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vyadkins's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 - not as good as the prince of broadway (my current standard for historical romances about white people) but better than the rouge of fifth avenue. But honestly, this entire series was really good! I never read Joanna shupe before the uptown girls series and she is quickly becoming a fave in historical romance. Cannot wait to read more of her backlist!
xavierprice's review against another edition
5.0
Title ⤵️
The Devil of Downtown
Author ⤵️
Joanna Shupe
Rating ⤵️
The Devil of Downtown
Author ⤵️
Joanna Shupe
Rating ⤵️
ladynovella's review against another edition
5.0
*Review of eARC received from NetGalley*
I think this is the first Joanna Shupe novel I’ve read. She’s been on my radar for a while and I’ve just never gotten around to reading anything by her. But this was recommended to me in one of the author groups I follow on Facebook. And since I have a NetGalley account, I took advantage of its availability there to read it.
And, yep, I loved this book!
The reason it was recommended to me was because I mentioned I love the “Jerk with a Heart of Gold” trope. And, oh boy, does this have that IN SPADES! Jack Mulligan is a crime boss in the late 19th century New York City. He’s mean, he’s tough, he rules his criminal empire with an iron fist - but he also cares about the people he rules over. It’s not until he meets “do-gooder” Justine Greene that those gentler traits get to come out beyond his territory.
For Justine’s part, she’s written quite well. She’s not an obnoxious virtue-signal, as sometimes happens with such characters in historical romance. I could actually picture someone like her existing in the 1890s. She genuine cares about the causes she’s involved in, rather than using them to prop herself up. She’s a great foil for Jack and they both bring out the best in each other.
Because I have not (yet) read the other books in this series, I will say that it is totally okay to start reading here. Obviously there are some spoilers for the previous two books, but probably nothing I couldn’t guess at happening anyway (there are certain things that must happen in the romance genre, after all. And that’s why I love it!) I have checked out the first book from my library’s ebook service, but I wanted to read this since it was specifically recommended to me. I look forward to more Joanna Shupe!
I think this is the first Joanna Shupe novel I’ve read. She’s been on my radar for a while and I’ve just never gotten around to reading anything by her. But this was recommended to me in one of the author groups I follow on Facebook. And since I have a NetGalley account, I took advantage of its availability there to read it.
And, yep, I loved this book!
The reason it was recommended to me was because I mentioned I love the “Jerk with a Heart of Gold” trope. And, oh boy, does this have that IN SPADES! Jack Mulligan is a crime boss in the late 19th century New York City. He’s mean, he’s tough, he rules his criminal empire with an iron fist - but he also cares about the people he rules over. It’s not until he meets “do-gooder” Justine Greene that those gentler traits get to come out beyond his territory.
For Justine’s part, she’s written quite well. She’s not an obnoxious virtue-signal, as sometimes happens with such characters in historical romance. I could actually picture someone like her existing in the 1890s. She genuine cares about the causes she’s involved in, rather than using them to prop herself up. She’s a great foil for Jack and they both bring out the best in each other.
Because I have not (yet) read the other books in this series, I will say that it is totally okay to start reading here. Obviously there are some spoilers for the previous two books, but probably nothing I couldn’t guess at happening anyway (there are certain things that must happen in the romance genre, after all. And that’s why I love it!) I have checked out the first book from my library’s ebook service, but I wanted to read this since it was specifically recommended to me. I look forward to more Joanna Shupe!
jessicanunez's review against another edition
4.0
If I had a criminal empire, I ain't giving it up for NOBODY
half_lucid's review against another edition
5.0
I haven’t enjoyed a romance this much in years. I loved the heroine, I adored the hero, their conflicts were nuanced and didn’t feel contrived. I’ve read a bunch of Shupe’s others, and this by far surpassed the others, so very excited to see what’s next!
meltingfish's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.75
cubierocks's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Exciting, though the love developed a bit too quickly for me.
Exciting, though the love developed a bit too quickly for me.
ceruleanshelves's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
This was my favorite of this trilogy. Literally, my only complaint is that the New York gangster accent really doesn't do it for me, but I enjoyed the book so much I didn't mind it.
isabelisalright's review against another edition
5.0
Review 3 video
Wow. I knew I would love Jack after reading The Prince of Broadway, but I did not expect to find so many more things to love. A criminal who is trying to help the most do gooder ever.
Watching as Justine grew from the baby of the family to an adult, finding herself and her joys.
I just really loved this finale so much. I adore the gilded age that Joanna presents to us as readers and the characters within it. I didn't know for sure if anything could match Florence and Clay, but somehow this does.
Arc provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. I knew I would love Jack after reading The Prince of Broadway, but I did not expect to find so many more things to love. A criminal who is trying to help the most do gooder ever.
Watching as Justine grew from the baby of the family to an adult, finding herself and her joys.
I just really loved this finale so much. I adore the gilded age that Joanna presents to us as readers and the characters within it. I didn't know for sure if anything could match Florence and Clay, but somehow this does.
Arc provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.