Book Review: The Queen’s Bodyguard by Lauren Blackwood

Title: The Queen's Bodyguard
Pages: 320
Publication Date: Aug. 18, 2026
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:

In a matriarchal society with nature-based powers, Queen Theora Umbra is the new, unexpected ruler of the thriving Aranean colony. Her predecessor was assassinated by a rival queen, igniting a year-long war. To finally bring peace, Theora must now grudgingly engage in diplomacy with an unscrupulous enemy.

But peace talks mean no armor or weapons, and Theora has no intention of following her predecessor to the grave. To protect herself, she needs a weapon of a different sort—a bodyguard. But the only way to bring one along without suspicion is to marry one. She quickly selects Argos, a prickly and formidable Warrior with a fearsome reputation, to be her new husband. Once peace is secured, she can easily annul the marriage, and they can go their separate ways.

But like all Warriors, Argos’s ruthless tendencies can only be tempered by dominant will and powerful magic . . . magic that Theora lacks. With the help of a trusted advisor who knows her secret, Theora might just be able to assert her command over Argos and get through peace negotiations alive. But she doesn’t expect to feel so affected by Argos’s protective personality. Pretending to be married and in love is not nearly as difficult as pretending she doesn’t desperately want him—all of him.

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The Queen’s Bodyguard is a standalone romantasy with a really interesting premise. The story follows Theora, a queen entering tumultuous peace negotiations with a neighboring enemy kingdom. She chooses Argos, a feared warrior, to protect her, but since no guards are allowed, he must pose as her husband. What begins as a practical arrangement soon becomes a lot more, but political turmoil, duty, and many other obstacles stand in their way.

Argos is definitely my favorite character in the book. A warrior known for his ruthlessness, he’s fiercely protective, gruff, and fueled with a desire for vengeance over the death of his wife. Theora is compelling, too. As the new queen, she has faced much turmoil in the year of her reign, and that burden of responsibility and all the complications and danger that comes with it is at the forefront of her story.

There is a bit of a love triangle, which isn’t my favorite, but for Theora, the right feelings aren’t there for one of the choices, and she makes it clear from the start that she sees him solely as a friend. Her relationship with Argos, on the other hand, begins as an arrangement to ensure her safety, but the longing and sexual tension are there from the start. It’s interesting to see Theora grapple with her feelings about both men and her duty as queen. And the forced proximity situation they’re in and the danger and threats they constantly face only heighten the angsty feelings between them. And the banter? Argos and Theora have it down pat. Whether they’re bickering or challenging each other or having some very vulnerable conversations, the banter and chemistry is fantastic. You can tell there’s a connection between them even though their romance is gradual.

My only issue with the story is I wish it had a little more worldbuilding, especially with the magic system and the warriors. Both of these were so interesting, and I would have liked some in depth explorations of it. I was really intrigued by the matriarchal society Theora rules, too, as well as some of the minor characters, and it would have been great to have learned more about them.

Overall, this was an entertaining read. It’s immersive and well-paced with action, intrigue, and some wonderfully tender and swoon-worthy moments.