I am definitely in my Regency romance era, and Something in the Heir by Suzanne Enoch is a great addition to the field. It's heartwarming with a delightful cast of characters. The premise of the plot is a bit absurd, but it's certainly not lacking in heart.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

This book is a total joy ride with its wonderfully charming and endearing characters! The plot feels like it's straight out of another time, which just adds to the humor. One minute, I was cracking up over the antics and conversations of Rose and George, and the next, I was getting all emotional over their past struggles. While the grown-ups in the story are great, it's really the kids who are the scene-stealers here.

I was so hooked on this book, I stayed up reading until almost sunrise, and then felt a bit blue when it was all over. You definitely don't want to miss out on this exceptional group of characters. It's an absolute must-read!

Super cute, historical romance. A quick read and couldn’t put it down fun to be had by all. All romance lovers will love this book.

Book Review: Something in the Heir

"Something in the Heir" by an undisclosed author is a delightful and humorous exploration of love, family, and the unexpected twists that life throws our way. Emmeline and William Pershing have spent eight years in a perfectly convenient marriage, each excelling in their respective domains while cherishing the partnership they've built. Their lives, seemingly well-ordered and separate, take an unexpected turn when Emmeline's reclusive grandfather, the Duke of Welshire, demands they bring their supposed children to his birthday celebration.

What follows is a delightful comedy of errors as it's revealed that Emmeline had invented the existence of their children to uphold an agreement for living at Winnover. With the need to borrow two unruly orphans, George and Rose, their carefully constructed facade begins to unravel. The story takes an endearing twist as Emmeline and William navigate the chaos and discover new layers of their relationship amidst the uproar.

The charm of "Something in the Heir" lies in its humor, wit, and the unraveling of a love that has been hidden behind the facade of practicality and convenience. The characters are endearing, and their development throughout the narrative is delightful to witness. Emmeline's cleverness and William's dedication are brought to the forefront, revealing the true depth of their connection.

The narrative's strength lies in the author's ability to blend lighthearted moments with more intimate and touching ones. The unraveling chaos and unexpected bonding with George and Rose add a heartwarming touch to the story. The prose is engaging and captures the essence of a lighthearted romantic comedy, making it a perfect read for fans of the genre.

In summary, "Something in the Heir" is a delightful romantic comedy that blends humor, heart, and the unexpected, resulting in an endearing tale that leaves readers smiling. It's a reminder that sometimes, life's quirkiest moments can lead us to the most beautiful surprises. If you're in the mood for a light and enjoyable read that tugs at your heartstrings, this book is the perfect choice.

Something in the Heir has an interesting premise. It's a marriage of convenience, but eight years in, things are about to get quite INconvenient. Mr. and Mrs. Pershing (that's actually what they call each other) were childhood friends once. Then Emmie had a desperate need to get married on the double, or a family rule enforced by her ducal grandfather would cause her to lose her home. Will agreed to her sudden proposal not because Emmie promised to further his career in the trade ministry but because he was in love with her. The second requirement to keep their home was to produce an heir within five years. They did not. It turns out that Emmie can't have children, and their attempts to make it happen grossed her out, driving a wedge between the former friends. Now, they're professional accomplices in making Will successful. Oh, yeah. And Emmie lied to her grandfather about the lack of heirs to keep their home. Not just a little lie. She invented two children, spinning perfect tales about the sickly dears for her whole family. Now, the Duke's 70th birthday approaches, and he wants to meet the children.

So begins a comedy of two hapless adults (same) hunting down two children to pretend to be theirs. When two families shockingly don't wish to part with their offspring for a couple of months, the two consider how grand it would be if they could just pop by a store for children. And that's when inspiration strikes. Off to the orphanage to temporarily take in George and Rose, who will require a good bit of polishing before they can pretend to be the docile, well-mannered Pershing children. As two well-ordered, well-heeled adults, they are pleased with themselves to find a pair that fits their lie. Surely everything will be easy from here on out since children are such reasonable creatures at baseline. Ha.

I'll admit that something caught me off guard right away. To establish what the Pershings' normal existence looks like and show how their political partnership functions, the book opens with them negotiating the building of a road in Africa (bad vibes already, but I held out for confirmation). Why is this deal so important to our intrepid, childless heroes? To "improve not just Britain's spice trade, but our relations with half of Europe" aka the rampant colonialism starts up as early as chapter 1, my dudes. While it didn't really feature in the story after that, it left a bad taste in my mouth.

The main reasons I disliked the book took me a while to disentangle. The romance is about the Pershings realizing they haven't properly been appreciating each other. But is it even a romance when a side plot romance has more chemistry? There were two scenes from their POV, and it's like hey... is this kind of cute? Is this cuter than the married couple I'm supposed to be focused on? And I think the problem's not only about all the other things the plot tries to squish in. I just didn't find Emmie and Will particularly likable separately or as a couple.

Romances with important kid characters are either the best or the worst. For me, this one was the worst. And with such wily, huggable kids, that's a crying shame. The plot's meant to be a series of cute, touching moments between the real Pershings and the temporary ones, but the plot drags. The Pershings are training the kids while still intending to give them up. Then, they start to second guess that plan from an emotional level but can't come up with a single solution between them on a logical level. Honestly couldn't be me. As someone who spends all day with kids, you either make the effort or you don't. Like, get over the house already. Emmie and Will keep having to make outlandish compromises to keep that prize. I'm not saying it's fair for them to lose their home or that they shouldn't fight for it, but compared to losing your kids? And knowing they're practically guaranteed a shitty future otherwise? It took them too damn long to sort out their priorities. They keep thinking there must be a way to have it all (I mean, there is because it's a romance novel) rather than making sacrifices to love and protect their kids. Lame.

This was a weird dislike because it kind of crept up on me. I thought I was fine, but then I realized how uninterested I was and how little I looked forward to picking it back up each time.

This book was hilarious, fun, and sweet. I found myself laughing out loud several times, not to mention I am a sucker for regency romance.

"Something in the Heir" by Suzanne Enoch is a regency delight that transported me to a world of aristocratic intrigue, witty banter, and the allure of unexpected romance. This novel is a charming blend of historical elegance, captivating characters, and a love story that unfolds with sophistication.

Enoch's writing style captures the essence of the regency era, immersing readers in a world of grand estates, societal norms, and the complexities of noble life. The characters in the novel are skillfully crafted, each with their own unique personalities that contribute to the depth of the story.

At the heart of the narrative is a romantic tension that simmers beneath the surface, captivating the reader with its gradual progression. The chemistry between the main characters is electric, and their verbal sparring adds an extra layer of charm to their interactions.

"Something in the Heir" successfully balances romance with a touch of mystery, creating a narrative that is both engaging and emotionally satisfying. The exploration of familial dynamics and the gradual realization of true feelings make the story resonate on a deeper level.

In conclusion, "Something in the Heir" is a delightful and beautifully written regency romance that captures the essence of the era while delivering a love story that will leave you swooning. If you're seeking a novel that combines elegance, charm, and a romance that leaves a lasting impression, this book is a must-read that will transport you to a bygone era of love and intrigue.

A marriage of convenience became very inconvenient.

I was pleasantly surprised by Something in the Heir. Regency romance is not one of my go-to book genres. Once I got settled into the story, I came to adore the trouble-making orphans. They’re kind of the stars of the show. The attempts of Emmeline and William looking for “suitable” children to borrow was so strange and hilarious. Who would actually let their landlord borrow their children for a month?

As mentioned, they do end up finding an orphan brother and sister pair. Their kind and have sweet intentions, but they’re definitely used to fending for themselves. They enjoy being spoiled with treats and nice clothes, but that doesn’t keep them from sneaking away candlesticks and silver for their eventually breakaway. Rather than behaving like two pretentious snobs, Emmeline and William both feel sympathy for the kids. They know of their thievery, and allow it to continue for a time. I found it very endearing that these two people who have never been parents were so patient and compassionate.

This was not a typical love story.
In the marriage of convenience trope, we expect for the two partners in the scheme to eventually fall in love. What I enjoyed in this storyline was how it was rambunctious children that helped them find love with each other. It brought both of them into a more relaxed and silly version of themselves. True, Emmeline created the issue of needing to produce two children for a public party of her uncle’s, but William was on her team right away. He never belittled his housewife for creating such a lie, he admired her attention to details. He complimented her wits.

The shenanigans of raising too street-tough orphans into society presentable children is the basis of this story; however, readers have to appreciate the way Suzanne Enoch wove in examples of healthy relationships. There was negotiations between parent and child, there was clear and concise communication, and there were clear boundaries. Call me crazy, but I didn’t expect that in a regency-style story. It was such “men come first” and “children should be seen not heard” time period.

Whether you’re a long-time regency romance reader, or a newbie like me, Something in the Heir is a must read! It’s funny, light-hearted, and will give you that warm and fuzzy feeling.

What a good book! I just didn’t want to put it down and I ended up reading this in less than 2 days .

I have recommended this one to everyone I know that would enjoy this book.

I’m giving this 5 out of 5

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. Unfortunately so much of the plot is based on the miscommunication trope and it was done quite poorly.

I did enjoy the banter and found the characters to be fun but the basis of the plot was so unrealistic that I found the book as a whole harder to enjoy.

On that note, the romance was ENTIRELY miscommunication. These characters would have to be absolute doofuses to not realize their feelings for each other over all these years in all of these situations.

While I didn’t love the plot of this story, I did like the writing and the dialogue. I’d read more from this author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me advance access to this title. I really enjoyed reading this story and look forward to reading more from this author. As a reader, I am really motivated by character driven stories and I found myself quickly becoming immersed in these characters’ lives. Full review to come.

I found Suzanne Enoch's writing style to be really witty and entertaining. I do think that there were aspects to this story that I enjoyed, but I also think that overall this story could have been a bit shorter by being less repetitive. I also thought that some of the issues, the characters made harder than necessary so I found myself a bit annoyed. Overall I think it was a fun read but I definitely think that romance was not the main focus of the story.

The contract clearly states: In order to live at Winnover Hall, offspring must be produced within 5 years of marriage or risk eviction. All Emmeline has ever wanted is to remain in her childhood home with her family. When her grandfather, the Duke of Welshire and owner of said Hall, has an upcoming birthday that Emmeline must attend, she has to do some quick thinking in regard to the "children" she actually doesn't have so she doesn't have to vacate her home.

The kids, George and Rose, are too cute for words, and the hijinks they get up to is hilarious. Emmeline and her husband, Will, are cute in their own respects as well and come to find that they actually love (not just respect) each other after being married for almost a decade.

This book sucks you into its Old English vibes, and the characters are everything. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

What a true delight this story is! I was so engrossed in it I couldn’t put it down. Emmeline and Will are basically friends who happen to be married but are leading private separate lives. Until Emmeline’s grandfather requests their presence at his birthday party, and oh by the way, bring those two adorable children you’ve had!

I fell so hard in love with George and Rose. They broke my heart but made it swell at the same time. Their games with the butler made me laugh so much! Of course, the plot that Emmeline and Will hatch does not go to plan, and total hijinks and hilarity ensue. Who could help but fall in love with these two children? And along the way, Will and Emmeline fall in love with each other.

I closed this book with such a full heart. I truly loved it. I will definitely be rereading this one!

"Something in the Heir" presents readers with an enjoyable and entertaining premise that keeps them hooked from the very beginning. The story revolves around Emmeline and William Pershing, a couple who have maintained a marriage of convenience for eight years. Their carefully crafted lives take an unexpected turn when Emmeline's grandfather, the Duke of Welshire, calls for a family gathering to celebrate his seventieth birthday. Emmeline, in order to meet the requirement of having an heir, invents two children who cannot actually appear. This sets the stage for a series of surprising events.

The idea of "renting" two orphans to fulfill their deception initially raised some concerns, but the author manages to handle it in a way that keeps readers engaged. The lessons that the Pershings give the children to ensure they fit the mold of a well-bred couple's offspring provide moments of amusement and entertainment. The author cleverly weaves a sense of negotiation and mutual understanding into the relationship between the Pershings and the children. As the story progresses, it becomes evident that the Pershings have developed genuine affection for the children, making their eventual resolution all the more satisfying.

While romance takes a backseat in this novel, it gradually emerges as the Pershings' relationship evolves. The author skillfully depicts the couple's journey from a distant and detached marriage to a genuine connection as they navigate their shared experience with the Fletcher children. It is refreshing to witness their romance build organically, and the decision to give their relationship a real chance by the end of the book is gratifying.

However, there are a few aspects of the story that could have been improved. The introduction of the character James felt unnecessary and detracted from the overall enjoyment of the book. Additionally, the prolonged delay in expressing love and care to the Fletcher children was frustrating, as it seemed to drag on for too long. The resolution could have been reached earlier, saving the readers from feeling a sense of monotony.

Despite these shortcomings, "Something in the Heir" offers a light-hearted and humorous reading experience. The story unfolds like a screwball comedy, with clever plot twists and endearing characters. The secondary romance adds an extra layer of charm to the narrative.

Purely delightful. The pure audacity of inventing two children to keep your childhood home made the story a hodgepodge of chaos and mild absurdity. Trying to help a 5 & 8 year old keep a slew of lies straight while they play the part leading to many touching and tender moments that melt the heart. You truly can’t help but fall in with these two scamps! Watching Emmeline and Will come together in the marriage adding the romantic delight. And a side cast of loyal, lovable servants to round out the story. The narrating was well played, and I especially enjoyed the voices of the children. They were simply adorable, I can’t seem to use that word enough. This story was adorable!

This is perfect for fans of Evie Dunmore's League of Extraordinary Women series who are looking for a more traditional regency with feminist flare.

Oh my goodness this is wonderful! Such a fun, humorous, and cute novel filled with found family and second chances.

The main characters - Emmeline and Will - have been married for years but the friendship they once had has been lost to the day to day routine of their goals and social lives. Events from the past come back and force this routine to be turned on its head. And what develops is delightful. Theres so much heart and so much sincerity in the way the characters interact. They feel so tangible and believable - especially George and Rose.

I also enjoyed the writing style. It’s funny and charming. It weaves between different characters’ perspectives constantly which could be confusing but for the most part really adds to the story. I feel like you get a good glimpse into the motivations and deeper identities of the main characters.

I highly recommend this novel to fans of adult romance, regency romance, found family, second chances, and friends to lovers.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this!

I didn't love this. I wanted to and it had so many elements of HRs that i love but i still could not bring myself to love this book.

I enjoyed this book. Two childhood friends, a mutual marriage agreement, a made up story, and finding love you never expected.

Emmie cannot have children of her own, but in order to keep Winnover Hall, she has to produce heirs. So, she makes them up. But when her Grandfather’s birthday arrives and he’s requiring all heirs to come to the party, Emmie and Will have to borrow children from the local orphanage. What could go wrong?