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Surprise Heir for the Princess
A secret royal escape
An unexpected consequence!
Princess Vittoria yearns to escape the pressures of her royal life. So when she’s reunited with enigmatic photographer Liam MacCarthy at a party, she agrees to a secret beachside getaway. Vittoria knows she can never have a future with Liam, but under the stars, she gives in to their undeniable chemistry for one perfect night… Until Vittoria returns home to discover she’ll have more than memories to remember Liam by!
An unexpected consequence!
Princess Vittoria yearns to escape the pressures of her royal life. So when she’s reunited with enigmatic photographer Liam MacCarthy at a party, she agrees to a secret beachside getaway. Vittoria knows she can never have a future with Liam, but under the stars, she gives in to their undeniable chemistry for one perfect night… Until Vittoria returns home to discover she’ll have more than memories to remember Liam by!
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2021
About the author
Kate Hardy
844 books269 followersKate Hardy is the award-winning author of more than 100 books for Harlequin Mills & Boon and the Georgina Drake cozy crime series for Storm. Her novel 'Breakfast at Giovanni's' won the RNA Romance Prize in 2008, 'Bound by a Baby' won the RNA RoNA Rose in 2014 and ‘A Will, A Wish, A Wedding’ won the RNA Liberta Books Shorter Fiction award in 2021. She's been shortlisted six more times for the award, as well as for two Romantic Times awards.
She lives in Norwich in the east of England with her husband, two grown-up children, springer spaniels Archie and Dexter, and too many books to count. She's a bit of a nerd who loves cinema, live music, the theatre, ballet, history and cooking, and adores anything Italian. She loves doing research, particularly if it's hands-on and means experimenting with cooking. Reviewers say that her books are full of warmth, heart and charm - and also that you'll learn something new and interesting from them!
Kate also writes bestselling local history books under the name of Pamela Brooks.
She lives in Norwich in the east of England with her husband, two grown-up children, springer spaniels Archie and Dexter, and too many books to count. She's a bit of a nerd who loves cinema, live music, the theatre, ballet, history and cooking, and adores anything Italian. She loves doing research, particularly if it's hands-on and means experimenting with cooking. Reviewers say that her books are full of warmth, heart and charm - and also that you'll learn something new and interesting from them!
Kate also writes bestselling local history books under the name of Pamela Brooks.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 2, 2021
Good book. The story opens as Liam, a well-known photographer, prepares for a portrait session with Princess Vittoria. He has a connection with her already, as their younger sisters are best friends. Izzy talked a lot about her big sister and asked Liam to take a special picture for her, one of the woman behind the tiara who "looks like sunshine when she smiles."
Vittoria knew she'd be queen after her father died when she was eleven. With her grandfather's decision to step down at the end of the year, that day rapidly approaches. She spent years learning to hide her emotions and accepting her duty. She does it for the family she loves dearly. She still longs for the chance at a "normal life," but with her mother and grandmother pushing her to marry before the coronation, she knows it is impossible. I ached for Vittoria because the man they chose for her has nothing in common with her, and she looks at a bleak future with him.
Liam's views on the importance of family mirror Vittoria's. His parents died when he was eighteen, and he gave up university to raise his twelve-year-old sister. In the twelve years since then, he made a name for himself with his photographs while maintaining his care for his sister. They have a very close relationship, and I loved seeing their interactions throughout the book. A side effect of raising his sister is Liam's lack of interest in having a family of his own.
I loved the first meeting between Vittoria and Liam. Dressed in traditional royal portrait clothing, her beauty and regal bearing hit Liam hard. At first, he only sees the princess, but he catches glimpses of the woman Izzy adores as they talk. I enjoyed their conversation as they got to know each other a little bit. Liam likewise stunned Vittoria with his looks and also with his sharp wit and insight. Sparks of attraction were noted by each but ignored because nothing could come of them. They parted ways, not expecting to see each other again but unable to forget each other. When a chance came to see Liam again, Vittoria seized it.
I loved the development of the relationship between Vittoria and Liam. The connection they felt during the portrait session continued when Vittoria came to Izzy's birthday dinner at Liam's. Izzy, who knows how much pressure Vittoria is under, comes up with her Roman Holiday idea, encouraging Vittoria to use the opportunity to escape for a few days. She recruits Liam, who offers his seaside cottage. Over the next few days, as they spent time together, Vittoria relaxed and allowed herself to forget the real world. I loved the sweet scenes of them doing ordinary things like eating fish and chips from a stand and cooking together. Best of all was the visit to the field of bluebells and the fun they had taking pictures of each other. The attraction between them continued to build until they couldn't resist it any longer. One night together wasn't enough, but it was all they had before Vittoria returned to her home.
But fate isn't done with them, and Vittoria ends up pregnant. I ached for her as she remembered Liam's decision not to have a family and faced being a single mother as well as a queen. I liked that she was determined to tell Liam face-to-face. It doesn't go well, as Vittoria and Liam hide behind façades of cool dignity and wounded pride rather than talking honestly about expectations and desires. It takes an offhand comment by Izzy for Liam to realize the mistake he made and fire up his determination to fix it. I loved the scene in the rose garden, as Liam confessed that he "listened to the words coming out of her mouth rather than what she was saying." The outpouring of his love, his belief in her, and his support were intensely moving, and I loved the effect it had on Vittoria. Then he had to face her family. I loved Liam's nervousness, determination, and eloquence as he told them the same things he told her. It wasn't easy, but in the end, a picture was worth a thousand words. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up to the story.
Vittoria knew she'd be queen after her father died when she was eleven. With her grandfather's decision to step down at the end of the year, that day rapidly approaches. She spent years learning to hide her emotions and accepting her duty. She does it for the family she loves dearly. She still longs for the chance at a "normal life," but with her mother and grandmother pushing her to marry before the coronation, she knows it is impossible. I ached for Vittoria because the man they chose for her has nothing in common with her, and she looks at a bleak future with him.
Liam's views on the importance of family mirror Vittoria's. His parents died when he was eighteen, and he gave up university to raise his twelve-year-old sister. In the twelve years since then, he made a name for himself with his photographs while maintaining his care for his sister. They have a very close relationship, and I loved seeing their interactions throughout the book. A side effect of raising his sister is Liam's lack of interest in having a family of his own.
I loved the first meeting between Vittoria and Liam. Dressed in traditional royal portrait clothing, her beauty and regal bearing hit Liam hard. At first, he only sees the princess, but he catches glimpses of the woman Izzy adores as they talk. I enjoyed their conversation as they got to know each other a little bit. Liam likewise stunned Vittoria with his looks and also with his sharp wit and insight. Sparks of attraction were noted by each but ignored because nothing could come of them. They parted ways, not expecting to see each other again but unable to forget each other. When a chance came to see Liam again, Vittoria seized it.
I loved the development of the relationship between Vittoria and Liam. The connection they felt during the portrait session continued when Vittoria came to Izzy's birthday dinner at Liam's. Izzy, who knows how much pressure Vittoria is under, comes up with her Roman Holiday idea, encouraging Vittoria to use the opportunity to escape for a few days. She recruits Liam, who offers his seaside cottage. Over the next few days, as they spent time together, Vittoria relaxed and allowed herself to forget the real world. I loved the sweet scenes of them doing ordinary things like eating fish and chips from a stand and cooking together. Best of all was the visit to the field of bluebells and the fun they had taking pictures of each other. The attraction between them continued to build until they couldn't resist it any longer. One night together wasn't enough, but it was all they had before Vittoria returned to her home.
But fate isn't done with them, and Vittoria ends up pregnant. I ached for her as she remembered Liam's decision not to have a family and faced being a single mother as well as a queen. I liked that she was determined to tell Liam face-to-face. It doesn't go well, as Vittoria and Liam hide behind façades of cool dignity and wounded pride rather than talking honestly about expectations and desires. It takes an offhand comment by Izzy for Liam to realize the mistake he made and fire up his determination to fix it. I loved the scene in the rose garden, as Liam confessed that he "listened to the words coming out of her mouth rather than what she was saying." The outpouring of his love, his belief in her, and his support were intensely moving, and I loved the effect it had on Vittoria. Then he had to face her family. I loved Liam's nervousness, determination, and eloquence as he told them the same things he told her. It wasn't easy, but in the end, a picture was worth a thousand words. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up to the story.
July 29, 2021
Full review now up on the blog: https://www.thewritinggreyhound.co.uk...
Romance, royals, and sizzling chemistry? This book has it all and more.
It's a short and sweet read centred around the attraction between main characters Liam and Vittoria. She's a princess; he's her photographer. It shouldn't work out between them, but you just can't help rooting for their happily ever after!
Their romance is intense and swiftly goes beyond mere longing glances and the occasional brush of a hand. With such a charged atmosphere between them, of course, it doesn't take long for the pair to end up in bed together. Soon, it's much more than just their hearts on the line and they must both soon make some important choices that will determine their future.
Surprise Heir for the Princess is set in three locations. First is Liam's home, second is Vittoria's home, the Royal Palace in Italy, and third is their bolthole cottage getaway in the Norfolk countryside. I loved the attention to detail with the locations as that really helped to set the scene and anchor the story in reality.
Although only a short read, this book feels well-paced and packs plenty of romance into its pages. It's definitely a page-turner as you just can't wait to see if they get their happy ending!
Romance, royals, and sizzling chemistry? This book has it all and more.
It's a short and sweet read centred around the attraction between main characters Liam and Vittoria. She's a princess; he's her photographer. It shouldn't work out between them, but you just can't help rooting for their happily ever after!
Their romance is intense and swiftly goes beyond mere longing glances and the occasional brush of a hand. With such a charged atmosphere between them, of course, it doesn't take long for the pair to end up in bed together. Soon, it's much more than just their hearts on the line and they must both soon make some important choices that will determine their future.
Surprise Heir for the Princess is set in three locations. First is Liam's home, second is Vittoria's home, the Royal Palace in Italy, and third is their bolthole cottage getaway in the Norfolk countryside. I loved the attention to detail with the locations as that really helped to set the scene and anchor the story in reality.
Although only a short read, this book feels well-paced and packs plenty of romance into its pages. It's definitely a page-turner as you just can't wait to see if they get their happy ending!
June 16, 2021
I really wanted it to be perfect.. It started out good and felt butterflies flutter all over. But... then it started to piss me off... The characters were all hot and heavy for each other and the author really made the groundwork for some steamy scenes to come, when they finally acknowledged their attractions. But.... and here the spoiler comes... you don't fucking cut the scene from when they are landing on the bed to the next morning, not giving the reader what almost has been promised to come throughout the book... damn I'm so disappointed..
And is the model on the cover too pale to be an Italian princess, I don't know.. But at some point in the book, it seems as if Liam is implying that she has dark hair.
Sometimes I thought the time inflection fucked up, but I'm not native English so I'm not sure.
The end was cut off pretty abruptly. I thought it lacked something.
And is the model on the cover too pale to be an Italian princess, I don't know.. But at some point in the book, it seems as if Liam is implying that she has dark hair.
Sometimes I thought the time inflection fucked up, but I'm not native English so I'm not sure.
The end was cut off pretty abruptly. I thought it lacked something.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2021
This book was a delightful summer read! I’m always a sucker for a good princess story. Princess Vittoria is such a strong, positive, soon-to-be future queen. Liam has a very successful career as a photographer. It was wonderful how they had to work out how they could be together and still continue to do the things they were passionate about. The ending made my eyes tear up with happiness for Vittoria and Liam. Sweet story! 💖
March 24, 2023
I didn't like it, was very boring. P.
August 28, 2025
lovely story, no hiccups to their HEA.
March 26, 2021
Oh, I really enjoyed this one. Kate Hardy is such a fabulous author.
She created credible, likeable characters, a well-developed plot, and some emotional depth. It was a very satisfying read.
She created credible, likeable characters, a well-developed plot, and some emotional depth. It was a very satisfying read.
March 21, 2021
Gorgeous book!
Great characters and a lovely story.
Beautiful locations too!
Perfect 😍
Great characters and a lovely story.
Beautiful locations too!
Perfect 😍
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews