Thirty years ago, the prince of a small European country promised to marry the daughter of a Scottish earl, and she bore him twins. Then he decided to marry another woman. When they separated, they each took one of their infant sons and told the boys falsehoods about the other parent to protect them from the truth.
Now, in 1831, Crown Prince Merrick Welbourne IV of Meridian knows something is amiss with his father. The king is miserable, and Merrick goes to the wilds of Scotland to find out why. While en route to Glen Abbey Manor, a group of highwaymen attack his carriage and hold Merrick at knifepoint, but the face of his captor is all too familiar. He’s knocked unconscious, but nothing is the same when he wakes up. The thieves believe Merrick is their leader, Hawk, and Merrick must pretend to be so for his own safety and to get the answers he needs.
Chloe Simon is Lady Fiona’s nurse, and she despises the lady’s pompous son, Ian, the Earl of Lindale. When Ian (Merrick) returns one night, injured and seemingly drunk, she lets him know just how much she despises him. Attraction sizzles between them for the first time, and she knows something isn’t right. Once she realizes the mysterious highwayman, Hawk, a man she idolizes, is also Ian, she finally accepts the love that’s been building in her heart. But Ian (Merrick) has another secret, one she’s desperate to uncover.
This is an amazing story. I love it. There are so many twists and turns. All the characters are lying to one another, but everyone knows that the others are lying, and everyone is just too stubborn to give in and talk about everything they know. Normally, this type of plot would annoy me, but I found it very intriguing. The author wrote in a compelling manner from multiple POVs, so the reader would never be confused and to know all the characters’ motives behind the lying. I enjoyed the banter, the half-truths, the coaxing, and teasing between Merrick and Chloe, as well as with Fiona.
Merrick and Ian’s mother was a wonderful, strong-willed woman who’s trapped in a cage of relentless mistakes. I felt so bad for her and completely despised Julian, her ex-lover the king and the twins’ father. But, at the same time, I feel bad for Julian. Yes, the bad situation was his fault, but he does love Fiona deep down.
Merrick and Chloe are wonderful together. They learn and grow, and realize what’s truly important in life and not to judge others before you get to know them. It’s a beautiful story and my favorite of the two books in this series.
In the sequel, The Imposter Prince, Ian takes on the mantle of “prince” and begins to live Merrick’s life. I’ll be sure to post a review for that story as well.
I definitely recommend this book!
5 Stars

Disclaimer – I bought this book for my own enjoyment. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this honest review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.
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