If you are looking for a new series to tide you over until the next season of Bridgerton drops then you should check out the Gilded Ages Heiresses! The Devil and the Heiress is the second book in the series and is the story of Violet, a runaway heiress who makes a bargain with the devilish Earl of Leigh in order to escape an unwanted marriage. This sexy romp was such fun to read, full or humour and heart. I'm already looking forward to book 3 which comes out next year!

A delightful and trope-y romance that features so many of my favourite ingredients--including a whip-smart hero and heroine, a close-quarters carriage ride and a bantery friendship that melds into love.


Hosting Harper St George for a zoom live FB chat to talk about her research and writing process in the creation of this book

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These books might just be one of my new favorite historical romance series!

I loved this second installment and absolutely could not get enough of the chemistry and scheming between these characters. And of course, best of all: FORCED PROXIMITY!

This one had a nice, slower burn to it and totally paid off in the end. I cannot recommend these enough and am excited for what’s next!

4.5/5 - This book was so, so good! The Devil and the Heiress features Violet Crenshaw, an American heiress living in London, and Christian Halston, Earl of Leigh. Christian desperately needs a wealthy wife with a fortune so he can rebuild one of his estate homes, and Violet has plenty of money. Not only is she beautiful, but she is independent, smart, and rich. Unfortunately, her hand is promised to someone else. When Violet finds out about her parents plan for a marriage arrangement with someone she does not love, she runs away and Christian ends up running with her. (I loved this.) Their already-disorganized plan goes completely bonkers when they have an accident in their carriage during a horrible rain storm. Both had injuries that required the extended care of a physician. Since they are far enough away from London that practically no one knows them, they pretend to be married and are given one room with one bed for their rest and recuperation.

Friends, this is a fake relationship historical romance with forced proximity and I could not have been more delighted about that.

Violet Crenshaw is great. She doesn’t care anything for the social customs of London. She isn’t content to marry and hand over her fortune to someone she doesn’t care about. In fact, she isn’t really interested in marriage at all. Violet loves writing and her dream is to become a published author. This definitely isn’t normal for the time and place, but Christian loves that she is driven and focused on achieving her dreams. If he is lucky enough to marry Violet, he has no plans to make her give up on her career just to stay home and host dinner parties. I love that about Christian. Ultimately, both Violet and Christian are willing to give up on their social status and their good name by throwing caution to the wind and approaching a relationship differently than their peers. Christian works hard for Violet’s heart. He doesn’t get annoyed with her or angry; he is patient and consistent in the love he shows her. He makes some big mistakes along the way, and this threatens their relationship, but Christian stays focused on her heart and it is so good when they finally work their issues out. And Violet isn’t afraid to speak her mind and say what she is feeling. They’re really a great match.

There is so much to swoon over in this story. Ms. St. George writes historical romances that really speak to me and make me cheer for the featured couples to make their own way. They’re so much fun to read and I can’t put them down while I’m reading. I’m already so excited for the next book in this series, which features Violet’s brother Max and Lady Helena March, who runs an orphanage and a home for young unwed mothers.


Thank you to Berkley Publishing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a review!

So steamy! I loved the way that St. George brings Lord Leigh to life -- he's so beautifully broken. I also really appreciated how Violet wasn't willing to compromise her values for anything.

Thank you so much to Berkley for sending me this book!

After read book 1, I was very excited to read Violet and Christian’s story!
The chemistry between them was obviously from page one. But In the end I didn’t enjoy this as much as I wanted.

You would think that Violet’s parents would know better second time around but no. They did exactly the same thing to their second daughter, planning on setting her up for an arranged marriage. I was so happy when Violet didn’t let them get too far. And I really liked how her and Christian had a little time to get to know each other. But I felt like we were robbed of piece of a story.

I liked the fact that After they’ve married, Violet wanted to spend time on her own and to learn who she is. And I really enjoyed how Christian got her back
BUT the ending felt incredibly rush. I felt like part was just missing and that made me a little sad

Overall, I enjoyed the story I just finished we had a little bit more of it.

I absolutely loved book one, The Heiress Gets a Duke, in Harper St. George’s series, The Gilded Age Heiresses. So, when the request to review The Devil and the Heiress came across my desk, there was no saying no. And I’m so glad I read it.

This book follows Violet and Christian. They’d met in the previous book, which featured Violet’s sister and one of Christian’s best friends. There’s a spark at their first meeting, but both feel the other is wrong for them, so they stay away. But then Christian needs money to restore his beloved home and figures that Violet is the answer… She’s an heiress, and he likes her well enough. And Violet decides to use Christian while running away from the match her parents are set on making for her. And we are off on an adventure.

I enjoyed both characters. They worked quite well together. Bringing out the best in each other, and even when the little lie they have to face and get past comes to light, it was so great to see how they both dealt with it and attempted to overcome it. I truly enjoyed their adventure and the play between them and couldn’t put the book down until I was finished.

I laughed, and I cried, and that to me is the mark of a wonderful book. For fans of historical romance where more time is spent outside of society, this book might be for you. And I can’t wait to read more in this series.

Having read Harper St. George's first book in the Gilded Age Heiresses series, I thought I was prepared. Though I hadn't particularly cared for either character when introduced in The Heiress Gets a Duke, I could see the potential between them. So, my expectations were set, but oh-my-heart, did they ever get blown out of the water by The Devil and The Heiress.

Violet Crenshaw is more than a quiet, compliant heiress willing to marry for a title with the best connections for her family business. And Christian Halston, the Earl of Leigh, is of deeper character than the wastrel and rake he presents to the world. With the circumstances formed by schemes, ambitions, and social mores soon seeing them scandalously traveling without a chaperone, Christian's lies help move the plot in a direction that jeopardizes any hope for a happily ever after.

With one of the best uses of the one-bed trope I've ever read, although the thought occurred that my preference for this story would have been more closed-door, The Devil and the Heiress had me completely charmed by Violet's hidden bluestocking tendencies and Christian's self-reformation of his rakish ways. And while I suspect this may be my favorite of the series, I am excited for book three.

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.

Violet Crenshaw has aspirations of becoming an author. She feels like she has so much life yet to live, but an heiress who is in her 20's is prime for the marriage market and Violet's parents are looking for potential suitors. Violet is crushed and decides to take her chances and run away.

Christian Halston, Lord of Leigh has his own ambitions. He wishes to marry into a wealthy family and has his eye on Violet. Whenever the two of them are together sparks fly. Christian decides to help Violet escape and convince her to marry him on their road trip together.

I really enjoyed The Devil and the Heiress. Violet and Christian had amazing chemistry together and I truly enjoyed their banter. Harper St. George knows how to write steamy scenes and the sparks between Violet and Christian were smoking! The forced proximity component really added to their romance. While I'm not always a fan of insta-love, it really worked for me in this case.

I'm hoping that there's a third book with the last Crenshaw sibling - Max!

I did finish this one but I just never connected with the characters enough to truly enjoy it. The story flow was ok, and the story line was fine, but the characters just never worked for me.

I absolutely adored this followup to The Heiress Gets a Duke! In fact I think I may have loved this sequel even more!

The chemistry between the main characters was absolutely electric. And this all of the best romance tropes - forced proximity, care-taking, and grumpy/sunshine. This romance had me absolutely swooning.

I also love that the women in Harper St. George's historicals feel very developed and unique. Violet has passion and hobbies and dreams and it made me completely fall for her character. I was invested in her finding her HEA.

I will say, this has a very late 3rd act conflict that I didn't 100% vibe with. I felt like the romance had concluded and 1 final wrench was thrown in and wasn't necessary. However the hero's groveling was 10/1o.

If you are a historical romance reader, this definitely one to add to your TBR! I absolutely cannot wait to for Maxwell's book next!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for a copy of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

Violet has always played the role of dutiful daughter. Quiet, biddable, accommodating and inobtrusive. Until she discovers that her parents’ indulgence is outweighed by their mercurial nature. After her sister was offered to a duke like a sacrificial golden lamb, Violet mistakenly assumed that the family had secured the status it had been denied because of the gleam of its new money.

“Her parents wanted her to host dinner parties and show Mrs, Astor that they were very much worthy of her guest list. … She would be pretty and mild and never utter a word that would cause anyone the slightest discontent.” (Ch. 5)

Violet must make a choice : to marry the odious Lord Ware or to run away. “The red shone bright against the white of her palm. In that moment, that’s how she felt. A tiny bloom of insurrection in the midst of conformity.” (Ch. 5)

Her choice is clarified by the alluring, inscrutable Lord Leigh. He is reputed to be a scoundrel. Yet she dreams of kissing him. When he offers his assistance in the guise of a getaway conveyance, she reluctantly accepts it. After all, they are not bound for the same destination, and she does not have the wiles to tempt him.

But Christian, Earl of Leigh, is not immune to her wiles. He is simply adept at hiding his attraction. He has nefarious plans, and he will not compromise Violet until forcing her hand is unavoidable. But all of his plans go awry when they meet with tragedy on the road. Christian’s purpose and desire coalesce when the possibility of losing Violet because of his selfish, reckless behavior becomes all too real.

I loved watching the growth of feelings between Violet and Christian. I loved his empowerment of her and the ways that she soothed his battered heart and dug her way beneath his armor. This wonderful story has so many of my favorite romance tropes: roadtrip, forced proximity, courageous rescue, reforming the rake, writer heroine.

The author’s meticulous research into the rights and situations of women in the late nineteenth century, the intricacies of the transatlantic trade as the Industrial Age reached its heyday, and the very real bargains that happened between Gilded Age American heiresses and members of the English aristocracy is evident on every single page. I highly recommend this beach read if you want to lose yourself in a story that celebrates true love as the only gold worthy of appreciation.

3.5 Stars
A published author is all our American heiress wants to be, not the pawn in a marriage arranged by her parents. Our Duke who needs funds decides to get in the game but later realizes he loves this woman and doesn't want to play her.

The Devil and the Heiress is the second book in Harper St. George’s historical romance series, The Gilded Age Heiresses. I read The Heiress Gets a Duke earlier this year and was looking forward to the next installment in the series.

The Devil and the Heiress follows Violet, an American heiress, and Christian, the Earl of Leigh. After her parents try to force her into marriage (again), Violet decides to run away. Christian wants to marry Violet (for monetary benefits), but Violet’s father denies his offer. Christian then builds an elaborate plan to marry Violet anyway. Violet's plan to run away gives Christian the perfect opportunity to get close to her and get her to agree to marriage, but it gets complicated when he realizes how much he truly cares for her.

After reading two of Harper St. George's books, I can say that the thing I like most about her storytelling is her ability to write real and complex conflicts and resolutions. The conflict between the two main characters always seem real in their stakes for the time period this series is set in. The Devil and the Heiress (much like The Heiress Gets a Duke) has a focus on women’s rights and the ways in which fathers, and then husbands, have control and power over women. St. George is able to write characters with troubles that seem real and true to the time period. Violet simply wants the same freedom and power as the men around her, but is trapped in a society and family who believe in the subordination of women. The conflict between Violet and Christian goes into these uneven gender dynamics. Instead of writing a eye roll worthy conflict that has you begging one character to just forgive the other already, St. George writes a conflict that has real stakes. The conflict between Violet and Christian is explored thoroughly. The characters grow as they work through their problems and Christian becomes a man truly worthy of Violet. I appreciate that St. George isn't afraid to take a historical romance and actually deal with the problems of the time in a way that feels true.

St. George has a very slow moving writing style at times. I know this was a common critique for the first book in the series, so I want to mention that this book is much the same in terms of pacing. While this type of writing style doesn't work for everyone, I find St. George’s writing to be engrossing. It’s so easy to fall into and I enjoyed all the small moments St. George adds to build the relationship between Violet and Christian.

My only true critique is that the character work of Violet and Christian seem a little uneven. Violet was written much more strongly, making Christian seem bland at times. Violet is such an easy character to love. She had her own hobbies and ambitions. She had so many men in her life trying to control her future, but she knows what she wants and moves ahead doing what she felt was best for her. On the other hand, I left The Devil and the Heiress knowing much less about Christian besides his love for Violet . This isn't a bad thing necessarily, but we do spend half of the book in his point of view.

Overall, The Devil and the Heiress is a great historical romance, with a realistic look on gender power dynamics. I feel like this series has the potential to continue getting better as it goes on, and I’m extremely excited for book three, The Lady Tempts an Heir.

I’d recommend this to anyone who:
- enjoys historical romance
- likes to see a bit of grovelling in their romance
-read The Heiress Gets a Duke (The Devil and the Heiress is somehow even more excellent)

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC copy of this book!

I have found another new author to put on my auto-buy list. I have loved both books of this series by Harper St. George and can't wait to pick up more by her. The Devil and the Heiress is book two of the The Gilded Age Heiresses series and if you haven't started these, you should pick them up.

Violet Crenshaw is doing everything she can to avoid being bargained away by her parents into a marriage she doesn't want. When she realizes she won't be able to get out of this a second time, she decides to run from London and ends up with Christian Halston, the Earl of Leigh. While he would appreciate the money that comes with a marriage to someone like Violet, Christian wants more from her. As they make their way to Scotland, Christian does everything he can to convince Violet that a marriage between them would be a good thing. I loved these two characters - not only are they strong on their own but together they were fantastic too.

If you're looking for a great series about American heiresses and the English Lords who reel them in, you should definitely consider picking this book (and book 1) up when you can. I will be looking forward to more from St. George!

Oh my! This has a lot of fun tropes including forced proximity, road trips, there's only one room, and some others. It’s just a lot of fun to read. We once again have to deal with the annoying Crenshaw parents but Violet of course does not want to be forced into marriage and instead runs off with Christian who she happens to run into. Of course all isn’t what it seems but it’s a joy getting to the end result and seeing these characters grow. I really enjoyed this and think it’s a great read. There is a sweetness to it that just gets to you and I can’t wait for The Lady Tempts an Heir.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

I adored this book. Violet and Christian were so fun to hang out with. I always love getting both male and female POVs in a romance, and this did not disappoint! Violet has naughty thoughts (😂) as she bases one of her characters off of the sexy Earl. I swooned over Christian's bad boy vibe, and the fact that he was just a big, sweet softy at heart. Their romance takes off while being forced together as Violet escapes. They were just freaking adorable together. And their chemistry!! Phew! I was blushing 🔥 Violet is strong-willed, and she doesn't back down for what she wants or what she believes in.

I enjoyed this one more than the first in the series, The Heiress Gets a Duke. This one just had more. More steam 🔥🙌, more in depth conversation between the characters, and more action. My heart was racing during a few intense scenes, and I didn't want to put the book down.

Thank you #netgalley and #berkleypublishing for my advanced copy.

This was fast paced, fun, and steamy. It was everything I needed in a good romance novel plus had the fun dressings of a period piece.

I loved the first book but this one truly blew it out of the water. I can't wait to buy a copy of it. Loved it!

The Devil and the Heiress
Harper St George

I loved the first book in this series, The Heiress Gets a Duke. I found it to be such a fun read and I couldn’t wait to pick up this sequel. The Devil and the Heiress focuses on Violet and Christian Halston, Earl of Leigh's story. This one was just as fun and it is great to revisit the Crenshaw women again.

The chemistry was undeniable and I found the writing super engaging and I was more than happy to get lost in their banter and exciting story. I love that women were portrayed as being headstrong, determined, and have great heads on their shoulders - with an amazing contrast between women from America versus England's Victorian era.

I am definitely waiting with bated breath for the next installment.

Thank you @berkleypub for the gifted book

I thoroughly enjoyed Harper St. George's debut novel, The Heiress Gets a Duke and have been eagerly anticipating Violet and Christian's story in The Devil and the Heiress. I'm happy to say that as much as I loved book one, I loved this one even more. St. George has firmly landed a place on my must-buy author list.

I thought I had a pretty good handle on Violet and Christian when I began their book but there was so much more to both of them than what I expected. St. George does an outstanding job of slowly progressing their relationship during their event-filled road trip while also gradually peeling away the layers of what they show to the public to reveal the core of the person beneath. Violet was so much stronger than I had guessed. I cheered her on as she began to open her heart and find her footing as a woman, rather than the biddable daughter subject to her parents' grasping greed. And Christian - sigh - has so much hidden depth, more than even he realizes until his feelings for Violet begin to bring it out. St. George created such beautifully nuanced characters in these two. It was pure pleasure to watch the significant growth in each along with the sweetness, caring, desire, and love that developed between them. There were more than a few deeply romantic sighs and swoons for this reader but I also appreciated the broken moments. By the time I reached the end of the book, these two had done the hard work that convinced me they were heading for a long life of love, trust, respect, and happiness together. I fully expect them to be cavorting in a meadow 50 years later, surrounded by their adoring grandchildren, happily secure in their deep and enduring love.

The Devil and the Heiress can be read on its own but I think readers will enjoy it more if they first read The Heiress Gets a Duke. I'm excited for book three, The Lady Tempts an Heir (Feb. 2022), starring Violet's older brother Max and her friend, women's rights activist Lady Helen. I'm expecting lots of chemistry between these two. The author's website also lists a fourth book, The Duchess Takes a Husband but no details about characters or storyline. I, however, have high hopes for two secondary characters I'd love to see together. Time will tell whether or not I get that wish.

*ARC received for fair and unbiased review