Helpful Score: 13
Loved it! Couldn't put it down once I started.
Strong hero/heroine, with the hero not your typecast, ubiquitous super alpha, sex-hungry, devilishly handsome, arrogant, uber wealthy rake. The heroine is strong as well as she stands toe to toe with the hero. Granted they are good looking, but that's minor to the story. The story moves in a leisurely pace that goes very nicely with the period. There are some anachronisms, but they did not yank me out of the story. There are no balls, spies (a tired theme in my opinion), and lastly no big misunderstandings (my pet peeve!). Of course there is sex, but not the gratuitous graphic variety of late. The bed scenes are sensuous and tasteful.
Excellent supporting cast, even the villains. I like the hero's parents and his siblings, too. They're a loving, supportive group led by a cantankerous, nosy, obsessed (with securing succession) father, but understandably, not annoyingly so, once you get to know him. Each member has his own quirk, making that person engaging.
I can't wait for the next installment, featuring the brother of this book's hero.
Strong hero/heroine, with the hero not your typecast, ubiquitous super alpha, sex-hungry, devilishly handsome, arrogant, uber wealthy rake. The heroine is strong as well as she stands toe to toe with the hero. Granted they are good looking, but that's minor to the story. The story moves in a leisurely pace that goes very nicely with the period. There are some anachronisms, but they did not yank me out of the story. There are no balls, spies (a tired theme in my opinion), and lastly no big misunderstandings (my pet peeve!). Of course there is sex, but not the gratuitous graphic variety of late. The bed scenes are sensuous and tasteful.
Excellent supporting cast, even the villains. I like the hero's parents and his siblings, too. They're a loving, supportive group led by a cantankerous, nosy, obsessed (with securing succession) father, but understandably, not annoyingly so, once you get to know him. Each member has his own quirk, making that person engaging.
I can't wait for the next installment, featuring the brother of this book's hero.
Helpful Score: 9
Really liked this. Above book review states the plot. This book brakes no new ground but has a plot that moves along, characters you get involved with and secondary characters that you'd like to hear more about. After all the stuff out there the last few months that I've been disappointed in, this was an enjoyable, quick read. Anyone who has read this type of book before will be able to see where the (slight) mystery is going. That being said, you go along for the ride and enjoy. The sort of book that you finish and go, "hey, I liked that."
Helpful Score: 9
Great debut! This is a big, fat book, so there is plenty of time for character development and for the H&H to get to know each other. I liked the way their relationship builds slowly, and there are lots of lovely leisurely erotic foreplay scenes, but no jumping into bed immediately as in some books. I enjoyed reading it slowly. Unlike most Regencies there is no attendance at social events. Most of the book takes place right in the hero's house with a small cast of characters. One unusual thing, the heroine has a big secret, but usually the author will let the readers in on it. In this case, we didn't find out until 3/4 of the way through the book. That drove me a bit crazy. There was also a misunderstanding towards the end that I found hard to believe and didn't serve any purpose except to add another 50 pages to the count. I give it 4.5 stars for that small flaw. The hero is extremely honorable and thoughtful, the opposite of a rake. I loved the other 2 brothers and can't wait to read their stories.
Helpful Score: 4
Very nice take on familiar genre -- if somewhat anachronistic (in this time period, no ducal family would welcome a housekeeper as the next duchess). It's really the characterizations that make this novel, set in the Regency period. The Duke (the eponymous Heir of the title) is nicely fleshed out and appealing without being too "alpha male". The secondary characters help propel the plot along. I recommend to anyone that can be flexible in that the true social strictures of the time are somewhat side-stepped.
Helpful Score: 3
Very promising new author. Burrowes excels in her characters, her writing flows smoothly and the story is engaging, if a little mundane. The biggest problem is the TSTL heroine. HUGE pet peeve! This is where the "first time novel" syndrome screams through - and all the little inconsistencies add up to frustration. Each of the heroines choices just don't ring true to life, given the way the author painted her character - especially the totally incomprehensible reason she refused to trust Westhaven. He did nothing but love and protect her, treat her with compassion and caring. She accepts all his love, all the benefits of his regard then brainlessly refuses to believe.... what? She makes NO sense! Tighten it up and keep it consistent, however, and Burrowes next book could truly be a winner.
