Scan barcode
chandlerainsley's review
3.0
the plot of this was... stupid? nonexistent? but i wasn't mad
i liked the characters perfectly fine. i appreciated the honesty that the characters had with each other re: sex. this wasn't ground breaking but i love the wildes.
i liked the characters perfectly fine. i appreciated the honesty that the characters had with each other re: sex. this wasn't ground breaking but i love the wildes.
peachy8's review against another edition
2.0
It's not bad, it's a pretty good story. I liked that it that they didnt get married in the second chapter, because they got caught in the first, but that they actually got to know eachother a while before that happened. However, after that was done, the rest of the book was just soooo sloow and just boring. Nothing happened at all. This book might as well have only had three chapters, because they just left off exactly where the other chapter ended instead of, I don't know, skipping to another day? Another situation? Instead we have to read through every, tiring, bit of dull conversation.
I skimmed through the last chapters because I just couldn't take it anymore.
Also please, for the love of god, can we stop making characters describe themselves as ugly because, they're oh so small everywhere (apart from their massive rack of course), with small dainty feet and small dainty hands. Oh and she doesn't need a corset because her waist is already trim and tiny. Of course, everyone has their insecurites, no matter the shape or size, but come on.
It's also fantastic how this lady has such social anxiety that she throws up on the regular and can't even eat with male strangers in the vacinity, but that is of course solved the moment she meets the hero and no other man has that effect on her anymore. A miracle!
This book was just way too slow and tedious for my liking.
I skimmed through the last chapters because I just couldn't take it anymore.
Also please, for the love of god, can we stop making characters describe themselves as ugly because, they're oh so small everywhere (apart from their massive rack of course), with small dainty feet and small dainty hands. Oh and she doesn't need a corset because her waist is already trim and tiny. Of course, everyone has their insecurites, no matter the shape or size, but come on.
It's also fantastic how this lady has such social anxiety that she throws up on the regular and can't even eat with male strangers in the vacinity, but that is of course solved the moment she meets the hero and no other man has that effect on her anymore. A miracle!
This book was just way too slow and tedious for my liking.
lottie_luvs_2_read's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books ever
Eloisa James is an amazing writer. I adore everything she has ever written. This book was especially amazing because so many people can relate to Viola and it was marvelous to see her finally come out of her shell!!!
Eloisa James is an amazing writer. I adore everything she has ever written. This book was especially amazing because so many people can relate to Viola and it was marvelous to see her finally come out of her shell!!!
balletbookworm's review
4.0
Some of my favorite Eloisa novels are the ones where she brings in information from her other life as a literature professor ([b:The Taming of the Duke|298371|The Taming of the Duke (Essex Sisters, #3)|Eloisa James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388474294l/298371._SY75_.jpg|289469] is a particular favorite for this reason) because we get to see what people did in their communities or in their downtime. And this one has a minor plot element in that Viola has suggested putting on a Bible play - which is not exactly CofE, given that the plays are medieval or Elizabethan in origin and run somewhat closer to the dreaded papistry of Ye Olde Englande (my joke here, not Eloisa's, but she uses the play to great effect late in the book).
That said, this is an almost completely internal plot. Viola, who has awful social anxiety, has fallen in puppy love with the new vicar on the Lindow estate (never mind that he's got a (terrible) fiance and potentially equally awful mother-in-law in tow), probably because he's the safest non-related male around. She also - unfortunately, or fortunately - overhears the Duke of Wynter cold-bloodedly discussing how he would rather propose to her sister Joan (he has reasons, they aren't great). Viola gets up the nerve to tell him off, which makes her immediately intriguing to him and he sets about trying to engage her interest in him and not the vicar for the rest of the book. Sometimes, I just really need a book where nothing untoward happens - there's no unhinged hanger-on, no greedy cousin, no addict mother, etc etc here for distraction - and the entire plot hangs on whether the main characters will fall in love. And if this is what you're looking for, this is it.
There's also an extremely steamy closet-sex scene which might be the sexiest thing Eloisa has written since the blindfolded chess/sex scene in [b:This Duchess of Mine|5742909|This Duchess of Mine (Desperate Duchesses, #5)|Eloisa James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1380320134l/5742909._SY75_.jpg|5914609].
That said, this is an almost completely internal plot. Viola, who has awful social anxiety, has fallen in puppy love with the new vicar on the Lindow estate (never mind that he's got a (terrible) fiance and potentially equally awful mother-in-law in tow), probably because he's the safest non-related male around. She also - unfortunately, or fortunately - overhears the Duke of Wynter cold-bloodedly discussing how he would rather propose to her sister Joan (he has reasons, they aren't great). Viola gets up the nerve to tell him off, which makes her immediately intriguing to him and he sets about trying to engage her interest in him and not the vicar for the rest of the book. Sometimes, I just really need a book where nothing untoward happens - there's no unhinged hanger-on, no greedy cousin, no addict mother, etc etc here for distraction - and the entire plot hangs on whether the main characters will fall in love. And if this is what you're looking for, this is it.
There's also an extremely steamy closet-sex scene which might be the sexiest thing Eloisa has written since the blindfolded chess/sex scene in [b:This Duchess of Mine|5742909|This Duchess of Mine (Desperate Duchesses, #5)|Eloisa James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1380320134l/5742909._SY75_.jpg|5914609].
winterreader40's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. This was a sweet story, where for once the heroine isn't thoroughly ruined before marriage. We have an ice king and a painfully shy wallflower as our leads with a bit of a love triangle but not in an irritating way like they usually are.
nevclue's review against another edition
4.0
Extremely cute historical romance. It's a classic wallflower/surly duke story, not a single trope is subverted, but quite charming. Adorable subplot with the vicar.
threeundertwopnw's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ash_chooses_pikachu's review against another edition
1.0
DNF @46%
I tried really hard to like this book, especially since I haven't read any historical romance books in at least half a year. However, the heroine was not very likeable. At first she was quite shy, but then she gradually turns into an unrepentant wannabe man-stealer, and her defense for it is his fiancee is not very nice and kinda judgy. Seriously lady? How would you feel if someone did it to you?! Also, sometimes her obliviousness made her seem kind of TSTL to me.
I tried really hard to like this book, especially since I haven't read any historical romance books in at least half a year. However, the heroine was not very likeable. At first she was quite shy, but then she gradually turns into an unrepentant wannabe man-stealer, and her defense for it is his fiancee is not very nice and kinda judgy. Seriously lady? How would you feel if someone did it to you?! Also, sometimes her obliviousness made her seem kind of TSTL to me.
timitra's review against another edition
3.0
Rated 3.5 Stars
Say Yes To The Duke is an enjoyable read that I wished had more meat on its bones. It's funny, quirky and has the most adorable main characters. I love them. I loved watching them being disarmed by each other and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
Copy provided by publisher through Edelweiss
Say Yes To The Duke is an enjoyable read that I wished had more meat on its bones. It's funny, quirky and has the most adorable main characters. I love them. I loved watching them being disarmed by each other and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
Copy provided by publisher through Edelweiss
tales_of_a_bookbug's review against another edition
4.0
I guess this is one of those series that gets better with every subsequent book because I liked Viola's story way more than the others(with the exception of Parth and Lavinia of course). It's nowhere close to Eloisa James' older books, but I'm learning to put aside my expectations and enjoy this series!
Filled with the trademark EJ wit and close familial relationships, Say Yes to the Duke follows the story of Viola Astley, who is a part of the Wilde clan because of her mother's marriage to the Duke of Lindow. Even though she loves her step-siblings immensely, she is nowhere close to being a trademark Wilde because of her shyness and anxiety. After throwing up at her first ball due to a crippling case of anxiety, she prefers to avoid social gatherings and linger along the edges. She was more comfortable talking to the elderly vicar than to the nobles, but now that he has passed away, her step-father hires a new vicar, Mr. Marlowe.
After meeting him she believes that she's in love with him! She's able to converse with him and if she marries him she wouldn't have to lead a Society life. The only problem is that he's already engaged to a daughter of a bishop!
And on the other side we have Devin Lucas Augustus Elstan, the Duke of Wynter, who is search of a wife, preferably a duke's daughter. In a Darcy-esque moment at a ball, she overhears Devin telling his uncle that she's not a real Wilde(confirming her fears) which causes her anger to spike and verbally spar with him.
Devin is intrigued and dangerously attracted to the young woman his uncle called a 'little mouse', while Viola believes that they are not suitable for each other. It's upto Devin now to convince Viola about their 'compatibility' ;) and that Viola may not be Wilde by blood but she's a Wilde at heart!
"You're little but fierce," Devin murmured.
"Not a mouse?" Viola asked.
The story was pretty cute with little to no angst and with most of it's focus on the development of the relationship between Viola and Devin! I loved their first meeting and how Devin made her feel comfortable so effortlessly. She didn't have her initial case of nerves because she thought she knew what Devin felt about her. Lol! It was so much fun watching Devin woo her while simultaneously drawing her away from the vicar. I loved watching her confidence grow and how she finally accepted that she's a Wilde too!
I had no complaints in the steam department either, because the chemistry between Viola and Devin was so good! Though they didn't have much in common, they were great at being there for each other! There's also a tiny sub-plot that follows the vicar, Mr.Marlowe, his shrewish fiance and Lady Caitlin. I was also grateful that there was no big, bad secret that the H or h were keeping from each other. The small problem about that scene at Viola's first ball was also deftly handled.
Also, will we have a book for Joan? I'd love to see her and the prim-and-proper Thaddeus paired up! Lol!
Sidenote : Look how cute is the stepback for the book!
Filled with the trademark EJ wit and close familial relationships, Say Yes to the Duke follows the story of Viola Astley, who is a part of the Wilde clan because of her mother's marriage to the Duke of Lindow. Even though she loves her step-siblings immensely, she is nowhere close to being a trademark Wilde because of her shyness and anxiety. After throwing up at her first ball due to a crippling case of anxiety, she prefers to avoid social gatherings and linger along the edges. She was more comfortable talking to the elderly vicar than to the nobles, but now that he has passed away, her step-father hires a new vicar, Mr. Marlowe.
After meeting him she believes that she's in love with him! She's able to converse with him and if she marries him she wouldn't have to lead a Society life. The only problem is that he's already engaged to a daughter of a bishop!
And on the other side we have Devin Lucas Augustus Elstan, the Duke of Wynter, who is search of a wife, preferably a duke's daughter. In a Darcy-esque moment at a ball, she overhears Devin telling his uncle that she's not a real Wilde(confirming her fears) which causes her anger to spike and verbally spar with him.
Devin is intrigued and dangerously attracted to the young woman his uncle called a 'little mouse', while Viola believes that they are not suitable for each other. It's upto Devin now to convince Viola about their 'compatibility' ;) and that Viola may not be Wilde by blood but she's a Wilde at heart!
"You're little but fierce," Devin murmured.
"Not a mouse?" Viola asked.
The story was pretty cute with little to no angst and with most of it's focus on the development of the relationship between Viola and Devin! I loved their first meeting and how Devin made her feel comfortable so effortlessly. She didn't have her initial case of nerves because she thought she knew what Devin felt about her. Lol! It was so much fun watching Devin woo her while simultaneously drawing her away from the vicar. I loved watching her confidence grow and how she finally accepted that she's a Wilde too!
I had no complaints in the steam department either, because the chemistry between Viola and Devin was so good! Though they didn't have much in common, they were great at being there for each other! There's also a tiny sub-plot that follows the vicar, Mr.Marlowe, his shrewish fiance and Lady Caitlin. I was also grateful that there was no big, bad secret that the H or h were keeping from each other. The small problem about that scene at Viola's first ball was also deftly handled.
Spoiler
(I didn't understand why Viola kept bringing that thing up at random points! It was a man(Devin) being angry at a lady who wanted to trap him in marriage. I didn't really understand why she had to remember it every time though? *shrugs*)Also, will we have a book for Joan? I'd love to see her and the prim-and-proper Thaddeus paired up! Lol!
Sidenote : Look how cute is the stepback for the book!