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sincerelymendacious's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
amym84's review
5.0
Lady Eva Hyde is as passionate about architecture as her father, the world renowned EM Hyde. What she's kept hidden from the world is that for nearly two years she's been the one behind EM Hyde's creations as her father has fallen ill. Being a woman, Eva knows there are many men who wouldn't deign to work with her, so she passes the work off as her father's. This time around, Eva has designed a state of the art hotel in New York for Phillip Mansfield.
What she doesn't know, however, is that Eva met Phillip on the boat on the way to America. And they hit is off quite spectacularly. Once they are aware that they've got a certain chemistry between them, Eva is determined to remain professional. To not let her feelings for Phillip get ahead of doing her job. For her, it would ruin her reputation and immediately put people off from wanting to work with her again. However, as Phillip and Eva interact, keep their distance proves to be almost impossible.
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this read and equally as surprised at how relevant the situation(s) felt. I have to say I believe this is my first historical workplace romance, but I think Joanna Shupe (more than some of the contemporary romances utilizing the same trope) really makes clear the power divide between men and women, and the idea that women have less opportunities afforded to them than men. This rings true now even as it does in The Gilded Age (late 19th century) when the story takes place. I loved the throughout Eva staunchly defends her right to work in a field that many consider for a man. I loved that even though she's falling in love with Phillip she doesn't let that cloud her judgement of the situation.
Phillip represents, obviously, the men in power positions. While he's always felt like he's supported women's rights, Eva is the one to really bring forth the fact that there are still areas where he is lacking as well. I think Joanna Shupe handled this very well. Phillip is not a bad person because he thinks of Eva's safety on the jobsite more than he might think of a man's safety, but instead we see him begin to understand the areas where men are favored over women, or given more power over women, and he begins to see the error of this thought process.
A Scandalous Deal has been best most unassuming read for me so far this year. It's clear and concise handling of women's issues while also delivering a steamy romance. Plus, the Gilded Age is not an often written about time in historical romances. I appreciated all the setting and this sense of American still being rather new, yet growing. I look forward to seeing where Joanna Shupe takes the series next. While A Scandalous Deal works great as a standalone, the heroine from [b:A Daring Arrangement|33783452|A Daring Arrangement (The Four Hundred, #1)|Joanna Shupe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501721726s/33783452.jpg|54668888], does make quite the number of appearances thereby intrinsically linking the stories together.
What she doesn't know, however, is that Eva met Phillip on the boat on the way to America. And they hit is off quite spectacularly. Once they are aware that they've got a certain chemistry between them, Eva is determined to remain professional. To not let her feelings for Phillip get ahead of doing her job. For her, it would ruin her reputation and immediately put people off from wanting to work with her again. However, as Phillip and Eva interact, keep their distance proves to be almost impossible.
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this read and equally as surprised at how relevant the situation(s) felt. I have to say I believe this is my first historical workplace romance, but I think Joanna Shupe (more than some of the contemporary romances utilizing the same trope) really makes clear the power divide between men and women, and the idea that women have less opportunities afforded to them than men. This rings true now even as it does in The Gilded Age (late 19th century) when the story takes place. I loved the throughout Eva staunchly defends her right to work in a field that many consider for a man. I loved that even though she's falling in love with Phillip she doesn't let that cloud her judgement of the situation.
Phillip represents, obviously, the men in power positions. While he's always felt like he's supported women's rights, Eva is the one to really bring forth the fact that there are still areas where he is lacking as well. I think Joanna Shupe handled this very well. Phillip is not a bad person because he thinks of Eva's safety on the jobsite more than he might think of a man's safety, but instead we see him begin to understand the areas where men are favored over women, or given more power over women, and he begins to see the error of this thought process.
A Scandalous Deal has been best most unassuming read for me so far this year. It's clear and concise handling of women's issues while also delivering a steamy romance. Plus, the Gilded Age is not an often written about time in historical romances. I appreciated all the setting and this sense of American still being rather new, yet growing. I look forward to seeing where Joanna Shupe takes the series next. While A Scandalous Deal works great as a standalone, the heroine from [b:A Daring Arrangement|33783452|A Daring Arrangement (The Four Hundred, #1)|Joanna Shupe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501721726s/33783452.jpg|54668888], does make quite the number of appearances thereby intrinsically linking the stories together.
caitieparker's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nellesnightstand1's review
4.0
I'm loving these novels set in New York in the Gilded Age,(1890's) Bareknuckle boxing, The Empire State Building, women's movement. I just ADORE it. Joanna Shupe brings the lovely architecture of New York's Gilded age to life. Her heroines are independent women who know their own minds. The hero's are great guys who and of course a little misguided and need the help of a strong woman to grow.
There were several plots and twists in this story but the central love story between Lady Eva and Philip shown through. They had chemistry from the first meeting. I really enjoyed this story.
There were some lovely and entertaining secondary characters that I wouldn't mind reading more about, I certainly feel Mr. Tripp deserves his own heroine, hint hint. :)
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for an early copy for an honest opinion.
There were several plots and twists in this story but the central love story between Lady Eva and Philip shown through. They had chemistry from the first meeting. I really enjoyed this story.
There were some lovely and entertaining secondary characters that I wouldn't mind reading more about, I certainly feel Mr. Tripp deserves his own heroine, hint hint. :)
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for an early copy for an honest opinion.
ipomoea's review
4.0
I received an advance copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first Joanna Shupe I've read, but it won't be the last. I loved the setting (New York's Gilded Age) and the plot, but there was a LOT of plot for under 400 pages.
Eva is a gifted architect, but her gender and her string of dead fiances will always overshadow her gift. She instead designs as her father, who is considered the greatest architect in the world but has become bedridden and unable to comprehend the process of designing a building. While he was great, he was also terrible with money, so Eva must hustle and hide her true identity in order to come up with the cash they so desperately need. When her father is contracted for a grand hotel in New York, Eva is the one who designs it and corresponds with the owner. When she travels to the States to oversee the project (as her father's "secretary"), she has a steamy encounter with a stranger on the voyage over. Because this is romance, of course he ends up being the owner of the hotel, and Eva's deception just became much harder.
What I loved: the architecture! The setting! I love books with characters who are passionate about their skills, and Eva is genuinely in love with architecture. And Gilded Age NYC is a fantastic and under-utilized setting for romance, one I plan on seeking out more.
What I wasn't super into: There was just A LOT of plot to squeeze into the book, so there wasn't a lot of time for Philip and Eva to develop organically outside of the bedroom. I did, however, appreciate Philip's pseudo-feminism being called out pretty explicitly.
Verdict: will definitely recommend it, you don't need to read the first book in order to understand it.
This is the first Joanna Shupe I've read, but it won't be the last. I loved the setting (New York's Gilded Age) and the plot, but there was a LOT of plot for under 400 pages.
Eva is a gifted architect, but her gender and her string of dead fiances will always overshadow her gift. She instead designs as her father, who is considered the greatest architect in the world but has become bedridden and unable to comprehend the process of designing a building. While he was great, he was also terrible with money, so Eva must hustle and hide her true identity in order to come up with the cash they so desperately need. When her father is contracted for a grand hotel in New York, Eva is the one who designs it and corresponds with the owner. When she travels to the States to oversee the project (as her father's "secretary"), she has a steamy encounter with a stranger on the voyage over. Because this is romance, of course he ends up being the owner of the hotel, and Eva's deception just became much harder.
What I loved: the architecture! The setting! I love books with characters who are passionate about their skills, and Eva is genuinely in love with architecture. And Gilded Age NYC is a fantastic and under-utilized setting for romance, one I plan on seeking out more.
What I wasn't super into: There was just A LOT of plot to squeeze into the book, so there wasn't a lot of time for Philip and Eva to develop organically outside of the bedroom. I did, however, appreciate Philip's pseudo-feminism being called out pretty explicitly.
Verdict: will definitely recommend it, you don't need to read the first book in order to understand it.
melanierae's review against another edition
Used the last of my phone’s battery when the power went out to finish this 🥲 After she was locked in the shed I was expecting the end to be a bit more dramatic in the vein of book one, but the grand gesture was very nice all the same
balletbookworm's review
4.0
I liked this one a bit more than the first in the series. Partly because of Eva, struggling to be recognized for her work in what is still a very male profession, but also because Shupe pushes a bit more into how women were treated at the time of the Gilded Age, with a secondary character who is at risk of being committed to an asylum because she doesn’t conform (I know we all laugh about that meme going around with reasons women got committed but that was a real thing). Phillip is interesting bc he is very Alpha Male who then has to learn to be a Beta at times for Eva.
nevclue's review
4.0
3.5 stars for the main story, but rounding this up to 4 stars for the supporting characters.
Eva Hyde, with three dead fiances and a dying father, hooks up with a fellow passenger on her boat to New York where she will stand in for her father as architect for a new hotel. Of course she is the one who actually drew up the plans for the hotel, not her incapacitated father, but no-one knows this since she will act as his assistant as far as the public knows. Naturally the hot guy from the boat is none other than the hotel owner, Philip Mansfield. I liked the romance, although as per usual there were dumb miscommunications and self created problems. I like that Eva wants a real career as an architect and is very concerned about her reputation as a result--I frankly could not care less if her career aspirations are anachronistic or not (they may be perfectly plausible but I'm too lazy to do the research).
But what really sold this for me was Philip's mother and his lesbian friend. In general, I always want more ladies in every book I read and this delivered.
Eva Hyde, with three dead fiances and a dying father, hooks up with a fellow passenger on her boat to New York where she will stand in for her father as architect for a new hotel. Of course she is the one who actually drew up the plans for the hotel, not her incapacitated father, but no-one knows this since she will act as his assistant as far as the public knows. Naturally the hot guy from the boat is none other than the hotel owner, Philip Mansfield. I liked the romance, although as per usual there were dumb miscommunications and self created problems. I like that Eva wants a real career as an architect and is very concerned about her reputation as a result--I frankly could not care less if her career aspirations are anachronistic or not (they may be perfectly plausible but I'm too lazy to do the research).
But what really sold this for me was Philip's mother and his lesbian friend. In general, I always want more ladies in every book I read and this delivered.
hinalovestoread's review
3.0
I loved Eva while Phillip had me mad for more than half the book with his constant mistakes and apologies and still not rectifying his ways.
What he did should be too little too late
The rating is mostly for Eva's determination and focus for what she wanted out of live. For daring to dream big and then making it happen.
What he did should be too little too late
The rating is mostly for Eva's determination and focus for what she wanted out of live. For daring to dream big and then making it happen.
nellesnightstand's review
4.0
I'm loving these novels set in New York in the Gilded Age,(1890's) Bareknuckle boxing, The Empire State Building, women's movement. I just ADORE it. Joanna Shupe brings the lovely architecture of New York's Gilded age to life. Her heroines are independent women who know their own minds. The hero's are great guys who and of course a little misguided and need the help of a strong woman to grow.
There were several plots and twists in this story but the central love story between Lady Eva and Philip shown through. They had chemistry from the first meeting. I really enjoyed this story.
There were some lovely and entertaining secondary characters that I wouldn't mind reading more about, I certainly feel Mr. Tripp deserves his own heroine, hint hint. :)
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for an early copy for an honest opinion.
There were several plots and twists in this story but the central love story between Lady Eva and Philip shown through. They had chemistry from the first meeting. I really enjoyed this story.
There were some lovely and entertaining secondary characters that I wouldn't mind reading more about, I certainly feel Mr. Tripp deserves his own heroine, hint hint. :)
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for an early copy for an honest opinion.