The Bastard and The Heir

Written by Eden Finley and Saxon James

Narrated by Liam DiCosimo and James Joseph

WREN

Moms are good at one thing: the guilt trip. It’s the only reason I’m at the funeral of a man I’ve never had anything to do with.

I’ll show up, make her happy, and get out.

At least that’s what I think until I learn daddy dearest has left me a crap load of money and the obligation to learn about the family business. All from his eldest son who looks nothing like the rest of us.

Darcy is the only Ritcherson who doesn’t treat me like the bastard son that I am. He helps me learn, pushes me to be better, and as we work together, we grow closer. For a gazillionaire with a media empire at his fingertips, he’s surprisingly humble.

And sweet.

And saying things he shouldn’t be saying.

The thing is, Mom swears she was never a mistress. Swears she was the only one Dad was seeing when she fell pregnant with me. But with Darcy only a few weeks older, there’s no way that can be the case.

Unless …

Unless the things he whispers when he thinks I’m not listening mean something. The guilt in his eyes when he looks at me would make sense.

If Darcy isn’t my father’s biological child, he’s not the Ritcherson heir.

I am.

And everything Darcy holds dear should be mine.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Absolute Books
• Release date: Feb 2, 2024
• ISBN: 9798868796661

Eden Finley

Eden Finley schreibt heitere Liebesromane voller Herz, die sich wunderbar für kleine Fluchten aus dem Alltag eignen. Ihre Bücher entstehen meist aus einer originellen Idee. Ursprünglich schrieb Eden auch in vielen anderen Genres, doch seit 2018 hat sie in der queeren Romance ihr Zuhause gefunden. Eden lebt mit ihrem Ehemann und ihrem Sohn in Australien.

Reviews for The Bastard and The Heir

[Issabella2507 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this story. I kinda may cried at one point... but kinda haha
I recommend to read this story

[anakarenvargas143134 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I keep saying that I love all of the books this author has created and I know that I will love the next one but omg! I’m still surprised ! This was an amazing story! It gave me butterflies!

[iam · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another one where I was unsure of the beginning, but really enjoyed the end.
Given the title I of course knew what I was going in for, so I was not surprised at the whole social incest stuff. As a reader, we find out very early that Darcy and Wren aren't actually, related, and Darcy knows from the beginning, but Wren only finds out later... after a whole lot of attraction happened, though both of them are adamant to suppress it until after they know for sure they aren't related. Still, that big reveal happened later than I personally would have liked.

Both characters could be stubborn, but never to the point of frustration. There were some side plots that had me quite worried about turning out badly, but the way things developed and how everything wrapped up was quite wonderful, and I really really liked it!

[sarinhamac48 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was good... the angst was perfectly understandable considering the situation. The resolution was kinda sweet & the epilogue was too cute! It was all sexy as helll... both Darcy & Wren were beyond adorable as well!

Darcy's mother was vile & tbph, O genuinely didn't understand their dad's decision... why abandon both your beloved & your biological son to raise someone else's son, to help save some random woman from ruin?!

By all means, help her financially, but I can't believe that the dad ended up loving such a spiteful, ungrateful wretch like her...

For the narrators, they both have sexy voices, but I much preferred the British narrator, both because there's some grit in his voice & because his American accent was quite good.

The American narrator, however, can't do a British accent to save his life & his voice for Darcy was ridiculously effeminate... so much so that it sounded exactly like Darcy's mother when he portrayed her...

I wish they'd either just had the British narrator for both or that they'd done as they did with the epilogue... each one doing their own part.

A good read!

[Sean Ravenstein · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A little weird to star and it get better in the middle

[Angela White · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another win for Saxenverse.
I put this one off for a bit because poor little rich guy meets discarded love child tends to be a darker trope.
After their father’s death, Darcy embraces his “brother” being brought into the fold. Wren doesn’t want any part of the world he was excluded from. Part of what makes this work is Penelope, she’s been truthful with Wren and not bitter or angry.
As Wren interacts with the family and business, the brothers grow to respect each other, Wren & Darcy try to deny their attraction. But some things are meant to be.

[Madison Busi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Honestly so much better than I expected. Really enjoyed it

[Tony · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful story that kept me biting my nails to the end. ❤️❤️

[yah teamah · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was really good. I wish there was a part 2

[bphuus · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

another fabulous story by the dynamic duo. I enjoyed reading about Wren and Darcy!

[Shawna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love Wren and Darcy
Love the slow burn
Love the fight for love
Love the brotherly and found family

[Meghan Mautino · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the greatest book I've read this year. ❤️

[juliechery · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a bit different than the usual Sadenverse books, but I really liked it.

[JD Kin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The storyline was smoking hot! And so loving and sweet. Saxon James is a fabulous writer that I highly recommend!

[Manazon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

brilliant. loved every second of this book. the story and plot are fantastic

[Sylvia · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

By Chapter 3 the mother was enough to make me stop listening and give 1 star yuk

[Unathi Guma · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the storyline and the character development as they all got to know each other. I also found it inconsistent. Describing how a character behaves then have them do opposite of who the book says they are to their core.

I also didn't feel that the main characters connected as much as they should've. It was more of a tell of their love for each other... But there wasn't enough show. Reading about their thoughts and struggles as a result of their love, didn't translate too well in how they were within their in person dialogue or interactions.

I found that part disappointing because it is such a good storyline to follow.

[AudioAddiction · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sweet and romantic. Well written with an interesting although not unique storyline. Fun listen. Give it a try.

[Matteo G. · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Too much incest for me very yucky I reccomend not romanticizing incest even if the characters technically aren’t related byeeee

[Kim Myers Love · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book had it all. I laughed, I cried multiple times, I smiled and swooned. Absolutely loved this book!!!!