Perfection. Just absolute perfection. I did not want this to end!

The Duke of Lockwood finally gets his happy ending after one broken engagement and one failed courtship. From the previous books, we know the Duke is frantically searching for an American heiress to save his estate from financial ruin, but there's actually an even more pressing issue that's got him under a time constraint. However, he finds himself falling for the scandalous Ms. Nellie Young, who believes that marriage to the Duke and becoming his duchess is the last possible thing she could ever want.

Nellie's character was everything. She played such a huge role throughout this entire series in helping the other characters follow their hearts. She believes in lifting women up and equality for all, but she is so misunderstood because she lives her own life so freely. She wants to keep her independence and not be taken away to England, but she can't stop from developing intense feelings for the Duke.

This book was incredibly steamy, filled with so many emotions, and covered important topics like laws and education pertaining to women's reproductive rights. The characters from the past books also make appearances and honestly, this was just a perfect way to end this series. Do yourself a favor and read this whole series if you haven't already!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for this e-ARC. And thank you Ms. Joanna Shupe for writing these fantastic books!

So many wonderful things in this historical romance: Gilded Age New York, an English Duke, strong characters with steamy chemistry, an Irish gang, reproductive activism and the list goes on.

I love how headstrong, independent, stubborn, and fierce Nellie was. She is one of my favorite heroines because she knows what she wants, is fiercely loyal, and loves passionately. She's also comfortable in her sexuality and body.

I also love how Lockwood matched Nellie's passion and ambitious nature and knew what he wanted and just went for it. This man fell hard for Nellie and his love never wavered.

I couldn't put this book down as these characters & plot were engrossing and entertaining. That ending in Paris was "chef's kiss" great.

Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book for an honest review.

The Duke Gets Even was my first time reading anything by Joanna Shupe, but it will not be my last. The characters of Nellie and Longwood were well drawn, with depth and complexity. This novel is obviously part of a series, but it stood alone very well. I'm interested in learning more about the other characters, but did not feel that I'd be dropped in the middle of a dinner party with no reference points. The historical piece around contraception was fascinating and helped underscore Nellie's dedication to her independence. Emotionally and narratively compelling, steamy and fun to read, I'm glad the duke was able to get even.

I have been dying to get my hands on The Duke Gets Even since Joanna Shupe posted a preview of the opening midnight swim scene! It did not disappoint at all. The Duke Gets Even is the fourth book in The Fifth Avenue Rebels. I highly recommend you read the entire series in order. The Duke is a big player in each book and Nellie is a bestie to each heroine. There are also references to some of Shupe's other books in Uptown Girls series.

Joanna Shupe is an insta-buy for me and this book is a shining star in the series. Lockwood needs to find an American heiress with a sterling reputation to marry and save his family estate. Nellie is in a new season of life. Her friends have all married and starting new lives, leaving her behind. A chance midnight swim leaves two strangers instantly attracted to each other.

What I loved most was finally getting to know each character's inner life and back stories. Nellie's tycoon father adores her but often leaves her to herself. Nellie lost her Irish mother young, but her mother's family are The Saints (organized crime group) in Hell's Kitchen! Nellie has a soft, caring heart with a strong, wild will to change the world. Lockwood, aka Andrew, is also a darling. His love and care for Nellie spark off the page. Their attraction is so strong and this book is steamy!!!! Nothing taboo but certainly a level up from what I've come to expect from Historical Romance.

I've heard this is the last in the series but I hope some characters from the series pop up in the next!

Thank you so much to #netgalley and #Avon for the advanced read. All opinions are my own.

I've been trying to gather my thoughts about this and for me, Joanna Shupe didn't pull any punches. She let her heroine speak for herself and be the champion for equal rights that we should all want to be. She let her hero love Nellie all along, for all of her rule-breaking and living her life despite the rules of New York Society.

Essentially, Lockwood needs to marry to save his ancestral estate. Eleanor would be a prime candidate because she has the dowry....except she is anything but conventional. And so the chaos ensues, right? Except we've seen these two circling each other like sharks for three books. We've seen Lockwood try and fail with all of her friends. Shupe doesn't let the reader think that Eleanor is a consolation prize for even one second. From the first sentence we see that she is the <b>only</b> choice because she's changed his life in one moment. The love story between Lockwood and Eleanor is deftly woven to be exciting, and enticing, and entirely the only option for either of these hard-headed main characters. The intimate scenes between them are piping hot, filled with witty banter and moments that leave you breathless.

The Duke Gets Even is also written as a parallel to what we're experiencing in our current society. Shupe does not shy away from the similarities between 2022 and The Gilded Age but instead pulls them into the light and says "Look at this. We are back here,<i> again</i>." I highly recommend this read to any fan of Joanna Shupe and to anyone who feels lost and adrift at the current state of human rights in America.

I’ve been waiting for Lockwood and Nellie’s book since the beginning of the Heiress Hunt, so I was thrilled to get an arc of The Duke Gets Even. And when I saw this cover, ooof! So HOT! The hair grab sets the tone and this book delivers on it!

This book definitely speaks to current issues with the themes of bodily autonomy and access to reproductive care that run throughout. Love that Nellie is such a champion and willing to help others and stand up for what she believes. The author’s notes at the end were so interesting in regards to the history taking place during the time this story was set.

Nellie is at that time when many of her friends are starting to partner up and she feels left behind. For all the times that she sees the worth in others and supports them, she isn’t willing or able to see the same in herself at the start of this book. How often we believe the voices and roles that others have painted for us.

I loved both Nellie and Lockwood in this story. Their struggles and reasons for being apart felt realistic on both sides and I truly wondered… are they going to make this work? (spoiler, it’s a romance so HEA guaranteed)

It was so great to get Lockwood’s POV since we’ve only seen his “duke-ish" behavior in previous books.

Nellie’s Dad was wonderful. Nellie’s mom’s family were the best! The scene in Hell's Kitchen and the toasts were some of my favorite parts.

Nellie’s aunt played such a maternal role for her and I enjoyed how she is there for Nellie and her words of wisdom. “Oh, love. There is no limit to the foolish things we do for men.”

“Lie to me if you must, but don’t lie to yourself. If he makes you happy then be happy. All of us have such a short time to be alive, so grab all the happiness you can with both hands.”

Words to live by in these trying times. Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for an advance copy of this book.

We know from previous books that Nellie dislikes the duke, big time. Now we can see why.

What’s up: Nellie and Andrew (Duke Lockwood) meet at the beach one night, mere chance encounter; not knowing who they are. However, they have an instant attraction and connection, and share a midnight kiss with the expectation of seeing each other again the next night. But, then Nellie learns who Andrew really is—a desperate broke duke in need of a heiress. And she despises him for the reason that he’s to be engaged to one of her best friends.
Now she hates him and vows to destroy his engagement to Maddie and make miserable until he’s back in London.
As much as they hate each other, they can’t erase their shared kiss, or the chemistry between them.

What was magical about this book:
1. Free-spirited, wild heroine. Nellie has long ago decided that she doesn’t want to marry anyone, because she wants to be her own person. She doesn’t care what others say. She seeks thrill and adventures.
2. Passionate duke. He might look bland and indifferent on the outside, but our duke has a lot of interesting thoughts and ideas. And he’s not what we expected. I loved him to pieces. Especially when he’s willing to fight hard for what he wants.
3. Enemies to lovers. The tension was everything.
4. Supportive second characters. I loved seeing past characters like Kit and Alice, and Kat and Preston; even Maddie and Harrison. And we also get to meet Nellie’s Irish family which are so fun and protective.
5. Excellent world description. Joanna Shupe is an excellent story teller, making us feel back in 1890s, in such glamorous and different world.

What I wished was different:
1. I really would have loved to see more time Nellie and Andrew as enemies as they struggled against their attraction. It felt a bit rush at the beginning. However, this doesn’t lessen how much I got to love this couple.

Always and forever I am here for a dirty duke. Loved the tension here, loved the banter, loved their believable longing. The opening scene made me scream, it was SO hot and good and fabulous. The Irish mob relatives were fantastic. I especially loved the conceit of this series, where all 4 books start at the same Newport party and then unspooled I’m their own way. I thought that was genius and really enjoyed seeing each woman’s story start in the same place.

Couple of thoughts. I didn’t love that the subplot involving the contraception was just dropped. Nellie actually seemed to make the poor woman’s life worse and then there was NO follow up. I was very interested in that subplot, and for the most part thought it was deftly handled, it then it just gets dropped and not resolved. This was my BIGGEST problem with the book.

Could have used more sex, especially at the end, it was just a fade to black rather than a coda sex scene.

I have been waiting on this book! This is the couple I was most looking forward to in the series, and she saved them for last. Worth the wait! Nellie and Lockwood.... sigh. Great chemistry between them, and their motivations were understandable for each character. I loved seeing each of their meetings from the other books from their perspectives, finally, it was a great payoff. Their compatibility in the bedroom becomes impossible to deny, but they each have their Reasons not to stay together. Shupe weaves so much emotion into her stories, and it feels so rewarding as a reader to watch the journey. love these two, and their friends from the previous books. The spicy level is very good. I do think this could be read as a stand-alone, but the entire series is so great I would recommend it.

I did receive an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have been waiting for the Duke of Lockwood since book one was released last year, and when I found out the love interest was going to be Nellie I almost died. I loved it - the plot was excellent because we sort of knew what was going on from the previous books. Although Nellie hid many of her feelings, we got to see them establish a romance from afar. Great story with a lot of steam!!!

The Duke Gets Even is hands down the best book in The Fifth Avenue Rebels series! Nellie and Lockwood are perfect for each other. The chemistry and passion between them sizzled throughout the pages.

Without giving too much away, what I loved about this book was Lockwood's deep love for Nellie. It never wavered, even with all the obstacles they faced. From the moment they met, he knew he had to have her. He loved her for who she was and never once asked her to reform her ways.

Fantastic book and a great ending to this series!!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyed this book in The 5th Avenue Rebels series so much! It was wonderful reading the fourth book immediately following the third book, so the wonderful friend relationships were still fresh in my mind. This series is as much about the love and care that friends have for each other as it is about the romantic love relationships. Though there is plenty of that too! Especially in this book--my goodness! The level of steaminess rolls of the pages! I loved this pair and their relationship--emotional and spicy! I did find myself wanting a little more time with them outside of the bedroom (and lake, and ballroom, and swimming pool, and . . . see what I mean--steamy!) but that is just because I didn't want it to end. So good!

The loyal daughter, devoted friend, contraception activist, free thinking, anti marriage, sexually liberated, fiery red head, Ms. Eleanor “Nellie” Lucinda Young is our heroine.

The thrice jilted, American heiress hunter, His Grace, The (eighth) Duke of Lockwood, Andrew Talbot is our hero.

The fourth book in Joanna Shupe’s The Fifth Avenue Rebels series is, in this reviewer’s (a major Shupe fan) opinion, the ⭐️ of the set.

It starts at a midnight swim you’ll recall if you’ve read the other books. What follows is a series of terribly awkward moments, hurt feelings, bruised egos, angry later encounters, secret 🥵 meetings, political movements and intrigue, and of course, a moving love story.

Shupe takes the enemies to lovers trope to A+ heights here.

Come for the banter and VERY VERY HOT sex, stay for the reproductive freedom advocacy and history lessons. This book’s author’s note is a must read.

Eleanor and Andrew’s love story is fun, romantic, sexy, daring, and emotional. We recommend!!

“Love doesn’t even come close to describing what I feel for you.”

This is the final book in Joanna Shupe's 5th Avenue Rebels and one of my most anticipated releases of next year and this book looked up to the hype for me! I have been in love with Lockwood since I first met him at the beginning of this series this poor man has been through the wringer and I am so happy to finally see his romance with Nellie.

Nellie and Lockwood are simply perfect. I love how headstrong, independent, stubborn, and fierce Nellie was. She is one of my favorite heroines because she knows what she wants, is fiercely loyal, and loves passionately. She's also so comfortable in her sexuality and body and I love it so much! I also appreciate how her past sexual encounters were not bad and she had fun, which isn't something I see with other "experienced" heroines.

Lockwood, oh my, I love this man. I love how he matched Nellie's passion and ambitious nature and knew what he wanted and just went for it. This man fell hard for Nellie and his love never wavered. He knew he loved her and knew he had to get her and tried so hard! But, he never forced her or pushed too much he also gave her space and care.

The steam in this was also A++. Nellie and Lockwood had amazing passion and chemistry but I could also see how perfect they were together when you remove all the steaminess which is so important for a romance novel. You could tell that they really would support each other through thick and thin.

I will say there isn't necessarily a plot to this book mainly because you are just following Nellie and Lockwood's love but I didn't mind at all! I overall love this book and feel like it was a great ending to this series and I am so excited to see what Joanna Shupe does next!

I really, really love Joanna Shupe's strong, independent heroines. I think they're a - historically accurate, and b - just a real joy to read, and she really does succeed at writing a hero who's worthy of them. Where she doesn't always stick the landing for me is in writing an ending that I really find convincing.

I've realized lately that what I really love in a romance is at least the final 10% of the book (can you tell I read a lot on my Kindle?) to be the romantic interests together and happy and living their lives. It's really tough for me to see them get together for the final time at 94%, because my poor heart just needs a little more lovin' between them and a clear vision of their future together. And as much as I understand the promise of the premise, Nellie and Andrew were a pair where even I questioned whether or not they'd really end up happy together at the end.

I love Joanna's writing and the work she's doing for the genre, and boy this book was HOT. Nellie and Andrew's will-they-won't-they relationship was teased perfectly across the series, and this was really a great finish for them. As always, I cannot wait to see where Joanna ends up next: from Instagram it looks like Boston for at least a little bit, which I would LOVE. I love that she writes in a lesser-utilized time period: now let's go for new cities, too!

I have no idea how Joanna Shupe does it, but this woman can write the most emotionally charged books with a dark moment conflict like no other. This is the third time she’s gotten me, where I am actually sitting on the edge of my seat wondering how on earth are they going to work through this? How will this resolve in a way that isn’t cheap or easy? And every single time, she does it. Never once have I felt cheated in the payoff.

There are not enough ways to express how much I loved this book. I honestly wish this was out now, because it feels like this a book that everyone needs to read. Sexy, romantic, tender, topical, entertaining as all get out and just an all-around great read.

The characters are just so real, so fully formed that you feel like you’re watching a film. The way she writes women is so refreshing and so comforting. I find myself nodding and thinking, “Yes, that’s how women are. This is how we speak with our friends.” And the men! My stars, her heroes are something I’ve never seen before, and I want more. Oh, Lockwood . . . I just adore you.

Nellie Young is the heroine we need right now, because the book deals with issues that are relevant to all women right now. This book needs to be seen, it needs to be read, it needs to be talked about. Right now. I so wish this was coming out in October, because I’d be buying boxes of this book to give to every woman I know. In fact, I already have my copy pre-ordered.

This book hits every note and just sings. I can’t wait to do a more detailed and lengthy review on my blog—which will probably be about five pages long. Read this! You won’t regret it!

Rating 🌟🌟🌟
Spice 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Enemies to lovers
Class differences
Opposites attract


I had high hopes for this one and while I did enjoy it, it fell a bit short. The first three books of The Fifth Avenue Rebels series shows Nellie and Lockwood skirting around each other and we finallyyyy get their story here. The Duke Gets Even is book 4 in this series but can be read as a standalone.

I really liked these two together. However Nellie’s constant hesitation and pulling away was becoming exhausting and I found myself rolling my eyes at the end. While her reasons were valid I felt as if it all could have been resolved well before it actually was.

The relationship between them also felt more sex driven than anything else. And while I’m never one to walk away from a steamy book, I wanted a bit more of an emotional connection to our MCs.

Overall it was an enjoyable read!!

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯!

✨Poseidon is very good at making things wet.✨

My heart is saying 4.5 stars because 4 isn’t right but neither is 5 but also both are right and I’m confused. My first impression is that I can’t wait to reread this book. My expectations were so high I think I played myself. I also found myself comparing this one to the previous books. In a vacuum, this is a great book, but as part of the series—the conclusion no less—I’m not sure it was all that it could be.

I seriously loved Nellie and Andrew like my god punch me in the face I want to feel pain too. They’re both so hot. Lockwood was so much dirtier than any of the books even HINTED at (save for the best, most unhinged teaser at the end of The Bride Goes Rogue). Rereading the series is going to be so much fun now that we’re in on the secret.

✨

Nellie was a lot softer than I thought she was going to be. She was still a force, but to be blunt, she was less of a top than I would’ve guessed. Andrew was very dominant and consistently wanted to take care of her…by fucking her into next Tuesday. She definitely owned her pleasure though and he was ultimately so in love with her at all times that she always topped his heart ❤️

Lockwood has been waiting four books to have his duke gone wild moment and have he DID. He was the epitome of buttoned up in the streets and absolutely backbreaking in the sheets. Also Lockwood + the beard he wears for Nellie has me going absolutely out of my mind. He’s just so polished that the little bit of roughness unleashed something so feral in me. What are swimming shoulders if they’re not pushing thighs wider? What is hair if it’s not being pulled?? What is a beard if it’s not leaving a mark??? Well let me tell you this book left a MARK.
Andrew absolutely fell first here and I’m such a sucker for all of the wooing and seduction that happens after the “oh shit I love her and I WILL be marrying her so now I just need to figure out how to be what she needs” realization. I know some people may want more plot, but there’s something so hot to everything in the book being dedicated to deserving the heroine.

Nellie’s family definitely added an extra edge to this book that was PERFECT. She had ties to the Irish mafia and of course Lockwood had to prove himself. We got a fun drunk scene and just a very lovely family dynamic. Andrew also delivered the best line to her cousins Finn and I just—ₙₑₑ𝒹 ᵃ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ. I also really loved her relationship with her father. Cornelius was as cool as he was rich. Supportive parents are so hard to come by in historical romance that I truly love to see it.

✨

So while I clearly loved this book so hard, I wanted a bit more from a few different areas. I was never displeased with what we got on the page, it’s mainly what we didn’t get where I have some issues.

🔱 Nellie’s activism could have played a larger and more developed role in the plot and her character arc. The history of abortions and sexual health is so fascinating to me and I love that it was included in this book, but it did feel rather surface level at moments. That being said, she’s one of the only heroines I’ve read who’s had an abortion (with zero regret!) and god do I love that.

CW: domestic abuse. There was a subplot with a wife who was being abused by her husband and Nelly basically made it worse for the wife. (Nellie was supplying contraception to the wife.) By the end of the book, we didn’t hear anything about it besides that the world is unjust like yes I get that but??? She didn’t really take any responsibility for worsening the situation for the woman by going to her house, even if she had good intentions.

🔱 While the sex was hot hot HOT because I loved their chemistry, I don’t quite feel complete? It was steamy but also…unbalanced. There was lot of sex in one area of the book and then crumbs in the last third at least. The one scene that we were gonna get of him railing her from behind was absolutely cut off before it even started. He was like “bend over let me fuck you” and then the chapter ended. This came at 97% and after a serious sex drought in the book. I was so happy to see we were going to get another scene and then just as quickly my hopes and dreams were snatched away faster than I could say yes king rail her like a train. We also got more fade to black than I would’ve liked, including a scene right in the middle of the epilogue? My soul is too fragile for such teasing.

🔱 Since the plot did greatly revolve around Nellie and Lockwood being together on the same page—a lot of times naked or wet or wet and naked—I did feel like the ending dragged a bit (random fade to black but aside). I can see where people would say this doesn't really have a plot...but I'm honestly fine with it when I get the supremely cute bonding and scorching seduction present here. I do typically like that style coupled with very low angst third acts, so that's mainly where my issues stem from. It's not majorly angsty but I think there was one too many rejections. I wanted more of her family content and/or something external rather than “I’m leaving because I love you.”

While these are things I definitely noticed on this first read, I do think I’ll be able to sit back during my rereads and just take it all in. It all being the hair pulling and dirty talk. And also Andrew saying “that’s it” and “take it all.”

✨

Overall, Lockwood is everything I’ve ever wanted from a historical romance hero and Nellie is such a lowkey cinnamon roll. No matter the issues I have, I’ll always be so fundamentally attracted to this book. Get your little tabbies ready for those sex scenes y’all.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶🌶.5**/5

*Subject to change upon rereads bc I have a feeling I’ll ultimately round up

**I just want less missionary 😭

Although I did like this book, it didn't really grab my attention and as much as I'd have liked. Overall okay read, though I had hoped for a lot more.

Thank you to the publisher for kindly providing me with an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Duke Gets Even is the 4th book in Joanna Shupe’s The Fifth Avenue Rebels series and a book I’ve been waiting for because of Nellie and the Duke in the previous books! I was so excited to get an early copy and had to dive in.

Andrew Talbot, the eighth Duke of Lockwood, is desperately in need of an heiress thanks to his father’s poor business sense. He has come to America to find himself a wealthy bride and things haven’t gone so well for the Duke for the past year… If you’ve read the previous books in the series then you know he attempted to court 2 of Nellie’s friends, and even became good friends with a 3rd, but they all tossed him aside for others. The story kicks off taking us all the way back to Maddie’s house party back from book 1, when Lockwood first meets Nellie. While enjoying a midnight swim, Lockwood can’t believe his luck when a gorgeous, red-haired, nude woman swims up to him. She mistakes himself for someone else at first but they hit it off and have a little midnight tryst connection before they go their separate ways (they kiss, don’t share names, she shares her aversion to marriage, they plan to meet another night). Cut to the next morning at the house party, and Nellie realizes Lockwood is the Duke her friend Maddie is supposed to possibly marry. Of course from Maddie’s books things quickly go off the rails there for other reasons and Lockwood goes on his way.

Nellie and Lockwood meet up much later, in present day (after all of her friends books). He is still searching for an heiress to marry and Nellie is feeling a bit adrift, she doesn’t have any real passions, and all of her friends are coupled up or married. But she does feel a little something-something for Lockwood, as he does for her. She is adamant he should find the “respectable, suitable, society’s darling”-type of future duchess that she certainly is not, but Lockwood knows Nellie is perfect just as she is for him. They do end up giving in and decide to have an affair together while he’s in town, he wants more and she tries to play it off as just a hookup.

I adored Nellie’s rebellious, “I’m not going to live by society’s standards” ways, her relationship with her friend group, and how close she is with her father. I also loved seeing Nellie’s trips to Hell’s Kitchen and her closeness with her cousin Finn (he needs a book 👀) and Aunt Riona. Her finding a cause she’s passionate about, distributing contraceptives and helping/teaching women how to use them. The history and conversations about women’s reproductive rights definitely hits with current times. Seeing Lockwood unwind behind doors was so much fun and his possessiveness at the art show! 🔥 While there is a lot of passion and tons of steam between these 2, I found there wasn’t as much on the story aspect (like the previous 2 books) that I kind of wanted.

Thank you to the publisher (Avon Books) for an e-ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own. The Duke Gets Even has a release date of January 24, 2023.