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brandiwyne4018's review against another edition
4.0
Inching towards 5 stars for this book. This was a thoroughly enjoyable book and one of the most complete historical novels I've read in a long time. This book had been on a perpetual TBR list and I was finally able to have The Heir and The Soldier (haven’t read yet) together so that I would be able to read in sequence. For fans of regency romance this is wonderful example of witty language and just enough sexiness to keep you turning pages.
Gayle Windham, Earl of Westhaven is being plagued by his father to begat an heir; so much so that the Duke of Moreland has planted spies inside his son’s residence, bribes his mistress, and blackmails women into betrothals. His Grace reminds me of Prince Charming father from Cinderella. In fact, there are more than a few parallels to be drawn from that fairy tale. Anna Seaton is playing at being the best housekeeper in Mayfair and when the Earl appears to take up residence, the two of them become most intimate. She has been changing houses and looking over her shoulder, hiding from a mysterious enemy. Their relationship seamlessly turns into affection and neither one of them is trying to deny their mutual attraction.
This book took several days to read and I almost gave up because it seemed as if I was always reading the same thing (due to the length of the book, of course). Also, I think the author assumed that we were a part of her creative process because I had to keep re-reading the beginning to understand where the story was going. I loved Devlin (The Soldier) Valentine., and Morgan. A wonderful read and I can’t wait to begin on The Soldier: Devlin St.Just is an interesting character and can’t wait to see what happens with him.
Gayle Windham, Earl of Westhaven is being plagued by his father to begat an heir; so much so that the Duke of Moreland has planted spies inside his son’s residence, bribes his mistress, and blackmails women into betrothals. His Grace reminds me of Prince Charming father from Cinderella. In fact, there are more than a few parallels to be drawn from that fairy tale. Anna Seaton is playing at being the best housekeeper in Mayfair and when the Earl appears to take up residence, the two of them become most intimate. She has been changing houses and looking over her shoulder, hiding from a mysterious enemy. Their relationship seamlessly turns into affection and neither one of them is trying to deny their mutual attraction.
This book took several days to read and I almost gave up because it seemed as if I was always reading the same thing (due to the length of the book, of course). Also, I think the author assumed that we were a part of her creative process because I had to keep re-reading the beginning to understand where the story was going. I loved Devlin (The Soldier) Valentine., and Morgan. A wonderful read and I can’t wait to begin on The Soldier: Devlin St.Just is an interesting character and can’t wait to see what happens with him.
nipomuki's review against another edition
3.0
Very slow, but well written. I sometimes had a hard time believing in the world building, but I enjoyed the romance, even if it took them way too long. I might continue the series. The narrator of the audio version did a good job, although he had some trouble with female voices, and the male voices, apart from the hero, were not sexy.
ccgwalt's review against another edition
4.0
The first half of The Heir was marvelous. I loved the characters. Both Anna and Lord Westhaven were unique and well-drawn. I thoroughly enjoyed their unusual courtship. Westhaven has gentry arrogance, but is not a rake. He pursues Anna, but it's a surprisingly restrained pursuit. Anna was a wonderful character and the dialog between the leads was excellent. The gentleness and warmth of Westhaven's attraction to Anna was so much nicer than constantly reading about uncontrollable lust and reacting body parts. There was plenty of heat and sexual tension, but the physical wasn't the only focus of the relationship.
I also enjoyed Westhaven's brothers and the interactions there.
The second half of The Heir was more predictable, and therefore not as lively or interesting. The open, caring communication between Westhaven and Anna became stiff, and although it was somewhat understandable under the circumstances, it was also frustrating. I think Anna held onto her secret too long, and I think Westhaven bumbled a few too many interactions with her by not speaking his heart. The ending was satisfying, but somewhat lacking in emotional punch.
Overall recommended. I'll definitely look for more by this author.
I also enjoyed Westhaven's brothers and the interactions there.
The second half of The Heir was more predictable, and therefore not as lively or interesting. The open, caring communication between Westhaven and Anna became stiff, and although it was somewhat understandable under the circumstances, it was also frustrating. I think Anna held onto her secret too long, and I think Westhaven bumbled a few too many interactions with her by not speaking his heart. The ending was satisfying, but somewhat lacking in emotional punch.
Overall recommended. I'll definitely look for more by this author.
taylor_doose's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
tawnyad2004's review against another edition
3.0
So I listened to the audio book of this one and I was really enjoying it. Then I got about 2/3rds through it and it started dropping in stars. At the beginning I appreciated the heroine Anna. She was competent, intelligent and brave. By the end of the book I was viewing her as more of an idiot and there are 2 reasons for this
1. Her trust issue with the Duke. He has given her NO REASON whatsoever not to trust him. He’s honest and follows through on things he promises. She has this big secret she’s keeping from him and when sh!$ starts to hit the fan she doesn’t trust him to help. I don’t get it. There’s no real reason for it. For crying out loud she gave him her virginity. Doesn’t that show some kind of trust? It felt forced as if to draw out the book which let’s be honest was rather long winded at times. So because she doesn’t trust the Duke of course things go from bad to worse.
2. The whole does he love me, want me. The dude asked you to marry him like 5 times!!!! Yes the farther down the lists of proposals the less romantic they got but geez. At this point he’s just trying to get you to say yes. So then she goes off all mopping.
By the end of it I wanted to hit her upside the head, both of them really. The ending was drawn out, long and unnecessary. I will listen to the next book bc like I said I was really enjoying the book till we got a little closer to the end.
1. Her trust issue with the Duke. He has given her NO REASON whatsoever not to trust him. He’s honest and follows through on things he promises. She has this big secret she’s keeping from him and when sh!$ starts to hit the fan she doesn’t trust him to help. I don’t get it. There’s no real reason for it. For crying out loud she gave him her virginity. Doesn’t that show some kind of trust? It felt forced as if to draw out the book which let’s be honest was rather long winded at times. So because she doesn’t trust the Duke of course things go from bad to worse.
2. The whole does he love me, want me. The dude asked you to marry him like 5 times!!!! Yes the farther down the lists of proposals the less romantic they got but geez. At this point he’s just trying to get you to say yes. So then she goes off all mopping.
By the end of it I wanted to hit her upside the head, both of them really. The ending was drawn out, long and unnecessary. I will listen to the next book bc like I said I was really enjoying the book till we got a little closer to the end.
sylviep's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
crystalroses68's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
loverofromance's review against another edition
4.0
Gayle Windham, the Earl of Westhaven, heir to be the Duke, has extreme pressure from his father to marry and produce an heir. So much pressure that he was almost forced to marry his current mistress. He knows that he must find someone to marry soon, before his father's manipulations go too far, but then his housekeeper catches his eye. Anna, although has a deep secret from her past, she is determined to make sure it doesn't ruin her present. Even though Gayle is her boss, and an Earl, she can't deny the spark that starts to explode between them, a passion that tempts to inflame them both, and she knows that even though he could be everything she could ever want....she refuses to let her past harm him, no matter the cost to herself.When I first read a review of one of the books from this series, and having such a high rating, I tried to see if it was at my local library, and to my shock and surprise it Was!!!! And I am so glad that I did!!! No regrets with this wonderful historical romance that just tied me up in knots.....it starts out with two people that seem like they are on opposite sides of the tracks....however as the story progresses we see how alike these two are and how much they need each other. Then when everything is revealed, I was very surprise and never saw it coming....I just love a good romance with a twists and turns that delightfully shocks you, and from the first page to the very last I couldn't put it down, it was so enticing, and I just loved this author's style of writing, witty, excitement, sensuality and enough romance to satisfy fully any reader.....I was very impressed by this regency romance that completely won me over!!!!
lumbermouth's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, I tracked this one down after reading the one where Gayle and his father were the enemy--mostly his father, the duke--because I was v curious to see how she was going to take the duke from single minded manipulator to jovial avuncular type. Answer, not a spoiler: he had a heart attack. Anyway the A plot is about a fancy lad and his housekeeper falling in love against all odds, so there's pleasing bits of home blessing throughout, which inspired me to cut some roses from out front and put them in a vase in the kitchen.
showmethemonet's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 Stars Really enjoyed my first time reading Grace Burrowes (and impressed that I enjoyed her very first book so much.) Definitely looking forward to reading more of her books!