Cassie has never really felt in control of her life. After marrying young, her husband’s family controlled almost every aspect of her life until she got to the point where she left them. Now, as an adult, she can begin to learn what she likes and dislikes and take control of her life to create a life that she’s truly happy in.

Hugo was raised to take over his father’s business, but his father has never really trusted him enough to let him prove himself. While his father is in a specialised retreat for a couple months, he’s desperate to show that he’s capable of taking over after his father so his father can look towards retirement.

Cassie is staying in a friend’s apartment, across the hall from Hugo in Hugo’s hotel. After Hugo returns from a business trip, Cassie’s first meeting with him is when he’s sleepwalking, naked, through their shared hallway. After a photo was taken of them in that moment and sold to tabloids, Hugo learns more and more about his new neighbour and makes it his mission to show her Paris – as his new “girlfriend”.

When I picked up this book, I wasn’t quite sure how an ex-princess and a billionaire could create a compelling story. But honestly, I shouldn’t have doubted Rachael.

The main thing that made this work was that while Cassie used to be a princess, she also wanted to take control of her life, earn a living and show that she’s more than just a pretty face to be used by others. While yes, having a friend with means meant she could stay at his apartment rent free giving her space to figure out her next steps. She was also committed to figuring that out with minimal help.

Once Hugo entered the scene, he created so many sweet and adorable moments for her. Given the whole fake lovers thing they were touting, he didn’t have to go to so much trouble to give her such meaningful experiences in Paris. And yes, this treatment also makes it so much harder for real men to come up to scratch in our minds.

But let’s not let reality ruin such a great story!