The latest American sensation to grace London’s ballrooms, Meredith Rose Remington has beauty, wit — and a shocking secret.
At her aunt’s insistence, Meredith is posing as an oil heiress, but she is utterly destitute. In truth, Meredith would rather spend her time writing than trying to snag a wealthy husband. Yet the stranger who flirts so outrageously with her in Hamilton’s Book Shoppe surpasses even the heroes of her vivid imagination.
Phillip Sinclair, the Earl of Waverly, has seen ambitious heiresses come and go. Only the enchanting Meredith could make him curb his reckless ways and settle down. But jealous rivals and meddling gossips are far from the only obstacles that must be overcome if love is to secure a happy ending.
Titles in the Hamilton Cousins include — The Heiress He’s Been Waiting For – The Irish Heiress – The Unexpected Heiress –
This series is a spin-off (or the children of the couples in) the Hamilton Sisters series which included — When His Kiss Is Wicked – Desire in His Eyes – It Happened One Christmas – To Tempt an Irish Rogue – His by Christmas
Title: The Unexpected Heiress
Series: Hamilton Cousins #3
Author: Kaitlin O’Riley
Genre: Victorian Romance
Published: July 28, 2020
Publisher: Kensington Books
My Rating: 4 stars
‘The Unexpected Heiress‘ is the third title in the ‘Hamilton Cousins‘ series (a spin-off from the ‘Hamilton Sisters‘ series). I’ll be frank upfront and say that I’m deeply torn on Phillip and Meredith’s story. It’s not often that the hero is so unlikable to me that I cannot find some growth, some redemption before the ending of the story. Unfortunately, that was not the case for me with Phillip. I didn’t like him. He had his moments then he’d go and do or say something totally arrogant being a jackass once again and he’d lose those points he’d just gained. He kept his mistress throughout most of this story, even going so far as to kiss her shortly after having kissed Merry. No. Just no. I really wish I could have found something good to see in Phillip, if only for Meredith’s or his parents’ sake but he was a spoiled brat from beginning to ending for me.
Meredith wasn’t totally without her faults, yet the lie about her wealth was started and for the benefit of her aunt – so she went along and tried to go do what she loved most which was to continue her writing, working towards a published novel. I don’t think she had any real idea of just how badly that lie would turn out for them each. Women of the time didn’t have a lot of options, but Meredith wanted to forge her own way. Again, unfortunately, that wasn’t a viable option. She had found a sanctuary of sorts in the Hamilton Book Shoppe, and it was there that friendships were formed… and she came in contact with Phillip.
‘The Unexpected Heiress‘ is one of those stories where I loved and enjoyed parts of it, and disliked others. Again being frank, I think this is a story that will truly change depending on each individual reader. What was hard ‘no’ for me might not have affected you in the least. One thing that I did greatly enjoy was the inclusion of an LGBT couple that was realistically portrayed for the times. That’s not something I often see in Historical Romance, and it was a delight to meet them and follow the second romance in this story. In all, it’s a good book just not one that I loved from start to finish – and I’m going to leave it at that.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Kensington Books via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Available for your favorite e-reader, mine is the Kindle
