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The Reluctant Heiress
Taking deep breaths of the cold city air, Katherine whispered, ‘This isn’t the London I know.’
East-End London, 1858.
In London's twisting streets, it's hard to tell friend from foe. And for Katherine Martin, arriving back in London after years away, the city is far crueller than she remembers.
Her eyes opened to the plight of London's poor, Kate is determined to do what she can to help – even if it means defying her parents.
In secret, she opens a soup kitchen. But there is a world of criminals within London's poorest alleys. Catching the notice of Harry Trader and his gang, Kate is out of her depth. Until she begins to discover that her true enemies might not be who she thought…
East-End London, 1858.
In London's twisting streets, it's hard to tell friend from foe. And for Katherine Martin, arriving back in London after years away, the city is far crueller than she remembers.
Her eyes opened to the plight of London's poor, Kate is determined to do what she can to help – even if it means defying her parents.
In secret, she opens a soup kitchen. But there is a world of criminals within London's poorest alleys. Catching the notice of Harry Trader and his gang, Kate is out of her depth. Until she begins to discover that her true enemies might not be who she thought…
508 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2021
139 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
About the author
Dilly Court
83 books416 followersDilly Court grew up in North-east London and began her career in television, writing scripts for commercials. She is married with two grown-up children and four grandchildren, and now lives in Dorset on the beautiful Jurassic Coast with her husband. She is the author of eighteen novels and also writes under the name of Lily Baxter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
January 30, 2021
East-End London, 1858: Katherine Martin has just arrived back in london after spendind three years in India. But the city is far crueller than she remembers. Kate is determined to help the poor even if it means defying her parents. She rents a building and opens up a soup kitchen where she first comes across Harry Trader and his gang. Kate's lady's maid becomes a good companion and stays by her side through good and bad.
Dilly Court is a fantastic storyteller who knows how to pull you in from the beginning and hold your attention until the end.There's lots of lovely characters and some nasty rogues as well. There's lots happening in this story but it's easy to follow. I have read and enjoyed all of Dilly Court's books.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, @HarperCollinsUK #HarperFiction and the author #DillyCourt for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Dilly Court is a fantastic storyteller who knows how to pull you in from the beginning and hold your attention until the end.There's lots of lovely characters and some nasty rogues as well. There's lots happening in this story but it's easy to follow. I have read and enjoyed all of Dilly Court's books.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, @HarperCollinsUK #HarperFiction and the author #DillyCourt for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2021
I absolutely love Dilly Courts writing style. I was so enthusiastic telling everyone about this book, that my mum got me another 3 Dilly Court books to read.
Kate has to return from a privileged life in India; leaving her 'love' behind. She is shocked at the slums in the East End and how desperate some of the people are and decides to set up a soup kitchen to make sure some of them get a decent meal. She has to overcome issues and gang culture but really wants to make a difference.
It was such an interesting. informative read, with vividly drawn characters transporting you back in time.
Kate has to return from a privileged life in India; leaving her 'love' behind. She is shocked at the slums in the East End and how desperate some of the people are and decides to set up a soup kitchen to make sure some of them get a decent meal. She has to overcome issues and gang culture but really wants to make a difference.
It was such an interesting. informative read, with vividly drawn characters transporting you back in time.
April 25, 2023
It's an okay read for me, although it feels a bit too long for my taste. The story is quite flat and predictable with the main character being too independent and how she is allowed to single-handedly manages all things according to her own thinking is still beyond me. Maybe I'm supposed to admire her for her bravery, instead I feel she's lack of character; no one can easily have her way all the time. It looks like every other character depends heavily on her, like nothing's done if she doesn't intervene. I wish other characters can be given stronger background or significant subplot to enrich the story. Aside from the character development, I actually like the way the author tells the story, easy to understand and quite straightforward.
January 13, 2021
1858, and Katherine Martin along with her parents Bartholomew and Arabella arrive on a steamship to east India docks London from Delhi India, it's been three years since they were here. Ashok Patel [ash] she is going to miss the most but her father insisted he was unsuitable companion for her as an anglo indian, but he had risked all as a soldier getting them away back safe to their old home Finsbury Square , Jenny Marsh her ladys maid becomes a firm companion and Katherine intends to set up a soup kitchen in the roughest east end for the needed with landlord Harry Trader who wont take no stick from anyone he is a brutal man. and so we go on katherine's journey. I found this book a fascinating read right through. such a well laid out story right till the end.
February 28, 2021
Brilliant
March 4, 2021
Enjoyable, though not as much as some of her previous ones.
August 13, 2021
Love Dilly Courts books really enjoyed reading this book..Just going to start another one of hers..
May 24, 2021
I liked this book. There was a good balance of description and dialogue, and it was easy to follow and kept me engaged, however despite the touching topics contained within I wouldn't exactly describe it as heartfelt. A lot of the time things felt very matter-of-fact, and I could tell I was reading a fictional story, if that makes sense - I didn't truly become immersed in it.
The plot follows 23-year-old Kate as she returns from India back to the streets of London, some paved with gold, many paved with grime. Kate is the daughter of a barrister and a lady, therefore she is used to luxury and is horrified to discover just how hard it is for some people barely able to scrape enough money together for food. She decides to strike up a soup business set in one of London's poorest areas, but unwillingly attracts the attention of Harry Trader, a gang-leader - and worse than this, his notorious enemy, Monks. Soon she is whisked into adventure and mayhem, certainly not suitable for a lady of her background, and finds herself straining to great lengths to protect her newfound friends of lower class.
The plot is an interesting concept but the story itself is very predictable and rather unrealistic -
As for the romance, I don’t want to call it insta-love because nothing actually happens until around 300 pages in, but I do think it could’ve been written a little better as the characters hardly knew each other and Kate was apparently still grieving for her last love. One thing I will say is, though, I'm glad he actually treats her right and remains polite and respectful throughout - I don't like these books where the gang-leader is borderline abusive when they first meet but slowly grows to love her!
I definitely wouldn't say the romance takes up most of the novel, nor would I say it's a gritty read about gangs and fighting: this book strikes me as historical-domestic fiction exploring the differences between classes, with a touch of romance doled out to sweeten the plot, and the idea of a threatening gang to add some excitement.
I liked the main character, Kate: her determination, bravery and unbiased kindness was nice and inspiring to read. I do feel that aside from Kate, however, the other characters weren’t fully developed, though I did like them all, particularly Perry ()
Overall, the book was good - I whizzed through it and despite the predictability, I found myself excited to see what happened next.
There were some minor flaws preventing me from fully enjoying it, but I might read it again in the future.
Recommended for ages 13+. No swearing, sex or violence, but it's almost 500 pages long and follows the lives of adults as well as hardships the poor have to face, so I don't think it'd appeal to anyone younger than 13.
The plot follows 23-year-old Kate as she returns from India back to the streets of London, some paved with gold, many paved with grime. Kate is the daughter of a barrister and a lady, therefore she is used to luxury and is horrified to discover just how hard it is for some people barely able to scrape enough money together for food. She decides to strike up a soup business set in one of London's poorest areas, but unwillingly attracts the attention of Harry Trader, a gang-leader - and worse than this, his notorious enemy, Monks. Soon she is whisked into adventure and mayhem, certainly not suitable for a lady of her background, and finds herself straining to great lengths to protect her newfound friends of lower class.
The plot is an interesting concept but the story itself is very predictable and rather unrealistic -
As for the romance, I don’t want to call it insta-love because nothing actually happens until around 300 pages in, but I do think it could’ve been written a little better as the characters hardly knew each other and Kate was apparently still grieving for her last love. One thing I will say is, though, I'm glad he actually treats her right and remains polite and respectful throughout - I don't like these books where the gang-leader is borderline abusive when they first meet but slowly grows to love her!
I definitely wouldn't say the romance takes up most of the novel, nor would I say it's a gritty read about gangs and fighting: this book strikes me as historical-domestic fiction exploring the differences between classes, with a touch of romance doled out to sweeten the plot, and the idea of a threatening gang to add some excitement.
I liked the main character, Kate: her determination, bravery and unbiased kindness was nice and inspiring to read. I do feel that aside from Kate, however, the other characters weren’t fully developed, though I did like them all, particularly Perry ()
Overall, the book was good - I whizzed through it and despite the predictability, I found myself excited to see what happened next.
There were some minor flaws preventing me from fully enjoying it, but I might read it again in the future.
Recommended for ages 13+. No swearing, sex or violence, but it's almost 500 pages long and follows the lives of adults as well as hardships the poor have to face, so I don't think it'd appeal to anyone younger than 13.
March 17, 2021
This historical fiction book follows Kate Martin and her family through 1850s London. Her titled family flee the Indian uprising in Delhi where her father held a position in the East Indian Company.
On her arrival back home after 3 years living away she is horrified at the poverty particularly in the east of London and sets up a soup kitchen to aid the less fortunate . It is through her charitable organisation she becomes embroiled in the criminal world with rival gangsters “Mad”Moses Monks and Harry Trader fighting over territory in Whitechapel.
In turns out Trader who is actually acting undercover coludes with the police in order to snare the large international criminal activity of Monks. This is only a side story to the overall romantic tale between Kate Martin and Harry Trader.
It is a book aimed manly at housewives I would have thought and very predictable with the love story but at the same time I wasn’t in the mood for anything too extreme or hard hitting so I read it anyway. There was a perpetual amount of minor secondary characters that added nothing to the story.
On her arrival back home after 3 years living away she is horrified at the poverty particularly in the east of London and sets up a soup kitchen to aid the less fortunate . It is through her charitable organisation she becomes embroiled in the criminal world with rival gangsters “Mad”Moses Monks and Harry Trader fighting over territory in Whitechapel.
In turns out Trader who is actually acting undercover coludes with the police in order to snare the large international criminal activity of Monks. This is only a side story to the overall romantic tale between Kate Martin and Harry Trader.
It is a book aimed manly at housewives I would have thought and very predictable with the love story but at the same time I wasn’t in the mood for anything too extreme or hard hitting so I read it anyway. There was a perpetual amount of minor secondary characters that added nothing to the story.
January 29, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy for an unbiased review.
Kate comes back from her luxurious life in Delhi India with her mother and father, when she arrives back in London she is shocked by the amount of poverty that seems to be everywhere.
Kate knows she has had a privileged childhood and decides she would like to help the less fortunate, but will her mother and father agree?? Her father is a bossy overbearing man who aspirations to become a high court judge. Kates mother hasn't really been involved in Kates live as she spends more time dining out or entertaining for her husbands career.
Kate endeavour's to start a soup kitchen with her own money to help the poorer families, but this may not fit with other people opinions and she ruffles peoples feather when she only wants to help.
This is a great story with plenty of twists and turns, a fantastic myriad of characters from all walks of life that keep you wanting to turn each page until the end.
Highly recommend this book from start to finish!!!!
Kate comes back from her luxurious life in Delhi India with her mother and father, when she arrives back in London she is shocked by the amount of poverty that seems to be everywhere.
Kate knows she has had a privileged childhood and decides she would like to help the less fortunate, but will her mother and father agree?? Her father is a bossy overbearing man who aspirations to become a high court judge. Kates mother hasn't really been involved in Kates live as she spends more time dining out or entertaining for her husbands career.
Kate endeavour's to start a soup kitchen with her own money to help the poorer families, but this may not fit with other people opinions and she ruffles peoples feather when she only wants to help.
This is a great story with plenty of twists and turns, a fantastic myriad of characters from all walks of life that keep you wanting to turn each page until the end.
Highly recommend this book from start to finish!!!!
October 15, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy for an unbiased review.
Kate comes back from her luxurious life in Delhi India with her mother and father, when she arrives back in London she is shocked by the amount of poverty that seems to be everywhere.
Kate knows she has had a privileged childhood and decides she would like to help the less fortunate, but will her mother and father agree?? Her father is a bossy overbearing man who aspirations to become a high court judge. Kates mother hasn't really been involved in Kates live as she spends more time dining out or entertaining for her husbands career.
Kate endeavour's to start a soup kitchen with her own money to help the poorer families, but this may not fit with other people opinions and she ruffles peoples feather when she only wants to help.
This is a great story with plenty of twists and turns, a fantastic myriad of characters from all walks of life that keep you wanting to turn each page until the end.
Highly recommend this book from start to finish!!!!
Kate comes back from her luxurious life in Delhi India with her mother and father, when she arrives back in London she is shocked by the amount of poverty that seems to be everywhere.
Kate knows she has had a privileged childhood and decides she would like to help the less fortunate, but will her mother and father agree?? Her father is a bossy overbearing man who aspirations to become a high court judge. Kates mother hasn't really been involved in Kates live as she spends more time dining out or entertaining for her husbands career.
Kate endeavour's to start a soup kitchen with her own money to help the poorer families, but this may not fit with other people opinions and she ruffles peoples feather when she only wants to help.
This is a great story with plenty of twists and turns, a fantastic myriad of characters from all walks of life that keep you wanting to turn each page until the end.
Highly recommend this book from start to finish!!!!
February 25, 2021
Kate has recently returned to Britain from India because of the recent uprising there and she returns to a London which is so very different to her way of life. After visiting a family with a lawyer friend of her father's she is determined to think of something to help the poor and near starving families. Things don't go to plan, the soup kitchen she set up in an old disused property, starts off ok, but after a while a gang leader called mad monks starts pestering her and after an awful break in, she decides its for the best if she moves away, best not just for her, but her mother, friends and also Harry Trader, another gang leader, and his mother too. The story soon draws you in and you are rooting for all the characters. As with all Dilly Court books you are guaranteed an excellent read, that will keep your attention throughout.
I really enjoyed reading this book, a real escapism story and a 5☆ read.
I really enjoyed reading this book, a real escapism story and a 5☆ read.
February 24, 2021
Katherine (Kate) Martin has been out in India for the past three years living in luxury with her parents, but because of an uprising, they have had to escape with their lives, leaving behind her darling Ashok Patel or Ash as he is known.
With her maid Jenny they soon settle into their old home in Finsbury Square, the year is 1858.
Kate wants to help those living in poverty and with the help of Jenny decides to open up a soup kitchen, Using her own money she soon finds a suitable building.
This is a story of warmth and love, how the other half live, and also delving into how the roughest side of life live.
Dilly Court is a wonderful author who knows how to keep her readers interested. The characters she creates are believable and make you want to find out more about them.
A great book with some unexpected turns.
With her maid Jenny they soon settle into their old home in Finsbury Square, the year is 1858.
Kate wants to help those living in poverty and with the help of Jenny decides to open up a soup kitchen, Using her own money she soon finds a suitable building.
This is a story of warmth and love, how the other half live, and also delving into how the roughest side of life live.
Dilly Court is a wonderful author who knows how to keep her readers interested. The characters she creates are believable and make you want to find out more about them.
A great book with some unexpected turns.
May 24, 2021
Another excellent story by Dilly Court.
I always look forward to getting into a Dilly Court book, the expectation of being transported back into history and led on a journey, the believable characters, and the sheer delight of a pure and exciting story to loose yourself in.
This book features Kate, who at the start of the story returns to London after living in India because of her father's work. She sees the poverty in her home city with fresh eyes and feels a need to help people who have fallen on hard times. She opens a soup kitchen, but all is not as it seems and the gangs that rule that area of London made things difficult.
I always look forward to getting into a Dilly Court book, the expectation of being transported back into history and led on a journey, the believable characters, and the sheer delight of a pure and exciting story to loose yourself in.
This book features Kate, who at the start of the story returns to London after living in India because of her father's work. She sees the poverty in her home city with fresh eyes and feels a need to help people who have fallen on hard times. She opens a soup kitchen, but all is not as it seems and the gangs that rule that area of London made things difficult.
September 2, 2021
Another brilliant story from this author
I haven't red a Dilly Court book for a while as I have caught up with all the books she has written till this one i really enjoyed it Kate was lovely person always so helpful to those in need.The inheritance she got from her uncle gave her the chance to help others in desperate need of feeding their families with the help of Perry's aunt Ivy and Annie Kate's mother was a bit overbearing but I'm glad her father stuck by her.Then Harry came along a bit of a villain but for a good reason.I think everything in and about this story was quiet lovely.
I haven't red a Dilly Court book for a while as I have caught up with all the books she has written till this one i really enjoyed it Kate was lovely person always so helpful to those in need.The inheritance she got from her uncle gave her the chance to help others in desperate need of feeding their families with the help of Perry's aunt Ivy and Annie Kate's mother was a bit overbearing but I'm glad her father stuck by her.Then Harry came along a bit of a villain but for a good reason.I think everything in and about this story was quiet lovely.
February 1, 2023
I got into the book as much as I could, but after a while the heroine started to annoy me. Maybe its me but she was a bit bossy. And I did not like the way she took over the country house as if she owned it. The story was getting a bit tedious which to me means give up. It was my first Dilly Court so I may try her again. I’ll stick with Betty Neels for the time being short and not taxing on the brain. PS. I like the heroines to be strong and not a push over but not to this extent. As I said maybe its me. I gave three stars as the over all story wasn’t too bad.
October 29, 2021
OH MY GOD!🥵 I don't have any words to describe this book. It was spectacular!!🥴❤
Dilly Court sure has made a place in my heart - I will for sure read more books from her.❣
All the twisting and turning that this book has made me go through.. - I don't know what to say.🦋
I loved the ending and how happiness spread in everyone's lives after all the traumas and nightmare that they went through.💖 It was a wonderful book! 5/5⭐
Dilly Court sure has made a place in my heart - I will for sure read more books from her.❣
All the twisting and turning that this book has made me go through.. - I don't know what to say.🦋
I loved the ending and how happiness spread in everyone's lives after all the traumas and nightmare that they went through.💖 It was a wonderful book! 5/5⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2023
Always love me a Dilly Court book. Though at times the same key story elements become a repeating of itself. Flat characters and things that works out to the will of our main character: a strong independent, smart, charitable and inventive lady. The end of this story wrapped up in the last 20 pages or so, compared to the rest of the story length it couldve gone on for longer than that. Enjoyable for sure and heartwarming to read. Four stars as these books always transport me to the time period
September 27, 2023
My first of Dilly Court’s books but thoroughly enjoyed reading this story set in London 1858. Kate arrives back from India due to the uprising in a London she hardly recognises. She has very strict parents but is determined to do things her own way. She tries to do good but comes across some very unsavoury characters but with the help of new friends will she succeed.
January 27, 2021
Another masterpiece by Dilly Court. She brings disparate people together and binds them into an unrelated family. Some really good characters and with so much going on the story remains absorbing right to the end. A real feel good story and I look forward to the next one.
February 9, 2021
Dilly Court is a talented storyteller and I like this story, moving and entertaining.
Excellent character development, a well researched and vivid historical background, a plot that flows.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Excellent character development, a well researched and vivid historical background, a plot that flows.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
February 22, 2021
I always really enjoy Dilly Court's book. I must admit there were one or two parts that I felt were a bit far fetched but didn't spoil my enjoyment at all.
I am very much looking forward to her new series.
I am very much looking forward to her new series.
March 17, 2021
Great read.
East End London in 1858. Gangs, heireses, sir’s and lady’s. From the rich to the severely poor. From wealth to complete poverty. Friends or foes..
One heiresses mission to help feed the poor leads to unexpected twists and turns as she fights to save those she loves.
East End London in 1858. Gangs, heireses, sir’s and lady’s. From the rich to the severely poor. From wealth to complete poverty. Friends or foes..
One heiresses mission to help feed the poor leads to unexpected twists and turns as she fights to save those she loves.
August 4, 2021
Kate a reluctant heiress meets the man she loves and will marry but before this happy ending she endures a number of mishaps while trying to help those less fortunate after she inherits her uncles estate after his death
October 10, 2021
Lots of colour & well written characters. The story seemed to unfold quickly & there were some places where the tale didn't quite match up but all in all a sweet story about a young woman and her determination to give back to those less fortunate.
November 14, 2021
I do feel that Dilly Court's books are a treat to read if a little too "happy ever after" endings at times, but I like her fast paced narratives and how the stories unfold, of life in the 18 and 1900s, each time choosing a heroine in anther walk of life
August 13, 2025
Wasn't for me. I didn't really like any of the characters, there was a lack of depth to them and their connections. I have no clue how the main characters fell in love, they had limited interactions and seemed to have decided they were in love out of nowhere.
February 11, 2021
Love Dillys books , iv read them all . Cant wait for her new one to come out in the summer .
February 22, 2021
Enjoy
Enjoyed every page I read can't wait for the new book. Later this year with more to follow.Something to look forward to.
Enjoyed every page I read can't wait for the new book. Later this year with more to follow.Something to look forward to.
March 5, 2021
Not my genre
Silly, completely predictable, unbelievable
Silly, completely predictable, unbelievable
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews