Yes! Yes! Yes! What a fun read. I now have this author on my alerts for future releases. This is a romance!

Fans of Downton Abbey and the Netflix series American Princesses should understand the subject matter of The Heiress Gets a Duke. St. George gives us August, a feisty, intelligent heroine that had she been born now, would be CEO of a Fortune 500 company. However, she was not and as she is introduced to London Society, she faces the stark reality that her future is not hers alone to decide. Luckily she crosses paths with a destitute Duke. The two find their way to each other in spite of the realities of merger marriages. This is a fresh spin on the marriage market of London society and a very satisfying read.

I'll admit, I'm a bit late to the historical romance game, but 'The Heiress Gets a Duke' has me looking for more titles in the subgenre right now! It's just the right blend of romance and non-romance-plot stuff, plus dazzling descriptions of the lush Gilded Age setting. There's a trap that historical fiction of any type - especially about women - can easily fall into, by making their heroines "Not Like Other Girls." One of the best parts of this book was that our heroine August is very much Not Like Other Girls, but without the disdain that usually accompanies that trope; instead, she's in solidarity with women who aren't quite like her, and her career is actually an intriguing part of the story, not just an add-on. Add to that a charming hero in Evan, a shockingly sweet and modern duke (if one prone to putting his foot in his mouth), and it's the kind of romance you can't put down.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

The story itself is taut. It's contentious. It's romantic. It's befitting for the time period yet also a bit modern in sensibility. In fact, one of my favorite things about it is there's a womanly call to arms for agency, for freedom and respect and independence, which is enhanced by the romance and never diminished because of it.

I only have one word for that: INCREDIBLE.

Also, with two main characters (August Crenshaw and Ethan Sterling) who have a panache for demonstrating obstinate clashes of will and desire whilst also embroiling themselves in a passionate magnetism that cannot be denied, this book houses so many scrumptious tropes and themes. I cannot begin to enumerate them all but I will highlight a few. For starters, it reeks of enemies-to-lovers vibes. (My favorite.) Secondly, it's polluted with elements like prizefighting, kissing bets, dancing, meddling parents, and swoon-worthy compromise. Thirdly, it toes the line between conventional and subversive which only adds to the Cherry On Top sexy-sexy of the time period and plot.

All in all, this one's a feast for readers who, like me, love a little bluestocking progressiveness thrown in amid the confines of an aristocratic British society. It delivers a good firm punch as far as historical romances go so I'd definitely recommend adding it to your shelves! 3.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

this story was a lovely and quick read. I took to the characters of Evan and August quickly and rooted for them from their first - very iconic - interaction. August is very independent, confident, and content with her life, following her passions. She enjoys working in with her father and brother with the family business, during a time when being in the workplace wasn't seen as being her place. Evan is the duke in need of financial help and turning to underground fighting to earn a small income.

the setup for this story is so good hitting many of my loved tropes - like hate to love. but I did feel like some of the roadblocks in their relationship felt overdone after a while. Evan was clear about his intentions pretty early on and gave August a level of honesty that her own parents didn't grant her (something that took her a lot longer than I thought to fully grasp). seeing both views for the characters made me somewhat frustrated over the fact August wasn't aware of what was right in front of her. She's very smart but many things had to be explained to her very slowly for her to realize what was happening in the moment. it just prolonged things and didn't feel all that consistent to how her character is set up to be in the beginning. then in the last chapters, we just have all these feelings - I enjoyed it but it felt abrupt that all of a sudden she believes the intentions from Evan, could've used a little more build-up. Evan was my favorite and I loved seeing his small growth as a character and how he pushed to expand his knowledge even if it was at first in motivations to impress.

i really did enjoy the story and thought that evan and august had great chemistry from the start, a kind that didn't need much explanation it was just there. for my first Harper st. George book, this was rather good and I would love to read more from the author in the future. thank you netgalley for the eARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I got major Evie Dunmore vibes from this book in the best way

I would recommend if you're looking for:

-enemies to lovers
-hints of marriage of convenience
-An underground fight club
- so much sexual tension
-a meddling mother
-a fiesty sister
-a kissing bet


This was all about the internal family workings and a woman's fight for freedom. August has grown up working for her family's company, an American heiress. She believed that meant she got to choose who and when to marry. But when Ethan comes along and chooses her to help his family get out of debt she realizes that the freedom her father led her to believe she had was pretend.

I enjoyed Ethan so much. His journey to realizing and wanting to fight to give August what she wanted out of life even if it meant they wouldn't be together. August's brother was also a gem as well, not coming to save her but fight along side her. I really enjoyed how feminist this book was and subversive but still realistic for the time period. I was so frustrated with the character's denial of their feelings I had to put down the book out of frustration only to pick it up again to know what happened. The plot was well done with out being too much. I hope more of August's family get their HEA.

Also, if flirting through telegraphs can be a thing I would love that.

In my opinion, the mark of a brilliant romance novel is a one that takes a well-worn trope and breathes new life into its familiar twists and turns. Harper St. George's new romance "The Heiress Gets a Duke" is a classic story of a headstrong bluestocking who doesn't want to get married but is pressured to do so by her social-climbing parents, and of a member of the British aristocracy who needs to find a wealthy wife in order to save his debt-riddled estate. It's a story I've read a dozen times, but St. George's beautiful writing and well-crafted characters kept me in delicious anticipation and suspense the entire book. There's a moment when Evan and August are just falling in love with each other that is written with such grace and wonder that I felt like it was the first time I'd ever read two characters fall in love. "He searched her face for some sign of regret or pain, but he only found awe. He felt the same. It was as if they had stumbled upon a secret they had both only begun to suspect existed and it had far surpassed expectation." I was genuinely breathless reading this book. I can't wait to read the rest of her new Gilded Age Heiresses series!

In a gut wrenching beginning, American heiress August Crenshaw witnesses her good friend Camille sobbing and heart broken at being sold off by her wealthy parents to a much older British peer for his title. August has her first twinges of doubt about her own parents. They would never force her or her sister Violet into a marriage. Or would they? Six months later the family travels to England for an extended visit. Enter Evan Sterling. He recently inherited his title, the Duke of Rothschild, only to discover he is broke with no way to support his mother and sisters or the 200 tenant farmers depending on him for a living. He needs to marry an heiress quickly and luckily two wealthy American heiresses are nearby. The Crenshaw parents offer up Violet. They are thrilled that the upper echelons of society will no longer look down on them as "New Money." But it is August he wants. She is very smart and independent having worked at Crenshaw Iron Works in a position of authority. She knows marriage means she will become the property of her husband and lose her money, work, and her very identity. It was a devastating blow to realize her parents, especially her father, didn't value her as a person only a commodity to exchange for a title in the family. Evan was unlikable to me at first because he knew how she felt but didn't care. They spend more time together and begin to understand each other's point of view. As Camille is dragged down the stairs sobbing to meet her intended a maid looks at August in pity. That's what I felt too towards these women. I'd rather have been the maid.

August Crenshaw, an American, has had a most unusual upbringing - allowed to work in the fabulously successful family business Crenshaw Iron Works. Her family comes to England for a Season where her parents latch on to the idea of her marrying the impoverished Evan, Duke of Rothschild. A fair exchange: her money for his title and entree to British markets. But August is livid about being traded away, no longer to work in her family business and forced to be the wife of a man she has no interest in.
But there does seem to be at least a spark of interest between them, when they kiss. Can they grow that spark and can Evan win August on terms she can accept?
The Heiress Gets a Duke is a familiar trope about a reluctant American heiress and an impoverished English nobleman. But the plot and the characters are appealing and multidimensional. Modern readers will love the fact that August is a valued part of her family company. They will applaud her reluctance to give up meaningful work to be limited to wifely duties and other unpaid women’s work. And they will love that she is not willing to be a pawn, thrust upon a man she doesn’t even know.
The dialogue is clever and entertaining. And the plot is well crafted seeming fresh for all it is a familiar trope.
And as a feminist romance reader I loved the character of August and the romance with Evan but I must say that any book with chapter quotes from the likes of Susan B. Anthony and Mary Wollstonecraft is going to get my favorable attention.
I would recommend this book to my patrons.

Harper St. George has written a very satisfying historical romance set in 1870’s England. It features wealthy society from both sides of the Atlantic and the lengths people would (will?) go to to maintain/obtain their positions. August is the oldest daughter of a wealthy American industrialist who is a very competent, successful part of her father’s business; Evan is an English duke with no money and huge responsibilities for his inherited estates. August’s parents have brought their daughters to England in search of a titled son-in-law; Evan’s mother is looking for a wealthy daughter-in-law. Neither August nor Evan are inclined to accept societal norms. The ensuing romance is predictable, yet totally satisfying. Very well-written with good characters and an engaging plot. Recommended!

This is my first Harper St. George! It was great fun getting to know the characters...some were amazing detailed (a prizefighting duke with a heart of gold and a business minded heiress) while others were not so fully realized (parents who want to sell their dutiful daughters away to the title with the highest influence...I still don't understand their motivation). I feel like I missed out on some back story. The details about a scandalous relative in the past were just out of my reach. All in all, this was a light but fun read which I devoured in a day. I enjoyed it thoroughly!

This was a great read. Very reminiscent of Evie Dunmore's A League of Extraordinary Women. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters. August knew what she wanted in life and was determined to go at her own pace/accord, even if that challenged her true feelings. Rothschild, bound by familial duty, immediately fell for August and attempted to make the situation work. The amount of steam was just perfect. 4.5 stars!!

This is a fun, entertaining read, perhaps especially because I am usually so jaded about English historical romances. After the first page or two, I thought I would quit reading because the writing didn't pull me in. But after the intro, the story got going and the narrative focused on August: I happily settled in for a 24-hour read.

The best part was perhaps the excellent dialog that showed the main two characters as individuals: unique and compelling people. That each protagonist was clearly attracted to each other helped me stick around to find out how the story would resolve for the different, very-valid viewpoints.

The romance was strong and satisfying, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well the author developed the complexities each character had to face. They seemed authentic and compelling.

I know this doesn't publish until January 2021, but put this book on a list somewhere so you don't forget. Better yet, pre-order it and have it the day it comes out. It's really that good!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the chance to preview and share my impression. SO good!