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I honestly wasn’t too sure about this book going into this book. I was a little underwhelmed by Magnate, book 1 in the Knickerbocker Club series.
Fortunately, I didn’t listen to my misgivings and gave Baron a shot and OMG I was blown away! I loved Will and Ava so much, their chemistry just jumped off of the page!
The Background
Baron happens during the Gilded Age in New York (around the 1880s) where there are a lot of industrialization going on and of course, politics. Now that I think about it, this book was appropriate, what with the US presidential election going on.
But I digress. Will is from a rich family who is interested in running for office in New York State. He meets our heroine Ava who is posing as Madame Zolikoff, a medium. Will knows that Ava is a fraud and is conning people out of their money by pretending to be a medium and warns her away from his primary running mate.
Ava can play at being a “medium” and has been doing so for almost two years. Her reasons: her three siblings who are also working to make ends meet. Her goal: buy a farm in the country so she can move her little family there.
Nothing goes to Will’s plan because Ava will not stop and soon, they start to fall in love.
The Chemistry
It is no secret that I ADORE the love between different classes trope and Baron just cement it! Not only that, Will and Ava are just so perfect for each other: the straight-laced railroad baron and an independent, but poor, young woman.
Their barbs to each other were super entertaining to read and when they finally confessed to their love… sigh! It was perfect!
Oh, the family!
I love that family played an important role in this book. In fact, it was the theme of the whole book! Will had his daddy issues and Ava had her siblings to look after. Since I am an only child, I love reading about great family relationships in books, so this was a PLUS!
I also loved Will’s relationship with his sister Lizzie (Magnate), which really makes me want to read Magnate, now.
Final Thoughts
One of my favorite books, Lions & Lace by Meagan McKinney was set during the Gilded Age in New York and I just want MOAR books set in this age, please! AUTHORS, PLEASE HEAR MY PLEA!
Recommendations
If you didn’t enjoy Magnate as much, please, PLEASE give Baron a try because you will LOVE it!
Books Like Baron
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What do you think about the Gilded Age? Do you want more books in this era?
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