An Heiress to Remember
Avon, 2020
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This cover is exquisite. I’m drooling.
So. I had a hard time reviewing this book. The premise is: Beatrice, a 36-year-old divorceé and former duchess comes back to NYC to reclaim her life and run her father’s formerly successful department store….Wes is her first love and he’s made his own fortune building and running a rival department store. Also, he wants revenge on Beatrice and her terrible family.
There are so many good things to say about this book. Really, really. It’s wicked smart and the research is just phenomenal. I admire and respect that it grappled with complex themes like maintaining personal freedom and independence while in love and/or part of a couple. Particularly for women.
I think the reason that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I did the previous books in The Gilded Age Girls Club (and I freaking LOVE THIS SERIES) is because the romance sort of…played second fiddle? I found myself more interested in the life and career and female friendships that Beatrice was creating than her relationship with Wes. Which… that’s all good stuff. But the romance still should be the star of the show in a romance. Right? I just wanted more high octane feelings and a stronger focus on their relationship.
Also, this particular ARC seemed a little less polished up than some previous ARCS I’ve read from Maya Rodale. Not really a criticism though… just an observation.
This book still gets four stars from me. It’s too well done for anything less.
Thank you Netgalley and Avon for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.