Protected by his royal vow—
Trapped by desire!

Prince Valenti Domene has played protector all his life. First to his brother, heir to the Cartana throne, now as a billion-dollar security consultant.

But when it comes to his headstrong ward, Lotte Lillegrad, his protective instincts take on a provocative edge. The most honorable solution is keeping watch from afar…

Yet after Lotte’s life is threatened, Valenti must whisk her to his Icelandic hideaway out of harm’s way.

And, while snowbound, keeping his forbidden cravings under control is hard enough… without an emboldened Lotte disclosing her own intoxicating attraction—to him!

Titles in the Royals of Cartana series include:  Crowned for His Son* ~ Out of Office Nights* ~ Snowbound and Royally Forbidden^ ~

This story may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult 18+ audience.

Title:  Snowbound and Royally Forbidden
Series:  Royals of Cartana #3
Author:  Maya Blake
Published:  November 25, 2025
Publisher:  Harlequin Presents
My Rating:  4 stars

Snowbound and Royally Forbidden is the third title in the Royals of Cartana series in the Harlequin Presents imprint.  At the time of this review, I hadn’t read the entire series. After experiencing Lotte and Valenti’s romance, I decided to purchase the earlier books in the series.  Sometimes I can enjoy the story for what it is; other times, I want to know what went on before firsthand.  Spending money on previously released stories in a series is simply an indication of my reading experience of this couple’s story.

Above all else, Valenti is a protector.  He might be a billionaire in his own right, a prince by heritage, and a security consultant by choice and passion… yet, his greatest sense of protection needed is toward his ward, Lotte.  He’s also trying very hard (and failing) to ignore his intense attraction to Lotte.

Lotte may be young, but she knows what she wants in life… Valenti.  However, her guardian is determined to ignore the attraction that sparks between them.  When her life is threatened, he’ll go all protective bear on her, which fits in perfectly with her desire to have the man she loves look at her with more than “fatherly” love.  She wants his passion, his love, his ownership of their chemistry… Be careful what you wish for, Lotte.  You just might find it.

I enjoyed Snowbound and Royally Forbidden by Maya Blake very much.  I’m going to say that it reminded me of the “old-time” Harlequins, which was a plus for me.  Their story is well-written, emotional, and so passionate.  They each are stubborn and determined, but time together away from everyone and everything else allows that attraction to turn from ember to flame… and I loved every moment of it.  If you love your Contemporary Romances on the passionate side, with a couple who really do belong together, then you’d enjoy Lotte and Valenti’s romance.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust.  It is my choice to leave a review, giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)