This book was nicely written; the paragraphs are so beautifully constructed and so balanced, the dialogues, the descriptions, the plot, everything is so well integrated that in the end the reader can’t stop reading, the mysterious background engages the curiosity so we need to read more and faster to discover what hides in the shadows. And the characters are so well developed that you can’t help but relate to them and fall in love with them. Also, this is a historical romance, yes, but it’s not only about romantic love, it is also a love letter to books. This book has mystery, attempted murders, plotting, books, friendship, sexy times, decades old secrets, some witty flirting all wrapped up with a HEA ending!

I have been pretty impatiently waiting for the third book in this series to come out for two years! I really enjoyed the first two books in the series and NEEDED to solve the mystery of who killed the former Duke. Maybe I set my expectations too high, but I was kind of bored during this final installment. I feel like you really need to read the previous books in the series to fully understand what is going on. All three books have a mystery storyline running throughout.

Nicholas Radnor has a lot going on. He's trying to step into the position of Duke, manage his demanding family, and fix the family coffers to keep the Dukedom afloat. When Iris Barrington, a rare bookseller, comes calling in search of a missing Psalter they both discover she's the missing third heiress of his uncle's fortune. They spend their days searching libraries, attending book auctions, and trying to clear her grandfather's name without incriminating Nicholas's family. It's all very mundane. The storyline picked up a bit during the house party. I liked that Iris was confident in who she is. It was great getting to see more of the previous couples. They kept the story moving for me.

I enjoy Madeline Hunter's writing and characters. I'm sure to pick up more of her books in the future; this one just wasn't my favorite. I normally read a book in a day and a half and it took me ten days to get through it.

tropes included: mystery, bookish heroine, bluestocking heroine, experienced heroine, house party, large complicated family dynamics

Thank you to NetGalley, Madeline Hunter, and Kensington Books (Zebra) for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
#netgalley #theheiressbride #kensingtonbooks #zebrabooks #theDukesHeiressSeries

This book was well written nicely paced and easy to read. It is very entertaining and has many interesting and likeable characters. An enjoyable read I would recommend. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Iris Barrington is a young woman who is in the trade of ancient books, manuscripts and old documents. She lives most of her time in Italy but when the story commences she’s in London trying to retrieve a very rare manuscript that the duke of Hollingworth had promised to give her. Unfortunately said duke died and now she has to deal with his heir, Nicholas, who promises to look up for it and give it to Iris once he’s sorted out his new properties. Nicholas has only inherited the title and the properties entailed to it, there is a vast amount of money that the late duke divided between three heiresses and the latest to appear is, precisely, Iris Barrington.

Nicholas now needs to take matters into hands and find a wife. He feels attracted to Iris at first sight, she’s quite intelligent, resourceful, knowledgeable and beautiful. She stands up for herself and she seems to be very humble in the way that she has no ambitions towards the will. Still, Nicholas must investigate her and keep her near, for he and his cousins are convinced that the old duke’s death wasn’t natural, someone in their sphere might have assassinated him. In the meantime, mysterious accidents are happening near Iris, does she had bad luck or is her life being threatened?

This is my first Madeline Hunter book and I was pleasantly surprised by her very fluid writing. The paragraphs are so beautifully constructed and so balanced, the dialogues, the descriptions, the plot, everything is so well integrated that in the end the reader can’t stop reading, the mysterious background engages the curiosity so we need to read more and faster to discover what hides in the shadows. If this were a mystery book it would be no doubt classified as “cosy mystery”, which is the most popular subgenre these days. I’m not a huge fan of mysteries but romantic suspense appeals to me. Give me a good investigation in Regency or Victorian eras, give me inheritance fights and family secrets and I will enjoy it so much.

I really loved Iris. She’s an independent woman and completely free compared to the situation of women in general in that day and age. She’s in trade, she travels for work, she takes pleasure when she needs it (that kind of pleasure too), one would classify her as a lowly woman if she wasn’t so smart, determined, strong and with a mind of her own. She’s very modern, avant garde one would say, completely uncommon. She’s not apologetic for who she is, but Nicholas is very openminded, very casual to be a haughty aristocrat. They match because they’re straightforward and confident the both of them. And flirty, which is fun.

Iris and Nicholas have a lot of chemistry though theirs is a slow burn romance that mirrors the way Iris is looking for her manuscript while cataloguing Nicholas’ library; every book, every look, every valuable old volume, every kiss in the garden. But what really touched my heart is how protective Nicholas is of Iris even before being romantically involved. His is not the kind of overbearing protectiveness, he’s just there, like a silent bodyguard, ready to fight for her safety and her security all the time. Independent as she is, Iris doesn’t feel Nicholas’ protection like a burden but rather like a warm blanket, she can be whatever she wants, do whatever she feels like to, feeling that he will be there for her.

This is a historical romance no doubt, but it’s not only about romantic love, it is also a love letter to books. To the treasures that they are, it’s an ode to book hoarders, book sellers, readers, it’s a beautiful defense of books of all kinds, fiction, non fiction, scholar, manuscripts, first editions, scientific books, prayer books, old and new books. The description of Nicholas’ library and of Iris’ work classifying the books that it contains is really beautiful, dreamy even. As a bookworm myself here I found a world in which I’d love to live. Sometimes it was like watching the research scenes in an Indiana Jones movie, always my favorite parts, so that shows how much I enjoyed this book.

A complicated family tree....

Nicholas is the duke, after his uncle passed away, possibly pushed to his death.
He has been looking for Iris Barrington and imagine his instant attraction to her when she shows up on his doorstep looking for a rare manuscript.

Iris is an independent lady, traveling the continent and trading books and taking the occasional lover. Good for her! She makes her own way in the world and is thankfully not a virgin.
Nicholas is super attracted to her but there is so much time spent trying to find out who was trying to kill off whom and if his uncle was killed and if Iris was who she said she was.

I did like that they were both sex positive.
Recommend.

So here we are finally at the last book to see the mystery of who killed the duke solved.
But first, it is Nicholas time for romance. I had hope for his story, after two books demonstrating he was a kind and fair man, it was his time to shine.
Alas I did never really warm to his pairing, Iris.
Don’t ask me why but I never really felt their chemistry, no spark nor fluttering butterflies. I am a bit off kilter actually as I struggle to find stories to hold my interest to hurry to the finish line. It is more a struggle and an obligation than really what I want. I also wonder if maybe part of these stories were written for part during or after the pandemic, I understand it weighted heavily on the artists’ world, still I have problems to connect with some of these stories.

Iris and Nicholas spend so much time running after the big villain, digging into libraries, solving more or less subplots, turning around one another and pushing away too, I saw them more as partners/colleagues in their endeavors instead of lovers.
Nicholas has come to term with his inheritance, he has been left the holdings but few wealth to make them run in correctly. Still when Iris appears, he likes her but she is the one keeping him on his toes.
Iris has arrived in her own volition, having her own agenda to fulfill. And while the inheritance is unexpected, it does not some solve her own issue. One that is more important than anything else for her, even something burgeoning to become more if she would allow it.
3 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen light non-detailed lovemaking scenes.

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

This is the third and final book in the Duke’s Heiress series. I chose it because I remember enjoying the author’s Seducers series back in the early 2000’s. The hero of this book is Nicholas Radnor, the Duke of Hollinburgh, who inherited his title and lands when his eccentric Uncle Frederick died by falling off a roof. Not only does Frederick's death seem suspicious, rather inexplicably, his uncle left his fortune to three young women.


The story opens when beautiful Iris Barrington comes to see Nicholas at his London home. She's there to request that he fulfil a promise made by his uncle to help her find a special manuscript, a Psalter, that was bought by Nicholas’ grandfather. Nicholas can’t believe his luck when she appears because Iris is the third heiress he and his cousins have been searching for. Iris is surprised when Nicholas tells her she has inherited a fortune from his uncle. She will have to prove her identity before she can receive her inheritance which will take a few months.


Iris finds a small book store near the British Museum that reminds her of her home in Florence and she leases an apartment above the book shop. She and Bridget, the owner, help each other and work to purchase books at auctions. Bridget is a fun character but it’s her feisty cat, King Arthur, that steals the show. Iris and Nicholas meet again at an auction and he saves her from being run over by a runaway carriage. There are more attempts on their lives, even some poisoned lemon tarts, but they are not sure which one of them is being targeted. Together, they must work to solve both the mystery of Frederick's death and of the threats to Iris.


Iris is a wonderful character. She is intelligent, especially with her dealings in rare books and art. Nicholas admires Iris but doesn’t quite trust her. He hires her to catalog his library, which gives them a chance to get to know each other and makes it possible for Iris to look for the missing book that she believes is part of his collection. It was wonderful to watch Iris discover and deal with valuable books and art. For her part, Iris admires Nicholas tall, ‘exceedingly handsome’ looks.


Nicholas has a large family with matchmaking aunts. They throw a house party and include Iris, and the other two heiresses, Rosamund and Minerva, whom Iris has become friends with. Iris sees it as a way to continue her search for the Psalter. It is wonderful to watch Nicholas become closer to Iris both emotional and physically, especially when they spend an afternoon swimming in a pond. There is also a beautiful and very wealthy heiress, Miss Paget, that Nicholas’ aunt Dolores invites to the house party in the hopes that Nicholas will propose to her, which causes problems for Nicholas and Iris. Miss Paget has a massive dowry and Iris knows that Nicholas needs money to run his estates. Also Miss Paget is part of the aristocracy, and Iris is not.


I found myself rooting for Nicholas and Iris but I was wishing I had already read the first two books in the series so I would be more familiar with Nicholas' family. It is a large family and sometimes it was hard for me to keep track of who was who. The ending felt a little abrupt; I hoped to see a little more of Nicholas and Iris once they were a couple. I did like the twist at the end and enjoyed all of the mysteries in this story as well as the slow burn romance. I recommend this for readers who like historical romance with a mystery.

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
A series of unexpected deaths made Nicholas Radnor the new Duke of Hollinburgh. A title and a responsibility he never wished for. Sorely lacking funds since his eccentric uncle left the family fortune to strangers. Three women - two already found and happily married into the Radnor clan - the whereabouts of the third remain a mystery. Imagine his surprise when one day she shows up on his doorstep and demands to be received.

As a dealer in rare books, Iris Barrington travels the Continent. The search for one very specific book, a psalter that can clear her grandfather’s name, brings her to London. When the man she suspects in possession of said book announces she’s to inherit a large part of his family fortune, she’s forced to stay put.

Together they start the search for the book uncovering family secrets, a shady past and an undeniable attraction for one another. His family is all but welcoming since they stand to lose a fortune. Suspicious and dangerous occurrences bring them even closer together, but uncovering the mystery will irrevocably break them apart… or can the present overcome the past and maybe have a future?

📚 A fast-paced page-turner including lies, deception, loyalty, family feuds, bonds and secrets, and a ginger cat named King Arthur. The sexual tension between the MCs is palpable, and even when they’re supposed to be enemies, their respect, friendship and love is the common thread throughout the story. Beautifully written and captivating until the end with a most unexpected culprit. Highly recommended!
📚 Enemies to lovers, mystery, open door, steamy, reluctant duke, tradeswoman, slow burn, forbidden romance

Thank you to Madeline Hunter, Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Finally the long wait is over! The last of the heiress has been found, actually Iris walked into the Duke of Hollinburgh residence with the purpose of solving the mystery surrounding her grandfather’s fall into disgrace. Unknowingly Nicholas believes Iris is here for her inheritance. The mystery from the previous books continues as to why 3 unknown women inherited from Nicholas uncle the previous Duke. Also was he murdered and why Nicholas father who should’ve been the Duke died during a duel. So many questions to answer plus a well written HEA for Iris and Nicholas as they worked together for the answers along with Nicholas cousins, Kevin and Chase plus their wives from the first 2 books.
This was my favorite of the series, could be because the cliffhanger questions finally are answered. But in my opinion the author found her magic in writing again.
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #TheHeiressBride

FINAL DECISION: This is a delightful historical romance. Nicholas and Iris's relationship crackles with flirtation and intense chemistry. The story concludes satisfactorily, but I wanted more time for the couples to savor their happy endings at the end of the series. Still, it's a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging read.

THE STORY: In the final installment of the trilogy, "The Duke's Mysterious Heiress," Nicholas Radnor finds himself in a precarious situation as the new Duke of Hollinburgh. Despite his handsome appearance and charm, Nicholas is burdened with financial difficulties due to his land-poor status. More difficulties arise when Iris Barrington, the last of the three enigmatic women named in the duke's will, unexpectedly arrives at Nicholas' doorstep. Nicholas should be skeptical of Iris as she is clearly hiding something, and her story and history are suspicious. Nevertheless, Nicholas is an honorable man, and he works to help determine whether she is the rightful heiress, which is complicated by his immediate and intense attraction to Iris. Iris, an independent and unconventional woman, is a rare book dealer who enjoys a sophisticated and adventurous lifestyle. While she possesses secrets she must protect, she finds it difficult to resist Nicholas' curiosity and amorous advances. Although she should keep him at arm's length, his seductive skills make it challenging to maintain her resolve. As the two interact, their mutual attraction complicates matters, but they soon realize that personal gains are not their sole concerns. Nicholas must navigate his newfound responsibilities as the duke, unravel the mystery surrounding Iris' inheritance, and determine whether their family legacies make them enemies or allies.

OPINION: This is a delightful story that kept me reading to the end in one sitting. One of the standout aspects of the book is the enchanting relationship between Nicholas and Iris, which is both flirty and simmering with intense chemistry. From the very beginning, their connection is palpable, and it's clear that they are drawn to each other. Despite their undeniable attraction, the characters' honor and the weight of their secrets prevent them from complicating their relationship, adding a layer of tension and anticipation that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

The book skillfully weaves together the ongoing story surrounding the death of the prior duke, providing a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. The mysteries and secrets that have been built throughout the series are tied up nicely, offering a sense of closure and fulfillment. Hunter's ability to seamlessly connect the threads of the overarching plot is commendable, leaving no loose ends and leaving readers satisfied with the resolution.

While there is much to love about this book, the ending left something to be desired by me. The absence of an epilogue where all three couples from the series come together is a missed opportunity. It would have been a joy to see them all in one place, celebrating their love and the triumphs they've experienced. Additionally, Nicholas and Iris deserved more time to savor their happy ending, allowing readers to revel in their love story and witness the growth of their relationship.

Despite this slight disappointment, the book remains a highly enjoyable read. The captivating romance between Nicholas and Iris, the well-crafted plot, and the satisfying resolution of the overarching story make it a worthwhile journey. This book left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling, even if I ended up craving just a little more time with the characters.

WORTH MENTIONING: I really enjoyed the foray into book collecting depicted here.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE HEIRESS BRIDE is the third book in A Duke's Heiress series. The romance is self-contained in this book, however, there is an overarching mystery about the death of the duke that continues through all three books and is easier to understand if the books are read in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley in order to prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

This story checks off a lot of boxes for me – for example, suspense, check; loads of dialog, check. However, I found myself losing interest in this story. The only reason I can figure out is that it is an overarching story and the first book in the series was three years ago and frankly I could not remember it or the second book even when I went back to read the reviews I wrote. I loved the books aspect and working in the library and working with rare books (that is a profession I would love to have). I like both main characters but found myself skipping a lot. It is all on me because I think this series would have been better read when the entire series was finished. All of that being said, I am a huge fan of Madeline’s and will continue reading her books.

well, next time I need to google books before I request them. I did not know it was a book in a series and not number one.... bit awkward. I knew I was missing tiny call-backs to earlier books which irked me endlessly (not this books fault but it did impede upon my reading experience).

as for the story and the characters, meh. I didn't believe it. perhaps that was because it was attraction at first sight and they kiss after like 60 pages. from there on out its push and pull on when they'll have sex, making the book a bit of a bore. the mystery also didn't appeal to me, but that might be because I didn't read the first two books and therefore missed most of the build-up.

not bad but it unfortunately simply didn't capture me.

Barbara’s rating: 3.3 of 5 Stars

This is the third, and I believe final, book in the series. We find the third and final heiress as well as identify and punish the villain(s) who has plagued the dukedom by murdering the previous duke and making several attempts on the life of the current duke. So, most of the mysteries are cleared up – and those that aren’t – well, I had to wonder why they were ever in there in the first place. I have read all of the books in the series and my actual ratings have moved down with each book. I rated the first book as a solid 4 – the second book as a 3.5 – and now this one with a 3.3 – so maybe it is good that the series is finished.

I have loved Nicholas Radnor, the new Duke of Hollinburg since the first book. He is handsome, charming, and honorable. He was unprepared to be the duke, but has stepped into the role as best he can and is making strides to become the duke he has never trained to be. His uncle, the previous duke, left the dukedom in a mess by bequeathing most of his personal fortune to three heiresses he didn’t even really know. So, of course, without any funds, the dukedom flounders and Nicholas would be required to find a loveless marriage with an heiress to keep it afloat. While Nicholas isn’t happy about the state of affairs, he has more or less accepted it and is settling into being the best duke he can be. He’s hoping the third and final heiress won’t be found because not having to give out that portion of the inheritance will at least give him a little breathing room to get the dukedom on an even financial footing before he has to make decisions about what to do long-term.

Iris Barrington has absolutely no clue she is an heiress when she knocks on the door of the Duke of Hollinburgh. She’s only there to try to find the truth about a long-ago wrong that was done to her grandfather – and to set it right and rehabilitate her grandfather’s name. She is totally shocked to learn of her potential inheritance! Still, her goal is to right a wrong, the inheritance is just the icing on the cake.

I just didn’t love Iris and I didn’t really feel the chemistry between her and Nicholas. For me, the book got off to a slow start, and spent a lot of time in libraries and talking about the book trade, etc. I know that time was supposed to show them growing closer to each other, but for me, it just dragged along.

Aside from the overarching mystery that has run through all of the books, this one had a couple of additional mysteries pertinent to Iris and Nicholas. The first one is the mystery of why and how Iris’s grandfather was wronged. That was basically solved and the beginnings of a solution were set in motion. The second mystery had to do with some factories Nicholas had inherited. We got a quasi-answer, but no real final solutions, so I had to wonder why we would include them in the story at all. All of that page time could have been devoted to more character-building and interactions between Iris and Nicholas.

I believe the best scene in the book was when the three heiresses, who had become fast friends, decided to have an adventure and went to a women’s entertainment venue. It wasn’t exactly a brothel for ladies because it did have other entertainments there – but it was close enough to one. They were listening to bawdy songs and dance routines, etc.

For me, this was a bit disappointing as the wrap-up for a series and it was in desperate need of an epilogue to show how their futures evolved. I mean, we didn’t even get a wedding in this book!

I am glad to have read the book as it completes the series, but I wouldn’t read it a second time, nor would I purchase it for a friend. For me, it just wasn’t the book Nicholas deserved and I was disappointed. Should you choose to read it, I hope you will love it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

She is in search for the truth and he holds the key. This is an enjoyable read where secrets and twists that started with their grandparents can only be unraveled by these two who seek to discover the truth. Steamy, witty, action packed culminating in a deserving HEA.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

Nicholas inherited his uncle's ducal title but not his fortune. Much of that money went to bookseller Iris—although she has no idea why. She's searching for an illuminated manuscript that had once been in the family's possession but has since disappeared. While working together to solve the mystery, will Nicholas and Iris fall in love?

This book blends smart characters, a slow-burn romance, and an intriguing plot that kept me guessing. If you love Regency romance written by a seasoned master of the genre, you won't want to miss this book.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This was probably my favorite of the "Heiress" series. Iris is an independent woman who doesn't worry about English Society, fashion, or marriage. She deals in rare books across the Continent and England, has built her business against all odds, and has only herself to answer to. She has no idea that she is the third heiress that Nicholas Radnor and his cousins have been looking for and when she turns up at the ducal doorstep hoping the new duke will honor a promise made by the old duke regarding a rare manuscript, she gets a lot more than she bargained for! Nicholas is a good hero- a man saddled with a title and responsibilities he didn't expect and doesn't really want, but is now trying to figure out how to handle as best he can. All while also dealing with a LOT of interfering relatives, not nearly enough money to handle the responsibilities- and potentially a murderer.

I really liked how, despite the instant chemistry between Nicholas and Iris, they don't act on their feelings right away. It leads to a lovely slow-burn romance, and the push-pull of their individual secrets and responsibilities fighting their mutual attraction really made their scenes smolder. I loved how confident Iris is in her knowledge and her work (and how she and her 'sister heiresses' get along and into mischief!).

You don't necessarily have to have read the first two books in the series to enjoy this one, but since there are a lot of recurring characters and themes it might help.

Overall both really well written, fun to read, and slow burn sexy. A great way to end the trilogy!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

3.5 stars I can't quite round up, which bothers me. I’ve enjoyed Madeline Hunter’s HR’s for many years, she’s a pro, but truthfully was rather disappointed by this. It’s the third in the series, and maybe I simply don’t remember the first two books well enough (the first came out three years ago). I had difficulty getting into the plot, as it launches right into the narrative and characters as if the last book came out yesterday. The previously married heiresses, their husbands (the MMC’s cousins) and various other relations pop up throughout the proceedings, sometimes lending fun and humor. But mostly I wanted the aunts to go away and the cousins to stop intruding in the main characters’ romance.

The most engaging scene for me was when the heiresses, including the MFC, end up in a house of ill repute replete with attractive young men who apparently cater to women’s needs. Honestly, there were a few unwritten scenes there that would have appealed to me more than what followed.

I guess this is my main problem. I felt like emotions were tamped down, interesting plotpoints ignored for more routine scenes centered around the book trade and annoying family members. Iris, the MFC, is of Italian heritage, and the MMC, Nicholas, is very much attracted to her exotic looks, but her past isn’t discussed until a casual morning-after scene late in the book. I love MFC’s who deviate from the typical “English rose” stereotype, but her background is puzzlingly downplayed. And the chemistry between the MC’s is never quite there. One steamy interlude around 70% captures the heat that used to be commonplace in Hunter’s books, but other than that scene, it often feels like these two are just thrown together for brief bursts of lust. There’s still the smart banter that’s a trademark of this author’s work, but nothing of substance underlying it.

Added to that, the revelation of the central mystery left me cold. And the baddie wasn’t too shocking. Plus, the textile mill and shipping company situation was never quite wrapped up. When the book ended, I wondered if there was a final chapter I’d missed.

Overall: I wanted more Bridget and King Arthur. Sexy times and emotion between the MC’s. Plot twistiness and quirkiness. This book isn’t bad by any means, but it’s safe and rather tepid.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary review. Opinions are my own.

If you loved Minerva Hepplewhite and Rosamund Jameson, wait until you meet Iris Barrington in the third and final installment in Madeline Hunter's Heiress series called The Heiress Bride. She is the last unsuspecting heiress of the group and just as independent and fierce as the other two. This time, the heiress is a book dealer with a mystery to unravel by locating a very special book. The missing book damaged her family's reputation many years ago. Hunter develops her characters so well, they spring to life on the pages. From the intense busy-body aunts in the family to the loveable men, each with their own quirks, you finally get to know the soft side of the stoic Duke Hollinburgh who has finally met his match in Iris. This page turner keeps you wondering if they will ever get together and the intensity builds. It twists and turns with the mystery of the missing book and what really happened to the late Duke who fell to his death. A beautiful tale of family drama, mystery and romance. Madeline Hunter has delivered another fabulous page turner that you will ponder and miss the characters long after you have finished reading it.

This book took me a while to finish but it was worth it. I read this as a standalone, but it would have been more fun if I had already been familiar with some of the characters. The ongoing mystery from the first two books gets solved in this one. Iris Barrington, who works as a bookdealer, comes to Nicholas in search of a rare volume. Nicolas the duke, is shocked to realize that she is the missing heiress of his late uncle's estate. The rest of the story then basically serves to establish why the duke would give his assets to a total stranger and to solve the mystery surrounding previous deaths in the family. I especially enjoyed the characters of Kevin and Chase as they bantered with Nicholas. The annoying elderly aunts were good too. The later scenes between Nicholas and Iris were very emotional. I really admired Nicholas for his determination to make Iris his duchess!
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

The Heiress Bride is the third book in A Duke's Heiress series. The prior two books were about the former Duke having died and leaving an inheritance to three women that are not connected to the family. This one is about the last of the three being found and the mystery of a missing book that is worth a fortune.

Iris Barrington is a bookseller, and appraiser of rare books. She returns to London after being abroad. She boldly introduces herself to Nicholas with the intention of locating a specific rare book that may be in one of the libraries of the Duke's holdings. She is totally unaware she is a missing heir until Nicholas informs her. The rest of the family is unhappy she has turned up since the money would have reverted back to them if she had not, and in anticipation of her not turning up have spent money they should not have.

Iris is asked to stay until her identity can be proven, then settle the estate. While waiting for this to be accomplished she begins to appraise the books belonging to the new Duke, she also looks in earnest to locate the missing valuable book that will settle once and for all the rumors of her grandfather having stolen the rare book.

Nicholas suspects that both his grandfather and father's death were not an accident and tries to find out the truth. But mishaps begin as soon as Iris arrives and is discovered to be the heir. But who is in danger Iris or Nicholas, and will the truth be revealed before it is too late.

This was a fascinating story about a missing heiress. I found it to be a wonderful afternoon read. I only wish I had read the prior two books before reading this one. The characters were totally likeable and at times humorous as they ganged up on each other. Looking forward to reading more from this author.