A teen on a quest to save her family from ruin is caught in a world of royal intrigue and lost love in this science fiction take on The Bachelorette—perfect for fans of Katharine McGee, Melissa de la Cruz, and Kiera Cass.
"A twisty ride full of secrets and betrayals." —Elly Blake, New York Times–bestselling author of the Frostblood Saga
Engagement season is in the air. But eighteen-year-old Princess Leonie "Leo" Kolburg, heir to a faded European spaceship, has more problems than figuring out what dress to wear. Her father and sister are on the brink of spending the last of their family fortune. And having no money means Leo can't afford to patent and sell her latest invention. With no other options, Leo now has one thing on her mind: which lucky bachelor can save her family from financial ruin.
But when Leo's childhood friend and first love, Elliot, returns as the captain of a successful whiskey ship, everything changes. Elliot was the one who got away, the boy Leo's family deemed to be unsuitable for marriage. Now he's the biggest catch of the season, and he seems determined to make Leo's life miserable. But old habits die hard, and as Leo navigates the glittering balls of the Valg Season, she finds herself falling for Elliot all over again in a game of love, lies, and past regrets.
"Donne's complex characters . . . are deeply flawed and human. . . . Similar in spirit to Brightly Burning . . . which staged Jane Eyre in space, this novel takes its cues loosely from Jane Austen's Persuasion with shimmering success." —Booklist
"Romantic intrigue will keep readers turning pages." —School Library Journal
"A thrilling romance." —Kirkus Reviews
"Readers may sigh over the well-crafted romantic story line and strong chemistry between its leads." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
