When I first told Sarah I wanted to review The Heiress Gets a Duke, her response was, “But that’s a historical romance.” Yes, correct. Spot on. And, having worked with her for nearly a decade now (whoa!) it’s a fair point. I’ve been open about my aversion to historical romances. It’s not for any personal reasons, but often the tone isn’t for me and I overindulged when I first started in the genre. It’s rare that one ever gets more of a meh from me, so I try not to review them because I don’t think it’s fair to the book or myself.

However.

I SAID HOWEVER.

This book gave me such a jolt of nostalgia just from reading the cover copy that my curiosity took over, driving the bus straight into Bad Decisions Book Club territory. It’s a tropey masterpiece that combines two of my favorite things: It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas (my favorite of the Wallflowers series) and a Sad Historical Businessman. I have such a catnip fix for brash American women and stuffy Brits. Maybe one day, I too, will find a British aristocrat to scandalize with my boorish American nature.

August Crenshaw is the eldest daughter of her family and heiress to a profitable iron works company. After witnessing the turmoil her best friend experienced in an arranged marriage to a dukeAugust is completely turned off by the idea. Besides, August wants to continue her work as a risk assessor for the family business and for her father’s investments, and those ambitions seem completely at odds with being married off. Which, fair.

Evan Sterling, the Duke of Rothschild is the aforementioned Sad Historical Businessman™. With his responsible older brother dying quite suddenly, his mother becoming a widow, and twin sisters about to debut, he’s a bit up shit creek without a paddle, especially as the family’s finances are in terrible standing. He and his mother have tried nearly everything to gain back some meager fortune, but to no avail. Evan has even taken up prizefighting to win some extra money. Both agree that marrying an heiress is the only way and the prime candidate is Violet Crenshaw, August’s younger and much sweeter sister.

As August is of a stronger fortitude than Violet, she takes her sister’s place to be Evan’s golden goose of sorts. And there we have it, folks! The setup.

I cannot say enough good things about August as a heroine. While at times it’s bittersweet to witness her realizations about her place in the world, she’s also quick with a wry (and very meta) observation about men, especially romance heroes.

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After August confronts her father about his plans to marry Violet off, she begins to wonder if she’s tricked herself into thinking that her parents were somehow different than their social climbing peers who see their daughters as bargaining tools:

He said it as if her [Violet’s] writing was a mere hobby and not something to be considered a serious pursuit. But then far more insidious thoughts crossed her mind. Was this because Violet had been born a daughter? Did she have no other worth to him than something which he could barter? If he was willing to part with Violet so easily, did that also extend to August?

August had always believed that he found her advice to be genuinely helpful. He had always taken the time to include her in his work, marveling at her ability with numbers. Had she…Had she been little more than an oddity to him? A female who could add a column of numbers faster than his best clerk? No. She gave a shake of her head, refusing to believe it.

It’s such an acute betrayal. August bases her sense of self-worth on her gift with numbers and her business acumen. I felt August’s pain when her father, a man who seemed to support August’s talents, made her feel like a novelty, as if her skills were a magic trick or circus act.

August’s humor, wit, and the way winks and nudges were placed throughout the book for romance readers especially was absolutely delightful, like in these moments:

August knew very little about the English aristocracy, but she knew there weren’t many dukes among them.

This is August attending her first prizefighting bout:

Henry must have caught part of their conversation, because he leaned over. “No one knows his name. They call him the Hellion. He started fighting about a year or so ago and hasn’t been beaten yet.”

She nearly laughed aloud at the ridiculous name.

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I love her so much!

Evan is slightly less interesting to me. He does fit rather neatly into the Sad Historical Businessman(™) box and that’s okay! I like that! But when compared to August, I would have loved a bit more of a spin on the trope. He has some very lovely scenes, though, especially with his mom.

There’s a part early on, where Evan and his mother agree that he’ll marry an heiress and they both have a quiet moment, reflecting on their situation and finding a bit of comfort in each other:

Rising to his feet as gracefully as his leg would allow, he hobbled over to the window to escape the tenderness in her gaze. The day was gray and dreary, and a light rain fell onto the cobblestones. Appropriate given his mood. “It hardly matters who is at fault, nor does it change the fact that I have done nothing to improve things.”

The silk of her gown rustled as she rose and walked up behind him. “You are right. The fault does not matter when we are the ones cleaning up the mess.” Her hand came to rest on his back, and she rubbed a small circle between his shoulders. He closed his eyes, remembering how she would visit the nursery every night to give them a kiss. William was always asleep, but Evan would lie there until she came so that she could rub his back.

“Believe me when I say that I understand how it feels to have a marriage arranged for you. I hardly knew your father. It was like marrying a stranger.”

It was a nice change from sad dukes who had a terrible home life and carry around lots of daddy issues. Though since I suppose it’s a rule universally acknowledged that at least one main character needs a shitty family, August drew the short straw here. As a reader, I’m tired of parents (namely fathers) struggling to see their daughters’ brilliance and worth.

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Evan is, of course, charming and, yeah, I’ll admit that envisioning a sexy duke with dark hair and stubble boxing in breeches is an easy win for me. It works for a reason!

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His first time talking to August is easily one of my favorite meeting scenes that I’ve read recently. August is dragged out to an illegal prizefight by her friend Camille. They’re heavily cloaked to hide their identities, given that the bout takes place in Whitechapel. During the excitement of the Hellion’s victory (obviously Evan Sterling here), August is pushed around during the fray and he catches her from falling:

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“Thank you.” To her utter shame, her voice came out soft and barely discernible.

He grinned, revealing even white teeth and a smile that could have only been born from sin. “I hope you won.” His voice was smooth and deep with a cultured inflection.

She smiled, strangely quite willing to stand here with him. His scent surrounded them, sweat, certainly, but mixed with a faint cologne so that it wasn’t pungent. Her heart pounded in her chest. He was holding her so tightly she wondered if he could feel it. No man had ever made her heart pound before.

“I’m afraid I did not wager.” Her voice rose slightly so that he would be sure to hear her.

“A pity. I assumed you were the gambling sort.”

“Why would you assume that?”

His sensually formed lips made a perfect bow as he smiled. His eyeteeth were pointed, lending his smile a particular wickedness. “Because you’re here, Miss Crenshaw.”

He recognizes her?! Did I audibly gasp at that part? You bet your damn ass!

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For the most part, Evan is a good dude. He learns of August’s reservations against marriage and feels conflicted during their betrothal. I get that I’m applauding a guy for doing the bare minimum in being a decent partner and considering August’s opinions on the institution of marriage, but I personally could use a break from domineering alphas (which is a sentence I thought I would never type).

I was charmed by this book. Completely. There were a few elements that I’m tired of seeing in romances because they bum me out like shitty dads underestimating their very intelligent daughters, but getting to know August and Evan both as people and then as a couple (some great communication and growth happens, folks!) was a rewarding experience. Like many of you, I had a tough 2020 and I haven’t been able to sustain and commit to reading for a long time. Just finishing this book was a big accomplishment, but really enjoying it because it brought me joy the entire time I was reading it felt like an even bigger victory. It ticked my catnip boxes. I emoted! (What a concept!) There’s something special about discovering a book like this and what it was able to do for me. I know Sarah I’m sure was happy to listen to me rattle off a bunch of excited words before our Twitch stream.

(Ed. note: I was!)

Also, if you need some sequel bait, here is the hero of book two:

A cigarette hung loosely from the side of his mouth, and his gaze was hard with censure. A mild panic seized her as she took in the impeccably groomed dark hair and cold gray eyes that belonged to none other than the Earl of Leigh. Violet had whispered about how striking he was when they had seen him at the opera last week. It was a beauty stained by wickedness, though enhanced might be the word many would choose. She imagined Lucifer himself would take his exact form if he decided to mingle with mortals.

Historical romance has been my favored binge over the last year plus and as soon as I saw the cover for The Heiress Gets a Duke I was in love!

While I'm more of a Regency/Victorian fan, so the Gilded age historicals that I've read have been hit or miss for me, but I'm happy to report that I'm looking forward to more in this series.

I think my favorite part of this one was the banter between August and Evan. They had wonderful chemistry and I couldn't help but cheer for these two from the very first meeting. August is a strong-willed "mannish" American, Evan is the Duke who needs a fortune to help restore the coffers his father emptied leaving his mother and sisters practially destitute. He has bills coming due and in order to give his sisters a season and secure a future for them and his mother, he must marry into money. The American heiress visiting is the perfect solution... until he realizes who her sister is and he decides she is the one he wants. Now he just has to convince her!

I will say that while I know it was the time and just how things were done then, August and Violet's parents were super frustrating. Worried only about how they appear and not of their children's feelings or desires really irritated me especially when they originally come across differently in the beginning.. indulging August's independence and desire to be a part of the family railroad business. It felt almost as though her father was using her to some degree until he had to give up her skills.

I am excited to continue this series - Violet's story should be just as compelling and I can't wait to read it!

Thank you for the early copy!

THE HEIRESS GETS A DUKE was a delightful Victorian/Gilded Age romance with plenty of unique elements that make it stand out among all the other historical romances.

August Crenshaw is an American heiress to an iron company, though she’s certainly much more than just an heiress. Progressive for the time period, she’s a woman that knows what she wants, including remaining a single woman. Evan Sterling, Duke of Rothschild, and his family are penniless due to bad decisions made by his father. The Crenshaws and their new money are ostracized from much of American society and they know that marriage to a Duke will most certainly grant them the connections they desire. The Duke knows that the Crenshaw fortune will afford his family the luxury of getting out of debt and being able to live again. The only problem is the Crenshaws have offered Violet, August’s younger sister. The Duke wants August, and the Duke always gets what he wants.

I really liked that this was a culture-swap where Americans have to learn the way of British standards and vice versa, and of course there’s a little bit of friction involved. There are just as many similarities as there are differences between the two cultures and that made for plenty of angsty moments. The plot and the required conflict were both very well-crafted, and combined with a lovely cast of characters and a steamy romance made this book quite hard to put down. 4 stars and I can’t wait to see what the sequel holds in store.


*eARC received via NetGalley and the publisher.

Thanks to Berkley Pub for inviting me to be part of the blog blitz celebration for Harper St. George's The Heiress Gets a Duke. All opinions provided are my own.


My Review
I’m all about an independent, business-minded heroine who would rather not marry a Duke, thankyouverymuch! Harper St. George’s The Heiress Gets a Duke offers that plus an aristocratic hero who *shudder* has to “work” to get his intended bride to accept his suit & some sweet & sexy moments between the two.

American August Crenshaw & her family are temporarily in London to visit a friend when her wealthy parents announce that they’re marrying off her younger, more conventional sister to a penniless, arrogant Duke.

Evan Sterling, said Duke, does not want to marry but he must to save the people who depend on him & to live that Big D—Duke, silly—life to which he is accustomed.

But saucy August—who wants to help run her family’s company, Crenshaw Iron Works, & who decidedly does not want to marry—is the Crenshaw who catches his eye.

The fortune-hunting hero/American heiress pairing isn’t one that I’ve encountered a lot before & it complicates the dynamic between Evan & August in an intriguing way. The set-downs August lays, the fact that she basically laughs in his face at his arrogance, gave me a lot of pleasure ;), & the vulnerable moment Evan has when he shares his grief over his brother is touching.

But I think my biggest quibble with the romance is that it doesn’t feel that truly romantic to me. The hero & heroine are both quite resistant toward marriage well into the book, & though their resistance wears down, their romance arc is never assertive enough. Persuasive enough. Without offering any specific spoilers, it just feels lackluster to me.

Please also note there is reference to Crenshaw Iron Work’s possible expansion into India, a moment that @liber_lady explores in greater detail in her own review.

The Heiress Gets a Duke is an interesting read with a heroine who wants to make her mark on the world & the cover is truly ravishing, but unfortunately the romance falls flat for me.

3 ⭐️. The Heiress Gets a Duke is available today.

August Crenshaw, an American heiress, wants nothing more than to continue working for the family business, Crenshaw Iron Works. She uses her head for business and numbers to help her father make many critical business decisions and believes herself to be an integral part of the company. Her parents want to expand into new markets, and they believe the best way to do this is with an advantageous marriage to a peer of the realm. Unfortunately, everyone knows that August will not attract the attentions of a high-born lord because of her intense personality. Violet, the wholesome, sweet, and biddable daughter, will catch a husband, but what Violet’s parents do not realize is that Violet has already found what she believes to be true love at home in America. August will do whatever it takes to protect her sister from the fortune hunting members of the Ton, and to assist her in returning to her beau in America when all is said and done.

“Everyone knew that Violet was the desirable one, while August was the bluestocking. The one who, while pretty enough, would only marry when she found a man who could overlook her many shortcomings. She was too opinionated. Too intelligent. Too mannish. Too cold. It was the last one that had haunted her the most. What if she was too cold for any man to want?”

Enter Evan Sterling, the Duke of Rothschild, an impoverished lord who has taken to prize fighting to keep his family afloat from their crippling debt. Evan feels that the debts are caving in on his family, their lands, and his tenants who rely on him to make improvements to his estate to keep their farms profitable. He needs money, and he needs it fast. The answer to his prayers comes in the form of the Crenshaw sisters. His mother pushes a match between Evan and the biddable Violet. August, who is aware of her sister’s feelings on this match, pressures the Duke at every turn to leave her sister alone. August’s intensity and fire catch Evan’s attention, and instead he chooses her for his bride wanting that fire for himself. What happens next is an emotional battle of wills between a Duke who needs an heiress and the heiress who abhors the idea of being married for money.

If you like a book that packs a punch with a heroine who is feisty, smart as a whip, and unapologetically herself then this book is for you. August has a fiery attitude, fierce opinions, and a quick wit. Evan was multi-dimensional, and the many different sides of his personality perfectly balanced out August’s passionate personality. It was a refreshing addition to this book to have such a strong heroine, but also to have a hero who can let down his guard and show that he is overwhelmed by the difficult things that have happened in his life. There are many times where the reader can applaud Evan throughout the book.

Even though this book is lower on the steam side, there was loads of chemistry and sexual tension between the characters. August wanted Evan despite her better judgement, and in those moments where she is compelled to act on her desire, sparks fly between them. The more she saw the real person behind the title the more she realized that she had misjudged him and his intentions. This allowed her to let down her guard that she kept up to protect herself, and with this the possibility of true and lasting love between them.

Fans of Loretta Chase’s strong heroines and Vivienne Lorret’s witty and entertaining banter should give this a try.

~ Michelle

The Heiress Gets a Duke is the first book in The Gilded Age Heiresses series by Harper St. George. A delightfully entertaining read, rich with romance, glamour, and lush Victorian detail. Between that cover and the synopsis,  I could not put this one down!

An American Heiress ...a bankrupt Duke ... and romance is in the air

What I liked

✔️August was a strong female character with her own goals and objectives she tries very hard to grab on to
✔️ lot of direct and honest conversations ( at least until the end 😆).
✔️ August and her sister Violet’s relationship
✔️ the social commentary around the rights ( or lack there of ) women, the newly rich Americans and the stuck up British aristocracy that is more and more dependent on them
✔️that gold dress on the cover 💛

What I didn’t like
✖️I just really didn’t like our heroine’s name - August 🤷‍♀️

I’d definitely read the next book in the series!

A modern, bold heroine with a clever head on her shoulders. A hero who is just enough bad boy to give him the certain something that'll make you smile and swoon. An arranged marriage trope set in Victorian England. This is what you'll get when you read THE HEIRESS GETS A DUKE. Of course, it's a little more intricate than that.

August is a headstrong, highly intelligent American woman who has to live by the norms of the 19th century. Her parents have gotten it into their heads to marry one of their daughters off to a British aristocrat. Any strong woman, ahead of her time like this heroine would balk at the notion and I commend August for fighting this really stupid idea for as long as she did and you knew even if she had to cave she wouldn't do it without a fight and getting the best deal out of it. I really loved August who didn't live by the rules of society and didn't care what other people thought of her. The only niggle I had was that she didn't tell her parents what she thought of them. How they broke her her trust in them.

Evan stole my heart. Gah. Even though he inherited a ton of issues from his father, making it necessary to marry a rich heroine, he kept his mischievous, open disposition. His growth from a man who didn't consider the feelings of a woman who lost control of her own life to someone who actively listened and tried to understand what August was saying was huge. He was a delight to read about.

"Forgive me for not understanding earlier?” He placed petal-soft kisses along her jaw and neck.
“For not understanding what?” she whispered.
“That I need you for you and not your wealth.”

I admit that some parts of the story are a little on the slower side but it never got as bad that I found it boring. I also didn't care for some of the miscommunications that could have been solved by both of them actually saying what they felt. Then again without those it would have deprived me of an awesome ending. The sizzling chemistry between the characters was palpable and I adored their forth and back, their conversations, their getting closer and obvious care for one another.

“Why me?” Her voice was quiet.
“Because I have never met anyone like you. Because I want to know you. Because you challenge me. People in my world marry for much less. For money, land, a name. I want you for you, Miss Crenshaw. That is far more than most people get.”

THE HEIRESS GETS A DUKE is an engaging, wonderful historical romance that had me fall head over heels with both main characters. George St. Harper is a new-to-me author but I'll definitely grab the next in the Gilded Age Heiresses series which will be about August's sister and Evan's best friend.

“I want you, August.” The intensity of his gaze only inches away burned into her. “I want the woman who fought me at every turn."

“For centuries, wealthy heiresses have been lining up to marry dukes. Why am I the one who has to go crawling on his knees to one?”
“Because you are the one who has chosen a difficult bride.”

Class and privilege of the Victorian Era are joined together in transactional matrimony with the excess and opulence of the American Gilded Age in Harper St. George’s exquisite new tale of a marriage of convenience that becomes something more. Inspired by the late nineteenth-century real-life sagas of wealthy American heiresses marrying title-rich but cash-poor British noblemen, this is the story of just such a “dollar princess”, whose parents, in hopes of elevating their own social fortune, offer their daughter’s hand in marriage to an impoverished duke. But shackling herself to a man in marriage is the last thing on this heiress’ mind, and no grand title would ever be worth the loss of her independence, even if her intended could very well be the only man in her life willing to see and accept her for all that she is. With lush prose and captivating, nuanced characters, St. George has created a world that you won’t want to leave.

READ FULL REVIEW » https://natashaisabookjunkie.com/2021/01/26/review-the-heiress-gets-a-duke-by-harper-st-george/

To be able to make their own and right choice

I came to know the author for her medieval romances for Harlequin, so jumping to the Victorian era was quite a leap.

Funny it is the second book in a few days I read about those “ dollar princesses “ sold (as there no other word than this one) to destitute but titled peers. But the similarities stop there.
August is no willing participant in this twisted market, she wants to continue to live the life as she has always known it. Working for her father’s business, free from any other burden.
Yet whatever she thought about her parents’ affection, the pull of recognition among a different crowd comes to change them too. The predatory skills her father uses in the office extends now to the ballrooms if he can reach a new realm through his daughters’ prospective spouses. Mercenary but so convenient.
Why August will go from disappointment to disillusionment. She will learn not everything is as she believes it to be.
Her parents can be deceiving and the man she was ready to dislike a happy surprise.
Evan was never meant to be the Duke, his sire often reminding him of his many failing. But life made a different choice. So when the burden fell on his shoulders, he felt lost, and even in rolling up his sleeves, it seems an endless and desperate task. Every course he takes is never enough so he must listen to reason. His only chance to salvage what can be is seeking one of these wealthy women on the market for a title. Luckily for him, he is a Duke.
Yet soon he will become disenchanted, the other party is no voluntary contestant. When he thought it would be easy, as his auctioned bride is one who intrigues him. She does not treat him like a lowly peer, she is blunt and honest. And the more she shows her true colors, the more he falls for her. She is one woman who will challenge him at every turn, who will not accept orders or nos without disputing it. Together they could accomplish grand things, if she might allow him to pierce a bit of her armor. She fights everyone of his attack and tries to anticipate his every moves, why she is taken a a k when he offers her a truce with a back door.

Evan from the beginning acknowledges his feelings, even if he does not name them, his willingness to see her making her own choice screams the depth of his sentiments. And while he does not control the world unraveling around them, he is genuine in his care for her, if only he has the right words to convince her.
At time I would have shakes some senses in them!
August is the one refusing to see reason, she in her ingenuousness blinds herself to the reality of life and what might be expected from her. She fools herself, refusing to see her one ally is not where she would have foreseen it. And as she is the one who has the most to loose, she will also have the long way to go.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen detailed foreplay and lovemaking scenes.

I have been granted an advance copy by the author and publisher Berkley, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the digital arc of this title.

One sentence review: Sparks fly when an American heiress to a railroad fortune, known to work side by side with her father, finds herself being bartered as a prize to a Duke by her parents (as they want the respectability that come with the ties to nobility).

The Heiress Gets a Duke by Harper St. George is a historical romance for those that enjoy strong willed heroines and progressive heroes. In the story August Crenshaw is an heiress to the Crenshaw Iron Works fortune. She prides herself on working with her father and brother on business matters. She is greatly disturbed to find out that her parents are arranging to have her younger sister Violet married off to Evan Sterling, the Duke of Rothschild. Sterling desperately needs the money her parents can provide in order to support his recently inherited holdings. And so the games begin.

What I enjoyed about this story:

- a strong willed heroine caught in a no win situation
- a hero, also caught in unfortunate circumstances, but with progressive tendencies well matched with the heroine's
- interesting supporting characters - can't wait to see some of these characters in future books
- smart dialogue between characters
- a well executed plot that brings tension without a lot of unnecessary drama

Final verdict - If you are a fan of regency romances, I think this one has a lot to offer. I loved that the heroine clearly knew her own mind and that the hero's respect for her was such that he didn't attempt to change her. The book also offers up enough steam to make those that enjoy it happy. For those that prefer closed door romance, I think it would be easy enough to skip the sexy times.

Hero: Duke Evan is in a need of a rich wife to relieve him of his debt. He does not want to marry for money but he has tons of people relying on him. So, regrettably, he choses to go with the option of marrying. His mother brings in the recommendation of Violet Crenshaw, the younger Crenshaw sister. But the Duke is interested in the elder sister, August Crenshaw

Heroine: August Crenshaw is the independent, intelligent and bold American daughter of a businessman. She has no plans to marry but she also does not want her parents to get her sister married for money. So, she goes about trying to convince the Duke to not pursue her sister. In the midst of that, she manages to capture the Duke's attention.

Chemistry: These two really had a strong chemistry. Their conversations were really good. I even laughed at a few instances.

Story: The story was a little too slow for me. The entire conflict of the plot is the heroine's lack of will to marry and the hero's genuiune interest in the heroine is shadowed by his need for money in exchange of marrying the heroine. On one hand, we slowly see the heroine melting toward the hero, but every time the conversation of marriage comes up, she closes up. And rightfully so. She does not want to lose her independence, her position in her father's company, her fortune to a man. But I also felt like there was just too much back and forth.

Writing: The writing was okay for me. I might even say it was just too much description with not enough dialogues. Moreover, the inner monologues got too repetitve when the same conflilct came up over and over and over again. We get it. You don't want to marry the duke. It got old for me.

Sensitivity: There is a tiny part where there is a conversation on how the Britishers were falling behind in construction of railways for India. And the heroine was shown wondering how the lack of railways could harm the Indians and their troubles of famine and drought. Being an Indian, this hurt me a little. Since our childhood, we have been studying in our history classes about the atrocities of British. That particular line in the book implied that Britishers thought FOR Indians and felt any responsibility toward their benefit. But in reality, that is far from the truth. The famines and draughts mentioned are the result of looting of people, resources, food, funds by British. Moreover, Indians were only allowed to be crammed on top of another in third class compartments with no toilet facilities. while the British travelled in lucury.

To summarize, there is a lot of history and bad blood involved, and I'd rather not read about how Britishers felt any responsibility for the welfare of the people they had colonized. Even a word and even a sentence has the capacity to put a bad taste in one's mouth. Why write something that is not ipacting the story? The author should have researched a little more on "impact of railways in colonized Indian" to know the reality.

Overall: Decent story. At the end, the conflict was not at all needed. I skimmed through the last 10% because I got tired of the same conversations and conflicts over and over again. And the new conflict in the last 5% was just unnecessary.

4/5 Stars

** I received this as an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review, Thank you!**

I am surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I've never read from this author before and really enjoyed the writing style. I liked the main character a lot, She was strong and independent ( as much as she could be anyway). The romance was enjoyable, I liked reading the interactions between the two. Overall a good, quick, and easy read. I would for sure recommend it!

4.25 Stars
American heiress August Crenshaw has aspirations. But unlike her peers, it isn't some stuffy British Lord she wants wrapped around her finger--it's Crenshaw Iron Works, the family business. When it's clear that August's outrageously progressive ways render her unsuitable for a respectable match, her parents offer up her younger sister to the highest entitled bidder instead. This simply will not do. August refuses to leave her sister to the mercy of a loveless marriage. Evan Sterling, the Duke of Rothschild, has no intention of walking away from the marriage. He's recently inherited the title only to find his coffers empty, and with countless lives depending on him, he can't walk away from the fortune a Crenshaw heiress would bring him. But after meeting her fiery sister, he realizes Violet isn't the heiress he wants. He wants August, and he always gets what he wants.
A very well written book with lovely characters. I loved Evan & August who were perfect for each other & I loved that they were open with each other & they actually talked. The chemistry between them sizzled, I also loved their verbal bantering. I was little disappointed that the time they needed to talk they didn’t & so there was a large misunderstanding, I felt they acted out of character over this. However things did turn out when they once again acted to character
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

My Review:⭐️⭐⭐⭐/ 5 stars

If you are looking for a book that will satiate your Bridgerton withdrawals with a touch of Jane Austen romance, then this is the book! I could not put it down! This book tells the story of an American heiress August Crenshaw - who is a woman ahead of her time in the 19th century. She wants to be a part of the family business, Crenshaw Ironworks, alongside her father and brother - following in the footsteps of her grandfather. However, being a woman during this time gave her limited abilities to do so and after marriage, almost impossible. Her family are unfathomably wealthy but don’t have the respect of their peers due to their “new money” status. They seek an aristocratic title - enter Evan Sterling, Duke of Rothschild in England, who desperately needs to marry wealthy to save his family from financial ruin. The Crenshaws strike up an agreement for him to court their youngest daughter, Violet, who is much more amenable and “duchess-like.” However, after Evan meets August, he can’t stop thinking of her even though she challenges him at every corner. Their chemistry is undeniable, but if she decides to marry,she would be losing her independence as a single woman and her role at her family company. This historical romance is perfectly romantic and steamy - but also such fun bantering dialogue. This seems to be the first book of the series and I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel!

Thank you to Berkeley Publications and Netgalley for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

The Heiress Gets a Duke was a lovely addition to the romance subgenre that is "books with a Duke in need of a wife for one reason or another". As a newer reader of the romance and Duke-centric subgenre, I found this story to be approachable, lighthearted, and unique for a few reasons.

How is this book unique in amongst the sea of Duke romances:
1. Set in the late 1800s vs regency era; we still get courting and balls but we also get industrialization and plumbing
2. Our leading lady was from America! I thought this particular was a great way for this story to stand out among the masses
3. Our leading lady is, of course, the independent type, but we are shown this in her adoption of "male-centric" hobbies. Her interest in business, finance, and investing was not something I had seen done in this genre before

All of this being said I did find a few areas that could have been stronger:
- The main points of tension or drama were actually pretty minimal throughout the book. It didn't feel like there truly was much at stake for any of the characters. Things cropped up quickly and were resolved, generally, just as quickly.
- I wish we would have had more one-on-one scenes between our main couple to see them grow together. Not that we didn't get any, because the ones we did get were expertly done, I just wanted more.

Overall I enjoyed this book and the reading experience was good. I LOVED the first scene we had with our couple at the boxing match (not really a spoiler). What a strong start! A quick, fun, lovely romp of a time. Those who are a fan of this genre will fall head over heels for this story and will want to continue the series as well.

Admittedly, historical romance has been a hit-or-miss genre for me. I love contemporary romances, but for whatever reason, historical romances don’t always suck me in.

That wasn’t a problem though with The Heiress Gets a Duke by Harper St. George, the first in a new series of Gilded Age romances featuring feisty heroines and the swoon-worthy heroes who can’t get enough of them.

I loved the chemistry and banter between these two characters. Seeing them match wits is a large part of what made this book so utterly delightful! August continuously baits the Duke, trying to scare him off — but every bold word and action only intrigues him more! And then she gets frustrated by his attention, and so on.

There’s also the fact that the Duke isn’t your typical nobleman, and he’s got some scandalous secrets of his own — and that little bit of his bad boy side intrigues August, too.

I absolutely adored this pair, and seeing the back and forth between them, and their sizzling chemistry. They sucked me in, and I found myself totally invested in their stories. This book also laid the foundation for the second book in the series, and I am now eagerly awaiting the next installment, which features August’s sister.

August Crenshaw is a "mannish" bluestocking eldest daughter of the Crenshaw fortune. She is basically her fathers right hand in their business. A rich American family rubbing shoulders with the English nobility.

Her mother sets up a meeting with her younger sister Violet to meet a Duke. And since August's friend was just sold into that life for her dowry she is very against it.

But when she came face to face with the Duke, he looks like a certain fighter she happened to get close to a few nights prior that made her feel things.

He is interested in her even though they are pushing the younger daughter, who definitely wants nothing to do with him. 

August and Evan (the Duke) had immediate chemistry which upped their steam factor. He needs her for her families money and she doesn't need him she just wants to work but she wants him. But he soon realizes he wants her for more than her money, can he convince her?

I loved their dialogue together, they were so witty and smart.

I loved that I thought it was all wrapped up nicely then I got thrown a nasty curve ball.

I love these stories of redemption and unique smart women getting the nobleman.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥

Thank you @netgalley and @berkley for the electronic review copy for my honest and voluntary review.

This was such a fun and engrossing read. I read SO many Regency romances and it was a delight to read about an American Heiress surviving and navigating the infamous London season. This love story was sweet and heartfelt, and I’m truly excited to read more from this author!

This is so boring and I'm not hooked on the voice after 30%. Some books just aren't for everyone, unfortunately. DNF.