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.

Even though the romance in this book had less of a focus, the emphasis being on the chaos in the household with the arrival of two precocious orphans was so entertaining that I really didn’t mind.

Rose and George were the stand out characters to me. They were funny and absolutely adorable and I love how devious they were. Rose was charming and whimsical, while George was focused on taking care of his sister. His grumpy realism made his character arc my favorite of the book, because it was so emotional to see his walls come down when you realize that, for all his plotting of escape, he wants to stay with the Pershings.

Will and Emmie’s relationship was sweet, and I loved seeing how, through trying to maintain the lie Emmie crafted, they were able to reconnect. Although I didn’t mind the reduced focus on their love story, I would have liked a couple more scenes developing their relationship.

Overall this was a fun read filled with lovable characters. If you enjoy marriage of convenience stories, with a wonderful found family and a good deal of chaos, then this book is for you.

I loved this one! So cute and such a fun witty book with great characters. Highly recommend this one!

Some authors never, ever disappoint, and Suzanne Enoch is one of them. I am always eager to read another of her rich, delightful romances and Something in the Heir is no exception. In fact, it may be the best one yet. I think I smiled from page 1 until THE END. I felt the danger and mystery and suspense but I knew there would be a wonderful ending to this wonderful story.

I love Regency romances because that historical period with all its rigid customs, traditions, mores, rules, and punishments just ties everyone up – until our heroine comes along and challenges it all. These women are supposed to act a certain way, but they don’t. Emmeline Pershing is one of those women. She has gotten herself – and her unwitting husband Will into quite a mess. And while there is no easy way out, the antics Emmie and Will get up to are laugh-out-loud funny. Not to mention touching and sweet and romantic enough to make your heart go pitter-pat.

Eight years ago Emmie needed a husband – fast! – to keep the house she loved. Along came Will, her old childhood friend. She wants to keep the house, he wants to succeed in business so there we go, the perfect bargain. They’ll just have a marriage between friends. Except we get a little inkling right at the start that Will may have a bit of tenderness in his heart for Emmie, who is by the way clueless.

All goes well (enough) until they are required to bring their fantasy children before Emmie’s grandfather, the reclusive Duke of Welshire, the man who ultimately determines who keeps the house. What follows is a lot of fun, some truth-telling and baring of souls, and some unexpected discoveries. All 100% enjoyable and satisfying. Smooth plot, fascinating characters (both the good and the bad), lush descriptions of the countryside, and what we all read historical romance novels for: romance. Sweet romance that heats up and has you yearning for that HEA.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy of Something in the Heir via NetGalley for my reading pleasure and honest opinion. Something in the Heir is the latest in a long, pleasurable list of delightful stories by Suzanne Enoch, and I recommend them all without hesitation. All opinions are my own.

And by the way, I knew this would be a winner just by reading the dedication: “my sister Nancy— Thank you for helping me find the time to write this, And for watching all those old Cary Grant movies with me (even though that part was pretty fun).”

Ok... so here me out... I did like this, but I went into not really realizing it was Women's Fiction (completely my fault!!) and so I was expecting wayyyy more romance than there was and that hurt my enjoyment. That being said, this story is so sweet and I loved the children and how they all became a family. The ending was SO CUTE.

Rating: 3 stars!