Tag: harper st. george

Book Review: The Duchess Takes a Husband (The Gilded Age Heiresses #4) by Harper St. George

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 335 pages
Author: Harper St. George
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: May 23rd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A scandalous arrangement between a London rogue and an American duchess leads to lavish stakes.

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.

NICE CONCLUSION.

First of all, who else is obsessed with every cover in this series?? Because SAME.

Any who, I liked this story more than I was expecting from the initial plot set up (I’m just not a fan of benefits situations & the spice was past my personal preference too). What I did love though was the exploration surrounding Camille’s back story and trauma. I loved how Jacob approached everything and the entire time there was a sense of comfort and safety.

There’s not really a larger plot here and I think that’s where I got distracted. Why I LOVE heavy focused romances I missed out on something more moving along in the background. I did love the glimpses of the previous books heros/heroines and where they were in life now. This felt like a good wrap up to the series with some swoony feels and tender moments.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3 open door; high explicit
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: domestic and emotional abuse recounted

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Book Review: The Lady Tempts an Heir (The Gilded Age Heiresses #3) by Harper St. George

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 314 pages
Author: Harper St. George
Publisher: Berkley Books
Release Date: February 22nd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A fake engagement brings together a lady with bold and daring dreams, and the heir whose heart she captured—perfect for fans of Bridgerton!

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…

IT WAS FINE.

I feel super neutral about this book. The first book in this series was without a doubt the best one and now I feel like the other two were both step downs?

A lot of the romance was great. I liked the chemistry between Max and Helena. Things moved steadily between them and the fake dating trope? All executed super well. I just had some kind of disconnect to the heart of the story overall.

Some of the side plots were nice too. They felt unique to the historical romances I’ve read so far and were productive in moving the plot along. Just again, wasn’t super invested in them either.

See my theme here? Everything had some good and some eh. Which has led me back to no major feelings on this book. I’m hopeful book four is better. It seems like a great second chance story sooooo there we go.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: multiple open door
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: infertility

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Book Review: The Devil and the Heiress (The Gilded Age Heiresses #2) by Harper St. George

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Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 304 pages
Author: Harper St. George
Publisher: Berkley Books
Release Date: June 29th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sparks fly when a runaway heiress bargains with a devilish rogue to escape a marriage of convenience.

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.

STRONG ROMANCE.

That would probably be my favorite part of the story, the initial romance is solid. I adored Christian (and him an audio is woooooonderful). The way he catches the feels and dotes on Violet is nothing short of adorable. Chemistry is there from the get go, with fiery banter and tender moments.

Things were riding on a strong 4 star read until the conflict came about. It was clear from the get-go what it would be, but the shakedown after left much to be desired. Communication and listening was a big issue here. And waiting as long as Violet did to even do that much frustrated me. And the secret she kept for too long as well. I just didn’t appreciate those aspects. Christian was doing a lot and I think she should have heard him out much sooner.

This is a super quick read that I would recommend in audio format too! It’s got a fast pace, plenty of swoon, and for those who love spice, PLENTY of that (for those like me who don’t love that, I did have to skip a good bit after the halfway point). I was looking for a HEA and I did get that in the end. There was a set-up for the next book too that I can’t wait to read!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical romance
  • Language: some
  • Romance: kisses to multiple very open door scenes
  • Violence: a carriage crash resulting in body injuries

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