Perfect

A Sweet Gilded Age Romance (Hearts on Display, Book 1)

De: Kimberly Keagan

Narrado por: Robin McAlpine

In the glittering era of the Gilded Age, the heirs of Philadelphia’s Denwall Department Stores navigate family expectations, relentless ambition, and unexpected love.

William Walraven’s picture perfect life is turned upside down when his fiancée jilts him for an English aristocrat and his father refuses to name him as his successor. To prove he’s worthy of leading Denwall, Will must open their first New York store under budget and before the Christmas shopping season. Overwhelmed by disappointment and a nearly impossible deadline, Will has no time for distractions—especially not the captivating bookseller he saves from being crushed by a beer wagon.

Ivy King and her aging grandmother are barely keeping their struggling bookshop afloat. Though drawn to the charming, enigmatic man who saved her life, Ivy has no illusions about her place in the world. It certainly isn’t beside a department store heir whose dazzling emporium threatens to close her family’s business.

Brought together in the wake of an attack on Will’s brother, Will and Ivy find themselves at a crossroads—torn between the expectations that define them and a future neither expected.

Perfect is a clean, wholesome historical romance featuring opposites-attract tension, class differences, a touch of mystery and humor, and an inspirational journey of faith and love.

©2025 Kimberly Keagan (P)2025 Kimberly Keagan

sweet Gilded Age Romance

This is a sweet Gilded Age book. I was going to open by saying it is my first read by this author, but in looking a bit further, I think it might be a debut novel.

I always enjoy reading books set in this time period, especially that whole department store vibe....and this one was fun!

Ivy is a bookstore owner, and learns about a department store coming to their neighborhood (for a minute, I thought....oohhh...Gilded Age "You've Got Mail"....and I have to admit, there were a few similarities). What she didn't realize is that her new friend Will was the project manager, and his family was one of the owners of said store.

I enjoyed seeing their relationship begin, from their meet-cute, to their friendship, and on from there.

This story has a hint of mystery (which...I had pretty well figured out before the book ever got there...lol), which I loved, romance, delightful characters, a well-written setting, and much more.

If you are looking for a fun historical romance, I recommend you give this one a try!

I had the privilege of listening to the audio version, and it was very well done!

I look forward to reading more books in this series.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Sweet Romance!

This was a sweet romance about two people attracted to each other but fighting it as they both started out believing a romance couldn't work between them. William had been dumped by who he thought would be his perfect match, even if they weren't in love, so decided to focus on proving his worth to his father so he could take over the family business. He was drawn to Ivy when he met her but felt he had too much work to do and his father would never approve anyway since she was of a lower station so wasn't planning to pursue anything. Ivy, too, had a past rejection but because of her shorter leg that she had to wear a special shoe for. She felt that no one would want her, especially not a man of high society, since she and her grandmother were struggling shopkeepers. If it weren't for Will's pushy but loving brother, I don't know if they would have gotten together as Will seemed determined to stay away. He had to work through some issues with his father as he had impossible standards that no one could live up to and work to fight for the woman he loved. I liked the echoes of You've Got Mail with the little bookshop fighting to survive and the big store coming to threaten their way of life. I liked the mystery where Ivy started to notice rare books missing at her second job as a librarian and was trying to figure out if they were being stolen when Will's brother was attacked. They were drawn closer than before and he started to help her with the mystery. There was also a faith element as they attended church together and there was mention of prayer. I thought the narrator did a good job but I did have to listen at 2x the speed. I usually do, though, as that's what I'm used to now so anything slower usually seems too slow, especially at the regular speed. I liked the story and if you like romance, you'll probably like it. I am curious to continue the series as I'm interested in who will catch the bookworm brother's eye.

I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook from the author. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own.

Adorable Gilded Age romance.

What a cute story! I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of Perfect by Kimberly Keagan. Robin McAlpine did a great job with the narration; it really felt like listening to a story teller bring the gilded age to life. I love stories set in this era of US history and the setting was really intriguing.

Ivy is a bookshop owner helping her aging grandmother. William comes from a wealthy business family and is trying to prove himself to his father by opening their New York department store. I liked the way the two crossed paths. There was some mystery blended in with the books and William’s brother, but I felt like the romance was definitely strong throughout. It kept me entertained from start to finish and I found myself enjoying everything about it.

This is a clean romance. I definitely recommend it and look forward to reading more by this author and hope to read the second book connected to this series. Such a cute read/listen.

I was gifted a copy of this audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A 'Perfect' Debut Novel

I read Perfect a few months ago and enjoyed it so much I wanted to listen to the audiobook to hear it with fresh ears and I am so glad that I did! The story came flooding back as I listened to the narrator tell the story with a beautiful air, quickly capturing my imagination.

Perfect is a wonderful debut novel that has a pleasant flow, a cozy feel, and a happily ever after that will leave you smiling.

These are the kind of characters that are easy to get behind. Both William and Ivy are hard-working and continuously give their very best both in their work and in their relationships. Aunt Zella was a quick favorite of mine and was like a breath of fresh air throughout the book; her attitude and vibe constantly put a smile on my face. Her tenacity paired with Ivy’s continued warmth and genuinely caring spirit was wonderful.

For a debut novel, I was quite impressed overall, though I did find myself craving a bit more with this captivating pair, especially when it comes to their first meeting, which is unremarkable at best. They’re both so likable that it would be hard to pit one against the other, but I would’ve enjoyed more witty banter and humor, and maybe a little more sass. I also felt like there were a few plot points that weren’t quite fleshed out that did bother me a bit, but the overall storyline and characters were so charismatic that these small things were easy to overlook.

As this is the first novel in a new series, all of the elements of a wonderfully charming series are there, and I can’t wait to see what happens next! The narrator did a brilliant job of bringing this world to life and made me fall even more in love with this story.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

Enjoyable, but not a lot of depth

A satisfactory debut novel set in New York where Department Stores are pitted against small businesses. Doesn’t this still sound familiar?! As another reviewer mentioned, you definitely get “You’ve Got Mail” vibes, but the author takes a subtlety different approach.

Ivy and Will have a predictable but enjoyable courtship and Ivy brings some practicality when I usually get frustrated by manufactured drama. But, thankfully, she doesn’t fall for it too much and Will’s awesome momma comes to the rescue. Will is steadfast to Ivy, and his brother encourages him to stay the course.

Overall it’s a light story with not a lot to sink your teeth into. That makes it a lighthearted read for when you’re in the mood. I do hope that we get to see Ivy’s Aunt and Will’s siblings in stories yet to come.

The narrator had a nice style and pleasant voice, though there were a few times I wasn’t sure which brother was talking. Overall, I think the narrator did a good job showing emotions and portrayal of the multiple female characters, but she’s not on par with the “super” narrators.

I received the audiobook from the author but was not required to post a positive review. All opinions are honestly my own.

A great light-hearted read!

I love how original the main character of Ivy King is. A business woman with a disability, dealing with department store competition, and meddling grandma who wants to see her married.
I love William, his kindness, his eagerness to impress his father, and his inner war to keep his growing feelings from a certain "lower class" bookstore owner.
Full of charm and a little book thief mystery, this quick read kept me hooked from beginning to end.
The narrator did outstanding job, I could listen to her all day long!
I can't wait to dive into the rest of the series.
Disclaimer I received this as a gift from author, but wasn't required to give a good review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

a sweet romance

The Gilded Age marks a period of progress and excess. Sometimes when we read or watch stories set during that time period we tend to have the impression that everyone was excessively wealthy and indulgent. Of course that's not true and Perfect (Book 1 of The Hearts on Display series) by Kimberly Keagan portrays that well. It is set in turn-of-the-century Manhattan.

Will is a likeable young man who is heir apparent to a department story tycoon. However, his life doesn't seem to be going as he imagined it would. His fiancee has jilted him and his father is trying to control his future. And then he meets Ivy who is a lowly shop girl with a physical handicap. This evolves into a clash between the big department store and Ivy's independent book store, which makes for an intriguing plot. The romance is sweet with a classic HEA ending.

Robin McAlpine is a great narrator for this story. Her voice is pleasant and easy to listen to.

Disclosure: I voluntarily received a complimentary Audible code from the author. All views expressed are my own.

Adorable

Perfect is such a cute Gilded Age romance. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the two main characters and watching their distinctive relationship develop at a natural, satisfying pace.

As a book lover, stories with a bookstore setting always captures my attention, and the cozy family-run shop in this book made it even more appealing. I found myself rooting for Ivy, understanding her challenges, and was equally moved by William’s determination and sincerity. The dynamic between a wealthy family and a hardworking woman striving to keep her business going added depth to the storyline and I loved the gentle, sweet romance that blossomed between Ivy and William.

The narrator’s delivery truly impressed me—her voice is pleasant and engaging, adding an enjoyable rhythm and tone to the story. With its themes of family, faith, and a wholesome opposites-attract romance, this audiobook is delightful, memorable, and satisfying.

#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. Opinions are 100% my own.

Lovely

This book is reminiscent of the classic movie “Shop Around the Corner”, but with a rich infusion of faith set against the vibrant backdrop of the Gilded Age. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.