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The Scarsdale Fosters #2
Simple Twist of Fate
After a lifetime in rags, Emerson had no idea that riches came with so many strings.
As a foster kid in the system, Emerson Duplessis never had two nickels to rub together. He worked harder than anyone else he knew and graduated with a degree in accounting—the safest career he could imagine. But when a round of unexpected layoffs leaves him unable to pay his rent, he resorts to taking temp jobs found for him by friends.
At one odd job, serving hors d’oeuvres at a funeral, his friend points out that the dead man in the massive portrait looks exactly like Emerson. The bereaved mother of the deceased turns out to be the grandmother who tried to prevent him from ever being born. Now that her only child has passed, she makes Emerson an offer.
She’ll leave her massive estate to him, but only if he shows he can properly run it, marries a high society woman, and has an heir. At one of his grandmother’s horrible parties, Emerson meets the well-educated, pampered daughter of one of his late father’s friends, Elizabeth Moorland.
She mocks him to the entire room, and Emerson hates her from the start, but he also discovers that she needs money, badly. He agrees to get her the money she needs if she pretends to be his girlfriend to keep his grandmother happy. But Elizabeth Moorland has a secret, and if it comes out, it will ruin both their plans.
Can Emerson manage to satisfy the woman who never wanted him in order to secure the life he’s always wanted? Or will he discover that sometimes even gold that glitters isn’t worth the price?
As a foster kid in the system, Emerson Duplessis never had two nickels to rub together. He worked harder than anyone else he knew and graduated with a degree in accounting—the safest career he could imagine. But when a round of unexpected layoffs leaves him unable to pay his rent, he resorts to taking temp jobs found for him by friends.
At one odd job, serving hors d’oeuvres at a funeral, his friend points out that the dead man in the massive portrait looks exactly like Emerson. The bereaved mother of the deceased turns out to be the grandmother who tried to prevent him from ever being born. Now that her only child has passed, she makes Emerson an offer.
She’ll leave her massive estate to him, but only if he shows he can properly run it, marries a high society woman, and has an heir. At one of his grandmother’s horrible parties, Emerson meets the well-educated, pampered daughter of one of his late father’s friends, Elizabeth Moorland.
She mocks him to the entire room, and Emerson hates her from the start, but he also discovers that she needs money, badly. He agrees to get her the money she needs if she pretends to be his girlfriend to keep his grandmother happy. But Elizabeth Moorland has a secret, and if it comes out, it will ruin both their plans.
Can Emerson manage to satisfy the woman who never wanted him in order to secure the life he’s always wanted? Or will he discover that sometimes even gold that glitters isn’t worth the price?
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Published January 3, 2024
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About the author
B.E. Baker
47 books166 followersBridget loves her husband (every day) and all five of her kids (most days).
She’s a lawyer but does as little legal work as possible. She has three quarter horse geldings, a Holsteiner (jumping) horse, and she spends too much time riding and not enough time writing. (Or too much time writing and not enough time riding, depending on your perspective!)
B.E. Baker is the romance/women's fiction penname for Bridget E. Baker, who also writes fantasy, end of the world, and dystopian books that add a little magic to the world.
Please sign up for Bridget's fantasy or romance newsletters on her website at www.BridgetEBakerWrites.com or click Follow on her bio above to get notices and updates when she releases new books!
She’s a lawyer but does as little legal work as possible. She has three quarter horse geldings, a Holsteiner (jumping) horse, and she spends too much time riding and not enough time writing. (Or too much time writing and not enough time riding, depending on your perspective!)
B.E. Baker is the romance/women's fiction penname for Bridget E. Baker, who also writes fantasy, end of the world, and dystopian books that add a little magic to the world.
Please sign up for Bridget's fantasy or romance newsletters on her website at www.BridgetEBakerWrites.com or click Follow on her bio above to get notices and updates when she releases new books!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 1, 2023
I enjoyed this second book in The Scarsdale Fosters series. I wasn't sure if this book would be picking up shortly after the first one, or if it would be about someone else entirely. It ended up being about Emerson as an adult, and although I wasn't expecting the big time jump, it worked well. So this series is obviously about fostering and adopting, but what I found kind of fun about this book is that it includes the fostering of animals as well.
In this book Emerson finds out that he is the grandson of a very wealthy woman, a woman who wants to control every aspect of his life in order for him to inherit her wealth and one day take over her company. He decided to go along with it, but it's not easy. This lady is very cold and lacks in empathy for others. There's one part in the story where Emerson's grandmother makes a very valid point about Elizabeth not protecting herself and her assets, and refuses to help her because she won't learn a lesson if she does. The problem here is that she completely lacks any empathy or compassion for Elizabeth or the animals she's caring for. This brings me to my very favorite thing about this story. It's how it emphasizes that sometimes what matters most is what's in the heart. Elizabeth was acting on what was in her heart, trying to do what was right, and she may have made some unwise decisions along the way regarding her financial situation, but she was doing good in the world and had a big heart, and sometimes acting on pure love and faith is the only way one can go. I think sometimes it can be difficult for someone with lots of money to understand that.
Grandma improves later and it's nice to kind of see what's behind her behavior, and to see that she actually has a heart buried in there somewhere. During this part of the book there's this whole scene at a bus stop bench where she waits for Emerson so she can talk to him, that I found very amusing. It was so unexpected that it had me giggling.
The romance between Elizabeth and Emerson was nice and sweet, and I always enjoy a fake dating scenario. I did feel like the tension between them could have been amplified a bit more and drawn out for a longer period of time, but I liked them together. I enjoyed getting to see Seren and Dave in this book a little and also the other kids they took in over the years. I'm interested to see how they came to be adopted and how their stories will play out.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader and on Facebook.
In this book Emerson finds out that he is the grandson of a very wealthy woman, a woman who wants to control every aspect of his life in order for him to inherit her wealth and one day take over her company. He decided to go along with it, but it's not easy. This lady is very cold and lacks in empathy for others. There's one part in the story where Emerson's grandmother makes a very valid point about Elizabeth not protecting herself and her assets, and refuses to help her because she won't learn a lesson if she does. The problem here is that she completely lacks any empathy or compassion for Elizabeth or the animals she's caring for. This brings me to my very favorite thing about this story. It's how it emphasizes that sometimes what matters most is what's in the heart. Elizabeth was acting on what was in her heart, trying to do what was right, and she may have made some unwise decisions along the way regarding her financial situation, but she was doing good in the world and had a big heart, and sometimes acting on pure love and faith is the only way one can go. I think sometimes it can be difficult for someone with lots of money to understand that.
Grandma improves later and it's nice to kind of see what's behind her behavior, and to see that she actually has a heart buried in there somewhere. During this part of the book there's this whole scene at a bus stop bench where she waits for Emerson so she can talk to him, that I found very amusing. It was so unexpected that it had me giggling.
The romance between Elizabeth and Emerson was nice and sweet, and I always enjoy a fake dating scenario. I did feel like the tension between them could have been amplified a bit more and drawn out for a longer period of time, but I liked them together. I enjoyed getting to see Seren and Dave in this book a little and also the other kids they took in over the years. I'm interested to see how they came to be adopted and how their stories will play out.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader and on Facebook.
May 16, 2025
4.5 stars
The title of this book means “new rich” and is a French term that refers to someone who comes into a lot of money (and then proceeds to spend a lot to impress). While our hero comes into the possibility of a lot of money, he definitely has trouble with ostentatious spending. Emerson is a former foster kid. While he has a temporary job as a waiter at a funeral, he discovers his biological father’s family. His grandmother is the height of high society and she needs a new heir. She offers Emerson a deal that includes dating someone she approves of. Our heroine has grown up a society girl. There are masks in place and behind the scenes things are crumbling. She has used much of her own trust fund to bank roll her animal shelter and is running up against the wall. As Elizabeth and Emerson embark on a fake relationship, their forced proximity causes them to learn more about each other’s lives and grow closer.
We all expect how our contemporary romances are going to end. And there are a lot of “cookie-cutter” responses to various things that come up in books that we learn to expect certain outcomes to conflicts. I was pleasantly surprised with the conversations and responses in this book. Things weren’t as cut and dried as most contemporaries would have them and I really liked those twists and turns.
Emerson‘s parents are the couple from book one of this series and I am anticipating his foster siblings appearing in subsequent books. This book mentions swearing but there is nothing on the page. There are a lot of dogs and animals in this book and they were woven in seamlessly. With found family, a former girlfriend, and more, this was a great contemporary romance. This is a just kisses romance.
The title of this book means “new rich” and is a French term that refers to someone who comes into a lot of money (and then proceeds to spend a lot to impress). While our hero comes into the possibility of a lot of money, he definitely has trouble with ostentatious spending. Emerson is a former foster kid. While he has a temporary job as a waiter at a funeral, he discovers his biological father’s family. His grandmother is the height of high society and she needs a new heir. She offers Emerson a deal that includes dating someone she approves of. Our heroine has grown up a society girl. There are masks in place and behind the scenes things are crumbling. She has used much of her own trust fund to bank roll her animal shelter and is running up against the wall. As Elizabeth and Emerson embark on a fake relationship, their forced proximity causes them to learn more about each other’s lives and grow closer.
We all expect how our contemporary romances are going to end. And there are a lot of “cookie-cutter” responses to various things that come up in books that we learn to expect certain outcomes to conflicts. I was pleasantly surprised with the conversations and responses in this book. Things weren’t as cut and dried as most contemporaries would have them and I really liked those twists and turns.
Emerson‘s parents are the couple from book one of this series and I am anticipating his foster siblings appearing in subsequent books. This book mentions swearing but there is nothing on the page. There are a lot of dogs and animals in this book and they were woven in seamlessly. With found family, a former girlfriend, and more, this was a great contemporary romance. This is a just kisses romance.
December 1, 2023
I'll probably never verbally recommend Nouveau Riche but it's not because it wasn't amazing, I just can't figure out how to say it. 😂 I loved the book and am excited to see where The Scarsdale Foster stories take me; I'm always up for an adventure with Bridget Baker. And I'll be watching her YouTube channel for the audio so I can learn to pronounce the name. 😉
What you'll find inside:
Fake dating
Foster Care
Found family
Animal shelter
Continued family saga
Triggers at bottom of review.
What I loved:
*"My life may be falling apart, but the things in my life that matter, the things people see? Those all look perfect."
*"“I want to be involved precisely because no one else does.” That’s family."
*"That feels like something that would only happen in a book written by an epically talented author.” < Bridget is that author!!
*“He keeps you depressingly on budget, and he offers to help paint turds.”
*"I don’t need love that comes with clauses and contingencies. I already have the kind of love that comes with no strings at all.”
*“I think her heart has just been unused for a while.”
*“It sounds like I’m trying to sell you a Toyota Corolla.”
*The proposal
*“I hope there are no looming appliances waiting to flatten you.”
*“Thank you,” ... “For freeing me.”“All I did was point out your wings.”... “Now, let’s fly off into the sunset together.”
Triggers:
Emerson's dad's mom paid his mom to abort him.
**I received an ARC, all opinions are my own.**
What you'll find inside:
Fake dating
Foster Care
Found family
Animal shelter
Continued family saga
Triggers at bottom of review.
What I loved:
*"My life may be falling apart, but the things in my life that matter, the things people see? Those all look perfect."
*"“I want to be involved precisely because no one else does.” That’s family."
*"That feels like something that would only happen in a book written by an epically talented author.” < Bridget is that author!!
*“He keeps you depressingly on budget, and he offers to help paint turds.”
*"I don’t need love that comes with clauses and contingencies. I already have the kind of love that comes with no strings at all.”
*“I think her heart has just been unused for a while.”
*“It sounds like I’m trying to sell you a Toyota Corolla.”
*The proposal
*“I hope there are no looming appliances waiting to flatten you.”
*“Thank you,” ... “For freeing me.”“All I did was point out your wings.”... “Now, let’s fly off into the sunset together.”
Triggers:
Emerson's dad's mom paid his mom to abort him.
**I received an ARC, all opinions are my own.**
December 3, 2023
This book can be read as a stand alone but is better if you read Seed Money first. This book jumps ahead over a decade and is focused on Emerson’s life, the foster kid adopted in Seed Money. He is now a young adult, still very conflicted and a bit brash, still unsure about his past and things involving love. Through a surprising turn of events where he “meets” his biological father and grandmother, he finds out he can be heir to a billion dollar business. IF he follows his grandmother’s exacting plans for continuing the family line to her liking. Through his attempts to follow her requirements and his own heart, he finds his way and finds out what true love and loyalty really are. There are glimpses of the other foster kids as early adults/teens, which will pave the way for the books in the rest of the series. Fun read, especially if you love horses or are an animal rescuer. You will really get the female MC, Elizabeth!
December 3, 2023
She’s done it again. Somehow Bridget Baker can pull on every last heart strong and take you for a bumpy ride that she smoothes out in the end in just the best way, making you want to rush for the next installment in the series! The Scarsdale Fosters books are full of heart and warmth and people going from the lowest of the low to pretty dang high, but finding their worth along the way! I liked Emerson in book 1, but in this particular book I absolutely fell in love with him! This is his story, and it’s a dandy!! As always, Bridget writes outstanding books devoid of explicit sex and graphic language. There’s things like “he swore under his breath” but her books are CLEAN and you can feel safe referring them to all of your friends. Every series of hers I read I say “this one is my favorite” but it might actually be this one! All I can say is well done and I don’t know how she does it, and read it! You’ll be glad you did!
July 22, 2024
Money is definitely not everything!
Ms Baker did it again! Painting very realistic people in today’s world. And I always love it when she has animals in her stories, because of the funny, gentle and loving way she describes their behavior.
Emerson was the first kid Seren and Dave (Seed Money) got to foster, four others would follow. They would become his family. When he discovers that his paternal grandmother is very much alive and chairperson of a huge industrial firm, everything changes. The way people see and treat him, from being a nobody to a very rich bachelor with a heap of prospects. It’s confusing, to say the least. Slowly he learns what the love of a real family means when the influence of money falls away and he is able to see the true worth of people.
A lovely story, especially for animal lovers, and what genuine love can mean in a person’s live. It’s funny, heartwarming and a wonderful way to pass some hours reading about these people.
Highly recommended <3
Ms Baker did it again! Painting very realistic people in today’s world. And I always love it when she has animals in her stories, because of the funny, gentle and loving way she describes their behavior.
Emerson was the first kid Seren and Dave (Seed Money) got to foster, four others would follow. They would become his family. When he discovers that his paternal grandmother is very much alive and chairperson of a huge industrial firm, everything changes. The way people see and treat him, from being a nobody to a very rich bachelor with a heap of prospects. It’s confusing, to say the least. Slowly he learns what the love of a real family means when the influence of money falls away and he is able to see the true worth of people.
A lovely story, especially for animal lovers, and what genuine love can mean in a person’s live. It’s funny, heartwarming and a wonderful way to pass some hours reading about these people.
Highly recommended <3
January 8, 2024
Even though this book is the second one on The Scarsdale Foster series, it can be read as a standalone. This book tells the story of Emerson, the foster child from book 1. He learns that he is actually the grandson of a very rich lady who has no heirs to her fortune after her son dies, Emerson finds himself in the situation of having the opportunity to inherit millions of dollars if he submits of the whims and desires of his newfound grandmother to dictate his life.
Thru some funny situations and others no so much he finds the love of his life, but is she one his grandmother will approve of?
I like how the story from Book 1 continues on Book 2, a decade later, and how the story continues to grab my attention. The characters and the situations are relatable and make the book much more enjoyable to read.
I can't wait to continue the journey with the following books on the series.
Thru some funny situations and others no so much he finds the love of his life, but is she one his grandmother will approve of?
I like how the story from Book 1 continues on Book 2, a decade later, and how the story continues to grab my attention. The characters and the situations are relatable and make the book much more enjoyable to read.
I can't wait to continue the journey with the following books on the series.
November 23, 2023
Book two in this series and we say hi to some old friends and welcome to some new ones! The author does a fantastic job of drawing you in as we follow Emerson who has never had a lot in life and ended up in the foster system, discover that he does in fact he come from an incredibly wealthy family. To be part of the family though comes with strings attached as his grandmother set some rules. This made me laugh, it made me cry and there were many lessons to be learnt along the way. It’s a fantastic read that I thoroughly enjoyed even more than book one!
November 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this second book in the Scarsdale Fosters series about Emerson, Seren & Dave's first foster child from the first book, all grown up. He's likeable, realistic and has just found a bio-relative; he keeps his character in a rich world with many rules. Elizabeth is a wonderful, caring woman, running low on funds for her charity. And they are wonderful together. Highly recommend to all who like romances!
December 6, 2023
Emerson has grown up without a lot of stuff and in foster care. He ended up with great foster parents. He is having a very bad week he lost his job and his girlfriend. He needs a job so his sister calls in a favor and gets him a job as a caterer. He is catering a funeral and someone points out he looks like the guy in a picture. He then meets his biological grandmother. From there a lot happens in his life. He also meets Elizabeth who overhears a conversation she shouldn’t and she then develops a plan to help Emerson and to help her animal shelter. Nothing can go wrong when you’re fake dating right?
November 22, 2023
Family doesn't always mean blood. An interesting dynamic when Emerson meets his very wealthy biological grandmother, after barely squeaking by with a single mother and then being in foster care. Lessons all around about what really makes someone family. I loved the strong and realistic relationships.
February 27, 2024
Great story and characters
I don’t usually read the genre Billionaire Romance because it is difficult for me to relate. But this story is both engaging and interesting. The characters are real and relatable. I love the humor as well as the loyalty to family that permeates the story. If you are familiar with B.E. Baker’s work I’m sure you’ll love this book.
I don’t usually read the genre Billionaire Romance because it is difficult for me to relate. But this story is both engaging and interesting. The characters are real and relatable. I love the humor as well as the loyalty to family that permeates the story. If you are familiar with B.E. Baker’s work I’m sure you’ll love this book.
November 17, 2025
NOTE: The books in this series have been retitled. While listed here as Nouveau Riche, the new title is Simple Twist of Fate. There is also a new cover.
We meet Emerson as a child in book 1 of this series. Time has passed and he is now a young adult. Emerson's comes out of a difficult past.. in the foster care system for years. He has worked hard to earn his degree and is now working to move up in an accounting firm. But then life happens and he is laid off which means he has no money to pay his rent. He takes on temp jobs and at one runs into, literally, a pampered socialite whom he dislikes form the start. At the same job, Emerson comes face to face with a part of his past that has been hidden from him.
This is the tale of coming to terms with who you are and being comfortable in that. It is also a tale of not judging a book by its cover and making assumptions about someone without taking the time to actually get to know them.
As always, B E Baker does a great job. Also.. I listened to the audiobook and I love the narrators!
We meet Emerson as a child in book 1 of this series. Time has passed and he is now a young adult. Emerson's comes out of a difficult past.. in the foster care system for years. He has worked hard to earn his degree and is now working to move up in an accounting firm. But then life happens and he is laid off which means he has no money to pay his rent. He takes on temp jobs and at one runs into, literally, a pampered socialite whom he dislikes form the start. At the same job, Emerson comes face to face with a part of his past that has been hidden from him.
This is the tale of coming to terms with who you are and being comfortable in that. It is also a tale of not judging a book by its cover and making assumptions about someone without taking the time to actually get to know them.
As always, B E Baker does a great job. Also.. I listened to the audiobook and I love the narrators!
November 22, 2023
This second book of the series is one that I love. It follows along with Emerson as he has grown and flown. It brings back characters we loved in Seed Money and adds new ones we want to know more about! The story of Emerson as an adult is one that kept me interested and wanting more
November 22, 2023
This book is kind of like Princess Diaries, a Hallmark movie, and something way less cheesy than both of those got blended together. It’s a fast paced read, lovely character development, great humor, and was a delight to read.
November 29, 2023
A Scary Grandmother Learns about Family
Emerson learns about his grandmother at the funeral where he first sees Elizabeth. Both women will effect great changes in his life, as he will on theirs. As with all of Baker's books, love and family conquer all.
Emerson learns about his grandmother at the funeral where he first sees Elizabeth. Both women will effect great changes in his life, as he will on theirs. As with all of Baker's books, love and family conquer all.
December 4, 2023
strong
This is a great book about people dealing with each other. I love how each of the characters in this book grow & become stronger as the story progresses, and how they find their happy ever after. The title is the perfect touch!
This is a great book about people dealing with each other. I love how each of the characters in this book grow & become stronger as the story progresses, and how they find their happy ever after. The title is the perfect touch!
December 31, 2023
A great read
I loved this book. The characters are well written in this sweet clean romance, the plot holds your attention, keeps you laughing and squeezes your heart, too. I hope you enjoy it as much.
I loved this book. The characters are well written in this sweet clean romance, the plot holds your attention, keeps you laughing and squeezes your heart, too. I hope you enjoy it as much.
April 23, 2024
I didn't think it was possible that this could be better than the first in the series, but it was. Includes dogs, cats, horses, and the best possible scene with mom putting grandma in her place. Priceless!
November 23, 2023
B.E. Baker. I love seeing Emerson grown. I enjoyed connecting with characters from the first book. Kept my attention and i didn't want it to end.
November 28, 2023
Both of these characters are so lovable! I enjoyed reading their story so much.
February 4, 2024
Enjoyable book. Fun follow up to the first book in the series, and I will want to read them all.
June 22, 2024
Awesome read
July 13, 2024
Love this author. I started and stopped this book because I didn’t enjoy it as much as her others. But I became invested after the fact and really liked it after all.
September 23, 2024
Sweet concusion!
This. Story really takes you to places you only dreamed of about rich people and foster parents. Good cor the heart.
This. Story really takes you to places you only dreamed of about rich people and foster parents. Good cor the heart.
October 3, 2024
Likeable characters and a good story. Nice addition to the series.
October 3, 2024
A story with a difference, I really enjoyed this one.
October 6, 2024
Well written, unusual and believable - a rare combination.
February 11, 2025
Nouveau Riche
This second book in the Scarsdale Fosters series is just as wonderful as the first book. I loved the story of Emerson and Elizabeth!
This second book in the Scarsdale Fosters series is just as wonderful as the first book. I loved the story of Emerson and Elizabeth!
April 15, 2024
This book, Nouveau Riche, will have you laughing and crying. Emerson has never had much, but he did have foster parents that loved him. He is having a real bad day, when his girlfriend dumps him and he gets fired from his job. How much worse can it get. He takes a temporary job as a waiter to pay his rent, crashes into a girl, Elizabeth and finds out that he has a real grandmother. A real family, he can have, but it comes with strings attached. When Elizabeth overhears a conversation, between Emerson and his new grandmother, she makes an offer to Emerson. She needs help to with her animal shelter and Emerson could be the answer. This non stop story, will have you wondering what comes next, but I know you will enjoy reading it.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews