Review of The Gilded Heiress by Joanna Shupe
Publisher: Avon and Harper Voyager

The Gilded Heiress is a fast-moving, emotionally layered romance set during the Gilded Age in New York City. Joanna Shupe captures the time period with vivid detail — from the city’s ornate architecture to the sharp divide between social classes — creating an atmospheric backdrop that adds real weight to the story.

The novel follows Josephine “Josie” Smith, an orphaned singer who’s determined to live life on her own terms. She crosses paths with Leo Hardy, a charismatic manipulator who works behind the scenes, pulling strings to influence powerful people and steer outcomes in his favor. He’s not a politician or a fixer in the formal sense, but someone who thrives in gray areas — using charm, pressure, and secrets to get what he wants.

The story is structured with alternating points of view, often switching midway through a chapter. This keeps the pacing brisk and gives readers a deeper look into both Josie and Leo’s internal worlds. Josie is resourceful and grounded, never naive about the power dynamics stacked against her. Leo starts off as cold and calculating, but the book slowly peels back his layers, revealing unexpected vulnerability.

While the romance takes center stage, there are deeper questions about identity, trust, and what people are willing to sacrifice for control or connection. Readers should note: the book includes several explicit sex scenes that are integral to the relationship arc, but may not be for everyone.

Ultimately, The Gilded Heiress is a sharply written, engaging historical romance with flawed characters you root for anyway, set against a richly drawn city on the edge of change.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Joanna Shupe is my favorite historical romance writer of all time, so her latest book was highly anticipated one for me. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by it.

The book is in first person, not third person. The writing is simple, not the beautiful work I’ve seen in Shupe’s past books. It seems this is an attempt to fit the current market’s love of accessible writing and first-person POV, and it’s a shame. I’m not sure who the target demo is for this, but it’s not people who are already historical romance fans.

The MMC is really unlikable, the plot predictable, and the dialogue is stilted. I’m so, so sad because the Fifth Avenue Rebels series was AMAZING.

As a 90s kid, the premise of a spicy Anastasia retelling immediately grabbed my attention. I could wait to see what this story offered and where it was take us. Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me and I couldn’t get into like I was hoping too. It’s definitely worth checking out and adding to your TBR if you like:

🖤Spicy retelling
🖤New York City's Gilded Age
🖤Scoundrel turned yearning man
🖤Secrets & betrayal
🖤”Kiss me to distract me"

This SPICY Anastasia retelling took me on a wild ride. Set in New York, this story utilizes magic in a way that shows that everything is not what it seems. The mmc and fmc both have things that they are after-freedom and protection.

If you enjoy books based on historical retellings: with a twist, consider “The Gilded Heiress” as your next read.

Thank you to the publisher for the advance digital copy!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC copy. ✨

I enjoyed this book more than I anticipated I would. I usually read fantasy however once I saw this was an Anastasia retelling I had to request a copy. Leo and Josie’s story was wonderful. I felt the ending was a bit rushed but I still had a fun time. Will definitely recommend to friends!

As a child of the 90's who loved musical theater, Anastasia was basically being watched on repeat for years in my house. Somehow I've only read one other adult retelling of the story (Heart of Iron) but I've never come across an adult romance novel version. It is a fairly faithful retelling of the Anastasia story set in the late 1890's New York. I received an ARC, and it was exactly what I expected it to be. I won't say I'll be thinking about it for years to come, or parts of it will stay with me like Josie's eidetic memory, but I enjoyed the read.

Worth the time for those that love a lost family mystery with a happy ending.

DNF
This was surprisingly a first person with two MC points of view. So lots of internal thoughts, especially with the hero objectifying the heroine.

But it was his threesome brothel scene in the first pages that turned me off. I think it’s a terrible way to introduce a character, so that means this book isn’t for me. If you read it and think it makes him a fun playboy or a good lover or cleverly impulsive, great. Or maybe morally grey is your thing. Enjoy this book. Maybe Leo has a remarkable arc. But it made my skin crawl and I never recovered.

This was my first Joanna Shupe in quite some years, and I mostly enjoyed it.
I really liked the first half of the book. I loved reading about a confidence man and a singer who had grown up in an orphanage, but I wished we had seen some more of Leo’s schemes on page. In the author’s note he’s described as “morally grey” and I don’t quite see that. He definitely did things that were wrong, but I feel he was aware of that and also that he was the victim of a system where it’s difficult to survive when you’re poor. I also found it hard to believe he had changed after one week with Josie. But I really liked the two of them together. Josie wasn’t going to let him get away with anything.
I’m not sure the Anastasia-retelling part of the plot really worked for me. There were a few things that didn’t make sense to me. I would’ve liked to have seen more of their HEA, and possibly the struggle to adapt to a new life.
So, I really liked the first half, the second half a bit less. 3.5 stars maybe?

A spicy and exciting Anastasia retelling set against the lush backdrop of 1890s Boston and New York, The Gilded Heiress delivers on romance, heat, mystery, and historical intrigue.

The characters felt fully realized and vibrant, and I genuinely enjoyed the chemistry between them. The romance was compelling, and the erotic scenes were a highlight — fun, steamy, and well-written. Joanna Shupe’s writing style is immersive and engaging, and she clearly has a knack for bringing the Gilded Age to life.

That said, the pacing was a bit uneven for me. Certain parts lingered a little too long, while the ending felt rushed in comparison. I would’ve loved more time with the resolution after becoming so invested in the story.

Overall, I had a good time with this one and think fans of historical romance — especially those who enjoy a bit of spice and a strong heroine — will find plenty to enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Loved loved so much! I always love Joanna Shupe's novels. To me, she is the Queen of the Gilded Age. I was introduced to her work at RWA which was at Morris -Jumel NYC. I fell totally in love! And I hold her right up there with my favorite historical romance authors such as Virginia Henley, Kathleen Woodwiss, and Bertrice Small. I loved Josie and Leo! And somehow I knew Josie was the real deal. I love a great romance with a fantastic backdrop and HEA! Joanna Shupe knows how to deliver a true Gilded Age Romance.

Excellent historical romantic drama with a con artist twist!
Set in the Gilded Age this story dives into the lives of those striving to rise from nothing - through charm, risk, and a little bit of con,the characters of this book have all the elements of what it is like to be a “have not” while striving to be a successful well known performer of that time.
Leo and Josie come from a poor family and orphanage respectively. Leo has dollar signs in his eyes and spends his time as a confidence man to provide for his large fatherless family. Josie grew up with the nuns in an orphanage and sings for her supper on the street corner.
Leo believes he can strike it rich by posing as Josie’s manager and make her a star. However what drives him to do this is the reward money for a missing baby who he thinks he can successfully pass Josie off as. This is no ordinary missing baby and the rewards are tremendous!
This delightfully engaging story takes us through Leo’s intricate plot. Interwoven is the rich history of the time period and the sparks that ignite between Leo and Josie
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and could not put it down.
Watching Leo’s schemes unfold against Josie’s Quiet strength, and innocence was marvelous. Especially because of Josie’s intelligence and her own independent attitude. I badly wanted them to succeed.
Just when I thought I knew how the book would play out its ending, the author twisted the book wonderfully and dramatically causing a very late night for me, indeed!
If you love historical racy romance with non stop drama that keeps the pages turning, then this book is for you!

Anastasia crossed with Pygmalion is the best way to describe this new book by Joanna Shupe. Josie meets Leo while she's singing on the streets of Boston and quickly gets caught up in his latest con. A missing heiress, dashing confidence man, and rising star of Broadway was a great hook. I enjoyed the characters overall and there were a few spicy scenes mixed in. I knocked this down in rating because I couldn't understand Josie being so judgmental that Leo did what he needed to provide for his family. That plot point felt too forced and dragged on too long. I enjoyed the book and flew through it. Thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins for the ARC <3

This was a DNF for me. I don’t need a detailed threesome right off the bat of a book. It’s an immediate turn off for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fox's animated "Anastasia" movie was one of my favorite movies growing up; right behind Disney's "Mulan". I requested this ARC because the book's description so closely aligned with Anastasia while refreshing the setting to NYC's Gilded Age. Especially timely with a new season of HBO's show "Gilded Age" releasing shortly.

However, the lost heiress (royal or not) story may have been done best in animated format. Or in black & white with Yul Brynner. The story is in dual first-person POV from Leo and Josie. And while she is the supposed titular heiress, Leo is the true driving character and it's as much (if not more) his story as hers. Which is a choice. I did enjoy the ending, even if the secondary villain is let go.

Some other reviewers have noted that a first-chapter threesome was a horrible way to introduce our MMC. I think it establishes his character as both a playboy and a generous lover. Both are major themes throughout the latter half of the story. We have two or three strong spicy scenes, mostly grouped together. Leo had the greatest character development and strong motivation, which I enjoyed.

Josie was...fine. She came off as a bit naive but she was also honest and eager to work hard for her dream, so that balanced out some. Not sure I believe her past as an asylum orphan and adult life as a street & saloon singer would leave her this innocent.

There is a mystery element that kind of worked, but it had to compete with Josie's potential singing career. The timeline of the book was hard to track. I think it happened in two weeks, which seems fast...unless you're comparing it to a Disney movie. There were a lot fewer barriers to entry in entertainment back then.

The author clearly researched clothing, transportation, and activities of 1890s Boston and NYC. However, the language kept throwing me off. Phrases like "tomcat", "Holy Christmas", f**k, and some anatomical terms seemed to move back and forth between modern and authentic. But I usually read Regency romances, so what do I know!

A true retelling of the “Anastasia” story.
The Pendletons’ baby was missing and they never recovered from her loss.
Leo is a con man who sees young 18 year old Josie, her resemblance to Mrs Pendleton and
develops a scheme for her to become the long lost daughter.
A few complications and family circumstances add to the difficulty of the two of them falling in love.
Usually enjoy this author’s gilded age novels but this one feel short of her usual style.

The storyline was intriguing, but I wanted a bit more from the romance: I also wish it would’ve followed Shupe’s typical 3rd person POV. However, some people may like this better—we got alternating 1st person POV with Josie and Leo.

This was such a fun, Anastasia-inspired romp! I have heard Joanna Shupe's name in historical romance circles for ages, and this was my first time reading her work. As promised, she did not disappoint. This book has the perfect blend of intrigue, steam, and romantic tension to keep any fan of Lisa Kleypas or Tessa Dare invested from start to finish. This would make a great addition to any historical romance lover's shelf.

I don't love the first person narration in this but I suspect I may be among the minority. Really love how Shupe writes strong female characters.

The Gilded Heiress by Joanna Shupe was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I was sure I was going to love the Anastasia retelling, but there were certain things that kept me from completely enjoying it.

First of all, Leo himself as a character was very difficult to like, at least for me, and that never really changed throughout the entire book. I had a really hard time connecting with him.

Josie was mostly refreshing as a character, although I wasn't the greatest fan of the reason she wanted to sing. She just wanted the attention, the applause and adoration of the crowds? No thank you.

The story took a bit too long to finally pick up, but I was intrigued by the mystery of what had happened to Josie.

I still enjoy Joanna Shupe's writing, and I wouldn't be opposed to reading stories for Leo's sisters.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

I devoured The Gilded Heiress in a single day - it's that addictive. Joanna Shupe delivers a captivating romance set against a fantastic Gilded Age backdrop. Although the plot was a bit predictable, it was thoroughly enjoyable. The setting added richness and glamour that made the story even more immersive.
Thank you to Avon & Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC.