When even a real princess doesn’t believe in Prince Charming anymore…

Synopsis

A former princess, the billionaire next door and a scandal in Paris… Read all about the blossoming romance that has the media buzzing in Rachael Stewart’s latest Harlequin Romance!

ROYAL MEET-CUTE ON HER DOORSTEP!

While navigating a high-profile divorce, ex-princess Cassie is lying low at a friend’s Paris apartment. She doesn’t expect to become intimately acquainted with new neighbor Hugo, who’s locked out—and naked! Despite their…unusual encounter, Cassie and the billionaire form an unlikely connection, both struggling under the weight of predetermined destinies. When a leaked photo creates a media frenzy, Hugo suggests faking a captivating romance, giving Cassie the cover to rebuild her life. But what started as a charade only draws them closer, blurring the lines between fact and fiction…

From Harlequin Romance: Be swept away by glamorous and heartfelt love stories.

My review

Cassie used to be a loved princess by everyone. Too bad that her husband didn’t feel the same way and thought that he didn’t need to be faithful. Now that they are divorced, her ex’s royal family are doing everything they can to put Cassie in a bad light, trying to put the blame of the end of marriage on her. With the paparazzi lurking around each corner, Cassie is lucky to be having still a few good friends. And one of those friends is letting her stay in his Paris’ apartment. With his apartment being a separate floor from the hotel, Cassie does not need to worry about curious eyes. But the last thing she expects, is to lay her own eyes on her neighbour, Hugo. Especially as their first encounter is when he is naked… When Hugo learns that Cassie is keeping herself hidden and hasn’t ever explored Paris, he makes it his mission to show Cassie what she has been missing. But when one day, a picture of them is made public, a new plan is being formed: they will pretend to be dating, as that will give them the perfect cover. Because the ex – princess and the billionaire, that for sure rings good, right? But the more they are pretending on the outside, could it be that they may be not so much pretending on the inside?

What young girl hasn’t ever dreamed of becoming a real princess? Yet with growing up, dreams change, and we all know that being a princess isn’t exactly a Disney fairytale… And even princesses see their marriages end.

Unfortunately, Cassie’s end of the marriage doesn’t mean her regaining her freedom. It angered me reading that not only her ex – family is doing whatever they can to make her look like the bad part, but also Cassie isn’t having any kind of support from her own family.

How cunning can families be? I can understand that parents want the best for their children. But there is a huge difference between wanting the best or just using your own child for social prestige. And then not supporting your child when they need you the most? I just cannot understand that…

With no support from her family and most people she thought of being friends, Cassie had my immediate sympathy. I was happy for her that even if she has lost a lot, she still has a few real friends, who truly are in her corner. A friend in need is indeed a friend indeed!

And that brings her to Paris. Having been to Paris several times myself, I can easily say that it’s a city that never bores, there are always new places to discover. So another moment of anger rose while reading. Because of that despicable ex – family, Cassie has no other option than staying hidden in her apartment. Journalists, paparazzi are chasing her and all that while Cassie just wants her freedom back, wants to discover a wonderful city, and she wants to do what she loves the most…

It would be so easy to portrait Hugo as a real Knight In Shining Armour, ready to sweep the princess of her feet, showing her that love is worth a chance. But I liked it that Hugo isn’t that. Because Hugo has his own demons to chase. And the last thing he needs, is looking after someone.

Of course their first encounter is a hilarious one, it couldn’t be any funnier than that! 😊 And what follows is an attempt to apologize, but also a way in. A way into getting to know each other, a way to also opening up themselves.

I found it truly sweet how Hugo suddenly finds himself wanting to show Cassie around, to show her that she doesn’t need to hide away. And he wants her to enjoy herself, he wants her to understand that she is more than good enough, that she didn’t do anything wrong.

Seeing them getting closer was just so heartwarming, as these are 2 people that have been through a lot. This isn’t just Hugo wanting to help Cassie, it’s also Cassie that wants Hugo to see that what happened in his past isn’t a testament to his character. Yet he is just a person that followed his heart, to only have to broken later on. And that isn’t on him…

I absolutely loved reading this book, even if for a while it only takes place in a limited place. But that doesn’t mean that is felt constricted at all, on the contrary. Seeing Cassie understand that she now is a liberated person, that she can do what she wants and what she pleases, was just amazing. We see slowly this “little” woman, this kitten, finding herself and rise to this great and strong person. And we see how letting go of the past, and letting love back in can liberate anyone. But it takes courage to do that, and that isn’t easy. But it’s all worth it. Because love is worth it.

Rachael Stewart once again showed us that love can be found in unexpected ways, with unexpected people. And with her amazing writing skills, she got me captured in this wonderful story from the first word until the very ‘the end’!