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The Mismatched Lovers #5
The Lady and the Lost Heir
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2026
About the author
Fil Reid
25 books65 followersAWARD-WINNING author, Fil Reid's first novel won a GOLD medal at the Readers' Favorites Awards in 2022.
Fil lives in Cornwall with her extremely supportive husband and where she's only minutes from the sea. She has a rescue dog from Romania called Bella.
She writes historical fiction and has a six book time travel series, GUINEVERE, out in which the heroine is a 21st-century girl kidnapped back to the Dark Ages to become King Arthur's Queen Guinevere. Lots of fun plot twists mixed in with some of the well-known and also the lesser known legends.
Her poor husband mostly sees the back of her head as she sits at the computer writing.
When she's not writing (which she does pretty much all of the time) she likes to walk the dog, visit sites of historical interest (preferably those connected to her writing), read, and sew.
She has Asperger's Syndrome, but she sees that as a plus as it helps her to be very focused on what she does.
Fil lives in Cornwall with her extremely supportive husband and where she's only minutes from the sea. She has a rescue dog from Romania called Bella.
She writes historical fiction and has a six book time travel series, GUINEVERE, out in which the heroine is a 21st-century girl kidnapped back to the Dark Ages to become King Arthur's Queen Guinevere. Lots of fun plot twists mixed in with some of the well-known and also the lesser known legends.
Her poor husband mostly sees the back of her head as she sits at the computer writing.
When she's not writing (which she does pretty much all of the time) she likes to walk the dog, visit sites of historical interest (preferably those connected to her writing), read, and sew.
She has Asperger's Syndrome, but she sees that as a plus as it helps her to be very focused on what she does.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 24, 2026
Miranda, Lady Madeley, a widow
and her three daughters must leave their home when the new heir is found. It's a big adjustment moving from a very large house with stables into a small cottage. Captain Harry Madeley was an army doctor, wounded at Waterloo. He had no idea he would inherit a baronet. Physically and mentally he's still trying to recover. Meeting Miranda and her daughters bring light into his darkness and he begins to heal. Is it any wonder he fell in love. Only someone else is obsessed with Miranda and wants her for his wife. This romance can't be anything but successful with three daughters playing matchmaker.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from Netgalley.
and her three daughters must leave their home when the new heir is found. It's a big adjustment moving from a very large house with stables into a small cottage. Captain Harry Madeley was an army doctor, wounded at Waterloo. He had no idea he would inherit a baronet. Physically and mentally he's still trying to recover. Meeting Miranda and her daughters bring light into his darkness and he begins to heal. Is it any wonder he fell in love. Only someone else is obsessed with Miranda and wants her for his wife. This romance can't be anything but successful with three daughters playing matchmaker.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from Netgalley.
June 26, 2026
A story which takes place in the English countryside in the early nineteenth century after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. Sir Geoffrey Madeley has died unexpectedly, leaving his young wife, Miranda, and their three daughters to occupy Windrush Hall, a thousand-acre estate consisting of many tenant farms, including one long-vacant farm known as Rampton Farm, which becomes the center of focus as the story develops.
The plot begins when Mr. Pratt, the solicitor, comes to inform Lady Miranda Madeley that an heir has been found, thereby solving the problem of Sir Geoffrey having had no sons to inherit his estate. Not only this, but Geoffrey left no will providing for the care of his wife, nor did he provide dowries for his daughters, leaving them only the ragtag Rampton farm, and then only temporarily until Miranda remarries.
The situation is not improved by Mr. Pratt's announcement, as Lady Madeley now feels obligated to remove herself and her daughters from Woodrush Hall and move into the dilapidated old farm, taking their precious horses with them (horses which they now no longer even own). Certainly, from the perspective of the Twenty-first Century, one shudders at the unjust and heartless institutional dismissal of Lady Madeley as she is left virtually penniless (and servant-less) and her daughters suddenly without the resources to maintain standing in a society that defines people according to class, title, and wealth.
However, the Heir, a certain Captain Henry Madeley, is not the kind of man that Lady Miranda Madeley expects. He happens to be a young man who served in the Rifle Brigade, serving as a regimental field surgeon, a humble man of modest means who happens to be a war hero suffering shrapnel injuries he received in battle. Harry, as he's called, finds himself quite lost in the big, empty house full of strange servants who've got no one to serve but him.
The reader is now left wondering how long it will take Captain Henry to discover Rampton Farm and just exactly who it is over there that his heart will attach itself to, as he has a couple of fine choices.
The plot takes a curious turn when the local and not precisely handsome magistrate, Sir Julian Horncastle, appears on the scene to announce his own interests in the occupants of Rampton Farm, long-held interests which he has somehow deluded himself into believing he's entitled to pursue.
In a world where so much writing seems poorly edited and not even very well proofread, say nothing of being disciplined in style, voice, and technique, I found Fil Reid's writing refreshingly staid. While it is one thing for a writer to pour out the ink in a swirl of lively phrases in keeping with the voices of her characters, which can be good writing also when it's done right, but there are writing situations that call for more conventional speech and stricter storytelling methods. And this is one case where that's true: a time and place in history where words are best left pressed to the edges of the page with hot steam to flatten out unsightly wrinkles; and where the artist with the pen respects the stricter disciplines of the narrative. For example, there's the key and informative dialogue that's got the mood of the current epoch imbedded within it, its practical concerns which resist direct expression; and there's always the point of view which I've noticed a lot of writers treat carelessly, but that Reid takes care with. Great care, actually. I especially appreciate the close writing. While this is written from the third-person perspective, Reid writes close to her characters and even moves inside them to grab internalizations that help tell the story in a showing way. She does this using only four of the characters: Harry, Miranda, Melissa, and Julian. These are her voices. It's simple and effective storytelling. I like it and would like to read more of her work.
And by the way, for those who may be hesitant to pick up a book in the middle or end of a series, I can tell you this story stands by itself just fine.
The plot begins when Mr. Pratt, the solicitor, comes to inform Lady Miranda Madeley that an heir has been found, thereby solving the problem of Sir Geoffrey having had no sons to inherit his estate. Not only this, but Geoffrey left no will providing for the care of his wife, nor did he provide dowries for his daughters, leaving them only the ragtag Rampton farm, and then only temporarily until Miranda remarries.
The situation is not improved by Mr. Pratt's announcement, as Lady Madeley now feels obligated to remove herself and her daughters from Woodrush Hall and move into the dilapidated old farm, taking their precious horses with them (horses which they now no longer even own). Certainly, from the perspective of the Twenty-first Century, one shudders at the unjust and heartless institutional dismissal of Lady Madeley as she is left virtually penniless (and servant-less) and her daughters suddenly without the resources to maintain standing in a society that defines people according to class, title, and wealth.
However, the Heir, a certain Captain Henry Madeley, is not the kind of man that Lady Miranda Madeley expects. He happens to be a young man who served in the Rifle Brigade, serving as a regimental field surgeon, a humble man of modest means who happens to be a war hero suffering shrapnel injuries he received in battle. Harry, as he's called, finds himself quite lost in the big, empty house full of strange servants who've got no one to serve but him.
The reader is now left wondering how long it will take Captain Henry to discover Rampton Farm and just exactly who it is over there that his heart will attach itself to, as he has a couple of fine choices.
The plot takes a curious turn when the local and not precisely handsome magistrate, Sir Julian Horncastle, appears on the scene to announce his own interests in the occupants of Rampton Farm, long-held interests which he has somehow deluded himself into believing he's entitled to pursue.
In a world where so much writing seems poorly edited and not even very well proofread, say nothing of being disciplined in style, voice, and technique, I found Fil Reid's writing refreshingly staid. While it is one thing for a writer to pour out the ink in a swirl of lively phrases in keeping with the voices of her characters, which can be good writing also when it's done right, but there are writing situations that call for more conventional speech and stricter storytelling methods. And this is one case where that's true: a time and place in history where words are best left pressed to the edges of the page with hot steam to flatten out unsightly wrinkles; and where the artist with the pen respects the stricter disciplines of the narrative. For example, there's the key and informative dialogue that's got the mood of the current epoch imbedded within it, its practical concerns which resist direct expression; and there's always the point of view which I've noticed a lot of writers treat carelessly, but that Reid takes care with. Great care, actually. I especially appreciate the close writing. While this is written from the third-person perspective, Reid writes close to her characters and even moves inside them to grab internalizations that help tell the story in a showing way. She does this using only four of the characters: Harry, Miranda, Melissa, and Julian. These are her voices. It's simple and effective storytelling. I like it and would like to read more of her work.
And by the way, for those who may be hesitant to pick up a book in the middle or end of a series, I can tell you this story stands by itself just fine.
June 19, 2026
The Lady and the Lost Heir by Fil Reid is a delightfully different read, mostly because of the characters. Lady Miranda had lost her husband four months earlier. His will had been written years earlier and never updated. Now, the lost heir had been located and Miranda and her three daughters had to remove to an abandoned farmhouse, which was the only thing he’d left to her or her daughters. He had been a decent husband, but she hadn’t loved him and hadn’t really missed him, until now. The servants loved her and sent workers to clean up the house. They moved furniture from unused rooms and storage, and emptied much of their stores so they could be fed. Betsey, the woman that had come with her upon her marriage and had been nurse/nanny/ladies maid to her declared she was coming too, pay or no pay. They brought their clothing, multiple dogs, their horses, and settled in. The youngest of the daughters, Margaret, known as Megs, used her spy glass to get the first glimpse of the new lord. She met him on the first morning and brought him to the farmhouse.
The sisters are Melissa (Lissy), Miriam (Mims), and Megs. To say they were hoydens would be an understatement. They were full of life and mostly had no idea how to keep their thoughts to themselves. They made this story! Miranda decided Harry would be a good husband for her eldest daughter. Lissy was having none of it. What ensued next was both entertaining and frightening. These are phenomenal characters. The storyline is decent and the entire book is well-written. It was a joyful journey, the best I’ve read in a while.
I was invited to read The Lady and the Lost Heir by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #FilReid #TheLadyAndTheLostHeir
The sisters are Melissa (Lissy), Miriam (Mims), and Megs. To say they were hoydens would be an understatement. They were full of life and mostly had no idea how to keep their thoughts to themselves. They made this story! Miranda decided Harry would be a good husband for her eldest daughter. Lissy was having none of it. What ensued next was both entertaining and frightening. These are phenomenal characters. The storyline is decent and the entire book is well-written. It was a joyful journey, the best I’ve read in a while.
I was invited to read The Lady and the Lost Heir by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #FilReid #TheLadyAndTheLostHeir
July 1, 2026
This romance was sweet, slow-paced, family-centered, and truly enjoyable.
After reading the blurb, I was glad to read that no one really considered the young daughter to be a contender for the Lost Heir's wife. A romance where the mother and daughter are competing for the same man would be dark and creepy, which this story was definitely not. The charming relationship between the mother and her daughters was the best part of the story, and as a mother of teens I absolutely loved every moment of it. The teens were enthusiastic and realistic, and never even slightly over-perfect. I appreciated their sulking and secret-keeping!
I feel like I've been reading a lot of "soldiers home from the Napoleonic wars" lately. I do appreciate how it introduces vulnerability and changes the balance of power. This wasn't the most in-depth exploration of injury and PTSD that I've seen, but Harry recovers smoothly among the cheerful family, which felt like the main focus of this book.
There was an antagonist and a problem to solve, and although he felt almost absurd he allowed the plot to mature and come together. That said, this was still a slow-paced story without much drama. The mood was sunshine and horses and playful conversation, bright pleasant rooms and plenty of laughter.
After reading the blurb, I was glad to read that no one really considered the young daughter to be a contender for the Lost Heir's wife. A romance where the mother and daughter are competing for the same man would be dark and creepy, which this story was definitely not. The charming relationship between the mother and her daughters was the best part of the story, and as a mother of teens I absolutely loved every moment of it. The teens were enthusiastic and realistic, and never even slightly over-perfect. I appreciated their sulking and secret-keeping!
I feel like I've been reading a lot of "soldiers home from the Napoleonic wars" lately. I do appreciate how it introduces vulnerability and changes the balance of power. This wasn't the most in-depth exploration of injury and PTSD that I've seen, but Harry recovers smoothly among the cheerful family, which felt like the main focus of this book.
There was an antagonist and a problem to solve, and although he felt almost absurd he allowed the plot to mature and come together. That said, this was still a slow-paced story without much drama. The mood was sunshine and horses and playful conversation, bright pleasant rooms and plenty of laughter.
July 26, 2026
I know I've already said that book #2 of this series is the best book. I was wrong. It's *this* book. This book has five excellent characters - Miranda, the mother and widow, her three daughters-Lissy, Mims and Megs, and finally Harry, a ex soldier and doctor. Miranda's husband had recently died and he didn't leave anything for her and their daughters except an old, run-down farmhouse. The solicitor finds an heir, who is Harry. He's recently come home from Waterloo after being gravely injured. This news that he's the heir is quite a shock.
He moves into the main house and the ladies move into to the shack. At first they hate him because surely it's his fault that they are being forced out. Turns out, he's a super sweetheart. Miranda is also a sweetheart with a spine of steel. The three girls all have completely different personalities and a mischievous streak to bring their mother and Harry together.
The writing is chef's kiss quality that I'd liken to Cecelia Grant's "A Lady Awakened", and folks, that is HIGH PRAISE, if I do say so, myself. Gahh, I love this book. Just perfect!!!!
Thank you to Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
He moves into the main house and the ladies move into to the shack. At first they hate him because surely it's his fault that they are being forced out. Turns out, he's a super sweetheart. Miranda is also a sweetheart with a spine of steel. The three girls all have completely different personalities and a mischievous streak to bring their mother and Harry together.
The writing is chef's kiss quality that I'd liken to Cecelia Grant's "A Lady Awakened", and folks, that is HIGH PRAISE, if I do say so, myself. Gahh, I love this book. Just perfect!!!!
Thank you to Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s not so wonderful being married to a man 3 times your age. Even worse when he dies and leaves nothing but a worn farmhouse and three daughters. But Miranda decides she will prevail. Harry is a soldier and a doctor who finds himself a lost heir and has no clue what to do. Though rather more descriptive than I prefer and some redundancy, this was a very well thought out story with 3 unladylike daughters, one of whom is a real firecracker . That Harry wasn’t apprised of his cousin’s situation only makes matters worse, but it was lovely to see how he cared for her and came alive in her world. I adored Crawford and was very surprised by the climax. I almost didn’t want the story to end, I adored these characters so much. Excellent read.
I received this story for free and these are my own views
I received this story for free and these are my own views
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I liked the story but found Harry rather lacking in empathy. When he realised that his cousins had been left virtually destitute and that he had inherited all their father’s money, including Miranda’s substantial (as we are told) dowry, why did he not grant Miranda an annuity and the girls dowries? He told a tenant’s wife he would continue to fund her son’s grammar school education, whilst Miranda can not afford to pay for her daughter’s tuition or pay wages to her devoted servant. Then too, in the matter of the duel, he arranges for seconds but does not take the time to make a will and have it witnessed.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 28, 2026
5 stars
Lovely story. Our heroine has three girls and has recently been widowed. It was an arranged marriage which she thought was close but is dismayed to find that her husband hasn't left her any money or dowries for the girl. The solicitor tells Miranda that he has found an heir. She's in her late thirties and then hopes that her eldest will marry Harry, who is early 30s. Harry takes a liking to the mother and is amused how lively and forthright the daughters are....there is a creepy neighbour who was a friend of Gerald, the deceased and is hoping to grab Miranda.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Lovely story. Our heroine has three girls and has recently been widowed. It was an arranged marriage which she thought was close but is dismayed to find that her husband hasn't left her any money or dowries for the girl. The solicitor tells Miranda that he has found an heir. She's in her late thirties and then hopes that her eldest will marry Harry, who is early 30s. Harry takes a liking to the mother and is amused how lively and forthright the daughters are....there is a creepy neighbour who was a friend of Gerald, the deceased and is hoping to grab Miranda.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Miranda is shocked when she hears her elderly husband left her and their three daughters nothing when he died. When an heir is finally found to be, Harry, a medical war hero, Miranda moves out of her old home. Harry never expected to inherit an estate and is immediately attracted to the lovely widow. However, an unbalanced neighbor has other ideas for Miranda. Can Harry keep her safe? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.
June 22, 2026
Fil Reid’s The Lady and the Lost Heir is a sweet, heart‑warming historical romance. Lady Miranda, widowed and left with nothing but her cottage and three daughters, finds herself drawn to Henry, the new baron and distant cousin. While she hopes for a match for her eldest, her daughters cleverly scheme to unite her with Henry instead. With danger from a desperate suitor and the girls’ meddling, the story blends suspense, family loyalty, and tender romance into a charming read.
June 19, 2026
A delightful love story. Miranda is a strong, capable woman left with very little for her and her three daughters after her husband dies. Her husband's heir turns out much better than anticipated. Harry is a caring character healing from war injuries. The story line is interesting and kept my interest to the very end.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews