The Irish Heiress
Hamilton Cousins book 2
by Kaitlin O’Riley


This is my first ever read from Kaitlin O’Riley and I can honestly say that I’ll be reading her again. I love her writing style it’s sexy and steamy but not in a vulgar way.

Mara Reeves believes she’s following her mother’s footsteps in her madness, therefore decides to remain single, even though she wants to find love and have a family. Her outlook changes when she meets the man that will be her destiny, there’s only one thing that he’s married!
Foster Sheridan has been in a loveless marriage for the past 10 years resigned to be lonely with no family to love......until he meets Mara and their hearts connect! Their lives get intertwined and things get difficult and things defiantly get worse before they can be together. All in all I really enjoyed this story and will be looking forward to reading more from Kaitlin O’Riley.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest unbiased opinion.

THE IRISH HEIRESS is the second story in Kaitlin O’Riley’s series, The Hamilton Cousins (which is a spin-off of The Hamilton Sisters). I found Mara and Foster’s romance to be rather intriguing, and even set aside some of my usual hesitations about cheating, although to be frank it was more of a marriage of convenience that never was meant to be a real marriage and a total witch of a wife who would not put anyone’s happiness above her own greed and sense of power. But still… Foster does technically “cheat” with Mara and that is usually where I draw a line. I continued through with reading this one and in the end, was very glad that I did. I believe there are readers who will see that cheating as a reason to pass this story by and I believe they’ll be missing out on a good Romance. But, that is my own opinion.

Mara has always had premonitions, she’s become quite accustomed to them and often will change her direction because of them. Recently she’s been having very strong visions of a man, a fire, and a love that will be the only one for her. When she sees Foster at a party she instinctively knows that he is that man – nothing from that moment onward will stop her from racing toward what she sees as her destiny. However, Foster is married in a loveless marriage of convenience and no matter what he tries his wife will not divorce him. He is shackled in a marriage that is worth nothing to him while falling in love with the woman he would give anything to make his wife. Still, he is reluctant to agree to Mara’s suggestion of an affair, perhaps a very long affair for he is fully aware of what that will do to his love’s reputation… and it will bring out the wrath of his “injured” so-called wife.

I got caught up in Mara and Foster’s love for each other, and her absolute belief in what was to come to them both. I think it was Mara’s visions that kept me flipping pages the most for there is never a blatant magical feel to this story, only the certainty in Mara’s mind that what she envisions does, somehow, come to pass. Their road to a happy ending is hard-fought, an interesting journey that kept me engaged through to the end. I enjoyed this story more than I originally thought I would given the “affair”, even though the practice was not unknown during that time period (or any other since). I believe each reader needs to decide for themselves if THE IRISH HEIRESS crosses the lines that they each put in the sand. I’m certainly glad that I crossed that line and wholeheartedly let myself fall into this story.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher 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.*

3.25 Stars
Lady Mara Reeves is determined to remain single, she’s adept at gently rebuffing any suitor who comes her way. She also has lashes of seeing future event & just after seeing one event she sees Foster Sheridan Easl of Sterling & realises he’s the man in her vision. There’s a connection unlike anything she’s ever known, yet complicated by one scandalous fact: the man she believes to be her destiny is already married . Trapped in a loveless union with a woman who refuses to divorce him, Foster is resigned to loneliness until he meets the exquisite Mara. Her wants her as a wife, not a mistress, but he can’t resist her unconventional offer.
I’ve loved the previous Hamilton books & I did enjoy this book but I couldn’t condone Foster's behaviour. Yes Rose was horrid to him but did he ever try to find out why - no, he just upped & left. As Rose's backstory emerged I felt sorry for her but again couldn’t condone her behaviour towards Foster. I'm also not a lover of instant love so I came close to putting this book down & if it has been the first I'd read by the author I would have done but because of her other books I continued to read. I liked Mara & to some extent Foster, the road to their HEA was pretty predictable but also enjoyable.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is the first book I read from this author and I must say, I was quite impressed! I really enjoyed this story and thought it was very well written. The story itself is very unusual and it had my interest from start to end.

Lady Mara Reeves is such a loving and warm character, you can't help but love her:) Foster Sheridan, Earl of Sterling, is also a wonderful character and my heart really went out to him with what he's been going through the last 10 years. When they meet, it's love at first sight but they shouldn't be together because Foster is married!!!

The villain of the story is his wife and although she is a cold and cruel person, when you find out why she is the way she is, you can't help but feel sorry for her. Because of Mara's premonitions, you pretty much realize what will be happening in the story but that's ok, it didn't ruin the story for me:)

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

In brief: a sweet yet steamy turn-of-the-century forbidden romance

Mara Reeves is the daughter of an Irish earl who is happily "on the shelf" at age 23. It's not that she doesn't want love and family, it's that she fears that she has a hereditary condition... her mother, who died in a fire when Mara was only 4 years old, was mad. It is the only explanation for why her mother would allow herself to be consumed by the very flames she set, but there is another reason Mara is sure she is destined to follow in her mother's mental illness footsteps: she also gets periodic premonitions that have always come to fruition. It is a secret she has hidden for as long as she can recall; when she mentioned it to her father once when she was but 7 years of age, he looked worried for her; thus, she has managed to keep her "gift of sight" secret ever since. Though Mara would hardly call it a "gift" as she believes it to be a curse that will eventually result into her descent into madness, a condition she would never want to pass along to a child. In the meantime, Mara is content to spend time with her step-mother's loving family who accepted her as one of their own and assist them in running the bookstores their father left them.

Foster Sheridan, Earl of Sterling, has been resigned to his life as a "married in name only" husband of an absentee wife. Though he has been married for ten years as the result of an arrangement to join properties, he considers his wife a total stranger --- they have never even managed to consummate the marriage as she shunned his every attempt to get to know her as a person and as a woman. Foster does not know why his wife seems to detest him, but he has been relatively content to live his own life in London while she remains hundreds of miles away in their country home. Over the years, he has had his share of mistresses that he certainly felt affection for, but he has never known love. His parents left his rearing to nannies and boarding schools, and he was an only child. He has wanted a family of his own, but he knows that dream is impossible and has moved on. Until he meets the beautiful and irresistible Lady Mara Reeves....

While attending her uncle's birthday soiree, Mara is struck with a premonition: it is of her surrounded yet again by fire with the certainty she is going to die. Suddenly, the most handsome man she has ever seen arrives to save her, and he looks upon with such an intense love that she also feels for him in the vision... she knows they are destined to be together. Imagine her surprise when she bumps into him immediately following her episode, and he is equally instalove struck. But Foster knows she can never truly be his, and he loves her too much to make her a mistress. Is there any hope that they could be able to be together? Will Foster's bitter wife ever allow him the freedom to find love? And if Foster is available to marry, can Mara tie herself to another knowing she is destined to go mad?

What I liked:
--- The main characters were very likeable, and as a reader, you definitely find yourself rooting for them
--- The story was interesting and kept me hooked to see what would happen next
--- Enjoyable steamy goodness (steamy but not explicit)

What I didn't like as much:
--- The wife character was a little over-the-top sometimes; it seemed odd that she would be as angry and bitter with Foster as none of what happened to her was ever his fault

Overall, a great read from an author I have not read before but definitely hope to again soon! As a note, I got the sense that there are other books about Mara's relatives (her aunts and one of her cousins in particular), but it didn't detract at all from this story, so this book could definitely be read as a standalone.

Plot --- 4/5
Main Characters --- 4.5/5
Supporting Cast --- 3.5/5
Steam Level* --- 3.5/5
Violence --- nothing graphic
Language --- not egregious
POV --- 3rd

*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild; 2/5 - sensual but nothing descriptive; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere; 4/5 - yes please! ; 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all

I wanted to like this novel much more than I did. The characters were interesting, however, the plot was predictable (made worse instead of better by Mara's "premonitions"), and I just can't get into stories where the characters fall in love without knowing a thing about each other. For the last time, that isn't love. That is lust. Coupled with the fact Foster is married at the time he falls in love with Mara?

Sure, I get the fact that he has spent the last decade in a cold, loveless in name only marriage. In fact, that author is sure to explain this several times over as the story goes on as a way to justify the fact that these two are having an illicit affair.

But of course, it can't be a romance without a happily ever after right? And yes, our lovers do eventually get theirs, again in a way that was so predictable that by the time it actually happened, I didn't even care. Also, by the time all was said and done, I found it a little hard to believe not only how accepting her family was of him once she introduced them, but how accepting society seemed to be considering the circumstances surrounding their marriage.

Overall, even though this story wasn't a favorite for me, I do think it will appeal to those who enjoy romance novels. I would give this author another chance!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

I'm a sucker for love at first sight as a trope. And The Irish Heiress executes that trope beautifully. A lovely, moving story!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Hamilton sisters all found their true loves and now it's their extended family members turn.

Quiet and intuitive, Lady Mara Reeves has always felt more at home amid the green hills of her native Ireland than in London’s stifling ballrooms. Determined to remain single, she’s adept at gently rebuffing any suitor who comes her way. So why is she so drawn to Foster Sheridan, Earl of Sterling? It’s an impossible connection and unlike anything she’s ever known, But it's complicated by one scandalous fact: the man she believes to be her destiny is already married . .
I had never read anything by this author before but after reading this book I just had to find more.
I now have the 5 book Hamilton Sisters series to delve into..
This book drew me in and just didn't let go.
The characters are well written and the plot keeps your interest.
I liked Foster's honesty and was pleasantly surprised that he didn't immediately take advantage of Maura's willingness to continue with an affair even though He already had a wife however in name only.
He was not the usual rogue.
I gave this tragic and delightful love story 4.25 of 5.0 stars.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

I read this story and was very interest in the story based on the description. This book was not what I expected. It is the second book in a series and I have not read the last book but I do not feel like you need to read the first to understand this one, at no point was I confused because I had not read the first book.

As for my thoughts on this book: I thought it was okay. It had some elements that I liked, some that I was surprised by, and some that I did not like.

Things I liked:
- The fact that the cousins are all strong women who actually run their own business.
- The relationship between the cousins and our main character’s relationship with her step mother.
- Getting to see the “villains" side of the story.

Things That Surprised Me:
- This book has a hint of magical realism that I was not expecting but it was not entirely unwelcome in the story.

Things I Did Not Like:
- Love at first sight was a huge factor in this book. I don’t usually mind this trope but in this book I just did not feel like it was done well.
- Cheating was also a main plot point in this novel. I know that for this time period this was not really an abnormal thing to be happening but that does not mean I liked it being part of our main relationship.

Overall, this book was just okay for me. I thought the story was fairly predictable and that the ending was far too convenient.

This series just keeps getting better. Whilst ‘The Irish Heiress’ is a standalone book in the series – Hamilton Cousins, it is well worth reading the first book, simply for the pleasure of the read. I was captivated from the start with Mara’s premonition of events to come, involving her and a man, who she believes loves her. It only gets better when she meets the man in her visions, Foster Sheridan, the Earl of Sterling, moments later. However, the romantic storyline soon has a twist when Mara finds out the Foster is married. Their romance is fraught not only with the obvious obstacles but also a secret that Mara is trying desperately to hide.
Both Mara and Foster’s characters are well developed and the complexity behind each of their lives, is gradually revealed. The difficulties that they have faced make it easy to see these two characters together. What made this book all the more enjoyable, was the wonderful secondary characters of both her cousins and aunties. Even the villain in the story, is fascinating and made for a better story.
I have now just purchased the story of Mara’s father, as the references to him and her stepmother, had me fascinated. I look forward to more books in this series but delight in the fact that there is a previous series called ‘The Hamilton sisters”.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

***SPOILERS AHEAD***

I was not a fan of this book. I read the previous book in this series, did not like it, but wanted to give the author another chance. After reading this book, there will be no more chances. It was hard for me to root for couple when the hero is married to another woman. Yes, she was a shrew (more on that in a minute), but I can’t view it as a HEA when the couple are together behind his wife’s back and become free to marry because she dies in a horrific fire. And, just like in the previous book, the villain embodies some of the worst stereotypes of women. I can’t enjoy a story like this.

I was a little surprised with this book I didn't expect this story line. So we meet Mara who thinks that she will never marry, yet she meets and falls in love with Foster. That is the part that was not what I would have expected. So they meet he also falls in love but is married, now I am not the one to condone infedility, and I know that the author tries to portray that it is ok for them to have an affair because his wife is truly awful and treats him like crap and refuses to divorce. I don't care I don't like it. Then we have the you know what the outcome is going to be so predictability and that she (Mara) has some sort of visions that explain what is going to happen with her. For that time frame didn't jive with me.

Lady Mara Reeves is quiet and reserved. She mostly keeps to herself. While visiting family in England, Mara falls for Foster Sheridan, Earl of Sterling. She knows they are destined to be together. Only one problem, he's already married.

Foster is immediately enamored of Mara, but he is a married man. He doesn't love his wife and has tried to get her to divorce him, but she refuses. Although he resists at first, he cannot deny Mara. They enter into a forbidden liaison, one that could be the death of them both if they're not careful.

I genuinely enjoy author Kaitlin O'Riley's writing. Her Hamilton sisters series is wonderful. I was so glad to see a continuation of it with the next generation. I was not crazy about THE IRISH HEIRESS. I felt that Mara was too bold, going after Foster like she did. Not that it would have been right for him to pursue her either. I know Foster's relationship was on the rocks with his wife and they were estranged, but I felt he should have made further action to end their relationship before he began things with Mara. Still, glad they were able to finally get their HEA. I give THE IRISH HEIRESS a 3.5 star rating.

SWEET BUT PREDICTABLE 🌺

Historical romance is, usually, quite predictable. We all know what the ending is going to be. But the road there doesn't have to be predictable. This book took the expected road to the expected ending. But there were still flashes of greatness that kept me entertained.

"The role of an unwanted spinster spiraling into lunacy was her fate."

THE THINGS I LIKED 🌺

'Villian' POV: Foster Sheridan is married when he falls in love with our heroine, Mara Reeves. Therefore it comes as no surprise that his shrew of a wife is the 'villain' of this story. She cannot allow her husband to find happiness, when she believes there is none to be found for her. I actually really enjoyed that the wife, Rose, had a voice in this book. She had chapters devoted only to her. It was fresh and interesting.

Premonitions: Mara has the most curious gift - she gets premonitions about the future that always come true. I knew, from having read the first book in this series, that this was going to play a part in this book. And I actually expected to dislike it, because I don't equate historical romance with paranormal things. But still, the premonitions were handled delicately, and they actually added something interesting and new to the story.

Chemistry There was such a sweet and undeniable chemistry between Mara and Foster, which was so intense and hot yet still sweet and respectful. I really responded well to that.

THE THINGS I DISLIKED

Predictable: Like I said, from the beginning until the end, there were no surprises in this book for me. I had it all figured out. That was a bit sad, there could have been at least one little surprise along the way.

Regency or Victorian?: This book is set in the year 1894, meaning during the Victorian era. Yet, apart from Foster referring to automobiles and electricity and having a shower in his home, this really just read like a regency romance novel. I would have loved it to reflect the time it was set in more clearly.

Insta-love: Now, this is one of my biggest pet peeves in books, especially in romance books. When the hero and heroine fall instantly in love with each other without even knowing anything about the other. To me, that is not love. That is lust.

The Irish Heiress is the second book in the Hamilton Cousins series. The storyline for this book was very interesting. We have a heroine, Lady Mara, who has premonitions. It is during one of these where she sees a man saving her life. She then meets Lord Sterling who ends up being the man she saw in her vision and just like that she feels an instant connection, that they belong together and in love. Also in that moment Lord Sterling feels the same way towards her. This connection was a little too sudden for me. He was a little reluctant at first because he's a married man. He's been married for ten years to Rose. Their marriage has been a very cold one. They've lived apart for most of those ten years. Rose was a tough character. We see her as a bitter woman who will not divorce Foster just for spite. It is later on in the story when we find out her reasons of why she became this woman. It's a sad story, but she had no right to take it out on Foster.
The romance in this book was not one we usually find. It is because of the vision that Mara had that she is determined to be with Foster even as a mistress. She is willing to give up being a wife and children to be with him. Therefore, their love had a bittersweet tint to it even towards the end when they could finally be together.

This is the second book from The Hamilton Cousins, a sequel series to The Hamilton Sisters.

It follows the same formula as the first book, but the romance this time is more complicated than the one in the first book. The characters were better, in my opinion, but the story predictable once again. This is something I expected, since most historical romances, or at least those that I have read, have rather simple and uncomplicated stories. After all, we read them for the romance, the setting and the characters.

My main issue was the same as the first book. It feels like a regency novel, even though it takes place in 1890's. There is almost none reference to the right time. I remembered it because it bothered me in the first book too.

In general, it's a nice and entertaining historical romance book, but lacks the charm that, for example, the Bridgerton series have.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an e-arc, in exchange for my honest review.

Lady Mara Reeves has always been determined never to marry and has spent several seasons quietly rejecting the attentions of potential suitors. Now her reputation for being shy and reclusive has been solidified. Then she has a premonition or vision, something that happens to her quite regularly, although this is the first time it's been about herself. In the vision she sees herself with a man and very much in love, so when she meets this man in person, their connection is instant.

Foster Sheridan, the Earl of Sterling feels this connection too, unfortunately he is trapped in a loveless marriage with a wife who despises hm, but shuns the idea of divorce. Since Mara has never intended to marry anyway, she thinks she and Foster could still have an arrangement suitable for them both. Foster wants Mara as his wife and tries to keep his distance, but she proves irresistible. Soon, however, an affair is not enough and Foster follows a reluctant Mara to Ireland to try to understand her reasons for not wanting marriage, but danger follows them there, threatening any future they could hope to have together.

Unpopular opinion time. Other reviewers thus far seem to love this book and I just didn't. It was okay for me, but Mara was just a little bit too perfect. The adultery aspect didn't even bother me since Foster's wife was so awful, but then it did a bit when I got more of Rose's backstory, and then it didn't again, because she was awful again. Clearly, I had mixed feelings. The writing itself was good, it was just that there was quite a bit of repetition. Mara kept having the same vision over and over so that was understandable, even if I didn't need every detail of it each time, but many of her conversations with Foster seemed the same as well and that got to me a bit.

All the same, I really did enjoy how close the family was and all the secondary characters were wonderful. I would love to read more books in the future about their stories. I also appreciated how original this story was. I've never read anything quite like it before and will read more from this author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lady Mara has the “sight” and when she sees Lord Foster Sheridan she knows he belongs to her. The fact that he is married does not deter her from pursuing a relationship with him! That is so out of character for a lady of that time to do, no matter how much the author tried to justify it. It is the reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5. I do like the way this author writes and look forward to reading more by her. I received and ARC for my honest review.

Unfortunately this story is very predictable and boring. I felt no connection to the leads. I read all the others in this series and each and every one was better than this.
The development is slow. The dialogues shallow. You know from the beginning how it will end.

(netgalley arc)

A nice surprise to read a totally unexpected plot.
Quiet, contained Lady Mara Reeves has never had a suitor and wouldn't marry or have children even if she did. Mara has premonitions that have always come true. The night of a ball, Mara meets the man in her most recent premonition. Foster Sheridan, Earl of Sterling. An instant bond between them leads Mara to make a most unusual proposal. Foster can't refuse even though he's married. An evil wife, the threat of blackmail and premonitions of fire keep their affair on edge. Very entertaining, a real page turner that kept me in suspense to the end of the book. Absolutely loved reading it!
An author to keep on my TBR.