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An Inheritance of Lies
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Expected 5 May 26In this sweeping historical fiction tinged with mystery and romance, a young woman must navigate societal expectations, family secrets, and her own awakening independence in the shadow of World War I and the RMS Lusitania’s doomed voyage.
In the wake of World War I, New York heiress Alexandra Benson finds her life irrevocably changed after the tragic and mysterious death of her parents. Now, in a cruel twist of fate, her father’s testament delivers the agonizing blow, granting her uncle control over her inheritance—unless she marries.
To safeguard her future, Alexandra hatches a plan with the aid of a dashing stranger to fake an engagement and claim what’s rightfully hers. Caught amid wartime tensions and her uncle’s devious plots, Alexandra and her fiancé are forced to embark on the fateful voyage to England aboard the RMS Lusitania. Where nothing is as it seems.
When wartime secrets beckon questions of espionage and betrayal, Alexandra must navigate societal expectations and her own awakening independence as she finds her heart torn by her fake engagement scheme and devastating family secrets in this sweeping tale of one woman’s quest for truth and autonomy at the brink of tragedy.
In the wake of World War I, New York heiress Alexandra Benson finds her life irrevocably changed after the tragic and mysterious death of her parents. Now, in a cruel twist of fate, her father’s testament delivers the agonizing blow, granting her uncle control over her inheritance—unless she marries.
To safeguard her future, Alexandra hatches a plan with the aid of a dashing stranger to fake an engagement and claim what’s rightfully hers. Caught amid wartime tensions and her uncle’s devious plots, Alexandra and her fiancé are forced to embark on the fateful voyage to England aboard the RMS Lusitania. Where nothing is as it seems.
When wartime secrets beckon questions of espionage and betrayal, Alexandra must navigate societal expectations and her own awakening independence as she finds her heart torn by her fake engagement scheme and devastating family secrets in this sweeping tale of one woman’s quest for truth and autonomy at the brink of tragedy.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 5, 2026
3 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca A. Carter
1 book14 followersRebecca A. Carter is a Spain-born author and musician represented by Alex Land at MWLA. Currently living in Madrid, she dreams of moving north, ideally to the beautiful yet rainier shores of England. Her debut novel, AN INHERITANCE OF LIES, comes out on May 5, 2026 with Lake Union. She writes adult, new adult, and young adult historical fiction, romance, paranormal, speculative, fantasy, dystopias, horror, and dark academia—among many other genres. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her singing, enjoying long strolls in nature, listening to music, baton twirling, lyrical dancing, or pulling tarot cards. Among particular interests, the Titanic, history, bridal gowns, interior design, candles, and cats.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 10, 2025
I just finished reading this, and I rushed here because I need to vent out. PHENOMENAL. ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL. WOW.
This is my intro to a Rebecca Carter novel. I did not know what to expect, I just dived into it and the story sail me away. This is also actually my first nautical fic. I'm absolutely curious how things will go is everything happens in one setting and that's inside RMS Lusitania. I did my own research, and one of the BEST things I noticed reading this novel is how detailed the descriptions are and they were researched material: The ship, the clothing, the city settings, architectures, etc., yeah, these details were written in such a way that it's easier for any reader to imagine where the flow of the novel is taking us.
I fell in love with Cameron and Alix. They're beautifully written.
Listen, look... I can't say any more other than how I feel and I feel that this novel is something you should read especially if you're one who feels trapped in your life. Alix is a beautifully written female character and one that we can all root for. She isn't a forced, feisty damsel that we all read about nowadays to make readers "like" the main character, no, through and through, you learn to love all sides of Alix and how she got to realizing her power and taking control of her life. THAT is exactly the kind of female character more writers should aim to achieve. She IS feminine but she's not *just* the a-typical damsel, she's her own person. her own character.
Same goes for Cameron. My goodness, I fell in love with him the same way Alix shares her respect (and lust hahaha) every time she looks and thinks about him.
I've NEVER read anything like this before, that is why I highly recommend this novel. Absolutely, highly recommend you read this. Reading this novel made me realize that you don't need the world to love you and believe you, you only need one person to listen, love, and show you who you are and what you are truly made of.
I thank the author, Rebecca Carter, for writing this heart-pumping novel! I cannot wait to read her other works!
This is my intro to a Rebecca Carter novel. I did not know what to expect, I just dived into it and the story sail me away. This is also actually my first nautical fic. I'm absolutely curious how things will go is everything happens in one setting and that's inside RMS Lusitania. I did my own research, and one of the BEST things I noticed reading this novel is how detailed the descriptions are and they were researched material: The ship, the clothing, the city settings, architectures, etc., yeah, these details were written in such a way that it's easier for any reader to imagine where the flow of the novel is taking us.
I fell in love with Cameron and Alix. They're beautifully written.
Listen, look... I can't say any more other than how I feel and I feel that this novel is something you should read especially if you're one who feels trapped in your life. Alix is a beautifully written female character and one that we can all root for. She isn't a forced, feisty damsel that we all read about nowadays to make readers "like" the main character, no, through and through, you learn to love all sides of Alix and how she got to realizing her power and taking control of her life. THAT is exactly the kind of female character more writers should aim to achieve. She IS feminine but she's not *just* the a-typical damsel, she's her own person. her own character.
Same goes for Cameron. My goodness, I fell in love with him the same way Alix shares her respect (and lust hahaha) every time she looks and thinks about him.
I've NEVER read anything like this before, that is why I highly recommend this novel. Absolutely, highly recommend you read this. Reading this novel made me realize that you don't need the world to love you and believe you, you only need one person to listen, love, and show you who you are and what you are truly made of.
I thank the author, Rebecca Carter, for writing this heart-pumping novel! I cannot wait to read her other works!
September 29, 2025
I love this book, I love this author. Auto buy for me!!
December 14, 2025
I had the opportunity to read an earlier version of this book as a beta reader, and now that I’ve read the final version, I can’t help but scream about how much I love it.
AN INHERITANCE OF LIES has it all: suspense, action, mystery, romance, and a rich historical setting aboard the Lusitania. Once you start reading, it’s impossible to put down. Rebecca’s beautiful prose brings every scene to life so vividly that you’ll feel as though you’re right there on the ship with the characters.
The chemistry and banter between Cameron and Alexandra are off the charts from the very first page. Cameron is such a fascinating and yet mysterious character, the kind of character you can’t help but fall for. The mystery surrounding Alexandra’s parents’ keeps you hooked and delivers some satisfying plot twists along the way.
I wish this book didn’t have an ending, just so I could keep reading!
AN INHERITANCE OF LIES has it all: suspense, action, mystery, romance, and a rich historical setting aboard the Lusitania. Once you start reading, it’s impossible to put down. Rebecca’s beautiful prose brings every scene to life so vividly that you’ll feel as though you’re right there on the ship with the characters.
The chemistry and banter between Cameron and Alexandra are off the charts from the very first page. Cameron is such a fascinating and yet mysterious character, the kind of character you can’t help but fall for. The mystery surrounding Alexandra’s parents’ keeps you hooked and delivers some satisfying plot twists along the way.
I wish this book didn’t have an ending, just so I could keep reading!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Pub for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I must say I enjoy the book a lot more than I expected. I didn't even feel the time passing while I read. The premise is intriguing, but what kept me reading was the prose. Carter weaved a vivid picture of the high political tension in 1920s.
The book is 4.5 stars for me but I settled for 4 because I found myself not liking the main character Alexandra too much. Oftentimes we get a glimpse of her admitting she was rich and spoiled but I never saw how we come back to that in the end.
I must say I enjoy the book a lot more than I expected. I didn't even feel the time passing while I read. The premise is intriguing, but what kept me reading was the prose. Carter weaved a vivid picture of the high political tension in 1920s.
The book is 4.5 stars for me but I settled for 4 because I found myself not liking the main character Alexandra too much. Oftentimes we get a glimpse of her admitting she was rich and spoiled but I never saw how we come back to that in the end.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Recently I have found myself to be falling in love more and more with historical fiction, as well as mysteries and thrillers, and I admit... when I saw this was set around the famed R.M.S. Lusitania, I of course had to pick it up to check it out... as I have always been fascinated with the Lusitania and her illustrious history.
And oh my gosh, Rebecca A. Carter has far outdone herself with An Inheritance of Lies ... Sure, I may be easing into historical fiction more than I used to, but there is something about the way that Rebecca A. Carter writes that makes this novel seem so much more alive and so much more special than the typical historical fiction.
Before I even get into anything else, Rebecca has done a beyond-fantastic job in blending the historical elements into her novel... as everything from the city to its architecture, clothing, to the expected manners of women and men of the time... and to the famed R.M.S. Lusitania are all described in dazzling detail... bringing that much more life and allure to An Inheritance of Lies while also showing the author's clear adoration of the ship as well as this time period.
There is a stunning amount of detail about the R.M.S. Lusitania, and I felt so honored to be able to step aboard this magnificent ship and experience it in this book. Not only that, but to be able to LIVE... even through words... for just a moment on the magnificence of this cruiser was everything.
And let's not even get me started as to the magic of the characters that Rebecca A. Carter has created. Let's just say this... throw EVERYTHING you typically would expect in a historical fiction out the window. Because An Inheritance of Lies will catch you off guard in the best of ways and will bundle you up and sweep you away in the most beautiful fashion. Gone are the typical stereotypes that have become so frequent in many novels of this sort, replaced with a deep depth of emotion and a beautiful sense of power. There is something that is so relatable in our female main character Alix... and in the way that we are not "forced" to like her, per se... but more so act as a quiet... unseen companion on her journey of realizing herself and coming to her true self .... struggles and all...to be the woman that she wants to be without a man's control... this was what made An Inheritance of Lies for me, and it has swept into my number one historical fiction for 2026... a position that it so very deserves.
Being my first work from the desk of Rebecca A. Carter, I have to say that I was swept off my feet by its beauty, by its raw and powerful story, and by its well-researched and beautifully done setting. I did not know what to expect going in, and I did not expect something of such beauty... and one that will linger in the back of my mind for months to come.
I cannot wait to see what comes next, and I am highly looking forward to my next work from Rebecca. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, Amazon Publishing, Netgalley and of course to the talented Rebecca A. Carter for this opportunity to read this novel in advanced.
I am voluntarily leaving this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and the rest of my reviews can be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....
And oh my gosh, Rebecca A. Carter has far outdone herself with An Inheritance of Lies ... Sure, I may be easing into historical fiction more than I used to, but there is something about the way that Rebecca A. Carter writes that makes this novel seem so much more alive and so much more special than the typical historical fiction.
Before I even get into anything else, Rebecca has done a beyond-fantastic job in blending the historical elements into her novel... as everything from the city to its architecture, clothing, to the expected manners of women and men of the time... and to the famed R.M.S. Lusitania are all described in dazzling detail... bringing that much more life and allure to An Inheritance of Lies while also showing the author's clear adoration of the ship as well as this time period.
There is a stunning amount of detail about the R.M.S. Lusitania, and I felt so honored to be able to step aboard this magnificent ship and experience it in this book. Not only that, but to be able to LIVE... even through words... for just a moment on the magnificence of this cruiser was everything.
And let's not even get me started as to the magic of the characters that Rebecca A. Carter has created. Let's just say this... throw EVERYTHING you typically would expect in a historical fiction out the window. Because An Inheritance of Lies will catch you off guard in the best of ways and will bundle you up and sweep you away in the most beautiful fashion. Gone are the typical stereotypes that have become so frequent in many novels of this sort, replaced with a deep depth of emotion and a beautiful sense of power. There is something that is so relatable in our female main character Alix... and in the way that we are not "forced" to like her, per se... but more so act as a quiet... unseen companion on her journey of realizing herself and coming to her true self .... struggles and all...to be the woman that she wants to be without a man's control... this was what made An Inheritance of Lies for me, and it has swept into my number one historical fiction for 2026... a position that it so very deserves.
Being my first work from the desk of Rebecca A. Carter, I have to say that I was swept off my feet by its beauty, by its raw and powerful story, and by its well-researched and beautifully done setting. I did not know what to expect going in, and I did not expect something of such beauty... and one that will linger in the back of my mind for months to come.
I cannot wait to see what comes next, and I am highly looking forward to my next work from Rebecca. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, Amazon Publishing, Netgalley and of course to the talented Rebecca A. Carter for this opportunity to read this novel in advanced.
I am voluntarily leaving this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and the rest of my reviews can be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An Inheritance of Lies follows Alexandra, a young woman reeling from a devastating loss—the death of her parents—while being harassed by her manipulative uncle, who schemes to gain control of her inheritance unless she marries. In a desperate attempt to escape his grasp, Alexandra becomes engaged to a stranger, and together they embark on a voyage to England aboard the RMS Lusitania to fulfill her uncle’s demands.
I enjoyed the chemistry between Alexandra and Cameron—it was both sizzling and heartwarming, filled with tenderness and genuine care. The suspense surrounding Alexandra’s dilemma with her uncle, both before and after boarding the Lusitania, added tension to the story. I also appreciated how real and relatable Alexandra’s grief felt, particularly in how she processed the loss of her parents.
While the premise and romance were engaging, a few elements pulled me out of the story. The pacing felt slow at times, and some of the uncle’s mannerisms and attitudes came across as exaggerated, making him more irritating than threatening. I also struggled to connect with most of the secondary characters, with the exception of Carlton, the professor aboard the Lusitania. A stronger balance between primary and secondary characters would have enriched the story.
Overall, the plot was engaging, the romance compelling, and the heroine bold and dynamic. If you enjoy historical romances with strong female leads and sizzling chemistry, this book may be an enjoyable read for you.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
I enjoyed the chemistry between Alexandra and Cameron—it was both sizzling and heartwarming, filled with tenderness and genuine care. The suspense surrounding Alexandra’s dilemma with her uncle, both before and after boarding the Lusitania, added tension to the story. I also appreciated how real and relatable Alexandra’s grief felt, particularly in how she processed the loss of her parents.
While the premise and romance were engaging, a few elements pulled me out of the story. The pacing felt slow at times, and some of the uncle’s mannerisms and attitudes came across as exaggerated, making him more irritating than threatening. I also struggled to connect with most of the secondary characters, with the exception of Carlton, the professor aboard the Lusitania. A stronger balance between primary and secondary characters would have enriched the story.
Overall, the plot was engaging, the romance compelling, and the heroine bold and dynamic. If you enjoy historical romances with strong female leads and sizzling chemistry, this book may be an enjoyable read for you.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 5, 2025
Hi! It's the author, Rebecca!
I'm giving my own book a review because I simply love it. It's the kind of story I always wanted to read. This book was and is a work of love. It saved me in so many ways. An Inheritance of Lies (previously known as Beautiful Gilded Lies and 1915wip) came to me when I was at my lowest. Back then I was still querying. Pouring my soul into this story saved my sanity. And it saved me from giving up on writing. I wrote it, unaware of how it would change my life. This story fixed my heart with its banter, the characters, the lightheartedness, and also the sad and tragic parts. Alix and I both became orphans at an age when we supposedly needed to "get over it" quickly and efficiently. Seeing my grief through her eyes was cathartic. Seeing her overcome challenges and raising from her own ashes like I did once upon a time was also as cathartic. Whether this book provides laughter, or tears, or fun, or simply just a moment of escape (or if you didn't like it! That's fine too!!) I'm so thankful you got to read it. It's been three years since I first typed the first word. More than a decade after I started writing. It's my dream come true.
Alix and Cameron have been living for so long in my head and now it is my pleasure to share them with you.
I'm giving my own book a review because I simply love it. It's the kind of story I always wanted to read. This book was and is a work of love. It saved me in so many ways. An Inheritance of Lies (previously known as Beautiful Gilded Lies and 1915wip) came to me when I was at my lowest. Back then I was still querying. Pouring my soul into this story saved my sanity. And it saved me from giving up on writing. I wrote it, unaware of how it would change my life. This story fixed my heart with its banter, the characters, the lightheartedness, and also the sad and tragic parts. Alix and I both became orphans at an age when we supposedly needed to "get over it" quickly and efficiently. Seeing my grief through her eyes was cathartic. Seeing her overcome challenges and raising from her own ashes like I did once upon a time was also as cathartic. Whether this book provides laughter, or tears, or fun, or simply just a moment of escape (or if you didn't like it! That's fine too!!) I'm so thankful you got to read it. It's been three years since I first typed the first word. More than a decade after I started writing. It's my dream come true.
Alix and Cameron have been living for so long in my head and now it is my pleasure to share them with you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC from Netgalley.
I have been wanting to read more historical fiction so I decide to give this book a try. Very glad to say that it does not disappoint!
While I wasn't particularly familiar with the settings of AIOL, the immersive writing made it easy to follow and imagine. Everything from the dialogues to descriptions about the surroundings is convincing and detailed, leaving little room for confusion. I also appreciate the empathetic glimpses of RMS Lusitania and especially its passengers throughout the book, so much so that its inevitable end devastated me even though I saw it coming.
The other highlights of the book are the relationship between Alix and Cameron and Alix's entanglement with espionage, both of which I think are well-executed. The chemistry between the couple is *chef's kiss*. I found myself giggling to their banter, and I was at the edge of my seat whenever they go on their risky expeditions behind the antagonists' backs. I also did not expect to grow fond of two side characters I previously despised (love that when this happens. I'm serious).
I have been wanting to read more historical fiction so I decide to give this book a try. Very glad to say that it does not disappoint!
While I wasn't particularly familiar with the settings of AIOL, the immersive writing made it easy to follow and imagine. Everything from the dialogues to descriptions about the surroundings is convincing and detailed, leaving little room for confusion. I also appreciate the empathetic glimpses of RMS Lusitania and especially its passengers throughout the book, so much so that its inevitable end devastated me even though I saw it coming.
The other highlights of the book are the relationship between Alix and Cameron and Alix's entanglement with espionage, both of which I think are well-executed. The chemistry between the couple is *chef's kiss*. I found myself giggling to their banter, and I was at the edge of my seat whenever they go on their risky expeditions behind the antagonists' backs. I also did not expect to grow fond of two side characters I previously despised (love that when this happens. I'm serious).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 stars
I had a hard time getting into the writing for this because I kept getting distracted by awkward word choices and sentence structures. As long as I made myself ignore the writing, it did manage to get me interested in the characters and plot. I grew to like Alexandra and Cameron, and I wanted to figure out what her uncle was up to. Once we got to the sinking, it kind of lost me again, when our main characters waste time going back to their cabins to gather documents instead of getting off the sinking ship already. I seriously doubt they would've had time after the torpedo hit to do all that running around, gathering stuff and having multiple showdowns with the bad guys before the ship went down.
Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for providing a free review copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.
I had a hard time getting into the writing for this because I kept getting distracted by awkward word choices and sentence structures. As long as I made myself ignore the writing, it did manage to get me interested in the characters and plot. I grew to like Alexandra and Cameron, and I wanted to figure out what her uncle was up to. Once we got to the sinking, it kind of lost me again, when our main characters waste time going back to their cabins to gather documents instead of getting off the sinking ship already. I seriously doubt they would've had time after the torpedo hit to do all that running around, gathering stuff and having multiple showdowns with the bad guys before the ship went down.
Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for providing a free review copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.
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December 25, 2025Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC.
From the very start of the book I wasn't sure if I would like it. There were things that I found unrealistic: it was hard to imagine that a young woman would be getting drunk in a bar on her own in that time period and also, the search for a husband to marry her in order to inherit the money and escape the clutches of her uncle. As the story went on I still couldn't get into the story and by the time of the sinking of the Lusitania, I started just flipping through the pages and DNF. I read stellar reviews of the book, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. Sorry!
From the very start of the book I wasn't sure if I would like it. There were things that I found unrealistic: it was hard to imagine that a young woman would be getting drunk in a bar on her own in that time period and also, the search for a husband to marry her in order to inherit the money and escape the clutches of her uncle. As the story went on I still couldn't get into the story and by the time of the sinking of the Lusitania, I started just flipping through the pages and DNF. I read stellar reviews of the book, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. Sorry!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I don't often read historical fiction, but the moment I heard about this book, I knew I needed to read this. It didn't disappoint. In addition to the lush historical elements, the story includes suspense, action and romance, and I was especially hooked by the chemistry between Alix and Cameron.
I would recommend this book to everyone who still hasn't gotten over Titanic. Set around the same time period, the story includes the familiar magic and devastation as the movie, but Rebecca A. Carter has taken the premise of a love story on a doomed ship and made it distinctly her own.
I would recommend this book to everyone who still hasn't gotten over Titanic. Set around the same time period, the story includes the familiar magic and devastation as the movie, but Rebecca A. Carter has taken the premise of a love story on a doomed ship and made it distinctly her own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Knowing this is Rebecca A. Carter’s debut novel makes it even more impressive—so shout-out to her for bringing Alexandra and Cameron into my life. I already have a soft spot for the fake marriage trope (honestly, I love it even more than fake dating), and this story delivered it perfectly. Set in the early 20th century—an era I never realized would be my vibe—the blend of emerging technology and classic atmosphere felt fresh and immersive. The cruise setting added an extra layer of tension and elegance, making everything feel more impactful and relevant to the story.
The plot twists genuinely caught me off guard. Discovering that Alexandra and Cameron’s connection began long before the events of the book, and finally understanding why Cameron was so overprotective—and why he agreed to the fake marriage—had me absolutely screaming with happiness. Cameron is truly the greenest of green flags, and I adored him for it. The suspense was also well executed, with subtle hints scattered throughout and plot points that came together beautifully by the end, keeping me constantly on edge.
As for the characters, I honestly have no complaints. Every character felt thoughtfully developed, especially our main leads, which made the emotional payoff even more satisfying.
Personal rating 4.5
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
The plot twists genuinely caught me off guard. Discovering that Alexandra and Cameron’s connection began long before the events of the book, and finally understanding why Cameron was so overprotective—and why he agreed to the fake marriage—had me absolutely screaming with happiness. Cameron is truly the greenest of green flags, and I adored him for it. The suspense was also well executed, with subtle hints scattered throughout and plot points that came together beautifully by the end, keeping me constantly on edge.
As for the characters, I honestly have no complaints. Every character felt thoughtfully developed, especially our main leads, which made the emotional payoff even more satisfying.
Personal rating 4.5
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Alix is a great character! I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for historical fiction lovers.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews