Cora Dove and her sisters’ inheritances are contingent on them finding husbands far away from New York, their birthplace, thanks to their jerk of a father. So they head off to England in search of husbands.

Leopold Brendon, The Earl of Devonworth, captures Cora’s attention right away when they literally crash into each other. He’s in need of a wife with money and she’s in need of a marriage with a title so they make their arrangement with an expiration date, at Cora’s request. Cora doesn’t want to be beholden to any man, her mother soured her on that, but Leo is a different man from her father.

Leo had his heart broken, so he’s wary of giving his heart to any woman, especially when Cora makes it clear that the marriage is for convenience only. However, they are attracted to each other and in time also come to respect each other. Can they get past their issues to let love in? I hoped so!

Both Cora and Leo had reasons to be wary of a romantic relationship. Cora’s father was something else! I’d love to see him sorry for how he behaved, but I won’t hold my breath. Cora’s mother wasn’t much better, in my opinion. The woman was a big detractor for her girls with her outrageous behavior.

I appreciated that both Cora and Leo were moved to advocate for others and bonded over their righting the injustices of their time.

I really enjoyed The Stranger I Wed. It was a slow burn romance; with multi-layered characters I could relate to and root for! It filled my heart with joy to see Cora find everything she was looking for and so much more with Leo! I’m hoping each of the Dove sisters finds their HEA!

Exactly what I want in my historical romance books! I’m usually not a fan of historical romance set during the suffrage movement because many authors do not add it into the story in a way that makes it better. Harper St. George handles it perfectly. We get to know the main characters through their love of politics and the bond that unintentionally forms through their shared ideals. This was a new take on the typical secretive bluestocking who is hiding her views from everyone or the blue stocking society ignores for their ideals. It was refreshing to see Leo and Cora work together and support each other. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and find out what happens with Cora’s sisters.

The Stranger I Wed is the first book in The Doves Of New York by Harper St. George. First up is Cora years ago her mom was a mistress to a millionaire bachelor and after having three girls he had to do his duty end marry someone suitable leaving Cora and her sisters in the dust. While on her deathbed her grandmother wanting a clean slate in the afterlife wrote Cora a letter saying they would be remembered in her will unfortunately that inheritance had strings attached. This is why Cora her sisters and beautiful mom are in London looking for a suitable husband for the Dove girls. Her husband has to be suitable and what kind of Lord would want to marry in untitled bachelorette well obviously a broke one. In the case of Cora her titled bachelor is a Lord and a member of parliament who wants to be looked at as a family man but he must agree to let her live alone and or get a divorce after two years something Leopole reluctantly agrees to. It doesn’t take long however for core and Leopole to start feeling those magical feelings one feels when falling in love. It seems Leopold‘s new wife is smart intelligent and has great insight during their discussions which only makes him fall even harder and as for independent Cora The more she is around Leopole the less being a wealthy single woman appeals to her. In the end they will learn they have much more in common then they don’t and that includes how they feel for each other. I really really love this book I thought it was awesome and I am definitely going to be reading the other two in the series. As a matter of fact this is a book I will definitely be looking out for I want to thank Berkeley publishing group for my free arc copy via NetGalley please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

This is for romance fans of slow burn, low angst, and marriage of convenience.

I personally felt that it could have done with a bit more passion and drama in a more even paced storyline (i.e. it felt rushed in some areas and dragged a tad in others).

While this is my first romance by the author and some of her previous characters showed up in this story that seemed very intriguing, I'll be sure to check out some of her other work which I heard many great things about,

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Berkley for providing me an opportunity to read the book ahead of the publication date.

This was the first book I’ve read from Harper St. George and I don’t think it will be the last! HSG’s writing was accessible but felt authentic to the time period, especially in the dialogue which isn’t always the case in historical romance.

I did think the story was a bit anti-climactic. I thought there was potential for a lot more when it came to Cora’s activism. But I really loved the American in London aspect, which I think HSG writes a lot of.

The two main characters had a clear physical chemistry but I loved that the focus of their story was more on building a solid friendship and genuine respect for each other.

I have another Victorian/Gilded Age book from HSG on my shelf, and I’m definitely looking forward to picking it up now!

I can’t get over how much I loved this book. And it’s historical romance! I’m soo picky about anything historical! I don’t know, there was just something about the writing style and the character development that drew me in.

Cora was the perfect FMC for this kind of story. She was such a badass. She fought about politics with men and wrote scandalous articles under a pseudonym and only wanted to get married so she could keep her inheritance.

And of course, Leo was perfection as well. Solid and stoic with a secret heart of gold. Doesn’t want to fall in love because he’s been hurt in the past, but he can’t help but fall desperately in love with Cora. I mean, come on.

I read this one quickly and absolutely loved the romance and the additional issues that were discussed throughout the book. If you’ve never read historical romance before, this might be the place to start.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my gifted copy and having me on this book tour!

I am not a huge fan of historians but I really liked this one. The storyline felt original and I really wanted to keep reading.

Cora and her sisters leave New York to seek prosperous matches abroad, their dowries their only chance at removing the taint of their dubious legitimacy. The pragmatic Earl of Devonworth seeks a wealthy wife to pay off his family’s debts. He agrees to Cora’s request for a marriage in name only, yet he’s drawn to her intelligence and spirit. Will they find true love, or will her dark secrets threaten their bond?

This smart, entertaining novel is written in a warm and engaging style. The characters are endearing with strong chemistry between Cora and Devonworth.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I absolutely loved the Harper St. George’s Gilded Age Heiresses series. So, when I heard she was starting a new, adjacent series, The Doves of New York, I knew I needed to try them. The Stranger I Wed is the first book in this new series.

This is the story of Cora Dove and Leo, Earl of Devonworth. Cora goes to England to find a titled husband in order to get a surprise inheritance from her grandmother. With the help of Camille, a dowager duchess and former New York heiress from the previous series, Cora and her sisters are given a list of needy bachelors. Leo is on that list due to some mismanagement of the earldom from his father, a recent disaster at the estate, and gambling debt from his brother. Leo is hesitant to get into a marriage of convenience but is desperately in need of an influx of funds in order to continue his passion, which is serving in Parliament.

I’m a total sucker for the marriage of convenience trope. There’s just something about two people, generally practically strangers, getting married and then finding love as they traverse through their marriage. The Stranger I Wed is a great example of the trope, and I just adored watching as Cora and Leo circled each other, got to know each other, and came to love each other. They each had secrets they tried to keep hidden and protect their hearts, and it was fun to watch it all unravel.

I enjoyed both characters. They each had flaws and strengths that complimented the other. Both characters had great development as their relationship grew over the course of the story. I think my only real complaint is that at the climax of the story, when there’s that bump in the road of their happily ever after, well, it wasn’t much more than a speed bump, and I would have preferred just a bit more tension and strife for them to overcome.

I truly enjoyed The Stranger I Wed, and I can’t wait to continue this series as Cora’s sisters get their romances. This novel might be for you if you enjoy historical romances or even marriage of convenience tropes. Well done, Ms. St. George!

4.5 stars

Thank you Berkley Romance for the gifted book, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book!

Cora and her sisters have had a less than luxurious upbringing, but as long as they marry well they will receive an unexpected inheritance! As many Americans do, they set off to England and meet Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth, a progressive member of Parliament. He needs a wealthy wife, but with Cora he discovers a potential partner who brings intelligence and passion to their relationship. Cora is determined to only have a marriage in name, but each day they spend together leads these two closer to true love!

This story is perfect for fans of Evie Dunmore who love historical romances with real political history woven in! The characters were fun, their relationship was dynamic and driven both by lust and a real friendship! Part of the third act conflict felt a little rushed, but the pros far out way any cons in this one!

I was absolutely thrilled to hear that St. George had a new series starting! While this makes reference to characters and events of her Gilded Age Heiresses series, you certainly don’t need to read it to understand this book (but you should read those books because they’re fantastic). I adored Cora as a character. She’s whip smart, determined, and fascinating. Leo is a solid male lead and the chemistry between the two was well done. There’s not as spice here as I expected and the plot had… a lot going on. However, some of that was clearly set up for the rest of the series. I’m definitely looking forward to future books and enjoyed reading this one.

I am going to preface this review by saying Harper St. George is an automatic read for me. With that in mind, two things-1) I already knew this would be an enjoyable read for me 2) When I was offered the ARC I jumped on it!

I previously read Harper St. George’s historical romance series The Gilded Age Heiresses and really enjoyed them! This book is technically the first in her new series, The Doves of New York. We enter with our FMC Cora Dove, who is the illegitimate child of a noble. Upon the death of her grandmother Cora is left a large dowry that could change her life with the stipulation she must marry. Enter our MMC Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth. Lord Devonworth is in desperate need of funds to support his ambitions in parliament. When these two run into each other the perfect compromise marriage becomes their mutual solution with the agreement they will divorce after two years of marriage. What could possibly alter that plan?!?!?!!?

As expected, this was thoroughly enjoyable. Please add anything Harper St. George to your TBR. Thanks to Berkley for the advanced copy!

An American heiress challenges the aristocracy

The marriage of convenience trope takes on new insights here. Cora Dove and her sisters, illegitimate daughters of one of Fifth Avenue’s most prestigious families, have been left a large sum of money by their grandmother. Its conditional upon them marrying someone their father, Mr. Hathaway (who doesn’t acknowledge them) approves of, and they remove themselves from New York.
The girls and their mother sail to London (far enough away?) to join the stream of American heiresses marrying into the cash strapped aristocracy. (Approval guaranteed!)
Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth, is a vocal member of parliament supporting a variety of forward thinking causes. He needs to marry an heiress. His brother Harry’s gambling habit is bringing the family coffers to its knees. Their ancestral home, Timberscombe Park, is falling down around his ears. (Why he puts up with Harry’s antics are a mystery to me).
Cora it seems is the answer. Only Cora, a staunch suffragette, makes an unusual request to which Leo agrees.
The path of their romance is somewhat rocky and steamy, but love eventually conquers all.
Interesting premise to the novel but at times becomes tad stilted and cliched.

A Berkeley Group ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I have been wanting to read this book since the author first started teasing its release. It did not disappoint me when I actually got a chance to read it. Cora Dove meets Leo, the Earl of Devonworth, when she travels to England in search of a title in order to gain an inheritance left to her and her sisters by their paternal grandmother. She and Leo meet and marry despite each of them having secrets. As they get to know each other, they learn to care enough about each other that they can share some of their secrets. Of course Cora's secrets may affect Leo's political ambitions and her standing in the ton and Leo's secrets may affect their relationship. So much romantic flirting and fall off of the pages lust between the characters, I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to Eliza and Jenny's stories next.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review

A strong-willed female lead and a charismatic male lead. It’s great that you have both POVs and enjoy getting into the heads of both characters. They both have their agendas and interests, but through great chemistry, they learn there is so much more they can accomplish as a team. You really root for them to find their way together! Though I am not usually one to read stories in a historical era, this story had me hooked from start to finish!

Reading Harper St. George's newest title is a no-brainer for me at this point. I've been a fan of hers ever since reading her first book in The Gilded Age Heiresses series, The Heiress Gets a Duke. There are appearances of past characters as well as inferences to events that took place in that series, however you do not need to read any of them first if you have not done so already. I really don't think it would cause any confusion, however, you will get some spoilers from the other series. Once again, the author is highlighting the suffrage movement with a heroine who is very involved in the cause. The hero is heavily into politics and what they would have considered progressive at that time for his support of women's rights and the common working man.

This story had a marriage of convenience trope, but it had the vague feel of a fake relationship trope as well due to this couple's pre-engagement agreement to put on a public front of a real marriage. Cora has come to England for the sole purpose of finding a man of noble birth to marry. She's not interested in romance or love, what she has planned is a mutually beneficial arrangement where her inheritance is released upon her marriage, and her new husband fills his empty coffers. She does not want a genuine marital relationship, and hopes that they can separate or even divorce after two years. This would be somewhat of a scandal for anyone of noble blood during that time, but not completely unheard of. After she and Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth meet, they quickly decide that both of their desperate situations can be resolved with this simple arrangement.

Leo is as loyal as you can get, dependable, and generous to those he loves. With an estate in major disrepair, limited funds, and a brother with a dangerous gambling debt, he calmly chooses to marry Cora because it will be beneficial to everyone. Like Cora, he has no interest in love. In fact, he has an extreme aversion to it after a betrayal of a past lover. He guards his heart carefully, and even the thought of growing an attachment to someone practically makes him break out in hives. Though a divorce wouldn't be ideal for him, he is willing to grant Cora her wish as long as they are able to attain one. If not, she agrees to provide him with the male heir that he needs to continue the family line. They approach the marriage in a businesslike manner in the beginning, although there is a subtle attraction and appreciation for each other that neither like to acknowledge.

I had difficulty with how Cora entered into their marriage. Even though this would be a marriage on paper only, he questioned her about her family, her mother's history, and their financial situation. She deliberately deceived him by hiding her mother's past in theater, and the truth of her own illegitimate birth. Before they agreed on the engagement, he transparently told her that he'd had her family investigated for his own peace of mind. Rather than fill in the gaps of the investigator's report, she lied to him (outright or by omission) because she was scared that he would back out. She kept justifying it throughout the book, but there finally came a point where her guilt forced a confession out of her.

The problem is, he wouldn't want the scandal from the skeletons in her family closet and she knew that. Her actions, and those of her family directly affect him and his public reputation which is something he needs to be conscious of due to his political involvement. Her actions were selfish towards him, and even when she did come clean, he let her off the hook completely. She only confesses one of her secrets, and she has another one which ends up causing a big conflict later on in the story that he needs to resolve. Another issue was their odd dynamic for the first 50-60% of the book. They acted like polite acquaintances who happen to be married. Essentially that's what they are, but the two of them were a bit too distant for my taste.

I did love how Leo appreciated Cora's strong beliefs and encouraged her to speak her mind. They shared similar values and both felt very passionate about them. It was one of the main things they bonded over as she supported his efforts to pass a Health Act that would improve living and working conditions for the working class. She is a proficient writer, and her skills are put to use fine tuning his speech in support of the upcoming bill. They both have/had a rocky relationship with their fathers, and they both are very protective of their families. Even their differences seem to compliment each other-she and her family are very open, unabashedly show emotion and their passion for life. He is very reserved and dignified, and unconsciously holds his emotions in check. While he does hold on to that reserve for a long time and resists his growing emotional connection, he certainly falls hard once he lets go of his fears.

Cora and Leo's relationship went from married to friends to lovers which is far from the typical order of things (to say the least). I didn't fully enjoy the way that it was executed, and it showed in the way that the first two parts tended to drag for me for long stretches. The last bit finally picked up, and I enjoyed seeing them be openly loving and affectionate with one another once they both decided to make their marriage a real one in every sense. Eliza's story is next in line, which has been teased just enough to whet my interest in continuing on with the series.

The Stranger I Wed by Harper St. George, book one in The Doves of New York series, focusing on three Dove siblings in London; an entertaining fake relation that is absolutely delightful. Cora Dove and her two sisters are the illegitimate daughters of a man from one of New York’s wealthiest and founding families. When her birth-grandmother (her father’s mother) passes away, the will states that she regrets the ways Cora and her sisters were treated and wanted to do right by giving them all inheritances; except they must marry English noblemen to receive their inheritance. Not one for sentimentality, Cora makes a careful plan, and with her sisters and mother travel from New York to London with a clear goal: find a husband and then convince him to divorce her so she can keep her independence. Enter Leopold Brendon, the Earl of Devonworth, who needs her wealth to save his estate and fund his efforts in Parliament to establish clean water for the working class.

Leo and Cora’s relationship is based on respect; before falling in love, Cora and Leo respect each other as individuals and as scholars. Cora helps Leo with his speeches, and he accepts her help, often asking her opinion. They marry for convenience, but as time passes, inconvenient feelings start to arise. They are nearly strangers when they get married and they first have to slowly become friends. I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I’m looking forward to Cora's sisters finding their matches.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#netgalley #berkley

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

I enjoyed this book, which is the first in a new historical fiction romance series. It follows a family of 3 sisters who are the illegitimate daughters of a wealthy NYC man who is a member of one of the founding families of the city. Their father refuses to recognize them, but when his mother dies, she leaves each girl a huge inheritance. Their father sees this as a way to get the women out of NYC, so he states they can't inherit until they find suitable husbands out of the City. So, the girls head to England to find a titled husband.

This book focuses on the eldest daughter, Cora Dove. She is strong and intelligent and the main force keeping her family together despite their flighty mother. She's determined to make a match to get her inheritance, and see that her sisters do as well. They figure a poor titled man in search of a wife with a big dowry is their best bet for a quick marriage. They have no illusions it will be a love match, but they at least hope they will like their husbands. But, as she's introduced to one poor titled man after another, she's resigned to the fact that she may not even like her husband.

Enter Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth, a no-nonsense member of Parliament whose plan to pass a Public Health bill that would provide clean water to the working class requires the backing of a wealthy wife. His father burned through the family money on foolish things, leaving their ancestral home in disrepair and their farm and lands in distress. His younger brother's excessive gambling debts only adds more pressure to Devonworth's financial woes. Hence, he decides to meet Cora and propose an arrangement. It doesn't hurt that he's attracted to her and thinks she's interesting.

The duo negotiate a marriage of convenience that achieves both their goals, with specific parameters outlined. But, the more they interact, the more they find to like about each other. This is a very slow romance, but eventually the lines are blurred, sparks fly, and the couple act on their attraction. I enjoyed Cora and Devonworth's chemistry and their witty banter was very cute. I like that he appreciated her intelligence instead of being threatened by it, and for the time period, he was very progressive in his thoughts and ideas. It was refreshing to read in these kind of books, where the men are typically condescending and believe they know what's best for the woman and that she should just sit back and let him make all the decisions in her life. Ugh. No thank you. I don't care what era you're in.

The inclusion of social issues like the fight for clean water, women's property rights, and other social issues was fantastic to read. While we don't typically associate progressive ideas with this time period, it's important to remember that there were small groups of social warriors fighting the good fight even back then. We owe women's rights to those fierce ladies, so I tip my hat to their efforts.

The book was steady and didn't have a lot of dramatic, miscommunication moments or blow ups. I appreciated that because the miscommunication trope is my least favorite one. I also liked that it set up the next book in the series with another Dove sister.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley and Ms. St. George for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but nor required.

Harper St. George is back with a new set of American misses hoping to find love abroad. This time it's a set of three illegitimate sisters: the Dove sisters, Cora, Jenny and Eliza. Their grandmother leaves the girls inheritances in her will, but their father (who, of course, has a wife and legitimate children) leverages the inheritances into dowries and subsequently forbids the girls to find husbands in American society. The girls troop off to London to husband-hunt, aided by the American heiresses who have already succeeded, and accompanied by their loose-cannon mother Fanny.

Leopold, Earl of Devonworth (generally called Devon or Dev, by everyone except Cora) is attractive, kind, and in possession of a venerable title - but no money. His hometown pickings are slim until Cora arrives and a match is quickly made. Despite Cora's assertion that the two will divorce after a sufficient amount of time, they each (naturally) begin to fall for the other. And because it's a HSG book, there are time-period-appropriate Issues involved. For her, it's suffragism and women's rights in general, and for him, the Public Health act.

The book got off to a slow start. I wasn't all that enamored of Cora and found the beginning a little dry. The meet-cute with Leo was a little silly, although I couldn't help from the situation and his physical description picturing an old-timey David Beckham in the role. So sue me. I really liked friendship Cora and Leo built, and I enjoyed that the tense relationship between Cora and Leo's mother softened into something hopeful. I wish more of the loose ends had been resolved (Harry, for one; paying *11,000 pounds* of debt and shipping him off to Europe seemed to be entirely ineffective; the ominous mentions of Lady Sofia that amounted to exactly nothing was another). And I sort of wish that the siblings waited to come to Europe with Cora; Jenny and Eliza were distracting and frankly I occasionally found them more interesting than Cora. However, the last third of the book was riveting and I tore through it at top speed. It's also worth mentioning that this is a series starter which does mean a certain amount of character establishment that is less necessary in subsequent books.

Really looking forward to Jenny and Eliza's books. 3.5 stars for this one.

Seems I recently found my way back into my Romance Era! If you are a fan of Jane Austen and feel good historical romances, then you’ll want to add The Stranger I Wed to your reading list. The best part - this is the first book in The Doves of New York series! I absolutely love series that are centered around sisters finding love.

Cora and her sisters move across the ocean from New York to London in hopes of finding reputable marriage matches in order to be able to claim their inheritance and escape their well known illegitimate status in NY. Leopold is so focused on his career in the Parliament and determined not to risk his heart ever again. Their marriage might hold many surprises for both of them!

I loved both Cora and Leo individually and together. It was so refreshing to read a love story where majority of tension and obstacles came from outside of characters. And I loved the historical aspect of the story, shedding light on women’s rights movement of that time. This was a slow burn, mild spice but lots of warm and fuzzy feels kind of romance.

Read this if you like:

💜 Marriage of Convenience
💜 Forced proximity
💜 Progressive male leads
💜 Mild spice
💜 Lots of romance

On that note, I need Eliza and the Duke (Book 2) immediately! 😭 A huge thank you to Berkley & NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!