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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
Review to come, for the Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers website!
http://www.burtonbookreview.com/2012/11/an-heiress-at-heart-by-jennifer-delamere.html
http://www.burtonbookreview.com/2012/11/an-heiress-at-heart-by-jennifer-delamere.html
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The pretty dress on the cover is what captured my eye. I do adore a nice historical romance; they tend to be comfort reads for me and this one was not an exception although it does feature a story I don't think I've read before. This story is about look-alikes. Lizzie ran off with a gentleman who did not do the gentlemanly thing by her and then she sought safety in Australia along with her brother. There she met Ria, who looked extraordinarily like her. After the deaths of Lizzie's brother and Ria's husband, Ria herself fell ill and begged Lizzie to assume her identity and make amends in England for Ria's wrongs. She also guessed that the two were half-sisters and encouraged her to find proof of it.
This information (and a lot more) is slowly shared in manageable chunks over course of the book as we grow to love Lizzie. She lost her virtue to a man she loved but it jeopardized her entire future. Now she has the chance to make amends on behalf of her dearest friend while also claiming a family to replace those lost. I really loved Lizzie: her struggles over her mistake with the arrogant first guy; the real love she has to offer; and her reluctance to practice deceit warring with her commitment to her best friend.
Her love interest, as this is a historical romance, is Ria's husband's younger brother. Geoffrey was a clergyman, elevated to the role of baron after the death of his two older brothers and finding the transition difficult. He is now a very desirable match but he wants a real marriage, of love and companionship, not a society match. Although he and "Ria" clash initially, it is soon very clear that they are falling in love. Although I liked Geoffrey, I'm not sure we really got enough insight in to him to fully make him come alive.
Overall I found the plot points to be pretty predictable. Not to get spoilery, but when certain pieces of information were revealed, I thought that certain events would happen and I was right. This is not a bad thing as it's part of the reason I expected a comfort read and this was a very easy read. But it didn't rock my socks off. Still I'm excited for the second book which will be connected but focusing on a different character in Australia.
This information (and a lot more) is slowly shared in manageable chunks over course of the book as we grow to love Lizzie. She lost her virtue to a man she loved but it jeopardized her entire future. Now she has the chance to make amends on behalf of her dearest friend while also claiming a family to replace those lost. I really loved Lizzie: her struggles over her mistake with the arrogant first guy; the real love she has to offer; and her reluctance to practice deceit warring with her commitment to her best friend.
Her love interest, as this is a historical romance, is Ria's husband's younger brother. Geoffrey was a clergyman, elevated to the role of baron after the death of his two older brothers and finding the transition difficult. He is now a very desirable match but he wants a real marriage, of love and companionship, not a society match. Although he and "Ria" clash initially, it is soon very clear that they are falling in love. Although I liked Geoffrey, I'm not sure we really got enough insight in to him to fully make him come alive.
Overall I found the plot points to be pretty predictable. Not to get spoilery, but when certain pieces of information were revealed, I thought that certain events would happen and I was right. This is not a bad thing as it's part of the reason I expected a comfort read and this was a very easy read. But it didn't rock my socks off. Still I'm excited for the second book which will be connected but focusing on a different character in Australia.
I felt that the concept was a bit too unbelievable, too much coincidence for the story to ring true. I liked the characters despite that. Although Lizzie was a bit too idealistic for me to truly enjoy her. Geoffrey was a much better character. There were so many layers, perhaps too many layers.
WON ON GOODREADS
Very good book. :) It was very sweet and the happy ending made it even better. I enjoyed the plot and thought it was very well written. Glad I read it!
Very good book. :) It was very sweet and the happy ending made it even better. I enjoyed the plot and thought it was very well written. Glad I read it!
I loved this book from start to finish. Lizzie, the heroine, is sympathetic despite her dubious behavior. The secret identity plot is believable and keeps the stakes high. The chemistry between the hero and heroine is scorching. I didn't want to put it down!
My friend Kelly (from Reading With Analysis) and I are in a constant state of book recommendations. The most recent gem Kelly recommended to me is a book called An Heiress at Heart by Jennifer Delamere. The first of the Love's Grace series, Heart weaves an international trail of love, adventure, and friendship that drew me right in.
After falling in love with a man named Freddie and moving with him to Europe (unmarried!), Lizzie Poole's reputation becomes tarnished when Freddie leaves her a year later. Her brother Tom to comes get her and decides upon their return to England to duel Freddie for his sister's honor. When Freddie is killed in the duel, both Tom and Lizzie must flee to Australia to escape persecution for the duel. There, they meet a girl named Ria, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lizzie. Ria, her husband Edward, and Lizzie and Tom all become fast friends. Unfortunately for them, this peaceful time doesn't last for long. Sadly, Edward is murdered and Tom dies in a shipwreck. Left alone, Lizzie begins to lean about Ria's life in England and the two come to find that Ria is actually Lizzie's half sister. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes again when Ria dies of complications from a stillbirth (and a broken heart). On her deathbed, Ria makes Lizzie promise to return to England and masquerade as her to make amends for her and also to prove that the two were sisters. Now back in England and in disguise, Lizzie meets Ria's brother-in-law Geoffrey Somerville who has inherited the title of Lord after Edward's death. Although he is attracted to "Ria", Geoffrey knows he cannot have her as she is the widow of his own brother, which is against the law. Fighting a growing attraction herself, how long can Lizzie keep up her facade?
I was extremely unsure of how I'd like this romance because of my feelings towards Geoffrey at first. His initial dislike of "Ria" didn't make sense to me. He seemed to have transferred the hurt he suffered from his brother's absence into dislike of his sister-in-law. When I was reading these parts I kept saying to myself, "Edward and Ria eloped together. It's unfair of Geoffrey to place all of the blame for the ensuing scandal totally upon Ria's shoulders" (and yes, I understand that Edward was dead and he could not longer blame him, but still.) As time went on however I grew to love Geoffrey's steadfastness, especially when a certain male character began making life difficult for Ria/Lizzie.
There were definite plot twists that I did NOT see coming, and I often found myself greatly enjoying the unknown aspects of the story. It's not often that romance novels throw me for a loop plot-wise. The formula for romance novels (at least the ones I've read) doesn't vary in structure too much. We know that the main male and female protagonists fall in love, but cannot be together until they get over a major conflict hurdle. What makes romance novels differ from each other are the details and the way an author shares those details with the reader. I was highly impressed with Delamere's storytelling capabilities, and will definitely be adding her as an author to watch for new releases from. Not only is her writing exquisite to read, but she writes with depth. Throughout the story the theme of redemption is beautifully interwoven in the plot. We see redemption for not only Lizzie and Geoffrey, but for Edward and Ria as well. In all, I'm definitely grateful to Kelly for this great recommendation. It was truly a beautiful read on multiple levels.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-1nE
After falling in love with a man named Freddie and moving with him to Europe (unmarried!), Lizzie Poole's reputation becomes tarnished when Freddie leaves her a year later. Her brother Tom to comes get her and decides upon their return to England to duel Freddie for his sister's honor. When Freddie is killed in the duel, both Tom and Lizzie must flee to Australia to escape persecution for the duel. There, they meet a girl named Ria, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lizzie. Ria, her husband Edward, and Lizzie and Tom all become fast friends. Unfortunately for them, this peaceful time doesn't last for long. Sadly, Edward is murdered and Tom dies in a shipwreck. Left alone, Lizzie begins to lean about Ria's life in England and the two come to find that Ria is actually Lizzie's half sister. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes again when Ria dies of complications from a stillbirth (and a broken heart). On her deathbed, Ria makes Lizzie promise to return to England and masquerade as her to make amends for her and also to prove that the two were sisters. Now back in England and in disguise, Lizzie meets Ria's brother-in-law Geoffrey Somerville who has inherited the title of Lord after Edward's death. Although he is attracted to "Ria", Geoffrey knows he cannot have her as she is the widow of his own brother, which is against the law. Fighting a growing attraction herself, how long can Lizzie keep up her facade?
I was extremely unsure of how I'd like this romance because of my feelings towards Geoffrey at first. His initial dislike of "Ria" didn't make sense to me. He seemed to have transferred the hurt he suffered from his brother's absence into dislike of his sister-in-law. When I was reading these parts I kept saying to myself, "Edward and Ria eloped together. It's unfair of Geoffrey to place all of the blame for the ensuing scandal totally upon Ria's shoulders" (and yes, I understand that Edward was dead and he could not longer blame him, but still.) As time went on however I grew to love Geoffrey's steadfastness, especially when a certain male character began making life difficult for Ria/Lizzie.
There were definite plot twists that I did NOT see coming, and I often found myself greatly enjoying the unknown aspects of the story. It's not often that romance novels throw me for a loop plot-wise. The formula for romance novels (at least the ones I've read) doesn't vary in structure too much. We know that the main male and female protagonists fall in love, but cannot be together until they get over a major conflict hurdle. What makes romance novels differ from each other are the details and the way an author shares those details with the reader. I was highly impressed with Delamere's storytelling capabilities, and will definitely be adding her as an author to watch for new releases from. Not only is her writing exquisite to read, but she writes with depth. Throughout the story the theme of redemption is beautifully interwoven in the plot. We see redemption for not only Lizzie and Geoffrey, but for Edward and Ria as well. In all, I'm definitely grateful to Kelly for this great recommendation. It was truly a beautiful read on multiple levels.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-1nE
A historical romance featuring a heroine who is pretending to be someone else after making a promise to a friend. By imitating her best friend Ria, Lizzie hopes to mend a family rift and find out the truth about her own past.
To be cont...
notes
An Heiress at Heart is an entertaining and gripping romance.
determined heroine
Jennifer Delamere is a new-to-me author
To be cont...
notes
An Heiress at Heart is an entertaining and gripping romance.
determined heroine
Jennifer Delamere is a new-to-me author
Lots of raving reviews about this one, but I just couldn't get into this book. I took me forever to read and I usually FLY through historic romance novels. I believe I just had a problem with the premise of the book - girl looks like girl she meets in Australia. They work out they are related. 2nd girl dies, 1st girl takes her place. Hmmmm....I wonder how that will turn out? In this way, I just couldn't believe the happily ever after that I crave when reading books in this genre. As for the ending...not to give it away but...the contrived story they come up with at the end...would have been a better plot all around.
A sweet clean read. The ending was a bit rushed, and I felt like characters were a tad too forgiving, but otherwise, an enjoyable book. 3.5 stars