An Heiress to Remember by Maya RodaleGoodreads Description: USA Today bestselling author Maya Rodale’s Gilded Age Girls Club series continues with an enemies-to-lovers romance that shows love is sweeter than revenge.
Uptown Heiress
Once a society darling, Beatrice Goodwin has returned to Manhattan in a cloud of scandal. She is determined to save the bankrupt family business—Goodwin’s Department Store—and transform it into the shopping destination for Manhattan’s women. She will certainly never, ever sell it to Wes Dalton.
Downtown Rogue
Wes Dalton came from nowhere to possess one of the great fortunes of the Gilded Age, thanks to his premier department store located opposite Goodwin’s. This “Merchant Prince” never forgot the girl who got away—or her parents who made it clear that he’d never be rich, powerful or respectable enough. He has sworn revenge—until Beatrice’s return complicates everything.
Happy ever after at last . . . ?
Now Goodwin’s and Dalton’s are dueling to be the best department store in Manhattan. Beatrice and Wes will stop at nothing to impress, and not even the sparks flying between them will get in the way of their fierce rivalry. They’re competitors by day and lovers by night, until they’re forced to choose what is sweeter: revenge, success or happy ever after at last.
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My Thoughts: This series by Maya Rodale is quickly moving up my list to being one of my favorites...ever. EVER. I have said it before, I love me a strong, smart, independent heroine no matter the time period, and the women of the Gilded Age Girls Club series fit that completely. I love that it's not just our main characters that fit that mold, but all the supporting ones as well. I think one of my favorite things about this series though, aside from the delightful writing and storytelling, is that I come away from every book learning something new about history (even if just "based upon" true facts) that I can then research and learn. While some argue the topics are "frivolous" (birth of the makeup industry, shopping, clothes) they demonstrate the birth of women's rights, recognition of females as entrepreneurs and people in their own rights and minds, smart and capable and frankly, awesome.
I thought the backstory here was unique...a divorced Duchess coming home to America, finding herself and rebuilding the family empire. I really enjoyed the history between Wes and Beatrice, their drive and visions, frankly just the entire story captivated me, and I can't say that often happens from start to finish. The story was not just strong between the main characters and battling their personal and professional demons, but the entire book was just wonderful...dialogue, laughs, love, drama, all you could hope for overall. All I can say is read this book...and read the previous books in the series, and revel in the atmosphere, the relationships, the emotions, and the history.
I so appreciate #NetGalley and #Avon for granting this wish and providing an advance copy!
