Stable hand, Nolan Price, has always wondered about the identity of his father but he never dreamed of what a shock it would be or how much his life would change when he found out. He gets the answer he’s been seeking when his dying mother reveals that he’s actually the son of Lord Stainsby, the Earl they’ve both been working for. All of a sudden, his entire life and everything he’s planned and dreamed of for himself are shattered , including his plans for a future with kitchen maid, Hannah Burnham, as his wife. Once he’s officially recognized as the Earl’s heir, Nolan will be forbidden to marry below his station. Refusing to give up on the woman that he loves, he comes up with a plan for them to elope, convinced that once they’re married and their marriage is sanctioned by God, that Lord Stainsby will have no choice but to accept their union. As Nolan struggles to learn the ways of the aristocracy and his new station in life, he finds himself caught in the middle between pleasing Hannah and living up to his father’s demanding expectations. It seems like at every turn, circumstances are keeping Nolan and Hannah apart and pushing them further and further away from a solution that keeps them together. With all the challenges they’re facing, it seems like only a miracle will keep them together.

I really enjoyed reading this sweet story. I found the characters to be incredibly well written, and most of them were so lovable! Nolan was so honorable in how he was trying to honor his promises to everyone, and as he worked so hard to get to know his new family, even when they didn’t want to include him. He was a lot more forgiving than a lot of people would be and didn’t let the difficulties thrown at him make him bitter and resentful. Hannah was an absolute sweetheart who was a stabilizing presence that really helped pull the family together. I particularly enjoyed Iris and her entire outlook on life and family. I also loved how Nolan and Hannah, as well as many of the other characters, relied on their faith to strengthen themselves as individuals, as a couple, and as a family. I really enjoyed every moment of this book and I hope that it will be the beginning of a series, because I’d really love to read more about this wonderful family!

I didn't leave a review because I couldn't get past the 5th chapter.....

I loved this book. One of my favorite types of stories is the story of forbidden love that conquers boundaries. This story begins with a love between two servants, but that all changes one fateful day. When Noble learns of who his biological father is, his life will never be the same. He’s always been curious about who the man is and why he’s not around. Now that he knows, he can’t help but wonder, would his life have been better if he remained ignorant? Now that it’s out in the open he’ll never know. His love for Hannah is true and as real as it comes. Being an Earls son comes with certain rules and regulations. Will true love prevail? I could hardly wait to find out. Mason kept me turning page after page waiting to see what would happen next. I loved the humor mixed in with the drama, and wasn’t ready for it to end. I grew to love each character and wasn’t ready to say goodbye. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A stable hand on the Earl of Stainsby’s farm, Nolan Price is just about ready to purchase a modest farm so he can marry a kitchen maid, Hannah. As his mother lies dying, however, she answers Nolan’s lifelong question about the identity of his father. When he learns he’s a nobleman’s son, things get complicated quickly.
I appreciated that the plot didn’t completely follow what I would have expected. There was a touch of mystery. Mainly it seemed a coming of age story for Nolan as he strives to figure out who he is as a man. He learns that you can’t meet everyone’s expectations. He clings to the fact that God has a plan for his life even when things aren’t going the way he’d like. Hannah is a wise woman yet she too doesn’t always see things clearly. I like seeing growth in a character and especially like seeing it in hardened people like the Earl of Stainsby.
My favorite character was Hannah’s aunt, Iris. She is wise and loving and ready to stand up to bullies. She does the unexpected and brings life wherever she goes.
I enjoyed this book and will look forward to more from this author. I would highly recommend it.
Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Fantastic plot. An amazing cast. Upstairs, downstairs. Poverty, wealth. Bad guys, heroes. This book has it all.

It begins with the simple love story of two of the staff of Stainsby Hall, England. They've known each other since they were teenagers, and have always planned to marry. Hannah & Nolan, have plans. He has saved and negotiated for a small farm nearby and soon their dreams will be realized. Until those dreams are suddenly shattered by a revelation that will rock their entire existence. Nolan has known that the woman who raised him was not his birth mother, but his mother's sister. His mother died during his own birth, and his mother's sister has loved him and cared for him as if he was her own. But she is seriously ill and one night as death is imminent she shares a secret with not only him, but the Earl of Stainsby himself.

With everything they know turning in motion, Nolan persuades Hannah to marry in secret and as fast as they can. While you can appreciate that neither of them really have a clue to the depth of the challenge ahead - they are not helped at all by those who should take are care, and don't. I spent most of the book utterly annoyed and frustrated with Edward Fairchild. The Earl, has even 'been here before' and is acting in what I see as thoroughly hypocritical manner. Using his advantage against them, he deceives Nolan in the worst way. Desperation to find any way possible to secure an alternate heir to the estate than the despicable Orville, Edward doesn't have a single ounce of compassion or care as he manipulates Nolan to his selfish intentions.

Hannah seems to be the one that will suffer the most. Nolan frustrated me many times too. He tends to flip flop between devoted & loyal - to distant and careless. Then we have the introduction to Iris, the Duchess of Hartford and it injects an extra element into this story that I loved so much. Nothing is one dimensional about this plot at all. Its clever, it will have you feeling all kinds of things about the characters. You'll want to bash the very book over the heads of some of them! So many twists and turns. With a big hurrah when one of them finally sees the light! The book literally goes out with a bang and I loved every single minute of it.

As a bonus, the author will tell you about how Stainsby is a real place, that this story is based on the true story of her own ancestors, and you can even google it and check it out.

Thanks to Netgalley & Bethany House for the eARC. This is my honest review.

Nolan Price planning to marry Hannah Burnham, just as soon as he can purchase a nearby farm. Before he can, though, his mother, on her deathbed, reveals that he is actually the son of the Earl of Stainsbury--the man whose stable hand he serves as. Knowing how the earl feels about Nolan's feelings for a kitchen maid, the couple elopes, but their hopes that the earl will have to come around once they're married don't come to fruition. As Nolan tries to learn his role as his father's heir, and to decide if he even wants anything to do with the man, he simultaneously pushes Hannah away. Will they find a place for their love in Nolan's new life?

This is a very enjoyable romance. I liked seeing Nolan try to adjust to his new life and Hannah making peace with past hurts. They were both endearing characters. Hannah's aunt Iris was a gem; she brought humor to the story that helped lighten some of the darker elements of the plot.

I read a copy of the ebook via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Nolan Price, stable boy at Stainsby, has his entire future mapped out. By the end of the month, he’ll have possession of a small farm (he’s saved for years), and he’ll propose to kitchen maid Hannah Burnham.

But life seldom works out the way we envision it. Nolan battles feelings of abandonment for the father he never knew. His aunt—who raised him when his mother died in childbirth, reveals that his father’s name on her deathbed—throwing Nolan into a series of unexpected and unwanted events.

If you enjoy relational romance (the emphasis is on the young couple working through their feelings of abandonment and rejection), you’ll enjoy this book.

"A Most Noble Heir" is a Christian historical romance set in 1884 in England. The backdrop historical and setting details were basically correct, though the main characters had some modern attitudes. The main characters acted realistically and were fairly complex.

Hannah was very insecure. Nothing her husband did could prove his love for her. She would tell him to spend time getting to know his father, secretly hoping he would spend his full attention on her instead. She made no attempt to learn how to be a lady while agreeing that Nolan learn to become a noble. Essentially, she sabotaged her relationship because she didn't feel lovable and was sure her husband would abandon her. She had to work through the roots of these feelings of insecurity.

Nolan was proud and had a quick temper, like his father, so their relationship was very stormy. They had to build a relationship while struggling over Nolan's marriage, which his father did not approve of even though he had done a similar thing with Nolan's mother when he was young.

The minor amount of bad language was written in a "he cussed" style rather than the actual words. There were no graphic sex scenes, though the newly married couple were shown passionately kissing. Overall, I would recommend this enjoyable romance.

I enjoy the Courage to Dream series by Susan Anne Mason, and I was excited when I heard that Mason had created another novel, A Most Noble Heir. With a historical romance, I expected a historical setting filled with life in the past and characters who interact with each other in that time period. With A Most Noble Heir, I was taken back to the late nineteenth century and enjoyed my time with these characters.
The writing jumped from the pages. Mason does a great job at using Deep Point of View and allowing me to really experience the movement and internal thoughts of each individual character. Mason does a great job at creating the setting and allowing me to really see the setting. I could imagine the two mansions and adore all the marvelous settings.
The heroine and hero are different than most wealthy heroine and heroes in stories. Nolan doesn't find out he's an heir to a great fortune until the beginning of the book or around his twenty-first birthday. Nolan is an admirable character who actually makes me swoon a couple of times at the strong love he has for Hannah, and his willingness to give away all his new found fortune in order to be with Hannah, a kitchen maid. Hannah is a strong woman who loves Nolan and gives him the chance to decide if he really wants to give up everything for her. Both characters have a deep faith in God, and they don't change their faith in God for anything.
The plot was different. I have read a number of stories where the characters discover they have money, but they have a hard time adjusting to this new found life. In The Most Noble Heir, Nolan does everything with the plan to keep Hannah as his wife. No matter the cost. The plot moved quickly and kept my attention riveted to the story. I really enjoyed the story and can't wait to see what else Mason creates.
Overall, A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason is a delightful unique story with amazing characters and a wonderful setting for a romance story. Fans of Mason's other works or Lorna Seilstad works will enjoy this novel.
I received a complimentary copy of A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.