Set in 1893 in the high society world of Newport, Rhode Island, the novel The American Heiress paints a vivid picture of that life of wealth and privilege, looking specifically at the young American heiress Cora Cash. Like many young women, she spends some time in England, where her mother hopes that she’ll land a title.
Cora is headstrong and does not wish to do what her mother wants, but as it turns out, she has a riding accident on the property of a duke and indeed lands the titled husband her mother covets.
If you think that adjusting to your mother-in-law was tough, imagine Cora having to deal with the “double duchess” (married to two different dukes at two different times). And things only get worse when her husband’s old flame and her old beau show up on the scene.
Though historical fiction isn’t usually my first choice of fictional genre, I enjoyed Daisy Godwin’s The American Heiress. It felt a bit like Jane Austen chick lit. The same scenes of parties and social systems and the themes of strong women, romantic conflicts, class structures made it read a bit like Jane Austen light (light because the setting and dresses and whatnot are the same, but without the quick dialogue and social commentary). I don’t know if historical fiction and chick lit often go hand in hand, but this definitely read like women’s light fiction with a lavish historical setting.
AUDIO NOTES: June is National Audiobook month, and if you aren’t a convert yet, why not give it a try? When I first started buying audiobooks, I always went for “bang for the buck” and with 13 hours of listening time to the pleasant voice of Katherine Kellgren, you definitely get your money’s worth on this one. For some reason, a very long book with sort of a quiet pace is often more appealing to me via audio.
You can hear an excerpt on the Macmillan Audio page.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio, I have a copy of The American Heiress audiobook on CD to give away to one of you. Just leave a comment if you’d like to win (U.S. addresses only). We’ll announce the winner on July 6.The giveaway is closed.
The winners of our previous giveaway Fabulous Flowers by Klutz are #17 Linda Kish and #Some Lucky Dog.
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Jennifer Donovan wouldn’t have made a good debutante. She wore the same dress to her junior and senior proms — she liked it and had different dates, so why not? She shares other memories and fashion faux pas on occasion at her blog Snapshot.
I love historical fiction and because I hate doing boring household tasks like folding laundry and doing dishes I absolutely LOVE audiobooks. I listen while I do housework and it makes the time fly and it doesn’t seem like so much ‘work’.
I would love to read this book!
I always looking for different books to read and historical fiction is definitely out of my normal choices. 😉
I do like historical fiction, and I’d love to try this out as an audiobook.
I love audio books. Anything. Everything. Thanks.
I am very excited about ‘The American Heiress”. Historical Ficion is one of my favorite genres and most of them are set in Europe,not in the U.S.
Thank you for the chance to win!!!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Carol–this one is actually mostly set in England, but the heroine is American. It starts in the US, but moves to an English setting.
This one is already on my Amazon Wishlist – I’d love to win it! Thanks for the continued great reviews and recommendations!
I would like to win this audiobook. Historical fiction is a favorite of mine. I love history.
I would love to have this book, it sounds really good.
[email protected]
Would love to win this book!
I travel a lot by car and audio books are
a staple of mine! Historical fiction is
my favorite genre of mine…
Many thanks, Cindi
I have to admit I don’t do audio books, but both my sisters love them. This would make a great gift!
someluckydog at gmail dot com
Luv to listen to this while traveling this summer, thanks!
Sounds like this would be a fun listen!
Sounds like a great story! I’d love to win.
You won, Kim. Please reply to this email notification with your shipping info.
Jennifer
I have just started to really enjoy audio books, and would love to give this one a try!
This sounds awesome; I’d love to win!
I enjoy listening to books on CD! It would be fun to win.
I would love to hear this audiobook.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I like to have audio books in the van to listen to. This sounds like a very good one!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Would love to read this one. [email protected]
please count me in…thanks 🙂
This sounds like a fun book. Count me in!
This sounds like a good audiobook to cut my teeth on. I’ve been wanting to read this, and it would be a good way to pass my hour-long commute.
I would love this! It looks like a fun read.
Would love to win – this books sounds really interesting and like a fun read. Thanks, Maureen (jnomaxx at hotmail dot com)
I’m curious. count me in for the give-away. Thanks!
I haven’t really tried the audiobook thing, but I have heard from so many people how great they are. I suppose it’s time to give it a try…
I love historical fiction! This sounds like a good book!
Much of my time is spent in the car, and an audio-book would be a wonderful to listen to as I scurry on down the highway. Please enter me into the giveaway.
would love it
nannypanpan at gmail.com
Sounds wonderful 🙂