The Reluctant Heiress takes place in (where else for Ibbotson?) Early 20th Century Vienna. Tessa is working herself ragged for a touring Opera company, but she is not who she seems. When Guy Farne, a wealthy Englishman, buys Vienna's most valuable palace, she becomes unwillingly involved in the festivities and finds herself in a dangerous position: love.
I have read and loved all 5 of Eva Ibbotson's standalone novels. She is truly a brilliant, lyrical writer, and weaves a nice heart-warming love story. Once I read one, I became addicted. They are all very similar, with different characters and slightly different plots, but I love them even if I can predict the end.
This one was no exception, it followed the classic storyline, however, I didn't like it nearly as much as the others! Maybe it was because I read it last? But no, the leading man was FLAT and seemingly perfect for Tessa, but more jerky than acceptable. She fell for him with seemingly no reason. He was distant and mean most of the book. And in the end, he is shockingly cruel to his admittedly crueler fiance.
The other characters were brilliant! Jacob and Klovsky. The Aunts. Even Maxi. But Tessa also fell flat for me. She was TOO classic Eva. There was not much to distinguish her. She was nice, but too altruistic.
The end was a good one, what should have happened, but I found myself unattached to the story, unlike all of the others, which I lived and breathed for!
Sadly, didn't measure up. However, since it was the last book, perhaps I am being unfair. I still love her and her writing, and it went pretty quickly. So:
3/5
--Shay-la
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