To find her precious daughter, stolen from her at birth, Princess Carolina will do anything. Including masquerading as a nanny! Jake Maynard, her daughter’s uncle, is all that’s standing in the way of the reunion Caro has yearned for. If only her body got the message he’s the enemy…
Caro knows this powerful billionaire won’t give up the only family he has left. Yet after years of emotional numbness, Jake is reawakening her! He shows Caro a life filled with passion, not protocol, but what will happen when Jake discovers her true identity?
Hello! I love writing passionate, intense love stories about sexy alpha men and the women who are their perfect match. Look out for my books with Harlequin (Presents) or Mills & Boon (Modern/Sexy) and for my indie stories, full of passion and intense emotion with a touch of glamour. My latest stories are my Hot Italian Nights series including 'Bound to the Italian Boss' June '17, 'The Italian's Bold Reckoning' July '17, 'At the Italian's Bidding' August '17 and 'Falling for the Brooding Italian' September '17. Yes, I do like a dark, handsome hero!
You can catch up with my news at www.annie-west.com (where you can also sign up for my exclusive reader newsletter with giveaways and behind the scenes info). I'm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anniewest.au... and I adore hearing from readers. You can also contact me at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com
I live with my family at beautiful Lake Macquarie on the east Coast of Australia and my favourite things when not writing are good food, good company, great books, getting outside in nature and travel.
Bookwise, I'm a multi USA Today bestselling author with millions of books sold, in English as well as in lots of other languages. I've won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and the Romantic Book of the Year (Romance Writers of Australia). One of my favourite review quotes is from Romantic Times which said in its review of The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride 'This is what a love story could be.'.
Didn't like the fact that heroine had a child with OM. For me personally, I prefer any children in a romance be with the main MCs that I am supposed to be reading about, otherwise it was an okay story.
I received this as an ARC from the author in return for an honest review.
Revelations of a Secret Princess really jerks the heartstrings with an horrendous backstory for the heroine. we start off with Caro trying to get a job as Nanny to an orphaned child who lives with her uncle.
The hero, Jake, is actually a really nice guy, trying hard to be a good parent to his orphaned niece. The heroine, Caro, has a truly horrific and tragic backstory. A princess, she was told her baby daughter had died at birth, she has only now discovered 4 years later that she actually lived and was was adopted by a couple who were recently killed and is now living with her uncle.
Caro is determined to get her daughter back so determines to be hired as the child’s nanny. We know all of this from the onset since it is detailed in the blurb on the back cover.
Anyway, I really liked this story. The characters and some parts of the couple’s backstory are revealed through the inner thoughts of the main characters. The deepening attraction between them is beautifully developed. Their initial meeting is a master class in ‘tension-building’ and even though I knew that Caro had to be appointed for the story to continue, I was still relieved when Jake decided on a trial period!!
Thereafter we have the twin stories of Caro meeting Ariane, her daughter and starting to get to know her and the developing attraction between Jake and Caro culminating in a hot scene in the pool area when Jake discovers Caro has lost a child, but not that she is Ariane’s real mother.
Suddenly, just as Caro has decided she is going to tell Jake everything , the villain of the piece - her father - who happens to be King calls and demands she return for a formal event. By now we know he is responsible for the adoption.
Unfortunately of course, Jake discovers the truth and travels to confront her. Ultimately, she tells him the truth and they return home apparently ready for a happy ending until the King rears his ugly head again and convinces Caro he can damage Jake unless she gives him up. Jake soon puts an end to this and we are set for a happy ever after.
I loved the honesty of the emotions in this story. Annie West creates such vibrant characters and engages one’s emotional interest so well that I always enjoy her books. Jake and Caro are delightful characters and their love story is beautifully executed.
I would have preferred an epilogue set further into the future with more children to make their happy family full and complete. As it was, the epilogue led me to hope there will be another book about her brother King Paul. It wasn’t clear that Ariane knew Caro was her birth mother and I would have liked to see that resolution. I would also have liked to see a more suitable comeuppance for the wicked King but at least he is removed from power. In view of those reservations, I have made this a 4 star read. Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This one left me with such a smile, a beautiful story with such sensuality and chemistry the emotions flow with this one as Jake and Caro journey a rocky road, learning to open up and trust, to find their HEA, and the setting is just gorgeous I love Switzerland. Jake and Caro are really worth getting to know, MS West know how to pull a reader in with her fabulous stories.
Princess Carolina has just found out that the child she thought she had lost is alive and well and as most mothers she will go to any lengths to get to her child, so she applies for a position as nanny and does a lot of talking to get her daughter’s uncle, billionaire Jake Maynard to give her the job, but can she keep a wall up around her heart to keep the relationship with her boss purely that.
Jake is a self-made billionaire he is tough and single and planning on staying that way, but when he becomes guardian to his niece Ariana he needs a nanny to help, sorting through the applications one stands out Caro Rivage, although she is not as qualified as the others he feels an instant pull, something he cannot put a finger on, but feels he must give her a chance and it is not long before his emotions are running all over the place can he trust her?
I felt for Caro from the start she showed such strength but she was vulnerable as well and Jake was so suspicious from their first meeting but the attraction between them is too hard to ignore for long and when Jake discovers who she is the fireworks begin, this brings them together sensually and with honesty they work through what has happened and Jake is the best hero for Caro to protect and love her and Ariana and that love is returned tenfold. This is one that I highly recommend, a beautiful and moving story a real page turner, one that I loved.
Princess Carolina will go to any means to find her daughter. She learns that the little one is the ward of her uncle Jake Maynard. Posing as a nanny, Caro begins to know her daughter Ariane, and falls in love with her at first sight.
Jake is a billionaire and has always had his mind focused on business. Known as a man who takes no prisoners, he is the full-time guardian of little Ariane. is drawn to the new nanny, but as far as he is concerned, he is focused on taking care Ariane. His main reason for hiring Caro is because she speaks the language of her heritage. Thus Caro qualifies. Beyond the spark that exists between the both of them, what will he do when he finds out the new nanny is a Princess? Furthermore, why did Caro lose Ariane in the first place?
What a touching story! It has been years since I have read a Harlequin Presents. I loved this book for several reasons. I love the page count of these books. Revelations of a Secret Princess is a sweet book that proved to be a quick and delightful read. This is a very loving story and it is one I would certainly recommend.
Many thanks to Harlequin for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
It was an okay read. It starts out slow building up to Carolina getting to know her daughter under false circumstances but then she falls in love with her daughter's adoptive uncle and they build a relationship that ends up with them falling in love. So the ending was meh but was still enjoyable for the most part. Don't let my review discourage you from taking a chance on this short read.
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars See the full review at HarlequinJunkie
Revelations of a Secret Princess was a deeply emotional royal romance that had a fiery enemies to lovers feel to it. And it was a story which had our heroine hiding her identity from our hero and his niece–for a very good reason.
Author Annie West had a nice setup for this Harlequin Presents. There was quite an interesting backstory for both Jake and Caro, a lot of it heartbreaking, as we learned more about their start in life and what happened to them along the way. I won’t ruin the twists and turns, but will say that Caro and Jake were both understandably distrustful of those around them... Read More
The heroine was a welcome departure from the Presents line's obsession with virgin women. However this from the lawyer?
"Zoe had rung today, warning again that winning custody of Ariane wouldn’t be simple."
Huh??? The adoption was illegal. The uncle has no prior relationship with the child at all. He muses that they are strangers, and the mother comes in to the child's life at the same time. The child was stolen. Jake has no rights, he might have a bazillion dollars but unless he paid off people what court is going to give custody to the uncle (adoptive parents dead) over the birth mother whose child was stolen from her? Once the adoption is proven illegal, then being made legal guardian in an illegal adoption isn't going to help him because she never gave up her maternal rights. This is a contrivance for the two of them to have the child be a reason for them to stick together. However it makes no sense at all. This is *her* child taken from her without consent, she was lied to, what court is going to say, oh sorry, the uncle is the guardian, especially when he is shown not to have been a presence in her life. Meanwhile the birth mom, is loving, and the primary caregiver (and royalty to boot.
Edit to add: I just watched a true crime story around baby selling and stealing, the Doctor Hicks story and this story bothers me even more. These newborns were taken in the 50s and 60s and some moms were told their babies died in still birth. The children are now in their 50s, 60s and the oldest is 70. The birth mothers died not knowing their children lived and the children finding out how they were stolen never got to reconnect with their mothers. This story doesn't prioritize the mother's loss.
Award-winning author Annie West deftly blends dangerous secrets, devastating scandals and incendiary passion in her mesmerizing new novel, Revelations of a Secret Princess.
Princess Carolina would do absolutely anything to find the precious daughter that had been stolen from her at birth. Caro has searched high and low for the child that means the world to her and she will do whatever it takes to be reunited with her daughter. When she finally tracks her down, Caro cannot wait to wrap her arms around her beautiful little girl, but in order to be under the same roof as her child, she finds herself having to masquerade as a nanny in order to gain access to the house of her daughter’s uncle Jake Maynard. Caro knows that she is going to have to convince the powerful billionaire to give her the job in order for her to get close to her daughter – which proves harder than she initially thought as Jake does not think that she is up to the job.
Jake would do absolutely anything for his niece. The only family he has left after his sister and brother in law’s tragic death in a car accident, Jake is prepared to pay whatever it takes to ensure that this little girl has everything her heart could possibly want or need. Finding Ariane a nanny is his number one priority and he will not rest until he finds somebody who is absolutely outstanding. A plethora of experienced and qualified nannies have applied for the position, however, Jake finds himself drawn to the one candidate who seems to lack the requisite requirements: Caro. Yet, when Jake sees Caro and his niece together, he is blown away by their affinity and by the instant bond which forms between the two of them leaving him with no other choice but to offer her the position.
An elated Caro is overjoyed to finally be reunited with the child that she has searched far and wide for, but what is troubling her is the attraction which she feels towards Jake Maynard. Caro has spent years building up impenetrable barriers around her heart, but the more time she spends with Jake, the more she finds herself falling head over heels in love with him. After years of emotional numbness, Caro finally feels alive again, but as her feelings for Jake intensify she cannot help but wonder what will happen when Jake discovers her real identity.
Will Caro end up losing everything again just when she had found the happiness she had been searching for for so long? Or will the fulfilment she has longed for all her life finally be within reach?
Annie West is a terrific storyteller who never fails to pen emotional, affecting and enthralling contemporary romances that sweep the reader off to a world of glamour and sophistication and Revelations of a Secret Princess is certainly no different. A poignant, captivating and dramatic romance that had me reaching for the tissues on many an occasion, Revelations of a Secret Princess is a winning tale of redemption, renewal and healing that will definitely keep readers turning the pages late into the night.
Annie West has penned another keeper with Revelations of a Secret Princess and continues to affirm her position as one of the brightest stars of category romance.
Jake needs a bilingual nanny for his orphaned niece Ariane (5 yo ). Enter Caro Rivage, not a professional nanny, but Ariane likes her .Jake gives Caro a six-months trial. Jake , an Australian businessman, lives currently in Switzerland. He never knew his father, his mother abandoned him when he was 14. Connie, his older sister ,raised him. Now she and her husband are dead, too. Caro gets a call from her father, ordering her home for her brother's engangement party.She is the child of her father's first wife .He has remarried and has several sons .Jake lets Caro go to her family. Then he gets the shock of his life. On a small island of St Ancilla the crown prince Paul has just got engaged to princess Eva.Among the party-goers is his elusive sister, princess Carolina (sic ! ). So Jake flies to the kingdom and confronts the lying princess . Caro tells him how she went to study in the States, met her lover and got pregnant..her father banished her to a convent and she was told her baby was stillborn... Now Caro is assertive, ready to confront her father, king Hugo.The king is a bully ,abusive to Caro and not only that.There are some more surprises towards the end of the book. Caro is a modern princess, who wants love, family and a good job. I liked the story, loved little Ariane. Jake's pet project is helping children- refugees and those in was zones. Thank you, Annie West, for providing me with book.
In the interests of honesty, I received this book in exchange of a honest review.
Princess Carolina of St Ancilla was under the impression her daughter had been stillborn, but finds out a few years later that it wasn't true. In fact her father (the King) had arranged for the baby to be given away. She searches for her daughter only to find that the girl's adoptive parents have died and she's now being taken care of by her uncle. Carolina, going by the name Caro Rivage becomes nanny to her daughter Arianne whilst she's trying to find a way to get her daughter back. She doesn't however count on how Jake Maynard, Arianne's uncle makes her feel. I truly loved this book, I felt like I was standing on the sidelines looking in at what was happening. My emotions were fully engaged, I found myself wanting to do serious harm to the king for what he'd done to Carolina and for what he continued to want to do to her. I wanted to shake Jake and say 'wake up and see what's in front of you' and punch him when he made a lot of horrible assumptions about her. I found myself just wanting to hug Carolina and say 'it will all work out in the end' - this book is probably one of the best Annie West has ever written
Princess Carolina (Caro) is masquerading as a nanny so that she can get closer to her daughter that she thought was stillborn at birth. Before she starts custody proceedings, she wants to spend some time with her, and hold her just one time. What she isn’t counting on, is the attraction she feels for the little girls uncle who has custody. Jake Maynard is left sole custody of his little niece, Ariana after his sister is killed. The little girl needs a nanny, so Jake is on the hunt for the perfect candidate. When he interviews Caro, he is immediately drawn to her, but he shouldn’t be…he isn’t attracted to her sort. His niece seems quite take with Caro, she he hires her on a temporary basis. Something isn’t sitting right with him about Caro, but he just can’t put his finger on it. Caro is falling in love with Ariana more each day. Caro and Jake find they are more and more attracted to one another as well. What will happen when Jake finds out who Caro really is and what she wants? Will it ruin everything? Thank you to the author Annie West, Harlequin and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to read and review, it was a beautiful novel
Princess Caroline is on a mission and that is to find her daughter that she thought was stillborn but now found out was stolen from her. When she discovers where she is she applies for the nanny position that her daughters Uncle Jake Maynard posted for her. She applies as Caro as she doesn't want anyone to know her true identity. Jake is raising his niece Ariane because her mother and father were killed in an accident he owes doing it as her sister basically raised him. When Jake sees how well Ariane and Caro get along he gives her a trial period. So that is the synopsis of this story if you think that is all and its HEA. Not yet Ms. West has written an amazing story about a princess who was wronged by her father and a man who feels betrayed when he discovers her true identity but it goes deeper than this and one of the finest Presents I have read . It has everything a romance reader could want . A beautiful Princess, a hero who truly becomes that and saves her from the evil father. Loved it don't miss this one its awesome.
Revelations of a Secret Princess by Annie West is not like any other book I have read about princesses. Its story details that of a princess who lost her mother at a young age, dealt with an overbearing and jerk of a father, and had her baby stolen from her. The pain of all those situations could be felt throughout the novella. Her grief tore at my heartstrings. All this princess wanted was to find her daughter whom she was told died as a stillborn. A midwife finally released the secret of that terrible day. Her father, the King, ordered the baby removed. I felt relief that he didn't have the baby girl killed. Now, the princess had to get through to an over protective uncle who just lost his brother and sister-in-law. The daughter she had lost both her adoptive parents and is still grieving their loss. So much at stake, so much to lose, and plenty of attraction to make the tensions even higher-I loved every moment of this story!
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
A precious reunion and a happily ever after for all! With REVELATIONS OF A SECRET PRINCESS Annie West takes us on a roller coaster ride of emotions. There's been loss of family and loss of precious time, but a sweet love story is brewing along the way as well. I enjoyed their story!
Caro grabbed a reader's attention very quickly in the story when we realized she was interviewing for a nanny position of the child she thinks is her own daughter. I was quick to sympathize and hope they would be reunited.
Jake is a caring uncle of his orphaned niece and would do anything to protect her, so when he realizes that Caro is secretly Princess Carolina and believes his niece is her stolen daughter, he sets out to find answers ... even as they grow closer to each other.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a little subterfuge and mystery with their romance. It had a bit of sadness, a romance festering along the way and a sweet reunion between mother and child.
This book has it all, drama, secrets, lies and of course, love. Caro Rivage applies for the job as Nanny for Jake Maynard's orphaned niece, and going on instinct he gives her the job.Caro and Ariane bond quickly, but there is a reason for that. There is an attraction between Caro and Jake. Caro gets a call from her father that she needs to come home for the engagement of her brother, so she asks Jake for time off. While she is gone, he finds out that Caro is actually Princess Carolina and it doesn't sit well with him. So he goes to confront her! Man does he get more than he expects, she tells him everything, why she applied to be Ariane's nanny and a whole lot more. Will the feelings they have for each other survive all the drama?! This is one of the best books I have read in a while! You will love Caro and Jake's story!
REVELATIONS OF A SECRET PRINCESS by Annie West is a March 2020 release by Harlequin Presents series. Princess Caroline masquerades as a nanny to get close to the daughter she lost. She was told the baby was a still born. But she manages to find out where her child was and gets the job as her nanny. But what would happen when her child’s uncle, billionaire business tycoon, Jake Maynard finds out her secrets? Though she felt her heart stirring when he was near, she couldn’t let her guard down. How could she get her child and get her heart’s desires as well? REVELATIONS OF A SECRET PRINCESS is an emotional story. Author Annie West brought this story which would break your heart and then put it together by the end. The emotional impact of this stunning romance is such that you will stay hooked till the last page. Highly recommended for all readers of romance.
This is an awesome read. Princess Carolina, who is in disguise , is looking for the daughter who was given up for adoption, without her knowing it. She believed her little girl was still born. Now she knows better. Jake Maynard is her daughter’s uncle. He has guardianship over Ariana, who’s parents died. Jake is devastated that his sister and her husband died. He doesn’t know anything about children, so he is looking for a nanny. Caro, as Carolina is called by her friends, is trying to get the job to be close to her daughter. Jake finds out who she is and realize that Caro was lied to also, by her father, the King. Will they figure out a plan between the two of them without going to court? Will they fall in love? They have off-the-chart chemistry. Will they become a family? Will Princess Carolina get away from her cold hearted father? Annie West does it again.
Putri Carolina akan menggunakan cara apapun agar dia bisa bertemu kembali dengan putrinya, yang direnggut secara paksa saat dilahirkan. Kini orang tua angkat dari putrinya telah meninggal dunia dalam sebuah kecelakaan. Dan Jake, paman dari putrinya yang memegang hak asuh putrinya itu.Caro pun melamar menjadi pengasuh bagi Ariane.
Sebenarnya Jake sempat merasakan kecurigaan akan kehadiran Caro. Tapi ketika Ariane menjadi sangat akrab dengan Caro, dia kemudian menurunkan kewaspadaannya. Apalagi wanita itu menarik perhatiannya. Sampai kemudian dia mengetahui bahwa Caro adalah seorang Putri dan juga niatnya yang sesungguhnya untuk menjadi pengasuh keponakannya.
Ide ceritanya menarik, terutama dengan latar belakang Caro sebagai seorang putri yang hidup di bawah tekanan ayahnya. Hubungan antara Jake dan Caro, meski terkesan instan, cukup romantis juga.
Revelations of a Secret Princess is a pretty quick read that has a bit of a fairy tale feel to it. Not much that happens in this one is likely to be anything you'd see or hear about in real life, at least not in modern-day, and some things are more about furthering the story than anything resembling realism. That said, this one is good for a bit of escapism. The characters are interesting, our romantic couple is likable, and they both have some things to work through on their way to happily ever after. Caro's situation tugs at the heartstrings from the moment it's revealed, and you can't help but root for her, and she and Jake do have good chemistry. All in all, this one is an entertaining read complete with some family drama, a bit of sexy, and a fairy tale ending.
What can I say? This was such a wonderful and wholesome novel and I loved every bit of it. The romance which had a slow buildup was just up my alley and I loved that was a child was factored into the plot. However, I did feel like the protagonist got too carried away in her thoughts sometimes. Her feelings were portrayed very intensely in the novel and I for one felt like that was overkill. The background was really well written. I felt like I was truly there with the characters and I thrived on that. As for the villain, I did feel sometimes that the manner in which he was portrayed was not very realistic, to be honest, and his evilness could have been better portrayed. Nevertheless, I really did enjoy the story and I rated it 3.75 stars.
3 stars. I would’ve enjoyed this way more if the hero, Jake wasn’t such a tool. He was unnecessarily cruel to Caro and said awful things to her that were forgiven way too easily for me. Caro was great though. I loved how headstrong and determined she was. I will say though the fact that Caro’s daughter was stolen at birth and it was treated as if it was no big deal was so bizarre. She had every right to Arianne. It was weird.
The romance between Caro and Jake was fine, he went from spitting venom at her to loving her in the blink of an eye which was jarring but whatever. I did really like the ending though and I was super glad there was no dreaded third act break-up. I always appreciate when author’s manage to avoid that trope. This was an okay and quick read.
Jake and Princess Carolina story in my opinion relates to real life. The situations that made me think this way was when she thought her child wasn't alive and then found out she was, how her Dad mistreated her, and last but not least when she had Jake thinking that she was someone else. In life as a mother you will do what needs to be done to find your child. That's what hit home to me the most in this book speaking from a point of view from being a mother myself. This love story shows that no matter what stands in the way LOVE will over power all. Ms. Annie West is an excellent author I can't wait to read her next book !!!
Revelations of a Sercret Princess by Annie West has strong characters in Jake and Caro. I was impressed by the focus on small details such as emotions and feelings right from the start. Both characters have interesting backstories and Caro's little girl was adorable.
The book was quick but a very interesting story and there were secrets, happiness, sadness tragedy and the lavish world of a billionaire. Good attention to detail and atmosphere.
This was my first Annie West novel and it was refreshing to listen to.
Thanks to Annie West and Harlequin Presents for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
Annie West weaves a delightful, feel-good tale in Revelations of a Secret Princess. When Caro discovers the daughter she thought she'd lost is alive, she slips into the role of a nanny and unexpectedly finds herself entangled with the brooding, and irresistibly guarded, billionaire Jake. What follows is a cascade of emotional sparks, slow-burn tension, and a love story that’s impossible to put down. It’s heartfelt, dramatic, and deliciously escapist. Perfect for anyone who adores secret identities, royal intrigue, and romance with real emotional punch. Over-the-top? Absolutely. But it’s also fun, swoony, and entirely irresistible.
A mother's love, an uncle's devotion and the secrets that could be their undoing. Revelations of a Secret Princess is a heartbreaking trek through past mistakes, present deception and the redeeming power of love. Caro and Jake are complicated. From young love to adult secrets. There's a ton of baggage they need to work through. West does away with the fairy tale and delivers hard hitting emotion that is unpredictable, relatable and unforgettable. These characters stay on your mind and in your heart, long after the last page is through.
"Revelations of a Secret Princess" by Annie West will not disappoint you. This story had me holding on from start to finish. Princess Carolina found the daughter she was told had died when she gave birth. Jake has custody of his niece Ariana due to the death of his sister and her husband. Jake hires Caro to be the Nanny but things get complicated when he finds out who she is. When Caro's father tries to manipulate her by threatening Jake she has to chose whether or not to stay with her daughter or save both her daughter and a man she is growing to love.
Revelations of a Secret Princess Annie West Princess Caroline and Jake Maynard Princess Caroline wants to meet her daughter who is Jake Maynard's niece that he got custody of when his sister was killed. He is looking for a nanny and Caroline applies for the job. She does not tell him who she is or why she is there. He finds out and gets extremely mad. They work out their difficulties to get to their happily ever after. I found it to be a very good book. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a good book to read.
Edge of your seat, intense, dramatic, intense, breathtaking, intense...
Loved this story of Caro and Jake and Caro's little girl. Not often a book is set in Switzerland and I loved it. Couldnt believe it when I was closing in on the last chapter. A completely unique plot, dramatic characters and a scary father, thrilling scenes and did I mention intense?
I absolutely loved this spellbinding, page-turning, intense and thrilling Harlequin Presents by Annie West.
P.S I’d love to know if King Paul will have a story...
Revelations of a Secret Princess by Annie West. Princess Carolina (Caro) has been searching for the baby she had been told died at birth. Ariana is that child and is now in the custody of her uncle after a tragic accident. Caro is hired to be the nanny to Ariana. Jake is unaware of Caro’s real identity or her intentions. Caro is summoned back to her homeland to attend a family function and Jake discovers who she really is and her secret. Will this jeopardise her having her daughter back and the feelings she is developing for Jake. A great read.