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The Gangster's Prize: A Dark Historical Novella
From a good upstanding family, Isabelle Kelly is dedicated to righting the city’s wrongs. Just like her father, who is one of New York’s most powerful men and currently leading a crusade to rid the city of its violent street gangs. But when her father goes missing, Isabelle knows who is responsible . . . and she will get answers from the devil one way or another.
As the leader of the Hell’s Kitchen Gang, Billy Baxter always gets what he wants. And he’s had his eye on the beautiful Miss Kelly for months. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s fallen into his world now.
And he has no intention of ever letting her go.
As the leader of the Hell’s Kitchen Gang, Billy Baxter always gets what he wants. And he’s had his eye on the beautiful Miss Kelly for months. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s fallen into his world now.
And he has no intention of ever letting her go.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2022
46 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Shupe
29 books2,576 followersWant a free Gilded Age read? Sign up for Joanna's newsletter and receive a link for The Knickerbocker Bride. You'll also be the first to hear about new books and discounts!
http://www.joannashupe.com/newsletter/
USA Today bestselling author JOANNA SHUPE has always loved history, ever since she saw her first Schoolhouse Rock cartoon. Since 2015, her books have appeared on numerous yearly “best of” lists, including Publishers Weekly, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, Kobo, and BookPage.
She currently lives in New Jersey with her two spirited daughters and a dashing husband.
http://www.joannashupe.com/newsletter/
USA Today bestselling author JOANNA SHUPE has always loved history, ever since she saw her first Schoolhouse Rock cartoon. Since 2015, her books have appeared on numerous yearly “best of” lists, including Publishers Weekly, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, Kobo, and BookPage.
She currently lives in New Jersey with her two spirited daughters and a dashing husband.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
September 25, 2023
I must say I am super disappointed with this novella. Despite being authored by a well-known writer, the characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth. Furthermore, the plot felt contrived and juvenile in nature, leaving much to be desired. It was also disheartening to note that the title on the cover had been misspelled. Overall, I found the book to be lacking in quality and did not meet my expectations. I'm pretty sure Ms. Shupe could have done (and had done) better.
September 10, 2023
I shouldve known better when I noticed the misprint in the title 🤦🏻♀️
December 22, 2024
Isabelle Kelly confronts gang leader Billy Baxter at a boxing match about the kidnapping of her father, Daniel Kelly. He offers to help her find her father—if she'll do whatever he asks. This includes: peeping at sexy undergarments, masturbation, and—LOVE????
1. Underdeveloped: Isabelle and Billy are left pretty undefined in order to get to the sexy stuff. It makes their eventual mutual confessions of love and whatever kind of limp.
2. But does Isabelle's father get his comeuppance?
3. The sex was kind non-consensual? Like, Billy does not want to have sex with Isabelle until he tells her the truth but she just goes for it. This does not get addressed in any major way and is ick.
1. Underdeveloped: Isabelle and Billy are left pretty undefined in order to get to the sexy stuff. It makes their eventual mutual confessions of love and whatever kind of limp.
2. But does Isabelle's father get his comeuppance?
3. The sex was kind non-consensual? Like, Billy does not want to have sex with Isabelle until he tells her the truth but she just goes for it. This does not get addressed in any major way and is ick.
January 11, 2024
Someone recommended this to me as a palette cleanser in between my usual sci-fi fantasy….. an absolute shocker.
September 19, 2023
Good girl + gangster/monster/kingpin is such a 10/10 combo and one I don’t get enough of. And this one had the added bonus of being *spicy* which….what more could really want in a novella? I love the whole “I’ll help you get what you want but you have to do whatever I want”. Manipulative? Sure. But this is fiction, baby, and the leader of the most notorious NYC gang can manipulate me if he wants to. I loved the set up. I loved that this was Gilded Age NYC. But I was annoyed with the FMC in the end because….she’s kind of dumb? Like run into danger and befuddled when danger happens and get mad at the man trying to expose your corrupt father even though your father has treated you like garbage your whole life dumb. It’s going to knock it down a star every time. This man is obsessed with you and you’re worried about your terrible dad? Bye.
Overall, I really liked this one. Just a few minor issues that took away my overall enjoyment.
Overall, I really liked this one. Just a few minor issues that took away my overall enjoyment.
January 15, 2024
I can’t stop thinking about this novella!
It’s just Peaky Blinders to a T but based in the US.
Bax is a gangster with a soft side and Belle is an innocent society girl but can hold her own.
It’s short and sweet, insta love with some great spice and banter back and forth.
Bax has definite echoes of Tommy Shelby and I loved the era this is set in. Think the first series of PB with an intensely morally grey mmc who ends up having those touch and you die vibes.
This couple just lives in my mind rent free!
Some of the language was a little cringe at times but it didn’t detract from the story for me. I get that it’s meant to be period specific and I’m not a regular reader of historical spicy romance so have to give it some grace. The author is well known in the genre but I feel like this one crosses boundaries, and I’m so glad to see a modern cover. I really don’t like the covers that a lot of historical romances have!
I’m only sad that there aren’t more books like this out there and more of this couple. Honestly I would have loved a full novel with a wider developed world. I really like novella’s, this one isn’t too indepth and focuses in on the dynamic between the couple but I could still envisage the world and the surroundings.
It also gave me echoes of a beauty and the beast retelling. Belle’s father goes missing and she ends up exchanging herself for her father essentially, she is even called Belle!
I’m not sure if this genre usually focuses on those tropes but I’m used to reading a lot of B&tB retellings in romantasy so it was welcome to me.
I highly recommend this book if you like mafia or gangster, historical, a hot dynamic, morally grey mmc with a soft centre only for the fmc and massive peaky blinder vibes!
It’s just Peaky Blinders to a T but based in the US.
Bax is a gangster with a soft side and Belle is an innocent society girl but can hold her own.
It’s short and sweet, insta love with some great spice and banter back and forth.
Bax has definite echoes of Tommy Shelby and I loved the era this is set in. Think the first series of PB with an intensely morally grey mmc who ends up having those touch and you die vibes.
This couple just lives in my mind rent free!
Some of the language was a little cringe at times but it didn’t detract from the story for me. I get that it’s meant to be period specific and I’m not a regular reader of historical spicy romance so have to give it some grace. The author is well known in the genre but I feel like this one crosses boundaries, and I’m so glad to see a modern cover. I really don’t like the covers that a lot of historical romances have!
I’m only sad that there aren’t more books like this out there and more of this couple. Honestly I would have loved a full novel with a wider developed world. I really like novella’s, this one isn’t too indepth and focuses in on the dynamic between the couple but I could still envisage the world and the surroundings.
It also gave me echoes of a beauty and the beast retelling. Belle’s father goes missing and she ends up exchanging herself for her father essentially, she is even called Belle!
I’m not sure if this genre usually focuses on those tropes but I’m used to reading a lot of B&tB retellings in romantasy so it was welcome to me.
I highly recommend this book if you like mafia or gangster, historical, a hot dynamic, morally grey mmc with a soft centre only for the fmc and massive peaky blinder vibes!
February 3, 2025
3.5⭐️
This reminded me a lot of Joanna Shupe's other novel, The Devil of Downtown. Uptown do-gooder from a respectable family entangles herself with a downtown crime boss.
I certainly enjoyed this, but I wish the timeline hadn't been so condensed. Seriously, Billy and Isabelle had known each other for three days and he's ready to move her into his apartment? And expecting her to leave her life behind?
I also thought it was weird that he kept using 'widow' as a nickname for her
This reminded me a lot of Joanna Shupe's other novel, The Devil of Downtown. Uptown do-gooder from a respectable family entangles herself with a downtown crime boss.
I certainly enjoyed this, but I wish the timeline hadn't been so condensed. Seriously, Billy and Isabelle had known each other for three days and he's ready to move her into his apartment? And expecting her to leave her life behind?
I also thought it was weird that he kept using 'widow' as a nickname for her
December 19, 2023
...a little risque never hurt anyone...
Joanna Shupe does it again! I enjoyed this spicy novella! While there were some naughty bits, this novella also had heart and a strong heroine who went after what she wanted. And what she wanted was to explore the darker side of New York with a gangster at her side! This book was short, but it packed a punch!
I love Shupe's writing and after reading this book it makes me want to delve into some of her older series!
Reading Challenge 2023
Month: December Letters: X, Y, Z
Joanna Shupe does it again! I enjoyed this spicy novella! While there were some naughty bits, this novella also had heart and a strong heroine who went after what she wanted. And what she wanted was to explore the darker side of New York with a gangster at her side! This book was short, but it packed a punch!
I love Shupe's writing and after reading this book it makes me want to delve into some of her older series!
Reading Challenge 2023
Month: December Letters: X, Y, Z
October 6, 2024
meh
some authors can pull off a novella and others can’t. this is an example of the latter.
based on some real events it may be, but it might as well be a present-day mafia story (a bad one at that). if you read for historical vibes you’ll be sorely disappointed.
some authors can pull off a novella and others can’t. this is an example of the latter.
based on some real events it may be, but it might as well be a present-day mafia story (a bad one at that). if you read for historical vibes you’ll be sorely disappointed.
November 29, 2023
Wish this could have been a full length book! 🤩
November 17, 2023
I just wish it was longer
One of my favorite novellas ever. But the story was so good I wish it was a full length novel.
One of my favorite novellas ever. But the story was so good I wish it was a full length novel.
May 28, 2025
Loved it. Super hot gilded age mafia Beauty and the Beast retelling, wrapped up with a bow by Joanna Shupe. Yes, yes, yes.
March 9, 2024
This was the perfect romance novella. It had the right amount of angst, romance, spice, and tenderness. Gilded Age NYC is one of my favorite historical periods, but somehow this is the first book I've read set during the period. The MMC was if Tommy Shelby and Kaz Brekker had been rolled into one person and it made the book such a fun read.
I liked the main conflict. It didn't feel too unrealistic, but also really grounded the story and the characters. Overall was a very fun read for my first Joanna Shupe!
I liked the main conflict. It didn't feel too unrealistic, but also really grounded the story and the characters. Overall was a very fun read for my first Joanna Shupe!
November 20, 2023
Perfection
A delicious short. Gilded age in NYC by the incomparable Joanna Shupe is a flavor to enjoy. She doesn't shy away from the brutality of her MMC, which is why having him felled by love is so great.
A delicious short. Gilded age in NYC by the incomparable Joanna Shupe is a flavor to enjoy. She doesn't shy away from the brutality of her MMC, which is why having him felled by love is so great.
September 17, 2023
It started out good but after 50% marked it just went all downhill.
October 10, 2023
This book was a cute novella. It starts Isabelle pulling a gun on Billy, even though he is surrounded by his people. She thinks that Billy kidnapped her father, a politician that wants to get rid of gangs. As Billy is controls a large chunk of gang activity in the city, getting rid of her dad would be beneficial. Billy denies it and although she apologizes doesn't let her walk off easily. He is very attracted to her and in exchange for helping her find her father, Billy gets to do whatever he wants to her. Initially Isabelle hesitates to agree, but considering her father is the only family she has left she agrees. I loved Isabelle. She was super sheltered, and even though it was set in historical times when women did not have a lot of power she is ready to do whatever it takes to get her dad back. She also has a little bit of a hidden side that involves scandalous underwear and she has dreams to open a lingerie shop. Billy was also a fun character to read about. He grew up in the streets and did whatever he needed to rise to the top. But he puts that all in jeopardy the second he meets Isabelle. He lets his rivals free when she convinces him and is ready to lay his life at her feet. He was the one who actually kidnapped Isabelle's father. Isabelle's dad didn't deserve Isabelle's loyalty and was truly terrible to her. I love how Isabelle left Billy after she finds out he lied to her, and leaves her dad too after learning how corrupt he is. But despite that she loves Billy, and when he is shot she nurses him back to health for two days. I love how even though she loves him, she knows she has to become her own person. I love how she is able to open her own lingerie shop on her own and even turn it into a success. She is not happy though and when she finds out Billy is setting himself to be killed by running for mayor she deadass kidnaps him. It ends with them confessing their feelings and living HEA so it was a win in my book. But I loved how Isabelle went from sheltered girl to an independent business women who is also a little bit of a badass. I also loved how Billy was willing to do whatever he could to get Isabelle back, even if that it means he might die. They were very cute together. Overall, it was a really cute novella. Definitely a 5 🌟 read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2025
Girl, the tariffs.
Remember when Joanna Shupe wrote morally grey, flawed, but not outright villainous characters? Yeah, me too.
The Gangster’s Prize was a serviceable, dark-ish novella up until the moment when the FMC was described as gazing at the MMC in admiration after he boasted about having just killed a man in vengeance. I’d read and loved a number of Ms Shupe’s books featuring heroes who toed the line between being morally grey and a straight-up antihero, with The Bride Goes Rogue being my favourite, but she’d never before glamourized and romanticized a through-and-through murderous villain before. I guess she’s been spending too much time in the world of mafia romance.
The FMC was also a far cry from her strong-willed, likeable and complex heroines; Isabelle, who was inconsistently a wide-eyed, innocent, sheltered virgin one moment and a coquettish, seductive siren the next, was also obviously just transported from mafia romance into Gilded Age New York.
The overly benevolent portrayal of an objectively bad man and the annoying alternate 1st person POV do not bode well for Ms Shupe’s upcoming book, which also features both. I think I might skip it and wait until (and if) she returns to complex characters and a writing style that could actually pass for late 19th century New York.
Really, the only reason why this wasn’t a 1-star review was the excellent, super hot sex scene and the cover (which, to be fair, does not match Isabelle’s description at all, but still).
Remember when Joanna Shupe wrote morally grey, flawed, but not outright villainous characters? Yeah, me too.
The Gangster’s Prize was a serviceable, dark-ish novella up until the moment when the FMC was described as gazing at the MMC in admiration after he boasted about having just killed a man in vengeance. I’d read and loved a number of Ms Shupe’s books featuring heroes who toed the line between being morally grey and a straight-up antihero, with The Bride Goes Rogue being my favourite, but she’d never before glamourized and romanticized a through-and-through murderous villain before. I guess she’s been spending too much time in the world of mafia romance.
The FMC was also a far cry from her strong-willed, likeable and complex heroines; Isabelle, who was inconsistently a wide-eyed, innocent, sheltered virgin one moment and a coquettish, seductive siren the next, was also obviously just transported from mafia romance into Gilded Age New York.
The overly benevolent portrayal of an objectively bad man and the annoying alternate 1st person POV do not bode well for Ms Shupe’s upcoming book, which also features both. I think I might skip it and wait until (and if) she returns to complex characters and a writing style that could actually pass for late 19th century New York.
Really, the only reason why this wasn’t a 1-star review was the excellent, super hot sex scene and the cover (which, to be fair, does not match Isabelle’s description at all, but still).
September 13, 2023
This was a fun little romp. It’s over the top in a lot of ways, and although Isabelle and Billy get off to a rocky start, there’s an instalove vibe to this that’s quite entertaining. The writing is very good and it’s hot and steamy – the love scenes are very sensual and well-written.
The external plot was okay, it led to some good angst between the two of them, and I liked how the relationship developed. It’s a little too fast-paced for me, but it is a novella so it goes with the territory. Overall, it’s a fun, quick, steamy read.
Content Notes: Bargains/deals/wagers, hate-to-love, class difference.
Warnings:
Other: .
The external plot was okay, it led to some good angst between the two of them, and I liked how the relationship developed. It’s a little too fast-paced for me, but it is a novella so it goes with the territory. Overall, it’s a fun, quick, steamy read.
Content Notes: Bargains/deals/wagers, hate-to-love, class difference.
Warnings:
Other: .
September 13, 2023
this was so much fun. isabelle is looking for her father who suddenly went missing. she’s sure billy is behind it so she goes to a club to confront him.
billy is immediately intrigued, one because she’s beautiful and two, no one dares to confront him, let alone pull a weapon on him.
he offers her a deal, he’ll help her if she agrees to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants.
the man was down bad for her and truly embodied touch her and die. isabelle really just wanted someone to see her and notice her for her, not be locked in a gilded cage. they balanced each other out and and he did have a bit of a mouth on him. 😏 they had really good chemistry and a fun carriage scene 🔥
billy is immediately intrigued, one because she’s beautiful and two, no one dares to confront him, let alone pull a weapon on him.
he offers her a deal, he’ll help her if she agrees to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants.
the man was down bad for her and truly embodied touch her and die. isabelle really just wanted someone to see her and notice her for her, not be locked in a gilded cage. they balanced each other out and and he did have a bit of a mouth on him. 😏 they had really good chemistry and a fun carriage scene 🔥
Read
September 20, 2023😂😂 SHOULD HAVE GUESSED HOW THE STORY WOULD GO BY THE TYPO MISTAKE IN THE COVER. This wasn't a bad story, but it was so insta-love, and the heroine doesn't make the wisest decisions...I'm afraid I just couldn't bear to continue something so superficial. Unless you need a quick fix, this isn't a book I'd recommend to anyone who wants to experience this author's writing for the first time. Her other novels are wayyyy better.
September 27, 2023
Fun to read
Fun read! I do enjoy a bad boy who has a sweet, soft side. There is some off page violence but he is a gangster after all. Which he feels is more honest than the politicians who say one thing but do another. The lingerie details added to the uniqueness of the story as well.
Fun read! I do enjoy a bad boy who has a sweet, soft side. There is some off page violence but he is a gangster after all. Which he feels is more honest than the politicians who say one thing but do another. The lingerie details added to the uniqueness of the story as well.
December 23, 2023
I love everything Joanna writes and this is no exception. Belle and Baxter are from two different worlds - good girl, daughter of the mayoral candidate + king of the underworld which is my catnip. Lots of smut but with plot. Plus I love a hero that is gone for the woman he loves, and when gangsters/bad men employ strong women to protect them.
January 2, 2024
This was pretty meh for me, I'm sorry to say. I'm rounding up from 2.5 stars because I love Joanna Shupe and I didn't *dislike* this, I just...found it flat and kind of unmoving. I wanted to like it so much, but it just did not click for me and I found that I was annoyed by almost every character (except for Matty, I would definitely read a book about Matty).
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January 20, 2024I’m not one to shame anyone’s choice in covers but this is def one of my least fav.
Anyways, it was short and kind of all over the place and plot was kind of… yeah. I would say it’s ok bc it’s a novella but I’ve read novellas with some semblance of a plot but I digress. This was ok but I’ve liked this authors other works way more
Anyways, it was short and kind of all over the place and plot was kind of… yeah. I would say it’s ok bc it’s a novella but I’ve read novellas with some semblance of a plot but I digress. This was ok but I’ve liked this authors other works way more
June 26, 2024
I like a bad boy/good girl mix, but this is just ok to me. Too insta-love, they spent more time apart than together. And it's weird that every other woman introduced was a former lover. I'm glad she made him grovel, because his lies really irked me. Not a fan of cum play, would not have read had I known it was in there. Not to yuck someone's yum but that doesn't do it for me.
August 30, 2024
This just didn't really land for me. I liked the MMC, i enjoyed his POV and the pining... but I just didn't find the FMC very exciting to read about. She felt more like a spoiled little princess looking for a bit of excitement in her life... As it was a novella there was not much scope to deepen her characterisation and unfortunatly the story suffered for it
October 13, 2023
I like this author's novellas - everything I've read so far from this author, I've enjoyed.
My only complaint with these novellas is I want more, lol.
I am definitely going to read more of this author's backlist!!
My only complaint with these novellas is I want more, lol.
I am definitely going to read more of this author's backlist!!
December 29, 2023
This was a fun and steamy little romp of a novella. Very strong opening. I really liked the characters except for Isabelle’s insistence that father was so wonderful despite his treatment of her.
Not too much side stuff going on and enough character development to make you care.
Not too much side stuff going on and enough character development to make you care.
January 7, 2024
4.5 rounded to 5
This is the second novella I have read by this author. She does an excellent job weaving a complex story in a short amount of time. I don’t like 3rd act break ups, so this one isn’t a 5 star from me, but it is very good.
This is the second novella I have read by this author. She does an excellent job weaving a complex story in a short amount of time. I don’t like 3rd act break ups, so this one isn’t a 5 star from me, but it is very good.
April 11, 2025
There were problems with this but I enjoyed it anyway. Good girl/bad boy, he falls fast (really, really fast) and since it's a novella, everything is kind of surface & not really fleshed out. Still, it served it's purpose & I enjoyed it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews