Gilas sister is horrible. For that reason alone I'd be leary about marrying into the family. Her friends are the best though.
I enjoyed reading, The Reluctant Countess. It's about a strong woman who isn't afraid to stand up for herself and fight for what she deserves.

This is a classic Eloisa James' historical romance - lots of witty dialogue with characters who are originals - quirky - unexpected in some way. A story of misconceptions and hidden truths. Very sexy...

Brava!

This was a lovely book with the typical James’ flawed but interesting characters. The ballroom setting is probably my least favorite setting, but it worked in this story. A good sign for me is that the book reads quickly for me and this one went rather quickly for me. 4 stars.

Excellent!
I loved the grumpy but-not-really-grumpy hero, and his heroine with layers upon lovable layers. The history is beautifully woven throughout the story, with above average sensuality and heat for an Eloisa James novel. An excellent, heartfelt read that I devoured in one day.
The backstory in particular for the heroine was truly unique and helped form her character in a way that is nothing short of brilliant.

I am really enjoying this series about women who have decided to be wallflowers. Yasmin is not a wallflower at heart. She has known sadness, but she chooses to enjoy life and the beauty around her. Giles is instantly drawn to her, but he is convinced he can only marry a proper woman. They finally give in to their feelings for each other, and they begin the process of trying to fit together as a couple. It is rather difficult for them because Yasmin has a past she has not shared and Giles has a sister who is struggling with her place in society. But Cleo and Jake and Yasmin's grandfather help them sort everything out. A great read with lots of literary allusions

Giles Renwick, Lord Lilford, cannot help but want the one woman who represents all he despises in a candidate for his wife; and while, he cannot seem to look away-and he certainly cannot stay away- from the alluringly beautiful Yasmine whom he looks down upon as fervently as he longs for her, Yasmine is equally enamoured with the grumpy and judgemental Lord.

I found Yasmine to be an interesting heroine with a unique history. Giles, on the other hand, was less interesting and endlessly frustrating. It is rare that I want a different hero for the heroine. But, Giles had a shallow way of wooing Yasmin that felt extremely physical and rarely did his focus look upon her character. When he starts in on her appearance, I threw in the towel on any redemption for this infuriating man. While he comes around later, it came across as telling rather than showing Giles evolve and change his mind.

And don’t get me started on Giles’ sister, Lydia! She was the “villain” of the story and somewhat resembled a parrot who constantly berated Yasmine in the same manner and put her nose in where it didn’t belong. Her vindictiveness became tiresome and her lack of comeuppance made it feel like a device to create drama for a story that was extremely repetitive and circular.

What I did enjoy was the appearances by Cleo and Merry as Yasmine’s friend and acquaintance. They were breaths of fresh air in a stale room, and Cleo’s encouraging words towards Yasmine were endearingly sweet. I also have to give props to Yasmine’s grandfather- he was a so incredibly supportive and loved Yasmine unconditionally. If only she had found a hero who was her grandfather’s equal!

If it weren't for Yasmine, her grandfather, and Yasmine's friends (previous characters from several of James' other works), this book would have fallen short of what I have come to expect from Eloisa James' stories. And while I did not love this installment in the Would-Be-Wallflowers series, I adored the first book and I am highly anticipating the next book which features a quirky heroine nicknamed "Specks".

I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

What I loved best about this book, and specifically this heroine, is that she always stuck up for herself. She knew her worth and she insisted on it. The hero is generally a good, honest, faithful guy, but he's absolutely human and he screws up. (So does she, of course.) And Yasmin doesn't let him get away with anything. She communicates clearly what she expects and she holds him to it. When he doesn't meet her expectations—for instance, when someone is bad-mouthing her and he doesn't stick up for her—she's very clear in telling him this is unacceptable if he wants to keep her. Finally, a heroine who is consistently communicating when she has a problem and doesn't flinch from having difficult conversations. I love Yasmin. She is kind, truthful, and strong. She is beautiful, and that has very little to do with her apparently gorgeous appearance. She is a beautiful character.

Giles is wonderfully flawed in unexpected ways. It's not your typical flawed hero, but a more realistic character who always strives to do the right thing and has a number of blind spots, due to trauma and a hopeful outlook regarding his sister's worthiness. He tries so hard to be a good brother, but he wasn't in control of Lydia. She wasn't letting him be a good brother. She lied, she misrepresented, she preyed on his good nature. And he let her, and for once I wasn't upset by that because his flaws were believable. He also let himself fall in love and accepted that honestly when he realized it was so. Gotta love a hero who isn't just resisting love because [fill in blank about past trite experience that has him swearing off love forever]. So much better when characters can see how much they care for someone and are willing to lean into that.

I'm taking off half a star because I didn't enjoy Lydia at all. To a certain extent, her own trauma caused a realistic portrayal of this broken, embittered, mean and spiteful young woman. I get that. But it was a little bit overboard. She wasn't willing to consider clear facts at all, favoring her own characterization of Yasmin as someone unfaithful, despite having zero evidence to support that beyond...low necklines? Flirting? Sorry, I don't buy it. I understand that plenty of people are not sensible, but Lydia often went a touch or two beyond what I felt was plausible. It was so very nearly a wonderful example of a troubled young lady with a traumatic past. After a certain extent, I just can't buy into her character anymore. She's just fiction to me.

But Yasmin and Giles were very real, and lovely, and I am so happy for them. They both deserve a lasting, loyal, kind partner who knows the other's worth and demonstrates that daily. From the first page to the last, I was fully captured by their story. I started reading it around 11PM Tuesday night, regretfully had to go to sleep soon after if I wanted to get the least amount of sleep before work, and finished it Wednesday after reading it on lunch break (instead of eating lunch) and right after work was complete.

A very solid contribution to Eloisa James's booklist. Looking forward to the next.

This book was provided through NetGalley as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ms James is an excellent and prolific writer of Regency and Georgian novels. I have yet to read a book that hasn’t kept me riveted. This is book 2 in A Would Be Wallflowers Novel series. I love hist-roms about wallflowers because all it takes is confidence (and running into the right guy) for the wallflower to bloom. She has “it” in her all along.

Reluctant Countess is about a young French girl who is compromised in a cruel way in revenge on Napoleon by Josephine. Luckily she goes to live in England with her English grandfather who is understanding and supportive. Love complicates everything as usual.

The earl of this story (Giles) has his own issues and he and Yasmin have a hard road ahead. Their complicated love caused me to get very upset at times. I was ready to get in there and slap his sister Lydia silly!

Loved the book.

I received a free copy in advance and am leaving this voluntary review.

I am posting an honest review after reading an advanced reader copy of this story.

A scandal in two courts. Poor Lady Yasmin hasn't had an easy time of it. Her parents are both self-absorbed & not very parental. Her English grandfather is a hoot & easy going for a duke. Yasmin does the best she can to go out to balls and ton events and ignore the comments said to her face & behind her back, or a fan. There's a fool me once attitude that you'll realize is with good reason. Giles is an earl with family scandals in his past too. He's stuck up and trying to be perfect so he can restore the family name. His sister is a class a bi*ch who does awful things to ruin his relationship. Boo, hiss. Giles finally has an epiphany and realizes that he'd rather choose love over perfect, it took an anvil falling on his head to smarten up. He just has to convince Yasmin to take a chance on him, love, & marriage.

#netgalley #EloisaJames #TheReluctantCountess #historicalromance #romance #AvonBooks #HarperCollins

Sometimes I worry that NetGalley will stop giving me ARCs because I'm a tough critic after reading historical romance for more years that I care to admit. Happily for me, The Reluctant Countess is one of my rare 5 star reviews. Disclaimer: I love a stern, stuffy historical romance hero and I also enjoy when the plot isn't convoluted with mystery, smuggling, hijinks or random interference that makes getting to the HEA tedious. Luckily, Eloisa James has crafted a romance between an earl who knows he shouldn't want a borderline eligible lady (raised in France/daughter of a notorious woman) but he does nonetheless. Watching him unravel, and Yasmin, the heroine try to resist, made this book a delightful concoction. It helped that I was forewarned that the earl's sister would be wretchedly annoying, so I was able to la la la my way through those parts.

Thoroughly enjoyed it and will be adding it to my re-read shelf.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

I thought this book was good, but it was not a personal favorite. Of course, the writing was good, and the story was entertaining. For me, the highlight of this book was Yasmin. She was an original and I really liked that. Plus, I could feel for her. As for Giles, well, I wasn't a huge fan. He had his moments, but I did not appreciate his wishy washy-ness and do not get me started on Lydia.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The witty banter, fiery passion, and vivacious characters made The Reluctant Countess a stunning, electric read. Giles Renwick, the Earl of Lilford, is serious, strict, and overbearing. Lady Yasmin Regnier is flirtatious, beautiful, and sensual. These two opposites clash into a fiery connection that will tear down all their barriers.

Even though Giles’ personality was off-putting, I liked him. Giles was battling a dark past and strove for perfection before happiness. Giles had to learn to let go and choose what was best for him, not what was expected. Giles has quite the transformation, and I loved watching it unfold. Yasmin has a tragic past and wields her beauty and sensuality as a weapon against unscrupulous suitors. I admire Yasmin’s ability to see into the heart of a matter. She always had empathy even when it wasn’t deserved.

I enjoyed the premise and the writing. The push and pull between Giles and Yasmin gave me whiplash at times; the couple’s on-again, off-again dynamic went to extremes sometimes. However, I loved the volatile dynamic between Giles and Yasmin. The secondary characters, especially the grandfather and sister, added depth to the story.

The Reluctant Countess is the second book in the Would Be Wallflowers series. I felt this was a solid addition to the series, which was so different from the first book. Eloisa James creates characters I care about and romances I can invest in. I feel this series boasts unique storylines and undeniable passion. This is a must-read book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As always - excellent. Eloisa James can do no wrong in my eyes and will always be on my automatic buy list whatever she releases! This book was amazing and highly anticipated after the first book in the series. I knew Yasmin was going to be trouble - but the good kind of trouble - and Giles, Earl of Lilford would have to deal with it. These two were made for each other and I was so happy to read their story and their HEA. Amazing job!

I was hoping for more. Particularly from the hero who waffles way touch between the heroine and her villainous sister

This is an opposites-attract story with equal amounts of angst and wit. Giles and Yasmin are very different on the surface. He is a stuffy grump and she is a cheerful flirty ray of sunshine. They in fact have much in common. Both are dealing with family scandals, but in different ways. The secondary characters have a lot of influence on Giles and Yasmin and the way they behave toward each other. Giles’s sister is a horror and does her best to keep them apart. Jake and Cleo, and Yasmin’s grandfather are wonderful characters. They are supportive of Yasmin and encourage her romance with Giles. I enjoyed this well-written, somewhat unusual romance. An interesting story with great characters and a good ending. Good read!
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

The second in the Would Be Wallflowers series, The Reluctant Countess, by Eloisa James is a wonderful followup to the world of heiress who play by their own rules. Lady Yasmin Regnier is in no need of a husband, and then, by all accounts, there are no end of men up for the job. Giles Renwick doesn't want to marry and swears off love, but upon meeting Yasmin, knows that no one else will ever compare. He wants to keep her, but in what capacity, and will Yasmin stand by and be caught?

I fell in love with Yasmin on first sight when we meet her in How to Be a Wallflower, Her loyalty to Cleo and the manner in which she eschewed society's noms, she's a delightful character. I'm a little disappointed in the hero that wins her heart. While he does stand up for Yasmin on numerous occasion's, Giles' allows his sister full reign of not only his life but the Yasmin's reputation. I expected more from the Yasmin's champion. She had suffered abdominally in her past by her own family and he allows his own to nearly ruin her. Also, I'm hoping Lydia falls down a well somewhere and no one finds her - what a disgusting character.

Honestly, a large part of the time, I wish she had picked the Duke of Huntington instead. I'm intrigued enough to keep on and see the next in this series.

The past is coming back to the people in this read. Yasmin is trying to live down what her mother did in the past as well as is Giles and Lydia. Each handle it is different manners. Some in mature manners others in immature ways. Will they be able to deal with the past to get their HEA?
I received an ARC from NetGalley and leaving a review by my own choice.

I was super excited to receive an ARC of this book! Two of my favorite things: Bodice Ripper Romances & Eloisa James!

I am in love with this new series of hers and I absolutely adored this new installment. This book has everything I am looking for when I want to read a historical romance novel: lust, angst, sexual tension, betrayal, miscommunication, smut (duh), and two stubborn complex, but wonderfully dynamic, main characters. I love how she ties one of her older books, American Duchess, into this series as well.. This book is just so much fun to read. I highly recommend you start reading this series ASAP if you haven't already. I can't wait for the next book!

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books, and Ms. James for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

I think it is a testament to an author’s skill when they can pull a reader so far into the story that they have visceral feelings about a character. Ms. James is a very talented author. I fondly remember several of her characters even years later because they made such an impression on me – Poppy and Jon, the Duke of Villiers, Duchess Gemma. Unfortunately I think she oversold Lydia as a villain in this story. Lydia took over the story to the point that I (and I see other reviewers may have been in the same boat) was unable to focus on much else.

Yasmin is a sweetheart. She had a rough and abrupt end to girlhood due to the villainy of a much older man who took advantage of her, but she left her past behind in France and is “living her best life” in defiance of naysayers in England with her grandfather (who is a PEACH). Despite the (partial) protection granted by having high-ranking friends, she gets a lot of grief from other ladies due to her supposed reputation, her undeniable sex appeal, and their jealousy over said sex appeal’s effects on most of London’s men. Giles, the Earl of Lilford, is just as attracted to her as any other man - if not more so – but unlike the other men, he fights the pull at every turn. Due to his (somewhat shady) family history he feels he can only marry a woman of impeccable virtue… which even Yasmin admits, she is not. Despite this, the chemistry between the two of them is absolutely combustible.

This is all fine and frankly had the makings of a terrific romance except for…Lydia, Giles' sister. Even Yasmin’s friends try to warn her against marrying into the family due to Lydia’s toxicity. She is just awful. Hypocritical, manipulative, interfering, and unrepentant. I can appreciate that the author was inspired by Lady Catherine de Bourgh, but Lady Catherine’s direct interference was much more limited than Lydia’s. And at EVERY turn, Yasmin offers her the other cheek. No, Yasmin, at this point, it’s fool you twice, shame on YOU. I kept waiting for that awful little baggage to be put in her place, but, NOPE! The grandpa does his best but frankly it should have come from Giles. And Yasmin, who felt brave enough to stand up to society in general and Giles specifically to defend herself, never once really took Lydia to task. It really colored my enjoyment of the book. Giles was no prize either; he looked down on and denigrated Yasmin to the bitter end. Girl: you deserve better. Why oh why oh WHY didn’t you marry Sylvester? I guess it's true what they say: the heart wants what the heart wants. Yasmin: your heart did you dirty.

I wanted to like this, I really, really, REALLY did. The writing was great. Yasmin was awesome. Grandpa was a treat. The spice was good. But Giles 25% and Lydia 75% really dive-bombed this one for me. Probably the next will be better: Ms. James is an author I usually find very reliable. I'll say this: the next book better not be about Lydia, unless she is getting a major slice of shit pie.

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⭐⭐

This lacked all the things I love about Eloisa James' books. I enjoyed the first book in this series, How to Be a Wallflower, but this one just didn't do it for me. I didn't care for Yasmin at all which makes me kind of sad because she was an interesting character in the first book. At least the writing was good and I'll probably still read the next book.