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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Eloisa James at her best!
As expected, full of humor and a slow building of romance that makes you anxious to see what the characters will say and do next!
Charming, delightful and bursting with an engaging hero and heroine, I could not put it down.
Loved every word!
Fast read. I liked how the h and H got along. I improved by vocabulary by looking up two words I was unsure of meaning. I really want Aunt Knowe to have a romance.
She has done it again and absolutely captured of the Wildes! A lioness not the shy demure Viola they thought she was!!! She is fierce and stronger than I ever knew!!!
This is book #5 in the Wildes of Lindow Castle.
Does a shy wallflower meet the man on her dreams?
This is the story of Miss Viola Astley and Devin Lucas Augustus Elstan, Duke of Wynter.
Viola is a painfully shy young lady who is horrified about her upcoming debut in London. She is overjoyed, though, when she meets a quiet vicar that has no interest in polite society. She catches his attention but her reputation is compromised by a duke.
Devin is a duke, certainly no saint. He is used to conquests, and he is determined to win Viola’s heart. He will stop at nothing to marry her, even when he thinks she is in love with this other man…
Even though Viola has said yes to his marriage proposal, will Devin truly capture Viola’s unruly heart?
I really enjoyed how Viola and Devin met under a set of strange circumstances… twice. I like the banter between them and the romance that develops.
It is part of a series, but i read it as a stand-alone. Now to find the others in the series.
Say Yes to the Duke by Eloisa James
5th book in The Wildes of Lindow Castle series. Historical romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Lighthearted and often amusing. I did a lot of smiling while reading this book. The heroine went from timid to confident while their relationship went from confrontational to passionate. I fell in love with both the heroine for her heart and the hero for his protectiveness and patience. Plus the two together get a little randy in their courtship which is unexpected from their characters as first portrayed.
I also love this author’s intellectual level of writing. I always have to look up several words in the dictionary. Sure, you can discern the meaning usually by the sentence but her writing is filled with amazingly Obsequious language. Don’t be put off by this. As I said, it’s understood by the sentence structure.
This struck me as the perfect extract: “His uncle guffawed.” Not a word used often but it creates a vivid image.
An auto buy author for me even though historical romance is not typically a favorite genre.
Loved it!
Loved this book. Viola is an intriguing heroine.
Not bad but expect better of this author
I’ve listened to all the books in the Wildes of Lindow Castle series on audio and loved every one. Now, more than ever, they provide the perfect escape into a world of romance, steamy sex scenes, and wonderfully eccentric characters who sometimes need saving from themselves. SAY YES TO THE DUKE was no exception, and I enjoyed every minute of the blossoming relationship between the shy wall flower who struggles to think of herself as a Wilde and the taciturn duke who misbelieves he has no understanding of love.
I adore the Wildes of Lindow Castle. They are a wonderful family, very supportive, unconventional and always loving. The heroine of Say Yes to the Duke certainly needed every ounce of care, patience and support in the early parts of the novel. She had good reasons for her fear and the resultant tumultuous tummy, but at the same time the occurrence of the reason made me grin. It certainly was memorable for me too.
Viola was a delightful heroine. I enjoyed her penchant for befriending a crow, defending cows, and her other general personality traits. She has a self-esteem issue initially and her sister, Joan, was a huge help, but it’s the man she encounters that starts her on the path of getting over her fears.
Devin, the hero, is the character that does the most growing, changing and discovering. He discovers that he can actually smile, he discovers *gasp* feelings! Devin also has had a horrid childhood that shaped how he deals with anger, relationships and responsibilities but it’s his interactions with Viola and the rest of the Wilde clan that make him realize that love, banter and ‘tender feelings’ do not make him weak. That whole journey was a joy to watch because during it all he’s falling in love with the heroine. It was majorly entertaining and I relished every moment.
I really enjoyed the play. I felt it was the turning point and the culmination for so many plot threads. It was a delight to read. Like Devin said, it was the ‘fifth act’ and it was great because it included quite a few giggles. Of course, those earlier counted ‘acts’ (1-4) were fun, saucy and quite entertaining between Devin and Viola.
The novel ends with a most adorable and sweet epilogue that is like icing on a cake. I have a happy book buzz after reading it and a smile on my face. To confirm that this novel made me feel that happy, I read it again before writing this review. Truly, Say Yes to the Duke is a charming and delightful read and one I encourage romance readers not to miss.
This is a well-written, entertaining, steamy historical romance novel. It has likable, engaging characters, a heart-warming romance, and a happily ever after ending. It is written with Ms. James’ classic wit and humor, with numerous laugh out loud moments. Ms. James never disappoints her readers! I am looking forward to reading Ophelia’s story with great anticipation.
Eloisa James never disappoints and this is one of her best. A shy, introverted daughter is compromised by a duke with a difficult childhood. He is instantly smitten while she must overcome her insecurities to come to grips with her true nature and blossom into a woman who is confident and knows what she wants. There’s a lot of sex in this one–a lot. But it seems to be a way for the more meaningful part of their relationship to push to the forefront and finally be revealed as love. Good banter with Shakespearean elements (eavesdropping and side commentary). I recommend it to those who like late 18th century historical romances.
After a shocking encounter as a young girl, Viola, the shy, stepdaughter of the Duke of Lindow, develops a shocking habit…vomiting when she’s overwhelmed in public situations…like balls, and breakfasts, and just about anywhere she has to meet new people. She’s decided she will marry the local Vicar, since she doesn’t vomit when they interact. In her haste to make him hers, she slips a note under his door at a house party and waits in the Library so they can discuss the arrangement. There is just one problem, he’s engaged already.
Devin, Duke of Wynter is looking for some respite from the Ball he’s attending. He is looking for a wife and has decided he wants Joan, daughter of the Duke of Lindow, and stepsister to Viola. He’s decided to take some time in the Library and get away from all of the marriage minded mamas and their daughters. Viola hides when she realizes it’s NOT the Vicar, then overhears the discussion with Devin’s uncle and discovers all the reasons Devin feels she’s so wrong and her sister is so right. Upon being discovered, Viola and Devin begin to talk, and she is so incensed with his description of her, she has no issue with giving him a piece of her mind…and forgets to vomit!
Taking shy Viola and pairing her with the overbearing Devin, Duke of Wynter was genius. They both learn from each other and ultimately realize they’re better together than apart. What Devin and Viola thought they wanted is so far removed from what they need, they quickly decide there is no need to wait to fulfill their destiny.
What a fun book! I love the Wildes. With all the children, I hope this is a long running series! I can’t wait for the next book.
Wonderful again! Funny and endearing too.
Say Yes To the Duke by Eloisa James is book #5 of the Wilde series. Viola Astley, the beloved stepdaughter of the Duke of Wilde, has her eyes on this handsome vicar, but Devin Elstan, Duke of Wynter, will stop at nothing to marry Viola. Their romance journey is full of witty banter and wonderful characters. We watch Devin overcomes his troubled childhood and fears of being unstable like his father while Viola deals with the feelings of unworthiness in the Wilde clan. Eloisa James delivers engaging, witty dialogues between her characters. Say Yes to the Duke is on fire with passion, stolen kisses, and a blasphemous theatrical performance.
One of my favorite authors – love all her books. Having a front row seat to watch the shy and timid h gain confidence was a triumph. The H’s attraction to the h was exciting and seeing him recognize that he loves her and needs her was everything I hope for in a romance. The transformation for each was handled very well. Loved this book and will read it again!
Great characters and storyline. Ready to read the next in series.
Such a delightful story. This is my first book by Eloisa James. I loved it so much I went ahead and got the rest of the series. I am so looking forward to reading the rest of the stories.
Fun entertaining book. Does have lots of steamy “scenes”, and glad it was while the couple are married.
This is the first book that I can remember reading which is authored by Eloisa James. It is from her highly popular Wildes of Lindow Castle series. I found that for the most part I greatly enjoyed the story and would like to read additional offerings in the series. Timid, tongue-tied, Viola Astley, a step-daughter of the Duke of Lindow, makes her debut in society and manages to attract the attention of Devin Elstan, Duke of Wynter. He is determined to have her. She wants nothing to do with the Duke. After meeting the new vicar, she is love-struck, and feels life with him in the country is preferable to life in society. One thing stands in the way, he is already betrothed.
I enjoyed the contrasting stories going on with Olivia trying to gain the attention of the vicar, the Duke trying to gain the interest of Olivia, and the side stories going on with the vicar’s unlikable betrothed, Otis, Devin’s cousin, Olivia’s step-sister, and her best friend. I thought the dialogue was good and the banter between Olivia and Devin very witty. I loved Olivia’s pets as well as the humor in this work, especially regarding the Biblical play. There is some steam to the story of Olivia and Devin but it was not offensive. This is an engaging read worthy of 4 stars with a steam level of 3.