Do not judge this book by the cover

What a terrible cover!!  I ignored this book for months totally put off by it and I’ll admit the book blurb too.  But it popped up on a few “best of 2018” lists so I gave it a try.  I loved it, and will be re-reading it shortly.  I’ve read some other Talia Hibbert’s so I am not sure why I waited so long (oh yes, the cover!).

Ruben is our wayward Prince (of a small made up Scandinavian island) and he meets Cherry at a school in the UK, where she works in HR.  She’s sent by her co-workers to check out the hot visitor, they meet and go for lunch.  Ruben is, of course, incognito and Cherry has no idea he’s anything other than an educational consultant.   Ruben and Cherry are then caught kissing in an alley by a paparazzo and Ruben foolishly calls her his fiancee.  This all happens very early on (and in fact is previewed in the book blurb so I’m not giving anything away) and the rest of the book is Cherry coming to terms with being paid to pretend to be Ruben’s fiancee for a year.

Unfortunately all is not well in Scandy-land and Ruben has problems with his family (he is half brother to the King).   I want to put a trigger warning here for abuse (adult and child) – it’s discussed but not witnessed, although there is one flashback scene.  If this is not your thing, skip the book as it’s a pretty large part of the story.    Also it turns out that the lovely Prince likes to dominate in the bedroom, it’s fairly tame and centered around giving orders but again if that’s not your thing, you have been warned!

I loved the way the relationship developed between Ruben and Cherry.  She is initially furious with him for putting her in this position and with herself for needing the money for her family and accepting the job.  Ruben has made a good life for himself surrounded by loving friends and Cherry is won over by them.  Her interactions with Ruben’s family whilst they are still on rocky ground as a couple are great and the whole ending of the story is very satisfying.

If this cover has been putting you off, give it a try, it’s a well written, captivating story!