3.5 Stars Historical romances can be some of the most fun reads for escapism and The Heiress's Daughter by Anne Gracie pulled me right into the world of the Regency era ton.

Heiress Clarissa Studley has a list of requirements for what she wants from a husband, qualities that add up to the opposite of her rakish father who neglected her and broke her late mother's heart. Clarissa wants to marry for love, not someone who is a rake or wants her for only her fortune. Thus, she has been keeping Race, Lord Randall, at arm's length and is determined not to fall in love with him. Or at least not more than she already is. Though he is wealthy and not after Clarissa's fortune, Race's reputation as a rake has her convinced that he could never be a faithful husband. Race has adored Clarissa since they first met and is determined to prove her--and society--wrong about him. When another suitor vies for Clarissa's affection, Race becomes more desperate to prove to Clarissa that he truly loves her and she can trust him with her heart.

Clarissa and Race were fantastic main characters and it's easy to see why they fell for each other. Though she is insecure and doubts herself, Clarissa is brave, kindhearted, and willing to sacrifice anything for those she loves, especially her half-sisters. Race defies the rumors about him and his reputation; he's willing to fight for Clarissa, support her, and be vulnerable with her, while also respecting her and her boundaries. The side characters were especially fun, especially Zoë and Mrs. Price-Jones. I'm hoping that Zoë's story is next!

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to Berkeley & NetGalley for this ARC!

This was fine! That's really all I can say about it - didn't love it & didn't hate it. For me, this book majorly dragged until about 60% in... then we got to 70% in and it dragged again until the end. Maybe I would've been more invested had I read the first 2 books in the series! I just felt like the 2 MCs (Clarissa & Race) were almost NEVER together in any scenes, so I was really left wanting. Also I cannot stop thinking about this one scene that went, almost verbatim, like this (I don't even remember who said what at this point, but I was cracking up):

*Race & Clarissa see each other at a ball*
Clarissa: I need to speak with you... tomorrow.
Race: Ok let's speak tomorrow
*Scene ends - cut to the next day*

Like... why?

Anywho, not my favorite Anne Gracie book, but still very sweet.

Super cute regency romance that kept me entertained through the whole novel. Lord Randall is a supposed rake and Clarissa wants to find someone who wants her for more than her money. She has a list of requirements and one is he cannot be a rake like her father was. Can Clarissa ever trust anyone enough to agree to marriage?

Fun, easy read that will capture your heart. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy for an honest review.

Anne Gracie’s flawless writing is something every reader should experience. Clarissa and Randall’s love story captured my heart and this is easily one of the HR book I have ever read!!

In The Heiress's Daughter, Anne Gracie explores how abuse and neglect as a child continues to affect the person who suffered through it into adulthood. The heroine, Clarissa Studley, had a father who was abusive and neglectful by turns and who did this to both Clarissa and her mother. It leaves Clarissa, who wants a husband and children, with difficulties in making decisions about suitors. She sees herself as plain and plump, as her father pounded into her repeatedly, and believes the only thing men find appealing about her is her fortune. She does not want a husband like her father, but seems unable to distinguish which of her suitors would not be like that. When Race, Lord Randall proves attentive, she cannot trust his sincerity because of his reputation as a rake, until he rescues her from what she believed to be a good prospect. This book is part of the Brides of Bellaire Gardens series and some of the characters from the previous books make an appearance which was fun. Strongly recommended.

Gracie creates wonderfully complex characters in her Regency Romances. The Heiress’s Daughter has Clarissa and Lord Randall.
I loved Lord Randall. He was so accepting of Clarissa from the beginning as he saw her value was not in her dowry and her beauty was beyond what was on the surface. He is a much better hero than his best friend Leo from the previous book.

Clarissa was so beaten down by her father’s verbal abuse that it took a while for her to trust her own judgment and to believe that someone could love her, just her, and she could be enough.

The first book in this series continues to be my favorite. I like that Lady Tarrant and her charming step daughters are included in this book.

There was a bit too much waffling back and forth with oh he’s a rake but I so desire him but he’s a rake, etc.
Also not sure the side story of finding a possible long lost half sister was essential.

All in all, another good book in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a super cute story about Clarissa, an heiress who struggles to believe she deserves the love and attention of a man, and Race, a rake who finds himself falling in love with a truly amazing woman for the first time. Lots of twists and turns, including a forced betrothal. Overall a fun read.

3.5 stars.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.