I absolutely loved this gem of a book. Alternative fiction is one my favorite genres, and the Romanov family is one of the best foundations to build a story upon.
What surprised me the most was how immersed the author was with her characters.
Obviously, she studied their history well and did her research. However, what I meant was how realistic and natural the way she handled their thoughts, emotions and mannerisms.
The fact that she wrote the 4 sisters characters to be completely different from one another, while they had the exact same upbringing and struggles, was mind blowing.
Even the side characters were all great. Cecelia and the manor's staff, the girls' aunt, and lord Hammond himself. They all enhanced the storyline in their own way.
The balance between the romance arc and the journey of Olga was done well. I appreciated that the author focused on the characters' day to day life rather than an actual plot with fixed sequence.
I'm definitely going to read part two, Anastasia's story, when it comes out.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I enjoyed reading this one. It was nice to read a book about the Romanov daughters that didn't focus on Anastasia. In stead this one was from Olga's point of view. So this one was fresh and new.

According to historical records and now DNA evidence, the Romanov children were murdered. But what if they had survived? This novel tells an alternate future for the four sisters. Grand Duchess Olga is determined to keep her sisters safe while hiding in England. However, a former diplomat Lord Hammond threatens to tell the world that Olga's mother Empress Alexandra betrayed Russia, partially because of the influence of Rasputin who supposedly healed her son Alexie. Olga becomes a maid on Hammond's estate as she seeks to clear her mother's name. However, she soon makes friends with the Hammond children, which could threaten her mission and her sisters.
I enjoyed this book, especially the second half. While this book isn't a mystery, there were a few twists that kept me guessing. It's also interesting to imagine what could have happened to the sisters in different circumstances. And the book reminds readers that every person is not who they appear to be. I would definitely read more books about the sisters by this author.

A great "what if" book! The princesses were greatly described and the adventure was fun. Obviously not historically accurate, but an interesting and entertaining read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a DRC.

I was quite interested to read this book, as it is an alternative history novel about the Romanov daughters. I read just about any book I can get my hands on about the Romanovs, but had never read an alternate history quite like this. This novel asks- what if the tsar's daughters had survived?

This novel starts with the four Romanov sisters, having been rescued from Russia by British forces, and living in hiding in rural England. The sisters are Not Doing Well. They are worried about their futures, feel guilty for having left behind their parents and brother, and in various stages of denial about what has happened to them. Then they find out that a member of the British parliament has supposed evidence that their mother, Empress Alexandra, betrayed Russia and colluded with Germany to end the war. The politician is planning to write a book about Alexandra's alleged betrayal, which will destroy what is left of Alexandra's reputation and torpedo any hope the sisters have of a future if they are ever able to come forward about their true identities.

Our main character is the oldest Romanov sister, Olga. She decides to lie about her identity to gain a place as a maid in the politician's country house, with the idea to find the supposed evidence and destroy it. Instead, she ends up befriending the family and learning that they have a dark secret that connects them to the Romanovs.

This looks like the first in a series of novels, each focusing on a different sister and her life post-rescue. There is a little romance, but the novel is mostly about the sisters trying to figure out their place in this new world and what their new circumstances mean for them as a unit... or individually. I enjoyed the characterization of the sisters, and thought they were pretty spot on for being a work of fiction. The entire genre of alternative fiction fascinates me, and this kept me intrigued. The nod to the downstairs life of someone in service to a large country house felt like a lovely nod to Downton Abbey (which I had also enjoyed). As such, I would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction of this period or enjoyed Downton Abbey.

This was a fun read! I'd seen this one around briefly before seeing it available here on NG. I'm so glad I read it! The story was intriguing and the characters were a lot of fun! This was definitely a unique read and one that I really enjoyed!

3.5 stars - really interesting take on alternate history about the Romanov sisters. Nothing extraordinary but entertaining and captivating, and I was excited to learn that a sequel about Anastasia's post-Revolution life is coming out next year.

Many thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Romanov Heiress. I am fascinated by the Romanov Family and as such, am a fan of Jennifer Laam's writing. This is a beautiful story of what might have been for Grand Duchess Olga. This is a brilliant start to a series that I cannot wait to dive into!

The Romanov Heiress by Jennifer Laam is a unique retelling of the possibilities that might have occurred if the four grand duchess of the Romanov House would have survived that terrible night. In Laams historical she tells the story of the four sixers in hiding where they learn about their dark family secrets that may change the lives of Olga and her sisters. As the four Romanov sisters adjust to their lives in hiding they learn that they cannot stay hidden from the world around them. As Ola learns of the late rumors that are being spread around the country about her mother - the late Empress Alexandra - betraying Russia and their allies during the Great War. Under a spell from Grigori Rasputin, Alexandra disclosed military secrets to Russia's enemy as well as persuaded Russia to be peaceful with Germany. If these rumors about the late Empress are leaked to the world; they will destroy Empress Alexandra’s legacy as well as her family’s future. Olga takes it upon herself to discover where the rumors started by going undercover as “Olivia” - a wartime nurse who is seeking work as a maid in Lord Hammond’s household. While working as a maid, Olga begins to learn the truth about her mother. While working on clearing her mothers name, Olga finds herself in a tough situation as she finds herself following Lord Hammond’s son who has a tragic past. As Olga spends more time in Lord Hammond’s house she begins to find connections between both of their families are far more complicated than it appears .
I really enjoyed reading Laam’s novel, I was very engaged in the plot of the story. I have read many other historical fiction books about the Romanov Era, however many of them have never explored the idea of the Romanov sisters surviving and having to adjust to the world while at the same time not fully understanding what happened to their mother, father, and brother back in Russia. In addition to this, the character development was really well developed as well as relatable. I found it very easy to relate to Olga and her sisters even though what the Romanov sisters went through is definitely something that I could never imagine. On the other hand, Laam’s writing style really allowed the readers to be able to experience the emotional events that destroyed the lives of Olga and her sisters. I would definitely suggest anyone who is a fan of the Romanov Family as well as Russian history would enjoy this book. I would like to thank Netgalley and Jennifer Laam for an Advanced Copy of The Romanov Heiress in return for an honest review.

One of the fun reasons to read historical fiction is because an author can play what if.
What if the four grand duchesses had escaped the Ipatiev House?
Lama dies a good job of capturing the voices and actions of the displaced royals while they struggle to adapt after their horrific deal.
It’s a good book and I was thoroughly engrossed while, reading it.

Fascinating book presenting an alternate life for the four Romanov sisters and their flight from Russia to Britain. Well developed characters, with enough romance and adventure to make this an excellent read.

A poignant and intriguing reimagining of the tragic end of the House of Romanov. Instead of the last Tsar, his wife and five children being murdered by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution, The Romanov Heiress imagines that the four Grand Duchesses (Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia) are rescued and secretly resettled in England. The four young women live and lonely and somewhat meager existence in a small cottage in rural England. They must hide as their escape is a secret because Bolshevik agents will surely kill them as they killed their parents and little brother in Siberia. One day they read in the newspaper that an English Lord Hammond is writing a book that will name their Mother, the Empress as a traitor during WWI….giving war secrets to her cousin, Kaiser Wilhelm. Shocked and angry, the sisters must protect the legacy of their Mother and find out what proof this Lord has. Olga dyes her hair, uses makeup to alter her appearance and takes a job as a maid at Lord Hammond’s country estate. She meets the Lord’s heir, Rob who suffered from shell shock resulting from his WWI service, and daughter Celia, who is lonely and in need of a friend. The 2 young women form a sort of friendship as Olga acts as her maid and obvious attraction exists with Rob. Will Olga be able to save her mother’s reputation? will the sisters remain safe and what will be their futures? An imaginative alternate outcome for the four Romanov Grand Duchesses.

Jennifer Laam has written a captivating historical romance, and this reader loved it! Suspenseful and full of life, this romantic adventure has everything to keep those pages turning! Highly recommend and look forward toreading more from Jennifer.

I was provided an ARC of this book. It explores a time in history that I know little about. I found the characters to be well developed and relatable. The writing really drew you in to the emotional upheaval th at destroyed the lives of the Romanov sisters. If you enjoy historical fiction and the plight of women throughout time. I highly recommend.

This book was just ok for me. I guess I felt the writing was “too light” for such a heavy topic. If the girls had made it out alive, I just think their lives would have been so much more complicated. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early read.