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In Gilded Age New York City, the bachelors of the Knickerbocker Club spend their days rubbing elbows with Manhattan's most elite citizens—and their nights with its most intoxicating women...
Sometimes the journey is more pleasurable than the destination...
Standing on the platform at Grand Central Station, Ted Harper is surprised by a fiery kiss from an undeniably gorgeous damsel in distress. He's certain she's a swindler who's only after his money, but he's never met a woman so passionate and sure of herself. Disarmed, he invites her to spend the journey to St. Louis in his private car—perhaps against his better judgment.
Clara Dawson has long known how to take care of herself, but the savvy shop girl is at a loss when she witnesses—and becomes entangled in—a terrible crime. Desperation propels her into a stranger's arms at the train station, but she hadn't expected Ted to offer her the protection she so badly needs—nor did she expect their chemistry to develop more steam than the engine of the train. He's everything she never thought she could have, and she's everything he didn't know he wanted. But as her secrets begin to unfurl, their fledgling romance could be in danger of derailing before they arrive at the next station.
Sometimes the journey is more pleasurable than the destination...
Standing on the platform at Grand Central Station, Ted Harper is surprised by a fiery kiss from an undeniably gorgeous damsel in distress. He's certain she's a swindler who's only after his money, but he's never met a woman so passionate and sure of herself. Disarmed, he invites her to spend the journey to St. Louis in his private car—perhaps against his better judgment.
Clara Dawson has long known how to take care of herself, but the savvy shop girl is at a loss when she witnesses—and becomes entangled in—a terrible crime. Desperation propels her into a stranger's arms at the train station, but she hadn't expected Ted to offer her the protection she so badly needs—nor did she expect their chemistry to develop more steam than the engine of the train. He's everything she never thought she could have, and she's everything he didn't know he wanted. But as her secrets begin to unfurl, their fledgling romance could be in danger of derailing before they arrive at the next station.
80 pages, ebook
First published February 23, 2016
178 people are currently reading
1000 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 324 reviews
March 12, 2017
2,5 Stars
Setting up the stage for the upcoming new series revolving around a group of rich and self-made men gathered in the exclusive Knickerbocker Club, Clara and Ted's love story briefly introduces us to 1887 Gilded Age New York, a nice and welcome change in the Historical Romance panorama these days.
At barely 80 pages, I was already expecting the love story to unbelievably proceed at breakneck speed and in fact it did, but the nice writing, lively dialogues and the likeable characters, especially the gentle hero, made for an enjoyable read nonetheless. While not necessary in order to better understand the following instalments, as the plot is conclusive and there appear to be no other links except a mention of Ted being friend with future heroes (and part of the Knickerbocker Club), it is anyway a promising start and a quick way to get a taste of the mood that will permeate the series.
December 27, 2024
This is an entertaining, well-written, steamy historical romance novella. It has a likable, enterprising, intelligent female protagonist, an engaging male protagonist, intrigue, sizzling chemistry, and a heartwarming romance. I listened to the audio book, and the narrators, Ms. Amy Melissa Bentley, Ms. Courtney Patterson, and Mr. Ryan Stone, who has a captivating voice, do an outstanding job voicing the characters.
May 24, 2016
3.5 Stars
Prequel Novella
Love the setting. I believe it's turn of the century, New York City. It's difficult to find American historicals that aren't cowboy romances.
The heroine in this book is a hoot. She talks a lot...and even acknowledges that she does so to try to confuse the people around her into agreeing with her. But it also seems like she's just adopted that tactic for everyday conversations. She's a little bit goofy. Innocent, but not naive. She's a somewhat poor perfume salesgirl, happy with life and content with herself. She's on the run when the book opens up.
The hero is an uber rich bank owner. He's accosted by the heroine in the opening scene, when she tries to use him as a cover to get away from the men chasing her. He's a good guy all around but not quite convinced that she's not trying to get to his money.
One smoking hot...bordering erotic...love scene. Me likey. The story was too short, as usual with novellas. The romance and the ending were both very rushed, but I very much enjoyed it anyways. Will for sure read the next book, the first full length in the series, Magnate
Prequel Novella
Love the setting. I believe it's turn of the century, New York City. It's difficult to find American historicals that aren't cowboy romances.
The heroine in this book is a hoot. She talks a lot...and even acknowledges that she does so to try to confuse the people around her into agreeing with her. But it also seems like she's just adopted that tactic for everyday conversations. She's a little bit goofy. Innocent, but not naive. She's a somewhat poor perfume salesgirl, happy with life and content with herself. She's on the run when the book opens up.
The hero is an uber rich bank owner. He's accosted by the heroine in the opening scene, when she tries to use him as a cover to get away from the men chasing her. He's a good guy all around but not quite convinced that she's not trying to get to his money.
One smoking hot...bordering erotic...love scene. Me likey. The story was too short, as usual with novellas. The romance and the ending were both very rushed, but I very much enjoyed it anyways. Will for sure read the next book, the first full length in the series, Magnate
February 26, 2016
Closer to 2.5 stars
I rarely read novellas as their “real estate” don’t allow for adequate character development. But this book is a precursor to a promising series about a group of business tycoons, the Knickerbocker Club, plus I like the time period, the Gilded Age, and, what can I say...I love the cover.
The novella is 80 pages long. Despite the length, the author was able to create a believable historical setting and intriguing characters with glimpse of potential.
The story had enough material for a full-length novel. But packaged as is, I felt I was reading CliffsNotes of some very good novel. Intrigue, mystery, corruption, chase, romance, and more -all of it was crammed into 80 pages and therefore, nothing was fully developed.
I’m looking forward to future series installments which appear to be full-length novels.
I rarely read novellas as their “real estate” don’t allow for adequate character development. But this book is a precursor to a promising series about a group of business tycoons, the Knickerbocker Club, plus I like the time period, the Gilded Age, and, what can I say...I love the cover.
The novella is 80 pages long. Despite the length, the author was able to create a believable historical setting and intriguing characters with glimpse of potential.
The story had enough material for a full-length novel. But packaged as is, I felt I was reading CliffsNotes of some very good novel. Intrigue, mystery, corruption, chase, romance, and more -all of it was crammed into 80 pages and therefore, nothing was fully developed.
I’m looking forward to future series installments which appear to be full-length novels.
March 9, 2016
Tycoon is the prequel novella to Joanna Shupe new series about a group of business tycoons, the Knickerbocker Club. It takes place in 1887, during the Gilded Age, a period that fascinates me. This was my first book by this author and I love how she gives life to her characters, despite the short format of this story.
Clara Dobson, a perfume shop girl, is on the run after witnessing a possible murder, involving a well-known politician and a corrupt police officer. Desperate for help and a place to hide, the lively and talkative Clara accosts Ted Harper on Grand Central platform. Unbeknown to her, Ted is not a simple businessman travelling for his employer, but the wealthy and powerful president of one of America's largest banks.
Against his better judgment, Ted accepts to let Clara accompany him to St. Louis, where her family lives, in his private car.
Clara is a very endearing character, funny, vivacious and full of positive energy. She totally takes Ted by surprise. Usually, he is a man dealing in cold numbers and facts, but with her, it's all about feelings and emotions he can't control. What follows is the delightful beginning of a romance between two people who just seem perfect for each other.
Clara and Ted's story takes place over a period of a few days. Everything happened too quickly, due to this book short format. I wanted to know more about them ! I'm definitely looking forward to reading more in future books in this series.
I received an ARC, courtesy of publisher Kensington Books, in exchange for my honest review.
Clara Dobson, a perfume shop girl, is on the run after witnessing a possible murder, involving a well-known politician and a corrupt police officer. Desperate for help and a place to hide, the lively and talkative Clara accosts Ted Harper on Grand Central platform. Unbeknown to her, Ted is not a simple businessman travelling for his employer, but the wealthy and powerful president of one of America's largest banks.
Against his better judgment, Ted accepts to let Clara accompany him to St. Louis, where her family lives, in his private car.
Clara is a very endearing character, funny, vivacious and full of positive energy. She totally takes Ted by surprise. Usually, he is a man dealing in cold numbers and facts, but with her, it's all about feelings and emotions he can't control. What follows is the delightful beginning of a romance between two people who just seem perfect for each other.
Clara and Ted's story takes place over a period of a few days. Everything happened too quickly, due to this book short format. I wanted to know more about them ! I'm definitely looking forward to reading more in future books in this series.
I received an ARC, courtesy of publisher Kensington Books, in exchange for my honest review.
July 25, 2016
I read this because I, personally, find the time period chosen by Ms. Shupe very interesting, using the almost mythic lives of the Captains of Industry as a set up for her heroes in her new series The Knickerbocker Club. I think the moment I enjoyed the story the most was when the hero, Ted Harper, let's us know that his wealth and success was built on his ruthlessness, the methods used anything else but legal.
So, what does this say about the romance? Not much, to be honest. This is a novella. How much emotional growth between the MCs can be conveyed in a novella? Especially when a subplot takes quite a bit of page time towards the end. It's only 80 pages. Nonetheless, Clara Dawson and Theodore Harper were well portrayed characters. It's a nice and cute story. That being said, 80 pages necessitated an extremely speedy relationship development which I didn't buy, but it was neither that important nor annoying. Having read her debut novel The Courtesan Duchess, I was quite relieved to see that Ted Harper didn't show any signs of man-child behaviour like the hero in TCD. Clara had me twitch nervously a few times. I think I can see where Ms. Shupe is going with her heroines and I really, really, really hope that they don't turn out to be annoyingly super-feisty.
Anyway, it's a nice change to the endless Regencies out there and I'm looking forward to Magnate.
So, what does this say about the romance? Not much, to be honest. This is a novella. How much emotional growth between the MCs can be conveyed in a novella? Especially when a subplot takes quite a bit of page time towards the end. It's only 80 pages. Nonetheless, Clara Dawson and Theodore Harper were well portrayed characters. It's a nice and cute story. That being said, 80 pages necessitated an extremely speedy relationship development which I didn't buy, but it was neither that important nor annoying. Having read her debut novel The Courtesan Duchess, I was quite relieved to see that Ted Harper didn't show any signs of man-child behaviour like the hero in TCD. Clara had me twitch nervously a few times. I think I can see where Ms. Shupe is going with her heroines and I really, really, really hope that they don't turn out to be annoyingly super-feisty.
Anyway, it's a nice change to the endless Regencies out there and I'm looking forward to Magnate.
April 7, 2020
It’s a novella. I enjoyed the glimpse, but love? Meh. Good sexual tension and quick plot.
October 20, 2018
con más páginas, seguramente se hubiera llevado las 4
Me ha gustado, sobre todo para ser una novela, de las cortitas (apenas 100 hojas)
Tiene puntos originales, ambientación en un tres, él magnate de la banca, serio y frío como a mí me gustan y ella, una mujer que huye y le echa un morro que me ha encantado!! Y me ha arrancado más de una sonrisa. Pequeño misterio, pequeño malentendido.
No se puede pedir más con tan poco espacio. Creo que me animaré con la serie.
La verdad es que promete!!!
Me ha gustado, sobre todo para ser una novela, de las cortitas (apenas 100 hojas)
Tiene puntos originales, ambientación en un tres, él magnate de la banca, serio y frío como a mí me gustan y ella, una mujer que huye y le echa un morro que me ha encantado!! Y me ha arrancado más de una sonrisa. Pequeño misterio, pequeño malentendido.
No se puede pedir más con tan poco espacio. Creo que me animaré con la serie.
La verdad es que promete!!!
February 24, 2016
3.25 Stars! This is a new series kick off by JS. Since it is a short and a kick off book she has to pack a lot of information and world building and a romance in a very short word count format. Of course the ILYs came pretty fast and furious, but I am willing to give a lot of leeway considering what the author needed to accomplish. I like the fresh time frame, as the golden age isn't usually found in romances. I liked Ted, but he and his friends make no bones about being corrupt in their business dealings and knowing that it took bold men to become a part of history I am ok with that. Maybe the right lady will be able to smooth out those rough edges. I am eager to see how Ms. Shupe does with the longer format and I am already intrigued by Magnate's story line.
September 5, 2022
I'm a big Joanna Shupe fan and this short story did not disappoint! I loved the train setting and how much she was able to accomplish in so few pages—two great characters, a steamy romance, mystery and intrigue. Makes me excited to read the rest of the series!
June 28, 2016
I gave this a B- at AAR, so that's 3.5 stars.
Having read and enjoyed Magnate, which is the first full-length novel in Ms Shupe’s new Knickerbocker Club series, I decided to backtrack and pick up this prequel novella. In Magnate, we met banking Tycoon Ted Harper and his vibrant, voluble wife, Clara, a former New York shopgirl; at first glance, perhaps a rather mismatched couple. In Tycoon, we discover how they met and fell in love when Clara, on the run after witnessing a murder, accosts Ted at Grand Central station and insists on boarding the train with him in order to evade her pursuers. This makes for a nicely dramatic opening, and Ms Shupe keeps the thriller element bubbling along nicely while also allowing Ted and Clara to spend time getting to know each other.
At just thirty-two, Ted is a multi-millionaire, so is rather used to young women throwing themselves at him. He is initially suspicious of Clara, and especially so when she insists she has no idea who he is, but he eventually accepts her explanation and comes to appreciate the breath of fresh air she brings to his busy life. The story is well-put together and Ted and Clara are engaging characters, but I didn’t like the way that Clara insisted on concealing the truth and evading Ted’s direct questions about the reasons for her running from New York. It’s true that Ted doesn’t tell her his true identity either, and that perhaps, had he done so, Clara would have realised that he really would have been able to protect her from the bad guys. And even after the truth is out between them, yet another misunderstanding is thrown in to create a bit more tension between them before the HEA. Even with those reservations though, Tycoon is one of the better novellas I’ve read recently and while the page count doesn’t allow for the same sort of scene-setting that is so impressive in Magnate, it’s a good introduction to the series and is definitely worth a look when you’re in the mood for a quick but satisfying read.
Having read and enjoyed Magnate, which is the first full-length novel in Ms Shupe’s new Knickerbocker Club series, I decided to backtrack and pick up this prequel novella. In Magnate, we met banking Tycoon Ted Harper and his vibrant, voluble wife, Clara, a former New York shopgirl; at first glance, perhaps a rather mismatched couple. In Tycoon, we discover how they met and fell in love when Clara, on the run after witnessing a murder, accosts Ted at Grand Central station and insists on boarding the train with him in order to evade her pursuers. This makes for a nicely dramatic opening, and Ms Shupe keeps the thriller element bubbling along nicely while also allowing Ted and Clara to spend time getting to know each other.
At just thirty-two, Ted is a multi-millionaire, so is rather used to young women throwing themselves at him. He is initially suspicious of Clara, and especially so when she insists she has no idea who he is, but he eventually accepts her explanation and comes to appreciate the breath of fresh air she brings to his busy life. The story is well-put together and Ted and Clara are engaging characters, but I didn’t like the way that Clara insisted on concealing the truth and evading Ted’s direct questions about the reasons for her running from New York. It’s true that Ted doesn’t tell her his true identity either, and that perhaps, had he done so, Clara would have realised that he really would have been able to protect her from the bad guys. And even after the truth is out between them, yet another misunderstanding is thrown in to create a bit more tension between them before the HEA. Even with those reservations though, Tycoon is one of the better novellas I’ve read recently and while the page count doesn’t allow for the same sort of scene-setting that is so impressive in Magnate, it’s a good introduction to the series and is definitely worth a look when you’re in the mood for a quick but satisfying read.
May 23, 2016
***4 1/2 stars!***
From page 1, the story and the delightful heroine's antics had me enthralled. I love it when I read a book and am immediately thrust right into the action, when the H/h meet at the very beginning. There's no better way to hold my attention.
The ending was a bit rushed and there were some misunderstandings I felt could have been handled better, but I can only take 1/2 of a star off for that. The story was engaging and the characters were really well fleshed out for such a short book, and the time period felt authentic. Given the limited number of pages, Tycoon was extremely well done.
From page 1, the story and the delightful heroine's antics had me enthralled. I love it when I read a book and am immediately thrust right into the action, when the H/h meet at the very beginning. There's no better way to hold my attention.
The ending was a bit rushed and there were some misunderstandings I felt could have been handled better, but I can only take 1/2 of a star off for that. The story was engaging and the characters were really well fleshed out for such a short book, and the time period felt authentic. Given the limited number of pages, Tycoon was extremely well done.
April 23, 2016
This novella got off to an excellent beginning.
I thought this book was going to be a solid 4.5-star read. then the heroine started to get ridiculous and the book ended with a bang of absurdity.
I thought this book was going to be a solid 4.5-star read. then the heroine started to get ridiculous and the book ended with a bang of absurdity.
January 8, 2019
Wildly entertaining!
November 21, 2025
Clara is on the run from some Bad Men she accidentally witnessed doing crimes, and does the classic "pretend to know a stranger" move at the train station, greets Ted as his wife, and gets on a train with him. Little does she know, he's actually Theodore Harper, Super Rich Finance Guy. So he lets her in his train car with him, and they have both forced proximity of the train and a ticking clock of the two day journey to Missouri.
Ted has zero idea what to make of Clara, he assumes she's running some sort of con on him, but he definitely has a little zing when they touch. He knows she's lying to him about a lot though. She thinks he's Ted The Mid-level Banker, and doesn't want to involve him in her mess so he doesn't get hurt. She saves a deal for him by being insightful on dynamics during a client dinner (his quid pro quo for the train ride), he's impressed with her smarts, strength, beauty, etc etc.
Anyhoo, she tells him her deal, but he doesn't tell her his real deal. They go from her first kiss with tongue to carpe diem, I'm being chased by baddies pretty quick. Ted didn't stand a chance against that logic, and the "under no circumstances would he take her innocence" to "at least then he'd have a fighting chance of not taking her innocence" pipeline was short (reader, he did not have a fighting chance).
Then we are moving at spit spot novella speed. It's been not even two days, plenty of time for the jaded guy who has never had a relationship to fall in love, as does she. Also plenty of time for things to go fubar and to immediately jump to the conclusion that it all was, in fact, a con of some sort. And then to grovel.
This was an early work by Shupe, but her hallmarks are all there. She's a funny writer, and his POV in particular had me smiling "'Are you always so talkative?' He cocked his head at her. Please let her say no, he thought." She also shows her trademark FMC agency, It's Clara's insight into gender dynamics that saves the business deal, and when she doesn't trust that Ted will trust her, given that he believed the worst so quickly (although to be fair, she had been lying to him a lot), she initially refuses the excellent grovel and HEA he offers. The eventual HEA works because novella speed, but maybe also take the L Ted, and back off when a girl says no? Also it feels very ten years ago (when this was written) to have a billionaire (present day money) wife you up and want to keep your service job. Just take the money and use it to do good babes. We believe you are your own person without you working as a shop clerk.
Ted has zero idea what to make of Clara, he assumes she's running some sort of con on him, but he definitely has a little zing when they touch. He knows she's lying to him about a lot though. She thinks he's Ted The Mid-level Banker, and doesn't want to involve him in her mess so he doesn't get hurt. She saves a deal for him by being insightful on dynamics during a client dinner (his quid pro quo for the train ride), he's impressed with her smarts, strength, beauty, etc etc.
Anyhoo, she tells him her deal, but he doesn't tell her his real deal. They go from her first kiss with tongue to carpe diem, I'm being chased by baddies pretty quick. Ted didn't stand a chance against that logic, and the "under no circumstances would he take her innocence" to "at least then he'd have a fighting chance of not taking her innocence" pipeline was short (reader, he did not have a fighting chance).
Then we are moving at spit spot novella speed. It's been not even two days, plenty of time for the jaded guy who has never had a relationship to fall in love, as does she. Also plenty of time for things to go fubar and to immediately jump to the conclusion that it all was, in fact, a con of some sort. And then to grovel.
This was an early work by Shupe, but her hallmarks are all there. She's a funny writer, and his POV in particular had me smiling "'Are you always so talkative?' He cocked his head at her. Please let her say no, he thought." She also shows her trademark FMC agency, It's Clara's insight into gender dynamics that saves the business deal, and when she doesn't trust that Ted will trust her, given that he believed the worst so quickly (although to be fair, she had been lying to him a lot), she initially refuses the excellent grovel and HEA he offers. The eventual HEA works because novella speed, but maybe also take the L Ted, and back off when a girl says no? Also it feels very ten years ago (when this was written) to have a billionaire (present day money) wife you up and want to keep your service job. Just take the money and use it to do good babes. We believe you are your own person without you working as a shop clerk.
May 18, 2020
Review posted on Got Fiction? book blog
4.5
I wanted more of a grovel. Other than that, I loved this. It's fast-paced and enjoyable. I don't typically love Romances set during the Gilded Age, but I really liked this! I've bought the next in the series already.
I read this based on Sarah MacLean’s recommendation. I really liked it!
Ted is standing on the platform waiting for his train to arrive when a delicious bundle of warm and vibrant woman latches on to his side and mentions how she hopes she packed well enough to see his mother. He’s shocked into silence and while she chatters away, he is just floored. When this random woman kisses him, he notices her eyes darting around and realizes she’s afraid and his protective instincts rear their head.
Clara is in trouble. She has just witnessed something that put her life in danger and she can’t escape. Seeing a man standing near the trains, she knows she needs to escape and getting on that train might help. Pretending to be his wife, Clara figures she can charm her way on the train and she’ll disembark, no harm no foul. She doesn’t count on Ted wanted to help her beyond the train ride.
For a novella, I felt this story really packed a lot in. The train ride is only a couple of days, and her plan is to stop in St. Louis and meet up with her family while she hopes no one followed her from New York. However, she’s not only been followed, but she’s been made. The guy following her sees her and despite the outfit change and fiance, he recognizes her.
The problem is that Ted doesn’t believe her, not completely. He thinks she’s either scamming him or crazy. Ted is one of the richest men in New York and everyone knows his name. But Clara only knows him as Ted. Is she scamming him? She wouldn’t be the first. When he finally starts to believe her and even fall for her, he ruins it. I love how Clara handled that, and the way he tried to fix it. I also like that she made him work for it a bit.
I do wish the ending had been a teensy bit longer. It felt quick, but maybe it’s because I just wanted more. 😉
***I bought this book
4.5
I wanted more of a grovel. Other than that, I loved this. It's fast-paced and enjoyable. I don't typically love Romances set during the Gilded Age, but I really liked this! I've bought the next in the series already.
I read this based on Sarah MacLean’s recommendation. I really liked it!
Ted is standing on the platform waiting for his train to arrive when a delicious bundle of warm and vibrant woman latches on to his side and mentions how she hopes she packed well enough to see his mother. He’s shocked into silence and while she chatters away, he is just floored. When this random woman kisses him, he notices her eyes darting around and realizes she’s afraid and his protective instincts rear their head.
Clara is in trouble. She has just witnessed something that put her life in danger and she can’t escape. Seeing a man standing near the trains, she knows she needs to escape and getting on that train might help. Pretending to be his wife, Clara figures she can charm her way on the train and she’ll disembark, no harm no foul. She doesn’t count on Ted wanted to help her beyond the train ride.
For a novella, I felt this story really packed a lot in. The train ride is only a couple of days, and her plan is to stop in St. Louis and meet up with her family while she hopes no one followed her from New York. However, she’s not only been followed, but she’s been made. The guy following her sees her and despite the outfit change and fiance, he recognizes her.
The problem is that Ted doesn’t believe her, not completely. He thinks she’s either scamming him or crazy. Ted is one of the richest men in New York and everyone knows his name. But Clara only knows him as Ted. Is she scamming him? She wouldn’t be the first. When he finally starts to believe her and even fall for her, he ruins it. I love how Clara handled that, and the way he tried to fix it. I also like that she made him work for it a bit.
I do wish the ending had been a teensy bit longer. It felt quick, but maybe it’s because I just wanted more. 😉
***I bought this book
October 10, 2025
Ted Harper is about to get on a train when Clara Dobson kisses his face off and claims him as her husband. Once they're all aboard, the assumptions start coming and they don't stop coming until Clara is coming and then more assumptions start coming?? And then Ted kidnaps an entire family in order to get the happy ever after he's always wanted, or something.
1. This is SHRT (so short we don't have time for VOWELS), and also just A Lot? Between the meet cute, attraction, business deals, pursuit by corrupt cop, misunderstandings, sex and proposals: it's a lot for a novella that is this brief. And most of it just doesn't fit together in a satisfactorily way.
2. Ted doesn't talk much which is meant to be a character trait but just makes him appear to be a dick; Clara talks a lot which is also meant to be a character trait. There just isn't enough there to make their relationship feel natural or organic or grass-fed or what-have-you.
3. The whole New York crime thing was. Anyways.
4. It also needed a little more editing polish, I think?
5. I don't know: I just didn't like it that much, and I don't think I have that much interest in the rest of the Knickerbocker Club series! I'm the worst!
1. This is SHRT (so short we don't have time for VOWELS), and also just A Lot? Between the meet cute, attraction, business deals, pursuit by corrupt cop, misunderstandings, sex and proposals: it's a lot for a novella that is this brief. And most of it just doesn't fit together in a satisfactorily way.
2. Ted doesn't talk much which is meant to be a character trait but just makes him appear to be a dick; Clara talks a lot which is also meant to be a character trait. There just isn't enough there to make their relationship feel natural or organic or grass-fed or what-have-you.
3. The whole New York crime thing was. Anyways.
4. It also needed a little more editing polish, I think?
5. I don't know: I just didn't like it that much, and I don't think I have that much interest in the rest of the Knickerbocker Club series! I'm the worst!
June 29, 2019
Nice short read!
Definitely intrigued and ready to dive into book one! I like the writing style of this author. Wanted more, but definitely a nice 100 page introduction to the Knickerbockers Series!
Definitely intrigued and ready to dive into book one! I like the writing style of this author. Wanted more, but definitely a nice 100 page introduction to the Knickerbockers Series!
February 16, 2016
When I first started hearing buzz about Joanna Shupe's upcoming THE KNICKERBOCKER CLUB series, I have to say that I was intrigued and a tad skeptical about the Gilded Age being used as the setting. The United States in the late 19th Century was a tumultuous time with very rapid economic growth for some, but also a time with questionable business practices like child labor. I have never read a romance story set in this time, but because I am a very enthusiastic fan of author Joanna Shupe, I decided to trust my instincts and grab the prequel novella TYCOON and see if I could possibly go on from there, as I am very persnickety when it comes to my historical romance. Well guess what? I love this story.
Retail-store sales clerk in New York City, Clara Dawson has just witnessed a crime and before she becomes another victim. she goes on the run, hoping to head back to her family across the country. When she involves a handsome gentleman on the train platform, she has no idea what she is in for.
Distinguished man of business, Ted Harper is thrown for a loop when the clearly in trouble, red-headed beauty worms her way into his life. Ted is all about work, he hasn't gotten to where he is now by lazing about. When Miss Dawson needs protection, Ted offers her help, but he can't decide if the secretive young lady is being honest or up to no good. Being thrown together in a luxurious private train car, Ted and Clara can't ignore the desire that begins to sizzle between them which leads to the bachelor businessman to rethink his solitary status, but first the mystery of Clara's escape from New York needs to be solved.
TYCOON by Joanna Shupe is a novella that has everything I can possibly want, mystery and romance set against a vivid background. Ms. Shupe's writing is spot-on and powerful, her story compelling.Joanna Shupe has opened my mind to another era in history I thought I would never read. TYCOON makes me crave the first full-length novel in THE KNICKERBOCKER CLUB series, MAGNATE.
May 10, 2017
Man I LIKE how Joanna Shupe tells a story.
And that's a shame.
Because as much as I like her style and her way of building a scene, her stories are always so thin in content for me. Tycoon is a novella, so I already knew that it was going to be a quick read going in. I was not disappointed at the book. There are much worse novellas which just didn't prepare me for anything between the leads at all. It is a readable book. I liked Ted and Clara. Clara talked too much but she came across as more dear than annoying. But the relationship development is just not there. This is Joanna Shupe's biggest weakness. Her stories often lack the complexity and insight into humanity and love which are both essential to great romances.
Suffice it to say that I thought Ted and Clara's relationship a bit too shallow for me to take it seriously. Please please please let someone advise the writer on story and relationship development. I so like her voice.
And that's a shame.
Because as much as I like her style and her way of building a scene, her stories are always so thin in content for me. Tycoon is a novella, so I already knew that it was going to be a quick read going in. I was not disappointed at the book. There are much worse novellas which just didn't prepare me for anything between the leads at all. It is a readable book. I liked Ted and Clara. Clara talked too much but she came across as more dear than annoying. But the relationship development is just not there. This is Joanna Shupe's biggest weakness. Her stories often lack the complexity and insight into humanity and love which are both essential to great romances.
Suffice it to say that I thought Ted and Clara's relationship a bit too shallow for me to take it seriously. Please please please let someone advise the writer on story and relationship development. I so like her voice.
February 23, 2016
Tepid
This is a fairly short novella, so it was unfortunate the last 15% of the purchase is a preview of the next book in the series and more of the author's works. As a novella, my expectations are lower for character and plot development, but this offering just felt tepid. There isn't instant attraction, which was a pleasant diversion, and the hero isn't a bodybuilding god. The snobbery between classes was also wonderfully absent, which made this period story seem quintessentially American. Despite the interesting time setting, this book only gets three stars for romantic cliches and lack of communication being the lynchpin for all the drama.
This is a fairly short novella, so it was unfortunate the last 15% of the purchase is a preview of the next book in the series and more of the author's works. As a novella, my expectations are lower for character and plot development, but this offering just felt tepid. There isn't instant attraction, which was a pleasant diversion, and the hero isn't a bodybuilding god. The snobbery between classes was also wonderfully absent, which made this period story seem quintessentially American. Despite the interesting time setting, this book only gets three stars for romantic cliches and lack of communication being the lynchpin for all the drama.
March 17, 2022
It was almost like reading a parody of a romance novel. Unbelievable InstaLove with a female main character who is not like other girls (so brave!). Add a class mismatch and an age gap. Oh yeah, there’s only one bed and the dangerous man stalking the woman means they have to stay in one train car. Alllll the tropes.
January 3, 2023
Me habría encantado que fuese una novela completa y no un historia corta. Ambos protagonistas me han encantado y toda la ambientación ha sido muy original y refrescante.
January 1, 2025
Starting this year as I mean to go on: with a Joanna Shupe novella. Long live Historical Romance!
July 19, 2023
I haven't read any books in this time period yet, and it was really good!
The angst of trust between the characters was almost a bit too much but it all worked out. This was a fun start to the series.
The angst of trust between the characters was almost a bit too much but it all worked out. This was a fun start to the series.
September 23, 2023
Loved it, 5 stars of adorable forced proximity on a train. A little bit of angst quickly resolved. This author is great at weaving historical elements in a way that brings characters to life with spirit of the times
February 2, 2016
This was such a cute story about those men who lived in the Gilded Age belonging to the Knickerbocker Club. They were powerful, wealthy and so hot. Each of them had business sense to achieve anything they wanted.
When Ted Harper is accosted by a unknown woman at a train station saying "husband" to him, well he thinks she's crazy. But the oh so lovely lady grabs him and kisses him! Oh, my what a way to be introduced. Ted goes along with Clara Dawson believing her running from someone. She tells her tale to Ted saying that she needs to be in St Louis, immediately. Ted thinks women only what him for his money, is taken aback by the self reliant Clara.
What starts as a well meaning Ted helping Clara, blossoms into a fiery passion between the two. Being a shop girl living on her own, she begins to fall in love with the man. She can't believe that this man would want her, but there it is. Ted and Clara romance is a bit rushed I guess because the story is only 100 pages. But I still loved the author's literary genius that makes me want more.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.
When Ted Harper is accosted by a unknown woman at a train station saying "husband" to him, well he thinks she's crazy. But the oh so lovely lady grabs him and kisses him! Oh, my what a way to be introduced. Ted goes along with Clara Dawson believing her running from someone. She tells her tale to Ted saying that she needs to be in St Louis, immediately. Ted thinks women only what him for his money, is taken aback by the self reliant Clara.
What starts as a well meaning Ted helping Clara, blossoms into a fiery passion between the two. Being a shop girl living on her own, she begins to fall in love with the man. She can't believe that this man would want her, but there it is. Ted and Clara romance is a bit rushed I guess because the story is only 100 pages. But I still loved the author's literary genius that makes me want more.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.
March 28, 2019
This definitely worked better for me than the first book in this series! I'm not totally drawn into Shupe's voice and this in particular told a kind of story I hate (three days to gaudy proposals, whyyyyyyyy), but I still liked it. I may try a full length book by her again yet.
September 29, 2020
Wow. This was my first Joanna Shupe and I'm amazed at how much she was ae to do in this short novella. I was completely invested in these characters in the 1.5 hours it took to read!
June 18, 2017
Diese Novelle ist die Vorgeschichte zu der Trilogie „Gentlemen of New York“ der Autorin, die auch im Laufe der kommenden Monate in Deutsch erscheinen wird. Wie der Name schon sagt, spielen die Geschichte in New York und zwar im 19. Jahrhundert. Diese Geschichte spielt allerdings auf einer Zugfahrt. Durch einen recht unterhaltsamen Zufall treffen Ted und Clara aufeinander. Clara will nämlich aus New York flüchten und versteckt sich bei Ted…
Mir hat die Geschichte über Ted und Clara sehr gut gefallen. Die Autorin wirft uns gleich mitten ins Geschehen und erzählt nicht lang rum. Natürlich geht auch die Handlung recht rasch voran, aber bei einer Novelle ist es ja nicht anders möglich. Finde ich aber hier gut gelungen. Ich fand die Handlung aber generell sehr gut gelungen, denn ich habe mich wunderbar unterhalten gefühlt. Außerdem sind hier in der Kürze doch einige Aspekte recht gut verarbeitet.
Die Charaktere fand ich sehr sympathisch und wunderbar gezeichnet. Schade fand ich, dass die beiden etwas oberflächlich gehalten wurden. Ich könnte mir vorstellen, dass das aber bei der Trilogie nicht der Fall sein wird, deswegen bin ich darauf sehr gespannt.
Das Cover gefällt mit gut, obwohl der obere Teil mit den beiden Menschen etwas kitschig wirkt, passt es aber dann dennoch gut zur Geschichte.
Der Schreibstil gefällt mir gut. Dieser lässt sich sehr angenehm lesen. Außerdem hat mir die Beschreibung der Zugfahrt sehr gut gefallen.
Fazit:
5 von 5 Sterne. Definitiv eine Kauf – und Leseempfehlung.
Mir hat die Geschichte über Ted und Clara sehr gut gefallen. Die Autorin wirft uns gleich mitten ins Geschehen und erzählt nicht lang rum. Natürlich geht auch die Handlung recht rasch voran, aber bei einer Novelle ist es ja nicht anders möglich. Finde ich aber hier gut gelungen. Ich fand die Handlung aber generell sehr gut gelungen, denn ich habe mich wunderbar unterhalten gefühlt. Außerdem sind hier in der Kürze doch einige Aspekte recht gut verarbeitet.
Die Charaktere fand ich sehr sympathisch und wunderbar gezeichnet. Schade fand ich, dass die beiden etwas oberflächlich gehalten wurden. Ich könnte mir vorstellen, dass das aber bei der Trilogie nicht der Fall sein wird, deswegen bin ich darauf sehr gespannt.
Das Cover gefällt mit gut, obwohl der obere Teil mit den beiden Menschen etwas kitschig wirkt, passt es aber dann dennoch gut zur Geschichte.
Der Schreibstil gefällt mir gut. Dieser lässt sich sehr angenehm lesen. Außerdem hat mir die Beschreibung der Zugfahrt sehr gut gefallen.
Fazit:
5 von 5 Sterne. Definitiv eine Kauf – und Leseempfehlung.
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