A Prince on Paper

Fan favorite Prince Johan von Braustein takes center stage in Cole’s delicious third and final Reluctant Royals contemporary. A vote that could end the Liechtienbourg monarchy is looming, but Johan escapes the political pressure and travels to Thesolo for a royal wedding. Nya Jerami has retreated into virtual dating games after bad romantic experiences deepened her insecurities and feelings of worthlessness. When wedding activities keep putting Nya and Johan together, people—including Nya’s grandparents—take note. To protect Nya’s reputation and avoid negative press, Johan proposes. The fake engagement swiftly becomes intensely real as Johan and Nya share their secrets and lives. But Johan’s overprotective tendencies destroy his relationship with his younger brother, Lukas, and his abandonment issues may drive Nya away for good. Cole explores sexual and gender identities, grief, self-respect, acceptance, and love in this faultless romance. She weaves family drama and emotional growth into a passion-filled story worthy of its irresistibly complicated (and diverse) characters. This affair of the heart is deeply satisfying. Agent: Courtney Miller-Callihan, Handspun Literary. (Apr.)

Correction: An earlier version of this review misspelled the last name of the character Nya Jerami.