The Gilded Rose (Gilded Fairy Tales, #2) by Joanna Shupe

historical romance • friends-to-lovers • gilded age NYC • tortured hero

In the glittering world of Gilded Age Manhattan, Caroline's fairy-tale marriage has become anything but a happily-ever-after. When an opportunity to catalogue a private library offers her a precious escape, she meets Zane Bishop, a brilliant and wealthy recluse whose kindness and quiet understanding make him impossible to forget.

The Vibe

Caroline is a woman searching for a way forward in a world that gives her painfully few choices. Her love of rare books becomes a doorway into a new world, where she discovers an unexpected friendship with Zane, a mysterious man who understands more about her circumstances than she initially realizes.

Zane is thoughtful, intelligent, and deeply compassionate, with scars of his own that have left him living apart from society. As Caroline and Zane grow closer, their friendship develops into something more intimate, creating a tender contrast to the glittering excess of New York's Gilded Age.

Inspired by Beauty and the Beast, The Gilded Rose blends historical romance, emotional intensity, literary charm, and a deeply romantic connection. It is a story of resilience, passion, and the transformative power of finding someone who truly sees you.

Spice Level

•  🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)

Tropes & Tags

• Historical romance
• Gilded Age New York
• Beauty and the Beast retelling
• Friends-to-lovers
• Wealthy recluse hero
• Rare books and private library
• Emotional romance
• Angst-filled romance
• Literary setting
• Resilience and new beginnings

Books in Series (In Order)

• The Gilded Heiress, #1
• The Gilded Rose, #2