On Sale: Jul 14, 2026
Page Count: 336 pages
Publisher: Cardinal
ISBN-13: 9781538776315

$18.99

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An irresistible modern fairy tale about a British princess who must decide between her duty to her family—or to her own heart.

A Reese’s Book Club Pick!

It’s New Year’s Day in Australia and the life Lexi Villiers has carefully built is working out nicely: she’s in the second year of her medical residency, she lives on a beautiful farm with her two best friends Finn and Jack, and she’s about to finally become more-than-friendly with Jack—when a helicopter abruptly lands.

Out steps her grandmother’s right-hand-man, with the tragic news that her father and older brother have been killed in a skiing accident. Lexi’s grandmother happens to be the Queen of England, and in addition to the shock and grief, Lexi must now accept the reality that she is suddenly next in line for the throne—a role she has publicly disavowed.

Returning to London as the heir apparent Princess Alexandrina, Lexi is greeted by a skeptical public not ready to forgive her defection, a grieving sister-in-law harboring an explosive secret, and a scheming uncle determined to claim the throne himself.

Her recent life—and Jack—grow ever more distant as she feels the tug of tradition, of love for her grandmother, and of obligation. When her grandmother grants her one year to decide, Lexi must choose her own destiny: will it be determined by an accident of birth—or by love?

“There’s nothing better than snuggling up with a great story this time of year. The December Reese’s Book Club pick, The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage, has everything I love in a holiday read—royals, romance, family twists, and a woman finding her own path. Can’t wait for you to dive in.” —Reese Witherspoon

“One of the best books I’ve read all year.” —Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Seamstress

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Rebecca Armitage is a journalist with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, who likes to write about royals. She has written stories about the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the coronation of King Charles III, the exile of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, and the abdication of Denmark's Queen Margrethe. As digital editor for the ABC’s International news team, she has covered several US elections and travelled to Israel to cover the war in Gaza. She lives in Hobart, Tasmania, with her husband and a poorly behaved German Shorthaired Pointer named Chino. The Heir Apparent is her first novel.

“An absolutely delicious, compulsively readable, stylish novel about a young aristocratic woman, who has to choose between duty and her heart—think The Crown meets Taylor Jenkins Reid. I loved it. I devoured every page of this glorious novel.”
Holly Ringland, author of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding
“Lexi must face the sorts of questions that fans of The Crown will find familiar: What is a monarch's duty to her people? What matters more: change or tradition? And where does love play into it all? ...Armitage's debut novel is a juicy one.”
Elle
“Fans of the royal family will love The Heir Apparent.”
Town & Country
“Tiaras, titles, and titillating royals abound in this engrossing debut from Armitage...The Heir Apparent is filled with secrets, scandals, and a few unexpected twists, including a forbidden and beautiful love story...Armitage's writing is spectacular, with rich dialogue and descriptions, a vibrant depiction of the burden of duty versus personal freedom, and unique insights into royal life.”
Booklist (starred review)
“Feels and reads like an adult version of The Princess Diaries...With Armitage's expertise, she has crafted a novel about an exiled royal that is so believable that it could have actually happened...A sharply written novel rich with insight into the lives of royal families, as well as a beautifully crafted story that will have you waiting for Armitage's next release.”
BookTrib
“In Armitage's perceptive debut, the British monarchy navigates a crisis following the death of two heirs...A standout portrayal of the royals and the tabloid culture surrounding them.”
Publishers Weekly
“The author's deep knowledge of all things royal adds realism and texture to this entertaining debut.”
Kirkus Reviews

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Rebecca Armitage

About the Author

Rebecca Armitage is a journalist with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, who likes to write about royals. She has written stories about the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the coronation of King Charles III, the exile of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, and the abdication of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe. As digital editor for the ABC’s International news team, she has covered several US elections and travelled to Israel to cover the war in Gaza. She lives in Hobart, Tasmania, with her husband and a poorly behaved German Shorthaired Pointer named Chino. The Heir Apparent is her first novel.

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Rebecca Armitage

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