When I first heard about this book right away I thought of Mulan, where a girl pretends to be a boy to fight. Alexa pretends to be a boy for a very different reason. 
 Alexa joins the army as Alex in an attempt to stay out of the breeding house after her home is burned down and her parents are murdered. She cuts her hair short, dresses like her brother and becomes part of the prince's personal guards. Alex soon becomes the best fighter of the guards. Alexa starts to feel more than just a guard toward Damian. She isn't the only person pretending though, Rylan is hiding feelings for Alexa and the spoiled Prince Damian is also hiding he isn't all the he seems either. And when an attempt to assassinate the prince fails Alex is moved in close to Prince Damian's room, but that's not enough and Damian along with Alexa and her fellow guard, Rylan, is kidnapped. 
 There was romance in this book but I did not like it. It was not the love triangle, I don't mind love triangles, it just seemed forced and not believable. It was a quick book though, there was action and adventure that kept me reading. I liked that Alexa was a brave, strong character, she didn't need anyone to save her. This book had some issues but it was Sara's first book and I am looking forward to seeing where this series goes. I'll be reading the next book. 
 Thank you to Scholastic Press and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.