Prince of Secrets by Lucy Monroe

Title:  Prince of Secrets

Series:  N/A

Author:  Lucy Monroe

Genre:  Romance

Blurb:  100% Determined 

Prince Demyan Zaretsky does whatever it takes to protect his country. So seducing Chanel Tanner will be easy. And marriage? An unfortunate side effect of duty. She unwittingly holds the economic stability of Volyarus in her hands…and he must secure it. 

100% Devastating! 

With his royal identity and intent disguised, Demyan sets about a ruthless seduction designed to make Chanel lose her mind with ecstasy. But when he discovers she is a virgin, he uncovers something in himself-a conscience. Now his plan takes a shocking turn-one this dark-hearted prince had never anticipated! 

Thoughts:  I found myself really procrastinating when it came to starting this book.  While not really a series, the characters were tied together in her previous novel, One Night Heir, which I reviewed prior to this one.  This book focuses on Maksim’s cousin (who was raised more as a brother), Demyon.  While I was mildly curious about Demyon, I can’t say I had a burning desire to read more either.

However, many of the character flaws that turned me off from Maksim’s character in the first book, didn’t exist in this one.  While Demyon was confident, he didn’t have much of the arrogance and condescension that I disliked in his cousin.  In fact, he was very considerate of Chanel, especially regarding her inexperience with men.  And I enjoyed Chanel’s blunt honesty – especially when it came to the end of the book, and she was dealing with King Fedir!  I didn’t really buy her reaction when she found out why Demyon had sought out to marry her in the first place.  You knew that she would find out at some point or another in the book, and the whole premise sort of built up around that – and then once all the secrets came out, it just fell sort of flat for me.  Chanel’s reaction was a little too bland, and Demyon, having been in the wrong, was a little to un-engaged in her reaction.  And even when it blows over, Demyon still refuses to tell her he loves her!  Once he does, it’s because she pointed it out – to which he has a sudden moment of ‘comprehension and acceptance’ of his feelings.  Really?  The guy has to have it all explained out to him to get it? You would think the thought of her possibly dumping him because of his whole deception would kindof point that out to him.

All in all, better than the first book, One Night Heir.  And a good quick read….but not one that will linger in your thoughts to be picked up again in a few months.

Rate:  B