Shupe makes a masquerade hot!

The Gilded Age is all the better thanks to this series and the latest book is probably my favorite so far. Though, I am very interested in a certain Duke.

But I’ll focus on this book first. Our heroine, Katherine, has been engaged to hero Preston since childhood. An agreement between their fathers, and since then their parents have fallen out and Preston’s family near financial ruin, which he blames Katherine’s father for. So, of course our dear hero is prepared get revenge and no way in hell is he going to marry Katherine.

Except a masquerade changes everything. From a sharp attraction, to intimacies experienced while wearing masks, Preston and Katherine find a newfound interested in each other. Though Katherine doesn’t care what they did in the shadows of a theater box, she’s already decided to stop wasting her time on a forever with Preston. He didn’t care enough about her before, why bother now?

Seeing these two fall for each other was a delight. One that kept me up far too late into the evening, and anxiously turning pages. I couldn’t figure out how they would overcome the challenges facing a future together. Preston’s prejudices towards her family or Katherine’s fear of submitting to a man who wouldn’t love her. Add in plenty of hijinks, secret rendezvous, and both hero and heroine learning to let go of the past is what kept me going.

I recommend this to readers who love The Gilded Age television show or Maya Rodale. Get lost in this New York historical. While readers catch up, I’ll be anxiously awaiting the last book in this series.

~ Landra

This book starts like so many other historicals: with an arranged marriage. But that's where all similarities cease. This book was fresh and unique and PIPING HOT.

Katherine and Preston are betrothed, or so Katherine believes, until she shows up to his office without an appointment to iron out the details of their wedding. Which is when Preston says, no I absolutely am not going to marry you.

Katherine takes this as you'd expect. She's hurt and embarrassed and leaves in a hurry. Only to return in a FURY to ream this man out. And that is the moment that she begins to live for HERSELF instead of for a man who rejected her without any consideration.

But that is also the moment when Preston's interest in her is piqued. The two end up meeting at a racy masquerade ball and have a steamy moment that neither can forget, without realizing who the other person really is.

I adored this book. It has everything I love in a Joanna Shupe book and more. Excellent chemistry, so much steam, a truly head scratching moment of, how will these two work this out, and an excellent grovel from the hero. I can not get enough of Ms. Shupe's romances!

I was provided an ARC for my honest review.

Going into this one, knowing how much I loved The Lady Gets Lucky, I was a bit apprehensive; I both love having more books in the series because I love getting cameos from the characters I’ve met in prior books and also love the Gilded Age setting here, and at the same time I’m wary since I tend to get attached to the first couple I read. However, I’m starting to think Joanna Shupe can do no wrong in The Fifth Avenue Rebels series (granted I still need to go back and read the first one), as this is another five star read for me that I didn’t hesitate to give.

I liked Katherine and Preston in The Lady Gets Lucky, both as good friends of Alice and Kit, and I grew to love both of their characters in The Bride Goes Rogue. Katherine, friendly and cheerful and romantic, a lover of lists and art, serves as the perfect opposite to Preston, jaded and cynical and grudge-holding, a man who spends most of his time and energy on ensuring the family business he took over from his father when it was on the brink of collapse doesn’t fail, who doesn’t realize how lonely he is and how much he’s trained himself to bottle up his emotions.

Preston reminded me in several ways of Leo from Vivienne Lorret’s newest book (also publishing tomorrow, 5/24), with both of them being scoundrels who keep mistresses and subconsciously strive to have control over all elements of their lives. They both think themselves to be heartless, in part due to being called heartless by their former mistresses. Preston’s brand of cynicism is notably darker and his brooding more intense, as his bleak view of the world developed from his business dealings and being forced to grow up in an instant to learn how to run his father’s failing business after dropping out of school. I also called Preston a fool numerous times due to his obliviousness about his feelings for Katherine, but the ending of the book made me really proud of how much he grew and learned when it came down to prioritizing what he really wanted in his life.

Katherine, as the sunshine to his darkness, went on a bit of self-discovery throughout the course of this book, as well. Up until the start of this book, she’s lived her life as a kind of passive participant, going with the flow and societal and familial expectations of a woman in her position. Although she and Preston get off to a rocky start after Preston refuses to honor the betrothal contract both their fathers signed, that actually serves as the kick she needs to realize she wants to become the leading lady of her own life, to strive for independence and to experience new things and to live life on her own terms. I really admired and respected her courage in chasing the life she wanted, her boldness in trying new things and standing up for herself. Her aunt’s advice (that we later hear Alice repeat as well) is a recurring refrain: “Know your own worth.” It’s something we would all do well to remember, and I loved that Katherine recalled it in the midst of her heartache and unhappiness that she needed to put herself first because she deserves more, that she knows she’s worth it.

While both of them have their individual struggles and journeys to go on, Preston and Katherine together are so sweet and sexy and passionate. While the steam was excellent and spread out well throughout the book, getting to see Preston open up to Katherine and vice versa made my heart feel so warm and full. Even with one of his best friends (Kit), Preston doesn’t feel comfortable enough to open up about his grief and guilt over Forrest’s death and the circumstances leading up to it. But it’s beautiful to see how comfortable Katherine makes him feel, how freely he wants to tell her about these difficult topics even though they both claim to just be having an affair. I loved that they found solace in each other, with Preston getting protective over Katherine and never wanting to see her hurt and instinctively wanting to offer his support and comfort to her when Katherine’s father showed up at her art show with Mrs. Whittier. That they both see the best in each other and complement each other so perfectly.

I swooned at that ending (and teared up a little), and the epilogue was positively adorable. Give me a transformed scoundrel, who once brooded and scowled all the time, now lovingly bouncing his infant daughter and murmuring to her and being his wife’s moral support. I smiled and aww’d so much.

I’m so looking forward to my paperback coming in the mail for future rereads (and the lovely map so I can see where all the landmarks are!). And I’m super excited for Nellie and Lockwood’s book (that’s finally coming next!). I love Nellie and how fiercely protective she is of her friends, her strength and determination. And I felt for Lockwood so much in The Lady Gets Lucky; he’s a good guy who’s got such a heavy burden on his shoulders and recognizes that he’s led a privileged life, though it has come with some restrictions on his freedom. Nellie understands feeling restricted and confined to a narrow life as a rich heiress in the upper class and all the burdens and expectations unfairly placed on women. That sneak peek has me hyped for their book. The chemistry is already off the charts, pre-house party at Maddie’s I believe (and helps to explain why Nellie acts like that whenever the duke is mentioned now).

Thank you so much to HarperCollins/Avon & Netgalley for the ARC.

The Bride Goes Rogue by Joanne Shupe is the third book in The Fifth Avenue Rebels series. Katherine is a romantic dreamer who is betrothed on paper to the hard hearted business tycoon Preston Clark. While Katherine is eager to marry Preston, he is not interested in getting married to the daughter of his rival who he believes didn't support him during tough times. Katherine goes rogue and decides to enjoy her life and goes to a kinky mystery party where she meets her king who in fact is none other than Preston. Katherine and Preston don't know each other's identity and hit it off and decide to meet at a rendezvous point. When their identity is revealed, will they be able to keep their hands off each other? Will attraction lead to love?

This was a quick read. I was really curious about Preston's story, he was so interesting in the first two books. I still think Alice and Kit were more interesting characters. Some events seemed a little far fetched for the time period but still was an enjoyable read.

Thank you Avon Books for the ARC of this book.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Kat and Preston as a couple were great. Their physical chemistry was perfect (lots of really fun steamy scenes between them), their banter was great, and when they were being friendly with one another they were really sweet. The external plot, however, and their interactions with other characters just didn't work for me. Kat seemed selfish and immature when dealing with her father. And the feud between Preston and Kat's father felt like a pair of men being jerks to one another for no good reason. We're told Preston is smart, yet he makes one boneheaded decision after another. And the manipulations don't really go away at the end, they just change slightly. YMMV.
I do LOVE Nellie and Lockwood in all their appearances in this book, and I can't wait to see how their story finally plays out.

We all have that friend whose solitary existence predicates on the whim of some loser in their life. You listen as they recall the latest moment in which they’ve played an unstinting doormat for someone while extolling their underlying virtues and inventing excuses as to their lack of commitment. While I say this, I am not comparing the hero in this novel to the loser in question, I just imagine what the heroine’s friends were privy to for an entire year of her being ignored. In Joanna Shupe’s newest novel, The Bride Goes Rogue (The Fifth Avenue Rebels, #3), we begin with our heroine at her breaking point and it’s a wild ride from jumpstreet.

A Little Bit of Plot
Katherine Delafield has been patiently waiting for her betrothed, Preston Clarke, to acknowledge their engagement. As the betrothal was planned and contracted between their fathers many years prior, both Kat and Preston have only met (briefly) once in their lives. But as Kat understands, arranged marriages are common in society, therefore, fills her time planning the momentous day. Preston has no intention of following through on the contractual allegiance. After a not-so-meet cute that leaves Preston off balance, Kat has publicly called off the engagement and decides to make up for the year she spent pining after her betrothed. As luck some times does, these two are pushed together on many intimate occasions. While Kat finds her footing in the world of sensual liaisons, Preston realizes he wants none other than her.

The Top Bun (The Pro)
Katherine Delafield is a Boss Ass Bitch

No simpering miss here! When dismissed by Preston in their first interaction, she vows to not only forget him, but to find some distractions until ready to settle down. I find that with gilded age novels it’s easier to see this sort of situation happening - we’re not too far from the 1920’s which did promulgate the expanding notion of public displays of sexuality and a looser construct of proper relationships.

I will say, Kat’s response when being ‘dumped’ (in a fashion) by Preston, is how we wish every one of those friends indicated above would let loose.

“It took me until I reached the street to realize the truth…There is nothing wrong with me. You, Preston Clarke, are the one who has something wrong with him. You are a…a heartless clod…One day, you’ll regret letting me go but it’ll be too late. I wouldn’t marry you now if you begged me on bended knee in front of the whole dashed city. You ruined your one chance at having the perfect life. Enjoy your” she waved her hand to indicate his office” work. I hope it makes you very happy”.

Why do I suddenly want to blast Beyonce’s, Run the World?

By throwing down this gauntlet, Shupe has situated Preston so far emotionally behind Kat that he will need to demonstrate tremendous growth as a character to win her back. Makes it quite exciting, does it not?

The Meat (The Con)

We see Kat enjoy a friendship with a handsome young duke in need of a wife. While neither party is interested in a romantic connection, just their acquaintanceship infuriates Preston. I think I would have liked a little bit more of Kat being seriously pursued by other suitors. Make Preston really sweat. The man ignored her for an entire year, girlfriend should be allowed to see and be seen for a bit, you know? Dance upon a table, drunkenly sing whatever the Gilded Age version of karaoke was, visit the local dance halls… you know, live it up 1890's style!

The Bottom Bun (The Pro)
El Fuego Alert!

This book is hot, y’all. I realize I say this quite often. If GoodReads reviews are to be believed, a surprisingly large number of readers don’t like spice. That’s fair. But by me indicating the steaminess of a certain book, they can decide for themselves if the book is for them. Nothing angers me more than someone giving a bad review because of presences of sexual scenes. YOU KNEW THIS GOING INTO IT! You need to review a book on the merits of the writing, plot, characterization, etc…not because two characters may or may not have gone to the bone zone.

Okay. Rant Over.

Anywhoo…this book is spicy.

She blurted the words. “You could give yourself relief.”
He paused in pouring more champagne. “I could,” he said slowly, examining her expression. “Is that something you’d like to see?”
Absolutely. How else was sheto learn about the male anatomy? “I would. Very much.” When he seemed to hesitate she added, “Please.”
“Please, is it?” He ran his palm over the thick bulge in his trousers, then shuddered, his breath sawing out of his chest. “How could I refuse?”

Needless to say, Kat gets an education during this encounter. Of course, Preston is only too accommodating to providing more instruction.

He growled deep in his throat. “Oh, mon chaton. I can see how slick you are, you gorgeous creature. You like me telling me about your list, didn’t you?”
She nodded, her bottom lip disappearing between her front teeth. He could feel his cock leaking, eager to find her heat. God almighty, he might give his entire fortune in this moment to fuck her.

Also, new kink - find you a partner who lovingly calls you ‘mon chaton’; both deliciously suggestive and exceptionally endearing.

Overall, this is a total recommend. I’ve read a lot of other Joanna Shupe series and enoy the timeperiod and location the books are set. Her books primarily deal with New York City, a la the HBO series, the Gilded Age; however, her heroes are often not quite anti-heroes but not the normal ‘white knight’ presented in most historical romances. Also, most of her heroines are independent strong willed business women or social workers.

The Bride Goes Rogue by Joanna Shupe is book three in the Fifth Avenue Rebels Series. This is the story of Preston Clarke and Katherine Delafield. Preston father has gambled everything away he is finding out along with his father's business partner has taken just as much from him. This had left Preston and his family pretty much destitute. But now in their present day, Preston has pulled himself up and is doing very very well. But his father and Katherine father had made an arrangement for them to marry but Preston won't be honoring that because of his fathers past and because Katherine father was the business partner to Preston father. Katharine finally come fronts him when she see his social life and that he hasn't contacted her. Preston tells her that he won't be honoring that arrangement. Katherine of course gave him a piece of her mind and now is off to find excitement in the world knowing she will never marry. But they feel the sparks at a masquerade called French Ball. There Katherine was out to find a lover but found Preston. Enjoyed their story.

This was fantastic. I thought I loved The Lady Gets Lucky, but this story was even better.

Preston, our hero, starts off as such a grump and really hurts our heroine, Katherine, by breaking a betrothal made between his father and her father. She waited around on him for a year to honor the betrothal before she decides to confront him. After getting that dose of reality, Katherine decides that she is done waiting around for men to make decisions for her and wants to take her life into her own hands. Her first step in doing this is to have an affair which leads to a chance encounter with Preston and sparks fly.

This is a classic enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, friends-with-benefits but told with such a fresh take and such refreshing characters.

Not only are our main characters so well-written and fleshed out, but the side characters are also. These books have such strong lines of female friendship and even male friendship that I love and find so endearing, especially in a historical romance. (Not to mention, we've been teased about some possible chemistry/history between Nellie and the Duke and I can't wait for their story!)

This book is super steamy as well as romantic. In my opinion, it has the perfect balance of plot/romance/steam/character development.

Joanna Shupe's books are so easy to read and different from other historical romances I have read thus far. I love that she doesn't shy away from hard hitting topics and always delivers with the steam!

Overall, I highly recommend you pick this up on release day if the plot at all sounds interesting to you!

This series just gets better and better. Even though this one is the third book, it definitely reads great on its own. That being said, once you do read it, you will want to go back and devour the first two. When Katherine confronts Preston to set a date for their agreed upon nuptials, she is devastated to learn that he never did agree to marry her. She had waited for him for over a year and finally decides that she is going to take matters into her own hands.

I really really enjoyed this match. It's a sort of enemies to lovers story with a twist. Katherine very much had "the year of Hattie" vibes for anyone who is a fan of Sarah MacLean. Preston is the hero brought to his knees in the end in the very best way. These two are fire and ice, depending on if they're talking business or more personal matters, and the dichotomy is super engaging. The chemistry is phenomenal. It is one of those stories where you wonder how these two can really ever find their HEA. Having read the previous two books, it was great to see beloved characters from that world again. I'm a huge fan of the gilded age NYC setting; however, the point in the novel that Shupe briefly moves things to upstate New York is refreshing and levels it all up. I loved seeing Preston and Katherine out of their "natural" environment.

I could gush on and on about this one, but I'll just sum up by saying that you should buy this book now and read ASAP. It will be one you want for your shelves so you can revisit your favorite scenes at your leisure. Fans of MacLean will love this one for sure. A solid 5 stars!

📖 Q: what are you closing out the weekend reading? I’m about 1/3 of the way through Spells & Sensibility, a MM romance with magic!

In Joanna Shupe’s The Bride Goes Rogue an ended betrothal (only it’s a little bit more complicated than that) is the catalyst for helping the pretty traditional Katherine Delafield embrace her can can-dancing, sexy nickname-adoring, secret-&-hot trysting wild side.

This book is hot hot hot & Shupe really captures Kat & Preston’s inability / lack of desire to stay away from each other & the physical demand that holds them both in thrall.

There’s an emotional connection there too, as both of them navigate difficult, huge feelings they don’t feel like sharing with anyone else.

Other reviewers have remarked on the grovel in this one & I just have to say YES! *plays trumpets with great fanfare.* He messes up & she stands up for herself & it’s so great. I stan a heroine who doesn’t make it easy on the hero to win her back & when Preston eventually has his A-Ha! moment it’s so sweet. He’s so sweet.

Another great, screamin hot read from this series & from Shupe & now I’m ready to watch a duke come undone in the next one.

4.5 ⭐️ . Release date: 05/24.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.


CWs: previous death of friend. References to Preston’s dad’s gambling addiction. References to grief over losing parent.

[ID: an ebook rests on light pink sheets. Next to it is a messy flatlay of other Joanna Shupe books.]

The start of this book definitely had me hooked, and I awaited a good grovel scene from the get go.

I enjoyed the chemistry that neither were expecting, and the build up in the relationship. The characters had depth that hinted at a larger scale of backstory. Having not read the prior books in this series, it worked well as a standalone.

I was hoping for a bit more grovel, if definitely could have been a bit longer, especially for all the hurt Katherine endured on Preston's behalf.

The Bride Goes Rogue
Book 3 in The Fifth Avenue Rebels
Rating: 4 stars (very close to 5)
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

The Bride Goes Rogue is the third in the series in which Katherine Delafield has been waiting for a year for Preston Clarke to finally start planning their wedding. A marriage that was arranged by both their fathers when they were children. Preston feels that because he never agreed to be married has taken upon himself to ignore Katherine all this time. He doesn't want to get married because he's too busy making deals (legal and illegal) to finally rebuild the empire his father destroyed with his gambling. It is when Katherine finally confronts him to plan their wedding that she finally gets a dose of hard reality. Preston tells her that he will not marry her now and never will. She then decides that she deserves better and to finally live the kind of life she deserves without being attached to someone.
Why the four stars?
This was a very good read. The chemistry between these two characters was off the charts and it showed from the moment that she demands him to help her with the wedding plans. When he rejects her was a little heartbreaking because she deserved to have been told all this a year prior. Her throwing her wedding plan journal at him before she leaves his office was so funny. I love how this journal comes into play at the end.
This story had a great balance of sexy times and romance. I will say those sexy times were very hot!! Good job Ms Shupe! Though they never planned for feelings to happen between them those around them could clearly see it before they did.
I enjoyed their bantering and their flirting, though those moments when Preston refused to listen about his father's past from Kat's father was so frustrating. That moment when she learns that he lied to take her one dream of building the museum in her mom's honor was so sad....he needed to grovel more. He did kind of make it up for his dumb mistake but he should of done more to gain her forgiveness.

I'm looking forwards to Nellie's story (Kat's best friend).

I have been loving this series and was eager to dive into the next book.

I love love loved Kat. She’s smart and passionate and quick to realize her worth. I loved reading her figure things out. Preston took some time for me to warm up to. He’s cutthroat and seemingly unfeeling and sort of a jerk. Together there is loads of animosity, but also chemistry. It was fun seeing Alice and Kit and Nellie still stole every scene.

Plot wise, it was mostly good. They talked and had open communication, yet neither of them heard or absorbed what the other was saying. It made the push and pull seem longer than necessary and the groveling way too short.

Overall, it was a fun and quick read and I’m basically beside myself at Nellie and Lockwood finally getting their story because it’s been built up over 3 books.

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

I adored Katherine and Preston's story! It was so much fun watching these two get their HEA! I loved this you don't know what you had until you lost it theme that Shupe masterfully put together!

This was such an enjoyable, sexy and fun read. I'm used to Regency historicals, but the Gilded Age of Shupe's books is so pulpy and fun and while it has the things I love about the regency era, there is a tad bit of a more modern sensibility that makes them more fun in a lot of ways.

Katherine Delafield is a charming and smart protagonist and Preston Clarke is exactly like my favorite historical romance men: handsome, rich and just a little bit mean. Katherine has been told since childhood that she was betrothed to Preston, but when she confronts him to begin planning the wedding he refuses to acknowledge their engagement. A frustrated Katherine sets up to live her life and experience all that New York has to offer on her own however, fate has different plans for Katherine and Preston. The two meet at a masquerade and things just get hotter from there.

I loved how vivacious and industrious Katherine was and she compliments Preston’s tortured daddy issues very well. When the two of them are together the chemistry is piping hot and I'll never forget a certain carriage scene. There are low stakes in a lot of ways with this book even though there are some business deals and personal feelings on the hook but ultimately this was just a super hot, fun romance that I practically devoured.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon for letting me read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I can't wait to see what Shupe has up her sleeves for Nelly.

The Bridge Goes Rogue is third in a historical romance series set in early twentieth century New York City, and kicks off with an arranged engagement between the children of two former business partners. While almost-too-good-to-be-true-good-girl Katherine is totally on board with the plan, she soon finds out that Preston--cynical, hard headed and hard hearted businessman--is totally not. Crushed, she decides to explore being a bad girl, dressing up at a masquerade where of course, she sparks with a disguised Preston.

At first, it was really hard to suspend my disbelief that Katherine would be so amenable to waiting for Preston for so long (even learning the names of his mistresses, yuck) and then also that she would in the early 1900s be so eager to try to find a lover (hello pregnancy and disease; there's a recent shift in romance that keeps featuring shields, as if men haven't spent centuries trying to avoid wearing them!). But Joanna Shupe writes some pretty smexy stuff, and I capitulated and went along for the ride. Once I did that, I honestly I admit that I enjoyed it. Enough that I went and downloaded the previous book, and am totally looking forward to the next installment, between Lockwood and Nellie--an uptight hero and a free-spirited lady is my jam. (But skip the first installment of this series--I wanted to cosh the hero over the head repeatedly for being an idiot).

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

Honestly, I love Joanna Shupe and everything she writes, and The Bride Goes Rogue is no exception!

I love how this is a different take on the traditional historical storyline. It's so much more than an engagement gone wrong, and I love how realistic Katherine feels. While she may have started off as a traditional debutante, as soon as she realized she wasted her first year out in society waiting on a marriage that was never going to happen, she fully took charge of her future and went after what she wanted! The French Ball was just, absolutely incredible. I'm not going to be able to stop thinking about it for a good long while! I also loved all the little glimpses at Kit and Alice and their happy life, but I am biased and love their book (The Lady Gets Lucky) the most!

When I say I screamed during the conversation at the end between Preston and Kat's father, when a certain forgery was discussed, I seriously nearly threw the book across the room because of how brilliant Joanna Shupe is! The grand gesture was just, so freaking sweet, I wasn't sure Preston had it in him, but oh my gosh that man is as romantic as they come! For Kat at least! 😂

This had a very pleasant contemporary feel, while still giving us all of the historical things we love! Definitely read if you love rivals-to-lovers, masquerade parties (with a sexy twist), one night to get it out of our system, followed by as long as it takes to get it out of our system, a hero who couldn't identify an emotion if he tried, New York Gilded Age business dealings, a heroine who stands up for herself and what she deserves, and a sugary sweet HEA!

When I say I devoured this, I practically read it in one sitting. This is my favorite in the series, hands down. The story was fun and the characters were great. I really loved Kat, she reminded me a lot of Hattie from Brazen and the Beast.

Love tropes? This has:
- redeemed alpha hole hero
- heroine who takes charge of her life
- steamy times (one in a carriage!)
- can can dancing / masquerade party
- insane chemistry
- A + groveling

If any of these interest you definitely check this out on May 24th!

Joanna Shupe hit it out of the park with her third installment in the Fifth Avenue Rebels series. The Bride Goes Rogue is, quite possibly, the hottest book Shupe has ever written. Shupe perfectly balances the steaminess with compelling characters and a charming romance that gave me all the emotions. I already know this book will be one of my top favorites of the year, as I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time while reading it.

Katherine Delafield always knew she would marry Preston Clarke as their parents arranged an engagement when they were kids. Now, she’s just waiting for him to actually propose. After a year or so of waiting and planning the perfect wedding, Katherine approaches Preston – who has no desire to acknowledge the engagement or move forward with it. Angered at living her life for someone else, Katherine decides to take matters into her own hands and sample all the excitement New York City offers. Preston has no desire to follow his father’s plan for him. And part of that is that Preston will never marry Katherine. However, when a mysterious lover at a masquerade turns out to be his would-be fiance, Preston and Katherine’s resolve begins to crumble as they start to see each other in a new light.

You’ll love this book if you’re a fan of:

- Enemies-to-lovers
- Masquerades
- Sexy carriage trysts
- Dirty talk
- A good grovel
- Sexy nicknames

Despite Katherine and Preston starting off on the wrong foot, the sparks quickly fly between them at a masquerade where they show up in complimentary costumes and don’t realize who the other is. Even when they find out who was behind the mask, they cannot seem to stay away from each other, no matter how much they claim to not want to be around the other. The physical attraction jumps off the page, but their relationship goes far beyond that. Even though they claim they’ll have an affair with no feelings involved, we all know that won’t work. Both Preston and Katherine were in denial of how deep their feelings ran, and I loved how both of them handled the realization that they were in love. Preston does screw up their relationship a bit with his business rivalry with her father, but, man, Shupe delivered on the grovel and redemption with a fantastic grand romantic gesture. I loved that Preston immediately knew he screwed up and how he made it up to her made me swoon.

The romance delivers on the emotions, and it also brings the fire. The sex scenes in this book were off the chart. Holy moly, were they hot. From the role-playing and nicknames at the masquerade to THAT CARRIAGE SCENE, this book delivered on the sexiness. And I loved that the sex scenes weren’t just thrown in to add spice, but they played an important role in advancing character development and the plot. Katherine finds her voice and independence by embracing her desires. Preston doesn’t shame her and encourages her to go after what she wants – both in the bedroom and outside.

When it comes to the characters, I adored both Preston and Katherine. I will admit, the opening of the book had me a little wary of Katherine. She was so starry-eyed and innocent, with her main desire wanting to be a wife. However, Katherine quickly showed she had backbone and ambition. I loved how she turned the anger from Preston’s rejection and funneled it into her passions and going after what she wants to do. The Katherine at the beginning of the book is not the same one at the end of the book. I love watching a female character go through the journey to find her voice and power like Katherine did.

I really enjoyed Preston and found him a very layered romantic hero. While I would have liked him to put aside some of his perceived vendetta against Katherine’s father, I understood why he felt the way he did. His relationship with his own father was complicated, and what happened to his friend Forest bubbled up a lot of guilt and mixed emotion. He was hurting at the beginning of the book and didn’t even realize it. Katherine helped light a spark in him and gave him something else to focus on. When he realized he messed up, he would do anything to make it better. While he claims he’s some monster, he’s his own worst enemy. This man would do anything for those he loves – an admirable trait. He tunnels that drive and ambition that turned him into a top businessman towards winning back Katherine, and I loved it.

We see some familiar faces outside Katherine and Preston, including Kit and Alice from The Lady Gets Lucky. Nellie also plays a substantial supporting role in this book, helping to guide Katherine through her affair and looking out for Katherine’s heart and feelings. Nellie is the type of friend you’d want in your corner, and I cannot wait to get her and the Duke’s story next. Speaking of the Duke, we see more of him as he forms an incredibly sweet friendship with Katherine.

This is a true friends-with-benefits turned love story, yet Shupe made it feel new and fresh. I loved watching the different acts of Preston and Katherine’s relationship play out as I was never sure what direction Shupe would take the story next. I adored the journey she takes these characters on to get them to their happily ever after, and I loved finding out the role Katherine’s father played in the whole scheme. I also loved that Shupe once again took us outside of New York City for a bit. In the previous two books, we spent quite a bit of time in Newport, but this time we visited the Adirondacks, which was really fun.

This book gave me all the feelings, and I couldn’t stop smiling while watching these two fools fall in love. I adored every minute while reading it and was counting down the hours until I could pick it up again. This will definitely be a top book of the year for me, and I definitely recommend you pick it up.

As this is book three in the Fifth Avenue Rebels series, you may be wondering, can I read this as a standalone? I recommend you read The Lady Gets Lucky before reading this one, as something that happens in that book has a pretty profound impact on Preston. However, I think you can skip The Heiress Hunt (book one) – it’s my least favorite in the series, and it overlaps with book two, so you’ll get enough of the gist of what happens without really missing anything.

Thank you to Avon/Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts, ideas and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This sweet (and steamy) story captured my attention from the first chapter and held it til the last page.

It had sooo much of what I like in one story -
Gilded age romance? ✓
Enemies to lovers? ✓
Fantastic relationship between father and daughter? ✓
Terrific heroine who knows her own mind and goes after what she wants? ✓

Although this is part of an established series that I haven't previously read, I didn't feel overly lost during my reading of book three in a series that I'm absolutely planning on reading. I absolutely adored this novel, am thrilled to have a new series to read, and can’t wait to read more of the author’s work.