Emmie and the Tudor King

EMMIE AND THE TUDOR KING by Natalie Murray kicks off the Hearts and Crowns Series with a bang when Emmie, a 21st-century teenager, acquires a mysterious ring in a yard sale that transports her to 16th-century England. On arrival, she’s stripped of the jewelry, making her stranded until she can get it back, but by the time she does, parts of Tudor England have started worming their way into her heart, including the very dashing King Nick. Emmie straddles the two time periods as best as she can until it becomes clear she has to make a choice: give up her family, old friends, and future college aspirations, or give up the love of a lifetime and the possibility of changing the course of a very grim and bloody history.

This book is everything I could ever hope to read: swoony romance, historical fiction, time travel, mystery, court intrigue, shifting allegiances, and then some. I couldn’t sleep or really do anything else once I picked it up as I had to know what happened next. Ironically, I accidentally read this series out of order, starting with the third book, and even with knowing where the story goes, I still was surprised by all the twists and turns. This series is so well plotted and executed that it made me appreciate what I’d already read so much more, particularly in recognizing all the seeds Murray plants in book one.

Overall, I love seeing how Nick grapples with his initial feelings for Emmie and then with her secret. Similarly, seeing how Emmie navigates the clutches of court life and her present-day home is both terrifying and heartbreaking. I really felt for Emmie’s mom and friends, who had no idea what was going on, and more than anything missed Emmie in their lives. With each tough decision Emmie has to make, I physically felt the difficulty in the impossible choices ahead of her. That being said, I really like that it’s her heart and pure intentions that continue to guide her, even when she's impulsive.

To date, EMMIE AND THE TUDOR KING is one of my favorite series I’ve ever read. I really like how Murray balances giving the characters agency while also remaining true to the time. She is a masterful storyteller, so much so that this book should appeal even to those who aren’t typically fans of this genre.

I thoroughly enjoyed this time travel romance. The setting was lush, dangerous, and exciting. This book had it all: amazing chemistry between the main characters, a compelling mystery, and an entertaining fish out of water element.

I’m a huge sucker for historical court settings, and this book did not disappoint. Emmie was a strong heroine who knew what she wanted. I really liked it that she wasn’t intimidated by the king. That worked well in this story. She spoke her mind, which seemed to draw the king closer to her. My favorite part was when Nick went back with Emmie to modern day. I was giggling and squealing the entire time.

This book did not lack much. I wished more of the story took place in Tudor England, but it was interesting to get the switch between modern day as a normal teen and the intrigue of the Tudor court.

I’m eager to start the next book in the series, and I’m curious to see where the adventure takes us next. This book will grab you and won’t let go until you’ve reached the final page. And then it will leave you wanting more. You’ve been warned.

What worked: Fast-paced time travel romp through Tudor England. Readers find out what might have happened if Queen Elizabeth I married Robert Dudley and had a son. In this case it would have been Nicholas the Ironheart.

High school senior Emmie didn't think her research on Nicholas the Ironheart would literary land her back in time, but after she purchases a ring at a garage sale, that's where she ends up. There's lots of details of what life would have been like in 1580 England. Murray does a good job showing readers the conditions in the infamous Tower of London, the clothing, the courtly intrigues, a jousting match, and even an execution for treason. Think Doctor Who meets Knight's Tale.

Emmie seems to not have much problems with her time in 1580. It helps that her mother just happens to be a modern day nurse. **She uses that knowledge to help after she's shot by an arrow when she first falls back in time. She also uses the modern day research to help Nicholas's 'breathing' problem and even is determine to stop his beloved sister's murder. The ring helps her go back and forth through time, but only if she's in a deep sleep. Emmie uses her mother's sleeping pills. I wondered why her mother might not notice the pills missing, but apparently she works a lot.

Emmie's internal thoughts are woven throughout. She has a biting sense of humor. Nicholas finds her 'different' and is drawn to her. There's other characters like her friend Alice, who helps her not feel too awkward in King Nicholas's court. The plotting of Dowager Countess of Warwick. So-called trusted advisers to King Nicholas that don't care for Emmie that much.

There's even a section where King Nicholas falls into our time. The scene where he goes to a club with Emmie and her friends is pretty hilarious.

I did have a hard time feeling the chemistry between Emmie and Nicholas. He went hot to cold. One moment he was totally into her and the next he was threatening to throw her in the tower. I also found it hard to think Emmie would seriously contemplates being Nicholas's mistress. But that was how things were done back in the sixteenth century.

The consequence of going back and forth in time is shown by history starting to change. Later, readers find out why the ring does in fact work.

Light, time travel romance set in 1580. Fans of Doctor Who and 16th century England are sure to enjoy this story.