If you like strong independent women heroine and demanding, forceful hero's then Joanna Ships is for you. She blends modern, regency, and contemporary into one master power story. Her whit, charm, and historical figures play into her writing style.

Katherine Delafield, has waited a year to marry Preston Clarke. Both are the only children from the business their fathers ran together until Mr Clarke's gambling got the better of him and an illness brought on his death. After morning her mother's death, the year waiting for Preston to acknowledge her and the betrothal, She decides to confront Preston.

Not knowing she believes it a true betrothal, he tells her the blunt truth. Afterwards, she takes charge of her life and how she wants to live. With help from her close friends she sets to having fun, going to a masked French Ball, and wanting to have a discrete affair. Dressed as Madame de Pompadour, she dances the away and runs into King Louie. As neither know who the other is they have some fun and agree to meet the following night to continue said fun.

When she arrive Preston knows instantly who she is and can not Nathan how this disaster happened. Then the two agree to have a very, very discrete affair. When her father shocking news throws her off balance and Preston's business dealing leave her agast, she runs and hides. As she comes to terms with how her life is turned upside down and how she will manage things Preston announces his feelings which adds more to her.

So come along on this wild ride and get to know the building of a great city, wonderful and colorful characters, and an explosive hero and heroin. This easy to read story is captivating and compelling.

I typically like Joanna Shupe’s books, but this one was unbearable…mostly because of the “hero.” He gets *some* points for self awareness of his bad rep. But he’s like, “I won’t marry you,” and when he realizes she was the woman he slept with, he’s still like, “I’m not honorable, I won’t marry you.” Like, what?! How do you continue to associate with them after they reject you twice and violate your honor?! Granted, she doesn’t want anything to do with him by that point, but we all know how this goes *shrugs shoulders* Honestly, she’s better off with literally anyone else! It’s a shame I’m actually rooting for Nellie and the Duke, because I was just getting to the bit where he and Katherine spend time together and even that doesn’t save it because it’ll be interspersed with *him*. I don’t love dukes, but at least this one seems honorable?

YES! YES! YES! Mais oui putain!
My favorite Shupe to date—I think.

And not only because the heat was INSANE. Though I must say, the steamy factor certainly helped, the many illicit rendez-vous as titillating as you may hope (yeah even you high expectation people, you're not ready for this). A delightful mix of enemies to lovers/mistaken identity/opposites attracts/role playing/powerplay. The surge of chemistry between these two was impossibly potent. The flirty banter—no, the filthy banter—yes, much better— so entertaining. I can't with how good this story was.

And also how enjoyable it was to witness a woman striving for agency, daring and bold. Kat certainly did a one eighty, from secret crush and long glances across ballrooms to naughty carriage display! Carriage scenes in HR are so underrated. Shupe certainly made this one memorable.

I also want to note that this book contains many French phrases and worst even—terms of endearments— and that I didn't hate it. A few mistakes but no hard feelings about it. The French word play between Kat and Preston was hot AF when usually it comes off ridiculous in most of the romance I've read (French is my first language). #IspeakFrenchFries

You don't want to miss this one. Fun, angst, emotion, a grovel and steam, it has it all!

Received an advanced copy from the publisher.

After faltering out of the gate with this series, in my opinion, Joanna has crafted another great world full of interesting and complex women in the Gilded Age. I enjoyed getting to know this couple and, of course, am about ready to start stalking the author until she gives me a draft of Nellie's book because I have about had it with waiting for her story. The setting was interesting and fun, the returning characters were lovely, and the male friendship was especially strong here, which you don't always see in a historical. The only thing I would ding this book for is the reveal at the end that one of the main plot drivers was a matchmaking contrivance... which rang false to me. But overall, a solid read!

Loved this story! Once I started, I couldn't put it down. 

After patiently waiting a year for Preston to acknowledge their betrothal, Katherine marches into his office to discuss their wedding plans. To her shock and dismay she discovers he flatly refuses to honor the contract made between their fathers. Furious with him and regretting her lost season, she vows to live life to the fullest. In disguise she attends a masquerade ball where she meets a masked man who turns out to be Preston. Their passion ignites. Can they stay away from each other?

Well... no. What kind of romance would it be if they did? These two are made for each other. But first, Preston needs to suffer for his earlier conduct. Katherine's guileless behavior when she is thrown together with the Duke of Lockwood TORTURES him. And his groveling in the third act--epic! Really, the last few chapters are no less than amazing.

No one brings the Gilded Age to life like Joanna Shupe. I appreciate the research she puts into her stories. Cannot wait for the next book in the series.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book was so sparkly, indulgent, and romantic. It was extremely spicy, but done in a very classy way. Basically just "friends with benefits" with the added complication of the fact that they were supposed to be betrothed.

The plot isn't too serious and the stakes aren't extremely high; it's mostly just a compelling premise full of chances for delightful romps. I loved the sweeping Gilded Age setting and the dynamic characters.

I’m not sure exactly what I expected from this book, but it definitely took me for a ride!

“Which led her to the one question she’d come to ask. “Why are you still here, Preston?”
He paused and lifted his head, his expression full of a promise she didn’t understand. “Why else? Because you’re here.”

Cue all the swoon. I loved seeing Preston fall so hard for Kat.

Right off the bat, the first chapter just grabs you, and then the rest of the book just gets better and better. The chemistry between Preston and Kat is off the charts, and this book is the complete opposite of a slow burn. It was delightful!

I love the history of this time period, I took breaks to look things up and check maps of NYC. The gilded age is definitely a time period I would love to read more of.

I am so excited for the next book in the series! The author set these next two characters up perfectly.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

Trope Arranged Marriage

I was so sad when I finished reading this book. It was such a fun and exciting read. Living through these characters makes life less stressful.

Preston and Katherine betrothed by their fathers but Preston will not honor it. Katherine feeling she wasted her time waiting for him the man she secretly crushed on,...so therefore she sets out to have some fun of her own. She decides to go to a french masquerade ball and he is there as well. Masked and wigged Unbeknownst they were both attended and share a hot sizzling night there together. It was instant attraction and after spending time together they both knew who they were with. The chemistry between the two was off the charts and the love scenes were wickedly hot. I loved loved seeing Preston and Katherine coming together as a couple.
I highly recommend this book! It's a 5 stars for me.

Katie has been betrothed to Preston since they were children. But he is dragging his feet and she is done with waiting. When he explains that he has no intention of marrying her, she decides to go rogue and experience the life she’s been sitting around and waiting for. This involves exploring the scandalous side of New York, where, surprise surprise, she runs into her would-be fiance and commences a steamy affair. But can it be more?

A fun and delicious romance, quickly read but savored. I cannot believe I had never heard of this series before - now I cannot wait to gobble them all up! Shupe did a marvelous job of combining steamy scenes with romantic notions and the description of New York in that era was on point.

I received this e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I read this so fast and loved almost every second of it. Kat is probably one of my favorite heroines I've read in a while. She knew her worth and that made me so happy. Also, there was a moment where she stood up for herself and I literally yelled out loud, "YES". It made me so happy for her. Pres had his moments with me. I love a good enemies to lovers but enjoy when the enemy (normally the guy) comes to terms on his feelings and tries to set things straight as soon as possible. Pres started to figure out his feelings but he still was very centered on other things. I wished he was a little more understanding towards certain things and wanted to listen.

I did however very much enjoy how he groveled and stuck around but towards the end, I got lost. The ending fell a little flat for me. I wanted more of Pres and Kat but it didn't really happen.

Still a really cute book though!

I used to enjoy Joanna Shupe’s Gilded Age novels a lot more. The earlier ones had more of a sense of time and place. Now there is a lot less of that. Instead, it’s more of a generic story of a woman and man who aren’t together, but are incredibly attracted to each other so they have a lot of sex while they’re working out their differences. With a few changes, the story could be taking place in almost any time period, even contemporary times. I miss the illusion that I’m reading about people who might well have existed in the Gilded Age.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Talk about a hot book! I believe that the writer couldn’t hold back all the erotic or illicit intimacies that Preston or Katherine found themselves in. I enjoyed how the book reads very smoothly from page to page. The background story to Katherine and Preston’s romance was very entertaining. There are times in the book were it had its witty or humorous moments. These moments I thought were great as break in between the serious issues of missing a friend who was like a brother. I did have some difficulty with reading the love scenes only due to Katherine’s young age of twenty one. I know that Preston was twenty five, but perhaps bump their age up a little more. Until next time my fellow readers… read on!

The last book in this series, The Lady Gets Lucky, has been one of my favorite historical romances of this year so far. I didn't think I could love another book as much as that one, but after THIS book, I have a new favorite!

The Bride Goes Rogue is--to me--the best book of the series so far. An enemies-to-lovers-to-friends story between a society darling and a real estate tycoon is just wanted I wanted to read, and I had no idea I needed it! Katherine is such a strong female MC, even though she doesn't start out that way. After thinking that she was engaged to Preston Clarke for a year, she finally attempts to make contact with him, and to her surprise, he has no idea what she's talking about! They both get upset and refuse to speak to each other ever again. However, at a scandalous masquerade ball, both end up...well...in a sexy situation. Very sexy. When they later discover their true identities, both are outraged (especially when Preston accuses Kat of orchestrating their tryst to get him to propose marriage). They eventually call a truce and attempt to become friends, but end up becoming lovers instead. The path to their HEA is a bumpy one, but WOW, what a journey!

This is, hands-down, my favorite Shupe book. The way she combines history, friendship, sex, and story is brilliant. My favorite thing about this story is the way their friendship evolves to lovers so realistically. They both respect each other, and each of them are fiercely independent in their own ways. Preston has built a wall around his heart that's 10 feet tall and it has made him grumpy and cold. His heart slowly starts to thaw, and it takes him the entire book to realize that everything he's done for Kat is actually LOVE. His journey is adorable because he really starts off so cold and heartless. His groveling is *chef's kiss.* Some of the best I've ever read. And his plan to make things up to Kat is inspired. Bravo to Shupe for the way she humbles Preston.

Kat has an interesting journey, as well. The weakest part of the book--and it's only a small one--is the start of the story when Kat believes she has been engaged to Preston for a year, but hasn't spoken a word to him. I found this odd; she doesn't seem like that type of girl to me. She seems a lot smarter, and the beginning makes her seem kind of dumb. However, once the first chapter is over, that's when the real story begins. Kat becomes such a fully fleshed-out character and at that point, she can more than handle her own with Preston.

This novel is full of witty banter, hot sex, and intimate and tender friendship. I mean, what more can you ask for in a romance novel? Five wonderful stars!

I’ve read the first two books in the fifth avenue rebels series by Joanna Shupe and really enjoyed them. The Bride goes Rogue was a wonderful addition to the series. I love how Ms. Shupe writes. This Frenemies story was steamy yet witty with laughs.

Always love a strong, independent female lead, even acting mostly in a manner that fits with the time period. Preston sees and admires Katherine's determination and vision, which is always lovely.

This is the third book in Joanna Shupe's series The Fifth Avenue Rebels and ohhh man does it deliver! Joanna Shupe is such a consistent author and continuously puts out incredible, unique books with fantastic characters. I loved Katherine and watching her and Preston come together was beautiful. I always admire the way Joanna Shupe writes her female characters and love that they're well-rounded. In fact, all of her characters are fully fleshed out with unique flaws which makes the happily ever after that much more satisfying. I will continue to read anything that Joanna Shupe writes and will continue to recommend her books to anyone who will listen.

This is book three in The Fifth Avenue Rebels series and features Katherine Delafield and Preston Clarke. Both are strong personalities, often at cross-purposes with each other despite their fathers having arranged a betrothal agreement long ago in their childhood. They may not ever see things the same way, but the attraction between them never seems far from the surface even though it takes a while for both of them to acknowledge and recognize it. This is a fun historical romance and I look forward to the next entry in the series.

This book was surprisingly and delightfully steamy. I’ve read this author before and I can’t recall her other books being THIS hot (this is not a complaint, I really enjoyed the steam). I liked the premise of Katherine wanting to live a life of fun and frivolity after being told that by her intended bridegroom that the engagement set up by their fathers would not be honored by him. I liked the way the story was peppered with real world people and events and places that existed in that time period. If I had one nit to pick, it’s that I really didn’t care for her father’s manipulation of the events and also, when her father tells Preston that he only tried to get in his way when Preston started running the family business because that was the only way Preston would be forced to learn and succeed - it felt very condescending and patriarchal.

Joanna Shupe is my go to for Gilded Age Romance. Her world is rich and her characters are complex! Katherine and Preston live up to expectations, After getting snippets of Katherine in the previous books is was fabulous to dive deeper. This is the third book in a series that is quickly becoming a favorite and I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment.

This was a very sexy frenemies with benefits historical romance. The characters in The Bride Goes Rogue do read a bit more modern than I would have expected, but this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. The set up of the book was a unique one and features a meet disaster that had me cringing with second hand embarrassment. I loved that after that unexpected set-back though, Katherine chose to go after her own pleasure and live life on her own terms. The sexual chemistry between Preston and Katherine is electric and Joanna Shupe really brings the steam in this book. The French Ball chapter is so spicy that it nearly set my kindle on fire *fans self*

As much as I enjoyed the characters and story, the revenge trope is a tricky one for me. I understand that it was all part of Preston's character arc, but his actions and desire to beat Lloyd really bothered me. I also felt that Preston’s change of heart was much too abrupt and I wasn’t sold on his grand gestures and declarations. I always want more grovel ;) The ending drama and the resolution felt rushed, but the epilogue was very cute and I’m very excited for Nellie and Lockwood’s story next.

CW: grief, death of parent (past), death of friend (past), mentions of: alcoholism, gambling addiction, previous mistresses

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*