Title: Baron
Written by Joanna Shupe
Series: The Knickerbocker Club #2
Published by Zebra
Publication Date: October 25th 2016
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
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Challenges: 2016 Goodreads Reading Challenge, 2016 Review Challenge
New York City’s Gilded Age shines as bright as the power-wielding men of the Knickerbocker Club. And one pragmatic industrialist is about to learn that a man may make his own destiny, but love is a matter of fortune . .
Born into one of New York’s most respected families, William Sloane is a railroad baron who has all the right friends in all the right places. But no matter how much success he achieves, he always wants more. Having secured his place atop the city’s highest echelons of society, he’s now setting his sights on a political run. Nothing can distract him from his next pursuit—except, perhaps, the enchanting con artist he never saw coming . . .
Ava Jones has eked out a living the only way she knows how. As “Madame Zolikoff,” she hoodwinks gullible audiences into believing she can communicate with the spirit world. But her carefully crafted persona is nearly destroyed when Will Sloane walks into her life—and lays bare her latest scheme. The charlatan is certain she can seduce the handsome millionaire into keeping her secret and using her skills for his campaign—unless he’s the one who’s already put a spell on her . . .
Don’t want to read the whole review? Click to jump to the Skinny Review.
I honestly wasn’t too sure about this book going into this book. I was a little underwhelmed by Magnate, book 1 in the Knickerbocker Club series.
Fortunately, I didn’t listen to my misgivings and gave Baron a shot and OMG I was blown away! I loved Will and Ava so much, their chemistry just jumped off of the page!
The Background
Baron happens during the Gilded Age in New York (around the 1880s) where there are a lot of industrialization going on and of course, politics. Now that I think about it, this book was appropriate, what with the US presidential election going on.
But I digress. Will is from a rich family who is interested in running for office in New York State. He meets our heroine Ava who is posing as Madame Zolikoff, a medium. Will knows that Ava is a fraud and is conning people out of their money by pretending to be a medium and warns her away from his primary running mate.
Ava can play at being a “medium” and has been doing so for almost two years. Her reasons: her three siblings who are also working to make ends meet. Her goal: buy a farm in the country so she can move her little family there.
Nothing goes to Will’s plan because Ava will not stop and soon, they start to fall in love.
The Chemistry
It is no secret that I ADORE the love between different classes trope and Baron just cement it! Not only that, Will and Ava are just so perfect for each other: the straight-laced railroad baron and an independent, but poor, young woman.
Their barbs to each other were super entertaining to read and when they finally confessed to their love… sigh! It was perfect!
Oh, the family!
I love that family played an important role in this book. In fact, it was the theme of the whole book! Will had his daddy issues and Ava had her siblings to look after. Since I am an only child, I love reading about great family relationships in books, so this was a PLUS!
I also loved Will’s relationship with his sister Lizzie (Magnate), which really makes me want to read Magnate, now.
Final Thoughts
One of my favorite books, Lions & Lace by Meagan McKinney was set during the Gilded Age in New York and I just want MOAR books set in this age, please! AUTHORS, PLEASE HEAR MY PLEA!
Recommendations
If you didn’t enjoy Magnate as much, please, PLEASE give Baron a try because you will LOVE it!
Books Like Baron
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| Overall: | 5 |
What do you think about the Gilded Age? Do you want more books in this era?
About Joanna Shupe
Award-winning author JOANNA SHUPE has always loved history, ever since she saw her first Schoolhouse Rock cartoon. While in college, Joanna read every romance she could get her hands on and soon started crafting her own racy historical novels. She now lives in New Jersey with her two spirited daughters and dashing husband.
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