Customer Reviews

The Heir and the Spare (Negligent Chaperone Series)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When young, lovely American heiress Emilia Highhart arrived in London, most of the fortune seeking ton were instantly enamored, that was until they realized that `grace' was not one of her virtues. Tripping and stumbling over feet whether her own or someone else's was not an uncommon occurrence. At her very first ball, being caught in the arms of the most handsomest man she'd ever encountered had to have been a blessing, or a curse when her aunt informed her that he was the heir to a dukedom, Lord Phillip and his reputation was such that he was entirely unsuitable.

What few people realized was that the man was not Lord Phillip but his identical twin, Lord Devon, presumed dead these last five years. Later finding Emilia nursing a sprained ankle in the library, knowing he must be on his way to his ailing father's bedside, he could not resist a kiss, a kiss that shook him to the core. Devon reluctantly left before they were found in a compromising position, and Emilia who was equally flustered, knew her life as it was would never be the same again.

*** I love it when an author can capture me and was totally engrossed in this lovely Regency debut and finished it in one highly enjoyable sitting. It contained all the elements I look for in a romance, including mistaken identities, duels, scheming and a cast of supporting characters who are as unforgettable as the romantic pair of leads.

Emilia, the heroine of the tale is witty, wealthy, attractive, intelligent, as well as being a complete klutz - in other words, all too human! Devon is the complete opposite of his identical twin Lord Phillip who is a cowardly, mean and ruthless, womanizing rake. The mistaken identity theme and the animosity between the good and evil twin is well-done as Emilia, `rocked' by the kiss from Devon and with his brilliant blue eyes, cannot comprehend when Lord Phillip comes to call and is so inattentive and acts as though the mind-blowing kiss never happened. Her feelings go from ambivalent with Lord Philip and totally alive and aching when with Devon.

Emilia's aunt, Lady Palmerston is a delight as Emilia's `chaperone'. She along with Lady Stillwater were a total hoot, both in their dialogs and their scheming. Lady Palmerston is a gossip who revels in the latest ton scandal sheets, and is amazed at what one learns by walking quietly and eavesdropping. They along with Devon's friend and fiancé Annabelle also added much to the enjoyment of the schemes being laid to reconnect Devon and Emilia once she learned that Lord Phillip (the heir) was not the love of her life but Devon, his twin (the spare) who had captured her heart.

Maya Rodale's debut effort was an extremely enjoyable Regency read, and while not all of the historical aspects made sense, the joy of an entertaining, sweet and lovely romance fully satisfied this reviewer.

[...].

This book caught me on the first chapter and I did not want to put it down. The writing is very good and the story is great - I turned every page waiting for the next shoe to drop.... Emilia is a american heiress that stumbles while entering her first ball - into Devon's arms. He is at the ball pretending to be his awful twin brother - - and it just get better from that point... Enjoy !

If you enjoy this genre check out; Seduction Is Forever by Jenna Petersen, Forever Yours by Janmarie Anello, Spirited Away by Cindy Miles and What A Gentleman Wants by Caroline Linden.

Devon Kensington delayed his return trip from America to England for five years to be with his ailing father. However, in 1818, he finally comes home. At a ball he pretends to be his older twin brother, the Marquis Phillip, which enables him to meet, dance and hold visiting American heiress Emilia Highhart, attending her first ball.

Emilia has problems with her confused feelings for Phillip, who her aunt says is off limits as an unsuitable rake. At times she believes she loves him; at other times she feels nothing for him. She is unaware that the man she loves is the spare and the man she feels nothing for is the heir.

As the twins compete for Emilia, readers will enjoy this fine Regency romance. The key to refreshing this theme of good and bad seeds siblings is the jealousy and hatred Devon feels for his older brother by minutes. Fans will enjoy the competition for Emilia, as the confused female cannot grasp why one moment her body comes alive to seeing the marquis and another it remains dormant. This is a fun historical.

Harriet Klausner

Once I opened the book, I couldn't put it down! It was fantastic. I love historical romance books, my favorite being written by Eloisa James. For a first time historical romance writer this book could compare to any of Ms. James' books. I hope Ms. Rodale continues to write romance books and I would love to see a sequel. Maybe we can find out what happens to Phillip.
Congratulations on this exciting first book and I look forward to reading more from Ms. Rodale in the future.


B.A. Stuart

I bought this book to take with me on my beach vacation, but as soon as I opened the first page, I couldn't put it down. Emilia Highhart is a bold and exciting heroine with just the right amount of clumsy to be endearing. The competition to win Emilia's heart (and fortune) between Lord Phillip and Devon is action-packed. The clever Lady Palmerston is right - Other people's affairs ARE always more interesting than one's own, and nothing is as interesting as meddling in them. I wish I had Lady Palmerston in my courting days!

In her first outing into the world of romance, Ms. Rodale scores big with her lovely portrayal of sparring twins and a clumsy heroine. The book flows effortlessly, making it a great summer read or the perfect companion to a bubble bath. Filled with humor and colorful characters, it's sure to please readers of all genres of romance, not just those who fancy historical works. The best part of the book? It's only a glimpse of what's to come in what is sure to be a extraordinarily successful career for this young author.

Ms. Rodale did a great job on her first Romance Novel. The characters were interesting and the plot was well thought out. I could not put it down and read it in one sitting. I hope to hear more on the characters in this book and learn what becomes of Phillip. Looking forward to more books from this talented new author.

I loved it! I have read quite a few romance novels in my day, and I found myself unable to put this one down. It is perfect for lounging on the beach, or at the pool. And I read the whole thing in one day. Who doesn't love a happy ending?

Before you pick up this book, ask yourself two questions: "What do I enjoy most about historical romance?" and "Do I have the rest of the night to give to 'The Heir and the Spare'?" Because, if the answer to the first question is fun plot twists, enchanting heroines, despicable rakes, lusty swashbucklers and happy endings, then the answer to the second question better be yes. Because even if you are able to put the book down (briefly), the story will stay with you until to the steamy, surprising end. The most distinctive aspect of the book is how the author has managed to capture the essence of the Regency way of life and marry it with the fresh eyes of the modern love story. This blend is all too rare in historicals and almost non-existent in a first time novel. I found myself smiling at the recurring little flourishes of humor that are sprinkled throughout-- just enough to ease the sexual tension that the characters are intensely and inevitably building, but never too much to get the story off its track. And to someone who adores books-- the fact that all the pivotal love scenes happen in a library, well let's just say that Emilia is a woman after own hearts. When you're done you'll be asking yourself a third question: When does the sequel come out?

I read The Heir and The Spare at the beach. I was able to just settle in to this well thought-out book. The characters delighted me and the plot kept me turning the pages of the book. This book especially captivated me as the story line kept unfolding. Maya Rodale's style of writing easily helped to place me with her characters and feel the compassion of each situation. After I was halfway through, I honestly had to stay with the book until I totally finished it. And - that is my barometer for a good historical romance novel. Well done, Maya!