REVIEW: Princess’s Nine-Month Secret by Kate Hewitt

In Princess’s Nine-Month Secret by Kate Hewitt, all Princess Halina wants is a night of freedom. So, she decides to escape and decides to crash a party. Luckily, Rico Falcone comes to her rescue and she finds herself spending the night with him, even though he’s notorious for tossing his women out the door the moment he’s had his fun. Yet, when Halina discovers she’s pregnant, the only person willing to help her is Rico. Will Rico do what’s right by Halina or will she walk away from her shot at happy ever after and do her duty for her country?

“So what made you crash the party tonight?” he asked in a lazy voice.
Halina tried not to blush. So it had been obvious that she hadn’t had an invitation. “An impulsive decision.”
“Some of the best decisions are borne from impulse.”
“Are yours?” she asked. She was so nervous and hyper-aware of him that she wondered if he could see the hectic, urgent thud of her heart from beneath her dress. She resisted the urge to wipe her damp palms down its sides.
“My impulses are borne of instinct,” Rico answered. “So they’re always right.”

What do readers get when Ms. Hewitt writes a story encompassing a princess wanting a night of freedom, a notorious playboy that always gets what he wants and dialogue that drew me in from the start due to the main characters back stories and the tough obstacles these two face to be together? Well, readers get an entertaining and interesting read that had me hooked from the very beginning because it’s understandable why the heroine wants to escape for a night. Her life has never been her own and she finally wants to experience life for herself, even if it is just for a night. Will she get the adventure she craves? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time where this story really takes off, as the hero is smooth, charming, a bit egotistical and it’s palpable that he always gets what he wants.

“I’m glad to hear you will not attempt some pointless protest.”
She let out a huff of humorless laughter. “Exactly. It would be pointless. My life has never been my own. I suppose it doesn’t matter much whether it is you or my father pulling the strings.”
“I think it would matter at least a little,” Rico returned. “As my wife you will certainly have some freedom and autonomy. More, I think, than you would have had otherwise, should you have married Prince Zayed or stayed in your father’s home.”
Halina’s eyes flashed with dark fire. “Prison is prison, no matter how gilded the cage.”

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories and everything these two go through on their journey to happy ever after, as Halina’s parents are a real piece of work and don’t care about their daughter as a person. They only care about what she can bring to the table when she marries someone they approve of. Moreover, the heroine is strong, brave and I liked that she fought for her baby instead of doing what her parents wanted. I also liked how she handled the hero when it came to dealing with him after he discovers she’s pregnant. No way will he make her feel bad by having not been able to contact him. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine was the decisions she makes when it comes to her future. While the hero, he’s confident, driven and I liked the choices he makes when it comes to the heroine because he wants what’s best for her. Then again, there was a moment or two where I was shaking my head at him. Yet, I have to admit he redeems himself.

“This is madness,” she whispered.
“Why?”
“Because…because I don’t even know you. And you don’t know me.”
“We know enough.”
“For you maybe.”

Overall, Ms. Hewitt has delivered a really good read in this book where the chemistry between these two is strong from the moment they meet; the romance was nicely-detailed and shows the hero’s reputation in bed isn’t all talk, as Halina experiences it for herself; tough choices are made, but prove love is worth fighting for; and the ending had me loving the hero’s determination to do what’s right for Halina. No way can he let her father continue to use her for his own personal gain. I would recommend Princess’s Nine-Month Secret by Kate Hewitt, if you enjoy the marriage of convenience trope, the surprise pregnancy trope or books by authors Jennie Lucas, Lynne Graham, Heidi Rice and Maya Blake.
 

Book Info:

Publication: September 1st, 2018 | Harlequin Presents |

“The princess is pregnant.” With the Italian’s baby!

For a stolen night of freedom, ever-dutiful Princess Halina throws caution to the wind and succumbs to the seduction of notorious Rico Falcone. Yet the consequences of their insatiable passion land Lina in royal disgrace. When she’s hidden away to conceal her shocking secret, ruthless Rico storms the palace! He’ll do anything to legitimize his child–he’ll even make Lina his wife!Indulge in this passionate pregnancy romance!