FINAL DECISION: This book was just amazing. I loved Betsy's strength and gumption. I adored the deep emotional center of Jeremy. These two were incredible together, and I especially enjoyed that their story was much deeper than the blurb would suggest.

THE STORY: Lady Betsy Wilde lived under the feared approbation of her mother's infidelity and scandalous behavior. In exchange, she has become the "perfect" lady and has rejected a number of eligible gentlemen's proposals. Feeling constrained by her "perfect" facade, Betsy wants some adventure and she makes a bet with a family friend to get her chance. Lord Jeremy Roden returned from war in the colonies a changed man and no longer the gentleman he was before. His interactions with Betsy are also changing him, but does he want her for himself or should he convince her to accept a duke who would her perfect match.

OPINION: I've really been enjoying the Wildes of Lindow Castle series. The characters are passionate but reasonable and intensely sweet. There is something loving and heartwarming about these characters. The books give me a warm heart and always leaves me with a smile. These Wildes love in a big and full way and I love them back.

Betsy is the oldest daughter in the family and she suffers from the actions of her mother. She knows that others are looking at her to find traces of her mother's scandalous behavior and Betsy is determined to give others nothing to latch onto. But playing a part has been wearing on Betsy who hasn't been able to indulge in her "wild" side. What I really loved about Betsy is that in a time of restrictions upon women, Betsy has found a way to be a powerful woman. She has made a place for herself where she won't accept limitations but finds ways to subvert them.

Jeremy is her brother North's friend. Returning after war in the colonies, Jeremy suffers from the effects of war. While he thinks himself not a gentleman any longer because of his experiences, his interactions with Betsy are truly the essence of being a gentleman -- if a naughty one. I loved his journey in this book. Betsy grounds Jeremy in the world that he felt disconnected to after his war experiences.

Betsy and Jeremy are just perfect together from the beginning. Their banter and bickering was funny and sexy. These two are such a good match that only their fears can keep them apart.

I loved this book. I cared about the characters and they felt like real people with fears and foibles and mistakes. I really like that these are good people and the book allows them to work out their personal issues and find a way to one another.

WORTH MENTIONING: I love this family. I'm hoping for books for more of the siblings.

CONNECTED BOOKS: SAY NO TO THE DUKE is the fourth book in the Wildes of Lindow Castle. The romance here is self-contained and thus it can be read as a standalone, but I think this book is much better if a reader is familiar with the passionate Wilde family and the circumstances which confront Betsy.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to assist in preparation of this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

What an absolute delight this book is! Say No to the Duke is a prime example on why I love Eloisa James's writing so much.

Lady Betsy and Lord Jeremy were an absolute delight! Both have been shaped by events in the past and both are determined to fight for who they want to be. The banter between them was entertaining and I loved watching them match each other tit for tat.

Impeccably written with a charming cast of characters, and a fun and flirty story line with a side of the feels, Say No to the Duke is without a doubt one of the best books I have read this year.

I’m not sure it’s possible for Eloisa James to write a bad book; she’s too talented for that. But in my opinion, this particular one lacks the spark to elevate it beyond the average.

I liked the leads well enough. Jeremy is suffering from PTSD after losing his entire troop fighting in America, and it’s hard not to sympathize. He’s also uses roguish behavior to mask his pain, another plus in my book; I like a good rogue. Betsy maintains a proper façade, but she’s capable of living up to the Wilde family name if she wishes. I liked the way the two characters played off of each other, Jeremy encouraging Betsy to be herself, and Betsy distracting him from his pain.

What didn’t work for me was the central plot point. Because she’s afraid she will be compared to her scandalous mother, Betsy has trained herself to exhibit complete propriety when out in society. She’s fixated on the idea that she has to be perfect, otherwise she could make the same bad choices her mother did. But given that she comes from a family that seems completely uncaring of what other people think of them, I just couldn’t quite buy that she would give that idea as much weight as she did. Maybe I’m supposed to excuse her because she’s very young and has been the target of hateful treatment at school, but Betsy otherwise seems to display a lot of good sense, so I found that difficult.

Add to that some extra melodrama involving Jeremy’s family that I don’t think was necessary, and I found myself wishing Jeremy and Betsy were in a somewhat different story.

So, mixed feelings here, and it gets a middling review.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

Really thoughtful exploration of 18th century PTSD in the context of the American Revolution, with family coming together rather than acting as an obstacle to the heroic central pair.

**3.5 Stars

I enjoyed this book for the most part. I just wish we had more time with the two main characters. We see their relationship progress over the course of only a few days, however, they have known each other for months. I would have liked to see more of that relationship forming (perhaps it did in the previous book and I can’t remember it) but they were a fun couple. There was a whole chunk of time where I felt we lost the main interaction of the couple and it got a bit convoluted with extra characters. I did think the plot twist with the cousin was unnecessary. Overall a solid addition to the series.

Eloisa James' always leaves me with that glowy HEA feeling and excitement for the next book!! I loved our Wilde heroine, Betsy (or Bess or her full name, Boadicea). She's intelligent, sassy, independent, determined, and initially frightfully worried she's exactly like her faithless mother. Jeremy is a friend of her elder brother and at their castle recovering from the horrors of war. He finds himself more and more drawn to Betsy. And Betsy to him. Their interactions are so fun to read. I loved the journey to their HEA. It is exactly what I expect from an Eloisa James' book. Wit, a touch of drama, family, and some personal epiphanies along with the delicious HEA.
I received a review copy from NetGalley. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I’m always fond of “friends to lovers” story, and while Betsy and Jeremy aren’t exactly friends at the beginning, by the end they are most definitely lovers!

Jeremy, emotionally scarred by war, is a close friend of the Wilde brothers, and they invite him nome to stay with them to heal, strengthen, and begin to regain his place in society. Betsy, one of the Wilde sisters, is swanning her way through society, and collecting and discarding marriage proposals right and left. A young woman who is bound and determined to *not* take after her mother, she intends to find a comfortable husband, and avoid any unseemly displays of passion.

Both of the main characters are ready for change, and their growth towards and around each other is believable, funny and sweet.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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.

Follows the typical historical romance plot (this is not a criticism - it's why I picked it up). But what I like about Eloisa James is that her characters' personality flaws tend to be unique and interesting.

Lady Betsy Wilde has had a successful first season by any definition, culminating in several marriage proposals, even one from a future duke. Plagued by her mother's scandal of leaving her father, a duke, Betsy has been determined to prove she's nothing like that, even at the cost of hiding her true self. Betsy wants one last bit of adventure and freedom before settling into marriage and makes a wager over a game of billiards with her brother's friend and houseguest, Jeremy. If she wins he must take her out dressed as a man so she can experience some of the things women are barred from. But if he wins, he gets a no holds barred night with her and without commitments. Of course Jeremy has no plans to go through with this even if he does win, but he soon finds that spending time with Betsy is the real prize.

Though he's the heir to a marquesate, Lord Jeremy Roden knows he's not good enough for Betsy. He's still suffering after his experiences at war and the loss of his entire regiment, but Betsy makes him finally feel something again. In taking Betsy on her agreed upon adventure, he begins to know her as she truly is, not for the ladylike facade she presents to the world.

Betsy is determined to never succumb to desire as her mother did before and so she believes she must choose a suitor who does not interest her. The more time she spends with her erstwhile suitor, Thaddeous, the more Betsy begins to question everything she believes about her mother's decisions and the institution of marriage. She recognizes her visceral reaction to Jeremy as a representation of her mother's wanton blood and a problem to be solved. The future duke is the perfect suitor, but still she can't quite make herself say yes to him, or definitively say no either.

Jeremy can see that his friend Thaddeous would be a good match for Betsy, but that doesn't stop him from feeling inexplicably possessive over her and soon he's determined to convince her to turn down the future duke and explore the feelings of love and desire that terrify her.

This book was a bit different than others I've read recently given Betsy's views on love and marriage, but it worked because Jeremy was fabulous and Betsy wasn't an air-headed idiot. Jeremy was a great hero and had some of the most adorable dialogues I've read in some time, especially when he decided to be brave and put himself out there and Betsy reciprocated in kind. This was my first read from Eloisa James and now I'm glad I've been quietly picking up the rest of this series as it went on sale. I couldn't put this one down once I got into it and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really wanted to give this a higher score. I absolutely love Eloisa James' books but this one just fell so flat for me. Between the heroine's nickname and the weirdly modern way she acted, she was just hard to actually like.
The book overall was good but this author is capable of better. The characters just weren't enjoyable together.

This series is a delight.
The life of nobility in the 1700s with all of the small details that make it unique, shine. The characters use their words!!! Their personal demons are relatable despite being from another century. Clever title that fits the story just right.
The romance is an attraction that both the characters fight. It comes out is snarky dialogue. The heroine doesn't remain a virgin til marriage.
The antagonist is sneaky but it all comes out in the end.


I received a free ARC from netagalley.

I received an advanced reader copy of this title through NetGalley and HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. Eloisa James returns to the Wildes of Lindow with Lady Betsy's story. Lady Betsy's mother ran away from her family to follow her Prussian lover. British aristocracy is certain that a similar fate will behalf Lady Betsy. Lady Betsy determines that she will show everyone is wrong in their opinion of her and becomes one of the most successful ladies in the marriage mart. But Lady Betsy longs for an opportunity to be free from societal expectations. Could Jeremy Roden be the key to her deepest wish? Fans of Eloisa James will appreciate the witty banter between characters, the challenge between Lady Besty and Jeremy Roden, and of course the return of other characters from the Wilde Series. Readers who haven't read the Wilde series may want to read the other titles before trying this one to fully understand the whole family back story. If you're looking to finish the series, don't miss this one.

While James is an established and prolific writer of historical romances ... The Wildes of Ludlow Castle is the only series that I’ve read written by her. I enjoy this family of characters. I enjoy the sense of adventure and mischief that is woven throughout. I’ll be interested in more tales of the Wildes to come.

Say No to the Duke is another example of Eloisa James' masterful ability to pace readers through a story, develop sympathetic characters & connect forward to the next story in the series, and deal with complex issues that still affect people today, namely gender issues and returning from war.

The Wilde in question is Betsy: on the surface, perfectly behaved; in her innermost self, perfectly wild. I think so many of us, especially women, connect with the feeling of living with needs/wants that conflict with what society expects, and we're hesitant to act on those desires for fear of what 'they' may say. In this case, Betsy adores playing billiards (and is an excellent player) and wants to attend an auction where women aren't allowed. Her perfect-in-society's-eyes beau, future Duke Thaddeus Shaw, Viscount Greywick, whole-heartedly disapproves.

Lord Jeremy comes to love Betsy for who she is: an independent thinker who doesn't see gender as something that should box her in to specific behaviors; she loves him for who he is: a leader grieving for the loss of the men under his command as well as the loss of who he thought he was. It's obvious that James talked with people who've served in war zones, and is careful to present Jeremy as a nuanced character learning to accept himself for who he is, even though he loathes the things he's done. James' adroit writing--I'm thinking of the scene where Jeremy hears another character singing "I once was lost/but now I'm found/was blind but now I see"--reinforces Jeremy's newfound understanding of himself and is effortlessly included rather than being forced.

I've already reread Say No to the Duke and look forward to the next Wilde of Lindlow Castle. I'm hoping it's Viola's story.

I was provided an ARC by NetGalley for an honest opinion.

Say No to the Duke (The Wildes of Lindow Castle, #4) by Eloisa James ..Thank you very much to the publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview and review this book. THE WILDES OF LINDOW CASTLE is a fantastic series and I hated to put it down or for it to end. Lady Boadicea "Betsy" Wilde and Lord Jeremy Roden are perfect for each other...but each has their own demons... He has PTSD from the Revolutionary War..and she fears she will turn out like her mother. I love the whole family... but Aunt Knowe is my favorite. There is laughter, tears, drama, twists and turns and steamy sex all leading to a very HEA.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Tear-jerker Action-packed Steamy Easy-to-read Wonderful characters Happily Ever After Informative Page-turner Funny Entertaining Great world building Romantic

Lady Betsy Wilde's mother ran away from her father during a scandalous affair. Gossips claim that one of her children (Betsy's sibling) may not be the Duke's child. And Betsy knows that she has her mother's blood. Before she settles into a nice, sedate marriage with no passion, she wants to rack up as many proposals as possible, just to show those snobs from her boarding school that she is better than them. Fourteen proposals later, she has snared one from a duke. But she's annoyed that he proposes in front of the family hanger-on, Lord Jeremy Roden.
Lord Jeremy doesn't have much time for Betsy. He knows what she wants and he disapproves. In his opinion, she should be living her life to the fullest extent possible and not settling for the staid Thaddeus. He is willing to indulge Betsy when she proposes a billiards match. If she wins, he will take her on an adventure. And, while this is a trope we've seen before, Jeremy is surprisingly pragmatic about it. He wants to make sure that they are properly chaperoned, even on the adventure. He is also very aware that his PTSD makes him a freak in his lifetime.
This is definitely not the normal adventure story. For one thing, Betsy's other suitor and his mother come along as well as her aunt. And I liked that twist. I did not like that there was a "villain" sort of squished into the story just so that there would be one. Other than that, I do hope that we get to see Thaddeus again because he seemed like a genuinely good guy and his mother is amazing.

Four stars
This book comes out June 25th
Follows Born to Be Wilde
ARC kindly provided by HarperCollins, NetGalley, and Edelweiss
Opinions are my own

The wildest of the Wildes, this is Boadicea’s (Betsy’s) story. A woman trying to suppress her passionate urges lives in the same house as a man, Lord Jeremy, who is trying to suppress the horrors of war. I loved Jeremy’s patience while Betsy realizes that she is not her wild mother and she does not need to be perfect. Betsy helps Jeremy realize he is not to blame for his loss of his men in the war. I received this ARC for my honest review.

James has done it again, delivering a charming, humorous and heartfelt historical romance. Lady Besty Wilde has striven all her life to be the perfect lady, but just once, she wants to let loose. Lord Jeremy Roden is doing his best to recover from a devastating time at war in the colonies, hiding away at Lindlow castle with whiskey, and Wildes and Lady Besty on the billiards table. When Betsy bets Jeremy over a game of billards neither one could foresee just where their friendly wager will lead.

I have enjoyed reading about all of the Wilde’s and Say No to the Duke is no exception. I truly felt the emotion and enjoyed the way Jeremy and Betsy fell in love. Aunt Knowe and all of the Wilde brothers and sisters only add to 5he story. 5 stars.