One of Cosmopolitan’s Best Books of 2017!Lord Alaric Wilde, son of the Duke of Lindow, is the most celebrated man in England, revered for his dangerous adventures and rakish good looks. Arriving home from years abroad, he has no idea of his own celebrity until his boat is met by mobs of screaming ladies. Alaric escapes to his father’s castle, but just as he grasps that he’s not only famous but … grasps that he’s not only famous but notorious, he encounters the very private, very witty, Miss Willa Ffynche.
Willa presents the façade of a serene young lady to the world. Her love of books and bawdy jokes is purely for the delight of her intimate friends. She wants nothing to do with a man whose private life is splashed over every newspaper.
Alaric has never met a woman he wanted for his own . . . until he meets Willa. He’s never lost a battle.
But a spirited woman like Willa isn’t going to make it easy. . . .
The first book in Eloisa James’s dazzling new series set in the Georgian period glows with her trademark wit and sexy charm—and introduces a large, eccentric family. Readers will love the Wildes of Lindow Castle!
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This Georgian Era novel was certainly something different from Eloisa James. The idea of a house party that goes on for weeks, the introduction of a skunk and a territorial tomcat all served to enrich the plot. I have to say the last 100 pages were fantastic with a long-awaited plot twist. Thank heavens for cork bustles!
The heroine’s name is Willa, so you know I had to read it. She’s stubborn and a perfect match for the hero.
As usual, Eloisa James creates another cast of wonderful characters to begin a new series set in the late Georgian era. This tale includes witty repartee, unusual pets, a setting perfect for the climatic third act, and a mad villainess. House parties have never been more fun.
Couldn’t put it down!
No surprise that I enjoyed this book as I’ve never met an Eloisa James book that I didn’t. Alaric is swoon worthy from his first appearance, and to watch as he sweetly and irrevocably falls for Willa (his Evie) is a real pleasure. While she fights the attraction, he surrenders to it which is a refreshing turnabout from most historical romances. This was a good introduction to a new family series, and I’m looking forward to reading North’s story next. On a personal note, loved her pet Sweetpea’s name as it reminded me of my nickname for my own children.
What a wonderful start to a new series!
Lord Alaric Wilde aka Lord Wilde, author, adventurer and son of the Duke of Lindow is back in England after years of traveling. He was expecting a hot bath, a cup of tea and a quiet reunion with his family to mourn the death of his eldest brother but what he got was a mob of ladies clamoring to meet the infamous Lord Wilde. Unbeknownst to Alaric, someone has adapted and embellished his books into a play titled “Wilde in Love”” and the women of England can’t wait to meet him and console him after the tragic death of his beloved. His fame or infamy comes as a shock to Alaric and he has to disguise himself to escape.
Miss Wilhelmina Ffynche aka Willa and her friend Lavinia are attending a house party at Lindow Castle, in honor of the betrothal of their friend Diana and the duke’s heir and Alaric’s older brother Lord Roland Northbridge Wilde (aka North). Lavinia is overjoyed that Lord Wilde will be there, she has read all his books and has purchased several prints of his adventures, Willa is not as enthused, she has not read any of his books and has spent the last three years listening to Lavinia gush over the man. So it comes as a bit of shock to her when she first meets him and finds herself reluctantly attracted to him.
Alaric is fascinated by Willa, not only is she lovely and intelligent – but she has absolutely no interest in fawning over him like the rest of the women attending the party.
Willa has no interest whatsoever in Alaric, she is a very private person and the thought of having a husband who is adored and pursued by countless women is abhorrent to her. She is sure that his books are made up and the man himself is unreliable. She tries to avoid him as much as she can without being rude, but the more she tries to avoid him, the more determined he becomes.
Willa grudgingly accepts Alaric’s presence and even begins to like the real Lord Alaric, but she still has no desire to form any attachment to a man that is most likely going to leave again and is stalked by hordes of women. So when a crazed woman appears at the party and announces that she is Alaric’s deceased beloved, Willa pretends to be his betrothed to discourage the woman.
Alaric see this as an opportunity to woo Willa, he has decided that she is the woman for him and he will win her!
This book is delightful, it a well written, engaging and witty read. The introduction of secondary characters (who will presumably have books of their own) was done perfectly, they enhanced the story of Willa and Alaric instead of distracting the reader, there are mischievous siblings, a pet skunk, a crazy stalker, a hero who doesn’t mince words with other women, a bog and finally a wonderfully done HEA – with an epilogue!!
I loved this book, I am happy to recommend it and I am looking forward to Roland’s book (Ms. James set his book up with a bit of a cliffhanger in this story).
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher*
Great fun – easy to read, wonderfully quirky characters with a charmingly different hero and heroine.
An Eloisa James book through and through – so fun and charming and romantic!
As usual, I love everything written by Eloisa James. This series proved no different. Alaric decides to finally come home after traveling the world and writing of his adventures. Willa is probably the only woman in London not only not fawning all over him, but one who actually doesn’t even like him very much. A great story telling of wanting what we think we can’t have.
The author is supposedly a professor of literature. This book reads like it is about 2 13year old silly girls. This is not up to her usual standards. She can do better. Maybe she is churning things out too quickly.
very entertaining read I really enjoyed it.
Loved the while series.
the story was normal regency with unexpected twists … some high drama and delusions. an entertaining read.
I enjoyed this book and initially found it to be well written and engaging with good character development. However, about 1/3 of the way into the story it just devolved into a nonstop round of necking, almost-sex, sex, etc. At that point character development stopped and the book became far less interesting.
I love this
wilde series and I love Eloise James’s books.
Anything by Eloisa James is well written and entertaining.
It’s surprisingly good. I have gone on to read the orhers too.
Although a bit of this book was predictable, a good bit was unexpected and the plot kept taking twists and turns which ranged from delightfully humorous to a bit unrealistic but kept my interest. I found myself turning to it with a sense of “this will be full of pleasurable moments” and it rarely disappointed. I read a variety of books and this met my need for something to make me smile and chuckle. Very enjoyable reading!
Thoroughly enjoyed. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good, colorful romance story.
Love Eloisa James’ books!