Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Shupe (The Duke Gets Even) riffs on Don Bluth's 1997 animated feature Anastasia in this enchanting Gilded Age romance. In 1896, con man Leo Hardy is on the lookout for a scheme to support his mother and five siblings when he spots Josie Smith singing in front of a Boston crowd and notes her resemblance to New York socialite Mrs. Pendelton, whose two-year-old daughter was kidnapped almost 18 years ago. Josie, a wily orphan, is justifiably wary of Leo's offer to manage her singing career since, unbeknownst to her, he plans to collect on the Pendeltons' $100,000 reward by presenting Josie as their long-lost daughter. After he introduces her to famed singer Lotta Crabtree, however, Josie's confidence in him grows and she agrees to his offer. Together, they travel to New York City, mutually agreeing to keep their relationship strictly professional. It's a short-lived promise; soon, their intense chemistry gives way to a scintillating affair. But when Josie and Mrs. Pendelton meet, shocking revelations on all sides may keep the young lovers from their happy ending. Shupe brings the Gilded Age to life, complete with vast wealth disparity and actual historical figures (like Lotta). Affable characters, sizzling romance, and a sparkling setting make this shine. (Aug.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Shupe's (The Duke Gets Even) latest follows the beautiful, talented Josie, a woman who was raised in a children's asylum and makes a meager living by singing on the streets. She's spotted by Leo Hardy, a scammer trying to support his family. He thinks Josie would be perfect for his latest plan--to pass off a woman as a famous heiress kidnapped as a child--so he gains her trust and brings her to New York City, ostensibly to serve as her manager as she launches her singing career. The smart, savvy Josie is hardly naive and doesn't entirely trust Leo, but she lets him help with her stage career. Things get more complicated, however, once the pair begin to develop feelings for each other. In Shupe's deft hands, this Anastasia retelling feels fresh from beginning to end, and her talent at writing complex, spirited heroines shines once again. VERDICT Historical romance fans will be thrilled to see another book by the queen of steamy Gilded Age stories.--Jenny Kobiela-Mondor
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A Gilded Age grifter makes good, eventually. Josie Smith does what she needs to get by, after having been abandoned as an infant and raised at the Boston Children's Asylum. She takes care of herself and her best friend and looks for every opportunity to sing, in the hopes that her extraordinary talent might make her famous someday. And indeed, singing on the street does bring attention her way, but it's from one of Boston's many con men: Leo Hardy. His father died after having been unfairly accused by the wealthy Pendelton family of having kidnapped their baby, and now he'll do anything to keep his mother and sisters off the streets. When the desperate Leo hears Josie sing, he's immediately drawn to her voice, and then, when he realizes she has an uncanny resemblance to the lost Pendelton child, he puts together a swindle that could make them both rich. Leo convinces Josie to let him be her manager, then insists on taking her to New York City to audition for her big break; unbeknownst to her, he's also plotting to get her near the Pendeltons, in the hopes they'll believe she's their daughter and he can collect the reward for finding her. Neither of them counts on what will happen when their purposely platonic relationship starts to heat up in the middle of Central Park, or what else will happen after the Pendeltons finally learn about Josie. Shupe's newest Gilded Age romance builds on the framework of the movieAnastasia, which is a good match for the extreme inequality of the era. This inspiration explains the fantastical nature of the story; though Shupe includes the historical details that always set her romances apart, and it's not her first time adapting a fairy tale, it becomes hard to suspend disbelief at certain points. Her writing is as saucy and spicy as ever, however, and combined with some thoughtful consideration of class and wealth in the era, Shupe's fans will find much to enjoy. An appealing historical romance with enchanting touches. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
