Sydney Winward

In this charming arranged-marriage historical fantasy based on the fairy tale of the ugly duckling, Cathleen, a 20-year-old of noble birth is given by her father in an arranged marriage to Sterling, an 18-year-old king who has only recently assumed the throne after the assassination of his parents.

Cathleen isn’t too keen on being handed off like a piece of livestock, particularly to a boy who is shorter than her and can’t even shave yet. She does all she can to goad him, including wearing heels on their wedding day (too funny!) I enjoyed the sweet dancing scenes, the pink roses, as well as all of Sterling’s blushing.

But as the kingdom descends into war and Sterling sends Cathleen off to an abbey high in a mountain range to be safe, she grows isolated and angry when their separation stretches for years. When Sterling’s men tell him Cathleen wants an annulment after years of loneliness and isolation, he figures out he needs to put a different plan into place, quickly! I loved reading the letters between them, the sweet and intense chemistry. Sterling had a heart of gold and Cathleen had wonderful fire. Watching them slowly fall in love after they’re married was lovely. And I loved the scene when she finally figures out who her husband is after years of not seeing him! This was a sweet and charming romance I would highly recommend for lovers of historical romance.… (mehr)