The Heiress Gets a Duke is the first book in Harper St. George’s The Gilded Age of Heiresses series. I’ve never read a book from this author before and have meant to try one of Harper’s books, and I finally made time for one, thanks to the Romanceopoly Reading Challenge.

I still consider myself relatively new to reading Historical Romance because it was one subgenre that I didn’t read much of when I was younger. As I get older, I find myself wanting to read more of this subgenre, especially when it has the Marriage of Convenience and/or Arranged Marriage tropes. This was my first Historical Romance ever that was set during the Gilded Age, so I was delighted to start it.

Evan Sterling, the Duke of Rothschild, finds himself taking the title he never wanted. After he takes the title, he realizes his family’s money is gone, and now he needs the fortune of a heiress that he needs to marry to save the countless lives that are at risk. The issue is the American Heiress, August Crenshaw, whom he wants to marry, doesn’t want anything to do with him, even if she kissed him at a fight that she attended, but she had no idea he was a Duke at the time. He originally was arranged to marry her sister, but he fell for her after realizing she was the one who kissed him. He’s not going to walk away without fighting for August, but he’s not going to pressure her and will do anything to win her over in a way that will surprise her.

After reading The Heiress Gets a Duke, I liked it, but I didn’t love it. I enjoyed Harper St. George’s writing style and how she was very descriptive when it came to being in the Gilded Age times. I loved the hero in this story, Evan Sterling, and how he took in to count August’s feelings and didn’t want to pressure her, but he did have to think about others when it came to him having to marry someone. He even shows August what he plans to do with the fortune after he marries her, which made me respect him because he wasn’t thinking about himself but others. He never wanted the Duke title, but he was acting like a Duke should. I loved how Evan was all about August’s feelings because he knew she was giving a lot to marry him, and he didn’t want her to hate him because of it. It was apparent he was madly in love with her.

When it came to August, I liked her but found her character quite annoying at times. She wouldn’t work with Evan, even though he wasn’t the enemy. Her parents were the enemy because they wouldn’t give her a choice when it came to marriage, and they were about to turn her world upside down. I felt for her when it came to her parents and didn’t really care for them much, especially how her mother treated her. I did like August’s independence and how she had an unconventional job where she worked at her family’s company during this era. Her grandfather and father saw the potential of what she did for the company, and even Evan noticed it when he started to get to know her. She was obviously attracted to Evan, but she didn’t want to give in to those feelings.

I loved the banter between Evan and August, but when it came to their conflict at the end, it felt rushed. The conflict that ends up happening had already been addressed earlier, but August wasn’t going to hear anything more of it and was making a drastic change in her life.

Thankfully, this book does end in a HEA, but I wish the ending hadn’t been rushed like it was because I would have enjoyed this book a lot more. Will I read more books from this series? Possibly in the future, but not right now, especially since the secondary characters were interesting, and I want to read their books. I’m glad I finally read a book from Harper St. George, and I definitely want to read other books from this author.

If you enjoy Historical Romances with the Marriage of Convenience trope with a Duke who needs an Heiress to help him with his troubles, then add this book to your TBR.

Trope(s)/Element(s):
✓Gilded Age Romance
✓Marriage of Convenience
✓Enemies to Lovers
✓He Fell First
✓Setting: England
✓Virgin Heroine

This book was not the typical genre I usually read- a historical and romance combined into one.
It fell flat for me as the romance sparked between the two fell flat, the characters seemed to lack full development and the entire plot just never came full circle to me.

Way too much inner dialogue and reflection. It made it a bit boring to endlessly read about August's thirst for independence and Evan's beliefs that he wasn't good enough. The ending was too abrupt and honestly made no sense. I also lose patience when the conflict is just because the characters are too proud to just talk to each other. However, the chemistry between the main characters was great and I enjoyed their dialogue and scenes together.

this was a whole lot of fun for me, even if it did drag a bit in the middle. i do love american heiresses wreaking havoc on society, and this duke was definitely one to fight for.

i wish a little more had been explored with his fighting (and that beard too!) but i was glad he gave her the space to choose her future without him, once his financial woes actually sorted themselves.

what didn't work for me was the blase, sort of gross convo RE her father's business plans for India and her awful parents were just really really grating.

I'm looking forward to continuing on, and glad i'm trying this new to me author.

(i received an ARC a million years ago but read a copy I checked out from the library)

Harper St. George is a must-read author for me now.

Really loved this book!

It’s original, fresh and fun!

I really like how strong the heroine is in this story. The plot moves quickly and keeps the reader engaged.

If you love Regency romance, this one is not to be missed!

I read this as an arc from netgalley and it was a typical regency romance. It was a bit slower paced to start but then it picked up and got intriguing. I love that she was outspoken and not a pushover, though at times she seems annoying. I didn't like the end though. Felt like it was just thrown out there as a way to finish the story quickly

Evan just inherited his title and found that his coffers are empty. His mother lets him know of a family with money that also has a marriageable daughter. While she would make a suitable bride, it is her older sister that intrigues Evan.

August has plans for her future and they don't include marriage. She wants to run the family's iron works company. So when Evan declares that she is the one that he wants, August does her best to show him how unsuitable a wife she would be.

What August doesn't realize, is that with each stunt she pulls, Evan just wants her all the more. Can Evan convince August that they were meant for one another?

I absolutely adored Evan and August's story! I just loved watching these two together and the bantering between them had me laughing out loud! This is my first book by this author and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

I heard a lot about this book. Every historical romance reader I saw on youtube and tiktok really enjoyed this book and I see why. I believe this is the first in a series and I plan to read the next book.

Believe it or not, I read this book while in line at Disneyland. What a great way to spend the time! I was almost disappointed when it was my turn to board the ride.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for providing an eARC for review.

Reminiscent of The Viscount Who Loved me by Julia Quinn.

This is a fun entertaining story about an American wealthy family setting their sights on an aristocrat to marry their daughter for an exchange of wealth for an aristocrat title and all it brings. August is a strong, smart and determined young woman who said what she wanted and did what she pleased. She did not want her sister to marry Evan and fought against it. She didn't want to marry either, but would do what she must to ensure her sister's happiness.

Evan went along with the charade because he was quickly running out of money and really was out of options. Evan and August story was a good one. I'm invested in this series and can't wait to read the second in the series The Devil and the Heiress.

I had a very good time reading this book. The main heroine is very saucy and witty. It's a very good romance novel and I very much enjoyed it beginning to end .

cute book. cute couple. I liked that she liked him as a boxer and a person. I personally do not like any type of violence but for people who do there was just enough. The heroine was very likable and so was the hero.

Initial Thoughts
I love a good historical rom-com. This one didn't look like a rom-com but it definitely had hilarious moments of banter and situations.

Some Things I Liked
The wit and banter. As with the best historical romances I've read, the banter is always the star of the show. I loved the back and forth between the characters in this series and I really loved the side characters. I can easily see who I'm excited to see in subsequent sequels.
A lady with a mind for business. I always like to see the heroine of these stories getting to shine and show off that women can do anything they set their minds too. I loved that theme in this book.

Series Value
I'd definitely keep reading this series. I suspect the next book is probably about the main character's sister or brother and the third book will be about the remaining sibling.

Final Thoughts
This was an easy, fun read with some heavy themes but overall, a lighthearted historical rom-com.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2022 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2022/01/readers-advisory-announce-2022-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

The Heiress Gets a Dukeby Harper St. GeorgeBerkley. (Gilded Age Heiresses, Bk. 1). Jan. 2021. 320p. ISBN 9780593197202. pap. $7.99. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
The Duke of Rothschild, Evan Sterling, needs a wealthy bride to rid his family of the ruinous debt his late father amassed. August Crenshaw, American heiress to a railway fortune, believes her parents would never stoop to an arranged marriage, until they auction her dutiful younger sister to the duke. Using unladylike antics to block Evan from courting her sister, August consequently gains the duke’s interest. Initially indifferent to August’s reluctance, Evan eventually strives to gain her respect. Though Evan doesn’t always act the hero, his character’s growth redeems him, and August is a heroine to cheer for: a woman who stands on her own, protects her sister at all costs, and refuses to be wed without bargaining for her rights.

VERDICT St. George (Falling for Her Viking Captive) heartrendingly depicts Victorian women bartered away for wealth and status, but the deep affection and witty dialog August and Evan share outshines a grim if realistic beginning. Fans of Courtney Milan and Scarlett Peckham will enjoy this “The Gilded Age Heiresses” series opener.

This was a fabulous regency romance/historical fiction book with a strong heroine that knows what she wants! I love this type of romance instead of the simpering heroine that is often found in Victorian high society. Combine August with a handsome boxing Duke, Evan, and sparks start to fly. You’ll be rooting for them from the beginning.
In addition to the angsty enemies to lovers intrigue you’ll also find that the historical fiction aspect is spot on including all the Regency era rules for a lady in society. This book left me wanting a sequel. I will definitely be picking up more by this new to me author.

I loved the feminist twist on a romantic historical fiction. It wasn't just that she wanted him to love and need her romantic partner, she wanted him to love her and need her as a partner in everything bc there was no way for her to be happy without using her skills and knowledge of business for a purpose. Lots of romantic tension and a grand gesture finale, what's not to love?

4.75 stars!

The Heiress Gets a Duke is near perfection and I absolutely adored it! Harper St. George's novel is witty, funny, sexy, and feminist. It showcases the Gilded Age beautifully allowing us to see the clash between two worlds, and different ways of thinking.

August Crenshaw is a delight, an intelligent woman who knows her mind and isn't afraid to speak or act. Evan Sterling, the Duke of Rothschild, totally stole my heart. He's driven but not stubborn, and so supportive once he realizes how different things are. I loved seeing him grow as a person and character. Every single one of their interactions was full of banter and only worked to increase the tension between them.

I absolutely devoured this book and read it one sitting. I'm struggling to find the words to convey how magical this story is. Both August and Evan go through intense growth and self realization. I loved how the story while focused on August and Evan gave us insight into the world around them, but also introduced us to their friends and family, many of whom I hope to read about in other books.

Like I said before, this book is near perfection. While the chemistry between August and Evan is fiery and intense, ratcheting up with every argument and meeting as they gain a better understanding of one another; when the time came for them to finally consummate, I felt like something was missing from the open door scene. That being said, I think this book should be on every historical romance readers tbr for 2021.

I was instantly hooked from the beginning of this book. I love that August sneaks into a boxing match and that she kisses the main contender (aka The Duke!). I thought it was great that this book focuses not only on her finding her match, but also her trying to make it in a world where women don't work in the family business. The match she needs is someone who will support her and let her be herself, and she finds that in Evan; of course, she doesn't find it right away. I admired her for stepping in so that her sister could marry who she loved. 

I thought the plot was well written, yes it is a typical historical Duke romance, however, it has some differences and those make it unique and fun. The writing was well done and it flowed nicely. However, if there is one critique on this book it is that I don't think that the conflict at the end really needed to be there. It also I felt didn't really get resolved as well as it should have, meaning I felt Evan needed to do a little more. Overall though it was a fun plot and there were some great descriptions that made me imagine the scenery. 

The main characters August and Evan were fun to read about, although it was kind of tiring to hear the same inner monologue about how he needs money and she doesn't want to marry. They did have chemistry though and I really liked the banter they had, plus again the way they met was so fun. The supporting characters were fairly good, although you really didn't get to see much of them. 

All in all, I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to continuing the series and see what happens next.

What a lovely historical romance! I'm typically not a huge fan of historical romances that involve dukes, but Harper St. George's release did not disappoint. Had me entirely gripped from beginning to end!