The Reluctant Heiress

By Eva Ibbotson

Book Overview

A sparkly and witty historical romance for fans of Georgette Heyer, Amanda Quick and Downton Abbey Being an heiress in 1920s Austria with nothing but a broken-down castle to your name and nary a penny in your purse could be frustrating for anyone but the Princess Theresa-Maria of Pfaffenstein. Tessa, however, is thrilled with her situation, as it allows her to concentrate on her love of the arts--and no one in the Viennese opera company need know that their delightful and charming under-wardrobe mistress is really a princess. But when the dashing self-made millionaire Guy Farne arrives at the opera in search of suitable entertainment for his high society guests, Tessa realizes that there may be more to life--and love--than just music. But while the attraction between them in undeniable, Guy's insufferable snob of a fianc?e only solidifies Tessa's determination to keep her true identity a secret. Yet, after a chance meeting with the handsome Englishman, Tessa's reserve begins to melt, and she starts to wonder if it's not too late for a fairytale ending? ?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142412775
• ISBN13: 9780142412770
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: Speak
• Length: 325 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.1" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

The Reluctant Heiress

As is with all of Eva Ibbotson's books, this one is just as well written. The characters were well developed and engaging. If you like Ibbotson's books, you will like this one.

A Charming Love Story Alive With Music and Beauty

This was the first Eva Ibbotson book I read and it made me a fan for life. It's a completely captivating love story filled with colorful details about opera, art, and royalty. It's also VERY funny, and I found myself repeatedly laughing at the comic antics of the opera company. I was perplexed when I read the one negative review--if the buyer wanted a "realistic" story, why did she buy a book of romantic fantasy? Yes, the heroine Tessa is a very good girl indeed, but I didn't find her unbelievable because of that. Cinderella was a good girl too, but we cheered when she got her Prince Charming. Magic Flutes is a Cinderella story for grown ups, as sweet as a piece of cake and just as much fun to devour. (written by Sandra Kelley)

Classic Ibbotson

All right - Ibbotson's books are formulaic, but who cares? THE RELUCTANT HEIRESS is a delightful page turner that made me laugh out loud and not want to stop reading. Loved it.

super young teen historical romance

In 1922, Princess Theresa-Maria of Pfaffenstein may be an heiress, but she will not inherit much more than a rundown castle. Most aristocrats would be appalled, but Tessa is euphoric, because her financial state allows her to do what she wants. Thus she works for the Viennese opera company as a wardrobe mistress hiding her royal connection from her peers. First generation nouvelle riche English orphan millionaire Guy Farne comes to the opera house seeking a means to entertain his high society guests and his snobby fiancée. When he and Tessa meet they are attracted to one another and quickly fall in love. However, she is unsuited for him as he wants an aristocrat not a working girl as a wife. Meanwhile impoverished Prince Max loves Tessa and wants to marry her. Though a young teen historical romance, THE RELUCTANT HEIRESS provides much more. The underlying premise throughout the complex story line is how much WWI shook up the world order; similar in tone to the excellent PBS series The people's Century especially how The Great War reshaped the rest of the twentieth century. Readers will need a bit of time to fully understand how the prime four characters feel about the new world order because Eva Ibottson has cleverly left clues about what would have been expected of each if WWI had not occurred. This is a great young adult early 1920s tale at a time when the enthusiasm of a new hope for world peace was waning into a great depression. Harriet Klausner

Ibbotson is an unkown delight

I discovered Ibbotson two years ago when I read her latest book, A Song For Summer. Magic Flutes is not her best book, but it definitely holds it's own. She mixes great characters, settings and opera to create a story that can be read over and over. The heroine, an impoverished princess, is enchanting. But I think my favorite characters are the opera crew. Who can help but love Boris and his yogurt culture he named the Mother. Ibbotson's books are hard to find, but well worth the search.