Good friends to lovers story with a bit of family feud thrown in. Donetta and Enrico first met when they were both ten years old. Both were outstanding equestrian competitors and recognized that quality in each other. Over the next eight years, they met secretly at each competition, growing closer with each passing year. By the time they were eighteen, both knew they wanted to be together, but there were obstacles. Both were promised to others. There was a two-hundred-year-old feud between the families. Though they continued to meet whenever possible after Enrico left for college, and they planned to go away together after he graduated, it was not to be. Devastating news about his father sent Enrico home, where he was immediately engulfed in learning to run his country. Communication between them dwindled to nothing, leading Donetta to believe that he had never really cared. Devastated, she moved on with her life but avoided all talk of marriage to another.

I enjoyed seeing the rekindling of Donetta and Enrico's relationship. Five years after their last encounter, Enrico realizes that he can't picture his life without her in it, but how to tell her? I ached for him after he went to see her, and she accepted his apology but indicated that what had been between them was a childhood love. I wanted to kick him for being so willing to give up and loved that Giovanni gave him the kick he needed to fight for her. I thought his idea to use a competition to bring her to his country was brilliant. I did think he was somewhat naïve to believe that he could show Donetta so much attention and not anger his mother. I felt that Donetta was more realistic in her belief that the queen would never accept her after seeing her reaction to Donetta's presence. I thought Enrico understood Donetta well with his plan for their interlude together and ached for him when she told him she was going to marry another anyway. Only her sister's straight talk kept Donetta from making a huge mistake and sent her back to Enrico.

It was interesting to see the lengths to which Enrico's determination led him to convince Donetta to marry him. Again, I thought he was blind to the trouble his promises would create. Of course, I also thought his mother's reaction was excessive. The problems that resulted from those two stubborn people butting heads was enough to throw the government into chaos. In the meantime, all Donetta wanted was for Enrico to have the opportunity to be the king his country needed, even if that meant setting him free. It took another intervention by Enrico's cousin Giovanni to bring them back together. I liked seeing them actually talk about dreams and expectations and the true depth of their feelings for each other. The epilogue was good and shows promise for their future. ( )