Annaliese—Annie—Gilberti is a divorced South Philadelphia mother of two with a nine-to-five job when a shocking discovery turns another average day upside down: her late grandmother was the exiled ruler of a small European country, and Annie is next in line to wear the crown and restore the monarchy. The would-be grand duchess of the Grand Duchy of Saint Gilbert has vacation time coming, enough to take a quick trip to check it out.
It’s easy to fall in love with Saint Gilbert’s villagers; its mysteries (why does everyone look decades younger than they claim to be?); her family’s ancestral home, Castle Blanc (so many hidden rooms and passages!); and maybe—just a little—with the dashing Maximilien Belleme, the captain of the castle guard. Never one to walk away from a challenge, Annie steps up, determined to be worthy of the crown that’s been offered. As she, her sisters, and her children work to bring Saint Gilbert into the modern age, Annie discovers a legacy of courageous women and that no threat is too great to deny the grand duchess’s right to the throne.
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A South Philly single mom of two finds out she is heir to a small country called St. Gilbert. Annie travels to St. Gilbert, falls in love with the country, and moves there with her teenagers, followed by her sisters and best friend. She becomes the Grand Duchess and is tasked with modernizing the country, which lacks tourism infrastructure and has an ineffective council. Despite some eye-rolling moments and unrealistic aspects, such as the smooth transition for Annie’s family and the council’s acceptance of the new Duchess, the novel offers a cute and quick read reminiscent of a mix between Princess Diaries and Hallmark movies. The story includes a twist three-quarters of the way through and a romantic subplot with a hunky captain. Overall, it’s a fun and light read, perfect for a vacation or weekend escape.
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