Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Things I loved:
I am a complete sucker for this time period. Anything set between 1880 – 1920 (yes, I know that’s more than one era, technically) is catnip to me. To make it even better, Joanna Shupe set this particular book in New York at the time of the Great Blizzard of 1888 – double catnip! I’ve been mildly fascinated with the Great Blizzard ever since I read a book about it in second grade (yeah, I know…); in this book it plays a significant role.
The chemistry between Emmett and Elizabeth is fantastic! Even when they’re being idiots about things (fairly often) the sparks really fly when they get together. Alpha male + alpha female = VERY HOT. I like that Emmett appreciates Elizabeth’s brains just as much as her looks, too.
Things I didn’t love:
As I mentioned above, I spend a lot of time wanting to smack E & E upside the head for being stubborn idiots. Whether it was Emmett fretting about their class differences or Elizabeth worrying about Emmett’s reasons for being with her, they really put themselves through a lot of hell. Of course… without this, it would have been a very short book!
Other things worth a mention:
This book had some great secondary characters. I really want Emmett’s brother Brendan to get his own story – he’s a bit of a meddler but I suspect he has hidden depths. Emmett’s younger sisters were sweet, but portrayed as a bit young for their stated ages (I say this as the parent of a thirteen-year-old; yes, times were different, but even so-).
The financial aspects of the plot were tightly woven but explained simply enough that a non-financial brain like mine had no trouble following them.
All in all I would give this 4.5 stars and a definite re-read. It was like a lovely, refreshing mashup of 19th-century historical romance and modern billionaire romance, but without any of the irritating bits.
*GoodReads is giving away 10 copies of this book – register between now and March 29!*