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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
Listen, it’s an Eloisa James messaround, you’ll like it or you won’t and I obviously liked it!
There could have been more to the plot/viola getting over her anxiety/she’s not in fashion because she’s skinny with big tits (???? Can we not), but it was so soothing to read, and that’s what I wanted.
There could have been more to the plot/viola getting over her anxiety/she’s not in fashion because she’s skinny with big tits (???? Can we not), but it was so soothing to read, and that’s what I wanted.
Delightful
I loved this addition to the Wildes. It was fun and purely good romance. Low on angst and plenty of funny moments. It very much reminded me of a Mary Balogh book with it's quiet and gentle love story. Having said that though, please don't think that Viola and Devin don't have heat. They have plenty of heat and chemistry. If you've enjoyed the other books in the series, you'll thoroughly enjoy this one.
I loved this addition to the Wildes. It was fun and purely good romance. Low on angst and plenty of funny moments. It very much reminded me of a Mary Balogh book with it's quiet and gentle love story. Having said that though, please don't think that Viola and Devin don't have heat. They have plenty of heat and chemistry. If you've enjoyed the other books in the series, you'll thoroughly enjoy this one.
Pretty sure this author is new to me, and I am sure I haven't read anything else in this series. The heroine seems to have a miraculous recovery from what is described early in the book as debilitating social anxiety, but it didn't ruin the story for me. Low on angst, which I prefer, although I was at least as interested in a subplot among one of the heroine's friends, an angelically handsome vicar, and his harridan of a fiancee. Wish they had their own book!
Somewhat unique in that this takes place in the pre-Regency period during the reign of King George III and Queen Charlotte.
Somewhat unique in that this takes place in the pre-Regency period during the reign of King George III and Queen Charlotte.
5 stars! I loooooved this book. The way he is all in as soon as he meets and speaks to her, and meanwhile she's still trying to get with the vicar. It's a low stakes/angst book, but I really really enjoyed it.
The thought of a season in London makes Viola want to vomit. No, really. Because last time she was at a ball held in her home, that's exactly what she did. She's so painfully shy that she only dines with the family when it's family only. However, when the dreamy new vicar comes to visit, she finds that she has no problem talking in front of him. So, it must be love, right?
I lived how we saw Viola gain her confidence and speak her mind. And the fact that, despite his cantankerous introduction, Devin very much respects her.
But. This was probably my least favorite James book. (Though that statement alone doesn't say much...I've loved all her books!). I felt the entire last third of the book was unnecessary to the main story. There wasn't a lot of turmoil between the two MCs either. Their story, after Viola tells off Devin in the beginning was pretty bland.
I lived how we saw Viola gain her confidence and speak her mind. And the fact that, despite his cantankerous introduction, Devin very much respects her.
But. This was probably my least favorite James book. (Though that statement alone doesn't say much...I've loved all her books!). I felt the entire last third of the book was unnecessary to the main story. There wasn't a lot of turmoil between the two MCs either. Their story, after Viola tells off Devin in the beginning was pretty bland.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
This is really 3.5-star book for me.
When I fell back into reading romance novels about 5 years ago, Eloisa James was one of the authors who sucked me back in. I was excited for her Wildes of Lindow Castle series, and it's been a frothy diversion. These books lack the depth of characterization and meaningful plots of the Essex Sisters, Desperate Duchesses, or Duchess in Love (they're more like her fairy tales), but James' trademark witty dialogue, joy in food and fashion, family loyalty and potent expression of lust more than get the job done. I especially liked the inclusion of medieval plays (I'm a theatre professor, after all) and the steamiest scene evokes William Wycherley'sThe Country Wife . The love story happened fast and without much conflict, but Viola and Wynter were rounded characters who made sense together. If you expect a funny, sexy, romp, you won't be disappointed.
I've recently seen James compared to Georgette Heyer, and that seems apt. Perhaps it's this particular polarized political moment, or the pandemic, but I found the lives of leisure more than a little tone deaf--these characters do nothing more than sit around, getting dressed, eating, and having sex. And none of them are explicitly queer ( And, again, there are an awful lot of very sexy and muscular Dukes taking an awful lot of baths. It's time for more POC, even in Georgian England. This series in particular, with Alaric's travels and North and Jeremy's time in the Colonies, could realistically support African American/Afro Caribbean characters or Native Americans. Parth is certainly a welcome addition, but we need to do better.
When I fell back into reading romance novels about 5 years ago, Eloisa James was one of the authors who sucked me back in. I was excited for her Wildes of Lindow Castle series, and it's been a frothy diversion. These books lack the depth of characterization and meaningful plots of the Essex Sisters, Desperate Duchesses, or Duchess in Love (they're more like her fairy tales), but James' trademark witty dialogue, joy in food and fashion, family loyalty and potent expression of lust more than get the job done. I especially liked the inclusion of medieval plays (I'm a theatre professor, after all) and the steamiest scene evokes William Wycherley's
I've recently seen James compared to Georgette Heyer, and that seems apt. Perhaps it's this particular polarized political moment, or the pandemic, but I found the lives of leisure more than a little tone deaf--these characters do nothing more than sit around, getting dressed, eating, and having sex. And none of them are explicitly queer (
Spoiler
why not make Otis gay, with his giddy embrace of life and giggling with Joan or Aunt Snowe proudly lesbian or aromantic--not that these are the same thing--to explain her lifelong spinsterhood?)
My third read in this series and my favorite so far! Great banter and chemistry between the leads; their back and forth on their first meeting really sets up a good foundation of that sort of puzzle piece quality, you can see how they draw each other out of themselves right away. Also a fair few steamy scenes, especially for a historical romance. Overall very fun and tropey but also managed not to fall into a tired overblown miscommunication conflict as I feared it might.