Knights and spice! A good king trying to prove himself. A queen scared to give her heart to the wrong man. What was not to enjoy? The plot twist at the end had my heart stopping and now I need to get on my knees and stay for more can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Heirs & Spares by Jennie L. Spohr had a lot of potential, and I really wanted to love it. The concept was intriguing, but unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me in the end—I ended up DNFing at around 60%.

While the premise was promising, I found myself confused much of the time. It felt like both a lot and not much were happening simultaneously, and I struggled to keep track of the plot. There were quite a few characters, and the frequent point-of-view shifts made it hard to follow who was who and what was going on. I read an ARC copy, and some formatting issues may have added to that confusion.

This might resonate more with readers who enjoy royal intrigue and a complex narrative structure, but for me, it was difficult to stay engaged despite the strong potential of the story.

This story reads like a regency era show. It moves pretty quickly and I found myself 19% in without a strong understanding of the primary characters personalities, or true desires. They all seemed like they just didn’t know what they wanted.

The novel also switches POVs frequently, but unlike other novels that do this, it does not clearly delineate the character switch by chapter — so the reader is required to mentally switch based on context clues. Considering how quickly the story moves, it’s a frustrating experience.

Ultimately, I found myself unable to connect with the characters and with the story — about 58% of the way through.

Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC

Annelore, a Duke’s daughter, is taken from her little village to marry the new King, William. She hates him before meeting him strictly based on his brother and dad’s previous rule. At first some of the dialogue was hard to follow, but that could have just been the arc formatting.

When I first picked up this book, I read it until after 3 AM! It wasn't like insane good but just had me hooked. It's very regency (language choices, his cousin wants him and tries to seduce him, etc), it’s got a bit of court machinations, but the FMC and MMC both seem very into each other at like 40%.

The rest took a couple days and it wasn't quite hitting like it originally did, but I think since they got together so early and both obviously cared about each other that I was nervous about what was going to go wrong (sort of spoiler: it's a happy ending but there are more books that add new problems). It was good for the genre that it was - and gave me a nice break from romantasy for a second. I don’t think I will continue their story because I just don't think that this sort of regency romance quite does it for me, but I enjoyed it nonetheless!

⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️

It is 1569, and we find ourselves in a world of Elizabeth I, knights, and courtly intrigue. William is the newly crowned king of Troixden, and Annalore is destined to be his queen.
I was truly looking forward to this novel—this time period, full of chivalrous love and political tension, is one I always enjoy. The setup held such promise. However, the story didn't quite deliver what I was hoping for. While there were elements of shifting alliances and romantic tension, the plot felt somewhat meandering, and I struggled to stay grounded in the characters’ motivations.
Annalore’s feelings toward William shift quickly and without much buildup, making it hard to connect with their romance. Bryan, her childhood friend and almost-fiancé, has a storyline that moves in several directions—betrayed, rebellious, then suddenly understanding—that left me a bit unsure of where he stood. Similarly, the schemes involving Robert and Margeaux started strong but seemed to lose clarity as the story progressed.
Though I appreciated the historical backdrop and glimpses of courtly drama, I found myself wishing for more character development and forward momentum in the plot. I did finish the novel, hoping for a late spark of action or deeper emotional payoff.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Heirs and Spares was a delightful trip down memory lane for me. It’s been ages since I’ve read a book that’s all about periodic romance. The writing was top-notch, and it was a really easy and enjoyable read. But, I must admit, I was a bit disappointed that the story didn’t take a more exciting turn. I was hoping for a gripping event that would’ve kept me on the edge of my seat. However, I did enjoy the characters and the enemies-to-lovers trope in the beginning. I might give the second book in the series a chance to see if things get more interesting.

This has a bit of everything - historical fiction, court intrigue, romance, spice. It is a quick read and engaging, and left room for the next installment.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

2.5 stars, rounded up.

Heir & Spare is a book trying to do it all—be a political drama, a romance, historical fiction, erotica—but you know how the old saying goes: jack of all trades, master of none. So while [author] is really trying, on all fronts, for me, it never came together. The “spice” is present (since this is the “Betwixt the Sheets” edition) but isn’t particularly sexy. The romance is also present but doesn’t feel as though it’s the centrepiece. The political drama of it never seemed to be terribly urgent. And seeing as how the country is completely made up, it’s not succeeding as a historical fiction novel (and I won’t even get into the “old English” used in the dialogue).

Thank you to NetGalley and to Greenleaf Book Group for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley

If you happen to enjoy stories that fall into historical romance, drama and court intrigue this could be for you. This one is definitely outside of my normal wheelhouse, but I took a chance and am glad that I did. I got a taste for something new, and will likely be continuing this. I felt like I was thrown back in time. We have the FMC Anna who is in love with her childhood friend who is newly knighted to the King named Bryan, until she is chosen to be a candidate to be wed to the newly crowned King William, who's brother died childless leaving him the throne and back from exile. The author's writing was great, and did well with imagery to pull us in. The characters have depth and chemistry. This was a brief read, but also quite enjoyable. I could see myself reading it again when I need to delve back in time.

There are two version of this.
The version I received is the “Betwixt the Sheets” version. For a closed door experience, please see the “Closed Bed Curtains” version. The end of this book does have "Betwixt the Sheets Editions of books available 2025".

If you want a beautiful Historical Romance that defies expectations then this is the book for you!!
This was the first of that genre that I didn’t feel was slow paced or difficult to continue reading.
The character development is so well done and engaging that I couldn’t put it down.
The author’s writing style created so many beautifully designed layers with the characters internal conflicts, their struggle to balance the expected responsibilities and their relationship dynamics. I really enjoyed how the detailed descriptions and writing style brought me even further into the world as I continued to read. I can’t wait to read even more in this series soon!

Lady Annelora had plans for her life, her childhood friend would return home with his newly knighted status and they would get married and live happily ever after. But now the king has requested her presence as one of the women he will choose between to be his bride. Annelora is convinced this would not be a good fit for her and just needs to ensure the kings sees things her way, until her future is decided and she is the new queen.
I appreciate the tension that is created by having the characters facing the challenges of royalty, duty, while getting to know eachother and discovering their common ground.
I also appreciate that the author offered an explicit and a closed door version of this story!

Thank you Jennie L. Spohr and Netgalley for the ARC.

This was so much fun. In the beginning I got Medieval Julie Garwood ✨vibes✨, which were my gateway to historical romance 20 years ago. Anna is “in love” with her childhood friend, Sir Bryan, but then the newly crowned King William chooses her as a potential candidate for his consort; so The Bachelor but make it historical lol.
Anna begrudgingly presents herself to court because she wants to marry Bryan and has heard unsavory things about the king. She also has to navigate the politics of the court; anyone who watched The Tudors, Wolf Hall and similar shows can anticipate the drama. So we embark on a journey of self discovery and clearing misconceptions about others (about William specifically).

I appreciate that the author published a spicy (betwixt the sheets) version and a closed door version.

This book is the first in The Realm series, published between 2013 - 2016, so I am assuming this is a re-release? And it is more “Tudor era political intrigue” than romance, but I think I would enjoy that too.

At first glance, "Heirs and Spares" might sound like just another historical romance, but it pleasantly defies expectations. The narrative takes readers on an unexpected journey where traditional tropes are given fresh life. The writing is engaging and fluid, inviting readers into a world where duty, desire, and destiny intertwine.

A Captivating Journey of Love and Duty
The story centers around Anna, who initially finds herself deeply enamored with the dashing knight, Bryan. However, the dynamics shift dramatically when King William enters the picture. Upon seeing Anna, the king sees her potential as a suitable partner, thrusting her into a complicated web of courtly politics and personal emotion. The transformation in Anna’s life—from a lover of a knight to a potential queen—forms the heart of the narrative, and it is a journey filled with growth, introspection, and unexpected turns.

Strengths of the Novel

Engaging Character Development: The characters are richly developed, and their internal conflicts and evolving relationships feel authentic. Anna’s struggle to balance her feelings for Bryan with the responsibilities thrust upon her by royal interest adds a compelling layer of complexity to the romance.
Imaginative Writing: The author's narrative style brings the historical setting to life. The vivid descriptions and dynamic dialogue create a backdrop that is as enchanting as it is historically grounded.
A Sweet Love Story: Despite the intricate political and emotional conflicts, the romance remains genuine and heartwarming. The chemistry between Anna and her potential suitors is palpable, making the love story both sweet and believable.
A Few Quibbles
While the journey is captivating, the conclusion of the book feels somewhat rushed. The ending leaves a few threads untied, which might leave some readers yearning for a deeper resolution. However, this slight pacing issue does little to detract from an otherwise delightful reading experience.

Final Thoughts
"Heirs and Spares" is a charming historical romance that surpasses initial expectations. With its compelling characters, engaging narrative, and a love story that feels both sweet and bittersweet, it is a satisfying read. Though the ending might leave some questions unanswered, the overall journey is enjoyable and memorable. For fans of historical romances looking for a story that is both fun and emotionally resonant, this book is certainly worth a read.

Heirs & Spares by Jennie Spohr is a book I picked up simply because the summary sounded interesting and I'm glad I did. I'm now hooked on the series and need to read book two to see what happens next for these characters.

Our main fmc is Lady Annelore who lives in Troixden, just north of France with her widowed father (a Duke), and she has never had any interest in politics or court. She's expected that her newly knighted childhood friend would come home and they would marry and live a quiet life. But when Troixden's sadistic king died childless and his younger brother William returned from exile to find his country on the brink of war, things change quickly.

William knows he needs to find a bride and secure his throne so he takes a tour of his lands to meet the daughters of his Lords and find a wife. When he finally makes his choice, after many challenges, he lands on Lady Annelore and she is not happy or impressed by the idea.

I enjoyed this book and I thought it had plenty of court intrigue, politics, and danger. Annelore and William eventually learn to love each other but they really don't know who they can trust because there are secrets everywhere. Even those they think are there to help and protect them have things to hide.

If you're looking for a historical romance with plenty of drama and court intrigue, I think you will enjoy this one. I'll definitely grab the next installment (spicy version) to see what happens next for this pair as they navigate their way through everything.

I absolutely loved diving into this story—it was just what I needed to break free from my reading rut! The journey between William and Anna captivated me, blending their evolving relationship with the intriguing and secretive machinations of the court. William is a fascinating character, but I can't shake the feeling that he has the potential to betray anyone at any moment, which is a bit disheartening. I really want to trust him, but there's this nagging doubt lingering in the back of my mind.

As for Anna, she comes across as such a sweet and kind-hearted soul, but I’m eager to see her unleash her inner queen! Right now, she feels a bit too naive for the role, and I’m ready for her to step up and showcase her fierceness in every aspect of her life. I noticed some scenes that reminded me of the TV show *The Tudors*, which added an additional layer of enjoyment for me. Whether this was intentional or not, it definitely evoked a sense of nostalgia!

Overall, I found this story incredibly enjoyable, and I truly believe it has the makings of a fantastic series. I can't wait to see where the adventure takes us next!

I absolutely devoured this book and couldn’t put it down. As someone who’s always wanted to explore historical romance, I’ve often struggled with slow-paced plots that were difficult to get into. But this book was a refreshing change—it was incredibly easy to dive into the story from the start. The author strikes the perfect balance, providing enough detail to vividly paint the world while leaving out unnecessary extras that would bog the narrative down.

The romance is wonderfully spicy, and I quickly found myself growing attached to both Anna and William. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I’m eagerly looking forward to continuing their journey.

However, I do wish there was more information available about the release dates for this newly revised spicy version of the book. Neither the author nor the publisher has posted much about it, which is a bit disheartening.

A big thank you to the author and publisher for providing an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, so I read Heirs & Spares Betwixt the Sheets Editionby Jennie L. Spohr and it was fantastic . It was very fast paced. Wills and Anna just heated up the sheets. This book is focused on court relationships and how Anna earns her place as queen with a hint of the religious, rebel, revenge and war themes to come in the next few books.

I loved how Anna and Wills talk about their issues and resolve it, instead of stewing and misunderstandings.

#netgalley #HeirsSpares