Caffeinated Reviewer

The final novel in Joanna Shupe's critically acclaimed Uptown Girl series about a beautiful do-gooder who must decide if she can team up with one of New York's brashest criminals without losing something irreplaceable: her heart.

Manhattan kingpin.
Brilliant mastermind.
Gentleman gangster.

He's built a wall around his heart...

Orphaned and abandoned on the Bowery's mean streets, Jack Mulligan survived on strength, cunning, and ambition. Now he rules his territory better than any politician or copper ever could. He didn't get here by being soft. But in uptown do-gooder Justine Greene―the very definition of an iron fist in a velvet glove―Jack may have met his match.

She wears hers on her sleeve...

Justine is devoted to tracking down deadbeat husbands and fighting for fair working conditions. When her mission brings her face-to-face with Jack, she's shocked to find the man behind the criminal empire is considerably more charming and honorable than many "gentlemen" she knows.

Forming an unlikely alliance, they discover an unexpected desire. And when Justine's past catches up with them, Jack may be her only hope of survival. Is she ready to make a deal with the devil...?

The Devil of Downtown by Joanna Shupe is the third and final novel in the Uptown Girls trilogy. Set during the Gilded Age, Shupe will soon have you swooning for Jack and cheering for the youngest Greene sister.

Swoons, snark, tidbits and suspense await you as Shupe heats up the pages….

Each book in the Uptown Girls series features one of the Greene sisters and their romance. Each will work as standalone, but I recommend reading them in the order of release to get to know the city and key characters.

Justine Greene is devoted to tracking down deadbeats and fighting for fair working conditions. She has earned a reputation on the streets as an angel. She fearlessly tracks down husbands into the depths of the Bowery. One such search brings her to the doorsteps of Jack Mulligan’s gym.

Jack rules his territory with an iron fist. He and his men dress like politicians, and no women is to be harmed. In his world, his word is law, but a little do-gooder from the upper east side is about to challenge him.

Gads, I loved the chemistry and back-and-forth banter between Justine and Jack. Jack is so used to people fearing him, and this tiny little waif of a woman undoes him. It was thrilling watching him fall.

I loved Justine. She knows who she is, what she is about and learns from her mistakes. She is demure but tough..always a lady. She can see past the darker edges of Jack, but also expects him to rise above. She handled her over protective sisters and didn’t believe her privilege entitled her to anything.

Jack was swoon-worthy and earned the respect of the gang not just by force but by fair wages and lifting them up. Shupe did a wonderful job of fleshing him out and sharing his story.

Shupe, long a favorite at Caffeinated Reviewer, brought the period to life and weaved in historical tidbits from the gangs to the breweries and I loved it all. The suspense angle gave us a fright but also allowed for change and growth.

From beginning to end, The Devil of Downtown was a swoon-worthy, well-developed tale fans will be sure to love.

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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