I really enjoyed this book. It just gripped me and would not let me go. I think the main reason I enjoyed this book so much was the chemistry between our leads. Like, they were on fire. I just loved their easy banter with each other, the clear fascination they had with each other. Just every scene that both of them were in had me hooked. I also quite liked the set up of this book. I don't think I've read many books with a set up like this, and I think it's quite interesting. Especially in the moments were Stella was convinced Silvester wasn't into her, so she started to let her guard down, but in reality Silvester was falling head over heals. It caused for such an amazing dynamic throughout the book. I do think that once these two get together this book gets a bit boring, which is why I docked a star, and the third act conflict came in WAY too late and made it feel stupid because of that. Besides the romance I also really liked our cast of side characters. They were all larger than life and it was so much fun to read. I'm really excited to read the other books in the series now.

FINAL DECISION: Very enjoyable story. Two decent people who get things mixed up, which causes difficulties in their relationship. Stella's insecurities and Silvester's desire to appear perfect create difficulties for this couple, who are so obviously perfect for one another from the start.

THE STORY: Lady Stella Corsham knows that Silvester Parnell, Duke of Huntington, is not for her -- even as she can't keep her eyes away from him. Stella knows that Silvester is in love with the beautiful Yasmin, and Stella, who is freckled, a redhead, wears glasses, and has a curvy figure that is not fashionable, doesn't believe she can compare. Silvester likes Stella, who is eccentric and intellectual, but is determined to win the hand of Yasmin, even against his friend Giles, but cannot stop thinking about Stella and wonder what she will do or say next.

OPINION: I generally don't like romance triangles, but I never felt that Silvester "loved" Yasmin. He was always more engaged with Stella, even as he kept insisting that he was going to win Yasmin's hand. He was more intellectually and physically attracted to Stella. Their interactions were sweet and funny.

Indeed, they are so obviously perfect for one another that the conflict comes from the fact that Silvester pursued Yasmin first. The first half of the book sets up that conflict with readers seeing how Stella's insecurities are based on her experience and how much she is devastated by Silverster choosing Yasmin.

Stella's distress in this book about all the ways she is "not" is sometimes hard to read. Her pain was intensely real and understandable. I did love that other women in her life were determined to show Stella that she had value even if she didn't fit in with the shallow societal standards.

I do love a good "married couple needs to build a relationship" book. The book so clearly demonstrates that mere desire is not enough, and Silvester and Stella learn to communicate their needs and weaknesses with one another. I thought their connection was wonderful as they really see one another's needs, strengths, and weaknesses.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book is broken into two parts. In the first part, Silvester is pursuing Yasmin. After the transition, Yasmin and Giles are married, and Silvester's attention finally turns to Stella one hundred percent.

CONNECTED BOOKS: NOT THAT DUKE is the third book in the Would-Be-Wallflowers series. This book overlaps with the events in the prior book THE RELUCTANT COUNTESS, and therefore there are spoilers for that book. It is not necessary to read that book first, but this book is so much better if you have read it.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 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.

This book was a pure delight. I absolutely adored Stella and I felt a deep kinship with her. Silvester, if I'm honest was sometimes a challenge, especially in the beginning but as you dig deeper and learn more, he truly becomes much more likable. I really liked these two as a couple. Maybe it was simply my foolish romantic heart that still endlessly yearns for that girl who just doesn't fit societal norms to not only capture the hot guy's eye but win his heart. It's been that way since I first watched Sixteen Candles years ago and I guess I'm never going to change.

A great friends-to-lovers regency romance by Eloisa James! The third installment in the Would-Be-Wallflower series but readable as a stand-alone novel as well.

Stella Corsham is your typical wallflower whose red hair, short stature and witty personality set her firmly into the bluestocking category. With the hefty dowry attached to her name however she attracts her fair share of gentlemen who seek her for her fortune. Meanwhile, Silvester Parnell, the Duke of Huntington is a well-respected, handsome member of the ton who is after then season's diamond. After an unlikely friendship develops between the two, a love triangle soon follows and Stella and Silvester's tumultuous love story commences.

Full of humor, heartache, and second-chances, this romantic comedy is sure to keep readers entertained!

I’ve been lucky enough to have received ARCs through NetGalley for both the second and third books in this series, and they have easily become some of my favorites. One of the best compliments I can give a book is when I ignore all the other books I’m reading to focus solely on it. Not That Duke had me reading well past when I should have gone to bed and pulling it out whenever I had a minute free, and I didn’t get restless the way I do with most books where I need to switch it up every couple of chapters. (Thanks ADHD.) This book drew me in from page one and kept me invested til the very end.
Duke is the third book in the series, and while it’s not strictly necessary to read A Reluctant Countess prior, it definitely helps because large portions of the third book take place during the second book, just from a different perspective.
Countess was so admirable in that it delved into slut shaming and its mirrors in today’s society, even through a Recency lens. Duke, however, shifted gears and followed a main character quite the opposite of the first- where Yasmin is what society idolizes (and paradoxically of course shames) in the form of female beauty, Stella is short, plump, bespectacled, freckled, and a bit of a know it all. Society is no kinder to her than it was to Yasmin, but in different ways. Eloisa James did an excellent job with both books showing how exhausting it can be trying to navigate the world as a woman, whether you are stereotypically beautiful or not.
What I loved about Stella’s character especially was how she was smart enough to see through all of it, understood that Yasmin wasn’t evil just because men desired her, yet still put a name to the fact that she couldn’t help but feel jealous at times, and still knew that her jealousy shouldn’t and didn’t change her own intrinsic worth or Yasmin’s. Stella stayed kind throughout the book. She had boundaries in regards to others, and she kept many people at a remove so they weren’t in a position to hurt her, but she never resorted to cruelty even when it might have been warranted. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a character handled the way Stella was, and it felt very fresh and yet still believable.
The way both books dealt with intimacy and sex was also very different, but just as important. Countess showed that not all women are instantly at ease with their body and their partner (and that there is no shame in that!) Duke, however, showed the opposite, that women can delight in their bodies and their sexuality and it doesn’t make them shameful. I also loved that the woman who society deemed “not enough” never apologized for herself or her body. She trusted in herself and in her partner, and it was so beautiful and added depth to the sex scenes that not all spicy books are able to accomplish.
Both books pull some inspiration from Pride and Prejudice, and one of the most interesting characters (that I wish had been dealt with more) was Stella’s aunt. In the beginning of the book her aunt resembles Mrs Bennet- focused on making Stella attractive enough, in whatever way she could, to get married, and also a little over the top with her “nerves.” It wasn’t until later on that we find out there is a reason for the way she acts, particularly in how she views men, and I found her story, especially viewed in the lens of Mrs Bennet, to be very interesting. I would have liked to have gotten more of her story, but what we did get was enough to provide depth to a character that is usually laughed off as ridiculous.
Overall, this book was 10/10. I have loved Eloisa James for a long time, but this “Would-be Wallflowers” series is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the regency romance genre! The story, the romance, and especially the beautiful feminist messages are all so well done. Women in this series are treated as three-dimensional, even ones that initially come off as “token” characters. I genuinely can’t wait for what she releases next!

With its combination of an adorable heroine, clueless duke hero, witty repartee, and steamy sexytimes, Not That Duke is my favorite of the series so far. Of the three heroines, short, plump, bespectacled, freckled, clumsy, and clever Stella answers best to the title Would-Be Wallflower. I love that she didn't have to change herself for Silvester to fall for her.

"She wanted what Merry had, what Yasmin had ... She'd spent her life never being loved for being herself. She'd be damned if she accepted a lifetime of the same."

And, for all that he's slow on the uptake and he fought his feelings for a long time, Silvester appreciated Stella for her uniqueness. I absolutely loved reading about the progression of their relationship, especially when Silvester started seeing Stella in a new light and the lightbulb moment when he finally realized that he loves her. While his cluelessness made me roll my eyes, I have a fondness for him borne out of reading the previous book in the series and how he was like a big brother to Yasmin. Also, I live in Huntington so, I claim him as my duke. 

"I love the way you say No to me ... The way you say Yes to me."

Between the pets, the children, the duchesses, and Eloisa James's signature multitude of fascinating secondary characters, there were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. There were touching ones too, especially that confrontation scene between Stella and Silvester near the end. I was already giving this book a high rating, but the fact that it brought me to tears brought it over the edge. 

My only criticism is that the cover doesn't represent Stella very well. Where's the spectacle, the prominent bosom, the freckles? I wish Ms. James would insist upon a truer-to-book-description cover model in future books. 

Many of the scenes in Not That Duke took place at the same time as The Reluctant Countess just in different points of view. I suggest reading Yasmin and Giles' story first to better appreciate Stella and Silvester.

5 *****

I’m not going to regurgitate the plot summary, I presume you’ve read the publisher’s blurb before moving on to reader reviews.

I devoured this book. I thought, “I’ll just read for an hour and then get to the mountain of work awaiting me.” Ha ha ha, nope. I read avidly and uninterruptedly until the last page, and was very sorry it was over!

I admit I’m already a big fan of Eloisa James’ books, but I still delight in how beautifully they are imagined and crafted.

The characters were well introduced and then credibly evolved over the course of the story. Their attraction – and resistance – were so well developed. They are intelligent and willing to sometimes flout the strictures and expectations of their rigid social segment. The “supporting cast” were also well drawn, with telling details so we easily recognize them, and understand their choices.

A rare joy for me is having to look up a word while reading (news or novels) – usually it’s just to confirm I’m correctly inferring the meaning (acidulated!), or the text actually explains a phrase I’ve used all my life but not actually known what it (a petard, in this instance) was. Such is the added delight of having a university professor as an author. Not many people could bring that into a natural and entertaining conversation between characters, but this author succeeds beautifully. And I appreciate and respect a popular fiction author who respects their readers enough to use that perfect word, even if it is not in common use!

Solid five stars. And now the wait begins for the next Eloisa James release. Until then I’ll search her backlist for any I haven’t read

My thanks to the publisher for a free preview copy in exchange for my honest review.

I can always count on Eloisa James for interesting stories and characters who feel so real that they could walk off the page. She also stays true to the period that her books are set in, which I appreciate so much.

I really liked the heroine in this book. Lady Stella Corsham was not fond of her appearance: her hair was red, she wore spectacles, and had freckles. She was also short and not very slim. She does not compare well next to the reigning belles, particularly Lady Yasmin Ragnier,. She is lovely, graceful, slim, and sought after.

Stella has several secrets she is keeping, as she has her own plans for her life. One thing that surprised me was the amount of rudeness that the young women inflicted on each other, in their competition to find husbands. While they mostly dismissed her as being a threat to their own ambitions, Stella was an easy target for ridicule and rudeness. In short, she was living for the day that she could quit London and go home.

Lady Yasmin Ragnier and Giles Renwick, Lord of Lilford were initially introduced in the previous book, and also have large roles in this book. Giles and his friend Silvester Parnell, the Duke of Huntingdon, appear to be in a friendly competition for Lady Yasmin's hand for the next dance, to take her into dinner, and perhaps for her hand in marriage.

Being a wealthy Duke makes Silvester a target for young women (and their chaperones) who are not above trying to force a match through compromise. He and Stella, who also has no wish for a forced marriage, form a pact to have each other's backs and hopefully escape unwed. It was a good plan, but you know what they say about the best laid plans going awry.

The only thing I disliked about the book was something that occurred close to the end of the book. I thought Stella overreacted to something that was really very minor. It seemed out of character for her.

I was pleased and excited to receive an e-arc from the publisher Avon and Harper Voyager via NetGalley. It was a pleasure to voluntarily read and review this book.

I really enjoyed the feel of this book. It reminded me why I fell in love with historical romance over 15 years ago. The heroine was sure of herself and didn't want to settle for being second best which was great to see.

The second half of the book took a bit to get moving to the conclusion but it didn't bother me too much. It was also odd to see some head hopping in a few chapters. Though frequent in historical romance 10 years ago most today don't use that tactic. This made me feel like I was reading a classic in the best way.

Lady Stella Corsham has been mad for Silvester Parnell, the Duke of Huntington for years- unbeknownst to him. Silvester thinks he is in love with the reigning Diamond of the ton, Lady Yasmin, who is also being pursued by his best friend, the Earl of Lilford. Silvester's mother tells him that Stella is the woman he should make his duchess but he does not listen to her advice. He is wanting someone who is duchess material but does not require him to love her. After his bid for Lady Yasmin's hand falls through when she weds, the Earl of Lilford, Silvester decides to pursue Stella. Stella doesn't think Silvester or any of the other men who are currently pursuing her are serious about her because of her red hair and her generous figure, especially her breasts. Even though they are sexually attracted to each other, Stella doesn't believe Silvester cares for her and he has to work hard to prove to her that his feelings for her are sincere. Not that Duke is well written and provides the right amount of romance, steam and mean girl angst to keep the readers turning the page until the very end of the story. I couldn't put my Kindle down until I was finished with the book because I wanted to know how the story would end.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

The latest from Eloisa James does not disappoint! Although this is billed as an enemies to lover, the Duke and the Lady start off as ‘enemies’ but develop into best friends. This book is a slow burn, but in the best kind of way. The Duke and Lady develop a true friendship and a solid foundation that leads to love. I also love that the Lady is a wallflower and the Duke falls in love without the Lady undergoing a transformation from ugly duck to swan. The Lady was always a Diamond of the First Water and the Duke was just the first one to notice! Ms. James outdid herself with this book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Stella wants a cottage beside a bookstore. Sounds like Heaven to me. Spectacles, me too. Reading & spouting facts when you should be quiet, me too. I love this lady. Silvester is like the football team captain. He looks good, smells good, everyone likes him. Turns out there's more to him than that facade. Great couple, great story. Hit home a bit and I loved every second of it. I'd now like to figure out exactly what happened with Giles & Yasmin. I need to re-read The Reluctant Countess.

#EloisaJames #Netgalley #Avon #NotThatDuke #Would-Be Wallflowers #historicalromance #romance

Not That Duke by Eloisa James takes the enemies to lovers troupe and gives it a delightful twist. Stella finds her self with a case of puppy love for Silvester, the Duke of Huntington. And why not? The man is gorgeous and always there for her with her repeated disasters in the ballroom. But what would such a god want to do with an opinionated, freckled, accident prone woman? Plenty. They become friends even as he thinks he has fallen in love with this year's original. It;s too good to be true in Stella's eyes and malevolent forces feed her misinformation which makes Stella distance herself. And even as Silvester's feelings turn amorous *fans self*, Stella does not buy it. Even as circumstances force them to wed, Stella hardens her heart. Silvester must fight to win Stella's heart as his feelings grow into love. The struggle is real but the reward so well worth it. This book will make you laugh and sigh out loud! Get your copy today!

Not That Duke ranks high on my list of favorite Eloisa James historical romances. Full of charm, witty banter, and slow-burn romance, it hits all the right notes for an enjoyable escape. Were there times I wanted to toss our hunky hero off a cliff? Of course! Though he does redeem himself nicely in the end, proving his heart belongs solely to the right woman...for the right reasons. It's Stella, though, who shines most brightly in this story. I adored her! If you've ever felt like the odd one out, Stella is here to show you that sometimes the red-haired, curvy, bespeckled, intelligent, opinionated woman takes home the season's prize, not in spite of who she is but because of all that she is. She's one of my all-time favorite James heroines. I loved her, I loved her story, and I'm already eager to read it again.

To minimize the love triangle angst of the first half of this book, I do recommend reading The Reluctant Countess first.

A temptation with an endearing heart and a frustrating romance. Not that Duke is classic Eloisa James. A heroine whose courageous enough to stand her ground. A hero that shows heart. A love story that gets under your skin. I love a good enemies to lovers romance. From tempestuous attraction to irresistible heartache, Stella and Silvester deliver on all fronts.

I love a strong woman main character, who isn't afraid to be herself. The miscommunication and willful redirection in this is SO HARD. If this book had been print, I would have thrown it.

Tough luck for the Duke of Huntington! Lady Stella’s crush on Silvester fizzles as his crush starts to sizzle in “Not That Duke” by Eloisa James!

I love the quirky dowager duchess and her antics of getting her choice of wife in close proximity with her son. She encourages Stella to be herself when some encourage her to dim her light.

I absolutely love the female main character! Stella constantly hears how she should act during her debut season. However, her cleverness and knowledge can’t be contained. On top of that, it’s vital that she wears her spectacles, she has freckles, and her curvy body is supposedly not in fashion. She doesn’t let anything keep her down for too long. She doesn’t give a fig about the charming Silvester’s ducal title.

I almost felt bad for the duke because he got friend zoned at the worst time. He did persistently deliver actions and words portraying that he will fight for which he desires the most no matter what he has to climb or declare.

If you enjoy bluestocking wallflowers, close proximity, forced proximity, and friends to lovers reads, then I highly recommend this book!!!

Thank you to Net Galley, Avon Books, and Harper Voyager US for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Lady Stella is feisty, outspoken, has freckles, wears glasses. Silvester Parnell, Duke of Huntington, was in love with, or at least thought he was in love with, Lady Yasmine.
In fact, both of Stella’s suitors are in love with Yasmine. Even though he is courting Yasmine, Silvester spend time with Stella. They play chess and dance at balls. Yasmine ultimately chooses the earl, Giles. Somewhere in all this, Silvester decides his mother was right all along and that Stella is the perfect duchess for him. Stella is not easily convinced. They do marry, but things do not go smoothly. Silvester really needs to think things through better. This is a delightful story with much humor, two eccentric duchesses, one confused duke, a lovely girl who could use some self-confidence, a steamy romance, and a happy ending. This is the third book and a wonderful addition for the Would-Be Wallflowers series. Susan Duerden’s narration was quite entertaining.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Not that Duke A Would-be Wallflowers Novel #3 is a shout out to all of the partial, or fully wallflowers. We were never chosen for the Prom Court, or made cheerleader, never dated the football captain, or were always chosen last for basketball. We might have had classes with the alphas, because we were usually very smart, but we were never really part of them. Any of this sound familiar? Any of you still shuddering from your school days, usually starting in kindergarten?
As to our long-lasting dating lives, we were never sure if we were the number one choice. That’s all may of us wanted, to be number one for somebody. Until we were, and usually stayed that way.
I think our daughters and granddaughters have a different life now. They are able to more easily say, FU, but I think many still bear some scars, as human nature doesn’t change all that much.
Lady Stella has a very large dowery, impeccable bloodlines, and is short, plump, red headed, freckled, wears glasses and in love with the catch of the season, Silvester, the Duke of Huntington. He treats her as a little sister, spends lots of time with her. In turn she gets to watch him being half of a golden couple, the other half being Lady Yasmin, a genuinely delightful woman. Oh yeah, it seems like Lady Stella is also being courted by the Earl of Lilford, who is also in love with Lady Yasmin. I believe his story was in book #2.
So, I’ve liked this series, but then I like anything Ms. James writes. In fact, I usually treat myself to a random reread of many of her books before reading her latest.
Not That Duke excels in the vicious, nasty, no redeeming qualities of Lady Lydia, the sister of the Earl of Lilford. As usual with women like her she had her sycophants, so she could spread the venom.
There is a lot of fun with friends- Merry, the Countess of Trent- frenemies-The Dower Duchess of Huntington and Mrs. Tyme, Stella’s aunt, Stella and Silvester. This book also earns four cayenne peppers for hot sex.
The banter was witty and entertaining, when it wasn’t being a bit whiny. By the duke, no less. I also enjoyed the the Duke shown in another negative light as perhaps being ethically challenged. I think perfection is overrated.
I also loved that Stella was genuinely plump, not just “softly rounded”, but in most other HRs, the heroines call that plump, and the heroes call that hot.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an Advanced Reader’s Copy.

The Duke of Richwhiteman is looking for a wife. He thinks he wants Yasmin to fill the role bc she’s thin and blonde and perfect in all ways. He could never marry his friend Stella, because she is too much-too smart, too eccentric, too opinionated, too curvy, too redheaded, too bespectacled. Maybe it’s not that she’s too much, maybe it’s that he’s just not enough!

Duke has eccentric parents who give zero F’s about social graces, so he overcompensates by being the ultimate ducal gentleman of the ton and wants a vanilla wife to make it all look perfect. But it turns out, our golden Dukey is a pervy hornbag with questionable ethics- a phoney baloney sapiosexual who is as turned on by Stella’s brain as he is her curvy body. He slowly falls for Stella but she doesn’t trust him bc she’s been told for years how she is lesser than all the other ladies of the ton- which doesn’t stop her from consenting to heavy petting…and eventually marriage. But we all know a marriage without trust is gonna be a mess. And we all know I’m here for a mess always!

I liked this one. Per usual, Eloisa James has a deep cast of fully crafted and interesting characters- many from her last book. She flips the script of regency romance in ways that I won’t spoil but truly enjoyed. Overall, def recommend if you like historical romance with sexually awakened women. The Duke is mostly an entitled fool, but he’s a hot lovestruck fool w amazing pecs, so he’s forgiven.

Smut- 2.56 stars
Romance- 3.89 stars
Story- 4.32 stars
Sapiosexuals who find blind women in glasses hot- 17.14 stars