The Westerby Inheritance

Changing Fortunes, Book 1

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Kate Reading

A lady of quality would not wager her honor to restore her family's fortunes - or would she?

Lady Jane Lovelace has conceived the idea of approaching the most notorious man-about-town, Lord Charles Welbourne, with a most unique proposition. When he counters her offer with a condition that he thinks will halt her impudence, much to the surprise of both, she accepts.

A novel of passion and intrigue, The Westerby Inheritance is a thrilling installment in an emotionally charged romantic saga, all played out against a backdrop of elegant 18th-century society.

©2014 M. C. Beaton (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Where Was The Ending

A great deal of the book was enjoyable. Overall though, it took too long to really get going and then seemed to lack an ending although it was implied. A bit disappointing.

Loved all but the last page

Admittedly I love Marion Chesney/MC Beaton. I’ve read all of her Agatha Raisin books and about 5 of her historical romantic comedies. Her books are witty, thoughtful, well-researched, intriguing, and delightful. I love how she weaves history, geography, and the day-to-day machinations into gripping plots. This was one of my favorite romance books… except for the last page. The ending was dark and unresolved. Most of her books leave you with such a lovely resolution with ends tied and most mysteries solved. This one had a dark and unresolved ending. Loved all but the last page.

a good one

narration was excellent. this is one of chesney's better books. there were a few things that were frustrating and some loose ends are left, so it needs the sequel.

No one does it better than Beaton!

What a complex, well written, well read historical mystery/romance! Just when I think I must know all the formulas for this genre, Beaton comes up with another so unique and fascinating that I can barely stand to do anything else but listen until I’ve finished.

Incomplete

Where is the ending to this story. Was all revealed about the attempted murder? How can a book leave so much
unrevealed ???

Horrible ending.

The best thing about this book was Kate Reading’s narration. The rest was rather predictable and it ended abruptly with so many loose ends it was ridiculous. I can only assume the author had gotten things in such a muddle that she didn’t know how to resolve the ending. Very disappointing and not up to the standard of her other works.

Very disappointing ending!

I have enjoyed Marion Chesney’s novels, but this ended without a clear understanding and was also disturbing in a dark way. Not satisfied at all.

Is there more?

I really liked the love story aspect of this book, but was really thrown off by the way it ended. It completely shifted tone and just dropped curtains on an incomplete thought. Is there a continuation?

And now for something different.

This is an interesting book in that the heroine is not a beauty that takes the ton by storm. It does rattle along to the usual conclusion, then decides to keep on going. As the happy couple are suddenly pronounced as being very afraid of their circumstances... the book ends.

Just treat it as a dark comedy and enjoy

Yes this is not the usual type of book by this author but as one character states “I feel like I’m living in a farce”.
If you see the crazy turns of events as humorous then you’ll be fine. There actually is a second part to this book to help give some closure to the abrupt ending. It’s called “The Westerby Sisters” and it picks up with the daughters of the main characters years later.