Scan barcode
fdarlene491's review against another edition
4.0
A Scandalous Deal is part The Four Hundred Series set in New York City in the late 1800's. The 400 were a nickname for the richest society people in New York at the time, Vanderbilt, Astor, and our fictional family the Mansfield clan. Philip is a puzzle sometimes. He's a hard-headed businessman use to getting his own way and being right. The other side, that we see first, is flirty, playful, attracts women like moths to a flame. He's a good guy there's just two sides to him and he needs to blend the two together. Lady Eva Hyde is a nod to female architects trying to make it in a mans world. Apparently they existed but were quite overshadowed by men like Stanford White, who came to a scandalous end himself. Even Philip treats her condescending until our HEA, he finally gets it and they live HEA.
kerrycat's review against another edition
5.0
oh.my.goodness.
I don't think I liked it quite as much as the first book, but still . . . still fanning myself, actually. Hot hot hot.
this is actually the first time I've seen the word 'etymologist' in a romance novel.
I don't think I liked it quite as much as the first book, but still . . . still fanning myself, actually. Hot hot hot.
this is actually the first time I've seen the word 'etymologist' in a romance novel.
joanieelaine's review
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
yourbookishbff's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The sub-plot in this story is truly excellent and will be the sole reason I recommend this book to another reader. A female architect, Lady Eva, attempts to bring her original design to an historic project in Gilded Age New York while saving her family from financial ruin. She battles misogyny in the industry at every turn, coming out on top through sheer force of will, strategic thinking, and killer negotiation skills. She knows what she deserves and fights for equal standing, rejecting what's beneath her even when it's cloaked in "care." I adore her, and I was rooting for her and her project all the way through.
The romance just missed the mark. And it COULD have worked! A frantic, jealous, and emotionally constipated male main character CAN work for me if he achieves character growth in a reasonable time frame and with a reasonable amount of initiative, but Phillip fell short at every turn. Even when multiple women in his life give him a veritable checklist for Getting the Girl, he can't execute. A grand gesture does not a grovel make.
In conclusion, Lady Eva: perfect. Phillip: sigh.
The romance just missed the mark. And it COULD have worked! A frantic, jealous, and emotionally constipated male main character CAN work for me if he achieves character growth in a reasonable time frame and with a reasonable amount of initiative, but Phillip fell short at every turn. Even when multiple women in his life give him a veritable checklist for Getting the Girl, he can't execute. A grand gesture does not a grovel make.
In conclusion, Lady Eva: perfect. Phillip: sigh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Lesbophobia, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content
jess_justmaybeperfect's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
likesami's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
sincerelymendacious's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
amym84's review
5.0
Lady Eva Hyde is as passionate about architecture as her father, the world renowned EM Hyde. What she's kept hidden from the world is that for nearly two years she's been the one behind EM Hyde's creations as her father has fallen ill. Being a woman, Eva knows there are many men who wouldn't deign to work with her, so she passes the work off as her father's. This time around, Eva has designed a state of the art hotel in New York for Phillip Mansfield.
What she doesn't know, however, is that Eva met Phillip on the boat on the way to America. And they hit is off quite spectacularly. Once they are aware that they've got a certain chemistry between them, Eva is determined to remain professional. To not let her feelings for Phillip get ahead of doing her job. For her, it would ruin her reputation and immediately put people off from wanting to work with her again. However, as Phillip and Eva interact, keep their distance proves to be almost impossible.
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this read and equally as surprised at how relevant the situation(s) felt. I have to say I believe this is my first historical workplace romance, but I think Joanna Shupe (more than some of the contemporary romances utilizing the same trope) really makes clear the power divide between men and women, and the idea that women have less opportunities afforded to them than men. This rings true now even as it does in The Gilded Age (late 19th century) when the story takes place. I loved the throughout Eva staunchly defends her right to work in a field that many consider for a man. I loved that even though she's falling in love with Phillip she doesn't let that cloud her judgement of the situation.
Phillip represents, obviously, the men in power positions. While he's always felt like he's supported women's rights, Eva is the one to really bring forth the fact that there are still areas where he is lacking as well. I think Joanna Shupe handled this very well. Phillip is not a bad person because he thinks of Eva's safety on the jobsite more than he might think of a man's safety, but instead we see him begin to understand the areas where men are favored over women, or given more power over women, and he begins to see the error of this thought process.
A Scandalous Deal has been best most unassuming read for me so far this year. It's clear and concise handling of women's issues while also delivering a steamy romance. Plus, the Gilded Age is not an often written about time in historical romances. I appreciated all the setting and this sense of American still being rather new, yet growing. I look forward to seeing where Joanna Shupe takes the series next. While A Scandalous Deal works great as a standalone, the heroine from [b:A Daring Arrangement|33783452|A Daring Arrangement (The Four Hundred, #1)|Joanna Shupe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501721726s/33783452.jpg|54668888], does make quite the number of appearances thereby intrinsically linking the stories together.
What she doesn't know, however, is that Eva met Phillip on the boat on the way to America. And they hit is off quite spectacularly. Once they are aware that they've got a certain chemistry between them, Eva is determined to remain professional. To not let her feelings for Phillip get ahead of doing her job. For her, it would ruin her reputation and immediately put people off from wanting to work with her again. However, as Phillip and Eva interact, keep their distance proves to be almost impossible.
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this read and equally as surprised at how relevant the situation(s) felt. I have to say I believe this is my first historical workplace romance, but I think Joanna Shupe (more than some of the contemporary romances utilizing the same trope) really makes clear the power divide between men and women, and the idea that women have less opportunities afforded to them than men. This rings true now even as it does in The Gilded Age (late 19th century) when the story takes place. I loved the throughout Eva staunchly defends her right to work in a field that many consider for a man. I loved that even though she's falling in love with Phillip she doesn't let that cloud her judgement of the situation.
Phillip represents, obviously, the men in power positions. While he's always felt like he's supported women's rights, Eva is the one to really bring forth the fact that there are still areas where he is lacking as well. I think Joanna Shupe handled this very well. Phillip is not a bad person because he thinks of Eva's safety on the jobsite more than he might think of a man's safety, but instead we see him begin to understand the areas where men are favored over women, or given more power over women, and he begins to see the error of this thought process.
A Scandalous Deal has been best most unassuming read for me so far this year. It's clear and concise handling of women's issues while also delivering a steamy romance. Plus, the Gilded Age is not an often written about time in historical romances. I appreciated all the setting and this sense of American still being rather new, yet growing. I look forward to seeing where Joanna Shupe takes the series next. While A Scandalous Deal works great as a standalone, the heroine from [b:A Daring Arrangement|33783452|A Daring Arrangement (The Four Hundred, #1)|Joanna Shupe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501721726s/33783452.jpg|54668888], does make quite the number of appearances thereby intrinsically linking the stories together.