A Notorious Vow: The Four Hundred Series

Joanna Shupe

Sep 2018 · The Four Hundred Series Book 3 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

Joanna Shupe returns to New York City’s Gilded Age, where fortunes and reputations are gained and lost with ease—and love can blossom from the most unlikely charade

With the fate of her disgraced family resting on her shoulders, Lady Christina Barclay has arrived in New York City from London to quickly secure a wealthy husband. But when her parents settle on an intolerable suitor, Christina turns to her reclusive neighbor, a darkly handsome and utterly compelling inventor, for help.

Oliver Hawkes reluctantly agrees to a platonic marriage . . . with his own condition: The marriage must end after one year. Not only does Oliver face challenges that are certain to make life as his wife difficult, but more importantly, he refuses to be distracted from his life’s work—the development of a revolutionary device that could transform thousands of lives, including his own.

Much to his surprise, his bride is more beguiling than he imagined. When temptation burns hot between them, they realize they must overcome their own secrets and doubts, and every effort to undermine their marriage, because one year can never be enough.

Ratings and reviews

In this newest book by Joanna Shupe we have a most unlikely hero who is deaf. His heroine finds a way to love a man who just doesn't want to be loved. The thoughts of the times could invariably cause him ill treatment at the hands of despicable characters and those who should know better such as doctors and care givers. This is an absorbing story with obvious and not so obvious villains. There is nothing comical about this story. It is a richly historical story that takes you to a particular setting in New York of a by gone era. I enjoyed this read and finished it rather quickly. It is not necessary to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one as each one is a stand alone story. I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization. I could not have enjoyed this book any more than I did. It is a well written and accurate representation of the time period. I received a complimentary digital copy to read from the publisher via Edelweiss. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

I think I started reading this author with her debut in 2015 – and I’ve tried not to miss anything from her pen since. In this story, historic romance is a bit different from the norm – as we have moved London born ladies to the colonies, currently in the growth spurt that characterized the American rise on the landscape, with untold wealth, frenzied construction and a desperate determination by some to hold onto their own version of “society’. Christina Barclay is possessed of a title, but little else, with a father who is an inveterate gambler – in fact, their last pennies were spent on passage to New York where Christina is to make a match, a profitable match that will restore the family coffers. Unhappy with her father’s choice of husband, and uncomfortable with the thought of society and facing all those people, this young woman feels as if there are no options. She’s desperately shy and prefers quiet walks in the neighbors garden, with only the company of the reclusive Oliver to hand. He’s not prone to ask her too much, or to share of himself – and that suits her just fine. Oliver is reclusive and removed from the world others wish him to inhabit. As a wealthy and single male, he should be the toast of the town – but he’s got no time, nor patience for the trappings and folderol of the ‘in crowd’. His hearing loss makes crowds difficult, and take away from his true purpose – the one he spends hours on – inventing an aid for hearing loss – and bringing help to many. His only actual diversion in his self-imposed remove is the young English girl who walks in his garden – and her tales of the man she is to marry. She’s disturbed by the marriage – the man is four times her age and not attractive to her in the least – while she can’t expect ‘much’ from an arranged marriage, she doesn’t want to live in her married life as she has under her parent’s roof. But soon – this won’t be an issue as she and Oliver are discovered – alone and unchaperoned. Ruination for her – unless Oliver marries her. He’s not so put off by the idea – and decides that it will solve his friend’s problem – and he’s got money to burn. What could go wrong when he promises to leave her with a healthy settlement after a year? These two are so well suited and Shupe brings in a wealthy man who isn’t developing property – and has eschewed the ‘social niceties’ to invent something to help others as well as himself – hearing loss in itself is isolating – perhaps even more so before the modern developments. And Christina is shy, true, but her determination to make this a real marriage – far beyond the guidelines of friendship that respects his privacy that Oliver expects. It is she that has to become the ‘alpha’ as their relationship is built – finding how to push and prod him into situations and revelations that he’d perhaps not want. But her true strength comes when her family makes a play for Oliver’s money, and she has to fight for her husband and her marriage against them. A true test of her growth that shows just how badly she wants to make a life with this man. Fortunately, Oliver has started to see that he’s desiring more than just friendship from Christina – and realizes that their early days were signs for so much more. Lovely characters, solid descriptions and a conflict that showed both Oliver and Christina at their very best, together – the story was a wonderful breath of fresh air – with plenty of moments to intrigue. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

WOW!! This was a PHENOMENAL book.! A handicaps view of what life could have been in the Gilded Age. Lady Christina Barclay has been a pawn for her parents to use as they saw fit, with their fortunes gambled and spent in extravagant fashion they are now destitute, their only recourse is family in the United States. Christina becomes her parent’s best chance to revive their finances. She will be sold to the highest bidder, in exchange for settling their debts! The only reprieve Christina gets is stealing a few hours alone in the neighbors secluded garden. Unfortunately, the neighbors massive dog knocks her down and she loses consciousness, Oliver Hawkes is a recluse he doesn’t do well with people but the young woman and her plight intrigues him. Christina’s parent’s scheming knows no bounds , and he reluctantly agrees to a marriage of convenience, saving Christina from the fate her parents planned for her. Oliver is a brilliant millionaire who has chosen to stay out of society because of his limitations his deafness has caused him. He hasn’t always been deaf, a sickness took his hearing when he was 14, he can read lips and speak, but after being ridiculed he just uses sign language. Life for Christina and Oliver takes an unexpected turn when Oliver’s greedy cousin declares him unfit, just when they’ve come to realize that they have a connection and love is blossoming he’s carted off to an asylum! A fast paced and well written story keeps the reader on edge. Joanna Shupe has really researched the plight of “handicaps” in the Gilded Age! If someone was institutionalized regardless of their monetary worth the treatments were horrific! The mention of ice baths just gave me the shivers! Once again Joanna Shupe has a PHENOMENAL read, she never disappoints! Now I’m ready for Frank’s story! I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher, via Edelweiss. This is my honest unbiased opinion.

About the author

Joanna Shupe has always loved history, ever since she saw her first Schoolhouse Rock cartoon. Her books have appeared on numerous yearly “best of” lists, including Publishers Weekly, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, Kobo, and BookPage. She lives in New Jersey with her two spirited daughters and dashing husband.