Book Rec

A Midwinter Prince by Harper Fox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Laurie Fitzroy is one of London's privileged young. The son of wealthy baronet Sir William, he has everything – the house in Mayfair, the chauffeur-driven limo, a career mapped out for him in politics once he gets his degree.

If he ever does. Because Laurie is adrift. A brilliant untaught actor, all his talents lie in theatre, and Sir William won't tolerate the idea of a stage career for his son. Laurie is home for Christmas and some serious extra tuition, having failed one exam too many. He's bored, lonely and lost. Then, one freezing London midnight, he stops to talk to a homeless boy called Sasha, and a new world opens up to him. Sasha is a Romanian immigrant, hanging by a thread to his marginal existence on the streets. Despite their wildly different worlds, the two young men form a bond. Laurie offers Sasha shelter, and Sasha, in his turn, shows Laurie a path to adulthood and freedom.

But Sir William is brutal and dangerous, and Sasha's mysterious Romanian past is casting lethal shadows. The battle for freedom seems a hopeless one. Friendship has turned to first love, though – too precious for Sasha and Laurie to let go. Eastern European gangsters and Sir William's wrath are just a couple of the hazards they will have to face in their fight for a future together.

Another memorable read by Harper Fox. Laurie is an extremely engaging character as is the dark and mysterious, Sasha. This story is part fairy tale, part mystery, with a healthy dose of Harper Fox angst. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it without hesitation.