Reviews

The Inheritance by Rochelle Alers

jackiehorne's review against another edition

I was excited to read this, my first Alers book: its heroine is a fifty-nine year old white woman who, after she gets laid off from her NYC law job, returns home to New Orleans to open a b+b with three women of color who have also lost their jobs. But the story is so dull—we hear so much about clothing, and cooking, and driving, and walking, but nothing really HAPPENS. I had to put it down at the 20% mark, I was so utterly bored. A real disappointment.

jennabenna's review against another edition

Stilted dialogue and uninteresting characters, 

chocodippedlibrarian's review against another edition

4.0

This book is beyond adorable. Hannah DuPont-Lowell has to decided where her life will go after being terminated from her position. Its not easy to start over no matter your age but I imagine that its harder as a 60 yr old! I dont think I am the intended audience for this novel (im 26 and single) but her situation is something I can relate to. It also shows that no matter what youve been through, you can be in love again. I also like how this book touched on some topics that may come up in the relationships of older couples. It talked about them gently and it was very informative.

I also enjoyed the culture. It made me want to pack a trip to New Orleans RIGHT NOW! It was so rich in culture and history and just talking about the food made me excited! lol. I think its a good beginner book to the series and I cant wait to read the other ones in the series.

vibecalledjess's review against another edition

2.0

Struggling to finish a romance novel is almost unheard of for me - how can it go wrong? I was really intrigued with this “later in life” premise with the main couple being 55+ but it just didn’t connect with me. The storyline lacked chemistry and the scenarios seemed forced. I know this is a series and the other women protagonists in future novels are of varying ages. Perhaps this just wasn’t the right one for me at this point in time.

daniellem1's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

hijinx_abound's review against another edition

2.0

A bit milquetoast for me. I appreciated that both the main characters are older and have been through a lot in their lives before this part of the relationship began.
My main issue was that everything felt flat and bland. Perhaps it’s the author’s writing style but the story was a bit boring.

shannanh's review against another edition

4.0

Books by Rochelle Alers are normally wonderful. This one was kinda ok. Hannah DuPont-Lowell , a corporate attorney was laid off, along with 3 other coworkers, now friends. While everyone is contemplating on what to do next, They all plan on meeting Hannah in New Orleans, her home town. While Hannah is home, she attends her high school reunion and runs into an friend, College Professor St. John McNair. It was a little slow at time, but I'm hoping the next book won't be as slow.

addy1991's review against another edition

2.0

2.5 stars
I would have given it a higher rating except for a couple of things. 1: The story pacing was a lot slower than expected. Yes, each has been around the block and had bad marriages but there was attraction on both sides. There was a lot of hemming and hawing which I didn't think would be authentic for an older couple who were turned on by each other. 2: Love the idea of the women forming tight friendship and each had bad relationships yet stayed in them until they couldn't anymore. Why do people do that to themselves? In Hannah's case, her husband repeatedly cheated on her and when he thought he was dying, told her ... she stays with him but moves out of their bedroom. I can't understand why she stayed married to him. Even before this revelation he was cold and uncaring of her feelings. She's supposed to be this strong, mature woman and I felt like she wasn't.

drstephm's review against another edition

1.0

So I DNFed this book after 100 pages. I was bored so I decided to just read the last two chapters to see if it got interesting enough to finish. And I stumble along Mr St John cheated on his first wife because she was sexually abused as a child so had a hard time letting him be sexual with her. Then Hannah is like oh sure that makes sense. Absolutely not! What is wrong with these people! This is the kind of thing that also makes me feel the author has to also be a little messed up. I don’t know who needs to hear this but there is no excuse for cheating on your spouse and it’s no excuse to cheat because your wife is traumatized and you don’t love her enough to help her but instead need to fudge other ladies.

gennywren6237's review against another edition

2.0

I really wanted to like this book. I like the idea of older main characters in a romance, but I just kept getting jarred out of this book. I found the writing stilted in several places, and while I liked Hannah overall, I found her attitude towards the daughter-in-law off-putting. I was also (trying to avoid spoilers here) put off badly by St. John's attitude towards his ex-wife and the way her situation was handled.

It wasn't a bad book, I simply didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped too.