Caffeinated Reviewer

Harper St. George kicks off a new series with THE STRANGER I WED. The Dove sisters are offered a generous dowry, but the funds won’t be released until they are properly wed. This is Cora’s story as she and her sisters travel from New York to England to find husbands. Cora has it all worked out… or does she? Find out in this addictively romantic tale.

New to wealth and to London high society, American heiress Cora Dove discovers that with the right man, marriage might not be such an inconvenience after all. . . .

Cora Dove and her sisters’ questionable legitimacy has been the lifelong subject of New York’s gossipmongers and a continual stain on their father’s reputation. So when the girls each receive a generous, guilt-induced dowry from their dying grandmother, the sly Mr. Hathaway vows to release their funds only if Cora and her sisters can procure suitable husbands—far from New York. For Cora, England is a fresh start. She has no delusions of love, but a husband who will respect her independence? That’s an earl worth fighting for.

Enter: Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth, a no-nonsense member of Parliament whose plan to pass a Public Health bill that would provide clean water to the working class requires the backing of a wealthy wife. He just never expected to crave Cora’s touch or yearn to hear her thoughts on his campaign—or to discover that his seemingly perfect bride protects so many secrets...

But secrets have a way of bubbling to the surface, and Devonworth has a few of his own. With their pasts laid bare and Cora’s budding passion for women’s rights taking a dangerous turn, they’ll learn the true cost of losing their heart to a stranger—and that love is worth any price.

I enjoy St. George and was delighted to begin The Stranger I Wed, the first novel in The Doves of New York featuring three sisters of questionable legitimacy. The girls and their mother have had a rough time of it and are discovered that their grandmother has reconsidered, leaving a sizable dowry to each. However, when they go to receive the funds, Mr. Hathaway refuses to release them until each is married. Cora doesn’t want to marry, but hatches a plan.

They travel to London where their host compiles a list of eligible bachelors and arranges a house party to meet them. The girls screen the men ahead of time and I adored the meet-cute between Cora and Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth. I laughed and soon found myself caught up in their romance, or should I say, arrangement. *winks*

The author weaves in public health issues, women’s suffrage and plenty of banter, chemistry and wit. Cora is headstrong, passionate, and clever. She has this brilliant plan until she isn’t at all sure what she wants and I loved the story that unfolds. Leopold’s passion is in parliament fighting for justices and in protecting his family and restoring the Devonworth estate. He possesses a forward-thinking nature, making him the perfect candidate to unravel Cora’s well-devised strategies.

The romance felt genuine with immediate chemistry and a slow-burn romance that heated delightfully. I loved the tension, discoveries, and outcome.

I cannot wait for the next sister’s story. If you’re a fan of historical romance and strong female characters, you won’t want to miss The Stranger I Wed.

Amazon | Audible

About Harper St. George

Harper St. George was raised in rural Alabama and along the tranquil coast of northwest Florida. It was a setting filled with stories of the old days that instilled in her a love of history, romance, and adventure. By high school, she had discovered the historical romance novel which combined all of those elements into one perfect package. She has been hooked ever since. She lives in the Atlanta area with her husband and two children. When not writing, she can be found devouring her husband's amazing cooking and reading

Website | Twitter | Instagram

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

Related Posts

• By Harper St. George
• Same Genre