Neskrotný dedič

Spare Heirs #2

by Elizabeth Michels

Pôvabná regentská romanca, ktorou pokračuje najnovšia séria obľúbenej autorky. Lady Evangeline Greenová žije v klamstve. Aby vyhovela svojej rodine, predstiera, že je dokonalá debutantka – až kým sa nezoznámi s hriešne príťažlivým lordom Crosbym. V jeho spoločnosti neplatia žiadne prísne pravidlá, a tak sa Evangeline konečne môže cítiť slobodná. Za slobodu sa však platí: lord Crosby nie je tým, za koho sa vydáva...
Ash Claughbane nie je lord Crosby. Je to profesionálny podvodník, ktorý sa živí svojou výrečnosťou, člen tajného pánskeho spolku s názvom Klub náhradných dedičov. Keď Greenovci pripravia jeho rodinu o majetok, zaprisahá sa, že mu za to draho zaplatia. Od tých čias žije Ash iba pre pomstu – no iba dovtedy, kým nestretne krásnu Evangeline...

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Regency, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adult

304 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2016

About the author

Do you want to know more about Elizabeth Michels? She loves to hear from her readers! Connect with her on social media!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/e.michels.novels


Elizabeth Michels is the award-winning author of the Tricks of the Ton series and the Spare Heirs series. This Regency Romance author grew up on a Christmas tree farm in rural South Carolina. After tip-toeing her way through school with her focus on ballet steps and her nose in a book, she met a boy and followed him a thousand miles away to Kansas City, Missouri where she lived for many years. Together, they spent their summers with his family in England, soaking up culture and history. Elizabeth attended Park University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Interior Design.

​Elizabeth now spends her days creating plots and concocting characters in a lake-side town in North Carolina. When she is not typing as fast as human movement will allow, she is caring for her husband and little boy. Elizabeth Michels is a lover of happily-ever-afters. Whether in her writing life or in her home life, she spends her days with one word on her lips: love. She invites you to read her stories, get lost and enjoy. www.elizabethmichels.com

Reviews

[Malin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoiler warning! This review will contain plot spoilers, because for me to be able to work through my various thoughts and feeling about the plot (which was quite dumb), I will need to spoil bits of it. You don't actually want to read this book anyway, I promise, so view the spoilers as more of a favour than a problem.

Ashley Claughbane is the fourth son in a noble family from the Isle of Man (or Wight - I don't entirely remember, and I can't be bothered to look it up - it's one of those wind-blown islands off the coast of Britain somewhere). He is in no way the heir to anything at all - so the book's title is wildly misleading. While some of his actions might be seen as rebellious, he appears to have two healthy brothers between himself and the eldest, who is in fact a duke. Ash (he hates being called Ashley) has sworn revenge on Lord Rightworth, the man who apparently ruined the family fortune a decade or so back. He promised his mother on her deathbed (or something to that effect) that he would not rest until he had made the man pay. For reasons that aren't entirely clear, he's been preparing for this revenge by travelling around much of Southern England, selling worthless potions and conning stupid nobles out of money. During one of these encounters, he met Evangeline Green, shared a kiss with her and then disappeared without a trace.

Now a year later, Evangeline recognises Ash at a ball, currently posing as Lord Crosby. He now has the backing of a group of gentleman known as "The Spare Heirs Club", although what exactly these dudes do is a mystery to me, even after finishing the book. He wants to con Lord Rightworth and a bunch of other people out of a large amount of money by having them invest in a "portable steam engine", but keeps being distracted by the lovely Evie. Who of course is Lord Rightworth's youngest daughter. There's a whole thing where Evie's mother has grand plans for her daughter's match (after becoming estranged with her eldest daughter after having tried to get Evie matched with the guy said daughter married - I'm hazy on the details) and spends much of her time torturing her daughter to make her be the perfect debutante. She coaches her in what to wear, how to walk, what to say and if she feels her daughter isn't slim enough, she keeps her from eating and forces the maids to tighten her corsets even more.

Anyways, Evie and Ash obviously fall for one another, and as they get to know each other better, Ash discovers that the Evie is in fact the reason that her father, Lord Rightworth claimed all his outstanding debts with Ash' father in one fell swoop, causing the family to be temporarily ruined. That his brother is now a duke and has made a successful go of recovering the fortune their father squandered, and doesn't in any way wish for Ash to go through with his idiotic revenge scenario doesn't seem to matter. I never understood why, if Ash really wanted to strike a blow at Lord Rightworth, why eloping with his youngest daughter (whom Ash is in love with, and who seems to love him back even knowing 1) that he's a con man who's swindled people all over England and 2) wants some kind of revenge on her dad) wouldn't in fact be the perfect way to enact said vengeance? It would cause a scandal for the Rigthworths, Evie would be free of her horrible mother and Ash would have both his long-sought revenge and the woman he loved.

Of course that's not what happens. No, there's a whole big scene during Evie's engagement ball (to a nobleman of her mother's choosing) where a bunch of nobles from Bath and other Southern towns come to confront Ash, just as one of the Spare Heir guys produces his pet inventor, who has, based partially on the ideas laid forth by Ash earlier, miraculously managed to invent the very steam engine that Ash has been claiming they can invest in. He's not a fraud after all, but a successful entrepreneur who will be making tons of money. Yay? Also, Evie has (in ways that are never explained) managed to contact every single servant that her mother has fired over the years, and convinced them to show up at the ball carrying trays of daisies (because those are Evie's favourite flower) and after Evie causes a massive scene where she publicly explains to everyone how her mother has been treating her, she tears off her jewelry and throws it and a number of choice words at her mother, and proceeds to empty a whole vase of flowers over her mother's head. This deeply anachronistic display, that would be likely to get Evie committed to an asylum in the Regency era, is instead applauded by everyone there.

Evie's mother is packed off to the countryside, Lord Rigthworth had apparently never bothered to find out how his wife treated their daughters and Ash, who is now no longer a con man, but has the promise of a huge fortune and is, if you remember, the brother of a duke, can marry Evie to his heart's content.

Yeah, there was far too much in this book that didn't make sense to me, and that conclusion was a total mess. While Evie seemed sweet enough, the way her sister refused to have anything to do with her, even though it's clear the sister must have known their evil mother's machinations was the reason Evie had ever shown an interest in her suitor was sort of baffling. There was also a confusing subplot with twin sisters who were friends of Evie's, where one was in love with another of the spare heirs, but due to a confusing series of events involving a fire, the other twin was compromised by him and they were forced to get engaged. Evie spends a whole lot of the novel being either very upset with Ash, only to turn around and forgive him for everything - rinse, repeat.

This is one of those times when Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, whose reviews I can normally trust, especially if they're by Redheadedgirl, let me down. To be fair, I got this book for free at some point, but wouldn't actually have gotten it or read it if it hadn't been given a B rating on a site I trust. It has an average rating of 3.49 on Goodreads, which is frankly higher than it deserves.

This is the first novel by Elizabeth Michels I have read, and based on several of the anachronisms, the confused and rather silly plot, not to mention the fact that it took me about a week and a half to finish it (which should NOT be the case for a romance novel), I will be avoiding her output in the future. Even if the books are in fact being given away.

Judging a book by its cover: Where do I even begin with this cover? The guy's hair looks like it belongs on a Lego figurine, that helmet-like solid mass that you can just snap into place. There's copious amounts of man-titty, which would totally make sense if you're just standing around in what looks to be an empty ballroom? Of course your shirt would be unbuttoned to the waist (yet still tucked into your oh-so-tight breeches). Then there's the fact that his chest and abs (very impressive-looking) appear to have been both waxed and oiled, not exactly historically correct either. The guy looks like a total sleaze-ball and while I wasn't overly enthused about the story, this cover may be my least favourite thing about the book. It's no White Hot (NOTHING is that bad), but it's not good either.

[A.M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

What do you do with yourself when you are the second, or later, son and therefore are not the heir to the title. And the heir remains distressingly healthy, safe and not accident prone?
Why, you organise yourself and others in a similar situation into a kind of ‘strangers on the train’ club where you can do another’s dirty deeds and vice versa. No whiff of intrigue there, eh?
So Ash Claughbane lives a life of lies. He travels from town to town, like a snake oil salesman, defrauding just enough to live on but not so much that he is hounded. Now he’s in London and he’s taken the heir club up on their membership offer.
Until he meets Evie… again. He saw her at a ball a year ago, but has no recollection of the meeting. [I think this was in book1]
She, on the other hand, has spent the intervening time dreaming of that man. So she is rather flummoxed when he not only doesn’t remember her, but he introduces himself by a completely different name. Now he is calling himself Lord Crosby and he is selling an investment in steam.
***
This started off quite nicely. I liked both Ash and Evie.

“You wish to have tea with someone who lies to you?” [Ash said]
“Everything is more civilized over tea.” She blinked, clearly believing her own words.
“And you believe some water and leaves will make me more civilized as well,” he supplied, watching her. He hated burdening her with unwelcome news, but he’d been quite uncivilized on occasion. In fact, his thoughts about the way she looked this afternoon and what he longed to do to her overly tidy hair and perfectly pressed dress were downright barbaric. (Kindle Locations 1291-1295).

But then something weird happened.
I read a lot of historical romance. There is a line where you can write modern beliefs or behaviour, but they just don’t fit within a historic framework.
I felt as if this went off the rails at about 50%.
There are other story lines happening that affect this one, but they don’t complement it, rather they impede. The twins Victoria and Isabelle, the fire, the forced engagement with Brice, St James issue with another friend of Evie’s, the steam dude’s (Oliver Dean) romance.
I get they are probably relevant to other books in the series, but this story shouldn’t have to compete with them.
***
Evie and Ash just are too modern. If that makes sense.
The lord chasing Ash is referred to as ‘Ian’. No. Not in HR. He has a title. He should be called Lord Braxton.
The story is that Evie’s hideous mother is abusive. She has everything pegged on Evie making a good marriage. This is pretty standard Mrs Bennett stuff for the time. She coaches Evie incessantly on what to say in conversation (about the weather, mostly), limits her number of smiles, starves her, punishes her physically and so on. She’s not a nice person. Her father seems blissfully oblivious of this. And there is also some evil deed done to her sister, that by the way, doesn’t make sense.
Sue, the sister is in love with someone that their mother tries to match Evie with. Sue is married to him, anyway now and blames Evie for the misdirected engagement to Evie and they no longer speak. It doesn’t make sense to me. Sue ought to know what their mother is like. Why blame Evie. [I don’t think this is in book1 - at least not from the reviews I read. I haven’t read bk1]
And the evil aunt story line? Evie and Sue hated their aunt and did some childish mischievous acts like poison her with strychnine… wtf? People don’t get over that now, they definitely wouldn’t back then. So that freaked me out. Her mother reminds her of this awful act every day. Okay, not cool but she nearly committed manslaughter. You know?
As a result, the aunt left, taking her bags of money with her. Evie’s father, Lord Rightworth calls in some gambling debts and bankrupts Ash’s family. Now the lawyer in me cringes that this is the prime motivation for Ash’s revenge.
Tough.
It isn’t Rightworth who destroyed Ash’s family by quite rightly asking for the debt to be paid; it’s your father’s fault for gambling his entire estate away! This is a time when a gentleman’s gambling debts were paid first, before the bills owed to tradesmen who actually made things for him to use and wear.
Plus, Ash’s brother is now the Duke and is begging him to let it go. His family is fine. They don’t need the money back. So it doesn’t work as a reason to destroy Rightworth.
Evie’s rigid mother runs off and leaves her alone with Ash at ‘convenient’ times. She’d also have one of the staff stationed under her window after she climbed out it once; you don’t make that mistake twice.
Of course Oliver builds an actual steam engine, but then all the credit goes to Ash who literally did nothing. Well… talked some rich guys into maybe funding it. Although we haven’t seen him actually do that.
Evie and Ash have sex for the first time on the floor of a theatre box.
Blinks
No. It is SO out of character for her this straitlaced girl. It feels wrong.
She fights with Ash and throws biscuits in his face in a hotel dining room. What the hell? And what is it with this girl throwing things at people?
And the big ‘take that, mother’ scene? NO. It’s a modern take. Evie would be carted off to Bedlam if she tore off her jewels, threw them at people, threw flowers in her mother’s face, and finally poured a vase of water over her… at her engagement party in front of the entirety of the ton. That’s the behaviour of a mad woman. They’d all sign the forms. No one would be cheering her in that time period. Straight-jacket for you, Evie. Plus, her mother would just order the staff to restrain her and take her away.
Besides the fact that she is actually most annoyed that she didn’t get to choose the dress or the flowers she likes. She’s behaving like a twelve year old.
Then a whole lot of staff triumphantly carry in platters of HER flower choice. WTF?
Do you really think all the maids her mother has sacked over the years have time to come back and carry a tray of daisies because that’s a clever critique of her mother’s choice in flowers? Really? They’ve got better things to do on their one day off a month. And how would she even track them all down? How do they all have the same day off? Do they ever want to keep a job in the city ever again? They’re servants, they don’t participate in the petty revenge of annoyed girls.
[I am also intrigued that THAT is what annoys me about that scene. Snorts]
Why would her father pack his WIFE off after all this and then let his daughter elope to Gretna Green.
NO. The public shame would destroy his name. And there’s no need for it now. Ash isn’t a poor choice. He’s the younger brother of a Duke, a canny investor, and he has Rightworth’s blessing. Why elope? That’s social suicide, right there. They can marry with her father’s blessing.
It makes no sense.
And Lord Winfield? What’s his revenge arc? Because Evie basically destroyed him in front of the ton. She shat all over a guy who did nothing wrong other than be her mother’s choice of husband.

It had so much potential. I like the spare heir club idea and it was well written
But something went very wrong here.
2 stars

[SmartBitches · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

TW for descriptions of emotional and physical abuse.

You ever have the sense when you’re reading a book in a series and think, “Oh, boy am I missing something here?” It’s even more disconcerting when you know you’ve read the other books in the series (or related series, as the case may be) but can’t remember much other than, “Uh…this seems familiar?”

That’s what reading this book was like. The primary story – the perfect debutante and the con man – was really interesting, and I was really into that! But there’s these surrounding characters, and they are all clearly in the middle of their own story.

The thing that impressed me the most was the depiction of abuse that Evangeline suffers from her mother. Her mother is emotionally abusive, and somewhat physically abusive as well – denying Evangeline food, pinching, forcing her to wear gloves that are too small (“My hands are an unladylike size”). And she has convinced Evangeline that she absolutely deserves this treatment for actions that happened when E was 12. It’s heartbreaking, and Michels says in her author’s note that she didn’t realize how much this relationship reflected her life until it was there on the page. This could be upsetting for people to read, if I’m honest, but I think it was done well, with a rawness and a, “Fuck you and everyone else who enabled this” ending that was emotionally satisfying.

I do love a good public “FUCK EVERYTHING” scene.

This is the second book in the Spare Heirs series, and I know I’ve read the first one, and I remember liking it, but I remember nothing about the book itself. I have also read at least one, maybe two of Michael’s related series, Trick of the Ton, and there were a bunch of background events and references that made me think that someone else’s book was happening off to the side. If that’s the case, that is interesting, but it was also distracting (especially as I was going “um, did I read a version of this event happening from another point of view?”). There were also references to other couples who had already had their book, and I know I read them, but forgot about them as soon as the book was over. So there’s that. I found it kind of distracting. Other readers may not.

That said, I love a good revenge plot, and I love it when people stand up to their bullies, and I love dudes who enable that just by helping the heroine realize how awesome she is on her own.

- Redheadedgirl

[Susan Gorman]

Do opposites attract? Do sparks fly? Oh yes, they do! The Rebel Heir is a delightful opposites attract story! Elizabeth Michels infuses witty dialogue and humor in her second novel in the Spare Heir series. Lady Evangeline Green follows society’s rules. Her mother’s goal for the coming season is to marry Evie to an Earl or a Duke. Evie must be very careful in her dress, speech and friendships. Ashley Claughbane or is it Ash Crosby is a handsome, smooth talking con artist. He has travelled to London and joined The Spare Heirs club with a goal of destroying the man who financially ruined his father.
Ash meets Evie and plans to use her to swindle her father and is wealthy friends. He has created the perfect con—a steam machine-with the help of the St. James and the members of his club. The author’s gift for subtle banter shines when Evie and Ash discuss risk and reward prior to Ash’s meeting with her Father. Was their conversation about investment strategy? Or romance?
Evie reminded me of a china doll. She made a mistake as a child and her Mother has not let her forget her misstep. Lady Rightworth has transformed her daughter into a perfect bride for any Earl or Duke. Evie endures lessons, dress, wears gloves and dresses that are too small to placate her demanding mother. Ash senses that there is a person underneath Evie’s façade. He challenged Evie to think outside society’s rules. The author creates a fascinating hero in Ash. His goal was to play out his steam con, collect the money from his unsuspecting investors and disappear. He makes a point of courting Evie all the while knowing he would break her heart when he skipped town. It was fabulous to see this couple change and determine what was important to them.
The Rebel Heir is a fast paced novel filled with passion, witty dialogue and suspense. The author has done a fabulous job with the main and secondary characters. The author smoothly incorporate the multi-faceted characters of Roselyn, Isabelle and Victoria as well as Lord Ayton and Brice into the storyline. The conclusion of the novel was perfect and the epilogue was extremely well done

[Phoenix77 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance is full of rakes and rogues but I’ve never before run across a con-artist as a hero. An unusual main character is one of the many things I enjoyed about The Rebel Heir, book two of Elizabeth Michels’ The Spare Heirs series. Ash Claughbane may be a swindler by trade but when he meets the right woman he becomes a true gentleman at heart.

Handsome, charming Lord Crosby has made quite the splash in London society. Arriving from an extended jaunt on the continent he is in town to gather investors for his company which is ready to introduce a personal-sized steam engine to the market. All of the business-minded lords are eager to meet with Crosby and the ladies are curious if he’s attached to anyone or looking for a wife. What none of them know is that Lord Crosby doesn’t exist!

Ash Claughbane has come to London with the sole purpose of pulling off the biggest con of his career; one that will settle him for life and exact revenge on the man who ruined his family many years before. Selling shares in a fictional company on the cusp of a technological breakthrough played well in smaller society circles but with a few gentlemen getting suspicious Ash has to be at the top of his game.

Please read the full review at All About Romance

[Amy ~ Love At 1st Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Evangeline Green is a shining example of a lady. Proper, perfectly behaved and adorned, she always follows society's rules impeccably. The only problem is the lady she presents to the world is just her mother's creation and not who she truly is. But then she meets Lord Crosby- a wicked gentleman in all the ways that matter. For him, rules are malleable things meant to be bent and twisted. He tempts Evangeline to risk being her true self, but apparently Lord Crosby isn't being his true self either.
Ashley Claughbane, aka Lord Crosby, is a liar, seducer, and thief- selling schemes and potions, and honing his skills of persuasion. He's spent years moving from one town to the next fleecing people with his charm. In his line of work, one has to keep moving, all with one final con in mind. Seven years ago,when the patriarch of the Green family took everything his family had, Ash swore revenge. Now is the moment he's been working toward for years. Then he meets Green's daughter, Evangeline. With her, this is the first time Ash ever thought of leaving as a chore and not a pleasure.

There's something so exciting about an opposites attract love story. Whether it's the build up of sexual tension through clever dialogue, or the balance each person brings to the other, it's wonderful to watch two very different people realize they were made for each other. Ash and Evie started out as polar opposites, but by the end of the story it was obvious they were perfect for one another.
Ash was the perfect con artist- good at risk taking, rule breaking, and thinking on his feet. He was cool as a cucumber and smooth at social interactions. When he met Evangeline, he knew he could use her to help with his scheme. After all, that was his normal course of action. He thought he could distract Evie long enough to reach his goal but he ended up being the one off balance when he was near her. "Evie wasn't like every other woman in every other town. She was special. Any thrill he gained from his life as a con man paled in comparison to how he felt when with her."
Evangeline had spent her life living a lie. Since her "mad summer" at age 12, she'd learned to follow her mother's command. She spent her days reviewing proper conduct. Her mother, a grasping lady out for her own gain, reminded Evie repeatedly of what a disappointment she was, and relentlessly tutored Evie in how to be a lady. Evie only spoke of the weather and fashion, and wore what her mother deemed appropriate. She knew the allotted number of smiles and brief touches to bestow upon her suitors. But with Ash there were no controlled smiles or touches, just raw emotion. He made her dare to live.
Watching these two characters come together was a delight. For Ash, relationships became complicated and he didn't need anyone. Love meant staying and he couldn't stay if he carried out his plans for revenge. As his friend St. James told him, "You know they're called tragedies for a reason- you've fallen for your enemy's daughter like the plot of some romance novel".
Evie knew she was more than the image her mother created. Ash saw more in her and helped her to see it as well. Ash caused her to act impulsively. With him, she could do what she pleased instead of what she must do. With Ash beside her, she felt brave enough to discover more of who she truly was and who she wanted to be. She liked breaking her mother's rules with him. "Evie knew the situation, that Ash couldn't stay, but she also knew the truth of her heart."
The dance between these two on their way to finding happiness was thrilling. Who knew discussions about the weather could be so titillating! Not only did I thrill at watching the relationship unfold, but I enjoyed the individual changes in the characters as well as they realized what they truly wanted from life.
I had previously read another series from Elizabeth Michels and loved it so I was excited to read this story. This is the second in the Spare Heirs series. I can't wait to read more. I'm anxious to see what's in store for the other "spare heirs" and Evie's adorable cousins. I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralling! Revenge and love--the dual of emotions!

Elizabeth Michels talks about the creation of Lady Evangeline Green in her after notes.
I find it quite wonderful that a character speaks to an author in the creative process in the way Michels describes:

'Evie was only supposed to be the beautiful and overly perfect sister in the background of (desperately seeking Suzanna), but there was something about her strained efforts at perfection that spoke to me.
I knew then that I had to write her story'.

I realized that I was glad to have read Evangeline's story
The character of Evie is startling. The secret behind her perfection is both sad and heartfelt.
The depths of her mother's ambition thoroughly obnoxious. A lesser daughter would have crumbled. Evie stands on the brink of allowing that to happen.
Michels demonstrates the entrapped Evie to perfection, her feeling of helplessness, her feelings of blame, and her efforts to transcend the creature she has been bullied into becoming. Her final release from her imprisonment and self-blame is priceless.
Ash, or Lord Crosby, is really Lord Ash Claughbane, whose family became penniless and destitute when their father gambled away everything. Ash made a promise of revenge to his dying mother. A promise he intends to keep. For seven years he has been a con artist, living off his charm and hoaxing folks into giving funds towards his false investment schemes. The latest, a steam engine.
Ash and Evie meet in the darkened library during a ball. Evie catches him ransacking the owner's desk. From there the story evolves with various twists and turns as Ash and Evie are unwisely drawn to each other. Made even more poignant when Ash realizes the object of his revenge is her family. As he struggles between his desire for retribution and his growing feelings for Evie we are drawn even deeper into this Spare Heir's story.
A small aside. I loved Michels use of the term 'mate' that Ash uses with the 'spares'. Unusual I think in historical romances but a great inclusion. I do so appreciate the use of that term, particularly coming from Ash in addressing his fellow 'spares.'
A well rounded excellent addition to the Spare Heirs series.

A NetGalley ARC

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay but not one I would ever re-read. It's part of the Spare Heirs series but each book can be read on its own. Ash Claughbane, aka Lord Crosby and other names has set out to find the man who ruined his family. He earns his living conning people. His current scheme is selling shares in a steam engine. Ash has found the man he's looking for, Lord Rightworth, but doesn't realize he is the father of a young lady who caught his eye a year before.

Evangeline Green has been forced by her horrible mother into being an extremely proper young lady. But Evie remembers the man she met the year before and is shocked to see him again with a different name. Their mutual attraction leads her to be more her real self and not the humorless lady her mother wishes.

As Ash falls for Evie he doesn't know what to do about her father. He's confronted at a ball by a man he previously took money from but then the inventor showed up with real steam! Her father apologized to him and let him know that he's welcome to call on Evie. So they elope.

The best line in the book was "You can't stop someone from leaving until they're ready to stay." I know others really liked this book but it was not for me. It was easy to put down and with a good book you don't want to stop reading. I doubt I'd read this author again. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC.

[Mskychick · Rating 3 out of 5]

2-1/2 to 3 stars
I just never could get into this book. I figure it's a sign the book is not for me if I keep finding other things to do except read when it is nightly reading time and I have no interest in opening the book I'm currently on.
The characters just feel a little flat and caricature-ish.

[Susan Parks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, it was OK. You will need to completely suspend your sense of reality though, even more than usual with a romance novel. I have the 3rd book already, so I will read it, because I am a little obsessive compulsive about finishing a series. This book is actually one of 2 series of 3 books each that seems to all take place at the same time and yet, not. The time line is very confusing to me, probably because I have read them out of order.

[Caitlin]

I mean, honestly? It was not good. The characters are connected to each other because we're told they are and we see their conflicts because we're told it's there and then it goes away just as easily because we're told they've conquered it.

That being said, I finished it, I kind of enjoyed it (I skimmed the boring bits) and I'll probably read the third book. What can I say, sometimes I want a read where problems are solved easily and very little is demanded of me.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it better than the first. I liked Evangeline a lot and enjoyed her becoming her own person. Ash was a little too much a swindler that I thought Evangeline trusted him too much too fast.

[Brigitte · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rebel Heir is the second book in the "Spare Heirs" series. During that era, the first born son inherited the family title whereas any subsequent sons didn't have titles unless something happened to the current heir. Hence the Spare Heirs Club.

Ashley aka Ash has been working towards getting revenge for the demise of his family. He is currently known as Lord Crosby. He is a con artist who excels at convincing others to part with their money to invest in his so called inventions. He moves from town to town with no intention of settling down but whilst in London he is a member of the Spare Heirs Club.

Evangeline aka Evie is doing her debut in London in search of a titled husband amongst the ton. She lives a lie. Everything she does is dictated by her mother and her prospective husband has to be someone worthy of her. In other words her domineering mother's choice.

Ash has nearly reached his goal of having his revenge and reinstating his family's wealth. He is attracted to Evie who feels the same about him. There are complications though. He is about to find out that Evie is the daughter of his target. He starts spending time with her and they just happen to relish in each other's company. Ash sets things in motion to promote his new venture but by doing so he risks losing Evie's friendship and affection. Will he take the chance?

Ash is also being pursued as a result of one of his con in another town. Things get ugly and take a turn for the worse. Even worse, Evie's mother has found the perfect match for her. Will she go through with the arrangement?

I loved reading this novel. There is love and passion in equal measures. It's witty, exciting with quite a few surprises along the way. The presence of some of the characters from the previous book add even more weight to the story. Ash and Evie are both adorable. They are different and yet they are perfect together. The epilogue is the perfect finish to this story but it has left questions about another couple. Another enticing story in the making? I would fully recommend to lovers of historical romance.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Erica Chilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads

3.5 Conniving Stars

Elizabeth Michels is a new-to-me author, and I read The Rebel Heir as a standalone novel. I found the author's writing style to be fluid, at a rapid pace, instantly drawing a reader into the storyline, but due to the length I lost interest. I had absolutely no difficulty picking up the second book in the Spare Heirs series without reading the first prior.

Lady Evangeline suffers from the stringent rules of society- ever the perfect lady her mother wishes her to be, she hides her need for independence. For a year, she has been harboring infatuations over a man who left as quickly as he appeared, only to reappear again under another name. The sight of this man has Lady Evangeline acting out of character, chasing after him, when it is the very behavior she would chastise her cousins for doing. Ash has Evangeline losing her senses.

Ash is a con artist, set about scheming to make a living as he investigates the man who ruined his family. Let the angst commence, as the man he's looking for is none other than the father to Lady Evangeline.

This romantic historical romance hits many bumps along the road as Ash's past invades his present. Men he has schemed come forth as he tries to come to terms with loving the daughter of the man who ruined his family.

While I enjoyed The Rebel Heir, I was able to put it down and start another book before returning to this one. This may have been due to my mood, or simply the length of the novel. At times, it felt drawn out. Usually I have no issue knowing the ending of the story. As this is romance, obviously the H & h find their HEA, as is the standard. However, the journey took a bit too long to get 'there' for my tastes, losing my interests along the way.

Recommended for fans of historical romance, especially those who enjoy a novel without purple prose and over-description. I appreciated how the author managed to set a scene while leaving the detailing to my imagination.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duty or heart, which will win? Ash is a sly one. He's handsome, charming and plays society like a finely tuned instrument. Gliding thru the ranks of the rich and powerful with a hidden agenda and secrets that could avenge his family and destroy the life of not only his intended target, but could also impact an innocent that could prove to be his redemption. Evie is a gazelle in a world of wolves. A disappointment to her family and easily manipulated into situations that are not of her own choosing. But make no mistake, she has some surprises of her own. Neither Ash or Evie are what they portray themselves to be and therein lies the draw of the story. On the surface, all is easily figured out but as the tale digs deeper you discovery the plot is more complicated. The author must love puzzles because she concocted a pattern riddled with cryptic clues that casts a spell of intriguing reveals and surprisingly intricate pieces.

[Anna Swedenmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

BUY BUY !! A four star passion romance. I loved the book but found some things that I could not believe and the mother in the book was horrible. I also do not think the title portrays the story. However, getting the negative out of the way...... I LOVED the book. I enjoyed the two characters and their depths. The romance and passion were fantastic. The story for the most part believable. It will be a favorite for a great summer read! The writing is imaginative as well as creative and you will definitely be caught up from page one. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

[Pearls · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intrigue, plots and clandestine meetings keep this plot moving along. When Lord Crosby set out to ruin the Green family, he didn't expect for the daughter to be a grown woman that would capture his attention with her looks and her brains. Evangeline is equally compelled to stop Lord Crosby from seducing another unwitting woman. While she sidesteps her overbearing mother, he is a step a head of a horde of angry investors. Can they manage their individual goals without all the juggled balls crashing to the ground. Can be read as a stand-alone, but does include members of the Spare Heirs. A good read for those who enjoy parlor games.

[Kim Vanravenswaay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt so sorry for Evangeline, having to endure the mother that she has. She is expected to be the perfect daughter at all times and at whatever cost. Then Ash comes back into her life and shows her what living can really be like if only she could trust him. Ash doesn't deserve her trust at first, it's something he has to work hard to accomplish. The Rebel Heir is a great second chance romance for both characters, not just in love but for their lives as well.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Ash, “then we shall endeavor to find a new pastime together. I have a few ideas on that subject.” He slid his gaze to hers to give her a mischievous smile." I hope other members of his family get a book, Ash was quite the entertaining man.

[Daisy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 134 pages cause I'm really not feeling this.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story with equally good dialogue. I like books that have entertaining side characters that help the plot along.

[Brynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Michelsová píše ľúbostné romány, lebo chce, aby sa ľudia usmievali. No k napísaniu knihy Neskrotný dedič, ktorá je druhou časťou zo série Klubu náhradných dedičov, ju viedli trochu iné pohnútky: pri písaní prvej časti Divoký dedič vytvorila hlavnej hrdinke priateľku, ktorá sa snažila byť vo všetkom dokonalá, len aby potešila ľudí okolo seba. Michelsová si vtedy uvedomila, že toto je aj jej problém. Roky sa pokúšala o dokonalosť, aby sa dočkala uznania. No nikdy to nestačilo.

Taká istá je aj Evie, alebo Evangeline Greenová, hlavná hrdinka Neskrotného dediča.

Jej príbeh sa odohráva súbežne s príbehom Roselyn z Divokého dediča. Dej sa prelína, no kto prvú časť nečítal, stratený nebude.

Evie je mladá a nešťastná dáma, ktorá celý život prežíva pod vplyvom svojej prudérnej a neprirodzene dokonalej matky. Jej životným cieľom je dcéru dobre vydať, a tak Evie rozkazuje, čo presne má nosiť, ako sa správať, kedy čo povedať, dokonca ju učí naspamäť dialógy, ktoré má viesť so svojimi potenciálnymi nápadníkmi. A Evie sa ako pokorná dcéra podriaďuje, hoci vnútorne trpí...

„Potrebujem manžela. Je to pre moje dobro.“
„Pre tvoje, alebo pre dobro tvojej mamy?“ spýtal sa naliehavo.

... dokiaľ nestretne muža, do ktorého sa pred rokom zamilovala. Lenže on nie je tým, za koho sa vydáva a ona to vie. Nevie však, o čo mu ide ani kto to je a hoci to zistí, ešte stále netuší, že ten muž chce zničiť jej vlastného otca.

„Celý minulý rok som strávila tým, že som naháňala obláčik dymu, ktorý sa rozplynul vo vzduchu.“
Vykročil k nej. „Dym z ohňa, ktorý stále bl��í, súdiac podľa vášho hnevu.“
„Dym zo špinavého ohňa. Kiežby som naň nebola nikdy natrafila!“

Ash, ktorý sa tituluje lord Crosby, má tiež svoj životný cieľ: pomstu za ožobráčenie svojho otca, ktorý spáchal samovraždu a jeho matka to tiež nezvládla. A na rozdiel od lady Greenovej sú mu spoločenské pravidlá úplne ukradnuté. Meno Evie si ani náhodou nepamätá, no ako aj pred rokom, i teraz mu padne do oka.

Vášeň sa rozhorí.

„Trikrát si ma sledovala po tmavých chodbách, dvakrát si ma pobozkala a dovolila si mi, aby som sa ťa dotýkal počas čítania poézie. A to som ti len teraz začal dvoriť.“

Evie pod vplyvom spontánneho Asha okúsi život, aký ju láka, a uvedomí si, že nechce byť matkinou bábkou. Nakoniec sa jej vzoprie. Ale čo môže robiť so svojimi citmi k Ashovi, ktorý jej otca bezprizorne chce podviesť s vynálezom parného stroja?

Klub náhradných dedičov sa vydá svojmu členovi na pomoc...

„Ľúbiš ju. Zaľúbil si sa do dcéry svojho nepriateľa ako v nejakom ľúbostnom románe. Nevieš, že sa tomu hovorí dráma? A nie bez príčiny?“

Michelsová vytvorila ďalší živý príbeh dvoch mladých ľudí so svojimi osudmi, ktorí sa musia popasovať s vlastnými životnými prioritami a rodovými démonmi. A to býva ten najťažší boj...

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

I enjoyed The Rebel Heir so very much. I mean just look at that cover, it that isn’t a noble arrogance pose I don’t know what is.

Ash is such a charming con man. And, in the end, his cause is worthy. His way at going about revenge may be a bit different, but his family had been devastated by the actions of the Green family. After all, revenge is indeed a dish best served cold and when no one is looking. Yet to get his revenge he must involve Evie… and that he is having a very difficult time coming to terms with. He may have to put together another plan for Evie has already been hurt enough by her family.

Evie has been browbeaten into being the perfect innocent lady by her mother’s actions. One summer that she was never allowed to forget brought about all the disdain, and even hatred for her daughter out, but mostly to Evie’s eyes only. Her mother would not dare to do much out in the open, but behind the safety of walls and their residence… she was a most horrid mother and woman. Not only emotional abuse, but physical as well in a thousand small tiny ways. Who in their right minds would force a young girl to be in such pain from cramping fingers in far too tight gloves because she has “unladylike large hands”. Really! I know, the times were different, but it just galls me to read of people who would inflict such unnecessary pain on their own child.

When Ash and Evie meet… again, for she knew him the year before but with a different name attached to him – nothing is going to be the same, for either of them, ever again. It’s not like a con man as good as Ash to get himself caught in his own trap, but Evie brought something fresh and new into his life. And he wasn’t ready to lose that any time soon.

I adored this couple, perhaps for different reasons but they were unique separately and amazing together. In Ash, Evie found the heady pleasure to be herself, break rules if she wanted and to have the freedom she never expected. In Evie, Ash found the other part of his heart, the woman who would make him not only whole but a better man for loving her.

I enjoyed The Rebel Heir very much and would recommend it for any reader of Historical Romance – or any Romance for that matter, as it’s that good. Now the wait for the next story in the Spare Heirs series.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this novel. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this story.*

[Widya Rahardja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Spare Heirs series

Evangeline Green has been living a lie all her life, because she wanted to be that perfect daughter to her mother. She even act cruel to her sister, Sue (the main character in Desperately Seeking Suzanna), because of her mother. And Evangeline is actually tired living her life like this, and she just wanted to be herself. This is where she met with Ash Claughbane, the con-man who called himself Lord Crosby (which is a false name), and with Ash she found the freedom she's looking for

Ash actually had a reason why he's living as a con man. He wanted to get revenge to the Green's family for ruining his, and his plan is sailing smooth until he met with Evangeline. She rocked his world, make him want the future with her and his revenge be damned. And he had to prove it to Evangeline that what he feels is true, before he lost Evangeline to another man and regret it forever

Despite the 'living a lie' and 'con-man' thing in the story, I find the book easy to read and I enjoy it so much I forgot the time while reading the book. This book is definitely better than The Infamous Heir to me, especially since I saw more about Victoria and Brice's story that makes me more and more curious about their own story (and their own book of course!), though still not as good as The Wicked Heir. That book is simply perfection and I rarely love a book that much

Overall stars: 4.3 stars

[Jeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved revisiting the Spare Heirs society. This story centers around Ash Claughbane a con man bent on revenge against the man who destroyed his family and its wealth. In walks Evangeline Green who not only captures his eye, but has her own secrets to handle. Once again this story was beautifully written with poignancy weaved throughout the plot. Ash and Evie go on a journey of self discovery and along the way they discover so much more together. These characters grew so much you couldn't help, but cheer for them. Evie was witty and sharp minded. While Ash was devious with so much charm. All the characters are so interwoven exquisitely.I cannot wait for more stories in this series.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was better than the first. Either that or I was more invested in the characters because this is the second book in the series. In any case, I found myself enjoying this one more. I still feel like there's something missing. They had this big ending in front of everyone but then ran out of the room away from everyone to declare their feelings. Why couldn't they have just done it in front of everyone like everything else? It would have been nice to see more shocked gasps from the "Ton" where our heroine was concerned. In the end, I probably give it a 3.5, Amanda Quick still being my favorite romance author to date.

[Gloriamarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather entertaining although I thought the mother was a caricature and very badly developed. Abuses heroine and is a venial person. Heroine has quite the mind of her own which she suppresses to avoid abuse. Hero is as charming as a con artist should be. His goal to get revenge on the man who ruined his father. But then he discovers things are not what he though. Enjoyed it.

[Kelsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really. Really. We're supposed to believe Evie learns Ash is the 4th son and still wants to be with him.

I'm all for love. But I also like time period appropriate actions. And that's not one. 2nd sons are for the military, 3rd for the church, and who knows what the 4th is for. But definitely not marrying daughters of lords.

As an odd aside, I don't think we ever knew Evie's father's title.

[L JONES · Rating 1 out of 5]

June 2023

What a boring book I skipped half and didn't feel I missed anything. Too American just because one says it's 1817 and allegedly set in UK doesn't make it a story set Regency period and who gave Brice his new title that isn't something that happens overnight this book is all wrong too many things are wrong to lost plus it is badly written

[Destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read

Good story. Not very exciting but fulfilling. The scene with Evie and her mother was the ultimate highlight in the entire book. Soo satisfying.
I liked both characters and the storyline was adequate. Not the most exciting story I've ever read but it was good. On to book 3!