Cora Dove and her sisters are the illegitimate daughters of Mr. Hathaway, a high society businessman in New York. When their grandmother dies and leaves a dowry for each daughter, Mr. Hathaway uses it as leverage and gives them a stipulation: in order to obtain their inheritance, they must marry a suitable, title-bearing husband. Cora travels to England and meets Leopold, the Earl of Devonworth, who desperately needs her wealth. An arrangement is made, but soon they find they may have gotten more than they bargained for.

I needed this story like I needed oxygen. Harper has such an amazing and intriguing way of writing historical romances. There’s so much history woven into the story but the characters always feel progressive in a way that feels so good. Cora is a fiery woman and Leo is her perfect match. The tension and the angst is so delicious, it will keep you flipping the pages. The bathroom scene had me BESIDE MYSELF. Please, everyone read this book and then report back to me.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Harper St. George and Berkeley for the ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions in my review are honest, voluntary and my own.

I enjoyed "The Stranger I Wed" by Harper St. George. Leopold and Cora are caring, intelligent and witty characters each looking for a solution to their problems. I loved their meet cute! The slow burn pace of the story worked for me as they are essentially strangers who enter into a marriage of convenience. Secrets come to light as they learn about and genuinely support each other. Consider me hooked, as I look forward to reading more from this author.

I received a complimentary copy from #berkleypublishing via #netgalley, and this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

#thestrangeriwed #harperstgeorge #historicalromance #gildedage #romancebooks

The Stranger I Wed

Cora is an illegitimate child of a very wealthy NY family (think the Astor or Vanderbilt types) along with her two sisters Jenny and Eliza. They unexpectedly come into an inheritance from their estranged grandmother, however their father stipulates that they can only receive it as a dowry. To men who live far, far away with fancy titles. Off the girls go to England to snare some aristocrats. Cora ends up marrying Lord Devonsworth in a pretty up front way, but what happens when feelings start to grow between them?

Overall I’d say this book merits a 3.5. I would definitely read other books by this author and there are some connections to her precious series I have heard.

I’d say this book is for you if you’re a lover of the romance genre. It’s an easy read and the situation of this marriage of convenience + inheritance is fun.

I do think there were some missed opportunities to build tension. A lot happened in the last 10% that could have been done earlier. And I think there could have been more angst and more interesting events (balls, flirting with others, jealousy).

Looking forward to the next book in the series!

This book has away putting you back in the time. In which it is set. Cora and her sisters have been given a diary but who controls their wealth in New York City says only if they marry shall they receive it. To get a fresh start in England and meet up with the Earl of Devon worth. He is fighting in parliament, but needs a wealthy wife. to see how they start to react with what with each other while there are other secrets, bubbling under the surface is romantic and at the same time. I really enjoyed how he was with her and their journey to love is beautiful. I’m looking forward to the other sisters stories.

This was very enjoyable and a nice, quick read. Cora and Leo took a bit to stop fighting their feelings for each other, but it was plot and character supported, which means I'm cool with it. I thoroughly enjoyed this mix of cultural clash, class clash, and self-arranged weddings. It was easy to root for everyone. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series to hear what is up next for the rest of the Dove sisters.

Oh I so love a good marriage of convenience, and this one was fantastic. They got married quite early on, and I was so happy to get a marriage on paper only because I so wanted a slow burn. Their relationship evolved quite nicely, from strangers to friends to lovers, and it was all very believable. Their attraction was pretty much there from the start but still, the sexual tension between the two got hotter and hotter as this story went on so it was a perfect slow buuuuuurn with a big fire.

Both characters were relatable and easy to love. Taking care of their family, doing what they thought was best and all. We had a first meeting that was quite "striking" and it was so entertaining. They were pretty resolved about their situation and honest with what they expected form this marriage from the start, which I appreciate. You could tell they truly cared about each other. It took them quite a while to accept the fact that they were a perfect match as they developped feelings. I did feel like shaking them a little at one point but they eventually managed on their own.

I always enjoy reading about historical romance when there is a bit of a clash between England and America's ways. Considering that Cora's family wasn't even part of the higher sphere of society it was even more of a clash and it was interesting to see. It was a well written story with characters that completed each other, a delight to read. I'll definitely have to get to The Gilded Age Heiresses series sitting on my TBR now!

Thanks to the author and Berkley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Cora and her sisters are the illegitimate daughters of a wealthy and prominent man in New York society. However, he has never publicly claimed them. When their grandmother dies, Cora finds out her grandmother left each of them an inheritance. When she discusses it with her biological father he decrees they must marry respectable men and move away from New York. Cora accepts the challenge and soon she and her family travel to London to find titles husbands. Enter Leo, our hero. He is an Earl in desperate need of a wife with money.

Tropes to expect:
Gilded Age time period
Marriage of convenience
Slow burn romance 🔥
Forced proximity
Dual POV
Strangers to friends to lovers

This book is the first in a new series! If you’ve read the author’s other series, you’ll spot some cameos! Cora and Leo have great chemistry from the start—not to mention, an iconic meet cute! Both don’t believe romantic love lasts, but can they prove each other wrong? 😏

I have been wanting to dive back into historical romance for a while, and this book was the perfect choice. There were so many heartfelt, cute scenes between these two that had me kicking my feet and squealing! Cora and Leo’s banter and vulnerable, sweet moments were everything I love about romance and historical romance.

This is the perfect read if you’re looking for a sweet romance with some pining set during the Gilded Age! I can’t wait for the next book ☺️

🕊️ Happy Pub Day Book Review 💜

Happy Pub Fay to The Stranger I Wed! I’ve loved most all of the books @harperstgeorge has written and I was so excited to get to read the very first of her new The Doves of New York series.

In addition to having those gorgeous dresses on the cover, this series follows heiresses desiring to marry into London high society. Following the same formula as St. George’s The Gilded Age Heiresses series…this series has a twist though, the Doves aren’t legitimate and true heiresses. But, they will be IF…

Well, you’ll have to read to find out! 😉

Harper St. George’s historical romances are a bit of a slow burn, but I love that about them! This one is no exception and I can’t wait to read the next sister’s story. 🤓

In The Stranger I Wed, Harper St. George starts a new historical romance series linked to her previous books. The description was catnip to me: Cora Dove is the illegitimate daughter of an elite New York City Gilded Age businessman who can inherit a substantial sum from her grandmother but only if she marries. She looks towards London, to avoid gossip, and has a meet cute with Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth. Devonworth is a pragmatic, cool MP who needs money for this estates. A marriage of convenience quickly is arranged, and then a very slow burn starts between them. These characters are well matched, and the author takes care to show how they complement and support one another. The silliness is in the classic not talking to each other, indicating that they want to the nature of their marriage to become more real. This drags the rating down from 5 to 4 stars. It seemed to only happen to drag the story longer. It's a sturdy book, with likeable characters, but it could've taken more interesting turns instead of them repressing their feelings for each other.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

The Stranger I Wed was an entertaining and intriguing story and I had a great time reading it. It had good humor and banter and I loved watching Leo and Cora fall in love. I really liked the time period, the build and pace, and watching it all unfold with fantastic wit and dialogue. It made for a wonderful series starter!

I immediately liked Cora and her tenacity. She was a strong woman who knew who she was and what she had to do for her family. I enjoyed learning about her and her family dynamics, her lineage, and what a mess it was. I liked Leo as well and learning about him. I loved what was set up between them with the marriage of convenience scenario. I liked them meeting and the chemistry between them. I loved watching their feelings grow and catch fire throughout the story.

I thought the story flowed well and appreciated that it was told from dual POVs. For the most part, it was exciting and fun with a lot of great moments and scenes that kept things moving along. There was a spot in the middle that felt slow but it picked back up just when I needed it too. There was a lot of political talk involved, which I thought worked well with the story and their beliefs, but it never felt like a lecture or a lesson. There are a lot of characters involved, some I really liked, and some were not my favorite. I liked learning about her sisters and what has been set up for future stories. I was not a fan of her father and her mother seemed a bit over the top. I thought this was pretty light in the drama department, nothing too taxing and all easily resolved.

Overall, I thought this was a delightful story with likable characters. I loved watching Cora and Leo grow and trust each other and fall in love. I enjoyed it from start to finish!

New York residents loved to gossip about Cora Dove's parentage. When her dying grandmother gives her and her sister generous dowries out of guilt, they’re told the funds will be released once they’re married far away from New York. England seems far enough away, and Cora only wants a husband that will respect her. The Earl of Devonworth wants to pass a bill benefiting the working class' water supply and will need money to do it. The marriage of convenience has more strings attached than they thought, including actual desire and secrets untold.

Cora's biggest secret is one we know from the start: she's illegitimate, as are her sisters and her biological father wants them all far away from his friends and legitimate daughter so he won't be embarrassed by their existence. This isn't spoken of in polite society of England, so her true parentage remains hidden. The wedding goes off without a hitch and is far more lonely than she thought it would be. As the eldest, she tries to keep everything hidden until her sisters are married, and she doesn't know anyone else in London. With similar views on the rights of women and the poor, Cora and Leopold grow closer as they work together on his speeches.

There's a good bit of historical accuracy in this story, from the terrible winter destroying some of Leopold's holdings to the suffrage movement and legislation to help the common workers. In this atmosphere, the forward-thinking couple develops mutual respect and friendship, which complicates the marriage of convenience and turns into a friends-to-lovers scenario. It's a fun execution of these favorites and a great look at the time period on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. As thr first book of The Doves of New York series, we're sure to see Cora and Leopold as they help Cora's sisters in future novels.

This is a 3.5 star rounded up. I really enjoyed the premise of this book but I couldn't connect with the characters as easily and readily. This is a first regency era romance for me and I'm very interested to check out more. Cora is the illegitimate daughter of a man from a wealthy family and upon the grandmother's death - there is a new chance to receive an inheritance - with a stipulation - of GETTING MARRIED. Cora meets a suitable bachelor to enter a marriage of convenience. Again - great premise but it just dragged a bit for me. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I adored Cora and Leopold's story!! It was so much fun watching these two navigate their marriage of convenience to finally get their HEA!

A new series, by Harper St. George, The Doves of New York - I'm in!

This slow-burn, marriage of convenience, is full of humor and witty banter. Cora and Leo come together in business, but chemistry pivots their plan. Their constant tension roiled through the pages as each shared their respective POV in the story.

A bit of politics, a romance and some family drama made this an enjoyable read. This book's cliffhanger has me ready for Eliza story.

Thank you, Berkley

I am a huge Harper St. George fan and when I saw she was starting a new series, I was ready! And what a delight this was.

I love her ability to write historical romance that also feels modern in a way. I would think that is a difficult thing to do but George does it effortlessly. This book has the perfect amount of angst, steam, and chemistry.

My only grip was that I did find it boring in some spots where the plot almost plateaus and you're left hoping for something interesting to happen. And I will say that I typically feel that way with marriage on convenience stories because the secondary plot has to be as strong as the romance for it to hold my attention.

Overall, this was a fantastic way to start a series and I am looking forward to the next installment.

What a wonderful story!

I liked the flow and character development in this American heiress romance. Cora and Leo are strong-willed and complex characters. The author realistically developed the characters and the scenes in the novel. We gradually learn about Cora and Leo, and I think the characters evolve beautifully throughout the novel. I liked how Cora and Leo's relationship progressed. The love gradually bloomed, and we believe in it. This novel offers a compelling story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I feel like I feel about this book like the last one I read by Harper St. George. The book is really good at the beginning and it gets me hooked, and then the middle gets boring and I fall off the book. It isn’t as interesting and gets a little bit boring and I don’t want to finish.

But I pushed through. And it did get more interesting, but literally at the end of the book. I think the most action happened in the last 4 chapters of the book which is something that I absolutely hate in a book. A lot of the stuff that was happening could’ve happened much earlier in the book and didn’t for whatever reason.

I did like the characters in the book though, especially Deavonworth. He was a gentleman in a world where there weren’t that many gentlemen. I mean he had his problems, he wasn’t perfect, but overall, I felt like he was a pretty solid guy. And that bathroom scene? I mean….

One thing that I thought was odd was that they’re still kind of strangers at the end of the book. Deavonworth even says that he doesn’t think he’ll really ever know everything about Cora. I didn’t really like that because they spent so much time together and still didn’t seem to know all that much about each other. I know that was the premise of the book but it didn’t jive with me.

For all of my complaints, it wasn’t that bad of a book. It was a good read so if you’re into historical fiction where women are trying to make big changes in the world, I would recommend this book.

Harper St. George kicks off a new series with THE STRANGER I WED. The Dove sisters are offered a generous dowry, but the funds won’t be released until they are properly wed. This is Cora’s story as she and her sisters travel from New York to England to find husbands. Cora has it all worked out… or does she? Find out in this addictively romantic tale.

I enjoy St. George and was delighted to begin The Stranger I Wed, the first novel in The Doves of New York featuring three sisters of questionable legitimacy. The girls and their mother have had a rough time of it and are discovered that their grandmother has reconsidered, leaving a sizable dowry to each. However, when they go to receive the funds, Mr. Hathaway refuses to release them until each is married. Cora doesn’t want to marry, but hatches a plan.

They travel to London where their host compiles a list of eligible bachelors and arranges a house party to meet them. The girls screen the men ahead of time and I adored the meet-cute between Cora and Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth. I laughed and soon found myself caught up in their romance, or should I say, arrangement. *winks*

The author weaves in public health issues, women’s suffrage and plenty of banter, chemistry and wit. Cora is headstrong, passionate, and clever. She has this brilliant plan until she isn’t at all sure what she wants and I loved the story that unfolds. Leopold’s passion is in parliament fighting for justices and in protecting his family and restoring the Devonworth estate. He possesses a forward-thinking nature, making him the perfect candidate to unravel Cora’s well-devised strategies.

The romance felt genuine with immediate chemistry and a slow-burn romance that heated delightfully. I loved the tension, discoveries, and outcome.

I cannot wait for the next sister’s story. If you’re a fan of historical romance and strong female characters, you won’t want to miss The Stranger I Wed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Stranger I Wed
By: Harper St. George
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Pub Date: 4/23/24
A new series from author Harper St. George, The Doves of New York. A marriage of convenience in high society. When Cora and Leo begin to cross paths they are strangers. As they marry they are still strangers. Watching their romance develop kept me interested. This book definitely has that slow burn feel to it. I also enjoyed the woman rights advocacy that was happening too. Can’t wait for more in this series. Thanks to Berkeley, NetGalley and Harper St. George.

#thestrangeriwed #harperstgeorge
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I was wondering where Harper St. George would be taking her Gilded Age dollar princesses next and this absolutely blew me away! The sisters have stolen my heart and I am obsessed!

After learning about a generous deathbed from their paternal grandmother Cor Dove takes it upon herself to confront her estranged, father and demand what is due! They strike a deal to her, her sisters and her quirky mom setting sale for London to find husbands in order to claim this inheritance.

For only a marriage of convenience, and a short, one of that, Cora is pleased when she catches the eye of the handsome, impoverished and very kind, Earl of Devonworth - Leopold Brendon. Another deal is struck their marriage conveniences… Until it becomes a little less convenient as they try to avoid the desires sparking between them!

I am going to ship Cora and Leo for a long time- these two literally just stole my heart and I just love them so much. Two characters with their own secrets, but I swear their hearts are as big as an elephants! You couldn’t find a pair that just wanted to be loved and loved more than these two as they keep fighting it!

This was an excellent start to the series and I’m eager to find out how the next Dove sister earns her inheritance!