A Princess for Christmas

Opposites attract in this thoroughly charming Christmas romance from Holiday (Mermaid Inn). When architecture student Leo Ricci’s parents died, he dropped out of college to take over raising his 11-year-old sister, Gabby, supporting them both with a job as a taxi driver and as the on-site super of their Bronx apartment building. He meets Princess Marie of Eldovia when she commandeers his off-duty cab, desperate to get to an important diplomatic party. Gabby, riding shotgun, persuades Leo to take pity on the plucky princess and chauffeur her to her destination, leading Marie to hire Leo as her personal driver while she’s in town. Leo doesn’t expect to like Marie, but he soon learns that underneath her posh exterior is a sweet, vulnerable woman. The unlikely pair grow close, leading Marie to invite Leo and Gabby to spend Christmas in Eldovia. The snappy prose, charming atmosphere, and Hallmark movie–style plot combine to create a delightful romance, underpinned by strong supporting characters. This Christmas treat, with its intoxicating blend of heat and sweet, is a winner. Agent: Courtney Miller-Callihan, Handspun Literary. (Oct.)