"The Beautiful Pretender" by Melanie Dickerson

After inheriting his title from his brother, the margrave has two weeks to find a noble bride. What will happen when he learns he has fallen for a lovely servant girl in disguise?

The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble born ladies who meet the king’s approval to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.

Avelina has only two instructions: keep her true identity a secret and make sure the margrave doesn’t select her as his bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.

Despite Avelina’s best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can’t deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse—far deadlier—consequences.

Dickerson’s newest medieval fairytale will leave you making travel plans for Thornbeck. The area sounds beautiful, with Thornbeck Castle full of enough excitement and intrigue to satisfy any busybody’s tongue. It’s the perfect locale for an adventure.

That’s good, because Avelina doesn’t do a very good job at obeying the few instructions she was given. She’s as different from the real Dorothea as night is from day, and her true personality comes flying out with every word and action. I really loved that personality, too – it’s vitally alive and fresh and kind.

That was my favorite aspect of this book – the new ‘princess’ perspective that Avelina brought to the table. She’s not stuck up or full of herself, nor is she concerned about balls and gowns and appearances, but instead she truly desires deep, active love and to help others.

I enjoyed the twists and turns that Dickerson wrote into the story. While I foresaw the ultimate ending from the very beginning, I could never have predicted the path that took the reader there, and it was a very lively one.

If you enjoy fairy tales but want a good, grown-up version, The Beautiful Pretender is the book for you.

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