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cass1699's review against another edition
5.0
NO THOUGHTS, HEAD COMPLETELY EMPTY!!! this is absolutely, without a doubt, my favourite book in the uptown girls series
topy_loving_books's review
4.25
Definitely my favorite from the trilogy. Way more development for the MCs. The angst and the feels between the two. And my poor heart several times. š
It live up to the expectations, contrary to books 1 & 2. I loved Florence in her book but I realize that she was a bit too extra/modern while Justine is the real deal. Behind her sweet faƧade she hide a mind of steal. And I loved that Jack saw it from the start.
No intense daddy over here and I have to admit I missed him a bit. I would have love to see his reaction about his younger daughter falling for a kingpin! š¤£
It live up to the expectations, contrary to books 1 & 2. I loved Florence in her book but I realize that she was a bit too extra/modern while Justine is the real deal. Behind her sweet faƧade she hide a mind of steal. And I loved that Jack saw it from the start.
No intense daddy over here and I have to admit I missed him a bit. I would have love to see his reaction about his younger daughter falling for a kingpin! š¤£
renaeann's review
3.0
Started off really promising but got bogged down by plot stuff. Also, we never really see people fearing/respecting Jack; weāre mostly told (over and over) that he is powerful and scary without really establishing that.
I have to say, though, Shupe DOES get across the idea that the heroineās reaction to him is abnormal. Justine is an awesome character and someone to look up to. I wish that was enough to give this four stars. Iāll probably still check out Shupeās other books.
Plot: Justine is a ādo-gooderā who spends her time defending the less fortunate, at great risk to herself. She goes to the head of a criminal empire for help with a case, and heās hopelessly smitten by her bravery.
Heat rating: 8
I have to say, though, Shupe DOES get across the idea that the heroineās reaction to him is abnormal. Justine is an awesome character and someone to look up to. I wish that was enough to give this four stars. Iāll probably still check out Shupeās other books.
Plot: Justine is a ādo-gooderā who spends her time defending the less fortunate, at great risk to herself. She goes to the head of a criminal empire for help with a case, and heās hopelessly smitten by her bravery.
Heat rating: 8
bookishnerdyandcurious's review against another edition
5.0
I swear, I was going to save this for #MassMarketMay - it would have been perfect for the Pink Cover spot, but after reading the previous two, I couldn't not finish the Greene sisters' stories. Justine may have been my favorite heroine of all the sisters, but that also might have to do with how they both treated her throughout the book. While the first two books take place in the same timeline, this one is set after those events; Justine is older now and helping her sister and brother-in-law at the legal aid center. Yet her sisters and their partners can't see her as anything but a little girl - and dammit, that pissed me off. Yes, warn her about the hero, give her advice even, but have her back and trust that she knows what she wants. Is our hero flawed? Abso-fucking-lutely. He's running all of the gangs, for goodness sake! (Though no brothels, which I respected.) I love a hero who knows his flaws and doesn't think he's worth the heroine and has to be shown that he absolutely is worth her. Of the three books, this is the one I cried through the ending. Jack and Justine just tore my heart out - when she comes for him like an avenging angel... holy crap. And when he bares himself emotionally and physically for her? Such a beautiful scene - I blubbered through it.
kate_frederick's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
joanav's review against another edition
5.0
Review originally published in Romancing Romances.
I received an eARC at no cost from the publisher, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
I loved this book so much I couldnāt even write the review when I finished as I was so excited I couldnāt keep still enough to actually sit in front of a computer.
When I finished The Devil of Downtown my first thought wasā¦ I want to read it again! Thatās how much I loved it.
Iāve always loved a bad boy who is good for his love and/or has a heart of gold. Jack Mulliganā¦ doesnāt have a heart of gold, but he does like Justine and he doesnāt want to see her hurt.
Jack Mulligan ārulesā downtown New York. His character is based on a real man, Paul Kelly. Jackās look is based on Vincent Piazza, who plays Lucky Luciano on the tv series Boardwalk Empire, which the author, Joanna Shupe, has mentioned she used as an inspiration for Jack. For fans of the series Pecky Blinders, Jack is also quite similar to Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy.
And if Jack Mulligan is the devil of downtown, Justine is the do-gooder, the angel. While he deals in favours, blackmail, and balance of power, she deals in the business of helping people just because they need it.
Justine works at an institution where she helps women whose husbands abandoned them and their children either return, or pay retribution. Itās in her work that she meets Jack, as one of the men employed by him abandoned his wife, and kids. Jack doesnāt like having someone talking to his employers, and he makes a deal with Justine that this man will pay to support his wife and children, if she owes him a favour, which he can collect at any point. She hates not knowing what might happen, but she has no other choice.
Jack respects Justine because she stands her ground, she challenges him ā and she is able to do this because she knows Jack does not hurt women or children. She believes he will not break his ācodeā, but still Jack thinks she is incredible just by behaving like that. You go Justine!
All throughout the book there is this motto that Jack will corrupt Justine, that heās a spider and will get her stuck in his web without her noticing. And, in a wayā¦ that does happen. But Justine realizes what happened and she didnāt like the person she was becoming. It was a heartbreaking scene. Have I mentioned I cried in this book? More than once, actually. But I still loved it!
They had such an amazing chemistry, Jack exudes sexiness, and Justine, whom most people considered plain, was like an avenging angel, and had this sexual energy that just appealed so much to Jack.
I know some people will not be happy with the endā¦ but for me it was perfect. Because they both acknowledge that for them to be together, things have to change, at least slightly.
Although Iām an only child, I really connected with Justine, and understood her very well. And Jack just connected with me in all the right ways.
The sisters of the previous books are also in The Devil of Downtown, but I paid almost no attention to them. They were just plot points to make us understand Justine better, in my opinion.
I just loved this book so much, the essence of New York, and blackmail, and the power, and the sexiness.. It was pretty much perfect.
I received an eARC at no cost from the publisher, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
I loved this book so much I couldnāt even write the review when I finished as I was so excited I couldnāt keep still enough to actually sit in front of a computer.
When I finished The Devil of Downtown my first thought wasā¦ I want to read it again! Thatās how much I loved it.
Iāve always loved a bad boy who is good for his love and/or has a heart of gold. Jack Mulliganā¦ doesnāt have a heart of gold, but he does like Justine and he doesnāt want to see her hurt.
Jack Mulligan ārulesā downtown New York. His character is based on a real man, Paul Kelly. Jackās look is based on Vincent Piazza, who plays Lucky Luciano on the tv series Boardwalk Empire, which the author, Joanna Shupe, has mentioned she used as an inspiration for Jack. For fans of the series Pecky Blinders, Jack is also quite similar to Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy.
And if Jack Mulligan is the devil of downtown, Justine is the do-gooder, the angel. While he deals in favours, blackmail, and balance of power, she deals in the business of helping people just because they need it.
Justine works at an institution where she helps women whose husbands abandoned them and their children either return, or pay retribution. Itās in her work that she meets Jack, as one of the men employed by him abandoned his wife, and kids. Jack doesnāt like having someone talking to his employers, and he makes a deal with Justine that this man will pay to support his wife and children, if she owes him a favour, which he can collect at any point. She hates not knowing what might happen, but she has no other choice.
Jack respects Justine because she stands her ground, she challenges him ā and she is able to do this because she knows Jack does not hurt women or children. She believes he will not break his ācodeā, but still Jack thinks she is incredible just by behaving like that. You go Justine!
All throughout the book there is this motto that Jack will corrupt Justine, that heās a spider and will get her stuck in his web without her noticing. And, in a wayā¦ that does happen. But Justine realizes what happened and she didnāt like the person she was becoming. It was a heartbreaking scene. Have I mentioned I cried in this book? More than once, actually. But I still loved it!
They had such an amazing chemistry, Jack exudes sexiness, and Justine, whom most people considered plain, was like an avenging angel, and had this sexual energy that just appealed so much to Jack.
I know some people will not be happy with the endā¦ but for me it was perfect. Because they both acknowledge that for them to be together, things have to change, at least slightly.
Although Iām an only child, I really connected with Justine, and understood her very well. And Jack just connected with me in all the right ways.
The sisters of the previous books are also in The Devil of Downtown, but I paid almost no attention to them. They were just plot points to make us understand Justine better, in my opinion.
I just loved this book so much, the essence of New York, and blackmail, and the power, and the sexiness.. It was pretty much perfect.
caitieparker's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
noisydeadlines's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This series is something unique because it takes place in New York City during the Gilded Age (a change from the English Victorian romances out there). And I love it for it! This last third book follows the youngest daughter, Justine. She is so sweet and strong at the same time. Justine is a do-gooder with no regard for what others thinks of her. I was afraid the male protagonist was going to be one of those alpha-male-violent mafia dudes, but not really. The hero, Jack Mulligan, is a criminal kingpin, but he is a good criminal. He has great respect for women and also becomes more of a do-gooder and helps his community. There was really good chemistry between the characters and I loved how Justine was helping women abandoned by their husbands and fighting to end cruel child labour laws. Great series!
unsuccessfulbookclub's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
JACK MULLIGAN, everyone. I simply will never get enough of a crime boss with a heart of gold who falls HARDDDD for a do-gooder. Justine has a great arc in this and both MCs do some good groveling AND gesturing. Also? Itās hottttttt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail