Thank you Berkley the free book and PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

I love historical romance, and this is such a fascinating and unique new series. Cora Dove is the illegitimate oldest daughter of a wealthy New Yorker. When her grandmother dies, she leaves Cora and each of her sisters an inheritance. But it comes with strings. Their father has to approve their marriages to suitable husbands, but they can't be connected to New York society. So Cora and her family head off to London to find husbands among the nobility.

I appreciated how amazing and strong Cora was, for herself and for her sisters. And I also loved Leopold, the Earl of Devonworth. After his father ran the family estate bankrupt, he's willing to wed for a large dowry to help his family. And so we get one of my very favorite ropes, marriage of convenience.

The book incorporated some fabulous themes because of Devenworth's involvement with Parliament. As has been the case with several recent novels, there was good coverage of the women's suffrage movement and the Married Women's Property Act. It felt especially appropriate to the content here. But I was even more keen to learn about public health. The book ended with an awesome historical note about sewers and water and their relation to health.

Saskia Maarleveld was as absolutely fabulous as she always is. I love her narration and would listen to audiobooks just to hear her. And I am equally excited now to read more from Harper St. George. She'll be going to my shortlist of must read historical romance authors.

I absolutely loved this book! I discovered Harper St. George about two years ago and started reading her Gilded Age Heiresses series. As soon as I finished that one, I knew there was going to be a spin off. Loving that series so much, I shouldn’t be shocked by how amazing this book was, but I am. Marriage of convenience is my absolute favorite trope and I loved that it was between two strangers. This one was just so well done and captured my whole attention that I finished it in less than 24 hours. I loved seeing these characters go through struggles with who they were, opening up to each other, and fighting for what they believed in. Leo had my whole heart and I just felt for him so much because I know he just wanted to protect himself. Then Cora with her passion, strong beliefs, and kindness just complimented Leo extremely well. The Stranger I Wed is a beautifully written story that left me counting down the days until I can get the next one in the series.

Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️

This is the first book in the new series, The Doves of New York. I was intrigued by the setup of the book, illegitimate heroine from New York goes to England with her mother and sisters to find a husband in order to receive her dowry. The first half of the book is fast paced and I enjoyed how Cora and Devonworth met and were instantly intrigued by each other.
Cora is an unconventional, and bold heroine who is trying to establish a better future for herself and her family. However, I’m not a big fan of those character traits in my HR heroines. Also, the Americans are portrayed as uncouth not sure why.
Cora and Devonworth are attracted to each other but they had no chemistry. The first half of the book is very interesting and sets up the series. Overall, this is a well written book. I’m looking forward to reading the stories of the other sisters.

Thank you to the publisher for providing the ARC.

I loved Harper St. George's previous series, and I was happy to see that the universe would continue with a new set of American heiresses with the Dove sisters, and I was happy to see glimpses of the Crenshaw sisters peaking through. It made the word that St. George has built feel even more real.
Despite a marriage of convenience this is an angsty slow burn of a book that slowly drags out all the skeletons and baggage that Cara and Leo are bringing along. We see them slowly build a relationship (and tear it down and rebuild) that felt realistic and well developed rather than hastily shoved together. They are complex and layered and it made for a beautiful story to read.
While not necessary, I find that authors that incorporate historical research to also write my favorite books too, and the research for this book is plain to see. There are important historical references, plots, and locations incorporated without feeling intentional, but instead just flow.

I cannot wait for the rest of this series (and any more books Harper St. George wants to gift to us).

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars

This was, for the most part, a lukewarm romance for me. The storyline was good and the characters were fairly intriguing, but I never really connected to either main character. It started to get better around the 60/70% range and then a ton of stuff happened in the last 10%.

I really enjoyed the communication, though not at first 😅 They obviously start out hiding a couple things from the other in order to get the marriage solidified, but they slowly start to open up until they've both given up pretty big things about themselves and the other always took it with grace. And there wasn't really a third act breakup, which was so nice, but the final "conflict" was sort of overtaken by something else completely out of left field. Other than that, I like how the ending was handled.

I am starting to really like these regency era romances more and more, so I enjoyed that and the fight for women's rights that was taking place throughout. It really is rage inducing to see what these men, and women, say about women's rights. I know, I know. This is a book, but this shit really happened and I'm sure this all was said in some way or another by someone back in the day.

Overall would recommend for any regency era romance lovers. 💜

Wow! I have a few books by this author but they are unread! Well they are all in my TBR pile now!
Cora Dove on of 3 infamous Dove sisters due to her mothers affair with a Mr Hathaway. A very influential and wealthy family.
Due to Cora’s courage she and her sisters posses a dowry but they must use it to marry an English Lord leaving their past and shame behind!
Cora is friends with another American Camille and she invites them to watch a game of football as men are totally themselves and why not see them in a state of deshabille!
The Earl of Devonworth is one fine specimen of a man! His lack of wealth and just a title is well known in England but so much to the American heiress’s!
The Earl aka Leo has a reckless brother plus some bad luck that means he needs a Dollar princess as soon as possible!
These two are drawn to each other from the beginning and Cora the responsible one not necessarily the pretty one is used to being overlooked!
These two have a very slow burn as they get to know each other! The expectations of a short marriage change drastically!
Leo has some past hurts and doesn’t seem to understand you want to be friends with your spouse!
Sure physically things change but you need friendship to always have each other’s back!
But secrets have a way of getting out! When they do Leo makes a choice to protect Cora and her sisters but she may never forgive him!
Can they decide with their hearts and not their minds! Because evil is definitely lurking! Bravo

When Cora Dove, the eldest of Charles Hathaway’s three illegitimate daughters, receives a letter from her father’s mother, filled with regrets and a promise of inheritance for her and her sisters, she is overjoyed and ventures to the home of her father. But her father changes the terms, making the money his mother promised to the girls a dowry that is contingent on his approval of their grooms and forbids them to marry anyone in the Northeast who might socialize with his legitimate family. But Cora will not be deterred, she sets her sites on England and the peerage and with the help of Camille, the Duchess of Hereford, she hopes to find the perfect match. She has no dreams of finding Prince Charming and living happily ever after, she just hopes she can find a man that is willing to agree to her terms of a paper marriage that will be dissolved in a few years without revealing any of her secrets.

Leopold Brendon, the Earl of Devonworth, needs a rich bride, thanks to his younger brother’s obscene gambling debts. Enter Cora Dove, the American heiress seems to be the answers to all his problems, and after a bit of negotiating, they agree on terms, she will live with him for two years and if they are not able to divorce, she will agree to bear his heir before separating. He has been in love before and has no desire to repeat the experience, so Cora is perfect for him. But once they begin to spend time together, it is clear that they are perfect for each other and could be a powerful political couple and well as passionate lovers. But they both have secrets and once they begin to come out, danger, betrayal, and heartache is sure to follow. Will they find a way to HEA or was their love doomed from the start?

As with all Harper St. George’s books, this story was well written and filled with likable characters. Cora and Leo are wonderful characters, both intent on keeping their marriage strictly in name only, each with their own reasons, but their attraction is strong and soon feelings are involved. My only qualm is that the story moved slow – I would not go as far as to say it dragged, but I did start feeling impatient with the progression of the romance. The story is a slow-burn, low heat romance with secrets, lies, previous betrayal, great secondary characters, interesting historical events, cameos from previous characters, lots of emotion, wonderful chemistry, a bit of danger and finally a well-deserved HEA. This book is the start of a new series and has ties to the previous series. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to Eliza’s story.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

This is the first in a brand new series that’s connected to Gilded Age Heiresses and it was pretty good and fun! Like that series we have an American Heiress looking for a titled husband, both with secrets and both not looking for love.

Cora and her sisters just marry to get their inheritance because their father won’t let them have it outright because of their questionable lineage and he just sucks. Cora is determined to make a smart match with a man who values her as an independent woman and finds Leo who is very handsome and liberal but they do not anticipate liking each other. Obviously to get our HEA they end up very much in love.

I enjoyed Cora and Leo’s story. Their relationship is truly built on more than lust or love but respect and understanding for each other and their scholarly opinions. It’s definitely a slow burn because they start as marriage of convenience. I loved that we continue with the Suffrage movement theme with Cora and now including Leo as a man with an ear in Parliament looking to make good political changes. They work on speeches together and sharing opinions. I think they’re a great couple.

My one thing is that I’m a person who enjoys conversation and not internal monologue and while I loved that we get each characters internal thoughts and feelings about things I would have appreciated more talking between them rather than long paragraphs about what they’re thinking. It would have added to the weight of their relationship in good ways to share those out loud.

Overall can’t wait for Eliza’s story coming soon!

I have to start by saying I am not usually a fan of period pieces. This felt like it was written in a very modern voice though. Cora and Leopold both have the need to be wed, so it’s almost too perfect that they’re willing to do this together. But the drama and the secrets will come out eventually, and the angst is perfect. I loved how independent Cora was despite growing up in a time when women weren’t allowed to have a voice. I also loved that Leopold asked for her to speak up on important topics.

a perfect historical romance marriage of convenience between an american heiress and an earl! the attraction and chemistry of these two were absolute perfection and off the charts. a very very good slow burn!

I loved Harper St. George’s Gilded Age Heiresses series and was excited to see she had a new one coming out with the Dove Sisters series. While they are separate series, they are interconnected as the Gilded Age characters are side characters. You do not have to have read the first series in order to enjoy this one.

Cora Dove is the illegitimate child of a wealthy New Yorker, Charlie Hathaway. In order to receive the inheritance left to her by her paternal grandmother, Mr. Hathaway decides that Cora must be married, but not to anyone from anywhere he might have acquaintances. So Cora decides to find herself an aristocratic husband and thus begins her journey to England.

Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth, is in need of funds to restore his family home and save his younger brother from debt. When he meets Cora at a house party, he proposes marriage, but Cora has some stipulations of her own.

Throw in a little Victorian era politics through side stories of women’s rights (the married women’s property act) and the development of the public health/water act, and you’ve got an engaging historical romance.

read if you enjoy:
marriage of convenience / forced proximity
secrets
slow burn
she falls first, he falls harder

I already can’t wait for the next book!

📕~ The Stranger I Wed
✍🏻 ~ Harper St. George
⭐~ 4.5/5
🌶️~ 3/5

I received an ARC, and anything shared in this review is solely my opinion!
The Stranger I Wed was my first Harper St. George book, which I read, and she knocked it out of the park, in my opinion! Historical romance is one of my favorite genres, and she wrote such a magnificent story that hooked me from the very beginning. Harper's plot intrigued me from the moment I started the book, and with the characters that she has created, it made it even more enjoyable to dive into her world.

She introduces us to Cora, whom at first we get a glimpse of, and Harper slowly starts to lay bread crumbs in her writing so that we get to know her. I had a connection with her from the moment she made it onto the page, and with each passing chapter, I felt more close to her. We also get to be introduced to her sisters, Eliza and Jenny, who are the secondary characters in this book, though they did make a few appearances, which led to them being part of Cora's journey.

Moving on, we are introduced to Leo Devonworth, who seems to be this prominent individual who is in parliament. As a character, I'd say that he is reserved, though we get glimpses of him evolving throughout the story. When Cora and Leo get to meet for the first time, it's a chef's kiss moment that propels their story to officially start!

Furthermore, I would say that the angst and tension between Cora and Leo are definitely part of the story. Harper is a genius when it comes to writing the scenes in the book. The spice is truly felt between them, and the lead-up to all those moments is well written. Cora and Leo will forever hold a special place in my heart as the ones to start off the series. I'm looking forward to book 2 of Eliza's story! 

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Harper St. George for this e-ARC! I really appreciated it!

This review shall be posted on my Bookstagram page on Monday 15th April, 2024!

It will also be posted and available on my Goodreads and Storygraph page on 31st March, 2024!

Genre: historical romance
New York and London, 1877

Cora Dove is the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy New Yorker; he’s supported but never acknowledged them. When Cora’s grandmother dies, she leaves an inheritance, but Cora is required to make a suitable marriage before she’s eligible. Cora reaches out to Camille, Duchess of Hereford, for assistance. Camille agrees to sponsor an introduction to society, arranging meetings with suitable peers who may be in need of Cora’s dowry. Cora is willing to go through with a marriage of convenience for the sake of the money, and when she meets Leopold Brendan, Earl of Devonworth, she’s convinced her plan may actually work. Marriage to a stranger isn’t easy though, and they both find that they want to be anything but strangers.

I love a marriage of convenience, and I love the Gilded Age heiresses that Harper St George brings into historical romances. The failing aristocracy is a favorite aspect for me in later Victorian Era novels, and the way Devonworth’s father is depicted, it’s easy to see how the aristocracy landed where it did. Devonworth himself is an MP dedicated to improving lives. Prior to marriage, Cora spent time writing for a progressive women’s publication under a pen name, and she quickly forms a bond with Devonworth over his political views and helps him polish his speech for a sanitation bill.

A marriage of convenience is a perfect way to force close proximity for a demi hero like Devonworth to develop attraction. Cora has grown up not trusting the people around her, and yet her growing respect and affection for Devonworth may help earn that trust. This features everything I love about a marriage of convenience, with sharp chemistry that made me ache to turn the pages. Cora and Devonworth are total strangers to one another, so this also includes navigating how they can communicate with one another (avoiding an actual miscommunication trope). Plus, there is a very sexy spying-on-a-solo-moment scene.

The Stranger I Wed is technically the first book in a new series, but there are characters from the Gilded Age Heiresses series who feature prominently. You could easily start here, but I’d also recommend reading Camille’s book (The Duchess Takes a Husband, my favorite of the prior series).

People who love romance novels tend to have clear expectations of how a story will develop and where it will end up. As a result, it’s usually not a surprise, once you identify the leads, that they WILL end up together. The issue is HOW, and good romance novelists know to throw plenty of obstacles in the way and include other interesting twists to keep readers hooked.

Harper St. George has had plenty of practice with this, and it shows. This opening to a new series introduces the Dove sisters and their mother, who occupy a somewhat awkward place at the edge of New York’s Gilded Age high society. Although the girls’ father belongs to the wealthy Hathaway family, he never married their mother, and in 1877 illegitimacy is a big deal—not in a good way. Charles Hathaway has supported his second family, up to a point, but he doesn’t want them in his life, embarrassing him before the Four Hundred. When Charles’s mother dies and, in a belated fit of remorse, leaves each of the Dove sisters a large inheritance, Charles sees a chance to get his inconvenient offspring out of his hair. He will transfer the funds only as each girl marries a man who meets their father’s approval—and he strongly suggests that his daughters find those husbands abroad.

So Cora, the eldest and heroine of this novel, heads for the United Kingdom with her mother and youngest sister, Eliza. Jenny, the middle sister, is a talented singer and already in Paris, training for a career in the opera, although she soon joins the others in Britain. Established with their mother’s friend, an American heiress who married into the British aristocracy, Cora soon encounters Leopold, earl of Devonworth. They have a literal run-in at a football (i.e., soccer) game and experience an instant attraction. Devonworth has a title but no money, thanks to a profligate father and younger brother; Cora has neither, but she does have the promise of money once she weds. After a certain amount of hemming and hawing, both bow to the inevitable and marry before really getting to know each other. After all, the match is only supposed to last a couple of years; Cora will then secure a divorce and have full control of her fortune.

What brings the couple together is their shared interest in social change. Cora is a suffragette and a talented writer who has been submitting newspaper articles under a pen name; Devonworth uses his seat in the House of Lords to argue, mostly unsuccessfully, for reforms to benefit working men and women. Soon Cora is helping him punch up his speeches to make them more convincing to the naysayers while driving him crazy by joining women’s suffrage marches. Meanwhile, the two of them are increasingly drawn to each other despite their agreement to a temporary union. But each of them has secrets that must be confessed before they can move forward.

If you like steamy, quite explicit romances with well-developed characters, this one’s for you.

This book checked pretty much all the boxes for me. It made me laugh, it made me swoon, it made me cry, and it ultimately left me with a huge smile on my face. And, I think George has another winner on her hands with this one.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Harper St. George expands her Victorian/Gilded Age world in a wonderful way with The Stranger I Wed, the first in the Doves of New York series. While there are references to the prior series, mainly to previous characters, this series stands on its own, although the other books are absolutely worth checking out if you’re looking for books in a similar vein to this one.
I love how St. George pays homage to and tackles the issues of the time period, like women’s suffrage and providing for the working class (in this case providing access to running water). While these elements are somewhat fictionalized, I like that this exposes that marginalized people’s access to fundamental rights are also not things that just happened in a vacuum, and that not everyone in the past followed the status quo.
Both leads are solid people, and in addition to their causes, rather likable and relatable. I enjoyed how the story slowly revealed how good a match they are, with both Cora and Leo feeling responsible for their younger siblings when they were young. For Leo, it was more of a foregone conclusion, due to the hierarchy of society (even if psychologically it’s still a burden he won’t fully acknowledge he wasn’t fully prepared for), but Cora still has a mother who is ill-equipped for the task and she also had to grow up faster because of it.
While marriage-of-convenience can be very hit-or-miss for me, I really liked that they established a mutual respect early on. That and the pining and emotional connection were very pronounced, and it felt very much like a slow burn to when they actually consummated their relationship. That could be a turnoff for other readers, but as a grayace reader (and I saw someone say Leo read as demi to them, which does make sense in hindsight), one of my turnoffs in many MOC books is the focus on the physical side, while being like “we will not fall in love!,” so it’s nice to have a book that does something different.
This is a promising start to a new series, and based on what’s been teased, I’m excited for what’s to come. If you’re interested in a slow-burn historical romance with a slightly subverted marriage-of-convenience plot, I’d recommend checking this one out!

Tropes: marriage of convenience; MC is a fish out of water
Steam level: 2-3
Book one of a new series. Although it's a standalone, the MC's from "The Duchess Takes a Husband" in the previous series play roles.

3.25 stars. This was a bit of a letdown. The writing is fine. Leo and Cora are both really likable MC's. Leo in particular, is one of those sweet, hot-but-chaste book boyfriend types you can't help but root for. They had the potential for sizzling chemistry; there was a spicy scene in the middle that took me by surprise and got my hopes up. My issue lies with the plot--there isn't much of one. Leo needs to marry money to save his estate and his brother; Cora needs to marry to receive her inheritance, and apparently can't find anyone in the States who's amenable since she and her sisters are illegitimate. The MC's meet cute, and when they formally meet they get along great, to the point that Leo's ready to propose. But they decide they want a marriage of convenience with no sex for reasons I never quite understood or bought into. In fact, I was surprised Cora brought up the divorce/separation idea as quickly as she did, considering the awkward position she was putting Leo in, and I was even more surprised he agreed to it.

Post-marriage there's a smidge of tension and some witty scenes that showcase Leo and Cora's growing rapport. But by the 70% mark, when the Big Secret(s) had been aired out but they still hadn't consummated, the slow-burn seemed rather forced. The major conflicts, such as unhappy Harry making poor decisions and the Dove sisters' background being exposed, are glossed over for future books. The foreshadowing early on that Cora might be in danger from an underworld figure is addressed last-minute and the cause for the Third Act Conflict feels minor and tacked-on.

I thought this author's previous books in the Gilded Age Heiresses series were excellent, but found this just middle-of-the-road. It's not bad, but unfortunately not really memorable.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my honest review. Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for this opportunity.

“He was coming to suspect that what had seemed like a perfectly reasonable term in their verbal marriage contract would become a bloody nuisance. He wanted his own wife.”

The Dove sisters are Illegitimate daughters of a New York high society business scion who are shipped off to London to secure aristocratic marriages. The oldest is highly independent Cora, a passionate proponent of women’s rights. When she is literally and figuratively bowled over by handsome, powerful Leo Brendon, Earl of Devonworth, she warily agrees to a marriage of convenience to further both of their political careers. Cora’s only non-negotiable term to the arrangement is that the marriage must remain “in name only” for a period of two years.

This novel was enjoyable and an easy, quick read. There is nothing wrong with it in terms of plot or execution, and there is nothing wonderful about it either. It is a solid, middle of the road historical romance. There is no question that the author fulfilled her end of the contract, leaving me as a reader and reviewer with not much to say other than this book is just fine. The cover art is fine. The characters are all fine. The meet-cute is fine. The dialogue is fine. The chemistry and romantic tension are all fine. The pacing is fine. The ending is fine.

If you are looking for a safe, predictable genre read, this will check all of the genre boxes, and that’s not a bad thing! 3-stars is fine! It’s just…perfectly, absolutely, fine. And I've forgotten all the details by the time I started writing this review.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.

✨ARC REVIEW✨

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕣 𝕀 𝕎𝕖𝕕 𝕓𝕪 ℍ𝕒𝕣𝕡𝕖𝕣 𝕊𝕥. 𝔾𝕖𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕖

If you’re looking for a high stakes, spicy, drama filled period piece, then look no further besties—this book right here was a banger! I already knew I loved Harper St. George’s writing because I read the ‘Gilded Age Heiresses’ series, where we met the Doves in the last book of that series (from ‘The Duchess Takes a Husband’).

This one had an interesting blurb that grabbed my attention right from the start. Cora & her two sisters are the illegitimate daughters of a man from one of New York’s wealthiest & founding families. (OOOH SCANDALOUS!). She then travels to London & at a house party meets Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth. he’s interested in her too once he realizes she’s one of the Americans in town for the party he was invited to. He needs a wealthy bride with deep pockets to get his bill passed. & let the PLOT begin!

We even get a “my wife” moment, & Leopold may be up there with Christian (from ‘The Devil & the Heiress’) for me. There’s nothing like a ‘Marriage of Convenience’, slow burn, glitz & glamour historical romance that gets me going! Y’all…if thats your thing, then pick this book up.

Thank you to @berkleypub, @netgalley ,& @harperstgeorge for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

PUB DATE: 04.23.2024

#TheStrangerIWed #NetGalley #BookReview #BerkleyPub #HarperStGeorge

I was a big fan of Harper St. George’s previous series. This story follows Cora, a friend of Camille from The Duchess Takes a Husband. However, this book was a much slower burn than that series. I found the dynamic between Cora and Leo interesting, although he was not as strong of a character and his commitment issues were frustrating. I enjoyed their bond over the Suffragist movement and the exquisite pining. I am definitely intrigued to see how the series progresses.