A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK, THE PERFECT ESCAPIST READ FOR WINTER 2026. 'Everything I love in a holiday read' Reese Witherspoon 'A standout portrayal of the royals and the tabloid culture surrounding them' Publishers Weekly 'Spectacular….a vibrant depiction of the burden of duty versus personal freedom' Booklist 'A sparkling debut' Sydney Morning Herald 'A must-read for any fans of Succession' Daily Mirror *** The whispers were scandalous. The truth was worse… *** They would always choose the Crown over their family. It was the pact they made for the honour of wearing it. It’s New Year’s Day and Lexi Villiers is about to kiss her best friend for the very first time under the dawn light in Tasmania. But by midnight, everything will change. Always destined to be the spare, following her estranged brother’s death, Lexi will arrive in London as Princess Alexandrina, first-in-line to the British throne. But the palace waters are treacherous, rumours are rife, and selling each other’s secrets is a family tradition. And with the Crown just beyond her grasp, Lexi must choose what bonds she will keep…and what she is willing to leave behind. *** READERS ARE GRIPPED BY THE HEIR APPARENT: 'A dazzling, heartfelt debut that combines the allure of royalty with a deeply human story of love, grief and identity' ????? 'I adored the delicious feeling of being given a sneak into what really goes on behind the tiaras' Natasha Lester 'The writing is absolutely seamless' ????? 'Engaging, insightful, and surprisingly moving' ????? 'I loved it. I devoured every page of this glorious novel' Holly Ringland 'Addictive right from the beginning…wonderfully written' ????? 'Glittering palaces, scandalous secrets, and power plays sit side by side with tender family moments and a romance you can’t help but root for' ????? 'Completely addictive…I was utterly transported by the evocative, clever storytelling' Ella Ward