The Gilded Rose Book Bash with Joanna Shupe & Sarah MacLean
About this Event
Join USA Today bestselling author Joanna Shupe for Book Bash, a celebration of an angst-filled, Beauty and the Beast inspired romance set amid the excess and opulence of Gilded Age New York.
Caroline thought she was stepping into a fairy tale when she married Manhattan’s most sought-after bachelor, but behind closed doors, her marriage becomes a nightmare. When the chance to catalogue a private library gives her a lifeline, Caroline finds not only the literary treasures she’s been missing, but also Zane Bishop, a brilliant, wealthy recluse who understands her pain and is determined to help set her free.
Come hear Shupe in conversation with bestselling author and romance champion Sarah MacLean as they talk about resilience, forbidden passion, complicated heroines, and the transformative power of love.
Following the conversation, stick around for a meet and greet with the author! Joanna will add personalizations to your pre-signed copies of The Gilded Rose as well as up to two of her titles brought from home.
Event Details
- 6:30 PM: Doors Open – Grab your pre-signed book and a drink from the Lovestruck Bar & Cafe, settle in, and get ready for a great discussion!
- 7:00 PM: Discussion Begins – Joanna and Sarah will dive into The Gilded Rose.
- 7:45 PM: Q&A Session – Your chance to ask the author about their writing process!
- 8:00 PM: Signatures, Snapping Pics, and Salutations – Meet the author, and get your book personalized.
- 8:30 PM: Last call - Grab your final pour from the wine bar and head to the register for any book purchases.
- 9:00 PM: Event Wraps Up – Thanks for joining us!
Tickets are limited, so grab yours soon! If the event sells out, you can join the Eventbrite waitlist by selecting “Reserve a spot” followed by “Join Waitlist”. Should any spots open up, you’ll have 24 hours to register before we offer it to the next person.
Accessibility
Check-in will take place at our front entrance on Brattle Street. If you have any accessibility needs, you're welcome to use our side entrance (located on the right side of the building), which is wheelchair accessible and has a ramp.
Guests who would benefit from priority seating or any additional assistance are encouraged to reach out in advance — just email us at [email protected]. We're more than happy to make arrangements to ensure you feel comfortable and supported.
We’re always learning and looking for ways to make our events more accessible. If you have suggestions or feedback, we’d love to hear from you!
Book Pickup Policy
If you purchased a book with your event ticket but can’t make it to the event—and don’t request a refund—we’ll happily hold your book for pickup for up to 30 days after the event date.
We’ll be in touch via the email you provided at checkout to help coordinate pickup. After 30 days, if we haven’t heard from you or made other arrangements, we’ll consider the book abandoned property and may donate it or return it to inventory so it can find a new home.
Thanks so much for your understanding and for supporting our events—we love doing this with you!
About The Author
USA Today bestselling author JOANNA SHUPE has always loved history, ever since she saw her first Schoolhouse Rock cartoon. Her books have appeared on numerous yearly “best of” lists, including Publishers Weekly, Washington Post, Kirkus, Kobo, and BookPage.
She lives in New Jersey with her two spirited daughters and opinionated husband.
About The Gilded Rose
USA Today bestselling author Joanna Shupe returns with an angst-filled retelling of Beauty and the Beast, set against the excess and opulence of Gilded Age New York.
Love isn’t always a fairy tale.
Charming and popular, Orson Grey is the most sought-after bachelor in Manhattan. When Caroline pledges to spend her life with him, it feels like the beginning of a fairy tale.
The fairy tale quickly turns into a nightmare.
Behind closed doors, Orson is controlling and cruel. Trapped by laws that prevent women from leaving unhappy marriages, Caroline has no choice but to endure her husband’s behavior. Each day grows more intolerable, and her frustration and resentment mounts. Even her passion for rare books is stifled, leaving her isolated and lonely, a fading rose trapped under glass.
When Caroline is offered the opportunity to catalogue a private library, she seizes it like a lifeline. Exploring the literary treasures, she discovers a friend in the library’s owner, Zane Bishop—a brilliant, wealthy recluse who was disfigured in an explosion years ago.
Thoughtful and kind, Zane is everything Orson is not. As their trust builds, Zane realizes that Caroline’s pain runs much deeper than she lets on. He suffers with her, knowing precisely of Orson’s cruelty firsthand. Zane will stop at nothing to set Caroline free, even if it means risking everything.
The Gilded Rose is a story of resilience, passion, and the transformative power of love.
Coming October 13, 2026
About The Conversation Partner
New York Times, Washington Post & USA Today bestseller Sarah MacLean wrote her first novel on a dare and never looked back. Translated into more than twenty-five languages, the books that make up “The MacLeaniverse” are beloved by readers worldwide.
In addition to her novels, Sarah is a leading advocate for the romance genre, speaking widely on its place as a feminist text and a cultural bellwether. A former columnist for the New York Times, the Washington Post and Bustle, she is a founding board member of Authors Against Book Bans and the co-host of the weekly romance podcast, Fated Mates.
A product of Rhode Island summers and New England Storms, Sarah now lives in New York City.
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The Lovestruck is a cozy corner for settling in with a novel, sharing cheese & charcuterie over a glass of wine, grabbing a coffee before browsing the shelves, or treating yourself to something sweet.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO
Your presence at the Lovestruck Books & Cafe event acknowledges that you have been informed of the potential to be documented as part of a video or photo release, and that you grant permission for your likeness to be included in publication of any footage.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 6.24 to USD 26.19
