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A Lady in Need of an Heir
She needs an heir…
But not a husband!
Gabrielle Frost knows that marrying any man would mean handing over control of her beloved family vineyard in Portugal to her new husband. She won’t take that risk. But she needs an heir! So when Nathaniel Graystone, Earl of Leybourne, arrives to escort her to London, Gabrielle wonders—what if this former soldier, with his courage, strength and dangerous air, could be the one to father her child?
But not a husband!
Gabrielle Frost knows that marrying any man would mean handing over control of her beloved family vineyard in Portugal to her new husband. She won’t take that risk. But she needs an heir! So when Nathaniel Graystone, Earl of Leybourne, arrives to escort her to London, Gabrielle wonders—what if this former soldier, with his courage, strength and dangerous air, could be the one to father her child?
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 20, 2018
111 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Louise Allen
424 books331 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 1, 2018
I've given this a B+ at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars.
A Lady in Need of an Heir sees author Louise Allen skilfully gender-flipping the frequently used trope of a man needing to marry in order to produce an heir. In this story, a successful, independent businesswoman, whose family has been making wine and port in the Douro Valley for generations, is unwilling to cede control of her family legacy to a husband and has to find an alternative means to preserve it.
Nathaniel Graystone, Earl of Leybourne, has finally bowed to the pressure (read: constant nagging) of his godmother to travel to Portugal in order to persuade her niece to return to England, make a good marriage and settle down. Gabrielle Frost is a single lady of aristocratic lineage with no immediate family and should certainly not be living on her own and running a business – it’s just not done. Gray – a former soldier who knows the area well from his time spent with the English army during the Penisular War – quickly realises that the task his godmother has set isn’t going to be as easy as he had initially thought, because Miss Frost is clearly clever, determined and knows her own mind. It’s obvious that she has a very firm grasp of her business and very strong attachment to the Quinta do Falcão, which has been in her family for generations.
Gaby knows full well that her aunt is aiming to wed her to her foppish cousin George, which, Gray has to admit, would be a terrible match. Still, he is dead set against her remaining in Portugal on her own, no matter that he can see how capable and strong-minded she is. But over the next few days, as he begins to fully appreciate what the business means to Gaby and to see how skilfully she runs it, he starts to change his opinions somewhat.
Gaby loves the work she does and is justifiably proud of her accomplishments. Unfortunately however, the death of her younger brother during the recent war has left her with no one to pass Frost’s on to when the time comes; she has no close relatives and the idea of one day selling the business to a stranger is not one she relishes. Equally, the idea of marrying in order to produce an heir is abhorrent and would mean losing all control over the business; the law states that “By marriage, the husband and wife are one person in law: that is the very being or legal existence of the woman is suspended during the marriage.” And she is certainly not going to risk putting Frost’s into the hands of a man who could sell it off on a whim or run it into the ground.
After a slightly awkward misunderstanding with a close neighbour, Gaby decides that perhaps a visit to London for a couple of months might be a good idea. She can make it clear to her aunt that she has no intention of marrying George – or anyone – and perhaps it will give her the opportunity to carry out the daring scheme she has concocted. The only way to preserve Frost’s legacy will be to conceive a child without marriage – but it must appear as though she’s been married and widowed when she returns to Portugal, so that the child will not bear the stain of illegitimacy. Of course, the man she chooses must be discreet, and then agree to vanish from her life and have no contact with her or their child ever again.
She recognises from the outset that this will be far from an easy task, but is sure it’s the only way to secure Frost’s for future generations. And her growing feelings for Gray – and his for her – are adding layers of complication to an already difficult situation. Gaby immediately rules out the idea of asking Gray to father her child; using him in that way would be unfair, and the idea of marriage is equally impossible. Even if Gray had not made clear his disinclination to marry again, he has responsibilities that require his continued presence in England, while Gaby’s home and work is in Portugal, making a future together an impossible dream for both of them.
Ms. Allen does an extremely good job with her characterisation of Gaby as an independent woman of good sense with a mind and opinions of her own. Even better, the setting and the links that have existed between England and Portugal since the fourteenth century make Gaby’s situation an extremely plausible one that requires no mental gymnastics on the part of the reader to accept. The scenes in which we witness Gaby’s knowledge of her estate and the business of wine and port production add interest and colour to the story (without bogging it down), and I really appreciated the presence of a strong heroine who doesn’t need to prove herself to anyone, or prove herself by making others look weak. Gaby knows who she is and is comfortable in her own skin.
Gray is an admirable hero with a similar sense of self and aura of competence that are very attractive. His gradually dawning respect for Gaby is well done and I liked that, even when he doesn’t agree with her living alone and working for her living, he can appreciate her skill and understand the reasons behind her reluctance to marry. The attraction between the couple does spring up a little quickly perhaps, but there is plenty of chemistry between them and the author takes the time to develop their relationship before they do more than exchange a few heated kisses. One of the most satisfying things about this romance is the honesty between Gray and Gaby. There is a misunderstanding near the end, which serves to inject a bit of uncertainty into the latter part of the story, but for most of the book, the two communicate well, and don’t shy away from telling each other the truth, even when that truth is difficult to face. The one false note struck is in the backstory of Gray’s unhappy first marriage, which he seems to have been given in order to provide Reasons for his reluctance to remarry; but once he’s fallen for Gaby, he realises he’s crashed through that roadblock, so I had to wonder why the author had chosen to include it in the first place.
That’s the only thing that didn’t really work for me in A Lady in Need of an Heir, which is otherwise a refreshingly different historical romance and one I’m happy to recommend to others.
A Lady in Need of an Heir sees author Louise Allen skilfully gender-flipping the frequently used trope of a man needing to marry in order to produce an heir. In this story, a successful, independent businesswoman, whose family has been making wine and port in the Douro Valley for generations, is unwilling to cede control of her family legacy to a husband and has to find an alternative means to preserve it.
Nathaniel Graystone, Earl of Leybourne, has finally bowed to the pressure (read: constant nagging) of his godmother to travel to Portugal in order to persuade her niece to return to England, make a good marriage and settle down. Gabrielle Frost is a single lady of aristocratic lineage with no immediate family and should certainly not be living on her own and running a business – it’s just not done. Gray – a former soldier who knows the area well from his time spent with the English army during the Penisular War – quickly realises that the task his godmother has set isn’t going to be as easy as he had initially thought, because Miss Frost is clearly clever, determined and knows her own mind. It’s obvious that she has a very firm grasp of her business and very strong attachment to the Quinta do Falcão, which has been in her family for generations.
Gaby knows full well that her aunt is aiming to wed her to her foppish cousin George, which, Gray has to admit, would be a terrible match. Still, he is dead set against her remaining in Portugal on her own, no matter that he can see how capable and strong-minded she is. But over the next few days, as he begins to fully appreciate what the business means to Gaby and to see how skilfully she runs it, he starts to change his opinions somewhat.
Gaby loves the work she does and is justifiably proud of her accomplishments. Unfortunately however, the death of her younger brother during the recent war has left her with no one to pass Frost’s on to when the time comes; she has no close relatives and the idea of one day selling the business to a stranger is not one she relishes. Equally, the idea of marrying in order to produce an heir is abhorrent and would mean losing all control over the business; the law states that “By marriage, the husband and wife are one person in law: that is the very being or legal existence of the woman is suspended during the marriage.” And she is certainly not going to risk putting Frost’s into the hands of a man who could sell it off on a whim or run it into the ground.
After a slightly awkward misunderstanding with a close neighbour, Gaby decides that perhaps a visit to London for a couple of months might be a good idea. She can make it clear to her aunt that she has no intention of marrying George – or anyone – and perhaps it will give her the opportunity to carry out the daring scheme she has concocted. The only way to preserve Frost’s legacy will be to conceive a child without marriage – but it must appear as though she’s been married and widowed when she returns to Portugal, so that the child will not bear the stain of illegitimacy. Of course, the man she chooses must be discreet, and then agree to vanish from her life and have no contact with her or their child ever again.
She recognises from the outset that this will be far from an easy task, but is sure it’s the only way to secure Frost’s for future generations. And her growing feelings for Gray – and his for her – are adding layers of complication to an already difficult situation. Gaby immediately rules out the idea of asking Gray to father her child; using him in that way would be unfair, and the idea of marriage is equally impossible. Even if Gray had not made clear his disinclination to marry again, he has responsibilities that require his continued presence in England, while Gaby’s home and work is in Portugal, making a future together an impossible dream for both of them.
Ms. Allen does an extremely good job with her characterisation of Gaby as an independent woman of good sense with a mind and opinions of her own. Even better, the setting and the links that have existed between England and Portugal since the fourteenth century make Gaby’s situation an extremely plausible one that requires no mental gymnastics on the part of the reader to accept. The scenes in which we witness Gaby’s knowledge of her estate and the business of wine and port production add interest and colour to the story (without bogging it down), and I really appreciated the presence of a strong heroine who doesn’t need to prove herself to anyone, or prove herself by making others look weak. Gaby knows who she is and is comfortable in her own skin.
Gray is an admirable hero with a similar sense of self and aura of competence that are very attractive. His gradually dawning respect for Gaby is well done and I liked that, even when he doesn’t agree with her living alone and working for her living, he can appreciate her skill and understand the reasons behind her reluctance to marry. The attraction between the couple does spring up a little quickly perhaps, but there is plenty of chemistry between them and the author takes the time to develop their relationship before they do more than exchange a few heated kisses. One of the most satisfying things about this romance is the honesty between Gray and Gaby. There is a misunderstanding near the end, which serves to inject a bit of uncertainty into the latter part of the story, but for most of the book, the two communicate well, and don’t shy away from telling each other the truth, even when that truth is difficult to face. The one false note struck is in the backstory of Gray’s unhappy first marriage, which he seems to have been given in order to provide Reasons for his reluctance to remarry; but once he’s fallen for Gaby, he realises he’s crashed through that roadblock, so I had to wonder why the author had chosen to include it in the first place.
That’s the only thing that didn’t really work for me in A Lady in Need of an Heir, which is otherwise a refreshingly different historical romance and one I’m happy to recommend to others.
July 3, 2019
I'm just going to copy/paste what I told a friend on Twitter: "Hero arrives at her house to drag her back to London so she can be properly married and she’s just like 'Mmm, no thanks fam. I’m a badass winemaker. Get on board or stay out of my way. Also I like sex. Byeeeee.'"
And, basically, if that doesn't appeal to you, I don't know what to say. We all stan a sexually liberated, competent businesswoman who falls in love with an open-minded and thoughtful war hero.
The only downside was the Dark Moment, in which the heroine gets pregnant (the lady needs an heir, folks!) but the hero is convinced the fetus couldn't be his because they used the infallible pull-out method both times they had sex. Like. Okay, Bob. Suuuuure.
And, basically, if that doesn't appeal to you, I don't know what to say. We all stan a sexually liberated, competent businesswoman who falls in love with an open-minded and thoughtful war hero.
The only downside was the Dark Moment, in which the heroine gets pregnant (the lady needs an heir, folks!) but the hero is convinced the fetus couldn't be his because they used the infallible pull-out method both times they had sex. Like. Okay, Bob. Suuuuure.
June 19, 2022
I enjoyed this. The answer to their dilemma was so obvious that it took away from the story waiting for them to figure it out.mi liked the Portuguese details and the port wine info. I liked that the heroine had had a lover before and was not ashamed of it. Decent read on the whole.
August 21, 2018
Nathaniel (Gray) Graystone, 28, Earl of Leybourne, is visiting Portugal. He remembers how it was during the war when he fought here as a Colonel.
He has arrived at Quinto de Falcao which is a port wine making estate. There he is greeted by Miss Gabrielle (Gaby) Frost, 25, and her companion, Miss Jane Moseley. Gaby is not happy at Gray’s arrival. She knows he has been sent by her aunt and his godmother, a woman who can be quite abrupt and bossy. Gaby is the last of the Frost family and with her brother lost in the war, has no one to leave the Quinto to. Her aunt wants Gaby to leave the Quinto, go to England for a season, and find a man to marry.
Gray is a widower with 5-year-old twins and is not interested in getting married again.
Gaby would like to have a child to whom she can leave the Quinto but does not want to marry and have to be under her husband’s jurisdiction.
After a few days spent at the Quinto, Gray gains an appreciation for the estate and for the excellent Port that Gaby is producing. As the harvest has just been completed, Gray convinces Gaby and her companion to accompany him to London. There, against her aunt’s wishes, she decides to rent her own house for a couple of months to enjoy the season and the sights of London.
A beautiful woman, Gaby is very popular and as he has promised to chaperone her, Gray is drawn to her despite his vow to never marry again. Will their times together spark into something more and convince them to change their minds about marriage?
The descriptions of the places in Portugal and of the soirees in London are the saving grace of this book for me. I found the cat and mouse games between Gaby and Gray to be a bit overdone and wearisome at times, but I'm sure that readers will enjoy their story.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
He has arrived at Quinto de Falcao which is a port wine making estate. There he is greeted by Miss Gabrielle (Gaby) Frost, 25, and her companion, Miss Jane Moseley. Gaby is not happy at Gray’s arrival. She knows he has been sent by her aunt and his godmother, a woman who can be quite abrupt and bossy. Gaby is the last of the Frost family and with her brother lost in the war, has no one to leave the Quinto to. Her aunt wants Gaby to leave the Quinto, go to England for a season, and find a man to marry.
Gray is a widower with 5-year-old twins and is not interested in getting married again.
Gaby would like to have a child to whom she can leave the Quinto but does not want to marry and have to be under her husband’s jurisdiction.
After a few days spent at the Quinto, Gray gains an appreciation for the estate and for the excellent Port that Gaby is producing. As the harvest has just been completed, Gray convinces Gaby and her companion to accompany him to London. There, against her aunt’s wishes, she decides to rent her own house for a couple of months to enjoy the season and the sights of London.
A beautiful woman, Gaby is very popular and as he has promised to chaperone her, Gray is drawn to her despite his vow to never marry again. Will their times together spark into something more and convince them to change their minds about marriage?
The descriptions of the places in Portugal and of the soirees in London are the saving grace of this book for me. I found the cat and mouse games between Gaby and Gray to be a bit overdone and wearisome at times, but I'm sure that readers will enjoy their story.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 6, 2022
When Allen is on her game, she's really on it, and this is one of her good ones: a finely-drawn setting, just enough historical detail involving the Peninsular War to make the book feel well-grounded, and an endearing hero and heroine both. There is, of course, some plot ridiculousness keeping the two apart for far too long, but that's par for the course in category romance unfortunately.
August 19, 2018
Forthcoming review.
July 6, 2019
Minu arvamuse leiab blogist https://triinuraamatud.wordpress.com/...
August 22, 2018
A enjoyable leisure read. I was really unsure what to expect from this read but am very happy with what it turned out to be. This is an author that is known to me by her works previously. I have always enjoyed her stories and way of writing. So for this one, I had some expectations and was happy to say they were met and exceeded. The only down side on this book was a little too much game between the characters. From one continent to the other the characters are strong and interesting. I thought the story line was a little unique in this one. I found from page one I actually enjoyed it enough to read it in one sitting. So if you want a good book that will hold your attention and just be nice to relax with then you need to buy this one. I was given this arc via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Regards, Anna
October 28, 2018
Gray (Nathaniel Graystone, Earl of Leybourne) is sent to Portugal to bring back Gabrielle, his godmother's niece, to London. Since she is a woman alone running the family business of producing port, everyone thinks she needs a husband except her. Because of the laws at the time, all property belongs to a woman's husband and Gabrielle is not willing to give up her work and heritage. She's independent and unconventional for the time. I had to keep reminding myself that Gray is a product of his time as he insists she come with him to London and that Gabrielle is an anomaly in her belief she needs an heir but no husband. They immediately were attracted to each other and the slow development of friendship, respect and change in perspective was well done.
August 17, 2019
Louise Allen can always be counted on for a good story. A Lady in Need of an Heir is particularly interesting because it deals with an injustice faced by women of the time. When a woman married, everything she owned automatically belonged to her husband.
The heroine, Gabrielle Frost, owns a vineyard in Portugal dedicated to producing port. She cannot bear to put her beloved property into the hands of a man who might decide to sell it. Therefore, she doesn’t intend to marry—but she needs an heir.
How can she and the man she falls in love with, an English earl from Yorkshire, reach their HEA? It’s well worth reading this story to find out. :)
The heroine, Gabrielle Frost, owns a vineyard in Portugal dedicated to producing port. She cannot bear to put her beloved property into the hands of a man who might decide to sell it. Therefore, she doesn’t intend to marry—but she needs an heir.
How can she and the man she falls in love with, an English earl from Yorkshire, reach their HEA? It’s well worth reading this story to find out. :)
January 22, 2024
Unlike so many romances set in this time period, Louise Allen presents her characters with very real obstacles to overcome. Her characters are appealing and dimensional. The hero is determined to find a way to honor the heroine's need to preserve her rights and yet give them a future together. That he manages to do so makes this a satisfying read.
September 23, 2018
I've decided this author is not for me....
November 13, 2018
“ . . . I do not need a chaperone when I have you, surely?”
Gray silently reviewed the parts of his anatomy Godmama would attack at the news that he was squiring her niece around London unchaperoned. He shrugged. He was most attached to all of them, but he could probably move faster than she could. “On your head be it.”
Gabrielle tied the ribbons on a particularly elegant bonnet and paused to admire the effect in the mirror. “Well, this is what’s on my head at the moment—the best Lisbon milliners can produce.”
Gray silently reviewed the parts of his anatomy Godmama would attack at the news that he was squiring her niece around London unchaperoned. He shrugged. He was most attached to all of them, but he could probably move faster than she could. “On your head be it.”
Gabrielle tied the ribbons on a particularly elegant bonnet and paused to admire the effect in the mirror. “Well, this is what’s on my head at the moment—the best Lisbon milliners can produce.”
May 7, 2023
Absolutely brilliant, I was into it from the first page.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews