American Heiress Violet Crenshaw was nearly pushed into one unwanted marriage, she won't let her parents do it again. Christian Halston, Earl of Leigh, asks for Violet's hand (and dowry) but her father has another suitor in mind. Christian isn't above a little scheming: get Violet to run away and be conveniently available to escort her. But along the journey, Christian comes to realize that Violet is exactly what he really needs: by his side, in his bed, and with all his heart. When Violet learns of his ruse, he'll have to convince her of his sincere feelings.

This is the second book in the The Gilded Age Heiresses series. It can stand alone, but I recommend reading the first book. It's excellent, and it describes how Violet's parents tried to arrange her marriage to a duke, who ultimately wanted her sister instead.

Mr. Crenshaw is at it again, trying to arrange a different marriage for Violet...and hero Christian doesn't "bring enough to the table." While he's not in debt yet, a recent fire at his Scottish estate has Christian in need of a plump dowry. He genuinely wants Violet though, even if he has to employ some sneaky means to get her. When a freak accident occurs, Christian realizes the toll of his manipulations.

I really enjoyed these characters and I loved how Christian started as a bit of a villainous hero but evolved as her opened up with Violet. She was desperate to be independent, but still a bit naïve. I appreciated that they eventually had to take time apart, pine for each other, and he tried to make amends. It made their happy ending more meaningful because it wasn't rushed.

Tropes: Arranged Marriage, Road Trip, Nursed to Health, Reform a Rake

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #TheDevilandtheHeiress #NetGalley

This is the 2nd in the series of the Heiress lovestories. I was very interested and one more book was manageable at the time so I got the 1st one first read that and then started the 2nd. It was worth it! Review on the 1st one will be on that book copy.

Continuing to this, Violet is the second sister who is writing a romance novel and is secure in the knowledge that her older sister has married into the aristocracy to assuage her parents' aspiration. But soon finds out they have not let her off the hook and would marry her off in exchange of mineral rights to a lecherous, old peer.
Violet knows her parents, knows the futility of convincing them in a rational manner, and so takes matters into her own hand. She runs. But she plans and runs. I love the sentiment of her loving her family. The whole they could be wrong and yet there would be many items for which children could still love their parents is my fav. I believe in vice a versa too, especially since I come from similar families where people with different goals and push and pull still love each other and stay together. Either way no endorsement of Crenshaw's behavior here!

Enter Lord Leigh. Though not wealthy, he has managed to run a club with his half brother to earn and live on it. I like that about the heroes. He also is portrayed as ruthless. Which ends up him committing spying and gathering info on Violet because he has set his cap on her (I can use that phrase right?) Not just because she is a heiress but also because he likes her firy spirit-fireworks- as he calls it. I liked that too. the poor soul thinks it will be like any other exchange, he will give her what she wants and she will agree to marry him. I love how his guilty conscience sprouts head and we all know what happens with such dunderheads lol. It was so fun.

I did enjoy the vibe the book gives. the characters often know most of their selves and that's a refreshing quality in my recent reads. The angle with American heiresses being married to the London aristocracy also is fresh for me (I did read earlier but it has been so long, it feels fresh now.) And I can't wait for MAX and Helena!

So all in all this series broke my reading slump. Definitely recommended.

Once again, poor Violet Crenshaw is on the marriage mart chopping block. In The Heiress Gets a Duke, her social climbing parents shamelessly dangled her in front of the Duke of Rothschild. Violet's belief that she was in love with her childhood sweetheart didn't affect their plans-their children were nothing more than bartering tools for financial and social gain. They ended up marrying into a noble family, albeit with August instead of Violet. Everyone should have lived happily ever after, right? Wrong. Before the ink is dry on August and Evan's marriage certificate, they immediately start plotting Violet's downfall again. It's enough to make you despise her parents with a passion, though I will admit to some disbelief that her parents could possibly be that greedy. An American family with "New Money" should be satisfied with a Duke to prop them up...right? They could have gotten an invitation into the most discerning snob's home.

Violet is portrayed as the more quiet and obedient sister of the two, however in this installment we get to see a new side of her. We learn that she dreams of becoming a published novelist, and a slightly more rebellious nature starts to shine through. I think witnessing her friend's recent tragic marriage was the main thing to bring about this change. Knowing how miserable her friend's new life was, she was almost desperate to avoid the same fate. Being married to an older man who had little to no respect for her who abused their power over her was not what she wanted out of her life. Her parents are dead set on her accepting Lord Ware, despite the fact that he attempted to take liberties with her. Now she is in even more dire straits than she was with Rothschild. She has no allies around her to help and there are sharks circling from every direction.

Christian Halston, Earl of Leigh is the definition of a rogue. He needs an heiress and doesn't have much of a conscience when it comes to getting his way. After getting turned down by Violet's father, he decides to take matters into his own hands. I wasn't sure how I felt about him at first because he was just another person who treated Violet like an object rather than a human being worthy of making her own choices. He's kind of a despicable guy, even plotting to sell the home she inherited from a beloved family member if her father cut her off. However, it didn't take long in her company before he started to feel guilt gnawing at him, and fear started to build at the thought of the truth driving her away. Despite his chivalrous knight in shining armor act, he's really the villain in this story. She just doesn't realize it quite yet. I do love a good redemption story when it's done right. The good news is that I truly believed that Christian not only understood his mistakes, but made amends for them by the end.

I enjoyed seeing his wicked, charming personality paired with Violet's sweetness and innocence. I think she really softened him up and helped him to become a less selfish person after he fell so hard for her. There was such a tenderness that developed in him which I don't think he ever felt in his life. His parents had a horrible and toxic marriage, and neither had time to show him the affection he needed. They were also a horrible example of love, which is one of the reasons why he never felt inclined to get truly close to a woman before Violet.

As with any relationship that is rooted in deception, Violet and Christian's is doomed for disaster. It isn't a matter of if, it's when. After the truth bomb drops, and the stars are lifted from Violet's eyes, there is nothing but destruction. There was a point where I wondered if Christian would be able to adequately come back from the betrayal that he delivered. One of the things that I really appreciated was that his actions weren't brushed under the rug after a quick apology, and he didn't use her attraction to him to smooth things over either. He set about winning her heart back with actions rather than words.

All in all, I think this was another win for the Gilded Age Heiresses series. The writing is once again easy to engage with, and very fast paced. I never had any issues with boredom or temptation to skim. Anyone looking for a historical romance with a reformed rake and a sweet heroine will most likely really enjoy this couple! Violet and August's brother Max was much more fleshed out in this book which made me really happy. He finally started to feel more three dimensional as we got into his head a little bit and understood some of his thoughts and feelings. I look forward to reading his full length story in The Lady Tempts an Heir, scheduled for release next February.

After reading the set up for this one in the previous book, there was no way I was going to miss this story.

I love love loved Violet and Christian. She’s sassy and knows what she wants from life. He’s brooding and really a marshmallow. Together they have instant chemistry and a shy unfurling of a relationship. I truly loved reading them learn about each other.

Plot wise, it was good. The carriage ride was quickly switched for a different setting and that part of the story was delightful. The angsty part did last longer than I expected, but I loved the reunion. If anything, I wanted more from the ending.

Overall, I loved this one more than the previous book and I hope we see more of these two in the next one.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

Excellent continuation of a super fun series. I really loved Violet, who was a nice mix of smart, spirited, and still realistically young with things to learn. Christian was a sweetheart who'd done wrong and knew it. I liked that he recognized and acknowledged his guilt from the start instead of just feeling it after the fact. I thought their path to love was sweet and the way they worked through their problems realistic for both characters. I was definitely rooting for them from beginning to end.

I enjoyed August and the Duke of Rothschild story in the first book. It seemed like Lord Leigh and Violet had chemistry and was excited when I saw this book was available on Net Galley.

If you loved the first book your will be soooo happy with the second book.

Christian, Lord Leigh thinks he can flash his title and get whatever he wants but doesnt impress Violet's father with his suit. He decides to make other plans. He encourages her to marry who she wants or run away but when she approaches her parents they push some nasty Lord her way.  

Sooo Violet decides to run away but Christian happens to be outside randomly and can give her a ride... Let's start the one carriage, one room fun! All my favorite tropes! 

There was steam!! And some novel writing! Some soul searching and growth (personal growth people).

A great continuation to this story, I hope BOTM picks it up.

Omg thank you! I was thinking at the end how I want a story for Maxwell and I see a blurb for Book #3 and it's for him!!! 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
Steam: 🔥🔥

Thank you berkley romance and net galley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

Oh do I love the Crenshaw siblings! I adored The Heiress Gets a Duke, and I think I even enjoyed this one just a tiny bit more! The strength both August and Violet had during a time where women were supposed to stay silent made me so proud. They are both amazing and funny! The connection between Violet and Christian had me like 😍 I couldn’t get enough.

I also love Max and was ecstatic when I saw that his love story will be the third book in the series! 🥳 I’m not ready to say goodbye to this family, so I’m happy!

I’ve had a blast reading and chatting through this series with my girl, Kaley! @mamas_top_shelf we have to read the third together too!!

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @berkleypub for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Harper St. George has rapidly become an automatic buy author for me — I will read anything she writes. The Devil and the Heiress is a wonderful follow-up to The Heiress Gets a Duke, although it can be read as a stand-alone. When Violet Crenshaw's parents secretly agree to marry her off to a repulsive member of the aristocracy, she takes fate into her own hands and runs away. Christian Halston, the devilish Earl of Leigh, offers to give her a ride, but he has an agenda of his own.

I loved the tension between these two fully developed characters, as well as the political forces underpinning their relationship. St. George doesn't shy away from the historical restraints placed on women in the time period. I don't want to spoil the ending, but fans of groveling heroes and progressive romantic gestures will love this book.

I discovered this new-to-me author with the first book in this series, The Heiress Gets a Duke. I absolutely loved that book and I believe this one is even better. The writing is exceptional – I love the way the author turns a phrase. The plot is well-formed, well delivered, and fast-paced. It was such an engrossing and interesting story I read it from beginning to end in one sitting.

We met the Crenshaw family in the first book and found the parents to be very despicable, but the children were delightful. Well, the parents haven’t changed one bit and they are now selling their daughter, Violet, to the nobleman with the most to offer Crenshaw Iron Works. Since they got themselves a Duke the last time, the title isn’t as important this time around – as long as there IS a title. What they need this time are the raw materials that will be needed by Crenshaw Iron Works when they open their London branch. They’ve found the perfect candidate and drawn up the agreements – but they ‘forgot’ to tell Violet she’d been auctioned off to an absolutely odious man.

Violet Crenshaw isn’t exactly who she seems to be. Everyone believes her to be very quiet, pliant, and biddable. What they don’t readily see is the spine of steel. What they don’t expect is for her to object to their marriage choice for her and they certainly don’t expect her to take any actions to thwart them. Violet is definitely more than everyone believes her to be. While everyone is valuing her for her monetary worth, they are missing her real worth.

Christian Halston, Earl of Leigh, isn’t exactly who he seems to be either. He is – but it is because he has long ago buried the real Christian deep inside himself, so what we see on display is the cold, calculating, uncaring, and womanizing man he has become. Christian isn’t the typical pockets-to-let aristocrat in search of an heiress. However, since his beloved Scottish estate burned, he doesn’t have the funds to make the repairs. Frankly, he could care less about anything else in his Earldom – he really never plans to marry and have children so the title and everything that goes with it can either go to some distant relative or die out altogether. His vile father was the Earl and he hated Christian – for no good reason. Then, Christian met Violet and she intrigued him – and she was an heiress – what could go wrong there?

I highly recommend this book and this series. The author’s writing style just speaks to me and the characters could easily become my friends if I met them in real life. I loved watching Christian change from trying to manipulate Violet into doing as he wants to only wishing to love her and make her happy – even if it cost him his own happiness. It was also nice to spend some time with Max (Violet’s brother) and to get to know him better as I’m sure his book will be the next one. I hope you’ll choose to read this book and love it as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Having barely escaped a first unwanted marriage into the English noble class, American heiress Violet Crenshaw is relieved to know that her remaining time in England is coming to an end and she can return to her fiancé and focusing on her writing, thinking that her parents are now satisfied now that her older sister, August, is a happily married duchess. Except her fiancé terminates the engagement, her novel was rejected, and it turns out her parents still plan to marry her off to one of the most odious men she has ever met. In a mad-dash scheme, Violet flees London for the English countryside to hide and write. The only thing she didn't plan for was to encounter the devil...

Christian Halston, Earl of Leigh, has a reputation and he's in no rush to repair it. He is The Devil and he likes it. And he really likes Violet Crenshaw, and her inheritance is just an added bonus. A bonus he very much needs in order to restore his Scottish estate. So when he does a bit of scheming that involves the two of them in a carriage bound for the north, he is sure he can convince Violet to choose him, to make her fall in love with him.

Both Violet and Christian have a plan. But plans quickly go awry. And, they also find, so do their hearts...

Fantastically steamy and deliciously devious, "The Devil and the Heiress" is a phenomenal second book in the Gilded Age Heiresses series, following up the fabulous "The Heiress Gets a Duke". Brilliantly crafted, with lush descriptions and two amazing characters, "The Devil and the Heiress" is a tantalizing addition to the summer romance line-up!

Thank you for the ARC book. I really enjoyed this romance 😍. After Violet tells her parents no to marriage and takes off with Christian, I had so much fun watching them develop.

Their love is awesome! I loved reading about it.

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

CW: domestic abuse, parental abuse (physical and emotional), parental abandonment, death of a parent, sexism, ableism

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f historical romance
-friends to lovers
-road trip romance

This was a cute story I enjoyed but struggled to love. The MMC from the beginning was after the FMC money and convinced he would marry her. He was just a bit too cocky and confident he could woo and bed her. This involved a deception plot line which are just rarely something I enjoy. It took him a while to see the error of his ways and a lot of the falling in love parts happened off page so it made it difficult for me to invest fully in the couple. A lot of this was just personal preference.

The FMC was fun, a writer, trying to escape the plan her parents laid for her. I loved her independence, even when things were going against her she planned. The sibling relationships in this series maybe some of my favorites and I"m really hoping Max gets his own book since he's come to the rescue to help fight for his sisters when they needed him.

Rating: 3
Steam:3

I loved this book so much, even more than book 1. Violet and Christian were magical!

Violet Crenshaw is the youngest in her wealthy American family, and she's usually always gone along to get along, while quietly rebelling later. But this time, with her parents horrifying marriage plans for her, she refuses. She aspires to be a novelist, and she's NOT interested in any stuffy British aristocratic husband telling her she's "not allowed to." When her parents won't listen to reason, she knows she needs to run away on her own. But, she didn't plan on having one of those aristocrats along for the ride! Though granted, he's definitely NOT a stuffy one...

Christian Halston, Earl of Leigh, wants Violet for himself, and he has no intention of letting any other man claim her, regardless of her parents' plans. When she decides to run away, he invites himself along to "help her," and plans to convince her to marry him, then detour to his estate in Scotland to marry quickly. He needs her funds to rebuild his home in Scotland, that was destroyed by fire. But he has no idea how much he'll come to care for her, and wish that they hadn't started out with dishonesty on his part.

Christian and Violet were drawn to each other from the start, and their connection was electric. I loved watching their verbal sparring, and the way they got closer and closer as each day of their trip went by. I enjoyed watching them fall head-first in love with each other, even as I knew what their issues would be down the road. Violet valued honesty, and her autonomy. Christian came to value Violet's smarts, her soft heart, and their heated connection, which was unlike anything he had experienced before.

Because this was a road trip romance, the focus was mainly on the two main characters. But, there were a few side characters here who made a big impact. Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell were a delightful couple who really came through for our main pair in their time of desperate need. Also, Violet's friend Lady Helena March was a delight, as was Violet's older brother, Max. I'm now VERY much looking forward to the next book with those two!!

This story was a bit different than what I expected, but I thought it was absolutely perfect! Christian and Violet's love was big, and strong, and beautiful, and I adored watching them figure everything out! They both really grew as characters, together, and each alone while going through their dark moments. I appreciated how well they came to understand and respect each other, in addition to their fierce love. I highly recommend this one, and I can't wait for book 3!

Will be an updated review closer to my tour stop

Sparks fly when a runaway heiress bargains with a devilish rogue to escape a marriage of convenience.

No one would guess that beneath Violet Crenshaw's ladylike demeanor lies the heart of a rebel. American heiresses looking to secure English lords must be on their best behavior, but Violet has other plans. She intends to flee London and the marriage her parents have arranged to become a published author--if only the wickedly handsome earl who inspired her most outrageously sinful character didn't insist on coming with her.

Christian Halston, Earl of Leigh, has a scheme of his own: escort the surprisingly spirited dollar princess north and use every delicious moment in close quarters to convince Violet to marry him. Christian needs an heiress to rebuild his Scottish estate but the more time he spends with Violet, the more he realizes what he really needs is her--by his side, near his heart, in his bed.

Though Christian's burning glances offer unholy temptation, Violet has no intention of surrendering herself or her newfound freedom in a permanent deal with the devil. It's going to take more than pretty words to prove this fortune hunter's love is true....

I loved this book. I completely fell in love with Violet and Leigh/Christian. I really enjoyed that this story featured strong characters with strong personalities, plus a lot of character growth from both main characters. I thought the creation of Leigh as an imperfect aristocrat with a touch of roguish-ness was sheer perfection. I can’t resist a tortured soul in a regency romance, and The Devil and the Heiress delivered in spades. I also really enjoyed the quiet way that Christian fell in love with Violet, and how it really just snuck up on him. I already want to reread this book…that’s how good it was!

full disclosure, I didn't love the first book. I was nervous about reading this book, but was so intrigued by Violet and Lord Leigh in the first book that I wanted to give it a shot. And I am so glad that I did. Road trips haven't worked for me this year - it did here. The force proximity, his unexpected care for her and her openness to love were all so endearing. The steam, the tension, their love - it was exactly what I needed during a busy week.

Another great 5 star read from Harper St. George. I loved the first book in this series, The Heiress Gets A Duke and was over the moon when I got the opportunity to read this one.

The Devil And The Heiress follows the second Crenshaw sister, Violet who is seen as more agreeable and ladylike compared to her sister August. When it became clear that their parents wouldn't settle with just one nobleman in the family and starts making plans for Violet to marry Lord Ware Violet realizes she needed to take things in her own hand.

Christian, the Earl of Leigh has plans to marry Violet and those plans started with less than romantic motivations. He quickly realized that he is falling hard for her and also found that she was not the wallflower assumed.

I loved this so much. I loved the main characters and the secondary characters and enjoyed getting to know the Crenshaw son. I could see him getting his own story. I liked the emotional journey Harper took me on. Christian was so ahead of his time with the support he gave to Violet in her bid to become a writer and supporting women's rights. Fell in love with him.

I felt the full range of emotions with this one and Harper St. George is an auto read author for me now.

This one is highly recommended and solidifies my love affair with historical/regency romance.

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing for an ARC of this book. Publishing date is June 29, 2021.

DNF. I really liked the premise but the writing did not work for me at all. It wouldn't be fair to the book if I finished reading and gave it a low rating.

After absolutely loving The Heiress Gets The Duke, I had really high hopes for the follow up and I was not disappointed! Part road trip romance/part sick bed romance, we follow Violet Crenshaw as she hightails it out of London in a carriage heading north with the deceptively helpful Lord Leigh in an attempt to escape an arranged marriage. The Devil And The Heiress was an absolute delight to read and I will be recommending it to romance readers as much as I can! I'm completely hooked on The Gilded Age Heiresses series and am looking forward to more from Harper St. George!

The Devil and the Heiress is the second book of St. George's The Gilded Age Heiresses, featuring August's younger sister, Violet Crenshaw, and Evan's best friend, Christian Halston, Earl of Leigh.

With August's marriage with a duke, Violet thinks that her parents no longer plans to marry her to one of the English peerages for business purpose. Alas, she is wrong on that account. So Violet, who plans to be an author, decides to run away. Except, unknown to her, Christian is ready to intercept. Christian is attracted to Violet but to be honest, he also needs Violet for her money to save his beloved house. And yes, Christian is determined to make Violet his wife.


First of all, I need to say this... I will probably doomed to despise majority of the parents in historical romance that I read. I mean, the way that the Crenshaws thinks they can just 'give away' their daughter for mineral rights!! What the hell, parents?!? Do you really just see your daughters as assets to sell? Urgh!! 😠

But in overall, I really enjoyed this one. Yes, Christian was hiding his initial intention (you know, marrying Violet because he needs her money) but I believed that he truly cared for Violet. There were sparks already happening between them in the first book.

It was easy for me to root for their relationship, despite the rather short timespan and I thought Violet being very young as a heroine. Though probably her age is considered mature in the 1800s and not like she had a lot of options to be independent like in the 'modern' era

It helped was that I knew Violet could handle Christian. When she found out about Christian's plan, Violet wasn't shy to show him how much it hurts. It made the ending pretty sweet (I always love grand gesture in romance 🤭).

In The Heiress Gets a Duke, I already stated that I loved the older Crenshaw brother, Max, who cared for his sisters and didn't side with the parents in any case. I thought that this series would focus on the sisters, so I am so happy to know that he WILL get his own book next... with a widow! I look forward to that one next year.