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Seeing Miss Heartstone
Please note: The basic storyline of Seeing Miss Heartstone was originally published as a novella titled, An Invisible Heiress, in the Spring in Hyde Park anthology. This current novel is a greatly expanded version of that plot, adding over 200 pages of text and creating a more robust, well-developed story.
Miss Belle Heartstone—heiress and savvy businesswoman—needs a husband. Immediately. As in, yesterday would not have been soon enough. Her mother’s attempts at matchmaking have been disastrous. So Belle decides to solve the problem her way—survey the market and purchase the best groom available.
Colin Radcliffe, Marquess of Blake—debt-ridden and penniless—needs a large infusion of cash. Desperately. Preferably cash that does not come with a wife attached. It is no surprise, then, when he receives Miss Heartstone’s brazen proposal—her cash, his title, their marriage—that he politely declines.
But before he leaves her, Blake suggests something truly radical: Maybe before finding a husband, Belle should find herself.
His simple words send them both on an unexpected journey, spanning continents and years, entwining their lives in ways neither could have foreseen. Can two lonely souls move past societal expectations and forge a unique life together?
Miss Belle Heartstone—heiress and savvy businesswoman—needs a husband. Immediately. As in, yesterday would not have been soon enough. Her mother’s attempts at matchmaking have been disastrous. So Belle decides to solve the problem her way—survey the market and purchase the best groom available.
Colin Radcliffe, Marquess of Blake—debt-ridden and penniless—needs a large infusion of cash. Desperately. Preferably cash that does not come with a wife attached. It is no surprise, then, when he receives Miss Heartstone’s brazen proposal—her cash, his title, their marriage—that he politely declines.
But before he leaves her, Blake suggests something truly radical: Maybe before finding a husband, Belle should find herself.
His simple words send them both on an unexpected journey, spanning continents and years, entwining their lives in ways neither could have foreseen. Can two lonely souls move past societal expectations and forge a unique life together?
315 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2018
1593 people are currently reading
1078 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 407 reviews
December 29, 2018
Okay, at 46% I'm finally done. The premise of the story doesn't really hold water, or, at least, Belle's background doesn't work. The story starts with her age 19 proposing to Colin, the hero. She has run her father's business empire for the three years since his death and apparently doesn't know that she'd forfeit everything to her husband. She is letting herself be badgered by her mother into believing that a woman must marry somebody so she investigated and found the best bachelor she could and went for it. She didn't question any of her assumptions and it takes Colin pointing out the details of her situation for her to realize how independent she really is and to treasure it. How can someone so ignorant and with such bad assumptions succeeded in the cutthroat business environment of Regency England? It doesn't work.
That said, Colin's response was so heartfelt and empathetic that I fell for him on the spot. So I kept going. And I very much enjoyed the next seven years of their correspondence and growing intimacy, even though he doesn't know that she's his secret partner. His growth was great, and his appreciation for his business partner was endearing. And I totally get her falling deeply in love with him while doing so.
And then he comes home. And everything falls into a blender set to cliché with the switch taped into the "on" position. Belle turns into a huge coward who knows that it's worse the longer she delays but delay she does, anyway. So much for being a decisive and insightful leader (which is the bill of goods we've been sold so far). I'd finally had enough when the author started pulling desperate tricks to prevent the straightening out of the deception. I mean, Lord Odysseus (seriously?!?) is a caricature of insincere insipidity and that Belle was considering him at all is a joke. But foisting him into interruption duty so that Belle can delay the inevitable yet further lost my last ounce of patience. This is at 46% and I shudder to think of the tricks Van is going to need to drag this out further. They are already intimate! (through their long correspondence) The romance is done! Further, Belle knows what she needs to do and every delay is just so much stupid piled on top of idiocy.
So I'm done and I regret pushing past the unlikely beginning. Yeah, Colin is dreamy. But Belle is an unmitigated disaster.
That said, Colin's response was so heartfelt and empathetic that I fell for him on the spot. So I kept going. And I very much enjoyed the next seven years of their correspondence and growing intimacy, even though he doesn't know that she's his secret partner. His growth was great, and his appreciation for his business partner was endearing. And I totally get her falling deeply in love with him while doing so.
And then he comes home. And everything falls into a blender set to cliché with the switch taped into the "on" position. Belle turns into a huge coward who knows that it's worse the longer she delays but delay she does, anyway. So much for being a decisive and insightful leader (which is the bill of goods we've been sold so far). I'd finally had enough when the author started pulling desperate tricks to prevent the straightening out of the deception. I mean, Lord Odysseus (seriously?!?) is a caricature of insincere insipidity and that Belle was considering him at all is a joke. But foisting him into interruption duty so that Belle can delay the inevitable yet further lost my last ounce of patience. This is at 46% and I shudder to think of the tricks Van is going to need to drag this out further. They are already intimate! (through their long correspondence) The romance is done! Further, Belle knows what she needs to do and every delay is just so much stupid piled on top of idiocy.
So I'm done and I regret pushing past the unlikely beginning. Yeah, Colin is dreamy. But Belle is an unmitigated disaster.
November 2, 2018
Oh man she did it again. How! This is a short story in a anthology she wrote with other authors. I read that story and loved it! When she sent this I was a little worried, I wanted something new, not something I already had read.....but it's Van so of course I started immediately:} This is a deeper story with more of both characters growth, more of why they do what they do. I loved every minute of it:} The story of Belle is unique to the regency world. She is a woman of business and thinks very logically. Colin has a very important conversation with her and changes the course of her life. Her journey was a fun one to read, I just wanted her to figure it all out so she could be happy. Of course Colin was awesome and I loved him:} Van is just a great writer.
July 22, 2020
This book frustrated me and frankly annoyed me.
The first half of the book is pretty good, the story has an interesting premise, and the characters are generally likable. However, halfway through the story, it becomes cliche-ridden and melodramatic.
The premise of the story is that the heroine is a 19-year-old heiress who is being pressured by her mother and uncle to get married. She doesn't question this societal expectation even though she inherited her father's wealth (so she's independently wealthy); however, given the laws of the time (1816), the moment she marries, she loses any independence. So, why would she marry? I think she's being portrayed as intellectually mature, emotionally immature.
The heroine then decides to take matters into her own hands and find a husband of her choosing, so she proposes marriage to a Marquis who is in dire financial straights, but by her own investigation into his background is a good man. However, he doesn't want to marry someone who he doesn't know just for money, unlike most aristocrats, as he inherited the title from a distant cousin, so we assume he was raised with middle-class values. He then points out to the heroine that as an independently wealthy woman, she should embrace her independence and ability to be whatever she wishes to be, that she should find herself. Clearly he's very mature, and his words have a lasting effect on the heroine.
To thank the hero for his advice, she decides to invest in this venture he wants to do in India (in order to raise the capital to pay off the debts of the title he inherited). However, she does so anonymously. The hero accepts once he thinks he's figured out who the anonymous investor might be (his sister's father in law). Over the next seven years, the two begin a correspondence that makes them not only business partners but also best friends.
This is all fine; the premise is a little shaky but interesting and somewhat original. The problem with the story is that it begins to collapse somewhere in the middle. The heroine has been agonizing for years about revealing the truth of her identity to the hero, but once the relationship grows, she finds herself unable to tell him the truth as they get deeper and deeper into their partnership and friendship. Fine! We can overlook this even though it's been seven years!
The real problems begins when he returns to England, and she still hasn't revealed her true identity to him. They meet by chance upon his return but he doesn't recognize/remember her, and she doesn't clarify this or reintroduce herself to him. Further, he writes to her (his friend) letting her know that he believes he's discovered the identity of his business partner and that he will visit the person he believes is his partner and friend in Bath (where he thinks his friend is living) and she doesn't write to him to let him know that's not her — allowing him to make a fool of himself with someone else.
Now, I haven't mentioned that she has fallen in love with him through their correspondence. So not only is she his friend, she has romantic feelings for him and still doesn't have the decency, to be honest with him and tell him the truth about how they met and their long-distance friendship partnership. He begins to form an attachment to her when he returns and meets her in London, still not knowing who she is, and she still waits months(!) to tell him the truth. And this is all happening in the most cliche/ melodramatic setting possible.
I had to keep skipping forward because I couldn't take the heroines mealy-mouthed behavior. This is supposed to be a woman of industry who over the years has matured and become self-possessed, so self possed by the way, that she tells potential suitors that she's not interested in them before they can begin their suit. In the nicest, most charming way possible, of course so that they all still love her. She's supposed to also be this great philanthropic person, so like Mother Theresa, except that she's a dishonest prick to the man she supposedly loves, who is also her best friend!
I rarely write reviews for books I don't like, but I really hate it when a book that had the potential to be a sweet (not too deep) romance turns out so poorly because the author wanted unnecessarily extend the angst and not in an enjoyable way.
My advice would have been to have the heroine reveal the truth as soon as she knows he returns and build the angst through her trying to repair the damage she did to their friendship by deceiving him all those years. Throughout this, his romantic feeling for her could grow as he gets to know her as a person and woman. This also would have given the story the much-needed depth it well, needed.
/end rant
The first half of the book is pretty good, the story has an interesting premise, and the characters are generally likable. However, halfway through the story, it becomes cliche-ridden and melodramatic.
The premise of the story is that the heroine is a 19-year-old heiress who is being pressured by her mother and uncle to get married. She doesn't question this societal expectation even though she inherited her father's wealth (so she's independently wealthy); however, given the laws of the time (1816), the moment she marries, she loses any independence. So, why would she marry? I think she's being portrayed as intellectually mature, emotionally immature.
The heroine then decides to take matters into her own hands and find a husband of her choosing, so she proposes marriage to a Marquis who is in dire financial straights, but by her own investigation into his background is a good man. However, he doesn't want to marry someone who he doesn't know just for money, unlike most aristocrats, as he inherited the title from a distant cousin, so we assume he was raised with middle-class values. He then points out to the heroine that as an independently wealthy woman, she should embrace her independence and ability to be whatever she wishes to be, that she should find herself. Clearly he's very mature, and his words have a lasting effect on the heroine.
To thank the hero for his advice, she decides to invest in this venture he wants to do in India (in order to raise the capital to pay off the debts of the title he inherited). However, she does so anonymously. The hero accepts once he thinks he's figured out who the anonymous investor might be (his sister's father in law). Over the next seven years, the two begin a correspondence that makes them not only business partners but also best friends.
This is all fine; the premise is a little shaky but interesting and somewhat original. The problem with the story is that it begins to collapse somewhere in the middle. The heroine has been agonizing for years about revealing the truth of her identity to the hero, but once the relationship grows, she finds herself unable to tell him the truth as they get deeper and deeper into their partnership and friendship. Fine! We can overlook this even though it's been seven years!
The real problems begins when he returns to England, and she still hasn't revealed her true identity to him. They meet by chance upon his return but he doesn't recognize/remember her, and she doesn't clarify this or reintroduce herself to him. Further, he writes to her (his friend) letting her know that he believes he's discovered the identity of his business partner and that he will visit the person he believes is his partner and friend in Bath (where he thinks his friend is living) and she doesn't write to him to let him know that's not her — allowing him to make a fool of himself with someone else.
Now, I haven't mentioned that she has fallen in love with him through their correspondence. So not only is she his friend, she has romantic feelings for him and still doesn't have the decency, to be honest with him and tell him the truth about how they met and their long-distance friendship partnership. He begins to form an attachment to her when he returns and meets her in London, still not knowing who she is, and she still waits months(!) to tell him the truth. And this is all happening in the most cliche/ melodramatic setting possible.
I had to keep skipping forward because I couldn't take the heroines mealy-mouthed behavior. This is supposed to be a woman of industry who over the years has matured and become self-possessed, so self possed by the way, that she tells potential suitors that she's not interested in them before they can begin their suit. In the nicest, most charming way possible, of course so that they all still love her. She's supposed to also be this great philanthropic person, so like Mother Theresa, except that she's a dishonest prick to the man she supposedly loves, who is also her best friend!
I rarely write reviews for books I don't like, but I really hate it when a book that had the potential to be a sweet (not too deep) romance turns out so poorly because the author wanted unnecessarily extend the angst and not in an enjoyable way.
My advice would have been to have the heroine reveal the truth as soon as she knows he returns and build the angst through her trying to repair the damage she did to their friendship by deceiving him all those years. Throughout this, his romantic feeling for her could grow as he gets to know her as a person and woman. This also would have given the story the much-needed depth it well, needed.
/end rant
December 22, 2018
I enjoyed the characters in this Regency story because of how they sought to expand their horizons and were courageous enough to make changes to achieve their goals. Belle and Colin challenge each other in the best ways, complementing each others strengths and forming a strong business and friendship. I liked that they helped those less fortunate, especially veterans of the Napoleonic wars and their families. I felt bad for Colin that he was kept in the dark for so long, but understood why. There is plenty of angst as Belle and Colin both struggle with how to reveal/expose the secret identity of LHF. The storytelling is enhanced with letters between the two over the years, and I can't imagine waiting six months for replies! I liked the story when it was a novella, and even better as a novel with more themes explored and a deepening of the thoughts and emotions of Belle and Colin. A sweet romance with ups and downs between two people who are perfect for each other- if only they can manage to forgive and trust.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
September 4, 2021
England 1816, also India & gradually 7 years on. This
author had a MA in English & it showed. She won the
2018 Whitney Award for Best Historical Romance!!!
In 1816, 19 year old heiress Belle proposed a MOC with
4 yrs her senior Colin, former Army captain and new
marquess, deeply in debt. He declined. He told her she
should value herself more than wanting to wed a near
stranger. Belle learned business acumen from her late
banker/ investor father. Few knew of her skills, except
her solicitor Sloan & her companion/ friend Anne.
His mother and sisters raised Colin while Dad served in
the Army. Colin had feminist leanings RE a female being
intellectually challenged via her vocation or avocation.
Later the heroine challenged his leanings by use of her
acquired skills.
Belle fronted Colin 5000 pounds for his venture in India.
She became his anonymous/ silent partner "LHF." All
correspondence to/ from India was sent via Sloan. These
2 wrote of business deals, but soon included riddles, his
sketches ie monkeys etc. Colin concluded LHF must be
his sister Cecily's FIL Lord Halbert.
The H + h also exchanged hopes/ dreams. They created a
working farm for military veterans & their families & an
orphanage in England. Several times she wrote but did
not send a note informing Colin she was indeed LHF. She
now loved him? The correspondence was one of the best
aspects of the story. After 7 years in India & increasing
his worth, tenfold, Colin returned to England. He planned
to speak w/ Halbert.
Now the H+ h were each valued for his/ her net worth. I
loved how this couple meshed. Belle tortured herself w/
her secret. Belle did not 'pull any punches' once Colin
confronted her about her secret. She was 'right on the
$' pointing out that Colin missed the clues: she was
female (in exchanged letters), & about her personality.
Even her words. An interesting, complex couple.
A minor issue. Colin did not recall Belle for a time. The
author informed readers Colin had difficulty recalling
names/ faces.
Revised.
author had a MA in English & it showed. She won the
2018 Whitney Award for Best Historical Romance!!!
In 1816, 19 year old heiress Belle proposed a MOC with
4 yrs her senior Colin, former Army captain and new
marquess, deeply in debt. He declined. He told her she
should value herself more than wanting to wed a near
stranger. Belle learned business acumen from her late
banker/ investor father. Few knew of her skills, except
her solicitor Sloan & her companion/ friend Anne.
His mother and sisters raised Colin while Dad served in
the Army. Colin had feminist leanings RE a female being
intellectually challenged via her vocation or avocation.
Later the heroine challenged his leanings by use of her
acquired skills.
Belle fronted Colin 5000 pounds for his venture in India.
She became his anonymous/ silent partner "LHF." All
correspondence to/ from India was sent via Sloan. These
2 wrote of business deals, but soon included riddles, his
sketches ie monkeys etc. Colin concluded LHF must be
his sister Cecily's FIL Lord Halbert.
The H + h also exchanged hopes/ dreams. They created a
working farm for military veterans & their families & an
orphanage in England. Several times she wrote but did
not send a note informing Colin she was indeed LHF. She
now loved him? The correspondence was one of the best
aspects of the story. After 7 years in India & increasing
his worth, tenfold, Colin returned to England. He planned
to speak w/ Halbert.
Now the H+ h were each valued for his/ her net worth. I
loved how this couple meshed. Belle tortured herself w/
her secret. Belle did not 'pull any punches' once Colin
confronted her about her secret. She was 'right on the
$' pointing out that Colin missed the clues: she was
female (in exchanged letters), & about her personality.
Even her words. An interesting, complex couple.
A minor issue. Colin did not recall Belle for a time. The
author informed readers Colin had difficulty recalling
names/ faces.
Revised.
November 26, 2018
First, isn't that cover gorgeous?!?!
This has one of the most memorable opening scenes, it's one that will stick with me. Very unique, especially for the time period. This was a really captivating story, great characters and a fun plot. I think this is the authors first "regency" at least without any paranormal elements, and it was great. The writing was well done, characters well developed and it kept me turning the pages. Highly recommend to any regency fan, especially those who like a more unique bluestocking type heroine.
Content: Clean romance, mild language.
This has one of the most memorable opening scenes, it's one that will stick with me. Very unique, especially for the time period. This was a really captivating story, great characters and a fun plot. I think this is the authors first "regency" at least without any paranormal elements, and it was great. The writing was well done, characters well developed and it kept me turning the pages. Highly recommend to any regency fan, especially those who like a more unique bluestocking type heroine.
Content: Clean romance, mild language.
November 5, 2018
I really loved this one and plowed right through it like a champ. I just couldn't put it down. The goosebumps were real, friends! And I just love a strong, smart, capable female lead. Especially when they are kind. I adored Belle- she was the best. What a fun change of genres from an author I love.
Content: mild swearing
- I picked this one up with Kindle Unlimited
Content: mild swearing
- I picked this one up with Kindle Unlimited
January 13, 2019
Dear Nichole Van,
You have done it again! I found myself picking up another book written by you and being drawn in from the beginning. I anticipated the moment when I could read it and I dreaded the moment when I had to set it down. I didn't want it to end. I wanted to stay immersed in the world of Belle and Colin. From the first words spoken at their first meeting, to the ending of their final words spoken in the book. I loved them. I adored them. Their straightforwardness at the beginning and their honest...well almost complete honesty drew me in further. Their struggles and desires. Their riddles and business matters. The openness of their hearts. Belle might have lived for each of Colin's letters, but I lived for the beginning of each chapter with a letter. Ok, maybe I didn't live for it, but I sure did enjoy knowing a new chapter was there that I might gain more insight into their lives.
Oh, the tangled web that was woven of deceit...not planned deceit but a tangled web for sure. Poor Belle. Carrying such a weight on her shoulders. Yet, she sure had the strength and fortitude to do so. I loved her business savvy mind and the good she set out to do and that she accomplished. Especially with her being a woman in a world ruled by men. That she had a loving and caring father to guide her and teach her that she could make a difference by using her gifts and talents for good.
The humor and banter, the unexpected surprises all were a delight to read in this book. How grateful I was that I could share a few hours with these characters and their stories to lighten my heart. A happy story of growth, healing, serving and love is definitely a story worth reading in my mind.
Might I ask if there will be any more characters from this wonderful novel who will have their own story of growth and love? It would make my heart leap with joy and happiness if so. But I understand there are so many characters waiting inside your mind for their own turn. And I'm sure I'll enjoy whatever stories come our way from your cleverness. Thank you for the witty humor, the heartwarming romance and the sweet moments of joy. I look forward to future stories and furthering our correspondence together on this subject of reading and writing. Until that future date I thank you again for a clean and sweet romance story.
For some readers who are wondering about content, there is one mild swear word used a few times throughout but nothing morally more than kissing.
A very delightfully engaging story that I will be returning to again and again and will recommend to many readers! All it took was seeing the gorgeous cover, the author's (your) name and I knew it would bring hours of enjoyment for myself and others. Many heartfelt thanks for another engaging read!
Your humble reader (and number one fan and previous letter writer-in a previous review of another of your books),
Julie <3
P.S. I received a copy from ebooks. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
You have done it again! I found myself picking up another book written by you and being drawn in from the beginning. I anticipated the moment when I could read it and I dreaded the moment when I had to set it down. I didn't want it to end. I wanted to stay immersed in the world of Belle and Colin. From the first words spoken at their first meeting, to the ending of their final words spoken in the book. I loved them. I adored them. Their straightforwardness at the beginning and their honest...well almost complete honesty drew me in further. Their struggles and desires. Their riddles and business matters. The openness of their hearts. Belle might have lived for each of Colin's letters, but I lived for the beginning of each chapter with a letter. Ok, maybe I didn't live for it, but I sure did enjoy knowing a new chapter was there that I might gain more insight into their lives.
Oh, the tangled web that was woven of deceit...not planned deceit but a tangled web for sure. Poor Belle. Carrying such a weight on her shoulders. Yet, she sure had the strength and fortitude to do so. I loved her business savvy mind and the good she set out to do and that she accomplished. Especially with her being a woman in a world ruled by men. That she had a loving and caring father to guide her and teach her that she could make a difference by using her gifts and talents for good.
The humor and banter, the unexpected surprises all were a delight to read in this book. How grateful I was that I could share a few hours with these characters and their stories to lighten my heart. A happy story of growth, healing, serving and love is definitely a story worth reading in my mind.
Might I ask if there will be any more characters from this wonderful novel who will have their own story of growth and love? It would make my heart leap with joy and happiness if so. But I understand there are so many characters waiting inside your mind for their own turn. And I'm sure I'll enjoy whatever stories come our way from your cleverness. Thank you for the witty humor, the heartwarming romance and the sweet moments of joy. I look forward to future stories and furthering our correspondence together on this subject of reading and writing. Until that future date I thank you again for a clean and sweet romance story.
For some readers who are wondering about content, there is one mild swear word used a few times throughout but nothing morally more than kissing.
A very delightfully engaging story that I will be returning to again and again and will recommend to many readers! All it took was seeing the gorgeous cover, the author's (your) name and I knew it would bring hours of enjoyment for myself and others. Many heartfelt thanks for another engaging read!
Your humble reader (and number one fan and previous letter writer-in a previous review of another of your books),
Julie <3
P.S. I received a copy from ebooks. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
March 5, 2019
The cover is beautiful, it really drew me to the book. Regency romance is so exciting to read about. It's a time of different rules and etiquette than we have now. What is acceptable, what is not? It's such a different time period, the formal ballgowns, the upper class opulence. Reading a book like this really immerses me in the time period and I very much enjoy it.
Tea anyone?
Published November 1st 2018 by Fiorenza Publishing
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Tea anyone?
Published November 1st 2018 by Fiorenza Publishing
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 5, 2018
Loved it so much!
I never read the novella so I can't comment on how much she added to this.
It's a variation of Daddy Long Legs only so much better and perfect. I read it one sitting.
It's straight historical, no paranormal elements in this one, but you don't need them. I reread the last few chapters twice already.
Wholeheartedly recommend.
I never read the novella so I can't comment on how much she added to this.
It's a variation of Daddy Long Legs only so much better and perfect. I read it one sitting.
It's straight historical, no paranormal elements in this one, but you don't need them. I reread the last few chapters twice already.
Wholeheartedly recommend.
March 16, 2023
I liked this one
November 11, 2019
3 and 1/2 Stars - Clever Victorian Tale with a Strong Beginning
I loved how this story began. Miss Belle Heartstone, a young woman successful in business, thanks to her father, decided to take the advice of Colin Radcliffe, Marquess of Blake, the man who rejected her proposal of marriage and live her life without a husband, at least for the time being.
She knows Blake is debt-ridden and needs money to sustain his inherited lands so, without disclosing her identity, she gets her solicitor to offer Blake money as an investment in trade. He thinks he’s dealing with an older man, not a woman. So, he accepts the funds and goes off to India, all the while partnering with a person wise in business he knows only as LTF.
Over the next years, Belle and Blake engage in correspondence that reflects their success in trade in fabric, spices and other things. The author very cleverly presented us with endearing letters that included riddles. By the time Blake comes back to England, he and LTF are best friends.
The first half of the book was excellent and captured my interest, however, in the middle, it sagged rather badly with repeated thoughts and introspection. How many times could he wail his betrayal at the hands of a woman he met in India? How many times could Belle beat herself up for “betraying” him by not revealing her identity (which, in my mind was no betrayal at all).
Halfway through, I began skipping paragraphs. And missed nothing. At 315 pages, I think the author could have edited the middle to delete whole passages without losing a thing. And I found the hero’s intense anger at Belle when he discovers who she is unwarranted and, frankly, ridiculous. What he would have been is delighted to discover the women he has become attracted to is his best friend.
Except for the sagging middle and Blake’s unrealistic reaction to Bell’s identity, I would have given it 5 stars. It was a well written and clever. The ending was sweet, too. I’d like to read more by this author to see if the other books have a more consistent pace.
I loved how this story began. Miss Belle Heartstone, a young woman successful in business, thanks to her father, decided to take the advice of Colin Radcliffe, Marquess of Blake, the man who rejected her proposal of marriage and live her life without a husband, at least for the time being.
She knows Blake is debt-ridden and needs money to sustain his inherited lands so, without disclosing her identity, she gets her solicitor to offer Blake money as an investment in trade. He thinks he’s dealing with an older man, not a woman. So, he accepts the funds and goes off to India, all the while partnering with a person wise in business he knows only as LTF.
Over the next years, Belle and Blake engage in correspondence that reflects their success in trade in fabric, spices and other things. The author very cleverly presented us with endearing letters that included riddles. By the time Blake comes back to England, he and LTF are best friends.
The first half of the book was excellent and captured my interest, however, in the middle, it sagged rather badly with repeated thoughts and introspection. How many times could he wail his betrayal at the hands of a woman he met in India? How many times could Belle beat herself up for “betraying” him by not revealing her identity (which, in my mind was no betrayal at all).
Halfway through, I began skipping paragraphs. And missed nothing. At 315 pages, I think the author could have edited the middle to delete whole passages without losing a thing. And I found the hero’s intense anger at Belle when he discovers who she is unwarranted and, frankly, ridiculous. What he would have been is delighted to discover the women he has become attracted to is his best friend.
Except for the sagging middle and Blake’s unrealistic reaction to Bell’s identity, I would have given it 5 stars. It was a well written and clever. The ending was sweet, too. I’d like to read more by this author to see if the other books have a more consistent pace.
July 23, 2022
Oh, my word. Just when I think I can't love Nichole Van's books any more than I already do! I seriously have no words to describe how much I adore her writing. I was completely immersed in this regency romance from the first page and absolutely could NOT put it down!
Belle, a savvy businesswoman with a large inheritance, decides to propose marriage to the Marquess of Blake to avoid having her mother pick her husband. Blake politely declines but gives Belle some advice that changes her life trajectory and sends them both on an unexpected path that intertwines their lives and spans the course of years.
Oh, my friends, the romance between Colin and Belle is enough to give you some serious heart palpitations. I have so many favorite scenes - The boat ride! The letters! The library! The carriage! The lake!
Am I using too many exclamation points? I think not. Trust me, this book deserves them all.
This book gave me all the feels and the only thing I didn't like about it was that it ended.
If you have not experienced a Nichole Van book, you are truly missing out! This one will be sitting on my favorites shelf but will definitely not be gathering any dust. I cannot recommend it enough!!
Belle, a savvy businesswoman with a large inheritance, decides to propose marriage to the Marquess of Blake to avoid having her mother pick her husband. Blake politely declines but gives Belle some advice that changes her life trajectory and sends them both on an unexpected path that intertwines their lives and spans the course of years.
Oh, my friends, the romance between Colin and Belle is enough to give you some serious heart palpitations. I have so many favorite scenes - The boat ride! The letters! The library! The carriage! The lake!
Am I using too many exclamation points? I think not. Trust me, this book deserves them all.
This book gave me all the feels and the only thing I didn't like about it was that it ended.
If you have not experienced a Nichole Van book, you are truly missing out! This one will be sitting on my favorites shelf but will definitely not be gathering any dust. I cannot recommend it enough!!
November 7, 2018
It was lovely to be able to read the expanded version of this story (I originally read it as a novella in one of the Timeless Romance Anthologies). This book really brings to light not only their individual struggles, but also the depth of the relationship that they have built before they are reunited. I enjoyed seeing all of the side characters (especially those from the House of Oak series) and the relationships they maintained as well. Belle has a great character arc, and neither she nor Colin are overly stubborn.
May 15, 2019
I'm never disappointed with a Nichole Van book. This one was wonderful. I really appreciated the character development and the depth of the friendship between the two main characters, even if things were misunderstood. I also really liked that they had the same fight multiple times, because that is so real! Not everything is resolved through one conversation in real life, and I thought she did an excellent job with that.
February 7, 2020
This was truly excellent. A bit of Daddy Long Legs, the woman pining for the man ( I love that reversal) and a delicious Regency sensibility. The hero's overreaction to a few misunderstandings was a tad eye roll inducing but the heroine more than made up for it with her intelligence, winsome nature and compassion. Luckily he figures out how brilliant she is. Lovely story wonderfully written.
April 30, 2023
I am a Nichole Van forever! Her books are just so wonderful!
Here is what I loved:
- hidden identity
- letter writing
- slow burn
- swoony kisses
- strong-willed heroine
Here is what I didn't love:
- I felt like Belle was a little too desperate
Here is what I loved:
- hidden identity
- letter writing
- slow burn
- swoony kisses
- strong-willed heroine
Here is what I didn't love:
- I felt like Belle was a little too desperate
September 16, 2025
Did I want to throw my phone across the room while listening to this book? Yes, at one point I most definitely did. While I did take a lengthy pause before diving back in, Nichole Van once again proved that it’s worth the pain to experience the joy 😂
August 16, 2023
2.5 stars
As usual for Nichole Van, the prose is lovely. Unfortunately that is almost the only thing I like about this book. The plot relies on a molehill being made into a mountain and then hyped up drama about that molehill. The female MC says this at one point in reference to a book she was reading:
“I prefer my heroines with a little more pluck.”
How ironic. So do I. Belle spends most of this book lamenting her lack of courage to tell Blake the truth about his business partner. Blake is so honorable he comes off as a self-righteous, judgmental jerk with a persecution complex. While Belle spends her time hand-wringing, Blake whines. And whines. What is the big deal about who his mysterious business partner is, anyway? Whoever it is has made him a fortune and been a long-distance friend exchanging lukewarm letters for seven years, has never gotten him into a spurious enterprise and never embezzled a penny from him. WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL? WHY is this a mountain instead of a molehill? I just don’t get it.
Even the romance lacked sizzle. This author usually writes a great passionate kiss—or twelve—into her books but not here. Very disappointing.
As usual for Nichole Van, the prose is lovely. Unfortunately that is almost the only thing I like about this book. The plot relies on a molehill being made into a mountain and then hyped up drama about that molehill. The female MC says this at one point in reference to a book she was reading:
“I prefer my heroines with a little more pluck.”
How ironic. So do I. Belle spends most of this book lamenting her lack of courage to tell Blake the truth about his business partner. Blake is so honorable he comes off as a self-righteous, judgmental jerk with a persecution complex. While Belle spends her time hand-wringing, Blake whines. And whines. What is the big deal about who his mysterious business partner is, anyway? Whoever it is has made him a fortune and been a long-distance friend exchanging lukewarm letters for seven years, has never gotten him into a spurious enterprise and never embezzled a penny from him. WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL? WHY is this a mountain instead of a molehill? I just don’t get it.
Even the romance lacked sizzle. This author usually writes a great passionate kiss—or twelve—into her books but not here. Very disappointing.
January 7, 2019
Nichole Van has become one of my go to authors. Anytime she has a new book available, I get excited to read it. She has a way of putting the characters as if they are real people! Crazy I know! This one did the same. I love Belle from the beginning, her strong personality and ambitions for that time period was amazing. Colin aka Lord Blake, how could you not like this gentleman! I love the relationship he and Belle built through friendship. Isn't that all love stories start? friends first. I actually caught myself sighing a few times. Each of these characters discovered who they were in their own right and learned a little about each other along the way. I definitely recommend this author. She has not disappointed me yet!
October 24, 2023
*3.5 stars*
I think this just wasn't quite for me because I'm not a fan of keeping a secret from someone most of the book and then the big drama is going to happen and that's a huge part of this one. Like I wish they brought the big secret out WAY sooner. Plus the beginning was very slow. I was so interested at first hoping it'd be a marriage of convenience but nope. I like them as separate characters but I never really got the butterflies from them. Then towards the end I was just ready to be done. 🙈 I think this just wasn't the book for me but I love this author tho and so many of her other books.
I think this just wasn't quite for me because I'm not a fan of keeping a secret from someone most of the book and then the big drama is going to happen and that's a huge part of this one. Like I wish they brought the big secret out WAY sooner. Plus the beginning was very slow. I was so interested at first hoping it'd be a marriage of convenience but nope. I like them as separate characters but I never really got the butterflies from them. Then towards the end I was just ready to be done. 🙈 I think this just wasn't the book for me but I love this author tho and so many of her other books.
September 27, 2023
This pains me to DNF a Nichole Van novel, but the prolonged drama due to dishonesty (like over 7 years worth) drives me crazy. Transparency is way more romantic.
Gave it 2 stars instead of 1 for the bold yet unique opening scene and the kind-hearted hero.
Instead of the heroine chickening out after 7 years of correspondence and continuing to deceive the hero upon his return, it would have been better for her to come clean and have the angst be around recovering from the blow.
No matter, I shall return to one of Van’s Scottish novels where I believe she shines best.
Gave it 2 stars instead of 1 for the bold yet unique opening scene and the kind-hearted hero.
Instead of the heroine chickening out after 7 years of correspondence and continuing to deceive the hero upon his return, it would have been better for her to come clean and have the angst be around recovering from the blow.
No matter, I shall return to one of Van’s Scottish novels where I believe she shines best.
November 15, 2018
Brilliant Study of Human Nature & Romance
This is a remarkable book. There, I have said it. Ms. Can offers us an inventive and rich story. The epistolary style sets time and offers direction. The two leads are sketched to such a depth that I became immersed in their pathos and satisfying resolution. Would that I could weave a story that lifts the reader into the sky much as this book lifted me with its brilliant metaphors. Thank you for this experience.
This is a remarkable book. There, I have said it. Ms. Can offers us an inventive and rich story. The epistolary style sets time and offers direction. The two leads are sketched to such a depth that I became immersed in their pathos and satisfying resolution. Would that I could weave a story that lifts the reader into the sky much as this book lifted me with its brilliant metaphors. Thank you for this experience.
June 16, 2020
I really liked this story. It was clean and sweet. I liked the relationship between the two main characters and how it develops. I did feel a few times it dragged on a little...but not enough to get annoyed :). All in all a very nice read!
March 19, 2025
After an odd and promising start, this book just frustrated and bored me.
May 18, 2023
Nichole Van always has great plots with unique ingredients.
December 18, 2021
It's been a very, very long time since I've read a romance. This book was gifted from my dear friend, so not my normal cup of tea. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I genuinely enjoyed it. Threads of feminism woven throughout, a man who is actually amazing (and not a jerk!), and a love based on friendship, common interests and deep connection (and not gender or age). Refreshing and fun.
March 31, 2019
Miss Heartstone is desperate. She must find a husband for herself before her mother succeeds in marrying her off to someone horrible, and so she decides to take matters into her own hands. And she does so by proposing marriage to the Marquis of Blake. Blake turns her down, and what's more, he gives her advice to be happy with her financial freedom and avoid marrying until she finds someone she loves.
His advice changes her, and to show her gratitude, she anonymously invests in his financial venture under the name of LHF. But when he writes to LHF, it links them together in friendship - except for the fact that Miss Heartstone is afraid to reveal who she really is.
I really enjoyed this romance - it was sweet, clever, and clean. I loved Miss Heartstone's character and how she was able to achieve her financial success in her business endeavors, in spite of the limitations on women during the time period. And the author did a great job of making it believable as well. And I loved the romance, and how the characters both had to overcome their fears and preconceptions.
His advice changes her, and to show her gratitude, she anonymously invests in his financial venture under the name of LHF. But when he writes to LHF, it links them together in friendship - except for the fact that Miss Heartstone is afraid to reveal who she really is.
I really enjoyed this romance - it was sweet, clever, and clean. I loved Miss Heartstone's character and how she was able to achieve her financial success in her business endeavors, in spite of the limitations on women during the time period. And the author did a great job of making it believable as well. And I loved the romance, and how the characters both had to overcome their fears and preconceptions.
September 5, 2024
When I was young, it never occurred to me that I was less intelligent or capable than a man. But once I became a woman, I was disabused of this over time. I wonder if part of the reason that Romance novels are so popular is to experience male acceptance. Just a theory. Seeing Miss Heartstone is the astonishing story of a woman whose father saw her that way. Unfortunately, good characters like that die young. So, Belle was left with the power of a man (at least until she married) but recognizing that single women weren’t viewed as acceptable unless they were in service. As an heiress, Belle takes a very capitalist approach to finding a good husband, proposing to a good man who turns her down. In doing so, he challenges her to learn to fly. This is the tale of a woman who does that and reaps the consequences. This is romance so it ends happily, no fear. Blake is a good man, especially for the time. I just got annoyed. A lovely story.
July 15, 2025
3rd reading
This one fits chronologically in between House of Oak book #4 and #5. Love this epistolary story. Love Miss Heartstone’s journey and growth. I love that she got her own story.
Still one of my favorites.
____________
2nd reading via audiobook.
Just lovely. Probably one of my favorites.
_______________
A longer, revised version of the novella "The Invisible Heiress".
This can be a stand alone story, or you can read the House of Oak series, as Belle is the heiress from book 4.
All the hearts and all the feels. The revisions just deepened the storyline and the characters became even more rich. This is a story of two people coming together in true love and friendship.
Squeaky clean.
This one fits chronologically in between House of Oak book #4 and #5. Love this epistolary story. Love Miss Heartstone’s journey and growth. I love that she got her own story.
Still one of my favorites.
____________
2nd reading via audiobook.
Just lovely. Probably one of my favorites.
_______________
A longer, revised version of the novella "The Invisible Heiress".
This can be a stand alone story, or you can read the House of Oak series, as Belle is the heiress from book 4.
All the hearts and all the feels. The revisions just deepened the storyline and the characters became even more rich. This is a story of two people coming together in true love and friendship.
Squeaky clean.
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