This was my first time reading a book by Lynn Van Dorn, and it certainly won’t be my last.
The basic premise of this book is that two Queens, who were very close friends, got pregnant at the same time, one with a boy and one with a girl, and betrothed their offspring to one another in Utero. When they are born, and it is revealed that the ultrasound for one of the babies was not entirely accuratel, and both babies are in fact boys. But this is the modern world, and the two royal families don’t let the inconvenient gender reveal ruin their diplomatic plans, and the betrothal goes ahead.
This information is all revealed very early on, and then the story really starts. And what a charming story it is. We’re given enemies-to-lovers, with a sort of step-brothers feel to it as the two boys are raised in close proximity. There’s also light BDSM (although trigger warning for another character ignoring boundaries and taking the BDSM way too far) and a strong possession vibe. Add in some very snarky and witty dialogue, and you have a delightful book that I read in one sitting.
Lynn Van Dorn writes beautifully and really allows you to fall in love with the characters in the novel. There are also a host of wonderful side characters, and while they’re not seen on page a lot, they feel well-developed and serve as more than just moving the plot forward. The humour felt very British, and there were many moments in the book that made me laugh out loud. I will certainly be seeking out more work by this author.
My only issue is not with the book itself, but with the blurb. As the two main characters are princes from fictional countries, it is not made clear whether or not this book is fantasy. Thankfully, through clever expositional writing, the author makes us aware that the book is essentially set in the real world, in the present day, with two additional countries.
To summarise, this is a gorgeous romantic comedy that will warm the cockles of your heart.
Check out Lynn Van Dorn's website for more information about her books.
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