Enchanted to Meet You

Gr 9 Up–Falling in love is complicated when one person is lying. Imogen becomes a face character at the Fairytale Gardens (FTG) to gather secrets for her journalist best friend. Spending the days with the prince character, Tristian, and the conflict of tearing down his family’s theme park is harder than she expected. Originally published in the UK, this debut’s chapters alternate first-person narration, which provides character insight and tension as Imogen and Tristian’s relationship builds. Tristian grapples with unresolved grief over his mother’s death and familial obligations, especially the feeling that he is forever trapped in the role of prince. Imogen contends with her loyalty to her best friend, who needs this story for prize money to save her family’s restaurant, and the lie she is hiding from Tristian about why she’s really at FTG. Although both protagonists wrestle with serious issues, this is a witty rom-com or fans of Ben Philippe’s Charming as a Verb or Loan Le’s A Pho Love Story. Despite inevitable revelations, it is a happily-ever-after for romantics. Both main characters are white with a diverse supporting cast.