I was so happy to finally see Joan get her chance to shine but this wasn’t my favorite book in the series. It was as sweet and charming as James’s books always are but didn’t stay with me the way some of her other books have.

Joan has always known that she was the result of her adulterous mother’s affair with a Prussian. Still her father, the duke, has always kept her as part of the family. Now she is plotting to perform in a play as Hamlet. ARC from NetGalley.

1784. Lady Joan Wilde, daughter of the Duke of Lindow, is considered scandalous, not only because she is illegitimate, but because she defies social convention. By contrast, Thaddeus Shaw, Viscount Greywick and future Duke of Eversley, is a paragon of rectitude. She finds him pompous and irritating; he finds her extremely annoying. Despite this, they feel a mutual attraction, and as they start to understand each other better, their relationship improves.

What enlivens the familiar romance trope of opposites who attract is the lively dialogue and insights into how one’s conduct affects others in ways not always appreciated. We are, unfortunately, often too preoccupied with our own concerns to notice. There are other interesting insights too: the restrictive cumbersomeness of aristocratic women’s clothing, the challenges for touring companies who perform plays for an unsophisticated provincial audience, and the rudeness and arrogance of a privileged elite, most strikingly witnessed in the conduct of Thaddeus’ father and the delightfully named Lady Bumtrinket.

This is Book 6 in the Wildes of Lindow Castle series, and though the plot drifts towards farce at times, as Joan herself remarks, the eccentric family is as amusing and entertaining as ever. Definitely recommended.
HNR, Issue 97 (August 2021)

Love the Wildes. I particularly loved this book because the characters were unexpectedly charming. Joan was particularly a breath of fresh air because she wasn’t the conventional Regency heroine. I loved the hero, Thad, as well because I do enjoy seeing a stuffy character fall completely apart and in love. Charming secondary characters and an interesting plot. I think each successive books is my favorite and I hope there are more Wildes to entertain us for years to come.

Wilde Child is a great addition to Eloisa James' Wildes of Lindow Castle series. Highly recommend this book for those who love the opposite love to hate romance.

Lady Joan Wilde has never minded being at the center of a scandal, after all she was born at the eye of one with golden hair that proves her a product of her mother's affair. She takes pleasure in eschewing tradition and in her latest lark will play the role of Hamlet, in breeches of course, albeit only in the family home for relatives and close friends. However, she isn't counting on Thaddeus Erskine Shaw, Viscount Greywick, being one of those family friends in residence. For years, she and Thaddeus have avoided each other. Thaddeus doing so because Joan seems to be the one woman who can get under his skin and shake the carefully crafted persona of a future Duke he has created. The sight of Joan in breeches is too much for him though and he makes a bargain with her to limit the potential damage. He will allow her one public performance in her breeches , with his supervision, if afterwards she will commit to reforming her scandalous ways and marry a man he deems acceptable. As the two spend time together though, Thaddeus begins to see beyond the role Joan has created both on and off the stage and she begins to admire the man behind the mask Thaddeus always wears. As their understanding of each other and their expectations change, will they be will to create a scandal together?

Lady Joan is a phenomenal character and I am so glad she got her own story in this novel. She owns her scandalous begins, but allows herself to be loved and cherished by the father and family that chose her. I love her strength of character and wild ambitions. There are a multitude of relationships in this novel, the one between Thaddeus and Joan is the strongest, but I really appreciated the effort to include Otis as a close friend and confidant, as well as the various relationships between Joan and her family, especially Aunt Knowe. The tension and teasing between Joan and Thaddeus is great and we get a decent amount of sizzle. This is the sixth book in a series. It could be read as a standalone although I would recommend starting from the beginning of the Wilde family saga if possible!

As cleverly funny as the rest of James' Wildes of Lindow Castle series, Wilde Childe brings together a pair of seeming opposites, the free-spirited Joan and stuffily reserved Thaddeus in a thoroughly delightful read.

Harlequin Junkie Top Pick!

Wilde Child by Eloisa James is the sixth book in The Wildes of Lindow Castle. The book can be read as a stand-alone, but the Wilde siblings will draw you in and you will want to read all the Wilde family’s adventures. The book was perfectly paced and beautifully written. The Wilde family and friends are charming and always leave me with a smile after reading their stories. This is one of those series that I can read repeatedly and never get bored.

Lady Joan Wilde created a scandal when she was born and cannot seem to avoid them. Her blond hair proved her mother’s infidelity with a Prussian count, which she ran away with. The ton ostracizes Joan because of her illegitimacy but they cannot give her the cut because she is an heiress and the Duke of Lindow recognizes her as his daughter and protects her. Joan loves drama and performing plays for her family and friends but is tired of playing the damsel in distress. She dreams of playing in front of a real audience as a prince or pirate. A traveling theatre company is coming to the castle and her father is permitting her to play the part of Prince Hamlet in men’s breeches. Her perception of Thaddeus slowly changes as they practice for the play and she sees Thaddeus’s arrogance as his mask for society.

Thaddeus Shaw, Viscount Greywick, was the future Duke of Eversley. He had never considered Joan as a potential wife because of her illegitimacy and how annoying she is. He planned on marrying someone who would help improve their family name since his father created a scandal when he deserted Thaddeus and his mother to live with his mistress and second family. He tries to talk Joan out of playing the part of Prince Hamlet because if news of her wearing breeches got out, she would be ruined and banished from polite society. After hearing her dream of performing in front of a real audience, he surprises himself by volunteering to keep her safe while she does one show in public. Realizing there is more to Joan than he thought, he slowly comes to admire her and her intelligence.

I always look forward to reading new books involving the Wilde family because they are such a loving and supportive family. Their witty banter always keeps the stories light and fun. I looked forward to Joan’s story and it was just as exciting as I thought it would be. Joan is such a lively character and always laughing and seeing her paired with Thaddeus who comes across as grumpy made them the perfect couple. The connection between the two could be felt from the beginning and I loved watching their characters grow as they slowly became friends. This was another wonderful book in the series and I look forward to the next one.

Wilde Child (The Wildes of Lindow Castle #6). By Eloisa James. 2021. Avon (ARC eBook).

What a delightful opposites attract romance. Viscount Greywick and Joan Wilde are not strangers, but neither have ever entertained the idea of the other being an eligible prospect for marriage, until now. I really enjoyed seeing the “Wilde Child” Joan and (especially) Thaddeus come into their own. There is more to the grumpy Viscount Greywick then previously seen, as under his tough exterior he loves animals and astronomy. I adored Thaddeus’s points of view as the story goes along and he realizes he’s in love and he just goes for it. The steamy scenes are excellent and the epilogue works wonderfully as a full circle moment for the series.

I have been following this series for a while, so I am incredibly happy to see Lady Joan's story. Lady Joan and Viscount Greywick (future duke ) get along like oil and water, but their journey of self-discovery is very heartwarming. I think it is also a really important lesson for young women who are reading this book to learn: that what they thought they wanted for their life might not actually be what they want and that it's okay to change dreams. Of course, that dream doesn't have to include a man, but if it does, have at it! I've really enjoyed this series, and I am so happy that we've had such a good happily-ever-after at the end of this one!

Eloisa James' books are always so enjoyable to read and "Wilde Child" is no exception. I loved being back with the Wilde family and seeing Joan find love and acceptance. While you don't need to read the prior 5 books in the series, you absolutely should.

I loved Joan's book! Definitely worth the wait :)

It was so lovely to see Thaddeus, who just wanted to marry well to ensure the future of his title and who has already been shot down by previous Wilde daughters, finally find his HEA with the Wilde daughter he was really meant to be with. We finally find out why he's such a stickler for propriety, and that no, he doesn't really have a giant stick up his butt.

Maybe just a little one. Sometimes. ;)

I have to admit I was baffled by Joan's burning desire to play Hamlet--he is such a self-centered you-know-what! And don't get me started on his treatment of Ophelia...though I did appreciate the discussion that eventually ensued among the (book's) characters about Hamlet and the rest of the cast of (the play's) characters. It *almost* made me want to go back to university to sit in one of Professor Bly's classes, but not quite ;)

I don't miss writing papers. Or having to spend time sitting and reading plays that are meant to be performed. But I digress...

Watching Joan and Thaddeus grow closer and really get to know each other here was delightful. Though we finally find out exactly why he's such a stickler for propriety, by the end of their story you really have to wonder how on earth he ever could have thought any other Wilde daughter could have possibly been the one for him, because Joan.

Wilde Child is the sixth(!) book in Ms James's The Wildes of Lindow Castle series, but it probably could be read as a standalone. The Wilde family is a heck of a lot of fun, though, so do yourself a favor and read them all--you won't be disappointed, I promise!

I listened to the audio version, which was delightfully read (as always!) by narrator Susan Duerden. Listening to a Regency romance read in an authentic British accent is always a good idea!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

For those who love action-packed reads with charming characters, this novel is a must read! Eloisa James creates a brilliant regency-era historical romance that left me laughing so hard, I was crying. There were moments I cried for the protagonists. Hilarious, heartbreaking, sweet, and alluring, Wilde Child has become my ultimate new favorite by this writer. Eloisa James built a world that loses you from reality and takes you deep into her fictional world. I had the most fun following the crazy adventures of these two characters.

Thaddeus is going to be a Duke. He didn’t have the best father. In fact, his father left him and his mom and never returned. That dead beat father left them for a new family. Thaddeus did everything he could to prove his own worth. He wanted to make his father proud of him. Thaddeus has managed to keep himself in check until a particular Wilde woman provokes him. She manages to get under his skin. Their banters are just one of the best parts to this book. He knows she needs a protector even though she doesn’t think so. Thus, a partnership develops. That’s when all hell breaks lose in Thaddeus’s world.

Lady Joan is the wildest Wilde child. She dresses up as a man for her acting career, she wants to be an actress, and other scandalous things. I was surprised and shocked. But in good ways. This woman knows what she wants and goes for it. She’s a force to be reckon with and Thaddeus learns that early in their relationship. Lady Joan was born and left by her parent. She has been born scandalously into society and society does everything it can to remind her. She believes no one would accept her for herself. Her birth is too troublesome for any high ranking man. Even for the likes of Thaddeus. However, something pulls them together. Before long, Lady Joan is finding she likes being with the huge Hulk of a Duke.

Overall, Wilde Child is a sexy yet scandalous read. I loved how the characters fought. Their adventure was fast, fun, and engaging. I wanted the book to never end. Well-written, perfectly crafted, and the outstanding dialogue made this an unforgettable tale. I cannot wait to read the next grand adventure by the talented Eloisa James.

**Review of eARC from NetGalley**

It took me a while to get into this one. I've had some trouble with all of these Wilde books (except for Viola's for some reason). Wilde Child was a bit more bonkers than the others, which is saying something, since they all have a sense of "WTF did I just read??" to them.

Once Joan and Thaddeus (what a name!) figured out that they were the main characters in a romance, however, it was fairly smooth sailing. Though the drama with the old Duke of Eversley having delusions of grandeur was pretty funny in the end. I kind of wish there had been more of that throughout the story.

Fair enough, though I'm glad that this series is over.

Wilde Child, the sixth book in The Wildes of Lindow Castle series, is a solid and enjoyable historical romance that I think fans of Eloisa James will very much enjoy. I really liked the previous couple of books, but overall the series has been hit or miss for me. It was great to revisit the familiar and fun Wilde family, but Wilde Child just wasn't my favorite. I can't seem to pinpoint why it didn't work, so it may be more of an "it's me, not you" thing.

DNF @ 85%

I seriously wanted to love this one and I’m quite sad that I didn’t. I felt like I kept holding on to some kind of a turning point, but alas, it didn’t come for me.

Maybe I shouldn’t have been so surprised, because while I did enjoy the book previous to this one, I didn’t absolutely love it. HOWEVER, the characters were great and the ending made up for it but it just wasn’t the case for this one.

I did like getting to know Joan but it seemed like all I knew about her were her clothing and fondness for acting, there really wasn’t much to her. Thad was great, but for some reason I just didn’t believe their relationship? Not that it was quick or anything, just seemed out of place.

Their sexual encounters were also kinda cringe, but that’s a story for another time.

A lot of telling and veering off into different directions, it just didn’t capture my attention and for that, I had to let this one go.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for review. Wilde Child is a sweet, sexy, delightful read. I have to admit, I initially hesitated to read this book, simply because it was the final book in the series, and I was not quite ready for it to be over. However, Joan Wilde and Thaddeus were 100% worth the effort. They were both charming, intelligent, and witty, and it was a great deal of fun to watch them slowly realize (with a small bit of horror) that they were utterly bewitched by each other.
In comparison to the rest of the series, the author's love of Shakespeare is most obvious with this book, and if you have any strong feelings about Hamlet, be prepared to see him discussed at great length, and often with humor. This is a gentle book, and it was exactly what we need right now. The characters were largely good people who do their best to help other people, and enjoy their lives at the same time. The plot was enjoyable, and it was a good way to end the series. (Although I would still quite like Horatius to return after a bout of amnesia.) Overall, this book was sweet and clever, and it has already found a place on my shelf of comfort re-reads.

Wilde Child is the latest in Eloisa James’ series of historical romances following the Duke of Lindow’s many children as they fall in love and start their own families. This book is a fun, lighthearted romp as one of the wildest Wildes meets her match.

Lady Joan Wilde is already infamous in the ton, despite still being in the first blush of youth. Her birth lends her an air of scandal, as it is common knowledge that her existence is owed to her mother’s notorious affair with a Prussian. Joan cares little for others’ perception of her, choosing to be as outrageous as she pleases, flirting and even kissing gentlemen in full view of a ballroom! The Wildes’ prestige protects Joan from outright disgrace, but not from cutting comments from those who believe she ought not to show her face in society.

Thaddeus Erskine Shaw, Viscount Greywick, is a longstanding family friend. He courted two of Joan’s older sisters before they wed others, but Joan can’t stand him. Viscount Greywick couldn’t make it clearer that he disapproves of Joan’s very existence, and thus Joan is determined to be indifferent to him. Greywick can’t help but be aware of Joan’s beauty and intelligence, but knows she is not the one for him: his father is constantly causing gossip, and Greywick’s future bride must be beyond reproach, not the only Wilde whose name is synonymous with scandal.

When Greywick finds out that Joan’s father will allow her to perform privately in a play - wearing breeches - he is aghast that her reputation will be ruined. They strike a bargain: Greywick will accompany Joan for a performance, after which she will agree to settle down and get married to a suitable man. Joan agrees, but this pact puts the two in close proximity, making them both think about all of the reasons they should keep their hands off each other.

Joan is really fun, a heroine unconcerned with her reputation, which is a nice change. Even though she’s part of a powerful family, Joan is not totally invulnerable to society’s opinions, but she pays little mind to them. It’s obvious that Joan only really cares what people think about her if she values them, and it hurts her that Greywick, someone so close to the family, dismisses her out of hand. Joan is a beautiful woman who wants to be seen as more than that, and knows that most of those outside of her family cannot see past the face she puts on for society. Greywick is equally complex, a man who only ever wanted his father’s approval and instead receives only scorn. Like many heroes, he realizes ultimately that putting duty over love is the greatest mistake he could make, and stops a self-destructive cycle.

I really enjoyed this book, though I found Joan’s inevitable change of heart about marriage and babies a little speedy. Joan is a Wilde, and thus very unconventional by nature, but she matures from ‘babies are gross’ rather quickly. Joan reads as a lot younger than her romantic interest, though that could just come across because he is a rule-following, courteous gentleman living within society’s margins while Joan as a hoyden if there ever was one.

Wilde Child is an excellent continuation of the Wilde series, and one that fans and newcomers alike will enjoy.

I've been reading Eloisa James books for years but the last few books in her Wildes of Lindow Castle series are among my favorites. I've enjoyed their lightness of spirit, sparkling wit, sizzling chemistry, sense of humor, and feel-good emotion that warms my heart.

I really had no idea what to expect from Wilde Child. Both Joan and Thaddeus had appeared in earlier books but I had only come to know them at a surface level. There had been no attachment formed and my first opinions of Thaddeus were not all that favorable. That all began to change as I read their story and the layers behind the masks both presented to society were slowly peeled away. The evolution of Thaddeus's character was significant, and anticipated, but what surprised me more was the evolution of Joan. I had not expected her growth nor the direction it took. Watching both of them discover their true selves as their relationship progressed was pure pleasure. They made me laugh, made me sigh, and filled me with their joy. In these two, James has created interesting, fully-developed, sensual, loyal, caring, multi-layered characters who though, at first glance, seem completely wrong for one another, are actually the missing puzzle pieces that make one another whole. I adored them.

This is (possibly) the final book in the Wildes of Lindow Castle series. Fans are still hopeful that eldest brother, Horatius lives. His family believes he died eleven years ago but as his body was never recovered from the bog, that door remains slightly ajar. Whether James will resurrect him remains unknown though there are many tidbits scattered throughout Wilde Child that could be followed if she decides to return him to his family and share his story. Whether that occurs or not, Wilde Child is a fitting conclusion to the series and a tribute to this fiercely loving and unapologetically loyal family.

Though Wilde Child is the sixth book of this series, it can absolutely be read on its own. However, once you meet the other family members (and there are many featured in this final book), you'll most likely be eager to read their books as well.

*ARC received for fair and unbiased review

I feel like I’ve been waiting for Joan’s book since this series started and it was so worth the wait.

I’ve loved Joan since the first time she walked onto the page. She comes across as flighty and uncaring, but she’s loyal and filled with heart. Thaddeus starts out as stoic and is quite charming and determined. Together these two had an organic progression of their relationship and chemistry for days.

Plot wise, it was so joyful. The conflict came from outside of the couple and I truly loved that they were partners in everything. There were loads of honest conversations and kissing and of course it was delightful to see the other Wildes.

Overall, this has been a fantastic series and I know I need to do a reread binge soon soon soon.

**Huge thanks to Avon for providing the arc free of charge**