An Amazon Best Book of the Month“I am adding this book to that list of books I would take to a deserted island with me. God, I love this book. Go read it now. I promise you won’t be disappointed.” –Sarah MacLean, New York Times Bestselling AuthorIn the second novel in Joanna Shupe’s the Uptown Girl series, a ruthless casino owner bent on revenge finds his plans upended by a beautiful woman who … plans upended by a beautiful woman who proves to be more determined than he is–and too irresistible to deny.
Powerful casino owner.
Ruthless mastermind.
Destroyer of men.
He lives in the shadows . . .
As the owner of the city’s most exclusive casino, Clayton Madden holds the fortunes of prominent families in the palms of his hands every night. There is one particular family he burns to ruin, however, one that has escaped his grasp . . . until now.
She is society’s darling . . .
Florence Greene is no one’s fool. She knows Clayton Madden is using her to ruin her prestigious family . . . and she’s using him right back. She plans to learn all she can from the mysterious casino owner–then open a casino of her own just for women.
With revenge on his mind, Clay agrees to mentor Florence. However, she soon proves more adept–and more alluring–than Clay bargained for. When his plans are threatened, Clay must decide if he is willing to gamble his empire on love.
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I am, adding this book to that list of books I would take to a deserted island with me.
First things first it’s a CASINO BOOK and I think there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that I love a casino book! But even better, it’s a casino book about a lady who wants to own a casino for ladies and is willing to do anything to learn to do it right–including asking for casino running lessons from the hottest casino owner this side of The Atlantic…who just happens to be gruff, powerful and the total alpha package.
God, I love this book. Go read it now. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
You are *not* going to want to miss this one! Determined society girl demands lessons on running a casino from scarred secretly cinnamon roll hero? YES.
my first historical romance and I enjoyed it very much. Love the forbidden nature of the scandalous relationships. Can’t wait for bk3
What’s not to love about the way Shupe crafts a tale.
New York City’s finest casino, the Bronze House, is not only illegal, it is exclusively for men, but that doesn’t stop Florence Greene from bribing her way in the door or from winning a fortune in an effort to gain the attention of the owner Clayton “Clay” Madden. Florence wants nothing more in life than to own a casino of her own, exclusively for women, she understands the actual games, but she need a teacher for the finer points of club ownership and she has decided that Clay is the perfect man for the job.
Clay has been running games and bets for many years, his success is gratifying, but the true reason he has pushed so hard to succeed is for the money and power he needs to enact his revenege against Duncan Greene, Florence’s father. Duncan bought the property he lived in as a boy, forcing out his family and therefore putting into motion events that changed Clay’s life, including his brother’s death and his father’s abandonment. Clay has spent the last 20 years plotting and is on the brink of seeing his plan come to fruition. He plans on buying the property Duncan’s family home is on and tearing it down to build a casino. So when Florence asks him to teach her the ropes, he agrees but is honest about his feelings towards her father and his sexual interest in her – he won’t tell her why he hates her dad or what he is going to do to him, but says he isn’t trying to ruin him or break him financially, he is also clear that while he is interested in her as a lover, he will not force her or do anything to make her uncomfortable.
Florence can’t imagine what her father did to earn Clay’s hatred, but since he isn’t going to ruin him and she really needs a teacher, she accepts his terms. She is also attracted to him and she is not a virgin, having long ago decided (this crack me up because she is only 21) that she never wants to marry and sees no point in “saving herself”, she has enjoyed lovers, but is determined to keep her relationship with Clay strictly professional. Clay agrees and they begin her lessons.
The more time they spend together, the more the attraction grows, both physically and emotionally, they like each other and enjoy working together, he teaches her the darker side of casino ownership, with lessons on the payoffs and handling cheaters, but through it all, he continues with his plan against her dad. When a Clay pisses off a policeman on his payroll, trouble comes to his club and he and Florence are forced to flee a raid. While hiding in the brothel next door, their relationship takes a serious turn and the result leaves Florence feeling embarrassed and she flees. But after he comes to her rescue while playing at another club, she decides to return and makes it clear that nothing like that will ever happen again. But it does and this time they actually have sex – but Clay’s reaction afterwards is appalling and cruel to Florence, who is justifiably angry and leaves.
Clay thinks this is for the best, until he learns that she has begun taking “lessons” with Mulligan, another crime lord in the city. He finally admits he was wrong and misses her, but when he goes to see her, it is clear that she is not going to let him off the hook that easy. They come to an agreement and their relationship changes, they are both happy and things are going well until Florence learns the truth about Clay’s plans and how it affect her and her hopes and dreams.
This book is very well written, flows nicely and has some very hot, steamy love scenes, but in my opinion, the leads are not likeable, there isn’t really any romance (there is a lot of lust and sex, but that isn’t romance) this book read more like “ChickLit fiction” set in the gilded era, rather than an actual historical romance. Florence has very 21st century ideals and her dream is to run an illegal gaming house. And Clay went from being a badass gaming lord to be Florence’s whipped lover. I really, really didn’t care for the ending, I thought it was unrealistic for the era and just cemented my feeling that Florence was selfish and expected everything to be on her terms. I didn’t actually hate the book, but it is my least favorite by Joanna Shupe and while I would recommend this author and this book, I wouldn’t read it again. This is this the second book in the series and it runs concurrent with the first book, so it can be read as a standalone with no problems.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*
The world of the Greene sisters fascinates me. They’re modern women in an historical world. They are rich debutantes who eschew all that comes with belonging with the elites. When it comes to avoiding the pomp of being rich, not wanting to have anything to do with being proper, Florence takes the cake.
While she doesn’t always go about things the right way, Florence is very passionate about supporting women to be independent and strong. She makes no apologies for her sexual curiousity and the fact that she is not chaste as ladies of her stations are expected to be. This leads to intense heat between Florence and Clayton and some very hot encounters before these two even really touch one another. But let me tell you, once these two come together, the after scene is written so perfectly. For anyone reading this who maybe doesn’t have a lot of experience, the author does a beautiful job in keeping things real and entertaining while also laying out the realities of sex and the differences in intimate partners.
From the beginning of the deal Clayton strikes with Florence, he is very supportive of her exerting her independence. He is, by nature, take charge and domineering type of person, but he respects her drive and how she doesn’t give up no matter the adversity she faces. Unfortunately, his own stubborn drive makes it difficult for Clayton to take his blinders off. He has always had the goal of taking Florence’s father down at the knees, to hurt him the way he was hurt by past decisions. He feels as though Florence’s father has wronged him and his family and he needs to pay for those sins. Even while Clayton gets closer and closer to Florence, he cannot see beyond that goal.
Watching Florence and Clayton wade through their issues, sometimes together and sometimes apart, is interesting and even fun. I love the people who Clayton surrounds himself with, his trusted inner circle. They aren’t afraid to call him on his crap when it needs to be done. But mostly, they see that Clayton and Florence have the chemistry and respect for each other that is needed to make a relationship work. Even while they both keep telling themselves they would rather be single.
This story runs concurrently with the oldest Greene sister’s story, The Rogue of Fifth Avenue. You don’t have to read that one to understand the workings of this book but it’s a lot of fun getting to know these sisters so you really should read them all.
Joanna Shupe’s heroes are always so delicious! Even though I can’t wait to see how one of her books ends, I’m always sorry when I finish it! Yeah for her hunky heroes and absorbing stories!
Didn’t like either of the main characters.
REVENGE
Clayton Madden has one goal in life, to own Duncan Greene’s childhood home and then tear it down. When Florence Greene walks into the Bronze House and asks Clay to teach her how to run a casino, Clay is smitten. What started as business moved into an affair. If Clay goes through with his plan, he’ll lose Florence. Love and forgiveness may come at a high price. Dark heros are one of my favorites.
Review originally published at Romancing Romances.
I received an eARC at no cost from the publisher, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
3.75*
Just under a 4 out of 5 rating, this book tells the story of Felicity Green, who wants to own a women’s casino during the Gilded Age. Smart woman that she is, she decided to ask Clayton, who already owns a casino, to teach her.
Clay has a revenge story against her father, and that gets in the way of the happy ending, but in the end he does the right thing – of course.
Although I enjoyed this book, it wasn’t a favourite. Clay’s revenge sometimes pushed things in a way that was too much, and Felicity was a bit annoying at parts, as she behaved in ways that didn’t feel very realistic.
I did love the voyeurism scene, it was super sexy! The good times delivered, as usual.
The end felt just right for everyone, and it’s very refreshing to have different goals and results than what we are used to – mind, it’s still a HEA, just not a “married with kids” HEA, which would not have suited our main couple.
Definitely a big part in this series, Felicity and Clay’s story is one of social class differences, revenge, following your goals, and knowing when to compromise without losing focus.
It started slow for me, but I quickly fell in love with Clay and Florence. I don’t agree with her final decision of not wanting to do something but I think I’m too old fashion sometimes! Clay stole my heart and boyyyy is he hot hot hot!! His reasons for revenge sometime seemed sort of crazy to me and then her reasons not to forgive also had me screaming into audible, but I do love that they both were so strong that they didn’t just give in easily. And bravo to Joanna for making a strong heroine that fights against the norm! Even if old fashion people like me clutch their pearls in shock!
One of my all-time favorite historicals with a hero and heroine that go beyond my expectations of awesome.
I enjoyed this Gilded Age historical romance by Shupe. The casino comes to life and Clay is ruthless underworld kingpin at first. But he is no match for Florence, who wants to open her own casino. It sets up for some great conflict and a romantic read.
A different story and I loved it!!!
A gilded age romance for the ages.
I’ve read other books by Joanna Shupe and have never been let down. I wasn’t this time, either. This book plugs right along, the writing is well-done and kept me invested throughout. I’ll be reading more by this author.
Yes, there were times when I thought Florence was a bit above her station. Women had some freedoms and she tends to go higher than she should be. But that’s what made her fun. Okay, sometimes it made her petulant and a tad irritating, but she knew what she wanted and was not going to let anyone tell her no. I liked that. Then there’s Clayton. He’s just as much of a piece of work. He’s doing things that aren’t quite square, yet he’s not doing it for ill-gotten gain. It’s a tad trite that he’s the casino owner with the heart of gold, but he kind of is. The chemistry between him and Florence is off the charts. I liked each time they got together.
If you’re looking for a book with rich characters that might annoy you one minute, make you love them the next and ultimately stay with you, then this is the book you’re looking for. Recommended.
I love this series. It was another wonderful addition to the group. It was well written and vastly entertaining.
Class, upper or lower, male or female, legal or illegal there is always some kind of distinction regarding class.
Clayton Manning grew up in the lower class, but he had dreams. With hard work, quick thinking, and walking over people, he clawed his way to money, even if he never made it to the upper class.
Florence Greene, upper class all the way. In the upper crust of New York City society, she never wants for anything, except, the freedom to be the person she is inside, without all the societal restrictions she faces due to her gender.
Clayton vows to get back at the person he thinks ruined his family. Florence’s father.
Florence dreams of running a gambling establishment. Clayton is the best and she wants to learn from him.
Lust, love, retribution, and redemption. Can Clayton and Florence work together or will past injustices ruin their chance for the lives they’re looking for?
I really enjoyed this book. Ms. Shupe does her research and the pages of the book come alive with history. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
I love that Joanna Shupe writes about the gilded age in New York City (think Vanderbilts and Rockefellers). Unfortunately, this was probably my least favorite of her books in this era so far.
Clayton Madden has gone from poverty to incredible wealth thanks to his ownership of an illegal casino where the city’s wealthy come to lose their money. He is fueled by his desire for revenge–to ruin the man that cast him and his family into the city slums. His is captivated by a young woman who is caught sneaking into his all-male casino. As it turns out, she has a proposition for him. Her greatest desire is to open a casino for wealthy ladies and she wants him to teach her the ins and outs of illegal gambling. Clay is reluctant to tutor Florence until he realizes that she is the daughter of the man that he seeks to ruin.
My primary issue with this book is that I didn’t like Florence. I get that Shupe was trying to make her a woman before her time but she came off as reckless and immature instead. She flaunted the fact that she was sexually experienced. She defied convention in a way that wasn’t all that appealing.
He lives in the shadows…
She is society’s darling…
In this second novel in the Uptown Girl series, by Joanna Shupe, a ruthless casino owner bent on revenge finds his plans upended by one of the daughters of the man he intends to ruin.
Florence Greene comes to Clayton Madden’s casino even though women aren’t allowed. She intends to find out everything she can about running a casino since she wants to open one for women only.
What she finds is a man she simply can’t resist in spite of the fact that he intends to ruin her father.
Why does Clay hate her father so much? He has told her as much but refuses to divulge the reason.
In this second book of this series we meet the middle sister and society darling of the Greene household. In the first book we met Mamie and Frank Tripp who is her father’s lawyer. These two are mentioned a few times in this latest book.
Both books in this series so far have been of the can’t put down variety. Sometimes the second book of a series is a disappointment after a fabulous start but not in this case. I found myself reading into the wee hours of the morning to make certain I didn’t miss one thing.
I in fact am already re-reading this one as I did the first book even though it has yet to release.
I gave it 4.95 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.
I received a complementary digital ARC of this book from Edelweiss+ to read.
This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
This book was an utter delight. I adored Florence and Clayton beyond what I even expected, and after LOVING book 1 in this series too, I expected a lot!
Florence Greene is a unique and capable woman. She has her own plans for her life, and her future, and NO ONE will dissuade her from them. Not even her father, who thinks himself the almighty authority on everything. She has no interest in marrying, ever. She wants to open her own casino, for women only. Who better to teach her how to run a casino, then the most successful casino owner in NYC? Now, she just has to convince him to mentor her.
Clayton Madden is the owner of the Bronze House, the most exclusive and successful casino in New York. He is a cold man, and he lets very few people close to him. He’s vowed revenge on the man who ruined his life, and family, as a child, Duncan Greene. When Duncan’s middle daughter shows up asking for a favor, he doesn’t lie to her. He is intrigued by her, and attracted to her. He also has plans for revenge against her father. He agrees to teach her about casinos, but he won’t discuss his revenge plot with her, and he won’t act on his attraction to her. But, so much about Florence draws him to her, and before he knows what he’s about, he’s become quite attached to her. Though, nothing can stop him from completing his revenge plot. Right?
Clayton and Florence’s chemistry was wildly potent, and I enjoyed watching their push and pull game. Both of them were determined to resist the other, until they couldn’t any more. They were both strong, unique individuals, and together they were a force of nature. Their connection was strong, though neither of them realized how much until it was taken away from them.
Florence’s sisters were so fun here, and it was interesting how this book was on a concurrent timeline with book 1. I enjoyed the things I knew about Mamie and Frank that were happening, based on some things the sisters discussed at different times in the story. I’m SO excited for Justine’s book next, to get inside her head finally, and to learn more about the elusive Mulligan. Bald Jack, Clay’s right-hand man, is such an awesome character too! I hope we’ll get some sort of story about him, and his lady friend, the widowed cook that works at the brothel next door! And the brothel owner, Annabelle, could be a great story as well. SO MANY amazing side characters!!
The black moment in this story left a pretty bleak looking future for our couple, but Clay figured out just how to grovel appropriately, sometimes with a little help from unexpected places. I really loved how much he learned about himself in the process. Florence really made him work for it, and I adored it. She knew her worth, and I love that in a heroine. The ending was perfect, and I couldn’t have imagined a better, or more realistic, one for them. This series is my first from this author, and I can’t wait to read more from her. I highly recommend this book, and book 1 as well!