Historical
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The Reluctant Countess: A Would-Be Wallflowers Novel
New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James returns to the Would-Be Wallflowers series with an enemies-to-lovers romance between a proper earl and an entirely improper lady-whom he can't stop thinking about.
Giles Renwick, Earl of Lilford, has never made a fool of himself over a woman-until he meets Lady Yasmin Régnier. Yasmin is ineligible for his attentions in every way: not as a wife, certainly not as a mistress (she is a lady!), nor even as a friend, since they vehemently dislike each other. Her gowns are too low, and her skirts are dampened to cling to admittedly lovely thighs. She loves to gossip-and giggle.
She isn't dignified, or polite, or even truly British, given that her father's French ancestry clearly predominated. Not to mention the fact that her mother had been one of Napoleon's mistresses, a fact she makes no effort to hide.
So what-in heaven's name-possesses him to propose?
And what will he do if she says yes?
Giles Renwick, Earl of Lilford, has never made a fool of himself over a woman-until he meets Lady Yasmin Régnier. Yasmin is ineligible for his attentions in every way: not as a wife, certainly not as a mistress (she is a lady!), nor even as a friend, since they vehemently dislike each other. Her gowns are too low, and her skirts are dampened to cling to admittedly lovely thighs. She loves to gossip-and giggle.
She isn't dignified, or polite, or even truly British, given that her father's French ancestry clearly predominated. Not to mention the fact that her mother had been one of Napoleon's mistresses, a fact she makes no effort to hide.
So what-in heaven's name-possesses him to propose?
And what will he do if she says yes?
Editorial Reviews
"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. Her style is exquisite, her prose pure magic. Nothing gets me to a bookstore faster than a new novel by Eloisa James." - Julia Quinn
"The romance galaxy is filled with luminous stars, but few twinkle as brightly as James, who, with the launch of her Regency-set Would-Be Wallflowers series, once again dazzles readers with superbly conceived characters, a sublimely sensual love story, and sparkling wit." - Booklist (starred review) on How to Be a Wallflower
"A story as wild as the heroine's family name and one that will reward romance fans who want a funny book about an unusual heroine." - Kirkus Reviews on Wilde Child
"A sparkling Georgian romance. James' writing shines and the Wilde clan's infectious energy is the epitome of delightful. Overflowing with tried-and-true romance tropes like opposites attract and secret pining, Wilde Child proves that sometimes there's no need to reinvent the wheel." - BookPage
"Longtime historical romance fans and newbies to the genre (particularly those whose interest was piqued by Bridgerton) will delight in this well-done addition to a solid series." - Library Journal on Wilde Child
"As usual, Eloisa James manages to weave a sweet, funny, and poignant tale. I don't think readers of the Wilde family antics will be disappointed." - Romance Reviews Today
"The romance galaxy is filled with luminous stars, but few twinkle as brightly as James, who, with the launch of her Regency-set Would-Be Wallflowers series, once again dazzles readers with superbly conceived characters, a sublimely sensual love story, and sparkling wit." - Booklist (starred review) on How to Be a Wallflower
"A story as wild as the heroine's family name and one that will reward romance fans who want a funny book about an unusual heroine." - Kirkus Reviews on Wilde Child
"A sparkling Georgian romance. James' writing shines and the Wilde clan's infectious energy is the epitome of delightful. Overflowing with tried-and-true romance tropes like opposites attract and secret pining, Wilde Child proves that sometimes there's no need to reinvent the wheel." - BookPage
"Longtime historical romance fans and newbies to the genre (particularly those whose interest was piqued by Bridgerton) will delight in this well-done addition to a solid series." - Library Journal on Wilde Child
"As usual, Eloisa James manages to weave a sweet, funny, and poignant tale. I don't think readers of the Wilde family antics will be disappointed." - Romance Reviews Today
Readers Top Reviews
Eileen M. St Jame
Giles has a way with words and persuasion when it comes to important bills before Parliament. He ignores what his heart was telling him when he met Lady Yasmin. Even though Giles is quite grumpy, Yasmin and the reader fall in love with him. It just takes some honest conversation and some time behind closed doors to bring Giles the clarity he needs. I loved this book. Well done, Eloisa James!
Jasmin fell for the wrong guy and decides to move away from the disgrace. She moves in with her grandfather and makes the most of it. She tries to keep to herself but one irritating Earl asks her to dance even though he really doesn't like her. Will they ever get along? Read to find out!!
mary harvey Eil
The Reluctant Countess is a well thought out well written new book from Eloisa James. It will keep you reading. In fact I had to slow my reading so that I could enjoy the story. The two main characters will keep you entertained as their back story develops. The villain is not a nice person and causes no end of problems. This is a great read. Buy and enjoy.
M. Morgensonmary
I always wait with great anticipation for an Eloisa James novel. And lately, they have been a breath of fresh air as much for what they are not, as for what they are. They are excellently written and beautifully edited. I don’t have to stop and try to parse misstated meanings or malaligned metaphors, or words that clearly do not mean what the authors think they mean. It is so easy on my English Lit majors mind to be able to just sink into a delightful world of the author’s creation and not be rudely jerked out of it periodically. And the historical accuracy is such that one feels at home in the setting. The details are exquisite without encumbering the story. And all this doesn’t even address the content of the story. I love that the author digs deep for her characterizations, not merely skimming the surface, and invests one into the characters. Yasmin and the Earl have a palpable attraction and seeing them learn about each other and themselves, exposing their strengths and flaws, and watching them grow as characters throughout as they navigate their society is a pleasure and a delight.
Tammy AM. Morgens
Book #2 in the Would-Be Wallflowers series. An enemies to lovers and grumpy-sunshine hero Regency romance. Giles Renwick, the Earl of Lilford is the grumpy-sunshine hero that hates being attracted to our heroine Lady Yasmin. She’s scandalous after all according to the ton.. but she makes him feel things he’s never felt for another woman. Lady Yasmin is an innocent being judged unfairly but has kept herself grounded. She’s down-to-earth and cheerful from the inside out.. and always sports a smile 😀 (and definitely dresses a little more provocative than most ladies of the ton). Yasmine has strong feelings for Giles but is unsure to where she fits in his life. After all.. he had always vehemently disliked her. Sound intriguing and a bit confusing? And let’s not forget his scheming younger sister that tries to make their life unbearable. Hatefulness and cruelty are only a small part behind the trouble that little villain causes 😈. The highlight of my day was to sit back, relax.. and dive into this entertaining, gossipy story that matches an overprotective/jealous hero with a beautiful yet reluctant (will she? or won’t she?) french heroine. I didn’t care for Giles as much as I wanted to but found it to be interesting to never knowing where EJ would go with his character. I absolutely adored Yasmine!!! ♥️ 4 stars — Pub. 11/29/22. Highly anticipating reading about The Duke of Huntington and Lady Stella who are up next in book #3 “Not That Duke,” out July 2023. *Thanks to the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
