Book Review
Jan. 23rd, 2026 09:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariA Daring Arrangement
by Joanna Shupe
This historical romance takes place not among the British aristocracy but among the wealthy of New York during the gilded age. Nora Parker is an earl's daughter sent over to her aunt and uncle from England to escape the scandal of her relationship with an impoverished artist. Desperate to get back to England and her lover, Nora hatches a slightly ridiculous plan to enter into a fake engagement with the most scandalous man she can find in order to force her father to recall her to London where she can reunite with her artist. Nora chooses Julius Hatcher, wealthy stockbroker who is known for extravagant parties and somewhat dissolute behavior. Hew will provide the notoriety she needs and she will gain him entrance to the higher echelons of society that have previously snubbed him due to his humble origins. This plan, of course, backfires when Julius and Nora find themselves not just strongly attracted to each other, but also liking each other a great deal. They ultimately fall in love.
I enjoyed this one a great deal. Nora, while sometimes reckless and naive about some things, is an intelligent and brave woman who goes after what she wants. I very much liked the way this book dealt with the emotional upheaval of Nora's changing feelings away from the artist and towards Julius. It's not easy for her, and that is not glossed over. Julius is also very appealing. He's smart and knows what he wants, but is not pushy about it. He can make it clear to Nora what he desires without being at all coercive. He was also surprisingly steadfast. The trajectory of their relationship was satisfying - it took a while to get going but when it did it was brilliant.
by Joanna Shupe
This historical romance takes place not among the British aristocracy but among the wealthy of New York during the gilded age. Nora Parker is an earl's daughter sent over to her aunt and uncle from England to escape the scandal of her relationship with an impoverished artist. Desperate to get back to England and her lover, Nora hatches a slightly ridiculous plan to enter into a fake engagement with the most scandalous man she can find in order to force her father to recall her to London where she can reunite with her artist. Nora chooses Julius Hatcher, wealthy stockbroker who is known for extravagant parties and somewhat dissolute behavior. Hew will provide the notoriety she needs and she will gain him entrance to the higher echelons of society that have previously snubbed him due to his humble origins. This plan, of course, backfires when Julius and Nora find themselves not just strongly attracted to each other, but also liking each other a great deal. They ultimately fall in love.
I enjoyed this one a great deal. Nora, while sometimes reckless and naive about some things, is an intelligent and brave woman who goes after what she wants. I very much liked the way this book dealt with the emotional upheaval of Nora's changing feelings away from the artist and towards Julius. It's not easy for her, and that is not glossed over. Julius is also very appealing. He's smart and knows what he wants, but is not pushy about it. He can make it clear to Nora what he desires without being at all coercive. He was also surprisingly steadfast. The trajectory of their relationship was satisfying - it took a while to get going but when it did it was brilliant.
