I can't seem to run in any direction that does not lead to you.
Keys to the Crown
Leah Mara
Kindle edition, 460 pages
Hardcover, 522 pages
Published January 9, 2025
ASIN B0DKB4Y8DC
ISBN 9781965527023
A princess-turned-spy goes undercover to catch a dangerous criminal—and falls for him instead.
After her mother’s assassination, Kiera gave up her crown to become a spy. She’s spent years training to earn the title of High Enforcer—the elite embodiment of justice in Rellmira. But first, she must prove she's worthy by hunting down any threat to her father's rule.
When a mysterious prisoner becomes such a threat, Kiera goes undercover to learn his true intentions.
But Aiden won’t reveal his secrets easily. His charming tongue spins lies as deftly as Kiera’s does, and he claims he’s just a thief looking for gold. Upon their escape, Kiera proposes they work together on a risky heist—and Aiden agrees.
But the line between allies and enemies begins to blur as he slowly surrenders the trust she is now reluctant to destroy.
When the embers of rebellion, secrets, and desire ignite their world, Kiera must decide who she will be among the ashes—a traitor to her kingdom or to her heart.
Keys to the Crown is the first book in a fantasy romance duology filled with steamy slow-burn romance, found family, and epic intrigue. Perfect for fans of The Bridge Kingdom, Serpent and the Wings of Night, and Blood & Steel. Kiera and Aiden’s story concludes in Book 2.
When a mysterious man infiltrates the Den of the night guard Shadow-Wolves, disguised with a dead Wolf's uniform and weapon, and fails to confess anything of substance after being caught and tortured, it falls to Kiera to extract his secrets.
The princess, now spy, has trained for years, since the assassination of her mother, to be a tool capable of protecting her remaining family and securing her brother's ascension to the throne.
Renwell, High Enforcer of the kingdom of Rellmira and Kiera's mentor and trainer, sends her undercover with the task of freeing the prisoner and earning his trust. And I'm having Metal Slinger flashbacks that bring my heart rate up to a dizzying speed. It's nice to be on this side of the intel this time around though.
Don't fall for it, Aiden!
But damn if our girl isn't about to lose her heart the moment he steps between she and the jailer.
Kiera is starved and thirsty.
And it turns out, Aidan had a plan of escape all along. His friend, Maz, appears, having subdued however many guards, and we're out and off.
Applause for Aiden for side eyeing our girl from the onset. Despite his lack of trust, however, the both of them are mutually tripping over themselves as they fall hard and fast for the other.
Am I a fan when the leading couple's first kiss is a result of a ruse? No. But am I upset about it here? Not a bit. "Not for a single moment."
Kiera eventually discovers Aidan's endgame and her own is one and the same—to put her brother on the throne. And she does what I had ranted and screeched at Brynn of Metal Slinger for not doing when confronted with new intel: reevaluate!
Godsdamnit, Brynn! I hope Acker hunts you down and spanks your ass!!
But here, with Kiera, we basically have Metal Slinger meets Direbound in that she stands in somewhat the same position as Killian. If she hadn't given up her place in line, she would be a false heir to the throne as Killian was. But while Killian sought to unite the false heir to the true heir in marriage, neither Kiera nor Aidan want the crown. Leaving Everrett as both of their choices to take the throne subsequent to Wenlyn's demise.
And no, the comparisons with other books do not end there. Because then I'm screaming out at Slade from Gleam and the whole Plated Prisoner series. Holy Four, this is how you're suppose to talk in the bedroom, Ravinger! If one is so inclined to talk at all.
Now, if we can just get around this betrayal business. I figured early on, since Aiden had already come to terms with the possibility that she was a spy, that he'd be willing to forgive. They had a chance at an easy happy ever after, as long as he wasn't the one that killed her mother.
Oh, ffs.
Touch her and die. One horse. One tent. Mine.
Chapter thirty-four? I read it twice. And immediately, after finishing the book, hunted down the bonus Aiden POV.
This was such a romantic and suspenseful story with a spy vs spy premise and supporting characters that brought action, bloody violence, and a bit of humor pouring in on all sides.
5 out of 5 stars.
One question though: Why is this promoted as Found Family?.
Available in ebook | hardcover | paperback
2025/41
