Review Detail

What worked: The Buccaneers meets Gossip Girls where British royalty's quest for a husband collides with the heart. Readers meet Alix of Hesse, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria with a secret; Helene D'Orleans, daughter of the exiled King of France whose indiscretions might cause her to lose the one person she wants; and May of Teck, who has lived her life on the fringes of royal society but doesn't let that stop her quest to marry a prince. All these characters come together and find obstacles in their way of true romance.

I'm a huge fan of McGee's novels; this one had me on page one. I also love a good royalty story and this one doesn't disappoint.

Fast-paced with action and romance. Queen Victoria plays a pivotal role in trying to secure matches for her many grandchildren, including Prince Eddie, the future king of England. There's American heiress Agnes who worms her way into May's life. Not all her intentions are what they seem. Her storyline reminds me of the Apple + TV series The Buccaneers with an American teen heiress coming to England with the main objective of landing a titled royal figure. There's plotting and not-too-subtle attempts to use someone's vulnerability to their purpose.

There's a second book in this highly enjoyable series that is sure to appeal to fans of McGee's novels and anyone who loves a good romance with Victorian royalty.