REVIEW: Royal Doc’s Secret Heir by Amy Ruttan

In Royal Doc’s Secret Heir (Cinderellas to Royal Brides #2) by Amy Ruttan, Dr. Jeena Haddak left Kalyana years ago never to return. However, tragic circumstances are bringing her home and she’s determined to help Kalyana recover from the devastation the country suffered because of mother nature. But working alongside the only man she’s ever loved isn’t easy, especially when she’s keeping a secret from Maazin. Will Jeena’s secret come to light and ruin their second shot at happy ever after?

”Jeena, stop that.” He was annoyed. She remembered how much he hated protocol. She knew she was getting to him. Good.
“Stop what, Your Highness?”
“Curtseying and calling me Your Highness. Jeena, we know each other intimately.”
“That’s Dr. Harrak to you, Your Highness.” She crossed her arms and leaned forward. “Perhaps we knew each other once, but a lot has changed. I prefer the formality, Your Highness.”

Having not read the first book of this series which is penned by Ann McIntosh, I was glad to see that this story could be read as a standalone and I’ve got to admit that after finishing this story I was intrigued to read Ms. McIntosh’s book. Really, Jeena has quite an interesting back story and her interactions with some of the secondary characters reveal she’s not the only one with a complicated past. The way this story started drew me in immediately, as the heroine is determined to help her home country, even if it’s not really her home anymore and hasn’t been for quite some time. Will she be able to do her job to the best of her ability, especially when she finds herself in the hero’s company constantly?

With the dialogue, I loved every interaction between the hero and heroine, as their past is quite a complicated one and they need to find a way to work together without distractions. Since distractions can be costly and the people of Kalyana need their help as medical professionals. Will Maazin and Jeena be able to work together for the good of Kalyana? Will Maazin be able to handle Jeena’s reasons for leaving years ago? Will the pair be able to face the secrets of the past in order to have a future together?

As for the main characters, both were extremely engaging because of their back stories, their growing relationship and the good they’re determined to do for Kalyana after everything the place has suffered. I also enjoyed the challenges these two face to be together because the hero needs to find a way to move past his guilt for something he believes was his fault when it wasn’t. Indeed, he just had a really good brother that would do anything for him. While the heroine, she needs to find a way to deal with the past. Certainly, she should have trusted the hero instead of running. But what’s done is done? She can’t undo the past. Will she put her trust in Maazin now?

”You are in love with him,” her mother said. “It’s understandable. The heart is forgiving when it’s in love.”
Jeena nodded. “I didn’t want to forgive him. I didn’t want anything to do with him, but we kept getting thrown together and it happened. The King knows about Syman.”

Overall, Ms. Ruttan has delivered a wonderful read in this book with resilient characters that are thrown together constantly and finally find it in their hearts to forgive; the romance was strong and nicely-detailed and shows that it’s hard to get over one’s first love; and the ending was heart-warming because these two are meant to be together and shouldn’t let anything keep them apart. I would recommend Royal Doc’s Secret Heir by Amy Ruttan, if you enjoy second chance romances or books by authors Tina Beckett, Annie O’Neil, Ann McIntosh and Amalie Berlin.

Book Info:

Publication: August 1st, 2019 | Harlequin Medical | Cinderellas to Royal Brides #2

A shock reunion…a son reclaimed!

In this Cinderellas to Royal Brides story, Dr. Jeena Harrak’s returned home. Banished years ago by the King of Kaylana, upon falling pregnant with Prince Maazin’s baby, Jeena never had a chance to say goodbye to Maazin, or to tell him of his father’s cruelty. After revealing his heir, working alongside gorgeous yet closed-off doctor Maazin is harder than she ever imagined…but might their overwhelming connection be enough to reunite their family?