The story description sounded like an interesting change from all the actual historical duke romance books I've read lately. Unfortunately it dragged so much I almost put it down but I did make it to the last page. I found the Dove family strange in a bad way, not quirky. The father of the girls, that was a complete fail for me. None of it would have happened and I couldn't get past it. Seeing as it was the catalyst that brought the family to London that thought interruption stopped the flow of the story. I never engaged with the characters and felt detached from, the leads and secondary.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#NetGalley #ElizaandtheDuke #TheDovesofNew York #HarperSt.George # Berkley #romance #historicalromance #bookreview

Tropes: class difference; forced proximity; MMC is a prizefighter; MFC comes from humble beginnings
Steam level:3
Part of a series, but works as a standalone.

This is a sweet entry in this series, overall. There is suspense involving a man who rules Whitechapel and his hold over MMC Simon, and a scene of violence in the boxing ring, but it's fairly lowkey angst-wise. This is both a plus and minus. There are some well-written moments between MFC Eliza and Simon (known as "Duke" in fighting circles) with sizzling sexual tension, and the world-building is excellent, as the MC's travel the rougher areas of London and Eliza gets to know more about who Simon really is. It's nice to see characters from the previous books as well. But Eliza is a young, naive MC, who at times gets in her own way, and I had a bit of trouble buying her traipsing through the bad areas of town with Simon. She isn't a completely clueless virgin, but every time she compares her background to Simon's, it reads like a bit of a competition, and although Simon's only a few years older than she is he's been through much more. Simon is wonderfully protective but I tend to like MFC's who are a bit more mature emotionally.

One aspect of the book that is indisputably excellent, though, is the research, which is typical of this author. She integrates details smoothly, so there isn't too much "info dump" or an overage of description. And kudos to the discussion of safe sex; a lot of romance authors have moved away from that.

Speaking of sex, the scenes here are nicely spicey and slightly graphic, with a couple of "f-" bombs. I thought the carriage scene turned up the heat. (And the realistic depiction of the struggles a lady would have had with her attire in such a situation made me chuckle.)

Overall, this is a solid HR, not the most thoughtful or emotionally deep of the series, but an enjoyable way to pass the time. I liked Simon a lot and bought the mutual affection between him and Eliza, I just felt that she still had some growing up to do.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my honest, voluntary opinion. Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for this opportunity.

Eliza and the Duke by Harper St. George was such a fun escape. I loved the mix of scandal, steam, and heart. Eliza is a heroine you can root for—bold, romantic, and unwilling to settle for anything less than passion. And Simon? The broody boxer duke totally stole my heart.

Their chemistry was instant and intense, and I was hooked on the tension between their very different worlds. If you love historical romance with a little grit and a lot of emotion, this one definitely delivers.

Every time I pick up a Harper St. George novel, I get so transfixed in the story that I want to do nothing else but keep reading! And scream to the heavens for everyone to read her novels!

In order for Eliza Dove to receive her inheritance she must marry an English peer. So she became engaged to a man she barely knows. Yet one night at a house connected to an illicit gaming hell, Eliza sees a footman enter a secret hallway. Transfixed, she can't stop herself from following until she stumbles into a man who appears injured. Eliza helps him to his destination in the hell only to find some information about her betrothed which has Eliza wanting to have a night where she gets to experience all the things that are forbidden to a woman of her standing.

I loved Eliza from the moment the novel starts! Once she goes in that hidden hallway she feels like her life has changed and I love how she pushed for what she wanted even at the possible cost of what she discovers is not just herself.
Oh Simon! Welcome to my book boyfriends! I was so invested in Simon and his need to protect the people he cared about (one in particular). How everything he did was for them. I loved how Eliza was able to sink under his skin & get him to assist her even if it meant more danger to him. His protector vibes were strong and it made me love him all the more. And once they are together their chemistry is SIZZLING. The carriage ride scene will live rent free in my mind!
The fact that Eliza and Simon are rather young makes their actions and decisions all the more important to their story. I felt the way Harper St. George wrote them their motivations and them as a couple remained very believable and had me even more invested in their HEA.

Are you interested in a character-driven, Gilded Age/Victorian romance that feels fresh and new? If so, Harper St. George is the author for you!

In Eliza and the Duke, St. George steps away from London ballrooms and into the shadowy corners of Whitechapel to bring readers a cross-class romance that elicits all the feelings. There's danger, betrayal, tantalizing chemistry, a walk on the dark side, a bit of mystery, and yearning. So. Much. Yearning.

Both Simon and Eliza are complex characters, more than they appear while also exactly as they appear. St. George pulls out their deepest emotions, hopes, and fears, especially Simon's. How could I not fall for this strong, determined, protective, proud, vulnerable man? And then there's Eliza. Impetuous, stubborn, and seemingly only concerned with her own wants, she slowly evolves into a determined, caring woman who I grew to respect, admire, and cheer on to a hard-won happy ending.

As a fan of Harper St. George, it was fun to see characters from her earlier series pop in and out of this book. Readers who are new to her, however, should be able to enjoy Eliza and the Duke on its own. I enthusiastically recommend everything she's written.

4.5 stars
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased review

Harper St. George writes a really solid romance. I always know I’m going to get an interesting plot, learn a little something about people from a certain period in time, and get a steamy swoony relationship. In this instance I was immediately engaged in the opening scene where American (heiress in name) Eliza Dove is attempting to catch a glimpse of the Montague club, a gaming club attached to the home of her sponsor for the season. It is during this rendezvous that she meets “the Duke” whom she is instantly intrigued by.

As assumed class differences would dictate, Eliza and Simon would never traditionally cross paths. I loved how over time they discover there is much less separating them than at face value; Eliza is beholden to a father who kept his relationship with her mother separate from his other family, living with little means, and Simon was an orphan who was indebted to Whitechapel racketeer Brody, never truly being free of his dealings. Their choices are limited and whereas Simon prizefights and works at a gaming club, Eliza is betrothed to an Earl in order to receive a dowry that will help her family.

What initially begins with insta-fascination quickly turns into attraction as Simon is hired to protect Eliza and her sister Jenny. Eliza makes a deal with him that she will not reveal his identity as the notorious fighter “the Duke” if he will give her one night of living before she has to enter into a contractual loveless marriage. When you contemplate Eliza’s age, it’s easy to feel her girlish crush on Simon. He’s capable and just a little bit dangerous and seeing him at an exhibition fight just makes Eliza want him more. I loved the blending of the socialite London world with the streets of Whitechapel. Eliza gets to experience a little bit of Simon’s life and they both discover feeling of falling for someone you can’t have. Those feelings are definitely explored in the intimacy scenes—carriages work well when you’re being secretive!—and I believed their attraction to one another.

This book got better and better the more I read and I am most intrigued with Jenny’s relationship with Lord David. The undercurrent of tension there is a story waiting to happen. Characters from many of St. George’s previous books are sprinkled throughout, but it’s not imperative that you read them first. I also loved that the plausibility of a real long-term romance between Simon and Eliza was dissected (by Jenny) as often I wonder if fictional characters would still be living their HEA long after the book ends. Spoiler, they get their HEA! I received this advanced copy from Berkley. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5️⃣
Steam: 🪭🪭.5️⃣

This is another example of a historical romance series that I read out of order. I realized about 20% into this book that it was a sequel and the first book is about Eliza’s older sister, Cora. I don’t think it really hindered my enjoyment of Eliza’s story but I’d caution readers that there are minor spoilers as well as some relationships that are better understood if you had read previous installments. I also recommend reading the first series before this series as many of the characters make small appearances.

I liked the romance and story in this book quite a bit. My only issue with the story is that it felt a bit rushed. I was hoping there would be more slow burn and banter between Simon and Eliza.

I would definitely continue reading this series and I want to read the first book about Cora. I would also continue reading Harper St. George’s books.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Eliza and the Duke is a historical romance featuring Eliza and Simon’s forbidden love. There are a lot of features to enjoy about this book, including the romance, the main characters, and the non-traditional roles that both Eliza and Simon play.

Both main characters have pasts and commitments that directly impact their life circumstances and ability to love one another freely. When Eliza approaches Simon with an unforgettable bargain, he follows through with her request, and they fall in love through forced proximity, clear communication, and sheer attraction. The way both main characters couldn’t seem to keep away from one another made this romance feel so reminiscent of a true, passionate love. The author is particularly talented at capturing the dreaded feeling of a fleeting moment between two people who, on paper, were not meant to be.

Other positives about this is that Eliza and Simon somewhat reflect modern standards of romantic roles. Eliza doesn’t fit the perfect mold of a lady, and Simon isn’t just a masculine figure who only resorts to fists during conflicts. They both match in softness, and they meet each other in the middle where it counts.

I can see many readers enjoying this book. However, I could not fully connect with the writing style and the main characters. While the romance was depicted well, the pacing and some word choices occasionally seemed to impact the tension between both main characters, which affected the overall romantic feel of the story.

Overall, I would recommend this book to historical romance readers who enjoy the forbidden love trope.

I was provided with an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

Eliza and the Duke is the latest Victorian Era Romance by Harper St. George, the second book in the series The Doves of New York.

Eliza Dove is an American heiress whose substantial dowry will only come to her if she marries a titled British gentleman. She has one waiting in the wings, but he’s a prosey bore with a nasty habit of frequenting prostitutes. All too aware of what it’s like to be poor, Eliza accepts that she will have to go through with the marriage, but first, she wants a bit of adventure. She finds it with Simon Cavell, a commoner, who currently works in a semi-respectable club. However, in the past, he survived as a prizefighter/brawler and as a “punisher” for a crime lord. (Duke is his prizefighting nickname.) Simon wants to break free of his old life, but the crime lord, Brody, has a hold on him. Brody knows about Simon’s very young niece, hidden away at a brothel. If Simon doesn’t keep paying up, something bad will happen to both Simon and the niece.

Enter Eliza. She first meets him in the aftermath of a prizefight when he is dopey from the fight. She meets him again when her brother-in-law hires him as a short-term protector for his wife’s sisters, Eliza and Jenny. Once Eliza sees him again, she knows what she wants: one night of adventure (not sex), with Simon for a guide. She wants to see London’s seamy side.

Of course, the more time they spend with one another, the more they both realize they want more than one adventuresome night. The novel gets steamy. And the protagonists have to figure out a way to be together.

It’s nice to read a romance where both characters are not aristocrats (though they operate on the fringes of the ton and have aristocratic friends.) And Simon is a character with depth. But this is not one of my favorite Harper St. George novels. Eliza came across as a bit too selfish, impulsive, and irresponsible. True, she needed to be headstrong to get out of a future that would have stultified her, but I came away with the impression that her infatuation with Simon was more instalust than instalove.

Nevertheless, the side characters are interesting and I suspect the other books in the series will appeal to me more.

Well, OK, Harper St. George, I guess you can write a SUPER sexy class difference Victorian romance between an American heiress and a cockney prize fighter if you want to...

We've got Eliza, American heiress in London, engaged to an English nobleman. We've got Simon, prize fighter from the streets of Whitechapel, trying to stay on the straight and narrow but also supporting his toddler niece (I'm not crying, you're crying). Eliza wants one final fling before marrying her boring fiance; Simon just can't stay away from her, much less say no to anything she requests.

I usually prefer mature characters in my romances, but these young lovers really got my heart eyes going! Eliza is 19 going on 20, and Simon is a 22-year-old baby. And yet I was both really into them as a couple AND I found this young 22-year-old MMC believably serious about his career, his future, and his love for Eliza.

Also: this book may have the absolute sexiest carriage ride OF ALL TIME (and we've read our fair share of sexy carriage rides, y'all). We're both SO looking forward to reading Jenny's book!! Harper St. George knows how to get a reader INVESTED.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Eliza and the Duke is a historical romance masterpiece about an American heiress who needs to marry nobility in order to access her inheritance and a prizefighter trying to survive. Harper St. George is one of the best authors out there for historical romance and this book displays that. From Eliza sneaking out to follow Simon, to steamy carriage rides, to secret bare knuckle fights, this book was everything I could have hoped for!

Eliza and the Duke is the second book in The Doves of New York series.

Eliza is an American heiress. Thanks to her mother's ill-advised decisions and being the former mistress to a wealthy man, the daughters grew up with a lot of scandal centered around them. Now, their paternal grandmother passes away and leaves them an inheritance if they marry “suitable, titled men”. London being the key to find unmarried titled men. Eliza finds her herself betrothal and is determined to have one last adventure before she’s set to wed. Enter Simon, a prize fighter known as “the Duke”, and immediately is drawn to him.

The book was interesting but not my favorite. I found it hard to engage with the story. The characters were fun at times, but not enough for me to keep me interested.

3.75 stars - Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free book - all opinions are my own!

I had so much fun with this book. It was a really fast read and I loved that it felt different than other historical romances that I've read recently. Simon and Eliza's connection felt so real, even though it all happened quickly. I loved their times of forced proximity and the fact that Simon wasn't a member of the gentry and Eliza was able to find someone she truly loved. The nods to Persuasion were a treat and in general I just had a great time reading this one.

Overall, I've enjoyed this series so much so far and absolutely can't wait for the third book. I already have a feeling that one will be my favorite.

🤍 Book Review 🩵 – Eliza and the Duke by Harper St. George

Eliza and the Duke was a swoony and satisfying historical romance that gave me everything I was craving , passion, class tension, a strong heroine, and a brooding hero with a soft heart. Eliza was bold, determined, and unwilling to settle for a life that didn’t make her feel alive. I loved how she chased what she truly wanted, even when it meant stepping outside society’s expectations.
Simon was such a compelling character, rough around the edges but loyal, caring, and deeply protective. His love for Eliza grew so naturally, and the chemistry between them was amazing. The tension, the secret meetings, and the emotional moments made this book impossible to put down.
The setting, the drama, and the forbidden nature of their relationship made this such a fun read. If you enjoy historical romance with a twist and a lot of heart, this one is definitely worth picking up!

Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

Eliza and the Duke by Harper St. George 💙
The Doves of New York, Book 2
Interconnected Standalone

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adult • Historical Romance
ARC Review
336 Pages
🗓️ June 24

💙regency romance
💙secret relationship
💙betrothed to another
💙forbidden relationship
💙single dad(ish)

📌”She shined like a jewel, and he wanted to hold her in the light, in the dark, and everywhere in between to see how she shimmered.”

📌”I reckon a man should have the woman he loves at his side on an evening such as this.”

I was so in need of an Historial Romance. I didn’t even know how much I was craving it. And this hit all the boxes, crossed all the Ts and got me to stay up reading last night, which hasn’t happened in a solid minute.

{did I hear Lin Manuel Miranda’s voice in my head every time I read the name Eliza?! But of course}

This was a unique FMC for the time and I adored her even more for that. She went after what she wanted. She wasn’t one to settle and she fought hard for her heart’s desires.

And for all the roughness in our Duke, the truth is under all of that was a bleeding heart, a haunted soul and a whole lot of softness.

I haven’t read book 1 but now I need them all. The one before, all the ones after and anything remotely related. Please and thank you.

Thank you so much @harperstgeorge @berkleyromance and @netgalley for this free ARC.

A lady and a fighter. Simon is a much more compelling character than Eliza. She didn't impress me much.
Would have been more engaging fr me with the story from his point of view. dNf

Appreciate the opportunity to read and review?

Eliza and the Duke was an interesting and intriguing read filled with passion. I loved Eliza and Simon's journey. I loved watching them fall for each other despite their differences in background, stations and countries of birth. There was danger, a bit of action and a tad of brawling. It was also sweet and sexy. I loved being back in this world and meeting up with these characters once more. I enjoyed this story. I love historical romances it's one of my fave genres to read and this one was awesome as was its predecessor. I'm still holding out hope that the third book will indeed be published because I have a mighty need for that story.

"Eliza And The Duke" by Harper St. George is an absolute triumph! From the very first page, I was swept into an exceptional plot that effortlessly blends intrigue, romance, and heart-stopping moments. The characters are crafted with such depth and authenticity that they practically leap off the page, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested in their journeys.

Harper St. George’s storytelling is nothing short of extraordinary. The narrative flows seamlessly, driven by awesome dialogue that feels natural and compelling. Every conversation adds layers to the characters and propels the story forward, keeping me hooked from start to finish.

This is a truly wonderful story crafted by a brilliant author. It’s a page-turner in every sense, with each chapter leaving me eager to discover what happens next. If you’re looking for a book that’s both captivating and beautifully written, "Eliza And The Duke" is a must-read. Five shining stars!

I've adored Harper St. George's Gilded Age series (and the gorgeous covers!) and was so excited to dive into this! A bit of a departure from her other books (that I've read), Eliza's HEA comes in the form of Simon, a working class MMC caught between obligations to his less than stellar past, and the life he's carving out for himself far away from the streets of Whitechapel.

Eliza starts out your typical sheltered histrom FMC with very little concept of the privileges she experiences, both due to her wealth, and also the more free-spirited upbringing she enjoyed under her mother vs the much stricter British sensibilities. I really enjoyed the character work Harper did to bring Eliza into Simon's world with her eyes fully open, and that stepping into that world didn't come without its risks. Simon is a squishy cinnamon roll in some ways, though the protectiveness of the prizefighter side also comes out to play. Their romance was a delightful push and pull throughout, just the sort of back and forth I really enjoy in my historical romances.

Richly researched and brought to life with an expert hand, I really hope to see more of Harper St. George's historicals despite the publisher's decision not to continue with this series. I'm so disappointed to know that Jenny's story is in limbo, but I hope there's a second life for it either with another imprint or via indie!!

I’ve really enjoyed Harper St. George’s Gilded Age romances, so I was thrilled to see her take a fresh direction with *Eliza and the Duke*. This book features everything I love in historical romance—compelling characters, vivid setting, and a romance with real emotional stakes.

Eliza Dove, the youngest of three American heiresses in London, must marry a titled man to claim her inheritance. She’s been betrothed to a distant, unfaithful viscount but yearns for one last adventure before marriage. After sneaking into the infamous Montague Club, she meets a man known only as “Duke,” who turns out to be Simon Cavell—a prizefighter and club manager. Their chemistry is immediate, but Simon is far from the titled match she needs to secure her future. Things grow more complicated when he’s hired to protect the Dove family from threats they’ve received.

This is the first of St. George’s books I’ve read to feature a truly working-class hero. Simon comes from nothing—an orphan raised in Whitechapel—and has fought for every inch of stability in his life. Eliza, who thought she understood hardship, sees firsthand how little she knows when Simon takes her into his world. The depiction of late Victorian Whitechapel is immersive and among the best I’ve seen in the genre.

Eliza begins the story fairly naive—privileged, unaware of how much her dowry shapes her options, and drawn to danger without grasping the risks involved. But her growth over the course of the book is impressive. St. George does an excellent job showing Eliza come to understand the reality of Simon’s world and make a mature, informed decision about her future.

I’m incredibly disappointed to learn the publisher has dropped this series. Book three was clearly set up here and sounded like a dream—Jenny Dove, the middle sister, in a marriage of convenience with a duke’s heir. I truly hope St. George will continue the series independently.

4.5 stars. A fantastic historical romance with heart and depth. Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC of *Eliza and the Duke*.