Codename Charming: A Novel

Written by Lucy Parker

Narrated by Anne-Marie Piazza

A New York Times Books Review Best Romances of 2023 pick

Following Battle Royal, beloved author Lucy Parker pens another delicious romantic comedy about a fake relationship between a grumpy royal bodyguard and the charming, sunny assistant who melts his cold, hard exterior.

Petunia De Vere enjoys being the personal assistant to lovable, bumbling Johnny Marchmont. But the job has its share of challenges, including the royal’s giant, intimidating bodyguard, Matthias. Pet and Matthias are polar opposites—she’s spontaneous and enthusiastic, he’s rigid and stoic—but she can sense there’s something softer underneath that tough exterior…

For Matthias Vaughn, protecting others is the name of the game. But keeping his royal charge out of trouble is more difficult than he imagined because everywhere Johnny goes, calamity ensues, and his petite, bubbly assistant is often caught in the fray. Matthias hates the idea of Pet getting hurt and he’s determined to keep everyone safe, even if it means clashing with his adorable new coworker.

When a clumsy moment leads to a questionable tabloid photo, the press begins to speculate that Pet is romantically involved with Johnny. To put an end to the rumors, the royal PR team asks Pet and Matthias to stage a fake relationship and the two reluctantly agree. But as they spend more time together outside of work, they begin to wonder what real emotions this pretend connection might uncover. Especially when a passionate kiss leaves both of their heads spinning… 

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Aug 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9780063040120

Lucy Parker

Lucy Parker is an award-winning romance author who lives in New Zealand. A romance reader from a young age, she loves to write about people pursuing their dreams and falling hopelessly in love along the way—often with the last person they would expect! Her previous titles have been featured in Entertainment Weekly, Cosmopolitan, and Oprah Daily, and were included in NPR’s Book Concierge for four consecutive years.

Reviews for Codename Charming

[Andrea Author · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Bubbly Petunia enjoys her job as PA for a shy but affable royal spouse. Stern bodyguard Matthias seems her opposite in every way, but she senses he has a softer side. When the paparazzi invent a story that Pet and her boss are having a fling, the palace devises a story that Pet is actually involved with Matthias. Will their staged romance turn real?

This is a strongly character-driven romance with pratfalls added for comedy. The plot feels like a series of vignettes. If you like highly emotional romance with heavy themes and physical comedy, this book is for you.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.