Thank you to Harlequin for allowing me to feature this title as part of the Blog Tour campaign.
All opinions and mistakes are my own.

It's a fake girlfriend romance for this Cinderella. This story is well-written and fast-paced, and I liked Laurence. That said, it took a while for me to warm up to Kitty, especially with some of the things she does at the beginning - it was hard to picture her as Cinderella in light of her behavior. Anyway, as I mentioned, I really liked Laurence, and as fake romances go, I like the way Jadesola James did this one. As I understand it, this is her Harlequin debut, and it may have taken some doing for me to get behind these two as a couple, but by the end, I was convinced. So, with that in mind, I'll be interested to see what she does next.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Harlequin Presents, Netgalley, and Jadesola James for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

Did I have to shout out Brandy’s Cinderella with this post? Yes I freaking did!


This was also James’ debut novel, and it was a great one. This was such an interesting take on a Cinderella type of story. Don’t think of it as a retelling by any means, because it’s not. It’s just interesting to see our main female MC coming from nothing to something to nothing again, with the possibly of going back to something. Why do I say it like that? Because Kitty Asare used to be a part of Laurence Stone’s family. The Stone family adopted her from the system, but that all went away when drama ensued. It wasn’t Kitty’s fault by any means, but the result of what happened ended up having the Stone family giving Kitty back to the system, like she was a shirt that they didn’t like after they bought it. There’s no way that didn’t affect her and her feelings for any member of the Stone family.

So when she’s doing a “scheme” in a fancy hotel to get money for her foundation that helps foster children transition out of the system and runs into Laurence freaking Stone…. well, imagine that kind of drama. Is this going to be a second chance for both of them? Can she even forgive him for what his parents did? Should she hold the sins of his father against Laurence and put it behind them? Who knows?

Not to mention what Laurence is going through…

This was a great debut and I’m glad that I got to read this one.

Jadesola James debuts as an Harlequin Presents author with this engaging story that features Laurence J. Stone, co-owner of a successful advertising firm and Katherine “Kitty” Asara, director of her own non-profit foundation, One Step Ahead, that benefits foster children. Laurence and Kitty have history that goes back to their youth. Although they grew up under very different circumstances, they have one thing in common that shaped their adult lives.
Both Laurence and Kitty are fiercely independent, sometimes to a fault. As the story progresses, and the author reveals more about their backstories, it appears that Laurence and Kitty redeem each other from the weight of their past.
There is a bit of a fake relationship trope that the author weaves into the storyline, but it happily dissolves into a real one. I love the ending of the story because Kitty and Laurence finally get on the same page, and it all comes down to a house. You’ll get that when you read the story.
While I enjoyed reading REDEEMED BY HIS NEW YORK CINDERELLA, the title did not quite mesh with the storyline. However, I recommend it for your reading pleasure, and then you can draw your own conclusion.

I featured this book as a Book of the Day spotlight and included it in my weekly roundup and monthly post of new releases on my Black Fiction Addiction platforms.

This was a terrific debut. The romance was compelling and both the characters were strong and interesting. There was great mix of will they/won't they with two people who sincerely wanted to find love but had some internal emotional issues that they needed to work through. The romance was steamy but not over done. I'm really excited to read more from Ms. James.

Kitty sneaks into a high-society gala hoping to connect with affluent donors to her foundation. The last person she expects to see there is Laurence. This man from her past is a reminder that people will always let you down. But when he makes her an offer she can't refuse, can she open her heart?

This is a well-constructed, emotional second-chance romance. Both Kitty and Laurence have been damaged by his ruthless parents. Though they struggle to trust, they understand each other in a way no one else can. The fake relationship aspect was also well done, a slow build to an explosive finish.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Jadesola James makes her debut for Harlequin Presents!

Kitty Asare is desperate enough to help her foundation by crashing Manhattan's exclusive event for the affluent members of society. She didn't expect to encounter a man from her past, one that brings her trauma when she was a teen back into her mind with full force.

Laurence Stone is all about closing the deal and doing whatever he has to in order to do so, including pretending to date Kitty Asare. He is all about remaining detached and keeping everything business but the chemistry he feels with Kitty is overpowering his good sense. He doesn't need any attachments yet he find himself drawn to this woman from his past.

I really enjoyed this story, although I didn't agree with Laurence's actions of the past. However, he is on a journey to redemption and it is always great to see how love can bring heartwarming change. I read this quickly and I loved seeing how Kitty came full circle.

I will definitely read more from this author. She has a way of drawing you in and you're halfway through a book before realizing it.

Thank you, #Netgalley and #Harlequin.

2/5 Stars

** I received this as an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review, Thank you!**

This one was unfortunately not for me. I just didn't really enjoy my time with this book. I found the "hero" completely insufferable. I just really didn't enjoy him as a character thus giving me a difficult time feeling connected to the romance between these two characters. He just felt really selfish and mean. I'll admit he did have a few lighter moments, but overall this just didn't work for me.

I was immediately drawn in by this cover. I don't normally read Harlequin Presents but being familiar with the line I knew I was in for a glamorous adventure.

Biriacial billionaire Laurence Stone is left scrambling for a new fake girlfriend after his go-to reveals she found a real relationship and can no longer play the role of his eye candy. He has a run in with a woman from his past, Katherine "Kitty" Asare who was once a foster child of his parent's. His parents tried to use her to during campaign season to better his father's image and Laurence derailed their plans which resulted in Kitty getting sent back into the system.

Kitty runs a foundation where she tries to help foster kids transition out of the system. She's at a fancy hotel party trying to meet doners when she ends of saving Laurence from a near death experience. She agrees to fake date Laurence to help elevate her foundation even though she still harbors feelings of resentment towards his family.

This was a sexy and luxurious ride. I enjoyed the chemistry. It's set in NYC but the characters use some British terms here and there that felt a little out of place but other than that I got sucked into this world. It had just enough depth while still keeping things fun.

I recieved an arc from Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.

I get excited whenever I see the Harlequin logo, cause when I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day.

A near-perfect category romance -- I loved the drama, the pacing, the vivid prose, and especially the heroine. Will definitely be asking the library to purchase this one and talking it up on the podcast. Anyone looking to get into category romance would do well to start here!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review!