A shy wallflower meets her dream man–or does she?–in the next book in New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James’ Wildes of Lindow series. Miss Viola Astley is so painfully shy that she’s horrified by the mere idea of dancing with a stranger; her upcoming London debut feels like a nightmare. So she’s overjoyed to meet handsome, quiet vicar with no interest in polite society — but just … no interest in polite society — but just when she catches his attention, her reputation is compromised by a duke.
Devin Lucas Augustus Elstan, Duke of Wynter, will stop at nothing to marry Viola, including marrying a woman whom he believes to be in love with another man.
A vicar, no less.
Devin knows he’s no saint, but he’s used to conquest, and he’s determined to win Viola’s heart.
Viola has already said Yes to his proposal, but now he wants her unruly heart…and he won’t accept No for an answer.
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I adored this latest by Eloisa James. Of course, I find the Wilde series to be one of my favorites. Say Yes was a perfect summer read. Eloisa’s trademark wit and steamy scenes did not disappoint. If you haven’t read it, pick up a copy! XO
Say Yes to the Duke is enchanting, lovely and romantic! I adored Viola’s shyness as well as her courage! I loved Devin’s fierceness along with Gus tenderness! This book is a delightful and passionate story which I enjoyed immensely!
Viola Astley, The Duke of Lindow’s stepdaughter has been raised as a Wilde, but never felt that she fit in. Unlike her bold and outgoing siblings, Viola is shy and timid , so shy and timid, that she makes herself ill and has on numerous occasions cast up her accounts, like the time when she was 15 and interrupted an amorous couple in the servants hall and caused the man to fly into a rage when he assumed his lover was trying to trap him, he bellowed at the woman and left – the woman who was indeed trying to trap him then screamed at Viola – who promptly lost her lunch on the woman’s hem. It was then that Viola realized she might never marry. Years pass and Viola’s fears only grow worse, she avoids social events as much as possible and has become a wallflower, she is sure she will be a spinster. But all that changes when Viola falls in love with the duke’s new vicar, Mr. Marlowe. Too bad he is already betrothed…
Devin Lucas Augustus Elstan, the Duke of Wynter is fighting with his cousin Otis, Otis has told Devin that he has changed his mind, he doesn’t want to be a vicar anymore and that he is going to travel abroad and find an heiress to wed. Devin convinces him to stay until they find another vicar, he also mentions that he is playing on marrying – he has already chosen his bride, Lady Joan Wilde. Otis warns that he will have a lot of competition, but Devin isn’t worried, he wants Joan and he gets what he wants.
Viola hatches a plan, she needs to get over her shyness (a task that Joan is helping her with) and show Mr. Marlowe that she is the perfect wife for him. She arranges a meeting in the library on the night of her debut ball. But when she arrives in the library, it is already occupied – she hides and hears Devin and his uncle talking – Sir Reginald tells Devin that Viola would be the perfect bride for him – Devin disagrees, he says that she isn’t really a Wilde and that she is a timid mouse. His uncle tells him he is wrong and that if he wants to get technical – Lady Joan isn’t a Wilde either. Devin doesn’t care, he wants Joan, end of story. When his uncle leaves, Mr. Marlowe arrives and Viola comes out of hiding. She makes comments that let Devin know that she heard him talking about her. Devin sends Mr. Marlowe away and escorts Viola back to the ball, on the way she gives him a proper set down and Devin admits that she is not the mouse he thought she was, intrigued he askes to escort her to supper – NO and she fobs him off on another woman he criticized.
Devin realizes his uncle was right, Lady Joan is not right for him, but Viola is perfect. He sets out to win her away from the vicar by means fair or foul. Even if he has to take advice from his cousin Otis, even if he has to woo her, even if he has to hire Mr. Marlowe away from the duke. But winning her is only part of it, soon he realizes he wants it all, her body, her heart and her love, a task made harder when he learns that he is the man that terrified her all those years ago…
I have enjoyed all the books in this series, but I LOVED this book, it is a well written, delightful, uncomplicated, steamyish read with wonderful characters and plenty of witty banter. Devin is a wonderful hero with a troubled childhood and fears of being unstable like his father and Viola wrestles with feelings of unworthiness and feeling like she doesn’t belong. I just love how together they learn to move on and find happiness. If you are looking for a fun, lighthearted read, look no further, this is that book.
This is the fifth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title. I highly recommend this series and this title especially.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*
Witty, steamy, and utterly romantic. It’s not the kind of book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Instead, you sink in slowly, like a comforting hot bath. Delightful.
Say Yes to this book, Say Yes to this series, Say Yes to Eloisa James, Say Yes to Devon. As you can tell I loved this book, I loved Viola and Devon together. How can you not love them together, Devon and Viola just worked, they each gave the other what they needed and secretly wanted. I love all the Wilde family members. I should not have started reading this book at night, because this book was so good, I could not put it down. What I could not finish at night I finished the whole next day, and it was worth it.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest opinion.
A lovely story. This is just what I needed to read, something light and fun. I love the characters in this story. Devin and Viola are sweet and a little out of place in the world of peers. Devin is kind of a nerd duke and Viola is just out of her element with all the “wild” Wildes. They find each other and find love. Viola wants to live a peaceful life and has decided on the vicar but fate plays into the equation and Devin steps into her life. Their story is one that will make you feel good.
I received a complimentary copy from publisher through NetGalley.
Perfect! That is what this book was. This is one of those reads where all the stars seem to align to aid in creating that special something that melts your heart and steals your breath. I loved the changes that love brought about in both Viola and Devin. I found Violet exceedingly easy to connect with. Her duality is something I can personally relate to. Devin was much more than you might expect and I always find it very appealing when the hero is so sure of what he wants, right up until he actually stumbles across what he truly needs and then he’s all in. Sweet, heartfelt, cute and epically swoon worthy, their romance has easily earned a place on my keeper shelf. This is my freely posted, frank review.
Miss Viola Astley is so painfully shy that she’s horrified by the mere idea of dancing with a stranger; her upcoming London debut feels like a nightmare. So she’s overjoyed to meet handsome, quiet vicar with no interest in polite society – but just when she catches his attention, her reputation is compromised by a duke. Devin Lucas Augustus Elstan, Duke of Wynter, will stop at nothing to marry Viola, including marrying a woman whom he believes to be in love with another man.
A vicar, no less.
This is the fifth book in this lovely, lovely series. I adored Viola who is shy & lacking in self esteem feeling she is inferior as she’s only a step daughter. I thought at first that I wouldn’t love Devin but he was gorgeous. I loved how their relationship developed & how he boosted her confidence. A captivating, engrossing read that made me smile SO much, exactly what I needed at this time & I think this is my favourite of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Though part of a grand, ducal blended family, Miss Viola Astley is crippled by her shyness and anxiety and doesn’t feel she belongs. She dreads even speaking to a stranger and her upcoming London debut is the stuff of her nightmares. When a handsome new vicar moves onto her family’s estate, Viola is thrilled to find she’s not nervous around him. He seems like the perfect man for her and a great way to avoid society. Unfortunately, he’s already betrothed.
Viola contemplates how to save the vicar from his shrewish fiancé and just as she begins to catch his attention, she finds herself even more drawn to a previously disagreeable duke, only to find her reputation compromised by said duke and a wedding eminent.
Devin Elstan, the Duke of Wynter, finds all of his ideas about what he wanted in a wife completely turned on their head by Viola and becomes determined to marry her. Too bad she’s in love with another man. After they’re caught in a compromising position, Devin is bent on winning not only Viola’s hand, but also her heart and he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants.
To be perfectly honest, I did find this one to be just a bit disappointing given how much I loved the previous book. I never really connected much with the characters, which surprised me as I also suffer from at times crippling shyness, though not quite to the extent Viola did. That said, both Viola and Devin exhibited great development, both as individuals and as a couple, and their relationship actually wound up being very romantic. I did find the pacing a bit odd, with several lulls and I wasn’t a fan of the opening scene being an intimate one between the hero and another woman; even though it was before he met the heroine and is of course realistic, I’m not a fan of reading it on the page. Though this was slightly slow and not quite what I was expecting, it was exactly what I needed to read right now. It was light, low on angst, and the secondary characters stole the show. The exploration of learning to love and accept love was also lovely and even though Viola was at times frustratingly immature, she and Devin wound up being utterly charming together. I only wish Viola had put the past behind her sooner and stopped bring up a rather understandable situation so often; it just didn’t make much sense to me that it affected her so thoroughly. No matter. This was still an enjoyable, light read and just right for right now. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, perhaps Joan’s story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Another winner in the Wilde series!
The characters in this book will make you laugh and cry and giggle! The continuing story of the Wilde family finds them as engaging as the ones before and gives us a glimpse into their life after their own HEA.
I loved how the Duke changes during this book from a solitary man hiding his caring side, to a more open and loving person and Viola finds that she is stronger that she believes. Visiting the Wilde family again is a joy! Eloisa has such a talent in giving us characters that become friends that we want to visit again and again!
Watching the love story between Viola and Devin grow and the changes that love brings into their lives made this book a very enjoyable read! Bravo, Eloisa on another fantastic read!!
The meet in the worst way.
Viola, in her own house at her first ball and at the age of fifteen, had a traumatic meeting with Devin. He was publicly tupping his mistress. She never knew his name and he threw an epic rage, she developed an intense social anxiety for three or four years.
Now, she’s a little older and just made her debut ball meets Devin again, when he’s dismissing her and confirming all her worst fears about herself. In her own house.
Devin is a duke with a traumatic upbringing.
He’s big and austere.
What I liked?
They did have a good connection and chemistry and were a good match. And the extended closet scene.
What I didn’t?
That Devin was having sex with another woman and Viola witnessed it as a young teenager. This was dismissed too easily. That he thought of his mistress a lot and on his wedding day. That they too often recreated their original meeting only with Viola in place of the mistress (like all the time, including the closet with the slightly open door).
Don’t get me wrong. I really liked this book, but there’s just a couple of things that didn’t sit well with me and really bugged me.
I liked both Devin and Viola.
Recommend.
Say Yes to the Duke is the fifth book of the series The Wildes of Lindow Castle by Eloisa James. I didn’t read the first four yet, which I shall have to amend, and I didn’t feel the least bit lost. It’s been a while since I’ve read one of her books, and I am reminded why she is one of my favorite authors of all time. I feel bad I didn’t give this book the justice it deserved and it took over a month for me to finish it; however, between the time I started it and when I finished, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a bilateral mastectomy. (All cancer gone and no chemo…WOOHOO!)
Miss Viola Astley didn’t have ducal blood in her veins, but she was raised by one. Compared to the rest of the Wildes, she was painfully shy, especially after a bit of a traumatic event when she was 15 years old. She was more comfortable hanging out in the cow shed with her pet cows or spending time with her rescue crow Barty than she was attending ton events. She knew she’d have to marry eventually and set her sights on the new vicar, the quiet Mr. Marlowe; she knew she wouldn’t have to spend time in society with him. Meanwhile, Devin Elstan, the Duke of Wynter, knew he’d have to marry, so he decided to marry a REAL Wilde. However, he couldn’t help but be captivated by Viola. They became friends while Viola tried to entice Mr. Marlowe away from his horrid fiancee. Devin knew he had to have her for himself, and got his wish when they were compromised. Things were going swimmingly…but what would happen when Viola realized she had met Devin previously and things had not gone well?
I found this book totally enchanting! I saw other reviewers state they did not find Viola’s change from being painfully shy to outgoing to be believable. However, I disagree. I believe the power of the friendship she had with Devin helped her to bloom and become more confident. She was such a sweet and funny young woman when she blossomed, and I loved her relationship with Joan and particularly Barty the crow. I found the entire Wilde clan’s acceptance of a pet crow to be a normal thing endearing. Devin was a marvelous hero and I loved his growth from a cold austere mathematician to a passionate husband. He had a lot to overcome, as his father was always enraged and his mother chose to leave her young son behind when she left. His building friendship and passionate love for his wife was beautiful. And the steamy bits? Oh, the steamy bits! ***Fans face*** This wasn’t an action-packed romance if that’s what you’re looking for, but an absolutely lovely, funny and sweet romance between two totally different people. I dare you to read this story without smiling!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own
I love Eloisa James
Wonderful author!
If a book is written by Eloisa James, I get it right away!
Entertaining enough, but nothing special.
Loved it. Laughed out loud at some of the dialogue.
Not good! Too many characters I did not care for, hard to finish …a disappointment! Felt like Ms James had to write book to fulfill contract obligations.
A gorgeous story, so well crafted by Eloisa James.
Viola a shy wallflower and Devin the Duke of Wynter were so dreamy together, he understands her, and they have great chemistry. She thinks she’s in love with a Vicar, until she falls head over heels for Devin. Great scenes full of witty banter, humour, steamy scenes and happily love ever after 🙂
Eloisa James is such a talented storyteller that all her books are such a pleasure to read. They are infused with wonderful characters, enchanting storylines, vivid descriptions, delightful banter and amusing animals. I’ve waited for my number to come up at my public library to get my hands on this book. I as not disappointed.
The Duke of Lindow adores all his children, those he sired and those he adopted, especially his girls. His step daughter, Viola Astley, however, has never felt like a Wilde, She doesn’t look like them and she doesn’t have their temperment. She is very shy, to the point that she would prefer dining in her room, when they had guests and threw up at her first ball. She became enamored of the new vicar, because aside from him being beautiful to look at, he doesn’t make her nauseous. And waiting to meet him is how she overheard Devin Luca Augustus Elstan, Duke of Wynter, telling his uncle that it was her sister Jown that he would be interested in. But when meeting both of them at a ball, he realizes that Viola is the one that he wants as his duchess, but can he convince her? Looking forward to the next Wildes of Lindow Castle.