Story Rating: 4 stars
Audio Rating: 4.5 stars

Narrator: Michael Ferraiuolo
Length: 8 hours, 21 minutes

Audiobook Buy Links: Amazon/Audible | iBooks
Book Buy Links: Amazon | iBooks


When the rulers of two countries were expecting, they paired up their offspring before they were even born. A trade agreement was certainly worth an arranged marriage. However, when both queens gave births to sons, they decided to go ahead with the betrothal as agreed. Princes Yuri and Angelo have therefore been linked their entire lives and are expected to marry by the age of 30.

Yuri and Angelo then grow up together and Yuri has been in love with Angelo from the time he could put words to the feelings. They two have never gotten along though, and Angelo has never expressed interest in men. Years pass and Yuri has needs and when he seeks the wrong partner, Angelo comes to take care of him. Angelo may have not had a relationship with a man before, but he knows that Yuri is his and wants to care for him.

Their relationship takes several turns over the years and the men grow closer in ways they never could have imagined. Their marriage was supposed to be in name only, but Yuri and Angelo now have to figure out how to be together forever.

Royally Screwed is the kind of story that can sweep you away as we follow the lives of two princes from neighboring countries who are destined to be together. Yuri and Angelo were promised to each other before birth and they have lived with that knowledge all of their lives. They irritate each other and get on each other’s nerves, but they are forever linked and they always look for each other.

An event sets things in motion for Angelo to decide Yuri needs “discipline” and the men begin to indulge in spanking. It quickly escalates for Yuri into something he needs and Angelo starts to see his feelings for Yuri change throughout the years. The story is more character and relationship focused, with outside influences between their families and one of Yuri’s abusive exes.

The middle of the story got a little slow for me. While I appreciate Angelo examining his feelings and ultimately only caring that he wants to be with Yuri, even though he is a man, it got a little repetitive for me. Also, the situation with Yuri’s ex felt added in for shock value and tension and it came off as wedged into an ongoing story and didn’t all work for my tastes. As the story approached its end, the men, who are in their 20s, have little control over their own lives, forever royal pawns to their parents, and you have to either enjoy or be in the mood for this type of story.

Ultimately, the author shows the bond between Yuri and Angelo and how they were meant to be together from day one. The angst is low and the kink is mild and you could get swept away on a tale of young love.

Michael Ferraiuolo makes most stories better and he did that here as well. While he has a recognizable voice, he can mold his voice to fit many characters. Ferraiuolo does the royal aristocracy here well and makes all of the voices distinguishable from each other. At times, Angelo has a dry delivery as he examines his feelings and Ferraiuolo handles that expertly and his delivery is entertaining. The credits indicate he composed some music heard during the audio and if you have the opportunity, this is an audio worth your time.