Shupe does it again with another strong entry in the Fifth Avenue Rebels series. Katherine Delaford and Preston Clarke"s engagement was planned when the two families were in a business partnership in an attempt to cement the business relationship. However the business split up and Preston wanted nothing to do with the arranged marriage. Katherine was unaware of this for a year (her father never informed her and then her mother died) so when she grew tired of waiting for wedding plans to move forward and found out that Preston wasn't interested in marrying her, she decides to stop waiting and start really living. That's when she decides to have a no-strings-attached affair and goes to a masquerade party where she meets an intriguing man and sparks really fly. Of course it turns out to be Preston, and how these two strong-willed people come to terms with each other and discover the hidden depths of the other makes for a very enjoyable (and hot!) story. Well worth the read.

This was an engaging story in the series, though the hero is a bit too much of an alpha-hole for a bit too long, & the characters behavior & motivations flip flop extremely rapidly. The chemistry & love scenes are great, there’s not much character development in that the characters just kind of are one way & then suddenly change, pacing is a bit odd & uneven, but I couldn’t put it down.

I could not put this book down. I looooved this story, it’s so well written (and very steamy). This is my first book from this author but I’m sure I’ll be checking all of her books. Highly recommend it.

This was another home run for Joanna Shupe! I loved the pluckiness of the heroine and was rooting for her the entire time.

Joanna Shupe does it again. Once you start one of her books you can’t put it down! I absolutely LOVED this story! Preston and Kat are so perfect for each other and watching their story unfold is a delight! It’s a second chance/enemies to lovers romance and it’s super sexy! Their fathers arranged their marriage ages ago. Good girl Katherine Delafield has been waiting a year to wed bad boy business man Preston Clarke. Sick of waiting around for him, she ambushes him at his office to discuss the wedding plans. He breaks off the engagement between them due to a grudge he has against Kat’s father…they part ways hating each other. Kat wants to have some fun and sneaks into the scandalous French Ball masquerade where she has an extremely steamy tryst with a masked stranger. They agree to continue the affair the next night and meet at his downtown apartment. When she arrives, her sexy stranger turns out to be guess who?!!!! Her Ex Fiancé Preston Clarke! They can’t deny the sparks of mutual attraction and they come to learn that they may just be perfect for one another 💗 Fun banter, awesome secondary characters, a crazy romantic wedding proposal and in true Joanna Shupe fashion of course lots of hot sex! Highly recommend this book, and anything Joanna Shupe!

Katherine Delafield is done waiting for her betrothed, Preston Clarke, to acknowledge her and settle on a wedding date. Preston Clarke, a prodigious businessman, lives his life for his business, and always has a mistress waiting in the wings. Katherine Delafield is the furthest thing from his thoughts until she comes barging into his office one day to remind him of his duty to their betrothal. Needless to say, Preston is less than happy about the reminder that his scapegrace father and Katherine's father betrothed the two as children, and Preston plans to never marry. Katherine is mortified and decides that she has put her life on hold for Preston for too long. What ensues is a path that takes Katherine and Preston down a deliciously sensual and surprisingly heartfelt journey that neither of them saw coming.

I absolutely adored this story. Katherine made a few decisions that took me aback and felt extremely anachronistic, but I decided to just go along and enjoy the ride. This story had an extreme amount of heat and chemistry between the two main character's. It also had a lot of heart and a satisfying grovel on behalf of the hero. This was a fun and spicy read that I highly recommend!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this eARC thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#TheBrideGoesRogue #NetGalley

Joanna Shupe knows how to bring the heat, and this book is steamy! Preston reneges on his marriage contract with Katherine (in an attempt to strike back at his father's former business partner why HELLO Joanna Shupe!). Katherine has put her social life on hold because she's assumed that she doesn't need to make an effort to find a husband. When Preston rejects her, she decides that she's going to have some no strings attached fun at a masquerade ball. Preston also decides to put himself back out there, and they meet again - but this time, in disguise.

The book focuses on what two people who have determined they won't suit do when it turns out the definitely suit between the sheets. Does Kat want a husband? Will Preston give up on his revenge? This is a romance, so the HEA is predestined. The book does a great job of giving us two people who just can't allow themselves the grace to fall in love.

Also, we know we mentioned the steam factor of the book already, but we just want to point out that there are so many historical romances that tease a clandestine encounter or a one night stand but don't follow through. Don't you worry, that night at the masquerade ball pays off for Kat, Preston, and the reader!

Holy crap, this book. I had no idea Schupe's historical romance was so well-written and erotic or I would've read her books sooner. In Gilded Age New York, Katherine has believed for a year that she is engaged to Preston, the son of her father's former business partner. When she finally chooses to talk to him about their impending nuptials, Preston reveals that he never planned to marry Katherine, who is heartbroken and angry she wasted a year on this man. Katherine decides to attend a masked party with her friend Nellie, whose reputation places her on the outskirts of society, and find herself a lover. She's determined to have fun and no longer wait around for a man. There, Katherine has a passionate moment with a masked man in a matching costume. The two agree to meet the next evening to finish what they started, and are mutually shocked to discover that, of course, the man in the mask was Preston and his partner was the woman he just rejected.

Preston is entirely ruthless when it comes to business and believes he owns a piece of land Katherine's father gifted her. Katherine has big dreams to open an art museum to feature her late mother's collection of paintings on the land. While the two are business rivals, they agree to a romantic affair because their chemistry is so off the charts. But as they fall in love, things become more complicated, especially because when it comes to business, Preston always gets his way.

This one was so steamy and so fun! Preston is truly a scoundrel, but Katherine can hold her own. I was addicted to Schupe's writing while reading this one, and the excerpt for the next title in this series? Ohhhh my goodness, I am so excited! Schupe will become a must-buy from me and I can't wait to delve into her entire backlist. The NYC setting was just icing on the cake.

I love to see a woman say screw this guy and then go and have a wild time - and that is exactly what Katherine does! She takes control of her life and goes out to have fun. And she totally does! Unfortunately along the way she also finds her almost fiancé and some pesky feelings… Preston is also great! So intense - and also needs a hug! His bafflement at his “O am not jealous behavior” is hilarious and heartwarming. (He is genuinely confounded by this!) He is going through his own grief and processing what success really means for him. And it is all amazing to watch. He also grovels and cooks and has some great grand gestures that are always a good time.

But what really sold me on this read was their genuine chemistry and friendship. Preston has to learn to listen and Katherine has to learn not to defend her worth - and together they have to learn that vulnerability and true intimacy go together.

This is the third book in Shupe's Fifth Avenue Rebels series and I have to tell you the series just gets better with each book. In this one we read the story of Preston Clarke, who is single minded in his hatred for the Delafield family....until...enter Katherine Delafield. Masquerades, hotels, art museums and a love shack! This is all happening with Shupe's steamy scenes.

Preston is one of my favorite MMC; smart, determined, a bit of a savage, and above all will do anything to get what he wants. The chemistry and banter between him and Kat was amazing!! I DEVOURED this book.

This I loved about it:
* Cameo from Kit-- everyone deserves a friend like him.
* The chemistry between the MCs
* How Kat evolved form being a dependent, do-whatever-her-father-wants to and independent bad ass chick, while staying true to herself.
* The set up for Nellie's book throughout this series, but especially this book, has me OH SO excited to read the next one.

Thank you Avon for my first e-ARC via NetGalley. This is my own honest review. Book is out next month, run to get it!

***A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review***

Well, Joanna Shupe does it again!!! I was absolutely obsessed with the previous book in this series (The Lady Gets Lucky) and was anxious to see if anything would be able to top it. However, I didn’t need to worry because this one blew me out of the water! Can we just take a moment to appreciate this absolutely stunning cover?!
Based on a contractual agreement made by their fathers, Katherine has been anticipating a marriage to Preston for over a year…or so she thought. When she shows up at his work to iron out the details of their big day, Preston basically tells her that he never had any intention of marrying her and that she was deluded for thinking otherwise. Katherine tells him off and then leaves his office with the intention of never seeing him again. After feeling like she pretty much wasted a year of her life waiting for a huge jerk, Katherine decides to spice things up and live life on the scandalous side. In particular, she decides she wants to have a meaningless affair (men can do it so why the heck can’t she?!). Katherine and her bestie Nellie (who I can’t WAIT to get her own book) decide to attend a raunchy masquerade/costume party to put Katherine’s plan into action. While at the party, Katherine becomes instantly infatuated with a mysterious masked gentleman (who just happens to be Preston). Due to their masked costumes the two don’t recognize each other, but immediately hit it off. They make plans to meet up again after the party to continue their affair…but how will things change once their identities have been revealed?

This was probably one of the best hate-to-love historical romances I’ve read in a long time (and my new favorite Joanna Shupe book to date). As always with Joanna Shupe, her witty banter and scorching chemistry were executed perfectly. Especially considering how rocky things were at the start for this couple, I was surprised by how invested I become in their relationship and how well the two ended up balancing each other out. This was a super steamy installment, and the spicy dialogue in particular was next level. I liked watching Katherine evolve from a timid wallflower to an outspoken and independent woman. Preston is a morally grey hero in that he’s not afraid to cheat, lie, and steal to get what he wants no matter the cost. He has a ton of emotional baggage that he takes out on other people (both intentionally and unintentionally). As a result, I did find Preston a little immature at times due to his fixation on his own end goals and his disregard for the impact that his actions had on the people around him. It all worked out in the end for me though, because I loved how much Preston ended up having to grovel and worship her.

All in all…Joanna Shupe is such a staple in the historical romance community and I feel like her books are only getting better and better. I definitely recommend you picking this one up when it comes out on May 24th, 2022!

A lovely historical romance that made me swoon and feel the clutch in my heart. I so enjoyed this romance.

This book gets off to a quick start and then steamrolls along from there. I adore this series in general. This installment wasn’t exactly what I expected, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found Preston a little frustrating with all his “I’m such a bad person” vibes. On the other hand, the chemistry between the two leads was stunning and perfectly steamy. Katherine is an utter delight and I adore her. I can’t wait for the next book, which got so heavily teased.

4.5/5, releases May 24.

Katherine Delafield and Preston Clarke were betrothed through a contract made by their fathers years ago. And ever since then, Katherine has fully anticipated her eventual marriage to the handsome man she barely knows. Until, that is, she visits Preston's office and is given a harsh reality check--not only does he not intend to marry her anytime soon... He actually doesn't intend on marrying her ever.

Enraged and frustrated by all of her wasted time, Katherine sets out to have a secret affair, attending a masked party to find just the right type of gentleman to give her a night of fun and free her of her inhibitions. Unbeknownst to her, Preston is attending the same party, putting the two of them back in each other's paths. Once they realize that they gave each other an experience they can't forget, the pair find it difficult to avoid one another... But Preston still has no interest in marrying Katherine (in part due to his rivalry with her father). And Katherine has no interest in marrying a man who alternately intrigues and aggravates her.

Can these two crazy kids make it work?

Listen. Listen. This shit was hot. There's no other way to put it. Joanna Shupe begins the shenanigans early in this one, and she does not let up. I've noticed a difference in heat level between Shupe's traditionally published books and the novellas she's released in Duke I'd Like to F... and Rake I'd Like to F... which isn't surprising. Uh, this bad boy? Is a little closer to those novellas. Preston and Katherine are about it all. They first hook up in costume as Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour (naturally) and so you get a lot of light role-playing--much use of "my king", "reinette", and "mon chaton" is used by these highly educated New Yorkers, and if you have an issue with that, then this book may not be for you and honestly? I may not be for you either. There are some heavy dom/sub undertones in the relationship; and I kind of loved this, because Katherine is so game. Like, she enjoys him calling her a good girl and telling her what to do and getting a bit rough... But she also has total emotional control over this man, and openly admits that she enjoys teasing him. She's a brat, plain and simple. And he adores her.

But the relationship isn't all sex, and as the story progresses you see the gradual transition from what is a purely physical connection to emotional intimacy. Preston and Katherine both have daddy issues, and it shows. I would actually say that the conflict between Preston and Lloyd, Katherine's father, is probably one of the few flaws of the book. While it's not bad per se (and I love conflict in general) I know that Shupe is a big fan of a "but Daddy I love him!" moment. This is something we saw in the Uptown Girls series (multiple times). To me, the damage between Lloyd and Preston was a bit of a retread of what we saw between Clay and Florence's father in The Prince of Broadway--but it hit a bit harder in The Prince of Broadway.

Nonetheless, that really doesn't take away from most of the novel. It's a super fun, emotional book--and God, the groveling is good. When this man fucks up, he FUCKS UP, and seeing him bend over backwards to make it up to her is kind of fabulous. I love a good grovel, but they're hard to master. You want it to feel earned--not contrived. To me, the groveling from Preston was perfect. His passion for Katherine growing from sexual desire to true love was deftly executed, and God, it's fabulous to see a true alpha hero broken and desperate in the streets.

I'd be remiss if I didn't add a shout out to the players for the next book, The Duke Gets Even. I have... been so edged. By this series. Each book, I wait for my mentions of the Duke of Fuckwood, like a dog waiting for scraps from the dinner table. I have devoured the crumbs that are Nellie being like "I actually fucking hate that guy so much, don't ask why, I won't elaborate" and Lockwood doing the true romance hero move of recognizing Nellie when she's in full costume at the sex party (where he is attending not in costume, because he fucks SO HARD). I have given and given, and at last I am about to receive. But when???? When, Joanna Shupe? Why must I be persecuted???

Anyway, read this book. It's great. I highly recommend. That carriage scene is some of the best smut I've read in ages. Let's do it.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An amazing addition to the series! Sexy and fun from the start, and a unique take on the enemies-to-lovers trope. I loved seeing Preston and Katherine's personalities clash, and it was so easy to root for Katherine as she took charge of her life to become the brave and bold woman she's always wanted to be. (Also why is it so much fun when you have the same name as the main character?). Overall I would highly, highly recommend this book and this series, and I cannot wait for Nellie and Lockwood's book!

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager via Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Oooooh this book was so sexy with slow burn!
Preston thinks he owns the world, or does he? The moment Katherine is in his life, he finds himself needing her so much he cant let her go but needs to because as he said to her - I am not marrying you. Katherine is anything but a sad wallflower, she knows what she wants and decides Preston can show her pleasure since he wont have her heart. Of course, these sexy moments add up and their hearts collide. Another awesome book by this author and I find myself in love with the wounded heart like men she comes up with!

Joanna Shupe can do no wrong. One of the best historical romance writers in the game. She writes the most engaging and wonderful characters and this book was no different. Kat + Preston were *chefs kiss*

Thank you Netgalley + the publisher for the ARC in exchange for the honest review!

I really liked this one. An arranged betrothal that gets canceled by the tycoon Preston. Katharine then looks forward to a bit of freedom and boy The French Ball sure was a nice surprise for me LOL. You will see! I think some parts were a tiny bit slow, but still I look forward to the next one.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Wow-- this book was great. I liked the first book in the series, but I LOVED the second book in the series, so I didn't know what to expect with this, especially since I had a hard time remember both MC's,

Although, I really don't remember Katherine too well, I really liked her. I found her really likeable and relatable for wanting to take charge of her life after waiting around for a year for a man to marry.

Overall, I really liked the MC's and the storyline. The book was pretty steamy, and overall an enjoyable and fast read! I can't wait for the next one now!

Another wildly entertaining, historically fascinating, and SMOKING HOT book from Joanna Shupe - this whole series has been wonderful, but this is my favorite book so far. If you like a bad boy hero who's so smitten he doesn't know how to handle his feelings, and a heroine who's taking none of his nonsense, this book is for you.