The Duke of Lockwood's is in America to find a wealthy heiress to marry in order to save his estate. He meets Nellie Young one night, and he is instantly attracted to her fiery, passionate personality. Nellie has the ability to flout social conventions and does not feel any pressure to marry because of the freedom her wealthy gives her. As Lockwood tries to woo Nellie, she has to get over her fears of starting a relationship with Lockwood that would require her to live in England and act like a proper duchess.

I really wanted to like this book, but I felt that Nellie was unlikable. I thought Lockwood was a well-written and interesting character. Shupe was able to make Lockwood different than just a typical money-seeking impoverished duke searching for a wife. Nellie was too wishy-washy for me, and it did not make sense to me that she would care what her contemporaries thought of her. The first half of the book was fine, but I thought that the last half of the book started to loose steam. The time jumps and obstacles that happen in the third act were too rushed. I did like reading how Nellie was using her power to help women obtain reproductive freedom. I think this book just tried to do too much in a short period of time, and I just could not like the character of Nellie. The scenes between Lockwood and Nellie were unexpectedly super spicy, but I felt like the two characters were missing an emotional connection at times. This book can be read as a standalone, but you will miss some of the relationship dynamics between Nellie and her friends.

I want to start this review by saying that I support the HarperCollins Union in their strike and please continue to support them. If I hadn’t received an ARC of this book from a PR company (and signed up before the strike), I would hold off on posting my review. I hope for the sake of those striking and for the authors, that HarperCollins comes to the bargaining table soon.

I think this is my favorite book in this series. We’ve been waiting Nellie and the duke’s story for so long and when we finally get it… *chef’s kiss*. And man oh man, is this book steamy. Even more so when we learn that Nellie and Lockwood had an anonymous meeting prior to the first book. Which took place in the ocean! Swimming and water is a big part of this book and there were tons of sexytimes around it too! Honestly, the heat level really lives up to the cover of this book! Lockwood and Nellie are on very different paths but the attraction between them brings them together. Both put up a façade, especially Nellie who tries to brush over society’s view of her but sometimes it hurts. It takes a little bit for them to see underneath the walls that they put up but when they do, we get sweetness along with steaminess! This book made me cry and was especially heartbreaking at times but it just shows the emotional depth of the story. This was book we were longing for and it didn’t disappoint!

4.5 Stars

This work started off with an unconventional first encounter and took off from there. Andrew Talbot, the eighth Duke of Lockwood was in need of a wife and was willing to put in the work to insure that his family legacy passed on to the next generation. In possession of abundant charm and good looks it would seem that finding a wife would come easy to him yet he continuously ran into hurdles in achieving his goal. Eleanor "Nellie" Young seemingly could care less about what society thought of her and proudly flouted her independence in a time where women were scorned for doing so.

Steamy encounters and sharp dialog rounded out this work for a read easy to get caught up in. What made for interesting dynamics in this story was that both Lockwood and Nellie carried burdens that leveled their playing field. Nellie's defiant approach to her life and reckless behavior coupled with the fear of committing her heart ultimately made Nellie her own worst enemy. This author did a great job of evolving Nellie and fleshing out her issues. Lockwood's mounting desperation brought about by his father's poor choices and limited time made his dependence on the whims of others that much more difficult. Despite his struggles in obtaining a wife it was hard not to be smitten by Lockwood. As a pair this couple had a lot to deal with beyond their physical attraction keeping this story moving quickly.

One of the things that stands out when reading Joanna Shupe is her strong independent women that stand up against their assigned roles in the society they live in. With works full of history and its constraints this author faces her stories fearlessly. The Duke Gets Even brings another one of a kind Joanna Shupe romance to delight her readers with her forward thinking twist on history!

Joanna Shupe strikes gold with her latest sensuous, passionate and emotional historical romance, The Duke Gets Even.

Nellie Young had been absolutely desperate to escape the claustrophobic shackles of matrimony – so she ruined her reputation on purpose and is now free to indulge in hedonistic pleasures and not worry about what society thinks of her. Being improper suits Nellie down to the ground and there is nothing she likes more than giving into her desires – such as kissing a complete stranger in the ocean under the moonlight. Nellie never thought that would ever find anyone who could breach the defenses she had built around her heart – until she crosses paths with the aristocratic Duke of Lockwood…

Lockwood needs to save his estate – fast! He needs to find a suitable bride who will inject some much-needed capital in his family’s dwindling coffers. Lockwood needs to find a wife who is as close to perfect as it is possible to get. But rather than be attracted to a polite paragon of virtue, he finds himself drawn to Nellie Young, who is worlds apart from his idea of the perfect bride. Lockwood intends on giving Nellie as wide a berth as possible, but that quickly proves easier said than done!

Nellie is the only woman who can see through Lockwood’s façade and when the two of them give into the scorching attraction that sizzles between them, both agree that a future is out of the question. However, when their feelings for one another intensify, will they be willing to walk away from this chance at happiness? Will Lockwood’s duty to his family end up costing him his heart’s desire? Or will he risk it all for the sake of love?

Joanna Shupe outdoes herself yet again with The Duke Gets Even. A scintillating historical romance that will keep readers glued to its pages, The Duke Gets Even is a dramatic tale of forbidden desire, impossible decisions and everlasting love with a spirited and unconventional heroine and a brooding and charismatic hero readers will find themselves swooning over.

A veritable treat for the senses, with The Duke Gets Even, Joanna Shupe continues to affirm her standing as one of historical romance’s most gifted writers.

“He inclined his head but didn’t stare directly at her. She was the sun, bright and dangerous, and if he looked too long she was liable to scorch his insides.”

FINALLY...The Duke Gets Even...and boy is it sweet. Plenty of witty conversation, plenty of sexy time...and a whole lot of feels. There's even a few laughs. We’ve had the opportunity to get to know the Duke and Nellie throughout the series and have grown to love them. We’ve sensed the incredible heat and chemistry between them and to finally have the opportunity to watch it grow…man….I loved it.

I must say, the book is beautifully written, drawing you in immediately in the opening scene and holding you firmly in its grasp until the very end. Lockwood and Nellie are so well written that you can feel their chemistry flowing off the page. Lockwood...is like the perfect man. I love almost every aspect of this book EXCEPT…about 3/4th of the way, the author introduces a subplot for Nellie, one that I feel really isn’t needed. I get why she does it, I just don’t think it’s really needed…. but that’s me…you might love it.

Eleanor Young…or Nellie to her closest friends is intelligent, headstrong, independent, and quite a handful. She knows what she wants and has no problem going after it. Ruined, on purpose during her first season, Nellie is a social pariah. Despite her prickly personality and sharp tongue Lockwood can’t seem to resist her and will do whatever it takes to make her his.

Andrew Talbot, eighth Duke of Lockwood, is a man of honor. Determined to do what’s right for his lineage and those who depend on him, Lockwood is back in New York to find a bride…fourth times a charm. But Lockwood is more than he appears. He is charming and charismatic...and more than a little bit naughty. He’s exactly what Nellie needs and nothing will stand in his way of having her…not even her stubborn will.

No one does New York's Gilded Age quite like Shupe. Her writing sparkles and we see it yet again with this final installment in the Fifth Avenue Rebels of The Duke Gets Even. If you liked the first three books…you’ll like this one too. I can only hope that there's a spinoff happening, cause I’d love to see more of Nellie’s family’s Irish roots.

This is a very sexy addition to the Fifth Avenue Rebels series. We get Nellie and Lockwood's story, and their enemies to lovers plot sizzles with heat and sass. Their romance is scorching and does not disappoint.

Nellie is fiercely independent and progressive, to the point where she can get in her own way. But my favorite part of the book is that Lockwood really loves her for who she is, not despite her over-the-top actions.

I do think you will want to have read the previous books in the series to truly appreciate this one, as poor Lockwood has had quite the adventure, and I like seeing the friendships between the women in the series as well. But Shupe does a good job giving enough of the back story that you can still enjoy it without the previous books.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

I have been wanting to read a Joanna Shupe book for quite awhile now. I saw so many good reviews of her books, and this one was such a great read.

Andrew and Nellie were both interesting characters and I had a connection from early on. I thought their relationship development was nicely paced and there was enough drama to keep things interesting without being overdone.

I liked the writing/storytelling quite a bit as well and I definitely want to read more of Joanna's books.

I was very much looking forward to the Duke finally getting his HEA. After 3 books of nothing but heartache, I was ready for the guy to find some happiness. I was also excited to learn more about Nellie in this book. I feel like Nellie has always been this looming figure in the first 3 books, but she is the star of the show in this one. I think Joanna Shupe has done an excellent job weaving 4 books together that take place over the same time period with the same event covered just in different POVs. When I started book 2 I was a bit nervous about that fact, but Ms. Shupe absolutely blew it out of the water with every book. I was nervous I would feel bored by the same event happening over and over, but I never felt that way.

One thing I wanted to point out was that I appreciated the moments that focused on contraceptives and the choices (or lack of) women were being forced to make about their bodies.

NOW. I feel like Joanna Shupe’s male characters simply get more filthy by the book. This book was so. freaking. hot. Definitely the hottest book Ms. Shupe has produced thus far and I LOVED it. The mouth on Mr. Duke had me blushing as I was reading. From the previous books, we’re led to believe the Duke is this sweet and innocent hero, but boy were we wrong. The man has a mouth on him.

I really enjoyed learning more about Nellie and her family in this one. We learn more about her mothers passing and the fact that her family is the Irish Mob. While she did frustrate me toward the end of the book, I kind of understand her thought process and why she did the things she did.

I’m so sad that this series is over, but I cannot wait to see what Joanna Shupe brings to us with her next series!

A great love story between two fun characters. I devoured it on one rainy afternoon. Although this is a series, you do not have to read the prior novels to enjoy this but you do get to see your favorite characters from the previous novels.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eArc!

UGH five stars I know but this one got me gals! 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!

Let’s wgo back in time to late 19th century NYC- where the bustles were high, the corsets were tight, and the rich were filthy. Book 4 of 5th Avenue Rebels by @joannashupe is coming at ya on 1/24…and it’s good!

Nellie is a passionate, rich heroine w loose morals. My fave kind of heroine. Lockwood is a dashing English Duke who is broke as a joke and has a heart defect. Jesus Christ, Dukie Downer!!! Money grabbing Dukes are the worst! Amirite, @sussexroyal? #princeharry

The duke’s redeeming quality is that he’s a charming perv who likes it a bit rough. Cue lots of teeth scraping, fingernail scratching, and against the wall throwing passion.

Lockwood is an idiot bc for dumb reasons he wants to marry a proper (read: boring) heiress even tho a beautiful heiress who is DTF as savagely as the dirty Duke wants is standing right in front of him. But once he sorts out his feelings, friggen Nellie becomes the one who refuses to commit. Christ you two, get on the same damn page!!!

This book kept me entertained thoroughly while I was on a cross country flight. I’m happy Dukie Downer finally got some booty and some cash money since we’ve only seen him striking out in the other two books in the series. Def recommend this whole series if you love a spicy historical- Joanna Shupe won’t let you down.

Smut- 2.68 stars
Romance- 4.12 stars
Story- 4.83 stars
Dukes with cash flow problems- neg 7.49 stars

I've struggled to read historicals the past few months, none were really hitting me in the feels like they used to and I was saving this one as some sort of delayed gratification but I ate this book up and I couldn't stop. Sometimes its really hard to get into books in the beginning esp with historicals but this one had me HOOKED from the very first page. This follows Lockwood and Nellie. Both we've seen in the previous books and each with their own baggage. Lockwood has suffered from his pride being hit a few times, losing bride candidates to others. Nellie is cynical when it comes to love and marriage. When I tell you I loved Nellie and how Joanna wrote her, I can't even begin to explain. Nellie is witty and she's unashamed about who she is and her free will. Watching these two fall in love was a true true joy.

This was also spicy for a historical and Joanna wrote the spicy scenes to perfection. She gave just enough to hook you and carried the tension forward to make it worth it in so many ways.

It brought back many feels and I'm looking forward to getting back to my historical kick.

**I received an ARC for review **

The Duke Gets Even is the fourth book in Joanna Shupe's delightful (and very, very sexy!) series The Fifth Avenue Rebels. Though not my favorite in the series, it stars my favorite hero, the Duke of Lockwood. I've been on the edge of my seat waiting for the poor man to get his happily ever after; he certainly deserved it! There are a few trigger warnings I wish to share with you: abortion, domestic violence and the shaming of sexually active women.

Eleanor Lucinda Young, Nellie to her friends, has no desire to be married; she believes it to be a shackle. Instead of looking for a husband, she enjoys flirting and having affairs with no strings attached. One tryst, however, stays in her mind, and that's a sexy midnight ocean swim with an enigmatic stranger... Andrew Talbot, the sixth Duke of Lockwood, is in desperate straits. His father has bankrupted the dukedom, and Lockwood has to marry a rich heiress with an impeccable reputation to save it all. However, it's Nellie who calls to him and makes his blood sing. Will he lose everything he holds dear in order to be with the woman he loves?

I absolutely loved Lockwood and was so excited when he was given his own story. He was a prominent character in the first three books in the series. He was set to marry two women, but was jilted by each when they found their own HEA's. He then became good friends with a third woman instead of being betrothed to her. All three of these women were close friends of Nellie's! But he secretly pined for the sexy woman he encountered during a night swim in the ocean. Imagine his surprise when he realized his midnight tryst fantasy woman was Nellie! Nellie was incredibly angry with Lockwood, but he knew he wanted her. She was not what he needed, but definitely what he desired. He had a severe health issue which he told no one about; it was one of the reasons he needed to quickly marry and produce an heir. His other secret? Lockwood was a naughty, naughty boy who liked his sexual activities on the rough side; he could also be quite demanding when he wanted something. Nellie was a good foil for Lockwood and equal to him regarding sexual needs. She was often shunned by society women due to her sexual escapades. She said their attitudes didn't bother her, but it was quite obvious they really did. Her three best friends were either married or engaged, and she felt like she was being left behind. She lost her mother when she was quite young and still hadn't come to terms with it. Nellie's passion was helping women obtain contraceptives and advising them how to use them, which was not allowed at that time. The sexual chemistry between Nellie and Lockwood was off the charts, and their sexual encounters were some of the hottest I've ever read! It just seemed to me that Lockwood's love for Nellie was much stronger than hers for him. I felt she was more self-centered. But their chemistry was never in question. I really enjoyed some of the supporting characters, especially Nellie's father (a railroad magnate) her Aunt Riona (her Irish maternal aunt) and Finn (her cousin, leader of an Irish gang). I had some issues with the author's afterword - won't get into it here - but Ms. Shupe is one of my favorite authors and it did not affect my review. I hope this series will continue...I must find out more about Finn! Special props for the absolutely beautiful cover art for the book.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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.

WHOA NELLIE!

I enjoyed this book a lot. We have a more modern female protagonist — someone who is empowered, rich, beautiful, *absolutely not a simpering virgin*, and confident. She is a social pariah because of her scandalous behavior and she prefers it that way.

She meets this person and they sizzle and promise to meet the next day to hook up. It doesn’t work out and she later finds out that he is a DUKE. Lockwood is *broke AF* and in search of an heiress bride. He is a secretly a freak (as Nellie had already found out upon their first meeting), but in public he is very proper—not quite toplofty—but he is weighed down by his duties to his dukedom. He also has a SECRET, which I won’t spoil. He’s already made conquest of at least 2 other heiresses in the previous books in the series, and Nellie wants to help him succeed at finally marrying one. The problem is, Lockwood wants Nellie. She wants him too but she doesn’t want to marry him and go to London and be a duchess. She doesn’t need the title. Her father doesn’t care what she does as long as she is happy (I love love loved that her dad was so supportive!). And so the story goes… I love the development of the story but was somewhat frustrated with our protagonists by the third act. There was too much push and pull and Nellie felt like a different person in those parts. Perhaps it’s just a way of showing her vulnerabilities. Good thing it’s romance— we know we’ll get a happy ending. :)

Joanna Shupe is fast becoming a favorite HR author! This was well-written and very spicy, ehrm, sexy. There is somewhat anachronistic language but I just have to remind myself that it is not a regency novel, and it’s quite possible they actually spoke this way during the Gilded Age. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to everyone who likes their heroines experienced and strong and independent.


Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I love Joanna Shupe, but I'm withholding my review in solidarity with the HarperCollins Union workers and their strike for a fair contract.

We’ve been following Nellie and Lockwood through the previous books in this series, and I’m so happy they finally have their HEA.

I definitely want to note how absolutely gorgeous this cover is, and how well it matches the characters that the author created. Absolute perfection.

Lockwood and Nellie have sizzling chemistry throughout the book, the tension between these two is so enjoyable.

Not only did I enjoy how ‘rebellious’ Nellie was, I REALLY appreciated how many parallels the author took with how society is today.

The Duke of Lockwood needs a dollar princess to save his family holdings. Hedonistic Nellie neither needs nor wants a husband. Yet they can't resist the passion between them. On the surface, they couldn't be more wrong for each other—but will that stop them from falling in love?

This is a high-steam Gilded Age romance with modern values. The plot is strong, while the romance is endearing and emotional. Underneath it all, Nellie and Lockwood are perfect for each other.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I fortunate enough to get this book as an ARC and while there were some parts that were lacking, majority of the book was fun and interesting! I loved the tenacity of Eleanor and level headedness of Lockwood. I can see a lot of sequels from these books like Maddie’’s, Alice’s, Katie’s, even Finn’s budding romances. The two things that made this book not a top contender for my favorite romance were: 1. I felt that Eleanor’s constant worriment of what people will say about her as a duchess was a bit over done. I understand it gave her the depth that she needed to prove she loved Lockwood, but It just kept going. Especially, considering her parents were an unlikely match you would think she would be more accepting of her relationship of Lockwood. 2. I felt the plot around contraceptives was half developed. It seemed like that plot point was put in just to stir and simmer. If Eleanor had more agency throughout the book and not halfway through I think it would have landed better. Overall, I think this is a good read. At the very least go to your local library and rent it for a couple days!

The Duke Gets Even
Book 4 in The Fifth Avenue Rebels
Rating: 3 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

******SPOILERS AHEAD*********

The Duke Gets Even gave us an enemies to lovers romance story. These two have had a very intense and hot chemistry ever since they met in book 1 in the series. They fought against their attraction until they decide that their hate for each other wasn't really worth it and decide to better invest that energy enjoying some very intense smexy times. It is very well established that these two were very compatible together. Yes, the smexy times were very fun to read, but I wanted to see more romance between them. Honestly, I don't think these two should have married. Yes, I said it. Nellie tells repeatedly that theirs can only be an affair and I completely agree with her. I think he was more of the romantic of the two because he wanted her as his duchess no matter what society (American/English) said. She made a very good point about her having to sacrifice almost everything to be his duchess. She told him many times why they wouldn't work as a married couple and I agreed, but at the same time I felt bad for him because he really loved her and especially because he loved her personality which made her a pariah in society's eyes, but to him she was perfect.

I would have liked to have rated it higher.
I do recommend reading the previous books.