The Gilded Heiress is a historical romance with a touch of mystery about a lost heiress who grew in a orphanage and dreams of becoming a singer and a con who's trying to keep his family afloat.

I'd wanted to try Joanna Shupe for so long so when I got the ALC for this book I was very excited to listen to it. Unfortunately, although I found it a pretty nice and entertaining read I ended up being a bit disappointed and couldn't fully enjoy this one.

The overall plot was good and I was never bored. I really enjoyed the mistery plotline and the parts about her career as a Broadway actress were just as captivating. I also really enjoyed the writing style and the dialogues/the banter were well thought and full of chemistry.
My only complain is how the MCs are written , especially in the first part of the story and it was big enough to hinder my enjoyment because I couldn't really believe the romance between this two.
The way the MMC thinks of the FMC especially at the beginning gave me the ick and combined with the fact that he keeps lying to her without any real justification while simultaneously fishing for her trust made him really unlikeable to me, even if I liked his groveling at the end, I don't think it was enough to make it a better person.
Jocelyn, I liked more. She was strong and easy to empathize with: I really liked her character journey and rooted for her to succeed. I did find some of her reaction to the mmc a bit immature (and annoying lol) but she's still a teenager so it made more sense.

The audio narration was dual pov and it was very well done. I think it both voices suited the characters and made my experience better overall.

In conclusion, this was a solid historical romance. I suggest pick it up especially if you're looking for a quick , fun read.
Even if it wasn't what I was looking for I still am curious to try some of the author's backlist.

Considering the animated Anastasia movie was a formative experience for me, this book literally slapped so hard. I feel like I’ve been chasing the high Anya and Dmitri gave me ever since watching that movie and this book finally scratched that itch. I loved it even more because I recently binged a lot of Joanna Shupe’s other historicals. She’s just so good at what she does.

The Romanovs/Anastasia and The Gilded Age?? Literally my perfect book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my ALC.

Thank you Avon and Harper Audio for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own. Joanna Shupe is one of my favorite historical romance authors and this was so good!

The narration by Aaron Sherlock and Eva Kaminsky was perfect to bring Leo and Josie to life. You can’t help but fall for Josie and root for her success! I enjoyed that we had both perspectives and we could see inside Leo’s head too. I loved seeing NYC in this time through Josie’s eyes. I definitely gasped out loud when the twist was revealed. I cannot wait for more books from Joanna Shupe!

This was such a cute standalone! Definitely had Anastasia vibes going on. This was the first time reading anything by Joanna Shupe before & I quite enjoyed it. I loved how the FMC Josie was such a strong character and how Leo the MMC actually wanted her dreams to come true. The story was obviously predictable, but definitely entertaining. I was shocked that the spice started so quickly in the book. 😂
The dual narration was great! Eva Kaminsky & Aaron Shedlock really brought the story to life. If you are looking for:

-Historical Romance
-Revenge Seeking
-Forced Proximity
-He Falls Hard
-Spice

This is for you. Thank you NetGalley & HarperAudio Adult for this ARC.

Once upon a time I was obsessed with the movie Anastasia. I could not get enough of the music, the characters, the love story, all of it. And let's be clear, I was very obsessed. So when I saw that this book was going to be the story of Anastasia set in Gilded Age New York City with spice. Add in a Broadway backdrop and I was absolutely drooling.

Thankfully the book delivers! I absolutely devoured it, ignoring the real world to get sucked into this story. Beautifully written, the world of NYC came alive for me. I absolutely loved Leo and Josie, but then again, they are truly Anya and Dimitri in a new setting, complete with lots of arguing and infuriating each other. Luckily for me, there was also plenty of great yearning and spice.

Curiosity got to me, so I looked over some other reviews and it seemed like a big complaint was that this book is 1st person versus 3rd, but I don’t read enough historical romance to even notice such a thing. I do read historical romance, but I’m pretty varied in what I enjoy. Though I intend to try out some more of this author's books.

I’m absolutely giving it 5 stars because this book gave me a clear premise (spicy Anastasia) and delivered. Don’t go in expecting revolutionary plot changes or a huge deviation from the general plot. There is no magic, but of course we have heartbreak and betrayal.

Additionally I both listened to this as an audio book and read it. Audiobook narrators both did an excellent job was great feeling, bringing the characters to life. It was dual narrators and an enjoyable listen.

Thanks NetGalley for the book.

A pleasant and enjoyable re-imagining of Anastasia, set in Gilded-Age New York in the 1880's. This is a time period that Joanna Shupe shines. I was hooked right away and I couldn't wait to see how it all unfolded!

However, it did end up unfolding EXACTLY as I thought it would. There wasn't anything surprising or compelling after we got about 40% in. It played out to the letter as you might expect. Which sometimes can work for me, but it led to me just feeling impatient and like it was too drawn out.

I was unsure how I felt about the dual 1st person POVs, as it made this feel more like Shupe's alter ego pen name was writing it. But I did enjoy the narrators, so I eventually settled into it.

Overall, I want Shupe to keep writing Historical Romance SO badly. I think she brings so much to the table. I just don't think this re-imaging worked for me.

If you are wanting an Anastasia-esc book this is definitely the one for you. I really enjoyed this so much more. She is a singer and was dropped off with the nuns. His dad was sent away without a referral because the family thought he was involved in the kidnapping. This was such a great read, its. a great story with spice, and mystery, and a romance, and found family.

I have to start off honestly, I have never seen the movie Anastasia but after finishing this book I definitely will go and watch it!

This story started out pretty fast-paced and honestly kept it up, some might argue a little too fast but I think if it hadn’t it could’ve definitely lost your attention. This was my first read by Joanna Shupe but I will definitely explore more of her work, the tension was so so good and when it finally broke, wow!

I’m genuinely a simple person because when a man who is awe-d by a lady and makes it known well he then holds a special place in my heart. It was quite an easy and lovely historical romance, you know what you’re gonna get and end with. The only thing I did feel like was that the ending was a bit rushed, wish we could’ve seen it a bit more fleshed out - maybe that’s just me.

I was lucky enough to receive this story in audiobook and it did not disappoint! I think that both narrators did great! The female narrator with Josie’s accent and the male narrator switching between Leo’s raw, real emotions vs the facade.
Thank you HarperAudio Adult and NetGalley for this opportunity to listen!

The audiobook narrators are top tier - I really enjoyed hearing their performances and accents. They really helped to tell the story and set the scenes within this Anastasia retelling.

The Gilded Heiress

Joanna Shupe brought her take on this retelling and I loved it… can’t wait to read more by this author!!!
I love when I can get lost in a book and shut the world out!! The descriptions of the background settings were vivid and imaginative. Close your eyes and open your mind let the story take over.

What can I say…I know the Anastasia reference but that aside I was engaged!!
Narrator Eva Kaminsky brought Josie to life gave her spunk and sass!! (I always love her narration she’s great!!)
Eric Sherlock gave Leo the wit he needed to match Josie!!

Josie Smith stolen baby from a wealthy family, A damsel in distress (hardly)….
On one hand she is strong minded and feisty on the other hand she’s insecure in her own right feeling unworthy of being loved (with good reason of course)
Leo Hardy oldest of 5 to a single mother after the father died…..A con artist with an agenda… 🤔
An unlikely duo who fit perfectly… even though they didn’t know it!!
The spice and betrayal … hidden agenda that bit and bit hard… secrets and coincidences… all the good stuff!!



Thank you @NetGalley @Harper Audio

3.25⭐️ Very much gave Anastasia vibes. Really enjoyed how things were wrapped up. It did take me some time to feel invested in Leo’s and Josie’s romance. They got there, but I would have liked more banter. 4.5⭐️ narration by Eva Kaminsky and Aaron Shedlock. Loved the sassy moments Eva empathized with Josie. Aaron truly showed the playboy had more depth going on. Very well built over the audiobook.

Josie was raised in an asylum. She learned from a young age, the only person she could rely on was herself. Her goal is to become a famous singer. Josie can draw a crowd. And one day, a man wants to take a chance on her.

Leo is an absolute charmer and player. When he hears Josie sing, he gets an idea. She resembles the lost daughter of the family that ruined his family. So, Leo proposes to be Josie’s manager and happen upon the family to trick them into believing Josie is their lost daughter.

But, we all know when two people a forced together that an attraction could happen. Will Leo be able to hold back from his playboy ways. Will Josie keep her walls up.

Thank you @netgalley @harperaudio and the author for the advanced listener copy.

This book is my new obsession. It is all of my favorite things, Anastasia, who done it, singer on her way to stardom, steamy, gilded age, con man MMC YEARNING!

Dual narration was spot on. I thought I was going to be disappointed by the ending but I was pleasantly surprised. The characters were so charming. I could go on and on but at the same time when you read it go in skeptically because it was so Tia Coded it might just be obsessed since it's a mix of everything I love.

Thank you!

The Gilded Heiress is a loose retelling of Anastasia, with a little of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping throw in, and it's a really fun romance with a dash of mystery. 

Leo Hardy is a Boston conman who's always looking for the next big score. He's not a terrible person, but he's responsible for his impoverished family and he needs to take care of them. When he meets a young woman named Josie Smith singing on the streets, he comes up with a devious plan. Josie bears a striking resemblance to New York society matron Mrs. Thomas Pendelton. Eighteen years ago, the Pendleton's baby daughter was kidnapped, and despite a reward being offered, the child was never found. Leo thinks he can present Josie to the Pendletons as the missing heiress, which will make him rich and give him revenge against the Pendletons, who ruined his family when they fired his father.

Josie grew up in an orphanage. She's used to being on her own, and she's slow to trust Leo, who offers to become her manager and make her a star. She's suspicious of him, but he's very charming and she can't resist the chance to follow her dreams of becoming a singer. The two take off to New York, Josie hoping to conquer Broadway and Leo planning his scam. 

Josie was raised by nuns in the orphanage, and she's very much a straight arrow, so she's a bit concerned about Leo's rather cavalier sense of right and wrong. She's also very attracted to Leo, but they've agreed to keep the relationship all business, something that becomes harder for both of them as the attraction is quite mutual. 

This book is terrific. Even if you're not into historical romance, I think you'll really like it. Instead of third person past tense, it's first person past tense dual narration, which gives it more of a contemporary romance feel.
 
I listed to the audiobook, and I really enjoyed it. The narrators, Eva Kaminski and Aaron Shedlock, are both terrific, and their dual narration really brings the story to life.

I have read and own a bunch of Joanna Shupe’s work. Happy she’s dabbling with retellings, and a spicy one at that. After just the first chapter I was like OH, this is going to be spicier than anything I’ve read from her before and I was more than here for it. I have been a fan of the tale of Anastasia ever since I was a child, that movie holds such a special place in my heart so I was excited but protective and tentative going into this one.
The story follows Leo Hardy, basically a scammer of the gilded time period, that plans on swindling the Pendleton’s. That family has a huge reward for finding their long lost daughter who has been missing for almost 2o years. When Leo see’s Josie on the street singing and looking like the long lost daughter, he gets her convinced he’ll help her music career. When really his goal is to get her in the path of the Pendleton’s and “scam” them into thinking he found their daughter and claim the reward for himself. His goal is get back at the Pendleton’s (and also help support his mother and five sisters with the reward). I loved the two main characters so much, in addition to the side characters. From Leo's *friend* Ambrose to Mr. & Mr.s. Pendleton, to the little pick pocket that brings information to Josie.
Really enjoy the audiobook narrators as well. The man has a strong, confident air, which really embodies who Leo is as a character. And Josie’s narrator has a spunky, no-bs, I’ve been through things and I’m STILL here, demeanor that really brings life to the character. Some female narrators have a whiny voice that can detract from the character and that is not happening here which I enjoyed a lot. Their banter together was endearing. Watching them *barely* try to fight their attraction was fun, the spice was everything I have been wanting from historical romance for a while. Historical romances have a habit of getting trapped in the way of the past that ignores the readers from the future (us) that crave that spice, even if it may not fit with the time period. I LOVED this one for tying the historical age, with the romance, the spice, and the retelling and making it still feel seamless. Joanna Shupe has done it again for me! BRAVO, and listening to it on audio just made it even better. I will say that I wish there was a bit more of the glitz and glamour that you'd expect from an heiress returning home to her family.
I would have loved a ball or more of a celebration besides the reporters and such hounding her for her story. I wanted a little bit more of that wealth to be showed.. and it would have been nice to see in more than the epilogue the Pendleton estate and social life go from the rundown/secluded/heartbroken etc. state, to them being revitalized by Josie's return. I would have liked to see that fleshed out more only because it was so stressed on how they changed once their daughter went missing. That would be my only complaint. I loved seeing Leo and Josie get to live out her dream, but I would have enjoyed more of that family aspect at the end just as much, his AND hers. Seeing the two families blend together at the end.. honestly I just wanted more it was so good!
Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Audio Adult for this opportunity, I hope there will be more spicy retellings from Joanna Shupe coming soon because I certainly had fun with this one.

I’m not normally a historical romance reader, but when I saw The Gilded Heiress pitched on NetGalley as a spicy Anastasia retelling, I knew I had to give it a try and it did not disappoint.

Joanna Shupe takes us into the glittering, dangerous world of the Gilded Age with a heroine who feels like she walked straight out of a fairy tale and a hero who’s equal parts broody and irresistible. The mix of history, intrigue, and romance had me hooked, and the spice? Definitely lives up to the hype.

The setting feels lush and immersive, the banter kept me grinning, and the tension between the leads was deliciously drawn out. While historical isn’t usually my go-to, this book reminded me how fun it can be to get swept up in a world of ballrooms, secrets, and scandal.

A glamorous, dramatic, and addictive read that fans of retellings (or anyone who loves their romance with a side of intrigue) will absolutely devour.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Audio, Avon and Harper Voyager & Joanna Shupe for allowing me to read this ARC and listen to the ALC.

I really enjoyed this book. For the most part it was well paced, after being a tad slow in the beginning. I really enjoyed the development of the relationship between Josie and Leo. I grew up watching the Anastasia movie, so I was excited to read this book based on the premise. I was not disappointed, especially during the last third when it really leaned into the retelling of that story.

My only complaints about this book is that for me it took awhile to settle into its more historical setting and I thought the change in Leo’s motivations could have been expanded a tiny bit more. In the beginning the historical setting of this could have been a little more deliberate, particularly in the language and actions of the characters. That said, it didn’t take long to settle into the historical ambience when they got to New York. I also wish we could have had a little more development of the tension with Leo as he grappled with deceiving Josie.

Those two things aside, I really enjoyed this book, especially the second half. I loved the Anastasia callbacks and it was overall a fun read.

Overall Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
Spicy Rating: 2.5 🌶️
Audio Rating: 4.5 🎧

I’m so happy to be back and reading historical romances. This time period/setting was newer to me as I’m more used to American historical westerns and European Victorian/Regency era books.

This book was so fun, and I absolutely loved the Anastasia retelling vibes but BROADWAY. It wasn’t quite a slow burn that I had expected, but I was fine with that, I love me a good insta-lust story. These characters were so fun and I’m glad I took a chance on a new time period.

I’m so glad I got to listen to the audio. I feel like that really helped bring this story to life. Honestly, I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if I had only read the book. Being able to immersive read really made me feel like I was joining the characters on the page as a side character.

The Gilded Heiress by Joanna Shupe is a romantic historical fiction novel set during the Gilded Age. It’s a story of a wealthy infant stolen with a reward offered for its return. This story is similar to Anastasia’s story.

I enjoyed it very much

The narration was very entertaining for the audiobook.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC.

This book publishes today and you should go pick up a copy!

It was a great mix of old world and new and had a little Anastasia vibe to it as well. I loved the relationships and banter as well. As all retellings are, it was a little predictable, but still in a fun, new way! Also, since I listened to this one, the narrators really brought the story to life in this in a fun way without going over the top. Highly recommend if this type of book is your thing!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this audiobook ARC!

📚The Gilded Heiress by Joanna Shupe
💛mf historical romance
💛swindler x singer
💛opposites attract
💛forced proximity
💛mmc seeking revenge
💛secrets and betrayal
💛dual pov (1st person)
💛standalone

⚠️CWs for kidnapping, death of a parent, grief/loss, alcoholism, classism

Story: 3.5/5
Audiobook: 5/5 (narrated by Eva Kaminsky & Aaron Shedlock)
Length: 10h59min

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

I received an ALC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review💖

I'm so sad to say that I liked but didn’t love this latest release from Joanna Shupe. I consider myself to be a Joanna Shupe fan and love a lot of her backlist, but I just feel like this book didn't replicate that same magic for me. There were elements I did enjoy (especially in the beginning). In line with it being pitched as a spicy Anastasia retelling, I was initially really enjoying the setup and setting. No one writes a gilded age romance quite like Joanna Shupe, that’s for sure. I think my biggest issue with this book was that I never liked or cared about the romance at any point. I found both Leo and Josie to be unlikeable in their own ways, and there was the obvious lying/deception that goes along with this type of plot. I would actually get super annoyed any time they became a focus of the story. Leo gave me the ick in the first half and Josie gave me the ick in the second half 😂. The 3rd act conflict and subsequent HEA felt so stilted and just didn’t make sense to me. It felt a bit disingenuous and unauthentic. I just think I would have liked this a lot more had the romance given me more of a reason to care about it. Regardless...even a lower rated Joanna Shupe book is still an enjoyable and worthwhile read.

I mostly listed to this book on audio. This was dually narrated by Eva Kaminsky and Aaron Shedlock (two favorites of mine). They did a great job of embodying each character and really enhanced the listening experience.