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The Fifth Avenue Rebels #4
The Duke Gets Even
By beloved USA Today bestselling author Joanna Shupe, the fourth installment in the Fifth Avenue Rebels series about a secret affair between a free-spirited heiress and an uptight duke which turns more passionate than either could have imagined.
A rebellious heiress.
A duke in dire straits.
An anonymous midnight tryst.
To escape the shackles of marriage, Nellie Young purposely ruined her reputation a long time ago. Now she dedicates herself to hedonistic pleasures only, like kissing a handsome stranger in the ocean under the moonlight...
To save his estate, the proper Duke of Lockwood must marry the perfect bride--wealthy, with an unblemished reputation. While in New York he's the perfect gentleman, and no one knows he's suppressing his darkest desires. The last thing he needs is another scandal.
Except Nellie sees through Lockwood's charade, straight to the real man underneath. This uptight duke is far more than he lets on, and she can't resist him. Their secret affair turns scorching, far more than either expected. And when his beautiful rebel finds an unconventional cause, Lockwood has to decide if he's willing to sacrifice everything to keep her.
A rebellious heiress.
A duke in dire straits.
An anonymous midnight tryst.
To escape the shackles of marriage, Nellie Young purposely ruined her reputation a long time ago. Now she dedicates herself to hedonistic pleasures only, like kissing a handsome stranger in the ocean under the moonlight...
To save his estate, the proper Duke of Lockwood must marry the perfect bride--wealthy, with an unblemished reputation. While in New York he's the perfect gentleman, and no one knows he's suppressing his darkest desires. The last thing he needs is another scandal.
Except Nellie sees through Lockwood's charade, straight to the real man underneath. This uptight duke is far more than he lets on, and she can't resist him. Their secret affair turns scorching, far more than either expected. And when his beautiful rebel finds an unconventional cause, Lockwood has to decide if he's willing to sacrifice everything to keep her.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2023
200 people are currently reading
7135 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Shupe
34 books2,570 followersWant a free Gilded Age read? Sign up for Joanna's newsletter and receive a link for The Knickerbocker Bride. You'll also be the first to hear about new books and discounts!
http://www.joannashupe.com/newsletter/
USA Today bestselling author JOANNA SHUPE has always loved history, ever since she saw her first Schoolhouse Rock cartoon. Since 2015, her books have appeared on numerous yearly “best of” lists, including Publishers Weekly, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, Kobo, and BookPage.
She currently lives in New Jersey with her two spirited daughters and a dashing husband.
http://www.joannashupe.com/newsletter/
USA Today bestselling author JOANNA SHUPE has always loved history, ever since she saw her first Schoolhouse Rock cartoon. Since 2015, her books have appeared on numerous yearly “best of” lists, including Publishers Weekly, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, Kobo, and BookPage.
She currently lives in New Jersey with her two spirited daughters and a dashing husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 888 reviews
December 31, 2023
Reread for 2023 favorites
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.
.
I am DECEASED.
1ST 6 STAR OF 2023 GOES TO MS. SHUPE!
I devoured this book within 24-hours and I wanted more. I loved that Andrew Lockwood finally got the girl. The PERFECT girl for him. Nellie didn't swoon into his arms, though she did hug him in the dark, in a moonlit Ocean... but my lips are sealed.
These two had perfect banter, steaming chemistry, and heartwarming love and understanding for each other. These two were meant to be, even if Nellie doesn't want to believe it and Andrew needs a Duchess to save his ancestral home.
Lockwood is going right to the top of my book boyfriend list. He was dashing, intriguing, and he could hold his own in an Irish pub.
Nellie was fierce, provocative, and stuck to her guns, but knew when to give when it mattered most. I really loved her, even when i wanted to strangle her. I understood her and her layers and character made her endearing and fun.
The romance and steam were just perfection and this couple aligns perfectly in their... tastes, yeah, let's say taste to keep it PG. ;)
I highly recommend The Duke Gets Even. It is a new favorite and my FAVORITE Shupe to date.
P.S. We're gonna get more of the Irish cousins... right?
6 stars
3.5 on the spice scale
I received an ARC from Netgalley for review.
.
.
.
I am DECEASED.
1ST 6 STAR OF 2023 GOES TO MS. SHUPE!
I devoured this book within 24-hours and I wanted more. I loved that Andrew Lockwood finally got the girl. The PERFECT girl for him. Nellie didn't swoon into his arms, though she did hug him in the dark, in a moonlit Ocean... but my lips are sealed.
These two had perfect banter, steaming chemistry, and heartwarming love and understanding for each other. These two were meant to be, even if Nellie doesn't want to believe it and Andrew needs a Duchess to save his ancestral home.
Lockwood is going right to the top of my book boyfriend list. He was dashing, intriguing, and he could hold his own in an Irish pub.
Nellie was fierce, provocative, and stuck to her guns, but knew when to give when it mattered most. I really loved her, even when i wanted to strangle her. I understood her and her layers and character made her endearing and fun.
The romance and steam were just perfection and this couple aligns perfectly in their... tastes, yeah, let's say taste to keep it PG. ;)
I highly recommend The Duke Gets Even. It is a new favorite and my FAVORITE Shupe to date.
P.S. We're gonna get more of the Irish cousins... right?
6 stars
3.5 on the spice scale
I received an ARC from Netgalley for review.
January 9, 2023
The Duke of Lockwood FINALLY gets his HEA! And what a perfect heroine for him Nellie was.
I loved watching both of them completely fall for each other despite their determination to keep it strictly to bedroom activities.
A beautiful resolution to the final conflict as well.
Overall I simply adored it.
I received an ARC for review
I loved watching both of them completely fall for each other despite their determination to keep it strictly to bedroom activities.
A beautiful resolution to the final conflict as well.
Overall I simply adored it.
I received an ARC for review
January 24, 2023
4.25 stars
My first Joanna Shupe book and wow I enjoyed it so much! Eleanor was so scandalous, so wild, and considered to not be a proper bride for a duke. The duke is desperately looking for a rich wife to save his debt-ridden title. From the moment these two met there was instant undeniable chemistry between them.
They constantly get under each other’s skin. Can’t stay away from each other’s radar. There were a lot of sexual chemistry and fun banter between them. I loved the way the hero loved the heroine. How he kept trying to get past her walls and show her off without caring about her reputation. Those two were just so sweet and lovely together. Now I can’t wait to go back and read the books in the series from the beginning.
Huge Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this copy.
“You think I love you despite your recklessness.” He pressed his face into her hair and spoke quietly. Solemnly. “I love you because of it, you daft woman.”
My first Joanna Shupe book and wow I enjoyed it so much! Eleanor was so scandalous, so wild, and considered to not be a proper bride for a duke. The duke is desperately looking for a rich wife to save his debt-ridden title. From the moment these two met there was instant undeniable chemistry between them.
They constantly get under each other’s skin. Can’t stay away from each other’s radar. There were a lot of sexual chemistry and fun banter between them. I loved the way the hero loved the heroine. How he kept trying to get past her walls and show her off without caring about her reputation. Those two were just so sweet and lovely together. Now I can’t wait to go back and read the books in the series from the beginning.
Huge Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this copy.
October 3, 2022
✨Poseidon is very good at making things wet.✨
My heart is saying 4.5 stars because 4 isn’t right but neither is 5 but also both are right and I’m confused. My first impression is that I can’t wait to reread this book. My expectations were so high I think I played myself. I also found myself comparing this one to the previous books. In a vacuum, this is a great book, but as part of the series—the conclusion no less—I’m not sure it was all that it could be.
I seriously loved Nellie and Andrew like my god punch me in the face I want to feel pain too. They’re both so hot. Lockwood was so much dirtier than any of the books even HINTED at (save for the best, most unhinged teaser at the end of The Bride Goes Rogue). Rereading the series is going to be so much fun now that we’re in on the secret.
✨
Me @ Nellie
Me @ Lockwood
Nellie was a lot softer than I thought she was going to be. She was still a force, but to be blunt, she was less of a top than I would’ve guessed. Andrew was very dominant and consistently wanted to take care of her…by fucking her into next Tuesday. She definitely owned her pleasure though and he was ultimately so in love with her at all times that she always topped his heart ❤️
Lockwood has been waiting four books to have his duke gone wild moment and have he DID. He was the epitome of buttoned up in the streets and absolutely backbreaking in the sheets. Also Lockwood + the beard he wears for Nellie has me going absolutely out of my mind. He’s just so polished that the little bit of roughness unleashed something so feral in me. What are broad swimmers shoulders for if they’re not pushing thighs apart? What is hair if it’s not being pulled?? What is a beard if it’s not leaving a mark??? Well let me tell you this book left a MARK.
Andrew absolutely fell first here and I’m such a sucker for all of the wooing and seduction that happens after the “oh shit I love her and I WILL be marrying her so now I just need to figure out how to be what she needs” realization. I know some people may want more plot, but there’s something so hot to everything in the book being dedicated to deserving the heroine.
Nellie’s family definitely added an extra edge to this book that was PERFECT. She had ties to a prominent Irish gang and of course Lockwood had to prove himself. We got a fun drunk scene and just a very lovely family dynamic. Andrew also delivered the best line to her cousins Finn and I just—ₙₑₑ𝒹 ᵃ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ. I also really loved her relationship with her father. Cornelius was as cool as he was rich. Supportive parents are so hard to come by in historical romance that I truly love to see it.
✨
So while I clearly loved this book so hard, I wanted a bit more from a few different areas. I was never displeased with what we got on the page, it’s mainly what we didn’t get where I have some issues.
🔱 Nellie’s activism could have played a larger and more developed role in the plot and her character arc. The history of abortions and sexual health is so fascinating to me and I love that it was included in this book, but it did feel rather surface level at moments. That being said, she’s one of the only heroines I’ve read who’s had an abortion (with zero regret!) and god do I love that.
CW: domestic abuse There was a subplot with a wife who was being abused by her husband and Nelly basically made it worse for the wife. (Nellie was supplying contraception to the wife.) By the end of the book, we didn’t hear anything about it besides that the world is unjust like yes I get that but??? She didn’t really take any responsibility for worsening the situation for the woman by going to her house, even if she had good intentions. I would’ve loved to get a snippet at the end that was like “wow! an intensely lifelike statue of a foul husband was just auctioned off by a wife who wants to gain an education. Side-note her husband is missing but no one cares because he was a disgusting fungus. Side-side-note her name is Sally Jackson.”
🔱 While the sex was hot hot HOT because I loved their chemistry, I don’t quite feel complete? It was steamy but also…unbalanced. There was lot of sex in one area of the book and then crumbs in the last third at least. The one scene that we were gonna get of him railing her from behind was absolutely cut off before it even started. He was like “bend over let me fuck you” and then the chapter ended. This came at 97% and after a serious sex drought in the book. I was so happy to see we were going to get another scene and then just as quickly my hopes and dreams were snatched away faster than I could say yes king rail her like a train. We also got more fade to black than I would’ve liked, including a scene right in the middle of the epilogue? My soul is too fragile for such teasing.
🔱 Since the plot did greatly revolve around Nellie and Lockwood being together on the same page—a lot of times naked or wet or wet and naked—I did feel like the ending dragged a bit (random fade to black but aside). I can see where people would say this doesn't really have a plot...but I'm honestly fine with it when I get the supremely cute bonding and scorching seduction present here. I do typically like that style coupled with very low angst third acts, so that's mainly where my issues stem from. It's not majorly angsty but I think there was one too many rejections. I wanted more of her family content and/or something external rather than “I’m leaving because I love you.”
While these are things I definitely noticed on this first read, I do think I’ll be able to sit back during my rereads and just take it all in. It all being the hair pulling and dirty talk. And also Andrew saying “that’s it” and “take it all.”
✨
Overall, Lockwood is everything I’ve ever wanted from a historical romance hero and Nellie is such a lowkey cinnamon roll. No matter the issues I have, I’ll always be so fundamentally attracted to this book. Get your little tabbies ready for those sex scenes y’all.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶🌶.5**/5
*Subject to change upon rereads bc I have a feeling I’ll ultimately round up
**I just want less missionary 😭
Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
My heart is saying 4.5 stars because 4 isn’t right but neither is 5 but also both are right and I’m confused. My first impression is that I can’t wait to reread this book. My expectations were so high I think I played myself. I also found myself comparing this one to the previous books. In a vacuum, this is a great book, but as part of the series—the conclusion no less—I’m not sure it was all that it could be.
I seriously loved Nellie and Andrew like my god punch me in the face I want to feel pain too. They’re both so hot. Lockwood was so much dirtier than any of the books even HINTED at (save for the best, most unhinged teaser at the end of The Bride Goes Rogue). Rereading the series is going to be so much fun now that we’re in on the secret.
✨
Me @ Nellie
Me @ Lockwood
Nellie was a lot softer than I thought she was going to be. She was still a force, but to be blunt, she was less of a top than I would’ve guessed. Andrew was very dominant and consistently wanted to take care of her…by fucking her into next Tuesday. She definitely owned her pleasure though and he was ultimately so in love with her at all times that she always topped his heart ❤️
Lockwood has been waiting four books to have his duke gone wild moment and have he DID. He was the epitome of buttoned up in the streets and absolutely backbreaking in the sheets. Also Lockwood + the beard he wears for Nellie has me going absolutely out of my mind. He’s just so polished that the little bit of roughness unleashed something so feral in me. What are broad swimmers shoulders for if they’re not pushing thighs apart? What is hair if it’s not being pulled?? What is a beard if it’s not leaving a mark??? Well let me tell you this book left a MARK.
Andrew absolutely fell first here and I’m such a sucker for all of the wooing and seduction that happens after the “oh shit I love her and I WILL be marrying her so now I just need to figure out how to be what she needs” realization. I know some people may want more plot, but there’s something so hot to everything in the book being dedicated to deserving the heroine.
Nellie’s family definitely added an extra edge to this book that was PERFECT. She had ties to a prominent Irish gang and of course Lockwood had to prove himself. We got a fun drunk scene and just a very lovely family dynamic. Andrew also delivered the best line to her cousins Finn and I just—ₙₑₑ𝒹 ᵃ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ. I also really loved her relationship with her father. Cornelius was as cool as he was rich. Supportive parents are so hard to come by in historical romance that I truly love to see it.
✨
So while I clearly loved this book so hard, I wanted a bit more from a few different areas. I was never displeased with what we got on the page, it’s mainly what we didn’t get where I have some issues.
🔱 Nellie’s activism could have played a larger and more developed role in the plot and her character arc. The history of abortions and sexual health is so fascinating to me and I love that it was included in this book, but it did feel rather surface level at moments. That being said, she’s one of the only heroines I’ve read who’s had an abortion (with zero regret!) and god do I love that.
CW: domestic abuse There was a subplot with a wife who was being abused by her husband and Nelly basically made it worse for the wife. (Nellie was supplying contraception to the wife.) By the end of the book, we didn’t hear anything about it besides that the world is unjust like yes I get that but??? She didn’t really take any responsibility for worsening the situation for the woman by going to her house, even if she had good intentions. I would’ve loved to get a snippet at the end that was like “wow! an intensely lifelike statue of a foul husband was just auctioned off by a wife who wants to gain an education. Side-note her husband is missing but no one cares because he was a disgusting fungus. Side-side-note her name is Sally Jackson.”
🔱 While the sex was hot hot HOT because I loved their chemistry, I don’t quite feel complete? It was steamy but also…unbalanced. There was lot of sex in one area of the book and then crumbs in the last third at least. The one scene that we were gonna get of him railing her from behind was absolutely cut off before it even started. He was like “bend over let me fuck you” and then the chapter ended. This came at 97% and after a serious sex drought in the book. I was so happy to see we were going to get another scene and then just as quickly my hopes and dreams were snatched away faster than I could say yes king rail her like a train. We also got more fade to black than I would’ve liked, including a scene right in the middle of the epilogue? My soul is too fragile for such teasing.
🔱 Since the plot did greatly revolve around Nellie and Lockwood being together on the same page—a lot of times naked or wet or wet and naked—I did feel like the ending dragged a bit (random fade to black but aside). I can see where people would say this doesn't really have a plot...but I'm honestly fine with it when I get the supremely cute bonding and scorching seduction present here. I do typically like that style coupled with very low angst third acts, so that's mainly where my issues stem from. It's not majorly angsty but I think there was one too many rejections. I wanted more of her family content and/or something external rather than “I’m leaving because I love you.”
While these are things I definitely noticed on this first read, I do think I’ll be able to sit back during my rereads and just take it all in. It all being the hair pulling and dirty talk. And also Andrew saying “that’s it” and “take it all.”
✨
Overall, Lockwood is everything I’ve ever wanted from a historical romance hero and Nellie is such a lowkey cinnamon roll. No matter the issues I have, I’ll always be so fundamentally attracted to this book. Get your little tabbies ready for those sex scenes y’all.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶🌶.5**/5
*Subject to change upon rereads bc I have a feeling I’ll ultimately round up
**I just want less missionary 😭
Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
Read
February 17, 2023Lively Gilded Age romance with an impoverished duke who needs to marry an heiress, and an heiress. Which doesn't sound like much of a conflict on the face of it, lol. It's very well played--she is a strong feminist in a mostly period-appropriate way, believing in free love and contraception in the teeth of the Comstock Act, but she's also very afraid of loss and isolation. Meanwhile he has a heart condition that will probably shorten his life, and she'd need to move to England to be with him and fears she'd be socially excluded as she is in New York. We believe in her hesitation and the duke is a charming hero.
I liked the Hell's Kitchen and the depiction of the seedier side of life along with the glitter, and the Comstock Act setting gives it real heft. Nevertheless the sex to plot ratio is definitely skewed to the former, so this will be catnip for those who like their historicals with lots of well-executed spice.
I liked the Hell's Kitchen and the depiction of the seedier side of life along with the glitter, and the Comstock Act setting gives it real heft. Nevertheless the sex to plot ratio is definitely skewed to the former, so this will be catnip for those who like their historicals with lots of well-executed spice.
October 22, 2022
Not sure how to rate this book just yet because my first gut check is telling me two star. But is that right? Is that fair? I’m gonna have to take some time to decide if that’s really what I should give it.
This book is basically all steam and not a lot of substance. Which, for me, isn’t great. There are some vulnerable moments and getting to know each other but right off the bat it’s instalust and pining that’s based on sexual chemistry and that’s just…not it for me. And because I wasn’t into the romance part of it, I really didn’t care for any of the rest of the stuff going on either.
Enjoyment wise, it’s probably two star.
This book is basically all steam and not a lot of substance. Which, for me, isn’t great. There are some vulnerable moments and getting to know each other but right off the bat it’s instalust and pining that’s based on sexual chemistry and that’s just…not it for me. And because I wasn’t into the romance part of it, I really didn’t care for any of the rest of the stuff going on either.
Enjoyment wise, it’s probably two star.
April 6, 2023
2-Duke-Saves-This-From-Sinking-Stars
Urgh, I had high hopes for this one, but alas, I was disappointed. Why? Why did it have to be so contemporary?
My Thoughts...
- Let us begin with the title. I loved it until I read the story. The Duke gets even - against what? Whom? No one, as per my estimation.
- Now comes the plot. Very interesting with the thrice-jilted, unlucky Duke, the fiery miss and the affair, and then - nothing. Literally, nothing. It messed up the pacing quite appallingly.
- Then, there was the shockingly swift death of linguistic, historical accuracy. Ah, these people conversed like they were a product of the twenty-first century.
- There was also an utter lack of explanations, backstories, reasons, and some plot points - major and minor.
- What saved the day was Andrew. This man, this beautiful, honourable, sweet, misguided man. He was a dream come true. Hell, if Nellie doesn't want him, then I'll happily take him on.
- I had a big problem with Nellie. She was a free-spirited girl, and let's leave it at that. Her behaviour was absolutely era-inappropriate, but I couldn't tell you why she did what she did as it was never made clear to me. Lady, have all the affairs you want, take lovers, decide if and when you would like to conceive, marry, don't marry, snub people, work for women's betterment, essentially do whatever the fuck you want, but at least give us a healthy reason behind it because if I have sit and read about you, then I would like to know. But, no. There was nothing that indicated why Nellie was the way she was. There was no stability to her character, no direction or an explanation, nor a good reason. Even if I were to look past everything, what I despised most was that she strung Andrew along for ninety-four-freaking per cent. That's practically the fucking epilogue and not even a satisfying one.
- The romance seemed nonexistent because these two did not have more than one note-worthy conversation. ONE. Just ONE. About his health, and even that was left without a decent resolution.
- Steam was decent.
- I am not going to comment on the whimsically moral, socio-political turn that this book took towards the end, as I risk losing my last thread of patience.
*Bottom Line - I found myself getting angrier as I turned the pages, and it left me with a slightly bitter taste.
Urgh, I had high hopes for this one, but alas, I was disappointed. Why? Why did it have to be so contemporary?
My Thoughts...
- Let us begin with the title. I loved it until I read the story. The Duke gets even - against what? Whom? No one, as per my estimation.
- Now comes the plot. Very interesting with the thrice-jilted, unlucky Duke, the fiery miss and the affair, and then - nothing. Literally, nothing. It messed up the pacing quite appallingly.
- Then, there was the shockingly swift death of linguistic, historical accuracy. Ah, these people conversed like they were a product of the twenty-first century.
- There was also an utter lack of explanations, backstories, reasons, and some plot points - major and minor.
- What saved the day was Andrew. This man, this beautiful, honourable, sweet, misguided man. He was a dream come true. Hell, if Nellie doesn't want him, then I'll happily take him on.
- I had a big problem with Nellie. She was a free-spirited girl, and let's leave it at that. Her behaviour was absolutely era-inappropriate, but I couldn't tell you why she did what she did as it was never made clear to me. Lady, have all the affairs you want, take lovers, decide if and when you would like to conceive, marry, don't marry, snub people, work for women's betterment, essentially do whatever the fuck you want, but at least give us a healthy reason behind it because if I have sit and read about you, then I would like to know. But, no. There was nothing that indicated why Nellie was the way she was. There was no stability to her character, no direction or an explanation, nor a good reason. Even if I were to look past everything, what I despised most was that she strung Andrew along for ninety-four-freaking per cent. That's practically the fucking epilogue and not even a satisfying one.
- The romance seemed nonexistent because these two did not have more than one note-worthy conversation. ONE. Just ONE. About his health, and even that was left without a decent resolution.
- Steam was decent.
- I am not going to comment on the whimsically moral, socio-political turn that this book took towards the end, as I risk losing my last thread of patience.
*Bottom Line - I found myself getting angrier as I turned the pages, and it left me with a slightly bitter taste.
December 16, 2022
An amazing end to the series! Sweet, spicy, and packed with emotions that will make you laugh, cry, and swoon. Nellie and Lockwood are incredible main characters and it was so wonderful seeing them finally get their happy ending after getting to know them throughout the other books. I also loved that the main characters from the previous books had roles as prominent side characters in this one—it just made the series feel so complete and I loved reflecting on how the friendships have grown alongside the respective romances.
Overall a definite win and I cannot wait to see what Joanna Shupe comes up with next!
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager via Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Overall a definite win and I cannot wait to see what Joanna Shupe comes up with next!
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager via Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 25, 2023
3.5 stars
Joanna Shupe is one of my historical romance authors and this is definitely my favorite series by her! I have loved Nellie throughout the series so far and couldn't wait to see her and the duke's story! Nellie and Lockwood meet during a midnight swim and have an intense kiss and agree to meet up again the next night. The next day, though, Nellie realizes that the duke is courting one of her friends and wants nothing to do with them. Lockwood can't stay away, though, and can't forget the sizzling chemistry between them. I have to say, the first 200-250 pages of this book were very slow and not a lot was happening with the plot for me. Only when the duke started going after Nellie and Nellie was doing her work promoting women's reproductive rights. I loved that part of the book and was just swooning over Lockwood and how hard he fell for Nellie. So the first half to two thirds of this book was three stars, but the last part was an absolute five stars. I still love books two and three better than this one, but it was a solid historical romance!
Joanna Shupe is one of my historical romance authors and this is definitely my favorite series by her! I have loved Nellie throughout the series so far and couldn't wait to see her and the duke's story! Nellie and Lockwood meet during a midnight swim and have an intense kiss and agree to meet up again the next night. The next day, though, Nellie realizes that the duke is courting one of her friends and wants nothing to do with them. Lockwood can't stay away, though, and can't forget the sizzling chemistry between them. I have to say, the first 200-250 pages of this book were very slow and not a lot was happening with the plot for me. Only when the duke started going after Nellie and Nellie was doing her work promoting women's reproductive rights. I loved that part of the book and was just swooning over Lockwood and how hard he fell for Nellie. So the first half to two thirds of this book was three stars, but the last part was an absolute five stars. I still love books two and three better than this one, but it was a solid historical romance!
February 12, 2023
BLUSHING BLUESTOCKING SOCIETY FEBRUARY GROUP READ! ❤️
February 17, 2023
absolute queen move on joanna shupe’s part, saving the best one for last 😮💨
there is no structure whatsoever in the way i’m about to deconstruct this review but here it goes—
nellie and her duke were just so goddamn electrifying. everything about this story was just so fucking soul-bewitchingly goooood 🔥
their chemistry? the longing in their eyes? the will-they won’t-they push and pull? the secrecy and forbidden(ness?) of their relationship? the urgency and feeling like their time together is slipping away? their intimacy and sexual tension? everything was so … mouth-wateringly … pleasant (idek how else to describe it) 🥹
to paint you a word picture - this story is to me what a fountain of water is to a starving/thirsty person in the middle of a desert 🤌🏽
right off the bat we start off strong with a midnight meet cute skinny dipping session in the atlantic ocean. i mean for a book cover so blue, it did a lot of justice featuring so many water/aquatic theme scenes (let’s not forget, we get some indoor pool scenes too) 🔥
ok but seriously i never really saw the duke of lockwood appeal in the other fifth avenue rebels books but from the first moment we see him in the ocean, the classic 🎵 james dean daydream look his eyes 🎵 really hooked me in 🤌🏽
trust that joanna would take the most prim and proper supporting character (and by prim and proper i mean, the politely bowing at every turn mr bingley “good day, miss bennet” type) and then do a complete 360 and turn him into the dirty talking “i should very much like to kiss and fuck you until we both pass out” beast in his own story 🤌🏽
at this point loving lockwood isn’t enough, i need to tattoo his presence into me 😮💨
another thing i absolutely loved - not only was this story sexy as fuck, but it was also ✨educational✨
our main character nellie going above and beyond for the less privileged and her drive to stand up against social inequities ie the lack of proper sex education and awareness of body autonomy for women - it hit a little too close to home but i loved the way this was addressed and nellie fucking SLAYYYED in that regard 🎤
fave quote:
“First of all, engaging in sexual activities is normal. It’s what our bodies are designed to do for reproduction, in fact, which is why it feels good. But we don’t always want to reproduce, so therein lies the dilemma. Men don’t have this problem, obviously, so we as women must do what we can to educate and protect ourselves.”
the acceptance that sex / pleasure should not stigmatised and that these moments should not be instrumental in women facing life-altering consequences (ie forced to have babies) is one the real reasons this book was 5 ⭐️ worthy in my eyes. it was so raw and real and I LOVED THAT
soo goood 🫶🏽
also idk maybe it’s the gilded ages vibes lingering or mayhap the abundance of aquatic scenes but this story gave me lake como vibes. like if i were to associate a place with a book, this book would resemble lake como to me. interpret that in any way you like and yeah that’s what’s swimming (no pun intended) in my mind 😅
yeah so — highly highly recommend this book to ALL OF THE SEXY PEOPLE READING THIS (yes, you!) and brace yourself to be bedazzled by some gilded age decadence 🤭
there is no structure whatsoever in the way i’m about to deconstruct this review but here it goes—
nellie and her duke were just so goddamn electrifying. everything about this story was just so fucking soul-bewitchingly goooood 🔥
their chemistry? the longing in their eyes? the will-they won’t-they push and pull? the secrecy and forbidden(ness?) of their relationship? the urgency and feeling like their time together is slipping away? their intimacy and sexual tension? everything was so … mouth-wateringly … pleasant (idek how else to describe it) 🥹
to paint you a word picture - this story is to me what a fountain of water is to a starving/thirsty person in the middle of a desert 🤌🏽
right off the bat we start off strong with a midnight meet cute skinny dipping session in the atlantic ocean. i mean for a book cover so blue, it did a lot of justice featuring so many water/aquatic theme scenes (let’s not forget, we get some indoor pool scenes too) 🔥
ok but seriously i never really saw the duke of lockwood appeal in the other fifth avenue rebels books but from the first moment we see him in the ocean, the classic 🎵 james dean daydream look his eyes 🎵 really hooked me in 🤌🏽
trust that joanna would take the most prim and proper supporting character (and by prim and proper i mean, the politely bowing at every turn mr bingley “good day, miss bennet” type) and then do a complete 360 and turn him into the dirty talking “i should very much like to kiss and fuck you until we both pass out” beast in his own story 🤌🏽
at this point loving lockwood isn’t enough, i need to tattoo his presence into me 😮💨
another thing i absolutely loved - not only was this story sexy as fuck, but it was also ✨educational✨
our main character nellie going above and beyond for the less privileged and her drive to stand up against social inequities ie the lack of proper sex education and awareness of body autonomy for women - it hit a little too close to home but i loved the way this was addressed and nellie fucking SLAYYYED in that regard 🎤
fave quote:
“First of all, engaging in sexual activities is normal. It’s what our bodies are designed to do for reproduction, in fact, which is why it feels good. But we don’t always want to reproduce, so therein lies the dilemma. Men don’t have this problem, obviously, so we as women must do what we can to educate and protect ourselves.”
the acceptance that sex / pleasure should not stigmatised and that these moments should not be instrumental in women facing life-altering consequences (ie forced to have babies) is one the real reasons this book was 5 ⭐️ worthy in my eyes. it was so raw and real and I LOVED THAT
soo goood 🫶🏽
also idk maybe it’s the gilded ages vibes lingering or mayhap the abundance of aquatic scenes but this story gave me lake como vibes. like if i were to associate a place with a book, this book would resemble lake como to me. interpret that in any way you like and yeah that’s what’s swimming (no pun intended) in my mind 😅
yeah so — highly highly recommend this book to ALL OF THE SEXY PEOPLE READING THIS (yes, you!) and brace yourself to be bedazzled by some gilded age decadence 🤭
September 29, 2022
The Duke Gets Even is the 4th book in Joanna Shupe’s The Fifth Avenue Rebels series and a book I’ve been waiting for because of Nellie and the Duke in the previous books! I was so excited to get an early copy and had to dive in.
Andrew Talbot, the eighth Duke of Lockwood, is desperately in need of an heiress thanks to his father’s poor business sense. He has come to America to find himself a wealthy bride and things haven’t gone so well for the Duke for the past year… If you’ve read the previous books in the series then you know he attempted to court 2 of Nellie’s friends, and even became good friends with a 3rd, but they all tossed him aside for others. The story kicks off taking us all the way back to Maddie’s house party back from book 1, when Lockwood first meets Nellie. While enjoying a midnight swim, Lockwood can’t believe his luck when a gorgeous, red-haired, nude woman swims up to him. She mistakes himself for someone else at first but they hit it off and have a little midnight tryst connection before they go their separate ways (they kiss, don’t share names, she shares her aversion to marriage, they plan to meet another night). Cut to the next morning at the house party, and Nellie realizes Lockwood is the Duke her friend Maddie is supposed to possibly marry. Of course from Maddie’s books things quickly go off the rails there for other reasons and Lockwood goes on his way.
Nellie and Lockwood meet up much later, in present day (after all of her friends books). He is still searching for an heiress to marry and Nellie is feeling a bit adrift, she doesn’t have any real passions, and all of her friends are coupled up or married. But she does feel a little something-something for Lockwood, as he does for her. She is adamant he should find the “respectable, suitable, society’s darling”-type of future duchess that she certainly is not, but Lockwood knows Nellie is perfect just as she is for him. They do end up giving in and decide to have an affair together while he’s in town, he wants more and she tries to play it off as just a hookup.
I adored Nellie’s rebellious, “I’m not going to live by society’s standards” ways, her relationship with her friend group, and how close she is with her father. I also loved seeing Nellie’s trips to Hell’s Kitchen and her closeness with her cousin Finn (he needs a book 👀) and Aunt Riona. Her finding a cause she’s passionate about, distributing contraceptives and helping/teaching women how to use them. The history and conversations about women’s reproductive rights definitely hits with current times. Seeing Lockwood unwind behind doors was so much fun and his possessiveness at the art show! 🔥 While there is a lot of passion and steam between these 2, I found there wasn’t as much on the story aspect (like the previous 2 books) that I kind of wanted.
Thank you to the publisher (Avon Books) for an e-ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own. The Duke Gets Even has a release date of January 24, 2023.
Andrew Talbot, the eighth Duke of Lockwood, is desperately in need of an heiress thanks to his father’s poor business sense. He has come to America to find himself a wealthy bride and things haven’t gone so well for the Duke for the past year… If you’ve read the previous books in the series then you know he attempted to court 2 of Nellie’s friends, and even became good friends with a 3rd, but they all tossed him aside for others. The story kicks off taking us all the way back to Maddie’s house party back from book 1, when Lockwood first meets Nellie. While enjoying a midnight swim, Lockwood can’t believe his luck when a gorgeous, red-haired, nude woman swims up to him. She mistakes himself for someone else at first but they hit it off and have a little midnight tryst connection before they go their separate ways (they kiss, don’t share names, she shares her aversion to marriage, they plan to meet another night). Cut to the next morning at the house party, and Nellie realizes Lockwood is the Duke her friend Maddie is supposed to possibly marry. Of course from Maddie’s books things quickly go off the rails there for other reasons and Lockwood goes on his way.
Nellie and Lockwood meet up much later, in present day (after all of her friends books). He is still searching for an heiress to marry and Nellie is feeling a bit adrift, she doesn’t have any real passions, and all of her friends are coupled up or married. But she does feel a little something-something for Lockwood, as he does for her. She is adamant he should find the “respectable, suitable, society’s darling”-type of future duchess that she certainly is not, but Lockwood knows Nellie is perfect just as she is for him. They do end up giving in and decide to have an affair together while he’s in town, he wants more and she tries to play it off as just a hookup.
I adored Nellie’s rebellious, “I’m not going to live by society’s standards” ways, her relationship with her friend group, and how close she is with her father. I also loved seeing Nellie’s trips to Hell’s Kitchen and her closeness with her cousin Finn (he needs a book 👀) and Aunt Riona. Her finding a cause she’s passionate about, distributing contraceptives and helping/teaching women how to use them. The history and conversations about women’s reproductive rights definitely hits with current times. Seeing Lockwood unwind behind doors was so much fun and his possessiveness at the art show! 🔥 While there is a lot of passion and steam between these 2, I found there wasn’t as much on the story aspect (like the previous 2 books) that I kind of wanted.
Thank you to the publisher (Avon Books) for an e-ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own. The Duke Gets Even has a release date of January 24, 2023.
September 29, 2022
Andrew, Duke of Lockwood, is in New York to woo an American Heiress and save his debt-ridden title. He thinks he has the perfect miss selected, when he has an anonymous encounter with a beautiful woman. Eleanor “Nellie” Young is considered a scandalous hoyden by polite society. She could never be considered a proper bride for the Duke, but sparks can’t help but fly whenever the two meet.
This is the fourth book in the Fifth Avenue Rebels series. While there is some summary to catch up to the events in this book, I would really recommend reading all the stories in order. This book opens just before the house party in book one, and most of the characters (especially book three’s heroine) are involved.
This is one of my most anticipated reads for 2023. I was really excited for these characters, and I loved the insight into their backstories. Nellie happily thumbs her nose at the role she’s expected to play. She believes in body autonomy and doesn’t want to shoehorn herself into marriage. She has affairs and fights the Comstock Laws, which criminalized materials relating to contraception and abortion. Besides not wanting to be known as the man who destroyed his dukedom, Andrew has personal reasons for feeling as though his life doesn’t matter; that he should marry whichever “vanilla cream” heiress he can get. But Nellie and Lockwood get under each other’s skin, and they have to decide whether to fight for those feelings despite all the road blocks in the way.
There is an undeniable sexual chemistry between the two. There is a lot of sexual tension that makes it seem much sexier than the couple of full scenes, but there is a lot more to the story. I really loved the trust they build together…they overcame a great deal of obstacles and personal struggle to be together. 4.5 stars rounded to 5.
Tropes: Class/Cultural Differences, Opposites Attract, Meet Cute, Enemies to Lovers (sort of)
Steam: 3 full scenes (I think, but there was a lot more in the way of explicit talk and fantasizing)
This is the fourth book in the Fifth Avenue Rebels series. While there is some summary to catch up to the events in this book, I would really recommend reading all the stories in order. This book opens just before the house party in book one, and most of the characters (especially book three’s heroine) are involved.
This is one of my most anticipated reads for 2023. I was really excited for these characters, and I loved the insight into their backstories. Nellie happily thumbs her nose at the role she’s expected to play. She believes in body autonomy and doesn’t want to shoehorn herself into marriage. She has affairs and fights the Comstock Laws, which criminalized materials relating to contraception and abortion. Besides not wanting to be known as the man who destroyed his dukedom, Andrew has personal reasons for feeling as though his life doesn’t matter; that he should marry whichever “vanilla cream” heiress he can get. But Nellie and Lockwood get under each other’s skin, and they have to decide whether to fight for those feelings despite all the road blocks in the way.
There is an undeniable sexual chemistry between the two. There is a lot of sexual tension that makes it seem much sexier than the couple of full scenes, but there is a lot more to the story. I really loved the trust they build together…they overcame a great deal of obstacles and personal struggle to be together. 4.5 stars rounded to 5.
Tropes: Class/Cultural Differences, Opposites Attract, Meet Cute, Enemies to Lovers (sort of)
Steam: 3 full scenes (I think, but there was a lot more in the way of explicit talk and fantasizing)
February 9, 2023
Joanna Shupe has TRULY outdone herself with this book. I *think* I might have loved this even more than The Lady Gets Lucky?!?!
This was a truly fantastic finale to the Fifth Avenue Rebels series. Nellie and Lockwood’s romance has been built up since book 1 and Shupe gave me EVERYTHING I needed! This had the perfect amount of angst and the steamy scenes?! 🥵🥵🥵 Once again, Shupe has outdone herself.
Lockwood is the PERFECT starchy/buttoned up duke in the streets & freak in the sheets. I adore how only Nellie could coax him to show his true self. Nellie is a fabulous and bold American heiress who is truly Lockwood’s perfect match. They are both such strong characters and their backstories & development both as individuals and as a couple was just so well done.
I adored how well Nellie and Lockwood’s physical attraction was balanced with their eventual emotional connection. I truly felt for these two to the point where I teared up and cried several times. I loooooooove how we got to the HEA and the epilogue was *chef’s kiss*
PS the audiobook was really well done! We need more dual narration audiobooks from traditional publishers and historical romances in general.
PPS for more of my in depth thoughts, check out our live show for the Blushing Bluestocking Society on Feb. 11 @ 8 pm CST on remarkablylisa’s YouTube channel!!
**thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review**
This was a truly fantastic finale to the Fifth Avenue Rebels series. Nellie and Lockwood’s romance has been built up since book 1 and Shupe gave me EVERYTHING I needed! This had the perfect amount of angst and the steamy scenes?! 🥵🥵🥵 Once again, Shupe has outdone herself.
Lockwood is the PERFECT starchy/buttoned up duke in the streets & freak in the sheets. I adore how only Nellie could coax him to show his true self. Nellie is a fabulous and bold American heiress who is truly Lockwood’s perfect match. They are both such strong characters and their backstories & development both as individuals and as a couple was just so well done.
I adored how well Nellie and Lockwood’s physical attraction was balanced with their eventual emotional connection. I truly felt for these two to the point where I teared up and cried several times. I loooooooove how we got to the HEA and the epilogue was *chef’s kiss*
PS the audiobook was really well done! We need more dual narration audiobooks from traditional publishers and historical romances in general.
PPS for more of my in depth thoughts, check out our live show for the Blushing Bluestocking Society on Feb. 11 @ 8 pm CST on remarkablylisa’s YouTube channel!!
**thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review**
December 9, 2022
I received this as an ARC from the publisher
“Love doesn’t even come close to describing what I feel for you.”
This is the final book in Joanna Shupe's 5th Avenue Rebels and one of my most anticipated releases of next year and this book lived up to the hype for me! I have been in love with Lockwood since I first met him at the beginning of this series this poor man has been through the wringer and I am so happy to finally see his romance with Nellie.
Nellie and Lockwood are simply perfect. I love how headstrong, independent, stubborn, and fierce Nellie was. She is one of my favorite heroines because she knows what she wants, is fiercely loyal, and loves passionately. She's also so comfortable in her sexuality and body and I love it so much! I also appreciate how her past sexual encounters were not bad and she had fun, which isn't something I see with other "experienced" heroines.
Lockwood, oh my, I love this man. I love how he matched Nellie's passion and ambitious nature and knew what he wanted and just went for it. This man fell hard for Nellie and his love never wavered. He knew he loved her and knew he had to get her and tried so hard! But, he never forced her or pushed too much he also gave her space and care.
The steam in this was also A++. Nellie and Lockwood had amazing passion and chemistry but I could also see how perfect they were together when you remove all the steaminess which is so important for a romance novel. You could tell that they really would support each other through thick and thin.
I will say there isn't necessarily a plot to this book mainly because you are just following Nellie and Lockwood's love but I didn't mind at all! I overall love this book and feel like it was a great ending to this series and I am so excited to see what Joanna Shupe does next!
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update #2 brb freaking out. THIS IS NOT A DRILL
update #1 Can we all just please take a moment to acknowledge how stunning this cover is? Like this is perfection
“Love doesn’t even come close to describing what I feel for you.”
This is the final book in Joanna Shupe's 5th Avenue Rebels and one of my most anticipated releases of next year and this book lived up to the hype for me! I have been in love with Lockwood since I first met him at the beginning of this series this poor man has been through the wringer and I am so happy to finally see his romance with Nellie.
Nellie and Lockwood are simply perfect. I love how headstrong, independent, stubborn, and fierce Nellie was. She is one of my favorite heroines because she knows what she wants, is fiercely loyal, and loves passionately. She's also so comfortable in her sexuality and body and I love it so much! I also appreciate how her past sexual encounters were not bad and she had fun, which isn't something I see with other "experienced" heroines.
Lockwood, oh my, I love this man. I love how he matched Nellie's passion and ambitious nature and knew what he wanted and just went for it. This man fell hard for Nellie and his love never wavered. He knew he loved her and knew he had to get her and tried so hard! But, he never forced her or pushed too much he also gave her space and care.
The steam in this was also A++. Nellie and Lockwood had amazing passion and chemistry but I could also see how perfect they were together when you remove all the steaminess which is so important for a romance novel. You could tell that they really would support each other through thick and thin.
I will say there isn't necessarily a plot to this book mainly because you are just following Nellie and Lockwood's love but I didn't mind at all! I overall love this book and feel like it was a great ending to this series and I am so excited to see what Joanna Shupe does next!
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.
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update #2 brb freaking out. THIS IS NOT A DRILL
update #1 Can we all just please take a moment to acknowledge how stunning this cover is? Like this is perfection
February 15, 2023
3.5ish
February 16, 2023
Joanna Shupe has the Gilded Age NYC HR market practically cornered, and her latest series has been especially fun. Each book has given us a little more of Nellie and Lockwood, so we were really excited to pick this one up. What has been going on off-page? What has Nellie been hiding from her friends? Is Lockwood really a freak in the sheets?
Well, we were honestly a little let down by the answer, because it's SUPER tame: Nellie and Lockwood had an anonymous makeout sesh in the ocean, during which she learned that he likes it a little rough. (Seriously, a tiny little bit rough.) Then when she realized he was about to be engaged to one of her BFFs, she has given him the cold shoulder. They've looked at each other from across ballrooms and dinner tables for about a year, apparently, without really speaking or acting on their desires. And yet, when this book opens, somehow they just know that they're meant for each other, even though they haven't spoken or kissed. But don't worry, now's the time for him to corner her (deliciously) in libraries, have her father offer him the key to their house (?!) so he can go swimming at their indoor pool (?!?), and start to push her for marriage.
The best part of the book? Shupe knows how to write steam and Nellie and Lockwood are HOT for each other. (Still not sure how this translates to "he knows me better than anyone else!" or "I won't marry anyone if I can't have her!" but we can't deny that their encounters are hawt.) Second best part? Shupe uses Nellie to take on the hypocrisy of the law dictating women's reproductive choices by focusing on the restrictive Comstock laws of the era. Sadly, these two elements were not enough to overcome a real lack of compatibility between the two main characters.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Well, we were honestly a little let down by the answer, because it's SUPER tame: Nellie and Lockwood had an anonymous makeout sesh in the ocean, during which she learned that he likes it a little rough. (Seriously, a tiny little bit rough.) Then when she realized he was about to be engaged to one of her BFFs, she has given him the cold shoulder. They've looked at each other from across ballrooms and dinner tables for about a year, apparently, without really speaking or acting on their desires. And yet, when this book opens, somehow they just know that they're meant for each other, even though they haven't spoken or kissed. But don't worry, now's the time for him to corner her (deliciously) in libraries, have her father offer him the key to their house (?!) so he can go swimming at their indoor pool (?!?), and start to push her for marriage.
The best part of the book? Shupe knows how to write steam and Nellie and Lockwood are HOT for each other. (Still not sure how this translates to "he knows me better than anyone else!" or "I won't marry anyone if I can't have her!" but we can't deny that their encounters are hawt.) Second best part? Shupe uses Nellie to take on the hypocrisy of the law dictating women's reproductive choices by focusing on the restrictive Comstock laws of the era. Sadly, these two elements were not enough to overcome a real lack of compatibility between the two main characters.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
March 4, 2023
4.5 stars
A strong and enjoyable story just wish the last 60 or so pages lived up to the rest of the book. Starchy Duke vs American scandalous hellion was very fun to see. This reminded me a lot of Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart which is one of my favorite books with this exact trope. I think Shupe did a pretty good job in showing her MC's differences but connecting emotionally and showing that layer of vulnerability underneath. That vulnerability chip is what usually makes it or breaks it for me especially when it comes to hate to love dynamics. I can't stand when characters are just sniping at each other and nothing more and it's used as sexual foreplay. What surprised me the most is that the hero the Duke of Lockwood is actually very sweet and a gentleman. Which also surprises our jaded heroine too who believes he's nothing but an arrogant prig at first. I wasn't expecting our starchy Duke to fall so fast but that he did. I normally hate insta-love but here it was believable for the most part considering the time lapse and it's endearing how crazy he is for her and wouldn't change a thing about her.
Andrew has come to America in search of an heiress to marry to help save his crumbling ducal estate and huge debt no thanks to his irresponsible father. He's had very little luck in America (3 rejections to be exact) until he accidentally meets infamous party girl heiress Nellie Young. Nellie is the "love'em and lose them" type of woman, she has no use for men beyond a good time in the sheets and loves her freedom and life in NY until she meets a Duke who pushes her buttons and gets underneath her skin and heart. I love this type of shit. While she's very set in her ways and guarded she's also pragmatic and looking out for others even when they don't deserve it (looking at you Maddie dear). I loved seeing our independent hellion heroine falling in love for the first time and worrying about the hero and trying to fight it. Like I said, it's that underlying sweetness that really worked. From their accidental meet cute during a swim in the ocean to their time bonding in a swimming pool was the highlight for me. And yes this did that thing that I love where the heroine is the only one who calls the Duke by his first name Andrew and he calls her Eleanor instead of Nellie. Ugh loved that. I loved seeing her fuss over his heart condition and pushing him to get second opinions about his heart. The fact that you have a virile Duke who was diagnosed with a poor heart condition believing he's going to die young added a layer of urgency to the love story and him finding a wife. Joanna Shupe's world building when it came to economy, politics and science during 1890s felt very well rounded and handled with care. Maybe parts were anachronistic even for late 1800s America, I'm not an expert but it worked for me either way.
I was expecting a lot more butting heads from both hero and heroine given their extremely varying lifestyles and backgrounds but it was a great combination of bickering and flirting and real feelings peaking out that made it cute. The one who does the most bucking and denying is the heroine. Which did get a little frustrating the longer it went on. I felt like the whole town of New York had to talk this girl into taking a chance on love and willing to take a risk on the man she loves. I can deal with obstincancy but up to a certain point. It gets annoying when the same conversations happen over and over again until the very end to push someone into taking action. That and the suffrage theme just played a little too heavily for me in the last part with the heroine making some reckless questionable choices that kind of made me roll my eyes. It felt like this plot came out of nowhere? It doesn't play into the book until a good 70% in so it threw me off guard a little. I like the topic of women's suffrage just fine but not in my romance books. 🤷🏻♀️ It's just not interesting to me. That all being said and my gripes aside, the issue of reproductive rights and preventive measures that were illegal at the time in the US due to anti-vice conservative Anthony Comstock was very relatable to today's times unfortunately. While I don't like the real world encroaching in my reads, I will give the author snaps for her research. I appreciated the research and thought she put into this, especially considering what this lead to in the US and Europe. Rubber shields, "womb veils" and sponges were no longer accessible and banned which made it harder for women especially lower class women who could not take preventative measures against pregnancy. I liked that Nellie was willing to help women out under the table in getting contraceptives and educating them on ways to avoid pregnancy. At times she sounded much older than her 22 years with her amount of knowledge and experience about sex and contraceptives and how to use them. But I looked the other way cause I appreciated her passion for women's autonomy.
So overall, I enjoyed this. I flew through it and didn't want to put it down. Joanna Shupe is a good writer. She does lean towards more progressive feminist modern-toned writing but given the setting and world building it didn't bother me as much? Even with the progressive themes, her writing isn't talking down to and screaming at you that some other HR authors are wont to do. It feels more like a message than hollering at you.
A strong and enjoyable story just wish the last 60 or so pages lived up to the rest of the book. Starchy Duke vs American scandalous hellion was very fun to see. This reminded me a lot of Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart which is one of my favorite books with this exact trope. I think Shupe did a pretty good job in showing her MC's differences but connecting emotionally and showing that layer of vulnerability underneath. That vulnerability chip is what usually makes it or breaks it for me especially when it comes to hate to love dynamics. I can't stand when characters are just sniping at each other and nothing more and it's used as sexual foreplay. What surprised me the most is that the hero the Duke of Lockwood is actually very sweet and a gentleman. Which also surprises our jaded heroine too who believes he's nothing but an arrogant prig at first. I wasn't expecting our starchy Duke to fall so fast but that he did. I normally hate insta-love but here it was believable for the most part considering the time lapse and it's endearing how crazy he is for her and wouldn't change a thing about her.
Andrew has come to America in search of an heiress to marry to help save his crumbling ducal estate and huge debt no thanks to his irresponsible father. He's had very little luck in America (3 rejections to be exact) until he accidentally meets infamous party girl heiress Nellie Young. Nellie is the "love'em and lose them" type of woman, she has no use for men beyond a good time in the sheets and loves her freedom and life in NY until she meets a Duke who pushes her buttons and gets underneath her skin and heart. I love this type of shit. While she's very set in her ways and guarded she's also pragmatic and looking out for others even when they don't deserve it (looking at you Maddie dear). I loved seeing our independent hellion heroine falling in love for the first time and worrying about the hero and trying to fight it. Like I said, it's that underlying sweetness that really worked. From their accidental meet cute during a swim in the ocean to their time bonding in a swimming pool was the highlight for me. And yes this did that thing that I love where the heroine is the only one who calls the Duke by his first name Andrew and he calls her Eleanor instead of Nellie. Ugh loved that. I loved seeing her fuss over his heart condition and pushing him to get second opinions about his heart. The fact that you have a virile Duke who was diagnosed with a poor heart condition believing he's going to die young added a layer of urgency to the love story and him finding a wife. Joanna Shupe's world building when it came to economy, politics and science during 1890s felt very well rounded and handled with care. Maybe parts were anachronistic even for late 1800s America, I'm not an expert but it worked for me either way.
I was expecting a lot more butting heads from both hero and heroine given their extremely varying lifestyles and backgrounds but it was a great combination of bickering and flirting and real feelings peaking out that made it cute. The one who does the most bucking and denying is the heroine. Which did get a little frustrating the longer it went on. I felt like the whole town of New York had to talk this girl into taking a chance on love and willing to take a risk on the man she loves. I can deal with obstincancy but up to a certain point. It gets annoying when the same conversations happen over and over again until the very end to push someone into taking action. That and the suffrage theme just played a little too heavily for me in the last part with the heroine making some reckless questionable choices that kind of made me roll my eyes. It felt like this plot came out of nowhere? It doesn't play into the book until a good 70% in so it threw me off guard a little. I like the topic of women's suffrage just fine but not in my romance books. 🤷🏻♀️ It's just not interesting to me. That all being said and my gripes aside, the issue of reproductive rights and preventive measures that were illegal at the time in the US due to anti-vice conservative Anthony Comstock was very relatable to today's times unfortunately. While I don't like the real world encroaching in my reads, I will give the author snaps for her research. I appreciated the research and thought she put into this, especially considering what this lead to in the US and Europe. Rubber shields, "womb veils" and sponges were no longer accessible and banned which made it harder for women especially lower class women who could not take preventative measures against pregnancy. I liked that Nellie was willing to help women out under the table in getting contraceptives and educating them on ways to avoid pregnancy. At times she sounded much older than her 22 years with her amount of knowledge and experience about sex and contraceptives and how to use them. But I looked the other way cause I appreciated her passion for women's autonomy.
So overall, I enjoyed this. I flew through it and didn't want to put it down. Joanna Shupe is a good writer. She does lean towards more progressive feminist modern-toned writing but given the setting and world building it didn't bother me as much? Even with the progressive themes, her writing isn't talking down to and screaming at you that some other HR authors are wont to do. It feels more like a message than hollering at you.
December 21, 2024
Loved Lockwood and Nellie! Their chemistry is off the charts! Also Lockwood is so dreamy, I love him!
February 4, 2025
4.5⭐️
February started off strong!! This was just the best time from start to end?! The banter and tension?! I fear I have melted into a puddle!! Also the spice in this? Wow okay!!
February started off strong!! This was just the best time from start to end?! The banter and tension?! I fear I have melted into a puddle!! Also the spice in this? Wow okay!!
January 27, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up.
Vivacious heiress Eleanor Young has always eschewed the institution of marriage, sabotaging her own reputation to make herself unwelcome on New York City’s marriage mart. She lives for herself and her own pleasures, including indulging in kisses with a handsome stranger on a moonlit beach.
Andrew Talbot, the Duke of Lockwood, needs to marry a wealthy heiress and quickly if he has any hope of saving his dukedom from the debt his father left it languishing in. He’s the ultimate gentleman to all of New York high society, but he’s hiding a much darker side of himself and determined to avoid another scandal after being jilted by the last three heiresses he courted.
Nellie sees right through Lockwood’s façade and knows he’s much more than he seems. The more she uncovers of the real man beneath the proper duke, the more irresistible she finds him. This fascination leads to an affair that soon burns much hotter than either Nellie or Lockwood anticipated, but Nellie isn’t willing to compromise on her unconventionality, leaving Lockwood to decide how much he’s willing to give up to be with her.
This book is so difficult to rate because there were parts of it that I absolutely adored and others that didn’t really work for me at all. I’m not sure where exactly to begin, so perhaps it is wise to first include the caveat that I had incredibly high hopes and expectations for this book. Nellie has been a favorite supporting character for me throughout this entire series and it’s impossible not to want unlucky-in-love Lockwood to finally get his HEA. There was also clearly something between him and Nellie this whole time so there’s been a lot of build up and anticipation for me to figure out just what that was.
This was a very emotional and character-driven story, which I loved, but the pacing definitely felt off. Not a lot happens in the first half or two-thirds of the book other than Nellie and Andrew getting to know each other better and having some pretty great steamy times. That’s the character-driven aspect of this book and I was here for it. However, in the last quarter or third or so of the book, a ton of things are packed in, and a new storyline is introduced for Nellie that just didn’t really seem to fit since it wasn’t really mentioned in the first half of the book. I’ll discuss this in more detail below but read the book first as it may get spoilery.
Lockwood was a likable character I could really root for, though I still wanted more of an in-depth characterization for him than what we got. I wanted to explore his fascination with pain during sex more, for instance, and it felt like that door was opened just a crack and then slammed shut. Nonetheless, I liked his platonic friendship with Katie as it was so genuine and showed and male/female friendship in a romance in such a healthy way, something that I think is pretty rare. It was also nice that, though he was struggling and had no money, through no fault of his own, that wasn’t what defined him and he didn’t mention it all the time with any sort of woe-is-me attitude. The fortune hunter is usually the villain of the story, so it was nice to get the humanizing story of how this had happened to him.
Nellie was hard to like as a heroine for me. She was very judgmental of Andrew without even realizing it, too caught up in her own views and her assurance that he must be a stuffy aristocrat. Even when he proved himself to her over and over, she still persisted in doubting him and judging him and that got so old for me. It’s behavior I wouldn’t want in a romance hero and it doesn’t fly any better for me coming from a heroine, especially when it’s couched as her being independent or however it was supposed to come off. It annoyed me that she made decisions for Lockwood (that he couldn’t have a future with her because she’d ruin his reputation), yet this is the very thing she doesn’t want happening to her. This smacked of blatant hypocrisy and it got on my nerves. If he’s not allowed to make any sort of decisions for her, then why is it ok when she’s doing it for him? She pushed him away so much and went through her reasoning of how she was leaving him or couldn’t be with him for his own good that it became very repetitive and a bit tedious.
Nellie’s antics seemed more frivolous than I think they were meant to. She’s meant to be this feminist powerhouse but really she’s naïve and has no concept of consequences for others that may result from her actions. Again, fair warning there may be spoilers ahead. Nellie’s desire to help women get access to contraception was great, noble even, but her way of going about it was less so. Case in point: her storyline with Mrs. Ingram. Nellie went off rashly, albeit with good intentions, but without a thought to how she could be putting an innocent woman in even more danger, all so Nellie could have a public platform for her crusade for access to contraceptives. I don’t disagree at all with what she was trying to do, but the way she went about it was narrow-minded and failed to consider the potential consequences to others with less privilege or access to funds than she had. She acted as if an arrest was something she intended to happen all along and that it was good for her platform, but for me that was just another example of Nellie being reckless and not really considering others.
Neither she nor Lockwood was really the person they portrayed to the world, and I wanted to see more of them uncovering one another’s true selves on the page than we really got. There was a lot of this in a delicious build-up in the first half of the book and then it just sort of fell off and never really recovered. The same thing happened with the steamy scenes. Nellie and Andrew really came together and learned deep rooted secrets about one another in the bedroom and yet, we have no steam past the 66% mark. With the physical aspect of their relationship being such a key factor in cementing their emotional connection, this was incredibly disappointing for me. I wanted at least one culminating scene with them together after they were finally on the same page, had admitted their love, and solidified a future together and instead we get two weirdly implied, fade-to-black scenes. Even in the end, after her grand romantic gesture, Nellie is still bargaining and demanding, trying to get the upper hand on Andrew, holding things over him and keeping the threat of divorce alive if he ever steps out of line, wanting property in her name rather than both their names, and generally ensuring that he always feels like he’s on the back foot. I’m sure this wasn’t actually the intention, but that’s how it came off to me and I just really wanted more of a partnership. As it stood, even after Nellie and Lockwood are reunited and the grand romantic gesture is over, there was too much negotiation still going on for this to feel like a solid, permanent relationship to me.
I loved Nellie’s Irish family and definitely wanted to see more of them interacting with Lockwood. I have a ton of highlights from Aunt Riona’s advice to Nellie and I’d love to see more of her, perhaps a spinoff series for Finn and her other two sons? I loved how Nellie and Lockwood grew together but there were a few too many rejections on Nellie’s part and too much lack of stability in the relationship for me to love this as much as I wanted to. For a series conclusion with so many high hopes resting on it, I did want a bit more.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Vivacious heiress Eleanor Young has always eschewed the institution of marriage, sabotaging her own reputation to make herself unwelcome on New York City’s marriage mart. She lives for herself and her own pleasures, including indulging in kisses with a handsome stranger on a moonlit beach.
Andrew Talbot, the Duke of Lockwood, needs to marry a wealthy heiress and quickly if he has any hope of saving his dukedom from the debt his father left it languishing in. He’s the ultimate gentleman to all of New York high society, but he’s hiding a much darker side of himself and determined to avoid another scandal after being jilted by the last three heiresses he courted.
Nellie sees right through Lockwood’s façade and knows he’s much more than he seems. The more she uncovers of the real man beneath the proper duke, the more irresistible she finds him. This fascination leads to an affair that soon burns much hotter than either Nellie or Lockwood anticipated, but Nellie isn’t willing to compromise on her unconventionality, leaving Lockwood to decide how much he’s willing to give up to be with her.
This book is so difficult to rate because there were parts of it that I absolutely adored and others that didn’t really work for me at all. I’m not sure where exactly to begin, so perhaps it is wise to first include the caveat that I had incredibly high hopes and expectations for this book. Nellie has been a favorite supporting character for me throughout this entire series and it’s impossible not to want unlucky-in-love Lockwood to finally get his HEA. There was also clearly something between him and Nellie this whole time so there’s been a lot of build up and anticipation for me to figure out just what that was.
This was a very emotional and character-driven story, which I loved, but the pacing definitely felt off. Not a lot happens in the first half or two-thirds of the book other than Nellie and Andrew getting to know each other better and having some pretty great steamy times. That’s the character-driven aspect of this book and I was here for it. However, in the last quarter or third or so of the book, a ton of things are packed in, and a new storyline is introduced for Nellie that just didn’t really seem to fit since it wasn’t really mentioned in the first half of the book. I’ll discuss this in more detail below but read the book first as it may get spoilery.
Lockwood was a likable character I could really root for, though I still wanted more of an in-depth characterization for him than what we got. I wanted to explore his fascination with pain during sex more, for instance, and it felt like that door was opened just a crack and then slammed shut. Nonetheless, I liked his platonic friendship with Katie as it was so genuine and showed and male/female friendship in a romance in such a healthy way, something that I think is pretty rare. It was also nice that, though he was struggling and had no money, through no fault of his own, that wasn’t what defined him and he didn’t mention it all the time with any sort of woe-is-me attitude. The fortune hunter is usually the villain of the story, so it was nice to get the humanizing story of how this had happened to him.
Nellie was hard to like as a heroine for me. She was very judgmental of Andrew without even realizing it, too caught up in her own views and her assurance that he must be a stuffy aristocrat. Even when he proved himself to her over and over, she still persisted in doubting him and judging him and that got so old for me. It’s behavior I wouldn’t want in a romance hero and it doesn’t fly any better for me coming from a heroine, especially when it’s couched as her being independent or however it was supposed to come off. It annoyed me that she made decisions for Lockwood (that he couldn’t have a future with her because she’d ruin his reputation), yet this is the very thing she doesn’t want happening to her. This smacked of blatant hypocrisy and it got on my nerves. If he’s not allowed to make any sort of decisions for her, then why is it ok when she’s doing it for him? She pushed him away so much and went through her reasoning of how she was leaving him or couldn’t be with him for his own good that it became very repetitive and a bit tedious.
Nellie’s antics seemed more frivolous than I think they were meant to. She’s meant to be this feminist powerhouse but really she’s naïve and has no concept of consequences for others that may result from her actions. Again, fair warning there may be spoilers ahead. Nellie’s desire to help women get access to contraception was great, noble even, but her way of going about it was less so. Case in point: her storyline with Mrs. Ingram. Nellie went off rashly, albeit with good intentions, but without a thought to how she could be putting an innocent woman in even more danger, all so Nellie could have a public platform for her crusade for access to contraceptives. I don’t disagree at all with what she was trying to do, but the way she went about it was narrow-minded and failed to consider the potential consequences to others with less privilege or access to funds than she had. She acted as if an arrest was something she intended to happen all along and that it was good for her platform, but for me that was just another example of Nellie being reckless and not really considering others.
Neither she nor Lockwood was really the person they portrayed to the world, and I wanted to see more of them uncovering one another’s true selves on the page than we really got. There was a lot of this in a delicious build-up in the first half of the book and then it just sort of fell off and never really recovered. The same thing happened with the steamy scenes. Nellie and Andrew really came together and learned deep rooted secrets about one another in the bedroom and yet, we have no steam past the 66% mark. With the physical aspect of their relationship being such a key factor in cementing their emotional connection, this was incredibly disappointing for me. I wanted at least one culminating scene with them together after they were finally on the same page, had admitted their love, and solidified a future together and instead we get two weirdly implied, fade-to-black scenes. Even in the end, after her grand romantic gesture, Nellie is still bargaining and demanding, trying to get the upper hand on Andrew, holding things over him and keeping the threat of divorce alive if he ever steps out of line, wanting property in her name rather than both their names, and generally ensuring that he always feels like he’s on the back foot. I’m sure this wasn’t actually the intention, but that’s how it came off to me and I just really wanted more of a partnership. As it stood, even after Nellie and Lockwood are reunited and the grand romantic gesture is over, there was too much negotiation still going on for this to feel like a solid, permanent relationship to me.
I loved Nellie’s Irish family and definitely wanted to see more of them interacting with Lockwood. I have a ton of highlights from Aunt Riona’s advice to Nellie and I’d love to see more of her, perhaps a spinoff series for Finn and her other two sons? I loved how Nellie and Lockwood grew together but there were a few too many rejections on Nellie’s part and too much lack of stability in the relationship for me to love this as much as I wanted to. For a series conclusion with so many high hopes resting on it, I did want a bit more.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
September 17, 2022
Pledging my undying fealty to Joanna Shupe for the Acknowledgements alone!
UGH five stars I know but this one got me gals! I'll write a full review with some choice quotes soon but just know this was everything I wanted from Nellie and the Duke, or should I say, Eleanor and Andrew. Had me kicking my feet and giggling type of book!
UGH five stars I know but this one got me gals! I'll write a full review with some choice quotes soon but just know this was everything I wanted from Nellie and the Duke, or should I say, Eleanor and Andrew. Had me kicking my feet and giggling type of book!
November 18, 2023
3.5 Stars
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise, the scene where they meet, and the H.
The Not-So-Good: The epilogue could've been so much better!
The Bad: The lack of time together navigating their majorly different lives after the conflict was resolved.
Overall: I didn't really realize that I had read a book from this series until I was already into this book, but there was a good bit of overlap for the two books (The Bride Goes Rogue). That being said, I don't think it's necessary to read the other books to enjoy this one, but it might help know a little of the backstory. After reading my review for the other, I felt mostly the same about this one, so I'm going with the same 3.5 star rating here too.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Nelly and Lockwood's story. They meet one night during a midnight swim in the ocean that results in a heated kiss and plans to meet again. Only to find their identities the next day where Lockwood is the Duke that one of her best friends has been talking about and is about to get engaged to. Nelly then puts plans into place to prevent that from happening even though Lockwood is in America to find an heiress to marry to save his ducal properties after his father died leaving him in a bad place. There is some back and forth, some tension that eventually comes to a head, and some sexy times...and they get a HEA.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between and POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No. Instalust? Yes.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Lockwood. I liked him. I liked him in the other book I read from this series, but a lot more. He was a great combination of a gentleman, a dirty talker, and a romantic that's super loyal.
h (heroine) rating: 3 stars. Nelly. I liked her, but I struggled with her when she continued to push away. I appreciated her strength and wits.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I shed some tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No, only mild jealousy
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends in an alright place but I would've loved a farther and more extensive glimpse into their future. I would call it a HEA even though I was disappointed in the end.
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise, the scene where they meet, and the H.
The Not-So-Good: The epilogue could've been so much better!
The Bad: The lack of time together navigating their majorly different lives after the conflict was resolved.
Overall: I didn't really realize that I had read a book from this series until I was already into this book, but there was a good bit of overlap for the two books (The Bride Goes Rogue). That being said, I don't think it's necessary to read the other books to enjoy this one, but it might help know a little of the backstory. After reading my review for the other, I felt mostly the same about this one, so I'm going with the same 3.5 star rating here too.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Nelly and Lockwood's story. They meet one night during a midnight swim in the ocean that results in a heated kiss and plans to meet again. Only to find their identities the next day where Lockwood is the Duke that one of her best friends has been talking about and is about to get engaged to. Nelly then puts plans into place to prevent that from happening even though Lockwood is in America to find an heiress to marry to save his ducal properties after his father died leaving him in a bad place. There is some back and forth, some tension that eventually comes to a head, and some sexy times...and they get a HEA.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between and POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No. Instalust? Yes.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Lockwood. I liked him. I liked him in the other book I read from this series, but a lot more. He was a great combination of a gentleman, a dirty talker, and a romantic that's super loyal.
h (heroine) rating: 3 stars. Nelly. I liked her, but I struggled with her when she continued to push away. I appreciated her strength and wits.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I shed some tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No, only mild jealousy
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends in an alright place but I would've loved a farther and more extensive glimpse into their future. I would call it a HEA even though I was disappointed in the end.
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
January 25, 2023
Ahh, I am so heart broken this series is over. It’s my favorite series of historical romance and this book has been the best conclusion. It was utterly perfect.
I’ve been dying for Nellie and Lockwood since I started the series. I loved both of them separately, and when I read the teaser at the end of the previous book, I nearly fainted. Their first encounter in the ocean is so hot! And then fate kept throwing them together. This has been the best paid slowburn ever. And the best think is that this book doesn’t torture us! Nellie and Lockwood are unable to resist each other. It was perfection in the form of romance. 10/10, A+, excellence. The steam? God tier. The banter? A banger. The friendships and family relationships? Perfect addition.
This book also deals with reproductive rights and I freaking loved it. Nellie is the best, period. She’s an icon, a legend. And to think that this book is set in the very late 1800s and early 1900s, and to this day we’re still fighting so women can have total control of her bodies and health… It’s truly sickening. What Nellie does in this book by fighting and educating women so they take control of their bodies is amazing, inspiring and venerable.
As I said, perfect conclusion to a perfect series. I hope and wish and pray Nellie’s cousins get a seriessss!!! *fingers crossed*
ARC provided by Avon and NetGalley. Opinions are my own!
I’ve been dying for Nellie and Lockwood since I started the series. I loved both of them separately, and when I read the teaser at the end of the previous book, I nearly fainted. Their first encounter in the ocean is so hot! And then fate kept throwing them together. This has been the best paid slowburn ever. And the best think is that this book doesn’t torture us! Nellie and Lockwood are unable to resist each other. It was perfection in the form of romance. 10/10, A+, excellence. The steam? God tier. The banter? A banger. The friendships and family relationships? Perfect addition.
This book also deals with reproductive rights and I freaking loved it. Nellie is the best, period. She’s an icon, a legend. And to think that this book is set in the very late 1800s and early 1900s, and to this day we’re still fighting so women can have total control of her bodies and health… It’s truly sickening. What Nellie does in this book by fighting and educating women so they take control of their bodies is amazing, inspiring and venerable.
As I said, perfect conclusion to a perfect series. I hope and wish and pray Nellie’s cousins get a seriessss!!! *fingers crossed*
ARC provided by Avon and NetGalley. Opinions are my own!
January 31, 2024
✨️ 5 stars ✨️
To avoid the shackles of marriage, Nellie Young ruined her reputation a long time ago. She stumbles upon a stranger in the ocean and kisses him! Duke of Lockwood is searching for the perfect bride to save his estate. Only, he keeps running into Nellie, who is the most scandalous lady around. Trying to keep scandal down and dark desires enacted, fate seems to have other plans.
It's one of the best books I've read in a long time! I greatly enjoy both MCs, which is such a refreshing change of pace. Not to mention, it's an interesting plot, too! This book definitely makes my heart skip a beat, and I look forward to reading everything that Shupe writes! 😍
Posted on my book instagram - readinginbliss!
To avoid the shackles of marriage, Nellie Young ruined her reputation a long time ago. She stumbles upon a stranger in the ocean and kisses him! Duke of Lockwood is searching for the perfect bride to save his estate. Only, he keeps running into Nellie, who is the most scandalous lady around. Trying to keep scandal down and dark desires enacted, fate seems to have other plans.
It's one of the best books I've read in a long time! I greatly enjoy both MCs, which is such a refreshing change of pace. Not to mention, it's an interesting plot, too! This book definitely makes my heart skip a beat, and I look forward to reading everything that Shupe writes! 😍
Posted on my book instagram - readinginbliss!
January 3, 2025
free spirit meets uptight nobility and there's sparks
i love a hook up to love romance cause i just think it's saucy and fun, and i appreciate that it was the man doing all the pining in it. i liked the birth control plotline of nellie making it available to women but omg is it sad to read that about late 1800s and seeing history is repeating itself in real time 2025.
the narrators both did a great job, but one thing that bugged me was the male POV was slightly faster so i had to keep adjusting the playback speed while i listened.
i love a hook up to love romance cause i just think it's saucy and fun, and i appreciate that it was the man doing all the pining in it. i liked the birth control plotline of nellie making it available to women but omg is it sad to read that about late 1800s and seeing history is repeating itself in real time 2025.
the narrators both did a great job, but one thing that bugged me was the male POV was slightly faster so i had to keep adjusting the playback speed while i listened.
May 20, 2024
Reread update: um yeah i’m still obsessed haha
OK THIS ONE IS MY FAV OF THE SERIES OMFG.
Nellie is an icon and I’m absolutely obsessed with her. And Lockwood? He’s down SO bad and it’s everything to me. He’s the exact definition Of gentleman in the streets and filthy in the sheets. WOW 🥵
Additionally, the dynamics of Nellie’s family was soooo entertaining to read. Overall had the most fun with this one and am very sad it’s over 😭
OK THIS ONE IS MY FAV OF THE SERIES OMFG.
Nellie is an icon and I’m absolutely obsessed with her. And Lockwood? He’s down SO bad and it’s everything to me. He’s the exact definition Of gentleman in the streets and filthy in the sheets. WOW 🥵
Additionally, the dynamics of Nellie’s family was soooo entertaining to read. Overall had the most fun with this one and am very sad it’s over 😭
April 8, 2023
OMG... Nellie... Lockwood... HOW I LOVED YOU BOTH SO MUCH!! Yes, I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
I admit that I didn't pay too much attention to Andrew, Duke of Lockwood, when he first appeared in The Heiress Hunt. I did notice the "vibe" between Lockwood and Nellie in Maddie's book, but I wasn't very invested in him by then. Then Lockwood appeared in again in Alice's book, The Lady Gets Lucky, and I started to think the author may have something in store for him after all.
Kudos for Joanna Shupe to make Lockwood jilted not once, not twice, but thrice before he finally gets his own book with Nellie.
AND HOW I ADORED LOCKWOOD HERE 😍
Yes, Lockwood was looking for a bride, but we also get to know him a lot more. The reason for him to do it. Lockwood's real thoughts and feel (and also )... and HOW HE ADORED NELLIE, his Eleanor!
OMG.
AND NELLIE, I am SO HAPPY for you, Mama Bear! You finally get the man who worships the ground you are walking on. Nellie is that amazing woman with strong characteristics. She embraces her freedom, including sexual freedom. She is also a determined being when it comes to cause about women's equality and contraception. And I'm SO HAPPY to know that Nellie's father let her be. The love is strong there (pheww, because Shupe tends to also write horrible parents!). Nellie doesn't back down from challenge...
... but being with Lockwood softened her as well. We get to see Nellie being vulnerable when her heart involved. She cares for Lockwood, but she also has deep fear of grief and losing the one she loves the most. So Nellie pushes Lockwood away so many times... I am feeling overjoyed when Nellie finally accepts her happiness. That she gains so much more, . Those last two chapters and epilogue just SLAYED ME.
This is my favorite book of the entire series, I loved, loved, LOVED IT SO. What a great conclusion, and what a wonderful way to say goodbye to these 5th Avenue rebels.
I admit that I didn't pay too much attention to Andrew, Duke of Lockwood, when he first appeared in The Heiress Hunt. I did notice the "vibe" between Lockwood and Nellie in Maddie's book, but I wasn't very invested in him by then. Then Lockwood appeared in again in Alice's book, The Lady Gets Lucky, and I started to think the author may have something in store for him after all.
Kudos for Joanna Shupe to make Lockwood jilted not once, not twice, but thrice before he finally gets his own book with Nellie.
AND HOW I ADORED LOCKWOOD HERE 😍
Yes, Lockwood was looking for a bride, but we also get to know him a lot more. The reason for him to do it. Lockwood's real thoughts and feel (and also )... and HOW HE ADORED NELLIE, his Eleanor!
OMG.
AND NELLIE, I am SO HAPPY for you, Mama Bear! You finally get the man who worships the ground you are walking on. Nellie is that amazing woman with strong characteristics. She embraces her freedom, including sexual freedom. She is also a determined being when it comes to cause about women's equality and contraception. And I'm SO HAPPY to know that Nellie's father let her be. The love is strong there (pheww, because Shupe tends to also write horrible parents!). Nellie doesn't back down from challenge...
... but being with Lockwood softened her as well. We get to see Nellie being vulnerable when her heart involved. She cares for Lockwood, but she also has deep fear of grief and losing the one she loves the most. So Nellie pushes Lockwood away so many times... I am feeling overjoyed when Nellie finally accepts her happiness. That she gains so much more, . Those last two chapters and epilogue just SLAYED ME.
This is my favorite book of the entire series, I loved, loved, LOVED IT SO. What a great conclusion, and what a wonderful way to say goodbye to these 5th Avenue rebels.
September 8, 2022
What a fantastic book!!! Everything about it was just what I was hoping for. I've loved Lockwood for years and I was so excited that he was finally get his book and his HEA! And Nellie?!?! She is everything I would want in a friend and more. This book doesn't just sizzle- it burns!!!
March 23, 2025
when the duke said “here is what will happen now” we all remember where we were!!!
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