The Heir and the Spare (Berkley Sensation) [Mass Market Paperback]

When young, lovely American heiress Emilia Highhart arrived in London, most of the fortune seeking ton were instantly enamored, that was until they realized that `grace' was not one of her virtues. Tripping and stumbling over feet whether her own or someone else's was not an uncommon occurrence. At her very first ball, being caught in the arms of the most handsomest man she'd ever encountered had to have been a blessing, or a curse when her aunt informed her that he was the heir to a dukedom, Lord Phillip and his reputation was such that he was entirely unsuitable.

What few people realized was that the man was not Lord Phillip but his identical twin, Lord Devon, presumed dead these last five years. Later finding Emilia nursing a sprained ankle in the library, knowing he must be on his way to his ailing father's bedside, he could not resist a kiss, a kiss that shook him to the core. Devon reluctantly left before they were found in a compromising position, and Emilia who was equally flustered, knew her life as it was would never be the same again.

*** I love it when an author can capture me and was totally engrossed in this lovely Regency debut and finished it in one highly enjoyable sitting. It contained all the elements I look for in a romance, including mistaken identities, duels, scheming and a cast of supporting characters who are as unforgettable as the romantic pair of leads.

Emilia, the heroine of the tale is witty, wealthy, attractive, intelligent, as well as being a complete klutz - in other words, all too human! Devon is the complete opposite of his identical twin Lord Phillip who is a cowardly, mean and ruthless, womanizing rake. The mistaken identity theme and the animosity between the good and evil twin is well-done as Emilia, `rocked' by the kiss from Devon and with his brilliant blue eyes, cannot comprehend when Lord Phillip comes to call and is so inattentive and acts as though the mind-blowing kiss never happened. Her feelings go from ambivalent with Lord Philip and totally alive and aching when with Devon.

Emilia's aunt, Lady Palmerston is a delight as Emilia's `chaperone'. She along with Lady Stillwater were a total hoot, both in their dialogs and their scheming. Lady Palmerston is a gossip who revels in the latest ton scandal sheets, and is amazed at what one learns by walking quietly and eavesdropping. They along with Devon's friend and fiancé Annabelle also added much to the enjoyment of the schemes being laid to reconnect Devon and Emilia once she learned that Lord Phillip (the heir) was not the love of her life but Devon, his twin (the spare) who had captured her heart.

Maya Rodale's debut effort was an extremely enjoyable Regency read, and while not all of the historical aspects made sense, the joy of an entertaining, sweet and lovely romance fully satisfied this reviewer.

[...].

This book caught me on the first chapter and I did not want to put it down. The writing is very good and the story is great - I turned every page waiting for the next shoe to drop.... Emilia is a american heiress that stumbles while entering her first ball - into Devon's arms. He is at the ball pretending to be his awful twin brother - - and it just get better from that point... Enjoy !

If you enjoy this genre check out; Seduction Is Forever by Jenna Petersen, Forever Yours by Janmarie Anello, Spirited Away by Cindy Miles and What A Gentleman Wants by Caroline Linden.

Devon Kensington delayed his return trip from America to England for five years to be with his ailing father. However, in 1818, he finally comes home. At a ball he pretends to be his older twin brother, the Marquis Phillip, which enables him to meet, dance and hold visiting American heiress Emilia Highhart, attending her first ball.

Emilia has problems with her confused feelings for Phillip, who her aunt says is off limits as an unsuitable rake. At times she believes she loves him; at other times she feels nothing for him. She is unaware that the man she loves is the spare and the man she feels nothing for is the heir.

As the twins compete for Emilia, readers will enjoy this fine Regency romance. The key to refreshing this theme of good and bad seeds siblings is the jealousy and hatred Devon feels for his older brother by minutes. Fans will enjoy the competition for Emilia, as the confused female cannot grasp why one moment her body comes alive to seeing the marquis and another it remains dormant. This is a fun historical.

Harriet Klausner