The Princess and the Pea [Mass Market Paperback] Alexander, Victoria

A Victorian miss with modern sensibilities meets an American rancher posing as European royalty — and neither one is what they seem. Victoria Alexander spins a rom-com premise with genuine charm: Cece White needs a prince to save her family's social standing, while Jared Grayson needs a princess act to secure an inheritance. What starts as mutual deception turns into something messier when actual feelings get involved. Alexander writes banter that crackles, characters who feel refreshingly self-aware for a historical romance, and a London setting that glitters without taking itself too seriously. The fairy tale framework is tongue-in-cheek enough to work, and the chemistry between two people trying to out-scheme each other lands with real heat. For fans of Lisa Kleypas or anyone who wants their Victorian romance with a side of wit and a heroine who won't swoon on cue.