I've been waiting for Viola's story! This enemies to lovers tale finally gives shy Viola some backbone and a fun second couple love story. She fancies herself in love it the vicar. The Duke of Wynter declares she is not fit to be his wife, which she overhears while hiding away in the library. The confrontation between these two leads brings out the steel in her spine and she becomes more and more comfortable around people. Comedy ensues at the church production of the tale of Noah's Ark. This was a fun read with some nice heat between these two. And I really liked the storyline of poor Mr. Marlowe and his horrible fiance, Miss Pettigrew. The conflict could have been a bit more developed -- both from before they married and after -- but the heat level was really good! Overall, a nice addition to the Wilde series.

A lovely story. This is just what I needed to read, something light and fun. I love the characters in this story. Devin and Viola are sweet and a little out of place in the world of peers. Devin is kind of a nerd duke and Viola is just out of her element with all the “wild” Wildes. They find each other and find love. Viola wants to live a peaceful life and has decided on the vicar but fate plays into the equation and Devin steps into her life. Their story is one that will make you feel good.

She had powdered her hair, of course, but just around her face he could see little wisps of golden-brown curls. "You have freckles," he said.

"A few," she said, shrugging. "I know you're supposed to hate them, but I don't."

Devin discovered that he didn't hate them either.

FINAL DECISION: Beautiful, lyrical, emotional and just so wonderful. I loved how Viola and Devin fell in love with one another without excessive drama. This book was a slow sinking into a loving relationship with humor and plenty of romance.

THE STORY: Miss Viola Astley feels like a fraud amongst the wild Wildes. Painfully shy and prone to vomit when forced to socialize, Viola's life changes when she meets a young, handsome vicar. Unfortunately, the vicar is betrothed to a stern, controlling, humorless woman, but Viola is determined to rescue him for herself. Devin Elstan, Duke of Wynter has decided that it is time to marry and one of the Wilde daughters who are having their debut will do. Unseen, he's decided on the "real" Wilde not the one whose mother married into the family. Upon meeting the "unsuitable" Viola, however, Devin knows that she is the woman for him and is determined to woo her for himself.

OPINION: This has become my favorite series by Eloisa James. There is a boldness and complete willingness to be open to love by the men in the series. Completely undone by Viola, Devin wants her for himself and yet he knows and respects her at every turn. These two truly make one another better and the focus of the book is the relationship they build together rather than outside drama or manufactured misunderstandings.

Viola is the beloved step-daughter of the Duke of Wilde. Despite her loving family, she has always felt inadequate compared to the beautiful, tall and passionate Wildes. When she meets the vicar, she begins to find reasons to believe in herself. When she meets the Duke of Wynter, she is so offended by him that she forgets to be her "mousy" self and instead completely captivates Devin. I loved seeing Viola overcome her shyness and find a place for herself and a purpose.

Devin is controlled and distant after a childhood with a hotheaded and irresponsible father. When he meets Viola, she inspires him to learn to reach out to others and express his feelings. His complete devotion to her was so romantic and incredibly sweet.

I am a big fan of books where the characters actually talk to one another, discuss their issues and feelings and generally act like responsible adults. Discussion and respect can be incredibly sexy as this book demonstrates. These characters always act with respect towards one another and I fell in love with them.

The Wildes as a whole play less of a role here than in prior books, but that lent a great intimacy between Devon and Viola as most of their courtship is comprised of discussions and conversations between the two. That was something that I very much enjoyed.

One of the best parts of this series is that each romance is completely different from the others in the series. Each character, their arc, the issues and tone of the books are different. Plus, I really enjoy the historical tidbits that James includes and which gives a real sense of the real Georgian period where these books are set.

WORTH MENTIONING: The book has a cute secondary romance as well.

CONNECTED BOOKS: SAY YES TO THE DUKE is the fifth book in the Wildes of Lindow Castle series. This book can be read as a standalone. It is not necessary to have read the other books in the series to enjoy this book.

RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

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

Review to be posted on 5/26

Another great entry in the Wilde world! Viola Astley has grown up with the Wildes, but has always felt like an outsider, not really a Wilde. She has also suffered crippling social anxiety for many years. Watching her grow past her shyness and embrace her "Wilde child," while putting her alpha Duke through his paces on the road to love was delightful. As always, Eloisa layers this historical with a healthy dose of history, Shakespearean farce, and sensual and moving intimate moments. High five for all the Wilde cameos and updates. And the scene in the china closet...Whew!

Say Yes to the Duke by Eloisa James is the newest (5th) in the Wilde of Lindow Castle series. Viola Astley is sick to her stomach about going out in the ton. She finds the entire idea horrifying - so horrifying she knows she is going to throw up. The idea of having a London Debut is even worse!

However, the new vicar does catch Viola’s attention. He is kind and caring and Viola does not feel the horror of speaking with a man. Just as things become more interesting, a duke is in the picture. The Duke of Wynter, Devin Elstan becomes interested in Viola. She is so not interested in him, but he keeps putting them together and then he makes his attention clear. Little does Devin realize that not only is he changing Viola and she is changing him.

I love Eloisa James. She is one of my favorite authors and I always want to read her books. I have enjoyed Say Yes to the Duke. I found Viola and Devin rather fun to read about. I liked how both helped change the other. I liked the story line and how the book ended. Say Yes to the Duke by Eloisa James is a good read.

Say Yes to the Duke (The Wildes of Lindow Castle #5). By Eloisa James. 2020. Avon (ARC eBook).

Unlike her Wilde step-siblings, who are tall and outgoing, Miss Viola Astley is petite and fretfully shy around people outside of her family. With her London debut closing in, she is delighted to find that her nerves settle when in the company of the new vicar, Mr. Marlowe. She sets out to capture the vicar’s attention, but catches the Duke of Wynter’s instead.

Devin Elstan is determined to marry this season and return back to his mathematics. He has heard that Miss Astley is as timid as a mouse and therefore wouldn’t due, but instead he learns she is fierce when provoked and is instantly charmed. Now he has to convince Viola that she will be a perfect Duchess of Wynter.

I am a fan of Eloisa James’ books and this one is no exception. There is clever, funny banter that flows smoothly with the deeper emotions that a newly confident Viola and an honestly determined Devin stir up in each other. Definitely a summer read that will sweep you off your feet.

After an incident at her first ball years ago, Viola Astley is so shy around men that she can't even contemplate having a Season and finding a husband. Her happy discovery of a vicar who doesn't terrify her is overshadowed by meeting the stern Duke of Wynter. But both of them have hidden depths- and the overbearing and seemingly hard duke may be exactly what a shy wallflower needs.
Say Yes to the Duke continues Eloisa James' Wildes of Lindow Castle series with Wilde stepdaughter Viola- who has never really felt like one of the Wildes. Overshadowed by her taller, more confidante step-siblings, the cripplingly shy Viola is happy to liver her life outside of Society, where only her family and immediate friends can really know the intelligent, witty person behind her quiet facade. She may be one of my favorite characters of all time- completely relatable, kind, compassionate, and quiet, but willing to stand up for her family and loved ones when needed. She may not have much self-confidence, but she's stronger than she thinks she is and becomes a delightful surprise to herself and Devin, as well as the reader. Devin, the Duke of Wynter, starts off as the stereotypical nobleman, confident that he can do whatever he wants and get whatever he wants because he's a duke- and supremely uninterested with most of Society and their ways. But when Viola goes and does the one thing a woman should absolutely never do if she doesn't want to catch a duke's attention- telling him exactly how rude and overbearing he is and then walking away- Devin finds he has a lot more interest in finding a wife than he had expected.
Devin and Viola might seem to be opposites on the surface, but still waters run deep and they are completely perfect for each other. He excels at solving problems, she excels at trying to make people happy. When they are tested by a vicar and his horrible fiancée on what is right for the people of their entire parish, Wilde hijinks may ensue but true love eases all wounds. Although Book 5 in a series it will be easy for new readers to start with this as a standalone, and James' brilliant writing and sparkling humor will capture new fans with every page. A lovely book with passion and sparkling chemistry between Devin and Viola, rapier wit, laugh out loud humorous moments, and an army of cats, Say Yes to the Duke is a perfect must read!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I loved Devin and Viola. Both excellent characters. Devin is sweet and considerate of Viola. Not aggressive or “alpha” at all. They are true partners. I love their romance and story, however I wish there was more of it. Too much time in this book was spent on secondary characters. The vicar, his fiancé and Viola’s friend. I also wish there would have been more detail in two areas, Devin’s confession and the vicar’s fiancé’s blowup. They both had huge lead ups, were set up as the main conflicts and both were resolved behind the scenes. Eloisa is one of my favorite authors and the Wilde’s have so far been one of my most favorite romance series. This story however is the weakest in the group. Still worth the read but not my favorite.

I received this book as an ARC from netgalley. This review is given voluntarily and honestly.

Paralyzingly shy Viola has finally found a man she can talk to easily and happily, the new local vicar. The only problem? His fiancee... and the fact that the Duke of Wynter compromises Viola. This a sweet romance that will please fans of historical romance and Eloisa James. I couldn't wait for the villainess to get the boot.

I have loved reading all of the books about the Wilde’s. They are eccentrics and never boring. Viola does not consider herself a true Wilde, she is the Duke’s stepdaughter, is shy and looks nothing like the rest of the family. She has always had an issue with being not quite a Wilde. Devin, the Duke of Wynter and Viola start a friendship that leads to being caught in a compromising position and a hurried wedding. I especially enjoyed the ending, I was just waiting for the “terrible misunderstanding” that just didn’t happen when Devin admitted his secret, this was a great relief! 5 stars.

Eloisa James returns with another Wilde romance! This might be the best one yet, but competition for that title is fierce. Viola, the product of her mother's first marriage, has never truly seen herself as a Wilde. She doesn't match the rest of the Duke's children in looks or temperament. All she wants is a quiet life in the country where she never has to attend another ball. To that end, she has decided to fall in love with her family's newly hired vicar. The Duke of Wynter, has decided to finally get married and would also like someone who desires a quiet life. What he doesn't want, is someone who is currently in love with a vicar, so he's determined to win Viola over! The humor, the drama, and the romance make this book an absolute delight! This is a happy book
The duke is patient and kind toward Viola and he is quite charming. Viola is comfortable with him from the start. They talk about many subjects and their back and forth is witty and funny. Devin is willing to do whatever it takes to make Viola happy, which is adorable. 🖤💜

I love The Wildes of Lindow Castle series and look forward to each book. This story centers on Viola and her shyness. The best part of the story for me is seeing what a strong woman Viola is underneath of shyness. I also loved Mrs. and Miss Pettigrew. Those characters were so interesting!
Thank you for the ARC. This was my honest review.

This is not the type of romance I usually choose to read, but the pandemic has been influencing me to expand my reading tastes! I'm glad I did, because I truly enjoyed this book. It is my first Eloisa James book, and when I looked at the giant list of her previous books, I was very happy. I have some catching up to do. Say Yes to the Duke was a delight from start to finish. Romantic, sexy, historic, perfect!

This is a sweet story, well-told with appealing characters. There wasn’t a lot of plot, but I loved the characters and the dialogue. It was nice to see quiet Viola get her chance to shine, I liked Devin, and it’s always good to catch up with the other Wildes.

In the middle of this pandemic, I don’t want angst—there is enough of that in real life. I want a story that will make me smile, and this fit the bill perfectly. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

My first note is do not start reading this book before bed because I could not put it down!

I tend to enjoy Eloisa James’s romances, but I adored this one! I loved Viola and her duke! I like how James lets a character grow and change.

This is about the Wilde Child who felt like she was not really one of the family. James does a great job with Viola’s social anxiety and insecurity. And Devin seems like a pompous ass, but then we get to watch him grow as well. And the historical details about both clothing and theater were great too.

I love that James also hints at various tropes without letting them derail the novel. It was great! This is the best book that I have read in a while.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review.

#SayYestotheDuke #NetGalley

I enjoyed reading about the Wilde family--they truly love each other. I liked that Viola and Devin were complex and did not act in a cliché manner. The side story of Mr. Marlowe hosting a cycle play for the parish was funny. This book was steamy, and I liked that there was not too much manufactured angst between the two main characters. This was a sweet historical romance that would be perfect for fans of Eloisa James, Julia Quinn, and Lisa Kleypas.

Viola Astley is the stepdaughter of a duke. She feels that she doesn't belong to the Wilde family because she doesn't have the same courage and outspokenness as her siblings. She feels anxiety in some social situations, and it causes her to vomit. She thinks that she is in love with Mr. Marlowe, the new vicar. When Viola meets Devin, the Duke of Wynter, she is drawn to this him. After an awkward first meeting, Devin realizes that he would be happy if Viola became his wife. As their relationship grows, they have to learn how to communicate and not keep secrets from one another.

Say Yes to the Duke was a heartwarming coming of age story where both the heroine and hero learn how to grow up: one by learning that sometimes to be the most comfortable you have to leave your comfort zone, and the other that there are times when having the wonderment of a child is just as important as looking at things logically. As with many Eloisa James romances there is a hefty amount of humour added into the love story, and the lightheartedness carries Viola through to her happy ending. I enjoy reading Eloisa James' historical romances, and this is another one that I'll be recommending to other romance readers.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

Overall, I would give this book 3.75 stars, as I quite enjoyed it but had a few qualms as well.

First, the editing is a bit choppy at times - there were several grammatical errors that should've been caught. But, if you aren't a grammar Nazi like me, they aren't likely to take you out of the story. In this same vein, the word use is questionable - the author enjoys adding words like "insalubrious" and "perspicacity" in colloquial conversation, and it didn't always sound authentic. Additionally, there were several instances where a character spoke in a way that was distinctly not of the period, or mentioned occurrences and desires that didn't fit that timeframe. Some picky readers will struggle with those, though I do hope they persevere in reading the novel to the end.

I'm a fan of Eloisa James books. I know I'll get veiled Shakespeare references, excellent banter, and characters I like and can root for, even though the men tend to be overly flawed. That's exactly the recipe in "Say Yes to the Duke" - so if you like your dukes cold, starchy, and a font of control, and you like seeing them get unstarched, this follows that plotline well. Viola is a likable heroine who undergoes adequate character development as she strives to conquer her shyness and her duke's heart. The sisterhood between Viola and Joan was especially touching, though sometimes the dialogue between them felt staged (actually, that could be said for all characters at different points throughout this book). Really, the only thing I didn't like about Viola (because who doesn't love a heroine that likes the short guy and hangs out with animals in a cowshed?) was the protest-too-much attitude she took to courtship with Devin, and the fact that she had professed to seeing male relatives naked as babies, but was surprised that grown men had nipples. I'm still scratching my head at that.

The Duke of Wynter was occasionally prone to jealousy and possessed a "penchant for drama" (as Viola describes it) that was a little more cookie-cutter than I preferred. Think Mr. Darcy and Clayton Westmoreland, but not as in absolute command of his emotions. I think his emotional upheavals were honest and well-delineated, though he did jump to conclusions sometimes and he does something MAJOR UNCOOL at Viola's first ball that haunts the rest of the story (I did feel there wasn't a good enough resolution about that when it was revealed, but I'm probably in the minority).

There are several instances of outdoor or public lovemaking that really contrasted with some of the character's personalities, and I will say, some of it was cringey to me. But that is personal preference. All my exhibitionist friends will probably think it's pretty tame :P

Overall, this was likable and, while not realistic, I actually appreciated the lack of drama and Big Misunderstandings that usually pepper romance novels. I think some readers may be turned off by the occasional pages and pages of description, and the flaws I outlined above. However, if they stick around, they're in for an enjoyable story where the atypical heroine gets the guy, and that's a particular trope that's gaining a lot of momentum in the era of female empowerment.

I definitely recommend this to fellow romance enthusiasts!

This was my first book about the Wilde family and I already love them.
Say Yes to the Duke was a fun read and much needed laugh in such trying times.

Viola has an affinity for hiding based off a past humiliation and her fear that she doesn’t feel like a true Wilde as she is a stepdaughter of the Duke of Lindow. None of her family feel that way however. She is constantly reminded by her stepsister Joan of what a Wilde child she truly is. I simply adore their relationship. Where Joan is talkative and loves the spotlight, Viola is timid and shy. Their relationship is special, and you can see how much they love each other.

This was also a funny story in that Devin, Duke of Wynter is a mathematician who is unused to having a real challenge in anything he wants. What makes it so hilarious is that his competition is so unlike him and he tries his hardest to prove he is a worthy suitor. He even mentions that the Vicar is so...pretty, and he is not. The vicar is so virtuous, and he is...not, but he will try for Viola and that is sweet.

It is mentioned in the book that no one forgets a Wilde, and that includes Viola. Viola is not a mouse and is stubborn and I like that about her. Just when you think the story is going to have angst it is not drawn out and I appreciate that. Overall, Viola and Devin are just so right for each other and the side characters are just as fun.

I can’t wait to read more about the Wildes.

ARC provided by Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers.

I just couldn't get into this one and ended up not finishing it because Viola was a bit too boring for me, and I couldn't get over the very boring beginning. Eloisa James is fantastic so it is likely just the wrong book for me.