Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Uptown Girls (Book 2)
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (December 30, 2019)
ISBN-10: 0062906836
ISBN-13: 978-0062906830
Author's Website: http://www.joannashupe.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher for review purposes. This in no way affected my review or rating. All quotes are subject to change as an ARC is not the final version. Any errors in quotes are most likely my own and not the authors.
Florence Greene is not your typical society miss. She doesn't have grand plans of marriage or of raising a family. Her dreams consist of opening a casino for young ladies and she's come up with a plan to accomplish just that. It all revolves around a rather illusive man named Clayton Madden. Clayton owns the most successful gambling establishment in the city call the Bronze House. She wants her casino to mimic his and she's hoping he'll mentor her on how she can go about making that happen. Gambling, after all, is illegal in the great state of New York, but Florence isn't the type to let a little thing like that get in her way. The one thing she hadn't counted on, however, was finding herself attracted to the man, or that he'd be attracted to her...
"You should know a few things before we finalize any apprenticeship."
She leaned in, all eagerness and devotion, hanging on his every word.(...)
"I'll put my cards on the table. I'm attracted to you."
Her brows shot high on her forehead, her face slackening. "W-what?"(...)
"Understand that my motives are never pure. I'm as selfish as they come, and if there's an opportunity to get you in my bed I won't hesitate to take it."(...)
"Was there anything else?"
"Yes, actually. I plan to bring about your father's ruin."
This was the second book in the Uptown Girls series and it can be read out of order as a standalone. It actually takes place at the same time as 'The Rogue of Fifth Avenue,' the first book in the series, so the reader truly will have missed nothing if they haven't read the previous book first. The series revolves around the Greene sisters who are unconventional young women who are the daughter's of one of New York's richest and most influential men. The series is set in the 1890's when Carnegie Hall has just been built, child labor laws are all but nonexistent, and women still have yet to acquire the right to vote. It's set in an era when there is a great divide between how the upper and lower classes of New York society live. The novel takes place during a time when corruption in the police department runs rampant and justice is not always served. In other words, it's a great period to use for the backdrop of a story. If you've not yet read one of Ms. Shupe's novels, you will not be disappointed.
Florence Greene is smart and beautiful, but has never truly felt like she fit in with high society, mainly because she's never cared what they thought of her. Plus, she isn't one to engage in games unless they involve a gaming table. She's played her role in society seamlessly, however, for the sake of her mother and sisters. She's even turned down several proposals, but being married to some society fop whose ego barely fits in the room is not her idea of bliss. The only thing that has kept her sane over the years is her dream of one day opening up a casino for ladies, and being able to be the person she'd always felt she was meant to be. She found out at an early age she had a love and knack for cards. She intends to make use of that.
"Understand that my motives are never pure. I'm as selfish as they come, and if there's an opportunity to get you in my bed I won't hesitate to take it."(...)
"Was there anything else?"
"Yes, actually. I plan to bring about your father's ruin."
Clayton Madden is a self-made man who blames his family's demise on Florence's father. All he's done over the years has been driven by the thought of one day being able to exact revenge on him. Florence, however, is something he hadn't expected. The more he gets to know her the more he comes to like her. He convinces himself he can still exact revenge upon her father without it affecting their relationship. He'll soon find out the truth of the matter and have to deal with the consequences.
Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. The book had a nice combination of drama and romance which kept my interest from start to finish. While Clayton and Florence would appear to be an unlikely couple, their chemistry is undeniable. As they start to work together and get to know each other they gain a mutual respect for one another. Clayton has no problem letting Florence be who she wants to be and, for the most part, encourages her endeavors. Some of Florence's behavior, however, was a little questionable for someone who supposedly was trying to protect her mother and sisters from scandal. Plus, it took me some time to warm up to Clayton, but by the end he won me over. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a SHOWER rating--a cold shower may be necessary. Need I say more? Some books should come with a warning--make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order. lol
Order of the Uptown Girls series:
Coming June 2020:
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