Review & Giveaway - - The Duchess Takes a Husband

The Duchess Takes a Husband

by Harper St. George

The Gilded Age Heiresses - Book 4

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: May 23, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

Despite her illustrious title, Camille, Duchess of Hereford, remains what she has always been—a pariah. Though her title means she’s technically accepted by London Society, the rebellious widow with her burgeoning interest in the suffrage movement and her American ways isn’t exactly high on every hostess’s guest list. But Camille starts to wonder if being an outcast is not without its perks when the tantalizing answer to her secret fear appears in the shape of Jacob Thorne, the illegitimate son of an earl and co-owner of London’s infamous Montague Club.
 
Jacob is used to making deals with his club members—he’s just not accustomed to them being beautiful women. Nor have the terms ever been so sweetly seductive as Camille’s shocking proposition. To finally buy his own club and gain the crucial backing of investors, Camille offers Jacob the respectability of a fake engagement with a duchess. In return, the tempting widow has one condition: she wants Jacob to show her if it’s possible for her to experience pleasure in bed.
 
The lure of such a bargain proves too delicious to resist, drawing the enterprising rogue and the wallflower duchess into a scandalous game and an even more dangerous gamble of the heart.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've been hoping for a happily ever after for Camille since the first book of this series. I am so happy St. George decided to write a story for her and delighted with how it all played out.

Where the first two books of this series featured American heiresses finding their happy endings with a British peer, Camille's journey took a darker turn. Basically sold by her wealthy American parents in exchange for a title, she endured a miserable, abusive marriage, and the enmity of the ton, until her much older husband finally had the decency to die. Now a widow, Camille's book chronicles her journey to love, to the sexual satisfaction she's never known, and most importantly, to the restoration of her self-worth and agency. 

I appreciated the time and care St. George took with Camille and Jacob, as both had emotional obstacles to overcome. I loved how patient Jacob was with Camille, how he allowed her to call the shots in their physical relationship, encouraging her and supporting her throughout the process. Their chemistry was combustible and it was evident early on that both of their hearts were involved, even though it took one of them much longer to acknowledge that fact.

While her sexual awakening was a large part of Camille's evolution, and a very visible, and essential, part of this book, I equally enjoyed the growth she experienced apart from her relationship with Jacob. It was satisfying to see her confront important matters that affected her personally - such as her finances and her relationship with her mother - as well as those that affected all women of the time. She slowly grew into a confident, forthright woman ready to stand side-by-side with a man worthy of her love and her trust. I cheered her on the entire way.

This steamy, heart-tugging story brings Harper St. George's Gilded Age Heiresses series to a conclusion. I have thoroughly enjoyed all four books in the series and while it's not absolutely necessary to read the books in order, I do believe you'll have a better understanding of the characters, and greater overall enjoyment of the stories if you do.

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Have you read any Harper St. George books?

Do you enjoy Gilded Age stories? Do you prefer the ones set in the UK or the USA? Or do you only look for a good story, regardless of setting?

This book is on the steamy side. Do you have a preferred heat level in the romances you read?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, May 26 will receive a print copy of The Duchess Takes a Husband.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Thanks to Berkley Romance for today's giveaway. 

Review - - The Lady Tempts an Heir

The Lady Tempts an Heir

by Harper St. George

The Gilded Age Heiresses - Book 3

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: February 22, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

 

Tall, dark, and brooding—to say that American Maxwell Crenshaw stood out in the glittering ballrooms of London is an understatement. He vowed never to set foot in England again, but when a summons from his father along with an ultimatum to secure his legacy has him crossing the Atlantic for the last time, reuniting him with the delectable Lady Helena March, he can’t deny the temptation she presents. Or the ideas she inspires…
 
Lady Helena March is flirting with scandal. Instead of spending her time at teas and balls in search of another husband, as is expected of a young widow, Helena pours her energy into The London Home for Young Women. But Society gives no quarter to unmarried radicals who associate with illegitimate children and fallen women, and Helena’s funding is almost run out. So when the sinfully seductive Crenshaw heir suggests a fake engagement to save them both—him from an unwanted marriage and her from scorn and financial ruin—Helena finds herself too fascinated to refuse the sexy American.
 
As their arrangement of convenience melts oh so deliciously into nights of passion, their deception starts to become real. But if Max knew the true reason Helena can never remarry, he wouldn’t look at her with such heat in his eyes. Or might the Crenshaw heir be willing to do whatever it takes to win the one woman he’s never been able to forget…

PJ's Thoughts:

I've been eagerly counting the days until the release of this book since first seeing Helena and Max on the page together in book two, The Devil and the Heiress. Happy to say their journey did not disappoint. 

Fake relationships are one of my favorite tropes. I liked that Max and Helena entered into this one with equal commitment and benefit. It was obvious that the close proximity generated by their faux relationship was going to lead to deeper feelings but the path they traveled to get there was brimming with peaks, valleys, and a few surprises. I enjoyed the fact that they both evolved because of their time spent with the other. I liked their mutual respect, their shared social conscience and desire to help those less fortunate, their ambition, and determination to forge their own paths regardless of pressure from family. And I loved their chemistry! These two set off enough sparks to start a forest fire. St. George slowly ramped up the tension between them, allowing the passion to build organically. So good.

I had no idea how the author would solve the dilemma of Helena and Max coming from two different worlds, with family, friends, work, and passion projects in each. In the end, it was done in a way that was satisfying and believable. One key element keeping the pair apart was a very personal secret Helena was keeping, something many real-life couples deal with. St. George could have solved this dilemma in an oft-used "miracle" manner but chose to take a more realistic approach. Kudos to her for doing so. For me, it solidified the depth and strength of Max's love and commitment to Helena. 

It was fun to see August and Violet (Max's sisters) continue on their journeys with their husbands as they weaved in and out of Max and Helena's story. I was also delighted to learn that their American friend, Camille will have a chance to claim a happy ending in St. George's next book, The Duchess Takes a Husband. After basically being sold by her parents to a horrible Duke with one foot in the grave in exchange for a title, she's more than earned her shot at love and romance. 

If you haven't yet read the first two books in the Gilded Age Heiresses series, click on the titles to read my reviews of The Heiress Gets a Duke (August's story) and The Devil and the Heiress (Violet's story). All three books in the series have my enthusiastic recommendation.  

  

Review - - The Devil and the Heiress

The Devil and the Heiress

by Harper St. George

The Gilded Age Heiresses - Book 2

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: June 29, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

No one would guess that beneath Violet Crenshaw's ladylike demeanor lies the heart of a rebel. American heiresses looking to secure English lords must be on their best behavior, but Violet has other plans. She intends to flee London and the marriage her parents have arranged to become a published author--if only the wickedly handsome earl who inspired her most outrageously sinful character didn't insist on coming with her.

Christian Halston, Earl of Leigh, has a scheme of his own: escort the surprisingly spirited dollar princess north and use every delicious moment in close quarters to convince Violet to marry him. Christian needs an heiress to rebuild his Scottish estate but the more time he spends with Violet, the more he realizes what he really needs is her--by his side, near his heart, in his bed.

Though Christian's burning glances offer unholy temptation, Violet has no intention of surrendering herself or her newfound freedom in a permanent deal with the devil. It's going to take more than pretty words to prove this fortune hunter's love is true....

PJ's Thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed Harper St. George's debut novel, The Heiress Gets a Duke (link to review) and have been eagerly anticipating Violet and Christian's story in The Devil and the Heiress. I'm happy to say that as much as I loved book one, I loved this one even more. St. George has firmly landed a place on my must-buy author list.

I thought I had a pretty good handle on Violet and Christian when I began their book but there was so much more to both of them than what I expected. St. George does an outstanding job of slowly progressing their relationship during their event-filled road trip while also gradually peeling away the layers of what they show to the public to reveal the core of the person beneath. Violet was so much stronger than I had guessed. I cheered her on as she began to open her heart and find her footing as a woman, rather than the biddable daughter subject to her parents' grasping greed. And Christian - sigh - has so much hidden depth, more than even he realizes until his feelings for Violet begin to bring it out. St. George created such beautifully nuanced characters in these two. It was pure pleasure to watch the significant growth in each along with the sweetness, caring, desire, and love that developed between them. There were more than a few deeply romantic sighs and swoons for this reader but I also appreciated the broken moments. By the time I reached the end of the book, these two had done the hard work that convinced me they were heading for a long life of love, trust, respect, and happiness together. I fully expect them to be cavorting in a meadow 50 years later, surrounded by their adoring grandchildren, happily secure in their deep and enduring love. 

The Devil and the Heiress can be read on its own but I think readers will enjoy it more if they first read The Heiress Gets a Duke. I'm excited for book three, The Lady Tempts an Heir (Feb. 2022), starring Violet's older brother Max and her friend, women's rights activist Lady Helen. I'm expecting lots of chemistry between these two. The author's website also lists a fourth book, The Duchess Takes a Husband but no details about characters or storyline. I, however, have high hopes for two secondary characters I'd love to see together. Time will tell whether or not I get that wish. 

Tour Review - - The Heiress Gets a Duke

The Heiress Gets a Duke

by Harper St. George

The Gilded Age Heiresses - Book 1

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: January 26, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

Even a fortune forged in railroads and steel can't buy entrance into the upper echelons of Victorian high society--for that you need a marriage of convenience.

American heiress August Crenshaw has aspirations. But unlike her peers, it isn't some stuffy British Lord she wants wrapped around her finger--it's Crenshaw Iron Works, the family business. When it's clear that August's outrageously progressive ways render her unsuitable for a respectable match, her parents offer up her younger sister to the highest entitled bidder instead. This simply will not do. August refuses to leave her sister to the mercy of a loveless marriage.

Evan Sterling, the Duke of Rothschild, has no intention of walking away from the marriage. He's recently inherited the title only to find his coffers empty, and with countless lives depending on him, he can't walk away from the fortune a Crenshaw heiress would bring him. But after meeting her fiery sister, he realizes Violet isn't the heiress he wants. He wants August, and he always gets what he wants.

But August won't go peacefully to her fate. She decides to show Rothschild that she's no typical London wallflower. Little does she realize that every stunt she pulls to make him call off the wedding only makes him like her even more.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've read other historical romances with wealthy American heiresses and debt-ridden, titled Englishmen at their core. Usually, my allegiance goes to one or the other. Not so in this case. In The Heiress Gets a Duke, both August and Evan are likeable, relatable, and sympathetic characters caught in a web not of their making and I was firmly in both of their corners. 

August is more than the blunt-speaking, independent American typically found in these stories. She's an educated, savvy, and well-prepared businesswoman, a shrewd negotiator as comfortable in the boardroom as the men of her family and confident in her position within the family company. Unfortunately, she discovers that the glow of a title is much more attractive to her parents than their daughter's wishes or her business acumen.

Evan was never meant to be duke but after the deaths of his older brother and father, that's exactly where he finds himself. Unfortunately, he's been left with a mountain of debt and hundreds of people depending on him. His secret forays into the world of bare-knuckle boxing have brought in some money but not nearly enough. His path forward, unfortunately, is quite clear. His mother, and August's parents, have their eye on younger sister, Violet for his bride but Evan has only one Crenshaw heiress in his sights. It's August or nothing. Now if he can only convince her they are meant to be. 

I loved these two! Their story is filled with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and refreshingly honest communication...most of the time. It was fun watching them go toe to toe. I also enjoyed watching them slowly open themselves to one another as they each expanded their own emotional horizons. I especially appreciated how Evan liked August not in spite of her honesty, willingness to stand up to him, and refusal to let him get away with anything due to his privilege, but because of it. The more she challenged him, the more certain he became that she was the woman for him. He valued her. And I loved that Evan was much more than the stereotypical English peer, lounging his days away at his club and not taking responsibility for those under his care. He has layers and I am here for them. 

This was my first book by Harper St. George. I enjoyed her writing style, her fresh approach to this trope, and, mostly, her characters. I'm intrigued by August's younger sister, Violet, who I'm certain will turn out to be much more devious and independent-thinking than she appears at first glance. I'm hoping her story will include a certain Earl. And I'm definitely intrigued by August and Violet's older brother. I do hope we'll be seeing more of him as well.