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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
I had so much fun with this. It reminds me what books were like before it became a checklist of tropes.
It started a bit slow, but when Pru was introduced things got very interesting! She was a total loon and I loved it! Her religious fervor and twisted view of Alaric was simply baffling! But we see how people assume they know someone - but in fact, they only know the surface level. Stalkers are so creepy!
This book really wasn't for me. We follow a play write named Alaric, and an orphan? named Willa. I forget what exactly she is, a spinster possibly? They form a relationship based on a fake marriage proposal.
The beginning of this book was a slog to get through. I almost DNF'd it simply because I was bored. I pushed through and finished it via audio, which helped! The narrator was fantastic, and it did get more interesting halfway through. I found the high society gossip to be too much for my taste. I also couldn't get behind the relationship our main characters. I don't remember why they fell in love or what chemistry they had.
If you've read future books, did you enjoy them more? I did like the writing, and want to try more from this author in the future.
The beginning of this book was a slog to get through. I almost DNF'd it simply because I was bored. I pushed through and finished it via audio, which helped! The narrator was fantastic, and it did get more interesting halfway through. I found the high society gossip to be too much for my taste. I also couldn't get behind the relationship our main characters. I don't remember why they fell in love or what chemistry they had.
If you've read future books, did you enjoy them more? I did like the writing, and want to try more from this author in the future.
emotional
funny
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Proof that a slow-burn romance can be too slow. This has so many elements I enjoy; house party, he falls first, opposites attract, fake fiance, yet it was a bit of a slog to read. The action is very very slow. I agree with another reviewer that everyone else in this book is more interesting than the main characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
One of Cosmopolitan's Best Books of 2017!'Nothing gets me to a bookstore faster than Eloisa James' Julia QuinnThe first book in Eloisa James's dazzling new series set in the Georgian period glows with her trademark wit and charm. Things are about to get Wilde . . . Lord Alaric Wilde, son of the Duke of Lindow, is the most celebrated man in England, revered for his dangerous adventures and rakish good looks.Arriving home from years abroad, he has no idea of his own celebrity until his boat is met by mobs of screaming ladies. Alaric escapes to his father's castle, but just as he grasps that he's not only famous but notorious, he encounters the very private, very witty, Miss Willa Ffynche.Willa presents the façade of a serene young lady to the world. Her love of books and bawdy jokes is purely for the delight of her intimate friends. She wants nothing to do with a man whose private life is splashed over every newspaper.Alaric has never met a woman he wanted for his own . . . until he meets Willa. He's never lost a battle.But a spirited woman like Willa isn't going to make it easy . . . Perfect for fans of Julia Quinn's Bridgertons and Eloisa's Desperate Duchesses The Wildes of Lindow Castle series:Wilde in LoveToo Wilde to WedBorn to Be Wilde (coming soon)Praise for Eloisa James:'Eloisa James is extraordinary' Lisa Kleypas'Smart heroines, sensual heroes, witty repartee and a penchant for delicious romance have made James a fan favorite . . . readers will be hooked from beginning to end' RT Book Reviews'Romance writing does not get much better than this' People'Eloisa James writes with a captivating blend of charm, style, and grace that never fails to leave the reader sighing and smiling and falling in love' Julia Quinn'Charming, romantic and unexpectedly funny' Kirkus
Perhaps I was a bit grumpy over this book as my notes will indicate, but I had a difficult time suspending disbelief over the ahistorical characters and situations. The early references to characters by using incorrect titles and addresses set me off and by the time this was explained, I was really annoyed at the book and the author.
I realized that for some readers historical romance is an escape. They don't want to see the grimy bits of Georgian England or recognize the enormous wealth and power of an English duke compared to even other members of the aristocracy much less ordinary people of the time. But if it becomes too much of an escape then you have modern attitudes and speech in your characters and the whole thing becomes too much like Disneyland.
On the other hand, if you want more realism...well, Jane Austen only wrote six complete novels and what can you do once you've read those?🤷♀️
I think there has to be some middle ground. I can accept a lot but not a young woman inheriting her father's estate and money and left with a female friend as a guardian. The law simply did not work that way in the 18th century for women. Sleeves were pinned to a stomacher in women's dress, she could not unbutton a bodice because they didn't wear those at the time. And on and on...
Considering the author is well-educated in literary history, this has to be a choice. And I didn't like it. Historical romance is interesting to me because I like to see women push against the restraints of their position and their time. If the woman already has her own money and estate and freedom, then where is the tension? Where is the risk if she makes a wrong choice or endangers her reputation?
I think Eloisa James is writing a kind of historical lite comedy and there were witty exchanges and some humorous situations in the book. I liked Willa and her friends although Diana was pretty obscured.
But I really prefer more realistic situations for the time. I think Mary Balogh, Meredith Duran, Julie Anne Long, Courtney Milan, Lisa Kleypas, Mary Jo Putney, Joanne Bourne etc handle that middle ground kind of historical romance much better. All IMHO, etc..
I realized that for some readers historical romance is an escape. They don't want to see the grimy bits of Georgian England or recognize the enormous wealth and power of an English duke compared to even other members of the aristocracy much less ordinary people of the time. But if it becomes too much of an escape then you have modern attitudes and speech in your characters and the whole thing becomes too much like Disneyland.
On the other hand, if you want more realism...well, Jane Austen only wrote six complete novels and what can you do once you've read those?🤷♀️
I think there has to be some middle ground. I can accept a lot but not a young woman inheriting her father's estate and money and left with a female friend as a guardian. The law simply did not work that way in the 18th century for women. Sleeves were pinned to a stomacher in women's dress, she could not unbutton a bodice because they didn't wear those at the time. And on and on...
Considering the author is well-educated in literary history, this has to be a choice. And I didn't like it. Historical romance is interesting to me because I like to see women push against the restraints of their position and their time. If the woman already has her own money and estate and freedom, then where is the tension? Where is the risk if she makes a wrong choice or endangers her reputation?
I think Eloisa James is writing a kind of historical lite comedy and there were witty exchanges and some humorous situations in the book. I liked Willa and her friends although Diana was pretty obscured.
But I really prefer more realistic situations for the time. I think Mary Balogh, Meredith Duran, Julie Anne Long, Courtney Milan, Lisa Kleypas, Mary Jo Putney, Joanne Bourne etc handle that middle ground kind of historical romance much better. All IMHO, etc..
This is the first book in the Wildes of Lindow Castle series. I really like a few things about the series as a whole: it focuses on a happy blended family with many adult children. The Duke of Lindow's first duchess left the family and her children; he is now remarried to his new duchess, who came with a daughter of her own.
This first book in the series focuses on one of the elder "younger sons" of the duke, Alaric. Alaric is one of those historical romance hero staples: a gentleman explorer. Not only has he traveled, he's written several extremely popular books about his experiences. He's only visiting home to see his family, but he discovers that he's a celebrity, and only one woman is immune to hero worship: Willa Ffynche.
The book leans a little bit too heavily on the "not like other girls" trope (Willa doesn't care about his celebrity! Willa loves raunchy jokes! Willa is a homebody!), but it's still an enjoyable ride. James does a great job of bringing us a complex but happy family, and this really works as a series starter in a way many other books don't. Plus, the stepback begins the Wilde trend of having everyone look like they're having so much FUN.
This first book in the series focuses on one of the elder "younger sons" of the duke, Alaric. Alaric is one of those historical romance hero staples: a gentleman explorer. Not only has he traveled, he's written several extremely popular books about his experiences. He's only visiting home to see his family, but he discovers that he's a celebrity, and only one woman is immune to hero worship: Willa Ffynche.
The book leans a little bit too heavily on the "not like other girls" trope (Willa doesn't care about his celebrity! Willa loves raunchy jokes! Willa is a homebody!), but it's still an enjoyable ride. James does a great job of bringing us a complex but happy family, and this really works as a series starter in a way many other books don't. Plus, the stepback begins the Wilde trend of having everyone look like they're having so much FUN.
I read Ms. James for the first time this January with her Seven Minutes in Heaven and I completely loved it! I had no doubt that I wanted to read her again, so when I heard about her next book coming out, Wilde in Love, I could not wait to read it. It has been in the back of my mind ever since and as soon as it showed up on my kindle, I started it. Wilde in Love and Ms. James did not disappoint me, I fell in love with the characters, especially the Wildes, and the story - it was absolutely wonderful!
One of my favorite aspects when it comes to Willa is how she didn't fall at Alaric's feet in adoration and how unimpressed she was with tales or notoriety. She without a doubt made him work to be worthy of her and I always love that. There is a lot more to love about Willa though. She's smart and kind with a good sense of humor and she likes to follow her rules and what's good and proper - well, in public anyway, in private with Alaric is a different story. Willa is a fantastic heroine and it wasn't hard to love her at all.
It wasn't hard to love Alaric either - he made it pretty easy really. He's bound and determined to have Willa and he's going to convince her that's she's his no matter what. He's possessive and protective, he's mischievous and a little bit naughty. Alaric has the best personality, he can be serious, but he's also very fun and playful too. Alaric is the complete package and there's no question in my mind that he will steal your heart just like he did mine!
Wilde in Love might not have made me laugh as much as Seven Minutes in Heaven did, but it's still a light, fun, humorous tale full of shenanigans, plots, and a couple of twists thrown in. Wilde in Love was intriguing, consuming, and heart melting. There were moments that squeezed my heart, but for most of the journey, Wilde in Love either had me smiling, grinning, or laughing. It was such an excellent book, it was so heartwarming and I positively loved it.
Wilde in Love is the first book in the Wildes of Lindow Castle series, it's told from Alaric and Willa's POV, and while they do get their happily-ever-after, you will definitely be wanting more from these Wildes!
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
One of my favorite aspects when it comes to Willa is how she didn't fall at Alaric's feet in adoration and how unimpressed she was with tales or notoriety. She without a doubt made him work to be worthy of her and I always love that. There is a lot more to love about Willa though. She's smart and kind with a good sense of humor and she likes to follow her rules and what's good and proper - well, in public anyway, in private with Alaric is a different story. Willa is a fantastic heroine and it wasn't hard to love her at all.
It wasn't hard to love Alaric either - he made it pretty easy really. He's bound and determined to have Willa and he's going to convince her that's she's his no matter what. He's possessive and protective, he's mischievous and a little bit naughty. Alaric has the best personality, he can be serious, but he's also very fun and playful too. Alaric is the complete package and there's no question in my mind that he will steal your heart just like he did mine!
Wilde in Love might not have made me laugh as much as Seven Minutes in Heaven did, but it's still a light, fun, humorous tale full of shenanigans, plots, and a couple of twists thrown in. Wilde in Love was intriguing, consuming, and heart melting. There were moments that squeezed my heart, but for most of the journey, Wilde in Love either had me smiling, grinning, or laughing. It was such an excellent book, it was so heartwarming and I positively loved it.
Wilde in Love is the first book in the Wildes of Lindow Castle series, it's told from Alaric and Willa's POV, and while they do get their happily-ever-after, you will definitely be wanting more from these Wildes!
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
DNF times 2! I tried. I really tried. I like Eloisa James, a lot. I tried to re-read this book, because I thought maybe I was in a bad place the first time, but no. I just could not get into this book. Maybe it's that the entire book takes place at one house party with endless conversations or maybe it's the foppish dress, but alas I could not get into this.