This was unfortunately a DNF for me. Something wasn't working, I cannot for the life of me figure out why, and I'm just going to have to be ok with that. I'm giving it 3 stars because the writing itself was not bad and I love Joanna Shupe and some of her other books, so it feels cruel giving a lower review for a book that I could not finish. Still, take the 3 stars with a grain of salt. I could not finish it despite desperately trying to for a few years.

This was such a fantastically written, historical romance. Both the hero and heroine were multi faceted, and had things from their past to get through in order to have a happy ending. There was so much chemistry between the main characters, and it made the book a pleasure to read.

The second book in Shupe’s The Fifth Avenue Rebel’s series is just as fun and steamy as the first. Overlapping with the events of The Heiress Hunt, this volume follows wallflower/secret chef Alice and playboy/secret softboy Kit. The romantic tension between these seemingly opposites is sweet, tender and definitely sexy. It was also fun to learn more about Kit’s background. Very much looking forward to the next book in the series.

This book was so fabulous. Babka! Sisters doing it for themselves! Cooking! Opposites Attract! Babka!

I LOVED this! I loved the romance setup, the seduction lessons. Kit was such a great hero, who i loved from the beginning. I loved how Alice loved to cook! i love Joanna shupe heroines who have a passion in life! Kit and Alice has such great chemistry from the beginning. This was so great, my favorite of the series!

I liked this book. The character development of the main characters was wonderful. I loved how to heroin grew and felt empowered to make her own choices in life. The storyline was unique enough that I didn't feel as though I had read it before. I liked the cooking aspect as well that was a completely new direction from other regency romances. I also liked the New York setting. That was different as well.

I love Joanna Shupe but for some reason this book didn't intrigue me the way her others do. It was just ok. Plot ok, characters ok. I can't come up with words for a longer review because I just don't have much to say. It wasn't bad but it didn't hold my attention either.

Joanna Shupe is really doing something with these gilded age novels. I love how it feels both familiar and completely new. This wasn't my favorite of hers or this series, but I am loving them and will continue to eat them up.

Omg I love love loved this book. This is my favorite from the series. I read the first book first, the third in second and then lastly this treasure. The heat and chemistry between Kit and Alice is off the hook! The intimate scenes were passionate, and intense. Not only was it hot but the connection between the two MC's was emotional with both fighting their feelings for one another. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves tropes with handsome know it all reformed scoundrels and shy wallflowers turned wicked.

In this book you'll witness a shy girl living in the shadows of her cruel mother's every demand. You'll see her grow out of her shell, stand her ground, and become comfident in her own skin. She is kind, loving, and a friend to everyone. He is a handsome rogue, a playboy who in his mind will never need to settle down. With his good looks and personality... companionship is always easy to find. With just one smile he turns even the shyest woman into a vixen.

With all that being said about him. She is tired of being overlooked. She's desperate to marry a man of her choice and not some fortune hunter as a last resort. So they strike a deal. He will tutor her at seducing, and in return she will provide him with recipes for his new business. Little did he know she sweeps him off his feet with her innocence. From there on its loads of cuteness, sexy, and emotional battles for the both of them. He takes a minute to realize it but he is full fledge in love with her and she is too but he must convince her. She thinks he's only marrying her because of a innocent scandal they both got caught in. Finally they both come to terms with their love for one another and with her father's blessing they get married. Seeing her stand up to her mother was the icing on the cake, and seeing her marrying kit was eating the cake. This book was so satisfying to read. It's a 5 stars for me. I promise you that you'll not be bored.

Absolutely delightful (not to mention very hot). I enjoyed this even more than the first novel of the series. Joanna Shupe’s Gilded Age comes right off the page, it’s so rich and immersive. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Joanna Shupe is one of my favorite historical romance authors. Lessons in seduction is a true, tried favorite and i loved witnessing it. And a reformed rake?! Kit and Alice were sizzling on the page, and their journey to each other was magical.

Why did it take me so long to finally read this? IT'S SO GOOD!

This is probably my favorite Joanna Shupe to date. I am still gushing over it so I will try to be as coherent as possible but I am unsure of how likely that will be because this was amazing.

This has all my favorite tropes. Lessons in seduction, a wallflower heroine who learns how to stand up for herself and become confident, a scoundrel with a bad past who learns he can love and be vulnerable. It was perfection but what really made this for me was Kit and Alice. I absolutely loved these two together. They complimented each other in the best of ways and helped each other grow. I think Joanna Shupe did a wonderful job with character growth and its something that I don't see often in historical romance (even the books I love). There were so many scenes where I was like YESSSS and I couldn't stop swooning and making sounds of how much I love this. I was a mess the whole time.

I am excited for the Duke to get his own book because this poor man was just trying to find a wife and I want happiness for him and learning that its Nellie? Ugh love her so much!

This book is so good and if you haven't picked it up? This is your sign! I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

I love a shy girl that is finally just “over it”! I love when a “lady” needs lessons in kissing or seduction! I love some class difference! This delivers on all!

For me Kit really won me over. He was such a good cheerleader for Alice!

Great!!

This was definitely an interesting book… But I found that it didn’t really hold my attention. In fact, I don’t think I could tell you what happened in it even now… Which is unfortunate as the concept was very interesting for me!

After a somewhat more lackluster start to this series, this one REALLY worked for me. I really enjoyed the story decision to set the first part of the book at the same country house party from The Heiress Hunt, with Kit and Alice's tutelage taking place within the backdrop of Maddie and Archer's romance, but their chemistry was just so pitch-perfect from the jump by comparison that I almost couldn't put this one down. I would've enjoyed at least one more love scene by the end once their relationship was solidified, especially given that their interactions up to a point were SO steamy and tension-filled, but in the overall scheme of the book it wasn't a make-or-break thing for me. Besides, how can you go wrong with a kissing lessons premise?!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Joanna Shupe does it again! She sets the scene so well and pulls you into the gilded age and makes you fall in love with the characters. I'm normally not a fan of the "teach me seduction" trope, however, Joanna Shupe makes it believable. Alice and Kit had wonderful chemistry and the seduction felt believable. This book made me rethink my stance on this common trope! I'll read anything Joanna Shupe writes, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I recommend this book even if you don't normally love this trope, because Joanna Shupe will make you fall in love with Kit and Alice and their love story.

Another rake is taken out of the game by love😍 I loved every word!! The bigger the rake the harder the fall and Kit’s fall is delicious❤️‍🔥😉

Kit Ward is every mama’s worst nightmare. With a few looks, some seductive words, and his devilish smile he can make the proper ladies forget their etiquette lessons and introduce even the shyest young miss to a world of pleasure and debauchery. Having Kit at a house party full of single heiresses is like tempting a bear with honey…but, alas he has sworn to be good.

Then Kit meets Alice Lusk and it’s all over. These two play with fire during much of the story which makes for a very entertaining and sexy story. Kit’s heart comes to realize Alice is everything he has ever wanted, if he was ever going to marry, Alice would be perfect. It takes his brain a while to catch up!!

Excellent Story - 5 Stars ⭐️ | 5 Flames 🔥

Charming read, Joanna Shupe never disappoints. I like the seduction lesson trope and this one was so sweet. Love the hero Kit who slowly comes to fall for the heroine. And Alice was plucky despite her circumstances and her penchant for cooking and her ambitions were fun to read for the time period

I have mixed feelings about this series. I loved Gilded Age romance but for some reason this series feels too slow. I found that the audio was a better way to consume this book. I did enj9y the lessons in seduction and the foodieness but personally hated the house party scenes.

I just adore Joanna Shupe. Love her books so much. Kit and Alice were so sweet and endearing. The chemistry was amazing. I cant wait for more Shupe. Usually at the 70% I get restless with books but at 70% my heart was aching for these two.