The King’s Book Thief

Livia was born with a love of books. Unfortunately, she was also born into a life where books were considered a luxury meant for other people. Sold by her father and trapped working for the cruel Nicholas Beaumont, Livia spends her days serving at a tavern and brothel, knowing that her master may soon force her into the same life as the women upstairs. Then she sees it. A worn copy of Petrarch's Canzoniere. Unable to resist, Livia steals the book and runs. But she doesn't get far. A handsome stranger catches her in an alley and demands to know what she stole. "A book." Instead of turning her in, he lets her go. Livia lies about her name, runs away, and assumes she'll never see him again. She's wrong. The mysterious stranger is King Henry. And he can't stop thinking about the strange servant girl who risked everything for poetry. When Henry secretly sends her another copy of the book, Livia writes him a letter in return—and her perfect handwriting raises an even bigger question. Who is this supposedly ordinary servant? Soon, Henry finds an excuse to visit the brothel himself. Instead of seducing her, they sit together and talk about books, freedom, happiness, and life. Livia doesn't know she's speaking to the king. Henry doesn't know how much danger she is in. But their quiet connection is already changing everything. When Nicholas discovers that Livia has been meeting a man, her fragile hope is shattered. Her master decides it is finally time to turn her into a source of profit. And while Livia struggles to survive, Henry discovers that none of the women at court can hold his attention anymore. He wants the girl who challenged him. The girl who loves books. The girl who wished she could steal freedom. But Henry is a king. And Livia is only a servant. If he chooses her, the entire court will take notice.

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