Marie-Thirhse impersonates her chambermaid, Ernestine, trading the luxuries of Versailles for the streets of Paris, where she finds rising public hostility toward her father, the king, baffling. A romance with street-sweeper Henri and a paranormal subplot significantly lighten the "historical" aspects of the novel. Ultimately, however, it is Marie-Thirhse's self-absorption that prevents this retelling of the French Revolution from coming to life.

Marie-Thérèse may be the teenage daughter of King Louis and Marie Antoinette, but living the life of a princess doesn't really interest her. She wants to explore beyond the palace walls and see the real Paris. When her best friend, the maid Ernestine, who looks almost exactly like Marie-Thérèse, agrees to swap places with her, Marie-Thérèse not only gets to visit Paris but also learns of the struggles and discontent of the French people, including their planned rebellion. Torn between loyalty to the royal family and sympathy for the French populace, particularly the romance-worthy street boy Henri, Marie-Thérèse must make a painful choice. Weyn creates believable, sympathetic characters and challenges readers to consider issues of class, freedom, fairness, and loyalty. Rich in period history and personal strife, this novel is perfect for historical fiction lovers, who will enjoy this riff on the Prince and the Pauper story line.