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exquisite_tragedy's review against another edition
5.0
***A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review***
Well, Joanna Shupe does it again!!! I was absolutely obsessed with the previous book in this series (The Lady Gets Lucky) and was anxious to see if anything would be able to top it. However, I didn’t need to worry because this one blew me out of the water! Can we just take a moment to appreciate this absolutely stunning cover?!
Based on a contractual agreement made by their fathers, Katherine has been anticipating a marriage to Preston for over a year…or so she thought. When she shows up at his work to iron out the details of their big day, Preston basically tells her that he never had any intention of marrying her and that she was deluded for thinking otherwise. Katherine tells him off and then leaves his office with the intention of never seeing him again. After feeling like she pretty much wasted a year of her life waiting for a huge jerk, Katherine decides to spice things up and live life on the scandalous side. In particular, she decides she wants to have a meaningless affair (men can do it so why the heck can’t she?!). Katherine and her bestie Nellie (who I can’t WAIT to get her own book) decide to attend a raunchy masquerade/costume party to put Katherine’s plan into action. While at the party, Katherine becomes instantly infatuated with a mysterious masked gentleman (who just happens to be Preston). Due to their masked costumes the two don’t recognize each other, but immediately hit it off. They make plans to meet up again after the party to continue their affair…but how will things change once their identities have been revealed?
This was probably one of the best hate-to-love historical romances I’ve read in a long time (and my new favorite Joanna Shupe book to date). As always with Joanna Shupe, her witty banter and scorching chemistry were executed perfectly. Especially considering how rocky things were at the start for this couple, I was surprised by how invested I become in their relationship and how well the two ended up balancing each other out. This was a super steamy installment, and the spicy dialogue in particular was next level. I liked watching Katherine evolve from a timid wallflower to an outspoken and independent woman. Preston is a morally grey hero in that he’s not afraid to cheat, lie, and steal to get what he wants no matter the cost. He has a ton of emotional baggage that he takes out on other people (both intentionally and unintentionally). As a result, I did find Preston a little immature at times due to his fixation on his own end goals and his disregard for the impact that his actions had on the people around him. It all worked out in the end for me though, because I loved how much Preston ended up having to grovel and worship her.
All in all…Joanna Shupe is such a staple in the historical romance community and I feel like her books are only getting better and better. I definitely recommend you picking this one up when it comes out on May 24th, 2022!
Well, Joanna Shupe does it again!!! I was absolutely obsessed with the previous book in this series (The Lady Gets Lucky) and was anxious to see if anything would be able to top it. However, I didn’t need to worry because this one blew me out of the water! Can we just take a moment to appreciate this absolutely stunning cover?!
Based on a contractual agreement made by their fathers, Katherine has been anticipating a marriage to Preston for over a year…or so she thought. When she shows up at his work to iron out the details of their big day, Preston basically tells her that he never had any intention of marrying her and that she was deluded for thinking otherwise. Katherine tells him off and then leaves his office with the intention of never seeing him again. After feeling like she pretty much wasted a year of her life waiting for a huge jerk, Katherine decides to spice things up and live life on the scandalous side. In particular, she decides she wants to have a meaningless affair (men can do it so why the heck can’t she?!). Katherine and her bestie Nellie (who I can’t WAIT to get her own book) decide to attend a raunchy masquerade/costume party to put Katherine’s plan into action. While at the party, Katherine becomes instantly infatuated with a mysterious masked gentleman (who just happens to be Preston). Due to their masked costumes the two don’t recognize each other, but immediately hit it off. They make plans to meet up again after the party to continue their affair…but how will things change once their identities have been revealed?
This was probably one of the best hate-to-love historical romances I’ve read in a long time (and my new favorite Joanna Shupe book to date). As always with Joanna Shupe, her witty banter and scorching chemistry were executed perfectly. Especially considering how rocky things were at the start for this couple, I was surprised by how invested I become in their relationship and how well the two ended up balancing each other out. This was a super steamy installment, and the spicy dialogue in particular was next level. I liked watching Katherine evolve from a timid wallflower to an outspoken and independent woman. Preston is a morally grey hero in that he’s not afraid to cheat, lie, and steal to get what he wants no matter the cost. He has a ton of emotional baggage that he takes out on other people (both intentionally and unintentionally). As a result, I did find Preston a little immature at times due to his fixation on his own end goals and his disregard for the impact that his actions had on the people around him. It all worked out in the end for me though, because I loved how much Preston ended up having to grovel and worship her.
All in all…Joanna Shupe is such a staple in the historical romance community and I feel like her books are only getting better and better. I definitely recommend you picking this one up when it comes out on May 24th, 2022!
miry1984's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kynikoskyon's review against another edition
DNF @ 37%
Muy aburrida la historia. Insta-lust con protagonistas nada interesantes de leer.
Muy aburrida la historia. Insta-lust con protagonistas nada interesantes de leer.
ldreyfus's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
whoever thought that was enough groveling is wrong. Idk if I’ve read a book I thought it would like with such a paternalistic disrespectful ass as Preston. Had I not been listening to the audiobook, the book would have been hurled across the room.
reeyabeegale's review against another edition
5.0
Joanna Shupe continues to wreck me with her novels.
This book is so beautiful and quirky. I love how fun and entertaining Katherine and Preston's interactions with each other.
I would've only given this 4 stars if it weren't for all the scenes in the lodge. It was so raw and honest, and it has brought me to tears throughout the last 30% of the book.
I was a bit dissatisfied with how the ending + Epilogue went. I would've expected something more than just that. It read anticlimactic in comparison to how the whole book went throughout.
Though, I must say, I enjoyed this more than I did the second book in the series.
Nonetheless, this author remains to be my favorite author for any historical romance outside of Europe. I can't wait to read more of her books, especially the ones from this series.
This book is so beautiful and quirky. I love how fun and entertaining Katherine and Preston's interactions with each other.
I would've only given this 4 stars if it weren't for all the scenes in the lodge. It was so raw and honest, and it has brought me to tears throughout the last 30% of the book.
I was a bit dissatisfied with how the ending + Epilogue went. I would've expected something more than just that. It read anticlimactic in comparison to how the whole book went throughout.
Though, I must say, I enjoyed this more than I did the second book in the series.
Nonetheless, this author remains to be my favorite author for any historical romance outside of Europe. I can't wait to read more of her books, especially the ones from this series.
jesstangerine's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
skuih's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mostlyfated's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite in the series so far. Once again Joana Shupe delivered in wonderful characters with her spectacular and well-researched setting of the Gilded Age.