What do you think?
Rate this book
Belvedere #1
The Heir
For nine hundred years, the Dukes of Oxford have served three the crown, our title, and our estate, Belvedere.
Love? That's not in the De Vere family playbook.
Passion? Reserved strictly for producing heirs.
We marry for duty, bed for bloodlines, and keep our desires locked away like the family silver.
As heir to the dukedom, I've perfected the art of noble restraint. My engagement to a beautiful, blue-blooded ice queen has been set in stone since birth. I've never questioned it—never even wanted to.
Until Ivy Cooper explodes into my grey, duty bound existence, flooding it with colour and chaos.
She's everything I shouldn't a potty-mouthed commoner who scoffs at my title and makes Eliza Doolittle look refined. She works at London's most exclusive sex club, guards secrets darker than my family's dungeons, and has zero respect for the duties that define me.
She's also the most magnificent creature I've ever encountered.
One taste of her, and I'm completely undone. When I'm in her orbit, the repressed heir disappears, replaced by a lovesick fool who would burn down nine centuries of tradition for the chance of a future with her.
Now I'm facing an impossible the title that's been my destiny since birth, or the woman who's become my salvation.
I've served my masters faithfully my entire life.
But Ivy Cooper makes me want to become a traitor.
The Heir is a steamy opposites-attract contemporary romance featuring a real life duke and a great big HEA.
Love? That's not in the De Vere family playbook.
Passion? Reserved strictly for producing heirs.
We marry for duty, bed for bloodlines, and keep our desires locked away like the family silver.
As heir to the dukedom, I've perfected the art of noble restraint. My engagement to a beautiful, blue-blooded ice queen has been set in stone since birth. I've never questioned it—never even wanted to.
Until Ivy Cooper explodes into my grey, duty bound existence, flooding it with colour and chaos.
She's everything I shouldn't a potty-mouthed commoner who scoffs at my title and makes Eliza Doolittle look refined. She works at London's most exclusive sex club, guards secrets darker than my family's dungeons, and has zero respect for the duties that define me.
She's also the most magnificent creature I've ever encountered.
One taste of her, and I'm completely undone. When I'm in her orbit, the repressed heir disappears, replaced by a lovesick fool who would burn down nine centuries of tradition for the chance of a future with her.
Now I'm facing an impossible the title that's been my destiny since birth, or the woman who's become my salvation.
I've served my masters faithfully my entire life.
But Ivy Cooper makes me want to become a traitor.
The Heir is a steamy opposites-attract contemporary romance featuring a real life duke and a great big HEA.
466 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2026
1997 people are currently reading
2103 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 454 reviews
March 10, 2026
Elodie has another winner with The Heir! The Cinderella framework gives us Ivy, a hardworking 24-year-old with enough hard luck in her life to have her working at Alchemy (seriously— she could give Marlowe a run for her money in the hard luck department. IYKYK.) just to stay afloat, along with our MMC, engaged, Duke-to-be Xavier and his beautiful, expensive life.
The Heir is funny: Ivy’s teenage stepsisters have a “preference for porn-star level false eyelashes and streaky tan that would make a Love Islander proud.”
The Heir is touching: Xavier tells Ivy, “Sweetheart, how could I ever choose someone else when you exist in the world?”
The Heir gives us a bit of wisdom from the royals: “Never complain. Never explain.”
Ivy and Xavier’s shared love of art and beauty— in nature, in painting, in architecture— is a well-written and compelling piece of their relationship that I especially enjoyed. All told, the story is engaging, and the spice is spicing!
HEA
🌶️🌶️🌶️
First in a series
Thank you for having me as part of your ARC team, Elodie Hart!
The Heir is funny: Ivy’s teenage stepsisters have a “preference for porn-star level false eyelashes and streaky tan that would make a Love Islander proud.”
The Heir is touching: Xavier tells Ivy, “Sweetheart, how could I ever choose someone else when you exist in the world?”
The Heir gives us a bit of wisdom from the royals: “Never complain. Never explain.”
Ivy and Xavier’s shared love of art and beauty— in nature, in painting, in architecture— is a well-written and compelling piece of their relationship that I especially enjoyed. All told, the story is engaging, and the spice is spicing!
HEA
🌶️🌶️🌶️
First in a series
Thank you for having me as part of your ARC team, Elodie Hart!
February 19, 2026
Picked up the book for Belvedere, stayed for Ivy and Xavier
Very thankful for the ARC to this wonderful book. I have read many ARC’s from Elodie and truly I have never felt so deeply for a book or characters. This is my favourite story of hers. The writing is phenomenal, you truly transport into the beautiful world of Belvedere.
The characters in this book are so beautiful written.
Ivy is solo bringing up her twin teenage sisters, after both her parents died and her step-mother is diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. Ivy used to work at Alchemy, (yes we get some cameos from previous characters) and she is just trying to get through everyday raising teenagers and paying rent in a very run down neighbourhood. Ivy is grown up, switched on and sex positive. She is all for women empowerment and expressed that deeply throughout the book.
Xavier is next in line to be Duke of Oxford, he has grown up with wealth, money and is in a loveless arranged engagement his parents set up for him. He lives in the beautiful estate of Belvedere and when reading this book you feel fully immersed into the grand, breathtaking environment. Xavier has many old fashioned views, which throughout the book he is constantly challenged on (by Ivy) and his opinions begin to change and form into his own rather than from his parents.
The love story this book conveys is wonderfully deep and emotionally captures you in a way I rarely feel. There is less spice than a normal Elodie book however the passion and tension between the characters is outstanding. There are too many obstacles in the way for the two of them to be together, even if they do love one another. Nothing is simple for them.
Will Xavier’s duty born loyalty to his family and Ivy’s complex home life stop two soul mates from being together?
March 11, 2026
I absolutely LOVE this book! Elodie has truly done it again with The Heir. This book caught me from the very beginning and I could not put it down, I can’t wait to continue reading this series.
We are definitely getting some Cinderella vibes here with Ivy raising her step-sisters since both her parents died and her step-mother has Lewey Body Dementia. She worked at Alchemy to pay the bills (I love this incorporation from her other books) and I love how empowering and sex positive Ivy is.
Then we have Xavier who is next in line to be the Duke of Oxford. His parents have arranged him to marry a woman he does not love but is very much the dutiful heir and is planning on marrying her, until he meets Ivy ♥️🔥
I absolutely adore the tension and passion Between these characters and their love story is absolute perfection.
Thank you Elodie for the ARC for this book, I am so grateful and had the best time reading this book!
We are definitely getting some Cinderella vibes here with Ivy raising her step-sisters since both her parents died and her step-mother has Lewey Body Dementia. She worked at Alchemy to pay the bills (I love this incorporation from her other books) and I love how empowering and sex positive Ivy is.
Then we have Xavier who is next in line to be the Duke of Oxford. His parents have arranged him to marry a woman he does not love but is very much the dutiful heir and is planning on marrying her, until he meets Ivy ♥️🔥
I absolutely adore the tension and passion Between these characters and their love story is absolute perfection.
Thank you Elodie for the ARC for this book, I am so grateful and had the best time reading this book!
March 15, 2026
good story
This was a really good story until: spoilers!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
the end where an English Duke announces that his eldest son can't have the title of Duke when he dies. The whole book was so accurate with other issues e.g. health but English primogeniture doesn't work this way. An heir can renounce his title with due process but the Duke doesn't have the power to take it away from him.
This was a really good story until: spoilers!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
the end where an English Duke announces that his eldest son can't have the title of Duke when he dies. The whole book was so accurate with other issues e.g. health but English primogeniture doesn't work this way. An heir can renounce his title with due process but the Duke doesn't have the power to take it away from him.
February 19, 2026
I never thought a series debut of Elodie Hart's would top Unfurl, but I have been proven wrong. Heir is the beautifully messy romantic heartstrings-wrenching story of Xavier and Ivy. Please read the TWs as there are some unique to this story (parent with a devastating illness).
Xav is the proper, polished duty-bound heir to a dukedom, son of an ailing father and future husband to a society bride, promised to each other in infancy. Ivy is the hard-working daughter caring for both a stepmother suffering from a degenerative illness as well as her twin teenage stepsisters, taking on an evening job at Alchemy's sex club as a host in order to pay the mounting bills for her stepmother's care.
Their story starts at an arranged meeting during Xav's 30th birthday party and it continues as their relationship blossoms through the months leading up to his wedding. The undeniable magnetic energy that draws them together had me holding my breath at times. There is gutting heartbreak and very real, raw emotion woven throughout the book. This is a really beautiful romance that is a change of pace from the down and dirty of the Alchemy and Seraph series.
As always, the secondary characters of Elodie's are brilliant. Benedict, Xavier's younger brother and the "spare" of the family is hilarious while also showing us the wisdom hiding behind the playboy persona. We first met him back in Audacity as the MC of Athena'a birthday party (yes THAT boardroom scene). I can hardly wait for his story next in The Spare.
Flora (Xav and Benedict's younger sister) and Serena (Xav's fiancee) are integral to this story and I'm looking forward to their stories being told later in the series. 🤞
Elodie paints the most magical scenes as she describes Belvedere, the soon-to-be-Duke's family estate. Seeing it through Ivy's artistic eyes is so vivid that you feel like you are right there with them. As well, the magical mental picture comes to life from the pages during Xav and Ivy's trip to Vienna. Absolutely breathtaking.
I absolutely love this book and am grateful to the author for providing me an advance copy to read.
Xav is the proper, polished duty-bound heir to a dukedom, son of an ailing father and future husband to a society bride, promised to each other in infancy. Ivy is the hard-working daughter caring for both a stepmother suffering from a degenerative illness as well as her twin teenage stepsisters, taking on an evening job at Alchemy's sex club as a host in order to pay the mounting bills for her stepmother's care.
Their story starts at an arranged meeting during Xav's 30th birthday party and it continues as their relationship blossoms through the months leading up to his wedding. The undeniable magnetic energy that draws them together had me holding my breath at times. There is gutting heartbreak and very real, raw emotion woven throughout the book. This is a really beautiful romance that is a change of pace from the down and dirty of the Alchemy and Seraph series.
As always, the secondary characters of Elodie's are brilliant. Benedict, Xavier's younger brother and the "spare" of the family is hilarious while also showing us the wisdom hiding behind the playboy persona. We first met him back in Audacity as the MC of Athena'a birthday party (yes THAT boardroom scene). I can hardly wait for his story next in The Spare.
Flora (Xav and Benedict's younger sister) and Serena (Xav's fiancee) are integral to this story and I'm looking forward to their stories being told later in the series. 🤞
Elodie paints the most magical scenes as she describes Belvedere, the soon-to-be-Duke's family estate. Seeing it through Ivy's artistic eyes is so vivid that you feel like you are right there with them. As well, the magical mental picture comes to life from the pages during Xav and Ivy's trip to Vienna. Absolutely breathtaking.
I absolutely love this book and am grateful to the author for providing me an advance copy to read.
March 10, 2026
ARC read
5 ⭐️ 3 🌶️
Read this if you like: Spicy billionaire romances, Cinderella vibes, and the heirs and spares dynamic found in real life like the The British Royals
Fav trope: Billionaire & Forbidden Romance
Fav character: Ivy Cooper - she is unapologetically herself, witty, and has a take no prisoners attitude that is exactly what the uptight hero needs to shake him out of his grey existence.
Fav part/scene: The first time Xavier lets go - seeing a man who has perfected nobility restraint finally lose his composure because he’s so consumed by Ivy is incredibly fun to read and high-heat.
Unique factor: The modern-day Dukedom setting. Elodie Hart does a great job of making tweight of the Belvedere estate feel like a living, breathing thing that stands in the way of their happiness.
Unforgettable moment: The moment Alastair realizes what he would do just to be with her. It’s the ultimate romantic declaration for someone in his position.
Didn’t like:
Recommend it? Yes. It’s a great start to a new series, especially for fans who like their billionaires with a British accent and a lot of repressed passion.
Part of a series: Yes Belvedere Series Book 1
On Kindle Unlimited: Yes.
5 ⭐️ 3 🌶️
Read this if you like: Spicy billionaire romances, Cinderella vibes, and the heirs and spares dynamic found in real life like the The British Royals
Fav trope: Billionaire & Forbidden Romance
Fav character: Ivy Cooper - she is unapologetically herself, witty, and has a take no prisoners attitude that is exactly what the uptight hero needs to shake him out of his grey existence.
Fav part/scene: The first time Xavier lets go - seeing a man who has perfected nobility restraint finally lose his composure because he’s so consumed by Ivy is incredibly fun to read and high-heat.
Unique factor: The modern-day Dukedom setting. Elodie Hart does a great job of making tweight of the Belvedere estate feel like a living, breathing thing that stands in the way of their happiness.
Unforgettable moment: The moment Alastair realizes what he would do just to be with her. It’s the ultimate romantic declaration for someone in his position.
Didn’t like:
Recommend it? Yes. It’s a great start to a new series, especially for fans who like their billionaires with a British accent and a lot of repressed passion.
Part of a series: Yes Belvedere Series Book 1
On Kindle Unlimited: Yes.
Review of advance copy received from Autor
4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
When I discovered I was going to get the ARC earlier than expected, I squealed. I ditched the book I was halfway through and picked this instead. I couldn't wait any longer.
Xavier and Ivy are everything I wanted them to be, although I wanted to punch him (HARD) after that first encounter in the lilac room. But I loved their banter, and how Ivy called him up on his nonsense when dealing with Flora.
I really liked the Venice trip, it was such a romantic gesture that I think all of us commoners fell in love with Xav. At least I did. But I fell even more when he decided enough was enough. Ben coming to save the day was truly amazing to read, can't wait for him and Selena, I am sure it's going to be a journey.
These two made my day, my emotions were all over the place for the whole book. I laughed, I cried, and of course I giggled like a schoolgirl (quite a lot, really 😏).
100% recommended! 🙌🏼
Happy reading! ❤️
When I discovered I was going to get the ARC earlier than expected, I squealed. I ditched the book I was halfway through and picked this instead. I couldn't wait any longer.
Xavier and Ivy are everything I wanted them to be, although I wanted to punch him (HARD) after that first encounter in the lilac room. But I loved their banter, and how Ivy called him up on his nonsense when dealing with Flora.
I really liked the Venice trip, it was such a romantic gesture that I think all of us commoners fell in love with Xav. At least I did. But I fell even more when he decided enough was enough. Ben coming to save the day was truly amazing to read, can't wait for him and Selena, I am sure it's going to be a journey.
These two made my day, my emotions were all over the place for the whole book. I laughed, I cried, and of course I giggled like a schoolgirl (quite a lot, really 😏).
100% recommended! 🙌🏼
Happy reading! ❤️
April 26, 2026
Of all the aristocratic love stories I've read, this was by far the best one in regards of the hero being so deeply-woven with his royal generational history and the way he thinks and articulates his thoughts.
Never have I ever wanted a fictional guy to stfu so much while finding his constant yapping in shakesperian about a teacup & moral and duties endearing at the same time. If we remove the heroine (who I love very much), this book might as well be the coming of age story of his journey to discover free will.
The last 30% of the story is absolute soap opera of the best kind. I loved his carefree and crude brother (the complete opposite of him) from the very beginning but him and selena??? Absolute perfection and I haven't even read their book yet. I just know it's gonna be awesome. I'm so excited.
Look at this quote lmao:
The heroine being a sex worker and the hero's thought process behind this knowledge is absolutely profound to witness.
He is prudish in nature atleast externally, so the way he perceives everything and questions stuff initially irritated me but I started to understand him better as an individual of his upbringing and therefore his thinking pattern not only was a delight to read but also philosophical to ponder alone.
And when you couple him with our heroine who is as straightforward as they come, I genuinely cannot think of a better match. One of the first and absolute perfection things she said to him which also made ME pause was :
Were there moments of irritation where I found myself getting bored with their spicy scenes because I knew they were just delaying the inevitable breakup because of his upcoming ultimate arrange marriage with Selena? Yes. But the way they chose to end it though?
I have never before seen such an adult way of mutually breaking up and suffering in the aftermath (more to him since she actually has other things in life to worry about than love) in books when the third act comes up. Like what do you mean you had a full blown honest conversation of ending your relationship within a proper time and in that conversation you both admit your feelings to each other, say your goodbyes, exchange your regrets, express your gratitude and appreciation, mull over the what-ifs, and disappear?
THAT honesty won me over more than anything.
Anyway here are some quotes I've highlighted for idk what reason maybe just to show how the hero thinks and some other dialouges:
And this is what validated my initial liking to Selena who has always been a poised silent side character:
Never have I ever wanted a fictional guy to stfu so much while finding his constant yapping in shakesperian about a teacup & moral and duties endearing at the same time. If we remove the heroine (who I love very much), this book might as well be the coming of age story of his journey to discover free will.
The last 30% of the story is absolute soap opera of the best kind. I loved his carefree and crude brother (the complete opposite of him) from the very beginning but him and selena??? Absolute perfection and I haven't even read their book yet. I just know it's gonna be awesome. I'm so excited.
Look at this quote lmao:
I’m still scrutinising the shorn edges of the china handle when he saunters off, whistling to himself with the lack of fucks that only a second-born son has to give.
The heroine being a sex worker and the hero's thought process behind this knowledge is absolutely profound to witness.
Can she really be as liberated as she purports to be? Can sex, in all its guises, truly be as natural to her as breathing?
Or is she still somehow enchained in the Stockholm syndrome of her servitude to a sex club? Does she still, in some unfathomable way, believe herself in servitude, and what does that make me? A guy who preys upon the lack of value she places upon her own body, except that this time I’m not even bothering to pay for the privilege?
He is prudish in nature atleast externally, so the way he perceives everything and questions stuff initially irritated me but I started to understand him better as an individual of his upbringing and therefore his thinking pattern not only was a delight to read but also philosophical to ponder alone.
And when you couple him with our heroine who is as straightforward as they come, I genuinely cannot think of a better match. One of the first and absolute perfection things she said to him which also made ME pause was :
It must be nice to be able to afford morals.
Were there moments of irritation where I found myself getting bored with their spicy scenes because I knew they were just delaying the inevitable breakup because of his upcoming ultimate arrange marriage with Selena? Yes. But the way they chose to end it though?
I have never before seen such an adult way of mutually breaking up and suffering in the aftermath (more to him since she actually has other things in life to worry about than love) in books when the third act comes up. Like what do you mean you had a full blown honest conversation of ending your relationship within a proper time and in that conversation you both admit your feelings to each other, say your goodbyes, exchange your regrets, express your gratitude and appreciation, mull over the what-ifs, and disappear?
THAT honesty won me over more than anything.
Anyway here are some quotes I've highlighted for idk what reason maybe just to show how the hero thinks and some other dialouges:
My face twists with distaste. I want her; of course I do. I’m only human. I’ve thought of little else but fucking Ivy since she left on Sunday. But the idea that she believes me capable of tracking her down at her place of work in an attempt to bundle her off to bed is loathsome. Loathsome.
It’s critical that Ivy knows how I’m feeling, that I leave her in no doubt as to my reluctance to take this path I’m supposed to follow. To drink from the poisoned chalice that calls itself duty.
‘But I want you to know how much it hurts,’ I tell her. ‘I don’t want you, for a single second, thinking I was able to walk away freely. I want you to know that if I had a single say in the matter, I would choose you. Every single time.’
And I’m almost undone, almost, except—
Wait.
It’s with excruciatingly poor timing that my prefrontal cortex chooses to come back online.
And this is what validated my initial liking to Selena who has always been a poised silent side character:
‘You have got to be fucking kidding me,’ she says quietly, slowly, and so ominously that I’m actually scared, even while a small part of me perks up at the thought of having a frank conversation with her for once in our lives.
March 14, 2026
Elodie Hart has done it again! Xavier is supposed to marry icy Selena out of duty to the family estate, but fate has other plans when Ivy stumbles in his way at a party. The chemistry is undeniable. Can he resist?
March 14, 2026
Elodie Hart has always known how to put real heart underneath the heat, which is why I keep coming back.
The Heir has a terrific premise and plenty of great moments, but it’s not my favorite from her.
A few things missed the mark for me: The FMC’s British slang was meant to be character voice, but it read as more jarring than charming to me. I also missed the very smart backstories and undercurrents from some of the Alchemy books and the first Seraph book.
Hart does great character work and this one was no exception. And I’ll totally read book 2.
The Heir has a terrific premise and plenty of great moments, but it’s not my favorite from her.
A few things missed the mark for me: The FMC’s British slang was meant to be character voice, but it read as more jarring than charming to me. I also missed the very smart backstories and undercurrents from some of the Alchemy books and the first Seraph book.
Hart does great character work and this one was no exception. And I’ll totally read book 2.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I couldn’t put this one down! Ivy is doing the best she can (with outmost grace and compassion) while caring for a mom with dementia and 2 teenage sisters. Her job at Alchemy brings her across the most handsome and pompous soon to be Duke of Oxford, Xavier. Their meet cute does not go according to plan. But the chemistry and banter between these two kept me turning the pages late at night. Xav is in an arranged marriage but he cannot get Ivy out of his head. Their short time together is full of passion, art, architecture and plants. The wedding is fast approaching and Xavier must make a decision, to follow his heart or continue with his family duties and commitments. Truly a lovely and happy ending! I really enjoyed the side characters and look forwards to their future books.
Thanks for ARC!! Elodie does a fantastic job of creating this world in my head with her descriptive words and vivid narrative. I want to visit the Belvedere Manor now!!
Thanks for ARC!! Elodie does a fantastic job of creating this world in my head with her descriptive words and vivid narrative. I want to visit the Belvedere Manor now!!
March 13, 2026
4.5 ⭐️This is a beautiful story with themes of Cinderella. This book really explores resilience, grit and art. Powerful read!
February 14, 2026
The Heir reads like a modern fairytale, but one grounded in emotional depth and strength.
Elodie Hart creates beautifully poignant characters, especially Ivy. Is she vulnerable, yes — but never weak. She carries herself with resilience and self-awareness, and her ownership of her sexuality and pleasure feels refreshingly 21st century. This is liberation without shame.
And then there’s Xavier — the gentleman we all need and want. His strength is steady, his protectiveness intentional, and his respect for Ivy’s autonomy unwavering. He doesn’t overpower; he supports. He doesn’t rescue to control; he loves with patience and emotional intelligence. In a genre full of dominant posturing, Xavier proves that gentleness and devotion are just as powerful.
Their love story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking — tender, aching, and beautifully balanced. Elodie masterfully toes the line between savior and partner, never allowing the dynamic to overshadow Ivy’s agency.
Overall, The Heir is a fairytale for the modern woman — romantic, sensual, and layered with strength.
Thank you for the ARC — this one will stay with me.
Elodie Hart creates beautifully poignant characters, especially Ivy. Is she vulnerable, yes — but never weak. She carries herself with resilience and self-awareness, and her ownership of her sexuality and pleasure feels refreshingly 21st century. This is liberation without shame.
And then there’s Xavier — the gentleman we all need and want. His strength is steady, his protectiveness intentional, and his respect for Ivy’s autonomy unwavering. He doesn’t overpower; he supports. He doesn’t rescue to control; he loves with patience and emotional intelligence. In a genre full of dominant posturing, Xavier proves that gentleness and devotion are just as powerful.
Their love story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking — tender, aching, and beautifully balanced. Elodie masterfully toes the line between savior and partner, never allowing the dynamic to overshadow Ivy’s agency.
Overall, The Heir is a fairytale for the modern woman — romantic, sensual, and layered with strength.
Thank you for the ARC — this one will stay with me.
March 11, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
2 🌶️
What a beautiful and heartbreaking story! 🥺😭 My heart just broke for Ivy. She is such a strong, sympathetic FMC. You just want beautiful things to happen to her after all of the struggles she has endured. Xavier is her opposite in many ways, including their social standing (he’s the heir to a dukedom and she works at a s3x club), but both lack control over their lives and find a beautiful connection.
I love Xavier’s character arc. He starts as such a pompous aristocrat, but his connection and affection for Ivy (and her sisters) opens him up. He finally starts living a life for himself and not just what he’s destiny has chosen for him. 🥹 I really enjoyed the relationship between Xav and his siblings and I’m already looking forward to the future books exploring those characters. The drama of book 2 is going to be so good!
The highlight of this book for me, is Elodie’s beautiful writing which celebrates the character development of Ivy and Xavier so perfectly. You definitely will be thinking about their love story long after you finish this book. 😍
What to expect:
👑 Aristocrat x Commoner
🩷 Opposites Attract
👑 Single Guardian
🩷 Forbidden
*Thank you to Elodie Hart and her team for the opportunity to read this book early.
2 🌶️
What a beautiful and heartbreaking story! 🥺😭 My heart just broke for Ivy. She is such a strong, sympathetic FMC. You just want beautiful things to happen to her after all of the struggles she has endured. Xavier is her opposite in many ways, including their social standing (he’s the heir to a dukedom and she works at a s3x club), but both lack control over their lives and find a beautiful connection.
I love Xavier’s character arc. He starts as such a pompous aristocrat, but his connection and affection for Ivy (and her sisters) opens him up. He finally starts living a life for himself and not just what he’s destiny has chosen for him. 🥹 I really enjoyed the relationship between Xav and his siblings and I’m already looking forward to the future books exploring those characters. The drama of book 2 is going to be so good!
The highlight of this book for me, is Elodie’s beautiful writing which celebrates the character development of Ivy and Xavier so perfectly. You definitely will be thinking about their love story long after you finish this book. 😍
What to expect:
👑 Aristocrat x Commoner
🩷 Opposites Attract
👑 Single Guardian
🩷 Forbidden
*Thank you to Elodie Hart and her team for the opportunity to read this book early.
March 19, 2026
Really liked this book but it lost a whole star for the weird ChatGPT shoutout in the middle like what was that
March 12, 2026
5⭐️
I haven’t read an Elodie Hart book that I didn’t love. Alchemy was my gateway drug into her world and I’ve been hooked ever since, so being accepted to her ARC team ahead of this release had me ridiculously excited. Her books always pull an emotional reaction out of me, but this one in particular had me feeling it from the very first chapters.
At first, Xavier de Vere is exactly what you’d expect from the future Duke of Oxford—proper, composed, and very comfortable with the life that’s been planned for him since birth. Duty, legacy, expectations… he’s always accepted all of it without question. Then he meets Ivy, and suddenly that certainty starts to crack in ways he never anticipated.
Ivy’s life is the complete opposite of Xavier’s carefully structured world. She’s working at a caff, raising her fourteen-year-old half sisters, and doing everything she can to manage her stepmother Dawn’s Lewy Body Dementia as the disease steadily takes more from her. Watching her carry the weight of that responsibility was honestly heartbreaking at times. The guilt she feels about placing Dawn into a care home nearly wrecked me, and every chapter from her perspective carries this quiet emotional heaviness. And yet she never complains. She just keeps showing up for the people who need her, doing everything she can to shield her sisters from the hardest parts of it all.
What makes this story so powerful is that both Xavier and Ivy are driven by a deep sense of duty, just shaped by very different lives. Xavier has spent his entire life honoring the expectations that come with his title, while Ivy has quietly stepped into the role of holding her family together because no one else can. Neither of them are selfish people, which makes the connection between them feel even more complicated. They both understand the reality of their situation from the start, and that knowledge hangs over their relationship the entire time.
This book had me emotional from beginning to end—not because of one huge dramatic moment, but because of the steady ache running through the story. Ivy in particular absolutely gutted me. She’s carrying so much on her shoulders while trying to stay positive for the people around her, and her resilience is incredible. At the same time, her inner monologue had me laughing more than once, and Xavier’s constant internal “what the hell are you doing?” moments were just as good. Those glimpses inside their heads add these small flashes of humor that balance the emotional weight perfectly.
Watching Xavier slowly begin to question the life he’s always accepted was incredibly compelling. For someone who has spent his entire life walking the path laid out for him, realizing he might want something different feels monumental. The emotional tension between him and Ivy builds quietly throughout the book, and knowing that their time together might be limited makes every moment between them feel that much more intense.
The side characters shine too—Flora and Ben completely stole my heart, Rose and Lily bring warmth and light into some of the heavier moments, and the familiar faces from earlier books feel like catching up with old friends.
This one may have slightly less spice than some of Elodie’s earlier books, but the emotional intensity more than makes up for it. By the time I reached the final pages I was completely wrung out in the best possible way—and already counting the days until the next one.
I haven’t read an Elodie Hart book that I didn’t love. Alchemy was my gateway drug into her world and I’ve been hooked ever since, so being accepted to her ARC team ahead of this release had me ridiculously excited. Her books always pull an emotional reaction out of me, but this one in particular had me feeling it from the very first chapters.
At first, Xavier de Vere is exactly what you’d expect from the future Duke of Oxford—proper, composed, and very comfortable with the life that’s been planned for him since birth. Duty, legacy, expectations… he’s always accepted all of it without question. Then he meets Ivy, and suddenly that certainty starts to crack in ways he never anticipated.
Ivy’s life is the complete opposite of Xavier’s carefully structured world. She’s working at a caff, raising her fourteen-year-old half sisters, and doing everything she can to manage her stepmother Dawn’s Lewy Body Dementia as the disease steadily takes more from her. Watching her carry the weight of that responsibility was honestly heartbreaking at times. The guilt she feels about placing Dawn into a care home nearly wrecked me, and every chapter from her perspective carries this quiet emotional heaviness. And yet she never complains. She just keeps showing up for the people who need her, doing everything she can to shield her sisters from the hardest parts of it all.
What makes this story so powerful is that both Xavier and Ivy are driven by a deep sense of duty, just shaped by very different lives. Xavier has spent his entire life honoring the expectations that come with his title, while Ivy has quietly stepped into the role of holding her family together because no one else can. Neither of them are selfish people, which makes the connection between them feel even more complicated. They both understand the reality of their situation from the start, and that knowledge hangs over their relationship the entire time.
This book had me emotional from beginning to end—not because of one huge dramatic moment, but because of the steady ache running through the story. Ivy in particular absolutely gutted me. She’s carrying so much on her shoulders while trying to stay positive for the people around her, and her resilience is incredible. At the same time, her inner monologue had me laughing more than once, and Xavier’s constant internal “what the hell are you doing?” moments were just as good. Those glimpses inside their heads add these small flashes of humor that balance the emotional weight perfectly.
Watching Xavier slowly begin to question the life he’s always accepted was incredibly compelling. For someone who has spent his entire life walking the path laid out for him, realizing he might want something different feels monumental. The emotional tension between him and Ivy builds quietly throughout the book, and knowing that their time together might be limited makes every moment between them feel that much more intense.
The side characters shine too—Flora and Ben completely stole my heart, Rose and Lily bring warmth and light into some of the heavier moments, and the familiar faces from earlier books feel like catching up with old friends.
This one may have slightly less spice than some of Elodie’s earlier books, but the emotional intensity more than makes up for it. By the time I reached the final pages I was completely wrung out in the best possible way—and already counting the days until the next one.
March 27, 2026
Oh my horny little devils, this was a great sexually-positive and horny story with attractive, rich people and attractive, decent people.
Ivy works in Alchemy at night to help care for her family, and gets an awesome last job at a posh party at the estate Belvedere. It is her last job with Alchemy as she quit to be at home to be guardian for her younger twin-sisters. Her step-mother is moving into a care facility to manage her dementia, which has been hard on them all.
Xavier is set to become the Duke of Oxford once his ill father passes, with an arranged marriage to the daughter of their family friends promised since birth. As the oldest son and heir, it is his duty to fulfil his birthright as the next duke.
However, Ivy and Xavier have heart eyes very quickly, drawn together despite their differences and are hot together … plus Ivy gets an escape from her struggles.
Excerpts from The Heir written by Elodie Hart:
‘You do realise that to spawn an heir you’ll have to actually bone Slinky at some point, don’t you?’
Because even dressed, she’s too much. Too tempting, too beguiling, too dangerous. Too vital and sensual and willing and all the things that my fiancée is not. And that is a major problem, because all of the arousal she’s whipped up inside me in the space of just a few minutes is threatening to erupt all down the front of her gown.
… but I’ve never seen such naked lust etched onto a man’s face as I have when his eyes were on my boobs. It was power, that feeling. Real power. Jesus, it felt so good.
The sound he made when I placed his palms over my boobs. The ravenous way he sucked my top lip into his mouth. The incredulous look in his eyes.
He looked like that, and the whole setup was perfect, just dreamy, and then he had to go and be a humourless, pompous, self-important dickhead with some kind of very unnecessary and very unwelcome crisis of conscience.
‘I think you want me to show you just how well I can handle you.’
I was just Ivy, naked and moaning as a swoony almost-duke ate me in the grounds of his magical almost-palace.
‘I just see darkness,’ I continue. ‘The total, unending bleakness… of a life without you.’
‘I know I don’t have the right to say this,’ I say, ‘because I can’t back it up with any sort of actions that actually count, but I love you. I’m completely in love with you, and it would feel like a miracle if it didn’t hurt so much.’
‘But I want you to know how much it hurts,’ I tell her. ‘I don’t want you, for a single second, thinking I was able to walk away freely. I want you to know that if I had a single say in the matter, I would choose you. Every single time.’
‘How do I know you and your family will be okay?’ ‘You don’t. And you’ll have to live with that. All our choices have consequences. That’s yours.’
‘It’s a hell of a lot easier to be wise when it’s someone else’s car crash,’
‘There’s only one thing I want and one version of myself I want to be. You, and yours. Always. I love you.’
Ivy works in Alchemy at night to help care for her family, and gets an awesome last job at a posh party at the estate Belvedere. It is her last job with Alchemy as she quit to be at home to be guardian for her younger twin-sisters. Her step-mother is moving into a care facility to manage her dementia, which has been hard on them all.
Xavier is set to become the Duke of Oxford once his ill father passes, with an arranged marriage to the daughter of their family friends promised since birth. As the oldest son and heir, it is his duty to fulfil his birthright as the next duke.
However, Ivy and Xavier have heart eyes very quickly, drawn together despite their differences and are hot together … plus Ivy gets an escape from her struggles.
Excerpts from The Heir written by Elodie Hart:
‘You do realise that to spawn an heir you’ll have to actually bone Slinky at some point, don’t you?’
Because even dressed, she’s too much. Too tempting, too beguiling, too dangerous. Too vital and sensual and willing and all the things that my fiancée is not. And that is a major problem, because all of the arousal she’s whipped up inside me in the space of just a few minutes is threatening to erupt all down the front of her gown.
… but I’ve never seen such naked lust etched onto a man’s face as I have when his eyes were on my boobs. It was power, that feeling. Real power. Jesus, it felt so good.
The sound he made when I placed his palms over my boobs. The ravenous way he sucked my top lip into his mouth. The incredulous look in his eyes.
He looked like that, and the whole setup was perfect, just dreamy, and then he had to go and be a humourless, pompous, self-important dickhead with some kind of very unnecessary and very unwelcome crisis of conscience.
‘I think you want me to show you just how well I can handle you.’
I was just Ivy, naked and moaning as a swoony almost-duke ate me in the grounds of his magical almost-palace.
‘I just see darkness,’ I continue. ‘The total, unending bleakness… of a life without you.’
‘I know I don’t have the right to say this,’ I say, ‘because I can’t back it up with any sort of actions that actually count, but I love you. I’m completely in love with you, and it would feel like a miracle if it didn’t hurt so much.’
‘But I want you to know how much it hurts,’ I tell her. ‘I don’t want you, for a single second, thinking I was able to walk away freely. I want you to know that if I had a single say in the matter, I would choose you. Every single time.’
‘How do I know you and your family will be okay?’ ‘You don’t. And you’ll have to live with that. All our choices have consequences. That’s yours.’
‘It’s a hell of a lot easier to be wise when it’s someone else’s car crash,’
‘There’s only one thing I want and one version of myself I want to be. You, and yours. Always. I love you.’
March 8, 2026
This has quickly become my favourite of Elodie’s books, and yes, I’ve read them all ☺️
It evokes all the feels of a modern-day Cinderella. Ivy Cooper is the ultimate caregiver, willing to do anything to ensure her family’s well-being. By day, she works in a London café for minimum wage, while by night, she works at Alchemy, the most exclusive sex club.
Polar opposites to her life is Xavier De Vere, the heir to the Belvedere Estate and the future Duke of Oxford. His entire life has been meticulously planned for his future, including a marriage to Selena, whose future has been set in stone since birth. Xavier has never questioned this arrangement, never even wanted to, if anything he sees it as a privilege.
One fateful night, their paths cross at a party held at Belvedere. Xavier is completely taken aback by Ivy’s candidness and directness, which he’s not accustomed to. Refusing her proposition, he clearly offends her.
Their brief encounter leaves a lasting impression on both of them. When his brother Ben reveals that Ivy was paid a bonus to enhance his evening 🤭, Xavier tracks her down to apologise and compensate her.
He should leave it at that, but something about this woman captivates him, more than anyone else. He offers her a job to help guide his younger sister Flora, who’s studying in London. Flora needs to be more streetwise, and Ivy seems like the perfect fit. It seems too good to be true, but she’s in no position to refuse the job and the money he’s offering.
Soon, Ivy becomes entangled in the De Vere family’s life, all while juggling the demands of her own family. Little does Xavier know, Ivy is also caring for her mother-in-law with dementia and her twin fifteen-year-old step-sisters.
Ivy asks nothing of Xavier, but can he walk away from her? He faces an impossible decision, one that has been his destiny since birth.
I absolutely loved the flow of this story and the depth of the characters. Ivy is just the strongest woman. She’s confident in her own body and I loved how she could literally bring a powerful man to his knees. As for Xavier, I enjoyed his initially strait-laced exterior which Ivy managed to completely shatter. The man he became when pushed to his limits was absolutely delicious ☺️
Thank you Elodie Hart for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
It evokes all the feels of a modern-day Cinderella. Ivy Cooper is the ultimate caregiver, willing to do anything to ensure her family’s well-being. By day, she works in a London café for minimum wage, while by night, she works at Alchemy, the most exclusive sex club.
Polar opposites to her life is Xavier De Vere, the heir to the Belvedere Estate and the future Duke of Oxford. His entire life has been meticulously planned for his future, including a marriage to Selena, whose future has been set in stone since birth. Xavier has never questioned this arrangement, never even wanted to, if anything he sees it as a privilege.
One fateful night, their paths cross at a party held at Belvedere. Xavier is completely taken aback by Ivy’s candidness and directness, which he’s not accustomed to. Refusing her proposition, he clearly offends her.
Their brief encounter leaves a lasting impression on both of them. When his brother Ben reveals that Ivy was paid a bonus to enhance his evening 🤭, Xavier tracks her down to apologise and compensate her.
He should leave it at that, but something about this woman captivates him, more than anyone else. He offers her a job to help guide his younger sister Flora, who’s studying in London. Flora needs to be more streetwise, and Ivy seems like the perfect fit. It seems too good to be true, but she’s in no position to refuse the job and the money he’s offering.
Soon, Ivy becomes entangled in the De Vere family’s life, all while juggling the demands of her own family. Little does Xavier know, Ivy is also caring for her mother-in-law with dementia and her twin fifteen-year-old step-sisters.
Ivy asks nothing of Xavier, but can he walk away from her? He faces an impossible decision, one that has been his destiny since birth.
I absolutely loved the flow of this story and the depth of the characters. Ivy is just the strongest woman. She’s confident in her own body and I loved how she could literally bring a powerful man to his knees. As for Xavier, I enjoyed his initially strait-laced exterior which Ivy managed to completely shatter. The man he became when pushed to his limits was absolutely delicious ☺️
Thank you Elodie Hart for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 11, 2026
A bit of a departure from the Alchemy and Seraph series’, though there were some crossover characters I was happy to see! The Heir gave off vibes of Regency Romance with the titles, historic estates, and arranged marriages designed to protect legacies, with the beautifully crafted storyline that felt enriching for my brain.
While the world crafted in The Heir was fraught with formality and duty, it certainly didn’t shy away from the spicy content. As always, Elodie wrote well-developed characters with all the chemistry and heat but that took you on their emotional journey. Xavier was a man crushed by duty, unaware he’d been deprived of oxygen until he sucked in a ragged breath at the first sight of the lovely Ivy waiting for him on his birthday. The push and pull and very real-life challenges kept me glued to the pages!
It was just an all-around lovely read. Sexy, charming, heart-wrenching, but also heart-warming. Do yourself a favor and buy this book! I was grateful to receive an ARC copy of this book and will never sleep on a release from this author!
While the world crafted in The Heir was fraught with formality and duty, it certainly didn’t shy away from the spicy content. As always, Elodie wrote well-developed characters with all the chemistry and heat but that took you on their emotional journey. Xavier was a man crushed by duty, unaware he’d been deprived of oxygen until he sucked in a ragged breath at the first sight of the lovely Ivy waiting for him on his birthday. The push and pull and very real-life challenges kept me glued to the pages!
It was just an all-around lovely read. Sexy, charming, heart-wrenching, but also heart-warming. Do yourself a favor and buy this book! I was grateful to receive an ARC copy of this book and will never sleep on a release from this author!
March 18, 2026
Sweet, sweet storytelling
This is quite the departure for Elodie Hart, back to her former original storytelling days in her new Belvedere series, The Heir. Don’t get me wrong, she tells the most divine stories of fabulously wealthy star-crossed lovers, but this stuff just does me in every time.
There’s still plenty of characters from the Alchemy universe and I love those little nuggets. And some from her first books too. I adore how well Hart wives all here worlds together into one big happy family of sex-crazed men and women!
I loved Xavier and Ivy. There is just something so genuine about the two of them that works. And I’m really excited to see Ben and Selena (talk about a marriage of convenience!) get their happily ever after in The Spare. That will be one to read as well. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with the marriage of convenience trope, done quite this way. I’m sure Elodie will handle with aplomb and lots and lots of hanky spanky!
This is quite the departure for Elodie Hart, back to her former original storytelling days in her new Belvedere series, The Heir. Don’t get me wrong, she tells the most divine stories of fabulously wealthy star-crossed lovers, but this stuff just does me in every time.
There’s still plenty of characters from the Alchemy universe and I love those little nuggets. And some from her first books too. I adore how well Hart wives all here worlds together into one big happy family of sex-crazed men and women!
I loved Xavier and Ivy. There is just something so genuine about the two of them that works. And I’m really excited to see Ben and Selena (talk about a marriage of convenience!) get their happily ever after in The Spare. That will be one to read as well. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with the marriage of convenience trope, done quite this way. I’m sure Elodie will handle with aplomb and lots and lots of hanky spanky!
March 15, 2026
Oh god I just love everything about Elodie’s writing and the characters she creates! I loved the previous series so it was nice to get a glimpse back at the Alchemy crew now and again! But this new world of aristocracy was so much fun. I cried so hard at bits in this book - the grief of dealing with a parent with that sort of illness was heartbreaking but the broken hearts were brutal - I’ve never been happier for a HEA! So looking forward to book 2 for Benjamin!
The spice - like all of Elodie’s books was also top tier 🔥🔥🔥🔥🤍
The spice - like all of Elodie’s books was also top tier 🔥🔥🔥🔥🤍
April 3, 2026
This one was ok, a fun palate cleanser. It was, however, about 150 pages too long. There was a lot that could have been left out and far too much rambling for me.
I did like Ben though, the brother, and looking forward to his story later this year
I did like Ben though, the brother, and looking forward to his story later this year
March 23, 2026
4 ⭐️ This was actually a beautifully romantic story and I cried so much during it. Loved both main characters and honestly it would have been 5 but just didn’t hit the mark for person reasons.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review
I first found Elodies books when I read unfurl. I truly didn't think a book could stick with me more than that one but I absolutely loved The Heir!
Xavier and Ivy come from two completely different lifestyles. Soon to be duke and ex alchemy worker.
Their love is heartbreaking, fierce and everything that I wanted it to end up being!
I really love a strong FMC. Brave enough to do what needs to be done for her family but still knows exactly who she is.
There was a line in this book that really stuck with me..
"She has me at such a disadvantage, and I don't like that. It may explain why my heart is hammering away"
I would absolutely recommend this book! Elodie doesn't disappoint!
I first found Elodies books when I read unfurl. I truly didn't think a book could stick with me more than that one but I absolutely loved The Heir!
Xavier and Ivy come from two completely different lifestyles. Soon to be duke and ex alchemy worker.
Their love is heartbreaking, fierce and everything that I wanted it to end up being!
I really love a strong FMC. Brave enough to do what needs to be done for her family but still knows exactly who she is.
There was a line in this book that really stuck with me..
"She has me at such a disadvantage, and I don't like that. It may explain why my heart is hammering away"
I would absolutely recommend this book! Elodie doesn't disappoint!
March 23, 2026
I absolutely loved this. It was Bridgerton meets Alchemy and I was living for it!
I loved the Alchemy series and this was lush!
The tension, yearning and spice was written so well.
I loved the Alchemy series and this was lush!
The tension, yearning and spice was written so well.
March 26, 2026
I love Elodie Hart! I hated this book! 1. Primogeniture is not negated easily, that his father “disinherits” him within 2 weeks of his dying? No. 2. It’s all well and good to preach “girl power”, sexual freedoms, comparing her expectations vs. what the brothers were allowed, that was great. The problem was that there was no explanation about birth control, sexual responsibility; that’s essential to her power! 3. You made Alchemy a whore house, and the people who worked there-whores. 4. There’s no way that Ivy left Alchemy and the income that it provided so cavalierly. She was never going to make a sustainable income anywhere else. She knew that. She was no dummy. 5. She would never have left those girls alone, at night, in that apartment. Her friends from the coffee shop would have never let that happen. 6. I don’t know much about the aristocracy, felt preachy. I was very disappointed! Would not recommend.
March 8, 2026
Book 32 of 2026
"Sweetheart, how could I ever choose someone else when you exist in the world?"
Once again, I ask the question -- who is sleeping on @ElodieHart! I mean, truly! GUYS! She is writing one of a kind books here. They are so eloquent, so evolved. There is something about her prose that is just a cut above. This book was no exception; the inner monologue that our main characters go through is intense. We have Xavier, the future duke and a man born and raised into responsibility. We have Ivy, who we briefly met in the Seraph series due to her time as a host at Alchemy. She is dealing with family struggles, responsibilities no one wants and financial constraints. The world-building here is incredible because @ElodieHart truly paints a picture of the social class disparity between Xavier's ancestral home, wealth and power against Ivy's meager wagers, minimal paying job and limited healthcare options. The way that all of these themes are woven through the book are very well done.
"There's only one thing I want and one version of myself I want to be. You, and yours. Always."
For me, everything about Xavier and Ivy were the stars of this book. For me, the Cinderella storyline isn't my favorite troupe, but that's just personal preference. So maybe because of that, all of the other elements really stood out to me. It was the sweeping architecture and history of Belvedere, especially when you understand all the inspiration that @ElodieHart took to cultivate this. There were so many funny elements for me, especially in the form of Ivy's teenage half-sisters. I loved the insight into the "royal" element, for better or for worse. The idea that Xavier has zero relationship with his bride-to-be, Selena, but the two of have been arranged to be married since birth. Because of all these complicated elements, it really elevates the story being told between Xavier and Ivy. This book has less spice than some of the other @ElodieHart books, but I think that tracks with the story that she was writing.
Because of the way that @ElodieHart wrote the world of Belvedere, and how the epilogue of the book was laid out, I am confident that the other two books in this trilogy will be compelling. I am already attached to Xavier's siblings, the rift with his parents and all the elements that @ElodieHart painstakingly put together. The love that I have for Ben already is intense, and my excitement for that book is palpable. I mean, his storyline captured me right from the jump and I am already invested. I feel the same with Flora, and know that these three are quite the sibling trio.
Thank you @ElodieHart for the privilege of being on your ARC team.
I will continue to read every single thing you put out.
Rating -- four stars
Format -- e/book
Ranking of all Elodie Hart novels --
1. Always Alchemy (Alchemy #7, extended epilogues), five stars
2. Duplicity (Seraph #2, Brendan and Marlowe), five stars
3. Undulate (Alchemy #2, Zach and Maddie), five stars
4. Unbind (Alchemy #6, Adam and Nat), four and a half stars
5. Untether (Alchemy #4, Cal and Aida), four and a half stars
6. The Reluctant Billionaire (Love in London #5, Aide and Lotta), four and a half stars
7. Unstitch (Alchemy #5, Dex, Max and Darcy), four stars
8. Vivacity (Seraph #3, Ethan and Sophie), four stars
9. The Rest is History (Charlie and Elodie), four stars
10. Audacity (Seraph #1, Gabe and Athena), four stars
11. Unveil (Alchemy #3, Anton and Gen), four stars
12. The Heir (Belvedere #1, Xavier and Ivy), four stars
13. Unfurl (Alchemy #1, Rafe and Belle), three and a half stars
"Sweetheart, how could I ever choose someone else when you exist in the world?"
Once again, I ask the question -- who is sleeping on @ElodieHart! I mean, truly! GUYS! She is writing one of a kind books here. They are so eloquent, so evolved. There is something about her prose that is just a cut above. This book was no exception; the inner monologue that our main characters go through is intense. We have Xavier, the future duke and a man born and raised into responsibility. We have Ivy, who we briefly met in the Seraph series due to her time as a host at Alchemy. She is dealing with family struggles, responsibilities no one wants and financial constraints. The world-building here is incredible because @ElodieHart truly paints a picture of the social class disparity between Xavier's ancestral home, wealth and power against Ivy's meager wagers, minimal paying job and limited healthcare options. The way that all of these themes are woven through the book are very well done.
"There's only one thing I want and one version of myself I want to be. You, and yours. Always."
For me, everything about Xavier and Ivy were the stars of this book. For me, the Cinderella storyline isn't my favorite troupe, but that's just personal preference. So maybe because of that, all of the other elements really stood out to me. It was the sweeping architecture and history of Belvedere, especially when you understand all the inspiration that @ElodieHart took to cultivate this. There were so many funny elements for me, especially in the form of Ivy's teenage half-sisters. I loved the insight into the "royal" element, for better or for worse. The idea that Xavier has zero relationship with his bride-to-be, Selena, but the two of have been arranged to be married since birth. Because of all these complicated elements, it really elevates the story being told between Xavier and Ivy. This book has less spice than some of the other @ElodieHart books, but I think that tracks with the story that she was writing.
Because of the way that @ElodieHart wrote the world of Belvedere, and how the epilogue of the book was laid out, I am confident that the other two books in this trilogy will be compelling. I am already attached to Xavier's siblings, the rift with his parents and all the elements that @ElodieHart painstakingly put together. The love that I have for Ben already is intense, and my excitement for that book is palpable. I mean, his storyline captured me right from the jump and I am already invested. I feel the same with Flora, and know that these three are quite the sibling trio.
Thank you @ElodieHart for the privilege of being on your ARC team.
I will continue to read every single thing you put out.
Rating -- four stars
Format -- e/book
Ranking of all Elodie Hart novels --
1. Always Alchemy (Alchemy #7, extended epilogues), five stars
2. Duplicity (Seraph #2, Brendan and Marlowe), five stars
3. Undulate (Alchemy #2, Zach and Maddie), five stars
4. Unbind (Alchemy #6, Adam and Nat), four and a half stars
5. Untether (Alchemy #4, Cal and Aida), four and a half stars
6. The Reluctant Billionaire (Love in London #5, Aide and Lotta), four and a half stars
7. Unstitch (Alchemy #5, Dex, Max and Darcy), four stars
8. Vivacity (Seraph #3, Ethan and Sophie), four stars
9. The Rest is History (Charlie and Elodie), four stars
10. Audacity (Seraph #1, Gabe and Athena), four stars
11. Unveil (Alchemy #3, Anton and Gen), four stars
12. The Heir (Belvedere #1, Xavier and Ivy), four stars
13. Unfurl (Alchemy #1, Rafe and Belle), three and a half stars
March 4, 2026
Such a cool modern take on a regency romance!
One thing you are always going to get with an Elodie Hart/Sara Madderson book, and that is exquisite scene setting, incredibly deep and heartfelt characters, and deliciously spicy romantic scenes - and The Heir certainly lives up to that promise.
The Belvedere series takes place in the Alchemy universe, which you definitely do not have to read in order to enjoy this book, but it certainly gives you backstory and appreciation of where Ivy comes from. (You can get a sneak preview of her in Elodie's other spinoff Alchemy book Duplicity.) This book definitely involves Alchemy the least, but I love how the infamous British sex club is the pillar in which all these beautiful characters and stories derive from.
Belvedere, the incredibly historic and beautiful property owned by the De Vere family, is where this next series takes place. Now we've seen our share of billionaires in the Alchemyverse, but we've yet to see the old money like the De Vere family - with over 900 years of royal bloodline, which is where we meet our charming and dutiful Xavier. Xav I can imagine being played by Johnathan Bailey if it were a movie/tv show; dutiful, beautiful, with just a touch of that Dukely snobbery from being the first born. He's been bound by his duties of marrying for the family, not for love, since he was born, and until he meets Ivy he has thought that was the only way he was to live out his days.
Ivy is a fiercely independent young twenty something that has had to grow up fast due to major curveballs life has unfortunately thrown her. I typically am not a fan of FMC's who are younger than 27-28 (because they usually are obviously immature and lack any kind of life experience), however due to her family situation she carries herself very mature and I often forgot she was only 24. Ivy is also very sexually confident due to her background as a hostess at Alchemy, which I always enjoy in a character (the confidence of course, not just being a sex worker).
Overall, I enjoyed the story and the journey it took me on, with a few minor things that fell a little short for me. First, the Belvedere world is just incredible, and Elodie does a fabulous job painting a picture (no pun intended) of being right in the middle of the Belvedere Estate. The Bridgerton-esque birthday party at the beginning really sucks you in, and gets all the details down to the last corset and petticoat. Ivy and Xavier are a lovely couple, and I enjoy how it starts off with a little bit of enemies-to-lovers sexual tension, and then into a forbidden romance on borrowed time. The side characters like Ivy's half sisters Lily & Rose are cute, and Flora (Xav's sister) was definitely a favorite of mine, whom I think could've had even more time on the page!
While there wasn't necessarily anything wrong with the story, I wasn't jumping out of my seat or reaching for the tissues like I have with other books within this universe. I would've loved to know a little more about Xav's betrothed Serena (although I'm guessing we'll know more about her in The Spare aka book 2), and I could've used a bit more of Ivy's initial feistiness towards the second half of the book, but nothing that would make me stop reading.
All I know is, I cannot WAIT to reread this in audiobook format, because these characters and scenes are just jumping off the page to be acted out. The Heir is a great departure from anything Hart has written so far; like a modern day Bridgerton, with some extra spice thrown in for good measure (because Elodie wouldn't have it any other way!) Definitely enjoyed - thank you again for the ARC read!
One thing you are always going to get with an Elodie Hart/Sara Madderson book, and that is exquisite scene setting, incredibly deep and heartfelt characters, and deliciously spicy romantic scenes - and The Heir certainly lives up to that promise.
The Belvedere series takes place in the Alchemy universe, which you definitely do not have to read in order to enjoy this book, but it certainly gives you backstory and appreciation of where Ivy comes from. (You can get a sneak preview of her in Elodie's other spinoff Alchemy book Duplicity.) This book definitely involves Alchemy the least, but I love how the infamous British sex club is the pillar in which all these beautiful characters and stories derive from.
Belvedere, the incredibly historic and beautiful property owned by the De Vere family, is where this next series takes place. Now we've seen our share of billionaires in the Alchemyverse, but we've yet to see the old money like the De Vere family - with over 900 years of royal bloodline, which is where we meet our charming and dutiful Xavier. Xav I can imagine being played by Johnathan Bailey if it were a movie/tv show; dutiful, beautiful, with just a touch of that Dukely snobbery from being the first born. He's been bound by his duties of marrying for the family, not for love, since he was born, and until he meets Ivy he has thought that was the only way he was to live out his days.
Ivy is a fiercely independent young twenty something that has had to grow up fast due to major curveballs life has unfortunately thrown her. I typically am not a fan of FMC's who are younger than 27-28 (because they usually are obviously immature and lack any kind of life experience), however due to her family situation she carries herself very mature and I often forgot she was only 24. Ivy is also very sexually confident due to her background as a hostess at Alchemy, which I always enjoy in a character (the confidence of course, not just being a sex worker).
Overall, I enjoyed the story and the journey it took me on, with a few minor things that fell a little short for me. First, the Belvedere world is just incredible, and Elodie does a fabulous job painting a picture (no pun intended) of being right in the middle of the Belvedere Estate. The Bridgerton-esque birthday party at the beginning really sucks you in, and gets all the details down to the last corset and petticoat. Ivy and Xavier are a lovely couple, and I enjoy how it starts off with a little bit of enemies-to-lovers sexual tension, and then into a forbidden romance on borrowed time. The side characters like Ivy's half sisters Lily & Rose are cute, and Flora (Xav's sister) was definitely a favorite of mine, whom I think could've had even more time on the page!
While there wasn't necessarily anything wrong with the story, I wasn't jumping out of my seat or reaching for the tissues like I have with other books within this universe. I would've loved to know a little more about Xav's betrothed Serena (although I'm guessing we'll know more about her in The Spare aka book 2), and I could've used a bit more of Ivy's initial feistiness towards the second half of the book, but nothing that would make me stop reading.
All I know is, I cannot WAIT to reread this in audiobook format, because these characters and scenes are just jumping off the page to be acted out. The Heir is a great departure from anything Hart has written so far; like a modern day Bridgerton, with some extra spice thrown in for good measure (because Elodie wouldn't have it any other way!) Definitely enjoyed - thank you again for the ARC read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don’t say this lightly — The Heir might be my favorite book Elodie has written.
I’ve read all of her work, so I went in expecting intensity, chemistry, and beautifully written spice. And yes, that’s all here. But what surprised me most was the emotional depth. This story doesn’t just pull you in — it anchors you there. You don’t simply root for these characters; you live their heartbreak, their hope, and every impossible choice in between.
Elodie has always excelled at immersive world-building, and Belvedere is no exception. The estate feels cinematic in scale — steeped in history, tradition, and suffocating expectation. You can feel the weight of nine hundred years pressing down on Xavier before he ever says a word.
Xavier, the heir to the dukedom, has been shaped entirely by duty. His life has been mapped out since birth: serve the crown, protect the title, marry appropriately, produce an heir. Love has never been part of the equation. Watching him confront the rigidity of those beliefs — and slowly separate what he truly wants from what he has been told to want — is one of the most satisfying character arcs I’ve read in a long time. His strength isn’t dominance; it’s growth. It’s restraint. It’s learning to listen. It’s choosing devotion with intention.
Ivy is extraordinary. She is vulnerable but never weak. After losing her parents, she is raising her teenage twin sisters while navigating her stepmother’s Lewy Body Dementia diagnosis. She’s practical, self-aware, fiercely protective, and unapologetically sex-positive. She refuses to be shamed for her past or her choices, and she challenges Xavier at every turn. Their differences in upbringing and worldview create friction, but also space for mutual understanding. They don’t rescue each other — they meet as equals.
One of the aspects I consistently admire in Elodie’s writing is her treatment of sex work. She never shies away from it, never sensationalizes it, and never reduces it to a trope. The tension between Xavier’s initial disapproval and Ivy’s refusal to accept judgment is handled with nuance and care. The conversations feel real, layered, and emotionally honest.
The side characters shine as well. Flora and Ben completely stole my heart (I am already desperate for their stories). Serena may take some warming up to, but the complexity is welcome. Rose and Lily bring light in the midst of struggle. And the crossover appearances from previous series feel like catching up with old friends.
While this book contains slightly less spice than some of Elodie’s earlier works, the passion and emotional intensity are undeniable. The stakes feel high. The obstacles feel real. At times, it genuinely seems impossible for them to find their way to each other. I turned the pages needing their happiness to feel earned — and it absolutely was.
The Heir reads like a modern fairytale, but one grounded in grief, responsibility, autonomy, and emotional growth. It’s romantic and sensual, yes — but also layered, thoughtful, and deeply human.
Whether this is your first Elodie Hart novel or you’ve been reading her for years, this story will stay with you.
The HEA is hard-won — and completely worth it.
Thank you Elodie for the ARC these are my honest genuine thoughts and I’m honoured to be part of this ARC review team
I’ve read all of her work, so I went in expecting intensity, chemistry, and beautifully written spice. And yes, that’s all here. But what surprised me most was the emotional depth. This story doesn’t just pull you in — it anchors you there. You don’t simply root for these characters; you live their heartbreak, their hope, and every impossible choice in between.
Elodie has always excelled at immersive world-building, and Belvedere is no exception. The estate feels cinematic in scale — steeped in history, tradition, and suffocating expectation. You can feel the weight of nine hundred years pressing down on Xavier before he ever says a word.
Xavier, the heir to the dukedom, has been shaped entirely by duty. His life has been mapped out since birth: serve the crown, protect the title, marry appropriately, produce an heir. Love has never been part of the equation. Watching him confront the rigidity of those beliefs — and slowly separate what he truly wants from what he has been told to want — is one of the most satisfying character arcs I’ve read in a long time. His strength isn’t dominance; it’s growth. It’s restraint. It’s learning to listen. It’s choosing devotion with intention.
Ivy is extraordinary. She is vulnerable but never weak. After losing her parents, she is raising her teenage twin sisters while navigating her stepmother’s Lewy Body Dementia diagnosis. She’s practical, self-aware, fiercely protective, and unapologetically sex-positive. She refuses to be shamed for her past or her choices, and she challenges Xavier at every turn. Their differences in upbringing and worldview create friction, but also space for mutual understanding. They don’t rescue each other — they meet as equals.
One of the aspects I consistently admire in Elodie’s writing is her treatment of sex work. She never shies away from it, never sensationalizes it, and never reduces it to a trope. The tension between Xavier’s initial disapproval and Ivy’s refusal to accept judgment is handled with nuance and care. The conversations feel real, layered, and emotionally honest.
The side characters shine as well. Flora and Ben completely stole my heart (I am already desperate for their stories). Serena may take some warming up to, but the complexity is welcome. Rose and Lily bring light in the midst of struggle. And the crossover appearances from previous series feel like catching up with old friends.
While this book contains slightly less spice than some of Elodie’s earlier works, the passion and emotional intensity are undeniable. The stakes feel high. The obstacles feel real. At times, it genuinely seems impossible for them to find their way to each other. I turned the pages needing their happiness to feel earned — and it absolutely was.
The Heir reads like a modern fairytale, but one grounded in grief, responsibility, autonomy, and emotional growth. It’s romantic and sensual, yes — but also layered, thoughtful, and deeply human.
Whether this is your first Elodie Hart novel or you’ve been reading her for years, this story will stay with you.
The HEA is hard-won — and completely worth it.
Thank you Elodie for the ARC these are my honest genuine thoughts and I’m honoured to be part of this ARC review team
Displaying 1 - 30 of 454 reviews