The royal family has always fascinated me, so I knew I should read this. What a great debut. It revolves around Lexi, the spare heir to the throne of England. She left the royal life behind years earlier to become a doctor in Australia, and everything is turned upside down when her father and twin brother are killed in a skiing accident. I love the fun twists in the story regarding certain characters and was intrigued on how everything would be wrapped up.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

A modern fairytale! I really enjoyed this book so much! Lexi has to step up to be queen when her father and brother die. She was living her life away from the royal life as a doctor. She has to choose if this what she wants or not. I loved Lexi and her struggles. She was so real. There is family drama for sure. You will not want to put this book down if you are interested in the royals at all. This novel was highly engaging and I can not wait to see what the author puts out next!

I loved loved loved this book! Like it could have been created in a lab just for me. My only quibble is that I was expecting to see more development of the romance arc and thought maybe a little bit more could have been done with that in the flashbacks to make me really feel that this was possibly the love of a lifetime--without making the choice between the guy and the crown the big dilemma, because the book is correctly very clear that that is NOT the true choice for Lexi, nor should it be because that would be a much less adult and much less interesting book--but it's a minor one at best. One of my standout five star reads of the year so far.

If you love stories about the British royal family, this book is for you. The Heir Apparent follows Lexi Villiers, a doctor living a quiet life in Tasmania. But everything changes when her father and brother die suddenly—and Lexi becomes next in line for the throne. She’s actually the Queen’s granddaughter, but she gave up royal life years ago to live her own way.

Now, Lexi has to return home and figure out what she really wants. Being in the public eye again brings a lot of pressure. She has to decide if she’s ready to step into a royal role or keep living the life she chose.

This book is fast-paced and easy to get into. I really liked the links to real-life royals and how the story showed Lexi’s personal struggles. She’s a strong and relatable main character.

Many thabnks to NetGalley and Cardinal for the opportunity to read The Heir Apparent.

The title gives royals book, the first line gives romance book… and it is but it isn’t.
It’s drama and intrigue, and what would you do? How would you choose? Who would you choose? Who would you trust? It is not ‘The Princess Diaries’… not at all.

Under the guise of a gap year, Lexi left the British royal family for a new life in Tasmania, where she’s training to become a doctor. No one really approves, but as third in line to the throne, no one is stopping her. Until a tragic accident leaves her the heir apparent and she must return to London for funerals and to officially accept or refuse the role. She has been gifted a year to decide between the life she feels duty-bound to, and the life she feels called to, and we follow that one year.

I got truly swept up in this story. All the family drama, the slow unveil of characters public versus private selves, the mystery… told through current frictions but revealed by impactful flashbacks. It’s a gorgeously juicy tale. We have themes of family (birth and chosen), duty vs purpose, identity…. All without feeling too heavy.

The pacing of this book was a little rollercoaster-esque for me; with a propulsive start, before slowing down, and then really kicking off. I found the first third to be quite slow and felt I was waiting for the story to truly begin, but the last two thirds I read in one sitting, so know that once you’re through the set-up, the plot really picks up. Stick with it!

Regarding the Royals of it all: Honestly, had I known the author to be a journalist with a special interest in the Sussexes, I doubt I’d have chosen to read this, but I would’ve missed out on a superb debut. I felt Armitage’s background informed the text -particularly the understanding of royal life and protocols- without giving it a fanfiction feel, and subtly fortified the realism and strong sense of place. Do note, that whilst it’s a fictional and alternate British royal family, at least half the members have an overt real-life counterpart -that Pizza Express reference was comic but not subtle- the key characters do not so be assured that the core plot is original and unique.

With thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review to post week beginning Nov 9th

Once, Lexi had it all—and she gave it up. If she burned some bridges along the way, well, she thought she'd have a chance to repair them later down the line. But when tragedy strikes, that chance is lost...and Lexi is suddenly next in line to the British throne.

I am very predictable in my love of "suddenly royal" books. In "The Heir Apparent", Lexi is in a somewhat unusual position for these books—she doesn't have to adapt to royal protocol and life in the public eye and so on, because those are exactly what she grew up with. What she *does* have to adapt to is finding herself *back* in that life when she thought she'd managed to escape it. And: now she has to pick a trajectory for the rest of her life, knowing that no matter what she chooses, the impact of her choice will be felt around the world.

"I looked at their weary faces, these three people who made momentous decisions behind closed doors. I had spent the last eleven years believing the crown should be quietly tossed into a city dumpster like a murder weapon. It had turned siblings against each other, triggered wars, broken up marriages, enslaved millions, destroyed civilizations. What did it say about me that I would now consider bearing its weight?" (loc. 2125*)

Though the world of "The Heir Apparent" has some significant departures from the real world, the inspiration is obvious even before the author's note at the end. In some ways I prefer books that don't pull on that history, but it does make for more complete world-building (and of course those departures help!). I love how *complicated* things get for Lexi: even as she knows how to navigate this world, every step she takes is something of a negotiation with herself. How does she both grieve and present a public face? (The shades of grief, especially early on, are heartbreaking.) How does she maintain the barest veneer of privacy for herself and also do what the public—and the crown—ask of her? And how does she navigate what certain people who do *not* want her to succeed know about her past without losing everything?

Recommended to anyone who shares my "want to read fiction about it but want nothing to do with it in real life" interest in royalty.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.

Lexi Villers has done everything in her power to lead a normal life. As a medical resident in Australia, she has a quiet existence living on a farm with her two best friends, Finn and Jack, and she is finally considering taking the next step with Jack. Then, a helicopter emerges from the sky, carrying news that Lexi's father and her brother have been tragically killed in a skiing accident. Making this difficult situation all the more challenging is the fact that Lexi's grandmother is the Queen of England, and these events mean that Lexi is now the heir to the throne.

Lexi returns to London and faces what it would mean to accept her family responsibility. But after having left Britain years ago, the nation seems skeptical, her uncle is scheming to push Lexi out, and her sister-in-law is hiding a major secret — and Lexi can't completely let go of her life in Australia. So she is faced with an agonizing and impossible choice: follow the destiny that has been thrust upon her or one she chooses for herself?

This is a great debut. The author takes this somewhat unbelievable situation and creates a highly engaging story about family, their expectations and disappointments, the push and pull of love and responsibility, and balancing what we owe others with what we owe ourselves.

Highly recommended.

For those who like royal-themed novels or just novels about family dynamics. Lexi Villiers is working as a medical resident in Tasmania, having run away from her royal family years before, when she is called home because her father and brothers (#1 and #2 in line for the British throne) have died in a tragic accident. She's given a year to decide if she wants to accept her place as the heir apparent/next in line to the throne -- or return to the life she's made (and possible love she has found) in Tasmania. Throughout the course of the year, as she tries to gain the forgiveness and love of the British people she had spurned as "the spare," she also navigates her own love life, a jealous want-to-be-king uncle, and the secrets kept by her royal family including some of her own. The timeline does go back and forth and fills in the history of her family, her parent's marriage and death, her brother's own love life, and her close friendship with classmate Amira, now her brother's widow. If you liked The Royal We or Red, White & Royal Blue... of if you binged The Crown.... or if you enjoy books about smart women trying to figure out their place in life.... or if you want to fall in love with Tasmania and develop a deep desire to visit there, then this one is for you!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a free advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced copy of The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage to review.

As a fan of the royal family for years (thanks mom!) absolutely had to read The Heir Apparent as soon as I saw the synopsis. Just based on that I was feeling Princess Diaries meets The Crown and I was all in!

While this book was a little bit of both of those it had its own special unique story to tell. Told in several different timelines you get to see the story build and you are always wondering how things will fall into place. I loved the twist and turns and absolutely loved seeing Lexi find her voice.

The characters were interesting and relatable. Lexi, who is dealing with the loss of her royal family, which thrusts her into the spotlight, is also dealing with the loss of her life and career back in Australia where she had escaped to years earlier, hiding in the bush trying to be just her.

Through flashbacks we learn about her relationship with her departed father and her departed twin brother, both of whom she left on bad terms. Years of royal drama and backstabbing and publicity games left them all adrift from each other. Her twin, Louis, had secrets of his own and we get to see how his secret touched not only him, but also his wife, Amira.

Amira, and her brother Kris, who also lost his life in the same accident, were school friends of the Royal twins and as Lexi returns to England the welcome she receives from her mourning sister in law is not as warm as she’d hoped. Their past is about to be dragged out and ripped apart so that it can finally be put behind them where it belongs.

Struggling to find her new place among the royals Lexi had to decide if this is the life she wants and if it’s the one she feels ready to lead. With a sniveling uncle and two cousins in the way of an easy succession she finds herself fighting for a life she’s not sure she belongs to.

With a cast of amazing primary and secondary characters who always keep you on your toes, a plot full of twists and turns, lots of drama and intrigue, and a lot of relatable emotions about figuring out your path in life; this book will keep you glued to your couch.

3.75/5 stars

3.5/5 Stars

What a solid debut from Rebecca Armitage! I really enjoyed this novel. The plot kept me super engaged and I felt like there were so many unexpected twists and turns which made it exciting to read. I’m fascinated by the British royals so this story definitely had me so engrossed in all of the family history and, of course, family drama. I really respected who Lexi became by the end of the book. She claimed her own power despite her tragic circumstances and I was so blown away by her strength in making such difficult decisions that would shape the landscape of her life forever. There were multiple scenes that made me emotional in the best way possible.

My main sticking point about The Heir Apparent is the way the story was formatted. I felt like something would happen then it would jump to a completely different plot point. You would get the information you wanted regarding that initial event pages later. It made it confusing to follow. I kept having to reread pages because I thought I missed crucial info. This led to an awkward, disjointed flow to the storytelling. The story was strong enough to still pack a punch, but this just made it less effective in my opinion.

Biggest thanks to Grand Central Publishing | Cardinal and Netgalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review! ❤️

I'm not going to lie, I love stories about royalty--and although this is not a "royal rom-com", there was some romance in it, but it is really a sty of royals. I absolutely could not put my kindle down. With a book, I usually read the first chapter, then the end, and then circle back and read the rest. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading my kindle as I find it too hard to manipulate it, so I have to read the book straight through. Plus, although this was not a mystery, Ms. Armitage kind of created a red herring and then made it come out right--at least I thought so. She could have ended it the other way and I think there could have been a case made that ending could have been the correct one. I especially like how she brought in enough "facts" about the Windsor family, but changed them just enough that I was comfortable with the Villiers family, but it was still definitely fiction. This book has it all--great (complex) characters, an intricate plot (with a lot of moving pieces), exciting settings (an Australian winery to several of the queen's homes and a Kensington like palace) and lastly a theme that I was surprised I could endorse.

I do love a royals book! This is a fun, juicy novel with some real heart. Lexi is so appealing and easy to root for, and Armitage does a great job with the details of her world. I tore through this and would recommend to fans of THE ROYAL WE!

Loved this one, I could not put it down.
It is a kind of alternate history of the British royal family, but the cast of characters look just familiar enough to make this a very dishy read. If you have had a hole in your like since The Crown ended, this will be your new favorite.
Pacing, characters, dialogue, plot, stakes, and tone all pretty near perfect.
No notes, absolutely loved it. Highly recommend.

Book Review: Rebecca Armitage’s The Heir Apparent
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing | Cardinal and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

I didn’t expect to fall for this book as hard as I did—but here we are. The Heir Apparent is like wrapping yourself in a soft blanket and then realizing it’s embroidered with palace intrigue, heartbreak, and slow-burn romance. Rebecca Armitage delivers a debut that balances fairy tale fantasy with the grit of real emotional stakes, and I devoured it in two sittings (with snacks).

Lexi Villiers isn’t your standard tiara-wearing damsel. She’s a fully formed human with scrubs, student debt, and a killer bedside manner—until a helicopter drops a royal bomb on her quiet life in Tasmania. Her father and brother are dead, the crown is calling, and suddenly the med student becomes the heir apparent to the British throne. Cue press scrutiny, a scheming uncle, and a grandmother who rules with both grace and steel. “One year,” the Queen tells her, “to choose your life.” Talk about pressure.

I loved Lexi’s messy grief, her loyalty to her friends, and her fierce reluctance to play palace games. Jack, the maybe-something-more best friend, was heartbreakingly good, especially once distance and duty start pulling them apart. And the supporting cast? Delicious. There’s a sister-in-law with secrets, palace aides with agendas, and a certain royal corgi who deserves a spinoff.

Yes, the dual timeline occasionally got tangled, but honestly, I didn’t mind the rewinds. They added emotional layers and context that made Lexi’s final decision land that much harder. And Armitage isn’t afraid to tackle tough topics—public scrutiny, family dysfunction, the trauma of inherited power—without losing the book’s warmth and wit.

This isn’t a saccharine fairy tale. It’s a story about identity, loss, and the terrifying freedom of choice. It’s about asking what kind of legacy you want to leave, and whether it’s possible to love someone deeply and still walk away.

“You can’t lead people if you’re constantly apologizing for being one of them.”

Five stars. A royally satisfying read.

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I was expecting a story full of drama, but instead this was a touching story of grief and friendship! This was such a strong debut from the author.

The characters felt so real, and the story quite autobiographical. I really liked how comprehensive our understanding was of all the characters, where the reader had certain chapters flashing back to certain years. Highly recommend!

My love of royal stories started years ago with The Royal Diaries series, and since then I’ve devoured everything from royal-inspired fiction to nonfiction biographies. So when I spotted this cover, I knew I had to pick it up.

Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite land for me. The structure was confusing at times; flashbacks within flashbacks made it hard to follow when and where the story was taking place. Still, I did like the premise: unlike the usual “surprise, you’re royal!” storyline, Lexi already knows she’s a princess but would rather focus on her dream of being a doctor. Watching a reluctant royal step into the spotlight felt refreshing and different.

Where the book lost me was with the secrets, scandals, and relationships. The big reveals take a long time to surface, and when they do, they don’t feel all that shocking. I also struggled with Lexi’s character as she holds so much in, often shutting out the people she loves. While this makes sense given the pressure of tabloids and public life, it felt frustrating, especially since she didn’t seem to want her royal role anyway. This made the romance hard to believe; her relationship with Jack lacked communication and connection, and at times it didn’t even feel like there was a love story. Collin’s presence only made things murkier.

Overall, I wanted to love this book but couldn’t get past Lexi’s guarded personality and the way her relationships were written. That said, I’d absolutely read a spinoff about her best friend Amira and her family, especially her mom, Vikki, who came across as a total badass.

If you’ve ever dreamed of a royal romance with the emotional pull of The Crown but the swoony escapism of a modern fairy tale, The Heir Apparent delivers beautifully. Rebecca Armitage takes what could have been a cliché premise—a reluctant princess torn between love and duty—and makes it feel fresh, heartfelt, and surprisingly grounded.

Lexi instantly won me over. She’s not a polished, palace-ready royal; she’s a hardworking medical resident who suddenly finds her world upended by tragedy. Her grief is palpable, and the contrast between her quiet life in Tasmania and the rigid, scrutinized existence waiting for her in London creates some of the book’s most compelling tension.

I especially loved the way Armitage weaves in the supporting cast. The grandmother (clearly modeled on a steely but tender monarch) is dignified yet warm, the grieving sister-in-law adds layers of intrigue, and the scheming uncle provides just the right dose of drama. And then there’s Jack—the best friend turned maybe-more—whose distance once Lexi steps back into royal life gives the romance a bittersweet, slow-burn quality that had me aching for them to find their way back to each other.

The “one year to decide” framework was brilliant—it kept the story moving forward with urgency while giving Lexi space to wrestle with impossible choices. Does she follow her heart and return to her old life, or does she step into her duty as heir apparent, with all the sacrifice that entails? Armitage doesn’t make it easy, and that’s what kept me hooked until the very last page.

This book balances grandeur and intimacy so well: glittering palaces, scandalous secrets, and power plays sit side by side with tender family moments and a romance you can’t help but root for.

Overall, I enjoyed this book! It was a nice summer beach read - it definitely was a little slow at parts and some of the back story was a bit confusing. But it was a nice book to read this summer.

I’ll always be a romance reader, but the more stories I read, the more I realize just how much I love women’s fiction. Often the stories with complex plots, chaotic family dynamics, and flawed characters. And if there’s a hint of romance that develops alongside the MC’s struggles? GIMME

Stories like The Heir Apparent are everything I want in fiction. There’s historical inspiration and unexpected plot twists, political intrigue and fractured timelines. Being in the POV of a royal gives the story a layer of modern fantasy, but it’s balanced with emotional depth in the decisions the MC faces.

I really enjoyed this debut from Rebecca Armitage. Occasionally the timeline confused me and made the pacing feel a little off, but overall this was an excellent debut from an author I’m super excited to see more of in the future! Thanks to Cardinal, Grand Central, and Net Galley for the early opportunity to read.

I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for this book. I enjoyed the storyline and the character development. I didn't care for the back and forth as it made the story a bit choppy and sometime hard to follow - I found myself going back quite a bit to get clarification. The description of locations was wonderful and I appreciated the way it immersed you in the royal life. The sadness in this story was pretty heavy as it dealt with a lot of loss. I did love the ending and would like to see a sequel to find out what happens to our "Royal". I received an ARC in exchange for my review - many thanks to the Author, publisher and NetGalley for this opportunity.