HOW TO FIND A PRINCESS

The tale of Anastasia Romanov receives a fresh retelling in this queer love story between a potential princess and the investigator who must unearth the truth of her identity.

Makeda Hicks’ life arguably couldn’t get any worse. Not only has she lost her job, but her longtime girlfriend has also just dumped her. Moving in with her grandmother and helping out at their family-owned bed-and-breakfast might be just what she needs to reset her life—until an investigator from the World Federation of Monarchies comes knocking. Beznaria Chetchevaliere has made it her personal mission to seek out the long-lost heir to the Ibaranian throne, and she thinks Makeda is the one she’s been searching for—only Makeda’s unconvinced, until she realizes accepting her possible birthright could have a financial benefit that would save her grandmother from going into debt. A long, closed-quarters journey on the high seas ensues, with everything from the improvisation of a fake marriage to the promise of only one bed for Makeda and Bez to share, and over the course of their trip, the two women come to the realization that they want their future to be together even if responsibility demands they stay apart. Cole's characters are delightful, and her prose brims with humor and sexy, romantic tension. Though the ending feels a bit abrupt, readers looking for another delightful romance from Cole will be well served by this charming tale.

An effervescent queer romance that challenges the institutions of monarchy and marriage.