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Duchess of Fifth Avenue
To save her best friend and her child from a wretched husband, New York City maid Lana Dunleavy must transform herself into a lady. But she never imagines her heart will be transformed by the confidence man whose help she enlists.
302 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
3 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
R.C. Ryan
30 books245 followersNew York Times bestselling author R.C. Ryan has written more than ninety fiction novels, both contemporary and historical. Quite an accomplishment for someone who, after her fifth child started school, gave herself the gift of an hour a day to follow her dream to become a writer.
The Lost, an anthology of stories by J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Patricia Gaffney, and R.C. Ryan writing as Ruth Ryan Langan was published in Fall 2009. Ms. Ryan’s story, “The Legacy,” is an exciting tale of intrigue and other-worldly adventure.
In a career spanning more than twenty years, Ms. Ryan has given dozens of radio, television, and print interviews across the country and Canada, and has been quoted in such diverse publications as the Wall Street Journal and Cosmopolitan. She has also appeared on CNN News, as well as Good Morning America.
Also publishes under Ruth Ryan Langan
The Lost, an anthology of stories by J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Patricia Gaffney, and R.C. Ryan writing as Ruth Ryan Langan was published in Fall 2009. Ms. Ryan’s story, “The Legacy,” is an exciting tale of intrigue and other-worldly adventure.
In a career spanning more than twenty years, Ms. Ryan has given dozens of radio, television, and print interviews across the country and Canada, and has been quoted in such diverse publications as the Wall Street Journal and Cosmopolitan. She has also appeared on CNN News, as well as Good Morning America.
Also publishes under Ruth Ryan Langan
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 20, 2018
The first half was good but the second half was not so.
I was rooting for Lana, wondering what will happened next, what she would do to put together the family. But when she just going forward with what she wanted to see and believe without any regards to the people around her, I was disappointed.
Overall, the writing was good, but the plot and execution needs more.
I was rooting for Lana, wondering what will happened next, what she would do to put together the family. But when she just going forward with what she wanted to see and believe without any regards to the people around her, I was disappointed.
Overall, the writing was good, but the plot and execution needs more.
June 22, 2020
This was a beautiful novel. I loved Lana and even Colin so much. The plot was unique and gave me insight into how Irish immigrants were treated. I don’t see how anyone won’t fall in love with Lana.
Siobhan’s end was tragic and stayed with me through out the book.
Jesse was sizzling and I loved his role as protector.
Siobhan’s end was tragic and stayed with me through out the book.
Jesse was sizzling and I loved his role as protector.
April 18, 2008
And Ruth does it again!
Now, those of you who know me know that I'm not one for straight romance. I feel there's not enough in it for my taste. I need mystery and action, something that gets the blood flowing even when I'm reading a book.
But Ruth ... I don't know how she does it, but that woman can suck me into a book in one chapter.
Ruth has a way of bringing her characters to life, characters that feel real feelings and making you feel for and with them.
And although the plot wasn't completely original, I loved how it came about. Before you even realize it, you're rooting for Lana and Jesse like nobody's business.
Ruth Langan knows how to make a reader believe in her characters and their stories. She can make you laugh and cry and get angry right along with her characters.
It's no wonder why Langan is one of my favourite authors.
Now, those of you who know me know that I'm not one for straight romance. I feel there's not enough in it for my taste. I need mystery and action, something that gets the blood flowing even when I'm reading a book.
But Ruth ... I don't know how she does it, but that woman can suck me into a book in one chapter.
Ruth has a way of bringing her characters to life, characters that feel real feelings and making you feel for and with them.
And although the plot wasn't completely original, I loved how it came about. Before you even realize it, you're rooting for Lana and Jesse like nobody's business.
Ruth Langan knows how to make a reader believe in her characters and their stories. She can make you laugh and cry and get angry right along with her characters.
It's no wonder why Langan is one of my favourite authors.
July 4, 2020
Read this book about 5 years ago and I just wished I was Lana! In a way, it’s a kind of Cinderella tale. So lovely!
June 10, 2020
Surprised by the low review. I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice spin on the irish immigration.
August 24, 2019
I read this book about 7 or more years ago but could never forget it. It’s honestly one of my best historical romances. Recently I read it again and was excited to give a review.
Firstly this book is unlike most historical romance. The storyline is important. I loved Lana. I loved Jessie too. And it’s a book I’d advise anyone to read! Cheers!
Firstly this book is unlike most historical romance. The storyline is important. I loved Lana. I loved Jessie too. And it’s a book I’d advise anyone to read! Cheers!
November 17, 2019
What can I say about this book?
I can say a lot!
This book was my absolute favorite, I remember reading this book as a kid and would reread the book over and over. I loved both of the main characters and how they fell in love with each other. I also loved the story plot and every character. This book will always be my favorite historical romance book till this date.
I can say a lot!
This book was my absolute favorite, I remember reading this book as a kid and would reread the book over and over. I loved both of the main characters and how they fell in love with each other. I also loved the story plot and every character. This book will always be my favorite historical romance book till this date.
July 1, 2020
Oh I loved it! Such a different storyline!
July 5, 2020
A lovely read! Will recommend.
June 16, 2019
Lana Dunleavy and Siobhan Riley meet at the Founder's Home Convent in Ireland; they are both orphans and Lana takes care of the fragile Siobhan until they can escape together. When the reader sees the heroines again it is 3 years later and they are on their way to New York. Siobhan has married Billy O'Malley, a drinker and gambler.
As a waitress at the Blue Goose Tavern, Lana sees many men come and go. One night, she watches the expert gambling of a man only known as Stone. Lana thinks he is a con man.
When Siobhan tells Lana she is pregnant, Lana gets a better job as a Cook's assistant at one of the mansions in the city. She needs to make more money so she can take care of Siobhan and the coming baby; Lana has no belief that Billy will be around to take care of his family.
When Lana sees Stone at one of the fine parties at the mansion, she wants to warn her employers. She realizes that she cannot do that without explaining how she knows of Stone's activities.
Lana stays focused on getting a better apartment for Siobhan, herself and the coming baby. A terrible accident takes place and the baby is put in a foundling's home. Now someone wants to adopt the baby but she wants the baby for less than valid reasons. Lana goes to Stone and asks him to help her get the child.
The only way to get Colin is to be as fine a lady as the one who plans to adopt the baby. Thus begins Lana's metamorphosis into the DUCHESS OF FIFTH AVENUE.
This story is so unlikely that I had a hard time finishing the book. This is the first book by Ruth Ryan Langan that I really didn't like. What kept me reading was the loyalty of Lana for her friend -- she was literally willing to do anything to save Siobhan and her child.
As a waitress at the Blue Goose Tavern, Lana sees many men come and go. One night, she watches the expert gambling of a man only known as Stone. Lana thinks he is a con man.
When Siobhan tells Lana she is pregnant, Lana gets a better job as a Cook's assistant at one of the mansions in the city. She needs to make more money so she can take care of Siobhan and the coming baby; Lana has no belief that Billy will be around to take care of his family.
When Lana sees Stone at one of the fine parties at the mansion, she wants to warn her employers. She realizes that she cannot do that without explaining how she knows of Stone's activities.
Lana stays focused on getting a better apartment for Siobhan, herself and the coming baby. A terrible accident takes place and the baby is put in a foundling's home. Now someone wants to adopt the baby but she wants the baby for less than valid reasons. Lana goes to Stone and asks him to help her get the child.
The only way to get Colin is to be as fine a lady as the one who plans to adopt the baby. Thus begins Lana's metamorphosis into the DUCHESS OF FIFTH AVENUE.
This story is so unlikely that I had a hard time finishing the book. This is the first book by Ruth Ryan Langan that I really didn't like. What kept me reading was the loyalty of Lana for her friend -- she was literally willing to do anything to save Siobhan and her child.
November 27, 2010
My first try of this author, and it certainly won't be my last.
This book is one that I normally would have hated. The romance takes forever to get going (more than half the novel is over before the sparks really start to fly), the hero is absent for most of the first half of the novel (he appears just often enough that the reader knows he exists, but not much more than that), and the main focus of the story is on Lana's journey from rags to riches. While adorable, Colin, the little boy, is "off screen" for much of the novel as well.
Since I like the relationship between hero and heroine to take center stage in a romance novel, normally, I wouldn't have bothered finishing the book. Yet there was some magic spark to the writing that kept me turning the pages. I loved Lana, the heroine, so much that I had to keep reading to find out what happened to her.
While there are no shocking plot twists in this book (you can pretty much see everything coming from a mile away), it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the novel at all. That was because the cast of characters were so wonderfully done. I loved all of them, even the secondary characters. The only character who I felt might have been better sketched was the hero. Since he only appears for brief moments for the first half of the novel, I didn't feel like I got to know him as well as I would have liked.
If you like the movie My Fair Lady, then you will probably enjoy DUCHESS OF FIFTH AVENUE. While it doesn't contain as much romance as some romance novels (the relationship is very "back burner" for most of the book), it's still a very enjoyable read. I look forward to checking out other novels by this author.
This book is one that I normally would have hated. The romance takes forever to get going (more than half the novel is over before the sparks really start to fly), the hero is absent for most of the first half of the novel (he appears just often enough that the reader knows he exists, but not much more than that), and the main focus of the story is on Lana's journey from rags to riches. While adorable, Colin, the little boy, is "off screen" for much of the novel as well.
Since I like the relationship between hero and heroine to take center stage in a romance novel, normally, I wouldn't have bothered finishing the book. Yet there was some magic spark to the writing that kept me turning the pages. I loved Lana, the heroine, so much that I had to keep reading to find out what happened to her.
While there are no shocking plot twists in this book (you can pretty much see everything coming from a mile away), it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the novel at all. That was because the cast of characters were so wonderfully done. I loved all of them, even the secondary characters. The only character who I felt might have been better sketched was the hero. Since he only appears for brief moments for the first half of the novel, I didn't feel like I got to know him as well as I would have liked.
If you like the movie My Fair Lady, then you will probably enjoy DUCHESS OF FIFTH AVENUE. While it doesn't contain as much romance as some romance novels (the relationship is very "back burner" for most of the book), it's still a very enjoyable read. I look forward to checking out other novels by this author.
December 19, 2010
An enjoyable story although the heroine was a bit too dense at times for me. It was difficult to reconcile her resourcefulness with her inability to see what was happening right in front of her. But if you can get past that, the book is worth the read.
Story = B+
Romance = B
Sex = B
BOOK = B
Story = B+
Romance = B
Sex = B
BOOK = B
February 11, 2009
This was an ok book. I search hard to find books with a PG rating and I failed with this one. I had to skip parts of this one.
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September 7, 2010Someone suggested it as a clean romance but it wasn't quite clean enough for me :0)
May 14, 2015
4.5 Stars
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews