No one is more surprised than Lord North when he returns from war to find his ex-fiancee in his ancestral home…working as a governess in a sexy, fiery new Wildes of Lindow Castle romance by New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James…
The handsome, rakish heir to a dukedom, Lord Roland Northbridge Wilde—known to his friends as North—left England two years ago, after being jilted by Miss … England two years ago, after being jilted by Miss Diana Belgrave. He returns from war to find that he’s notorious: polite society has ruled him “too wild to wed.”
Diana never meant to tarnish North’s reputation, or his heart, but in her rush to save a helpless child, there was no time to consider the consequences of working as a governess in Lindow Castle. Now everyone has drawn the worst conclusions about the child’s father, and Diana is left with bittersweet regret.
When North makes it clear that he still wants her for his own, scandal or no, Diana has to fight to keep from losing her heart to the man whom she still has no intention of marrying.
Yet North is returning a hardened warrior—and this is one battle he’s determined to win.
He wants Diana, and he’ll risk everything to call her his own.
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This was so much fun! North is a fabulous hero. And Diana! I loved our jilting heroine for her genuine, free spirit. Wait until you get to the barmaid scene!
Read this right away. It’s great. Except you’ll really want a butler like Prism when you’re through.
Too Wilde to Wed is the second installment of Eloisa James’ Wildes of Lindow Castle series, featuring the very large and entertaining Wilde family. I have read the earlier book, Wilde in Love, but I think you can get by reading this one as a standalone if absolutely necessary (though you will miss some of the backstory).
Our hero in this story is Lord Roland Northbridge Wilde (a/k/a North), heir to the dukedom. After being jilted by his fiance and coming to an incorrect assumption, North enlisted in the royal army and went off to fight the Revolutionary War in the Colonies. In the first book, North had turned himself into a ridiculous dandy wearing saffron pantaloons and coats embroidered with cherries, all to gain the attention of a woman. But North has returned from the war and different, and less pretentious man. I really liked him as a hero. He was patient and understanding, and had a touch of vulnerability in dealing with his time in the war. He treated our heroine exceedingly well, but he wasn’t the “nice guy that finishes last.” North could steam up the sheets and steamroll his way when the situation really warranted it.
Our heroine is Miss Diana Belgrave, formerly a diamond of the first water despite her inauspicious grandparentage. We saw her in Wilde in Love wearing ridiculously tall coiffures and dazzling dresses, but not showing much personality. It was quite a surprise that she would jilt a duke, but we learn that she did so in order to care for a child. Diana was quite altruistic, and she has turned a complete 180 degrees personality-wise. She is now outspoken, messy, and displaying her own coppery red tresses and freckles. Unfortunately, she was not at all prepared for a life of self-sufficiency – she can’t do math or make change (among other things). She begins the book deceiving a large number of people without thought to the consequences, but I’m happy to report that it didn’t last too long as deception is one of my pet peeves in romance. I was a little disappointed in her reluctance when it came to our hero, and wished she would have come to her senses sooner. But you have to admire a girl who gives up a life of comfort to care for someone less fortunate.
The relationship between North and Diana was just a little hot and cold. They made great friends and I loved how she helped him cope with the tragedies he experienced. I thought they had great chemistry and it was clear they cared for one another… which is why Diana’s reluctance bothered me. I definitely did not predict the outcome that finally solidify the relationship.
I continue to like all of the secondary characters. Lady Knowe, the lovable aunt, wasn’t as zany in this installment. I feel like she was more of a “character” in the previous book. Based on happenings in this story, I feel like we will see Lavinia as the next heroine, and she promises to be entertaining.
I recommend this story to fans of Eloisa James, second-chance and historical romance. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Avon.
If you’re looking for a whimsical historical romance, Eloisa James never disappoints. North gets a hard-won HEA with Diana, though all throughout the book, we’re never quite sure how this couple is going to get there. Love all the twists and turns in this “modernish” historical!
A Dynamite High 5 Stars for Too Wilde to Wed by New York Times Bestselling author Eloisa James. Too wild is correct, this is an amazingly sensual tale that will leave you breathless. Lord Roland Northbridge or Wilde to his friends had departed England several years ago after his heart was broken and his engagement dropped by Miss Diana Belgrave. Although his heart was horribly broken he’s never given up on Diana and he wants her for his own. He fights for her and begins to feel his heart is growing everytime he’s in her presence. Can he get Diana back and make her his own?
James’ writing is impeccable and the story is so deep and passion just pours from the pages. I absolutely fell in love with Lord Roland and was rooting for him all the way through. He’s a strong character with this exterior that comes of very rugged and distant; however, deep inside he’s a very passionate and loving man. If you love a good passionate romance, then this is the book for you!
Oh goodness, this one was wonderful!
After reading the first book in the series ( Wilde in Love ) I was beyond anxious to find out what would happen in North and Diana’s book. I am happy to report that it did not disappoint! (There are all kinds of teasers for their story in book one, though if you haven’t read it yet, you do find out all the important details here, so no worries. Seriously, though, read the first book too–this series is so good, y’all! I can’t tell you how glad I am that the head of the family is so…fecund 😉 So many more books to look forward to…)
Even though North and Diana were engaged for a good portion of the first book, it turns out that neither of them really knew the other person very well. They didn’t know each other at all, really–so watching them get reacquainted here is nothing short of delicious.
As in book one, so many scenes that have more than one Wilde family member in them were laugh-out-loud funny. The youngest Wilde sibling, Artie (short for Artemisa), is absolutely delightful, whether she’s spending time with Diana, Godfrey (Diana’s nephew), Livinia (Diana’s cousin), North, or her mother Ophelia. When the Duke and his wife bring back many of North’s younger siblings to welcome him home–expect (hilarious) mayhem. Once again, scandalous Lord Wilde prints will be used for creative purposes. And don’t even get me started on the Wilde family trip to the Beetle & Cheese…OMG 🙂
For much of the book, it was hard to see how North and Diana would be able to end up together. Even though they clearly had fantastic chemistry and truly cared for each other, she really didn’t want to be a duchess, and he is next in line for the title. Can this relationship be saved? (Spoiler: yes, of course; it’s an Eloisa James book!)
A word of warning: the final chapter will practically have you salivating for the next book in the series ( Born to Be Wilde ), but you’ll have to wait until the end of July to read it. I’m sure Ms. James will make it worth the wait, though!
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I adore this book. I think it’s one of the best in the series. I love this series as much as I love the Essex Sisters by Eloisa James. It’s definitely on my keeper shelf!
3.5 stars, rounded up.
At the end of Wilde in Love, Diana runs away from her betrothal party and jilts Lord Roland “North” Wilde. Months later he finds her in a cottage with a baby. Assuming she was with another man, he leaves to fight the war in America. Two years later, he is back and his reputation is ruined, Diana is a Linlow Castle working as a governess to his youngest sister and presumably his bastard son. North wants answers!
Diana never wanted to be a duchess, but if she refused to play along with her mother’s scheme, her sister and nephew would be hurt. She agrees to marry North, but she was desperately unhappy, North didn’t know the real Diana, only the perfect lady she presented to win him. Her sister died right before her betrothal party and a heartbroken Diana is forced to go, but when she learns that her mother has sent her nephew to an orphanage, she flees without a word. Months later she is living with Godfrey (her nephew) when North finds her, she says she is sorry, but he leaves before she can explain. Later his Aunt Knowes finds her and brings her to the castle. Diana was nearly destitute and let everyone believe that Godfrey was North’s son. Gossip spreads and North is painted as a villain.
Upon his return, he realizes that he is still in love with Diana and that he never really knew her. Diana tries to apologize and tells North the whole story, he is shocked and ashamed that he didn’t know or give her a chance to explain. They form a friendship and North is determined to make things up to her. He offers marriage, which she refuses, repeatedly. They spend time together and North falls further in love, she calms him, he is suffering from his time at war, he feels guilty about the men lost and can’t sleep or eat. But when he is with Diana, she seems to know exactly what he needs and with her, he finds peace.
North knows he should give up his quest for her, but he just can’t stay away. He is at a loss, everyone agrees that she is not cut out to be a duchess, but he wants her still. For her part, Diana care for North, but knows she would be miserable as a duchess and has to refuse him, but she too is drawn to him.
The return of her cousin from France, finally sets things in motion to restore both hers and North’s reputations, so when North proposes and is rejected once again, he makes another offer – one Diana also refuses. But that offer is a catalyst and forces her to make a decision about hers and Godfrey’s future, one that does not include North.
But a well timed rescue, words of wisdom from the mouth of babes and a shocking pronouncement may finally bring these two the HEA they deserve.
I liked this book, but I didn’t love it nearly as much as I did the first book. I got tired of Diana’s nonsense and thought North was just too good to be true. In true Eloisa James fashion, the story moves right along, is well written, steamy & has plenty of witty banter, ridiculous scenarios, likable secondary characters and a HEA, this book also has a very sweet epilogue and sets up the next book very nicely. This is the second book in the series and I personally think they should be read in order, but I think you could probably read this as a standalone title with no real problem.
Simply amazing. Hot guy on the cover. The Wildes continue to live up to their name. Eloisa James dazzles the reader with the witty conversations of her characters. She makes them amazingly human and lovable. Artie is so very cute and funny. Everyone should start reading this series from the beginning. You will find yourself smiling and never wanting the story to end.
Another great read from Eloisa. My favourite part was the lively dialogue in the middle. So much fun.
Too Wilde to Wed by Eloisa James is an enchanting second chance romance. The characters and their story captivated me. The novel touches upon the themes of grief, family values and provides insight into the social attitudes of the 1780’s.
Imagine North’s surprise when he returns home from the colonies and finds his former fiancé working as his family’s governess? And that she implied that three- year old Godfrey might be his child? I loved the first few chapters of this book! The conversations between North and Diana and the antics of Artie and Godfrey drew me into the story.
Both characters struggled with loss. Diana confesses to North the reason she was unhappy at their betrothal party and why she ran away from him. This conversation changed the playing field for North and Diana as North realized that Diana was ashamed of her decision to jilt him. He understood that she made her decision to set him free. This story technique was an excellent choice as it allowed the characters to start over as friends. Diana realizes that North is having difficulties adjusting to civilian life. She comforts him because she realizes that he needs to feel safe and listens to him as she realizes he needs a friend. I enjoyed the couple’s conversations over buttered toast with honey. The couple is given a second chance to get to know each other without fancy clothes, wigs or powdered faces.
Too Wilde to Wed is a feel good story. North and Diana’s relationship develops perfectly. Loved North and Diana and their storybook second chance at love. Lady Knowe, Artie and Godfrey almost stole the show—such great secondary characters who add warmth, depth and humor to this enjoyable novel! The novel flows perfectly. Eloisa James’ witty, engaging dialogue brings each one of her characters to life. The last few chapters of the book contained a few plot twists and turns. And the epilogue was perfect!
Eloisa James has written a historical romance with all the feels—great dialogue, relatable characters with a heartwarming journey! Can’t wait for the next story in the series!
I’m wild about the Wildes! I know. I know. It’s probably been said a thousand times, and I know it will be said a million times more, but it’s the most perfect way to express how I feel about this marvelous series.
I’ve been wondering since the first book what the heck was going on with North and Diana. Their relationship in the first book felt so awkward and weird, and the anticipation of finding out what happens next nearly killed me. And not to ruin anything, but it was soooo worth the wait. I’m still recovering from the deep swoon that this story left me in.
It was adorable. It was hilarious. It was heartbreaking. It was perfect. I adore North and Diana. I loved how comfortable they were with each other in this book. James’ ability to flawlessly put body language and witty banter to page made this story feel very real to me. Is it weird that I want to be best friends with Diana and North now?
This book was everything. It sucked me in immediately, and by the end of it, I felt like I was embraced by one of the best kind of hugs there is. Do yourself a favor and read it. It was an interesting and very well-written story with a fabulous bunch of characters. I wish I could experience for the first time all over again.
Absolutely delightful. Lots of meaningful conversations between North and Diana clearing up misunderstandings of the past and allowing them to get to know one another better. I love that North fell for Diana because of her laughter. I love that Diana takes care of North as no one else can.
I particularly liked the seamless inclusion of the household staff in the story in a way that is natural a la Downton Abbey. Prism, Mabel, even Boodle provide not only comic relief, but also bring realism to this fictional work.
As always with EJ’s books, Too Wilde to Wed has a cast of hundreds, all of them with distinct personalities. The kids Artie and Godfrey especially, are adorable. Ms. James is hard on the mothers, though – Mrs. Belgrave and Lady Gray will not win any Mother-of-the-Year awards.
This series is turning out to be quite enjoyable. I’m looking forward to Lavinia and Parth’s romance in Born to be Wilde.
Eloisa James is one of my favorite authors!
Wonderful, as all her books are!
Love all the books in this series. Great characters.
Always enjoy Eloisa James’ books!
Some steam but not sleazy—never sounded like a doggedly determined How-To or Play-by-play manual. Good characters, interesting if mostly predictable plot.
Wilde series are an enjoyable read.
Love this series and really want Aunt Knowe to find love. Diana is my least liked character in the series. What a twit! Why North still wanted her was beyond me.
Enjoy this series of her work.