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Hamilton Cousins #1
The Heiress He's Been Waiting For
For fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age, explore the dark side of the alluring world of America’s 19th century elite in this gripping series of riveting mysteries…
In Victorian London, the Hamilton sisters are known for their bookshops—and for finding their happily ever afters on their own terms. Now, much to their chagrin, their offspring are following in their unconventional footsteps—in life and in love...
Raised in New York, shipping heiress Sara Fleming was ready to elope—until her disapproving parents tricked her onto a boat heading to England. Her only consolation is getting to see her beloved aunts and cousins. Even the start of London’s Season—and a strikingly handsome earl—can’t make her forget the man she left behind.
Considered one of London’s most eligible bachelors, Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton, is not what he seems. Having inherited his father’s crushing debt, he must choose a wealthy bride to save his family’s estate. Though rumored to be penniless and committed to another, Sara takes his breath away—and makes him question what he truly needs to be free of the past. But he’ll have to win the headstrong beauty’s heart one kiss at a time.
In Victorian London, the Hamilton sisters are known for their bookshops—and for finding their happily ever afters on their own terms. Now, much to their chagrin, their offspring are following in their unconventional footsteps—in life and in love...
Raised in New York, shipping heiress Sara Fleming was ready to elope—until her disapproving parents tricked her onto a boat heading to England. Her only consolation is getting to see her beloved aunts and cousins. Even the start of London’s Season—and a strikingly handsome earl—can’t make her forget the man she left behind.
Considered one of London’s most eligible bachelors, Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton, is not what he seems. Having inherited his father’s crushing debt, he must choose a wealthy bride to save his family’s estate. Though rumored to be penniless and committed to another, Sara takes his breath away—and makes him question what he truly needs to be free of the past. But he’ll have to win the headstrong beauty’s heart one kiss at a time.
311 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 28, 2018
102 people are currently reading
1232 people want to read
About the author
Kaitlin O'Riley
14 books119 followersKaitlin has always loved books and loved to read.
As a young girl growing up on the New Jersey shore (yes, she is a Jersey Girl!) she spent hours and hours reading at the beach, out on the front porch, and in her bedroom very late at night when she was supposed to be sleeping. She would walk to the little public library in town and choose books as if they were delicious treats in a candy store. She read all the classic “girl” books: Little Women, as well as every other book written by Louisa May Alcott, the entire Anne of Green Gables series, and The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. All of these stories took place in another time period, so different from her own life and that was very appealing.
Kaitlin fell in love with historical romances when she was fourteen years old and first read Mistress of Mellyn, by Victoria Holt. Even before she devoured every single one of her books, Kaitlin was hooked on historical romance fiction. She then moved on to the likes of the novels by Kathleen Woodiwiss (Shanna and The Flame and the Flower) which she read stealthily, when her older sisters were not home to see that she was reading their books. However, her all time favorite book was, and still is, Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind. Now she adores the works of Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, and Phillipa Gregory.
Her love of reading translated naturally to a love of writing. She has written personal journals since she was fourteen and has adored every creative writing class she took in school. She actually wrote her first romances when she was fifteen, with her best friend. Sadly, they had no clue what they were writing about in those spiral notebooks, having no romantic experiences to draw from at that point! Most of those early efforts were tossed in a fireplace, but one notebook still survives to haunt her.
In college Kaitlin took a detour from writing and became a foreign language major, spending her junior year in Spain. And because stories of the past always intrigued her, she also studied history.
Kaitlin now lives in sunny Southern California with her family, where she is busy writing her next novel!
Q&A with Kaitlin O’Riley
On Writing:
How do you come up with the ideas for your books?
This is probably the question most frequently asked of me, and probably asked of most writers. I’m sure each author has her own methods of inspiration. As for myself, my ideas come to me in different ways. Sometimes I just close my eyes and imagine. Other times ideas come to me while listening to music. I often get inspiration from conversations with my family and friends. A lot of my writing, especially the dialogue, happens naturally, while I’m writing at the computer. The characters I’ve created will just start talking.
Why do you write historical romance?
Because I love the genre and always have. I’m also a bit of a history buff. Past eras fascinate me--the elegant clothing, the styles, the mannerisms, the confining societal elements. The past always seems more romantic and it has already happened it’s easy to idealize it. (Even when I look back to the 1980’s!) Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong century, but then again I couldn’t do without some of the modern comforts, like air conditioning and electricity.
Are your characters based on people you know in real life?
Now that’s a tricky question and one that could get me in trouble. I suppose most of the characters are combinations of everyone I know or have ever known. I don’t think I have ever intentionally based one particular character on one particular person. (And if I did, I’m not telling who it was!) However, I do use names of family members and friends for characters and even add the names of local places from my hometown in my books, for the amusement of those who know me.
Which is your favorite of the books you have written?
They are all my favorites in different ways. But I must say I enjoyed
As a young girl growing up on the New Jersey shore (yes, she is a Jersey Girl!) she spent hours and hours reading at the beach, out on the front porch, and in her bedroom very late at night when she was supposed to be sleeping. She would walk to the little public library in town and choose books as if they were delicious treats in a candy store. She read all the classic “girl” books: Little Women, as well as every other book written by Louisa May Alcott, the entire Anne of Green Gables series, and The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. All of these stories took place in another time period, so different from her own life and that was very appealing.
Kaitlin fell in love with historical romances when she was fourteen years old and first read Mistress of Mellyn, by Victoria Holt. Even before she devoured every single one of her books, Kaitlin was hooked on historical romance fiction. She then moved on to the likes of the novels by Kathleen Woodiwiss (Shanna and The Flame and the Flower) which she read stealthily, when her older sisters were not home to see that she was reading their books. However, her all time favorite book was, and still is, Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind. Now she adores the works of Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, and Phillipa Gregory.
Her love of reading translated naturally to a love of writing. She has written personal journals since she was fourteen and has adored every creative writing class she took in school. She actually wrote her first romances when she was fifteen, with her best friend. Sadly, they had no clue what they were writing about in those spiral notebooks, having no romantic experiences to draw from at that point! Most of those early efforts were tossed in a fireplace, but one notebook still survives to haunt her.
In college Kaitlin took a detour from writing and became a foreign language major, spending her junior year in Spain. And because stories of the past always intrigued her, she also studied history.
Kaitlin now lives in sunny Southern California with her family, where she is busy writing her next novel!
Q&A with Kaitlin O’Riley
On Writing:
How do you come up with the ideas for your books?
This is probably the question most frequently asked of me, and probably asked of most writers. I’m sure each author has her own methods of inspiration. As for myself, my ideas come to me in different ways. Sometimes I just close my eyes and imagine. Other times ideas come to me while listening to music. I often get inspiration from conversations with my family and friends. A lot of my writing, especially the dialogue, happens naturally, while I’m writing at the computer. The characters I’ve created will just start talking.
Why do you write historical romance?
Because I love the genre and always have. I’m also a bit of a history buff. Past eras fascinate me--the elegant clothing, the styles, the mannerisms, the confining societal elements. The past always seems more romantic and it has already happened it’s easy to idealize it. (Even when I look back to the 1980’s!) Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong century, but then again I couldn’t do without some of the modern comforts, like air conditioning and electricity.
Are your characters based on people you know in real life?
Now that’s a tricky question and one that could get me in trouble. I suppose most of the characters are combinations of everyone I know or have ever known. I don’t think I have ever intentionally based one particular character on one particular person. (And if I did, I’m not telling who it was!) However, I do use names of family members and friends for characters and even add the names of local places from my hometown in my books, for the amusement of those who know me.
Which is your favorite of the books you have written?
They are all my favorites in different ways. But I must say I enjoyed
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
July 14, 2019
THE PERFECT BOOK TO READ ON A LAZY DAY ON THE SOFA🛋📖
This is one of those 'turn off your brain' books. It wasn't a great book and it wasn't a bad book either. It was somewhere in between, the sweet spot where you're entertained but also acutely aware, that once you turn the last page you will not think of it ever again.
Usually, this is the part of the review where I would add a quote from the book but, sadly, none really stood out to me.
THE THINGS I LIKED
Christopher: The adorable Christopher Townsend was the perfect male lead for this book! He was sweet, considerate, caring and a huge family guy. Totally hot and likable.
Entertained: Though this book was nothing special, it still managed to keep me entertained and focused. My mind didn't drift, I didn't find myself constantly thinking of other things. I was just enjoying the book.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
Bridgeton: The dear Christopher is the Earl of Bridgeton. Nothing wrong with that. Unless you're familiar with and a fan of Julia Quinn's amazing series Bridgertons. Which I am. It is one of my favourite historical romance series. When first I read Christopher's title, I did a double take. And for the rest of my book it bothered me, how similar those two names are.
1890's: There is nothing wrong with setting a novel in the 1890's. But if you do so, at least make it reflect the time. If it wasn't for the steam ship on page 4, I would never have guessed that this wasn't Regency... And that bothered me!
Predictable: I know, all historical romance novels are, in essence, predictable. We all know that the hero and heroine are going to end up together at the end. That the lay of the land. But I like to be taken a bit by surprise and least once before that happens. This book gave me no surprises...
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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This is one of those 'turn off your brain' books. It wasn't a great book and it wasn't a bad book either. It was somewhere in between, the sweet spot where you're entertained but also acutely aware, that once you turn the last page you will not think of it ever again.
Usually, this is the part of the review where I would add a quote from the book but, sadly, none really stood out to me.
THE THINGS I LIKED
Christopher: The adorable Christopher Townsend was the perfect male lead for this book! He was sweet, considerate, caring and a huge family guy. Totally hot and likable.
Entertained: Though this book was nothing special, it still managed to keep me entertained and focused. My mind didn't drift, I didn't find myself constantly thinking of other things. I was just enjoying the book.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
Bridgeton: The dear Christopher is the Earl of Bridgeton. Nothing wrong with that. Unless you're familiar with and a fan of Julia Quinn's amazing series Bridgertons. Which I am. It is one of my favourite historical romance series. When first I read Christopher's title, I did a double take. And for the rest of my book it bothered me, how similar those two names are.
1890's: There is nothing wrong with setting a novel in the 1890's. But if you do so, at least make it reflect the time. If it wasn't for the steam ship on page 4, I would never have guessed that this wasn't Regency... And that bothered me!
Predictable: I know, all historical romance novels are, in essence, predictable. We all know that the hero and heroine are going to end up together at the end. That the lay of the land. But I like to be taken a bit by surprise and least once before that happens. This book gave me no surprises...
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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July 17, 2018
Title: The Heiress He's Been Waiting For
Author: Kaitlin O'Riley
Release date: August 28, 2018
Cliffhanger: No
HEA
I really wanted to love this book, and I was very optimistic going into it despite the fact that this was my first read by this author. Obviously you don't know what to expect with an unfamiliar author, but the description and cover hooked me at first glance. The synopsis proclaims the Hamilton family women as independent book owners who find love on their own unconventional terms. What's not to love about that? Turns out, a lot. It's not often that a book manages to fill me with rage, but the "headstrong" Sara Fleming had to be one of the worst heroines I've ever read. Headstrong isn't even close to an adequate description of her. Childish, churlish, bratty, selfish, hypocritical...I could go on.
By the end of the book she had FINALLY seen the error of her ways, and I couldn't find it in me to care. I wanted Christopher to pull a Rhett Butler and deliver a "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" kind of line and find someone who would show him the love and appreciation he deserved. You know when you're not happy that the two main characters got married in the end that the book didn't work for you.
The idea of this plot was intriguing. Unfortunately it was executed poorly, and it all fell apart the more I read and tried to cling to the scraps of what I originally liked. Sara and Christopher had a situation where they weren't able to explore any potential feelings for each other. She believed herself to be madly in love with someone from America already, and his father's debts forced him to seek out an advantageous marriage to save his estate. (Translation: find a rich wife. Yesterday.) The twist is that he believes her to be a poor relation to the wealthy Hamiltons, when in fact, her father is a self-made millionaire. So throughout the book, he's reluctantly courting a rich candidate for a bride that he absolutely loathes. All the while yearning for the beautiful, sparkling, and self-confident creature that unexpectedly entered his life and took his emotions by storm.
Never had a woman made him feel this way. A complex mixture of powerless and powerful, of need and desire, of possession and possessed. He wanted her. It was as simple as that. And as complicated.
Christopher admired her from their very first meeting, and he didn't hesitate to acknowledge his growing feelings to himself. He was overwhelmed with shame over having to marry for avaricious reasons, but he knew his family would be homeless in a matter of months. I didn't always agree with his sneaky behavior and treatment of the woman he was pursuing. But I could step back and see the bigger picture. He was putting the safety and care of his sisters as his top priority after years of physical and emotional abuse by their father. Mistakes were made along the way, but I always admired his sense of loyalty and (mostly) chivalrous personality. Instead of being the typical Victorian man, and trying to sell off a female family member to the highest bidder, he put himself in that position in order to give them a better life.
Women in general had been given a tough enough lot in life. After all his two sisters had been through, he couldn’t fathom trapping either of them into loveless marriages. It appalled him how few options his sisters had other than to marry or to remain living at home. He wished he could do more for Evelyn and Gwyneth.
Sara on the other hand was completely blind, deaf, and DUMB to reality. She spent the entire book sulking and plotting behind her parents' backs because they separated her from the man they found to be dangerous. Being coddled and pampered her entire life, she couldn't stand the fact that she wasn't getting what she wanted. She refused to listen to everyone around her urging her to remember how much her parents love her, and would never take such drastic measures without reason.
At no point did I feel as if Sara was falling for him. She stubbornly clung to her schoolgirl "love" based on his flimsy words of praise that masked malicious intentions. Christopher on the other hand was merely a handsome friend who she found entertaining to flirt with coquettishly on an endless loop. Then reminding him firmly that her fiancè would be coming to take her away soon. It was enough to make you want to bang your head repeatedly against the wall. She quite conveniently forgot the fact that she had a fiancè when lust overtook her, and she allowed Christopher on numerous occasions to kiss, touch, and finally, take her virginity.
She never felt an ounce of guilt or remorse about her unfaithfulness to the man she was so madly in love with, or even started to ponder if she could be mistaken about her what she feels. No, these occurrences were just odd weak moments that meant nothing, and she didn't plan to think or speak of them again. (Seriously, did she not realize that when she got married, that her husband would find out that she had been with someone else?? Was she that stupid?)
Here's where I got really, really MAD. The day after sleeping with Christopher, she once again chooses Alexander over him and runs off to his hotel to be with him. This was her thought:
Everything that had happened last night with Christopher now seemed like a faraway dream. Could she simply brush it away like the wispy clouds of a reverie? Could she just erase it from her memory and pretend it never happened? Well, she would have to do so to marry Alexander.
AND YET...when he rushes to save her from her idiocy after she rejected him, she is offended. Yes, OFFENDED that he asked her why she would run off with Alexander when she could be pregnant from the night before. She has the nerve to think that he was insensitive, as if it meant nothing to him. So she can discard him like trash, and not once listen to reason, and HE is wrong here?
How dared Christopher mention what happened between them! Last night wasn’t anyone’s business but theirs. And to throw it in her face like that! As if it didn’t mean anything. Stung by his cruel callousness, Sara blinked back tears, replacing them with outrage. She would not cry...
And speaking of hypocrisy, how does she have any moral ground to stand on when she gets outraged that he slept with her while engaged to someone else?? Her internal dialogue over this discovery was absolutely ludicrous.
For some reason, her brain ceased to function properly when Christopher kissed her. But it didn’t mean that she wanted to marry him either. Especially not when her parents were now telling her that she had to marry him. Besides, he was already engaged! To that ridiculous little Beckwith girl, of all people! At least now Sara understood why the other day in the carriage Christopher said he couldn’t marry her. Well, fine. Bonnie Beckwith could have him. She didn’t need or want Lord Bridgeton!
It was like she completely lacked skills of self-reflection and the ability to understand her own faults and mistakes. With 10-15 percent of the book to go, she finally realized how selfish she has been, and ungrateful for the family who loved and protected her. Even after hearing Christopher's stories about his abusive father, and the trauma he inflicted on them, she stubbornly clung to her own whiny complaints of her unfair life. At this late stage in the story, he had just thought to himself that she clearly didn't love him despite everything that had happened. And it hurt.
The characters just lost all semblance of authenticity for me. Reactions and actions need to make sense to a reader. It didn't make sense to me at this point that in one scene he was feeling hurt that she had no feelings for him, and the next accepting her apology and marrying her as planned. There was no hesitation or residual anger. She finally decides to see how worthy he is, and I just didn't care anymore. And with all of the stubborn dramatics that Sara displayed, I couldn't see her through his adoring eyes. He saw her through an altogether different lens than me.
I am extremely sad to have disliked this book, because I did think the author had a lot of beautiful quotes in The Heiress He's Been Waiting For, however I was incapable of feeling the ring of truth in any of them. It was unfortunately a total fail for this reader.
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July 13, 2019
I've been trying to find a good historical romance since a finished The Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn.
This is the first from The Hamilton Cousins, a sequel series to The Hamilton Sisters. I haven't read the original series, but I read this one without a problem. Some the family dynamics are explained via dialogue and inner thoughts, and as most of you know, historical romances don't have complicated stories. In fact, they are rather predictable. This was the case here.
Even though the story and the characters were likeable and in some cases funny, the writing good and I was mostly entertained, the book wasn't as charming as The Bridgerton series, which I kept thinking about, mainly due to Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton. He was my favourite character, but his name made me think of The Bridgerton series, every single time I read it...
Another thing I didn't like was that I kept forgetting it wasn't a regency novel. The time period the novel takes place is the 1890's, but the only reference is in the beginning, when the main character travels with a steam ship.
All in all, a nice and entertaining romance!
This is the first from The Hamilton Cousins, a sequel series to The Hamilton Sisters. I haven't read the original series, but I read this one without a problem. Some the family dynamics are explained via dialogue and inner thoughts, and as most of you know, historical romances don't have complicated stories. In fact, they are rather predictable. This was the case here.
Even though the story and the characters were likeable and in some cases funny, the writing good and I was mostly entertained, the book wasn't as charming as The Bridgerton series, which I kept thinking about, mainly due to Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton. He was my favourite character, but his name made me think of The Bridgerton series, every single time I read it...
Another thing I didn't like was that I kept forgetting it wasn't a regency novel. The time period the novel takes place is the 1890's, but the only reference is in the beginning, when the main character travels with a steam ship.
All in all, a nice and entertaining romance!
July 10, 2018
The appeal of this one for me was that the setting is late Victorian England (1894). I’m a massive fan of the era, and will pick up most things that use that setting.
The Heiress He’s Been Waiting For is a very readable book. Kaitlin O’Riley has a style of writing that most readers will find appealing, and I bet the American heroine appeals to US readers. However...
As excited I was about the setting, I was really confused about this book.
The heroine comes from America to stay in London with her relatives who all hold different aristocratic titles, but… they run a little bookshop?! One of them is a “Marquis”, even though no such title exists in Britain (it’s a Marquess - Marquis is French)? And there are also earls and dukes - all in the same family… Possibly even in the same house?? I was too confused to try and figure it out properly.
Someone in the publication process should have picked up on this.
Additionally, I found the heroine to be very young - and not in years.
When I reviewed Lisa Kleypas’ Devil in Spring I commented on this quote:
I loved the idea that maybe a very young woman hasn’t finished growing yet; historical romance readers tend to expect their twenty-year-old heroines to act like they’re forty. I like seeing heroines who don’t have everything sorted out yet.
On the other hand, Sara - the heroine of this book - comes across as too childish to be ready for marriage. Her melodramatic thoughts are one thing (I know I must have had them back then), but her melodramatic actions and constant mood changes are another. One moment she’s so devastated over her lost love in New York she’s a little suicidal, then in the same scene she’s excited to be going to London and happy and smiling. She seemed more in the Lydia, rather than Elizabeth Bennet stage of maturity.
I think that readers who either don’t know or don’t particularly care about the little details will have a good time with The Heiress He’s Been Waiting For. However, the things some others will overlook are the things that matter to me.
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
The Heiress He’s Been Waiting For is a very readable book. Kaitlin O’Riley has a style of writing that most readers will find appealing, and I bet the American heroine appeals to US readers. However...
As excited I was about the setting, I was really confused about this book.
The heroine comes from America to stay in London with her relatives who all hold different aristocratic titles, but… they run a little bookshop?! One of them is a “Marquis”, even though no such title exists in Britain (it’s a Marquess - Marquis is French)? And there are also earls and dukes - all in the same family… Possibly even in the same house?? I was too confused to try and figure it out properly.
Someone in the publication process should have picked up on this.
Additionally, I found the heroine to be very young - and not in years.
When I reviewed Lisa Kleypas’ Devil in Spring I commented on this quote:
‘To play devil’s advocate – has it occurred to you that Lady Pandora will mature?’
I loved the idea that maybe a very young woman hasn’t finished growing yet; historical romance readers tend to expect their twenty-year-old heroines to act like they’re forty. I like seeing heroines who don’t have everything sorted out yet.
On the other hand, Sara - the heroine of this book - comes across as too childish to be ready for marriage. Her melodramatic thoughts are one thing (I know I must have had them back then), but her melodramatic actions and constant mood changes are another. One moment she’s so devastated over her lost love in New York she’s a little suicidal, then in the same scene she’s excited to be going to London and happy and smiling. She seemed more in the Lydia, rather than Elizabeth Bennet stage of maturity.
I think that readers who either don’t know or don’t particularly care about the little details will have a good time with The Heiress He’s Been Waiting For. However, the things some others will overlook are the things that matter to me.
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
July 24, 2018
I am so thrilled Kaitlin O’Riley is writing again! Her first series about the five Hamilton sisters who run the family book shop is one of my all-time favorites. Those books have been re-read and sit on a keeper shelf. Her new series features the children of the Hamilton sisters and can easily be read without knowing the parents’ HEAs. Ms. O’Riley has done an excellent job of introducing the family for new readers.
Sara Fleming lives in New York and has a beau her parents don’t approve of. She was tricked by her wealthy parents onto her father’s ship headed for a family visit in London. She is angry with them but happy to visit her cousins, aunts and uncles. Her cousin Phillip’s friend, Christopher Townsend, Earl of Bridgeton is attracted to Sara even after she tells him she has an American beau. Christopher has inherited an estate deeply in debt with two younger sisters to care for. He knows he needs to marry an heiress but thinks Sara’s family is not wealthy. However, they are attracted to each other and can’t seem to stay apart. But what happens when her American beau shows up in London?
I have left a lot out of this review because I don’t like spoilers and this book has twists and turns that shouldn’t be revealed. My favorite line is by Sara’s Aunt Paulette: “I’ll never understand that mindset of not loving books.” If you love books, read this one! I highly recommend it.
Sara Fleming lives in New York and has a beau her parents don’t approve of. She was tricked by her wealthy parents onto her father’s ship headed for a family visit in London. She is angry with them but happy to visit her cousins, aunts and uncles. Her cousin Phillip’s friend, Christopher Townsend, Earl of Bridgeton is attracted to Sara even after she tells him she has an American beau. Christopher has inherited an estate deeply in debt with two younger sisters to care for. He knows he needs to marry an heiress but thinks Sara’s family is not wealthy. However, they are attracted to each other and can’t seem to stay apart. But what happens when her American beau shows up in London?
I have left a lot out of this review because I don’t like spoilers and this book has twists and turns that shouldn’t be revealed. My favorite line is by Sara’s Aunt Paulette: “I’ll never understand that mindset of not loving books.” If you love books, read this one! I highly recommend it.
January 12, 2021
The heroine is a 20-year-old spoiled brat who believes she's in love with a man (who just wants her money). Skip this one.
August 31, 2018
Sara Fleming is a poor little rich girl. An ultra-wealthy American heiress, her parents have whisked her away from New York and off to London to prevent her engagement to a man they consider unsuitable. Sara, of course, thinks it's the end of the world. She even contemplates jumping off the ship to drown ‘because then they'd be sorry!’ In the ultimate bratty gesture.
Despite Sara being spoilt, naive and more than a bit of a brat, I felt sorry for her. Nobody would dignify her very legitimate questions with a straight answer, treating her like a young child instead of a woman of twenty. Which pretty much predisposed her to fall for Christopher, since at least he was willing to treat her like an adult.
Told largely from Sara’s point of view, there is an intriguing tonal shift throughout the book. At first, the tone seems breathless, silly and excitable, prone to chattering excitedly about shopping sprees and glittering parties, but as Sara matures and comes to understand the world is much less black and white than she thought, the writing becomes steadier and more thoughtful, Sara taking the time to pause and self-evaluate honestly. Not much caring for what she finds she becomes much more likable as she makes the effort to change.
I have to admit that the breathless style of narration at the beginning of the book got on my nerves, and had it continued throughout, I would definitely have been knocking off a star for it. However, recognising it as a deliberate writing technique designed to mirror the maturation of the heroine throughout the book, I'm more inclined to appreciate the cleverness of it.
There's a rather awkward fact about this book, though, in that there are ‘good poor people’ (from aristocratic backgrounds and it's not their fault they have to marry for money) and ‘bad poor people’ (from common stock and desiring to marry up). It wouldn't be so bad if it was just Sara's cheating, thieving suitor, but there's also two women who are both ‘bad poor people’ which left a nasty taste in my mouth. Especially since in effect, the only three people in the book without aristocratic connections were also the only three ‘bad' people. It came across as very classist, really something to avoid in supposedly egalitarian late Victorian romances. Classism is pretty rife in historical romance in general, but with an American heiress in the mix, I was disappointed to find it here.
Four stars for an enjoyable read, but I wish the classism had been better managed.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
Despite Sara being spoilt, naive and more than a bit of a brat, I felt sorry for her. Nobody would dignify her very legitimate questions with a straight answer, treating her like a young child instead of a woman of twenty. Which pretty much predisposed her to fall for Christopher, since at least he was willing to treat her like an adult.
Told largely from Sara’s point of view, there is an intriguing tonal shift throughout the book. At first, the tone seems breathless, silly and excitable, prone to chattering excitedly about shopping sprees and glittering parties, but as Sara matures and comes to understand the world is much less black and white than she thought, the writing becomes steadier and more thoughtful, Sara taking the time to pause and self-evaluate honestly. Not much caring for what she finds she becomes much more likable as she makes the effort to change.
I have to admit that the breathless style of narration at the beginning of the book got on my nerves, and had it continued throughout, I would definitely have been knocking off a star for it. However, recognising it as a deliberate writing technique designed to mirror the maturation of the heroine throughout the book, I'm more inclined to appreciate the cleverness of it.
There's a rather awkward fact about this book, though, in that there are ‘good poor people’ (from aristocratic backgrounds and it's not their fault they have to marry for money) and ‘bad poor people’ (from common stock and desiring to marry up). It wouldn't be so bad if it was just Sara's cheating, thieving suitor, but there's also two women who are both ‘bad poor people’ which left a nasty taste in my mouth. Especially since in effect, the only three people in the book without aristocratic connections were also the only three ‘bad' people. It came across as very classist, really something to avoid in supposedly egalitarian late Victorian romances. Classism is pretty rife in historical romance in general, but with an American heiress in the mix, I was disappointed to find it here.
Four stars for an enjoyable read, but I wish the classism had been better managed.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
March 1, 2021
This one was still good. Even though it wasn't as great as book 2, I still enjoyed it. Sara did annoy me a few times though. I need to read the 3rd book. I also love this cover.
July 2, 2018
Sara and Christopher's romance had me from the start! I love how Kaitlin O'Riley weaves her stories, her characters and all the nuances that make a romance so worth reading! Enter the giveaway! You will be so glad when you win!!!
Here's the link!!
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
Here's the link!!
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
August 19, 2018
Unfortunately this novel is rather slow moving and lengthy – too in my opinion. It’s a nice idea to give bookshops to women but this background story seems rather unrealistic. This isn’t Regency but Victorian which is not important but interesting.
She wants to marry a man in the USA whom she thinks to be in love with but doesn’t know that is a
marriage dodger. The reader knows this within minutes resp. pages. She is a heiress and he is interested in her money. When her parents force her to go to meet their family in London she is far away from happy.
Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton, needs a rich wife to save his family, their estate and everything else. When he meets Sara, the heiress, he doesn’t know that she is an heiress and falls in love with her but knows that he cannot marry her because of the money issue …
The story isn’t even witty, unfortunately.
*I got this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
She wants to marry a man in the USA whom she thinks to be in love with but doesn’t know that is a
marriage dodger. The reader knows this within minutes resp. pages. She is a heiress and he is interested in her money. When her parents force her to go to meet their family in London she is far away from happy.
Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton, needs a rich wife to save his family, their estate and everything else. When he meets Sara, the heiress, he doesn’t know that she is an heiress and falls in love with her but knows that he cannot marry her because of the money issue …
The story isn’t even witty, unfortunately.
*I got this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
September 3, 2018
1-2 stars
I love the cover and so I tried a new author. Sadly this story didn't work for me. The first chapter started with a long monologue to tell rather than show, and so I skimmed quickly to find out she runs off to the other man she had thought herself in love with in the beginning, the day after sleeping with the hero. She finds out the other guy was simply hoping to use her and had no real feelings. They find her, and the hero forgives her without as much as a harsh line or any time to come to terms. Meanwhile he rejects a wealthy heiress believing she was not wealthy, and was preparing to sell his property to be with his love. It's not romantic when the reader question the authenticity and depth of the heroine's feelings for the hero. She seems to be on a whim and not a woman of loyalty, and I can't fathom how she can be worthy of him.
I love the cover and so I tried a new author. Sadly this story didn't work for me. The first chapter started with a long monologue to tell rather than show, and so I skimmed quickly to find out she runs off to the other man she had thought herself in love with in the beginning, the day after sleeping with the hero. She finds out the other guy was simply hoping to use her and had no real feelings. They find her, and the hero forgives her without as much as a harsh line or any time to come to terms. Meanwhile he rejects a wealthy heiress believing she was not wealthy, and was preparing to sell his property to be with his love. It's not romantic when the reader question the authenticity and depth of the heroine's feelings for the hero. She seems to be on a whim and not a woman of loyalty, and I can't fathom how she can be worthy of him.
September 2, 2018
The Heiress He's Been Waiting For by Kaitlin O'Riley is the First book in the Hamilton Cousins Series. This is the story of Sara Fleming and Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton.
Sara lives in America with her wealthy parents. When Sara becomes engaged to Alexander Drake her parents put a stop to that by tricking her into going on a ship headed to England. Sara is upset with her parents for taking her away from Alexander but does try to enjoy seeing her cousins and such while she waits for Alexander. When she meets Christopher she is attracted to him but works to stand her ground by saying she is engaged to Alexander and waiting for him. Christopher has inherited his family title that is heavily in debit along with the stress of making sure his sister are taken care of...knows he must marry into money. Thinking Sara is not wealth makes it hard to go forward with his feelings for her but they are hard to stop. Both flirt heavily with each other that does lead to series situation but Sara chooses to go with Alexander with Christopher not far behind.
This book does set Sara up in a somewhat different light then most of the heroines and she was somewhat hard to support but in the end she found herself.
Sara lives in America with her wealthy parents. When Sara becomes engaged to Alexander Drake her parents put a stop to that by tricking her into going on a ship headed to England. Sara is upset with her parents for taking her away from Alexander but does try to enjoy seeing her cousins and such while she waits for Alexander. When she meets Christopher she is attracted to him but works to stand her ground by saying she is engaged to Alexander and waiting for him. Christopher has inherited his family title that is heavily in debit along with the stress of making sure his sister are taken care of...knows he must marry into money. Thinking Sara is not wealth makes it hard to go forward with his feelings for her but they are hard to stop. Both flirt heavily with each other that does lead to series situation but Sara chooses to go with Alexander with Christopher not far behind.
This book does set Sara up in a somewhat different light then most of the heroines and she was somewhat hard to support but in the end she found herself.
August 6, 2018
Reading the write up for this, I had high hopes for the story....but it wasn't to be. There was nothing likable about the heroine and why the hero was falling for her was beyond me. He, on the other hand, was very likeable. I wish he could have gotten paired with someone else.
I really didn't want to finish the book, but since O'Riley was a new author to me, I felt the need to read until the end. This is definitely not one I would recommend to my friends...
I really didn't want to finish the book, but since O'Riley was a new author to me, I felt the need to read until the end. This is definitely not one I would recommend to my friends...
August 26, 2018
The Heiress He's Been Waiting For is the first book in the Hamilton Cousins series by Kaitlin O'Riley.
"In Victorian London, the Hamilton sisters are known for their bookshops—and for finding their happily ever afters on their own terms. Now, much to their chagrin, their offspring are following in their unconventional footsteps—in life and in love"
Twenty-year-old Sara Flemming lives in America and is the daughter of a rich shipping magnate. She is in love and expects a proposal from her beau any day now. Unfortunately for her, she finds herself tricked onto one of her parents' ships and kidnapped by them. It's all very dramatic. Her parents know that the man courting their daughter is trouble and a fortune hunter. They also know that with how headstrong she is there is no way they could keep her from the man. So convincing her to take a quick sail on the ship, and then leaving New York far behind is the only way they can think of to keep them apart. They head home to family in England. Sara loves her family there and despite being taken against her will, she enjoys being back with them. There is no harm in enjoying herself while she waits for her beau to follow and in her eyes, rescue her.
Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton has an upsetting past that he tells nobody about, not even his best friend who happens to be a relative of Sara's. He is at the family home when Sara arrives and it's practically lust at first sight when they meet. Christopher has a lot of worry on his plate, not least keeping the family estate and looking after his sisters. His father died leaving nothing but debt, so much so that Christopher is coming to the conclusion that he will either have to sell the estate and take up a job or marry an heiress. Both options are abhorrent to him, but he has to make a decision sooner rather than later.
The more time Sara and Christopher spend together the more they find themselves in each other's arms. Sara has told Christopher about Alexander (her American love) and how she is waiting to be rescued by him. Christopher has told Sara that although he is deeply attracted to her, he will never be able to offer for her (he doesn't know she is an heiress). Despite that, they can't keep their hands and lips off each other. It's a passionate relationship that they have but for me, it is marred by the fact that Sara is supposedly so in love with Alexander and is still determined to marry him, and yet she is all over Christopher.
A lot of the time Sara comes across as a spoilt brat. Christopher, on the other hand, is a sweetheart and at times I wish that Alexander would hurry up and fetch Sara, be the fortune hunter she refuses to believe he is, and have her live in misery for not listening to her parents and for not choosing to be with Christopher. But then I realise her age, how much she has been pampered, and of course how smooth Alexander has been with her. It's no surprise her head was turned. As for her relationship with Christopher, I put that down to her heart knowing what or who it wanted even though her head hasn't caught up with that.
I adore the Hamilton family, the sisters, the cousins, all of them, and I love how close they are to each other, how much they are willing to protect each other. I think the author did a great job of introducing us to Sara and making her a brat, but one that with some help could see the error of her ways. I am very much looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
"In Victorian London, the Hamilton sisters are known for their bookshops—and for finding their happily ever afters on their own terms. Now, much to their chagrin, their offspring are following in their unconventional footsteps—in life and in love"
Twenty-year-old Sara Flemming lives in America and is the daughter of a rich shipping magnate. She is in love and expects a proposal from her beau any day now. Unfortunately for her, she finds herself tricked onto one of her parents' ships and kidnapped by them. It's all very dramatic. Her parents know that the man courting their daughter is trouble and a fortune hunter. They also know that with how headstrong she is there is no way they could keep her from the man. So convincing her to take a quick sail on the ship, and then leaving New York far behind is the only way they can think of to keep them apart. They head home to family in England. Sara loves her family there and despite being taken against her will, she enjoys being back with them. There is no harm in enjoying herself while she waits for her beau to follow and in her eyes, rescue her.
Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton has an upsetting past that he tells nobody about, not even his best friend who happens to be a relative of Sara's. He is at the family home when Sara arrives and it's practically lust at first sight when they meet. Christopher has a lot of worry on his plate, not least keeping the family estate and looking after his sisters. His father died leaving nothing but debt, so much so that Christopher is coming to the conclusion that he will either have to sell the estate and take up a job or marry an heiress. Both options are abhorrent to him, but he has to make a decision sooner rather than later.
The more time Sara and Christopher spend together the more they find themselves in each other's arms. Sara has told Christopher about Alexander (her American love) and how she is waiting to be rescued by him. Christopher has told Sara that although he is deeply attracted to her, he will never be able to offer for her (he doesn't know she is an heiress). Despite that, they can't keep their hands and lips off each other. It's a passionate relationship that they have but for me, it is marred by the fact that Sara is supposedly so in love with Alexander and is still determined to marry him, and yet she is all over Christopher.
A lot of the time Sara comes across as a spoilt brat. Christopher, on the other hand, is a sweetheart and at times I wish that Alexander would hurry up and fetch Sara, be the fortune hunter she refuses to believe he is, and have her live in misery for not listening to her parents and for not choosing to be with Christopher. But then I realise her age, how much she has been pampered, and of course how smooth Alexander has been with her. It's no surprise her head was turned. As for her relationship with Christopher, I put that down to her heart knowing what or who it wanted even though her head hasn't caught up with that.
I adore the Hamilton family, the sisters, the cousins, all of them, and I love how close they are to each other, how much they are willing to protect each other. I think the author did a great job of introducing us to Sara and making her a brat, but one that with some help could see the error of her ways. I am very much looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
October 17, 2022
Raised in New York, shipping heiress Sara Fleming was ready to elope—until her disapproving parents tricked her onto a boat heading to England. Her only consolation is getting to see her beloved aunts and cousins. Even the start of London’s Season—and a strikingly handsome earl—can’t make her forget the man she left behind.
Considered one of London’s most eligible bachelors, Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton, is not what he seems. Having inherited his father’s crushing debt, he must choose a wealthy bride to save his family’s estate. Though rumored to be penniless and committed to another, Sara takes his breath away—and makes him question what he truly needs to be free of the past. But he’ll have to win the headstrong beauty’s heart one kiss at a time.
Sara and Christopher are meant to be together.
Although Christopher is broke and needs to marry for money he doesn't know that Sara is an heiress. She is rumoured to be penniless. In spite of this he falls in love with her.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Considered one of London’s most eligible bachelors, Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton, is not what he seems. Having inherited his father’s crushing debt, he must choose a wealthy bride to save his family’s estate. Though rumored to be penniless and committed to another, Sara takes his breath away—and makes him question what he truly needs to be free of the past. But he’ll have to win the headstrong beauty’s heart one kiss at a time.
Sara and Christopher are meant to be together.
Although Christopher is broke and needs to marry for money he doesn't know that Sara is an heiress. She is rumoured to be penniless. In spite of this he falls in love with her.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
July 25, 2018
The Heiress He's Been Waiting For is the first book by Kaitlin O'Riley that I have read. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to read her previous works as well as new books to come.
Sara Fleming is wisked from New York where she is from, to London, where he mother's family is from. She is in love with a man back home and her parents are keeping her from him. They say love is blind. In Sara's case, I believe that is true. She is in love with a man that only wants her for her dowery. He will stop at nothing to get it.
Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton, has inherited his father's title and debt. He must marry an heiress if he wants to save his home and give his sisters a better life.
You can tell these two liked each other but she still thought herseld in love with her man back home and he thought she was poor. I loved the journey to HEA. I wanted to strangle Sara Flemming a few times, but it was an enjoyable read and I certainly would recommend this story. I am looking forward to reading more from Ms. O'Riley
Sara Fleming is wisked from New York where she is from, to London, where he mother's family is from. She is in love with a man back home and her parents are keeping her from him. They say love is blind. In Sara's case, I believe that is true. She is in love with a man that only wants her for her dowery. He will stop at nothing to get it.
Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton, has inherited his father's title and debt. He must marry an heiress if he wants to save his home and give his sisters a better life.
You can tell these two liked each other but she still thought herseld in love with her man back home and he thought she was poor. I loved the journey to HEA. I wanted to strangle Sara Flemming a few times, but it was an enjoyable read and I certainly would recommend this story. I am looking forward to reading more from Ms. O'Riley
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February 10, 2019I liked the overall concept of this (American heiress and impoverished British nobleman) but man, the main character was a lot to take. Plus there was a weird triangle situation.
As the book starts, she is madly in love with a guy and her parents are whisking her away to England because they think he's a fortune-hunter. But they don't tell her this - WHY? So she keeps thinking she's in love with the fortune hunter and then, in London, falls in love with the impoverished British guy.
There was already a better conflict in the story - that she was hiding her wealth and that the British guy needs to marry for money so ends up engaged to another girl. There was no need for this annoying triangle.
That said I am intrigued with Mara and might read her story. Please no triangles!!!!
As the book starts, she is madly in love with a guy and her parents are whisking her away to England because they think he's a fortune-hunter. But they don't tell her this - WHY? So she keeps thinking she's in love with the fortune hunter and then, in London, falls in love with the impoverished British guy.
There was already a better conflict in the story - that she was hiding her wealth and that the British guy needs to marry for money so ends up engaged to another girl. There was no need for this annoying triangle.
That said I am intrigued with Mara and might read her story. Please no triangles!!!!
July 19, 2018
Sara Fleming is in love with Alexander Drake. Both are Americans from New York City. Sara's parents are very rich and they believe that Alexander is after her fortune. After she gets over the shock of being practically kidnapped to London, she is persuaded to have fun until Alexander comes to rescue her. She meets Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton and there is an attraction between
them, but Christopher needs to marry for money as his dead father left the family destitute. Sara is an accomplished flirt but is happy that Christopher takes an interest in her. Sara's uncle thinks it would be good to tell everyone that Sara is very poor. It would keep the fortune hunters away. Christopher becomes betrothed to an heiress with a lot of money. Sara becomes compromised when she and Christopher are caught in a situation that could possibly leave her pregnant. Alexander arrived to rescue her. When he tells her that he wants to run away and marry her, Christopher helps look for her after she runs off with him. There's secrets, honesty and love. I absolutely adored this book. I received this book from Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for a honest review and no compensation otherwise.
them, but Christopher needs to marry for money as his dead father left the family destitute. Sara is an accomplished flirt but is happy that Christopher takes an interest in her. Sara's uncle thinks it would be good to tell everyone that Sara is very poor. It would keep the fortune hunters away. Christopher becomes betrothed to an heiress with a lot of money. Sara becomes compromised when she and Christopher are caught in a situation that could possibly leave her pregnant. Alexander arrived to rescue her. When he tells her that he wants to run away and marry her, Christopher helps look for her after she runs off with him. There's secrets, honesty and love. I absolutely adored this book. I received this book from Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for a honest review and no compensation otherwise.
July 24, 2018
This was a satisfying romance read. The main character, Sara Fleming is a headstrong heiress from New York. Hr parents sail her to her family in England to save her from what they are sure will be a disastrous marriage. As Sara plots how to marry her beau from New York, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton. While he is also drawn to Sara, baggage from his past makes a union with her seemingly unattainable. With the help, or hindrance, of her large and caring family, will Sara find true love with her love from New York or an English Earl?
September 2, 2018
This was an ARC from NetGalley. I really liked the H in this book. His family had issues but he wasn't written in the horribly damaged H who is an arse that gets saved by the love of a good woman kind of H. He acknowledges his feelings instead of acting like they don't exist. This was such a breath of fresh air as opposed to the MCs that run and hide from their feelings.
The thing that kept this from being a great read the character of the H could have made it is the h. The h was a bit immature at the start & that's not unexpected. She's from a wealthy and sheltered environment. But she really didn't seem to grow up over the course of the book. She was childish and didn't really develop much beyond her introduction. She's hung up on her 'first love' but is okay making out at greater and greater lengths with the H without any thought of his actual feelings and really looking at her own actions. She is hung up on being told "no" by her parents without asking why her parents would go to such lengths to keep her away from her great love. And it says something that her parents don't push this info onto her, either. There is even a line in the book from the mother "Sara, when you start comporting yourself like a dignified adult, we shall treat you like one." More than once I wanted to reach into the book and give her a good shake.
That said, this is a still decent read if you can overlook the h a bit. This is the first O'Riley book for and I would look for more.
The thing that kept this from being a great read the character of the H could have made it is the h. The h was a bit immature at the start & that's not unexpected. She's from a wealthy and sheltered environment. But she really didn't seem to grow up over the course of the book. She was childish and didn't really develop much beyond her introduction. She's hung up on her 'first love' but is okay making out at greater and greater lengths with the H without any thought of his actual feelings and really looking at her own actions. She is hung up on being told "no" by her parents without asking why her parents would go to such lengths to keep her away from her great love. And it says something that her parents don't push this info onto her, either. There is even a line in the book from the mother "Sara, when you start comporting yourself like a dignified adult, we shall treat you like one." More than once I wanted to reach into the book and give her a good shake.
That said, this is a still decent read if you can overlook the h a bit. This is the first O'Riley book for and I would look for more.
July 29, 2019
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
I enjoy when an author continues to tell the stories of the children of characters we’ve come to know and love from an earlier series. THE HEIRESS HE’S BEEN WAITING FOR is the first story in the Hamilton Cousins, which is a spin-off (or continuation) of the characters in the Hamilton Sisters series. I had read the sisters’ stories about a decade ago, long before I began talking about books in reviews or on this blog. I remember the stories fondly and I’m having fun watching the parents discover that in many ways their children are just like they used to be – in other words, a handful and keep a close eye on them. *grin*
Although, I confess, that I was very hesitant at the beginning of THE HEIRESS HE’S BEEN WAITING FOR as when we first meet Sara she is a complete spoiled little rich girl who acts more like a bratty child than a young woman believing she’s ready for marriage. Again, to be frank, it took me a while to warm up to her. And when I did start to enjoy Sara and Christopher I realized that without my being aware of it the tone of the writing had led me to think of Sara exactly as I did – a spoiled brat who throws temper tantrums when she doesn’t get her way. I think it would be very easy to brush her off throughout the entire story as the girl we first met, I believe that’s a mistake. Sara is growing, she’s learning of the consequences of her actions, she’s beginning to care about other people not only herself and that is reflected in the tone of the book and her actions. She will always be headstrong and stubborn until she’s 109 with 20 great-grandchildren. But right now she’s still becoming the woman she will one day be.
Christopher may be the most eligible and sought after bachelor in London, yet like many men in his situation he is title rich and coffers poor. His estates are heavily in debt and in order to save not only the estate and the people he employes but his sisters as well, he must marry an heiress. There is no other choice for him. His attraction to Sara is strong, often overwhelmingly so but he assumes she and her family are the poor relations when in fact they are wealthy beyond belief. You know what they say about the word “assume”, right?
There was much I enjoyed about Sara and Christopher’s romance and some that I didn’t at all. There are twists and turns in this story that should I say more at this point I’d be giving away spoilers, and that’s something I try very hard not to do. The happy ending in this story is hard-fought for, and at times, it seems that this couple is their own worst enemy. Watching Sara grow, change, and mature from the beginning of this story to the ending was an intriguing journey. I can’t say that I loved this couple, but I did like enough parts of them to wish for them to find that love that will last a lifetime, which I believe they did by the final page.
I own a paperback edition of THE HEIRESS HE’S BEEN WAITING FOR.
I enjoy when an author continues to tell the stories of the children of characters we’ve come to know and love from an earlier series. THE HEIRESS HE’S BEEN WAITING FOR is the first story in the Hamilton Cousins, which is a spin-off (or continuation) of the characters in the Hamilton Sisters series. I had read the sisters’ stories about a decade ago, long before I began talking about books in reviews or on this blog. I remember the stories fondly and I’m having fun watching the parents discover that in many ways their children are just like they used to be – in other words, a handful and keep a close eye on them. *grin*
Although, I confess, that I was very hesitant at the beginning of THE HEIRESS HE’S BEEN WAITING FOR as when we first meet Sara she is a complete spoiled little rich girl who acts more like a bratty child than a young woman believing she’s ready for marriage. Again, to be frank, it took me a while to warm up to her. And when I did start to enjoy Sara and Christopher I realized that without my being aware of it the tone of the writing had led me to think of Sara exactly as I did – a spoiled brat who throws temper tantrums when she doesn’t get her way. I think it would be very easy to brush her off throughout the entire story as the girl we first met, I believe that’s a mistake. Sara is growing, she’s learning of the consequences of her actions, she’s beginning to care about other people not only herself and that is reflected in the tone of the book and her actions. She will always be headstrong and stubborn until she’s 109 with 20 great-grandchildren. But right now she’s still becoming the woman she will one day be.
Christopher may be the most eligible and sought after bachelor in London, yet like many men in his situation he is title rich and coffers poor. His estates are heavily in debt and in order to save not only the estate and the people he employes but his sisters as well, he must marry an heiress. There is no other choice for him. His attraction to Sara is strong, often overwhelmingly so but he assumes she and her family are the poor relations when in fact they are wealthy beyond belief. You know what they say about the word “assume”, right?
There was much I enjoyed about Sara and Christopher’s romance and some that I didn’t at all. There are twists and turns in this story that should I say more at this point I’d be giving away spoilers, and that’s something I try very hard not to do. The happy ending in this story is hard-fought for, and at times, it seems that this couple is their own worst enemy. Watching Sara grow, change, and mature from the beginning of this story to the ending was an intriguing journey. I can’t say that I loved this couple, but I did like enough parts of them to wish for them to find that love that will last a lifetime, which I believe they did by the final page.
I own a paperback edition of THE HEIRESS HE’S BEEN WAITING FOR.
February 26, 2025
Went through my currently accessible, right-there-in-my-living-room TBR pile, and decided on this for my next-up read. It's been on said TBR for awhile now, was a dollar-store find, but, whatevs, let's go!
Honestly, more like a 3.5, but I'm feeling generous today, so I'm gonna go ahead and round up, because this little floof of a book did make me smile, and it most definitely kept me reading furiously, just about finished it in one night, and would have too if it weren't for having to be up in the morning. So, behaved myself and went to bed and finished it up this afternoon. It was a fun, light froth of a read, with likable characters all around, and a breezy, easy to read writing style. I could picture it as a fun little romp of a period piece on TV, lol.
Sara, the FMC, was fun. Spoiled, and pampered, a little melodramatic, but good-hearted, she was impossible to dislike, even when she was being a silly little thing with her actions. Christopher, the MMC was a solid guy, good friend to Sara's cousin Philip, good brother to his two little sisters, good son to a mother who didn't deserve it. Just an all around decent dude. No complaints from me. I liked how their relationship started off as strictly friends too! Sure, they both each had a little crush on each other at first sight, but they were both in pursuit of different people, and it allowed them the chance to get along naturally, to actually talk and get to know each other without the lust getting in the way. At least at first ;) Once these two finally came together (under the influence of brandy, no less, which led to a quite amusing scene of Sara, totally tipsy, giving cousin Philip sass when he stumbles upon them, lol), it was sparks and fireworks all the way.
Of course, there was the wee little issue of the man Sara thought she loved, and I'm glad that his smarmy ass was handled in the end, and his little hooch too. It all worked out nice and easy-peasy, and that was fine with me, because this floof of a book just suited what I was craving perfectly, even though I didn't even know I'd been wanting a little fluff in my life at the time.
I immediately went ahead and ordered the second book in this series about Sara's cousin Mara, I quite liked her in this story, how she was the opposite of Sara in personality, but how they complemented each other when together. I hope it arrives quickly! I tried to order Philip's book too, but apparently is a hard-to-find paperback or some such, because literally every book site, both new and used that I checked did not have it available, and yea, yea, it's on ebook, but ugh! I need real book :/ So, I'll keep searching. If I enjoy Mara's book as much as this one, I think I might even go back and try and get the preceding series about their aunts and parents too! Why not? They were all quite amusing characters too, and this book gave lots of little hints about their stories, so sounds interesting to me!
Honestly, more like a 3.5, but I'm feeling generous today, so I'm gonna go ahead and round up, because this little floof of a book did make me smile, and it most definitely kept me reading furiously, just about finished it in one night, and would have too if it weren't for having to be up in the morning. So, behaved myself and went to bed and finished it up this afternoon. It was a fun, light froth of a read, with likable characters all around, and a breezy, easy to read writing style. I could picture it as a fun little romp of a period piece on TV, lol.
Sara, the FMC, was fun. Spoiled, and pampered, a little melodramatic, but good-hearted, she was impossible to dislike, even when she was being a silly little thing with her actions. Christopher, the MMC was a solid guy, good friend to Sara's cousin Philip, good brother to his two little sisters, good son to a mother who didn't deserve it. Just an all around decent dude. No complaints from me. I liked how their relationship started off as strictly friends too! Sure, they both each had a little crush on each other at first sight, but they were both in pursuit of different people, and it allowed them the chance to get along naturally, to actually talk and get to know each other without the lust getting in the way. At least at first ;) Once these two finally came together (under the influence of brandy, no less, which led to a quite amusing scene of Sara, totally tipsy, giving cousin Philip sass when he stumbles upon them, lol), it was sparks and fireworks all the way.
Of course, there was the wee little issue of the man Sara thought she loved, and I'm glad that his smarmy ass was handled in the end, and his little hooch too. It all worked out nice and easy-peasy, and that was fine with me, because this floof of a book just suited what I was craving perfectly, even though I didn't even know I'd been wanting a little fluff in my life at the time.
I immediately went ahead and ordered the second book in this series about Sara's cousin Mara, I quite liked her in this story, how she was the opposite of Sara in personality, but how they complemented each other when together. I hope it arrives quickly! I tried to order Philip's book too, but apparently is a hard-to-find paperback or some such, because literally every book site, both new and used that I checked did not have it available, and yea, yea, it's on ebook, but ugh! I need real book :/ So, I'll keep searching. If I enjoy Mara's book as much as this one, I think I might even go back and try and get the preceding series about their aunts and parents too! Why not? They were all quite amusing characters too, and this book gave lots of little hints about their stories, so sounds interesting to me!
June 8, 2019
Did Not Finish at 25%
I tried to like this story and look for redeeming qualities in the female lead but there were none that I could find. Sara, the female lead, is supposed to be 20 years old, but she acts much more like a 10-year-old spoiled brat (and that might even be an insult to a 10-year-old). She's constantly throwing temper tantrums and blowing up about everyone being SO UNFAIR to her. I had a really hard time wrapping my head around this attitude because a 20-year-old in the 1890's (when this story is set) was very different from a 20-year-old today. People then had to grow up faster and were expected to act like adults younger than they are now. This character never got that memo which I felt was unrealistic. I felt that Sara's attitude was so bad that it made me pretty much hate her. There is definitely not a strong female lead in this story. I didn't really have anything against the male lead because he's hardly even been introduced after a quarter of the book. The only impression that I did have of him is that he's kind of stupid. Sara mentions that her parents own multiple homes and a shipping company which somehow convinces the male lead that she and her family are dirt poor. This had me scratching my head more than a little bit.
Another thing that bothered me about this story was the lack of creativity in the writing. In the descriptions of the different characters, every female character was said to have a lilting, musical voice and enchanting accent. All the women also were described as having the exact same kind of hair, literally the exact same phrase was used for each character. At other times, the author sounded like she had copied a ton of words out of the a thesaurus in place of more common words. To me, this made the book and author sound ridiculous rather than knowledgeable about vocabulary. In the end, I'm so glad that I checked this book out of the library and didn't waste my money on it.
I tried to like this story and look for redeeming qualities in the female lead but there were none that I could find. Sara, the female lead, is supposed to be 20 years old, but she acts much more like a 10-year-old spoiled brat (and that might even be an insult to a 10-year-old). She's constantly throwing temper tantrums and blowing up about everyone being SO UNFAIR to her. I had a really hard time wrapping my head around this attitude because a 20-year-old in the 1890's (when this story is set) was very different from a 20-year-old today. People then had to grow up faster and were expected to act like adults younger than they are now. This character never got that memo which I felt was unrealistic. I felt that Sara's attitude was so bad that it made me pretty much hate her. There is definitely not a strong female lead in this story. I didn't really have anything against the male lead because he's hardly even been introduced after a quarter of the book. The only impression that I did have of him is that he's kind of stupid. Sara mentions that her parents own multiple homes and a shipping company which somehow convinces the male lead that she and her family are dirt poor. This had me scratching my head more than a little bit.
Another thing that bothered me about this story was the lack of creativity in the writing. In the descriptions of the different characters, every female character was said to have a lilting, musical voice and enchanting accent. All the women also were described as having the exact same kind of hair, literally the exact same phrase was used for each character. At other times, the author sounded like she had copied a ton of words out of the a thesaurus in place of more common words. To me, this made the book and author sound ridiculous rather than knowledgeable about vocabulary. In the end, I'm so glad that I checked this book out of the library and didn't waste my money on it.
August 28, 2018
1894
Sara Fleming, age 20, has just realized that her parents have tricked her. Thinking they were taking her to see her father’s new steamship, The Captain’s Daughter, they all end up sailing from New York harbor for London England. Sara was being courted by Alexander Drake who does not meet with her parents’ approval and now she has been torn from him. Sara’s parents have learned that Alexander is unfit for their daughter and is only after her money.
The Fleming family is heading to Sara’s uncle’s home, Devon House, in London. There, Sara is to have her come-out. Her cousin, Phillip Sinclair, introduces her to his friend, Christopher Townsend, age 23, who is the Earl of Bridgeton. Christopher and Sara become friends and he learns that she has left someone very dear to her in New York and is very sad about it.
Christopher’s father left very little funds when he died due to his gambling debts. Unless he marries a wealthy woman soon, he will have to sell the family home. He has two younger sisters to care for and a mother who was always neglectful of her children as well.
Christopher is very taken with Sara and she is attracted to him as well, but still professes to love Alexander. Christopher thinks Sara’s father has lost his money when indeed, he is quite wealthy. Since he knows he has to marry a wealthy woman to save his home and family, he realizes he must pursue a rich, but obnoxious, young woman for his wife.
This story really had lots of promise and there were some really well-written parts, but Sara’s flighty ideas of “love” are a real turn-off. But since Christopher is a good man, I decided to be more generous in my review rating.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Sara Fleming, age 20, has just realized that her parents have tricked her. Thinking they were taking her to see her father’s new steamship, The Captain’s Daughter, they all end up sailing from New York harbor for London England. Sara was being courted by Alexander Drake who does not meet with her parents’ approval and now she has been torn from him. Sara’s parents have learned that Alexander is unfit for their daughter and is only after her money.
The Fleming family is heading to Sara’s uncle’s home, Devon House, in London. There, Sara is to have her come-out. Her cousin, Phillip Sinclair, introduces her to his friend, Christopher Townsend, age 23, who is the Earl of Bridgeton. Christopher and Sara become friends and he learns that she has left someone very dear to her in New York and is very sad about it.
Christopher’s father left very little funds when he died due to his gambling debts. Unless he marries a wealthy woman soon, he will have to sell the family home. He has two younger sisters to care for and a mother who was always neglectful of her children as well.
Christopher is very taken with Sara and she is attracted to him as well, but still professes to love Alexander. Christopher thinks Sara’s father has lost his money when indeed, he is quite wealthy. Since he knows he has to marry a wealthy woman to save his home and family, he realizes he must pursue a rich, but obnoxious, young woman for his wife.
This story really had lots of promise and there were some really well-written parts, but Sara’s flighty ideas of “love” are a real turn-off. But since Christopher is a good man, I decided to be more generous in my review rating.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
September 2, 2018
The Heiress He's Been Waiting For by Kaitlin O'Riley is the First book in the Hamilton Cousins Series. This is the story of Sara Fleming and Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton.
Sara lives in America with her wealthy parents. When Sara becomes engaged to Alexander Drake her parents put a stop to that by tricking her into going on a ship headed to England. Sara is upset with her parents for taking her away from Alexander but does try to enjoy seeing her cousins and such while she waits for Alexander. When she meets Christopher she is attracted to him but works to stand her ground by saying she is engaged to Alexander and waiting for him. Christopher has inherited his family title that is heavily in debit along with the stress of making sure his sister are taken care of...knows he must marry into money. Thinking Sara is not wealth makes it hard to go forward with his feelings for her but they are hard to stop. Both flirt heavily with each other that does lead to series situation but Sara chooses to go with Alexander with Christopher not far behind.
This book does set Sara up in a somewhat different light then most of the heroines and she was somewhat hard to support but in the end she found herself.
Sara lives in America with her wealthy parents. When Sara becomes engaged to Alexander Drake her parents put a stop to that by tricking her into going on a ship headed to England. Sara is upset with her parents for taking her away from Alexander but does try to enjoy seeing her cousins and such while she waits for Alexander. When she meets Christopher she is attracted to him but works to stand her ground by saying she is engaged to Alexander and waiting for him. Christopher has inherited his family title that is heavily in debit along with the stress of making sure his sister are taken care of...knows he must marry into money. Thinking Sara is not wealth makes it hard to go forward with his feelings for her but they are hard to stop. Both flirt heavily with each other that does lead to series situation but Sara chooses to go with Alexander with Christopher not far behind.
This book does set Sara up in a somewhat different light then most of the heroines and she was somewhat hard to support but in the end she found herself.
July 31, 2018
The Heiress He's Been Waiting For by Kaitlyn O'Riley is an interesting spin to the England society. A young lady in New York has fallen for the charms of a no good thief. Yet she has no idea of his schemes nor his evil plans for her. However, her parents have heard the rumors. They tricked their daughter into a boat trip to London. Once there, they will visit their family.
That is where the beauty heiress meets the charming Duke. Only he's dirt poor and trying to protect his sisters and mother from ruin. Marrying a rich lady would help provide for his family. Little does he know that the American lady he's falling for is richer than first rumored.
Sara feels that instant attraction and pull to the Duke. But in her mind she still has eyes for her American beau. Only time, will tell if the American lady and London Duke will find their happily ever after.
Overall, I highly recommend this funny, action-packed, and romantic tale to all. It made me laugh and fall in love with the strong yet determined young couple. Their banters and moments of passion made my heart melt.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
That is where the beauty heiress meets the charming Duke. Only he's dirt poor and trying to protect his sisters and mother from ruin. Marrying a rich lady would help provide for his family. Little does he know that the American lady he's falling for is richer than first rumored.
Sara feels that instant attraction and pull to the Duke. But in her mind she still has eyes for her American beau. Only time, will tell if the American lady and London Duke will find their happily ever after.
Overall, I highly recommend this funny, action-packed, and romantic tale to all. It made me laugh and fall in love with the strong yet determined young couple. Their banters and moments of passion made my heart melt.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
July 1, 2019
I'm glad I put aside my impatience and read without reservation.
First, it helps to remember all the characters are in their early 20s. Sara is only 20- and she's been spoiled her whole life. She actually comes to some really nice realizations at the end, contributing to some major growth. I really appreciated that aspect, and it made me happier for the novel and couple overall.
Christopher is adorable and has had to grow up way too fast for being so young, and it shows. He makes decisions that will benefit his family throughout the entire novel, and it was perfect that he fell in love with Sara for reasons other than her money.
This isn't a new, fresh novel. The tropes have been done, the story is predictable, but it was still a good book to read. I loved the family aspect and think I'm very willing to go back and read the parent novels (I didn't realize this was a spin off series). The secondary cast was present without being overwhelming. While O'Riley hasn't created something brand new, the warmth you feel for the characters will be real, and the family aspect will suck you in.
First, it helps to remember all the characters are in their early 20s. Sara is only 20- and she's been spoiled her whole life. She actually comes to some really nice realizations at the end, contributing to some major growth. I really appreciated that aspect, and it made me happier for the novel and couple overall.
Christopher is adorable and has had to grow up way too fast for being so young, and it shows. He makes decisions that will benefit his family throughout the entire novel, and it was perfect that he fell in love with Sara for reasons other than her money.
This isn't a new, fresh novel. The tropes have been done, the story is predictable, but it was still a good book to read. I loved the family aspect and think I'm very willing to go back and read the parent novels (I didn't realize this was a spin off series). The secondary cast was present without being overwhelming. While O'Riley hasn't created something brand new, the warmth you feel for the characters will be real, and the family aspect will suck you in.
July 10, 2019
Raised in New York, shipping heiress Sara Fleming was ready to elope—until her disapproving parents tricked her on to a boat heading to England. Her only consolation is getting to see her beloved aunts and cousins. Even the start of London’s Season—and a strikingly handsome earl—can’t make her forget the man she left behind. Considered one of London’s most eligible bachelors, Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton, is not what he seems. Having inherited his father’s crushing debt, he must choose a wealthy bride to save his family’s estate. Though rumored to be penniless and committed to another, Sara takes his breath away—and makes him question what he truly needs to be free of the past. But he’ll have to win the headstrong beauty’s heart one kiss at a time.
I was pretty much split on this book. I really liked Christopher, but couldn’t stand Sara. She acted like an immature spoiled little girl at every turn. DNF
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
I was pretty much split on this book. I really liked Christopher, but couldn’t stand Sara. She acted like an immature spoiled little girl at every turn. DNF
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
August 26, 2018
When her parents force her to go to England, how can a spoiled American heiress marry the man she is in love with in the United States? Not too easily and unfortunately Sara does not understand he is after her money. Staying with family in England, Sara continuously plots how to marry her beau in New York. Then she meets Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton, who has to marry for money to save his family. He does not know Sara is a heiress, but finds himself very attracted to her and has to battle with himself to keep on tract. As their attraction grows though, will Sara continue to pine for her love in America or give Christopher a chance?
This is the first book I have read by this author but I really enjoyed it. Wanted to knock Sara out at times and tell her to wake up, but it kept my interest until the end.
This is the first book I have read by this author but I really enjoyed it. Wanted to knock Sara out at times and tell her to wake up, but it kept my interest until the end.
December 31, 2019
Sara was stolen from her one true love, taken to London to visit family right before he was about to propose. She may not want to be in London but she is very happy to be with her extended family and new friends like Lord Christopher. Christopher needs to find a rich heiress as soon as possible to save his family's estate. A normal problem for the London elite but after meeting Sara no other woman can compare. He knows her heart is promised elsewhere and that her father has recently lost all of his money so she's definitely not the woman for him, except not all of that is true. As distance makes the heart question her feelings, Christopher becomes a better friend and maybe even more. But can Sara really trust her heart anymore? A really cute, sweet, funny story from a new-to-me author. Good read!
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