I'm writing an honest review after reading an advanced reader copy of this story.

While not a bad story I personally had trouble with the characters and their relationship & interactions with each other. Things were cordial but cold. It was 2 people living in the same house & avoiding each other. I supposed this could be a good Ton marriage, since it could have been so much worse. The kids were better and showed more growth than the adults. I'm disappointed and didn't particularly enjoy the ending, except for the Duke, he was grumpy and funny.

#SuzanneEnoch #Netgalley #SomethingintheHeir #St.Martin's

This book is fluffy historical romance at its wittiest.
In a moment of panic, Emmeline asks her childhood friend William to marry her in a partnership that will allow her to keep her childhood home and give him a wife that can help him with his career. Fast forward 8 years and they live in a loveless but very successful partnership that would have continued thus if it weren't for the fact that Emmeline's grandfather, the Duke who owns the house, demands to see all his relatives for his birthday. This includes the made-up children Emmeline created in order to fill the terms of living in her home, which was to have at least one child before 5 years of marriage were up. So now Emmeline confesses to Will that they have not just one but two children and need to show up with a 7-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl. This begins a story that starts out as logical desperation and quickly becomes emotional fun.
The children are as different from anything either Will or Emmeline have ever encountered, they show up in the very organized and regimented household and quickly change everything about the couple and their servants. George and Rose are delightful and their story is as heartbreaking as it is fun to see how it puts everything the couple thought about themselves and their lives into wonderful disarray.
I loved the characters and the fact that even secondary characters get their personalities fully developed and little moments to shine. It makes the stakes of being able to pass off the children as Emmeline's and Will's feel even more important when you care about everyone in the household. Not to mention that the future of the kids remains in the air and is a big motivator for much of the story.
The plot moves at a great pace that includes slowing down for emotional moments and ramping up for the action and pivotal moments. It makes reading pass by in a flash that still feels extremely satisfying.
Overall, it's a very satisfying read that is utter fluffy romance goodness.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the delightful read!

Emmeline and William Pershing had a marriage of convenience to fulfill rules for an inheritance, and it's worked out well for them even though William longed for more from Emmeline. When Emmeline's grandfather summons them for his birthday, William discovers that Emmeline lied about having children to live in their home. They find two orphans to be their children, and the chaos that results brings them closer together.

A fun Regency rom-com, we get to see family life with young children. Any parent of an eight and five-year-old knows that it's an adventure, and our hero and heroine find that out the hard way. The carefully spun stories that Emmeline invented in letters and tracked in journals are a far cry from the reality of two young children that once stole on the streets of London to survive. They don't trust the Pershings right away, especially when all the adults in their lives beforehand tended to lie to them. Even their older brother did, and said brother's disappearance complicates matters. Will and Emmeline see each other in a new light, as they had fallen into a roommate situation, and once again see each other as fun and desirable. The children like the home they're living in and are old enough to work on a bargain with the Pershings. As much as they don't think they're good with children or parent material, they do very well and truly want the best for the children.

I liked the look into the genteel family life of the period. Most stories involve young marriageable aged people, not ones already married. It's like a second chance romance, but they never actually broke up. They just drifted apart in the manner of married couples of the period, and never thought of having more. Creating a family, however temporary it was meant to be, added the complications that allowed them to see new sides of each other. As a romcom, we have a happily ever after, even when it seems like nothing will pull through. I had a fun afternoon reading this, and you will, too.

Overall, this was a good story but I didn’t love it. I did feel invested while reading, I liked the details and descriptions and build to the end.

The story starts out pretty fun and I was laughing as Emmie had to tell Will about making up children. What I learned about their history I liked but it wasn’t very in-depth, more like mentions of past feelings. There was a romance happening but it felt very subtle, so if you blinked, you missed it. Since Will and Emmie were already married, it felt like their coming together was a footnote. It was more about the kids and them becoming a family. The kids were great! I felt for them and how hard they had to work to take care of themselves. I liked them all coming together and bits of humor throughout. There was a bit of a twist that brought some drama, I liked how everyone came together to deal with it. Mostly I felt for the kids and couldn't wait for Emmie to figure out what was important.

There's a nice cast of characters with the servants, helping to create a few entertaining scenes. There was a short side story about a couple and I felt those two had more chemistry than Will and Emmie. There were some descriptions that were repetitive throughout the story and while I was happy to get to the end, I felt it was rather predictable. Since the romance was so low-key, it was very much a slow burn with only a few on-page kisses.

I say it was good because I was always looking forward to what would happen next but I was missing a true, heartfelt romance. Thanks to the kids and them becoming a family, it was a sweet and heartwarming read.

We’ve heard of marriage of convenience… one keeps the home they’ve grown up in and the other gets to have connections to fulfill great intentions. But, I’ve never read a kids of convenience story so I enjoyed this book!!

To keep their home, Emmeline and William needed heirs by their fifth year of marriage. They eventually found siblings and they’re fun yet you want to hug them (or secretly add coins to their hidden stash).

I think the book is well paced and you’ll want to keep reading when a runaway returns to the siblings lives, and something is kindling between mama and papa!

Of course there is a happily ever after, however the author keeps us guessing how grand the HEA is until the end. I recommend this feel good book!

Thank you to Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press, and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Rose and George stole the show in this book and was the main reason why I continued to read it. I wasn’t super intrigued by Will and Emmie other than in their first chapter (which happens in the past), and their relationship dynamics seem slightly off the whole book. I was waiting to learn more about why exactly they became so distant but it never came; it doesn’t make sense for there to not be a strong catalyst for their relationship being reduced to cordial, business-like exchanges when they were good friends prior to their marriage. Even though I liked them learning how to parent the hoydens together, it didn’t feel like enough to redeem this glaring lack of character explanation that is normally so central in Suzanne Enoch’s books. That being said, I really liked the way the narration and point of view was handled in this book, and I was thoroughly delighted by all of George and Rose’s antics — them and Powell’s interactions were gold. I wasn’t a fan of the dynamic between the two main characters and the plot seemed a bit weak and inactive, but there were definitely some things that I really enjoyed while reading.

I enjoy reading this author but for some reason, I couldn’t get hooked on this story. The story was good especially with the children George and Rose but I found it too long and too slow. It is a clean read and would recommend it to others.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy.

the very beginning of this book had me laughing so much because this is the same kind of unhinged chaotic behavior of NaomiNicholas from You Deserve Each Other and that honestly had me sold. I loved the marriage of convenience combined with friends to partners to lovers!

I didn't expect the book to so heavily feature the children they adopt for their nefarious plans. I really thought going into this that the POV would solely remain on Will and Emmie and so it definitely took a moment to adjust to the fact that this book felt more focused on the children. That's all well and good, it just wasn't what I had originally expected. While I did enjoy the kids' POVs and seeing that "found family" trope done, it made the friends to lovers story fall a little flatter in my opinion.

I wish we had focused more on the romance between Will and Emmie, but it felt like it had been pushed aside to focus on the kids growing to love their "fake" mama and papa. I did love the story in general even though it wasn't what I originally expected!

One thing about this book that took me out of the experience was the fact that the POVs kept switching to even minor/side characters. It felt like the author was using a tv show format where tiny bits were interconnected, but in this story it made it feel a little jumbled.

Overall, I did like the family relationships and the overall growth of the kids and how Emmie and Will grew together.

Thank you NetGalley, St Martin's Press and the author for the e-galley!

This was a turn from the usual Enoch novels that I have read. Which is not terrible, but just not what I am used to. This is a very PG rated novel that has romance, but none of the steam I was hoping for. It was cute and funny, but had some awkward scenes that just did not add up. The ending was fine and predictable. I knew where the characters were going, so it made for a simple read.

For me this is a wary 3 stars. I was interested in the premise and was ok with the overall execution, but not a book that I would be recommending in the future.

This was a delightful tale filled with fascinating characters and an interesting plot. I liked both main characters; Emmaline and Will. I loved the children; George and Rose. While it is deemed a romance, it is very subtle as the main focus is the keeping of their home and the shenanigans it involves. I loved it from start to end and will be adding this author to my auto click list!

Something in the Heir by Suzanne Enoch was definitely a fun read but I wouldn’t categorize it as your typical romance. Yes, it falls into the marriage of convenience trope, but the story line revolves around Emmie and Will problem solving to maintain their family home.

Emmeline Hervey loved her childhood home, which belonged to her grandfather the Duke of Welshire. When Emmie’s parents decide to move, Emmie and Will enter their marriage of convenience so Emmie can remain in her childhood home. The caveat is they must have children within 5 years, or the home goes to another family member. Now 8 years later, they are childless, and Emmie’s grandfather is throwing himself a 70th birthday party and wants Emmie and Will to be there – along with their children! Those would be the fictious children Emmie has told her family about in order to stay in the house!

Emmie now must explain the entire situation to Will. Emmie and Will quickly need to figure out how to produce two children. They try neighbor and tenant children, neither of these situations work out. What is left? They go to a London orphanage and find George and Rose Fletcher, who seem perfect for the job. If you ignore that they lack the behavior and mannerisms normally found in their social class.

I loved George and Rose! They give Emmie and Will such a run for their money. They didn’t count on the two tikes being as cunning as they are. Their hijinks, and their interactions with the house staff are wonderful! It all leads to the four working their way toward trust, acceptance, and love.

Although I enjoyed the book and can heartily recommend it, I wish the story included an epilogue. It would have been wonderful to see the family a year down the line and how they had all settled into their new life.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. I voluntarily read the book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was pure ridiculous delight. At first, I was appalled by the storyline but decided to keep reading and am so happy I did. It filled my heart with warm fuzziness despite the spiral out of control.

Emmeline and William have been living at Winnover for 8 years in a perfectly convenient marriage. Everything is great until they are invited to Will's grandfather's birthday celebration. The Duke of Wilshire is asking to see the two grandchildren Emmeline invented because giving the duke a heir was a condition to living at Winnover, but it never happened for her and Will. So they have to "borrow" a boy and a girl to pass as their own if they don't want to have to move...
This was a fun read, with cute kids and a great partnership between the two MCs. The story is crazy and unique, highly entertaining. It was a bit redundant at times, and it was more a comedy than a romance, but it was very enjoyable, and the writing was great.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Something in the Heir by Suzanne Enoch was a fun and charming read about a marriage of convenience that turns into more than either William or Emmeline ever considered! I loved the historical element to this book and I also enjoyed the family concept and not just a couple. I've read other books by this author and this one is definitely different then her others. I liked it as it was refreshing for something new.

While this book started out slow for me I grew to love the story almost as much as I love George and Rose. While Emmie and Will were great and their romantic relationship grew over the course of the book, the kids are what kept me in reading. Much like the rest of the household I was captivated by their energy and points of view. The one major issue I had with it were when they POVs changed mid-chapter. Some it was very clear who was talking but there were a few times where I was not 100% sure who was talking. Overall I enjoyed this story once I got into it.

Emmaline (Emmie) Hervey grew up in Winnover Hall which she loves very much. When she realizes that a cousin may marry before her, she quickly proposes to an old friend, Will Pershing. He accepts and they marry quickly.

Emmie’s grandfather is the Duke of Welshire and owner of Winnover Hall. He has said that whichever one of his grandchildren marries first will get to live in the Hall. The stipulation is that the couple must also produce a child within the first 5 years.

Will is a very intelligent man with a future of being quite successful in politics. Emmie is a fabulous hostess and, thus, their marriage has been quite content. Unfortunately, after a few encounters with each other, it turns out that Emmie is unable to have children.

Now, the Duke has invited all of his grandchildren to visit him for his 70th birthday and they must bring their children. Well, there’s a problem here. Emmie has told her grandfather that she and Will have two children, Malcolm and Flora. That’s a lie and Will is shocked when he finds out. Ah, but the two put a plan into place. They borrow two children, George and Rose from an orphanage for some weeks, spending time training the children and then meeting with the Duke. Now, if they can just carry out the plan and nothing goes wrong.

I love the humor of this book. George and Rose are such funny kids and say exactly what they think. Watching Emmie and Will finally open their eyes to one another was so sweet. But seeing how all of they became a family was even better. A terrific book but a bit long.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This was a cute historical fiction/romance with a good touch of humor. Set in Regency era England, the story follows the exploits of Emmeline and William Pershing who have enjoyed a perfectly convenient marriage for eight years. More business partners than husband and wife, Will married Emmeline to help her keep her childhood home, and in turn, Emmeline helped Will advance his career with the government. It is all threatened when the couple are invited to Emmeline's grandfather's house for his birthday party. The home came with a caveat: Emmeline and Will must have children within the first five years of their marriage or they forfeit the place. While the couple's few attempts to conceive came to nothing, Emmeline did not let that deter her. She created two imaginary children for the couple and has been lying to her family for the past eight years.

Faced with losing their home and livelihood, the couple secure a brother and sister from an orphanage to pose as the couple's children at the birthday party. They have 8 weeks to shine them up and teach them to behave as upper class children. The street smart children have their own plans, however, and see this endeavor as a way to evade returning to the orphanage and gaining their freedom.

This was a very cute book. The couple are pretty clueless about each other and romance, so it was sweet to see them start to fall in love with each other. The children are adorable and their savviness and spirit are fun to read. It was also a joy to see everyone in the household go from being wary and suspicious of the children to under their spell. By the end, everyone was in on the plot to save the family home. Overall, this was a fun and quick fluffy book to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. All opinions are my own.

This Regency romance was a refreshingly different take on the marriage of convenience trope. Two childhood friends marry so Emmeline can inherit her family estate and to help William with his political career. The catch, in order to keep the property, Emmeline must produce an heir within five years.

Due to fertility issues, this never happened but Emmeline made up a young son and daughter and in order to protect the lie, she and William go to an orphanage to find two children who will be able to stand in as their actual offspring.

I did find the whole shopping for an orphan to perpetuate a lie a bit cringey at the start but eventually the children grow on the couple and this unique found family manage to become a real one. Charming and heartwarming and great on audio.

Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. Something in the heir definitely made it into my standout historical romance reads of the year alongside A lady for a duke and Always be my duchess.

I've read other books by Suzanne Enoch and this was surprise. It was more of a family romance than a couple romance and although I liked the overall story I felt like we didn't really get to know the main couple. Maybe the children were supposed to be the main characters because we did get to know them and they were adorable. George and Rose Fletcher were orphans at St. Stephens in London that Emmie and Will Pershing "borrowed" to live up to a lie she told the Duke of Welshire, her grandfather, to keep her childhood home. The Duke wants his line to continue and demands that the family living there must have children within five years.

Will and Emmie do not have any children (which is a ridiculous scenario because of their relationship) unless you count the ones she made up, now they have to appear for the Duke's birthday party. They have just a few weeks to train the young scrabblers and make an agreement of give & take to accomplish this endeavor. George is an eight-year-old going on forty and an excellent character who protects his five year old sister, Rose. He accomplishes this with hard-earned street smarts, refusing to be separated from his sister, and robbing Emmie and Will blind. He does such a good job of looking after his sister that she still has a wonderful imagination even with their hard luck life. Those kids stole the show.

The Pershing's relationship gets better throughout the book but for no reason than they are hanging out more and start appreciating each other and that's the big problem I have with this book. I felt like I knew the children and Hannah (the maid) and Tom Billet (the head groom) better than Will and Emmie. So for me, this book had problems, but at the same time an adorable story where I was rooting for the odd family. Definitely expectations of a romance played a part in my opinions, but I think if you know going into it that it's not a typical romance you can enjoy the book.

Thank you to St. Martins Griffin and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

DNF @23% - People who know me know I don't like DNF'ing. However, I've been STRUGGLING hard with this book. I don't like our two protagonists. They are very selfish and just so out of touch with the world that it hurts to read. The story is very boring so far and already super repetetive as well. The only highlight for me so far is the children. They seem like an absolute delight. However, I've been reading reviews and it seems like the issues I already have with this book just gets worse as this book goes on and that just makes me not want to continue. I did promise myself I would DNF more this year.