DNFed at 22%

I really wanted to like this novel but unfortunately felt no connection to the FMC and could not find myself rooting for her in any way. And I felt like with the introduction of the MMC being self-made but also the heir to a title after his father ran away with his mother (a servant) and how they died leaving him an orphan who then shined the shoes of one of the biggest American gilded-age millionaries who gave him a chance and he was able to prove himself to be capable of taking on the company's overseas operation just felt like a jumble of tropes that were trying too hard.

Aimee Thornton-Jones, the only child of American shipping magnate Thomas Thornton-Jones, wants nothing more than to be allowed to work in her father’s company, to prove to him that she one day she should inherit and run his business, unfortunately her parents have a different plan for her. They expect her to marry and become a proper wife and mother. To achieve that goal, they have planned a trip to England for Aimee and her cousin/companion Evie, Aimee will participate in the London season and Evie will train as a secretary in her father’s London office. But weeks before their trip, Aimee’s mother breaks her leg, which means she will not be able to accompany the girls to England, but rather than cancel the trip, her mother decides that her cousin Evie is an adequate chaperone for the sea journey. Which gives Aimee the perfect opportunity to implement her scheme, she will switch places with her cousin and train at her father’s business while Evie will pretend to be her in society. Aimee will learn the business and be able to prove to her father that she is capable of running his company one day. She has planned for everything except for her unwanted attraction to her father’s protégée and operations manager for his London offices, Harrison Stone.

Harrison Stone is a self-made man, who has but one goal in life and that is to prove to his father’s family that he doesn’t need them to succeed. And after years of hard work, he is one deal away from making all his dreams come true, everything is going as planned until his boss’s niece shows up and affects him like no woman ever has. But Evie is nothing like the woman Thomas described, and it isn’t long before he figures out the truth. She is a distraction he doesn’t want or need, and he would love to ship her back to New York, but he needs her help to save his deal from falling through. He just needs to keep his hands (and other bits) to himself and keep his eye on the prize, because love is not for him. But even the disciplined Harrison Stone is not immune to love and decides that marriage to Aimee is the perfect solution, too bad Aimee isn’t willing to play by his terms.

This was a well-written, fast paced story with likable characters that is its own story and not simply a different POV retelling of the first book despite the parallel timeline. Aimee and Harrison are both stubborn, intelligent, alpha types who are both resistant to love and whose headbutting is only exceeded by their shared passion. This story has a decent mystery, great secondary characters, espionage, hidden identities, secrets, steamy love scenes, some surprises, some twists, and turns before the HEA. Overall, I enjoyed the book even though I was not a huge fan of the ending, but I did like the epilogue and hope that the teaser contained therein means that this series is not over! This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title or out of order, as the two books run parallel but barely intersect.

*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. *

I was initially drawn in by the beautiful cover and the Prince and the Pauper trope. Those switching spots have always hooked me since Parent Trap. I have class and you don't. I skipped the first book in the series a few months ago but decided to take a chance on the sequel. A poor move on my part because I related more to the sweet English rose than the brassy American macaroni. I thought switching identities was a great plot point until your true nature is inevitably revealed. Aimee was an annoying heroine who was more concerned with proving her (incorrect) point than being safe. She pulled out a gun on a stranger twice her size and bickered at the hero for saving her life. Harrison revealed he was also packing with an ever bigger gun. Two weapons if you're being cheeky.

Aimee was a bothersome protagonist and I couldn't bear reading from her perspective. She had no tact and I couldn't be arsed over her happy ending. The love scenes were too loquacious and rather cringy. I'm always happy to read from Entangled, but not every book is a banger. I will not be continuing with this series nor this author. Hopefully I can find future books with a Prince and the Pauper plot to bring back those Parent Trap vibes I didn't get from The Heiress Masquerade.

This is the second book in the series and I ended up reading the first book after because I wanted to find out about Evie & Alex romance

Aimee and Harrison were a fun couple and I really enjoyed all the banter and back and forth between them . The overall story or the cousins swapping places was quite fun; the mystery aspect was quite well done as I kept trying to guess who was behind sabotaging the business deal.

thank you to entangled for reaching out and offering this arc, and to netgalley for providing it! this review is all my own opinions.

firstly? this was delightful. i had no idea it was the second book, but it was enough of a standalone that the prior book isn’t a must read to enjoy this one.

aimee is a thoroughly modern woman for her time, and it’s a fun take on the push for women’s rights. and showing that despite her privilege she was desperate to be respected and taken seriously.

harrison and aimee have the best banter. it’s very fun and the frustration that fuels more feeling is addictive.

there’s a business espionage plot, a dabble into kidnapping, illicit affairs, and scheming paramours.

i’d definitely reccomend this - it’s a refreshing historical read that combines the best of the buccaneers and the vibes of bridgerton with a modern twist.

New York heiress Aimee Thornton-Jones has no interest in becoming another “dollar princess” When her mother sends Aimee to London for the season & to find a husband she concocts a daring plan: to swap places with her cousin Evie for six weeks as a trainee at her father’s company and prove she’s just as valuable as any son. Harrison Stone doesn’t know what to make of the determined young woman. She’s vexingly irksome, reckless with her safety, and riles him at every turn.
This is the second book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own it does run on the same timeframe as the first story which is Evie’s story. I adored the banter between Harrison & Aimee & the chemistry between them sizzled. They lock horns from their first meeting & continue to do so at each encounter, obviously attack is the best form of defence as they both don’t want to fall in love & marry but their growing feelings unsettle them. There are problems with the company’s ledgers & a lucrative business deal is being sabotaged, I was surprised at the villains. A very well written engrossing, enthralling romance which I loved
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Aimee is sent to London for six weeks for the London season where her mum hopes she will get married to a titled gentleman. Accompanying her is, Evie, her cousin, who will work as secretary at her father’s London office. All her life, Aimee has dreamt of taking over her father’s business despite her being female. Hence, she swaps identities with Evie to work at the office.

Harrison is the head of the London office and they get off to a fiery start as impulsive and stubborn Aimee disobeys him and speaks back to him, unlike other employees 😆. Despite himself, he can’t help but feel attracted to her although he has a policy against fraternising with his employees.

At the start, Aimee comes across as spoilt as she is used to luxury and has never shared anything with others. Her experience as “Evie” shows her the realities of life and we slowly see her kind heart and her lack of airs when interacting with others.

Throughout the book, the chemistry between Aimee and Harrison is explosive and I enjoyed the plot even more, once he learns of her true identity. However, I wished stubborn Harrison could have bucked up earlier as the repeated “running away” made the romance meter dip a bit.

The Heiress Masquerade by Maddison Michaels 🎭
Overall rating: 3.5/5 ⭐
Release Date: Aug 20 2024

I think this was overall a cute, classic read and think it is a great one to add to your tbr if you like the switching places, princess and the pauper trope.

I hadn't read the other novel in this story, but found it worked fine as a stand alone. I would definitely be interested in reading the other book though!

I liked this book but personally found it a bit boring for the first half. It took me quite a while to get through it and although I think a lot of people would like it, it wasn't super captivating until near the end.

This may very well be the first historical romance I read that not only delivers on a gorgeous love story but has me giggling and laughing for so much of it! The dynamic between Aimee and Harrison is just so much fun to watch develop!

I immediately ate up the sizzling hate-to-love of it all!
Aimee and Harrison were exchanging biting words and tantalizing kisses early on and I was all for it. It wasn't insta-love, rather it was insta-lust that eventually gave way to a love. Making it feel quite earned, which I really appreciate. In fact, dare I say the love part was a slow burn. I think Maddison Michaels did a marvelous job pacing the romance. The kisses came early, but the hearts took a little longer to open. And the while developing a very solid plot with a suspenseful, heart-pounding climax.

The big grovel and love confession at the end was sheer perfection that followed, the absolute cherry on top of a most delicious love story!

Thank you Entangled and NetGalley for this complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

The Heiress Masquerade was such a quick and easy read. I absolutely loved the banter between the main characters and the "you're the bane of my existence but you're also super attractive" type relationship that occurred between the main characters. Aimee was such an amazing fmc. I love that she is portrayed as intelligent and that she doesn't take anyone's crap.

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✨📚 The Heiress Masquerade📚✨

By: Maddison Michaels
4⭐️

✨I’ve been wanting to read a historical romance and so thankful for the opportunity to read this eARC!!

✨One of my favorite things about historical romances is when the FMC is trying to buck the system which drives me crazy because I’m internally screaming “you’re not supposed to be doing that miss” but sat the same time internally screaming “same girl buck the system” and I love it. ((I’m complicated I know))🤪

✨This book kept with that theme since Amiee wants to go against the grain of society norms and run her father’s business. So queue me internally screaming “just listen to so-and-so woman, jeeze” knowing good and well I would…may🤔…. be just like Amiee! 😂

✨And Harrison Stone, lawd. That’s it that’s the review. 😂

✨Do yourself a favor and go ahead and add The Heiress Swap to your TBR when you start The Heiress Masquerade because a halfway through I was saying “I NEED Evie’s story!” Luckily enough it’s available!!! Yay!!!!

This book gave me the strangest déjà-vu at the beginning, and then I realised it’s the sequel to the brilliant ‘The Heiress Swap’ - the other half of the story if you will!

Aimee & Harrison have an oddly compelling hate-to-love-you romance. She hates him on principle - him having all she ever wanted and her father seeing him as the son he never had. He hates her because loving terrifies the crap out of him after having lost both his parents at a very young age and finding himself all alone in the world. But Cupid doesn’t’ give a f*** and it’s lust at first sight!
They taunt and tease and bicker and drive each other nuts! They fight so hard, kissing is the only way to shut them up, and since one kiss is never enough… and little miss independent is rather bold and curious - her knight finding himself completely defenceless - the spark ignites!
She’s going for friends-with-benefits while his honour demands he marries her - and we’re back to fighting. Add to that an important business deal being sabotaged from the inside, him needing her to fix it, a jealous ex-mistress and a handful of envious secretaries, and you get one big messy mesmerising emotional rollercoaster of an office romance!

A good read with a strong plot and very entertaining MCs, albeit not as great as the first book in my opinion. Some parts felt a bit rushed, the hot-and-cold game between the MCs dragged on a bit, and a few things I would have liked to see, happened off page.
The mystery miscreant, however, surprised me - really didn’t see it coming, very clever! - and the last chapter was very romantic and exactly what I imagined for these two headstrong heartbroken fools and a hard-earned but well-deserved happily ever after!

And now I’m eagerly looking forward to book 3! It looks like Sam, the earl and the duke’s cousin from book 1, will be hunted down by more than one Dollar Princess… I can’t’ wait!

This book was a lot of fun. I enjoy an FMC with a little bit of spirit, without being mean. And her MMC was fun too!
I enjoyed this book, and I look forward to trying some more of Maddison's books!

The Heiress Masquerade by Maddison Michaels is the second book of her Dollar Princess Series and OMG, how much I loved it!

So in the first book, we got to experience the love story of Evie and Alex... now it's Aimee turn!

Well, Aimee and Evie switched places. Evie has to attend balls and pretend to be Aimee - the heiress, while Aimee pretends to be her cousin. All she wants is to work with her father at his company. So what could be better than learning all about as a secretary trainee?
Well, everything could have been so easy... but Aimee never expected Harrison Stone (the right hand of her father) to be so handsome, but oh, so annoying too.
If that doesn't cause any problems...

I was sooooo excited and happy to get to know the other side of the swap with Aimee and Harrison!
Oh my, these two!
They're definitely like cat and dog. There's an instant dislike between them when they first meet... and awwwww! It's soooo good!
I definitely felt the chemistry!
Oh my... they've this really special kind of EXPLOSIVE CHEMISTRY!
Awwwww! Even while I'm writing this review, I'll get GOOSEBUMPS!
I loved the way they annoyed each other, how there was a special kind of attraction... 🤭😊🥰🥵
Aimee Thornton-Jones is a wealthy heiress and absolutely not shy. A strong and self-confident young woman who knows what she wants and how to get it.
I absolutely enjoyed their banter and that Harrison didn't give in small!
He's also self-confident and kinda stubborn.
And... Do you know what happens when two stubborn people have to deal with each other?!
YES! SPARKS FLY! Well, in this book, it's like that. 😊🌟😁

The storyline was so good, and next to lots of sizzling chemistry and humours interactions, there was also a good portion of suspense! Oh my! So many surprises I didn't see coming! I loved it! 😍

All in all: The Heiress Masquerade was a perfect continuation of this really good series. I enjoyed both stories and would highly recommend them to anyone who loves historical romance with sexy times, banter, drama, and suspense.

Thank you so much to Maddison Michaels and Entangled Publishing for this ARC via NetGalley.
This is my honest review in my own words.

New York heiress Aimee Thornton-Jones decides to slap identities with her cousin Evie, when she uncovers her mother’s plan to marry her off to an eligible, titled lord. By swapping with Evie, she can work for six weeks as a trainee at her father’s company, and prove she’s just as valuable as any son. Yet when she meets her father’s too perfect protégé, Harrison Stone, sparks begin to fly. He finds Aimee reckless and yet so clever/ He knows she has a secret but when they discover that the company under threat of sabotage, he soon discovers that there is more to her than he thought.
Aimee and Harrison are two very fiery characters and so the chemistry and banter between them is instantaneous. Once that stopped fighting, which did take some time, their romance was enjoyable to read. The background story lifted this beyond a simple romance, making for an interesting read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I LOVED THIS!! I started it at 6 pm, and stayed up way past my bedtime reading, and then I woke up at 5 am before work so I could finish it. I haven't been this excited reading a historical romance since I can't remember when. It had everything, and I mean absolutely everything, that I could want in a romance. Mistaken identity, one of my top favorite tropes, check. A self-made hero, check. Enemies to lovers, double check. Tons of witty banter and sizzling chemistry. I adored Amy. She is one feisty lady, and the fact that she is intelligent but likeable at the same time really won me over. I really have been struggling with these types of heroines because they come across cold, but not her.

This book had just enough mystery in it as they both were working to uncover who was attempting to ruin her father's business and kept me guessing to the end. The romance didn't take a back seat to the mystery. It was the perfect blend. I really can't wait to read more from Maddison Michaels and will definitely be reading her prior releases. This series has turned me into a new fan.

This book is so good!
Aimee, an heiress from America and her cousin who is her companion trade places when Aimee's parents send then to England. Aimee wants to work at her father's company instead of going to parties to find a husband.
Harrison, who runs the London branch of the company has no intention of ever falling in love or marrying after losing his parents as a child.
From the moment Aimee and Harrison met, there was great chemistry and tension between them throughout the story. There are a lot of plot twists and a fabulous storyline.
This is the second book in the series but can be read as a stand-alone.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️5
🌶2

Tropes:

🎀Enemies to lovers
🎀Office romance
🎀Hidden identity
🎀Forbidden romance
🎀Alpha MMC/Headstrong FMC

I love a good historical romance and this book did not disappoint. The sparks immediately fly between Aimee and Harrison, and so do the flames.

Aimee wants to learn her father's business and her parents want her to live a life of luxury and become the next "Dollar Princess" and trade her heiress money for title, and promptly ship her to London for the Season. Harrison was taken in by Aimee's father and has been groomed to take on the company, the position Aimee covets.

Harrison and Aimee have a chance meeting in a back alley when he "rescues her" from an assailant (though I know my girl could have handled herself) right after Aimee swaps her cousin into her spot in Society so she can work at her father's company. The attraction is instant. Then they learn they will be working together and it's insta-hate for them both. Or is it?

Trouble on the books leads to Harrison and Aimee spending more time together to discover who is trying to sabotage the company stocks. Soon the hate-filled looks turn into stolen kisses and these two are attracted to each other like moths to a flame.

I loved this book. I had so many notes where I was like YES, QUEEN whenever Aimee stood her ground and chased her dreams. Harrison was such a growly, possessive MMC and we love to see it. You'll want to read this one, y'all.

I liked the first book okish, enough to want to read the second one as I was interested in Aimee's story, but she is awful. She is arrogant , rude, argumentative , and angry. Harrison is less so then her but all the do is yell and argue then kiss. They are soooo yelly for no reason. Very chapter feels like a miscommunication. Like I really have no clue what Anyone would like her. He is less angry with other people but neither are truly enjoyable together. Oh there is a little OW drama which isn't my favorite either, so that didn't help. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Heiress Masquerade
by Maddison Michaels
Pub Date: Aug 20 2024

New York heiress Aimee Thornton-Jones knows her mother’s plans precisely—to ship Aimee to England and marry her off to an eligible, titled lord. Only Aimee has no interest in becoming another “dollar princess.” Instead, she concocts a daring plan: to swap places with her fair (but poor) cousin for six weeks as a trainee at her father’s company and prove she’s just as valuable as any son. There’s just the small matter of her father’s too-perfect protégé, who she’s certain is endangering the entire business.

Harrison Stone doesn’t know what to make of the determined young woman in his employ. She’s vexingly irksome, reckless with her safety, and riles him at every turn. Each day, he’s torn between shipping her home…or thoroughly kissing her pert mouth. But Harrison—who loathes a charlatan—is certain she’s hiding something. And with the company under threat of sabotage, he’s resolved to find out exactly who this young lady truly is.

But in this masquerade of secrets, all it will take is one illicit kiss to ignite the spark…and bring them—unknowingly—to the edge of disaster...

Each book in the Dollar Princess series is STANDALONE:
* The Heiress Swap
* The Heiress Masquerade