High society reprobate.
An unconventional heiress.
Childhood friends.

Is it too late…
Knickerbocker scoundrel Harrison Archer returns to New York to discover that his deceased father has bankrupted his estranged family. To save them from ruin, he’s forced to quickly find and marry an heiress. For a matchmaker, Harrison turns to the one woman he wishes he could marry: his childhood friend and true love, Maddie, who once broke his heart and is now engaged to a duke.

For true love? 
When her best friend Harrison left for Paris without a word, Maddie Webster took refuge in her infatuation with tennis. Now Harrison is back and needs her help in finding a bride. Begrudgingly, Maddie arranges a house party in Newport with a guest list of eligible heiresses. But watching Harrison flirt with potential brides is more than she can bear.

When Harrison and Maddie reunite, the passion between them ignites. But with their marriages to others looming, time is running out. Is their fate inescapable . . .or can love set them free?

 Yeay!!!!! A new series by Joanna Shupe, I’m so excited!!!!!  This is book one in The Fifth Avenue Rebels series and it’s a gorgeous way to start.  I mean it!  The characters, the setting, the romance… it really all is gorgeous. I love how even though I’m not a sports fan in any way other than tailgating and throwing sports themed parties this book made me want to go look up the history of women’s tennis when I finished reading it.  Although the book is set in 1895, heroine’s passion for tennis reminded me of my dad’s mom, who loved tennis and take me with her to watch and be the ball girl when she would go play with her friends. 

In fact I think one of the reasons I found this book so endearing is because I saw a lot of my grandmother in our leading lady.  Both would do anything to help a friend in need, were devastated if they thought they did anything to hurt the ones they love, and both knew exactly what they expected and what they were willing to tolerate from the men they chose to marry.  It was really nice reading this book and having my own personal sentimental connection to it. 

Aside from that aspect I felt like the book had the perfect blend of darkness, warmth, realism, playfulness, and just enough heart break at all the right moments to keep readers on the edge of their seat and cheering for the HEA we all hope will come.  I really enjoyed this book (for more than just my own sentimental value) and read it in one sitting.  I can’t wait for October and book two!!!!