Heir to Greyladies (Greyladies Trilogy) by Anna Jacobs

Greyladies #1

by Anna Jacobs

Hampshire, 1900. With the sudden death of her father, the life of fifteen-year-old Harriet Benson changes forever. Forced from her home to escape the advances of her leering stepbrother Norris, Harriet is sent into service to provide for the family. Arriving at the grand Dalton House, she meets the owners' crippled son Joseph, with whom friendship soon blossoms. When circumstances force Joseph to leave the family home, Harriet is happy to accompany him and break free from the controlling influence of her stepmother.But Harriet is unprepared for the event which will alter her life even her unexpected inheritance of Greyladies, a supposedly haunted house in the country. Could this be the safe haven she so desperately needs, and does the ghost of its previous owner really roam the halls? While Harriet and Joseph grow ever closer, the plots and actions of both their families threaten to destroy their happiness. Will their love, and the legacy of Greyladies, be able to survive?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Romance, Audiobook, Adult, Book Club, Ebooks

Paperback

First published July 1, 2013

About the author

Anna Jacobs has 87 novels published as of April 2019. She writes historical sagas and modern novels alternately, and in the past has written historical romances and fantasy novels (the latter as Shannah Jay).

She's addicted to story-telling and writes three novels a year. You can find a list of books and series on her website at www.annajacobs.com

Anna reads 3 novels a week. Happy reading, everyone.

Reviews

[E.A. Harwik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heir to Greyladies is another wonderful satisfying, easy reading novel for which Anna Jacobs can be relied upon to produce.

Set in the early years of the 20th century Heir to Greyladies introduces, and engages with, an emotional journey undertaken by Harriet Benson.

The novel opens with Harriet at fifteen years of age and allows the reader to accompany her through her teenage years, sharing a relenting onslaught of personally focused, mind sapping, almost unbelievable, yet still tasteful to read, bullying. Harriet is completely powerless, appears to have no escape or future and yet under the crafted guardianship of Anna Jacobs, Harriet remains positive, always eager to learn and prepare herself for something more of anything better.

Skilfully created chance, plus an unlikely alliance with an equally mistreated companion, opens the way for a clever legally crafted and very satisfying outcome. This book will tease the readers' sense of sensibility yet leave warmth all over and filled with a want for more. Which is just as well because, according the author's web site, Heir to Greyladies is the first of a three part series specifically set in and about Wiltshire, England.

I'll confess, even after reading Heir to Greyladies I have no idea what may transpire in the next book of the series. Yet that's the joy of being an Anna Jacobs novel tragic. This author never fails to richly entertain while imparting treasures for keeping. I'm confident I'll love the next book in the series.

Heir to Greyladies by Anna Jacobs earns my five well-earned stars.

[Lauren Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just gorgeous! So descriptive, and the characters (both hero and villain) were written with aplomb! Hated the villains so much due to the excellent writing that Anna Jacobs is known for.. literally couldn’t put this book down and lost sleep - but it was worth it!

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet and Joseph

Well another fab book from Anna it's a books dreams are made of a maid inheriting a big house complete with ghosts and also having the man she loves living in this house but it's not all plain sailing there is mystery , intrigue, and attempted rape but a book well worth reading 5 STARS .

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy and enjoyable read.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not one of my favourites from this author. I found the story a bit silly, however, if you like story's with a hint of the paranormal, you might like this.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet's father dies at the worst possible moment. Unfortunately that leaves her in the care of her greedy stepmother. Her stepbrother is evil and he has awful plans for and with Harriet. Instead of continuing her education Harriet has to go into service which means she can escape him as long as she's employed. She finds a job at the big Danton House. The owners have a crippled son, Joseph. Soon Joseph and Harriet are becoming friends. When Harriet's situation is about to change again Joseph is there to accompany her. but will she ever be able to feel safe from her evil stepmother and stepbrother?

Heir to Greyladies is a wonderful story about a very sweet girl who hasn't had much luck in life. That might change because of Greyladies. Harriet is such an amazing main character, she's kind, loving and helpful and she doesn't deserve to be treated appallingly. Joseph is equally lovable, but his family doesn't see it. I constantly felt for him as he has so much to offer. It was such a joy to read about their friendship. They've been brought to life so well that I had the idea I could see and hear them which made me love this novel even more.

Anna Jacobs knows how to write a story. I enjoyed reading this book very, very much. I'm glad there are more Geyladies books. I highly recommend this heartwarming and romantic novel. It ends with a great cliffhanger which, given how good the rest of the story already is, is the cherry on the cake. I can't praise this book enough, I liked it a lot.

[LaSibila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet es una joven huérfana de 15 años que a la merced de su madrastra y su hijo, quien ha intentado forzarla en varias ocasiones. En vez de permitirle seguir estudiando por una beca que ha ganado gracias a sus meritos académicos, la obligan a trabajar para quitarle su sueldo. Cuando la madrastra se entera de la fijacion de su hijo, envia a Harriet como sirvienta en una casa en las afuera de la ciudad donde conoce a Joseph. Durante varios años, comparten el amor por la lectura y se hacen buenos amigos. Debido a un problema de salud, Joseph para la mayor parte de su tiempo en una silla de ruedas. Sus padres intentan conseguirle una esposa con dinero para asegurarle un futuro, ya que su hermano mayor es el heredero de la disminuida fortuna familiar y de la casa donde vive.
Inesperadamente, Joseph se independiza de su familia y Harriet, temerosa de que la devuelvan a su casa, lo sigue. Ambos se sorprenden al enterarse que Harriet ha heredado una propiedad en Greyladies de parte de la familia de su madre. Mientras que la madrastra y el hermanastro la persiguen para quedarse con todo, hay un hermoso romance nacido de la amistad (4 AÑOS!!!) y el respeto.
NOTA: salvo la mencion del intento de violacion, es una lectura muy sana.

[Teresa “Teri” · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

Anna Jacobs is the Queen of the “rags to riches Cinderella type” of book.
Her bad guys are pretty awful but, the wicked stepmother is always present in one character. The good thing is you know it will all turn out “happily ever after”.
I needed a break from the historical horrors of war and the ongoing one in the real world 🌎.
This was just like a soothing cup of chamomile tea with mint before bedtime that I really needed.

[Yvonne Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read. Good for reading in bed as it was just interesting enough to keep me going but not exciting enough to stop me sleeping.

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet story! I really enjoyed it. A young woman living a Cinderella life with sour family members wanting to destroy it, love and of course ghosts! I definitely recommend it.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The start of another Anna Jacobs trilogy. In the first instalment we meet Harriet. After the sudden death of her father Harriet is left at the mercy of her greedy step mother Winifred and lecherous step brother Norris. After Norris tries to attack her Harriet is sent away to work as a maid in a grand country house. It is here she meets Joseph the youngest son of the family. Joseph is crippled and though he can walk, he uses a wheelchair to get to long distances. Harriet and Joseph bond over their love of books and reading with Joseph acting as her tutor. But along with what seems to be a sweet budding friendship, even a romance, dark forces linger. Winifred continues to use her power as Harriet's guardian and claims almost all her wages for her own. Joseph's older brother gets himself into debt losing a large chunk of his family's fortune. In order to save face and gets more money, Joseph's parents try to marry him off to an unfortunate girl who has severe disabilities and despite her age acts more like a small child. Joseph refuses and decides to move out on his own. At the same time Harriet demands to be paid her full wages and is refused. She too leaves running away in the night to avoid being sent back to Winifred and Norris. Harriet has gotten news that she has inherited something from a distant relative. She is shocked to learn it's the big beautiful house called Greyladies and she and Joseph move there and begin to build their lives becoming well known and liked in the community. But never far behind is the ever greedy Winifred and Norris still determined to make Harriet his own. A very enjoyable read, sometimes tense, others funny, I especially enjoyed the last few pages involving the women of the village. I can't wait to pick up book two and see what new adventures await Harriet and Greyladies.

[Anne Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Following Harriet Benson’s father’s sudden death and an attempted attack by her stepbrother, her stepmother arranges for her to go into service at Dalton House, while keeping her wages. There, over time, she becomes friends with the youngest of the Dalton sons, Joseph, who has been crippled since birth. The two discover a love of books and form a strong bond. When Joseph is forces to leave home, Harriet runs away to join him. When Harriet discovers that she is the heir to the mysterious and supposedly haunted house of Greyladies, it seems the answer to their prayers to find a home. However, once her stepbrother finds out about her good fortune, he determines to force her to marry him. What he doesn’t take into account are Harriet and Joseph’s new friends. A light enough tale in the family saga tradition.

[Olusola Anyanwu · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent read for readers who love 20th Century England, a twist in the tale and suspense. I picked up this novel and could not put it down. Miss Benson has suffered right from the age of 15 when her surviving parent dies trying to rescue her from a rape! But like the biblical Joseph, she who is a mere maid ends up at the top of the social ladder and is richer than all those who tried to keep her inferior and undeserving of the good things in life.
Anna Jacobs deserves 5 stars and more for this exciting, adventurous and highly exciting story laced with rich English History.

[Cass · Rating 3 out of 5]

I surprised myself by reading this and enjoying it. I read classic literature, not this stuff.

It was passionate, well-enough written (I wasn't cringing at the writing), and non-sexual (a couple of tiny kisses).

Amazon offered some books for $1.70 so I thought it would be a nice regional romance. It was. I read the sequel (also nice), and then sadly spent three days consuming bodice busters (which I am embarrased about!.

[MJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is difficult to rate. I found Heir to Greyladies to be a fun and easy summer-read. Even though I found the plot somewhat predictable and the falling action somewhat contrived, it held my attention and kept me turning pages til the end.
If I were rating it on how much I liked reading it and not the literary quality, I'd have given the story an additional star.

[Gemma Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but personally preferred Our Lizzie. I enjoy Jacob's easy to read writing style, but preferred the storyline of Our Lizzie. I thought the characters were good but the relationship between Joseph and Harriet was a little rushed towards the end. I don't think I'll read the rest of the trilogy.

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved it! a typical rags to riches kind of story. Harriet is a lovely girl,and my heart was in my mouth in places. I can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy which luckily I have so I can dive right in

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Reading

This book was interesting on many different levels the first being how disability was viewed in the past. But that aside it was simply enjoyable reading.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

[Richa Rana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completely refreshing

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read that I devoured in a day. Look forward to the other 2 books in this particular trilogy.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1900 and Harriet's father suddenly dies leaving her with her stepmother and stepbrother. At 15, she has won a scholarship to attend a higher school but her stepmother now believes she must quit school and go to work. Her stepbrother has made several sexual advances toward her and she is only too happy to leave.
Her stepmother's aunt finds work for her at the Dalton House as a servant but her thirst for reading soon leads her to search for more books to read. Her stepmother takes almost all her wages leaving her with precious little so she has no money to buy clothes or books.

She becomes friends with the youngest Dalton son, Joseph who spends most of his time in a wheelchair reading books. When she receives a letter from a lawyer that her employer insists he must read first, Joseph comes to her rescue and snatches the letter from his father. When she insists on receiving more of her wages instead of most of it going to her stepmother, she is given an ultimatum. Being underaged, she realizes she has no choice until she reads the contents of the letter. With her stepbrother hot on her trail, Joseph helps her plan her escape.

I quite enjoyed this book, I wanted the main character to be able to find some happiness in her life and because of that, the book was hard to put down.

[Ann Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am quite often a little sceptical when reading a story where someone comes into a rather large and very unexpected inheritance. Otherwise I very much enjoyed this book. After the death of her mother her father fairly quickly remarries to a lady called Winifred; she is very much the wicked stepmother. Unfortunately Harriet`s father also has a sudden death leaving Harriet living alone with the step mother and also her very evil step brother. Because of Norris the step brother, Harriet is forced to go into service. here she befriends the families youngest son, Joseph. Joseph has been born with a disability leaving walking very difficult for him. Joseph and Harriet are both intelligent and their love of reading causes them to form a close bond. Unfortunately because of circumstances they are both forced to flee the house and end up running away together.

[Rachel Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me by surprise! I refuse to write spoilers but after that opening I wasn’t expecting as much as I got from this book, not to say anything was wrong with it, far from it, keeping me gripped til the end. The villains and the heroes in this book were written so well and showed what it was like at the time, in regards to women, disability etc, all of which were written about beautifully! Very few books have made me feel so many emotions but this one really is up there! I look forward to reading the next in the trilogy!

[Margaret Galbraith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this and after reading the second one first now I know the full background of Harriet and Joseph and the history behind the old house called Greyladies. It's a lovely story and just what I needed to cheer me up after my illness and my poor dog having cruciate ligament surgery. We're both getting there slowly together and reading for now is my escape. Thank you Anna Jacobs for writing these books that are so easy to read and enjoy!

[Judith W Melton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Anna Jacobs book

I have read so many Jacobs books I've lost count and loved them all. This is not a criticism, but an observation. Jacobs has some favorite phrases she uses in all her books. For instance " out and about", "bits and pieces", "tapped his nose";etc. I also sometimes laugh at the way she changes the first letter of many surnames to make them her own. Such as Bollins for Collins, Bashley for Ashley.

[MRS S PUSEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read from Anna as always.

I loved this story and happy for Harriet getting away from the awful stepmother and stepbrother Norris,then meeting the lovely son of the Daltons Joseph ,thank goodness for Agnes ,Harriet became the heir to Greyladies and a home for them both to live a happier life.can't wait to read the next book.I would recommend this author to all readers.she is amazing.

[Candice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to be a big Anna Jacob’s reader about 13 years ago but am now wondering if her books maybe are no longer for me. I found the story line slow moving and repetitive and the writing style not very immersive. I found I was t able to get invested in the characters. Won’t bother reading the sequels. I skimmed most of the book.

[Lynette Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

a truly lovely love story set in 1900 between a girl trying to escape her money hungry step-mother and her step-brother she goes to work as a maid in large house and meets the youngest son who needs a wheel chair to get around

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ =Quite Good.
Just a sweet, pleasant story.
First in the series and I'm sure I'll be reading the second, at some point.
Great if you're in the mood for something that's easy on the little grey cells! 😁