REVIEW: Princess in the Iron Mask by Victoria Parker

I’ll admit right up front that I had to re-read the first few pages twice. I thought for sure that this was a regency book masquerading as a modern. The writing seemed a little too formal to be set in present-day. However, once I got past the initial hesitation, I quite enjoyed Princess in the Iron Mask by Victoria Parker

Princess Claudine Verbault was sent away from her homeland by her parents who were unable to deal with or shield her from the rare childhood condition that plagued her. To “Just Claudia”, it felt as though she was abandoned for not being good enough. She grew to be an independent Londoner, a biochemist that was working to find a cure for the illness that ruined her childhood.

Enter Lucas Garcia, Head of Security for her royal family. He was tasked with the mission of bringing back the ‘missing princess’. A job that was harder than it seemed, because Claudia had no desire to reconnect with the family that tossed her aside like unwanted trash.

He finds her weak spot, and exploits it to make her change her mind – sorely needed money to fund her research. Without it, the project could never continue, and Claudia would be out of a job. She capitulates and returns home, dreading the eventual reunion with her parents.

Lucas starts out very alpha-male, although not unpleasantly so. We see a little bit behind Claudia’s reasoning, and I found myself wishing she had explained the situation to him upfront. Of course, it would’ve made for a dull book, because he wouldn’t have been so forceful with her.

She has serious trust issues, and finds herself feeling safe with Lucas – which leads to them getting closer and closer. As he learns about her past, he understands that she’s not the spoiled rich girl after all, but someone who felt she wasn’t good enough to come back home.

His upbringing wasn’t exactly a fairy tale, and once she gets him to talk about it, she can’t help but see the vulnerable man beneath his own mask.

The story was really good once I got past the formal tone of the writing, and I didn’t notice it at all once I got embroiled. A fabulous debut from Victoria Parker, and I’m looking forward to her next title.

Book Info

Publication Date: May 21, 2013 | Series: Harlequin Presents (Book 3152)