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Madison Sisters #2
Ein Lord mit Gewissen Vorzügen
Suzette ist eine reiche Erbin auf der Suche nach einem Ehemann. Doch im Gegensatz zu vielen anderen Frauen wünscht sie sich einen Mann, der selbst mittellos ist. Daniel Woodrow scheint der ideale Kandidat: Er ist gutaussehend, aus adligem Hause und ... vollkommen verarmt. Suzette ist überglücklich. Aber Daniel spielt nicht mit offenen Karten. In Wahrheit verbirgt er seinen Reichtum, weil er nicht will, dass eine Frau ihn nur seines Vermögens wegen heiratet. Doch wie lange kann er dieses Geheimnis vor Suzette bewahren?
384 pages, Paperback
First published February 22, 2011
234 people are currently reading
2258 people want to read
About the author
Lynsay Sands
126 books12.2k followersLYNSAY SANDS is the nationally bestselling author who is known for her hysterical historicals as well as the popular Argeneau/Rogue Hunter vampire series. With her witty and charming personality, Sands describes books as, “Waking dreams or stories, tales to amuse, entertain and distract us from everyday life.” She’s been writing stories since grade school and considers herself incredibly lucky to be able to make a career out of it. Her hope is that readers can get away from their everyday stress through her stories, and if there are occasional uncontrollable fits of laughter, that’s just a big bonus. Visit her official website at www.lynsaysands.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 381 reviews
May 11, 2012
This is the sequel to a book I read a few months ago and enjoyed very much: The Countess. This book follows the romance of Madison sister #2, Suzette, but in what had to have been the most boring manner I've ever tried to read. More than half of this book is just book one, from the point of view of Daniel and Suzette. I gotta tell you, their point of view didn't add a THING. This isn't Ender's Shadow, where writing the same story from a different point of view ended up being its own story, and IMO, even better than the first. This was more like...well, I don't feel like writing a whole new story, so let's just write the first one all over again.
It was all the same. The stuff I enjoyed so much in the first book -- the dead body, the twin switch, people getting caught in rooms they shouldn't have been in with members of the opposite sex -- same same same!
In fact, if you've read the first book, and are curious how Suzette and Daniel turn out, just go ahead and skip to chapter 10, which is where new material begins. Although, to be honest, I didn't find the new material to be remotely interesting. Maybe that's because the first 9 chapter (plus a prologue) irked me so much, but I think I have a right to be upset about them.
This entire story should have been a sub-romance inside the first. All that rushing about after a murderer and hiding bodies wasn't even Danieal and Suzette's story -- it was Richard and Christiana's. Technically, Suzette was another victim of the plot, but seriously...
Or if not a sub romance, then at least a novellette to finish things off. Seriously, the same story, but not told as well!
Psst...I'm suggesting you give it a miss, in case I'm being too subtle. :)
It was all the same. The stuff I enjoyed so much in the first book -- the dead body, the twin switch, people getting caught in rooms they shouldn't have been in with members of the opposite sex -- same same same!
In fact, if you've read the first book, and are curious how Suzette and Daniel turn out, just go ahead and skip to chapter 10, which is where new material begins. Although, to be honest, I didn't find the new material to be remotely interesting. Maybe that's because the first 9 chapter (plus a prologue) irked me so much, but I think I have a right to be upset about them.
This entire story should have been a sub-romance inside the first. All that rushing about after a murderer and hiding bodies wasn't even Danieal and Suzette's story -- it was Richard and Christiana's. Technically, Suzette was another victim of the plot, but seriously...
Or if not a sub romance, then at least a novellette to finish things off. Seriously, the same story, but not told as well!
Psst...I'm suggesting you give it a miss, in case I'm being too subtle. :)
October 31, 2022
⭐ ⭐ 💫
2½ stars.
A somewhat repetitive read (too much of the story was the same story line as the first book.)
But the main characters were still interesting and it was a entertaining read.
2½ stars.
A somewhat repetitive read (too much of the story was the same story line as the first book.)
But the main characters were still interesting and it was a entertaining read.
February 4, 2011
I really liked “The Countess.” But I can’t say I liked it so much that I wanted to read huge chunks of it a second time. It pains me to speak poorly of “The Heiress,” because I really did enjoy the parts that were new. Unfortunately, I can’t ignore how much of this book was a rehash of its predecessor.
The events in the first 2/3 of the book covered the same story as “The Countess,” only from the perspective of a different couple. Daniel is best friend to Richard, who in the last book was trying to confront the twin brother who had tried to have him killed and assumed his identity. That same twin had married Chrissy in Richard’s name, treated her like trash, then was killed. Suzette is Chrissy’s sister and sets her sights on Daniel as a relationship develops between Chrissy and Richard.
The entire first book is recapped. And frankly, it is done in a way that I think would be confusing for people who have not read “The Countess” and excruciatingly redundant for those of us who have. And it’s a shame because the new scenes we see between Suzette and Daniel are fantastic. And the last third of the book is entirely new. Those parts shine. I love Suzette, her frankness and her boldness. I love the way Daniel can appreciate her, despite her differences from the norms of propriety. Their love scenes are very sexy –and I think I would have been bowled over by a book of all new material about the two of them. Unfortunately, that isn’t what we got.
I’ve been looking forward to a book on Lisa and Robert, but I swear, if I have to go through the events of Dicky’s death and the “mystery” behind it one more time, I might just scream. I’m crossing my finger that any book we see on them, picks up AFTER this one has left off. 3 stars.
The events in the first 2/3 of the book covered the same story as “The Countess,” only from the perspective of a different couple. Daniel is best friend to Richard, who in the last book was trying to confront the twin brother who had tried to have him killed and assumed his identity. That same twin had married Chrissy in Richard’s name, treated her like trash, then was killed. Suzette is Chrissy’s sister and sets her sights on Daniel as a relationship develops between Chrissy and Richard.
The entire first book is recapped. And frankly, it is done in a way that I think would be confusing for people who have not read “The Countess” and excruciatingly redundant for those of us who have. And it’s a shame because the new scenes we see between Suzette and Daniel are fantastic. And the last third of the book is entirely new. Those parts shine. I love Suzette, her frankness and her boldness. I love the way Daniel can appreciate her, despite her differences from the norms of propriety. Their love scenes are very sexy –and I think I would have been bowled over by a book of all new material about the two of them. Unfortunately, that isn’t what we got.
I’ve been looking forward to a book on Lisa and Robert, but I swear, if I have to go through the events of Dicky’s death and the “mystery” behind it one more time, I might just scream. I’m crossing my finger that any book we see on them, picks up AFTER this one has left off. 3 stars.
May 25, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. Lynsay always adds fun and adventure together so well. This book is a just about a mirror reflection of the first book in this series, but you get more of the man’s point of view from Daniel. I very much enjoyed it even if it felt like I was going through the same book at times. After you get half way it does change and you get an excellent thrilling adventure between Suzette and Daniel. I loved the characters again but my favorite addition to this book was Daniel’s mom, I just fell in love with her.
I enjoyed Daniel and Suzette together. I wished the ending could have been a little more. I was really hoping that I would be able to tell who Lisa would be partnered with, but found no clue. I hope it won’t be a long wait for the next installment.
I enjoyed Daniel and Suzette together. I wished the ending could have been a little more. I was really hoping that I would be able to tell who Lisa would be partnered with, but found no clue. I hope it won’t be a long wait for the next installment.
October 29, 2021
EXCELLENT AUDIBLE ADITIONS!! The story was really good it starts out with Laugh Out Loud moments moves into a very sensual romantic story and then at the end its on the edge suspense with a HEA ending. I enjoyed listening to Faye Adelle the narrator. She is very good.
I gave it 4 stars because the beginning was a bit confusing. Then I read some reviews and saw there was a story before this one in the series.
I gave it 4 stars because the beginning was a bit confusing. Then I read some reviews and saw there was a story before this one in the series.
August 18, 2012
As several reviewers have mentioned already, this title is essentially the same book as "The Countess". There is very little new storyline to be had. Same story line - different point of view, much as Julia Quinn attempted with Lost Duke and Mr. Cavendish. Instead of combining the stories to make one passably interesting book, they were published as two dreadfully dull books that left a lot of readers feeling cheated.
Bizarrely enough, this story could have actually worked if the characters did not come across as incredibly stupid. Sure, readers would have to check reality at the door, but there is the possibility of fun of a farcical nature. Unfortunately, that possibility is lost when the characters combined IQs prove to be equivalent to a bag of hair. There may as well be huge blinking neon arrows pointing to the "clues" (and the characters don't click) . The mysterious villain is so obvious, this story begins to feel like a Nancy Drew novel written for pre-teens. The really tragic part of all this is, while The Heiress is already an anemic copy of The Countess, readers are more than likely going to be treated to a third, even more diluted installment of this story when Lisa and Robert's story is released (with a possible match for the Madison father tossed in for good measure). I'd say this title is a definite library check out (and even them you might feel like you've been cheated). I found this type of writing in Quinn's work to be lazy and dull, and she has long since stopped being an author whose work I anticipate or purchase. I am sorry to say, Lynsay Sands is joining that list, which is too bad. I used to enjoy her stuff.
Bizarrely enough, this story could have actually worked if the characters did not come across as incredibly stupid. Sure, readers would have to check reality at the door, but there is the possibility of fun of a farcical nature. Unfortunately, that possibility is lost when the characters combined IQs prove to be equivalent to a bag of hair. There may as well be huge blinking neon arrows pointing to the "clues" (and the characters don't click) . The mysterious villain is so obvious, this story begins to feel like a Nancy Drew novel written for pre-teens. The really tragic part of all this is, while The Heiress is already an anemic copy of The Countess, readers are more than likely going to be treated to a third, even more diluted installment of this story when Lisa and Robert's story is released (with a possible match for the Madison father tossed in for good measure). I'd say this title is a definite library check out (and even them you might feel like you've been cheated). I found this type of writing in Quinn's work to be lazy and dull, and she has long since stopped being an author whose work I anticipate or purchase. I am sorry to say, Lynsay Sands is joining that list, which is too bad. I used to enjoy her stuff.
February 23, 2017
I hate that a lot of the story was the same story line as the first book.
September 11, 2022
Sadly, this is mostly the first book from a different perspective. The plot is known and some scenes were skipped since we already know the outcome, but it took so long to get to the “new” part of the story. The first half feels too long and rushed at the same time. The characters didn’t have enough time to actually be entertaining.
You definitely have to read the books in order, this book doesn’t work if you didn’t read the first one.
You definitely have to read the books in order, this book doesn’t work if you didn’t read the first one.
May 12, 2011
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.
Expected Release Date: Available Now!
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Avon
Author’s Website: http://www.lynsaysands.net/
My Source for This Book: Amazon.com
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 2, Madison Sisters
Series Best Read In Order: Yes
Steam Level: Hot
Ever since reading The Countess, I’d been anxious to find out what was going to happen between Suzette and Daniel.
Suzette is an heiress. She and her two sisters have inherited an extensive dower that they will be able to access once they are married. At the insistence of their family, however, they’ve kept it a secret to help keep them safe from fortune hunters. Suzette’s older sister, Christina, married a man in what she thought was a love match, only to discover that he was really only after her money. And to make matters worse, their father has once again gambled away their estate, and the only way to save the family from scandal and ruin is for Suzette to marry immediately so that she may access her dower.
Suzette has learned a lesson from her sister’s unhappy marriage however. Since you cannot count on a love match, the only way Suzette sees to retain power in any marriage is to make her husband dependent on her. She decides to seek out a man desperately in need of her money, who will in turn allow her to keep half of her extensive fortune, and to retain her freedom.
Daniel grew up in poverty. Unlike most people in the same situation, however, his mother insisted on pretending to have a fortune, so society never really suspected. Now, with the help of his best friend Richard, he has gained a true fortune through investments, and yet knows that his fortune is the most attractive feature amongst the marriage-minded mamas determined to marry him off to their daughters.
When Suzette meets Daniel and begins to explain her need for a hasty marriage, she asks him outright if he has money. Thinking that she’s only out for his fortune, and that the quickest way to scare her off is to tell her he is poor, he bends the truth and tells her about his childhood without mentioning his reversal of fortunes. He’s shocked when not only is Suzette thrilled by his apparent poverty, but when she immediately proposed marriage. Even more surprising than that though, is the intense physical attraction and chemistry between them when they end up kissing in the garden after she basically insinuates that he’s no good at kissing (and so of course he has to prove her wrong).
While the first half of the novel being basically a recap from the last story in a different POV would likely help newcomers to the series know what was going on, I still suggest reading The Countess before picking this one up. I thought to myself several times that I was glad that I’d read the first one or else I’d be well and truly lost, since Dicky’s actual death was pretty much glossed over, as was a lot of the plot that Dicky had made (not to mention the fact that the real murderer was never mentioned in this book even though it was revealed in the first).
There were also a few Too Stupid To Live moments on Suzette’s part, but I mostly forgave that simply because the UST was so delicious between the two. Plus, their courtship is pretty much a comedy of errors, which was greatly entertaining, even when you wanted to shake some sense into Suzette.
Overall, the hotness of this story helped to overcome the fact that the first half of it was mainly a recap of the first book and Suzette needed to be smacked on occasion. Recommended for fans of whirlwind romances, tiny lies that spin out of control, and evil plots by villains determined to keep the hero and heroine apart.
3.5/5 Stars
Expected Release Date: Available Now!
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Avon
Author’s Website: http://www.lynsaysands.net/
My Source for This Book: Amazon.com
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 2, Madison Sisters
Series Best Read In Order: Yes
Steam Level: Hot
Ever since reading The Countess, I’d been anxious to find out what was going to happen between Suzette and Daniel.
Suzette is an heiress. She and her two sisters have inherited an extensive dower that they will be able to access once they are married. At the insistence of their family, however, they’ve kept it a secret to help keep them safe from fortune hunters. Suzette’s older sister, Christina, married a man in what she thought was a love match, only to discover that he was really only after her money. And to make matters worse, their father has once again gambled away their estate, and the only way to save the family from scandal and ruin is for Suzette to marry immediately so that she may access her dower.
Suzette has learned a lesson from her sister’s unhappy marriage however. Since you cannot count on a love match, the only way Suzette sees to retain power in any marriage is to make her husband dependent on her. She decides to seek out a man desperately in need of her money, who will in turn allow her to keep half of her extensive fortune, and to retain her freedom.
Daniel grew up in poverty. Unlike most people in the same situation, however, his mother insisted on pretending to have a fortune, so society never really suspected. Now, with the help of his best friend Richard, he has gained a true fortune through investments, and yet knows that his fortune is the most attractive feature amongst the marriage-minded mamas determined to marry him off to their daughters.
When Suzette meets Daniel and begins to explain her need for a hasty marriage, she asks him outright if he has money. Thinking that she’s only out for his fortune, and that the quickest way to scare her off is to tell her he is poor, he bends the truth and tells her about his childhood without mentioning his reversal of fortunes. He’s shocked when not only is Suzette thrilled by his apparent poverty, but when she immediately proposed marriage. Even more surprising than that though, is the intense physical attraction and chemistry between them when they end up kissing in the garden after she basically insinuates that he’s no good at kissing (and so of course he has to prove her wrong).
While the first half of the novel being basically a recap from the last story in a different POV would likely help newcomers to the series know what was going on, I still suggest reading The Countess before picking this one up. I thought to myself several times that I was glad that I’d read the first one or else I’d be well and truly lost, since Dicky’s actual death was pretty much glossed over, as was a lot of the plot that Dicky had made (not to mention the fact that the real murderer was never mentioned in this book even though it was revealed in the first).
There were also a few Too Stupid To Live moments on Suzette’s part, but I mostly forgave that simply because the UST was so delicious between the two. Plus, their courtship is pretty much a comedy of errors, which was greatly entertaining, even when you wanted to shake some sense into Suzette.
Overall, the hotness of this story helped to overcome the fact that the first half of it was mainly a recap of the first book and Suzette needed to be smacked on occasion. Recommended for fans of whirlwind romances, tiny lies that spin out of control, and evil plots by villains determined to keep the hero and heroine apart.
3.5/5 Stars
October 5, 2011
I reviewed this book for my blog www.bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com
REDUX=It is a Latin word that means "brought back" or "revisited" and "The Heiress" is Suzette and Daniel's story told from their point of view and happening at the same time as "The Countess". To those who read the first one, the first 210 pages will defenatly feel redundant, and like me, they'll skim through those pages, especially the dialog. I wasn't in the mood to read over the same conversations so there was a lot of skimming over. To anyone that decides to read this one first DON'T! It will be a bit confusing, since majority of the scenes that took place in the house with the "pretender's" dead body are glossed over in this one. Those are important scenes and should be read first.
Now, since the entire first half of this book is REDUX" some will be greatly disappointed, BUT! And this is a very important BUT. I know I shouldn't ignore the fact that most of this book was a rehash of the first one, BUT I liked Suzette's character from the first book so I thought her story was quite good, once we left their point of view from "The Countess". From that point on, Suzette and Daniel come to life as the last third of the book is all fresh. Suzette was straight forward, frank, very witty and bold. She had no fear of speaking her mind. Daniel was a very dashing, likable hero, who tried very hard to keep his hands off of her. He appreciated her frankness and liked her from the first time he spoke to her.
Their interaction was a delight to read and their love scenes were passionate as well as funny. I chuckled every time Daniel lost his self-control around Suzette. Naturally, all the other characters from the earlier book are with us still and we meet new ones also, like Daniel's mother. There are some predictable villains, and the plot isn't much of a surprise, but all in all a pleasant and fun read.
I think Lisa's story will be next, and I so hope it will not be a "REDUX" of both.
BTW: If you'd like to read a very good "REDUX" I recommend Julia Quinn's Two Dukes of Wyndham 1. The Lost Duke of Wyndham (2008) and 2. Mr. Cavendish, I Presume (2008).
I loved the way she revisited and interwoven those two stories. That was much better told than these two, in my humble opinion.
Melanie
REDUX=It is a Latin word that means "brought back" or "revisited" and "The Heiress" is Suzette and Daniel's story told from their point of view and happening at the same time as "The Countess". To those who read the first one, the first 210 pages will defenatly feel redundant, and like me, they'll skim through those pages, especially the dialog. I wasn't in the mood to read over the same conversations so there was a lot of skimming over. To anyone that decides to read this one first DON'T! It will be a bit confusing, since majority of the scenes that took place in the house with the "pretender's" dead body are glossed over in this one. Those are important scenes and should be read first.
Now, since the entire first half of this book is REDUX" some will be greatly disappointed, BUT! And this is a very important BUT. I know I shouldn't ignore the fact that most of this book was a rehash of the first one, BUT I liked Suzette's character from the first book so I thought her story was quite good, once we left their point of view from "The Countess". From that point on, Suzette and Daniel come to life as the last third of the book is all fresh. Suzette was straight forward, frank, very witty and bold. She had no fear of speaking her mind. Daniel was a very dashing, likable hero, who tried very hard to keep his hands off of her. He appreciated her frankness and liked her from the first time he spoke to her.
Their interaction was a delight to read and their love scenes were passionate as well as funny. I chuckled every time Daniel lost his self-control around Suzette. Naturally, all the other characters from the earlier book are with us still and we meet new ones also, like Daniel's mother. There are some predictable villains, and the plot isn't much of a surprise, but all in all a pleasant and fun read.
I think Lisa's story will be next, and I so hope it will not be a "REDUX" of both.
BTW: If you'd like to read a very good "REDUX" I recommend Julia Quinn's Two Dukes of Wyndham 1. The Lost Duke of Wyndham (2008) and 2. Mr. Cavendish, I Presume (2008).
I loved the way she revisited and interwoven those two stories. That was much better told than these two, in my humble opinion.
Melanie
February 24, 2018
No fue tan divertido como el primer libro, como que se había perdido un poco el toque sorpresa, pero me gusto la historia...
March 3, 2011
Suzette needs to find a husband quickly. Preferably a gentlemen who is down on his luck and in need of a wealthy wife. She has no other way of getting her dowry - which is much needed in order to pay off her father's gambling debts and save the family from scandal and ultimately ruin.
Daniel Woodrow seems the perfect candidate. He has a title, he's single, he's handsome and he's broke. Or so he says. For Daniel hasn't been completely honest with Suzette. He tells a white lie about his lack of fortune thinking Suzette would react like all the other fortune-hunting mama's of the ton. But instead she's delighted by his poverty... so delighted in fact that she proposes matrimony. Now all he has to do in order to keep Suzette is to continue his penniless charade and thwart the villain who will do anything to keep them apart.
You originally meet Suzette and Daniel in The Countess. Actually most of their story takes place simultaneously as that of Christiana and Richard. So, I found The Heiress to be a bit redundant. I must make note that I did read both books only a few weeks apart so this may be the reasoning behind why I found them to be so redundant, but for half the book I was reading its predecessor told through a different couple's perspective. While I did enjoy the second half of the book, where Suzette and Daniel finally begin their own story, I could not get over the lackluster of its start.
Since this story is mostly a rehash of The Countess, new readers can't read this book without reading its predecessor and those that have read The Countess will find this one excruciatingly redundant. It's a shame really, because those moments that were exclusively Suzette and Daniel were wonderful. Suzette was bold, brazen and not your average blushing lady. Daniel was charming and the perfect gentleman. I loved how they ruffled each others feathers. They were perfect together. Their more romantic scenes were a joy to read - very sensual and steamy. Their first kiss was unforgettable. I believe it may be the sexiest first kiss I've ever read. I know, I was blushing over a first kiss... don't judge.
All in all, I can't say that I was a big fan of this book. I did enjoy the story, the characters and I am definitely reading the next book in the series... but I will keep my fingers crossed that we don't have to read about Dicky, his murder and the mystery surrounding it once again. I hope that Lisa and Robert have their own storyline, preferably one that starts after Suzette and Daniel's ends.
March 8, 2011
I love books in a series wherein the storyline runs simultaneously. The first romance novels I remember reading that were written in this manner were Twin of Fire and Twin of Ice by Jude Deveraux. Some people are of the opinion that concurrent plots show a laziness on the part of the author. I on the other hand believe this takes a deft hand with storytelling, to say nothing of editing. The trick with this type of narrative is to keep the reoccurring scenes short!
Sad to say in The Heiress this didn't happen. It wasn't until page 215 our of 370, Chapter 10, when this book broke away from it's companion The Countess. Until that moment we get to read almost the same dialog. Oh sure, there was an occasional glimpse into Daniel and Suzette's mind, but because of the togetherness of ALLLLL the characters, these first 215 pages are downright boring. I found myself skipping ahead in these passages.
Now because the redundant part of The Heiress was so long, the second part seemed rushed and characters that wanted to be interesting turned into cardboard inhabitants of Romanceland.
The other irritation I found in this book was after slogging through 215 pages of something I'd read before, there was one chapter when the hero and heroine are together! The plot changed! We began to see some character development! But after an intense tumble in the hay, he goes off to get his mother and is shot, and the heroine is kidnapped. The couple is STINKIN' separated for the rest of the book as alllll of the characters ramble alllll over the countryside looking for each other.
Needless to say, this book was a disappointment. The simultaneous storyline didn't work, was too long and didn't allow for (what appeared to be) some lovely characters to develop. And it's because I liked Suzette and Daniel that this book is getting the high rating it's getting.
Sad to say in The Heiress this didn't happen. It wasn't until page 215 our of 370, Chapter 10, when this book broke away from it's companion The Countess. Until that moment we get to read almost the same dialog. Oh sure, there was an occasional glimpse into Daniel and Suzette's mind, but because of the togetherness of ALLLLL the characters, these first 215 pages are downright boring. I found myself skipping ahead in these passages.
Now because the redundant part of The Heiress was so long, the second part seemed rushed and characters that wanted to be interesting turned into cardboard inhabitants of Romanceland.
The other irritation I found in this book was after slogging through 215 pages of something I'd read before, there was one chapter when the hero and heroine are together! The plot changed! We began to see some character development! But after an intense tumble in the hay, he goes off to get his mother and is shot, and the heroine is kidnapped. The couple is STINKIN' separated for the rest of the book as alllll of the characters ramble alllll over the countryside looking for each other.
Needless to say, this book was a disappointment. The simultaneous storyline didn't work, was too long and didn't allow for (what appeared to be) some lovely characters to develop. And it's because I liked Suzette and Daniel that this book is getting the high rating it's getting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2011
Normally I’m not a fan of a series that happens within the same time, since there is a lot of repetition. That said, the story stood alone quite well, since it starts at the same place, but ends past the first story. Since a lot of Daniel and Suzette’s interactions happen “off the page” in the first story, it made it so much fun to have those “aha!” moments. But you didn’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one as much, although it does add some depth to know what was going on with Christiana. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the second title in the latest Lynsay Sands’ series, but The Heiress was not it. And I mean that in a good way. The story takes place on the same timeline as The Countess, so readers get the scoops on what was happening between Suzette and Daniel while her sister Christiana was finding her HEA. Suzette’s only concern is protecting her sister, Christiana, from her possibly dead husband and making certain that her and her younger sister’s chances at finding a match aren’t hurt by a possible scandal. Suzette is looking for a fortune hunter so she can access her fortune; enter Daniel. Handsome, friends with the “new” earl, he’s also….rich. But he won’t tell her that, not until he figures out just what it is about her that makes it so they can’t keep their mouths off each other. Lynsay Sands has great fun with her characters, and this is certainly the case with Suzette and Daniel. Their rush to the altar is playful, funny, sexy. There were a few times where I could feel a smile breaking out. I can’t wait for the final book in the trilogy!
February 10, 2017
As I said in my assessment of The Heiress, it was obvious where this series was headed and whom would end up with whom. The fun would be in figuring out what crazy shenanigans befell them before they made it to the altar. However. This book honestly wasn't very much fun at all, as over half of it was retelling the events of the previous book, only from the perspectives of Suzette and Daniel. I'm not really one for reading the same story from a different point-of-view. It's rather tedious. And the second half, which could have been more interesting, was bogged down by a kidnapping plot I saw coming from a mile away. I have the third book from the library, so I'll listen to it to see how Lisa and Robert come together since we don't really see much of them in the previous two books, but if it's the same story all over again, I may have to give up.
April 23, 2011
It's obvious that this is supposed to be a fun read, but it really just reminded me why I don't read Lynsay Sands' books more often. Quite a bit of repetitive descriptions of character - they're always scowling, growling, etc. - and not a lot of real character development. The whole 'we're getting married, so we have to go to Gretna Green' was absurd. It's like not a single character had ever heard of getting married in a church or getting a special license if there was a hurry. I guess this was to make it possible for the road trip during which the villain makes his appearance. Besides the insistence on going to Gretna Green, the plot had holes you could drive a truck through, and the humour is essentially founded on the heroine being really thick and having no subtlety, rather than being based on witty writing.
July 29, 2017
2.5 stars
There was just way too much repetition of the first book. Literally entire scenes were repeated. Boring!
I liked Suzette and Daniel. Their push/pull was pretty amusing most of the time. But it got old. The drama towards the end was too obvious.
In general I think I prefer my HR to be about Highlanders. They are more manly men. These English lords are a little too dandy for me!
My other issue
There was just way too much repetition of the first book. Literally entire scenes were repeated. Boring!
I liked Suzette and Daniel. Their push/pull was pretty amusing most of the time. But it got old. The drama towards the end was too obvious.
In general I think I prefer my HR to be about Highlanders. They are more manly men. These English lords are a little too dandy for me!
My other issue
October 25, 2024
Rating: 3.5 / 5
I'll have to agree with what others have been saying about this book in that...*sighs* yeah, it's more or less 60% a retelling of the first book, so if you've read The Countess, then you already know what to expect here. At first, I thought that developing both Suzette and Christiana's relationships side-by-side was a charming idea, but when a LOT of the scenes here are just a word-for-word repeat of what I've already read in book one, it does feel repetitive and tiresome.
By the time the plot picked up with its own storyline revolving just around Suzette and Daniel though...yeah, by that point it was both kind of too late, AND the additional plot conflict felt contrived. What I really liked when starting off on this was that Suzette and Daniel are just the opposite of Christiana and Richard: while in the latter couple it's the heroine who's cautious and the hero who's all "heaven may care" about things, with Suzette and Daniel it's just the opposite, and that was a refreshing perspective.
That's why I found it particularly hard to believe that
All in all therefore, as far as this series goes, I think I'll just stick to possible re-reads on Christiana and Richard's story and...yup, that's it. (Not at all curious to find out about Lisa, BTW, because of the three sisters she's kind of the least interesting, so...meh.)
I'll have to agree with what others have been saying about this book in that...*sighs* yeah, it's more or less 60% a retelling of the first book, so if you've read The Countess, then you already know what to expect here. At first, I thought that developing both Suzette and Christiana's relationships side-by-side was a charming idea, but when a LOT of the scenes here are just a word-for-word repeat of what I've already read in book one, it does feel repetitive and tiresome.
By the time the plot picked up with its own storyline revolving just around Suzette and Daniel though...yeah, by that point it was both kind of too late, AND the additional plot conflict felt contrived. What I really liked when starting off on this was that Suzette and Daniel are just the opposite of Christiana and Richard: while in the latter couple it's the heroine who's cautious and the hero who's all "heaven may care" about things, with Suzette and Daniel it's just the opposite, and that was a refreshing perspective.
That's why I found it particularly hard to believe that
All in all therefore, as far as this series goes, I think I'll just stick to possible re-reads on Christiana and Richard's story and...yup, that's it. (Not at all curious to find out about Lisa, BTW, because of the three sisters she's kind of the least interesting, so...meh.)
March 15, 2025
Finished reading this 03/11/25. Had too many
tropes: attempted murder, murder, kidnapping
& I got a little beyond halfway & DNF. Paperback.
2 stars.
Christina, Suzette, and Lisa (oldest to youngest)
were heiress sisters. Their sire, a baron, atypically
took up gambling and found himself in debt.
George and Richard were identical twins. Richard's
town house was burned to the ground & Richard
thought dead. George assumed Richard's ID &
married Christina. Later in the story, George was
murdered, & Richard became Richard after returning
from the USA. He discovered Chris was a virgin bride.
Present day. Suzette asked stranger Daniel at a dance
to marry her. She needed to access her dower funds
to rescue her sire. The MCs lusted more than spoke
to each other. He claimed to be poor, but wasn't. Later
a man threatened her.
Story had several credibility issues: 1) Chris did not
question when Richard's personality changed for the
better. She agreed to marry him 'again.' 2) love scenes
felt staged. 3) Suzy & Lisa both read a banned book by
a prostitute. Huh? 4) Richard needed new clothes and
within a few hrs., a tailor completed said items for him!
tropes: attempted murder, murder, kidnapping
& I got a little beyond halfway & DNF. Paperback.
2 stars.
Christina, Suzette, and Lisa (oldest to youngest)
were heiress sisters. Their sire, a baron, atypically
took up gambling and found himself in debt.
George and Richard were identical twins. Richard's
town house was burned to the ground & Richard
thought dead. George assumed Richard's ID &
married Christina. Later in the story, George was
murdered, & Richard became Richard after returning
from the USA. He discovered Chris was a virgin bride.
Present day. Suzette asked stranger Daniel at a dance
to marry her. She needed to access her dower funds
to rescue her sire. The MCs lusted more than spoke
to each other. He claimed to be poor, but wasn't. Later
a man threatened her.
Story had several credibility issues: 1) Chris did not
question when Richard's personality changed for the
better. She agreed to marry him 'again.' 2) love scenes
felt staged. 3) Suzy & Lisa both read a banned book by
a prostitute. Huh? 4) Richard needed new clothes and
within a few hrs., a tailor completed said items for him!
May 19, 2021
This was a fun read. I did unintentionally read this book out of series order, and the first book does run along appropriately the same timeline, but it was so delightful and intriguing that I’ll probably go back and read the first one!
Suzette has so much sass, speaks her mind and I love it!
Suzette has so much sass, speaks her mind and I love it!
July 31, 2019
Deja vu
Did you like the first book in the series? Then you’ll love this because it is the exact same story told from another point of view.
Did you like the first book in the series? Then you’ll love this because it is the exact same story told from another point of view.
February 10, 2011
This was a very interesting book for me. The first half of this book takes place at the same time as The Countess but is told from a different point of view, Suzette and Daniels. Having read The Countess and really enjoying it, I really did not want to read a somewhat condensed version of it again with the more drawn out details of our couple Suzette and Daniel.
Suzette needs to marry quickly to pay off her fathers gambling debt but wants to find a land rich, money poor husband so that he will allow her to live her own life, separate from him. Imagine her surprise when she meets the handsome, titled, seemingly poor Daniel. The sparks are instant between these two and only continue to grow and lead to some very heated moments. They agree to head to Gretna Green, with Suzette thinking still that Daniel is poor (where in reality he has achieved considerable wealth) and Daniel hoping to get to know her better before he goes through with this marriage.
Now we finally get to about the second half of the book and all new happenings. I loved the second half of this book. It was funny, heated, and had a bit of suspense. I really loved Suzette and her boldness and how Daniel accepted her for that. He even compares her to his mother, who is a great character and would have loved more of her! That seems to be my biggest thought/complaint on this book. I wanted more! I wanted more of Daniel and Suzette, more of his mother, more of just their story without rehashing what I had already read before. I think that it is best if you read The Countess beforehand but wait a bit to read this one. Reading them back to back, I think, would be very frustrating. But having not read The Countess, might make this one a bit confusing in the beginning with what happens.
I hope that makes sense~lol. I would have given this 4 1/2 stars but I just can't get over the first half of the book so 4 stars for this one. Suzette has one more sister and I am hoping for her book soon as I really enjoy Lynsay Sands for her writing of a good story with humor, steam, and mystery!
Had to share this quote from Lady Woodrow, Daniels mother:
"Son, we women have it drummed into our heads from very early on that chastity is a must, that our virginity is the most valuable gift to give a husband. You men may run about rutting with every bitch in heat you come across, but we do not"
This is why I wanted more of her! Such a great mother that loves her son more than anything but is not afraid to speak plainly. Oh, and this is how Suzette describes that she gave herself to Daniel to another character:
"I let my betrothed drive his machine up my strait"
"He drove his nail up to the head"
"He buried his truncheon in my cloven field"
(Cleared up as clover field later on)
And she repeatedly refers to Daniel and his...maypole. LOL Cracked me up
I received this ebook via netgallery.com
Suzette needs to marry quickly to pay off her fathers gambling debt but wants to find a land rich, money poor husband so that he will allow her to live her own life, separate from him. Imagine her surprise when she meets the handsome, titled, seemingly poor Daniel. The sparks are instant between these two and only continue to grow and lead to some very heated moments. They agree to head to Gretna Green, with Suzette thinking still that Daniel is poor (where in reality he has achieved considerable wealth) and Daniel hoping to get to know her better before he goes through with this marriage.
Now we finally get to about the second half of the book and all new happenings. I loved the second half of this book. It was funny, heated, and had a bit of suspense. I really loved Suzette and her boldness and how Daniel accepted her for that. He even compares her to his mother, who is a great character and would have loved more of her! That seems to be my biggest thought/complaint on this book. I wanted more! I wanted more of Daniel and Suzette, more of his mother, more of just their story without rehashing what I had already read before. I think that it is best if you read The Countess beforehand but wait a bit to read this one. Reading them back to back, I think, would be very frustrating. But having not read The Countess, might make this one a bit confusing in the beginning with what happens.
I hope that makes sense~lol. I would have given this 4 1/2 stars but I just can't get over the first half of the book so 4 stars for this one. Suzette has one more sister and I am hoping for her book soon as I really enjoy Lynsay Sands for her writing of a good story with humor, steam, and mystery!
Had to share this quote from Lady Woodrow, Daniels mother:
"Son, we women have it drummed into our heads from very early on that chastity is a must, that our virginity is the most valuable gift to give a husband. You men may run about rutting with every bitch in heat you come across, but we do not"
This is why I wanted more of her! Such a great mother that loves her son more than anything but is not afraid to speak plainly. Oh, and this is how Suzette describes that she gave herself to Daniel to another character:
"I let my betrothed drive his machine up my strait"
"He drove his nail up to the head"
"He buried his truncheon in my cloven field"
(Cleared up as clover field later on)
And she repeatedly refers to Daniel and his...maypole. LOL Cracked me up
I received this ebook via netgallery.com
April 11, 2011
In short, I found this book disappointing to the extent that I even contemplated giving it 1 star. I settled for 1.5.
I did not expect this book to be a rehash of The Countess. Once I realized this, I thought, "Why not?" I had enjoyed Julia Quinn's Mr. Cavendish, I Presume despite the poor and sometimes scathing reviews so I thought that The Heiress and I would get along fairly well. Imagine my disappointment, then, when it basically summarized or repeated The Countess for nearly 2/3 of the book. If done well, I might not have been as unhappy but the summaries of what had occurred in book one were as interesting as the fine print on a contract. I remember writing similar, uninteresting summaries for book reports back in elementary school. I was surprised that such writing managed to pass the editor's eye and get published. The writing seemed so lazy of the author.
The characters - I really liked them. I enjoyed The Countess and liked them there. I liked them in The Heiress. I liked Suzette and Daniel. Suzette is likely the most interesting character in this book. I enjoyed her straightforwardness, and her interactions with Daniel. I liked her sharp and sarcastic ways, even in the face of danger. I liked how the antagonist responded to Suzette's goads. But to see her so quickly run into danger, even if she did not realize it, made me rethink my admiration for her character because at that point, she seemed TSTL. Perhaps I'm being harsh but the author did not manage to convince me that Suzette had had a valid reason to do what she did before her flight to Gretna Green. Daniel was sweet. I liked him better in The Heiress than in The Countess. And his mother became my new favorite character. The scene that so impressed the Madison Sisters impressed me too. It is probably my favorite scene in the book.
In short, what I liked about this book: most of Suzette, Suzette & Daniel, Dowager Lady Woodrow, Lord Madison (especially the scene when he becomes the hero), and Robert Langley; the scene where Lady Woodrow manages the men. What I didn't like: plot and summaries of what happened in book one.
I did not expect this book to be a rehash of The Countess. Once I realized this, I thought, "Why not?" I had enjoyed Julia Quinn's Mr. Cavendish, I Presume despite the poor and sometimes scathing reviews so I thought that The Heiress and I would get along fairly well. Imagine my disappointment, then, when it basically summarized or repeated The Countess for nearly 2/3 of the book. If done well, I might not have been as unhappy but the summaries of what had occurred in book one were as interesting as the fine print on a contract. I remember writing similar, uninteresting summaries for book reports back in elementary school. I was surprised that such writing managed to pass the editor's eye and get published. The writing seemed so lazy of the author.
The characters - I really liked them. I enjoyed The Countess and liked them there. I liked them in The Heiress. I liked Suzette and Daniel. Suzette is likely the most interesting character in this book. I enjoyed her straightforwardness, and her interactions with Daniel. I liked her sharp and sarcastic ways, even in the face of danger. I liked how the antagonist responded to Suzette's goads. But to see her so quickly run into danger, even if she did not realize it, made me rethink my admiration for her character because at that point, she seemed TSTL. Perhaps I'm being harsh but the author did not manage to convince me that Suzette had had a valid reason to do what she did before her flight to Gretna Green. Daniel was sweet. I liked him better in The Heiress than in The Countess. And his mother became my new favorite character. The scene that so impressed the Madison Sisters impressed me too. It is probably my favorite scene in the book.
In short, what I liked about this book: most of Suzette, Suzette & Daniel, Dowager Lady Woodrow, Lord Madison (especially the scene when he becomes the hero), and Robert Langley; the scene where Lady Woodrow manages the men. What I didn't like: plot and summaries of what happened in book one.
December 20, 2018
The first 2/3 - 3/4 or so of this book follow the exact timeline from the last book. If these two characters had hardly been in the first book and there was quite a bit of mystery about them, then maybe you could get away with covering the exact same timeline, but these two were nearly as involved as the main couple in the last book! Of course we get a few scenes of this couple alone together that we could only guess at in the first book (though, I think nearly everyone had pretty good guesses as to those scenes, *two people come out of a room flushed and the man is missing his cravat* gee, whatever could they have been up to???). But all the other scenes that took place anywhere near the couple from the first book (which, again, were considerable!) were just transplanted into this one. A few inner thoughts were sprinkled in, but as much or more dialogue and descriptions were just straight up copied and pasted from the last book.
On top of that, the couple didn't really seem that in love. They had some passion, but both seemed like they were having to be coaxed into the relationship till only the last few chapters! And the heroine really embraced the 'too stupid to live' mentality toward the end. Repeatedly. I chuckled at some parts, but overall the story, (especially having read the first book which covered so much of this story already), was shallow and dissatisfying.
On top of that, the couple didn't really seem that in love. They had some passion, but both seemed like they were having to be coaxed into the relationship till only the last few chapters! And the heroine really embraced the 'too stupid to live' mentality toward the end. Repeatedly. I chuckled at some parts, but overall the story, (especially having read the first book which covered so much of this story already), was shallow and dissatisfying.
December 22, 2010
The Heiress (Madison Sisters #2)
by Lynsay Sands
This is the Second book in the Madison Sisters Trilogy and just a tiny bit weaker than the first book “The Countess” which was fabulously funny and romantic.
This is a comedy of errors since Suzette wants a poor husband, one that she can manage and manipulate. She thinks that she has found it with Daniel Woodward, a close friend of her sister the Countesses husband. However, what she does not know about him can really throw her plans in the rubbish!
Daniel doesn’t want the attentions of money seeking misses or the attentions of their grasping Mama’s, so he pretends poverty and Suzette is thrilled. Now Daniel tries to gently tell her the truth all the while trying not to succumb to the temptation of Suzette's charms and determined to avoid the villain who is trying to end his life.
I found this selection in this trilogy to be a little difficult to follow since it is running parallel in time and storey to “The Countess” and that was a new experience for me. I think that others may not have the same issues with this that I did. But I did want to warn people that it is a tad disconcerting at times. Otherwise, this is a perfectly charming and cute addition to the Madison Sister’s Trilogy. I cannot wait to read the third addition to this series and they will become “keepers” on my shelves.
March 13, 2011
I really enjoyed this book! I want to start with that, because I just loved it to bits!
This is book two in the Madison Sister’s trilogy and it began at about the same place and time frame as book one so whilst there is a lot of ‘retelling’ its go great to read it from a different point of view and see the story further progress book 1.
Daniel and Suzette are so cute together. Both weary for marriage and love they find each other tossed together. But soon passions are unable to be controlled and the two find themselves in many interesting situations.
I think Lynsay Sands’ did a fantastic job on this book. It must be difficult telling a story that has already been half told, but whilst things seemed repetitive to book one, this story was very unique and captivating. She has such a flair with words that it’s always so much fun to read her books.
Suzette is so independent, strong minded and determined to do what needs to be done where as Daniel is loyal, honest and compassionate. Together the two are so entertaining and great to be around.
Book three cannot come soon enough. I am eagerly awaiting the conclusion to this fantastic series and I cannot wait to see what else the family has in store. A great read and one I recommend to any historical romance fan or someone up for a hot romance and good giggle.
This is book two in the Madison Sister’s trilogy and it began at about the same place and time frame as book one so whilst there is a lot of ‘retelling’ its go great to read it from a different point of view and see the story further progress book 1.
Daniel and Suzette are so cute together. Both weary for marriage and love they find each other tossed together. But soon passions are unable to be controlled and the two find themselves in many interesting situations.
I think Lynsay Sands’ did a fantastic job on this book. It must be difficult telling a story that has already been half told, but whilst things seemed repetitive to book one, this story was very unique and captivating. She has such a flair with words that it’s always so much fun to read her books.
Suzette is so independent, strong minded and determined to do what needs to be done where as Daniel is loyal, honest and compassionate. Together the two are so entertaining and great to be around.
Book three cannot come soon enough. I am eagerly awaiting the conclusion to this fantastic series and I cannot wait to see what else the family has in store. A great read and one I recommend to any historical romance fan or someone up for a hot romance and good giggle.
June 24, 2011
The Heiress features a young woman named Suzette, who finds out that her father has gambled his way into debt, and decides to seek for a man who is poor enough to let her have access to her dower, which she could use to pay off her father's losses.
Suzette meets Daniel at a party and comes on quite strong about marriage, so he pretends he is poor, even though it is the opposite. He is then very surprised that she wants to marry him even more.
Daniel decides to marry her pretty much because of the perk of the wedding night (LOL.)
The main storyline of this book is Suzette and Daniel getting to know each other. I'd give this book 3.5 stars. I would have ranked it higher had there been more happening in the book, because I very much enjoyed the characters. I found the little peaks in the storyline seemed to resolve themselves by the end of the chapter and then another small one would come up, so each one was quite anticlimatic. I really found that the plot line was kind of weak, but I do find that a lot of Lynsay Sand's books are like this. They are really light and fluffy and don't have much drama. They are my idea of a good beach read. I wouldn't not recommend this book, but I don't think I'd re-read.
Suzette meets Daniel at a party and comes on quite strong about marriage, so he pretends he is poor, even though it is the opposite. He is then very surprised that she wants to marry him even more.
Daniel decides to marry her pretty much because of the perk of the wedding night (LOL.)
The main storyline of this book is Suzette and Daniel getting to know each other. I'd give this book 3.5 stars. I would have ranked it higher had there been more happening in the book, because I very much enjoyed the characters. I found the little peaks in the storyline seemed to resolve themselves by the end of the chapter and then another small one would come up, so each one was quite anticlimatic. I really found that the plot line was kind of weak, but I do find that a lot of Lynsay Sand's books are like this. They are really light and fluffy and don't have much drama. They are my idea of a good beach read. I wouldn't not recommend this book, but I don't think I'd re-read.
March 25, 2012
I picked up The Heiress and The Countess at the same time, being intrigued by their plot lines. So it was a pleasant surprise to learn that they related two sides of the same story line, focusing on a different couple in each book. I was intrigued by the unusual plot choice at first, as it filled in Suzette and Daniel's story that was brewing in the background of The Countess. The novelty wore off, particularly when Sands resorted to repeating the earlier book's conversations and recapping events in condensed paragraphs of narrative. The story picked up momentum once they got past events that ended the earlier book and moved on into new territory.
Both books are clearly setting up a sequel The Husband Hunt with the third Madison sister. Hopefully that volume will break new ground.
Both books are clearly setting up a sequel The Husband Hunt with the third Madison sister. Hopefully that volume will break new ground.
July 20, 2011
I think one of the reasons I couldn't get into this book is because I didn't read the first in the series- The Countess. The story was silly and at times I couldn't follow it. There would be a really big conflict, like a keeping a dead body secret, then the next paragraph everybody knew about it. The H&h did have definite chemistry and Suzette did have some very funny lines like trying to describe how she was now damaged and lost her virginity. Suzette says," I let my betrothed drive his machine up my strait; He drove his nail up to the head; He buried his truncheon in my clover field."- it made me laugh out loud. As well as, Suzette kept calling Daniel's manhood his Maypole- too funny and very sweet.
January 25, 2016
Sorely disappointed in the fact that more than half of this book is just a pointless recap of Book 1 in the Madison Sisters series from Daniel and Suzette's POV. Yes, there were a few interactions between Daniel and Suzette that were alluded to in "The Countess" that I wondered about, but those few encounters do not warrant an entire re-telling of Book 1, especially when it adds so little to the story! What a waste of time.
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