Member Reviews
Fun & captivating new series... deception has never been so sweetly tempting or deliciously vexing!
Well wow, this was soooo good and sooo well written! Sweeping me up and setting me on a journey that flowed with an engaging pace centred around a wonderfully heartpounding romance with a spot of adventure and threat laced mystery woven throughout.
To create a cocktail of smile inducing good fun, stirred with a blush blooming, tummy rolling tension as Evie, our heroine of many surprises, ironically genuine honesty and plucky resilience, grasps the one chance she may ever have for adventure. If only she can prevent one perceptive, taciturn and electrically-spark-inducing-body-tinglingly-handsome duke from exposing her secret. Not the title hungry one he suspects but her true identity, as she promises to masquerade, as her American, heiress cousin, when all she really wants to do is explore her fascination with fossils, history and paleontology. An interest that captivates not just Evie but the brooding lovable Alex too. As two so obviously perfect for each other, delightfully clash in a battle of wills, sharp wit and heady attraction, thwarted by prejudice, life threatening scheming, well meaning deception and haunting past betrayals.
Where the chemistry between Evie and Alex just sang. While, the subcharacters screamed with a heartwarming, teasing humour, steeped in such deep affection and familial bond that they effortlessly added a believability to the tale, that helped to subtly unveil the multifaceted layers of our leads. While at the same time making you hope many will receive their own happily ever afters too - like the charmingly romantic, besotted by love, Sam.
Ultimately, a fabulous read that springs to life so vividly in your mind's eye as it makes you laugh, cry and relish every encounter Alex and Evie clash and heartachingly entangle within. All whilst hinting at and whetting your appetite thoroughly for Aimee and Harrison Stone's, enemy to lovers, tale -hopefully- next! Great fun!!
This novel captivates from the beginning with good chemistry and back and forth between Alex and Evie. The only negative I would say is that Alex does go on a little bit too much with his accusations against Evie and this is to do with his back story more than any wrong doing on her part. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A simply delightful story that pulled me in from the first page!!
Switching places does not always work out as intended. In this case it works out even better!!
She agreed to switch places with her cousin from America, a heiress... How hard could it be anyway.. Her a poor relative!
He was determined to prove she is just trying to catch a title. Easier said than done, when he finds himself enchanted!
Anything by this author is simply awesome and I turned the last page with a smile.
New York - 1890
Aimee Thornton-Jones is begging Evie Jenkins, 22, to swap places with her.
Aimee’s father is a very wealthy man and head of a shipping and railroad business. As Aimee is his heiress, she wants to learn everything she can about the business to prove to her father that she will be competent enough to take it over and run it one day. She wants to take a secretarial course at her father’s business in London.
Evie was born illegitimately in London and raised by her aunt who has passed away. That’s when Aimee’s parents brought Evie over to America to be Aimee’s companion and teach her English ways. It is her mother’s dream for Aimee to be a Dollar Princess and marry a man with a title. To that end, she has arranged for Aimee to spend 6 weeks with the Countess of Brexton in Mayfair to be introduced to English society, This is something that Aimee wants no part of.
London - 1890
Alexander (Alex) Trenton, the sixth Duke of Hargrave, is the nephew of the Countess of Brexton. He is unimpressed when he meets Evie as his fiancee cheated on him the night before their wedding. Since then, he is soured on women. Alex and Evie learn that they both have a profound interest in Paleontology and he shows her around to some museums in London. They spar a lot because he doesn’t believe how intelligent she is. But, when they are caught kissing, they are told they must marry. Oh no! Now what?
This is such a totally delightful book! I loved the characters and found that the author’s obvious research into Paleontology was very well done. This story is sweet, humorous, scary, and has such a terrific ending. I cannot wait to read another book by Maddison Michaels. Enjoy!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
4 ⭐️
Evie is the illegitimate cousin and companion of Aimee, heiress to the rich Thornton-Joneses in America. Evie was an intelligent FMC who was kind hearted. Which is how she got into the situation of pretending to be her heiress cousin. And our Duke, Alex, absolutely did not want to like her. He wanted to protect his cousin from the American “Dollar Princess”. Alex had his walls built higher than those around his estate, but he still didn’t stand a chance. And (of course) they end up in a situation that requires them to get engaged.
The Heiress Swap grabbed and kept my attention. There was a great back and forth between the two and a lot of palpable tension. There was also a small suspense subplot to keep things interesting. I just wanted to tour a natural history museum with these two fossil lovers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the e-arc. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
'Regency romance with a little--or rather, a lot of raunch--, Maddison Michaels is back with a story that takes the reins and will rock your carriage! - The British Bibliophile
The Heiress Swap is a standalone regency romance read by the incredible Maddison Michaels. I first became aware of Maddison through her then soon-to-be-released novel, The Bachelor Bargain, which was swiftly followed by book two, The Bachelor Betrayal. Two remarkable reads which reignited my dwindling flame of interest in regency romance. After reading those, I knew I had to immediately sign up to read her next novel and here we are! Let's dive in.
What immediately caught my eye--aside from the gorgeous cover--about this book, was the opening sentence of the blurb. Evie Jenkins agrees to swap places with her cousin so that both girls can get to experience the life of the other. A true fish out of water, Evie is far from heiress material but she agrees to swap with her cousin so she can carry out her passion which her father would not allow her to do. After all, Evie would do anything for her cousin, and that includes masquerading as an American heiress when in reality, she's nothing but her cousin's poor and sensible companion.
A boat ride later, both ladies find themselves across the pond where their plan, and our story, takes places. Right in the capital city of England, London. While stepping on foreign soil, all they have to do for the next six weeks is pull off their hastily put together--but brilliant--plan, to ensure that they won't be rumbled before their time is up. Evie's only mission? Don't get engaged to anyone while pretending to be her Dollar Princess cousin. But will she succeed? There's only one way to find out.
But what is an heiress--albeit one in disguise--without the temptation of a Duke to capture her attention? Introducing Alexander Trenton, the sixth Duke of Hargrave.
Alexander--aka, Alex--upon meeting who he assumes is Aimee, the American Dollar Princess, aims to prove to his cousin that all of those woman are in fact, tarred with the same brush. In that he means their only aim when coming to England is to find, secure and marry a man in order to gain a title as a result of the marriage. He's determined to prove his theory right, decorum, dignity and respect be damned. The fact that there could be one woman out there who wouldn't want such a high-ranking title is impossible to his brilliant mind, despite all the blatant evidence provided by Evie that is right in front of his eyes.
He, like Evie, has his own plan. Seduction. A tool not often used in regency novels or in the society in which they are set--as people of that time are very prim and proper--, but that's what I like about how Maddison writes these novels. She takes the familiar and adds a little...spice. The combination is a heady one which has produced an extremely likeable novel as a result.
A snowball effect is soon swiftly put into action as what starts out as one simple, innocent enough kiss transforms into something much bigger than Evie or Alex anticipated or saw coming their way. A small, simmering flame has been cranked up little-by-little, until something hot, wild and uncontrollable cannot be put out so easily. Especially when it has gone from private between two experimenting individuals, to something much more public.
Their two hidden missions collide to product one result which both must bear the consequences of. Marriage. Specifically, a betrothal which the eyes of the ton have firmly in their sights. At the height of their twin charade, it looks as though luck has finally run out for one of them as the truth threatens to be revealed. But who is it? Alex? Evie? Whoever fate's hand has decided to unmask will be revealed in this romp through the rollercoaster world of regency London and beyond.
Though at times I did want to reach into the page and give a character or two a firm dressing down and a shake to open their eyes, my time reading The Heiress Swap was nothing short of the brilliance I've come to know and admire about Maddison and how she tells her stories. I would most certainly welcome a second story and by the time you all finish this book, you will know which two characters I would love to see in their own novel.
4.5 stars!
Evie Jenkins didn’t know what she was thinking by agreeing to switch places with her American heiress cousin Aimee. After all, she’s naught but a poor relation. All she has to do is spend six weeks among London society, pretending to be an heiress. When his cousin Sam declares himself in love with a new woman visiting from the States, Alexander Trenton—the sixth Duke of Hargrave—is determined to prove that the young lady in question is just another American "Dollar Princess" desperate for an English title. Aimee seems innocent enough, but Alex is determined to expose her by thoroughly seducing the lovely and fiercely intelligent heiress himself. What he assumed would be just one simple kiss erupts into something wild, uncontrollable, and much too public. Now the duke must save her reputation with a betrothal little knowing that his charming Princess harbours a secret that would certainly ruin them both.
It’s been a while since I read a romance where the characters swap identities & I’d forgotten how much fun it could be. I loved Evie who was the sensible cousin, she loved fossils & wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself & she fell for Alex. I really liked Alex but he was a typical nobleman who hid his feelings, I loved him gradually falling under Evie’s spell. Of course with huge secrets things were bound to go belly up when all was revealed & I loved Alex having to grovel, personally he would have had to grovel for quite a bit longer! I also loved the secondary characters especially Aimee & Sam & I hope they have their HEAs. Another very accomplished novel from the author, it flowed effortlessly & with a bit of added mystery I was glued to my kindle
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Evie Jerkins reluctantly agrees to switch places with her cousin, who is an heiress. Alexander Trenton, Duke of Hargrove, decides to prove to his cousin, Sam, who declares he is in love with Evie, that all Evie wants is an English title.
This romance will keep you captivated from start to finish. It’s fast-paced and funny moments, great chemistry between Evie and Alex.
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own,
He's convinced she's an American Dollar Princess...
Who only wants him for his title of duke. In fact, Alex 's repetitive accusations through out the entire book gets so tiresome. Its tedious. Alex is a duke who was cheated on by his American fiancee and whose mother ran off to America with another man, so he blames Evie Jenkins, who is kind and sweet and talked into swapping places with her cousin Aimee, for every imaginable wrong an American could have ever done to him. Also, he does zero grovelling after he accuses Evie yet again and fails to stand by her in her time of great need. Evie deserved a far better man than Alex.
Sometimes you just need a good regency-type romance, one that has the swoon-worthy leading man and a protagonist that makes you want to have her happily ever after even when you know there will be bumps in the road.
This is that book, there are all of the things that I love in this type of book, misunderstandings, murder plots, romance, evolution of feelings, and even fossils, and haunted pasts, put it all together and it all comes together beautifully in this tale of deceit and desire.
I would love to see Aimee's story at some point, I can only imagine the conundrums she put people through while Evie was thwarting kidnapping and murder attempts, and falling head over heels in love.
I've you're looking for a romance you can just sink into and enjoy this is that book, if you're looking for something that's a tad bit removed from the typical romance this is that book, heck I'm just gonna say it, if you want a few steamy scenes and an interesting plot this is that book.
Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this ebook, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Swapping places! Aimee an American dollar princess must go to London to be able to prove to her father she wants to learn more about her families business. The perfect opportunity has approached when her mother says she has been invited to stay as Countess's guest in London. She switches places with her half American / half English illegitimate cousin Evie. Evie much to her reluctance only agrees because she'll also be able to view the museums to her wishful paleontologists hearts content.
Until she meets Alex, the sixth Duke of Hargrave who is very suspicious of her motives as she has caught the eye of his own cousin whom he wants to prevent from upcoming heart ache. Alex from his own past with an ex-American dollar princess fiancée and divorced deceased parents have much to attribute to his current emotions and situations has no intention of marrying. Although, Alex also shares Evie's love of fossils and interrogates her constantly which she proves him wrong. There is an underlying mystery thread that looms over Alex and Evie as their relationship status have been made official. Evie who has hidden and lied about her identity feels she's starting to fall for Alex.
The banter is good between Alex and Evie (impersonating as Aimee), but this one is also a very slow burn. This book I did read straight through as I kept on wanting to see what happens next! Maddison does an excellent job of weaving in side characters and now I can't wait for Aimee's and Sam's (Alex's other cousin) books as I hope we'll get to read them.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I always love a historical romance heroine with an atypical special interest. In The Heiress Swap, Evie loves fossils and so does her love interest, Alex, a duke. Evie is the illegitimate cousin of Aimee, an American heiress. Crossing the Atlantic, the cousin convinces Evie to swap places with her so Aimee can work for her father's business. Our hero suffers from having been abandoned by his mother and betrayed by a former fiancée who was also an American heiress. Unfortunately, he has transformed this pain into a deep-seated mistrust and disdain for women and American heiresses in particular. If you don't enjoy reading a character who judges women unfairly because of the actions of others in his past, this book is *not* for you. Fortunately, the book did have characters telling him he was being unreasonable which mitigated the effect somewhat. Other than that, The Heiress Swap had a fun plot and I enjoyed the interactions with the duke's friends. I will definitely be reading the next book(s) in the series!
Thank you to Entangled and NetGalley for the eARC! All opinions are my own.
4.25/5
The early bickering instantly reminded me why I do love the author’s work.
I sort of envisioned the two English peers as Darcy and Bingley, one is staid and suspicious when the other is joyful and amiable. After the similarities ended there as Alex was determined to see the worst in Evie.
Evie is the poor relationship send to accompany her cousin from America to London. While she argues a bit, she easily comply to her cousin’s demand as it is the one occasion for her to enjoy what her circumstances in life never allowed her.
Trenton has left his past sorrows taint his view of love and any American heiress taking the ton by storm. So when his own cousin appears to fall head over heal for the last entry from over the pound. He can’t stand the idea of his dear friend trapped by a scheming woman, so he steps in, determined to prove her for the Jezzabel he believes she is.
Ensues bantering over heated glances, taunting and daring until Trenton finds himself in a fix of his own making. And Evie felt trapped as her feelings deepen and she knows she is not whom he believes her to be.
The author delivers a charming entertaining retelling of the prince and the pauper.
4.5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene
I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
This was a fun book to read between Evie and Aimee’s swap and Alex doing everything he could to out Evie as a title hunter. I enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to read Aimee’s story.
Yvette “Evie” Jenkins was orphaned young and was raised by her maternal Aunt Beth, but upon her death six years ago, she was taken in by her father’s extremely rich family and brought to America. As she is illegitimate, the Thornton-Jones give her the position of companion to their daughter Aimee. Evie has been treated well and for the most part, is happy, but now Aimee’s parents want her cousin to go to London and find a husband while having Evie train for the position of secretary at her uncle Thomas’ company in London. She has no desire to be a secretary, but her options are limited thanks to her birth, but when Aimee suggests that they switch places, she refuses. But Aimee is relentless and convinces Evie that everybody wins with her plan – for 6 weeks Evie will politely decline any and all suitors and will get to visit museums and pursue her passion for history and paleontology and Aimee will learn her father’s business from the ground up and prove to him that she is worthy to run his company one day. Finally, Evie agrees and even looks forward to her adventure. Until she meets the nephew of her hostess, Alexander “Alex” Trenton, the Duke of Hargrave. Needless to say, it was not love at first sight!
When his cousin Samuel Ellingsworth, the Earl of Brexton begins to exalt the virtues of his mother’s houseguest, an American heiress, Alex is immediately on guard, Sam falls in love at the drop of a hat and Alex doesn’t want him to be hurt. Alex doesn’t trust women, after his experience with his mother and then with his faithless ex- fiancée (who was also an American heiress) he believes women are universally fleckless and fickle, willing to tell you what you want to hear to manipulate you – he is sure Evie (who they believe is Aimee) is cut from the same mold and plans to prove it. But instead, he discovers they have a lot in common and finds himself beginning to like her. Soon deeper feelings are involved, but old fears, new threats, and the truth may end any chance they have for HEA.
I thought this was a well-written, nicely-paced story, but I really didn’t care for Alex. I completely understand that he was hurt before, first by his mother and then by his fiancée, but he took it over the top in my opinion. And his reaction to finding out the truth of Evie’s deception, while somewhat understandable, again was too much, especially given all that had passed between them. For me, it felt like Alex didn’t grovel nearly enough and not at all until he learned who she really was. I also felt that Evie caved much too quickly and everything just conveniently fell into place. In the end, I loved the idea of the story but had a hard time with the execution, so while this was not a keeper for me, it kept me entertained and left me wanting to read Aimee’s story!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
The Heiress Swap is the first book I've read by Maddison Michaels but I will say, it won't be the last if I can help it. I enjoyed the story and the characters and hopefully the next book gives us Aimee's story as I truly interested in what she was up to while Evie was taking her place inthe ballrooms.
Our main characters in this story are Evie and Alex. I loved Evie. Having grown up as a companion to her wealthy cousin, she knows the ins and outs of what's required in society so when she agrees to take her cousin's place in London, it's not as difficult as one would imagine. With that said, the only caveat is that she not accept any proposals of marriage which she feels should be an easy task. Little did she know about the Duke of Hargrave.
When his cousin declares himself in love with a new woman visiting from the States, Alexander Trenton―the sixth Duke of Hargrave―is determined to prove that the young lady in question is just another American "Dollar Princess" desperate for an English title. Alex is determined to expose her…by thoroughly seducing her and proving to his cousin that she is not for him but when his plan goes sideways and he compromises Evie, he finds himself betrothed to her himself.
I enjoyed this story but Alex's determination to make Evie the bad guy in this story drove me crazy. I understood that his backstory sets the stage for his feelings but at the end of the day, it's not like these ladies had any choice in the matter and the fact that he held her responsible for all the wrongs he experienced was slightly annoying. I also think that as Evie started to have feelings and do more than just be betrothed to Alex (despite their plan to get out of it), she should have come clean with him. I suppose she was holding out hope that he would never have to know, but she took a pretty big step with him still calling her another name and thinking she was someone else.
Like I said, I did enjoy the book. The banter between the characters, the storyline, and the writing were all well done and I'll definitely pick up more by this author. If you're looking for a new historical romance, consider checking this one out.
Evie Jenkins is the poor relation lucky enough to be taken in by her American uncle and his family. As her cousin is being sent to England to find a husband, Evie will travel with her. Her headstrong cousin has her own ideas about why she's going to England.
Alex Trenton, Duke of Hargrave carries a lot of emotional baggage and a grudge against American women.
This historical romance has lots of fascinating characters, adventure and a little danger. Obviously from the storyline there are at least two books in this series and this one must be read first. I definitely want to read the next one.
Good fun.
I love how it only took two chapters to convince our heroine that she should play into her cousin's plot to swap places. I found this book delightful and unrealistic, which are both musts in my mind. I love goofy switcharoos that would never work in real life. :) A good romance novel will always make the meeting of the two lovers into a dance of wit and barely polite conversation. This book does this well, and I really enjoyed that aspect! Enemy's to lovers is the best type of romance in my opinion.
The fact that the characters bond over fossils and paleontology is sure to make a splash! I loved those parts, and I really hope the author loves fossils too, cuz fossils are bomb-diggity!
Maddison Michaels never disappoints me with one of her stories that have fabulous characters, handsome and caring heroes and strong and feisty heroines, and I loved Alex and Evie so much, come along and see how they find their way to the best HEA but be warned there are many ups and downs in this sensual sizzling romance.
Evie Jenkins has been living with her wealthy aunt and uncle and cousin Aimee in America since the death of her aunt in England, Aimee is going to England for a six weeks trip and she convinces Evie to swap places with her, Evie is just a companion to Aimee and is not suited to play the rich American, but there is the added bonus that Evie can finally visit museums and learn more about the fossils that she is very interested in, can she convince everyone that she is Aimee.
Alexander Trenton, The Duke of Hargrave, has sworn off woman forever after catching his American fiancé with another man ten years ago, but when his cousin Sam is gushing about the American who come to stay at their home and saying he is in love Alex is determined to show Sam that she is nothing but a title hunting American Dollar Princess but soon Alex’s life is turned upside down by this beautiful strong woman.
Evie is being so careful, she is not here to marry a title far from it but for some reason Alex and her clash from their very first meeting, the sparks fly and the attraction grows and soon they are spending lots of time together, but a kiss will change their lives and bring danger to them, how will they stay safe, will they open their hearts and see the truth about love? You need to read this one, I loved it so much and do highly recommend it.
My thanks to Entangled Amara and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
A new series from the fabulous Maddison Michaels. I’ve been reading her since the beginning and I love every one of her stories. Even though the premise of this story is not my favorite, Maddison makes it work. It is so fun to read not only about a scholarly woman but also reading about a man, a duke, who loves those same scholarly pursuits. There is a bit of intrigue, as in all of Maddison’s stories, and honestly, I was shocked at the villain. That is what makes good intrigue, not knowing. Alex and Evie just cannot help themselves – falling love is not hard to do for them even though they try really hard to not fall in love. I did find the whole dollar princess and Alex trying to “prove” his point very funny and I laughed out loud at a lot of those parts. A fantastic beginning to a new series.
Looking forward to Aimee and Harrison’s story. Talk about a doozy, enemies to lovers to boot.