REVIEW: The Heir the Prince Secures by Jennie Lucas

In The Heir the Prince Secures by Jennie Lucas, Tess is a total believer of love and thought Stefano was the one. Yet, when they come to face-to-face and he treats her like she’s not worth his time, even though they once spent an incredible night together, she knows she has to walk away before she gets hurt. However, when he proposes, Tess agrees for the sake of their child who deserves both parents in her life. Will Tess and Stefano be happy together or will she walk away from her shot at happy ever after because Stefano will never be able to love her the way she deserves to be loved?

“Minimum wage?” He was outraged. “Why would you work so hard for so little?”
“There aren’t many jobs I’m qualified for and where I can keep Esme with me.”
“You should have stayed in design school.”
“Wow,” she said sarcastically. “Thank you for pointing that out to me.”

Ms. Lucas writes such wonderful stories, but there was something missing to her usual combination of great characters, compelling dialogue and tough obstacles for these two main characters to overcome in this one. Really, the heroine’s belief in love was a bit too much, especially when it came to the hero and believing that he’d come back for her when he only ever saw her as a one-night stand.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories and I could understand why the heroine feels so strongly about love. Will Stefano ever be able to say the words? Will Stefano realize that he loves the heroine before it’s too late? Moreover, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the hero, as his life growing up was tough and I could understand why he’s not interested in love and relationships because where has love ever gotten him before.

With the hero, he’s confident, hard-working, driven to make sure his plans come to fruition when it comes to getting his family’s company back from enemy hands and I liked how determined he was to be there for the heroine, even though he believes there’s no way he’ll ever be able to give her the one thing she wants — love. Will he get everything he wants? While the heroine, I thought she was weak at times when she didn’t stand up for herself when it came to the tough treatment she receives from family. Do they not believe that dreams can come true? Yet, in saying that, she impressed me the further into this story I got. Really, she definitely isn’t afraid to say what’s on her mind and do something that will totally annoy the hero when it comes to something she’s passionate about such as fashion and her dream to become a fashion designer.

“If you don’t let me go, it will destroy us both.”
He stared at her. “You would throw our marriage away for nothing? Because I won’t say those three words? Because I won’t lie?”
“Because you’re afraid.”
“Afraid,” he sneered.
She nodded. “I understand why, after everything you went through, but Stefano don’t you understand?” Shaking her head, she choked out, “Loss happens anyway.”

Overall, Ms. Lucas has delivered a good read in this book where I didn’t feel the connection between these two characters straight away, but found their chemistry got stronger the more they interacted; the romance was delightful and had me liking that the heroine took a chance on the hero, even knowing they might go their separate ways; and the ending had me loving the hero’s determination to win the heroine’s heart, even if it means making a spectacle of himself. Then again, it shows he’s not afraid anymore. I would recommend The Heir the Prince Secures by Jennie Lucas, if you enjoy second chance romances, the opposites attract trope or books by authors Kate Hewitt, Lynne Graham, Abby Green and Maya Blake.
 

Book Info:

Publication: September 1st, 2018 | Harlequin Presents |

Seduced by a stranger… Claimed as his princess!

After an exquisite encounter with a handsome Sicilian, idealistic Tess is left alone, penniless and pregnant. But when Stefano returns to New York, he discovers his unknown heir and reveals a secret of his own: he’s a prince! Stefano is determined to protect his daughter, and the first thing on his royal agenda? Claiming Tess as his Cinderella bride! Enjoy this dramatic secret-baby story!