Published by Cardinal on December 2, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
Rating:
Goodreads
They would always choose the Crown over their family. It was the pact they made for the honour of wearing it.
Lexi Villiers is a 29-year-old Englishwoman doing her medical residency in Hobart, working too hard, worried about her bank balance, and living with friends. It's a good life, and getting even better, because as the dawn is breaking on New Year's Day, Lexi is about to kiss the man she loves for the very first time.
But by midnight, everything will change. Because Lexi is in fact not an ordinary young woman. She is Princess Alexandrina, third in line to the British throne - albeit estranged from the rest of her family and living in voluntary exile on the other side of the world. But following a terrible accident, Lexi - the black sheep of her family and, until this moment, always destined to be the spare - is now the heir apparent, first in line to the throne once her grandmother, the elderly Queen, dies. Called back to do her duty, she arrives in London to a Palace riven with power plays and media leaks, all the while guarding painful secrets of her own. Palace waters are treacherous, rumours are rife, and selling each other's secrets is a family tradition. And with the Crown just within her grasp, Lexi must choose what bonds she will keep ... and what she is willing to leave behind.
Lexi, in an act of defiance, left her royal life behind to pave her own way. She moved from England to Australia where she found a family and was studying to be a doctor. But when her brother and father are killed in an accident, Lexi is called to report for duty as next in line to throne. Now, she must decide between duty to her family and a duty to herself.
This was all the delicious drama! I feel like a broken record, but it sounds like being a royal is terrible. Why would anyone do it? Lexi had escape her royal duties following her mother's death. She was settled in her new life. Her sense of duty pulled her back to the family, but with the expectations and conniving and backstabbing, she questioned if she could live this life. There was also this massive web of secrets with respect to almost every member of her family. There were quite a few if-you-can't-beat-them-join-them moments, and I was eager to see what choices Lexi would make.
Needless to say,The Heir Apparent had me hooked from beginning to end. Lexi's personal journey was a tough one, but I was happy to see her grow and change from the experience.
Published by Piper Rayne, Inc on February 15, 2026
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
Raising my cousin’s three kids wasn’t in my five-year plan. Actually, it wasn’t in any plan.
One minute I’m a single labor and delivery nurse living a quiet life and the next, I’m navigating guardianship hearings, meltdowns, and homework I’m pretty sure requires a math degree.
Enter Hayes Carlisle.
My best friend’s older brother.
Chicago Colts newest catcher.
And the man I once kissed and immediately pretended I didn’t.
So, when the custody battle I’ve been dreading becomes a reality, I shouldn’t be surprised that Hayes swoops in with a wild idea—a fake relationship. According to him, pretending we’re together will polish his image and prove to the court I’m not taking on an instant family alone.
But pretending to be Hayes’ girlfriend is a terrible idea.
Because he remembers how to make me laugh.
Because he looks at me like our kiss wasn’t a one-time mistake.
Because the kids start asking him to read bedtime stories.
Because my heart starts wanting things my life doesn’t have room for.
I can manage the chaos. I can fight for these kids. But pretending not to fall for Hayes Carlisle?
That might be the one thing I can’t do.
When Leighton's cousin and her husband died in an accident, she became guardian to her cousin's three children. Trying to handle instant motherhood and her grief all at once, Leighton came to rely on her best friend's brother, Hayes. Last season was a rough one for Hayes, and he was looking to rehab his image. At the same time, Leighton needed to prove her suitability to the courts. In a two-birds-with-one-stone situation, they begin fake dating, but how long would they be able to keep up the rouse.
I enjoyed this immensely. I had read a few of Rayne's other books set in that building. I was delighted to find Ruby was still slinging drinks, but mostly, I loved the connection between Leighton and Hayes. These two inhabited the same orbit for some time, and they were good together. They "saw" each other and offered mutual support when they both really needed it.
I won't lie, the kids were pretty cute and added a lot of fun to the story. More endearing was how good Hayes was with them. I am mush for a man who can be gentle like that. The bromance was great as well. The scenes with his teammates were chaotic and fun, AND there was quite an interesting setup for the next book in the epilogue. The twist toward the end was one I didn't see coming. I understand its purpose in moving the plot forward, but I had mixed feelings about it. Otherwise, I had an amazing time getting to know this crew, and I look forward to the next book.
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