The Pretender

The Pretender by Jo Harkin

In the year 1480, young John Collan’s biggest concern is avoiding the village's so-called devil goat on his way to fetch water. But everything changes when a mysterious, well-dressed stranger from London arrives with a staggering revelation: John is not who he thinks he is.

He is no mere villager, but the hidden son of the long-deceased Duke of Clarence—secreted away in the countryside after a bloody family feud over England’s crown. With Richard III known for making his royal nephews vanish, John was sent into hiding for his safety. Now, his protectors intend to raise him as the rightful heir.

Torn from his humble life, John—now Lambert—is thrust into a world of political ambition and dangerous alliances. At Oxford, he learns the manners of a nobleman. In Burgundy, he is groomed for diplomacy. And in Ireland, he meets the fiercely intelligent and sharp-tongued Joan, whose limited choices—marriage or the convent—mask a dangerously strategic mind. With a dagger in her boot and rebellion in her heart, Joan may be Lambert's greatest ally or his deadliest risk.

Their destinies collide in a high-stakes game of survival and succession. One must become a queen or be caged. The other must become a king—or die trying.

Perfect for fans of royal intrigue, medieval historical fiction, and strong female leads, this sweeping tale reimagines the lost princes of the House of York.