Ten years ago, Daphne Snowden broke her engagement to Crown Prince Murat of Bahania three weeks before their wedding without a word of explanation. King Hassan has decided that it is time for his last single child to marry and has tapped Daphne's beloved neice Brittany for the job. While Daphne was willing to incur royal wrath and the rejection of her family to avoid becoming Murat's bride and future queen, she is willing to do anything to spare Brittany the same fate. Murat insists that he will marry a Snowden, whether it's Brittany or Daphne.

Murat was enraged and humiliated by Daphne's defection, and forbid that her name be spoken. The unexpected opportunity to conquer her is irresistable. Once he overcomes her defiance, Murat is certain that Daphne will make a good queen, a great mother and a pleasing wife. Once he is victorious over her, he is certain his life can return to normal. But Daphne left 10 years ago because she did not want a marriage without love, and that fact has not changed.

Murat and Daphne make such an interesting pair. I enjoy their reparte and the way that they understand each other (except when it comes to their relationship). (view spoiler)[ Murat marrying Daphne when she was unconscious was a pretty awful move, but an interesting plot twist. (hide spoiler)] I would think Cleo would be more sympathetic to Daphne than she comes across, but maybe she has been happily married for too long to remember. (view spoiler)[ I didn't get it when Daphne was suddenly consumed by lust in the desert and gave in to Murat. It didn't seem consistent, despite their explosive chemistry. Actually, pretty much everything from the desert on felt weird. (hide spoiler)] The plot device for Murat's epiphany was clever, but so much about the end of the book felt awkward to me. I really liked both of the characters, and I was happy that they found their HEA, but overall it was a bit disjointed for me.