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Uptown Girls #3
El diablo de Manhattan
Él ha construido un muro alrededor de su corazón... Jack Mulligan pasó su infancia como un huérfano abandonado en las peligrosas calles del barrio Bowery y sobrevivió a base de fuerza, ambición e ingenio. Ahora domina su territorio mejor que cualquier político o policía. No ha llegado hasta donde está siendo indulgente, pero en la buena de Justine Greene (la personificación de mano de hierro en guante de terciopelo) puede que haya encontrado a su alma gemela. Ella lleva el suyo en la mano... Justine está consagrada a perseguir a maridos negligentes y a luchar por condiciones laborales justas. Cuando su misión la lleva a encontrarse cara a cara con Jack, le sorprende descubrir que el hombre detrás del imperio del crimen es bastante más encantador y honrado que la mayoría de "caballeros" que conoce. Al formar una insólita alianza, descubren un inesperado deseo, y cuando el pasado de Justine los atrapa, puede que Jack sea su única esperanza para sobrevivir. ¿Está preparada para hacer un pacto con el diablo?
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2020
300 people are currently reading
3860 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Shupe
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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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 771 reviews
June 30, 2020
I devoured the first book in this series earlier this month and already know that I need to read more of Joanna Shupe's books. I was excited to read the story of the last sister and her romance with a bad guy!
When this book first started, it was definitely a soft, sweet story. Justine is a do-gooder like her sisters but she's more kind and not as risk-taking. She's still do whatever it takes to help the women of the city in need, though. She enlists the help of Jack, who is a bad guy who is basically the head gangster of New York. He's dangerous, but when Justine asks for help, he decides to help her if she returns the favor in whatever way he asks. Their relationship is very sweet and slow and I wish it had more oomph in the beginning.
Once we got halfway through, though, this book picked up, the sparks flew, we knew more about Jack, and there was some serious suspense that kept me on my toes. If the beginning wasn't so slow and sweet, this book would have easily been a five star read. I loved how Jack became so vulnerable with Justine and how they did have some conflict near the end that almost ripped them apart. We also got to see Justine's sisters and I just loved how close they were and how they were there for each other.
Seriously, I cannot recommend Joanna Shupe enough! You need to pick up her historical romances as soon as you can!
When this book first started, it was definitely a soft, sweet story. Justine is a do-gooder like her sisters but she's more kind and not as risk-taking. She's still do whatever it takes to help the women of the city in need, though. She enlists the help of Jack, who is a bad guy who is basically the head gangster of New York. He's dangerous, but when Justine asks for help, he decides to help her if she returns the favor in whatever way he asks. Their relationship is very sweet and slow and I wish it had more oomph in the beginning.
Once we got halfway through, though, this book picked up, the sparks flew, we knew more about Jack, and there was some serious suspense that kept me on my toes. If the beginning wasn't so slow and sweet, this book would have easily been a five star read. I loved how Jack became so vulnerable with Justine and how they did have some conflict near the end that almost ripped them apart. We also got to see Justine's sisters and I just loved how close they were and how they were there for each other.
Seriously, I cannot recommend Joanna Shupe enough! You need to pick up her historical romances as soon as you can!
April 20, 2021
Loved it! What an outstanding finale to an amazing series. Each book is better than the last, and now that’s it’s over I wish there was a fourth Greene sister to keep the story going!
First, both Justine and Jack are such lovable, refreshing characters in the world of historical romance. Justine is a do-gooder with no regard for what others thinks of her. She isn’t afraid to defend herself (both physically and verbally), and ultimately she always puts others before herself. As the youngest daughter, she feels misunderstood by her family because they equate her kindness and gentle heart with weakness and naïveté. And although she believes herself less beautiful than her sisters, this isn’t something she dwells on. She wears old dresses and avoids high-society events to track down husbands who abandon their families, fight for fair working conditions in factories, and chase her dream of becoming the first female police detective in New York City. She is brave, determined, and the perfect match for Jack.
Jack, on the other hand, while having a tragic past and being a hardened criminal kingpin, isn’t overly or unnecessarily broody, rude, gruff, or (perhaps most importantly) protective and territorial over Justine. He speaks multiple languages, dresses to the nines, and enjoys bowling in his free time. He isn’t fixated on the idea that taking Justine’s virginity will “ruin” her; he recognizes this is her choice and understands the sex life of a woman does not define her. Although their relationship starts out on bargaining terms, he sees Justine as an equal partner and doesn’t try to shield her from the darkness in the underbelly of New York City and even in his own life. He has a soft, kind side that really makes them a dynamic pair.
My biggest disappointment in this book was the Greene sisters’ relationships. The relationships among Mamie, Florence, and Justine have intrigued me since book #1. In TDoD, the sisters share some heartwarming scenes later in the book, but otherwise their relationships, namely Mamie/Florence vs. Justine, are shown to be bumpy and frustrating. While this strengthened Justine’s image as the babied youngest daughter in the family, I would’ve liked to have seen the sisters’ relationships developed across all three books so, by the time the finale rolled around, they could team up to do something spectacular. In this book, Mamie and Florence seem to forget the struggles they faced in their own stories and hypocritically chastise Justine, a disappointment coming from two characters who should understand what it’s like to chase a dream deemed improper by their parents and the rest of upper-class society.
Joanna Shupe’s writing, as always, is spectacular. Her worldbuildling will whisk you off to New York City’s Gilded Age, from the run-down slums to the luxurious mansions. The romance scenes will have you cheering, the sex scenes are oh-so-steamy, there are instances of high-stakes action and intrigue, all topped off with witty banter and a sprinkle of laugh-out-loud humor. I’m hoping to pick up another one of her series very soon!
All in all, I truly loved this book and this series. Writing this review has made me want to read it all over again, so if you have any historical romance series suggestions I would love to hear them!
Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers/ Avon Books via Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
First, both Justine and Jack are such lovable, refreshing characters in the world of historical romance. Justine is a do-gooder with no regard for what others thinks of her. She isn’t afraid to defend herself (both physically and verbally), and ultimately she always puts others before herself. As the youngest daughter, she feels misunderstood by her family because they equate her kindness and gentle heart with weakness and naïveté. And although she believes herself less beautiful than her sisters, this isn’t something she dwells on. She wears old dresses and avoids high-society events to track down husbands who abandon their families, fight for fair working conditions in factories, and chase her dream of becoming the first female police detective in New York City. She is brave, determined, and the perfect match for Jack.
Jack, on the other hand, while having a tragic past and being a hardened criminal kingpin, isn’t overly or unnecessarily broody, rude, gruff, or (perhaps most importantly) protective and territorial over Justine. He speaks multiple languages, dresses to the nines, and enjoys bowling in his free time. He isn’t fixated on the idea that taking Justine’s virginity will “ruin” her; he recognizes this is her choice and understands the sex life of a woman does not define her. Although their relationship starts out on bargaining terms, he sees Justine as an equal partner and doesn’t try to shield her from the darkness in the underbelly of New York City and even in his own life. He has a soft, kind side that really makes them a dynamic pair.
My biggest disappointment in this book was the Greene sisters’ relationships. The relationships among Mamie, Florence, and Justine have intrigued me since book #1. In TDoD, the sisters share some heartwarming scenes later in the book, but otherwise their relationships, namely Mamie/Florence vs. Justine, are shown to be bumpy and frustrating. While this strengthened Justine’s image as the babied youngest daughter in the family, I would’ve liked to have seen the sisters’ relationships developed across all three books so, by the time the finale rolled around, they could team up to do something spectacular. In this book, Mamie and Florence seem to forget the struggles they faced in their own stories and hypocritically chastise Justine, a disappointment coming from two characters who should understand what it’s like to chase a dream deemed improper by their parents and the rest of upper-class society.
Joanna Shupe’s writing, as always, is spectacular. Her worldbuildling will whisk you off to New York City’s Gilded Age, from the run-down slums to the luxurious mansions. The romance scenes will have you cheering, the sex scenes are oh-so-steamy, there are instances of high-stakes action and intrigue, all topped off with witty banter and a sprinkle of laugh-out-loud humor. I’m hoping to pick up another one of her series very soon!
All in all, I truly loved this book and this series. Writing this review has made me want to read it all over again, so if you have any historical romance series suggestions I would love to hear them!
Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers/ Avon Books via Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 2, 2020
I’m so happy I got to binge read this series this year! It’s now one of my new favorite historical romance series and I cannot WAIT to see what Joanna Shupe has in store for us next.
February 10, 2023
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2023/...
4'5⭐
Después de Sueño contigo de Lisa Kleypas pocos libros con un argumento bastante similar sorprenden, pero me lo he pasado muy bien con la pareja y aunque parecía que el desenlace iba a ser bastante previsible ha habido un giro con el que la autora ha conseguido sorprenderme😍
Quizás no estemos ante una gran novela con personajes profundos y una trama espectacular pero aquí entra de lleno el gusto personal por la tipología de los personajes: él, el diablo de los bajos fondos, encantador y ella, espectacular
Muy recomendable
4'5⭐
Después de Sueño contigo de Lisa Kleypas pocos libros con un argumento bastante similar sorprenden, pero me lo he pasado muy bien con la pareja y aunque parecía que el desenlace iba a ser bastante previsible ha habido un giro con el que la autora ha conseguido sorprenderme😍
Quizás no estemos ante una gran novela con personajes profundos y una trama espectacular pero aquí entra de lleno el gusto personal por la tipología de los personajes: él, el diablo de los bajos fondos, encantador y ella, espectacular
Muy recomendable
January 28, 2023
4'5 Estrellitas. Un broche de oro para un final de serie magnífico. Me ha encantado la historia de Justine y Jack. El libro anterior dejó el listón algo bajo, pero éste final de serie ha merecido la pena.
Justine es la menor de las hermanas Greene y a la que han tenido más protegida. Pero desde muy joven, Justine participó activamente en luchar por la justicia social, por conseguir la igualdad y el acceso de las mujeres al trabajo y la universidad y está decidida a ser la primera mujer policía de Nueva York.
Justine lleva un tiempo trabajando para la asesoría judicial de su cuñado y su hermana para ayudar a los más desfavorecidos. Últimamente está siguiendo casos de maridos que abandonan a sus esposas y a sus hijos para no mantenerlos. Una de sus últimas pistas lo lleva hasta la guarida del diablo.
Jack Mulligan es el Diablo de Manhattan, un líder del crimen y del hampa de Nueva York. Aunque sus métodos son brutales, se sabe que Jack no maltrata a mujeres ni tiene prostíbulos entre sus negocios. Por eso Justine se cree a salvo cuando va a visitar al Diablo.
El marido al que Justine está buscando trabaja para Jack, y éste ayudará a Justine a que el marido descarriado vuelva con su familia, a cambio de un favor que todavía no sabe cómo va a cobrar, pero Justine está en deuda con él.
Cierto que Jack se sintió en cierto modo atraído por Florence Greene en el anterior libro, pero aquí, al conocer a Justine; su energía, pasión y decisión con la que dedica su vida, es suficiente para que Jack se sienta fascinado por ésta muchacha. La menor de las hermanas Greene no es la más hermosa y si acaso la más sosa de ellas, pero Justine vive a su manera y la dedica enteramente a conseguir una justicia social en un mundo cada vez más cambiante.
En seguida quedará claro que Jack está siguiendo a Justine y torcerá las cosas para ella esté más en deuda con él para así hacerla suya.
La suya ha sido una historia de vaivenes, un choque de voluntades. Ver al diablo derretirse por Justine y sucumbir a ella ha sido increíble. Los protagonistas me han encantado, los dos. Jack es el típico capo malvado que cambiará por el amor de una mujer. Y la personalidad de Justine es arrolladora, juntos se complementan a la perfección.
El libro no aburre en ningún momento gracias a ése tira y afloja que mantienen los protagonistas, él debido a la vida de peligro que lleva, sobre todo porque es el rey del crimen y despierta el miedo y la envidia entre sus rivales. Y por Justine, por saber conducirlo y sacar a la luz lo mejor de él.
Me ha gustado la frescura de ésta serie y que ocurra en un lugar alejado de la siempre presente Inglaterra. Estamos en Nueva York, en la última década del siglo XIX. Las hermanas Greene son ricas y aunque se espera mucho de ellas y emparenten con lo mejor de la ciudad, desafiarán a su familia y a la sociedad neoyorquina por lo que quieren, lucharán por unos ideales y por conseguir lo que quieren, mientras por el camino se enamoran de los hombres más inadecuados.
En general ha sido una serie fresca y muy disfrutable. De lo mejor que he leído en romance histórico. Leer a Joanna Shupe es una delicia y lo bien documentados que están sus libros los hace maravillosos. La recomiendo.
Justine es la menor de las hermanas Greene y a la que han tenido más protegida. Pero desde muy joven, Justine participó activamente en luchar por la justicia social, por conseguir la igualdad y el acceso de las mujeres al trabajo y la universidad y está decidida a ser la primera mujer policía de Nueva York.
Justine lleva un tiempo trabajando para la asesoría judicial de su cuñado y su hermana para ayudar a los más desfavorecidos. Últimamente está siguiendo casos de maridos que abandonan a sus esposas y a sus hijos para no mantenerlos. Una de sus últimas pistas lo lleva hasta la guarida del diablo.
Jack Mulligan es el Diablo de Manhattan, un líder del crimen y del hampa de Nueva York. Aunque sus métodos son brutales, se sabe que Jack no maltrata a mujeres ni tiene prostíbulos entre sus negocios. Por eso Justine se cree a salvo cuando va a visitar al Diablo.
El marido al que Justine está buscando trabaja para Jack, y éste ayudará a Justine a que el marido descarriado vuelva con su familia, a cambio de un favor que todavía no sabe cómo va a cobrar, pero Justine está en deuda con él.
Cierto que Jack se sintió en cierto modo atraído por Florence Greene en el anterior libro, pero aquí, al conocer a Justine; su energía, pasión y decisión con la que dedica su vida, es suficiente para que Jack se sienta fascinado por ésta muchacha. La menor de las hermanas Greene no es la más hermosa y si acaso la más sosa de ellas, pero Justine vive a su manera y la dedica enteramente a conseguir una justicia social en un mundo cada vez más cambiante.
En seguida quedará claro que Jack está siguiendo a Justine y torcerá las cosas para ella esté más en deuda con él para así hacerla suya.
La suya ha sido una historia de vaivenes, un choque de voluntades. Ver al diablo derretirse por Justine y sucumbir a ella ha sido increíble. Los protagonistas me han encantado, los dos. Jack es el típico capo malvado que cambiará por el amor de una mujer. Y la personalidad de Justine es arrolladora, juntos se complementan a la perfección.
El libro no aburre en ningún momento gracias a ése tira y afloja que mantienen los protagonistas, él debido a la vida de peligro que lleva, sobre todo porque es el rey del crimen y despierta el miedo y la envidia entre sus rivales. Y por Justine, por saber conducirlo y sacar a la luz lo mejor de él.
Me ha gustado la frescura de ésta serie y que ocurra en un lugar alejado de la siempre presente Inglaterra. Estamos en Nueva York, en la última década del siglo XIX. Las hermanas Greene son ricas y aunque se espera mucho de ellas y emparenten con lo mejor de la ciudad, desafiarán a su familia y a la sociedad neoyorquina por lo que quieren, lucharán por unos ideales y por conseguir lo que quieren, mientras por el camino se enamoran de los hombres más inadecuados.
En general ha sido una serie fresca y muy disfrutable. De lo mejor que he leído en romance histórico. Leer a Joanna Shupe es una delicia y lo bien documentados que están sus libros los hace maravillosos. La recomiendo.
February 10, 2023
Jack Mulligan se crio en los bajos fondos, pero ha sabido crear un imperio tras mucho esfuerzo, sufrimiento y astucia.
Justine Greene lucha por los derechos de las personas de bajos recursos, por mejorar sus vidas y encontrar a maridos que abandonan a sus esposas.
Las circunstancias hacen que Jack y Justine coincidan y entre ellos surja cierta complicidad y una conexión que ninguno de los dos esperaba del otro.
La tercera (y de momento) última novela de esta serie tiene de protagonistas a Justine Greene, la hermana pequeña y al carismático rey de los bajos fondos, Jack Mulligan.
Justine es la hermana más joven, la que ha pasado más desapercibida de las hermanas. Ella trabaja para la asesoría jurídica de su cuñado (Frank Tripp) y hermana mayor (Mamie) que tratan de ayudar a las personas con menos recursos de Manhattan. Tras una apariencia de chica tímida e inocente se esconde una muchacha fuerte, valiente y decidida que lucha por mejorar las condiciones de las personas con menos recursos. Justine es la bondad en persona, se desvive por ayudar a los más desfavorecidos y no le gustan las injusticias. En uno de sus casos acaba en la “guarida” del diablo de Manhattan. Jack Mulligan se quedó huérfano desde joven y no fue fácil sobrevivir en los barrios bajos, gracias a su astucia e inteligencia se ha labrado un imperio y se ha convertido en un hombre con un gran imperio al que todos temen. Jack desprende carisma, es un hombre con una aparicencia de caballero, pero también es un hombre al que respetar y temer. Esto último es lo que no tiene Justine, ella no se corta en decirle las cosas claras y ponerlo en su sitio.
Tras varios encuentros Jack y Justine... https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
Justine Greene lucha por los derechos de las personas de bajos recursos, por mejorar sus vidas y encontrar a maridos que abandonan a sus esposas.
Las circunstancias hacen que Jack y Justine coincidan y entre ellos surja cierta complicidad y una conexión que ninguno de los dos esperaba del otro.
La tercera (y de momento) última novela de esta serie tiene de protagonistas a Justine Greene, la hermana pequeña y al carismático rey de los bajos fondos, Jack Mulligan.
Justine es la hermana más joven, la que ha pasado más desapercibida de las hermanas. Ella trabaja para la asesoría jurídica de su cuñado (Frank Tripp) y hermana mayor (Mamie) que tratan de ayudar a las personas con menos recursos de Manhattan. Tras una apariencia de chica tímida e inocente se esconde una muchacha fuerte, valiente y decidida que lucha por mejorar las condiciones de las personas con menos recursos. Justine es la bondad en persona, se desvive por ayudar a los más desfavorecidos y no le gustan las injusticias. En uno de sus casos acaba en la “guarida” del diablo de Manhattan. Jack Mulligan se quedó huérfano desde joven y no fue fácil sobrevivir en los barrios bajos, gracias a su astucia e inteligencia se ha labrado un imperio y se ha convertido en un hombre con un gran imperio al que todos temen. Jack desprende carisma, es un hombre con una aparicencia de caballero, pero también es un hombre al que respetar y temer. Esto último es lo que no tiene Justine, ella no se corta en decirle las cosas claras y ponerlo en su sitio.
Tras varios encuentros Jack y Justine... https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
February 5, 2020
God I adore this series. Is it wrong to want more? Watching Jack Mulligan slowly lose his heart to the quiet but never meek and never weak Justine was fan-fucking-tastic.
I adored how Jack was as fastidious about his appearance (manicures, perfect bespoke suits) as he was filthy mouthed in bed. I loved how learned consent and good bed manners from his mother and the other sex workers he grew up with and how he always made sure Justine was 100% on board with every touch and kiss. SWOOOOOOOON.
Where Florence stole my heart in The Prince of Broadway, Jack for me was the star of this book. I love Justine too, Jack's character was just riveting.
Pour me a glass of cold lager, I need it to cool off.
I received an ARC for review from the publisher and Edelweiss+. Thank you!
I'll be re-reading and posting a more coherent review closer to the pub date, but this is definitely a must!
I adored how Jack was as fastidious about his appearance (manicures, perfect bespoke suits) as he was filthy mouthed in bed. I loved how learned consent and good bed manners from his mother and the other sex workers he grew up with and how he always made sure Justine was 100% on board with every touch and kiss. SWOOOOOOOON.
Where Florence stole my heart in The Prince of Broadway, Jack for me was the star of this book. I love Justine too, Jack's character was just riveting.
Pour me a glass of cold lager, I need it to cool off.
I received an ARC for review from the publisher and Edelweiss+. Thank you!
I'll be re-reading and posting a more coherent review closer to the pub date, but this is definitely a must!
July 24, 2020
So, what can I tell you about Justine and Jack?
First off, I love them both...but that is probably obvious. It was important to me that Justine is good without being TOO good. She thinks of everyone before herself, but there are times when she wants to get a little wild.
Jack was a bit harder to write because he had to be BAD without making the reader hate him. And we had to see it on the page to believe it. So that required some thinking of creative ways to show it to you without . . .well, making him *too* evil.
He is based on a real criminal in New York City history named Paul Kelly. Kelly was a Gilded Age gangster who dressed like a Fifth Avenue dandy, spoke multiple languages, and many said he did actually condense the various NYC gangs into one criminal enterprise (under his command, naturally).
I hope you like the way these two come together. And remember, be careful what you wish for!
First off, I love them both...but that is probably obvious. It was important to me that Justine is good without being TOO good. She thinks of everyone before herself, but there are times when she wants to get a little wild.
Jack was a bit harder to write because he had to be BAD without making the reader hate him. And we had to see it on the page to believe it. So that required some thinking of creative ways to show it to you without . . .well, making him *too* evil.
He is based on a real criminal in New York City history named Paul Kelly. Kelly was a Gilded Age gangster who dressed like a Fifth Avenue dandy, spoke multiple languages, and many said he did actually condense the various NYC gangs into one criminal enterprise (under his command, naturally).
I hope you like the way these two come together. And remember, be careful what you wish for!
July 15, 2022
2.5
It was okay. Nothing really amazed me except for the hero’s language (i.e. use of the F word). He’s a dirty talker but it wasn’t sexy coming from a female narrator. I would have much preferred a male narrator reading the hero’s lines.
I think they fell in love way too fast. I tend to think this when the book fails to keep my interest. I really liked how she kept him at bay at the beginning. However, But then again, this story is set later than the Regency period and located in New York. I haven’t read too many HRs from this time period/location so I’m not sure how progressive the heroines are when it comes to their sexual experiences.
This is third (and last) in the series and it could be read as a standalone. The first two couples make appearances but the book doesn’t overwhelm us with their background.
It was okay. Nothing really amazed me except for the hero’s language (i.e. use of the F word). He’s a dirty talker but it wasn’t sexy coming from a female narrator. I would have much preferred a male narrator reading the hero’s lines.
I think they fell in love way too fast. I tend to think this when the book fails to keep my interest. I really liked how she kept him at bay at the beginning. However, But then again, this story is set later than the Regency period and located in New York. I haven’t read too many HRs from this time period/location so I’m not sure how progressive the heroines are when it comes to their sexual experiences.
This is third (and last) in the series and it could be read as a standalone. The first two couples make appearances but the book doesn’t overwhelm us with their background.
December 6, 2020
This was a perfect end to perfect series. Loved it. Jack and Justine were a great match. Perfection.
July 4, 2021
Jack Mulligan is probably my favorite Joanna Shupe hero now. This man, this villainous kingpin man, was absolutely out of his mind in love with Justine. Gone for her, COMPLETELY GONE. I love that he was this scary crime lord who doesn't tolerate violence towards women and that is how these two were brought together.
But the third act breakup up honestly broke my heart. I was not happy with how it went down and so when it was finally resolved I wasn't as satisfied as I hoped to be.
Jack Mulligan though...what a king.
But the third act breakup up honestly broke my heart. I was not happy with how it went down and so when it was finally resolved I wasn't as satisfied as I hoped to be.
Jack Mulligan though...what a king.
February 8, 2023
4'5⭐ YOUTUBE / INSTAGRAM
Con este final de trilogía, Joanna Shupe se ha asentado definitivamente en mi lista de autoras de las que quiero leer lo máximo posible sí o sí.
Como ya mencioné en las reseñas de los dos libros anterior, esta trilogía me ha resultado muy fresca por su ambientación: Nueva York, bajos fondos, casinos, delincuentes, dinámicas de poder y, sobre todo, mujeres que tienen muy claro lo que quieren.
De verdad que creo que el mayor punto fuerte de estas historias son sus personajes. En esta tercera entrega, nuestra protagonista es Justine, sin duda la hermana Greene más buena y desinteresada de todas. Me gusta mucho como Tina no deja que el dinero y el privilegio de su familia le impidan ver el mundo real, ver que hay mucha gente que necesita ayuda para salir adelante, y me gusta mucho cómo ella se entrega y lo da todo para poder ayudar de verdad a esas personas y marcar la diferencia. Me parece verdaderamente admirable. Sé que hay personas así de altruistas en la vida real, pero creo que escasean, así que ha sido estupendo leer la historia de una de ellas.
Una historia que, como no, llega aderezada con unas buenas dosis de romance. Creo que Joanna lo hace genial en esa área. Jack, el interés amoroso en esta ocasión me ha gustado mucho y, como siempre, está muy bien construido. El combo canalla y chica buenecita no siempre se hace bien, pero Joanna combina tan bien las personalidades y complejidades de ambos que ha sido una delicia leer sus historia.
También me ha gustado la aparición de las hermanas Greene mayores y sus respectivas parejas, aunque sí me ha puesto un poco nerviosa la hipocresía que demuestran al amonestar a Justine por lo mismo que ellas hacían antes de sentar la cabeza.
En definitiva: buena ambientación, buenos personajes, buena traducción... Todos los elementos necesarios para disfrutar de un buen romance de época.
Con este final de trilogía, Joanna Shupe se ha asentado definitivamente en mi lista de autoras de las que quiero leer lo máximo posible sí o sí.
Como ya mencioné en las reseñas de los dos libros anterior, esta trilogía me ha resultado muy fresca por su ambientación: Nueva York, bajos fondos, casinos, delincuentes, dinámicas de poder y, sobre todo, mujeres que tienen muy claro lo que quieren.
De verdad que creo que el mayor punto fuerte de estas historias son sus personajes. En esta tercera entrega, nuestra protagonista es Justine, sin duda la hermana Greene más buena y desinteresada de todas. Me gusta mucho como Tina no deja que el dinero y el privilegio de su familia le impidan ver el mundo real, ver que hay mucha gente que necesita ayuda para salir adelante, y me gusta mucho cómo ella se entrega y lo da todo para poder ayudar de verdad a esas personas y marcar la diferencia. Me parece verdaderamente admirable. Sé que hay personas así de altruistas en la vida real, pero creo que escasean, así que ha sido estupendo leer la historia de una de ellas.
Una historia que, como no, llega aderezada con unas buenas dosis de romance. Creo que Joanna lo hace genial en esa área. Jack, el interés amoroso en esta ocasión me ha gustado mucho y, como siempre, está muy bien construido. El combo canalla y chica buenecita no siempre se hace bien, pero Joanna combina tan bien las personalidades y complejidades de ambos que ha sido una delicia leer sus historia.
También me ha gustado la aparición de las hermanas Greene mayores y sus respectivas parejas, aunque sí me ha puesto un poco nerviosa la hipocresía que demuestran al amonestar a Justine por lo mismo que ellas hacían antes de sentar la cabeza.
En definitiva: buena ambientación, buenos personajes, buena traducción... Todos los elementos necesarios para disfrutar de un buen romance de época.
September 26, 2020
2.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
There had been something in her eyes when she’d first watched him approach on the walk, an appreciation. Feminine interest. Just the hint of a flame waiting for the right match. And God help him, because he was a terrible man, the worst man, he’d love nothing more than to watch her burn.
The third book in the Uptown Girls series stars the youngest Greene sister Justine with New York City's top criminal kingpin Jack Mulligan. I'm new to the series and I think that might have hurt my enjoyment, I felt like I was missing some foundation for the characters, especially Jack. Justine is the quiet and fade into the background do-gooder sister but quiet doesn't mean weak. She spends her days chasing down wife deserters and forcing them pay child support. When one of the deserters works for Jack, she simply goes to him and requests he find the man for her.
“I thought I wasn’t your type?”
He lifted a shoulder and shoved his hands in his trouser pockets. “The more you argue with me, the more ‘my type’ you become.”
Justine and Jack had instant chemistry and since I was new to the characters, I wanted their fire to simmer a bit longer so I could get to know the characters first. Jack runs a huge criminal enterprise but the story doesn't really veer into that involvement, he's more trying to go more legit with a beer business. Jack grew up extremely poor, mother was a sex worker and he never knew his father, so he has a strong desire to remain at the top. The story starts right off the bat with Justine and Jack and even as the story went on, I never felt like I 'knew' Jack, he had his character outline points but I felt like I was missing some of his substance; readers of the series might not have this problem if he is featured in previous books.
Her sisters had no idea of the woman she’d become. Or the things she’d done and the things she hoped to do. Her sisters gambled, drank and kissed their way across the city . . . but they wouldn’t dare let her do the same. And she was tired of it.
I thought the story highlighted Justine better, we see how she doesn't have an exceptionally tight relationship with is sisters and even though she is born to privilege she's out there trying to help people. It was convenient that her parent's were away to Europe (even though I'm not sure why Jack as a partner was such a big deal when one of her sisters lives in a casino with her man unmarried) and while she has a grandmother to oversee things, we get around two scenes with her and then granny disappears from the story. I also thought that even though Justine was out there trying to help women, it wasn't truly pointed out that she enjoyed the protection of her rich father and then her protection from Jack. Not that she could help either but it took away some of the danger from the character.
He couldn’t tell if he hoped a little of her goodness would rub off on him . . . or if he prayed his wickedness rubbed off on her.
These two were pretty hot and heavy for each other from the beginning but my lack of feeling like I knew the characters hampered me feeling some emotional depth between them, which I need to feel and enjoy the heat. Towards the end I also thought Justine gave up Jack way too easily and this made her love feel even more airy to me. There was also an ending climatic scene that just had Jack disappearing from it, to solve the problem I guess, and it left the whole scene and mood deflated. I did love how Jack was loosely inspired by a real Gilded Age New Yorker along with all the other historical people, places, and events the author added to the story; it really set the time and place for me. Like I said, if you've read the other two books in the series, you might have some of the character foundation I found lacking and ultimately hurt my enjoyment here. This had more of a focus on the couple with their intimacy more at play than outside story, readers of the series will probably enjoy the youngest do-gooder Greene sister getting her happily ever after with the bad boy Jack.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
There had been something in her eyes when she’d first watched him approach on the walk, an appreciation. Feminine interest. Just the hint of a flame waiting for the right match. And God help him, because he was a terrible man, the worst man, he’d love nothing more than to watch her burn.
The third book in the Uptown Girls series stars the youngest Greene sister Justine with New York City's top criminal kingpin Jack Mulligan. I'm new to the series and I think that might have hurt my enjoyment, I felt like I was missing some foundation for the characters, especially Jack. Justine is the quiet and fade into the background do-gooder sister but quiet doesn't mean weak. She spends her days chasing down wife deserters and forcing them pay child support. When one of the deserters works for Jack, she simply goes to him and requests he find the man for her.
“I thought I wasn’t your type?”
He lifted a shoulder and shoved his hands in his trouser pockets. “The more you argue with me, the more ‘my type’ you become.”
Justine and Jack had instant chemistry and since I was new to the characters, I wanted their fire to simmer a bit longer so I could get to know the characters first. Jack runs a huge criminal enterprise but the story doesn't really veer into that involvement, he's more trying to go more legit with a beer business. Jack grew up extremely poor, mother was a sex worker and he never knew his father, so he has a strong desire to remain at the top. The story starts right off the bat with Justine and Jack and even as the story went on, I never felt like I 'knew' Jack, he had his character outline points but I felt like I was missing some of his substance; readers of the series might not have this problem if he is featured in previous books.
Her sisters had no idea of the woman she’d become. Or the things she’d done and the things she hoped to do. Her sisters gambled, drank and kissed their way across the city . . . but they wouldn’t dare let her do the same. And she was tired of it.
I thought the story highlighted Justine better, we see how she doesn't have an exceptionally tight relationship with is sisters and even though she is born to privilege she's out there trying to help people. It was convenient that her parent's were away to Europe (even though I'm not sure why Jack as a partner was such a big deal when one of her sisters lives in a casino with her man unmarried) and while she has a grandmother to oversee things, we get around two scenes with her and then granny disappears from the story. I also thought that even though Justine was out there trying to help women, it wasn't truly pointed out that she enjoyed the protection of her rich father and then her protection from Jack. Not that she could help either but it took away some of the danger from the character.
He couldn’t tell if he hoped a little of her goodness would rub off on him . . . or if he prayed his wickedness rubbed off on her.
These two were pretty hot and heavy for each other from the beginning but my lack of feeling like I knew the characters hampered me feeling some emotional depth between them, which I need to feel and enjoy the heat. Towards the end I also thought Justine gave up Jack way too easily and this made her love feel even more airy to me. There was also an ending climatic scene that just had Jack disappearing from it, to solve the problem I guess, and it left the whole scene and mood deflated. I did love how Jack was loosely inspired by a real Gilded Age New Yorker along with all the other historical people, places, and events the author added to the story; it really set the time and place for me. Like I said, if you've read the other two books in the series, you might have some of the character foundation I found lacking and ultimately hurt my enjoyment here. This had more of a focus on the couple with their intimacy more at play than outside story, readers of the series will probably enjoy the youngest do-gooder Greene sister getting her happily ever after with the bad boy Jack.
July 18, 2020
3.75 stars
I loved that the heroine was socially conscious and cared about the community. I was just taken aback by the sexual talk seemed modern, like when writing sex scenes the author used phrases common today as opposed to the words I’m used to when reading regency.
I loved that the heroine was socially conscious and cared about the community. I was just taken aback by the sexual talk seemed modern, like when writing sex scenes the author used phrases common today as opposed to the words I’m used to when reading regency.
March 24, 2023
4,5
Reseña completa http://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com/...
No sabéis lo mucho que me ha gustado este libro, no esperaba nada y sin embargo ha terminado por ser de mis preferidos de este año. Es cierto que es la tercera parte de la serie romántica “Chicas de Nueva York” pero al tratarse de diferentes personajes se lee sin problemas y te enteras de todo, aunque ahora quiero leerlos para conocer la historia de las hermanas 🙈.
Es un libro de romántica histórica, ambientado en el siglo 19 en Nueva York, tiene erotismo, acción y peligros. La trama se centra en la parte romántica y en el crecimiento de los personajes pero también tiene una subtrama de acción muy chula y aunque es obvio cómo va a acabar el camino para llegar es maravilloso. Es de esos libros que con la pluma de la autora y los personajes tan increíbles que tiene consiguen conquistarte desde la primera página y encima dejarte el corazón calentito.
Romántica, erótica, dulce y con una pareja explosiva y un romance que lo tiene todo.
Reseña completa http://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com/...
No sabéis lo mucho que me ha gustado este libro, no esperaba nada y sin embargo ha terminado por ser de mis preferidos de este año. Es cierto que es la tercera parte de la serie romántica “Chicas de Nueva York” pero al tratarse de diferentes personajes se lee sin problemas y te enteras de todo, aunque ahora quiero leerlos para conocer la historia de las hermanas 🙈.
Es un libro de romántica histórica, ambientado en el siglo 19 en Nueva York, tiene erotismo, acción y peligros. La trama se centra en la parte romántica y en el crecimiento de los personajes pero también tiene una subtrama de acción muy chula y aunque es obvio cómo va a acabar el camino para llegar es maravilloso. Es de esos libros que con la pluma de la autora y los personajes tan increíbles que tiene consiguen conquistarte desde la primera página y encima dejarte el corazón calentito.
Romántica, erótica, dulce y con una pareja explosiva y un romance que lo tiene todo.
April 22, 2022
4/21/22 reread: This is hands down the best book of the series and I think Jack is my favorite Joanna Shupe hero??? It’s hard to choose between him and Kit, but needless to say I adore Jack with my whole heart 😍🥵
6/23/20 review: GAH I JUST LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH!!!! This was such a wonderful conclusion to The Uptown Girls trilogy. I adored Justine and Jack together. Their chemistry was everything and the smut in this was 🔥🔥🔥 (probably the best sex scenes of the series???)
I loved the overall plot plus the extra “fun stuff” like the scene where Jack and Justine bowled together in Jack’s own bowling alley. This is definitely one of my favorite historical romances now. I have such a soft spot for this series and these characters and I can’t wait to see what Joanna Shupe comes out with next!!!
**Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!**
6/23/20 review: GAH I JUST LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH!!!! This was such a wonderful conclusion to The Uptown Girls trilogy. I adored Justine and Jack together. Their chemistry was everything and the smut in this was 🔥🔥🔥 (probably the best sex scenes of the series???)
I loved the overall plot plus the extra “fun stuff” like the scene where Jack and Justine bowled together in Jack’s own bowling alley. This is definitely one of my favorite historical romances now. I have such a soft spot for this series and these characters and I can’t wait to see what Joanna Shupe comes out with next!!!
**Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!**
Read
November 8, 2020I do not have *much* to say about this book because I wasn't overly invested by I enjoyed myself while reading it and considering the circumstances of the romance, it was surprisingly wholesome.
July 11, 2024
These Greene sisters know what’s up!! I love a do gooder that gets turned out by a bad boy. A total win.
To quote Joanna herself, “These are not gentle men who f… with the lights off every other Saturday night.” These men handle their business in the streets and make ya squirm in the sheets. All jokes aside though, this story had tender moments especially concerning the heroes hard rough childhood. Basically the streets raised him and he wore the literal battle scars on his body.
I don’t know what to do with myself now that I’ve wrapped this series up. I guess dive into another series by this amazing author!!
To quote Joanna herself, “These are not gentle men who f… with the lights off every other Saturday night.” These men handle their business in the streets and make ya squirm in the sheets. All jokes aside though, this story had tender moments especially concerning the heroes hard rough childhood. Basically the streets raised him and he wore the literal battle scars on his body.
I don’t know what to do with myself now that I’ve wrapped this series up. I guess dive into another series by this amazing author!!
August 8, 2020
This third and final installment in the Uptown Girls series finally lives up to the Four Hundred books that came before it. Here, Joanna Shupe takes up back to the gilded age for Justine's story. Her hero? The crime lord Jack Mulligan. And this pairing was even better than I'd hoped for.
Justine is the youngest of the Greene sisters and devoted to doing good works for those in need. She is nothing like anyone would expect of a young heiress. She doesn't care anything about society or trivial things. She wants to help women abandoned by their husbands and end cruel child labor laws. She's considered an angel by people on the streets, but somehow, she doesn't feel like a Mary Sue. She is practical and pragmatic, and though slightly naive to the danger she faces, she is quite likable. She is tough and persistent while never going over the top.
Then there is Jack. He rules the streets with his own set of rules, kind of like a benevolent king. But he does it with force, bribery, and manipulation when it suits him. Justine crosses his path searching for one of his employees who abandoned his family. Jack's taken by the fact she seems neither interested nor intimidated by him and he agrees to help...for the price of a favor. And thus their orbit around each other begins.
I really enjoyed watching Jack fall for Justine. It's quite lovely how he bares himself to her. And though there is one scene where Justine kind of let me down, overall she was a worthy match for him. I believed in the romance and the sex scenes were spot on.
I also want to give a shout out to how well Shupe paints New York in the late 1800s. The setting is like another fabulous character and really another big reason I've enjoyed these books so much.
Would definitely recommend this series --and this book in particular. And if you haven't read the first two installments, this one would hold up fine as a standalone.
*ARC provided by publisher
Justine is the youngest of the Greene sisters and devoted to doing good works for those in need. She is nothing like anyone would expect of a young heiress. She doesn't care anything about society or trivial things. She wants to help women abandoned by their husbands and end cruel child labor laws. She's considered an angel by people on the streets, but somehow, she doesn't feel like a Mary Sue. She is practical and pragmatic, and though slightly naive to the danger she faces, she is quite likable. She is tough and persistent while never going over the top.
Then there is Jack. He rules the streets with his own set of rules, kind of like a benevolent king. But he does it with force, bribery, and manipulation when it suits him. Justine crosses his path searching for one of his employees who abandoned his family. Jack's taken by the fact she seems neither interested nor intimidated by him and he agrees to help...for the price of a favor. And thus their orbit around each other begins.
I really enjoyed watching Jack fall for Justine. It's quite lovely how he bares himself to her. And though there is one scene where Justine kind of let me down, overall she was a worthy match for him. I believed in the romance and the sex scenes were spot on.
I also want to give a shout out to how well Shupe paints New York in the late 1800s. The setting is like another fabulous character and really another big reason I've enjoyed these books so much.
Would definitely recommend this series --and this book in particular. And if you haven't read the first two installments, this one would hold up fine as a standalone.
*ARC provided by publisher
February 9, 2025
4.25★
This was my favorite of the trilogy.
Literally, my only complaint is that the New York gangster accent really doesn't do it for me (audiobook), but I enjoyed the book so much I didn't mind it.
This was my favorite of the trilogy.
Literally, my only complaint is that the New York gangster accent really doesn't do it for me (audiobook), but I enjoyed the book so much I didn't mind it.
September 25, 2024
3.5
No tenía grandes expectativas así que no me he llevado una decepción, pero esperaba algo más. Este libro es tan inverosímil como el anterior
No tenía grandes expectativas así que no me he llevado una decepción, pero esperaba algo más. Este libro es tan inverosímil como el anterior
July 17, 2020
Review originally published in Romancing Romances.
I received an eARC at no cost from the publisher, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
I loved this book so much I couldn’t even write the review when I finished as I was so excited I couldn’t keep still enough to actually sit in front of a computer.
When I finished The Devil of Downtown my first thought was… I want to read it again! That’s how much I loved it.
I’ve always loved a bad boy who is good for his love and/or has a heart of gold. Jack Mulligan… doesn’t have a heart of gold, but he does like Justine and he doesn’t want to see her hurt.
Jack Mulligan “rules” downtown New York. His character is based on a real man, Paul Kelly. Jack’s look is based on Vincent Piazza, who plays Lucky Luciano on the tv series Boardwalk Empire, which the author, Joanna Shupe, has mentioned she used as an inspiration for Jack. For fans of the series Pecky Blinders, Jack is also quite similar to Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy.
And if Jack Mulligan is the devil of downtown, Justine is the do-gooder, the angel. While he deals in favours, blackmail, and balance of power, she deals in the business of helping people just because they need it.
Justine works at an institution where she helps women whose husbands abandoned them and their children either return, or pay retribution. It’s in her work that she meets Jack, as one of the men employed by him abandoned his wife, and kids. Jack doesn’t like having someone talking to his employers, and he makes a deal with Justine that this man will pay to support his wife and children, if she owes him a favour, which he can collect at any point. She hates not knowing what might happen, but she has no other choice.
Jack respects Justine because she stands her ground, she challenges him – and she is able to do this because she knows Jack does not hurt women or children. She believes he will not break his “code”, but still Jack thinks she is incredible just by behaving like that. You go Justine!
All throughout the book there is this motto that Jack will corrupt Justine, that he’s a spider and will get her stuck in his web without her noticing. And, in a way… that does happen. But Justine realizes what happened and she didn’t like the person she was becoming. It was a heartbreaking scene. Have I mentioned I cried in this book? More than once, actually. But I still loved it!
They had such an amazing chemistry, Jack exudes sexiness, and Justine, whom most people considered plain, was like an avenging angel, and had this sexual energy that just appealed so much to Jack.
I know some people will not be happy with the end… but for me it was perfect. Because they both acknowledge that for them to be together, things have to change, at least slightly.
Although I’m an only child, I really connected with Justine, and understood her very well. And Jack just connected with me in all the right ways.
The sisters of the previous books are also in The Devil of Downtown, but I paid almost no attention to them. They were just plot points to make us understand Justine better, in my opinion.
I just loved this book so much, the essence of New York, and blackmail, and the power, and the sexiness.. It was pretty much perfect.
I received an eARC at no cost from the publisher, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
I loved this book so much I couldn’t even write the review when I finished as I was so excited I couldn’t keep still enough to actually sit in front of a computer.
When I finished The Devil of Downtown my first thought was… I want to read it again! That’s how much I loved it.
I’ve always loved a bad boy who is good for his love and/or has a heart of gold. Jack Mulligan… doesn’t have a heart of gold, but he does like Justine and he doesn’t want to see her hurt.
Jack Mulligan “rules” downtown New York. His character is based on a real man, Paul Kelly. Jack’s look is based on Vincent Piazza, who plays Lucky Luciano on the tv series Boardwalk Empire, which the author, Joanna Shupe, has mentioned she used as an inspiration for Jack. For fans of the series Pecky Blinders, Jack is also quite similar to Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy.
And if Jack Mulligan is the devil of downtown, Justine is the do-gooder, the angel. While he deals in favours, blackmail, and balance of power, she deals in the business of helping people just because they need it.
Justine works at an institution where she helps women whose husbands abandoned them and their children either return, or pay retribution. It’s in her work that she meets Jack, as one of the men employed by him abandoned his wife, and kids. Jack doesn’t like having someone talking to his employers, and he makes a deal with Justine that this man will pay to support his wife and children, if she owes him a favour, which he can collect at any point. She hates not knowing what might happen, but she has no other choice.
Jack respects Justine because she stands her ground, she challenges him – and she is able to do this because she knows Jack does not hurt women or children. She believes he will not break his “code”, but still Jack thinks she is incredible just by behaving like that. You go Justine!
All throughout the book there is this motto that Jack will corrupt Justine, that he’s a spider and will get her stuck in his web without her noticing. And, in a way… that does happen. But Justine realizes what happened and she didn’t like the person she was becoming. It was a heartbreaking scene. Have I mentioned I cried in this book? More than once, actually. But I still loved it!
They had such an amazing chemistry, Jack exudes sexiness, and Justine, whom most people considered plain, was like an avenging angel, and had this sexual energy that just appealed so much to Jack.
I know some people will not be happy with the end… but for me it was perfect. Because they both acknowledge that for them to be together, things have to change, at least slightly.
Although I’m an only child, I really connected with Justine, and understood her very well. And Jack just connected with me in all the right ways.
The sisters of the previous books are also in The Devil of Downtown, but I paid almost no attention to them. They were just plot points to make us understand Justine better, in my opinion.
I just loved this book so much, the essence of New York, and blackmail, and the power, and the sexiness.. It was pretty much perfect.
September 25, 2020
This is the final book of the Uptown Girls series. You can read this as a stand alone if you don't mind a few minor spoilers for the previous 2 books in the series. Best character build will be to read in order. I believe all the characters appear together in all 3 books. (This is the only one I've tried from this series, but talked with a friend as she read the first of the series)
Give this book a try if you are in the mood for
-Mixed classes – Jack was born in a brothel and is a self made man totally unwelcome in polite society, Justine is an uptown heiress
-Antiheroes – Jack is the leader of a number of criminal enterprises
-Lots of steam and f bombs ;)
-Strong themes of feminism
-Solid consent established
-A splash of enemies to lovers – in the beginning, there's some snarkiness and push back from the heroine
-A working heroine!
-Gilded age New York
-Scarred hero (not a huge part of the story)
Jack is our hero, and he's one of my favorite types. An antihero that grew up in the gutter and has more power now than anyone in town. He's drawn to Justine from the beginning. He's really rather charming. His emotions run deep, he can have a violent streak (never against the heroine), but usually he is not a brooding, grumpy character. Jack definitely is the reason I give this book 4 stars. I really enjoyed him. I love how he's so confident. He would do anything for Justine, and he helps her throughout the entire book. He's ruthless to his enemies and I love that too. What can I say, I love a man that has no problem protecting his territory and his woman.
Justine truly cares about the suffering in New York. Being a member of the Greene family, she has lived a privileged life and wants to use it to help others. Her real passion is helping the women and children of the city, with her focus being on child labor and husbands that abandon their wives. I did find these parts really interesting. Definitely makes you more thankful for the world we live in today (even though there are still issues with it). I will say Justine rather annoyed me in this book. I find I am not liking the enemies to lovers much anymore. It doesn't last long in the book, but Justine in the beginning is rather snarky and rude to Jack, and I have no idea why it attracted Jack all the more. I don't see what's attractive about it at all. Thankfully that didn't last long, but then I felt like she made quite a few decisions that had me irritated. I felt like she put herself in stupid situations and didn't take the danger of the city seriously. I also felt like she went through a complete 180 of her feelings regarding Jack and it seemed to happen repeatedly until the end of the story. But I felt surprised the first time because it really seemed to come out of nowhere.
The end of the book kind of took a dive for me as well. It seemed to have a bit excessive amount of overcoming the final hurdle. The back and forth of why they couldn't be together just went on a bit too long. Still, overall I enjoyed a LOT of this story. I give 3.5 rounded to 4.
Thanks netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions on the book are my own
Give this book a try if you are in the mood for
-Mixed classes – Jack was born in a brothel and is a self made man totally unwelcome in polite society, Justine is an uptown heiress
-Antiheroes – Jack is the leader of a number of criminal enterprises
-Lots of steam and f bombs ;)
-Strong themes of feminism
-Solid consent established
-A splash of enemies to lovers – in the beginning, there's some snarkiness and push back from the heroine
-A working heroine!
-Gilded age New York
-Scarred hero (not a huge part of the story)
Jack is our hero, and he's one of my favorite types. An antihero that grew up in the gutter and has more power now than anyone in town. He's drawn to Justine from the beginning. He's really rather charming. His emotions run deep, he can have a violent streak (never against the heroine), but usually he is not a brooding, grumpy character. Jack definitely is the reason I give this book 4 stars. I really enjoyed him. I love how he's so confident. He would do anything for Justine, and he helps her throughout the entire book. He's ruthless to his enemies and I love that too. What can I say, I love a man that has no problem protecting his territory and his woman.
Justine truly cares about the suffering in New York. Being a member of the Greene family, she has lived a privileged life and wants to use it to help others. Her real passion is helping the women and children of the city, with her focus being on child labor and husbands that abandon their wives. I did find these parts really interesting. Definitely makes you more thankful for the world we live in today (even though there are still issues with it). I will say Justine rather annoyed me in this book. I find I am not liking the enemies to lovers much anymore. It doesn't last long in the book, but Justine in the beginning is rather snarky and rude to Jack, and I have no idea why it attracted Jack all the more. I don't see what's attractive about it at all. Thankfully that didn't last long, but then I felt like she made quite a few decisions that had me irritated. I felt like she put herself in stupid situations and didn't take the danger of the city seriously. I also felt like she went through a complete 180 of her feelings regarding Jack and it seemed to happen repeatedly until the end of the story. But I felt surprised the first time because it really seemed to come out of nowhere.
The end of the book kind of took a dive for me as well. It seemed to have a bit excessive amount of overcoming the final hurdle. The back and forth of why they couldn't be together just went on a bit too long. Still, overall I enjoyed a LOT of this story. I give 3.5 rounded to 4.
Thanks netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions on the book are my own
December 6, 2025
The Devil of Downtown was a phenomenal conclusion to the Uptown Girls series with a wonderful romance between a do-gooder and one of New York's biggest criminal masterminds.
Jack Mulligan grew up on the streets of New York and through sheer force of will united the city's gangs. Jack has learned to be ruthless and has honed an ability to anticipate every possibility. But the one thing Jack couldn't see coming was Justine Greene, a do-gooder who spends her time tracking down deadbeat husbands. Justine is devoted to her work and when she discovers a man she's looking for is employed by Jack, she meets with him to come to an agreement. What she didn't expect was the attraction that sparked between them or the alliance the two form. But when the past comes back to haunt her, Justine will have to decide if she truly wants to make a deal with the devil.
As the youngest Greene sister, Justine was sheltered more than her sisters which meant she had to be creative when it came to her work. No one took her seriously and would often mistake her kindness for naïveté. That meant she had to learn to take care of herself as she would have no one to defend her if something went wrong. Our first scene of Justine in this book she punches a man who tries to rob her and knocks him flat. The scene made me instantly adore her and I loved the sheer astonishment from the other men nearby who witnessed it.
Jack has made a lot of enemies on his way to the top but he managed to win the loyalty of those under him in his quest. He likes the finer things in life and is used to getting them due to his position of power. I liked that while Jack was a criminal mastermind, he also had a set of morals and wouldn't cross them or allow those who worked for him to do so either. The whole gentleman criminal persona really worked for him and I discovered that it's a character archetype that I really enjoy.
Justine and Jack's relationship was an absolute delight from the start. He was baffled by her lack of fear of him and she was determined to get him to see things her way. The banter in their relationship was truly fantastic and one of my favorite things about their romance. Plus their chemistry was off the charts and I found the slow burn of their romance to be torture. When their romance does turn physical, the scenes do not disappoint and are very steamy. I was curious how the author would resolve the central conflict in their relationship (criminal vs. do-gooder) and I have to say I really enjoyed the way it was wrapped up. There were a few twists I didn't see coming and a few scenes I really loved.
Overall The Devil of Downtown ended up being my favorite book in the series and I highly recommend this trilogy for anyone looking for some fantastic historical romances.
Jack Mulligan grew up on the streets of New York and through sheer force of will united the city's gangs. Jack has learned to be ruthless and has honed an ability to anticipate every possibility. But the one thing Jack couldn't see coming was Justine Greene, a do-gooder who spends her time tracking down deadbeat husbands. Justine is devoted to her work and when she discovers a man she's looking for is employed by Jack, she meets with him to come to an agreement. What she didn't expect was the attraction that sparked between them or the alliance the two form. But when the past comes back to haunt her, Justine will have to decide if she truly wants to make a deal with the devil.
As the youngest Greene sister, Justine was sheltered more than her sisters which meant she had to be creative when it came to her work. No one took her seriously and would often mistake her kindness for naïveté. That meant she had to learn to take care of herself as she would have no one to defend her if something went wrong. Our first scene of Justine in this book she punches a man who tries to rob her and knocks him flat. The scene made me instantly adore her and I loved the sheer astonishment from the other men nearby who witnessed it.
Jack has made a lot of enemies on his way to the top but he managed to win the loyalty of those under him in his quest. He likes the finer things in life and is used to getting them due to his position of power. I liked that while Jack was a criminal mastermind, he also had a set of morals and wouldn't cross them or allow those who worked for him to do so either. The whole gentleman criminal persona really worked for him and I discovered that it's a character archetype that I really enjoy.
Justine and Jack's relationship was an absolute delight from the start. He was baffled by her lack of fear of him and she was determined to get him to see things her way. The banter in their relationship was truly fantastic and one of my favorite things about their romance. Plus their chemistry was off the charts and I found the slow burn of their romance to be torture. When their romance does turn physical, the scenes do not disappoint and are very steamy. I was curious how the author would resolve the central conflict in their relationship (criminal vs. do-gooder) and I have to say I really enjoyed the way it was wrapped up. There were a few twists I didn't see coming and a few scenes I really loved.
Overall The Devil of Downtown ended up being my favorite book in the series and I highly recommend this trilogy for anyone looking for some fantastic historical romances.
July 2, 2020
2.5 stars
The relationship here actually mostly worked for me, weirdly enough. I did enjoy this one more than book two, but I did not enjoy reading this book as a general matter.
Disappointing that a book where the relationship more or less worked was such a mess, but alas, it was. Shupe appears to be very hit or miss for me, but she writes in a specific setting I want more of, so I will keep coming back.
Read for Ripped Bodice Bingo 2020: Villain's Love Story
The relationship here actually mostly worked for me, weirdly enough. I did enjoy this one more than book two, but I did not enjoy reading this book as a general matter.
Disappointing that a book where the relationship more or less worked was such a mess, but alas, it was. Shupe appears to be very hit or miss for me, but she writes in a specific setting I want more of, so I will keep coming back.
Read for Ripped Bodice Bingo 2020: Villain's Love Story
March 20, 2022
Audiobook Review
Overall 5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4.5 stars
It's so bittersweet to finish this series. I've enjoyed the previous books a lot, but Justine and Jack's book is my favorite. Once I started, I didn't want to stop. I both listened and read this one and Justine Eyre is phenomenal in this series. I'm always impressed by her performances.
The "I hate everyone but you" trope is one of my favorites and Jack is perfection in this role. He's such a fascinating anti-hero and I loved how unapologetically ruthless he was with everyone else besides Justine. Watching her break down his walls brick by brick and seeing their relationship evolve was amazing. They had such scorching chemistry and the sexual tension between them built up so perfectly. I really wasn't sure what to expect from Justine, but she surprised me in a good way. I loved her kind heart, strength, and loyalty. She isn't flashy like her two sisters and it's that quiet determination that endeared her to me. She is the polar opposite of Jack and it worked so well. The ending felt a bit rushed and was a little too convenient, but I definitely recommend this series. I'm excited to dive into the rest of Joanna Shupe's backlist.
CW: fighting/violence, gunshot wound, attempted robbery, mentions of spousal abandonment (secondary characters), classism, blackmail, death of parent (past) and traumatic childhood
Overall 5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4.5 stars
It's so bittersweet to finish this series. I've enjoyed the previous books a lot, but Justine and Jack's book is my favorite. Once I started, I didn't want to stop. I both listened and read this one and Justine Eyre is phenomenal in this series. I'm always impressed by her performances.
The "I hate everyone but you" trope is one of my favorites and Jack is perfection in this role. He's such a fascinating anti-hero and I loved how unapologetically ruthless he was with everyone else besides Justine. Watching her break down his walls brick by brick and seeing their relationship evolve was amazing. They had such scorching chemistry and the sexual tension between them built up so perfectly. I really wasn't sure what to expect from Justine, but she surprised me in a good way. I loved her kind heart, strength, and loyalty. She isn't flashy like her two sisters and it's that quiet determination that endeared her to me. She is the polar opposite of Jack and it worked so well. The ending felt a bit rushed and was a little too convenient, but I definitely recommend this series. I'm excited to dive into the rest of Joanna Shupe's backlist.
CW: fighting/violence, gunshot wound, attempted robbery, mentions of spousal abandonment (secondary characters), classism, blackmail, death of parent (past) and traumatic childhood
December 31, 2020
*3.5 stars*
Enjoyed this and Jack Mulligan is charismatic as hell, but I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. I expected him to be more broody and closed-off, but he was just a more sociable and charming version of Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders. I imagine the whole crew to be the Shelby family enterprise, but with derby/bowler hats instead of flat caps.
Jack was such a sweetheart throughout, and I loved that Justine was still true to herself and her values towards the end, much like her sister Florence from book 2.
However, their arguments and the main conflict towards the end felt like a cat-mouse chase and went in circles, with Jack and Justine having back and forth feelings toward each other. Would've been better if that was lessened.
Overall, this is one of my favorite series of Historical Romances (Girl meets Duke by Tessa Dare taking the top spot). I loved seeing Frank Tripp & Mamie and Clayton & Florence having interactions throughout this final book and seeing them all together makes my heart so full and happy.
Enjoyed this and Jack Mulligan is charismatic as hell, but I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. I expected him to be more broody and closed-off, but he was just a more sociable and charming version of Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders. I imagine the whole crew to be the Shelby family enterprise, but with derby/bowler hats instead of flat caps.
Jack was such a sweetheart throughout, and I loved that Justine was still true to herself and her values towards the end, much like her sister Florence from book 2.
However, their arguments and the main conflict towards the end felt like a cat-mouse chase and went in circles, with Jack and Justine having back and forth feelings toward each other. Would've been better if that was lessened.
Overall, this is one of my favorite series of Historical Romances (Girl meets Duke by Tessa Dare taking the top spot). I loved seeing Frank Tripp & Mamie and Clayton & Florence having interactions throughout this final book and seeing them all together makes my heart so full and happy.
December 16, 2022
4.5!
lots of fun, but very similar to the other two in the series. further rtc
lots of fun, but very similar to the other two in the series. further rtc
December 29, 2020
All right, at this point everybody knows I'm obsessed with the Uptown Girls series, and what a note to end on!
Often the last books of series—especially historical romance—can be strangely underwhelming for me; I don't know what it is. But The Devil of Downtown kept the fire, and I loved Justine and Jack from the beginning until the bitter end. I'll also never look at bowling alleys the same way again.
The only thing I wish we got: An extended epilogue! I'm dying to know what happened to all of the characters from this series. I fell in love with them, including side characters like Rye and Cooper.
Content warning: Violence, kidnapping
Often the last books of series—especially historical romance—can be strangely underwhelming for me; I don't know what it is. But The Devil of Downtown kept the fire, and I loved Justine and Jack from the beginning until the bitter end. I'll also never look at bowling alleys the same way again.
The only thing I wish we got: An extended epilogue! I'm dying to know what happened to all of the characters from this series. I fell in love with them, including side characters like Rye and Cooper.
Content warning: Violence, kidnapping
July 12, 2020
The Devil of Downtown by Joanna Shupe is an exciting and passionate opposites attract romance. Think ‘wrong side of the tracks’ only in this case, it’s wrong side of the city/society.
Justine Greene uses her position in New York’s high society to help the less fortunate, working at soup kitchens, helping wives deserted by their husbands, and assisting with other legal aid ventures. When one of the derelict husbands that she wants to find turns out to be an employee of crime boss Jack Mulligan, she’s not afraid or intimidated to seek him out.
Raised by a prostitute and orphaned as a pre-teen, Jack worked hard to make it to the top of the gangs in New York. He controls a considerable territory and plans to keep it that way. When do-gooder Justine shows up at his office with her request, he’s willing to grant her this favour, but expects one in return. That favour? Escorting Justine to a high society fundraiser where he can meet up with an investor he wants for a brewery he’s involved in, and the chance to export their product across the country. He needs a respectable entrance into the event and Justine can provide it, though it will come at the cost of her reputation. Since Justine doesn’t care much for that anyway, she agrees though she knows her family won’t be very happy.
One favour turns into another, and soon Justine and Jack are finding ways to spend time together out of the public eye. Their forbidden affair heats up just as things on the street start to get complicated, with a rival gang leader encroaching on Jack’s territory. Will Jack lose everything or get his happy ever after?
I’ve been enjoying this series from the start and Justine’s romance with Jack is a fitting end! It’s your classic good girl/bad boy trope story, set in the Gilded Age of New York City and as with the other stories in the series, the setting is well described and interesting especially if you’re a reader of historical romance who has been looking for a different time period than the Victorian or Regency romances that tend to prevail in the market.
Jack is unique in his attitude towards women compared with the other men of his acquaintance due to his upbringing with his mother in a whorehouse. He is respectful of women, doesn’t operate any bawdy houses in his territory and doesn’t mind helping Justine with her missions, reigning in deadbeat dads and sweatshop factory bosses. He’s got a kind heart, though he has no problem using his knuckles against abusive men. It’s that side of his personality that attracts Justine even though she knows that he is bad for her and that her parents, vacationing in Europe during the story, will definitely not approve of their relationship when they find out.
What Justine really appreciates about Jack is that he respects her opinions and her choices and doesn’t try to change her, unlike her sisters who are over protective and still see her as their little sibling instead of the grown, opinionated woman that she is. Their concern over her relationship with Jack rings a little hollow considering their own life choices (books one and two in the series detail those equally passionate and entertaining romances with partner choices that their parents weren’t thrilled about either). But Justine is determined to stand on her own and continue her work with the less fortunate, and to see Jack at every opportunity. Jack is very experienced with women while Justine is a virgin and his slow wooing of her leads to some sexy love scenes.
When things start to take a violent turn, Jack has to decide what to do, and how to protect Justine. His choices affect them both, and lead to some surprising decisions and eventually their happy ending. It’s a great finale to the series and I highly recommend reading them all! I can’t wait to dive into more books by this author.
This review appears at Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-th...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.
Justine Greene uses her position in New York’s high society to help the less fortunate, working at soup kitchens, helping wives deserted by their husbands, and assisting with other legal aid ventures. When one of the derelict husbands that she wants to find turns out to be an employee of crime boss Jack Mulligan, she’s not afraid or intimidated to seek him out.
Raised by a prostitute and orphaned as a pre-teen, Jack worked hard to make it to the top of the gangs in New York. He controls a considerable territory and plans to keep it that way. When do-gooder Justine shows up at his office with her request, he’s willing to grant her this favour, but expects one in return. That favour? Escorting Justine to a high society fundraiser where he can meet up with an investor he wants for a brewery he’s involved in, and the chance to export their product across the country. He needs a respectable entrance into the event and Justine can provide it, though it will come at the cost of her reputation. Since Justine doesn’t care much for that anyway, she agrees though she knows her family won’t be very happy.
One favour turns into another, and soon Justine and Jack are finding ways to spend time together out of the public eye. Their forbidden affair heats up just as things on the street start to get complicated, with a rival gang leader encroaching on Jack’s territory. Will Jack lose everything or get his happy ever after?
I’ve been enjoying this series from the start and Justine’s romance with Jack is a fitting end! It’s your classic good girl/bad boy trope story, set in the Gilded Age of New York City and as with the other stories in the series, the setting is well described and interesting especially if you’re a reader of historical romance who has been looking for a different time period than the Victorian or Regency romances that tend to prevail in the market.
Jack is unique in his attitude towards women compared with the other men of his acquaintance due to his upbringing with his mother in a whorehouse. He is respectful of women, doesn’t operate any bawdy houses in his territory and doesn’t mind helping Justine with her missions, reigning in deadbeat dads and sweatshop factory bosses. He’s got a kind heart, though he has no problem using his knuckles against abusive men. It’s that side of his personality that attracts Justine even though she knows that he is bad for her and that her parents, vacationing in Europe during the story, will definitely not approve of their relationship when they find out.
What Justine really appreciates about Jack is that he respects her opinions and her choices and doesn’t try to change her, unlike her sisters who are over protective and still see her as their little sibling instead of the grown, opinionated woman that she is. Their concern over her relationship with Jack rings a little hollow considering their own life choices (books one and two in the series detail those equally passionate and entertaining romances with partner choices that their parents weren’t thrilled about either). But Justine is determined to stand on her own and continue her work with the less fortunate, and to see Jack at every opportunity. Jack is very experienced with women while Justine is a virgin and his slow wooing of her leads to some sexy love scenes.
When things start to take a violent turn, Jack has to decide what to do, and how to protect Justine. His choices affect them both, and lead to some surprising decisions and eventually their happy ending. It’s a great finale to the series and I highly recommend reading them all! I can’t wait to dive into more books by this author.
This review appears at Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-th...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.
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