Scan barcode
andrea_author's review
5.0
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!
lifeand100books's review
4.0
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
fishgirl182's review
3.0
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
gaderianne's review
3.0
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.
tt_reads123's review
3.0
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
starchild1996's review
4.0
This book is about Lizzie Poole and Gregory Somerville romance. It take place between Australia and London, so in Australia Lizzie meets Edward and Ria Somerville. One of Ria dying wish is for Lizzie of being her, but love get in the way and there is a secret that you find out in the end.
melissasbookshelf's review
4.0
This was a really good historical romance. I enjoyed the audiobook version. The story is about a young woman named Lizzie who goes to Australia with her brother when he fights a duel in her honor. There, she meets a woman who looks exactly like her named Ria. Fast forward several years later, Ria entreats Lizzie whom she believes is her half-sister to go back to England and assume Ria's identity. Lizzie agrees to go when her brother is lost at sea and there is nothing left for her in Australia, but can she pull it off.
I enjoyed this story and all the twists and turns. It's a great quick read. Looking forward to read more by this author.
I enjoyed this story and all the twists and turns. It's a great quick read. Looking forward to read more by this author.
ttaa's review
3.0
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
readingwhenican's review
3.0
An Heiress at Heart was slow moving in some parts, and when it would get exciting it would amble down the plot diagram again...and then, after about 350 pages, it resolved itself in three chapters. Some parts were a little absurd, but still an okay regency-ish romance.
chairbrarian's review
3.0
Considering I don't normally read romances, this novel was absolutely adorable. And considering I don't normally enjoy romances, this novel hit pretty high. I mean, it's not all swoon worthy. I don't feel the need to add Geoffry to my glass case of book boyfriends or anything, but as romances go, I've read way worse.
It was actually like reading some version of a Hallmark movie. Two characters meet, they get to know each other, "fall in love", Kiss a little, shit hits the fan, and everything ends happily ever after. Cute, but definitely predictable, and not always romantic or fulfilling.
I mean... if you can get past the fact that the plot is just a tad bit far-fetched, this was a pretty good story. Enjoyable and not something that pissed me off.
I liked that Lizzie and Geoffry had to get to know each other. Sure, they found one another attractive after their initial meeting, but after that they had to get past several barriers due to difference in ideologies. Lets not forget Lizzie was living a lie, and that definitely impeded things.
For me, their romance advanced quickly, but there is definitely worse out there. At least they were just angsty over each other and not getting sexed up. Although, I kind of itching for that before I realized that it wasn't one of those novels. *sigh* but I'll get over it because cuteness.
And Freddie made an excellent villain. But is it wrong if his ending could have been more heart pounding, pulse racing kind of thing? It ended too soon. If that doesn't let you in on what kind of novels I normally prefer...
Really. Not a bad novel. I didn't quite connect with that characters, hence the lower rating. All in all, enjoyable and I need books two and three because they're promising to be just as cute. Now, I know what to expect out of them and I have a feeling they'll be just as adorable. Read it if you will, or if you just want a clean, mostly angst free romance.
It was actually like reading some version of a Hallmark movie. Two characters meet, they get to know each other, "fall in love", Kiss a little, shit hits the fan, and everything ends happily ever after. Cute, but definitely predictable, and not always romantic or fulfilling.
I mean... if you can get past the fact that the plot is just a tad bit far-fetched, this was a pretty good story. Enjoyable and not something that pissed me off.
I liked that Lizzie and Geoffry had to get to know each other. Sure, they found one another attractive after their initial meeting, but after that they had to get past several barriers due to difference in ideologies. Lets not forget Lizzie was living a lie, and that definitely impeded things.
For me, their romance advanced quickly, but there is definitely worse out there. At least they were just angsty over each other and not getting sexed up. Although, I kind of itching for that before I realized that it wasn't one of those novels. *sigh* but I'll get over it because cuteness.
And Freddie made an excellent villain. But is it wrong if his ending could have been more heart pounding, pulse racing kind of thing? It ended too soon. If that doesn't let you in on what kind of novels I normally prefer...
Really. Not a bad novel. I didn't quite connect with that characters, hence the lower rating. All in all, enjoyable and I need books two and three because they're promising to be just as cute. Now, I know what to expect out of them and I have a feeling they'll be just as adorable. Read it if you will, or if you just want a clean, mostly angst free romance.