Series:
Princess Sister Swap (Book 1)
Being a stand-in princess was easy…
…Until she met the vicomte!
Secret half-sisters Clem and Princess Arrosa have always
wanted to walk in each other's shoes! So when Arrosa needs time out, it's the
perfect chance. Posing as her sister seems simple for Clem -- until Vicomte
Akil d'Ortiz, Arrosa's friend and potential convenient suitor, arrives
unannounced and immediately recognizes that she is not the princess. And
suddenly the real connection Clem develops with Akil makes life truly
complicated…
I loved this combination of royal/commoner swap and
secret sisters story. Clem, the illegitimate daughter of the King of Asturia, was
raised in Cornwall by her mother. Her relationship with the king is a deep, dark
secret, but she has been allowed to develop a close relationship with her
half-sister, Arrosa (Rosy). I loved the descriptions of the good times Clem and
Rosy had during the summers when Rosy came to Cornwall. Even when the visits
slowed after they became adults, they kept in close contact with each other. The
strain becomes nearly unbearable as Rosy gets closer to being named her
father's heir. Determined to help her sister, Clem suggests they switch places,
giving Rosy a chance to rest and relax away from the pressure.
Akil is an up-and-coming young politician in Asturia. He
is good friends with Rosy and is surprised when she floats the idea of a
marriage between them. After a few days, he realizes it's a bad idea, but he is
shocked when he goes to Rosy's villa to talk to her. While the woman there looks
like Rosy, he knows she isn't.
I liked that first meeting between Akil and Clem. Akil is
initially worried about Rosy but relaxes after he talks to her and hears about
their plan. I liked how Clem doesn't mince words when she talks to Akil and is
passionate about protecting her sister. Akil likes that about her and offers to
help by showing her around the country. The sparks between them are evident
from the start, but neither intends to do anything about them - their lives are
set on different paths. But Akil can't deny he likes spending time with Clem,
who brings a sense of fun to his life that has been missing for too long.
Clem enjoys spending time with Akil, who introduces her
to the country of half her heritage. I loved her enthusiasm for getting to know
Asturia; their intense sightseeing day was fun. I also enjoyed seeing her observations
and comments on the things she saw. I especially enjoyed how she used her
acting skills and the joy it gave her. I ached for her because of how her
father treated her. To have him be so close yet still ignore her was so hurtful
for her. Akil's attention and appreciation go a long way toward easing some of
that hurt.
But the more time they spend together, the stronger their
attraction grows, and their feelings along with it. I liked seeing Akil accept
his feelings and want to keep Clem in his life. But Clem worries that staying
in Asturia would make things too hard on Rosy, so she pushes him away. Matters
become more complicated when the king finally comes to see Clem, only to
devastate her further. I loved that Akil decides to fight for her, and has an
interesting conversation with the king. The ending is terrific as Clem also decides
to fight for what she wants. The scene on the beach was sweet and emotional and
the perfect end to the book.
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