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The Heir
The Heir
The Heir
Audiobook12 hours

The Heir

Written by Grace Burrowes

Narrated by James Langton

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

3.5/5

()

About this audiobook

Gayle Windham, earl of Westhaven, is the first legitimate son and heir to the duke of Moreland. To escape his father's inexorable pressure to marry, he decides to spend the summer at his townhouse in London, where he finds himself intrigued by the secretive ways of his beautiful housekeeper . . .

Anna Seaton is a beautiful, talented, educated woman, which is why it is so puzzling to Gayle Windham that she works as his housekeeper.

As the two draw closer and begin to lose their hearts to each other, Anna's secrets threaten to bring the earl's orderly life crashing down-and he doesn't know how he's going to protect her from the fallout . . .Contains mature themes.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateMay 31, 2016
ISBN9781515974475
The Heir

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Reviews for The Heir

Rating: 3.6244130995305164 out of 5 stars
3.5/5

213 ratings16 reviews

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Gayle Windham, the Earl of Westhaven, heir to be the Duke, has extreme pressure from his father to marry and produce an heir. So much pressure that he was almost forced to marry his current mistress. He knows that he must find someone to marry soon, before his father's manipulations go too far, but then his housekeeper catches his eye. Anna, although has a deep secret from her past, she is determined to make sure it doesn't ruin her present. Even though Gayle is her boss, and an Earl, she can't deny the spark that starts to explode between them, a passion that tempts to inflame them both, and she knows that even though he could be everything she could ever want....she refuses to let her past harm him, no matter the cost to herself. When I first read a review of one of the books from this series, and having such a high rating, I tried to see if it was at my local library, and to my shock and surprise it Was!!!! And I am so glad that I did!!! No regrets with this wonderful historical romance that just tied me up in knots.....it starts out with two people that seem like they are on opposite sides of the tracks....however as the story progresses we see how alike these two are and how much they need each other. Then when everything is revealed, I was very surprise and never saw it coming....I just love a good romance with a twists and turns that delightfully shocks you, and from the first page to the very last I couldn't put it down, it was so enticing, and I just loved this author's style of writing, witty, excitement, sensuality and enough romance to satisfy fully any reader.....I was very impressed by this regency romance that completely won me over!!!!
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    After reading so much about Gayle and Anna in the later two books, I thought their story would be fascinating and interesting. Unfortunately, the problems hinted at in the later two books were very much in appearance here.I liked the characters and thought they were real, three-dimensional people. Again, the supporting characters, especially the brothers which appear in later books were interesting and well written. I did think a relationship between two minor characters was a bit misleading, because it seemed to have romantic overtones, and yet I know one of the brothers gets his story in a later book, and it isn't with this character. So the implied heartbreak doesn't do one of the brothers any justice.However, what really made this book a tough read for me was the plot. The book went on for at least 100 pages after the big "I love you" reveal, and there seemed to be no reason to drag it out for so long. At this point, I felt like the proverbial three-year-old on a long drive: are we there yet? The book really lost my interest as the story went on for a few hundred pages too far, especially for as easily as the big scandal/reveal was handled. The good news is that as this was the first book, and I was reading the three books backwards, that I know the writing and pacing gets better in the later books. The bad news is that if I had started with this story, I'm not sure I would have read the other books, and that would have been a shame.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    3.5 stars - there were elements of this story I enjoyed but I felt it was too long with the ending dragged out. Also I did feel the plot was completely unrealistic but I can let that slide as most regency romances strain the boundaries of reality.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Really probably 2.5 stars, but I'm rounding up. This is weaker than most of the rest of the series, but still has some merits. There are some preposterous parts that made me want to roll my eyes, but I consciously chose to just set them aside and continue on. It's not a super satisfying ending (to me) as well, but it's not egregious. Everyone starts somewhere, and Burrowes has improved considerably since.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    A pretty typical regency love story. I fell in love with the family in this story while listening to book 4 Lady Sophia’'s Christmas Wish. I figured I liked that, I would probably like the rest of the series. And trust me, I did like this story, it was just so repetitive. The same thing kept happening over and over again. Yes you are my housekeeper. I will bring you please but we don't have to have sex. But okay, let's have sex. Will you marry me. No, I have secrets. This is how the story happened and it repeated this about 5 times. It took me 4 weeks to listen to this book. I liked the story, but I am glad it’s over.#NancyDrewChallenge #23
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is the first book in the Windham series. I read it long ago but decided to reread once again. It's a lovely story about a ducal heir, Gayle, and his housekeeper, Anna, who is in hiding from family difficulties. I love Ms. Burrowes style of writing and I love the Windham family, so it goes without saying I love this book. It's a wonderful romance between two strong-willed people. Anna is able to provide the tenderness and comfort that Gayle needs so badly (though he doesn't know it), and Anna needs the security and strength he gives her.It's also a story about family; Gayle's brothers and parents are an integral part of the book as well as Anna's family. Like all families, there are some squabbles but there is also the love that binds them together.The Heir is a wonderful book, and I'm glad to have reread it.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    The Heir
    3.5 Stars

    As the heir to the Duke of Moreland, Gayle Windham, Earl of Westhaven, is under pressure to marry and produce offspring. Determined to thwart his father’s matchmaking machinations, Westhaven sequesters himself in London and is put straight in the path of his young and lovely housekeeper, Anne Seaton, whose secretive past intrigues Westhaven almost as much as his attraction to her.

    Not bad for a debut novel but it does suffer from several shortcomings. To begin with, the pacing is sluggish and the suspense plot lacks the tension and excitement necessary for a truly engrossing story. Nevertheless, the villains are exceptionally smarmy and get their just desserts.

    Second, Anne’s character is problematic as she devolves from a smart, witty and endearing heroine into an indecisive, secretive and blubbering twit. The keeping secrets trope has never been a favorite and makes absolutely no sense here as the hero is well aware that all is not as it seems.

    On a more positive note, Westhaven is a scrumptious hero and his chemistry with Anne is off-the-charts sizzling. Burrowes certainly knows how to write a smoking’ sex scene. The banter between the Windham brothers is another plus and I look forward to reading Dev’s and Val’s books.
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    The beginning of this book started out simple enough but then little things started to bug me and accumulate. The pacing of the romance and the story didn't feel right to me as well as the wording and the situations Westhaven and Anna found themselves in. I just couldn't get into the story because it didn't feel right to me. If you enjoy regency romance give it a try and let me know what you think.I do think the cover is gorgeous and the sensuality was incredibly steamy, just so you know.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I think this is a good first novel for Grace Burrowes.

    I like regency & historical novels and the story line in this one is good. I liked her group of characters. The Earl, his brothers, Anna and her sister.

    My only problem with the book is some of the wording got a little awkward at times. The first 50 pages were probably the slowest for me. After that the story started moving along better.

    The Earls brothers both Dev & Val look to be interesting characters that I would like to see developed. They will be in the second & third novels.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    After reading so much about Gayle and Anna in the later two books, I thought their story would be fascinating and interesting. Unfortunately, the problems hinted at in the later two books were very much in appearance here.I liked the characters and thought they were real, three-dimensional people. Again, the supporting characters, especially the brothers which appear in later books were interesting and well written. I did think a relationship between two minor characters was a bit misleading, because it seemed to have romantic overtones, and yet I know one of the brothers gets his story in a later book, and it isn't with this character. So the implied heartbreak doesn't do one of the brothers any justice.However, what really made this book a tough read for me was the plot. The book went on for at least 100 pages after the big "I love you" reveal, and there seemed to be no reason to drag it out for so long. At this point, I felt like the proverbial three-year-old on a long drive: are we there yet? The book really lost my interest as the story went on for a few hundred pages too far, especially for as easily as the big scandal/reveal was handled. The good news is that as this was the first book, and I was reading the three books backwards, that I know the writing and pacing gets better in the later books. The bad news is that if I had started with this story, I'm not sure I would have read the other books, and that would have been a shame.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The Heir was a good read, although a little uneven.The strengths include the absolutely delightful supporting characters, particularly Morgan (Anna's deaf companion) and Westhaven's brothers. I think we're going to see more of all of them in future books, and I'm really looking forward to reading more about them.My opinion of Anna herself was also positive. I found her sympathetic, with some depth to her character. This depth includes some character flaws, situations where she did things she swore she wouldn't only a few pages earlier. This struck me as her being a real person rather than as inconsistency in the writing.Unfortunately, Westhaven's foibles were more confusing to me. The character wandered back and forth between Sensitive Guy and Arrogant Nobility, and I wasn't quite sure how I was supposed to be thinking of him.Looking at the plot, it primarily involves the love/lust story and the unveiling of Anna's Secret. I enjoyed watching the back story unfold. It was generally well thought out, but with a couple of points where I felt that was stretched as needed to make the book work overall. Even with those bits taken into account, I felt that it had a stronger plot than many books I've read in the genre, which encourages me even more toward reading future books in the series.And yes, this is a steamy read. You can decide for yourself if this is a plus or minus.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I’m not going to go into the plot, as the blurb already accomplished that task for me. What I want to do is announce: Here comes Grace Burrowes!Lately I’ve read a number of début authors that I have wondered where the hell have they been hiding. Their talent is astounding!But I digress, so let me start at the beginning. After reading all the high praise (and a handful of low), I’ve broken down and bought this “highly” recommended read. Well, what can I say? It was worth EVERY penny! I have to warn you, though. This is neither a ‘bodice ripper’ nor your average ‘cookie cutter’ romance. This romance novel is very much character driven and ‘courts’ the reader as much as our hero courts his lady-love. In Westhaven she gave us a hero that’s no ‘rake’ or a ‘scoundrel’ but a loving and patient man, and in Anna an affectionate, well-meaning, strong heroine.Westhaven is one of those heroes that we want to, as Anna did, constantly hug and let be hugged back. I enjoyed the relationship between Westhaven and Anna because of its natural progression from employer to employee, from friendship to love. These two people had to work hard in accepting each other, seeing each other only as Anna and Gayle. Their friendship and love took awhile to blossom, and I found that I enjoyed their slow courting. I was treated to a natural and easy flow of this intriguing duo. Our hero displayed patience with our Heroine, and he controlled his lusts admiringly! The author took a huge gamble in deliberately developing true affection between the two main characters, and never allowing the lust to take over the story, and it paid off big time.It’s not enough to say that this is well written book. This is a very cleverly written book full of period detail, intelligent and witty characters, believable mystery plot and very sweet, passionate love story.Secondary characters, Morgan, The Duke and his Duchess, Dev and Val and especially Douglas and Gwen are given just enough time and space to hook us and ask for more.I’m very impressed with Ms. Burrowes’ style of writing and truly looking forward to her next book in the series, and Dev’s story “The Soldier”. I am hereby officially requesting of the author to eventually give us a prequel to “The Heir”. We need to find out Gwen and Douglas’ love story. All those teasers hooked me real good!If you’re not taken in with the romance part of this book, you’ll defiantly love the mystery part. The author should be congratulated on keeping us on pins and needles almost to the bitter end as to Anna’s real identity. So, here I go, joining the throng of all of those that ‘highly’ recommend this book. Truly, don’t hesitate to take a journey with Anna and Gayle. This Earl and his Housekeeper will steal your heart, burrow deep inside and make you feel warm and fuzzy allover. Definite Keeper shelf material.Melanie
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I really enjoyed reading The Heir. The main characters were really well developed and they had a lot of depth to them which made them very believable. Although not most likely to happen in Regency England the plot was entertaining. Gayle Windham the heir to the Duke of Moreland escapes to his summer house in London to avoid his fathers constant pressure of marriage.Upon his arrival he meets Mrs. Anna Seaton a beautiful housekeeper who has ladylike ways and does not fit the mold of a typical housekeeper. Burrowes did a great job in keeping the mystery around Anna Seaton. I found myself reading through the more than 400 page book just to find out who she was and what terrible thing her and her sister Morgan were running away from. As much as I was glad to reach the reasoning behind their running off and their true identity it felt like the problem solved too quickly for something that was left a mystery for entirely the whole entire story. There were a few characters who did grow on me and that would be the brothers of Gayle Windham - Valentine and Dev I found them more entertaining than the main hero. If you are big on the accuracy of historical romance novels this book might annoy you slightly seeing how there were few things that happened in the plot that was just unrealistic for that time period, unfortunately I can't list them without giving spoilers. For me personally I was able to overlook it and enjoy the book for what it was. I did have to double check and make sure that I didn't miss a book in the series when I was reading The Heir since there were characters being thrown in that made me think I should already know who they are. I usually don't mind a ton of characters but only if they are well introduced and that just wasn't the case with many of the "extra" characters. I really thought this was a second book to the series but it is the first. Regardless of the few negative aspects I talked about regarding this book it was still a good read. I loved Grace Burrowes writing style and seeing how the second book to the series is about Dev one of my favorite characters besides Valentine I do look forward to reading the next book in the series.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    THE HEIR by Grace Burrowes is a historical romance set in nineteenth century England. It is well written, a debut for the author,has depth,details,turns,twists,a page turner and a keeper. It is the first in the series. It has romance, adventure,mystery,love, passion, sensuality, secrets, betrayal,family, wit, intrigue and mysterious housekeeper meets earl. The characters are enchanting and entertaining. The secondary characters are just as enchanting. They are believable with troubled pasts. The hero, Gayle, is an earl, handsome, trying to survive his father's attempts at matrimony,stubborn, complex and has a mysterious, beautiful housekeeper. The heroine, Annie, is beautiful, mysterious, stubborn, high bred, has secrets, determined to keep her deaf, mute sister safe, fleeing from her past, and the attractive earl's housekeeper. Sparks fly between the earl and the housekeeper, while, Annie tries to keep her secrets safe and her past at bay.The earl is determined to protect her, while he learns little by little of her past. He also begins to believe she is hiding secrets. This is a truly astonishing story of love, betrayal, truths, dealing with the past horrors and coming to terms with the future. I would highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy debut authors, love, romance,troubled women, fascinating brothers, humor, fast paced, passion and good coming from past evils. This book was received from Sourcebooks and details can be found at Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks and My Book Addiction and More.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    If you are a fan of romance novels where everything turns out right in the end and boy gets girl, in this case, earl and housekeeper, and plenty of sex than this novel is for you. I hadn't read a romance like this in years because they generally do not hold my interest anymore and I am older now too. This is a story where the Gayle, Earl of Westhaven becomes intrigued with his housekeeper Anna. Anna came to the earls household, with a younger woman, where Anna becomes the housekeeper and the young woman Morgan becomes a maid. Anna has secrets and whenever Gayle tries to get Anna to confide in him she shy's away. The earl and Anna start becoming very close and their relationship soon becomes very sexual. This is where I had a problem with the story, not the sex so much but the fact that the sexual encounters that Anna allows Gayle to have with her is alright but once the earl and his brothers find out Anna's secrets, all of a sudden it is improper for Anna and Gayle to continue to have sexual encounters. In spite of that I did enjoy the story line and the other characters, which included Gayle's siblings and parents. Of course there is always the bad guys and there are a few in this story. Like I said if you like a steamy romance this is a must read.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Plot:Gayle, the earl of Wyndham stays in the city over the summer. He is tired of his father trying to find a woman for him, any woman. But then he notices his pretty housekeeper, or more like she makes him see stars when she knocks him over the head. Anna Seaton is not all she says she is and her secret will lead everyone into danger.My thoughts:I was a bit worried when I started because I had read two reviews that wasn't thrilled over this book. But the more I read the more I liked it, and I put those doubts behind me.Gayle, or Westhaven as they also call him is your typical lord. He has his mistress, he attends all the balls, but the difference is that he does not want some girl right out of the schoolroom that his father throws at him. He wants something more, but mostly he just seems angry at his father. Anna on the other hand is a total enigma, she works as a housekeeper, her deaf sister works there too. She speaks many languages, writes beautifully and speaks way too good not to be hiding something.Yes there were times when I wanted to hit her over the head. She was just so stubborn, that stupid woman, but luckily Westhaven was a man who knew what he wanted and would not let go. He wanted to win her over and I did like that side of him, because he knew she loved him, but she was just too worried about others, which is a good thing, but she should have taken care of herself too.The thing that kept me reading and reading was the mystery part. It was just killing me not knowing who she really was, what she had done and what she was running from. So that was the best part of this book.The romance was also good, it seemed like they could not have each other, she wanted to keep running, he wanted the truth. And some good side characters, especially with his brother, I would want his story, and her sister's story too.Final thoughts and recommendation:She kept the plot going for a very long time, I am glad she did not spill the beans and told the reader why Anna was running, because it just made it impossible for me to put the book down. I am too curious for my own good. By saying that I will give the book a 3,5 because of the mystery part, a great way for me to drive myself crazy by reading and reading to find out the truth. And it was a good reason for running too, can't say more than that.Reason for reading:Sounded good