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  • Playing the Palace

  • Written by: Paul Rudnick
  • Narrated by: Michael Urie
  • Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars (15 ratings)

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Playing the Palace

Written by: Paul Rudnick
Narrated by: Michael Urie
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Publisher's Summary

One of Buzzfeed's 39 Excellent LGBTQ Books To Read This Month And Always

Their Love Story Captivated the World.... The Crown Prince and That Guy from New York

When a lonely American event planner starts dating the gay Prince of Wales, a royal uproar ensues: Is it true love or the ultimate meme? Find out in this hilarious romantic comedy.

After having his heart trampled on by his cheating ex, Carter Ogden is afraid love just isn’t in the cards for him. He still holds out hope in a tiny corner of his heart, but even in his wildest dreams he never thought he’d meet the Crown Prince of England, much less do a lot more with him. Yes, growing up he’d fantasized about the handsome, openly gay Prince Edgar, but who hadn’t? When they meet by chance at an event Carter’s boss is organizing, Carter’s sure he imagined all that sizzling chemistry. Or was it mutual?

This unlikely but meant-to-be romance sets off media fireworks on both sides of the Atlantic. With everyone having an opinion on their relationship and the intense pressure of being constantly in the spotlight, Carter finds ferocious obstacles to his Happily Ever After, including the tenacious disapproval of the Queen of England. Carter and Price Edgar fight for a happy ending to equal their glorious international beginning. It’s a match made on Valentine’s Day and in tabloid heaven.

©2021 Paul Rudnick (P)2021 Penguin Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: Romance

What the critics say

"Award-winning playwright, humorist, and novelist Rudnick steeps his writing in a deliciously snarky sense of wit while at the same time effectively employing his flair for clever storytelling in the creation of a delightfully quirky cast of characters. The end result is a fizzy, fun, fresh, and fairy tale-like rom-com that will restore readers' faith in true love." (Booklist)

“[In] Rudnick’s effervescent new novel...the question isn’t whether love will triumph, only how. The answer may make you cheer.” (The New York Times)

"From the screenwriter of Sister Act, Jeffrey, and The Stepford Wives comes this highly anticipated rom-com debut. Event planner Carter Ogden meets and has instant chemistry with the sought after Prince of Wales, giving way to a high-profile romance that comes with a unique set of obstacles." (Oprah.com)

What listeners say about Playing the Palace

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    5 out of 5 stars

Chapter 18 sold this one as more then just a silly romance

Imagine being the most public symbol of unrealistic expectations in the world. Everything you do is magnified a thousand times in the press and public view and worse of all Social Media. both by those who support and those who hate you as a public symbol. That’s the life of a normal Royal and it’s a very special kind of hell. Now imagine that + being openly GAY…. Ya not fun.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A perfect rom-com

I finished it in one go, since it was so adorable.
I loved all the side characters as well.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fantastic

This is a great story. I loved the expressive language! Overall a cute story. Let’s be real, it’s very rare we’ll meet a prince of England that happens to be gay and start dating him BUT this story really gets into the details of it. I absolutely loved this storu

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Hilarious and full of heart

Michael Urie does such a great job narrating! I recognized his voice from Steven Rowley’s books. This queer M/M royal romance had me laughing out loud so many times!! Spunky side characters - especially the Queen!! Plus the relationship between Carter and Edgar is just so sweet and tender. Highly recommended especially for fans of Red, white and royal blue.

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I tried! I really tried!

I hate to be so negative in my review but this book was just a hard no for me. I found the story and the characters not even remotely believable. And the voice acting was super grating to listen to although that was on par with the cardboard cutout stereotypes that were all the characters in this book. I kept stopping and coming back to it trying to force myself to finish but I've finally thrown in the towel on this one and decided to save myself the agony and just stop listening. I was a big fan of "Red White and Royal Blue" which is why I bought this book but "Playing the Palace" is not even 10% the quality of that book. if others enjoyed this then thats great but unfortunately I think this is the by far the worst book I have read all year!

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