Eliza and the Duke
by Harper St. George
The Doves of New York - Book 2
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Reviewed by PJ
American heiress Eliza Dove was resigned to a polite marriage of convenience...until she spent one wicked night with the Duke.
All hopeless romantic Eliza Dove asked for was one night of adventure. One glorious evening of freedom to explore the dark corners of London with a mysterious stranger before a lifetime trapped in a quiet, respectable marriage of convenience. Except now she wants more. Now she wants him.
Simon Cavell is no gentleman. Known only as ‘the Duke,’ Whitechapel’s prize boxer is one fight away from achieving his goal: to safeguard his late sister’s only treasure and leave the streets for good. He cannot allow some pretty young heiress to spill his secrets, no matter how tempting she might be. In return for her silence, Simon will give Eliza a taste of the darkness…and hope he doesn’t lose his heart in the process.
But one night together could never be enough. And now Eliza has a new plan—an even more scandalous bargain that will either land the heiress her duke or ruin them both.
PJ's Thoughts:
Are you interested in a character-driven, Gilded Age/Victorian romance that feels fresh and new? If so, Harper St. George is the author for you!
In Eliza and the Duke, St. George steps away from London ballrooms and into the shadowy corners of Whitechapel to bring readers a cross-class romance that elicits all the feelings. There's danger, betrayal, tantalizing chemistry, a walk on the dark side, a bit of mystery, and yearning. So. Much. Yearning.
Both Simon and Eliza are complex characters, more than they appear while also exactly as they appear. St. George pulls out their deepest emotions, hopes, and fears, especially Simon's. How could I not fall for this strong, determined, protective, proud, vulnerable man? And then there's Eliza. Impetuous, stubborn, and seemingly only concerned with her own wants, she slowly evolves into a determined, caring woman who I grew to respect, admire, and cheer on to a hard-won happy ending.
As a fan of Harper St. George, it was fun to see characters from her earlier series pop in and out of this book. Readers who are new to her, however, should be able to enjoy Eliza and the Duke on its own. I enthusiastically recommend everything she's written.
Have you read Harper St. George yet?
Do you enjoy Gilded Age/Victorian romance?
How do you feel about cross-class romance?
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM (EDT), June 25 will receive a print copy of Eliza and the Duke.
Ms St George is a new to new author. I have only read a very few books about the Gilded Age. I don't believe I know enough to form an opinion. I am into character driven stories, so the period in which they are set is not a game changer for me. This story sounds like one I would enjoy, And stories across classes....I am an American so class is not as important to me as it may be to others. This story sounds good because the hero is willing to sacrifice on behalf of someone else. Thanks for the review. As always, you make me fee certain that I NEED this book.
ReplyDeleteI have read Harper St. George novels and enjoyed them greatly. I love Gilded Age/ Victorian romance era novels so much. The Gilded Age has always interested me and is extremely interesting in so many ways. Yes, class-cross romance is wonderful. I look forward to this extraordinary and fascinating story.
ReplyDeleteI have read some of Harper St. George's work and really enjoyed all of it! I do love Victorian/Gilded Age romances! There are so many changes in society and with technical & scientific advances that I enjoy seeing in books. I do enjoy cross-class romances!
ReplyDeleteI have a Harper book on my TBR pile! I love Gilded Age and Victorian romances, especially the grittier ones. And I think cross class are more interesting as they have an instant issue to work on.
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