The Hesitant Heiress: Volume 1

Set during the Gilded Age of 1890 in Boston's high society, The Hesitant Heiress is the first book in The Everstone Chronicles and the author's debut novel. The setting is gorgeous as the characters move between Boston's wealthiest district to the their elite summer homes in Maine. There are many characters to meet besides the two main characters Amaryllis and Nathan, since this is the first book in the five-book series. It is written in first person perspective of the heroine Amaryllis, which provides much insight into her character but sometimes can get confusing since the movement of the plot must all be funneled through what she sees, hears, thinks, and does. Most of the plot is carried through conversation and dialogue, which is reminiscent of Regency era novels. The story line is also reminiscent of the Regency era stories, with Amaryllis needing to find a husband to inherit a fortune, Nathan trying to woo Amaryllis despite her misgivings, and a series of unfortunate and mysterious incidents and accidents. Those who enjoy Regency-type romance in a decadent era of American history will enjoy this book. Amaryllis is a confused soul - stripped of her hopes and dreams of opening a music school, unwillingly forced into Boston's high society, terribly haunted by her mother's long-ago death and events surrounding it, saddened by her father's distance and recent death, and dejected by her sense of unworthiness. Her infatuation with Nathan seemed a bit over-the-top but her conflicting and bleeding emotions were real and understandable. Nathan, though he comes across as overbearing and arrogant at times, is unnervingly patient and tender, even when rejected repeatedly by Amaryllis. Their dialogue is filled with biting sarcasm and wit, which is terribly fun. Their intertwined backstory is somewhat complicated but eventually comes out as they learn to actually talk to each other instead of skirting around their issues. There is a subtly integrated villain that threw a curve ball into the story. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series to get to know better Lawry (Amaryllis' cousin), Estella and Vance (Nathan's siblings), and Nicholette (you'll just have to read this book to find out who she is). I received the book via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.