The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage

I was fascinated by the premise of this book. It’s clever, very unique, and kept me intrigued throughout. Considering that this appears to be Rebecca Armitage’s debut novel, I was genuinely impressed by the quality of the storytelling and the originality of the idea. It left me wanting more, and I would definitely read more of her books in the future.

Imagine being the younger twin — and a girl at that. Your father is heir to the throne, and your grandmother is the Queen of England. Then tragedy strikes: your twin brother and father are killed in an accident. Having escaped the royal spotlight to build a new life as a doctor in Australia, you suddenly find yourself first in line to the crown. This is Lexi’s story, and she faces enormous decisions. On one hand, she has her career, her independence, and a burgeoning love in Australia. On the other, if she turns her back on the crown, there is no going back — and her vile uncle is waiting eagerly to snatch it away. The extra icing on the cake is how certain aspects of Lexi’s family feel strikingly familiar. Her mother was beautiful and adored, but struggled with an eating disorder. Her father was in love with a divorced woman whom the country disapproved of, and there were three in the marriage. Lexi’s mother passed away far too soon and her father married the other woman. These echoes of real royal scandals add a fascinating, almost uncanny layer to the novel.

Overall, The Heir Apparent is a clever and unique debut. The premise is captivating, the royal parallels are intriguing, and the dilemmas Lexi faces make for an engaging read. I was very impressed by Rebecca Armitage’s storytelling.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8104099284