(Possible spoilers)


It’s always fun to visit the Wilde family. Thaddeus, the oh-so-proper heir-apparent to the Duke of Eversley, failed in his courting of Joan Wilde’s sisters Betsy and Viola, but her apparent illegitimacy prevents him from pursuing her because he must marry well. His lunatic father, who abandoned him and his mother shortly after his birth, wants him to revoke his birthright and will use any scandal to expedite it. However, what starts as a lark, helping Joan fulfill her desire to act on stage, becomes so much more as he’s taken in by her beauty, laughter, and general joie de vivre. That she is part of the loving, eccentric and accepting Wilde family seals the deal. He loves Joan, but also sees the rest of them as the family of his heart. Over time, he starts to drop the rigid, arrogant, aristocratic facade he’s perfected, and with her genuineness and trusting soul, he begins to shed the “disguise” he’s worn his entire life to reveal the fun, mischievous man he is at his core.

This enemies-to-lovers historical romance is the 6th book in the Wildes of Lindow Castle series, and is as delightful as all the rest. The story mirrors Shakespeare’s Hamlet, with Joan taking a gender-bending turn as the Prince of Denmark, with Thaddeus unwittingly personifying Ophelia...without the tragic ending. It’s always a treat to visit with the large, boisterous and scandalous family of the Duke of Lindow. Plot-wise, there isn’t much to distinguish this book from others of the genre, but Eloisa James does a marvelous job of bringing her characters to life and allowing readers to share in the joy this family evokes. There are still two young Wildes in the nursery, so let’s hope we’ll be gifted with their stories in the near future.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Avon through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I have enjoyed all the other books in this series but had a really had time getting into this one. I think it is the last in series and it was a little tired.

We all have that Author. You know, the one who literally always publishes books that you’re destined to love. Eloisa James has been that Author for me for YEARS. Her books can always be counted on for a good one sitting read. They are literally my favorite slump busters and she has never written a book I didn’t completely fall in love with. I’ve also never made it through one of her books with dry eyes. I cry every single time, without fail.

I’ve been dying for Joan’s story for ages. She was always the Wilde that I was most curious about. She’s a free spirit and I kind of expected her to end up with someone equally wild. When I read the synopsis and realized who Eloisa James had paired Joan with, I wasn’t sure how to react. Thaddeus has been in previous books but always seemed like a man with a stick up his ass. Naturally, I shouldn’t have doubted Eloisa James because she absolutely made me fall in love with Thaddeus.

The two of them had such a wonderfully beautiful story that genuinely made me smile and cry. I couldn’t put the book down and spent my entire Saturday neglecting chores and adulting in general so that I could finish Wilde Child. The Wilde family may always be my personal favorite historical romance family and I hope to see more of them in the future. I will always need more Wilde drama!

Lady Joan Wilde is known for being blonde (proof of her illegitimacy), bold (because when you don't care what people say to you, why not enjoy yourself?) and in love with acting. She'd rather be part of an acting troupe than a Wilde of Lindlow Castle. And finally her father has agreed to let her perform the title role in Hamlet with a troupe of real actors- at Lindlow Castle before family and friends only and as long as a friend plays Ophelia. Joan sees this as a start to a new life as an actress. Family friend Thaddeus Shaw, Viscount Greywick, sees it as a path to social ruin. Especially when Joan tells him she plans to perform in town in front of a 'real' audience. They make a deal- he'll keep her secret, and keep her safe, then they'll help each other find spouses. But the longer they spend together, the more they realize they might like each other too much for that deal to work.

Joan and Thaddeus are very much a case of opposites attracting. Joan has lived her whole life knowing she is illegitimate and knowing that everyone knows it- and since her family doesn't treat her any differently that's all she cares about. She finds it freeing to not worry about what everyone in Society thinks (and says) about her. Thaddeus constantly worries about what people say and how he and his actions reflect on the duchy that he will inherit. He doesn't understand Joan's approach to life and doesn't approve. She thinks Thaddeus is stuck up, disapproving, and shallow, and doesn't understand why he is concerning himself with her life choices. Epic clashes ensue- often with Shakespearean insults thrown in.

What's fun is, like all Eloisa James' books (Say Yes to the Duke) Wilde Child goes past the outer, 'social' layers of the characters to discover who they really are. Particularly in Thaddeus' case, there are a lot of layers to a very complicated person. In between their fighting, Joan and Thaddeus find they can talk to each other as they've never been able to talk to others and their secrets- and delightful chemistry- blossom. Both are trying to deny their parental examples when it comes to running away with emotions (or having emotions run away with them) while seeing if they can balance their own happiness with family responsibilities. I loved revisiting Lindlow Castle and seeing characters from previous books, although anyone new to the series won't be lost starting here. The loving Wilde family seems to embrace the reader as much as the characters as a part of the family, and James' entertaining, emotional, delightful writing and sparkling humor ensures this will be a book you'll want to reread regularly.


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

I have been a fan of the Wide family throughout the series and this one did not disappoint. Joan is the wild Wilde, illegitimate with nothing to lose . Her relationship with Thaddeus, the most staid of dukes is a fun romp. Thanks for the advance copy Netgalley ! Regency romance is having a resurgence- it’s good to have titles to recommend. I hope the Wildes get a Netflix series!

I really enjoyed this novel by Eloise James. Wilde Child did not disappoint when it came to romance, adventure, and some comedy mixed in. I would not miss this one. It is one of her bests! #netgalley

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.

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Thank you for the ark copy. I loved this book.
I truly enjoyed reading the blossoming young new love between the two protagonists. I love banter and this author knows how to write great dialogue.
It is a fun, playful, sexy, coming age love story.
Just what I wanted.

Lady Joan Wilde is a living scandal. All society knows she is the illegitimate daughter of her mother's Prussian Prince lover. She loves acting and uses her skills to never give away her true feelings. She talks her father into letting her play Hamlet when a theater troupe is going to play at their castle. She is shockingly allowed to wear breeches for the role and is constantly practicing in them waiting for her performance.

Thaddeus, Viscount Greywick, the further Duke of Eversly, believes in rules, protocol and tradition. He courted briefly Joan's two sisters but beautiful Joan is never considered. He must marry someone respectable to protect his title. Never the less when Joan shares her dream to perform in front of a true audience not made up of only her family he agrees to go as a protector to one performance. In return she will marry someone he deems suitable for her.

All of this sets up a grand Eloisa James adventure. Joan has a modern feel as a character and more freedoms than would have been allowed at the time. Of course the book explains that as being a part of the wondrous Wilde family. Thaddeus has reasons for his behavior and his change of character feels quick. The story takes place over several weeks but they have known each other or years. This is the sixth in a series but stands alone (I've read the first book previously). If you enjoy steamy, fun, romance in a historical setting this is a book for you. James even got me to understand some of Hamlet and Ophelia's relationship a little more. Although I thought there was too much dealing with the play for a causal reader. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager US for an ARC ebook in exchange for a honest review.

Two sisters. Thaddeus Erskine Shaw, heir to a dukedom, has been interested in two sisters. But both have married other people. He certainly isn't interested in the third. Lady Joan Wilde is most certainly not a biological Wilde. She has the blond hair and features of the man her mother had a wild affair with (and eventually ran away with him.) Lady Joan is a living scandal. And that's even before she decides to don breeches and play Hamlet. Thaddeus can't believe that her father would allow it. Actually, no one in the family seems to have minded Joan's earlier brushes with scandal so maybe they won't care about this one. But Thaddeus will certainly make it his business to stop her.
And that is mostly covers the blurb on the cover. Quite frankly, I was trying to figure out how that would fill a whole book because an uptight man berating the woman he eventually falls in love with isn't a book that I particularly wanted to read. But, of course, there is more to the story and a lot if it has to do with why Thaddeus is so rigid and seeing him relax a bit. Also getting to see Joan, who starts off pretty awesome and sure of herself, really get to stretch her wings and then find her place.

Four stars
Follows Say Yes to the Duke
This book comes out March 30th
ARC kindly provided by HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

It's finally time for the illegitimate Wilde to come to the forefront! An aspiring amateur actress, Joan has been hard at work learning the part of Hamlet. When Greywick, the straight-laced future duke and former suitor to two of her sisters discovers Joan in men's clothing and uncovers her plan, he steps in to save her modesty despite his discomfort with her audacity. Thaddeus quickly learns that Joan doesn't have any modesty to save--and perhaps that he has fixated to strongly on being a perfect future duke instead of a living human being.

I loved Joan, and I especially had fun with Aunt Knowe and Thaddeus' mother, the Dowager duchess. Thaddeus himself came to grow on me, but he did do a bit of a 180 during the book that seemed not terribly believable. Over all, Wilde Child has all of the hallmarks of an Eloisa James novel: family, wit, humor, and tenderness.

This is the sixth book in The Wildes of Lindow Castle series. Lady Joan, is infamous because of her mother’s infidelity. She seems to be unable to avoid scandal, but now she plans to perform the title role in a play while wearing breeches. This might be her downfall. She isusing the Viscount Greywick as her inspiration as the perfect model of an aristocratic mail because he scorned the idea of marrying her.
Thaddeus, Viscount Greywick, has always been uncomfortable around Lady Joan, but seeks to save her from herself when he discovers her latest idea. When he cannot talk her out of performing he decides he will need to keep her safe. They come to an agreement to get Lady Joan to settle into marriage with a gentleman that he finds acceptable.
This was a fun book with excellent dialogue. I enjoyed both of the characters and felt that the other did a wonderful job developing the characters. I would recommend this book to readers that enjoyed Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series or Loretta Chase’s Difficult Dukes series.

Eloisa James is my all-time favorite romance novelist. I love her Wilde family series and the latest is heart-warming and delightful. Joan is great character and I'm so glad to see her find love. This story was a fun homage to Shakespeare as well.

Eloisa James is a automatic buy every time I hear about a new book coming out! This is my second time reading a book from the Wilde Family series - however it can easily be read as a standalone. . I really enjoy James' historical romance novels. Plenty of steamy scenes mixed in with laugh out loud shenanigans. My only complaint is the names of some of characters - I had a really hard time with getting over the name Thaddeus.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read for those who enjoy historical romance fiction.

For those familiar with the genre, historical romance books like this one tend not to be historically accurate, but have changed some things for modern sensibilities. Like the number of baths taken by the main characters. But for those willing to overlook the historical details, I would recommend the book.

4.5 stars. Eloisa James is always a must read for me. I really loved Joan as the heroine of this story. She was a "wild child" but never obnoxious. This was just a nice and joyful story. I highly recommend.

I dearly love Lady Joan! She was dealt an unfair hand in life and she responds by putting other people's unwanted opinions to the side and being fabulous. This is a classic "opposites attract" story but still feels fresh. Thaddeus starts off as a typical uptight nobleman, but his family situation was certainly different. The scene where his mother confronts his father (with a strategic glass of red wine) was delightful.

Lindow Castle, Cheshire, England - 1784

Lady Joan Wilde wants, more than anything, to be an actress. She loves the excitement, the costumes, memorizing lines, and being on stage. Unfortunately, as a young lady in the household of the Duke of Lindow, acting would cause a huge scandal for the family. Truth be told, however, Joan cares little for the ton, or anything about being the lady it expects her to be. For, in reality, Joan is not a true daughter of the duke. Shortly after her birth, her mother, the then duchess, ran off with her lover, a Prussian count, Joan's father, never to be heard from again. The duke, being a man of honor and one who loves all of his children, including his new wife's child, has never thought of Joan as other than his own blood. The major problem, of course, is that Society knows the whole sordid story, so Joan will never be welcomed into any high ranking family. So, why not become an actress?

Thaddeus Erskine Shaw, Viscount Greywick, and his mother, the Duchess of Eversley, are visiting Lindow Castle. He is in need of a wife. Having already courted, and lost, two of Joan's older sisters, he is accompanying the duchess, who is close friends of his host's sister, but is irritated to be in the company of the rather annoying Joan. He'd never consider marriage to her due to her, well, illegitimacy. Yes, she's lovely, but today she is wearing, of all things, breeches! Not that it's any business of his, but Thaddeus is constantly shaking his head over Joan's flippant, and irreverent behavior. However, it seems Joan's father has allowed her this costume as she is playing Hamlet in the play for her family's enjoyment.

Joan is, herself, irritated by Greywick's obvious disdain over her costume, as well as the fact that she wants to be an actress. But somehow, during the course of the discussion about the play, Greywick agrees to teach her fencing, and even agrees to accompany her to meet the traveling acting company to play Hamlet in front of a public audience! What on earth has gotten into him? Joan is floored, but secretly delighted. As strait-laced and annoying as Greywick can be, he's still rather attractive.

Thaddeus has his own uncomfortable background. His father, the duke, left his mother after Thaddeus' birth to return to his mistress, the woman he truly loves. All of his life Thaddeus has struggled to understand this, and now his father is trying to get him to renounce his right to the dukedom in lieu of his illegitimate half-brother. Of course, English law doesn't allow such an atrocity of justice, but it's still hurtful.

How can two people who have grown up disliking each other possibly get to common ground? Well, as usual, Eloisa James manages to weave a sweet, funny, and poignant tale to get Joan and Thaddeus to at least be nice to each other eventually, and possibly overcome their past hurts. There are plenty of Wildes involved, as usual, and they're pretty good about seeing the light way before Joan and Thaddeus. You can count on them to rally around them, no matter what.

WILDE CHILD was such a fun story, and I don't think readers of the Wilde family antics will be disappointed.

Everyone knows that Lady Joan Wilde is actually the daughter of her mother's Prussian lover; her blonde hair gives that away. She makes a point of not caring, giving her acting skills a workout. Thaddeus, Viscount Greywick, heir to another duke, is upright and serious, and determined to marry well. Scandalous, illegitimate Lady Joan is not what he had in mind. Besides, they hate each other. But.

A bright, sexy enemies-to-lovers romance, featuring a large, boisterous loving family. Fun.

The Wilde features if Lady Joan, who wants to be an actress, which of course in unthinkable for a lady. She is able to perform at her family home. Thaddeus, who is visiting is horrifed, He ends up helping her with her role, and as they spend time together their attraction grows. Delighful comedy, and it is nice to catch up with other family members,