Book review: THE HEAD THAT WEARS THE CROWN, by Mariah Stewart

Delightful and entertaining, a different kind of book from what I usually read, but I savored the change in pace.  A woman from South Philly who had a very stately grandmother finds out that her grandmother was an Grand Duchess from an European country and that she’s inherited the title.  She’s invited to visit the country in hopes she will take over as ruler.  It seems like a fairy tale, and it is a wonderful story!

The pace is slow and perfect, developing the characters and describing the beautiful country of Saint Gilbert.  Annaliese’s ambitious projects fired my imagination, taking on a country that is in shambles but has so much potential.  It was a stressful job and I could feel the desire to help and the stress of wanting to do so much so fast.  I loved all the characters who are presented so perfectly.  Annalise is our heroine, a forty-something divorced woman, owner of a row house in South Philly, mother of two teenagers.  The reaction of Ralphie and Juliette when they learn they are prince and princess is priceless.  The sisters Ceil and Roe, one very supportive, the other a Debbie Downer, but lovable all the same.  And let’s not forget Captain Maximillian Belleme, captain of the castle guard and in charge of Annie’s safety.  He looks like a young George Clooney so say no more!

The story as Annie takes over and the changes brought forth by her ruling, her relation with Max as it develops very slowly and very subtly, the kids evolvement into their positions, the sisters as they take on responsibilities in the country, it’s all very entertaining and actually educational. 

Lovely, heartwarming, entertaining, a complete delight as I always expect from this author.

Purchase links

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/4bT0KQH

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3T1sD0n

About the author 

Mariah Stewart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of romance, romantic suspense, and women’s fiction. Her current contemporary romance series, the Chesapeake Diaries, is set in the fictional town of St. Dennis on Maryland’s Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, about which #1 bestselling author Robyn Carr says “rich characterizations, a charming setting, and romances you’ll never forget will have you packing your bags for St. Dennis”. 

She’s also the author of nineteen bestselling romantic suspense novels, including the MERCY STREET, DEAD, TRUTH, and LAST series and the classic standalones, BROWN-EYED GIRL and VOICES CARRY. 

A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives and gardens amidst the rolling hills of southern Chester County, PA, with her husband and a couple of rambunctious rescue dogs. She's the mother of two grown daughters – a psychologist and a prosecutor – and the grandmother of some of the cutest kids on the planet. In past lives, she's been a teacher and an insurance executive, but knows she's found the perfect job: sitting in her sunny office in old sweats and flip flops, making up stories and the characters who live in them, and getting paid for it. Life could not be sweeter.