ARC Review: The Infamous Heir by Elizabeth Michels

The Infamous Heir
Author: Elizabeth Michels
Series: Spare Heirs (Book 1)
Publication: Sourcebooks Casablanca (March 1, 2016)

Description: The Spare Heirs Society Cordially Invites You to Meet Ethan Moore: The Scoundrel

Lady Roselyn Grey's debut has finally arrived, and of course, she has every flounce and flutter planned. She'll wear the perfect gowns and marry the perfect gentleman...that is, if the formerly disinherited brother of the man she intends to marry doesn't ruin everything first.

Ethan Moore is a prize-fighting second son and proud founding member of the Spare Heirs Society-and that's all he ever should have been. But, in an instant, his brother's noble title is his, the eyes of the ton are upon him, and the lady he's loved for years would rather meet him in the boxing ring than the ballroom.

He's faced worse. With the help of his Spare Heirs brotherhood, Ethan's certain he can get to the bottom of his brother's unexpected demise and win the impossible lady who has haunted his dreams for as long as he can remember...

My Thoughts: This is the first book in a new historical romance series about spare heirs - second sons of the gentry. Ethan Moore was disowned by his father when he was nineteen and has since made his living as a prize-fighter on the Continent. He has come home now after accidentally killing a man in a fight. He is being chased by the man's brother and his henchmen who want revenge. He comes home to find that things are changing for his family.

Ethan's brother Trevor is soon to be engaged to Lady Roselyn Grey. Roselyn has set a course for her life that includes marrying a gentleman and escaping the reputation of madness that haunts her family. She has trained herself to be the perfect society wife and hidden her own wild nature. But the return of her childhood friend Ethan is threatening to destroy her plans.

When Trevor is killed while on a walk with Ethan and Roselyn, Ethan inherits his title and his problems. Roselyn is certain that Ethan was responsible for Trevor's death and Ethan is determined to find out who really killed Trevor.

I enjoyed this historical romance which had a feisty heroine and a socially inept but handsome hero. It had enough of a mystery to provide elements of danger. Although I knew who the villain had to be pretty early in the story. The key for me was the relationship between Ethan and Roselyn. They both had a lot of growing to do and both had to decided what they really wanted for their future.

I'm looking forward to more books in this series because a number of other side characters seemed primed for relationships of their own and I want to see how they work out. 

Favorite Quote:

He was yelling at her but he couldn't seem to calm himself. Offers of marriage probably shouldn't be shouted, but he didn't care. He would scream it from the nearest London rooftop.

I got this one for review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.