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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
Sigh… There’s a reason I never got into historical romances and Wilde in Love is a prime example. I really wanted to get into a new historical author. I’m constantly looking for another Tessa Dare. Since Eloisa James has been compared to Tessa Dare, I was hoping for a fun rom-com. Sadly, this wasn’t a rom-com. Maybe my expectations were off and that’s why I was, to put it bluntly, bored to tears by Wilde in Love. I’m not trying to say it’s poorly written or anything, I personally just found this particular story to be dull.
I’m going to preface this review with the fact that I don’t read historical romance for accuracy. I mean, I don’t want to read a book set in 1778 and all the characters have cell phones or something. The period can be accurate but I would prefer the characters to be a little less accurate. For example: in the Regency period I know that men and women didn’t actually spend very much if any time alone together. However, if you are trying to write a romance for a modern reader like me, it doesn’t help sell the relationship. In Wilde in Love Alaric and Willa spend very little time interacting with each other before a relationship between them is forged. Seriously, they maybe spend an hour a day in each other’s presence and the vast majority of that hour is spent around a bunch of other people. They barely have any conversations with each other before this love connection is made. I understand the accuracy of their courtship but as a reader I found that I was bored to tears by it.
I gave Wilde in Love two stars because it did have its moments where it was pretty decent. There’s a whole bog rescue scene that was pretty ok. Also there are cute pets. Willa adopts a baby skunk and a mangey tomcat that acts as a mother hen to said baby skunk. Cute animal antics went quite far in saving this from a 1 star. Maybe I’m spoiled with Tessa Dare books where the characters are rebellious and forward thinking. Those characters always manage to spend some “alone” time together. Wilde in Love was just a bit too prim and proper for my personal tastes but it wasn’t particularly poorly written. I think this is a book for people who enjoy courtly romances with a slow burn. I, on the other hand, am looking for something a little bolder.
I’m going to preface this review with the fact that I don’t read historical romance for accuracy. I mean, I don’t want to read a book set in 1778 and all the characters have cell phones or something. The period can be accurate but I would prefer the characters to be a little less accurate. For example: in the Regency period I know that men and women didn’t actually spend very much if any time alone together. However, if you are trying to write a romance for a modern reader like me, it doesn’t help sell the relationship. In Wilde in Love Alaric and Willa spend very little time interacting with each other before a relationship between them is forged. Seriously, they maybe spend an hour a day in each other’s presence and the vast majority of that hour is spent around a bunch of other people. They barely have any conversations with each other before this love connection is made. I understand the accuracy of their courtship but as a reader I found that I was bored to tears by it.
I gave Wilde in Love two stars because it did have its moments where it was pretty decent. There’s a whole bog rescue scene that was pretty ok. Also there are cute pets. Willa adopts a baby skunk and a mangey tomcat that acts as a mother hen to said baby skunk. Cute animal antics went quite far in saving this from a 1 star. Maybe I’m spoiled with Tessa Dare books where the characters are rebellious and forward thinking. Those characters always manage to spend some “alone” time together. Wilde in Love was just a bit too prim and proper for my personal tastes but it wasn’t particularly poorly written. I think this is a book for people who enjoy courtly romances with a slow burn. I, on the other hand, am looking for something a little bolder.
I decided to dive into this series because it was by an author that I haven’t read much (if at all, because honestly I can’t remember and none of the books sound familiar), which is something I’m trying to do more of. Read books by authors I haven’t or don’t typically read.
I’m pretty satisfied with the beginning of the series and will definitely continue with it. The writing takes a little getting used to. I just felt like there was a bit of choppiness to it. Like I would be reading and following one conversation and then (what often felt like out of nowhere) there was another conversation or a random change up to the current conversation.
I get that this happens typically in conversation, I just get it was difficult to follow. I often found myself going back to see if I could figure out where this conversation came from.
However, getting past that, the characters were great and this family really seems like one to be greatly enjoyed. It was also nice to get a flash forward to get a sense of complete happiness and closure on the main characters of this party book.
My favorite relationships.... Sweetpea, Hannibal and Alaric. And I can’t forget Lady Knowe... she is my favorite secondary character. And I hope to see more of her in the multiple books of this series.
I’m pretty satisfied with the beginning of the series and will definitely continue with it. The writing takes a little getting used to. I just felt like there was a bit of choppiness to it. Like I would be reading and following one conversation and then (what often felt like out of nowhere) there was another conversation or a random change up to the current conversation.
I get that this happens typically in conversation, I just get it was difficult to follow. I often found myself going back to see if I could figure out where this conversation came from.
However, getting past that, the characters were great and this family really seems like one to be greatly enjoyed. It was also nice to get a flash forward to get a sense of complete happiness and closure on the main characters of this party book.
My favorite relationships.... Sweetpea, Hannibal and Alaric. And I can’t forget Lady Knowe... she is my favorite secondary character. And I hope to see more of her in the multiple books of this series.
Liked the banter, but the plot was too wackadoodle for me.
I quite liked this, but it's not my favourite of hers - and I had no patience with the whole skunk plotline which affected my overall enjoyment. Never mind.
I enjoyed it, but did not love it. I do want to read more in the series.
Lord Alaric Wilde, upon his return to England, is appalled to find that he has become a hero, pursued by women everywhere because of the books he wrote about his travels. Even worse, a hit play has been written purporting to be about his life. His fans are everywhere.
Willa Ffynche attends the house party for the engagement of Alaric's brother. Alaric is fascinated by her for many reasons; Willa is beautiful, witty, and not interested in him or his fame at all. She values her privacy and doesn't approve of his notoriety, even though it's not his fault.
I loved the way Willa and Alaric interact. Alaric falls in love right away, but it takes him a while to persuade Willa to feel the same. Still, they 'got' each other; in a world where they were supposed to behave a certain way, they get around those facades by having a different public and personal personality. They're both intelligent. I loved how Alaric brings out more of Willa's private side so she isn't nearly as proper as she acts.
The writing is excellent, and the secondary characters engaging. This looks like a series that I am going to enjoy and I can't wait for North's book.
Willa Ffynche attends the house party for the engagement of Alaric's brother. Alaric is fascinated by her for many reasons; Willa is beautiful, witty, and not interested in him or his fame at all. She values her privacy and doesn't approve of his notoriety, even though it's not his fault.
I loved the way Willa and Alaric interact. Alaric falls in love right away, but it takes him a while to persuade Willa to feel the same. Still, they 'got' each other; in a world where they were supposed to behave a certain way, they get around those facades by having a different public and personal personality. They're both intelligent. I loved how Alaric brings out more of Willa's private side so she isn't nearly as proper as she acts.
The writing is excellent, and the secondary characters engaging. This looks like a series that I am going to enjoy and I can't wait for North's book.
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence, Death of parent
Fantastic! This is Eloisa James at her best. I do hope that Parth and Lavinia get their story told, because I'm sure it's a great one!