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ilosttrackofthings 's review for:
Wilde in Love
by Eloisa James
I cannot believe I am rating an Eloisa James book with one star but here we are. If you're like me and you read the back of the book and think "but there's gotta be a plot in there too, right?" you will be equally disappointed.
An especially cliche sort of plot does appear eventually. By the time any of that happens though, it's been TWO HUNDRED PAGES of exactly what it says on the back cover: Alaric is attracted to Willa. Willa is attracted to Alaric. But Willa has some mild reservations about the whole thing.
Basically, this should've been a novella. And it wouldn't even have been one of the fun ones.
The couple are so dull and predictable, they even suck all the fun out of the. HOW does the guy whose entire life is going on adventures have the most boring love story? Ugh.
And, speaking of Alaric's shortcomings, I am not the sort of reader who cringes at a lot of the things romance heroes do. I'm here for a good time and indulging in some behaviors I would never accept from real, flesh and blood people. But I definitely got a minor creep vibe from Alaric. Willa says early on that he likely is only interested in her because she's the one woman who's not interested in him and while he does have other reasons, that's clearly his initial attraction to her. And he keeps pushing his attentions on her no matter how much she says no, even when she explains that her reason is wanted to distance herself from the sort of notoriety he brings. Which seems like pretty low behavior from the man who spends the whole book bemoaning his own notoriety.
Though all of those character flaws might have been more easily overlooked if there'd been, you know, a PLOT to focus on. Or, for that matter, any character development. No one changes or grows. They both leave this novel the same people they entered it. And while Willa never creeped me out the way Alaric did, she was annoying in her own way.
So yeah, one star. It's far from James' best. Usually even her lesser books are at least a joy to read, but I found myself skimming whole chapters once the plot finally reared its predictable head. I don't recommend this to anyone, not even your enemies. Even they deserve better.
An especially cliche sort of plot does appear eventually.
Spoiler
The writer of the notorious play appears and is revealed to be a woman Alaric met briefly years ago. She isn't any sort of obstacle to the main couple until she attempts to kill the heroine, but as the crazy was practically dripping off her from the second she appeared, it's hardly a surprise. If anything she provides an excuse for them to enter a fake engagement trope, but not even that classic could save this book.Basically, this should've been a novella. And it wouldn't even have been one of the fun ones.
The couple are so dull and predictable, they even suck all the fun out of the
Spoiler
fake dating tropeAnd, speaking of Alaric's shortcomings, I am not the sort of reader who cringes at a lot of the things romance heroes do. I'm here for a good time and indulging in some behaviors I would never accept from real, flesh and blood people. But I definitely got a minor creep vibe from Alaric. Willa says early on that he likely is only interested in her because she's the one woman who's not interested in him and while he does have other reasons, that's clearly his initial attraction to her. And he keeps pushing his attentions on her no matter how much she says no, even when she explains that her reason is wanted to distance herself from the sort of notoriety he brings. Which seems like pretty low behavior from the man who spends the whole book bemoaning his own notoriety.
Though all of those character flaws might have been more easily overlooked if there'd been, you know, a PLOT to focus on. Or, for that matter, any character development. No one changes or grows. They both leave this novel the same people they entered it
Spoiler
except one is no longer a virginSpoiler
She disdains all fiction, which is fine, everyone has their tastes, but there's a scene midway through the book in which she spends hours and hours reading a novel, only to toss it away once she's done, acting as though it wasn't worth her time. But she spent all that time reading it. I expected this to turn into some growth moment but, as it is, I honestly have no idea why it's even in the book unless James is seeking to subtly insult her readers through this scene.So yeah, one star. It's far from James' best. Usually even her lesser books are at least a joy to read, but I found myself skimming whole chapters once the plot finally reared its predictable head. I don't recommend this to anyone, not even your enemies. Even they deserve better.