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The Wildes of Lindow Castle #4
Say No to the Duke
'Nothing gets me to a bookstore faster than Eloisa James' Julia QuinnA wager pits an adventure in disguise against a scandalous night with a rake in the light-hearted, sexy, new Wildes of Lindow Castle romance by New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James.Lady Betsy Wilde's first season was triumphant by any measure, and a duke has proposed - but before marriage, she longs for one last adventure. No gentleman would agree to her scandalous plan - but Lord Jeremy Roden is no gentleman.He offers a wager. If she wins a billiards game, he'll provide the breeches. If he wins . . . she is his, for one wild night.But what happens after Jeremy realises that one night will never be enough He'll have to convince Betsy to say no to the duke.The fourth book in New York Times bestselling Eloisa James's new series, the Wildes of Lindow Castle, is perfect for fans of Julia Quinn's Bridgertons and Eloisa's Desperate DuchessesThe Wildes of Lindow Castle in LoveToo Wilde to WedBorn to Be WildeReluctantly a LadyPraise for Eloisa James is extraordinary' Lisa Kleypas'Smart heroines, sensual heroes, witty repartee and a penchant for delicious romance have made James a fan favorite . . . readers will be hooked from beginning to end' RT Book Reviews'Romance writing does not get much better than this' People'Eloisa James writes with a captivating blend of charm, style, and grace that never fails to leave the reader sighing and smiling and falling in love' Julia Quinn'Charming, romantic and unexpectedly funny' Kirkus
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2019
1336 people are currently reading
3993 people want to read
About the author
Eloisa James
123 books9,556 followersNew York Times bestselling author Eloisa James writes historical romances for HarperCollins Publishers. Her novels have been published to great acclaim. A reviewer from USA Today wrote of Eloisa's very first book that she "found herself devouring the book like a dieter with a Hershey bar"; later People Magazine raved that "romance writing does not get much better than this." Her novels have repeatedly received starred reviews from Publishers' Weekly and Library Journal and regularly appear on the best-seller lists.
After graduating from Harvard University, Eloisa got an M.Phil. from Oxford University, a Ph.D. from Yale and eventually became a Shakespeare professor, publishing an academic book with Oxford University Press. Currently she is an associate professor and head of the Creative Writing program at Fordham University in New York City. Her "double life" is a source of fascination to the media and her readers. In her professorial guise, she's written a New York Times op-ed defending romance, as well as articles published everywhere from women's magazines such as More to writers' journals such as the Romance Writers' Report.
Eloisa...on her double life:
When I'm not writing novels, I'm a Shakespeare professor. It's rather like having two lives. The other day I bought a delicious pink suit to tape a television segment on romance; I'll never wear that suit to teach in, nor even to give a paper at the Shakespeare Association of America conference. It's like being Superman, with power suits for both lives. Yet the literature professor in me certainly plays into my romances. The Taming of the Duke (April 2006) has obvious Shakespearean resonances, as do many of my novels. I often weave early modern poetry into my work; the same novel might contain bits of Catullus, Shakespeare and anonymous bawdy ballads from the 16th century.
When I rip off my power suit, whether it's academic or romantic, underneath is the rather tired, chocolate-stained sweatshirt of a mom. Just as I use Shakespeare in my romances, I almost always employ my experiences as a mother. When I wrote about a miscarriage in Midnight Pleasures, I used my own fears of premature birth; when the little girl in Fool For Love threw up and threw up, I described my own daughter, who had that unsavory habit for well over her first year of life.
So I'm a writer, a professor, a mother - and a wife. My husband Alessandro is Italian, born in Florence. We spend the lazy summer months with his mother and sister in Italy. It always strikes me as a huge irony that as a romance writer I find myself married to a knight, a cavaliere, as you say in Italian.
One more thing...I'm a friend. I have girlfriends who are writers and girlfriends who are Shakespeare professors. And I have girlfriends who are romance readers. In fact, we have something of a community going on my website. Please stop by and join the conversation on my readers' pages.
After graduating from Harvard University, Eloisa got an M.Phil. from Oxford University, a Ph.D. from Yale and eventually became a Shakespeare professor, publishing an academic book with Oxford University Press. Currently she is an associate professor and head of the Creative Writing program at Fordham University in New York City. Her "double life" is a source of fascination to the media and her readers. In her professorial guise, she's written a New York Times op-ed defending romance, as well as articles published everywhere from women's magazines such as More to writers' journals such as the Romance Writers' Report.
Eloisa...on her double life:
When I'm not writing novels, I'm a Shakespeare professor. It's rather like having two lives. The other day I bought a delicious pink suit to tape a television segment on romance; I'll never wear that suit to teach in, nor even to give a paper at the Shakespeare Association of America conference. It's like being Superman, with power suits for both lives. Yet the literature professor in me certainly plays into my romances. The Taming of the Duke (April 2006) has obvious Shakespearean resonances, as do many of my novels. I often weave early modern poetry into my work; the same novel might contain bits of Catullus, Shakespeare and anonymous bawdy ballads from the 16th century.
When I rip off my power suit, whether it's academic or romantic, underneath is the rather tired, chocolate-stained sweatshirt of a mom. Just as I use Shakespeare in my romances, I almost always employ my experiences as a mother. When I wrote about a miscarriage in Midnight Pleasures, I used my own fears of premature birth; when the little girl in Fool For Love threw up and threw up, I described my own daughter, who had that unsavory habit for well over her first year of life.
So I'm a writer, a professor, a mother - and a wife. My husband Alessandro is Italian, born in Florence. We spend the lazy summer months with his mother and sister in Italy. It always strikes me as a huge irony that as a romance writer I find myself married to a knight, a cavaliere, as you say in Italian.
One more thing...I'm a friend. I have girlfriends who are writers and girlfriends who are Shakespeare professors. And I have girlfriends who are romance readers. In fact, we have something of a community going on my website. Please stop by and join the conversation on my readers' pages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 753 reviews
June 25, 2019
***4 STARS***
“That’s an improper subject of conversation.” (Betsy)
“Most of our subjects of conversation are improper.” (Jeremy)
Lord Jeremy Roden has returned from the Revolutionary War emotionally scarred. Thankfully his friend and fellow soldier North Wilde has invited him to the Wilde castle to heal. Lady Boadicea “Betsy” Wilde is the belle of the ton receiving multiple wedding proposals and refusing them all. She also has issues related to her parentage. At a ball, held in the Wilde family castle, Betsy accompanies a prospective perfect mate to the billiard room where Jeremy is slumped in a chair in the corner drowning his problems with whisky.
I really enjoyed the story of Jeremy and Betsy. It started as a love/hate relationship between acquaintances and developed into a friendship and then a romance. I loved the interaction between the two. It was full of witty banter laced with innuendo and definite laugh out loud moments.
The entire book takes place over just a few days which shows the talent of the author to draw out scenes while keeping the story moving. The characters are dynamic and you definitely root for their HEA. A word of caution though...this is not exactly light reading. The dialogue is complex in sections and requires some concentration. But overall it is a good read. This book can be read as a stand-alone although part of a series.
Received an ARC from Edelweiss for an honest review.
“That’s an improper subject of conversation.” (Betsy)
“Most of our subjects of conversation are improper.” (Jeremy)
Lord Jeremy Roden has returned from the Revolutionary War emotionally scarred. Thankfully his friend and fellow soldier North Wilde has invited him to the Wilde castle to heal. Lady Boadicea “Betsy” Wilde is the belle of the ton receiving multiple wedding proposals and refusing them all. She also has issues related to her parentage. At a ball, held in the Wilde family castle, Betsy accompanies a prospective perfect mate to the billiard room where Jeremy is slumped in a chair in the corner drowning his problems with whisky.
I really enjoyed the story of Jeremy and Betsy. It started as a love/hate relationship between acquaintances and developed into a friendship and then a romance. I loved the interaction between the two. It was full of witty banter laced with innuendo and definite laugh out loud moments.
The entire book takes place over just a few days which shows the talent of the author to draw out scenes while keeping the story moving. The characters are dynamic and you definitely root for their HEA. A word of caution though...this is not exactly light reading. The dialogue is complex in sections and requires some concentration. But overall it is a good read. This book can be read as a stand-alone although part of a series.
Received an ARC from Edelweiss for an honest review.
August 11, 2024
5 Breeches or Bust Stars
“I want to ravish you,” he said, his voice rasping like that of a boy of fifteen. “For God’s sake—”
“Say No to the duke?”
“Exactly.”
Lady Boadicea “Betsy” Wilde’s debut season has been a raging success. Despite her worries that her mother’s abandoning the family to run off with her Prussian lover all those years ago would besmirch Betsy’s reputation, the bachelors of the Ton can’t seem to get enough of the prim and proper beauty. The problem with that? Ms. Betsy’s far from the proper lady her would be suitors think she is and though the male attention is nice, Betsy longs for something more. More excitement, more freedom, more EVERYTHING if she’s being honest. And explain to her again why she can’t wear breeches instead of ballgowns?
Lord Jeremy Roden came back from his time fighting in America a changed man. War turned the once affable young soldier into a dark and troubled man. Now a guest at Castle Wilde for the foreseeable future, Jeremy finds the only light in his day comes from watching the beautiful Betsy string along suitor after suitor like it’s her job. Teasing Betsy about the line of men waiting to fill her dance card is Jeremy’s favorite pastime because he knows none of them stand a chance. That is, until a Duke makes her an offer she may not be able to refuse.
I absolutely adored Say No to the Duke. Betsy and Jeremy were wonderful together, whether the mood was teasing and playful or deeper and more serious. As the story moves along, it’s obvious to everyone these two are made for each other, but Eloisa James allowed both Betsy and Jeremy to come to those realizations in their own time. When the eventual “I love you” comes, it felt like the natural next progression instead of something forced to move the story along. I also appreciate the way Betsy handled her Duke.
My five star rating comes down to the fact I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading this book and I honestly can’t remember the last time that happened. Even through Jeremy’s bouts of PTSD and Betsy’s mommy issues, I loved it because these two characters gave me a little bit of everything and the story never felt like it was dragging.
Though not my first Eloisa James book, Say No to the Duke turned out to be my favorite. Even though it’s part of a series, Betsy and Jeremy’s story has no problem standing alone.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Pre-Read Mood
I'm unnaturally excited for this ARC!
“I want to ravish you,” he said, his voice rasping like that of a boy of fifteen. “For God’s sake—”
“Say No to the duke?”
“Exactly.”
Lady Boadicea “Betsy” Wilde’s debut season has been a raging success. Despite her worries that her mother’s abandoning the family to run off with her Prussian lover all those years ago would besmirch Betsy’s reputation, the bachelors of the Ton can’t seem to get enough of the prim and proper beauty. The problem with that? Ms. Betsy’s far from the proper lady her would be suitors think she is and though the male attention is nice, Betsy longs for something more. More excitement, more freedom, more EVERYTHING if she’s being honest. And explain to her again why she can’t wear breeches instead of ballgowns?
Lord Jeremy Roden came back from his time fighting in America a changed man. War turned the once affable young soldier into a dark and troubled man. Now a guest at Castle Wilde for the foreseeable future, Jeremy finds the only light in his day comes from watching the beautiful Betsy string along suitor after suitor like it’s her job. Teasing Betsy about the line of men waiting to fill her dance card is Jeremy’s favorite pastime because he knows none of them stand a chance. That is, until a Duke makes her an offer she may not be able to refuse.
I absolutely adored Say No to the Duke. Betsy and Jeremy were wonderful together, whether the mood was teasing and playful or deeper and more serious. As the story moves along, it’s obvious to everyone these two are made for each other, but Eloisa James allowed both Betsy and Jeremy to come to those realizations in their own time. When the eventual “I love you” comes, it felt like the natural next progression instead of something forced to move the story along. I also appreciate the way Betsy handled her Duke.
My five star rating comes down to the fact I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading this book and I honestly can’t remember the last time that happened. Even through Jeremy’s bouts of PTSD and Betsy’s mommy issues, I loved it because these two characters gave me a little bit of everything and the story never felt like it was dragging.
Though not my first Eloisa James book, Say No to the Duke turned out to be my favorite. Even though it’s part of a series, Betsy and Jeremy’s story has no problem standing alone.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Pre-Read Mood
I'm unnaturally excited for this ARC!
November 29, 2019
Story: 5 STARS!!
Audio: 5 STARS!!
Eloisa James has written herself a fabulous, character-driven novel. I don't have a single complaint. The plot was solid, the characters were well fleshed-out with believable back stories, and the romance was swoon-worthy.
But my favorite part was the depth found in the dialogue. In fact, I might even go so far as to claim that Say No to the Duke proves that Eloisa James writes some of the best long conversations in romance.
I truly loved Jeremy and Betsy and I'll definitely be re-reading this one in the future.
Audio: 5 STARS!!
The sad fact was that wicked men were interesting and good ones were boring.Ok, so obviously, I LOVED THIS ONE!
Eloisa James has written herself a fabulous, character-driven novel. I don't have a single complaint. The plot was solid, the characters were well fleshed-out with believable back stories, and the romance was swoon-worthy.
But my favorite part was the depth found in the dialogue. In fact, I might even go so far as to claim that Say No to the Duke proves that Eloisa James writes some of the best long conversations in romance.
I truly loved Jeremy and Betsy and I'll definitely be re-reading this one in the future.
"I want you to be my partner and stand at my side."And there's more good news: I think this could definitely be read as a standalone! If you can get it, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the audio....Susan Duerden's performance is stellar.
July 1, 2019
Every time I start a historical romance review, I mention how I don't read this genre enough. Because every time I read one, I'm like, WHY AM I NOT READING MORE OF THESE!? That reaction was no different the entire time I was reading this newest release from Eloisa James!
Lady Betsy Wilde is determined to never be like her mother, which means being the perfect lady that all of the gentlemen want to wed. Well into her first season, Betsy has had plenty of proposals and finds delight in declining each one. Until a future Duke asks for her hand. Betsy knows he would make the perfect husband, but when Lord Jeremy is constantly teasing and testing her, Betsy isn't so sure she'd be happy with the Duke...
When I started this book, I absolutely loved Betsy's character. She is really aware of what people in public think of her, so she puts on this good girl facade that makes all of the gentlemen want to marry her. That's why I loved how Jeremy totally saw through her persona and brought out the rebel that Betsy really was. Their relationship was soooo cute and kind of slow burn, which I loved. It was fun watching Betsy not wanting to notice Jeremy in that way but not being able to ignore it.
While I really wish this was a five star read, the pacing of this book dropped it a star for me. The whole premise was that Betsy and Jeremy made a bet and Betsy would be able to dress as a man or Jeremy would get one night with her. Well, one of them wins the bet and it takes almost the entire novel for the bet to actually come to fruition. It seemed to drag and I wish it happened earlier and the rest of the book was them continuing to dance around each other and interact in society.
Eloisa James is one of the queens of the historical romance genre and I will read everything she has to read. This was my first of the series (I know, it's book number 4, but I'm a rebel) and now I am dying to pick up the first three of this series. There is so much familial love and such an expansive group of characters that I'm dying to get even more of them!
Lady Betsy Wilde is determined to never be like her mother, which means being the perfect lady that all of the gentlemen want to wed. Well into her first season, Betsy has had plenty of proposals and finds delight in declining each one. Until a future Duke asks for her hand. Betsy knows he would make the perfect husband, but when Lord Jeremy is constantly teasing and testing her, Betsy isn't so sure she'd be happy with the Duke...
When I started this book, I absolutely loved Betsy's character. She is really aware of what people in public think of her, so she puts on this good girl facade that makes all of the gentlemen want to marry her. That's why I loved how Jeremy totally saw through her persona and brought out the rebel that Betsy really was. Their relationship was soooo cute and kind of slow burn, which I loved. It was fun watching Betsy not wanting to notice Jeremy in that way but not being able to ignore it.
While I really wish this was a five star read, the pacing of this book dropped it a star for me. The whole premise was that Betsy and Jeremy made a bet and Betsy would be able to dress as a man or Jeremy would get one night with her. Well, one of them wins the bet and it takes almost the entire novel for the bet to actually come to fruition. It seemed to drag and I wish it happened earlier and the rest of the book was them continuing to dance around each other and interact in society.
Eloisa James is one of the queens of the historical romance genre and I will read everything she has to read. This was my first of the series (I know, it's book number 4, but I'm a rebel) and now I am dying to pick up the first three of this series. There is so much familial love and such an expansive group of characters that I'm dying to get even more of them!
August 28, 2019
A witty, yet emotional 4.5 stars.
This series has been consistently good for me, (and that is not always the case with Eloisa James: some of her Fairytales novels were horrible, some wonderful) and I am loving the whole crazy Wilde family. They are totally random and probably way too modern for their time, but who cares when there is so much joy to be had in the writing?
It is also fun to immerse myself in the Georgian period, after having read a surfeit of Regency HR. The mad wigs, the makeup and heels- and I'm talking about the blokes here- is really amusing. How a man in pink hose and breeches, wearing heels, a powdered white wig and lipstick, rouge and patch, is still supposed to be manly, is just mind-boggling. And funny. I love it!
The characterisation in this novel is terrific. We have a heroine, Betsy, (christened Boadicea in the great Wilde tradition of Roman names) striving to be society's perfect debutante so that she can exorcise the ghost that is her promiscuous, flighty mother. And we have a hero, Lord Jeremy Roden, suffering the guilt and PTSD that inevitably accompanies catastrophic losses on the battlefield. The battlefield in this case, the War of Independence.
Their snarky banter had me smiling and chuckling. The sexual tension was strong. Then there was the no-holds barred sex-talk- yep, it's out there. Again, not sure if that would have occurred amongst the upper classes where young virgins were concerned, although I do believe Georgian times were a whole lot raunchier than Regency times. How our virgin was able to understand all the double entendres and innuendo was also problematic, but I just ascribed it to crazy Wilde family openness and went with it.
(As an aside, I was a bit surprised to read Jeremy talking about something changing in the flip of a dime Even if he fought in the Americas, the war ended in 1783, and dimes were not minted in the US until 1792. Jeremy had only been back from the war a few months. Hmmm. EJ does throw in the odd Americanism, but on the whole, she's pretty good in this regard. I let it go- no, I did! Truly! But I did look it up.....
Suspending my disbelief, I revelled in the witty dialogues and emotional depth of the characters. Truly a pleasure to read, and a worthy addition to this series.
This series has been consistently good for me, (and that is not always the case with Eloisa James: some of her Fairytales novels were horrible, some wonderful) and I am loving the whole crazy Wilde family. They are totally random and probably way too modern for their time, but who cares when there is so much joy to be had in the writing?
It is also fun to immerse myself in the Georgian period, after having read a surfeit of Regency HR. The mad wigs, the makeup and heels- and I'm talking about the blokes here- is really amusing. How a man in pink hose and breeches, wearing heels, a powdered white wig and lipstick, rouge and patch, is still supposed to be manly, is just mind-boggling. And funny. I love it!
The characterisation in this novel is terrific. We have a heroine, Betsy, (christened Boadicea in the great Wilde tradition of Roman names) striving to be society's perfect debutante so that she can exorcise the ghost that is her promiscuous, flighty mother. And we have a hero, Lord Jeremy Roden, suffering the guilt and PTSD that inevitably accompanies catastrophic losses on the battlefield. The battlefield in this case, the War of Independence.
Their snarky banter had me smiling and chuckling. The sexual tension was strong. Then there was the no-holds barred sex-talk- yep, it's out there. Again, not sure if that would have occurred amongst the upper classes where young virgins were concerned, although I do believe Georgian times were a whole lot raunchier than Regency times. How our virgin was able to understand all the double entendres and innuendo was also problematic, but I just ascribed it to crazy Wilde family openness and went with it.
(As an aside, I was a bit surprised to read Jeremy talking about something changing in the flip of a dime Even if he fought in the Americas, the war ended in 1783, and dimes were not minted in the US until 1792. Jeremy had only been back from the war a few months. Hmmm. EJ does throw in the odd Americanism, but on the whole, she's pretty good in this regard. I let it go- no, I did! Truly! But I did look it up.....
Suspending my disbelief, I revelled in the witty dialogues and emotional depth of the characters. Truly a pleasure to read, and a worthy addition to this series.
August 5, 2024
3.5– added that last half star because Ms James always makes me chuckle out loud!
Lovely HF novel featuring the eldest Wilde daughter, Betsy (and all of the other names she is called) and her choice between two eligible bachelors. Well, to be fair only one considers himself eligible.
As most (maybe all) romance readers will admit— a bad boy is so much easier to love. Our slightly broken bachelor, Jeremy, is all charm despite his caustic wit. Totally fell for him. I just wish the conflict involving a maniacal family member had happened sooner— it was almost an after thought and really didn’t change much at all.
The older I get, the more waves I like in my literary journey. The waters were just too calm in this rather un-Wilde entry.
(Reviewed 9/2/20)
Lovely HF novel featuring the eldest Wilde daughter, Betsy (and all of the other names she is called) and her choice between two eligible bachelors. Well, to be fair only one considers himself eligible.
As most (maybe all) romance readers will admit— a bad boy is so much easier to love. Our slightly broken bachelor, Jeremy, is all charm despite his caustic wit. Totally fell for him. I just wish the conflict involving a maniacal family member had happened sooner— it was almost an after thought and really didn’t change much at all.
The older I get, the more waves I like in my literary journey. The waters were just too calm in this rather un-Wilde entry.
(Reviewed 9/2/20)
March 19, 2019
ARC provided by Edelweiss and Avon in exchange for an honest review.
RTC
I'm wrestling with what to rate this. Still taking in what I just finished reading. Will come to definitive rating here soon after digesting it all.
Rating between 3-4
RTC
I'm wrestling with what to rate this. Still taking in what I just finished reading. Will come to definitive rating here soon after digesting it all.
Rating between 3-4
May 31, 2020
3.5 stars!
This definitely got better by the halfway mark!
I wasn't much into both main characters until they started showing their true personalities and vulnerabilities. I'm guessing the plot and characters needed to warm up to me. =)
Say No to the Duke is the 4th book in the The Wildes of Lindow Castle series.
It's a love story and friendship between a wounded soldier, Jeremy Roden who suffers from PTSD and the guilt of having all of his men die in war and he's left standing.
The woman who saves his heart and soul is Lady Betsy Wilde. She's trying to be anything else then her mother who ran away with her lover, leaving her heartbroken children behind. She not only caused a huge scandal with the ton but Betsy has been trying to escape her shadow her whole life.
I thought the side characters in this were well done and had different voices. The dialogue was witty and I ended up really enjoying the love relationship after all.
I'm looking forward to finishing up the series.
Recommended to fans of historical romance. I have enjoyed many Eloisa James books so far and this was no exception!
This definitely got better by the halfway mark!
I wasn't much into both main characters until they started showing their true personalities and vulnerabilities. I'm guessing the plot and characters needed to warm up to me. =)
Say No to the Duke is the 4th book in the The Wildes of Lindow Castle series.
It's a love story and friendship between a wounded soldier, Jeremy Roden who suffers from PTSD and the guilt of having all of his men die in war and he's left standing.
The woman who saves his heart and soul is Lady Betsy Wilde. She's trying to be anything else then her mother who ran away with her lover, leaving her heartbroken children behind. She not only caused a huge scandal with the ton but Betsy has been trying to escape her shadow her whole life.
I thought the side characters in this were well done and had different voices. The dialogue was witty and I ended up really enjoying the love relationship after all.
I'm looking forward to finishing up the series.
Recommended to fans of historical romance. I have enjoyed many Eloisa James books so far and this was no exception!
January 20, 2021
I took a bit of a break from Eloisa James, but this one sounded fun and it WAS. One of those low key romances without a ton of conflict (in a good way), just two characters really growing to know and accept THEMSELVES better. I liked it.
Also set in Gregorian times, what, is that even allowed! I will likely go back and read the previous books in the series, but I will definitely read and cross my fingers for the next one, which is about the shy sister!!
PS: This completes my goal of reading 2 owned physical books a month for 2019!
Re-read January 2021
I wanted to re-read after I finally read the first books in the series. Still fun!
Also set in Gregorian times, what, is that even allowed! I will likely go back and read the previous books in the series, but I will definitely read and cross my fingers for the next one, which is about the shy sister!!
PS: This completes my goal of reading 2 owned physical books a month for 2019!
Re-read January 2021
I wanted to re-read after I finally read the first books in the series. Still fun!
June 24, 2019
I have not loved every book in this series equally, but I can say this is one of my favorite installments. It centers on Betsy, the eldest Wilde sister, and she is nothing like the lady she pretends to be in public. Betsy grew up under a cloud of scandal because her mother ran away with her lover and Betsy has been trying to prove herself above reproach her entire adult life. That, paired with her beauty, has made her sought after by almost every gentleman who encounters her.
Every man but Jeremy.
Jeremy has been convalescing in the Wilde home since (Betsy's brother) Perth rescued him from Bedlam a few books back. He suffers from PTSD from fighting in war and fears he'll never be normal again. His verbal sparring with Betsy brings him back from the brink.
Betsy's latest suitor is Thaddeus, a duke, and by all rights, the perfect man for her. But he doesn't know the real Betsy, not like Jeremy does. And while this seems a little like a love triangle on the surface, there is never any doubt Jeremy is the right man for Betsy.
I loved Betsy's spirit and how she has risen above the girls who gossiped about her in her youth. She is powerful and has such great control over herself, but even better, she has such a great spirit. She just wants to wear pants and bid in an auction and enjoy the perks in life men take for granted every day. I adored how Jeremy not only accepted these things about her, they were part of what made him love her!
I could've done without the side plot involving his cousin and it felt like there was a whole chapter we didn't need close to the end. But overall, I liked the romance and how their love helped them both accept who they were meant to be.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
*ARC provided by Avon
Every man but Jeremy.
Jeremy has been convalescing in the Wilde home since (Betsy's brother) Perth rescued him from Bedlam a few books back. He suffers from PTSD from fighting in war and fears he'll never be normal again. His verbal sparring with Betsy brings him back from the brink.
Betsy's latest suitor is Thaddeus, a duke, and by all rights, the perfect man for her. But he doesn't know the real Betsy, not like Jeremy does. And while this seems a little like a love triangle on the surface, there is never any doubt Jeremy is the right man for Betsy.
I loved Betsy's spirit and how she has risen above the girls who gossiped about her in her youth. She is powerful and has such great control over herself, but even better, she has such a great spirit. She just wants to wear pants and bid in an auction and enjoy the perks in life men take for granted every day. I adored how Jeremy not only accepted these things about her, they were part of what made him love her!
I could've done without the side plot involving his cousin and it felt like there was a whole chapter we didn't need close to the end. But overall, I liked the romance and how their love helped them both accept who they were meant to be.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
*ARC provided by Avon
July 15, 2019
5 hot fiery stars!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Say No to the Duke is the 4th novel in The Wildes of Lindow Castle series and (yesss!) is the first book in this series with a female main character—Lady Boadicea (Betsy) Wilde.
Beautiful Betsy Wilde has turned down all wedding proposals leaving only one that she may or may not approve from Thaddeus who’s a Duke. Then there’s Lord Jeremy Roden whom she strikes up a wager with and who’s staying with the Wildes while he recuperates. Jeremy has been having a rough time of it living with shame and guilt from losing all his men in the War over in America. Betsy is exactly what he needs and wants as she’s the only reason he begins waking up from the fog he’s been living in. She begins to feel feelings for him too. Jeremy’s cousin wants nothing more than to declare him inept and schemes against Jeremy to claim his inheritance. Betsy who’s a Wilde through and through is bold and fierce and has no problem standing up for the man she loves.
This is such a wonderful story but very unique with the issue of PTSD addressed. I especially enjoyed the pokes of fun and steamy love/hate relationship between Betsy and Jeremy!
*Can be read as a stand alone.
Beautiful Betsy Wilde has turned down all wedding proposals leaving only one that she may or may not approve from Thaddeus who’s a Duke. Then there’s Lord Jeremy Roden whom she strikes up a wager with and who’s staying with the Wildes while he recuperates. Jeremy has been having a rough time of it living with shame and guilt from losing all his men in the War over in America. Betsy is exactly what he needs and wants as she’s the only reason he begins waking up from the fog he’s been living in. She begins to feel feelings for him too. Jeremy’s cousin wants nothing more than to declare him inept and schemes against Jeremy to claim his inheritance. Betsy who’s a Wilde through and through is bold and fierce and has no problem standing up for the man she loves.
This is such a wonderful story but very unique with the issue of PTSD addressed. I especially enjoyed the pokes of fun and steamy love/hate relationship between Betsy and Jeremy!
*Can be read as a stand alone.
September 11, 2019
This is a wonderful, well-written historical romance novel with engaging, likable characters and plenty of wit, charm, and a touch of humor. Ms. James never disappoints her readers! It is perfect as a stand alone and even better when read after reading the other novels in the Wilde series.
June 13, 2019
Lady Boadicea "Betsy" Wilde wanted a best friend more than anything, she wished for a chance to find another girl to talk to and finally her wish was granted when she was allowed to attend boarding school - she soon learns, be careful what you wish for... Her first day she is confronted with a nasty girl who tells her that her mother was a whore and that Betsy has surely inherited her mother's wanton ways and that no decent man will want to marry her. Betsy swears that she will have more proposals than any other girl in the school...
3 years and 18 proposals later at her brother North's wedding ball, Betsy is expecting a proposal from Thaddaeus Erskine Shaw, Viscount Greywick and heir to the Duke of Eversley. At her Aunt Knowes urging, she shows him the billiards room and graciously turns down his proposal, when he asks why, her brother's best friend Lord Jeremy Rodan speaks up and tells her she really should marry him. Betsy is annoyed, Jeremy has been at the castle for months, she knows something happened to him, but not exactly what. She leaves the room with Thaddaeus, thinking maybe she should marry him. But deep down, Betsy worries that she will be like her mother, who ran off with her lover and left the Duke and her children. She has worked hard to portray herself as a perfect lady and isn't sure she should marry at all.
Later she returns to the billiards room and finds the room empty, but Jeremy arrives not long after she does. They talk and she finally taunts him into playing a game with her, he will but only if they have a wager - if he wins, she will spend the night with him, if she wins, he will find her men's clothes and take her on an adventure - maybe to a men's club to play billiards. He agrees - She wins. He won't take her to London, but if she can provide a chaperone, he will take her to an auction house dressed as a man. Deal!
Jeremy has spent the last two years under a blanket of guilt and shame, but now he feels alive for the first time in a really long time and Betsy is the reason, so he decides to spend more time with her. What could possibly go wrong?
This was a delightful story with a lot of witty banter, wonderful secondary characters, a hero and heroine with insecurities, healing, steamy love scenes, sneaky relatives, a few twists and turns to keep you guessing and finally a very sweet HEA, complete with an epilogue. Overall, this was a great story and I am happy to recommend it!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*
3 years and 18 proposals later at her brother North's wedding ball, Betsy is expecting a proposal from Thaddaeus Erskine Shaw, Viscount Greywick and heir to the Duke of Eversley. At her Aunt Knowes urging, she shows him the billiards room and graciously turns down his proposal, when he asks why, her brother's best friend Lord Jeremy Rodan speaks up and tells her she really should marry him. Betsy is annoyed, Jeremy has been at the castle for months, she knows something happened to him, but not exactly what. She leaves the room with Thaddaeus, thinking maybe she should marry him. But deep down, Betsy worries that she will be like her mother, who ran off with her lover and left the Duke and her children. She has worked hard to portray herself as a perfect lady and isn't sure she should marry at all.
Later she returns to the billiards room and finds the room empty, but Jeremy arrives not long after she does. They talk and she finally taunts him into playing a game with her, he will but only if they have a wager - if he wins, she will spend the night with him, if she wins, he will find her men's clothes and take her on an adventure - maybe to a men's club to play billiards. He agrees - She wins. He won't take her to London, but if she can provide a chaperone, he will take her to an auction house dressed as a man. Deal!
Jeremy has spent the last two years under a blanket of guilt and shame, but now he feels alive for the first time in a really long time and Betsy is the reason, so he decides to spend more time with her. What could possibly go wrong?
This was a delightful story with a lot of witty banter, wonderful secondary characters, a hero and heroine with insecurities, healing, steamy love scenes, sneaky relatives, a few twists and turns to keep you guessing and finally a very sweet HEA, complete with an epilogue. Overall, this was a great story and I am happy to recommend it!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*
April 19, 2022
Wildest of the Wildes! (Re read 17/4/22) Loved just as much second time around)
Those Wildes! I just adore them and their very human, very idiosyncratic behaviour.
This time add in Lord Jeremy Roden, stalwart damaged warrior with wonderful sense of humor and so real.
I adored this story of young woman who resolved early on never to display the passion her mother had.
From her early days at school Lady Boadicea 'Betsy' Wilde had learned that society was very unforgiving for the daughter of a woman who'd borne children to different men and run off to Prussia with her lover. After all 'blood would out". Betsy determined to be above reproach, even as she squashed the frightening passionate and excitable side of her nature. Lady Betsy would give society nothing to gossip about. She would be an example of all that the ton required of a young woman.
Hence a path strewn with marriage refusals as Betsy battled her internal demons.
Only Jeremy, the damaged hero warrior really saw her, and what a difference that "seeing" would make.
A game of billiards, a wager' and a pair of breeches leads to a night to remember before Betsy finally accepts a duke's proposal, before she crowns her season with success! After all this was what Betsy wanted, and she would never say no to a Duke, even as Jeremy intrigued!
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
Those Wildes! I just adore them and their very human, very idiosyncratic behaviour.
This time add in Lord Jeremy Roden, stalwart damaged warrior with wonderful sense of humor and so real.
I adored this story of young woman who resolved early on never to display the passion her mother had.
From her early days at school Lady Boadicea 'Betsy' Wilde had learned that society was very unforgiving for the daughter of a woman who'd borne children to different men and run off to Prussia with her lover. After all 'blood would out". Betsy determined to be above reproach, even as she squashed the frightening passionate and excitable side of her nature. Lady Betsy would give society nothing to gossip about. She would be an example of all that the ton required of a young woman.
Hence a path strewn with marriage refusals as Betsy battled her internal demons.
Only Jeremy, the damaged hero warrior really saw her, and what a difference that "seeing" would make.
A game of billiards, a wager' and a pair of breeches leads to a night to remember before Betsy finally accepts a duke's proposal, before she crowns her season with success! After all this was what Betsy wanted, and she would never say no to a Duke, even as Jeremy intrigued!
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
May 9, 2022
Love! Love! Love!
this might be my favorite in the series so far...
this might be my favorite in the series so far...
June 25, 2019
Ok. It was simply ok.
I don't know what I had expected. Something more? Definitely.
This is just a cute story.
I don't know what I had expected. Something more? Definitely.
This is just a cute story.
July 2, 2019
A touch of unessesarily long melodrama at the end. But I'm so satisfied I don't even care! 5 stars
June 16, 2022
This is my faaaave of the series so far by a million miles.
June 17, 2019
Another wonderful installment to a really great series, I absolutely loved Say No to the Duke. I'll admit I was hoping for more of a woman disguised as a man, mistaken identities hijinks type of book, but what I got instead was so much better.
I love how REAL Betsy and Jeremy are, and the battles they fight within themselves. Betsy especially, as she is the "wildest of the Wildes" and then struggles so hard NOT to be her mother that she just smothers herself in respectability. And then Jeremy's battles with PTSD and his own self-worth and place in the world is just so amazingly depicted. Their interactions with each other are fire - so much chemistry, and so much of them being so lost in their own self-doubt that neither can see the real truth. UGH, love it.
As usual for a book by Eloisa James, the side characters are some of my favorite parts. The Duchess of Eversly! Oh my gosh! She and her interactions with Aunt Knowe are hilarious. Jeremy's father is also just - ugh, there are no words. I was so upset when this book ended because I wanted to read more of the Duchess and the Marquess trying to top each other with stories about their childrens' accomplishments, more of the Duchess and her penchant for pink, more of Jeremy and his relationship with his dad, just MORE of all of it. This is definitely one of those books where you turn the last page, close the book, let out a big dreamy sigh, and then seriously contemplate starting over again at page 1.
This is the fourth book in The Wildes of Lindow Castle series, and while it could technically be read as a stand alone Eloisa writes series that are so complex and interconnected that you're really best off reading in order. There's a scene in the third book in the series, Born to be Wilde, that sets up the relationship between Jeremy and Betsy that really is not to be missed. There are also several references to happenings in the first three books in the series that are major spoilers for said books.
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
I love how REAL Betsy and Jeremy are, and the battles they fight within themselves. Betsy especially, as she is the "wildest of the Wildes" and then struggles so hard NOT to be her mother that she just smothers herself in respectability. And then Jeremy's battles with PTSD and his own self-worth and place in the world is just so amazingly depicted. Their interactions with each other are fire - so much chemistry, and so much of them being so lost in their own self-doubt that neither can see the real truth. UGH, love it.
As usual for a book by Eloisa James, the side characters are some of my favorite parts. The Duchess of Eversly! Oh my gosh! She and her interactions with Aunt Knowe are hilarious. Jeremy's father is also just - ugh, there are no words. I was so upset when this book ended because I wanted to read more of the Duchess and the Marquess trying to top each other with stories about their childrens' accomplishments, more of the Duchess and her penchant for pink, more of Jeremy and his relationship with his dad, just MORE of all of it. This is definitely one of those books where you turn the last page, close the book, let out a big dreamy sigh, and then seriously contemplate starting over again at page 1.
This is the fourth book in The Wildes of Lindow Castle series, and while it could technically be read as a stand alone Eloisa writes series that are so complex and interconnected that you're really best off reading in order. There's a scene in the third book in the series, Born to be Wilde, that sets up the relationship between Jeremy and Betsy that really is not to be missed. There are also several references to happenings in the first three books in the series that are major spoilers for said books.
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
July 17, 2019
For me this series is the perfect combination of flawed quirky characters and steam. I have thoroughly enjoyed each book and look forward to the next one.
We met Betsy and Jeremy in a previous book. And of course there is so much more to them behind they veneers they’ve presented.
Two scenes were odd - verging on silly. But I didn’t think this took away from the story - simply lightened the mood.
I was delightedly surprised by the emotion and tenderness that came through this book. There’s a reason Eloisa James is a favorite.
We met Betsy and Jeremy in a previous book. And of course there is so much more to them behind they veneers they’ve presented.
Two scenes were odd - verging on silly. But I didn’t think this took away from the story - simply lightened the mood.
I was delightedly surprised by the emotion and tenderness that came through this book. There’s a reason Eloisa James is a favorite.
June 16, 2022
Gewoon weer zo'n heerlijk verhaal in de bekende E.J. stijl . De enige reden waarom ik geen 5 sterren geef is omdat dit een familie serie is maar de familie leden die in voorgaande delen hun verhaal kregen komen niet meer voor in dit verhaal . Misschien dat in het laatste deel er nog een grote familie reunie komt ?
October 2, 2019
Well, hello, wonderful Historical Romance with sassy ladies and a hero with a heavy burden. Why yes, I would like to read you!
So, this novel was a hard start for me. I wanted to read it but I just didn't know if I was feeling the premise. Girl is tired of the constrictions of her life and wants a night away, in breeches no less (gasp), and she ends up in a billiard battle for the privilege. It just seemed like a lot of work for her to have a night away.
Thankfully, this ended up being much less about that and more about 2 people getting over their previous misconceptions and coming together to make each other stronger and more free. Which is everything I want in a HR.
Betsy has been struggling under her self-imposed propriety of trying to out live her mother's scandalous affair from years earlier. She thinks she needs to marry and be as sexually inconspicuous as possible, lest she be overcome like her mother and run away with the first rouge she meets.
Jeremy is wounded warrior, staying with the Wildes for some R&R and trying not to relive all the horrors of losing his whole squad of men in the Colonies, of which he is the only survivor. He drinks, jokes, and mopes around the castle.
I wasn't a fan of Betsy's hang ups in this novel, however, Jeremy is very perspective and I loved that this conflict didn't get out of proportion or cause a huge rift between them as I have seen in other HRs I have read. They start this journey as friends, and through some gentle prodding of the people around them, realize they can have happiness, and steaminess without it being the problem they think it will be.
There was also the potential for a cheating troupe here, and I was VERY worried about that. I despise that troupe in any situation, and since Betsy is so horrified by her mother's infidelity, I was nervous we were going to continue that. However, though the novel begins with Betsy being proposed to by the Duke, and we are waiting for her to say NO, as the title implies, nothing more than a kiss or two happens before she makes up her mind, and since she never did promise to marry Thaddeus, said Duke, I didn't feel like that was an issue.
Thaddeus was a great option though, very dashing and kind, if not a bit dull and his mother is a hoot! The next novel in the series is called "Say Yes to the Duke", so hopefully he has a happy ending coming too.
Final fun things to mention.
-The "dressing like a boy" for freedom's sake didn't every really become a big of deal as it appeared, but it did lead to some fun situations.
-There is a meddling aunt and mother that were just delicious.
-The tension in this novel was on point for me.
-Great set up for the next novel as usual for Eloisa James
This became a 5 star for me with the upturning of troupes I was expecting and for the look into PTSD and how people treat the military. Its not too deep in here, but enough that I teared up a few times.
*I don't know how it happened, but this one pulled off a 5 star. Review to come
So, this novel was a hard start for me. I wanted to read it but I just didn't know if I was feeling the premise. Girl is tired of the constrictions of her life and wants a night away, in breeches no less (gasp), and she ends up in a billiard battle for the privilege. It just seemed like a lot of work for her to have a night away.
Thankfully, this ended up being much less about that and more about 2 people getting over their previous misconceptions and coming together to make each other stronger and more free. Which is everything I want in a HR.
Betsy has been struggling under her self-imposed propriety of trying to out live her mother's scandalous affair from years earlier. She thinks she needs to marry and be as sexually inconspicuous as possible, lest she be overcome like her mother and run away with the first rouge she meets.
Jeremy is wounded warrior, staying with the Wildes for some R&R and trying not to relive all the horrors of losing his whole squad of men in the Colonies, of which he is the only survivor. He drinks, jokes, and mopes around the castle.
I wasn't a fan of Betsy's hang ups in this novel, however, Jeremy is very perspective and I loved that this conflict didn't get out of proportion or cause a huge rift between them as I have seen in other HRs I have read. They start this journey as friends, and through some gentle prodding of the people around them, realize they can have happiness, and steaminess without it being the problem they think it will be.
There was also the potential for a cheating troupe here, and I was VERY worried about that. I despise that troupe in any situation, and since Betsy is so horrified by her mother's infidelity, I was nervous we were going to continue that. However, though the novel begins with Betsy being proposed to by the Duke, and we are waiting for her to say NO, as the title implies, nothing more than a kiss or two happens before she makes up her mind, and since she never did promise to marry Thaddeus, said Duke, I didn't feel like that was an issue.
Thaddeus was a great option though, very dashing and kind, if not a bit dull and his mother is a hoot! The next novel in the series is called "Say Yes to the Duke", so hopefully he has a happy ending coming too.
Final fun things to mention.
-The "dressing like a boy" for freedom's sake didn't every really become a big of deal as it appeared, but it did lead to some fun situations.
-There is a meddling aunt and mother that were just delicious.
-The tension in this novel was on point for me.
-Great set up for the next novel as usual for Eloisa James
This became a 5 star for me with the upturning of troupes I was expecting and for the look into PTSD and how people treat the military. Its not too deep in here, but enough that I teared up a few times.
*I don't know how it happened, but this one pulled off a 5 star. Review to come
June 26, 2019
It’s been a hot minute since I read a historical romance, but fortunately Eloisa James never disappoints. I randomly decided to preorder this months ago, then promptly forgot about it. So when it popped up on my kindle app yesterday I was baffled for a moment. Then I opened it up, and a few hours later, had finished the entire thing.
Say No to the Duke is so much fun! I honestly had a blast following Betsy and Jeremy’s story. They are complex and compelling characters.
Betsy is a perfect vanilla ice cream cone on the outside. She has crafted a facade, the image of a polite, poised, perfectly restrained lady. Anything to combat the scandal following her after her mother ran away with another man when she was little. But underneath, she’s a hellion, obsessed with archery, riding astride, and doing anything else her brothers are allowed to do.
Jeremy is the only survivor from an otherwise entirely massacred platoon fighting in America during the colonies’ revolution. He suffers from PTSD, which of course no one yet knows exists, instead insisting he’s “mad.”
On paper they don’t sound like an obvious match, but Eloisa knows her stuff, and every scene they share is explosive.
Towards the end we skew toward the unbelievable and fantastical, with a plot line including Betsy, her Aunt Knowe, and an elderly Duchess dressing as men to attend an auction. It’s a scene straight out of a BBC Daytime comedy.
Some of the plot may be unbelievable, but the relationships are anything but. I believed every moment of them. Every moment of our central romance, but also the diverse familial relationships.
If you want to read a wildly compelling, deeply romantic historical, I highly recommend Say No to the Duke. Maybe I should go back and read the rest of the Wilde series. Or maybe I’ll just preorder another random historical romance months before it’s released and be pleasantly surprised when it pops up on my phone.
4 stars
Say No to the Duke is so much fun! I honestly had a blast following Betsy and Jeremy’s story. They are complex and compelling characters.
Betsy is a perfect vanilla ice cream cone on the outside. She has crafted a facade, the image of a polite, poised, perfectly restrained lady. Anything to combat the scandal following her after her mother ran away with another man when she was little. But underneath, she’s a hellion, obsessed with archery, riding astride, and doing anything else her brothers are allowed to do.
Jeremy is the only survivor from an otherwise entirely massacred platoon fighting in America during the colonies’ revolution. He suffers from PTSD, which of course no one yet knows exists, instead insisting he’s “mad.”
On paper they don’t sound like an obvious match, but Eloisa knows her stuff, and every scene they share is explosive.
Towards the end we skew toward the unbelievable and fantastical, with a plot line including Betsy, her Aunt Knowe, and an elderly Duchess dressing as men to attend an auction. It’s a scene straight out of a BBC Daytime comedy.
Some of the plot may be unbelievable, but the relationships are anything but. I believed every moment of them. Every moment of our central romance, but also the diverse familial relationships.
If you want to read a wildly compelling, deeply romantic historical, I highly recommend Say No to the Duke. Maybe I should go back and read the rest of the Wilde series. Or maybe I’ll just preorder another random historical romance months before it’s released and be pleasantly surprised when it pops up on my phone.
4 stars
June 29, 2019
August 4, 2018:
I can’t wait for this book! 2019 is too far away! And we all know one night is one too many and yet entirely not enough at the same time.
June 29, 2019:
Pretty good. They fall in love by hanging out in the billiards room. Although she is courted by many gentlemen, including a future duke, she rejects them all in favor of a future Marquis. He has a cousin that has conspired multiple times to get him killed so that he can inherit the title instead. But the cousin is exiled and all of his wealth given to the family of his dead victims. (He had bribed a colonel to flee, causing the male lead’s men to all die in the American war.) The story ends with the couple having one son, one daughter, and another on the way. The old marquis has died, and for the female lead’s birthday, she is given a miniature portrait of the late marquis, whom she was close to. The male lead also lost a game on purpose because it was the female lead’s birthday.
I can’t wait for this book! 2019 is too far away! And we all know one night is one too many and yet entirely not enough at the same time.
June 29, 2019:
Pretty good. They fall in love by hanging out in the billiards room. Although she is courted by many gentlemen, including a future duke, she rejects them all in favor of a future Marquis. He has a cousin that has conspired multiple times to get him killed so that he can inherit the title instead. But the cousin is exiled and all of his wealth given to the family of his dead victims. (He had bribed a colonel to flee, causing the male lead’s men to all die in the American war.) The story ends with the couple having one son, one daughter, and another on the way. The old marquis has died, and for the female lead’s birthday, she is given a miniature portrait of the late marquis, whom she was close to. The male lead also lost a game on purpose because it was the female lead’s birthday.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2019
This was such a snooze, I had to power my way through it. Nothing happens then about 3/4 through the book they do it and there’s some silly little villain thing. It made me think of a paint by numbers for romance novels. I thought there’d be so much to work with when you had a young lady who wanted to experience the things like a man! Instead they go to an auction where I don’t even think she bid on anything! SUCH a snooze.
Don’t even get me started on the setting. I don’t understand why they persist in setting these in the late 1700s when there is NO WAY aristocratic people spoke or acted in any way like these characters no matter how modern they were.
Don’t even get me started on the setting. I don’t understand why they persist in setting these in the late 1700s when there is NO WAY aristocratic people spoke or acted in any way like these characters no matter how modern they were.
June 20, 2019
I have been reading Eloisa James books for almost two decades . She writes historical romance like no other. Her books are fun, sexy with witty and snarky banter . Quirky , smart and likeable main and secondary characters.
Say No to the Duke is another win for Ms. James.
Thanks to HapperCollins and NetGalley for giving a early copy of Say No to the Duke by Eloisa James.
Say No to the Duke is another win for Ms. James.
Thanks to HapperCollins and NetGalley for giving a early copy of Say No to the Duke by Eloisa James.
Want to read
December 6, 2018Can't wait! Jeremy and Betsy's scene in the last book had me hooked and we are not even on Chapter 1.
January 7, 2022
I really like this series.
August 1, 2019
A fan of Ms. Eloisa James. She didn't disappoint with this read and I did enjoy this last in the Wildes of Lindow Castle series.
Although Susan Duerdan narration can sometimes irk me, she did okay with this narration and I enjoyed finally Lady Betsy Wildes story of the series.
4.5 Stars
Although Susan Duerdan narration can sometimes irk me, she did okay with this narration and I enjoyed finally Lady Betsy Wildes story of the series.
4.5 Stars
August 26, 2025
3,5⭐️ Spodziewałam się taniego harlequina, tymczasem to całkiem przyjemny romans historyczny (chwilę przedregencyjny). Bohaterowie nie są głupi i trzpiotowaci, książka nie obraża ludzkiej inteligencji i nie ma dramatycznych plot twistów, które by mnie wkurzały. Może język przy scenach erotycznych momentami jest trochę dziwny, ale da się na to przymknąć oko.
Z minusów: trochę przywolna akcja, trochę za dużo gadania, przez co nie mogę dać 4 gwiazdek. Ale czytało mi się to zaskakująco dobrze!
Z minusów: trochę przywolna akcja, trochę za dużo gadania, przez co nie mogę dać 4 gwiazdek. Ale czytało mi się to zaskakująco dobrze!
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