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Inherit My Heart
It was a shock to Naomi and her mother when the fortune they had confidently expected to inherit was left to a nephew they had never heard of. However, Mrs Thurrock hoped that perhaps Naomi and Jerome might set things right by making a match of it. Which might have been a good idea... if Naomi hadn't infinitely preferred his brother Martin - the one without the inheritance!
Paperback
First published January 1, 1962
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74 people want to read
About the author
Mary Burchell
161 books84 followersIda Cook was born on 1904 at 37 Croft Avenue, Sunderland, England. With her eldest sister Mary Louise Cook (1901), she attending the Duchess' School in Alnwick. Later the sisters took civil service jobs in London, and developed a passionate interest in opera. The sisters helped 29 jews to escape from the Nazis, funded mainly by Ida's writing. In 1965, the Cook sisters were honored as Righteous Gentiles by the Yad Vashem Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Authority in Israel.
As Mary Burchell, she published more than 125 romance novels by Mills & Boon since 1936. She also wrote some western novels as James Keene in collaboration with the author Will Cook (aka Frank Peace). In 1950, Ida Cook wrote her autobiography: "We followed our stars". She helped to found the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was its president from 1966 to her death on December 22, 1986.
As Mary Burchell, she published more than 125 romance novels by Mills & Boon since 1936. She also wrote some western novels as James Keene in collaboration with the author Will Cook (aka Frank Peace). In 1950, Ida Cook wrote her autobiography: "We followed our stars". She helped to found the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was its president from 1966 to her death on December 22, 1986.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 29, 2013
This book was first published in 1962. MB's work is truly vintage with her first Harlequin being published back in 1937. I do so like her work. What captivates me is her ability to capture strong heroines who are brave women embarking on life and career. They don't pine for unrequited love, they aren't led around by their hormones, they make logical sense and make good decisions. Oh by the way, they do happen to fall in love too, but sometimes our hero isn't so totally obvious. As is the case in this book. Is it Jerome or is it Martin? Hmm is other woman, Felicity or Antonia? Is selfish mother really selfish or just endearingly scatterbrained (maybe not even that). She keeps you guessing all the way to the end.
I put this one at 3.5 stars, and am rounding to 4 because after all this is Mary Burchell.
I put this one at 3.5 stars, and am rounding to 4 because after all this is Mary Burchell.
October 27, 2022
I can't help rating these Mary Burchell books highly, even when they use a few tired old tropes. They're just so sweet and charming.
For anyone who's keeping track, the guy in this one is Not a Jerk. Though I do wish he wouldn't call Naomi "child". Ah well. If you're going to read popular women's books from the 60s you can't have everything. I guess.
On the bright side, love what Mary Burchell does with characters that could be stock... The housekeeper. Naomi's mother. They're more interesting than they strictly need to be, so that's enjoyable.
For anyone who's keeping track, the guy in this one is Not a Jerk. Though I do wish he wouldn't call Naomi "child". Ah well. If you're going to read popular women's books from the 60s you can't have everything. I guess.
On the bright side, love what Mary Burchell does with characters that could be stock... The housekeeper. Naomi's mother. They're more interesting than they strictly need to be, so that's enjoyable.
March 17, 2023
Thank you to my GR friends for your reviews about this author! I've been looking for another author like Betty Neels for some gentle, old fashioned formula romances and Mary Burchell totally fits the bill!
So glad her books are on Kindle Unlimited so I'm binge-readimg.them all!
So glad her books are on Kindle Unlimited so I'm binge-readimg.them all!
June 19, 2020
The sole purpose of full grown, world weary, adult women reading fluffy romantic stories is to suddenly find a treasure like this one. A dreamy yet relatable love story.
Not a lust story, revenge story, MOC, blackmail, evil exes, nothing. Just a beautiful love story.
Mary Burchell , please take a bow from the heavens above ....
Naomi and her mother are somewhat shattered because the the elderly uncle who was supposed to leave everything to them died and left it to some other relations. No, nothing scheming or vengeful here. Just a good for nothing mother, but with a good, open heart. And a young, just out of college Naomi. Wondering what to do next for livelihood. Naomi is ready for the hard work, but mummy dear doesn't prescribe that route.
So Naomi is packed off to the other relations' place, the guys who actually inherited. That household has a mummy and 2 sons - Jerome and Martin. Jerome, the industrious, responsible one. Martin the good looking , jobless bounder.
Of course Martin is the easily likeable one. But Jerome is the one with the money, a lovely heart and a limping leg. So now you know where Naomi is going to park her affections eventually.
Jerome was a star stage actor, but had to shift to producing because of the leg injury. He decides to give Naomi a job in the theatre, instead of simply giving her a share of the dead uncle's spoils. And she takes it up whole-heartedly.
Her uncomplicated view of life and people, her dedicated loyalty to her new boss, her boundless enthusiasm for the behind the scenes theatre work. Jerome stands no chance against her lovely charm. He in turn does some really kind things, but rather silently and gruffly. But enough to endear him to Naomi.
Martin does make a weak bid for Naomi. But she is resolute, she cant think beyond Jerome. There are a couple of theatre women who can be loosely defined as OWs. But nobody vicious enough to qualify as one.
The bond that builds between the leads is slow, deep, lovely. And at the same time, sparkling and romantic.
A stage accident forces them to blurt out their mutual love at the end. And the confessions are just super !!!!!
A lovely lead pair, a bumbling but good natured mother, a good sporting Martin as OM. And most of all, a fluid poetic use of the English language by Mary Burchell.
This is one story that I am not going to forget in a hurry. Would savour it for a long time to time.
Not a lust story, revenge story, MOC, blackmail, evil exes, nothing. Just a beautiful love story.
Mary Burchell , please take a bow from the heavens above ....
Naomi and her mother are somewhat shattered because the the elderly uncle who was supposed to leave everything to them died and left it to some other relations. No, nothing scheming or vengeful here. Just a good for nothing mother, but with a good, open heart. And a young, just out of college Naomi. Wondering what to do next for livelihood. Naomi is ready for the hard work, but mummy dear doesn't prescribe that route.
So Naomi is packed off to the other relations' place, the guys who actually inherited. That household has a mummy and 2 sons - Jerome and Martin. Jerome, the industrious, responsible one. Martin the good looking , jobless bounder.
Of course Martin is the easily likeable one. But Jerome is the one with the money, a lovely heart and a limping leg. So now you know where Naomi is going to park her affections eventually.
Jerome was a star stage actor, but had to shift to producing because of the leg injury. He decides to give Naomi a job in the theatre, instead of simply giving her a share of the dead uncle's spoils. And she takes it up whole-heartedly.
Her uncomplicated view of life and people, her dedicated loyalty to her new boss, her boundless enthusiasm for the behind the scenes theatre work. Jerome stands no chance against her lovely charm. He in turn does some really kind things, but rather silently and gruffly. But enough to endear him to Naomi.
Martin does make a weak bid for Naomi. But she is resolute, she cant think beyond Jerome. There are a couple of theatre women who can be loosely defined as OWs. But nobody vicious enough to qualify as one.
The bond that builds between the leads is slow, deep, lovely. And at the same time, sparkling and romantic.
A stage accident forces them to blurt out their mutual love at the end. And the confessions are just super !!!!!
A lovely lead pair, a bumbling but good natured mother, a good sporting Martin as OM. And most of all, a fluid poetic use of the English language by Mary Burchell.
This is one story that I am not going to forget in a hurry. Would savour it for a long time to time.
October 20, 2025
This was a beautiful story with likeable characters
I really loved Naomi and Jerome and how their story moves forward. The romance was beautifully depicted and the scenes between the leads were always interesting.
Looking forward to reading more books in this series.
I loved the way Mary Burchell can make a simple story so engaging.
I really loved Naomi and Jerome and how their story moves forward. The romance was beautifully depicted and the scenes between the leads were always interesting.
Looking forward to reading more books in this series.
I loved the way Mary Burchell can make a simple story so engaging.
September 7, 2013
Another great book by Mary Burchell. Her heroines are strong, yet very feminine and easy to like. She also creates heroes that are more than just good-looking guys. She's one of the best at creating chemistry between characters.
February 23, 2022
Such a cute story
I love the sweetness and innocence of Ida Cook's stories. A nice little glimpse in to the theater world. A quick and enjoyable read!
I love the sweetness and innocence of Ida Cook's stories. A nice little glimpse in to the theater world. A quick and enjoyable read!
October 29, 2022
Through most of the book I was thinking, 3 star read. Then I got to the lovely trope ending and couldn’t stop smiling. A sweet strawberry waffer book.
February 8, 2023
Funny story on how I came upon this book. I read The Secret Society of Salzburg by Renee Ryan recently and in her author notes she revealed that two real life sisters inspired her World War II story. The Cook sisters were instrumental in rescuing 29 Jewish refugees from Nazi occupied countries and part of the funding for their work came from Ida Cook's (pen name Mary Burchell) royalties from Mills and Boone!
Of course, romance loving me had to check it out and imagine my surprise to discover that my library actually had a copy of one of Mary Buchard's later works (1962) and I just happen to be participating in a retro romance readathon with one of the prompts being to read a category romance.
Now for the review: I want to say it's pretty cliche but then, it likely wasn't as cliche-y sixty years ago! The writing is quaintly old-fashioned, a definite departure from what we'd see in a category romance today, but it's well-written and I was engaged. A classic poor, young woman rescued by an older (don't know how much older, maybe ten years, but he kept calling her 'child' which is kinda creepy.) But Naomi is spunky and determined despite her overt naïveté and she wins the hearts of nearly everyone she meets. There are some classic mean girls and a besotted fool you know she doesn't belong with, so there's a bit of a love triangle but not really and the story is pretty straightforward. Her dithering mother drove me batty and got away with way too much in my opinion.
My, but category romance has transformed over the years. I definitely prefer my Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense novels -- but I appreciated this little story and the fact that it was squeaky clean. A sweet little retro-romance.
Of course, romance loving me had to check it out and imagine my surprise to discover that my library actually had a copy of one of Mary Buchard's later works (1962) and I just happen to be participating in a retro romance readathon with one of the prompts being to read a category romance.
Now for the review: I want to say it's pretty cliche but then, it likely wasn't as cliche-y sixty years ago! The writing is quaintly old-fashioned, a definite departure from what we'd see in a category romance today, but it's well-written and I was engaged. A classic poor, young woman rescued by an older (don't know how much older, maybe ten years, but he kept calling her 'child' which is kinda creepy.) But Naomi is spunky and determined despite her overt naïveté and she wins the hearts of nearly everyone she meets. There are some classic mean girls and a besotted fool you know she doesn't belong with, so there's a bit of a love triangle but not really and the story is pretty straightforward. Her dithering mother drove me batty and got away with way too much in my opinion.
My, but category romance has transformed over the years. I definitely prefer my Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense novels -- but I appreciated this little story and the fact that it was squeaky clean. A sweet little retro-romance.
June 6, 2023
This is just… sweet. Believably messy, with conflict that isn’t too melodramatic or easily swept aside, and insightful about people. And funny:
The writing is blunt in the best way; it’s so scathingly skewering and yet somehow generous at the same time.
One more description of the great Mrs. Thurrock:
I love these old-fashioned books. (I love them when they’re good, I suppose I should specify.) I love their language and their humor and their teetering-on-the-edge-of-hilarity plotting.
"What did she sound like?"
"As though she's never made an endearing social error in her life," replied Mrs. Thurrock promptly. "A sweet but rather chilling voice."
"Like ice-cream?" Naomi suggested.
"Not common or garden ice-cream. More like something made to special order, from Fortnum & Mason's."
"I see," said Naomi. And, not for the first time, she thought what a curious mixture of shrewdness and foolishness her very dear mother was.
The writing is blunt in the best way; it’s so scathingly skewering and yet somehow generous at the same time.
One more description of the great Mrs. Thurrock:
"Oh, I see." Mrs. Thurrock didn't really see at all, but she was greatly flattered by this implied appeal to her almost non-existent sense of discretion.
I love these old-fashioned books. (I love them when they’re good, I suppose I should specify.) I love their language and their humor and their teetering-on-the-edge-of-hilarity plotting.
June 1, 2020
Mary Burchell has many heroes who are very unlikable in some ways but with characteristics that make them understandably lovable to the heroines. Oscar Warrender comes to mind. But the hero of this unremarkable romance is unlikable with no redeeming characteristics that explain why the heroine falls in love with him. Also that girl who warns her off? Just fades away. For diehard Mary Burchell fans only.
Try Except My Love and But Not for Me for better examples of the flawed but lovable hero.
Try Except My Love and But Not for Me for better examples of the flawed but lovable hero.
July 27, 2024
"Inherit My Heart" is the story of Naomi and Jerome.
Newly destitute heroine ends up going to her "cousin's" house, who ends up inheriting all the money from their mutual uncle. She initially is enchanted by the younger brother, but soon the older disabled hero catches her attention. She becomes his secretary, there's loads of drama and a sweet ending.
I actually liked how straightforward the heroine was.
Safe
3/5
Newly destitute heroine ends up going to her "cousin's" house, who ends up inheriting all the money from their mutual uncle. She initially is enchanted by the younger brother, but soon the older disabled hero catches her attention. She becomes his secretary, there's loads of drama and a sweet ending.
I actually liked how straightforward the heroine was.
Safe
3/5
January 2, 2023
It was a shock to Naomi and her mother when the fortune they had confidently expected to inherit was left to a nephew they had never heard of. However, Mrs Thurrock hoped that perhaps Naomi and Jerome might set things right by making a match of it. Which might have been a good idea... if Naomi hadn't infinitely preferred his brother Martin - the one without the inheritance!
September 5, 2025
I'm a sucker for these vintage Harlequins, and this one from the early 1950s is a great example! The hero is as autocratic as you would expect, but the relationship is generally sweet, and I rooted for the couple throughout. Clean and fun.
August 11, 2022
Typical 60's Harlequin romance books 😊
October 2, 2023
This was such a sweet romance 🥰 I LOVED the hero
March 2, 2025
A sweet and simple story 😌! I liked it a lot!
February 25, 2025
Uncle Enoch passed away, but he didn't fulfill his promise to Naomi and her mother that they would receive his estate upon his death. His estate went to a mother and her two sons, who were sort of cousins by marriage. Or something. They weren't quite sure. Their mom invites Naomi to their home to get to know her and see if they will share the inheritance. The sons, Jerome and Martin, couldn't be more different. From there the entangled plot begins. Great book.
Read
December 6, 2015I did not like the cover of the book which actually stopped me from reading the book at all. But once I started reading it, I enjoyed it very much.
June 27, 2020
Nts. Got to page 200 and the book was deleted from Scribd. Need to finish. Managed to finish the book but there was a delay. 3 or 4 stars.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews