REVIEW: His Illegitimate Heir by Sarah M. Anderson – HQN

His Illegitimate Heir is book 6 of the Beaumont Heirs series by Sarah M. Anderson Each book can be read as a standalone, though as expected later books will reveal some details of earlier ones. Hardwick Beaumont left quite the legacy of legitimate – and illegitimate- offspring, and it’s finally Zeb Richards turn to claim some of his inheritance. His mother, an African American mistress of Hardwick’s was cast off when she was pregnant, and all his life Zeb’s been told that he should work hard to gain his rightful place in the family. Though Hardwick is now deceased, Zeb has done just that, forming a private equity firm named ZOLA which he used to take over the foundering Beaumont Brewery, started by Hardwick and since gone down creditor lane. His first step in taking over the business is to make sure everyone who is working there deserves their jobs, including the resident brewmaster Casey Johnson.

Casey has learned her skills over the last several years and became an assistant to Chadwick Beaumont before he left to start his own craft brewery. For the last two years of uncertainty she’s had to deal with business and staff cutbacks yet still keep making the best product she can. She’s proud of her position as a young, female brewmaster in a frankly misogynistic industry. When she and Zeb meet, there are sparks all right – both the antagonistic kind, and the attraction kind. Zeb’s always kept his personal life clear of too many entanglements, with his business goals clearly in sight. Getting involved with the brewmaster, (a workplace romance!) definitely wasn’t the plan. But as he and Casey connect, he’s finding that separating business and pleasure might not be so easy to do anymore. And when an unexpected pregnancy occurs, will he follow in his father’s footsteps or make the choices that will put him on the path to a happy ever after?

After reading this story, I plan to catch up on some of the earlier books in the series because I found it to be well written with an engaging style and likable characters. From the first moment we meet Zeb Richards, it’s clear that while he’s attained his ultimate goal of owning the Beaumont Brewery, his father and grandfather’s legacy, he’s actually not quite sure what to do next. His mother’s influence as a young boy had been (and still is) quite strong and she’d instilled in him the idea that he’d been poorly treated by not being made equal to Hardwick’s other children. But he soon discovers that his plan to avenge her hurt, and his own by consequence, doesn’t really have a place anymore. He wants the brewery to be successful, not to bring it down any further, so that he can leave his own legacy. He’s had this idea that his siblings wouldn’t want to have anything to do with him, then discovers that in fact they only learned of his existence (and two of his other half brothers) a few years earlier, and instead would welcome the chance to get to know him. As a man of mixed race he’s had his work cut out for him to be accepted in the business community, experiencing prejudice on both sides of the fence for being too white or not white enough. In truth he just wants to be accepted for himself. And meeting Casey, he realizes she’s the first woman to look at him and see a man, and not his skin colour. He’d been so focused on business that when she comes to him with the unexpected results of their dalliance he has to quickly revise what he really wants for his future.

Casey is a wonderful character as a smart and focussed woman. She hasn’t achieved the position of brewmaster without putting in a lot of hard work, and at first is concerned (rightly so) that Zeb’s plans might ruin her own. But in fact, he wants to use her skills to create some craft brews of his own, a task that is exciting and a sign that he takes the future of the brewery seriously. Being attracted to him though is definitely not something she’d expected. And when they spend some time together outside of the work environment, it leads quickly to a heated and passionate encounter. In the cold light of day though they both have second thoughts. And when she ends up pregnant, she’s quick to make it clear to Zeb that she’s quite capable of handling things on her own. But she’s not above wishing for more from Zeb, his easy and more carefree manner away from the office giving proof of his sweet and sensitive side that she can easily fall for.

This is a bit of an insta-love story even if it starts out as sexual attraction and a tentative friendship (after their first rather fiery meeting). There are some awkward but believable scenes between them, showing that neither is perfect. Zeb and Casey both make some mistakes as they try to deal with their feelings for each other, but are both willing to own up to them too. In the end, we get a relationship that while hastened by the reality of pregnancy, is one where both partners are equally matched. There are still a few Beaumonts left, half siblings to Zeb that are due for some happiness too, and I look forward to those stories!

Book Info:

Publication: Oct 01 2016 | Harlequin Desire | The Beaumont Heirs #6

This boss broke all the rules for just one night—a night with consequences…

A Beaumont by blood, Zeb Richards has waited years to take the company that’s rightfully his. But ownership of the Beaumont Brewery means dealing with a formidable adversary: brewmaster Casey Johnson. She’s insubordinate and opinionated—so why does Zeb burn to lay claim to the tempestuous beauty?

Casey earned her place at the company she loves, and no CEO—no matter how irresistible—will come between her and her ambitions. Until one night of wild abandon shifts the balance of power. Now Casey is falling for her boss…and expecting his baby!