The Indigo Heiress features a strong female protagonist, a marriage of convenience, complicated family drama, and slow-burn romance.

In 1774, Juliet lives with her father and sister on their Virginia plantation. Indigo production and the exportation of it to the powerful Buchanan family in Scotland is their primary concern. One day, Juliet learns that her father has promised one of his daughters to (widower) Leith Buchanan to cancel out his huge debt. Leith chooses Juliet. Because of circumstances and pressures, she agrees and takes her sister along in hopes of finding a match for her. Once in Scotland, Juliet is faced with caring for Leith’s children as her own and dealing with his powerful family. In this arrangement, Juliet has saved her own family from financial ruin, but will she be able to help Leith with his own family? Will their marriage of convenience blossom into love?

Do you enjoy a Marriage of Convenience trope? Juliet agrees to marry Leith to pay off her father’s debt, and Leith needs a mother for his young children after the recent death of his wife. They begin to work more closely together as a result of family drama and some intrigue.

In modern times, we have little concept about marrying for reasons other than true love. These histfic marriages of convenience that blossom into love are some of my favorite stories. Maybe I’ll collect my favorite titles for a future blog post.

I prefer slow-burn romance over insta-love (insta-lust). As Leith begins to appreciate Juliet in multiple ways, she grows in her understanding of his family situation. They begin to trust one another and depend on each other. Over time, their love grows.

Juliet is a strong protagonist throughout the story. Even though her family’s indigo plantation uses slaves, she works with the Underground Railroad to do her part in helping them escape. Daring, dangerous, and secretive work. In Scotland, Juliet faces difficult situations with grace and determination. She wins the hearts of her young step-children, deals with Leith’s complicated family, and stands by his side on multiple occasions. Juliet is a woman of faith and never wavers in her moral convictions.

The author uses vivid descriptive details to establish a strong sense of time and place in Colonial Virginia and Scotland. She transports us through history and enables us to imagine ourselves growing indigo, bartering deals, and starting a new life..

Content Consideration: slavery

Fans of marriage of convenience and slow-burn romance might enjoy this new historical fiction release. It’s a lovely read and a well-written story; albeit, a bit slower-paced and less dramatic than Seamstress of Acadie (if you’ve read it).

Thanks #NetGalley @RevellBooks for a complimentary eARC of #TheIndigoHeiress upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Absolutely breathtaking!

Juliet's focus is entirely on ensuring the success of her family's indigo plantation, resolute that a life of romance and marriage are not for her, so when her father arranges a match between her and a wealthy tobacco lord from Scotland, she is shocked, angry and determined to turn down her would-be groom. Even if he is intriguing...and handsome.

Leith Buchanan has his reasons for selecting Juliet as his wife. It must be her or no one else. And though still haunted by his past, he is hopeful that with Juliet by his side in Scotland, the future will be brighter but powerful enemies threaten to destroy any hope of a happy future together.

What you'll love:
arranged marriage
dual pov
slow burn romance
brooding, protective Scottish hero
intelligent, strong heroine
the miniature portrait
single parent/widower
suspenseful scenes
the entire last two chapters!!!
boat ride
swoony kisses!

An absolutely stunning historical romance! From the wild indigo fields of 1774 Virginia to the teeming streets of Glasgow, the author takes you on a breathtaking journey of despair and hope, of betrayal and trust, of sacrifice and love. To take this journey felt like a beautiful gift and this story of finding an unexpected love completely captured my heart!

One thing I loved is how the characters were introduced. You get to know Leith and Juliet individually - their challenges, their personalities, their dreams - before they even meet! I already loved them both apart and could see how much better even they would be together! It heightened the anticipation of that meet-cute and the hard-fought romance that follows. They are both such stubborn but lovable characters and I felt like I knew them personally and loved every minute of their swoony romance!

Add to this a rich historical backdrop, vivid imagery, plot twists and intrigue, and poetic prose that spoke to my soul, and is it any wonder that this book with so much depth or heart will be a favorite for years to come?

Laura is a masterful storyteller and this story held me captivated from beginning to end. Historical romance fans will fall in love with the genre all over again after reading this book. I know I did!

Read it. Love it. Repeat.

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

Beautiful storytelling rich with historical nuggets I am constantly learning. I love arranged marriages. It doesn’t happen right away so you can get to know the characters separately. I just wished they had more time together. They were stuck on a ship at the beginning of their marriage but I felt like they didn't connect too often. Then when they get the Scotland Leith was hardly in the picture. I guess I didn't see their slow burn romance grow. The ending was very exciting!

It's another Laura Frantz winner. I've enjoyed her previous stories of the Scottish coming to America and I've equally enjoyed this book where an American goes to Scotland and acclimates to life there in 1774. It was nice to get acquainted with descendants from the main characters in the author's previous book Tidewater Bride published in 2021 and hear of Esmee Shaw's chocolate shop from A Heart Adrift published in 2022. The colonial atmosphere was rife with dissent and cry for independence in 1774 and it was fascinating to be a part of that environment. Juliet and her family's involvement in freeing the plantation slaves one person at a time was quite moving. I loved learning about the ins and outs of import and export business that flourished in Glasgow, particularly of tobacco. Leith - the author's signature alpha hero who is strong, silent, driven and buried under pain yet with a remarkable capacity for tenderness and love - was a memorable character. Juliet also bore the mark of the author's signature; she exhibited strength of character and mind, compassion and resilience that Laura Frantz' heroines are known for. I loved their delightful conversations that mirrored their relationship - their dialogue moved from aggravation to respect to love. Their banter was so much fun. The love that blossomed from their marriage of convenience was slow but worth the wait.

There was a strong faith thread that I appreciated. There were also some surprising twists and turns to the plot that added intrigue and mystery to this historical romance. It was interesting to see the beginnings of the Revolutionary War from Scotland and England's angle.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

I LOVED this book. I truly couldn’t put it down and fell asleep a few nights because I refused to put it down.

This book has everything I look for in Christian historical fiction: flawed characters (because aren’t we all) who are striving to do better, friendships, relationships where you watch love develop genuinely, and reminders of how good God is. This last one develops slowly and naturally as it does for so many of us in life.

Juliet is such a strong female character and her sacrifices, her willingness to do what is needed, but in her own way was wonderful to read. I loved seeing her change throughout the story.

Leith is such a complex character, and Juliet’s time and patience and determination to love him being about beautiful changes in him as he realizes what is truly important.

The historical aspect, especially as it related to Scotland and America not long before America was to fight for independence was absolutely fascinating to me.

I don’t want to give it all away. There is so much packed in this beautiful story. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Revell for the copy of this beauty. All views are my own.

From the 1710s to the 1770s Scottish merchants who traded in tobacco grown in the colonies were known as Tobacco Lords. They were innovators in capitalism who became very wealthy. The American War of Independence marked the beginning of the end for this type of tobacco enterprise as growers were then able to send their tobacco directly to Europe, cutting out the middle men.

Juliet Catesby, also known as the Indigo Heiress, helped her father run his business interests including the multiple crops that the Royal Vale Plantation grew. In spite of her assistance, Royal Vale continued to accumulate debt, a problem her father chose to alleviate by betrothing her to Tobacco Lord, Leith Buchanan.

Laura Frantz weaves a tale filled with action, romance, betrayal, and intrigue, all wrapped around extensive research of the era's history on both sides of the Atlantic. The story includes characters that readers will easily become attached to and empathize with. Emotions will run high as injustices and poor timing impact Juliet and Leith's relationship. Readers will be encouraged by these characters' developing spiritual maturity, evolving priorities, and the power of prayer in their lives.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Indigo Heiress from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

“Once and for all she put her vision of marrying at Royal Vale to rest, burying it beneath a wave of wonder that she stood here beside the tobacco lord she’d once loathed.”

One of my very favorite tropes is a marriage of convenience and this story that takes place in the Colonial 1700s is perfect. It really made me wonder–how many of my ancestors married for love and how many married for…convenience? Regardless, the union between Leith and Juliet is sweet, yet a bit as tumultuous as the sea that carried them to Scotland.

I quickly became invested in these characters–Juliet and her beloved life with her sister, Loveday, as well as Leith and his firm bond with his two brothers, Euan and Niall–but it was the attachment between this married couple that tugged at my heart and held me captive. They are written so well and every longing glance and hesitant interaction left me desperately longing for more. I also love the slight hints of mystery woven throughout, which obviously culminate in such a brilliant and surprising way.

This is not only a beautiful tale of imagery, but also of character, romance, religion, and history. I was startled to realize this is my first book by this author and it definitely won’t be my last.

I'm a huge Laura Frantz fan so I'm always excited when January comes around. This book had her signature rich history that really immerses you into another world and time. I didn't find the storyline as engaging as usual, it was a little flat and boring in parts but still good overall. I was a little sad when the story moved to Scotland as I was quite invested in the Royal Vale story. The element I thought let the storyline down was the romance, I found it a bit hard to follow and that it wasn't built on enough substance and relied on a lot of unspoken thoughts and feelings. In saying all that, a 4 star Laura Frantz book is still a great read and would recommend to anyone interested in immersing themselves history and romance.

The Colonies are starting to push back against the British and there is rumblings of uprising against the trade routes and compensation for the products that are all being sent back across the sea. These plantation owners are hardly making ends meet and yet costs keep rising. Juliet's father is coming to a cross roads with this plantations but he needs to get his daughters married off. Marriage is the furthest thing from Juliet's mind, so when word is that she needs to put together a ball she knows she will do all she can to help her sister find a mate. Little does she know the things her father has already had in the works and agreed to with the Buchanan family from Scotland. When Juliet puts her life and the lives of others in danger, she realizes that her only chance to escape is to heed what her father put in place and become a wife. Taking her sister with, they head to Scotland for a new start. Now a wife and soon to be a mother to twins, Juliet can hardly believe how quickly her life has changed and it's about to change once again as her husband lay on his deathbed and puts her in charge of everything. Will she be a widow before she was really even a wife? How will she be accepted in this new land and in this new family who know nothing about her. Yet she is to be the voice of her husband, a man she doesn't even know herself? This was such an interesting read about indigo and all the trade routes across the ocean. I always connect so well with her characters. Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Austenprose for the tour invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

What a sweet story of learning to love and be loved!

What a neat time period of right before the revolutionary war, both in the colonies and in Scotland.

The characters were all so great! The romance was so sweet and I loved the marriage of convenience!

The suspense at the end got me good and I couldn't put the book down!

Laura Frantz is a masterful storyteller, and I think this might be one of her finest works yet. The Indigo Heiress is a rich and beautifully told story, penned with the author’s signature lyrical prose.

It captured my heart and imagination from the first chapter. The character development was outstanding, and the vivid descriptions of that time and place made me feel like I was there. I couldn’t put it down and wanted to savor every single page.

The story takes place in Virginia and Scotland on the eve of the Revolutionary War, and it was really interesting having the perspective of both sides of the conflict.

I can’t say enough good about this book. It’s historical fiction at its best, with an absolutely charming and swoony love story, beautiful faith elements, a strong and admirable fmc, emotionally evocative with topics like slavery and the loss of loved ones, and a dash of danger and intrigue. A highlight for me was the sweet bond between Juliet and her sister, and when she becomes a stepmother to Leith’s twins. I also appreciated Leith’s growth and self discovery.

This was a solid five star read for me, and one that I highly recommend for anyone who is a fan of beautifully written Historical Christian fiction.

I received a copy from Revell Publishing and Austenprose PR via NetGalley, but a positive review was not required.

Laura Frantz has a solid grasp of history, and her inspirational historical romances are always enjoyable, even when they’re not perfect. The Indigo Heiress is at the high end of her oeuvre even with a few minor stumbles along the way.

Juliet Catesby is a Virginia heiress whose life ought to be all satin and roses. But her family and their businesses are struggling in the wake of her mother’s death. Juliet has learned to manage the family’s ancestral plantation, Royal Vale, one her own--her father spends all his time in Williamsburg trying to untangle the threads of their messy and ballooning debts. She knows that they’re running out of funds. On top of that, she has a secret: Juliet has quietly begun helping slaves pursue freedom in Philadelphia, including her own plantation’s slaves. This is something she considers her Christian duty, and something her mother made her life mission. Her father would frown on this if he knew, as he frowned on her attempt at teaching at the local freeman school.

The Catesbys grow plants for dyes, including indigo, their cash crop – to the point that Juliet is known as the titular Indigo Heiress. They export their wares through the tobacco-rich Buchanan family, who live in Scotland. When Juliet learns her father has arranged for one of his daughters to marry family heir Leith Buchanan to cancel the family’s death, she’s aghast. Two-fisted, tough Leith needs a mother for his two small children, twins Cole and Bella – and he wants someone to go back to Scotland with him to help him raise them. Juliet anticipates that her more gorgeous, gently graceful younger sister Loveday will be married off to him. Instead, she’s aghast to learn she’s to marry Leith.

Juliet initially rejects Leith’s suit, a loveless marriage to be based upon appearances. But then Juliet and Loveday are caught in the middle of aiding a slave family to freedom by Royal Vale’s lazy, cruel overseer. The Cates girls make a daring escape to Leith’s boat, and Juliet agrees to Leith’s terms.

In Scotland, Juliet learns that more about her husband. Leith is the subject of murderous rumor thanks to the death of his previous wife, and Juliet is pleased to discover he has freed all of his own slaves. She settles into life in Scotland and they begin to make a family, but soon worries she’s being followed by a too-familiar face. With the Revolutionary War looming over them all, can love survive?

The best thing about The Indigo Heiress, is its smart, lives-by-their-principals and faith heroine and hero. Juliet is a great character, and so is Leith. Each are easy to love, flawed, human, moral people who live their Christian experiences, and their romance is a sweet slow-burner.

There is also a nice secondary romance between Loveday and Leith’s brother, Niall. Even the girls’ father finds something resembling true love. The novel manages combine social chaos, family antics, and world events in interesting ways, as well. Here, as in her other works, Frantz translates the past to the page well.

The book does have a few flaws, however. Bella and Cole are quite young when the book begins. Barely a year old, they embrace Juliet with nary a tantrum. Tiny Bella immediately calls Juliet ‘mam’ upon meeting her, which is something no motherless child would ever do for another woman. Frantz makes parenthood far too easy on Juliet; I wanted more storms and more tantrums, because mothering children, let alone those not of your making, is hard work. The book also has a number of (unnamable due to spoilers) dropped plot threads that put this below DIK level.

But these are really just quibbles. Overall, The Indigo Heiress is a fine read – inviting, involving and warm. If you enjoying inspies with admirable leads and an interesting historical context, Frantz' latest is for you.

If you enjoy historical fiction, look no further than Laura Frantz’s books. The Indigo Heiress is a stunning blend of Revolution era-America and alluring Scotland, with relatable characters and quiet intrigue. This story is definitely a slow burn, but I enjoyed the romance between Juliet and Leith. Frantz’s books continue to be auto-reads for me! 4/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Full of historical details, this novel was so interesting. I loved how it took the reader from colonial Virginia to Scotland. I learned so much. I enjoyed the romance and learning about the time period through the author's descriptive writing. I also thought the storyline about the children was so sweet. I was not as invested in the sudden thriller storyline that surprised me towards the end. But I loved the other aspects of the book so much!

ARC Review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Growing up the daughter of a Virginian plantation owner, Juliet Catesby, has led a charmed life. With the Catesby’s number one cash crop being indigo, she has often been referred to as, the Indigo Heiress. But the Catesby finances are not what they seem. Her father has amassed an insurmountable amount of debt. With no other option, a marriage is arranged between Juliet and Lief Buchanan (Scottish heir). Will their union remain in name only, or will they grow to respect and love one another?

Laura Frantz’s Indigo Heiress, is a clean, faith-based, historical fiction novel that opened my eyes to a new genre.

Admittedly, I have had limited exposure to historical fiction. In the past, I have read a few books fitting this description, but they failed to hold my interest. Unable to connect with the timeline, dialogue, characters, and stories they represented, I wrote the entire genre off.

However, upon entering 2025, I set a goal of expanding my horizons. I aim to diversify both the stories and authors I consume. With that being said, when I was offered a complementary copy of this story, I knew I had to take it.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read this book. Not only did I enjoy my time with it, I surprisingly want to read more!!! All credit goes to Frantz. She is a talented author who made the genre accessible to me.

Read this book for:
-outstanding character development
-slow burn romance
-dual settings (Virginia and Scotland)
- complicated family dynamics

Special thanks to Netgalley, Revell, and Laura Frantz for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Another amazing book from Laura Frantz! This one swept me away on a relaxing current to Georgian era Virginia and then Scotland. I loved the rich historical details. I always enjoy when I can learn unique things by reading fiction. The fact that this story features an arranged marriage drew me in and kept me hooked. I ate up the tension between Leith and Juliet as they worked through their (well, mostly her) dislike of the situation. It made it all the sweeter when they eventually learned to love each other. I also liked that there were several side characters, each with their own personality. Juliet's sister, Leith's brothers and sister-in-law, and Cole and Bella all made the story so much fuller. I definitely recommend this one for lovers of historical Christian fiction!

Thanks so much to Revell and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Revell and Netgalley for this arc.

Although I wanted to read this book as soon as I saw the lovely cover, I will admit that the information in the blurb about the heroine’s family owning a plantation in Tidewater Virginia gave me pause. There could be no way that this wouldn’t involve enslaved people and yes, there are some. But the knowledge that the spinster aunt of Juliet and Loveday is a Quaker who lives in Philadelphia should give readers a hint about the sister’s feelings and actions.

I like Juliet and her sister Loveday. They’re both practical, thoughtful, and giving people. When Leith Buchanan appears on the scene, his first impression of Juliet is that she’s an intelligent scrapper. Juliet’s dowry has gone to pay down the crippling debts of the plantation and honestly, she’s just fine with that and the plan of eventually moving to Philadelphia to be spinster like her aunt. I wish we could have seen this aunt who sounds as if she doesn’t suffer fools. After trying to matchmake Loveday and Leith, Juliet is stunned when she is the one selected as the human sacrifice to pay off her father’s bad decision making.

To his credit, Leith gives Juliet a choice in whether or not the marriage will take place. His first marriage was a disaster but we can see that he truly does – deep in his heart and no matter what he says – want to be married again and that he has deep feelings for Juliet. The first half of the book moves at a lazy pace that probably matches that of life in 1770s Virginia but this also gives us a good chance to really get to know both Leith and Juliet as they get to know each other. When Juliet initially turns Leith down, it’s not because he’s rude or objectionable, but rather because she loves her home, family, and community. The reasons she changes her mind are worry about Leith being ill and due to Something Else she has a hand in that could possibly end with her in prison.

The ultraslow burn nature of the romance doesn’t pick up all that much once everyone arrives in Glasgow but again, the details of life among the tobacco lords of the city who were filthy stinking rich had me glued to the page. There are family members to meet, shopping to do, balls to be held, and in the background the continuing threat of the American colonies heading towards … what? Rebellion or is there a chance to head that off and if not, how will this affect the trade that has fueled the riches that Juliet is now gobsmacked by.

I absolutely did not see the direction that the plot was going to take. There was plenty of conflict and issues already but finally the disastrous end to Leith’s first marriage steps up and takes over. I’ll be honest and admit that this becomes “everything but the kitchen sink.” Poor Juliet and Leith, who had already been put through a wringer in their growing relationship, now got put through This as well. Juliet, who had been religious through the book, really used all the faith she had and prayers she could muster. This is an inspie book and there is a lot here but mainly due to the fact that these are religious people, under trial, and turning to faith and prayer is natural for them.

Booyah that Juliet, Loveday, and Leith are shown to be products of how they were brought up. I appreciated the opposite view of the burgeoning turmoil that would soon bring the American colonies into open rebellion against Britain. I laughed when Loveday admits she is loving her new life in Scotland. I enjoyed watching Leith realize the gem he’s married and Juliet rethinking her initial thoughts on the marriage. There is character growth galore here though it takes a while to get there. The kerfuffle at the end wasn’t quite to my taste but I’ll still give this one a B.

'Sometimes she felt like a weathervane, turned in so many directions.'

This book is BEAUTIFUL...inside and out! This is my third book by Laura Frantz and each book I am even more blown away by her talent. If you ever want to be transported and feel like you're a part of history-pick up a Laura Frantz book. Each detailed description fully immerses you in whatever setting she writes about. This book gives you two locations 1774 Virginia and Scotland.

Both of the main characters are intriguing and as the story moves on and the characters start interacting with each other prepare yourself to keep reading until the book is finished. Juliet is such a strong, female character with a huge amount of responsibility and feels destined for spinsterhood and wants nothing more than to see her younger sister happily settled. Leith is a single father with a heavy dose of mystery surrounding him and his past. I loved watching this hardened character through a dual point of view--it added SO MUCH to the story.

This book had many twists and turns. Prepare to have your jaw drop on several occasions and I was here for it all.

If you're a fan of historical Christian romance, a slight enemies-to-more vibe, forced proximity, marriage of convenience, single parent trope, strong family relationships, a bit of suspense and mystery with twists and turns then you will absolutely LOVE this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Content/Triggers: death of a loved one, mention of suicide, slavery, Christian threads, romance- kisses and minimal mention alluding to intimacy between a married couple in a healthy relationship.

One of my favorite eras to read about is Colonial America. Ms Frantz always educates me to the time and customs of America in its formative years. I learned about Indigo plantations and what other crops they grew. This story also traveled across the ocean to Scotland and told of the rich businessmen who traded and had interests in the Americas. This perspective from Scotland was very eye opening.
Juliet has hostile thoughts about Leith and the arranged marriage her father wants but eventually comes to appreciate his character.
This is a vibrant story with people who grow in their faith. It is a story to be savored and pondered over. It has elements of romance, suspense, danger, compassion, charity and selflessness. All wrapped up in the atmospheric settings of Virginia and Scotland.
I am always glad to step into the historical stories of Laura Frantz.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell on behalf of the author and a NetGalley copy through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

4.5 Stars

It took me a minute to get into this novel. I wasn't sure how the author was going to make it work between Leith and Juliet, and if she DID make it work, I wasn't sure if I was going to buy it.

And then Laura Frantz did what she's incredibly good at--she sucked me into a world where every character felt real. Every tense situation felt like high stakes. Every tender moment felt like I was the one falling in love.

Once I was invested, I was INVESTED. And my word, what a ride. I thought I knew what was going to happen. I thought I could anticipate the villains and the way the story would play out. I had no clue!

I loved the relationships and the characters. Leith and Juliet take a minute to get.it.together, but once they do . . . it's a romance reader's dream. *cue the heart eye emojis*

If you're already a fan of Frantz, then this read is more of the captivating historical romance you've come to expect from the author. If you're new, pick up this read if you want a book that will unfurl slowly but ultimately take root in your heart. You will not be able to put it down once you're invested.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. All expressed opinions belong to me.