Blurb
Once upon a time, Alexandra Grace Huntington believed in fairy tales. She oohed and aahed over gowns from Courtauld’s, never wore black lest in mourning, always minded her social graces, and never, ever indulged her inner bluestocking. Now her life is a mess. She’s home alone for the holidays, alone, no siblings, no friends, and not a shred of pride remaining. But that’s all well and good, so far as Alex is concerned, because everything she once knew was all wrong. When she’s unexpectedly invited to celebrate one last holiday with her best friend, she can’t accept quickly enough… only how did one comport oneself after scandal rocks one’s life?
Benjamin W. Wentworth III, the seventh Earl of Highbury, has been through his own travails. He drove his family to ruin, and now, after spending weeks in debtor’s prison because of Alexandra Huntington’s father, and coming shockingly close to losing his life and endangering his sister, he realizes that all that glitters is simply not gold. The last thing he desires is to saddle himself with a woman like Alexandra, with whom he once shared a passion for the Season. Ben would rather choke himself with a silk cravat than to endure an instant with someone so vain, so self-indulgent, so giddy and witless. He but wishes his sister would leave off with the holiday matchmaking—didn’t she realize how much he has changed?
When Lexie arrives to celebrate one last holiday before his sister leaves for Meridian, it is all Ben can do to avoid the empty-headed chit. Unfortunately, his sister and her friends have festooned the entire house with mistletoe, and to make matters worse, Lexie appears to have become someone else entirely.
Can a change of life and heart lead to a second chance for childhood sweethearts?
Review
In the long-awaited finale of the Prince and the Imposter series, book 3, Alexandra “Lexie” Huntington wishes to make amends for her criminal father’s deeds against her best friend, Claire. She’s lonely and miserable, without family or friends, but she’s finally free to be her own woman if she only could find the courage to be so.
Ben Wentworth despises Alexandra’s father for what he did to both Ben and his sister, Claire. Though he was once in love with Alexandra, he now loathes her as well, but deep down, he can’t deny the attraction he still feels for her.
I liked the story and felt sorry for both Lexie and Ben, but I couldn’t really connect with them. They often argued and hurt one another instead of talking things out, but it made sense with the wall of animosity and shame between them.
It’s been a while since I’ve read the previous books (the original versions of The Imposter’s Kiss and The Imposter Prince), but I remember loving them. It was great to see Chloe and Merrick, and Claire and Ian, again.
I didn’t know Ms. Crosby had written this finale to the series or revised and re-titled books 1 and 2 until a few months ago, so I was excited to read this novella. It feels different than the other books, however, but I might not think that if I’d read the revised versions, and not the originals.
Anyway, this story wraps up a fun, heartwarming series. I’m happy to have read it and to revisit old book friends.
3.5 Stars
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