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Penny Nichols #1
A Rather Lovely Inheritance
After her Aunt Penelope dies, historical researcher Penny Nichols is astonished to learn that not only is she a bona fide heiress-but she's also been invited to put her research skills to work. This time, the history she's researching happens to be her very own. What she discovers about Aunt Penelope-a pair of wills, double lives, secret histories, and a family tree of vultures-is about to sweep Penny and a long-lost relative across France, over the hills of Italy, and throughout half of Europe on the adventure of several lifetimes.
376 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 2007
67 people are currently reading
1663 people want to read
About the author
C.A. Belmond
8 books134 followersC.A. (Camille Aubray) Belmond is an Edward Albee Foundation Fellowship winner.
A member of the Writers Guild of America, Belmond has written, directed and produced award-winning television drama and documentary, for CBS, PBS, ABC and A&E.
Belmond has taught writing at New York University. She is also a featured blogger for The Huffington Post.
A member of the Writers Guild of America, Belmond has written, directed and produced award-winning television drama and documentary, for CBS, PBS, ABC and A&E.
Belmond has taught writing at New York University. She is also a featured blogger for The Huffington Post.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 454 reviews
June 2, 2025
I picked up this book simply because I liked the cover art (kudos to Helen Chapman). The first chapter made me wonder if this was going to be chick lit (which I don't care for, since the main characters tend to be shallow and annoying), but instead I became really charmed by Penny Nichols and her adventures.
I was a bit thrown by the mention of the Penny Nichols mystery stories, since I knew there really was a series of novels with that name written in the 1930's - my mom owned Penny Nichols and the Black Imp - but by then I was rolling along in the story and curious to know how it turned out.
The choice of settings was a big part of the fun. C.A. Belmond's descriptions made them seem very real and made me want to be there, in a way reminiscent of Rosamund Pilcher's "September". The story, however, is a lot more light-hearted and humorous. I had a hard time putting the book down, but also didn't want to swallow it up in one gulp. It's the kind of book you can savor. I kept thinking, oh, I must loan this to my sister, only when I offered to, she turned out to have already purchased it! So I think the appeal of the cover is really strong, and the appeal of the story and characters (I love Penny's parents!) is also strong.
Congratulations to C.A. Belmond on her first novel. First of many, I hope! This book would make a rather lovely beach read but, considering I read it over two rainy days at home, makes a good read any time.
I was a bit thrown by the mention of the Penny Nichols mystery stories, since I knew there really was a series of novels with that name written in the 1930's - my mom owned Penny Nichols and the Black Imp - but by then I was rolling along in the story and curious to know how it turned out.
The choice of settings was a big part of the fun. C.A. Belmond's descriptions made them seem very real and made me want to be there, in a way reminiscent of Rosamund Pilcher's "September". The story, however, is a lot more light-hearted and humorous. I had a hard time putting the book down, but also didn't want to swallow it up in one gulp. It's the kind of book you can savor. I kept thinking, oh, I must loan this to my sister, only when I offered to, she turned out to have already purchased it! So I think the appeal of the cover is really strong, and the appeal of the story and characters (I love Penny's parents!) is also strong.
Congratulations to C.A. Belmond on her first novel. First of many, I hope! This book would make a rather lovely beach read but, considering I read it over two rainy days at home, makes a good read any time.
June 27, 2017
I wanted to like this book because of the European settings.. However, as an adoption professional, I was truly annoyed that a MODERN DAY (21st century) story would treat an adopted person as less than a blood relative. It's offensive to imply that because someone is adopted, he is any less a relative or that the father who adopted him as infant is no longer his "dad" because the adoptee (now a grown man) just found out about the adoption. I understand it's a shock & I understand anger at being deceived, but to all of sudden act like you are no longer family, and engage in romantic relationship with cousin just because there's no blood relationship? Just wrong. And this distinction colors the entire book for me. Shame on the author! Clearly has no understanding of adoption in today's world (this book was published this century & set in contemporary time so this is not a case of adoption as viewed in the 19th Century or even early 20th).
March 16, 2010
I received the first three books in this series from author C. A. Belmond from a wonderful publicist at Penguin. The third book A Rather Charming Invitation was released on February 2nd. I've just finished the first book A Rather Lovely Inheritance (since my reading OCD prevents me from reading series books out of order), and I was thoroughly enthralled by Penny Nichols, the heroine of the book.
In A Rather Lovely Inheritance, Penny Nichols is a freelance set designer for small budget historical films. She spends her days doing research on necklace designs for medieval queens and appropriate chair choices for inclusions in shots of 16th century French castles. While on location in France, she receives a call from her mother which ultimately changes her life.
Penny's great-aunt and namesake Penelope has passed away, leaving behind a will that spreads her inheritance among her living relatives. This is a group Penny knows little about, with her parents and herself living in America and them living in Europe. When Penny travels to London for the reading of the will, she meets her lawyer cousin Jeremy again (after a few childhood summers spent together when they were young), her thug-like cousin Rollo for the first time, and an odd aunt or two, as well.
Things heat up when Penny and her mother inherit more than some family members think they should have. Penny moves into the expensive London apartment her mother inherits, and mysterious things begin to happen. Family secrets come to light, including some about her only ally in all this, Jeremy. Penny also travels to the south of France, where she was given Aunt Penelope's French villa's garage and its contents. Penny searches for the truth in all the mess around her, prompting attacks on herself and forcing Jeremy away in the process.
Belmond has brought readers a new heroine to be excited about in this series. Think Becky Bloomwood (without the shopping habit) and Bridget Jones (without some of the embarrassing moments). Penny is a likeable, intelligent female character whose new heiress lifestyle is the stuff dreams are made of. The only component of the book which didn't quite work for me was the romantic relationship. Penny becomes romantically involved with a family member who doesn't turn out to be blood-related. However, romances with even step-family members seem a little twisted to me -- in an innocent, Clueless-style way, of course.
I'm looking forward to the other two books in this series. Belmond has taught writing at NYU and written and directed for television and film.
In A Rather Lovely Inheritance, Penny Nichols is a freelance set designer for small budget historical films. She spends her days doing research on necklace designs for medieval queens and appropriate chair choices for inclusions in shots of 16th century French castles. While on location in France, she receives a call from her mother which ultimately changes her life.
Penny's great-aunt and namesake Penelope has passed away, leaving behind a will that spreads her inheritance among her living relatives. This is a group Penny knows little about, with her parents and herself living in America and them living in Europe. When Penny travels to London for the reading of the will, she meets her lawyer cousin Jeremy again (after a few childhood summers spent together when they were young), her thug-like cousin Rollo for the first time, and an odd aunt or two, as well.
Things heat up when Penny and her mother inherit more than some family members think they should have. Penny moves into the expensive London apartment her mother inherits, and mysterious things begin to happen. Family secrets come to light, including some about her only ally in all this, Jeremy. Penny also travels to the south of France, where she was given Aunt Penelope's French villa's garage and its contents. Penny searches for the truth in all the mess around her, prompting attacks on herself and forcing Jeremy away in the process.
Belmond has brought readers a new heroine to be excited about in this series. Think Becky Bloomwood (without the shopping habit) and Bridget Jones (without some of the embarrassing moments). Penny is a likeable, intelligent female character whose new heiress lifestyle is the stuff dreams are made of. The only component of the book which didn't quite work for me was the romantic relationship. Penny becomes romantically involved with a family member who doesn't turn out to be blood-related. However, romances with even step-family members seem a little twisted to me -- in an innocent, Clueless-style way, of course.
I'm looking forward to the other two books in this series. Belmond has taught writing at NYU and written and directed for television and film.
August 7, 2015
The unfortunately named Penny Nicholas slaves away at her job as a freelance historical researcher. She's currently working for a low-budget film company (under her ex-boyfriend) when she receives a call from her Mom stating that Penny needs to fly from the south of France to her mother's native England for the reading of great-aunt Penelope's will. Penny only has vague memories of a very old lady. She has stronger memories of her cousin Jeremy, now a high-powered lawyer handling Penny's inheritance. When the terms of the will are contested by her mom's cousin, Rollo, Jr. and his mother, Penny and Jeremy are determined to fight back. Family secrets are soon revealed and Penny finds herself criss-crossing Europe with Jeremy to untangle the threads of her family's past and stay one step ahead of Rollo and his slimy associates.
3.5 stars. I couldn't put this book down. I had to know how it turned out, yet I felt the plot relied too much on coincidences and many of them improbable. The coincidences are just too convenient for me. Also, a lot of the story is told in passing by Penny. It goes back and forth between action and telling. I felt there could have been more action, especially towards the end when the falling action is just told to us by Penny. The writing is decent. The descriptions of scenery and excellent and the author should have made this a travelogue. The romantic plot is also kind of too convenient. I figured it out right away and Jeremy's story was a plot device to remove the ick factor but it didn't entirely make me comfortable. They are, for all intents and purposes, cousins. The romance is clean and there's only a hint of more than kissing but nothing on page. I did NOT like the ending. There's a lot of strong language in this book, especially right in the beginning. I didn't care for it and it really jarred me.
I liked Penny a lot. She's a historical researcher, like me and she thinks the details matter. She's been forced to take a job with a film company that really could care less about accuracy but they keep her around so she can pay her bills. She's forward, which is apparently an American thing, and she doesn't have patience with English reserve. She marches in and says what she wants to and tries to make everything work out with the people she cares about. I liked how she was able to handle Jeremy and his issues. I especially enjoyed their witty banter an bickering. The chemistry is very apparent.
I had some issues with Jeremy. He drowns his sorrows, acts petulantly and childish when he is faced with surprising news. I liked his backstory and like Penny, I thought he handled it badly. He didn't even really want to know or do anything about it except pout and be angry at the world. However, he is a good friend to Penny and I liked them together. She brings out the best of him.
This is a nice alternative to "chick lit."
3.5 stars. I couldn't put this book down. I had to know how it turned out, yet I felt the plot relied too much on coincidences and many of them improbable. The coincidences are just too convenient for me. Also, a lot of the story is told in passing by Penny. It goes back and forth between action and telling. I felt there could have been more action, especially towards the end when the falling action is just told to us by Penny. The writing is decent. The descriptions of scenery and excellent and the author should have made this a travelogue. The romantic plot is also kind of too convenient. I figured it out right away and Jeremy's story was a plot device to remove the ick factor but it didn't entirely make me comfortable. They are, for all intents and purposes, cousins. The romance is clean and there's only a hint of more than kissing but nothing on page. I did NOT like the ending. There's a lot of strong language in this book, especially right in the beginning. I didn't care for it and it really jarred me.
I liked Penny a lot. She's a historical researcher, like me and she thinks the details matter. She's been forced to take a job with a film company that really could care less about accuracy but they keep her around so she can pay her bills. She's forward, which is apparently an American thing, and she doesn't have patience with English reserve. She marches in and says what she wants to and tries to make everything work out with the people she cares about. I liked how she was able to handle Jeremy and his issues. I especially enjoyed their witty banter an bickering. The chemistry is very apparent.
I had some issues with Jeremy. He drowns his sorrows, acts petulantly and childish when he is faced with surprising news. I liked his backstory and like Penny, I thought he handled it badly. He didn't even really want to know or do anything about it except pout and be angry at the world. However, he is a good friend to Penny and I liked them together. She brings out the best of him.
This is a nice alternative to "chick lit."
October 20, 2017
This was easy to read and cute chick-lit fluff but three things bothered me: This is shelved as mystery and there barely is one so I definitely didn't get what I was looking for, and I couldn't get over Jeremy and Penny thinking they were cousins all their lives then when they find out they aren't blood related they jump straight into a relationship. They're even thinking sexy thoughts about each other while still thinking they're related. And 3: Penny's "the modern world sucks" attitude is exhausting and stupid. I've never met a thirty year old woman who thinks things like Penny thought. It's not like bad things didn't exist back then. Also, her stupid spiel about the spa really bothered me--she does know people used to put lead on their faces, right? She's a historian so she should. It's not like the chemicals in skincare these days have been proven to be worse than that.
October 14, 2021
A bit of a hot mess; ironically like watching a BBC remake of an American soap opera; but it apparently got there in the end.
January 15, 2019
Penny Nichols is in Europe working on a film set when she gets a call from her parents: she needs to drop everything and go to London immediately, because her aunt Penelope has died, and Penny must attend the reading of the will. Penny doesn’t expect much, maybe a few mementos, but she does as requested, and of course, the inheritance turns out to be both larger and more complicated than expected.
This was a light and fun book to listen to. Somewhere I saw it described as a “caper,” which suits it: there are elements of romance, mystery, and family drama, but it all goes down easily. I particularly recommend the audiobook, read by the late, great Katherine Kellgren.
This was a light and fun book to listen to. Somewhere I saw it described as a “caper,” which suits it: there are elements of romance, mystery, and family drama, but it all goes down easily. I particularly recommend the audiobook, read by the late, great Katherine Kellgren.
January 23, 2012
This book was a total surprise and drew me into the story immediately! Penny Nichols, a historical researcher for film documentaries, and who has a rather complicated family tree, is summoned to London for the reading of a will. Her great aunt Penelope, for whom she is loosely named, has died at age 90. She had only met Aunt Penelope once, when she was 9 years old, and can't imagine that she has been left anything at all. Once there she develops uncousinly feelings for her cousin Jeremy, the lawyer whose firm is handling the will. Penny inherits Aunt Penelope's garage behind a villa in France. What of any value can be in a garage? Penny, with skills worthy of a detective, follows the complicated family lines while trying to keep her inheritance safe.
What a delightful romp through England and France with a character who is so very real!
What a delightful romp through England and France with a character who is so very real!
January 22, 2019
Im giving this two stars only because I finished the book. I cannot get over the authors views that just because a relative is not related by blood, it makes them less of a relative. I dont know anyone who would think like that - it really ruined the book for me. And even on top of that, for people who grew up as cousins to engage in a relationship with each other and sexual thoughts about each other is just strange and uncomfortable and made the book hard to read. I am all about love is love and people should be able to be with whoever they choose but it just made this read uncomfortable for me.
In addition I felt like the character development wasnt there - especially with penny and Jeremy's friendship. They seemed to jump in very fast without getting to know each other as adults. Idk, book was a good idea with good scenery just lacking in the characters for me.
In addition I felt like the character development wasnt there - especially with penny and Jeremy's friendship. They seemed to jump in very fast without getting to know each other as adults. Idk, book was a good idea with good scenery just lacking in the characters for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2024
I found this book at the library having never heard of the author or title but took a chance on it because the cover illustration is just wonderful.
I have to admit, although not particularly clever or creative, this book is a big win for me. It is well written, intelligent and has a sense of humor, which is rare but also rarely done well, like it is here. It also has a plot based on so many of the things I enjoy reading about. I wonder if the author made a list of things they also like and then wrote a story attempting to include all of those things in a plot that actually works. Huzzah! It worked!!
Antiques, travel, a mysterious aunt and her even more mysterious will, romance, messy family antics, art, architecture - I needed exactly this book to get me out of my reading slump. And now I am going to read the rest of the series because after this book, I only want to read more.
I have to admit, although not particularly clever or creative, this book is a big win for me. It is well written, intelligent and has a sense of humor, which is rare but also rarely done well, like it is here. It also has a plot based on so many of the things I enjoy reading about. I wonder if the author made a list of things they also like and then wrote a story attempting to include all of those things in a plot that actually works. Huzzah! It worked!!
Antiques, travel, a mysterious aunt and her even more mysterious will, romance, messy family antics, art, architecture - I needed exactly this book to get me out of my reading slump. And now I am going to read the rest of the series because after this book, I only want to read more.
August 13, 2020
This book promises intrigue, but rarely gets there. I also can't be the only person who was bothered by the fact that two people raised as cousins immediately fall in love and it's ok, because he wasn't really part of the family. (Sarcasm intended). Not one character in the story says a word about it, which seems highly improbable. He IS a part of the family and the continuous reassurances that he was part of their family despite not being related seemed awkward and unnecessary. I understand that it was done to allow for the two characters to fall in love but that this attitude is really hurtful to anyone who is not biologically related to their family. I won't be ready any more of this series.
November 21, 2017
I was prepared for a light-hearted romantic adventure and while that was the author's intention unfortunately it was just. so. boring. I would have DNF'd it but I was listening to it narrated by Katherine Kellgren and she is so good I stuck with it (she's why it gets a second star). I knew it was bad when I had listened for several hours straight while cleaning the house and then a few hours later I had to stop and think whether I had finished the book or not. I hadn't--still two hours to go. Now that is unmemorable.
March 1, 2019
Thought Penny's job as a historical researcher for movies was interesting, but the story itself was all over the place. A long genealogy was a bit confusing. I try to be "nice" in my ratings, even if the book wasn't for me to at least give an average rating, but, the abrupt ending, just made me not want to be generous with my star rating.
October 5, 2013
I was looking for a light beach read and this was not a good choice! I didn't like the heroine, the mystery was 100% predictable, and the writing wasn't fun enough to redeem the boring plot. I didn't bother to read the last 75 pages because I was too bored.
May 31, 2019
Penny and her cousin fight for their inheritance from their scheming aunt and cousin Rolo. More and more pieces of their lives fall into place as they act to thwart Rolf’s thieving ways! I don’t really like books with a romantic theme, but it was kind of fun.
3.5 stars.
3.5 stars.
August 27, 2018
I listened to this little jewel in record time. It is not as funny as Her Royal Spyness, but it reminds me of it, and I mean that in a good way. It is contemporary, but history does play a role in it. There is a mystery and a romance and lots of traveling to lovely places. And it is narrated by the wonderful Katherine Kellgren, who takes a nice story and makes it special.
I liked that the heroine was relatable and approachable, but also competent and assertive. The playful way she interacts with her „cousin“ - in memory of their childhood friendship - pleased me.
I liked that the heroine was relatable and approachable, but also competent and assertive. The playful way she interacts with her „cousin“ - in memory of their childhood friendship - pleased me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2016
I was drawn to this book by the premise of a historical mystery, digging into the heroine's own family. I was a little disappointed to find that the mystery wasn't all that family history based, but I enjoyed this book nonetheless. The characters weren't super deep, but they were quirky and fun, and the adventure was delightful. My biggest complaint was the language. While the book wasn't super full of profanity, there was a little more than necessary, especially several uses of the F word (which don't belong anywhere in a light, otherwise clean romance/mystery). Still, the language was mostly in the first chapter or two, so I was glad I persisted and enjoyed the rest of this fun little story.
October 11, 2018
I mostly liked this book, but it did drag on past what I felt should have been a wrapping up. I didn't like the abrupt ending. Other authors know how to indicate there is another book/series to follow without suddenly stopping, as this one did. I don't know if I can rely on reviews of book 2 because it seems that most reviewers liked this one a lot more than I did. Many have classified this as chick lit, or, as one reviewer indicated, "a Hallmark movie", and I have to agree with that.
The narrator, Katherine Kellgren, can get a little harsh sounding at times and she's not one of my favorites. I knew she sounded familiar and realized I wasn't particularly fond of her reading of the Royal Spyness mysteries.
The narrator, Katherine Kellgren, can get a little harsh sounding at times and she's not one of my favorites. I knew she sounded familiar and realized I wasn't particularly fond of her reading of the Royal Spyness mysteries.
July 31, 2015
A charming romantic novel with just enough intrigue and descriptions of any woman's dream life..flowers, antiques, Europe, handsome man, spas, great food, beautiful clothing, etc.
Lots of fun!
Lots of fun!
January 18, 2017
Couldn't get past the F word on the first page. Such a bummer. It seemed so promising.
June 26, 2019
An engrossing read about expensive London flats, French villas, mysterious heritages, and evil cousins. Could have been written by Jane Austen!
November 22, 2020
3.5/5. This was a fun RomCom of a story, which I admittedly am a sucker for. It had humor, mystery, European destinations, middle & upper class tiffs, and a few more classic RomCom features. Definitely something fun and light hearted to read. I’m intrigued to see how the author keeps a story going forward 4 books, because this one ended on a sort of cliffhanger. I could just leave it here, but I enjoyed myself enough that I am diving into book 2.
September 21, 2022
A refreshingly different sort of “mystery” for me. It was actually very light on the mystery element. I mean, there wasn’t a lot of misdirection or holding back of information. It was just more of a story unfolding, step by step. Still, it was quite enjoyable in an escapist way. What would I do with a sizable inheritance…? I could have done without the few swears and frequency of bickering between our two main characters. Katherine Kellgren’s narration was great, of course.
March 22, 2017
A sweet and enjoyable book. Liked the character of Penny Nichols. Not realizing this was a series when I started reading, I'll now have to continue on with book two to see what's up next for Penny. The narration seemed a bit brash to me at times but overall I thought it was a good story.
January 6, 2019
This was just lovely. I enjoyed the characters, the settings, the way the writing flowed along so smoothly that I was halfway through before checking the time. What a pleasant way to start the new year.
June 9, 2022
Slow-paced but entertaining read, in which the heroine inherits something from a nearly forgotten great aunt, and gets together with her cousin who is almost her only fond memory of her English relatives. It's a rather lovely story. I liked it. Good read.
did-not-finish
January 19, 2025DNF at chapter 8. There was a lot of crude language in these few chapters that I read, and I will not be picking it up again. The f word 3-4 times, d*mn, a*s, b*tch, and h*ll were all said at least 2x.
January 18, 2020
I think this book would make such a fun movie!
September 2, 2016
I saw this referred to as romantic suspense somewhere and I suppose that that does technically describe it, but it feels much more 'caperish' than suspenseful; in fact, the word that came to mind as I was reading it was madcap, even though it didn't have the ditziness that I feel that word implies. Although it is definitely a 'contemporary' story in the timeline sense, I can't really categorize it as 'contemporary romance' -- certainly not given what else falls under that category. It just has such an old-fashioned feel.
At the same time, as has not been the case with a lot of the non-contemporary-romance books I've been reading lately, I did actually go out of my way to find time to read it. Penny Nichols was a great character and there were some true laugh out loud moments here and there; add that to the beautiful European scenery and the historical research background of the character, and I was really happy to see that there are more to this series.
The only issues I had with this were
With that said, however, this was another book where the writing felt rich and luxurious. That's not so much of a surprise given that the author is a poet as well.
At the same time, as has not been the case with a lot of the non-contemporary-romance books I've been reading lately, I did actually go out of my way to find time to read it. Penny Nichols was a great character and there were some true laugh out loud moments here and there; add that to the beautiful European scenery and the historical research background of the character, and I was really happy to see that there are more to this series.
The only issues I had with this were
With that said, however, this was another book where the writing felt rich and luxurious. That's not so much of a surprise given that the author is a poet as well.
January 25, 2019
I really enjoyed this as an audiobook. The characters are from the US, England and France so I loved hearing their accents in this book.
The first page started off with some strong language so I was worried that the rest of the book would be like that, but I was pleasantly surprised when there were only a few F-bombs throughout the entire book.
This was one of those books where you enjoy the people more that the plot. It went exactly how you thought it would. I did think the end went on a little long, but overall I enjoyed it.
The first page started off with some strong language so I was worried that the rest of the book would be like that, but I was pleasantly surprised when there were only a few F-bombs throughout the entire book.
This was one of those books where you enjoy the people more that the plot. It went exactly how you thought it would. I did think the end went on a little long, but overall I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 454 reviews