My ReviewIn 1874, August Crenshaw travels to London with her parents and sister Violet. Unbeknownst to August and Violet, their parents have decide to marry one of them off to a duke. The Crenshaws are wealthy but they want to be part of the aristocracy - even at the price of marrying off one of their daughters to attain this. Evan Sterling, the Duke of Rothschild, has a title and a number of estates, but he needs cash to repair the estates and support his mother and sisters. Although the Crenshaws push for a match between their youngest daughter, Violet, and Evan, he is more interested in the oldest daughter, August, who is independent and fiery.
I will admit to judging a book by its cover because the cover of this book is beautiful and made me immediately want to read the novel! I love historical fiction and am interested in the Gilded Age.
This is the first book in a new series. I flew through this read and have already looked to find out more about the next book in the series. I absolutely loved it! The Heiress Gets a Duke is such a smart, well written historical romance.
August is a bright woman with a head for business (she has helped in her family's business interests) and August and Evan have a meeting of the minds as well as an immediate attraction. They are my favorite fictional couple in quite a while, and I would love to read more of their story!
The period setting, 1874 - 1875 London, was perfection. I loved details like August's Worth gown, and the lovely (but in need of repairs) Rothschild estate.
Each chapter begins with a clever quotation, often about women's independence or relationships, i.e. "I would have girls regard themselves not as adjectives, but as nouns. ELIZABETH CADY STANTON" (eBook location 2636).
The Heiress Gets a Duke was a smart, lively, and fun read! I recommend it highly for fans of historical romance, and especially for anyone interested in the Gilded Age.
Book Synopsis
Even a fortune forged in railroads and steel can’t buy entrance into
the upper echelons of Victorian high society—for that you need a
marriage of convenience.
American heiress August Crenshaw has aspirations. But unlike her
peers, it isn’t some stuffy British Lord she wants wrapped around her
finger—it’s Crenshaw Iron Works, the family business. When it’s clear
that August’s outrageously progressive ways render her unsuitible for a
respectable match, her parents offer up her younger sister to the
highest entitled bidder instead. This simply will not do. August refuses
to leave her sister to the mercy of a loveless marriage.
Evan Sterling, the Duke of Rothschild, has no intention of walking
away from the marriage. He’s recently inherited the title only to find
his coffers empty, and with countless lives depending on him, he can’t
walk away from the fortune a Crenshaw heiress would bring him. But after
meeting her fiery sister, he realizes Violet isn’t the heiress he
wants. He wants August, and he always gets what he wants.
But August won’t go peacefully to her fate. She decides to show
Rothschild that she’s no typical London wallflower. Little does she
realize that every stunt she pulls to make him call off the wedding only
makes him like her even more.
Author BioHarper St. George was raised in rural Alabama and along the tranquil
coast of northwest Florida. It was a setting filled with stories of the
old days that instilled in her a love of history, romance, and
adventure. By high school, she had discovered the historical romance
novel which combined all of those elements into one perfect package. She
has been hooked ever since.
She lives in the Atlanta area with her husband and two children. When
not writing, she can be found devouring her husband’s amazing cooking
and reading. She would love to hear from you. Please visit her website
at www.harperstgeorge.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Goodreads.
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The Heiress Gets a Duke
