The Gilded Heiress by Joanna Shupe

The Gilded Heiress

A Novel

Joanna Shupe

HarperCollins · Print & ebook · August 26, 2025

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Who it’s for
A street singer and a charming schemer bring romance and intrigue to Gilded Age New York.
Themes
Secrets and betrayal, Romantic connection, Family identity
Pacing
Fast

About this book

USA TODAY BESTSELLER! From USA Today bestselling author Joanna Shupe comes a spicy Anastasia story full of secrets and betrayal, set among the glittering streets of New York City's Gilded Age. In 1880 a baby was stolen from the wealthiest family in America. Though no ransom was ever demanded, the Pendelton family never gave up hope . . . and their reward became the stuff of legend.

Continue reading

After being raised in a children’s asylum, Josie Smith ends up on the streets and quickly learns how to take care of herself. Her singing voice draws crowds on every corner, and she’ll stop at nothing to become famous and travel the world, loved and adored by all. Maybe then she won’t think about the family who gave her away as an infant. Leo Hardy isn’t afraid to use his charm and wits to make a fast buck, especially with a mother and five siblings to support. When he stumbles upon a beautiful young woman singing on the street, Leo notices her striking resemblance to the infamous missing baby’s mother, Mrs. Thomas Pendelton. The Hardys lost everything thanks to the Pendeltons, and once Leo sees Josie, he seizes the opportunity to settle the score. All he needs to do is pull off the biggest swindle of his career. As the two are catapulted into Knickerbocker High Society, they grow closer to their goal, as well as to each other. But secrets can only stay hidden for so long. Soon the truth unfolds, and both Josie and Leo must separate what’s real from what’s just gilding.

Gilded Deceptions

A street singer and a charming schemer bring romance and intrigue to Gilded Age New York.

Come here for

  • Gilded Age glamour with secrets beneath the shine
  • Romance tangled with a legendary missing-heir mystery

Expect

  • A street singer’s ambition meets a schemer’s risky plan
  • Betrayal, high society, and the question of what’s real

Where it sits

Gilded-Age Romance93%
American Historical Romance61%
Victorian Romance31%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Historical Fiction
  • Historical Mystery
  • Victorian Romance
  • Multicultural & Interracial Romance
Show all 8 publisher categories
  • American Historical Romance
  • Gilded-Age Romance
  • Women's Fiction
  • Family Life
Authors
Joanna Shupe
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published
August 26, 2025
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
Secrets and betrayal · Romantic connection · Family identity
Reading lane
Historical Fiction