Joanna Shupe returns to New York City’s Gilded Age, where fortunes and reputations are gained and lost with ease—and love can blossom from the most unlikely charadeWith the fate of her disgraced family resting on her shoulders, Lady Christina Barclay has arrived in New York City from London to quickly secure a wealthy husband. But when her parents settle on an intolerable suitor, Christina turns … suitor, Christina turns to her reclusive neighbor, a darkly handsome and utterly compelling inventor, for help.
Oliver Hawkes reluctantly agrees to a platonic marriage . . . with his own condition: The marriage must end after one year. Not only does Oliver face challenges that are certain to make life as his wife difficult, but more importantly, he refuses to be distracted from his life’s work—the development of a revolutionary device that could transform thousands of lives, including his own.
Much to his surprise, his bride is more beguiling than he imagined. When temptation burns hot between them, they realize they must overcome their own secrets and doubts, and every effort to undermine their marriage, because one year can never be enough.
more
I thought this was a solid 4 star read, maybe even 4.5 stars…
Lady Christina Barclay is in in New York City with her parents, who have left England under a cloud of scandal and unpaid debts. Her parents want to marry her off to a rich man as soon as possible and have gotten an “in” to NY society via her mother’s cousin. Christina is meek and painfully shy, she hates crowds and escapes to the solitude of her cousin’s reclusive neighbor’s garden whenever she gets a chance. On this day, she is taken by surprise by a very large dog, the dog knocks her down and she is knocked out and ultimately rescued by the reclusive neighbor, Oliver Hawkes.
Oliver Hawkes never intended to be a recluse, but after losing his hearing at 13 and trying to fit into society, he decided he would rather not subject himself to cruel, ignorant people and has made a life for himself alone, he is filthy rich and incredibly smart. He uses both of those resources for his experiments and inventions. He is not happy to find a trespasser in his garden, but he is honorable and takes her in and sends for a doctor. When Christina wakes, she is embarrassed and scared, when the butler, Gill explains that Oliver is deaf, but can read lips, she forces herself to look at him while thanking him. They talk, with Gill acting as a translator. Later she learns that he can speak, but he choses not to, he makes an exception for Christina and even teaches her a few words in sign language, but then he tells her she is not welcome in his garden, he wants to be left alone. She leaves.
Days later, he sees her in the garden again, he brings her inside and they talk, she again asks if she can walk in the gardens and this time, he agrees. She watches him work and he teaches her a few more words before she leaves. She really likes Oliver and feels comfortable with him, but he has made it clear, he wants to be alone.
When her parents try to marry her off to a vile old man, Mr. Van Peet, she runs to Oliver for advice. Her parents are truly awful people, her father is self absorbed and her mother is emotionally and verbally abusive. They don’t care what Christina wants, they need money and she is just a means to an end for them. When Van Peet does something that terrifies Christina, she again runs to Oliver, knowing her parents would do nothing to help her. Oliver is appalled and agrees to help her run away. But before they can form a plan, her parents burst in and insist that Oliver marry her. He refuses at first, but then changes his mind and insist they marry immediately. What he doesn’t tell Christina is that it will be a temporary marriage in name only.
At least that was Oliver’s plan, but as the days pass and he gets to know her, he begins to think that maybe they could have a real marriage. But there are those who will do anything to keep them apart and when his greedy cousin Milton has him declared insane, Christina will have to put all her fears aside to save the man she loves.
I really enjoyed this story and found it a refreshing change from the more traditional historical romances I generally read. It was well written, steamy, fast paced and interesting. There are cameos from Nora, Julius and the rakish lawyer Frank Tripp and well as some wonderful secondary characters and some really nasty villains. I would have given the book 5 stars, I could understand why Christina was timid, but I never really understood why she had so many fears and why she was so shy. I also never learned what the scandal that drove them from London was or why everyone kept saying how strong she was, because she ran away and cried a lot, she wouldn’t stand up for herself and even at the end needed to be almost forced to speak on Oliver’s behalf in public. These things along with some timeline errors kept this from being a 5 star read for me, but I would absolutely read the book again and would happily recommend it. It is the third book in the series, but it can definitely be read as a stand alone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*
Spectacular! Joanna Shupe is one of the best voices in historical romance right now.
WOW!! This was a PHENOMENAL book.! A handicaps view of what life could have been in the Gilded Age.
Lady Christina Barclay has been a pawn for her parents to use as they saw fit, with their fortunes gambled and spent in extravagant fashion they are now destitute, their only recourse is family in the United States. Christina becomes her parent’s best chance to revive their finances.
She will be sold to the highest bidder, in exchange for settling their debts!
The only reprieve Christina gets is stealing a few hours alone in the neighbors secluded garden. Unfortunately, the neighbors massive dog knocks her down and she loses consciousness, Oliver Hawkes is a recluse he doesn’t do well with people but the young woman and her plight intrigues him. Christina’s parent’s scheming knows no bounds , and he reluctantly agrees to a marriage of convenience, saving Christina from the fate her parents planned for her.
Oliver is a brilliant millionaire who has chosen to stay out of society because of his limitations his deafness has caused him. He hasn’t always been deaf, a sickness took his hearing when he was 14, he can read lips and speak, but after being ridiculed he just uses sign language.
Life for Christina and Oliver takes an unexpected turn when Oliver’s greedy cousin declares him unfit, just when they’ve come to realize that they have a connection and love is blossoming he’s carted off to an asylum!
A fast paced and well written story keeps the reader on edge. Joanna Shupe has really researched the plight of “handicaps” in the Gilded Age! If someone was institutionalized regardless of their monetary worth the treatments were horrific! The mention of ice baths just gave me the shivers! Once again Joanna Shupe has a PHENOMENAL read, she never disappoints!
Now I’m ready for Frank’s story!
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher, via Edelweiss. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
Another winner from Joanna Shupe. At the end of the century, a deaf inventor creates a hearing machine. Becoming a recluse because of his deafness, he finds his world invaded by a young English Lady. A tenuous bond grows between them and they marry, but a revengeful cousin decides to tear their world apart. Finding strength neither thought they had, they fight to stay together. Engaging, entertaining and passionate, a definite 5 STARS.
Joanna Shupe has quickly become one of my favorite historical romance authors. Her fun and trope-y plot lines pull me in and her beautifully well-rounded characters keep me invested. A Notorious Vow was a fabulous marriage of convenience story with a deaf, reclusive hero and a painfully shy heroine.
Oliver was a wonderful hero. He was kind and thoughtful even when he didn’t really want to be kind and thoughtful. Watching him navigate his disability and come out of his comfortable shell for Christina was fascinating. Oliver’s combination of vulnerability and intelligence made for a unique hero dynamic.
While I don’t think everyone will connect with the heroine, I thought she was interesting and showed subtle character development. Christina is extremely shy and withdrawn to the point of being timid. I kept waiting for her to grow a spine of steel and stand up for herself. There was a moment for the heroine to shine at the end of the book but she didn’t go through a full personality transplant, which I actually found realistic. I like the idea that shy people don’t have to become crazy, outgoing people to grow personally.
The villains in this book were absurd in the best way. There were many of them and they were truly terrible. Their antics (well, their actual horrible actions) made it seem more like Oliver and Christina against the world and I loved it. I read this engaging novel in a single afternoon and I absolutely recommend it. This book stands completely alone but I am hoping we see Christina and Oliver in future novels.
**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**
Blown away by the story, the character arcs, and the way it was all tied together in the historical context! I still want to throat punch Christina’s parents and Oliver’s cousin.
Lady Christina Barclay has arrived in New York from London to secure herself a wealthy husband. When her parents settle on an intolerable suitor, Christina seeks out her recluse neighbor for help. Oliver Hawkes agrees to the marriage with the stipulation that it only lasts a year. He is a deaf inventor who doesn’t have time for or want a wife but he knows this is Christina’s only chance away from being married off. He quickly learns there is more to his wife and as days pass he rethinks the one year stipulation.
I really enjoyed this book. The romance was sweet and slow, the characters were charming, and the setting was perfect. Oliver lost his hearing as a teenager and is working on an invention to help with hearing loss. He is a recluse from society because he got tired of being treated differently because he couldn’t hear. I really liked him. He was charming, sweet, and a little full of himself. Christina was just the woman he needed.
Christina is a painfully shy wallflower who has been basically verbally abused by her parents, mainly her mother, to do whatever they want. They don’t care about her feelings or fears, they just want the profit. I loved watching her come out of her shell and be the person she was always meant to be. Her constant self-doubt did get a little tiresome but I still really liked her.
This historical marriage of convenience romance was just what I didn’t know I needed. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Shupe’s books in the future.
In this newest book by Joanna Shupe we have a most unlikely hero who is deaf. His heroine finds a way to love a man who just doesn’t want to be loved.
The thoughts of the times could invariably cause him ill treatment at the hands of despicable characters and those who should know better such as doctors and care givers.
This is an absorbing story with obvious and not so obvious villains. There is nothing comical about this story. It is a richly historical story that takes you to a particular setting in New York of a by gone era.
I enjoyed this read and finished it rather quickly. It is not necessary to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one as each one is a stand alone story.
I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization. I could not have enjoyed this book any more than I did.
It is a well written and accurate representation of the time period.
I received a complimentary digital copy to read from the publisher via Edelweiss. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
A Gilded Age gem featuring and Deaf hero!
Oh my word! How I fell in love with Christina and Oliver. Their romance from the first meeting had me swept away in their world. Oliver has hardened him self to love. A recluse from society after people treating him horribly due to his deafness. Christina doesn’t like crowds or mingling in society. Her parents have caused shame and it all falls on Christina when she’s at events to try to find the “best” prospect for a husband. She’s a trooper but she hides as much as she can. I abhor her parents! The arseholes that that are.
Though there are many obstacles thrown in their path Oliver and Christina grow closer and more determined to be together. If you enjoy a wonderful and unique historical romance I definitely think you should read A Notorious Vow!
I really enjoyed this one! Nick is a lovely scarred (physically and mentally), brooding hero with a hard heart. He has no interest in the title he never expected to inherit and as far as he’s concerned the sooner he can strip and sell the ducal estate of his childhood, the better. His whole world is set on its axis when he arrives to find his steward is in fact a woman and the daughter of the old steward. Mina is determined to do her duty to the estate and its people, as her late father wanted. We get to see Nick and Mina open up to each other and to the idea of trusting another with one’s heart. This is especially true for Nick who has never truly known love and was abused by a cruel father who hated him. Mina herself only had a father who always put the estate first. There were also several supporting characters who I quite liked and I look forward to reading their stories as they are published. This was my first from Christy Carlyle, but I will definitely be reading more of hers now and I highly recommend this one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
After a series of tragic events, Oliver becomes reclusive and apathetic. His only concerns are his sweet sister and his work. That all changes though after an unexpected encounter with caring and bashful Christina.
I had always thought that opposites make the best couples but Christina and Oliver proved me wrong. Christina was one of the most timid, introverted, fearful heroines I’ve ever read. Although I prefer my heroines to be more witty, self-assured, and even proactive, her tender heart and innocence made up for whatever traits I might have thought were lacking, not to mention her steel determination when it came to protecting Oliver made her a well-rounded character.
The story kept the perfect pace. I was particularly happy that the budding romance between the main characters didn’t feel rushed or forced and I loved the way Oliver went from a grumpy recluse to a more pleasant man. And his world! It was fascinating to say the least, but unfortunately it was also ignorant and unjust. The treatment of “unorthodox” people in those days was truly appalling and if someone thinks otherwise needs to open a history book and educate themselves – At least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it ¯\_()_/¯
It was such a wonderful story and definitely my favorite in the series so far. If you love stories with plenty of heart, a troubled yet swoon-worthy hero, and a heroine that may seem meekly at first but proves to be a worthy opponent when she sets a mind to it, then this is the book for you.
This book is more than you think it will be. You will fall in love with the characters and be fully invested in their happily ever after.
I enjoyed this book! I thought Christina and Oliver were lovely. It was refreshing for the hero to have such wonderful, caring parents–quite a change from the standard trope of a family disposing of a child who is different. Christina’s parents were unrelentingly awful! and I was pleased that both Christina and Oliver acknowledged that early on, and never trusted them to have any redeeming qualities.
Ms Shupe has an engaging storytelling style, and great dialogue. I’m going to go back to her other books again.
What a powerful book. A Gilded Age look at handicaps, both physical and emotional. I wish I could shout it to the roof tops that everyone should read A Notorious Vow.
Lady Christina Barclay has been under her parent’s thumbs since she was born. Growing up rather well off, until her parents squander the inheritance they’ve been left. The family heads to the United States and an American cousin’s home, fleeing creditors. Christina becomes her parent’s best chance to revive their finances.
Walking in her cousin’s neighbors secluded garden each day, keeps Christina sane. Unfortunately, she has a mishap and meets the reclusive neighbor, Oliver Hawkes. Once Oliver finds out about Christina’s parent’s scheme, he reluctantly decides to agree to a marriage, saving Christina from the fate her parents planned for her.
Oliver is a brilliant and enormously rich man but has chosen to stay out of society because of his physical handicap. He is deaf but hasn’t always been. Christina is a quiet, introspective woman, tired of trying to ‘fit’ into society. Both are looking for a way to manage their lives without giving themselves up and neither believes they deserve the other. Will they realize they are exactly what the other needs?
Enter the cousin who wants what Oliver has and Christina’s parents looking to line their pockets. Add in a good dose of Gilded Age politics, graft, and corruption, and you have a story that touches your heart, and makes you fume with anger regarding the treatment people who are ‘different’ must endure.
Ms. Shupe has done her homework regarding ‘handicaps’ in the Gilded Age. Women were sent to asylums for what we now think of as frivolous reasons. Men were as well. If you weren’t like everyone else, you must be an imbecile! I loved reading the history of ASL and schools for the deaf. Excellent information.
A Notorious Vow by Joanna Shupe is book Three in The Four Hundred Series. This is the story of Christina Barclay and Oliver Hawkes. I have read the other books but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Christina and her family flee London to escape finial ruin in hopes of finding a rich American husband. Oliver lives as a recluse because of his hearing issue but also because he works on inventions to help other like him. Christina and Oliver fall into an agreement of a business type marriage that Oliver wants to end in a year. Only problem is that their business agreement has started having feelings that are growing each day.
This was another page turner by Ms. Shupe…really enjoyed it.
I am blown away by Ms. Shupe’s writing. I flew through this book and loved every single minute of reading it. The non-typical hero really drew me into his plight. Reading how his parents’ love for Oliver sets his groundwork for a confident individual was really a highlight of the story. Oliver’s security in his home along with Christina’s need to be away from society puts these two people into each other’s vicinity and they never let go. The friendship that develops into love is a joy to read. Both have to overcome adversities which I really like in stories.
I am hoping Frank Tripp will eventually get a story with a kick-ass heroine. He is swoon-worthy.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Edelweiss.