The Heir Affair

This funny sequel to The Royal We affectionately sends up royal pomp and celebrity. The novel traces the tumultuous first two years of marriage for the American-born Rebecca “Bex” Porter and Nick, heir to the British throne, as they navigate the fallout from a tabloid scandal—it’s reported that Nick’s younger brother, Freddie, had an affair with Bex—and pressure to produce an heir of their own. The first quarter of the book is weighed down by backstory and the reintroduction of characters from the previous installment, but the intrigue picks up the pace when Nick’s grandmother, Queen Eleanor, has a stroke and the couple’s royal responsibilities increase. The frothy accounts of an official state dinner, international trips, and glitzy parties are irresistibly fun. Bex’s romance with her prince is playful and appealing, and the bond between Nick and Freddie is sincere and moving. As the tabloids continue to wreak havoc on Freddie’s reputation, Bex and Nick take it upon themselves to clear the air of secrets and present a unified, calm exterior to the public. There’s real heart in this escapist romp, and royal watchers and romance fans alike will be left hungry for another sequel. (July)