The Duke Gets Even

The Duke Gets Even follows Katherine Deane, a progressive New York society doctor who runs a women's clinic in the 1890s, and Preston Clarke, the Duke of Hawkings. When Katherine becomes entangled in a scandal that threatens her clinic's future, she finds an unlikely ally in Preston, who offers to help protect her reputation. Preston harbors his own motives for assisting Katherine, stemming from their shared history and his determination to overcome past wrongs. Their forced collaboration puts them in close proximity, leading to increasing tension as they navigate both personal and professional challenges in Gilded Age New York. The plot centers on Katherine's fight to keep her clinic open while dealing with society's restrictions on women in medicine and Preston's efforts to balance his duties as a duke with his growing involvement in Katherine's cause. Their relationship develops against the backdrop of New York high society, medical emergencies, and mounting threats to the clinic's existence. This historical romance explores themes of gender roles in medicine, class differences between American and British society, and the complex relationship between power and vulnerability. The story serves as a lens for examining how personal transformation can occur through challenging societal expectations.

Readers appreciate the banter and chemistry between the main characters, with multiple reviews highlighting the balance of humor and emotional depth. The historical New York City setting receives positive mentions for feeling authentic without overwhelming the romance. Likes: - Strong female lead who runs a newspaper - Modern feminist themes that fit naturally in the period - Well-paced enemies-to-lovers development - Secondary characters add depth without distracting Dislikes: - Some found the conflict resolution rushed in final chapters - A few readers wanted more historical detail - Several note the premise requires suspension of disbelief Ratings: Goodreads: 3.94/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (300+ ratings) BookBub: 4.3/5 (400+ ratings) "The perfect blend of sass and steam" - Goodreads reviewer "Historical romance with a refreshingly modern sensibility" - Amazon reviewer "The newspaper rivalry plot could have been developed further" - BookBub reviewer

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🎭 While The Duke Gets Even is set in Gilded Age New York, author Joanna Shupe chose to make her hero British, creating an intriguing clash between American and British aristocratic cultures. 💝 The novel is part of the Fifth Avenue Rebels series, which features strong-willed heroines who challenge the social conventions of 1890s New York society. 🏰 The book's setting coincides with the period when American heiresses were actively seeking marriages with European nobility, a trend that inspired many real-life "dollar princess" stories. 📚 Joanna Shupe was the first author to set historical romance novels exclusively in America's Gilded Age, helping pioneer this unique subgenre of historical romance. 🗽 The story takes place during a time when New York's Fifth Avenue was transforming into "Millionaire's Row," with wealthy families like the Vanderbilts and Astors building their elaborate mansions.