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Battle Royal: A Novel Kindle Edition
“Lucy Parker writes deliciously fun enemies-to-lovers perfection!” — Tessa Bailey, New York Times bestselling author
Beloved author Lucy Parker pens a delicious new romantic comedy that is a battle of whisks and wits.
Ready…
Four years ago, Sylvie Fairchild charmed the world as a contestant on the hit baking show, Operation Cake. Her ingenious, creations captivated viewers and intrigued all but one of the judges, Dominic De Vere. When Sylvie's unicorn cake went spectacularly sideways, Dominic was quick to vote her off the show. Since then, Sylvie has used her fame to fulfill her dream of opening a bakery. The toast of Instagram, Sugar Fair has captured the attention of the Operation Cake producers…and a princess.
Set…
Dominic is His Majesty the King’s favorite baker and a veritable British institution. He’s brilliant, talented, hard-working. And an icy, starchy grouch. Learning that Sylvie will be joining him on the Operation Cake judging panel is enough to make the famously dour baker even more grim. Her fantastical baking is only slightly more troublesome than the fact that he can’t stop thinking about her pink-streaked hair and irrepressible dimple.
Match…
When Dominic and Sylvie learn they will be fighting for the once in a lifetime opportunity to bake a cake for the upcoming wedding of Princess Rose, the flour begins to fly as they fight to come out on top.
The bride adores Sylvie’s quirky style. The palace wants Dominic’s classic perfection.
In this royal battle, can there be room for two?
With its quirky characters, witty humor, and mouth-watering descriptions of baked goods, Battle Royal is the perfect beach read for fans of contemporary romance and the Great British Bake Off.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherAvon
- Publication dateAugust 17, 2021
- File size2.4 MB
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From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews
Review
“Lucy Parker writes deliciously fun enemies-to-lovers perfection!”
— Tessa Bailey, New York Times bestselling author
"Delightful, funny, romantic, and surprisingly emotional, Battle Royal is Lucy Parker at her best. A wonderful must read romance that I could not put down." — Kristen Callihan, New York Times bestselling author
"Lucy Parker’s books are marvels of wit and warmth and empathy, and Battle Royal is no exception. It’s as delicious as the cakes baked by Sylvie and Dominic, from first page to last. I swooned, laughed, wept, and loved the story wholeheartedly, and I can’t wait to reread it ASAP." — Olivia Dade, national bestselling author of Spoiler Alert
“As magical as it’s heroine’s confectionary creations, Battle Royal is absolutely enchanting. Lucy Parker is the Michelangelo of grumpy + sunshine. I gobbled this book up!” — Rosie Danan, author of The Intimacy Experiment
“Only an author as deft and gifted as Parker could seamlessly mix these things into one tale and have them come out as perfectly calibrated, delectably sweet, and emotionally layered as a masterful wedding cake." — Entertainment Weekly
"There are so many things to love about this book! Its wit and warmth; the deft way Parker weaves in a Great British Bake Off-like competition; the scintillating royal secrets. But my favorite by far was watching the icy hero melt into a puddle at his sunshine heroine's feet. Battle Royal is the perfect reading-slump buster, and once again proves why Lucy Parker is the Queen of the Grump." — Therese Beharrie, author of One Last Chance
"Lucy Parker's Battle Royal won my heart with its effortless effervescence and deep notes of aching poignancy. I adored this tale of rival bakers who forge an unexpected connection while vying for a royal commission."
— Ruby Lang, author of Playing House
"Battle Royal is Lucy Parker at her best! This book is the coziness of your favorite baking competition show with the snipe and spark of a great enemies to lovers romance. Try and have a snack handy while you're reading this one ... you will get hungry from all the delicious descriptions while Dominic and Sylvie bake, banter, and fall in love." — Jen DeLuca, author of Well Played
"Parker is a writer who knows her audience, and she keeps raising the bar when it comes to warm romances and charming tropes. Opposites attracting over delicious cakes and the fearsome thrill of competition are a heady combination as Sylvie and Dominic's chemistry snaps, crackles, and pops off every page. The slow burn of the romance is tantalizing and well paced, though there is plenty of setting and detail to take in while readers await the inevitable happily-ever-after. An utterly delicious romance that's meant to be devoured." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"With a perfect trifecta of endearing characters, superb use of the enemies-to-lovers trope, and a chemistry-laden slow burn, this excellent start to Parker’s newest series is one readers will rush to dive into." — Library Journal (starred review)
"Parker’s winsomely witty and whimsically inventive contemporary romance is truly scrumptious. From the zippy dialogue and humorous banter exchanged between the book’s perfectly matched protagonists to the delectable descriptions of sweet treats that would not be out of place in Willy Wonka’s factory, this deliciously sexy love story whips up everything romance readers crave." — Booklist (starred review)
"Brimming with pop culture references and quick wit… irresistible banter and even more irresistible chemistry… The result has all the fun of a fluffy rom-com, with the emotional catharsis of a more dramatic romance.” — Publishers Weekly
About the Author
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.
Product details
- ASIN : B08NPMHJ84
- Publisher : Avon (August 17, 2021)
- Publication date : August 17, 2021
- Language : English
- File size : 2.4 MB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 411 pages
- Page numbers source ISBN : 0063040069
- Best Sellers Rank: #167,388 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #2,702 in Vampire Romances
- #3,079 in Enemies to Lovers Romance eBooks
- #3,694 in Western & Frontier Romance
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Lucy Parker lives in New Zealand, where she feels lucky every day to look out at mountains, lakes, and vineyards.
Her interest in romantic fiction began with a pre-teen viewing of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (Firth-style), which prompted her to read the book as well. A family friend introduced her to Georgette Heyer, and the rest was history.
You can find her on Twitter @_LucyParker, or on her website: www.lucyparkerfiction.com.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers enjoyed the delightful romance in this book. They found the humor witty and fun, making it an enjoyable read. The characters had emotional journeys and felt natural. The baking content was described as delicious and fun. Readers appreciated the lovely writing style and charming charm of the story.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the book's romance. They find it delightful and engaging, with different aspects of love shown. The author creates tender moments and great sexual tension, while the intimacy between the characters deepens quickly. Readers appreciate the beautiful storyline and mention that they love the combination of a royal wedding and baking show.
"...evil characters, a historical mystery, and the behind the scenes drama of a baking show...." Read more
"...The pace is quite slow, but there is a lot of story happening. Love, rivalry, family history and loss, the royal connection and their history...." Read more
"...Funny, cute, unexpected, and adorably romantic, BATTLE ROYAL by Lucy Parker exceeded all my rom-com hopes and dreams!..." Read more
"...Some really tender moments, some funny moments, great sexual tension, a really excellent first kiss...." Read more
Customers enjoyed the book's humor. They found it witty, with fun themes and an interesting writing style. Many described it as a sweet confection, saying they loved the TV show portion.
"...This novel was so much fun. If you haven’t read Lucy Parker’s London Celebrities series, please check them out...." Read more
"...📚This is the first book of Lucy Parker’s that I have read and it’s an interesting, very detailed style of writing...." Read more
"...Funny, cute, unexpected, and adorably romantic, BATTLE ROYAL by Lucy Parker exceeded all my rom-com hopes and dreams!..." Read more
"...I loved the premise of this book, I love that the MC's are British, and I love the grump/sunshine troupe...." Read more
Customers enjoyed the book. They found the storyline engaging and witty. The characters were well-developed, with poignant moments and depth.
"...The whole book is perfectly paced and an absolute delight to read...." Read more
"...Amazing read!" Read more
"This is a good writer. I still enjoy her writing and look forward to new books but each seems to be slightly more flawed than the previous...." Read more
"...Overall, a good read." Read more
Customers find the book has an emotional depth. They mention that the characters have emotional journeys, the tension between the two main characters is palpable, and the love story feels natural. The book has funny and poignant moments, with both sweet and steamy moments.
"...A lot of characters had emotional journeys, not just our two main protagonists, and I really got involved in every sub plot...." Read more
"...Love, rivalry, family history and loss, the royal connection and their history. Be prepared to take your time taking it all in...." Read more
"...wish I loved this book, it is steamy (which I love), and had some sweet moments, but ultimately this is one of those books that didn't live up to..." Read more
"...human emotion to her characters and her readers with this funny, often poignant, tear-inducing, swoony romance between two rival bakers...." Read more
Customers enjoy the baking content in the book. They find it enjoyable with convincing descriptions of tasty bakes, and mention that the book is a tasty treat with cake shenanigans, an arrogant chef, and whimsical elements. The baking competition and royal romance are also mentioned as well as sweets and chocolate.
"...This book plays this trope to perfection AND adds cake!..." Read more
"...book really does have it all as far as beloved RomCom tropes go: Food-Themed, Royal Romance, Enemies-to-Lovers...." Read more
"...It's a sweet confection of a book with cake shenanigans, an arrogant chef and whimsical baker match made in sugar heaven, and a beautiful storyline..." Read more
"This is a romance with engaging MCs. The baking is fun, the intimacy between the two gets deep really quick, and you get to know them very well...." Read more
Customers enjoy the writing style. They find it lovely, funny, and easy to read. The author paints a picture with words, making the book enjoyable and easy to understand.
"...of Lucy Parker’s that I have read and it’s an interesting, very detailed style of writing...." Read more
"...liked because they were all woven together beautifully and the writing was so lovely in the sections about baking that it was almost lyrical...." Read more
"This is a good writer. I still enjoy her writing and look forward to new books but each seems to be slightly more flawed than the previous...." Read more
"Loved this one. So well-written, with both funny and poignant moments, and a huge amount of depth...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's charm. They find the idea adorable and the meet-cute romantic. The British setting is also praised, with an interesting hero and happy ending.
"...all glitter, sparkles, and colors, and Dominic is staid, neutral, and elegant. Who would have thought that the two of them would strike a match?..." Read more
"...Funny, cute, unexpected, and adorably romantic, BATTLE ROYAL by Lucy Parker exceeded all my rom-com hopes and dreams!..." Read more
"Battle Royal has been on my radar ever since I saw that adorable cover...." Read more
"Romantic, funny, charming, emotional, Lucy Parker hits all the right notes in Battle Royal...." Read more
Customers have different views on the story length. Some find the story sweet and fun, with a perfect storyline. Others feel there are too many subplots and that the story drags on at times.
"...At times I felt like the story just dragged on, but then certain parts felt like too rushed. For example the love/relationship...." Read more
"...couple and even though they had a long journey it was totally worth the happy ending...." Read more
"...Far too many sub plots, for all that they’re quite deftly handled, and it’s a bit melodramatic...." Read more
"...charming British setting, interesting and hot hero, a happy ending that feels earned and original...." Read more
Reviews with images

Baking, Banter & Battles of Skill!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2021Full disclosure! I am a HUGE fan of both Lucy Parker and the British Baking Championship which their show is based off of, so I knew going in that I was going to either hate this novel or LOVE it. Lucy Parker’s writing chops wins again and I ended up falling for both of these characters. Battle Royal was “brilliant” as the British say, but it was also a ton of fun.
Sylvie Fairchild is all glitter, sparkles, and colors, and Dominic is staid, neutral, and elegant. Who would have thought that the two of them would strike a match? When they start researching a mystery about the royal house, they get glimpses of something in the other that strikes a chord in what they’ve missed through their entire lives. I really liked these two as a couple and even though they had a long journey it was totally worth the happy ending.
This novel had all of the fun themes of a fast paced story. A competition, evil characters, a historical mystery, and the behind the scenes drama of a baking show. A lot of characters had emotional journeys, not just our two main protagonists, and I really got involved in every sub plot. This novel was so much fun.
If you haven’t read Lucy Parker’s London Celebrities series, please check them out. I think I read each one a few times over the last year because they made me feel good when I needed that jolt of happiness. Battle Royal is my newest addiction and you can bet I’ll be getting a copy in every format.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I received a copy of this ARC through NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and it was honest!
- Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2024🎂Sylvie and Dominic are rival cake shop owners in Notting Hill. When the latest royal wedding is announced the two are both desperate to get the contract to make the wedding cake. With very different styles- him traditional and her very modern, who will snag the contract of the decade?
📚This is the first book of Lucy Parker’s that I have read and it’s an interesting, very detailed style of writing. The pace is quite slow, but there is a lot of story happening. Love, rivalry, family history and loss, the royal connection and their history. Be prepared to take your time taking it all in.
Read on Kindle
My rating 4/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
- Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2022Please believe me when I tell you this is one of the most delightful books I have ever read. Funny, cute, unexpected, and adorably romantic, BATTLE ROYAL by Lucy Parker exceeded all my rom-com hopes and dreams!
If you don’t know by now, a starchy, uptight character paired with a fun-loving, chaos demon love interest is my kryptonite. It’s like grumpy/sunshine and opposites attract to the max! This book plays this trope to perfection AND adds cake!
Dominic is an uptight judge on a Great British Bake Off-like show and our heroine, Sylvie, is the woman he kicked off the show years before. They have shops down the street from each other. Sylvie is all unicorns and glitter and Dominic is stately, elegant minimalism.
Parker does a great job of showing the undeniable pull between our two main characters. The quiet moments and small touches are just as poignant as the drama of sexy scenes. The whole book is perfectly paced and an absolute delight to read.
Reading this book sent me on a spiral of reading Lucy Parker’s entire backlist in one glorious weekend. It was SO FUN. Highly recommend!
- Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2021Battle Royal has been on my radar ever since I saw that adorable cover. I was sure that I would love this book so much, but in the end I liked it but didn't love it. I loved the premise of this book, I love that the MC's are British, and I love the grump/sunshine troupe. There are some major trigger warnings in this book (mostly death of several family members (not on page), and child abuse/abandonment) and I felt like those topics were handled with care. I was not having the best time reading this until we learn about Sylvie's relationship with her Aunt. I understood her grief, it just felt so real. I loved the side character of Pet and was excited to see that she would get a book. I think what I didn't like most about this book was how long it felt. At times I felt like the story just dragged on, but then certain parts felt like too rushed. For example the love/relationship. I never really got the MC's as a couple. I could maybe see the crush, but that's it. But truthfully I'm sure that is a me problem. Enemies to lovers is one of my least favorite troupes. One minute they "hate" each other and the next they are jumping into bed together. I really wish I loved this book, it is steamy (which I love), and had some sweet moments, but ultimately this is one of those books that didn't live up to the hype for me. I will read more from this author in the future as I am excited to see what Pet gets into and another of her series has been on my radar even longer that this one.
Top reviews from other countries
- Cynthia BrocklebankReviewed in Canada on February 16, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed the setting, characters and story
The setting, characters and underlying premise of this story is wonderful. Characters who could have been written as cliched side bits were given a chance to make the story richer and more rewarding overall. This read was exactly what I needed and I have never watched a baking show in my life.
- SumedhaReviewed in India on December 8, 2021
4.0 out of 5 stars so nice!
Battle Royal, a grumpy x sunshine rivals-to-lovers romance, stole my heart. I loved it. It was funny, interesting, and heartwarming.
I loved the main characters. The supporting characters were well fleshed out. We got proper rivalry scenes and the hilariousness and cuteness when the romance progresses. We even have a minor romance relationship to root for. The concept of the book was executed just right.
The relationship development was so good. The two characters get off on the wrong foot in a baking show and end up as heads of rival bakeries across the street. When they are called to judge the same baking show together, it puts them in proximity. And! They’re both competing to bake the wedding cake for a royal wedding, the wedding of the decade. They’re tripping over each other all the time and fell in love in the best way.
It will be a book that I reread for comfort. That’s how much I loved it.
- KMReviewed in Germany on September 27, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this
The drama was real and not overly done. If you're familiar with other works from Lucy Parker, you might be jolted a bit because this book feels heavier but if you don't let that put you off (and you shouldn't!) then you'll find the characters are just as quirky and just Nas grouchy as the Headliners, only this time the romance is covered somewhat with a bit more realism. Lucy touches on everything that has bothered me about the Press surrounding "Megxit" without bashing the Moral of that very real story over our heads.
I've been a fan since day one and she didn't lose me with this one! Loved. It.
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Australia on August 25, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful read - utterly charming
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and likeable. A sweet, charming read with a decent amount of humor. It made me want to go find my own grumpy baker!
- Kindle CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2022
4.0 out of 5 stars Proper good read
Loved the writing style, the descriptions of all detailsr, and the story. A thoroughly enjoyable read that I may even come back to read again.