Wednesday, June 16, 2010

REVIEW: Love is in the Heir by Kathryn Caskie



ISBN 9780446616102
Genre: Historical Romance
(c) July 2006
Kathryn Caskie's website

Rating: 3 stars

Available in Book Depository (print).

"Laugh-out-loud funny"

The Earl of Devonsfield is in need of an heir, and his nearest relations are twins Garnet and Griffin St. Albans. Because the order of birth wasn't determined, the earl didn't know which brother to name heir. He therefore came upon a brilliant plan, which is that the brother who was the first to marry a lady of quality would be named heir. However, they have to keep this a secret, else the earldom may be in danger of being reverted to the Crown and the earl didn't want this to happen.

What ensued was a comedy of errors as Garnet (the rakish brother) posed as Griffin some of the times to help the latter win the lady of his heart.

There were some laugh-out loud moments in this story, ensuing from the two brothers' different personalities. I daresay I've read only a few heroes like Griffin--someone who is gentle and kind and thoughtful and most importantly, isn't a rake. Any romance reader can tell you that historical romances, especially in the Regency era, abound with rakish heroes.

Interestingly, our heroine Hannah Chillton is one very sharp lady, as she is able to differentiate between the two brothers, though she didn't know it at the time. She has too much pride as well and didn't like being humiliated. (Well, who does?) But suffice it to say, she learned a very important lesson about pride and love.

The story took on expected twists and turns, but the execution and writing made the story a delight to read. Also, if you're the uber-romantic and like to have most of the secondary characters with their own love matches, this is the book for you. As for me, I can't abide it. I mean, what are the chances? The exact mechanics of the brothers' courtship were also not explained clearly at the start, which caused for confusion on my part as to the need for the ruse. For once, I'd also like to see a hero who does not end up a viscount or an earl or a duke, not because he gave up the position, but because, well, that's just how the die rolls.

Available in Book Depository (print).

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