The New York Crenshaws are new money. Having made their fortune in railroads, much of the world is at their disposal. But without a certain pedigree, the Crenshaws will never truly have access to the pinnacle of high society. August Crenshaw is horrified when her friend Camille is forced into a marriage of convenience with a titled Brit several years her senior. August vows to avoid such an arrangement, dreaming instead of a day when she may manage her family’s rail business. Evan Sterling, the Duke of Rothschild, is the head of a financially failing family. His mother and sisters require care a title alone cannot provide. To prop up his estate, he needs money. Money a marriage to a certain American heiress could provide.

Perhaps it’s the Bridgerton influence, but I cannot get enough of historical romance these days. I’ve read the steamiest erotica around, but if I’m deep in a historical romance and a bare hand so much as brushes a bare wrist (gasp), I’m a puddle. If a pair is unchaperoned? I’m riveted. I know. It’s messed up. But there’s something to be said for the glacial pace of romance in these stories. The tension is off the hook. This is incredibly rewarding if there’s an adequate payoff. Harper delivers 100 percent.

The infusion of feminist ideals in The Heiress Gets a Duke, while likely inaccurate from a historical perspective, lends a fresh view for contemporary readers. August is relatable in her goals for intellectual challenge and independence. Because the Duke of Rothschild is rather altruistic in his motives, we can quickly forgive his fortune-hunting ways.

The Heiress Gets a Duke is a charming, wonderful read. I was enchanted from beginning to end by the sumptuous settings, relatable characters, and entrancing relationship dynamics. I was genuinely disappointed when the novel concluded as I wanted the story to continue. The good news is, this is the premier installment in a series. The Devil and Heiress, The Gilded Age Heiresses #2 is slated for June release.

August is an American heiress who is visiting London. She loves her life in American, but meeting the Duke of Rothschild will change everything. He is looking for an heiress to save his dukedom, and he wants August. August is strong-willed, and the last person who wants an arranged marriage.

I loved August's character. She was not afraid to go against the norm and fight for what she wants. She believed women should have rights, and luckily, Evan was willing to negotiate with her. He wanted to see her happy, so she found the perfect duke for her! Their relationship was swoon-worthy, and the steam was there. This was an open-door romance, but had the perfect amount. There was some light drama, but nothing to heavy. Both August and Evan got to know each other on a deeper level, and that made their bond stronger. I cannot wait to see what is next for the her sister, Violet.

Thank you, #Netgalley and #BerkleyPublishingGroup, for a copy in exchange for my review. #TheHeiressGetsaDuke

Are you looking for a fix for your Bridgerton withdrawal? I have the book for you!

The Heiress Gets A Duke by Harper St. George will do the trick.

The American Crenshaw family may be worth a fortune from railroads and steel, but the upper echelons of Victorian high society eludes them because…well…new money. A marriage of convenience into said high society is the only way to get the family the acceptance they crave. August Crenshaw is not your typical heiress and has aspirations that does not include a husband, especially some old repulsive British Lord.
The Duke of Rothchild, Evan Sterling recently inherited the title and all the debt that came with it. Marriage into a wealthy family is exactly what he needs to be able to live up to the responsibilities in front of him.

The Heiress Gets A Duke has everything you will need and want from a regency romance. An intense enemy to lovers’ story fueled by a strong headed heiress highlights the intrigues of social status, and gender expectations all intertwined into a story that you cannot stop yourself from loving. The chemistry between Evan and August is beyond and sizzles throughout. The secondary characters are also great, well developed and exciting.

I am obsessed with regency fashion and the fashion came through in this book and it doesn’t hurt that the cover is to die for.

I highly recommend this book, not just for fans of regency/historical romance but all lovers of romance.

This is the first in a series and I cannot wait for the next book!

Thanks for Netgalley and Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book. This book is available in stores.

A bit rote for me. The writing is fine but not outstanding and the scenario of plucky American heiress meeting a financially strapped peer and falling in love has become pretty old hat.

The Era: Late Victorian

Tropes: Bluestocking Heroine, Enemies-to-Lovers, Marriage Mart, Titled Hero, Ton Society, Virgin Heroine

The Plot: When the Hero inherits a dukedom, he discovers the estates are failing. He must marry an heiress to inject funds into the estates. The heroine, however, is a shrewd businesswoman who has no plans on marriage in the near future. However, she’s the only heiress he wants.

The Heroine: August Crenshaw. Daughter of an American railroad tycoon. She’s a number whiz and a bluestocking.

The Hero: Evan Sterling, Duke of Rothschild. He’s been secretly prize fighting to keep the creditors at bay. He meets August Crenshaw at one of these fights and kisses her. She has no idea he’s a Duke.

The Sex: She lost her virginity riding him cowgirl. In the study. On the desk. Saddle up boys! We ain’t deflowerin’ the ladies! The ladies are deflowerin’ themselves!

Stand Out Moment: There’s this big moment at a ball where he had originally had the entire marriage planned out for him by the two mothers with the other sister. But he wanted August, so he maneuvers to dance with her instead, basically letting his intentions be known to the world (and to August who was clueless before and shortly after the dance). The dance turns the Ton on its head and August suddenly becomes the most interesting and most gossiped about person in London.

Who Would Like This: Anyone who enjoys marriage match novels gone awry, fans of late Victorian stories, Bridgerton fans

Bad...... not good. So much potential, wasted! Historical romance, fiery characters defying social norms, yes please! The story and characters were great. The writing was BAAAAAAAAAD. Who edited this?! Has this author ever heard the “show, don’t tell” rule?! I am rarely this harsh with reviews but just yikes. I thought about giving 2 stars but giving 3 because the storyline and the steam made up for the writing even if the steam was truthfully mediocre. Skimmed the last 40% or so because I was just over it. Cry.

Let me begin by saying this: I am NOT a fan of book titles such as this. I am NOT a fan of books with these types of titles; that is to say, I am NOT a fan of mass market romance books. I still remember having to buy one of these books for a university class over twenty years ago. None of us were impressed with this part of the assignment, especially the guys as you can imagine. So why did I opt into this read and review assignment?

Two words: Gilded Age. This was a time when rich American mamas wanted the absolute best for their pampered daughters because it was a way for the older women to gain status. What could be better for status than being married into virtual royalty? In comparison, this was a time of increasing poverty for the landed gentry in Britain. Titled heirs were finding it difficult to keep their estates in good repair, never mind provide for the tenants of those estates. They were “cash poor, land rich.” In terms of business, the marriage of a cash rich heiress and a land rich heir was a good match. In reality? Not so much. Consider the case of Consuelo Vanderbilt, for example. To give her credit, writer Harper St. George looks at both good and bad arranged marriages in her novel.

August and Evan are interesting characters. She is an unusual woman for her time. She’s a forward-thinking woman, involved with her father’s business, and derogatorily called a “bluestocking.” He has been forced into a situation not of his making and doesn’t feel equipped to deal with it. What starts as a business arrangement she wants to derail soon becomes something else as they get to know each other better. And maybe it’s my sci-fi geekiness, but their bickering reminded me of a certain princess and smuggler in the Star Wars original trilogy. I expected Even to tell August that she, “Could use a good kiss!” at any moment. And I’m fairly certain she referred to him as a “scoundrel” as well.

This is not good, clean, wholesome, fiction in case you’re wondering. Once the romance starts, August is not prim and proper and there is more than one explicit scene between them. There’s also bad and explicit language, and violence (in the form of bare-knuckle boxing). So then, why am I able to write positively about this novel? Because it’s more than sex and romance, and more than two characters who reminded me of one of my all-time favorite fictional romantic couples. There’s plot, and the entire novel is a fascinating description of a woman’s life in the Gilded Age, which includes both the good and bad aspects of that. And yes, when the story ended, I wanted to see what happened to August and Evan as they began married life together. Thankfully, there will be another title in St. George’s The Gilded Age Heiresses series, and it involves August’s younger sister Violet.

Disclaimer: Although I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours, the opinions above are my own.

I feel like the big sister protecting her younger sister from an undesirable match is one of the most common tropes in historical romance - but this one definitely takes things in a new direction. The fact that this involves Americans and really lays out, in a detailed way, the fraught situation young women were in when their families decided social climbing was more important than their daughter's safety and happiness makes this one unusual. It also shows a man who is, in fact, a fortune hunter. Evan doesn't want to make someone unhappy and force them into marriage - but he still sees marrying for money they most expedient way to preserve his mother and sister's quality of life and social status - along with the lives of his tenants and other dependents. He truly was approaching it from a transactional perspective (that even in Victorian times was still common in the upper classes).

The first meeting between Evan and August was pretty epic as well. Evan continues to turn August on her head - defying what her expectations of a British Duke would be, but also acknowledging that he is not the normal type of man in his position. From there, things do continue on an interesting path. August is a very strong woman and I loved that Evan admired, accepted, and sought out her business acumen. I also loved that he was vulnerable with her.

I give this book a very solid 3.5 Stars. There were a few things that felt off for me - the mercenary behavior from August's parents threw me off - I think it was just as shocking for me as it was for her. I guess social climbing desires got the best of them. I also didn't love how August reacted to everything in a very all-or-nothing way. She made judgments and stuck to them - even when it wasn't always to her benefit. She also wasn't amazing at communicating - the final moments of heartache would have been avoided if she was more open and vulnerable. Truthfully, I'm not sure she had a lot of character growth (and maybe she didn't need to) - but I feel like as much as Evan opened up to her, I'm not sure she ever opened up to him.

Overall - I still enjoyed this take on the trope and look forward to more.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

I love historical romances, especially regency ones. and The Heiress Gets a Duke was an excellent read from start to finish. A marriage of convenience between a title seeking American heiress and a fortune hunting British aristocrat turn into a true love story that I could not put down. Thank you to the publisher for the copy, I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to read a great love story!

**Thank you Berkley publishing for providing this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change.**

“Blood will tell.”

In a world where old money and titles are deemed a superior quality, August Crenshaw, an American from a family with newly acquired wealth is viewed as an outsider in England’s high society. In order for her family’s enterprise to expand in Europe, they need to form a marriage alliance. Enters Even Rothschild, the duke of Rothschild, a nobleman who inherited a title accompanied with a mountain of debt. His estates are falling apart around him and his sisters are at an age where they have to make their debut into society, but with no dowry there will be no prospect for marriage. The only way he can restore his family’s honor is by marrying an heiress.

“I would have one thing that is mine, I would choose my own wife. I choose you.”

If you are having Bridgerton withdrawal, this book is for you. ( August gives more of an Eloise vibe, a progressive woman) A charming, delightful yet scandalous enough to make you blush read. The heiress gets a duke is the perfect recipe for a historical romance, it is full of angst and the banter between August and Evan is *chef’s kiss.*

As a fan of the arranged marriage trope, I fell in love with this couple. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop as they became smitten with one another. Their chemistry was undeniable from the start. This book made me smile and swoon, it made me fall in love with the historical romance genre, which is why I’m rating it 5/5

If you're loving the current resurgence of period romances, then The Heiress Gets a Duke is perfect for you! It has the drama, the beauty , the elegance, a duke and a headstrong American Heiress. I loved it and there's a perfectly hot and steamy scene you won't want to miss!

I loved August from the moment we met her. I loved how she was so protective of her younger sister and so set on making sure she lived her life the way she saw fit. And how can you resist the Duke who inherited a mess and will do anything to make sure that he can stay afloat, all while looking handsome and rebelling a little bit himself?

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for this ARC!

This one was a little lackluster for me. I was pretty disappointed by the end. I hate writing less than stellar reviews, but here we go...

We're all obsessed with Bridgerton right now and I'm also a BIG fan of the "A League of Extraordinary Women" series by Evie Dunmore. Unfortunately, those books have set the bar pretty high for this type of story.

I'm not even sure I would call this a romance. There wasn't much romance, or even happy feelings whatsoever, in this story. Perhaps it was my fault for going into it with those expectations, but the title, (gorgeous) cover and description all led me there.

My main takeaways:
The Duke was wonderful. Maybe TOO wonderful for a duke of this time period in stuffy-aristocratic-England, but I can get past that. The bigger issue is the main character, August. She's honestly.... awful. Really unlikable, really full of herself and unrealistically brash and aggressive. She causes all her own problems and impedes her own happiness at every turn. It was hard to root for her OR see why the "perfect* duke would choose her at all. They tried to pass her off as *courageous* and *outspoken,* but for me it was more like whiny, selfish, entitled and immature.

The worst part of this book is that there is no major conflict. The only real *conflict* is that August doesn't want to get married- for a few more years, *eye roll.* Even if marrying the man in question would mean it solves all her family's problems, solves all of his inherited financial woes (therefore saves hundreds of his tenants livelihood) and OH, YEAH, she's absolutely enamored with him, anyway. It was so silly to think she kept shooting it down and torturing literally everyone around her, on the basis of wanting to wait a few years, to roll the dice again at that point, and probably wind up with someone a lot less perfect for her. Also, that puny "conflict" went on for SO long.. I wasn't rooting for them anymore, at all. I didn't even feel happy about them finally getting together (and I do mean FINALLY. That took for.ev.er.) because I was just excited the book was almost over.

This book was not a good fit for me, but I'm not writing off this author. Hopefully there is more conflict and more romance in her next book.


Thank you to #Netgalley and #Berkley for the complimentary ARC in exchange for my (brutally) honest review.

Doing the unthinkable for the right reasons and being born before your time is Evan and August's tale. There isn't a villian or murder in their tale but it is so well thought out and written that any extra would have gotten in the way of a wonderful love story. Excellent book!

I've read other historical romances with wealthy American heiresses and debt-ridden, titled Englishmen at their core. Usually, my allegiance goes to one or the other. Not so in this case. In The Heiress Gets a Duke, both August and Evan are likeable, relatable, and sympathetic characters caught in a web not of their making and I was firmly in both of their corners.

August is more than the blunt-speaking, independent American typically found in these stories. She's an educated, savvy, and well-prepared businesswoman, a shrewd negotiator as comfortable in the boardroom as the men of her family and confident in her position within the family company. Unfortunately, she discovers that the glow of a title is much more attractive to her parents than their daughter's wishes or her business acumen.

Evan was never meant to be duke but after the deaths of his older brother and father, that's exactly where he finds himself. Unfortunately, he's been left with a mountain of debt and hundreds of people depending on him. His secret forays into the world of bare-knuckle boxing have brought in some money but not nearly enough. His path forward, unfortunately, is quite clear. His mother, and August's parents, have their eye on younger sister, Violet for his bride but Evan has only one Crenshaw heiress in his sights. It's August or nothing. Now if he can only convince her they are meant to be.

I loved these two! Their story is filled with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and refreshingly honest communication...most of the time. It was fun watching them go toe to toe. I also enjoyed watching them slowly open themselves to one another as they each expanded their own emotional horizons. I especially appreciated how Evan liked August not in spite of her honesty, willingness to stand up to him, and refusal to let him get away with anything due to his privilege, but because of it. The more she challenged him, the more certain he became that she was the woman for him. He valued her. And I loved that Evan was much more than the stereotypical English peer, lounging his days away at his club and not taking responsibility for those under his care. He has layers and I am here for them.

This was my first book by Harper St. George. I enjoyed her writing style, her fresh approach to this trope, and, mostly, her characters. I'm intrigued by August's younger sister, Violet, who I'm certain will turn out to be much more devious and independent-thinking than she appears at first glance. I'm hoping her story will include a certain Earl. And I'm definitely intrigued by August and Violet's older brother. I do hope we'll be seeing more of him as well.
4.5 stars

ARC received for fair and unbiased review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a lush, extravagant novel with heart and intelligence. American August Crenshaw is only known in London as a rich heiress susceptible to depleted aristocrats' whims. Evan Sterling, the Duke of Rothschild, has been thrust into his role as duke by bad luck and heartache.

Evan’s coffers are depleted, and his family is destitute. He finds that he is selling himself to a rich father. Evan detests this situation, feeling as though he is prostituting himself to the highest bidder. The Crenshaws have decided they want a title to further their success and are willing to sacrifice either of their two daughters to do it.

Evan is doggedly determined to save his family and legacy. A legacy ruined by his father. Evan goes into this heiress hunt with decided reluctance. He never in a million years thinks he would find someone he could love. August is portrayed as the wronged party, and in many ways, she is, and rightfully so. However, I found myself empathizing with Evan. He has a silent strength and dignity even through his horrible circumstances. In some ways, he was a piece of property as much as August. He was arrogant yet had a determination of steel and a heart of gold.

August is an amazing young woman. She is intelligent, strong-willed, and is everything a well-bred young woman shouldn’t be. Not biddable or flirty, she yearns for independence in a world where that was nonexistent for women.

The author did an excellent job portraying a woman’s plight in this era. The story peeled back the glittering façade of the aristocracy’s splendor to show the plight of a young lady without any rights. Yet, the story still held beauty and romance.

The plot was captivating. The author did an excellent job of humanizing Evan. Evan had strengths and weaknesses but a quiet dignity underneath. August, although fiercely independent, had a venerability that showed a void that only love could fill.

The book was a page-turner, captivating me from the first. It moved at a lightning pace yet still held beautiful moments of romance. The passion between Evan and August was electric. There was a depth of emotion even in the secondary characters.

Ms. St. George has created a fresh, exhilarating, passionate new world. The rich texture and glittering romance shine from every page. I was captivated by the storyline and the characters. I didn’t want it to end! It was a beautifully written novel that I will recommend again and again.

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group, this is my honest, voluntary review.

The Heiress Gets a Duke features the classic historical romance trope of rich American upstart family seeks down-on-their luck British nobility to marry into as the storyline. Featuring August Crenshaw as the oldest, business-minded daughter and the Duke of Rothschild as the second son who doesn't except to inherit (especially a horribly mismanaged estate* left to him by his father), they tangle first at an unusual event for August where Rothschild is incognito. They meet again later, when Rothschild agrees to marry the Crenshaw heiress thinking it's August, but then realizing the parents expects him all to marry the younger sister. Said sister and August are vehemently opposed to this, and thus the conflict is kicked off. The writing has a very Downton Abbey feel to it in that I felt somewhat distant while reading it, despite some very solid writing. The characters grew, the dialog was largely well done, yet I didn't quite connect. While it was only a four star for me, I could see while it is being well-reviewed.

*Did so many British nobles run their estates into the ground?! I need to dig into this now.

Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

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

The Heiress Gets a Duke by Harper St. George is garnering rave reviews, and they are well-deserved. This delightful Gilded Age Romance (book 1 in a new series: The Gilded Age Heiresses) follows the forced, rushed courtship of American heiress August Crenshaw and Evan Sterling, the duke of Rothschild.

Rothschild inherited the title along with its heavy responsibilities and enormous debts. The fate of hundreds of tenants, his widowed mother, and his two nearly-of-age-to-debut sisters hang on his ability to turn things around. He has been trying to economize and to earn a small living by illicit prize-fighting, but that will never be enough given the size of the hole they are in. His only hope to preserve the family name is to marry a wealthy heiress. His mother has picked one out for him: the visiting American, Violet Crenshaw, younger daughter of an Iron Works magnate.

The Crenshaws are in London for two reasons. The first is to visit a friend, a fellow heiress who was forced to marry an old, rather evil duke who needed money. The second is for Mr. Crenshaw to establish business contacts in London. Unbeknownst to the daughters, there is a third reason. Mrs. Crenshaw is desperate for the increased social status that a titled son-in-law would bring her. Mr. Crenshaw is equally desperate for the business opportunities such a connection would bring. The couple is anxious to sell their younger daughter to a man (any man) with a title. To their glee, they learn of Rothschild’s financial embarrassment and set about making the sale. Never mind that Violet is unwilling. (Neither of the parents think to offer up August. They don’t think anyone would be interested in a girl so “mannish.”)

August, the elder and stronger of the two, is determined that her sister not be condemned to an unhappy marriage with a stranger who only wants her money. Seeing that her parents will not be persuaded and have rationalized their own greed and status hunger with the argument that Violet does not know her own mind, August takes matters into her own hands. She decides to appeal to the duke. Certainly, the man cannot want an unwilling bride.

Rothschild doesn’t want an unwilling bride. However, he simply cannot believe a woman would be unwilling. At the same time, he is not particularly interested in Violet. He would prefer the fiery August. Understanding that it is all the same to Mr. and Mrs. Crenshaw, he chooses the elder daughter. To his befuddlement, August is equally unwilling. He hadn’t anticipating having to persuade a bride. Moreover, he’s under a time constraint that makes a long courtship impossible. He pushes too hard, too quickly, alienating August even more.

August is a business woman. She has put a great deal of effort into the iron works and is justified in believing her father values her work. So it comes as a shock to her that he would prefer a titled son-in-law and a domesticated daughter to the business partner she believed herself to be. She feels betrayed and more determined than ever not to wed the duke.

Rothschild falls hard for August, precisely because she stands up to him. He is quick to learn from his mistakes and shows a good deal of personal growth. To her credit, she is able to appreciate his efforts to understand her. She comes to see his predicament and admires his dedication to duty. However, she still doesn’t want to be coerced by her parents into marriage.

The courtship becomes a combination of wooing and negotiation.

The sparks between the two are believable. The character development works very well. The parents are odious, but August’s supportive siblings lessen the horror of the family dynamics. The plot works well because the obstacle to their happily-ever-after ending is very real and more or less insurmountable. They will find a compromise. Love conquers all, of course, in a Romance. Yet there is an underlying twinge of realism in this novel that reminds the reader that marriage in the Regency period was no fairy tale.

Set in the era of New York's Gilded Age, when wealthy Americans would travel to England in pursuit of aristocratic associations through marriage, heiress August Crenshaw finds herself the unwilling and unexpected object of an impoverished Duke's pursuit in Harper St. George's The Heiress Gets a Duke. That they are both less than ready, and August particularly opposed to marriage, theirs are not the only lives or fortunes at stake.

With moderate expectations that were quickly exceeded, this is a story where the author's presence fades away as the characters and their personalities, the various challenges and obstacles, as well as the somewhat reluctant attraction between August and Evan Sterling, the Duke of Rothschild, combine into a highly enjoyable and riveting read. With twists that are as surprising to August and Evan as the reader, it is the growth and journey for these two characters that hold center court.

The Heiress Gets a Duke is the first of a series and features a lively set of secondary characters - the scene where a friend gives Evan courting advice is minor but so amusing - that make this a good thing indeed. Highly recommended for those who enjoy a high society match with increasing romantic tension. While this may begin as a story of aspiration, it most definitely ends as quite a fine romance.

This review refers to a NetGalley digital copy I voluntarily received and read. A positive review was not required and these are simply my own honest opinions. Open door romance.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was an enjoyable read with a likeable hero and heroine pairing. August's hurt when she realizes she has only been allowed to participate in the family business until she marries was well portrayed, and I really liked the way Evan took her to one of his estates and showed her all the work that needed to be done so she could imagine a new role for herself. I was loving it all the way to nearly the end when there was a complete (and surely unlikely) failure of communication in a scene I was anticipating as the peak of the romance of the story, which ruined everything for me. Then the ending was very rushed and therefore disappointing.

I thought this fell a little flat in some ways as a romance, particularly how the hero really doesn’t seem to consider what the heroine wants at beginning. There were also a few lines that struck me as distasteful (British colonization of India, hero‘s assertion that if his butcher could vote, an educated woman should be able to vote - meant to be feminist but came out as classist)