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