Book #20 of 2016. 
 Okay, so Eadlyn is the worst (and so is that name. Ugh!). However, I don't really have any problems with that. She is 18 years old and has lived a life of privilege. In fact, I think that it is totally realistic that she is a stuck-up bitch with no concern for others. She reminds me a bit of those anti-heroines who have become popular lately and we so love to hate. It's hard to read from her perspective, but at least she is not a complete Mary Sue. She makes dumb decisions all the time! 
 I actually may enjoy "The Heir" more than I enjoyed the previous books because the romantic plot is not entirely predictable. (view spoiler)[ I mean, come on, did Aspen ever really have a chance? (hide spoiler)]. Here, I am not entirely sure with whom Eadlyn will end up. I think that her scenes with Lyle have the best chemistry (I get butterflies, and I am far older than the target audience), but he's a bit too perfect otherwise. Henri is adorable, but I cannot see him making it much further seeing as we have yet to actually understand a word from his mouth. Hale seems kind of like a stand in. Erik is intriguing, and I would be happy for Eadlyn to pursue him further since it would actually lead to a slightly complex plot. Ean is perhaps the most intriguing, and I wonder if he will prove to have different intentions than what he stated. Who knows, Fox could even have role to play! I love that I am not entirely sure. (I am also slightly suspicious of her maid. There was definitely some heavy-handed foreshadowing going on there). 
 Eadlyn actually has character development in this book (something that I would argue America lacked in "The Selection"), and she is at her best when she realizes that she has trouble being vulnerable in front of others. This trait is relatable. I also love when she has to deal with the stereotypes of being a woman head on because Eadlyn doesn't take shit from anyone. 
 The politics are very much watered down. A few years ago, it would have been easy to chalk this up to the fact that this is YA lit, but I have seen much better in YA. The more appropriate reason/excuse is that the audience is really here for the romance. Take that as you will. 
 I think this has promise. I hate that I want to read the next one, but I absolutely cannot wait.