What happens when the British Crown Prince falls in love with an American man who opposes the monarchy?Prince Auggie swears he’s no kind of dashing prince: daydreamer, private—and also secretly very gay. He’s instantly horrified when his father, reality TV addict King James, signs Auggie up for a reality TV show to promote the monarchy, where the man with the most talents wins—and to help find Auggie a bride, the very last thing Auggie wants. But duty calls.
When Auggie finds out his co-star is irritatingly gorgeous Thomas Golden, the charismatic dual American-English heir to the Golden hotel fortune, it’s another step too far. There’s at least one problem: Prince Auggie’s already recently crossed paths with Thomas Golden one disastrous night in a London club. Plus, there’s that whole second not-so-small, not-so-secret problem—the Golden family wants to get rid of the monarchy.
Once Auggie and Thomas arrive on set in the English countryside, it’s already unapologetically hate at first sight. It’s going to be a very long summer of filming…until sparks fly behind the scenes, leading them to make a searing heatwave all their own. But soon, real reality strikes, and Auggie must choose between the life he’s destined for as the future king—or dare risk everything for love.
An enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract, feel-good gay royal rom-com.
For fans of Red, White & Royal Blue, Boyfriend Material, and The Unlikely Heir.
And before she has a chance to fill me in on who he is, he’s joined us. I pray Gav’s hat and glasses and my new hair color do something to disguise me, along with my unprincely clothes. My sequined blouse glitters.
“Hi,” says the stranger as I busy myself with my drink, looking down so the brim of my—Gav’s—hat hides my face in case of any accidental come-hither expressions. “How’s it going?”
He has an American accent and fantastic cheekbones. At least he doesn’t seem like the paparazzi or the press. I glance at him again from the corner of my eye.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.” His lips curl into a terribly appealing smile. It irritates me to no end that he can simply let that sort of energy out into the world without a public health warning. Like he’s got nothing to lose. “I’m Thomas.”
I do my best to pull a princely—or even a placid expression—rather than the reactive scowl that he deserves. The toes of my leather boots gleam, I discover.
“I’m Katie. This is Dave.” Katie basks under his attention as she throws out my new code name. “He’s shy.”
“Shy?” he asks.
I glance up fleetingly, then try to study my boots harder. Maybe if I play dead, he’ll move along.
Except both of us can see he’s still intently looking at me. A wave of panic clenches my stomach. Going out was a terrible idea. It was different in uni with Katie and our friends, going to a college bop isolated from the world. Heat rises in my face as I race through exit strategies. Our night out didn’t involve security. I could use the old “I need to pee” line as an out, but there isn’t any dignity in it.
Tactical error. Forget dignity.
“I like your shirt, Dave.” His gaze is open and admiring.
Oh help.
I stare at the stranger.
His grin’s ridiculously charming. Infuriating, actually.
“Um. Thanks.” I tug my jacket sleeves over my knuckles. In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have worn this flowing top with the low cut revealing my toned chest. Or the low-slung jeans, suitably tight against my arse.
But then royal training kicks in.
I relax my shoulders, lift my head fully to meet his keen gaze. And he’s still appreciatively looking at me till I’m breathless. I relent into a genuine smile before I can suppress that tell, a rare moment of unsuppressed freedom in my chest as I admire him right back. “That’s very kind.”
There’s no harm in looking for one moment. Or two.
The stranger’s gaze stays on mine. He has a soft mouth and great skin and, most of all, eyes that glimmer with good humor. It’s more than enough to make a closeted prince’s head swim. Or drown.
And then his smile broadens as he searches my eyes with something like hope. My heart thunders as my mouth goes dry, to have his attention riveted like that on me, like we’re the only ones standing together here—despite the hectic club around us, the thumping music, the dazzle of lights. Beside me, Katie coughs and shuffles, which barely registers.
It’s been ages since someone’s looked at me like that. Like he wants me. Not because of who I am or what I represent because he doesn’t know who I am. It’s plain and simple attraction, as if it’s any two people meeting in a club and wanting more of what they see.
Then, reality registers again.
Or maybe he recognizes me after all, despite Gav and Katie’s attempts to disguise me, and he wants to take advantage or sell me out. My heart sinks.
What happens when a playboy prince must find a respectable husband to redeem himself and secure the monarchy’s future when he unexpectedly inherits the throne?
More animal than mineral, Hayden Stone is a writer of fun queer fiction, especially with kissing. He currently lives in Victoria, Canada, and has previously lived in Vancouver, Canada and London, UK. He likes strong coffee and is owned by two cats. You can find out his latest news on Twitter or Instagram, or at his website: haydenstonebooks.com
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Love royal stories. This looks fun.
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