Isabelle has quite an imagination, she makes up a story for all the people she encounters. She also seems to act selfishly. Not sure what Fallon sees in her at the beginning. Although she does end up showing some compassion towards the end of the book. I guess you could say that I just didn't like her character much. Fallon however more than makes up for her. I've read the other Spare Heir books, and couldn't wait to read his story.

This is a great edition to the Spare Heirs series and I look forward to reading the installment after this. There are so many secrets floating around that you may find yourself staying up all night to learn all of the answers. The main characters are well matched and fun to spend time with, even though they are complete opposites. There is danger, misunderstandings, and a fast pace.

The mysterious Fallon St. James and the Lady Isabelle Fairlyn are front center in the 3rd installment of this wonderful series. St. James is always in control of himself and every situation until he runs into Isabelle. She is the complete opposite of him with a sunny optimistic outlook on life. The plot is rich with intrigue, self discovery and passion. The plot was flawlessly woven with an emotional journey that left you turning the page with anticipation. The suspense left you holding your breath with the creative masterpiece of story telling. You absolutely will fall in love with these people and their story.

I rarely give 5-star reviews, but this one definitely deserves it. I haven’t read the other books in the series, but you don’t need to read them in order to enjoy this book.

First, I’ll mention the Spare Heirs Society. It wasn’t what I thought it would be. Since I hadn’t read the first two books of the series, I assumed that it was a group of gentlemen who had banded together to help each other succeed financially in life by advising each other on investments, etc. Not so, although they do some of that kind of thing. To me, they sound sort of like a benign mafia. They do help the downtrodden by providing protection to places that are generally preyed upon – like gaming hells and brothels, etc. The members are paid a stipend and those who need it are even offered a place to stay in the ‘headquarters’. I’m thinking that maybe after this book they may head toward more aboveboard, totally legal enterprises. I hope so.

Fallon St. James is a total control freak. We don’t really learn a lot about his background other than his deceased father was a drunken lout as is his brother (the heir). Evidently the brothers never see or talk to each other. Fallon is the head of the Spare Heirs Society and he devotes his entire being to the organization. He is always planning, meeting, etc. in furtherance of the Society – it is his whole life and he doesn’t know how to make room for anything else. He sleeps little and eats little because those are wastes of time he could be spending working for the Society. So when he meets Lady Isabelle Fairlyn and she decides they will be friends, he has no idea what to do with her.

Lady Isabelle Fairlyn has only been a ‘Lady’ for about four years. Before that, he father was an unlikely heir. Isabelle is definitely a Pollyanna – she only sees the good in everything. She lives in books and stories of romance and love. Her head is definitely in the clouds and she ‘falls in love’ every other month. Because of the contentious relationship between her parents, she absolutely can’t abide conflict and therefore, her version of love means that there will always be agreement, sunshine, butterflies and unicorns. Yes – she does sound immature, but I don’t think she really is – I think she just has no idea of what love really is because she hasn’t seen it.

When the villain sets his sights on Isabelle with an eye to ruining her, her family and the Spare Heirs because of an old grudge, Fallon has to save her. When he finds her unconscious and nearly dead along with a ‘confession’ letter about missing artwork from the museum he takes her to his home (which is also the SHS headquarters). He has to keep her locked up in order to keep her safe and protected – so – of course he locks her in his bedroom. Why – well – nobody other than him can provide her with the protection she needs. Well, I told you he was a control freak!

As they spend the next month in close proximity to each other, they get to know each other and really care for each other. Fallon, however, can’t see a future for them together because of the Spare Heirs. Plus, he’s afraid of her finding out about the Heirs and what they really do. The read, the solution to the troubles and the road to love are all wonderfully done with the excellent writing of Elizabeth Michels. I definitely recommend the book.

"I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

This is a must buy book! I was totally lost in the story. My heart was involved as well as mind. I felt horrible for the young heroine that she was innocent and naive and wanted love with all her heart or her perception of love. The hero... a little grimy a little worldly and strong. Masculine and arrogant but needy in his own way. Each of the characters in this story sang to my heart and my mind. I only wish we had such an organization in this day and age! Not to mention those hunky arrogant loving gentlemen! Such a story is truly timeless and one that I shall remember. I can only say buy the book and enjoy the journey in your reading! I was given this book in return for a honest review. Anna