Another great historical romance novel about the gilded age from Joanna Shupe.

This is the story Katherine and Preston. Betrothed by their father’s at a young age. While Kathrine is eager to honor the arrangement, Preston is not. After a meeting at Preston’s office he breaks the agreement off. But through a chance encounter they began to get to know one another outside of their families.

One of Shupe’s most sexy books to date! I liked getting to know Katherine and Preston. They are a delightful match, a woman with a interests in art and beauty, with a man who is a work-a-holic with a minimalist sensibility. As their relationship unfolds you see how well they fit together, how they help one another work through their biggest issues. I especially enjoyed the scene in the Adirondacks.

One of the things I love best about Shupe’s writing is her attention to details, you can tell she enjoys researching and gathering information about the gilded age, whether it is a New York City street gangs or the undergarments wore in the era 😉. And the “Bride Goes Rogue” no except. The depth of knowledge about high sociality art world is astounding. As well as information about the vacation homes of the wealthy.

The one note I would give is that there is no explanation for why Katherine and Preston’s fathers never get the two together for any social function as the two were growing up.

Another winner by Joanna Shupe!
"The Bride Goes Rogue" is the third installment of Shupe's Fifth Avenue Rebels series, and it is just as wonderful as its two predecessors. Our hero and heroine get off to a rocky start. Katherine Delafield has waited for a year for her fiancé Preston Clark to meet with her to discuss their impending wedding. When she decides to end the wait and go see him, she gets a nasty surprise. As far as Preston is concerned there is no engagement and no impending wedding, which he tells her most emphatically. Naturally, that should be the end of their contact. But in the world of romance, things are never that simple. The two meet again at a scandalous ball, and in disguise, are extremely attracted to each other. Even after they learn each other's true identity the next night, their sexual attraction remains, increasing with every encounter. A fight over land, and over who each truly wants to be occurs alongside the sizzling passion. And like all of Shupe's romances (I have all of them), in the end our hero and heroine realize neither is complete without the other.
I am a huge fan of Joanna Shupe's writing. Her books are witty, passionate, sexy and set in one of my favorite time periods - the Gilded Age. She never disappoints me and I look forward to her next book. I know it will be a winner just like this is!

Katherine Delafield has put her life on pause for a year while she planned a wedding to Preston Clarke, a ruthless businessman. Her father and Preston's father were business partners, and they arranged their engagement years ago. When she confronts Preston about the engagement, he tells her that he will never marry her. When Preston and Katherine meet during a masked costume party, Katherine decides to disregard society's rules and has a small tryst with a mysterious man. Preston hates Katherine's father because he believes that he abandoned his father before his death. Preston's desire for revenge against Katherine's father clashes with his desire to be with Katherine. Will Preston get his revenge or will he lose Katherine forever?

I enjoyed the characters in this book, and I thought Preston and Katherine had good chemistry. I loved hearing about Katherine's plans to build an art museum with the land her father gifted to her. Fans of A Scandalous Deal will enjoy seeing Lady Eva again in a brief cameo. The only thing that I didn't like about this book was the fact that each time Katherine is mad or upset at her father, she hooks up with Preston. It just felt a bit weird. Nonetheless, I can't wait to read the next book that Joanna Shupe writes; I hope it is about Nellie and the Duke!

Katherine and Preston have been betrothed since they were children, a deal made by their fathers who were once partners in business. Now, Preston is in charge of the family business and he harbors a grudge against Katherine's father for business dealings of the past. When Katherine goes to meet Preston to discuss their wedding, he tells her in no uncertain terms that they will never be wed, but once the two come across each other at a masquerade ball and sparks fly, everything the two thought they knew of each other soon goes out the window.

It is impossible not to love this book, especially with such well drawn protagonists who share a fiery chemistry and a great story. There are valid reasons for both Preston and Katherine to want to avoid marriage to each other and yet neither of them can resist the pull they feel towards one another. They are not helped by the fact that they are both hoping to find success with a piece of land that each believes their fathers gave to them. Your heart breaks for Katherine throughout the book as she grapples with her mothers recent death and her confusing feelings towards Preston but she is also far from a wilting flower in the narrative. Likewise, Preston is stubborn to a fault and makes so many terrible decisions but the more he falls for Katherine, the harder it is to not love him as well.

I haven't read any Joanna Shupe novels before, but I'm definitely planning on reading the others in this series very soon considering the short appearances of characters from them. This novel contains the perfect blend of plot, romance, and emotion to make it a five star read in my book.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC!

I was really excited about this book after reading the last book in the series. I had high hopes and I don't think this book fully met all of them. I really liked the premise of the book and it did have the tension I expected, I just wanted a little bit more. The characters were really loveable and I enjoyed reading from both Katherine's and Preston's perspectives, but the character development seemed a bit rushed towards the end.

However, for anyone who is looking for a light historical romance with great chemistry, jealous scenes, a bit of groveling, and a few spicy scenes this book is perfect. It was a fast read and a great book to help you get out of a reading slump.

The Bride Goes Rogue, the third book in the Fifth Avenue Rebels series, was a scandalous historical romance between artistic dreamer, Katherine Delafield and broody businessman, Preston Clarke. The two are betrothed to be married as per the wishes of their business partner fathers. Preston, who never took the proposal seriously, was caught off guard when Katherine appeared unannounced at his office to finalize wedding arrangements. Making it clear to her that he has no intention of marrying her now or ever, Preston dismisses his “bride-to-be”. Ashamed of his rejection and in an attempt to reclaim her life, Katherine sets off for some good old fashion New York adventure, the riskier the better. Upset that Preston has lived an entire year of his life seducing mistresses and having fun while she’s dutifully waited for him, Katherine and best friend Nellie attend a masquerade ball to find a man that she can have her own affair with.

While Katherine is set on the man which she intends to seduce, proceeding to let him “ruin” her, it is the last man she wants or expects it to be, as discovered the next day at their arranged meeting. While both individuals try to deny their attraction, they conclude that they cannot and will not deny their chemistry, therefore proceeding with their sordid affair, with no intention of marriage on either end.

I was nervous about the genre of the book, being as I’ve never read a historical novel before. While I’m not an expert, there were aspects that did not make sense historically. The overall feel of this novel leans more toward a contemporary romance, though I’m not too upset over it. I could imagine that some readers that primarily read historical fiction/romance would be though. In regards to overall writing, there were moments when it felt as though the author was telling the audience, opposed to showing; weakening the effect of select scenes. That being said, the pacing made it an easy read, one that I binged within mere hours. The mystery/forbidden love is one of my favorite tropes. The conflict, while seemingly low stakes, still pulled at my heartstrings. I appreciated that there was conflict outside of the love interest. Katherine was struggling with her father’s new relationship and honoring her mother’s memory all while Preston was struggling with the death of his friend and upholding the state of his father’s business. As enticing as the buildup was, the ending was very underwhelming, everything being resolved in one measly chapter.

I absolutely loved that both characters had flaws that were clearly expressed. Neither one was completely to blame for the problems that arose in their relationship. Both leads had to go through a journey of self-discovery and healing to truly be together. Katherine, our female lead, was a strong heroine that chose herself over everything else on multiple occasions throughout the book. The contrast in personality between both Katherine and Preston also made their relationship much more appealing. Don’t even get me started on how lovable Nellie, the best friend is! It was encouraging to see two female friends that aren’t written to have a rocky friendship because of a lover. Nellie was protective, supportive, and yet brutally honest. I do wish, however, that all of the characters had more depth. Perhaps it’s because I read this as a standalone, but the interactions between all of the characters seemed very surface-level and lacking in reason more often than not. After we read of Preston's “ruining” Katherine, the reader is then informed that they’ve met up almost every night since then. I feel as though those initial affairs could’ve been an important aspect of their relationship, an opportunity for the author to create more insight for the readers on the barriers that had to be broken down between the two “enemies” to proceed with their rendezvous. It went from one extreme to another. I would’ve liked to have seen the author a leap of faith with both main characters. Preston was your typical possessive, morally grey, and emotionally unavailable male lead. He did, however, grovel to earn Katherine’s forgiveness more than most written male characters these days, inducing a grand, well-thought-out gesture that proved he cared for her more than he let on.

Overall, it was a steamy read that earned 3 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with this ARC via Netgalley.

Joanna Shupe’s books are always a good time and this one is no exception! If I were to describe this with one word, it would be “delicious.”

The betrothal of Katherine Delafield and Preston Clarke was arranged years ago through their fathers, who used to jointly own a real estate development business. Katherine has been waiting for this wedding for a year, but when she decides she’s waited long enough and approaches Preston so they can start planning for it, he reveals he has no intention of going through with it. Preston has his reasons, but Katherine is angry to have wasted a year of her life waiting for him and decides to start living her life. Wanting to have an affair, she joins her friend Nellie for a night of debauchery at the French Ball and ends up having an assignation with the man she least expects. Preston is angry that the woman he can’t get out of his head is the last woman he should want, but he just can’t stay away from her.

For anyone who enjoys a sexy masquerade ball, this one is definitely worth checking out. I absolutely loved that setup! But in general, the chemistry between Katherine and Preston is fantastic and I really enjoyed seeing them grow closer together, despite all the reasons they shouldn’t be together. There are moments where they support each other in such lovely ways!

There is a conflict in this book that’s similar to another of Shupe’s books. I wasn’t a fan of it in her other book, and while I also didn’t love it here, the execution is a lot more satisfying and I liked how everything played out in the end. I’m not always a fan of the grovel, but this one has a good one!

Overall, this was an enjoyable read with great chemistry and I definitely recommend it!

4.5 stars

Author Joanna Shupe’s 'The Bride Goes Rogue' is a delightful romp through New York City in the late 1800s. The third book in Shupe’s Fifth Avenue Rebels series, this can be read as a standalone.

Katherine Delafield always expected her father to arrange an advantageous marriage. So, she never thinks to question her betrothal to Preston Clarke, the son of her father’s former business partner. But when he rejects her outright, she decides to throw caution to the wind and live her life, including a tryst with a stranger. When Preston discovers that the passionate woman he anonymously hooked up with at a masquerade ball is Katherine, things become infinitely more complicated.

This is the first work of Shupe’s that I’ve read, and I loved every delightful minute of it. The setting was atypical of other historicals I’ve encountered, and I greatly enjoyed a peek at old New York City. I felt transported back to that time, and it made me want to look up old photos of the city before it became what it is today.

I also enjoyed how steamy it was. The chemistry and love-hate energy between Katherine and Preston is palpable, and the push-pull dynamic that exists throughout the narrative is perfect. The pacing is also fantastic. I devoured this in one sitting. And it’s fair to say that I’ll be reading a lot more of Shupe’s work in the future, including her next book in this series.

If you love historical romance with a healthy dose of steam and wit, this is definitely the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Bridge Goes Rogue follows Katherine and Preston's story in the rebels of on 5th avenue series. Katherine and Preston are betrothed and while Katherine is excited about the wedding, Preston tells her that he will never marry her. At first, she is upset but then decides that she is going to throw caution to the wind and will live her life how she wants from now on. They both attend a party while in masks and costumes and have a HOT night together, while not knowing who each other really is. At the party, they both agree to meet later at his downtown apartment. When Katherine arrives and Preston opens the door to welcome his lady from the party, he is like "WAIT, WHAT????!!!"

The opening is so fun as we see the hero and heroine not liking each other, but hitting it off at this scandalous party. I really enjoyed the banter between the two and loved Katherine's "I'm moving on attitude." Preston is kind of a jerk at the beginning, but we find out he's dealing with his own issues and a lot of guilt. I overall enjoyed reading this story (and it is the STEAMIEST out of all the books), but I felt like that was the main basis of their bond--which was the sexual part of their relationship. I wish their connection got a litter deeper. One of the best parts was the end, in which we get an epic groveling scene and a very sweet epilogue.

THE BRIDE GOES ROGUE follows Katherine and Preston whose fathers, years ago, made an agreemet that their children would one day marry. It has been a year since Katherine was made aware of this arrangement and she's been waiting on Preston this whole time. Tired of the waiting she decides to take the initiative and confront him about their upcoming annuals. To her shock and dismay, Preston informs her that he has no intention of marrying her. Katherine, feeling like a fool for wasting so much time on him, decides to start living her life for herself. This brings her to attend a raunchy ball where she meets a mysterious man with whom she shares a night of passion. The next day, she finds out said man was none other than her once intended husband - Preston. What occurs afterwards is a battle of wills - will they or not give into passion when there are so much animosity between them already? You'll have to read to find out!

This really was such a fun read! It's only the second book I've read by Joanna Shupe, but she has made it onto my top historical romance authors list easily. While I must say I enjoyed the second book in the series slightly more than this one, the story of Katherine and Preston is no less entertaining. I love how Miss Shupe goes right to the main story from the start. There is no introductory chapter or anything of the sort. We are immediately in the story and I personally love that because it instantly grabs my attention. I couldn't put the book down. The story and chemistry between the characters had me hooked. I loved the interactions between Katherine and Preston and their intimate scenes were really good.

Don't miss out on this book MAY 24th!

Sighs. I wish I loved this. It had good pacing, decent characters, and the beginning had me glued to the pages but as the story progressed, that quickly fizzled out. This didn’t feel like a historical romance. Sure it had some elements that would categorize it as a historical piece yet it felt more contemporary. I have to agree with a fellow reader—the characters didn’t seem like they were from this era. It threw the whole story off balance. And speaking of the story/plot—very predictable. “The Bride Goes Rogue” is a dime a dozen. Wished I had more decent things to say but overall it was meh.

The Bride Goes Rogue is the deliciously steamy third book in the Fifth Avenue Rebels series. This book reads well as a stand alone but has former characters from the previous books I teracting with the main characters.

Katherine Delafield has grown up knowing that she was promised to her father's business partner's son once they became of age. She has waited for Preston for a year since coming out and has decided to take matters in her own hands. Preston on the other hand has no intention on following through with his father's betrothal wishes. He meets a mysterious masked woman that he can't seem to get enough of at a masquerade. Once he realizes it's his former fiancé, they must decide how to navigate a relationship.

I LOVED this book. I finished it in one day. It was so steamy from the very beginning. The carriage scene had me fanning myself. It was refreshing how confident Katherine was. Her interest in the art community was fascinating. She was very driven and independent. The scenes where Preston is groveling made me teary eyed. I cannot wait for Nellie and the Dukes book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Joanna Schupe, and Harper Collins for the eArc. All opinions expressed are my own.

Seductive, salacious, and so, so, so addictive. Yes, yes, yes!

Wow. I couldn’t put this down. Literally, read it one sitting.

Preston was an adorably broken brute of a hero that knows how to respect a woman and command her in the same breath. I LOVED him so much. Everything about him. From his tough exterior to the way that he falls. He’s the perfect hero for me. And Katherine…holy crap! She’s feisty and flirty and practical. I wanted to be friends with her from her first words. She’s a woman of the times and beyond. She’s everything I love about a Joanna Shupe heroine. Strong, witty, dynamic, and full of heart.

I can’t recommend this book enough. Scratch that… I can’t recommend everything Joanna Shupe writes enough. I’m a forever fan.

Thank you netgalley for the advance copy.

The Bride Goes Rogue was the perfect escape from a week that had me on full on hibernation mode after work. Joanna Shupe can do little wrong in my book. I’m ready for the next.

I love that they were betrothed by their fathers. Hero was all I ain’t going to marry you. Then promptly attended a naughty, masquerade ball and becomes attached to the heroine. Their journey was definitely a spicy one. I ate this story up. Next one should be fun too.

I voluntarily read an early copy.

I'm loving this series and this one might have been my favorite so far - the conflict was low stakes, the chemistry was outstanding and there were just enough familiar faces to keep me entertained (but not so many that I couldn't remember who they were). Can't wait for the next one (crossing my fingers for Nellie and the Duke).

I think the title of this book is wrong. I was under the impression from the title that the person was a bride at the beginning of the book and left the man she married. I did not realize that the whole book was mostly sex and it wasn't until the last few chapters when the girl becomes a bride. Very disappointed with the book.

I’m loving the Fifth Avenue Rebels series. You know when you read HR and it’s all, “Omg I can’t be ruined,” and “Where is my chaperone,” and “VIRGINITY IS EVERYTHHHHIIIIINNNNNGGGGGGG!” This is a very fresh take on the gilded age where heroines are doing whatever they want and we aren’t beaten over the head with how SHOCKING and OUTRAGEOUS and SCANDALOUS these actions are. If you’ve read HR you know what I’m talking about. Maybe it’s because this takes place pretty dang close to the 20th century, but I was digging this contemporary feel. The heroine is taking a lover and there isn’t a grandma clutching her pearls over it.

In this book you can expect:
-Joanna Shupe steam! Ah! I love romance and tend to sway on the prudish side and this one was ultra spicy for me. (But maybe not spicy for you?! Idk, it’s all subjective, people.)
-Broken betrothals!
-AHHH SHHHHH MY MYSTERY LOVER IS ACTUALLY MY EX FIANCÉ FUUUUUUUUUUUUU
-Shady business practices
-Territorial dude who can’t figure out his own feelings and why he’s so jealous and territorial. Mmmmmmm.
-Heroine who still calls her dad Daddy…you’ve been warned.
-Super sweet ending that I loved!!!

Five stars. Loved it. Want some more of it. Can’t wait for Nellie’s book OMGGGGG GIMME IT!!

I received an ARC from the publisher. Review is my own.

Katherine and Preston were engaged or so Katherine thought. It's been a year since her Father informed her the she was engaged to Preston, something his Father and he agreed on years ago. Katherine has waited over a year to plan the wedding, Preston has given no indication on their future wedding or marriage. She has a conversation with her father on why no progress has been made and he encourages her to talk to Preston.

We open with Katherine arriving at Preston's office to discuss the wedding and with her plan on their wedding arrangements (she has a journal with all her notes). But she receives a major surprise and set back. Preston does not want to marry at all. Preston has a lot of animosity for Katherines father, he was partners with his father and he believes he did his father wrong. She leaves the office angry and upset.

Katherine has had a little bit of a crush on Preston now for a year. She's been keeping tabs on all the gossip surrounding him as well as his mistresses (it seemed like she had no issue with his mistress from my perspective, which kind of pissed me off). So finding out that he's been having fun and she's been dutifully sitting waiting on the sidelines infuriates her. So Katherine decides she going to have an affair. She shares this with her dear friend Nellie and Nellies suggest a risqué (pretty much an orgy) party that's taking place, plus is like a masquerade so she won't be identified. This is were things get interesting.

Katherine attends and is attracted to a gent their and he her. They connect and fool around. They decide to meet at his apartment and take this further. Well low and behold when the meet their identities are revealed. Preston is furious think he's been set up by her father to be forced into marriage. But the attraction and chemistry the two have is very very difficult to ignore as well. They try to stay away from each other but decide thy can't so they will try to be "friends". That obviously doesn't because them chemistry is to strong, so Katherine then convinces Preston they can have an affair with no marriage. He agrees and so embark on a sexual relationship.

They both have a lot of baggage. Preston's father dies an alcoholic and gambles away their business. Preston had to rebuild and at times not in a honorable way. He's angry with Katherines father for not stoping his father from gambling everything away. Katherine is dealing with the death of her mother a few years back and then finding out her father is dating her mothers best friend. That does not go well for Katherine. There are a lot of small side issues going on in this story that has to be resolved.

The two eventually fall in love and find their HEA. Preston has todo a lot of groveling, he needed to prove to Katherine she's more important than his anger, bitterness and drive to prove he's wealthy and powerful. Oh and a lot of steamy sex between the two.

The pacing on this books was good but I did have some issues. I just found some of the actions and dialogue not true to the era. I know authors are trying to insert cultural and political points in there romance now, but I think their delivery is poor and feel like they are making it as prevalent an issue as the romance. I appreciate what they are implying but boy they need to tone it down and make it more believable for the time period. I at times didn't feel like these characters were actually from their time period, they acted like contemporaries. Which is a major push from a lot of authors these days.

I would like to say authors please if you want to write a contemporary heroine or hero, don't stick them in a historical. Majority who pick up a historical are wanting to be immersed in the era of the time period and its authenticity. Some authors are going to or have already lost a lot of readers. I hope this trend dies out and soon.

Well this was lovely. I really enjoy the strong, independent heroines this series has and how they each have their own unique passions.

Preston and Katherine have amazing chemistry and very sexy scenes together. I love that she fought for what she wanted and didn’t settle. Preston is kind of a jerk for much of the book but that grand gesture was pretty great. And I LOL’d at the “big reveal.”

I’m very excited to finally see Lockwood will be the next book! The poor Duke.

Thank you Avon/Harper Collins and NetGalley for the ARC!

When I picked this up, I wasn't looking for anything substantial. I was looking for fluffy smut. And thats exactly what this delivered. Id read one of Shupe's other books, The Lady Gets Lucky, and enjoyed it, so I had high expectations going into this one. I'm happy to say it didn't disappoint.

I really enjoyed our characters and their bond. Preston and Kat were both super fun to read about, but in different ways. Preston was the typical tortured male lead; broody, possessive, and emotionally unavailable. Kat was a slightly atypical female lead; bubbly, daring, and fiery. This contrast between made all of their interactions so fun. You never knew what to expect between them, and even if you thought you did, they flipped it perfectly.

Another thing I really appreciated about this one is that it didn't add unnecessary drama. It was the perfect length for a historical romance. Long enough to feel the bond between the love interests, but not too long where everything becomes repetitive and overdramatic. I really liked the way all of the conflicts resolved, and the slight twist at the end was amazing.

Although I'd forgotten most of the events of The Lady Gets Lucky, I still really enjoyed this one! It stands on its own perfectly, so I'd recommend it to everyone craving a historical romance.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!