A quiet slow-burn love story between two practical, guarded people who have given up on finding their happy-ever-after. Harper St. George's latest romance is more subtle than her other books, but it's one of the most grounded and intelligent marriage-of-convenience tales I've read. I look forward to the rest of the Doves of New York series — I enjoyed the relationships between Cora and her sisters, and her colorfully flawed mother.

This romance had a slow build, maybe even a bit too slow for my liking at times, but I always enjoy a well written marriage of convenience trope. However, I found the parts that focused on politics a little tedious this time around

This author’s books always have gorgeous covers 💜

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫 rounded up

Cora Dove and her sisters have always been the talk of New York society, but not for good reason. Their parentage has always been questioned, leaving the girls on the outskirts. When their estranged grandmother leaves them a guilt-induced inheritance, Cora believes this to be the break they need to live life on their terms. But there's a catch--their father, Mr. Hathaway, will only release the funds if Cora and her sisters can find respectable husbands outside of New York. So Cora and her family head to England, hoping to snag a husband in name only.

Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth, is passionate about one thing: using his status in Parliament to pass a public health bill that would ensure clean water to the working class. He must also fix his floundering estate and bail his brother out of gambling debt. What Devonworth needs is a wealthy wife, so when he and Cora meet, it only makes sense for them to marry. Both were looking for a marriage in name only, but neither can deny their attraction. But with so many secrets littering their pasts, they'll find that marrying a stranger comes at a price.

I've only read two other books by St. George, but I enjoyed them. The first thing that drew me to this one was the cover, but I stayed for the marriage of convenience. That's one trope I'll eat up every time, and I liked watching Cora and Leo's relationship bloom. I loved their meet-cute and thought their banter was good. The romance was a little too slow burn for me, and I kept wishing things would develop quicker, but I still liked it. Another slow point for me was the plot. It dealt with political things such as Leo's place in Parliament and Cora's work with women's rights, and while I found those bits interesting, they never kept my full attention. It made the story feel heavy, and I tend to like my hist-roms a little more lighthearted. Still, I thought it was enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to the next book.

I enjoyed this book and appreciated the historical research that clearly went into it. Leo is a doll and such a kind, lovable hero. Cora is so easy to like and respect.

This felt VERY slow burn. A little too slow of a burn for my taste. And not as steamy as I would have liked. But, that’s just a personal preference.

a lot of people will really enjoy this book.

Upon first starting the Doves of New York series, I was excited that it’s a tie-in with the author’s previous series, The Gilded Age Heiresses; I loved all four of those books! This new series introduces the Dove sisters, three illegitimate American heiresses who were friends with Camille and the Crenshaws. In The Stranger I Wed, Cora Dove is in London with a very practical list of features she needs in a husband. She intends to marry quickly so she can access her inheritance, and if she finds the right husband for her needs, both could stand to benefit. It’s a marriage of convenience in the shrewdest sense.

She finds an ideal candidate in Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth, and it’s not long before the two virtual strangers are married. Both Cora and Devonworth are a bit closed off to love, living in the realm of practicality and responsibility. But in time, they’re also starting to notice deeper feelings for each other. Should they give in to their rising attraction and developing emotional bond? Or should they stick to their original plan and divorce after the first year is up?

Harper St. George is consistently a master of developing an emotional bond between characters, creating delicate yet passionate romantic tension, while also situating them within the social and political world of the time. That is all on full display in The Stranger I Wed. Both Cora and Devonworth are involved in the laws and rights affecting regular people. Cora, through Camille, is getting deeply into women’s rights and the suffrage movement. Devonworth is a member of Parliament, and has personal morals guiding the acts he supports, particularly for clean water access. Through Cora’s influence, he also becomes a stronger supporter of women’s rights, surely a sign of his respect and love for her.

Beyond their mental connection, there is a physical attraction growing between Cora and Devonworth. They may not be sharing a bedchamber, but they do have access to the same washroom, and let’s just say that’s exactly the bridge they need to start exploring their physical intimacy. Even as they start to entertain this aspect of marriage, communication issues may make their path forward a bit confused! These two do tend to hold their cards close to their chests, after all.

While The Stranger I Wed feels like a whole new world to dive into, with the full Dove family, I also loved seeing how these characters interacted with the Gilded Age Heiresses characters that readers have come to know and love. We get glimpses into how their lives are progressing, even if the starring characters are the new Doves on the scene. It’s a beautiful way to expand this whole Victorian era world.

The Stranger I Wed is a superb start to the Doves of New York series, one that will appeal to readers of Harper St. George’s previous series as well as an entirely new audience. It highlights her balance of a meaningful romantic connection between characters with a vital, realistic world that they interact with and aim to improve. I already can’t wait to see what romances unfold for Cora’s two sisters in the upcoming books.

** This review will be published on my blog and Instagram on Monday, April 22nd 💜

I love a good "Marriage of Convenience" trope, and The Stranger I Wed delivers everything it promises.

I really enjoyed the background plot of the suffrage movement too - but almost wish it had been pursued more.

The story has also set up well for the next book about the younger sister which I am definitely excited to read.

I really enjoyed this one! There were a few aspects of it that irked me, but as a whole, I liked it. I loved Cora and Leo as a couple, especially because their drama was fairly reasonable. I did get a bit irritated by the will-they/won't-they, but it didn't last tooooo long, so that was nice. Now, my one problem with The Stranger I Wed was the improper use of condoms. I'm not sure why it irked me so much, but it did. I mean, why even use a condom if you're not gonna put it on from the get-go?? And why did it happen so. many. times. It was frustrating. Thankfully, there was no pregnancy trope, but I was worried for quite a while. Other than that though, I really liked this one! I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for Eliza's book because that teaser at the end has me majorly intrigued.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

St. George remains the queen of historical romance with this newest story, and I couldn’t read it fast enough!

I loved the constant push and pull between Cora and Leo. It made the moment they caved that much more delicious. I loved their desires for equality, how easily they trusted each other, and how perfectly they worked together. Honestly, I just really loved how Leo was a simp for Cora from the jump.

And I loved getting to see so many familiar faces from previous books! I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series 🤭

I loved this!!! It was slow to start but I’m so glad I stuck with it. No instant love here- it was a slow burn in the best way. The couple had a real connection full of love and respect. I loved both of their back stories and how they worked together as a team. The spice was also great. I can’t wait to see where this series goes! Now to get to the backlist 😍😍

Today I’m reviewing The Stranger I Wed by Harper St. George. In this historical romance we follow American heiress Cora Dove and her sisters to the heart of London, where Cora is in need of a titled husband in order to obtain her inheritance. And who better to fill that role than the handsome Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth. He’s a staunch modernist member of Parliament, whose title will be worthless if he can’t turn his finances around.

Seems like the perfect match?

And romance readers, you NEED (yes all caps) this book in your life. (I know, another repeat from my last post four blot post, but it’s relevant to this one too).

Have you ever finished the first book in a series and immediately needed to read the next book?

That’s me, book friends, with George’s new series, The Doves of New York! I want to read Eliza’s story (the youngest Dove sister)! But for now, let me just say, I’m so excited for you to read George’s latest and greatest about bold young women who take the stage like the women in Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. Transporting readers back in time, where the performances of Cora Dove and Leopold Brendon will have readers devouring this historical romance in one one sitting.

The Stranger I Wed (which I’m not really a fan of this title) is a new historical romance series that I am hands-down ready to pre-order the entire series today. I really enjoyed George’s The Gilded Age Heiresses series, and with this opening novel, romance readers be prepared to be swept away with another set of young women ready to take on the London scene and devastate it’s gentry. Character driven, George will have readers rooting for both main characters, holding our breath as Cora and Leo grow closer, both fighting their urge to fall in love with each other.

George took me on a journey that had me only wanting more.

Go add this one to your cart book friends. You’ll be glad you did.

Happy Reading ~ Cece

The Stranger I Wed was such an enjoyable read. I loved going on this journey with Cora and Leo even though it was slow. It was also sweet, sexy, a bit steamy and packed with secrets. The act of watching them fall in live with one another was one of my fave parts. I loved seeing how their relationship went from strangers to friends and eventually lovers. I loved experiencing the growth of their intimacy and watching them truly become a couple. It was a beautiful sight to behold. Another thing I loved was sentence structure and turn of phrases. They made me stop and savour what was being conveyed. It was an awesome read and start to a new series. I can't wait to read the rest of the series especially after the teaser for Eliza's book.

I don't apply for many ARCs because when I first got a @netgalley account, I applied for quite a few, assuming I'd only get approved for a couple. My bad. Now, I only apply for ones that really pique my interest and/or are by authors I really enjoy. Hence this Harper St. George that I was thrilled to get approved for. I have loved her regency romance books since the first one, The Heiress Gets a Duke.

Cora Dove is an American girl who's never been formally recognized by her ultra wealthy father because of his appropriate family, who is accepted by American Society. Cora and her two sisters live with their mother, Fanny, in New York City and have a deceased step father. When Cora learns her true father's mother left an inheritance for her and her sisters in her will, she approaches her father, Charles Hathaway, about it, but he turns it into a dowry only granted upon marriage to a titled Brit. Cora accepts this challenge and she and her mother and sisters head to England to find titled men in need of funds. When she quite literally falls for Leo, aka Lord Devonworth, she's convinced it can never work between them because he's too handsome. But, her heart strings pull her that way and the two come to a mutually beneficial arrangement, where they'll stay married for a couple of years before divorcing. Determined to be wed in name alone, the two find they have much in common and find themselves being pulled together. But can they keep level heads and keep love at bay?

Read if you like:
✅ Angst
✅ Slow burn
✅ Marriage of convenience
✅ Bridgerton
✅ Friends to lovers

This was so well done. So, so well done. I was feeling the angst the entire time, which is something I love in any book, but it hits even harder in a regency romance. I am SO happy to have received this ARC and can't wait for more in this series by St. George!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I need the whole series ASAP! I love anytime a young woman has a pragmatic air about her and takes charge of her own life? That's exactly what our heroine does - embarrassing family, circumstances, and lack of society mannerisms to boot!! Cora Dove is a gal I would have wanted in my corner in that day and age!

**Thank you to Berkley & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤

Cora Dove and her sisters’ legitimacy has been the lifelong subject of New York’s gossipmongers and a continual stain on their father’s reputation. So when the girls' dying grandmother gives them each a guilt-induced dowry, Mr. Hathaway vows to release their inheritance, but first, they must produce suitable husbands as far from New York as possible....

I thought this story was an okay read. I almost always struggle with Historical Romance, so finding one that I can immediately get lost in, is always a bonus. The Stranger I Wed had a great plot and interesting characters. I enjoyed how bold and opinionated Cara was. She had no delusions about love, but she would be happy if she could find a suitor who respected her.

That brings us to Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth, a no-nonsense member of Parliament who has a plan to pass a Public Health bill that would provide clean water to the working class. But for that to happen, it requires the backing of a wealthy wife. The one thing he never counted on was Cara. He never expected to be interested in her thoughts or cave her touch.

Together these two made a great pair. I loved how upfront they were about their marriage of convenience and made no delusions about falling in love. They were upfront with their needs and somewhere along the way, they became friends and gave in to the burning chemistry between them.

I did, however, have some issues with this story. The biggest one for me was the pacing. As I previously mentioned, Historical Romance can be a struggle for me, so when the pacing is off, I'm a lost cause. Don't get me wrong, the pacing was great at the beginning of the story, but as the story continued, it began moving at a snail's pace. And that might be a me thing, but I did feel it was important enough to bring up.

My other issue was with some of the events that happened. At times, I felt like we would start a scene and then it would abruptly end. Instead of getting to experience what was happening along with the characters, we were told what was happening in the next chapter. And I don't know, that just felt a bit off to me.

Overall, I thought The Stranger I Wed was an interesting take on the marriage of convenience trope. I enjoyed the characters and idea of the story. However, I did run into issues with the pacing and moments that happened off-page. Even though this book was a 100% hit for me, I'm still glad to have checked it out.

An intriguing slow build in a historical romance, where you can both see where the most obvious bits of plot are going but also you can't tell how on earth it's also going to get to the eventual destination or what the end result will be beyond the obvious connection given away by the title.

I love a good marriage of convenience, and this one had a strong premise and well-rounded characters. My main problem (no spoilers) was that not much happens for most of the book, and then about 18 things happen during the final 15%. The ending felt rushed and some promising plot points were resolved way too fast. Looking forward to the next one in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Harper St George is BACK with a brand new series (with subtle nods to the gals from her Gilded Age Heiresses of course!) The Stranger I Wed gives us a steamy marriage of convenience between an American heiress and a desperate Earl. I just loved getting to know the Dove sisters on their first adventure and I truly cannot wait for the rest of the series to see how the other sisters fare!

I really enjoyed The Gilded Age Heiresses series so when I saw Harper St. George was starting a spinoff series I knew had to read it!

Cora and Leo's story is one for the slow burn romance fans! They are nearly strangers when they get married and they first have to slowly become friends. I really enjoyed how hard Leo fell for Cora even though it made him really scared to lose her. Leo and Cora are really similar and their slowly falling for each other is pretty adorable!

I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the series! I have the feeling Cora's sisters are going to get into some trouble before they find their perfect matches.

🌶️🌶️ - This story has one very detailed spicy scene but given that it is so slow burn it isn't overly steamy.

A solid debut into a new series! Marriage of convenience meets slow burn. I thought maybe a little spark was missing, compared to the previous series. But I still felt compelled to read and watch how everything would unfold. I'll definitely be checking out the companion books!

Cora Dove and her sisters’ questionable legitimacy is a stumbling block to their life in New York. An unexpectedly generous, guilt-induced dowry sends them to England to fulfill the requirements and to start fresh. Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth, is in need of a rich wife. So Cora and Leopold strike a bargain and marry a stranger. But does living together always lead to love? And should they gamble on each other and stay?

Why I started this book: Looking for more romance authors and St. Goerge was mentioned in a romance podcast I listen to. So I requested an ARC from Netgalley.

Why I finished it: Solid historical romance, where the heroine needs to strike a bargain with her husband to maintain as much control as she can. I haven't read that many modern historical romances and its interesting to see what current issues are being explored and reflected in this genre.