Enchanting the Heiress

Author: Kristi Ann Hunter
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Hearts on the Heath #3
Release Date: March 1, 2022

​Miss Harriet Hancock enjoys playing the role of eccentric heiress, using her wealth and influence to cleverly and anonymously better the lives of those in Newmarket. Though she keeps people at a distance to protect a years-old secret, when her friend pleads for help on a personal project, Harriet can't resist.

Stable hand Jonas Fitzroy would do anything for his twin sister, even if it means seeking out the woman whose meddling ways have made him wary and suspicious. The last thing he expects is for Miss Hancock to request his help in writing a book. Intent on revealing her underlying plan, Jonas agrees.

As they work together, an unexpected friendship forms. But when things for once don't go according to Harriet's plan, she's left wondering if good intentions might not be enough. Is there a way to mend the broken pieces of her life? And will Jonas give her another chance at his heart?

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

If you like Jane Austen's Emma, Enchanting the Heiress by Kristi Ann Hunter may seem similar.

Like Emma, Harriet Hancock thinks she knows what is best for everyone. She is manipulative, so people don't really notice how she has moved things around until the outcome is what she wants. 

Jonas Fitzroy sees through Harriet and is wary of her conniving ways, primarily when she seeks him out on the pretense of helping her write a travel book. He knows she is up to something, but he can't figure it out.

Honestly, it took me way too long to warm up to these characters. And I believe that is because it is the third book in the series (something I missed when I selected this book for review). So it cannot be read as a standalone. In addition to that little blip, I felt the book's premise fell a little flat. I loved the nod to Jane Austen's Emma, but, like Jonas, I didn't believe what was going on for a second. It felt too contrived.

However, after sticking with the book, I was glad to see how both Jonas and Harriet grew emotionally and spiritually. While I didn't quite buy their love story, the fact that they both learned from each other and grew better as human beings was nice to see. I particularly loved the Scripture verses scattered throughout this book and how Jonas (and eventually Harriet) brought them to mind when needing wisdom from the Lord.

If you have read the first two books, you will likely enjoy revisiting Jonas, Sophie and Harriet again. I recommend you read them first before diving into this one.

I received this book from Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest review.

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