The Reluctant Countess is a delightful Regency romance from the master of historical romance, Eloisa James. Giles Renwick, Earl of Lilford, is looking for a proper and demure wife, but he cannot take his eyes off Lady Yasmin Regnier, a half-French half-English Lady of a scandalous reputation and frivolous behavior, who would never be a suitable wife. Lady Yasmin just wants to erase the permanent scowl from the brooding Earl's face and make him laugh, even though he is rather rude to her most of the time.

Giles and Yasmin have great banter and chemistry from the first page, and their "will they/won't they" romance captivated me from the beginning. I found the dialogue a little awkward at times, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. There are several interesting secondary characters, with Yasmin's grandfather being my favorite. The Reluctant Countess was a fun read that I recommend to all Regency romance fans.

This is one of my favorite authors that I have followed for years. But this book was not like her others.
The book definitely needs to be edited. The mistakes are not just simple mistakes, they are mistakes in the plot itself.
The heroine is a woman of 24 years, which I love because I like an older female lead. In my opinion, when an author tries to write a younger heroine, it is comes across as a dipsy, party girl or a woman who thinks and acts like she is 30 years old. This heroine had her first Season at age 16 during the Napoleonic period and she was presented to the Empress Josephine. The heroine's mother was the mistress of Napoleon. A ciscebo of the Empress wooed the heroine. Then he tricked her into marriage and swept her away to a cottage with servants. After a week, she woke up alone and had no idea where the cottage was and no way to get home. Lucky for her, her father came to tell her she had been tricked, there was no marriage and she was ruined, it was all set up by the Empress who hated her mother and her because her mother was the mistress or Napoleon. For two years she hid and at the first society party, the ciscebo walked up to her and she smiled then with one sentence, verbally eviscerated him. She was 18 years old by that time. So we spring forward and she is in English Society, her grandfather, the Duke, wants to present her. The heroine actually wants to get married. She wants a nice, older, but not too old man who will be nice to her and give her a few kids and a life in society. But she has to turn down a lot of fortune hunters and suitors who are bedazzled by  her beauty. She saves the first waltz for an earl, who is drawn to her, even though she set off warning bells and is not a modest lady and is not proper enough to be his countess. But he is so drawn to her. And he is mean because (this is where the story goes downhill) he wants her and hates himself for it. How old are we? Is he going to dunk her ponytail into the ink well?The hero has guardianship of his younger sister who is 18 years old. The heroine mentions to him, as a favor, to keep better control of his sister who is making a name for herself and being free with kisses. The heroine was not sharing gossip, she was trying to warn him and he goes cave man on her and forces her to help him find her. His sister freaks out when she realizes that the heroine knows what the sisiter is doing! And the sister's reason doesn't make sense: "...the girls at school were mean to her and she is getting revenge by leading their older brothers on...". So you are going to put your reputation in danger by doing something so risky? This is the second thing that doesnt make sense. Then, the author, who I have read since the late 90's starts forgetting who her characters are. The hero is referred to as a duke, an earl and a mister. The book introduces him as an earl. There is a scene in the book where the heroine is talking with her grandfather and a friend of the family, and you can't tell who is saying what and who is responding to whom. Then the hero comes in and it makes a little more sense. But I read over that part a few times and I still had problems interpreting the conversation.
This book had a great premise, great age gap, wonderful back drop and back story. It had all the winning points, except for the problems in logic that I mentioned above. I give this book 3.5 stars and I am mixed about recommending it.

**Thank you publisher and NetGalley for an E-arc

Grumpy jealous hero?
Sunshine heroine?
Enemies to lovers?
Say no more. Yasmin is a bubbly bright girl trying to heal from her past while being gossiped about and targeted by her peers and their family. No matter how hard they try to slight her she keeps her cheerful attitude except when it comes to the slight of the earl of lilford. He is pining over her but cannot let himself have her because of his position. The two cannot seem to stay away.

It was a good book, I enjoyed it quite a bit. I will say I felt like she forgave the hero to easily he needed to gravel more

Eloisa James' newest release does not disappoint!
It's filled with witty banter, tender scenes of intimacy and longing, and a couple that will make you fall in love all over again.
Full review to come on my blog when the HCP strike has been resolved.

"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?"

Oh, I do love Eloisa James's improper heroines!

Lydia, Lydia, Lydia...such a little twit. While this is supposed to be Yasmin and Giles' book, Lydia's attitude and nastiness stole the thunder from the main couple!

I loved Yasmin's grandfather and how he was so supportive of her. Giles should have sent his sister to the country for some alone time rather than letting her stay to try to ruin Yasmin, even though Lydia had to have known that Giles was in love with Yasmin..

This book was a bit of a disappointment. Ms. James is an auto buy author for me, but when I saw there wasn't a hardcover edition, I began to wonder if the publishers saw the difference in this book and chose not to publish a hard cover.

I hope the next book in the series is better!

It was fun to see Giles get riled up over the antics of Lady Yasmin. The book was full of steam and fun. It was nice to see the growth of the characters over time.

I must confess that I have very conflicted feelings about this book… I hated how the hero, Giles, shamed Yasmin for her way of dressing, but at the same time I understand that he was not only jealous, but also worried for her and the way she was perceived by Society. I loved that she wanted to dress and behave how she wanted (and she had a good reason for it, really), but I also think that maybe Giles was not totally wrong. But most of all I hated that this entire thing of dressing properly or not was given way too much importance in the book! But the thing I hated most is the awful sister and the way she wasn’t punished at all for her behavior! (And what happens to her at the end is not punishment enough in my opinion.) I loved the heroine and her courage, but sometimes I couldn’t stand her indecisiveness about the hero. As for Giles, I hated him at the beginning, then I liked him when he fell head over heels for Yasmin, but I couldn’t forgive him for allowing his sister to run wild and behave like she did. So… Was this maybe what the author wanted from us readers? Did she want us to think and FEEL all those things? I really don’t know. I just know that I liked this book, but I didn’t love it as I hoped I would.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Reluctant Countess is a bit different from typical Eloisa James romances. Yasmin is not your typical, virginal debutant. She was ‘ruined’ as a sixteen-year-old while still living in France. She, eventually, relocated away from her home in France to live with her English grandfather, a duke.

She is definitely in love with Giles, but does not seem to know what to do with true love. Or, to even know how to recognize love. Giles is a loving brother and confused by what he wants. We know he wants beautiful Yasmin even though he does not really approve of her or her lifestyle.

Lydia – goodness! She is just a spoiled little girl in an almost woman’s body. In his misgivings about how to ‘raise’ Lydia, he allows her to rule his life. Her reasons for horrible behavior make no sense! Giles even seems to encourage her by not holding her more accountable. Yasmin deserves an award for putting up with Giles requests, demands and expectations.

Although I enjoyed The Reluctant Countess, I just wanted to reach into the pages and shake some sense into Lydia. And, Giles too. For me, this is just a one-time read – not one I would keep on my shelf or in my kindle for rereading

The Reluctant Countess – Eloisa James

2.5 rounded up to 3 stars – Okay, so this book just didn’t do it for me. I usually LOVE Eloisa James books and have read them for many years (let’s not count how many). This one just didn’t sit well. Giles wasn’t strong enough of a character, his sister, Lydia, is a b*tch and Yasmin seems to go out of her way to shoot herself in the foot. The story seemed to be more about Lydia than Yasmin and Giles. I had a hard time liking any of the characters except for the grandfather really.

Kudos to the author for the discussion around using a condom. I don’t recall reading other historical romances with so much discussion surrounding its use. I do wish more emphasis had been placed on preventing disease transmission as opposed to just preventing pregnancy though.

A big “Thank You” to Avon, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in return for an independent, honest review.

Like all Eloisa James, such a fun, diverting read. I read this one over the holiday and it was such a good get away from the stresses of family and cleaning.

Always suggest Eloisa James books for those who love historical romance, because I think she is able to marry the frothiness that makes period romance fun, with more modern emotions and feelings that make it easy to sympathize with her characters.

I am such a fan of Eloisa James and while this was fun it was a little boilerplate... and definitely suffered from the extremely annoying character not getting proper comeuppance syndrome.
I love the inner thoughts of Giles and Yasmin and how they long for each other and try to deny it.
Overall, 3.5 stars.

Thank you.to Netgalley and the publisher for an EARC of the book. I had to quickly read book #1, How to be a Wallflower from my TBR shelf and was happy to find book 2 was about Yasmin, who I really liked in the first book, and Giles, The Earl of Lilford who I was ambivalent about.
Also, interestingly, Cleo's mother, Giles mother and Yasmin's mother all were quite promiscuous, causing each of the characters to want to be different than their mothers.
I quite enjoyed the way Yasmine affected Giles, and their attraction was fun to watch. However, Giles sister, who was somewhat naive in book 1, was a horrible, quite dislikeable person in book 2 and almost ruined the book for me.
Lest I forget, Yasmin's grandfather, a Duke is my favorite character in the book. He feels he hailed with her mother, but is determined to do his best for his granddaughter.
However, James always manages a good ending(and 2 epilogues) so the book is redeemed and I will eagerly await book 3. I hope there is an explanation of what happened to Lydia.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I am so glad I was gifted a copy of this book to read. The book was fast paced in its story but I read it in one sitting. The author weaves a story that draws you in and you feel all the emotions of the characters.

Yasmin knew heartache at the young age of sixteen. When she finally makes another appearance in London years later, she meets Giles who always request the first dance but who seems to dislike her with a passion and she feels the same about him.

The grumpy act though is only a ruse for how he really feels about Yasmin. As the two grow closer Giles sister Lydia does not like the thought of Yasmin getting close to her brother.

Sit back and enjoy this one!

I was absolutely delighted and swept away in this second installment in Eloisa James' Would-be Wallflowers series. James creates such compelling characters and situations in this novel that I was fully engaged with this story. James' writing has an elegance of tone that easily sweeps the reader into the time period. James is also wonderful at crafting characters that feel fully developed and interesting. I think if you enjoy a historical that has a more authentic feel, is full of banter and charm, and delightfully sensual that Eloisa James is a delightful author to explore.

The hero and heroine class in this "proper"earl and "improper lady" romance between two opposites who challenge each others beliefs. I love the tension that James is able to build between these two. The novel jump starts with the reader fully aware of where these two stand with each other. I always find joy in a novel watching a hero be completely obsessed with the heroine and needing to work out why he just can not stop thinking about her. I love that through this novel, James is able to explore the ways rumors and the way people chose to present themselves can create prejudices in other. I love that through clothing the heroine is able to take control of her confidence and the way she interacts with society. I love that she is even able to show the hero that the way she dresses is for her. This novel also has the intriguing side plot of a "villain" in the hero's sister. Through this character James is able to fuller explore perception of a person and how societal rumors can make or break a ladies worth during this time period. I love that Yasmin, the heroine, is bold and strong in her own right. She knows her value and her worth and she never lets Giles out easily when he tries to stifle or judge her for preconceived notions. I love that through his sister and the woman he is going to love he has to learn and discover who to trust. I love that Yasmin is always open and honest with Giles, I love that Giles has to work out and grow to look past rumors, I love that Yasmin has a beautiful heart full of forgiveness. This book is beautifully steamy, and really helps to build the trust and understanding between Giles and Yasmin. Watching this relationship grow out of misunderstanding into a lovely and heartfelt romance is absolutely gratifying and heart warming.

I love an Eloisa James novel and would highly recommend this novel to any historical romance lover. Whether you are an old fan of James work or new to her, I think this is a wonderful look into her body of work. I so very highly recommend this novel.

Lady Yasmin Régnier is a darling of the ton. Raised in the French court, horribly mistreated by a cad in her youth, she lives an unapologetic life in London on her own terms. Giles Renwick, Earl of Lilford, is all things proper. But there is something about Yasmin he cannot resist. Despite Yasmin's giggles and his sister's deep-seated hatred of her, Giles cannot stay away. And while Yasmin does not always like how Giles speaks of her or thinks of her, she cannot stop herself from loving him back.

This story was one I both loved and hated at times. Giles is not going to be anyone's first choice for book boyfriend. He is judgmental, and bases his opinions much too much in the viewpoints of others. He does not always stand up for Yasmin and he occasionally is the cause of much of her hurt. Yet he does care, and in the moments where they were alone, there was true enjoyment of their love story. I am just not sure he totally redeemed himself in the end.

In terms of secondary characters, Yasmin's grandfather is the best. His unconditional love and acceptance of his granddaughter should have shown her how much she deserved that kind of treatment from an emotional partner. Giles' sister is fully terrible. I was also a bit thrown off by the book's final reference to her and it made me feel like I was missing something. Overall, an enjoyable if occasionally frustrating read. 3.5 stars, rounded to 4.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are entirely my own.

I have been sitting here for a few days trying to put into words just what a disaster this novel turned out to be. But since it would be a disservice to my readers if I skipped reviewing this simply so I could forget I had ever read it, I am going to try and get my thoughts out.

To begin with, even though it was a historical ROMANCE, this novel featured THREE main characters; Yasmin, Giles, and Giles' sister Lydia. Sadly, absolutely none of them were tolerable in the slightest.

First, let us talk about our Heroine. Yasmin flaunts the fact that she's different from the other women around her. She seemed to be the kind of character I could enjoy, until she let Giles browbeat her into attempting to be something she wasn't. It was also annoying how she was constantly back and forth with Giles. Yes I will marry you, no I won't, no wait I changed my mind. It was too over the top even for me. Also I'm still trying to figure out how having "dampened" skirts could be even remotely comfortable. And I'm not talking about them being dampened from arousal, no I mean she purposely uses water to wetten her skirts to make them cling to her legs. Nothing like walking around in wet skirts, am I right, ladies? I also wish she had stood up for herself more than she did. I get it; you're used to being called names, so you don't let it bother you, but for heaven's sake, start putting people in their places, and maybe they won't be so nasty to you in the first place.

Then we have our supposed Hero. Giles lusts after Yasmin. He isn't in love with her. He doesn't even particularly seem to like her (a fact she points out more than once), but that doesn't stop him from bedding her. Then for whatever reason, he decides that he wants to marry her because he loves everything about her. Except again, he doesn't. In fact, even though it was his idea to keep their betrothal a secret as to not anger his sister, he becomes enraged at the fact that men still flock to Yasmin. The same way they always have. He demands she act "like a dignified countess" and stop wearing the clothing she preferred, then takes it out of her when she does what he asks of her, and men still flock to her proving her point that it's not how she dresses, it's just who she is. Oh, and whenever anyone says anything bad about her (you know, the woman he supposedly loves), he doesn't defend her. At all.

And finally, we have Lydia. She was easily the most dislikeable of the bunch. She gossips maliciously about Yasmin without even knowing her, nearly outs herself as having been caught in a compromising position to the man's mother, then blames Yasmin for "tattling." And to top it off, Lydia goes out of her way to sabotage her brother's relationship (while being engaged to someone herself, nonetheless). In fact, you end up feeling bad for her fiance, who eventually comes to understand just how vile his wife really is (but not before she does something so scandalous that she would never be welcomed back into polite society). I think it is worth mentioning that their family was the subject of malicious and cruel gossip most of their lives, so the fact that she would do the same to someone else makes it even more abhorrent.

In fact, the only remotely likable ones were Yasmin's grandfather and one of her "suitors" (and I use that term loosely as they were really more friends than anything else).

Sadly, the characters are the main reason that I couldn't get into this book. At every turn, I wanted just to delete this mess and be done with it, but I kept hoping it would improve. I also expected there to be, at some point, a moment when Lydia is held accountable for any of her many actions, but not only does this not happen, we are expected to believe that by the epilogue, she has become friendly with Yasmin? Huh? How? These are the kinds of things we need to see happening on the page instead of just being told about them later.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Enjoyable regency love story. No Spoilers.... This book was a page turner in somewhat sorta enemies-to-lovers (a hate that I want you type) of romance. Basic premise is the trusting to love again while both have issues to overcome. The supporting characters were enjoyable and made the book fun. I like the back-and-forth chemistry of the H&H. I did find ending a little rushed. I would recommend this to other people because this author is good and worth getting to knowing.


**I received this book from NetGalley and publisher for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Let me start out by saying I have tremendous respect for Eloisa James, her books are usually very well researched, and have at least one redeeming value. However, this book is a rare disappointment from such an esteemed author. Lady Yasmin has all the morals of the bankrupt French during the Napoleonic Reign, one in which France is not to be congratulated on. Lord Giles is not known for making a cake of himself over women, yet this very disreputable young lady has managed just that. This reads like a book for high school aged girls, not grown women with brains. I am honest about my reviews, IMOP it is too sexually exploitive to be taken seriously.
Thank you #Netgalley,
carolintallahassee

Great story!
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!!