King's Heir of Hate [Large Print]

By Caitlin Crews

Book Overview

A royal, married to the enemy, secret pregnancy romance by USA TODAY bestselling author Caitlin Crews.

From hatred

...to nine-month consequences

King Tadeo loathes the way his convenient bride Esme incenses yet tempts him. Having grown up in the shadow of royal disgrace, his reluctant obsession with her is best kept on ice. Now that he is newly crowned, the time has come to finally banish her from his life...

For seven years, Tadeo's indifference has cracked Esme's heart. Though she can't forget the night after his father's death, when that coldness gave way to all-consuming passion... Now her offensively gorgeous husband is demanding a divorce. But she's carrying his heir--will that change everything?

From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Large Print: Yes
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1335219587
• ISBN13: 9781335219589
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Harlequin Presents Larger Print
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.7" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Enjoyable

While a fan of Caitlin Crews, I don't feel this was one of her better efforts. It was enjoyable but was a bit redundant and far too drawn out. The protagonists, Esme & Tadeo, are betrothed from childhood by Kings Hugo of Bellaza, (Tadeo's father), and King Alain of Clarebonne, (Esme's father), to re-unite the kingdoms. Against their parents' expressed wishes, Tadeo & Esme meet before their official betrothal and embark on a true love affair. Unfortunately, Tadeo is created in the image of his father, King Hugo; an unfeeling, distant, structured man and poor excuse for a parent, though a just ruler. Hugo frowns upon his son's plans to marry someone who can illicit "reckless feelings", thus an inner conflict is born. Tadeo chooses his father's teachings and spurns Esme but finds himself drawn to her. Esme is indeed a beacon of light to all; colorful, compassionate, caring and very much in touch with her feelings- and often those of others. Her love and passion for Tadeo endures despite his cruelty and cold demeanor. While Tadeo marries Esme, making her his Queen for the sake of his kingdom, he intends to eventually divorce her when his royal subjects can be receptive to his actions. He bans Esme from the marital bed, for 7 long years, but succumbs to their attraction in a vulnerable state of grief. An attempt to console results in a pregnancy and becomes an obstacle to Tadeo's intention to divorce Esme. Thus ensues a very long, repetitive accounting of Tadeo's need to be unfeeling, stoic, cold. And Esme's attempts to rekindle love and passion. Her acquiescence, her willingness to tolerate poor treatment, to withhold pieces of herself made her seem weak and frankly unappealing at times. Humor could be found in some interactions between Esme & Tadeo- Esme was witty! But the untenable situation necessitates change for the sake of their child. Tadeo's exploration of facts and circumstances, re-evaluation of learned behaviors, finally brings about an enjoyable and heartening resolution to Tadeo's inner struggles. But the reader is left wondering if obstacles in his relationship with Esme can be overcome- and all is not revealed until the book's conclusion. I took away a terrific quote from this book; "What do you do with the real you when you put on this mask?" How often do we all hide behind a mask, ignoring our inner voice? Something to ponder! Overall, it was a nice read.