Joanna Shupe writes such smart, outside the box historical romances and this one did not disappoint. I don’t usually love the “he thinks she’s too good for him” trope, but Kit was such a believable rouge (and the setup earlier in the series certainly helped). Can’t wait for the next one!

I enjoyed this one much more than my recent re-read of the first because the hero and heroine worked through their problems together. I especially liked the heroine’s roll in her own life towards the last 1/3 of the book, it felt like she had changed and then used that change for the better.

I love a good Joanna Shupe and this is definitely a good Joanna Shupe.

Basically all of my favorite tropes are in this book. Joanna Shupe + Fave Tropes = HOW COULD IT NOT BE FIVE STARS?!

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher, thanks Avon! And I realized that somehow I missed the first book in this series. Whoops. But never fear, romance readers, this one can definitely be read as a stand-alone! Obvs you get more if you read the whole series, but I didn’t feel like I was trying to patch up gaping holes in the story for having missed out on these characters from the previous book.

I love the beautiful world JS builds in this story. The food descriptions, the scenery. Gah. So amazing! If you haven’t dove into the Gilded Age of Joanna Shupe, I highly highly HIGHLY recommend them! No one does the Gilded Age quite like her!

Loved this book! Gobbled it up in a day! Definitely recommend this goodness!

From what little that I've read, there weren't major flaws to this historical romance. I simply lost interest ⅓ through. The characters were fine and the direction of the story seemed to be going somewhere but the writing style wasn't engaging. At first, I thought I was was in a weird funk since the reading slump took a toll out of me early this year then after putting this read aside for a few days to clear my head, I've realized I simply didn't care enough about the story and if (which is obvious they are) the characters will end up together. I've lost all interest in going back to finish this. I'm sure some readers would find this historical romance entertaining enough to complete but to me, this novel was more so 'It's me, not you' type of read.

No one writes the golden age as well as Joanna Shupe. In every story you can feel things changing all around the characters - from the way women are treated to technology and industry evolving. Alice is definitely among those changing along with the times. Alice isn't a traditional young lady - even though she plays one to keep her mother happy. She's fascinated by food and is a talented chef in her own right. But in the socialite world of New York society - she is a bit of a wallflower. Kit is basically her total opposite. But he has his own baggage as well.

When Alice approaches Kit about learning more about the art of seduction and flirting - he is very much drawn to her. And they really are adorable together. Despite his outgoing, playboy nature, I would put Kit more in the Beta hero category. He's definitely more in touch with his emotions and feelings than the average mand of his time. He is definitely more forward thinking as well.

I truly enjoyed this book - and can't seem to get enough of this series or really anything Joanna Shupe writes!

Now - please can we read about Nellie and the Duke? Pretty please???

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

Alice Lusk, an heiress to a shipping empire, is longing to be married and have a home of herself. She is also tired of being overlooked by the eligible men in society. For Alice marriage is the only thing that will help her get away from her overbearing and verbally abusive mother. Since she is unable to catch the eye of any potential suitor, she turns to Christopher "Kit" Ward, whose reputation of seducing women is legendary, for help in acquiring a husband. Kit ends up needing recipes that Alice has for his upcoming supper club. As they spend more time together, both develop feelings for each other but Kit's fear of marriage keeps them apart.

The book and plot were excellent but the reason the book only received four stars is that both the beginning and ending of the book felt incomplete. There were no introductions to the characters or setting at the beginning of the book which made the first few pages difficult to follow. However, I have not read the first book in this series so that might attribute to my confusion. (view spoiler)

Over this was an amazing read and I would recommend this book to all fans of historical romance!

Unfortunately I don’t think that I like this author. The premise of books set in this historical time period in America I have come to realise I don’t like as a much as other historical romances.. ideal for fans of the authors of previous work, but not the book for me.

A first-rate scoundrel. A desperate wallflower. Lessons in seduction.

Christopher "Kit" Ward is a scoundrel. He has a reputation and doesn't try to hide it. Alice Lusk is a spinster and is planning on taking matters into her own hands. When Alice convinces Kit to teach her everything he knows about seduction, he can't imagine how good of a pupil she would be.

This historical blew me away. I was not expecting to be obsessed with both Kit and Alice. From page one, I was hooked on the characters and the plot. Alice is the typical spinster but wants Kit to teach her everything he knows about seduction and WOW. He really does teach her. The chemistry between these two is off the charts. Kit and Alice is one of my favorite couples in a historical romance ever!

In Joanna Shupe's second installment of her Fifth Avenue Rebels series, we follow a shy heroine desperate to find herself a husband in order to be away from her horrible mother. However, because of her lack in success with talking to men and her low self confidence due to her mother's scathing remarks about her behavior and appearance, Alice Lusk needs help. And who better to teach her the ways of seducing a good husband than Christopher "Kit" Ward - a well known rascal who is able to charm any lady he chooses? What begins from page one is a lovely, entertaining, and sweet friends to lovers historical romance! Kit and Alice will make you fall in love with them before you know it.

I loved the development between Kit and Alice. How their "lessons" eventually started to turn into them genuinely liking to spend time together, a friendship forming, to then mutual attraction. But obstacles stood in their way. Kit doesn't believe in marriage and Alice's parents would never accept Kit as a potential husband for her. But, with love growing between them, each of their walls break down and those obstacles are taken care of. The only reason I'm not going full five stars here is because I felt as though it took Kit a bit too long to accept the fact that he did want to marry Alice. It became a little frustrating.

Another thing I loved is how Kit and Alice both had interests and goals in their personal lives. Alice loves to cook. She loves food. And Kit is opening up a supper club. It was cool how both their interests came together in the story and they both helped each other pursue them.

The side characters in the book were an enjoyable addition to the story. I loved Nellie, Preston, Katherine, and The Duke. I genuinely hope they all get their own books eventually.

This was my first time reading Joanna Shupe. I had heard great things about her other books among the romance community. It wasn't until I saw this book pop up on NetGalley that I decided to give her a shot. I'm so glad I did. This book was fantastic! I got a very sweet and delicious love story paired with interesting characters, a compelling plot, and swoon worthy romance. Everything I could ask for that I love in my historicals, this had it. This will not be the last time I read a Joanna Shupe book, that's for sure. I had no problem understanding or following the events of this book even though I didn't read the first in the series. So this is definitely a standalone in case anyone wanted to skip book one.

In conclusion, you should not miss out on this book if it sounds up your alley!

A great addition to an enjoyable series. I found the main characters delightful . I would recommend this author to others.

This book follows Alice, who is shy and unassuming, but has a big dowry, making men only want her for the money she would provide. Wanting to marry for love, Alice decides that if she can adequately seduce a man, she could then marry someone of her choosing and have a happier life. To learn the art of seduction she enlists the help of a known scoundrel, Kit, while they're both guests at a house party in Newport. But of course, things don't go as planned, and these two may or may not end up catching feelings for one another!

My reading experience was quite mixed while reading this book. In the beginning, I was really enjoying myself. I thought that the consent was fantastic, the interactions between the love interests was really cute, and the side stories were engaging. But the second half let me down in a number of ways.

I think the thing that disappointed me was the fact that the lessons in seduction trope isn't used to its fullest. From the cover alone I expected more steam, and then when the book started out with Alice propositioning Kit, I figured things would escalate quickly. But unfortunately, that wasn't the case. While they were at the house party in Newport things were more manageable. Alice's mother wasn't as involved and the two could more easily spend time together. However, once the setting switched to NYC, my feelings started to sour a bit.

Firstly, Alice's mother is absolutely insufferable. I understand that she was written deliberately to be antagonistic, but it frustrated me to see such controlling and abusive behavior constantly thrown at Alice. I appreciated how Kit handled Alice's mother's terrible behavior, but just wished that the interactions had been more limited.

In general, I wish there had been less conflict and drama. Besides for Alice's mother standing in the way of a relationship with Kit, there were other unnecessary plot points and hurdles that just didn't sit well with me. For example, there is a very weak love triangle in the book, that didn't need to be in this book. Especially since that plotline was repeated twice in the span of one story. Plus, it was clear that Alice was going to end up with Kit for several hundred reasons, and therefore anytime interactions occurred with this other gentleman, I was just annoyed that Alice wasn't using that time to spend with Kit.

There also was a graphic death towards the end of the book that I just didn't understand the point of. It felt very dark for a romance, yet I didn't really care about the character or the effects of their death. I understand how it was used to move the plot forward, but that seems like a terrible reason to kill off one of your characters.

Also, like I mentioned earlier, I wanted both more steam and more romance, and the second half of the book failed me in that area. The cuteness and sweet moments from the beginning were always tinged with some concern or plot point that took away from my enjoyment of watching Alice and Kit fall for one another.

However, there were quite a few things that I enjoyed about this book, that I want to mention! There were so many characters that supported Alice throughout the story that I adored. Alice's friendship with Nellie was so sweet and lovely, and I was so happy that Nellie kept popping up throughout the story.

Additionally, Alice loves to cook and bake and I really enjoyed that element of the story. Watching Alice in the kitchen shows the more independent and resourceful, confident side of her that helped give her some dimension. Additionally her friendship/mentorship with Chef Angelo was adorable, and I loved their interactions as well.

All things considered I gave this book 3.5 stars. The first half was really good, the second half was okay, and the cover is amazing. If you enjoy more plot heavy books with equal amounts romance and plot, this might be the book for you!

Two people, each raised by emotionally abusive parent, find value in themselves as they help each other achieve their goals. Kit’s father was a confidence man and a gambler, even going so far as to having his mother committed to an asylum. He was told he was shallow and worthless. As an adult he became the charming life of the party. Alice’s mother kept her isolated and friendless. Telling her she was plain and stupid. No man would want her except for her money. At the house party featured in the first book, Alice sees Kit’s skill with charm and flirtation and decides to ask him for lessons in seduction. Thinking if she had Kit’s confidence and flirtation techniques, she could find a man to want her for herself. It was her only way of escape from her overbearing mother. Kit is planning to open a supper club. A way to achieve self-respect and prove to himself and others that he could use his brain and be successful. Unfortunately, he needs an exceptional chef for his club to be a success and he can’t convince one to take the job. He learns that Alice has known a famous chef most of her life and knows his recipes. They bargain a recipe per seduction lesson. In a lovely way, two people grow to realize their worth as a person. I enjoyed seeing the house party from the view of other guests and look forward to revisiting it again with other characters.

I could not put this book down! I read this one before reading the first in the series but I immediately bought the first one when I finished. I hope we get a third book with Nellie. I will also be checking out the author's other books. The banter in this book was *chef's kiss*. The characters felt real and well-developed and nothing really felt rushed. I was captivated from Kit and Alice's first conversation. I will definitely be recommending this series!

I absolutely loved this book! The first chapter caught my attention. I finished this in less then a day! I loved both Kit and Alice.

Synopsis:

Following the book called “an alluring blend of love and playfulness” (PW) The Heiress Hunt, beloved author Joanna Shupe continues her new Fifth Avenue Rebels series with a scandalous romance about a good girl desperate to rebel and the rebel desperate to corrupt her.

A first-rate scoundrel.

A desperate wallflower.

Lessons in seduction.

The woman no one notices . . .

Shy heiress Alice Lusk is tired of being overlooked by every bachelor. Something has to change, else she’ll be forced to marry a man whose only desire is her fortune. She needs to become a siren, a woman who causes a man’s blood to run hot . . .and she’s just met the perfect rogue to help teach her.

He’s the life of every party . . .

Christopher “Kit” Ward plans to open a not-so-reputable supper club in New York City, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to hire the best chef in the city to guarantee its success. Even if it requires giving carnal lessons to a serious-minded spinster who has an in with the chef.

Their bedroom instruction grows passionate, and Alice is a much better pupil than Kit had ever anticipated. When the Society gentlemen start to take notice, Kit has to try to win Alice in other ways . . . but is he too late to win her heart?

This is a fun sexy read from Shupe that really tickles the imagination. I'm such a sucker for descriptive writing in this genre and shupe certainly nails that. And the SEX, whew!!! I rate this 5 eggplants! Plus, the student always becomes the teacher and that makes for an explosive read

This book left me speechless. I mean literally! There was just so much I LOVED about this book that trying to whittle it all down to a review that doesn't ramble on for several pages is proving quite difficult, but I'm going to give it a shot anyway.

Set during a weekend house party (which are always the perfect venue for unlikely romances), painfully shy, heiress Alice Lusk is inspired by a comment from a new friend about how charming rogue, Christopher "Kit" Ward can turn any woman into a "Vixen" and boldly asks the astonished gentleman to do just that.

Although instantly intrigued, the last thing Kit needs right now is to get involved with an innocent like Alice, but when it turns out that she can provide something he needs for his new supper club, a deal is struck.

Despite Alice's royal bitch of a mother doggedly getting in the way, Alice and Kit manage to turn each stolen encounter for "lessons" into something more with each gaining rare insights into the other's true character and growing closer each time.

When the party abruptly ends, harsh reality sets in. Alice MUST marry to get away from her S'Mother as soon as possible and Kit has made it perfectly clear that he is simply not the marrying kind. But the heart wants what the heart wants and will always find a way.

With a few surprising turns, a tragic blow and a standing ovation moment when the mouse does finally learn to roar, the final chapters of their story play out beautifully and once again love conquers all.

I fell in love instantly with both Kit and Alice, with serious feels for several characters in the secondary cast--especially a certain Duke in serious need of an HEA--and CANNOT wait for the next installment of this series to land in my greedy little hands!

An absolute MUST READ!

Loved it! I really love Alice. She’s shy and has little confidence in herself so she recruits Kit to give her lessons in seduction. I loved getting to know Alice through this process. She’s just genuine and good and lovely. She slowly comes into her own. I especially loved the ending.

This book starts with a house party first introduced in The Heiress Hunt. While I don’t think you’d have to read that book first, I do recommend it just because I enjoyed it too and this book seemed richer with that extra background. Did I mention I enjoyed it too?! I can’t wait for the next book.

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

This is one of my first books by Joanna Shupe and I really enjoyed how she writes her characters.

Alice and Kit both have great depth within them that is slowly brought out through the situations they find themselves in. One of my favorite things about this couple is how when Alice's mother is bullying her (I wanted to reach through the book and shake that woman) Kit notices and stands up for her or changes the subject. Alice's passion for cooking, which she hides from her mother, shows through and how Kit brings it out in her is wonderful.

Kit and Alice both have hidden depth which they bring out in each other. I loved this story and will be reading more from this author.

A rake and a wallflower. Alice asks for lessons in seduction. She’s bullied by her mother. Alice and Kit fall in love during their secret meetings and she develops a backbone.

At 45% through I gave up as this scenario just dragged on. Skipped to the end.

If you enjoy a good "kissing lessons" romance, you'll like The Lady Gets Lucky, the newest Gilded Age novel from Joanna Shupe. Shy heiress Alice approaches the bold playboy Kit and asks him for something surprising: teach her how to seduce a man. Alice knows men only see her fortune, not herself, and she'd like to marry for love (or at least like). Kit refuses, of course, but eventually relents--and gets more than he bargained for from the surprisingly alluring Alice.

The pair have more in common than they know: Kit is attempting to get his supper club off the ground in New York City. And Alice is secretly a trained chef, although she knows she'll never get to cook professionally. But maybe they can help each other out. Shupe can be hit-or-miss for me, but this is my favorite novel of hers so far. Kit and Alice have great chemistry and seem to genuinely enjoy each other. Warning: there is a good deal of food content in this book, so have plenty of gourmet snacks ready.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review.