The Pretender
France 2000: Two babies are born on the same day just two hours apart - but to very different lives.
Isabella is a Princess and heir to the French throne, while Sophia is born into a life of poverty and abuse at
the hands of her father. At the age of 18, Sophia runs away from home. That same night, Isabella is also
fleeing from the burden of her royal life when she finds Sophia slumped at the palace gates. Amazed by
how alike they look, Isabella proposes a daring plot - to exchange their lives for one week.
‘The Pretender’ is an emotionally intense and compelling story of friendship, love and the strange power of
destiny.
Isabella is a Princess and heir to the French throne, while Sophia is born into a life of poverty and abuse at
the hands of her father. At the age of 18, Sophia runs away from home. That same night, Isabella is also
fleeing from the burden of her royal life when she finds Sophia slumped at the palace gates. Amazed by
how alike they look, Isabella proposes a daring plot - to exchange their lives for one week.
‘The Pretender’ is an emotionally intense and compelling story of friendship, love and the strange power of
destiny.
Purchase
***REVIEW***
The Pretender by Katie WardMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
::..Reviewed for Red's Midnight Readers..::
I was very kindly provided with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I have given it 3 stars.
The Pretender is a modern take on the classic tale, The Prince and the Pauper. Two baby girls are born moments apart but from very different walks of life, however they are both very similar in appearances. 18 years later they just happen to bump into each other and proceed to concoct a plan to temporarily swap identities in order to experience the life they both crave.
This book is a bit of an adventure as Sophie and Isabella both jump feet first into their new roles. The author takes you on a ride as they navigate the ups and downs of their secret identities. This book was about family and friends and I enjoyed the premise of this book.
However, I did find the book was lacking a little action to keep my attention. It was still a very nice read that would resonate with a lot of readers.
Chapter 11 excerpt
At the time Sophia and Princess Isabella switched places, it was agreed it would be for one week.
However, after Isabella fails to return, Sophia is faced with undertaking her first royal engagement
with Prince Frederick of Switzerland.
However, after Isabella fails to return, Sophia is faced with undertaking her first royal engagement
with Prince Frederick of Switzerland.
*
"
Red-hot droplets rain down on my skin from the shower, the discomfort strangely
therapeutic to my troubled mind. What is it that I'm feeling right now . . . Is it anger? Is it
sadness? Or is it fear?
therapeutic to my troubled mind. What is it that I'm feeling right now . . . Is it anger? Is it
sadness? Or is it fear?
No, it's not anger. I conjure up the image of Isabella in my mind and I don't blame her;
this was her only shot at freedom and so I completely understand why she didn’t return.
And it’s not sadness, no, not at all.
this was her only shot at freedom and so I completely understand why she didn’t return.
And it’s not sadness, no, not at all.
It's fear that is coursing through my body, making me tremble from within because now
the stakes have risen in a way I was never prepared for. With the help of Baptiste I've
managed to fool Isabella’s closest family members - but under the intense scrutiny of
the public eye and all those cameras and journalists, will the cracks be magnified to
the point where the truth is undeniable? Just one mistake, one wrong word, could bring
this precarious house of cards collapsing down around us, revealing me as an
imposter – a pretend princess - but also plunging Isabella into the greatest danger she's ever
faced.
the stakes have risen in a way I was never prepared for. With the help of Baptiste I've
managed to fool Isabella’s closest family members - but under the intense scrutiny of
the public eye and all those cameras and journalists, will the cracks be magnified to
the point where the truth is undeniable? Just one mistake, one wrong word, could bring
this precarious house of cards collapsing down around us, revealing me as an
imposter – a pretend princess - but also plunging Isabella into the greatest danger she's ever
faced.
This isn't a game anymore, and the repercussions could be catastrophic.
Stepping out of the shower, I see that my skin is bright red as I pull the huge soft
towel tight around my body before walking into the bedroom.
towel tight around my body before walking into the bedroom.
‘What on earth took you so long?’ Alix says from my armchair, looking out of the
window into the gardens.
window into the gardens.
‘You need to get a move on. Frederick’s here and he’s waiting to see you.’
Unaware there was anyone else in the room, I recoil with fright.
‘Sorry, Isabella, I didn't mean to scare you but Mama was so insistent that I come and
get you, and you know what she’s like.’
get you, and you know what she’s like.’
Still tense from the fright, I snap, ‘Oh, for goodness sake, is there really such a rush?
He'll be here for a whole week and he's managed however long without my company.
Will another fifteen minutes really hurt him?’
He'll be here for a whole week and he's managed however long without my company.
Will another fifteen minutes really hurt him?’
Alix fixes me with a puzzled expression. ’Isabella, what on earth has got into you?
When do we ever leave our state guests waiting? Mama told you last week, so you
were supposed to be ready. Plus, you might find you're not disappointed when you do.’
She gives a sly grin.
When do we ever leave our state guests waiting? Mama told you last week, so you
were supposed to be ready. Plus, you might find you're not disappointed when you do.’
She gives a sly grin.
I start to put on my make-up before dressing. ‘What do you mean by that?’
‘I'm not saying another word. Just get yourself ready and then you can see for yourself.’
My hands tremble as I try to pick out an outfit before finishing my make-up in a way that
still looks casual.
still looks casual.
‘How do I look?’ I turn to Alix, waiting for her seal of approval.
‘No way! What - are you going to the market? No, you're going to
meet the Prince of Switzerland, and it's an official engagement. He isn't here for croissants
, coffee and a girly chit chat.’
meet the Prince of Switzerland, and it's an official engagement. He isn't here for croissants
, coffee and a girly chit chat.’
Alix disappears into the dressing room and returns with a smart green dress that falls just
below the knee. It’s a lot more formal then I would normally wear but still quite nice . . .
the thick material belies that it’s designer. I’ve never worn a designer outfit in my life.
below the knee. It’s a lot more formal then I would normally wear but still quite nice . . .
the thick material belies that it’s designer. I’ve never worn a designer outfit in my life.
I select a pair of patent black high heels to set it off - and I'm finally ready to meet the
Prince. As I get closer to the State Room my nerves give way to excitement.
The Prince of Switzerland! But this is Isabella’s childhood friend so I can’t afford to get
this wrong.
Prince. As I get closer to the State Room my nerves give way to excitement.
The Prince of Switzerland! But this is Isabella’s childhood friend so I can’t afford to get
this wrong.
‘Are you ready, Isabella?’ I see Alix smile understandingly as she leans in to give me a
gentle hug.
gentle hug.
‘No, I’m terrified - but here goes nothing.’ The doors fly open and, holding my head high, I
walk into the room towards Mama and Daddy and the handful of guests assembled
around them.
walk into the room towards Mama and Daddy and the handful of guests assembled
around them.
‘Isabella, you remember King Theodor II, Queen Katharina IV and of course Prince
Frederick who needs no introduction obviously.’ My father smiles broadly at Mama.
Frederick who needs no introduction obviously.’ My father smiles broadly at Mama.
I curtsy, say a polite hello to the King and Queen, then feel the weight of all eyes upon
me as I turn to greet Prince Frederick. Gently clasping his hand, I feel a surge of
electricity. Time stands still as I look into his large blue eyes; silently I trace his handsome
but kind face with my eyes. His blond hair sets off his blue eyes perfectly as he stands in
a navy suit and crisp white shirt, appearing more businessman than prince.
me as I turn to greet Prince Frederick. Gently clasping his hand, I feel a surge of
electricity. Time stands still as I look into his large blue eyes; silently I trace his handsome
but kind face with my eyes. His blond hair sets off his blue eyes perfectly as he stands in
a navy suit and crisp white shirt, appearing more businessman than prince.
‘How have you been, Isabella? It's so nice to see you again’.
‘I've been very well, thank you, Frederick,’ I say stiffly. ‘I hope everything has been well
with you?’ I see him smile and watch as it turns into a broad grin.
with you?’ I see him smile and watch as it turns into a broad grin.
‘Yes, I too have been very well, thank you, Isabella . . . but I must confess that I've really
been looking forward to seeing you again.’
been looking forward to seeing you again.’
I feel my cheeks flush before giving a nervous smile. He's obviously taken with Isabella
and I must make sure that I don't let myself get caught up in the romance of this situation.
I'm not Isabella and the compliments and affection that he gives me belong to her.
and I must make sure that I don't let myself get caught up in the romance of this situation.
I'm not Isabella and the compliments and affection that he gives me belong to her.
‘I must confess the same too, Frederick. I'm really looking forward to our engagement -
I mean, our joint royal engagement in Paris,’ I stutter.
I mean, our joint royal engagement in Paris,’ I stutter.
‘We're so pleased to hear that,’ King Henri says with a twinkle in his eye. ‘
You're both heirs to your respective thrones so it's great for you to do this together.’
You're both heirs to your respective thrones so it's great for you to do this together.’
‘I completely agree, Henri,’ nods King Theodor. ‘Much better than the stuffy way we had to learn -
but the monarchy was a totally different beast back in those days. It’s all so modern now.’ "
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used only for fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible
for dispatch or delivery of the prize.
below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be
notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right
to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as
part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties,
with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and
used only for fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible
for dispatch or delivery of the prize.
Author Bio
Katie Ward always knew she wanted to write for a living. However, she was told by her careers advisor that “it
might be more appropriate for you to work in a shop”. When Katie didn’t get the grades she needed to get into
college, she negotiated a three month trial. After successfully completing the course she secured a place at her
first choice university to study Journalism.
might be more appropriate for you to work in a shop”. When Katie didn’t get the grades she needed to get into
college, she negotiated a three month trial. After successfully completing the course she secured a place at her
first choice university to study Journalism.
After realising she wanted to be an author, Katie moved to Dublin where she worked her way up from
receptionist to Executive Assistant at Merrill Lynch. Katie continued to write in her spare time, submitting her
short story into the “Do the Write Thing” competition being run by Irish TV show ‘Seoige and O’Shea’. This
story was originally written when Katie was 14 after she was inspired by an article in her favourite teen
magazine. Katie was the only non-Irish author selected to have her story published in an anthology of the same
name which reached 19 in the Irish Best sellers List. Katie was also shortlisted for a competition judged by MAN
Booker Prize winning author Roddy Doyle which was run by Metro Eireann newspaper.
receptionist to Executive Assistant at Merrill Lynch. Katie continued to write in her spare time, submitting her
short story into the “Do the Write Thing” competition being run by Irish TV show ‘Seoige and O’Shea’. This
story was originally written when Katie was 14 after she was inspired by an article in her favourite teen
magazine. Katie was the only non-Irish author selected to have her story published in an anthology of the same
name which reached 19 in the Irish Best sellers List. Katie was also shortlisted for a competition judged by MAN
Booker Prize winning author Roddy Doyle which was run by Metro Eireann newspaper.
Katie currently lives in Devon with her cat (aka ‘Her Royal Fluffiness’) where she sings in a community choir and
has recently taken up Archery. Katie’s favourite author has been Roald Dahl since she was a child as she loves
the dark edge he brings to his books. On the flip side though, Katie loves Disney, magic, unicorns and a good
rom com film at the cinema with her friends.
has recently taken up Archery. Katie’s favourite author has been Roald Dahl since she was a child as she loves
the dark edge he brings to his books. On the flip side though, Katie loves Disney, magic, unicorns and a good
rom com film at the cinema with her friends.
Twitter - https://twitter.com/KatieWWriter
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