Will a surprise inheritance lead to not one

but two found families for this secret son?

Rejected by his birth family, author, and finance whiz Sutton Marchant made his own way in the world.

Now he’s back to fulfill the terms of his birth father’s will, which means staying with Lowrie Lewis, the irresistible manager of the Rossi Inn.

The last thing he needs is a distraction like her and her son, but he’s floored by their fierce attraction.

Sutton came to claim what’s his, but will Lowrie lead him to the biggest prize of all?

Titles in the Dynasties: DNA Dilemma series include — Secrets of a Bad Reputation – Wrong Brother, Right Kiss – Lost and Found Heir – The Secret Heir Returns – 

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  The Secret Heir Returns
Series:  Dynasties: DNA Dilemma #4
Author:  Joss Wood
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  May 24, 2022
Publisher:  Harlequin Desire
My Rating:  4.5 stars

It’s time for the final story in the mini-series, Dynasties: DNA Dilemma, and while I was ready for all the plotlines to be wrapped up, I wasn’t prepared for still a few lingering surprises to be there for me.  The Secret Heir Returns deliciously brings this (mini-series) series to a conclusion with a touching, emotional story of two people who have lost so much, although in far different ways, and who need to re-evaluate how they themselves have acted and change in order to move forward to their own happy future together.  The final story of any series is always a bittersweet moment for I’m leaving behind people who I’ve come to care about through their stories, yet it turns out that Sutton and Lowrie are my favorite couple of this series.  And I believe I feel that way because they felt, to me, the most realistic, had the most believable reactions to what life has tossed at them… and they survived, even before they knew each other.

Sutton, a wealthy author, has to finally face his past… a past he had nothing to do with aside from simply being born.  You see, Sutton is adopted and is in possession of a letter from his birth mother which he has never opened to read.  He wants no part of that past considering his adoptive parents the only parents he needs or wants.  But, unfortunately, he’s allowed the truth of his adoption to weigh on him in other ways mostly in wondering if he was truly loved for himself.  Now, he’s facing yet another crisis when he is tracked down by the lawyers of his biological father’s estate with incredible news… and an option that will change his life, eventually.

Lowrie is a single mom with an adorable one-year-old son who is her life.  She’s also the innkeeper at the location where Sutton must spend two months, and attend a fancy Valentine’s Day Ball before he can claim his inheritance.  Lowrie also has a past that she’s shoved aside to focus on the present and the future with her son.  She never expected the very rich, very handsome guest from the United Kingdom, who has bought out the other rooms in the inn for the duration of his stay, to be anything more than an interesting guest.  She was wrong for this man will hold the answers to unlocking the pain of her past.  And when the dust settles, become her lifelong love in every way that matters.  But, there’s a lot of drama to survive before that happily ever after ending can become their reality.

I simply devoured The Secret Heir Returns and loved every moment spent back in this world.  I’m not about to give away how all of this series will be resolved by the ending of this book… but what an emotionally charged ending it turned out to be.  We get to catch up with the other couples from the earlier books, meet some amazing relatives of Lowrie’s, and finally see one old, bitter, egotistical jerk get exactly what’s coming to him when all the truths finally come to light.  I have to admit that I felt rather smug at a few characters as they got exactly what they deserved.  But it was Sutton and Lowrie I adored most.  They are complex, complicated, and all too human in their reactions to what life has dealt them.  Watching them allow someone else into their lives, to open the possibility for a future of unconditional love was simply an amazing way to end this series.  I’ve had a blast, and would highly recommend this entire series.  I do feel that it should be read in order as they build on the previous book’s reveals, but that’s my opinion.  They could be read as standalone, but I think you’d be missing important details.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from Booksprout. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent. I was not financially compensated for this review and no expectation of a positive review was promised.*

**Release date is: May 24, 2022, as this review is based on an ARC.**

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