A very fun book featuring a fake engagement between two very hot characters who have the hots for each other. Is it any surprise that their fake relationship might start to feel real? This book features rich characters with highly-developed senses of noblesse oblige (the best kind of rich characters, obvs) whose only real beef with each other is HOW exactly to help those less fortunate. Is it through fair labor standards applied to your company employees? Is it through charities to help unwed mothers find work that allows them to stay with their children? Honestly either way sounds good to us.

Possible spoilers: We especially liked the handling of Helena's infertility. Like many historical romances, The Lady Tempts an Heir includes a character's infertility as a relationship obstacle. Both characters' reactions felt authentic when considering whether their love for each other was enough to balance out a future without children. In addition, the solution August proposes and Helena embraces made us cheer. It was unexpected, practical, and perfect for the characters.

I honestly cannot wait for this to come out so I can force everyone I know to read this! What a great next book in this series! Harper St, George is a romantic genius. I would read anything she put in front of me.

I was SO happy to see The Lady Tempts an Heir show up on my Netgalley shelf! I loved the first two books in the series and could not wait to read about Max and Helena.

Harper St George did NOT disappoint with this one either! The chemistry between Max and Helena is spectacular. I love how they challenge and support each other. They are like minded and perfectly suited. I have always loved how progressive Max appeared in the first two books when coming to his sisters defenses against their fathers wishes, and standing up for them always. I was pleased to see that at a deeper level in this book as well.

This book was the perfect amount of angst, steam, and heartwarming moments and I can’t wait to add a physical copy to my collection!

Looking forward to book 4 about Camille and Jacob!

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC!

The Lady Tempts an Heir is by far my favorite book in The Gilded Age Heiresses series by Harper St. George.

I loved how George took the perspective of the older brother and gave him his own love story. He’s one of those characters you’re rooting for to find happiness. Because even though he’s part of the one percent, unlike his father and most of the ultra wealthy, he has an understanding of women’s and worker’s rights. Fighting for and understanding that the company is only as strong as the people who bring their ideas into fruition.

But, as we’ve seen in the other two novels, Max’s situation is no different than his younger sisters, when it comes to his parents. That he will be challenged to marry someone who would benefit the Crenshaw Family.

Though Max has other plans to outwit his out of touch father.

Enter Lady Helena.

And friends, the one aspect of this book I truly appreciate is how Harper St. George took a delicate experience that many woman can face, not being able to conceive, and showed that even though Helena is unable to conceive she is still human and whole. Regardless of the medical reasons, this can be a trying and difficult reality for women both emotionally and physically. Even more so when you consider during this time period, being told that, that is your main purpose when part of the aristocracy. To produce an heir.

How George slowly unveils Helena’s own personal experiences and trauma is in a word emotional. You feel that sharp stab of pain, needle like and thoroughly devastating, leaving you completely gutted as you realize the beautiful relationship Max and Helena begin to build.

Wondering if Max will choose her…

And thankfully George does not resort to cliché trope or unrealistic antics by using a miraculous pregnancy. She is upfront with the reader that Helena is unable to have children. Where this is something Helena as a character must grapple with as her feelings for Max progress into something she desperately wants to keep.

With delicious romance, Harper St. George creates a humanistic story that will have readers emotions tied into intricate knots which will all unravel after a fitting conclusion.

Make sure to pre-order this book!

Happy Reading ̴ Cece

HAHAHAHA, so Maxwell can't escape his father's machinations, either!

The series has grown on me now that we've gotten past August's annoying defiance of marriage for the sake of defying. Not that Violet and now lady Helena didn't chafe at the idea of holy matrimony, either. Helena here is forced to use her singlehood as a bargaining chip, despite the mostly unspoken rule that widows can do whatever they want. When it comes to getting society donors for her charity, thanks to Dear Ol' Daddy that rule doesn't appear to apply.

Helena's struggle with self-worth based on her society judging her because of infertility was touching, and I liked how the book handled it. It helps readers who've had the same struggle see themselves on the page.

AND CAMILLE IS GETTING A BOOK! YAAAAYYYYY!!!

American Maxwell Crenshaw finds himself back in London when his father falls ill. His father commands him to marry or he'll not support his daughter August in her quest for a dock project for Crenshaw Ironworks. Max comes up with the scheme for a pretend engagement with Lady Helena March to placate his father, but he never expected to fall in love with her. Now his biggest obstacle is to convince Helena to marry him. Lady Helena vowed never to marry again. She's hiding a secret and cannot let herself fall for the handsome American. Can she stay strong and resist his charms?

I enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this one was kind of boring for me. All the angst that Helena constantly experiences got old after a while. She was taking it upon herself to decide Max's life as well as her own. I did love that Helena was passionate about helping unmarried women and their children and Max was so honorable when dealing with the crisis at Crenshaw Ironworks, but I didn't think August continuing to work now that she was a duchess fit in with the prevailing opinion of Society. Max's father, however, was just so arrogant and cared for nothing but his own profit to the expense of everything else. Even the epilogue did not satisfy my hope for the perfect HEA. I won't say what that is so it doesn't spoil the book for any other readers.

Wow. This book was way more emotional than I was ready for.

I’ve loved this series from the beginning and I loved Max and Helena’s story. It took awhile for the story to pick up for me and I found myself putting it down for awhile. But once it picked it, I was in it to win it. Their bidding against each other, fake fiancé trope, the pining, THE PINING!! This book had so many great things going for it that. I adored the epilogue and the HEA with all my heart. Harper St. George paints a beautiful world that was so cozy and relaxing to dive into. I wanted so much for these aching people to find their happy ending and the conflict just tore my heart out. But it made the resolution so perfect for me.

Max is a true American hero that I couldn’t stop myself from grinning over. His relentless love for Helena was epic and iconic and exactly what women deserve. I love, love, love their love for each other.

Thank you so much for the ARC, Berkley romance. Now I can’t WAAAAIT for Camille’s story, ommggggg.

Aside from a few quibbles, I thoroughly enjoyed the previous books. This one was...kind of disappointing. Initially, I thought I was going to like the widowed and independent Helena more than August or Violet. But as the romance went on, she devolved for me, especially once she tried to do that marvelous thing of deciding for her partner what he should/shouldn't want (i.e. her). I like that she wasn't a shrinking violet in bed, but I could've done without her brand of angst.

I also have a weird regard of Maxwell, which is probably mostly a me thing and not necessarily the way he's written. Up to this point in the series, I just didn't think much of him—his reaction to Violet annoyed me and with August, he just seemed like a typical, vaguely concerned sibling. Basically, to me, he was the best friend's hot older brother that you somehow **don't** have a crush on. As the romantic hero, complete with his rugged American rusticism, Maxwell just didn't interest me much. He's basic. 🤷

The romance is definitely steamy, so that's a plus, and Helena's work with the women's home is a fairly interesting side plot. In the end, though, I just got bored with the couple conflicts—of which there are several, all only requiring the tiniest bit of honest discussion.

AND YET SOMEHOW I still want to read the next one about Camille!

Harper St. George continues her reign as queen of smart, steamy and swoony Regency romance with this third installment in her Gilded Heiress series. As always, I appreciate her independent fierce heroines who are ahead of their times and their powerful love interests. Lady Helena is a widow whose main passion in life is supporting her charity for orphans and young women. However when the handsome and dynamic Maxwell Crenshaw visits from America, he catches her eye and her heart in an irresistible way. I loved the dual perspectives, historical references, engaging storyline and of course, the passionate romance. Already counting down to book number 4!

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for my ARC.

Thank you so much Berkley and Harper St. George for an advanced copy of this book! I LOVED it.

Genre: Historical Romance
Pub Date: February 22, 2022
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was so excited to receive an ARC of The Lady Tempts an Heir, the third book in the Gilded Heiresses series by Harper St. George. This book focuses on Lady Helena, a friend of the Crenshaw sisters, and Max, the Crenshaw male heir. It has all my favorite elements of a romance: fake fiancé, friends to lovers with a dash of enemies to lovers at one point, pining, yearning, all the good stuff! And, it has some series steam, so buckle up for a wild ride.

First, I loved Lady Helena. Her character was so well-written, and I wish I could just sit down and have tea with her. She endured so much despite living a life of privilege, and her desire to help those around her was really inspiring. I also identified with her on so many levels, and I appreciate Harper writing a character with Helena's specific struggles (I don't want to give too much away as a spoiler here).

Second, Max...oh my Max. I kept seeing Jamie Dornan in my head with a beard while I read this book, and I didn't hate it. 😂 Max was the perfect balance tot he Crenshaw sisters, and I appreciated his singular drive and desire to prove himself. I also appreciated his slow change to open up his life to Helena, and boy, that steam!! It will make a girl blush.

Third, I just loved the inner workings of this novel and Harper's attention to detail. From clothing style changes to secret passages in a home, the historical detail is phenomenal in this story. What really tipped this book from four to five stars, though, was the scene where Max leaves the March house to go back to America. That moment he ran back up the stairs and defied societal expectations...be still my heart, I completely swooned. And, I am not ashamed of it.

Thank you thank you thank you for this arc, and please keep your eye on this book! It publishes on February 22nd, 2022, so you have time to preorder! My hope is that Berkley will publish these in larger versions than the smaller romance covers. They really are deserving of a regular paperback size! And the covers are gorgeous!

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Lady Helena March has been married once, but unlike other young widows in the ton, she would rather spend time helping orphans and unmarried mothers at her London Home for Young Women, than at a society ball or tea party. She is hiding a secret, and won't marry again, but her parents won't listen. They believe that a young lady's goal in life is to marry and bear children, and she's an aberration. But, when the handsome Maxwell Crenshaw returns to London, following his father's heart attack, and needs to find a pretend fiancee, it seems like the perfect plan. However, their time together when following Violet and Christian last year has proven there is something between them, and the close proximity is enhancing those feelings. Maxwell has never given much thought to marriage, but couldn't expect his parents would blackmail him into marrying soon. He should've realised that once his sister's were wed, they would turn to him, but even with the pressure, he can't imagine marrying for anything less than love. The plan with Helena works perfectly, until his feelings for her make him adamant he'll marry no one else. Can Maxwell convince Helena they would be perfect together, and help her overcome her own worries about marriage?

After adoring the other two books in this series, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Helena and Maxwell's book, and was overjoyed when the NG widget arrived in my inbox. I simply loved this book, and the couple. We'd met them both in the previous books, and especially in The Devil and the Heiress, where we started to see the chemistry between the two of them grow. I for one wanted to know what they got up to while chasing Violet and Christian, and though this book starts months later, we do have mentions of their trip away. Maxwell was a character I wasn't too sure of at first, and I thought he might be as overbearing and controlling as his father, but I was pleased to see how modern, and progressive he was in comparison. He fully supported his sisters, especially August, with their ventures, and was there by Helena's side when it came to her charitable endeavours. Helena's own feelings about her marriage, and the lack of children that came from the union, has stayed with her longer than she would've thought, and no matter what her feelings are for Maxwell, she is willing to sacrifice her own happiness for his future. I was really heartbroken at times, seeing how much in love they both were, but were willing to be apart for the supposed happiness of the other. The ending of the book brought so much happiness, and I was extremely happy to discover that there's going to be a fourth book - I think about Camille, and I will be impatiently waiting once again!

Fake dating has got to be one of my favourite and comfort trope to read. I love all the angst it provides and I’m such a sucker for it. I loved Helena and Maxwell, their chemistry, the sweeping romance was everything I could ask from a weekend read. However, I was so surprised and happy when August and Violet made an appearance in this book and, it makes my heart so mushy and to know how close the 3 Crenshaw siblings are.
Moreover, I quite liked the plot, the word building, the pace, and most importantly how author has also focused on the character development; that’s something I very much look forward to in the books.
Henceforth, it was quite an enjoyable read for me.

This was great, a worthy successor to the first 2 in the series. I especially enjoyed the discussion about labor and workers rights, it made for a nice touch. The resolution was very good, the only quibble is that Helena utterly abandons her very important charity when she goes to NYC to marry maxwell, that rang very untrue to me.

The Lady Tempts an Heir is book 3 in The Gilded Age Heiresses series. The series so far has followed the American Crenshaw siblings, the first two books were for August and Violet and now this book is for their brother Maxwell Crenshaw.

Maxwell Crenshaw is the heir to the Crenshaw Iron Works fortune. His parents have been in London for the past year acquiring titled husbands their 2 daughters (the first 2 books in the series). Max has been living in New York helping run the family business but has been called to London a couple times to help out his sisters. It is during one of these trips that he first meets Lady Helena March, Max and Helena even spent time together traveling to Scotland while they were searching for one of his sisters. Max returns to London for his 3rd visit in a year when his father becomes ill, while visiting with his father the Crenshaw patriarch informs Max he wants him engaged or married by the end of the year to think of their family’s legacy. But Max hasn’t had time to think of a relationship while busy focusing on the business so he comes up with the idea of a fake engagement to appease his father for a little while. And who better for the role than Lady Helena, they already share a mutual attraction and she is in need of help too.

Lady Helena is a young widow, but has zero plans to marry again even if society and her parents have been pushing her towards remarrying. Helena instead spends her time with her charities, she’s currently trying to find a permanent location for her newest project, The London Home for Young Women, that provides a place for unwed mothers, widows, and “fallen women” to live and find jobs. Without the support of a male backer for the finances, Helena is finding it hard to get donations so Max comes to her with the idea of a fake engagement at just the right time. But when real feelings get involved and the two share a passionate night together at a house party…things get complicated.

I have enjoyed this whole series and was so excited to have an early copy of this 3rd book! I loved seeing August and Violet make appearances in this book and how close the 3 Crenshaw siblings are. This also gets into their Iron Works business and how they handle workers’ threats of a strike. Max and Helena are bidding against one another for the same building and I liked how that was all resolved. I loved how Max stood up for Helena in front of other society ladies and even her father. I definitely felt for Helena and her hesitance to make their relationship real. The ending did seem a bit rushed but I really enjoyed the epilogue and seeing the Crenshaw siblings and their parents together. I also liked the glimpse of the couple of the next book, which will be one of the friends!

Thank you to the publisher (Berkley) for an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts & review. The Lady Tempts an Heir has a publish date of February 22, 2022.

Th third installment of the Gilded Age Heiresses did not disappoint. Max and Helena are two phenomenal main characters who are easy to root for and delightful to watch rile each other up. Their stubbornness and determination to make things better for others in worse conditions than themselves was so heart warming to read about.

Fake dating/engagement/courtship is my absolute favorite trope and I will never get tired of reading romance novels containing it. That moment when you know that you know it's no longer fake for at least one of them and they finally realize it is just, *Chef's Kiss*. The Lady Tempts an Heir executed this trope flawlessly.

The only thing holding me back from 5 stars is that it felt a little unresolved for me. Helena had been working on this charity for years and went up to bat against a lot of people, potentially ruining her reputation just for her to go to New York and say for at least two years. I would have been nice to know how things ended up on hat front with the priory and the factory, etc.

Harper St. George has easily become one of my favorite historical romance authors. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book and where Violet's meddlesome match making will make us!

Huge thank you too NetGalley and the publisher for granting me access to an E-Arc in exchange for my honest review.

I think this is a case of high expectations because I absolutely adored the first two books in this series. Harper St. George is a new favorite author of mine and I almost died when I received an arc of this book. Do not get me wrong it is still a great read and I will totally be recommending it, but it did not have that same "oh my god this book" feeling that I got from The Heiress and The Duke.

**SPOILER ALERT** I was never so happy to be wrong! First, knowing Max and Helena have spent days together searching for Max's sister, Violet, in book two, I expected this book to be about the events of those days. Instead it was quickly summarized and went on from there. Second, I lived in such fear for the ending of this book. "Please don't, please don't" I kept repeating in my head. This time it was Max who was the focus of his father's interfering blackmail to marry and sire an heir for Crenshaw Iron. Helena, a widow, knew she couldn't have children and this made for an agonizing decision. When Max and Helena had unprotected sex once, I implored the author in my head not to resolve this as Oh, she's miraculously pregnant, problem solved, with an epilogue of the happy family with a baby. Especially when Max returned to America and the story jumped ahead three months. "Here it comes, I thought" She'll realize she's pregnant. It didn't happen! Instead we had a deeply emotional book with characters who had to really think about what they wanted in life when fate threw them a curveball. I'm looking forward to Camille's story. I couldn't get out of my head in book one how her parents sold her to an old man in another country. I wouldn't mind if it turns out she DID poison him!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this earc!

This book was definitely my favorite in the trilogy. I loved Helena and Max’s story so much.

I really enjoyed how they got to know each other and gave each other time to figure out if the relationship will work for them. I like that Max actually took some time to think over the fact that Helena couldn’t have children. And I loved how Helena cared so much for Max to let him go.

One thing that did bother me was the fact that Helena left to NY and didn’t come back for two years to the project she’s been working so hard on? Didn’t feel right

But overall This book was sweet and hot and heartwarming

Through absolutely no fault of its own, I did not love this book. It was well written, and full disclosure I feel the same about this entire series, and yet, I keep picking it up. Probably that's because the writing is sharp, characters are deep, well defined, and likable, and it's genuinely clever. Maybe I just hate the fake dating trope, because genuinely I can't think of anything wrong with this book (or series) and I just don't really love it.

LOVED this one! I wasn't a massive fan of the first one in this series; August's personality just didn't appeal to me. This one was definitely much more up my alley. I'll need to go back and read Violet's story now.