A Touch of Tiaras and Treachery: A Prince and the Pauper Retelling
by Ashley Evercott · Enchanting Confections · 2026
A teaspoon of borrowed identities A cup of courtly deception And a serving of peril hidden in plain sight For Nin, the dream was never a tiara—only survival. But when a desperate bargain promises her brother’s safety in exchange for taking a princess’s place, she can’t refuse. Thrust into a world of luxury and suspicion, Nin must master courtly etiquette to keep the true princess hidden. One mistake could cost more than her secret, it could cost lives. Captain Cedric Duval lives by a strict code of order, discipline, and restraint. Training a street-smart pauper to impersonate a princess, however, proves far more difficult than any security drill. As he teaches Nin curtsies and royal customs, he begins to question the wisdom of his plan… and his growing feelings for the girl beneath the disguise. With a royal wedding drawing near, Nin and Cedric must survive a court where danger lurks in the shadows and every dance could reveal hidden truths. Each step closer to uncovering the plot puts their deception—and their hearts—at risk. If they fail, it won’t be a princess the assassin strikes, it will be the girl wearing her tiara. A Touch of Tiaras and Treachery, a gender-swapped retelling of The Prince and the Pauper, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as "swapped identities", "slow-burn", "princess training", and "bodyguard romance". It is a part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth.
Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 ratings · Heat: 1 · Genres: Fairy Tale Retelling, Fantasy, Romantasy
Reviews
Woodland Reviews — 5/5
I am officially declaring that Nin and Cedric must be protected at all costs. This was a delightful read. Evercott put an enjoyable twist on The Prince and the Pauper. Nin's character arc is really well-rounded and it was fun to watch her grow and keep the facade while retaining her spark and determination. Cedric, serious and duty-bound, was the perfect match and I enjoyed watching their story unfold. I also liked how the parents in this story were good and cared about their daughter. While I understand the need for parents of other types in fantasy tales, it was refreshing to read about caring parents. The supporting characters were good as well, especially Lucille, Alain, and Adelina (I'm pleading for the latter two receive their own stories, btw). And, while I've never cared about stories set in France or France-inspired lands, Evercott did a great job of keeping certain elements of historical French culture/aesthetic while making it fantasy and magical. Perfect for readers who enjoy clean fantasy retellings with danger, sweet romance, and an engaging plot. *I received a copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. All opinions expressed are my own.
Meagan Myhren-Bennett — 5/5
A Touch of Tiaras and Teachery Enchanting Confections By Ashley Evercott Oh, I absolutely LOVED this story! I loved Nin and how caring for her younger brother was the driving force behind all her actions — pickpocket, double for the princess, assassination bait. Was it easy to impersonate a princess? Absolutely not — there are rules, multilayered clothes, etiquette, more rules, dancing lessons, and no tasty sweet treats. Did I mention rules? And absolute secrecy — only Captain Cedric Duval, the real princess, and Lucille know what's going on. To breathe even a hint at what they are doing could cost them their lives, their freedom, and well, really, everything. Yeah, not a fan of death because the big secret plan to save the princess does not go as planned. But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to save her brother. I have never had a macaron before, but after reading this, I need to find someplace that makes them and try one. You'll understand once you've read the story. Would I recommend this book? Yes. Is it all Lollipops and Roses? No. Does it have a Happily-Ever-After? Yes. And the ending totally loved it! I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.