Eliza and the Duke is the second of three books about the feisty, fearless fake heiresses the Dove sisters and their hunt for husbands to satisfy their father’s marriage requirements to gain their inheritance. Eliza gives big Eloise Bridgerton vibes to me in the best way-she is impulsive, passionate and unrelenting in her quest for the “Duke”, Simon Cavell, a prizefighter trying to get out of Whitechapel to better his and his family’s future. While this is part of a series, it’s not necessary to have read the previous book (or other of St. George’s books whose protagonists have cameos in this story), but I do think doing so enhances this story greatly. While it’s instalust, it’s a complicated journey to HEA for for main characters and I found myself loving the side characters equally. This is 🌶️🌶️, with just the right amount of yearning and spice IMO. Definitely worth checking out for romance fans! Grateful to Harper St. George and Berkley for the ARC!

If you’re into a little bit of scandal and dangerous situations with your historical romance authors, this is a great story to grab.

St. George is blending an American Heiress into society in the Regency era in London. With a large dowry, marrying the right man is expected. However, following your heart and your hormones usually ends up a little bit differently.

This story is not your typical Regency style romance but focuses more on a middle class to lower class hero in our high society, looking for a husband heroine.

Eliza and the Duke is a bit of a forbidden romance because of the class issue and the fact that she really is a bit out of control, especially at the beginning of the book. The author actually lost me for a bit as the heroine was really out of her depth and overly risky.

However, I loved the way the author depicted the Duke. He definitely falls for her which brings the steam and delicious swoony things going on between them. However, she is betrothed to another man, so the whole story has this air of forbidden romance surrounding it and figuring out how to come to a satisfying ending.

Overall, the story was well-written, interesting, and sexy, and the ending completely made up for the rocky start.

If you’re into alternate types of historical romance, Eliza and the Duke is a great choice. St. George is making her mark with the blending of American Heiresses and English aristocracy in a wonderful manner.

I've said it once and I'll say it again, historical romances need a comeback! However, with that said, Harper St. George has always been a hit or miss for me. I really enjoyed The Gilded Age Heiresses series- my favorite being The Devil and the Heiress. This new series, The Doves of New York, has been a bit lackluster.

Quick Sumamry:
Eliza Dove needs to marry an aristocrat in order to receive her allowance. Easy- she is now engaged to a man she hardly knows who is frolicking in the Continent keeping count of how many notches he puts on his belt. Then enters Simon Cavell, the general manager of London's renowned social club. Eliza's impulsive nature throws her in Simon's life in a whirlwind that takes both their lives off course. There is prizefighting, danger, and death. Also, of course, an HEA.

Honestly, I liked it. In my opinion, Simon could've loosened up earlier on. I am also not a fan of the FMC pursuing the MMC--- so that's on me. The story just didnt have the spark I needed to rate it any higher than three. HOWEVAH, I'm on the edge of my seat for the next story-- centered around the last sister, Jenny and her beau Lord David. Whenever these two were on the page, sparks were flying.

Thank you #NetGalley for providing me with eARC in exchange for my honest review.

First, thank you to the publisher for the early access. Harper St George books are so fun to read. This is a very fun series and I love all the mentions of the previous books/series. All the cheers for strong women and the men that love and support them. Very excited for the 3rd book.

Another exciting Victorian romance from Harper St George. Youngest Dove sister Eliza is engaged to a lord (thanks to her social climbing father), but she can’t stop running into Whitechapel-born bruiser Simon. And he can’t seem to stay away from her, despite his best intentions.

There was a lot of plot crammed into this book. Not all of it got resolved. But overall it was an enjoyable read and I learned more about Victorian England.

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

Hi book friends, this is the second novel in The Doves of New York series. The first book in the series, The Stranger I Wed, hooked me in right away. It was an opening novel that sets the stage for the subsequent series. A great opener! Whereas, in Eliza and the Duke, it focuses on the middle Dove sister, Elizabeth Dove.

Eliza and the Duke gives a different romantic perspective than George’s last novel. It’s not a match of wealth or prestige. Eliza finds herself enamored by a man who is a genuinely good human being and she takes a risk and falls in love with someone who makes her feel safe and whole.

As the novel progressed I found myself predicting what would happen next, and it was a delight when what I thought would happen, happened. What didn’t work for me in this one was the dynamic between the villain and Simon towards the end. I understood why Simon (aka the Duke) was beholden to the villain of the novel. But, when Eliza entered the picture, with her connections and wealth, it didn’t make much sense that Simon had to pay off a debt he already paid. Although, the ending conveniently made things easier, it felt too easy actually (you'll know what I mean when you read the book), I really do think Eliza and Simon could’ve asked for help and received it gladly from family and friends.

I am ready for the next novel though as George reveals the youngest Dove sister’s romance story to a certain heir to a dukedom.

As usual Harper St. George kept me engaged in the story and the characters! I really enjoyed these two muddling through their class differences and finding their happy ever after!

I was a smidge underwhelmed by this one. The stakes were high, but also felt a little hollow. I didn't really believe in the couple, either- what makes this meaningfully different than Eliza's other impulsive decisions? It was still an enjoyable read, but I don't think I would reread.

“Eliza and the Duke” is a perfect sequel in Harper St. George’s The Doves of New York series. This time, Eliza steps into the spotlight, taking readers on an exhilarating journey through London’s nightlife. Her growing attraction to Simon Cavell only fuels her desire for independence, adding depth and tension to her story.

Highly recommended for romance fans, especially those eager to see more of the Dove family. I know I cannot wait to read what comes next for the Dove family!

This was a light, but ultimately slightly underwhelming, romance novel. The characters had less depth to them than other St. George stories, however I will continue to follow this author.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, I indulged in reading the forthcoming novel by one of my favorite authors, Harper St. George. Following last year’s The Stranger I Wed, this June the Doves of New York series continues with the youngest Dove sister in Eliza and the Duke. Contrary to the title, the “duke” here is actually Simon, a bare-knuckles fighter who’s been trying to fight his way out of poverty. Eliza is an heiress… but only if she marries a man her calculating father approves of. An aristocrat, in other words. Someone so far removed from who Simon is.

Up until now, my favorite Harper St. George book has been The Devil and the Heiress, but Eliza and the Duke is giving it a run for its money! I absolutely fell in love with Eliza and Simon and was rooting for them despite the odds. I enjoyed getting to know Whitechapel and the more working class side of Victorian-era London. So many historical romances are about (literal) dukes and earls, and I loved that this one highlights characters without titles or money.

Eliza and the Duke is among Harper St. George’s best books and one romance readers are sure to adore. With a forbidden allure, danger, and a tender but steamy love story at its core, this is a beautiful and memorable romance. Like Simon himself, I’m betting on this book being a winner.

I can’t wait for Eliza and the Duke to come out! My full review will be published on June 24th, when the book will be available for all to read. Please check back for my post then!

(Also, Berkley, please please please let us have Jenny's HEA! I *love* the setup here for what she and another certain character end up doing and I need to read their story! Historical romance is alive and well and deserves to continue being published.)

Eliza and Simon's story is one for readers who love a couple that chooses to be vulnerable with each other, where the stakes are relatively low but the romance is high.

Eliza Dove, the second illegitimate daughter of a wealthy American businessman, is already engaged to be married when she meets Simon, a working man from Whitechapel whose face she describes as more interesting than handsome. He's just left a bare knuckle prize fight and he's is terrible shape, but their chemistry is apparent from their first meeting. She helps bandage him up, and she can't stop thinking about him and how he made her feel. While Simon doesn't entirely remember her, he remembers feeling as though he had been visited by an angel during his recovery. When they run into each other again, it takes him a while to decider why she seems so familiar. Once he realizes who she is, the story accelerates quickly.

I love Eliza as a character because she is brave, impulsive, and utterly unserious about society's rules. She knows what is expected of her, but she's not going to let that stand in the way of getting what she wants, and it doesn't take her long to decide that she wants Simon.

Their romance unfolds sweetly (and with plenty of spice!) and thoufh they face challenges and a few dangers along the way, their HEA feels inevitable and the story itself has a cozy vibe that I needed.

Definitely recommend if you love historical romances between characters that fall on the edge or just outside of the traditional regency society group.

This was cute! I think I enjoyed the first half with the build up more and once the sex was introduced it lost me a bit. I feel like I wanted a deeper emotional connection and slower build. I did love them together! I really enjoyed both characters.

I will say their "first time" together just felt a bit unbelievable and anticlimactic. I just didn't like where they "did it." It didn't feel very romantic. I think after that I started to fade off a bit. The end drama just felt a bit rushed. But I still enjoyed this and the characters were super sweet. You couldn't help but root for them.

Unlikely heiress Eliza Dove was expected to make a polite marriage of convenience...until she met a mysterious stranger known as "The Duke." Simon Cavell, Whitechapel’s prize boxer, is one fight away from freedom. He cannot allow some miss to spill his secrets; so in return for her silence, Simon will give Eliza the night of adventure she craves.

This is the second book in the Doves of New York series, featuring Eliza and her sisters who are seeking marriages in London. The illegitimate sisters can claim a large inheritance if their marriages are approved by their father.

Eliza knew a love match wasn't in her future, but meeting Simon and finding out new information about her fiancé turned all her plans upside down. While she might be an heiress now, she finds a lot in common with Simon, who was left in an orphanage as a child and rose up to be a club manager. Simon is desperate to pay off a debt and rescue his niece, but his growing attraction to Eliza complicates the situation. I liked the connection between the lead characters and thought the pacing worked better than the first book. While the ending felt a bit easy, I am super excited about the set-up for sister Jenny's story. I also enjoyed the author's historical notes at the end.

Tropes: Class Difference-ish, Protector, Forced Proximity

Steam: 2 (two full scenes and one short interrupted scene)

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review

Eliza and the Duke was a great addition to this series. Harper St George is great with storytelling that makes one want to keep turning the page. Free ARC from NewGalley for hones review.

The American Eliza has been sent, with her sisters, to England. All must marry a lord or none will inherit their father’s wealth. One night she sneaks into a gaming club and meets Simon, a manager of the club, a boxer and NOT a lord. She persuades him to give her an adventure for the evening but she, and he, can’t stop there. We are to see her as an adventuress.

Although it is a familiar trope I still had difficulty getting into Eliza’s character and motivations. I simply felt she was spoilt or foolhardy, not adventurous with a few other characteristics thrown in. She wanted to go to university, but that did not seem much supported by the rest of the storyline. She fell in love with Simon but I didn’t feel/read the attraction. And she was willing to give up a quarter of a million dollars to be with him. I didn’t really see what attracted her to him.

And what did Simon see in Eliza? That she smelled nice and was a lady. But she put him and his niece at risk throughout. She pushed herself on him. And then, suddenly, he was half in agony, half in hope for her love.

It was not a satisfying book for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Enjoyed the personality and adventurous nature of Eliza, the FMC. Both characters were amusing, and I enjoyed the sense of humor the MCs shared. I enjoyed continuing through the Gilded Age World that St. George has created and ties to the other book in this series and the Gilded Age Heiresses. While I enjoyed the first book in this series a bit more, it does help set up book three which I'm looking forward to.

Harper St. George’s sexiest book yet.

Eliza knew she wanted a wild adventure before marrying someone she didn’t love. She ends up falling in love with the man that she coerced to give her that adventure.

I liked this more than the first Doves of NY book although I can’t explain why – maybe the dynamic of the characters or all the juggling Simon had to do between the different worlds in which he lived. Also I liked his devotion to his niece and her caregiver.

I am really looking forward to the next book because I have always enjoyed the combative energy between Lord David and youngest Dove sister Jenny. Late in this book it seems they have made “a deal with the devil” with each other. This should make for a very interesting relationship.

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

3.5 Stars

Class and wealth are generally central themes of this series, as well as in the previous Gilded Age Heiresses series. With Simon being part of security at a gentleman's club, as well as a prizefighter, that theme is given even greater attention here. The subplot with Brody... I didn't really enjoy. I didn't remember him from the last book and he's even less memorable here as a kind of bogeyman antagonist. Also, since Simon is connected in his own right to four of the five prior male leads (who all have titles and/or wealth, social and/or political power), the stakes just aren't there to make Brody ever feel like a real threat.

Eliza and Simon are sweet together. It's nice to see Eliza being unafraid to speak up or take the lead in their relationship. The emotional depth and chemistry is fairly mild between them, and I can't say they stand out much, other than to note there is no third act blow-up. Just a pair of nice kids, really.

But it's all Jenny and David for me; they have overshadowed this series from book one, day one. When they met, everything else stopped. I don't know why Berkley dropped the Doves of New York and I also don't get why this was the second book, when Jenny and David are out here scorching up a surprise POV chapter with her aloof pining and his open yearning. This has all just felt like one long-ass set up for their story; hopefully, it's still on its way to us. 🤞

Eliza and the Duke is a perfectly fine read. A little predictable, but what are you gonna do. Will be reading the third installment too when that comes out.