The Last Heiress

The Last Heiress by Mary Ellis is an historical romance novel.  It is starts in 1864 in Manchester, England.  Amanda is the heiress to Dunn Mills.  Her father is not feeling well (and Amanda does not realize how ill he really is) and needs someone to go to the states and see about their cotton shipments.  Amanda is looking forward to going as it will give her a chance to visit with her twin sister, Abigail.  She has not seen her sister since she ran away and got married five years previously.  Amanda travels to North Carolina (this is during the Civil War) with her ladies maid, Helene. 

Amanda will be staying with her sister, Abigail and her brother-in-law, Jackson Henthorne.  Jackson does not think that women have a place in business and does his best to ignore Amanda’s request regarding cotton.  Jackson believes that Amanda’s father just sent her to America so she would be away when he passed away.  Amanda has trouble living with the Henthorne’s because they own slaves.  It creates conflict especially because of Amanda’s maid, Helene.

Nathaniel Cooper is from the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina.  He has opened Cooper’s Greengrocery in Wilmington, North Carolina.  Amanda meets him one day and is instantly attracted to him.  Jackson does everything to discourage Amanda’s interest in this “unsuitable” man.  But Jackson does not realize how stubborn and determined Amanda can be when she sets her mind on something. 

The war starts to heat up and the Yankees are coming closer to their town.  Loyalties will be tested, romances will be tested, and fortunes lost before the war and the book draws to a close.

I found The Last Heiress a normal historical romance novel.  It was okay, but it did not grab me or draw me in.   I did not find the storyline to be believable (who would send their daughter to a country in the middle of war to conduct business especially in 1864).  I give The Last Heiress 3 out of 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.

I appreciate you visiting and reading my latest review.  I am currently reading An Empty Cup by Sarah Price.  Have a good weekend and Happy Reading!

Kris