This story was okay. It has some things that I usually do not like. The story was supposed to be a romance, but it had some action/adventure aspects to it.
This review may contain spoilers.
This story is set in the Danish West Indies in the 1800's. The heroine is a young lady of 21 years. She is the daughter of two French aristocratic families, but she does not have a title. Her mother remarried an English lord after her first husband died. The English lord adopted the heroine as his own. They went on to have 4 other children, but the heroine was always considered one of their children. The English Lord was doing business and his ship was attacked and he passed away. Her mother is overcome with grief and the heroine had to hold the family together until her mother recovered. The business manager told the heroine's mother that the business was bad and to sell, so the mother contacted her husband's family in England. The earl was told by the business manager that everything was ship-shape-Bristol-fashion. But the letter from the widow says the business has suffered. The earl sends his son to the West Indies to find out what is correct.
The hero is the son, a lord of his own. He arrives in the West Indies and immediately meets the heroine who is returning from a mission. Her family, and a few others, help escaping slaves to be placed with families who can help them as servants. She is not dressed in her usual manner and the hero mistakes her for a widow and pursues her as such, a widow he can play with but not offer marriage.
The hero is travelling with his friend who is the heir to a shipping business. The hero wants him to review the books to see if there is theft. The heroine and her friend are trying to see the books also. Her friend is heiress to her father's shipping business and knows how to run a business. So she is going to review the books to look for theft.
You see how convoluted the story is? It is actually about a main couple and a second couple with similar story lines. But the author is good at weaving the stories together. But it does make it difficult to read at times.
The best parts of this book were the descriptions of island life and how beautiful everything is there. And how hot it is on the islands.
There are so many tangents to this story: romance, secondary romance, freeing slaves, evil French aristocrat, kidnapping, hostage taking, ship sailing. There are so many ideas that were added to this story, that it makes to story a little hard to follow. I gave it 3 stars because I do not feel it was the most successful story.

I was confused about the opening to this story but as time went on it turned out to be pleasant. Will was very arrogant when he first approached Eugenie but she quickly put him in his place. I loved the details incorporated into the story about the houses and culture.

Ella Quinn’s Enticing Miss Eugenie Villaret is book 5 of the Marriage Game series and is just as delightful as the other books in the series though a little different. This is because for one thing the storyline moves from Great Britain to the West Indies, the island of Saint Thomas to be exact. The second thing which can either be annoying or very cute to the readers is that within this book one gets two love stories. The title Character Eugenie and her love interest William and Andrew and Cicely. As with the other titles there is adventure, but in this book, it reads more as chaos as there are a lot of secondary characters and plots within plots. Eugenie starts off disliking Will intensely, but he starts to grow on her. We get to walk through a bunch of twists that attempt to keep the reader engaged enough to overlook the chaos, This book was not one that I enjoyed as much as the others in the series and I actually liked Cicely and Andrew more. I say read it if like me you’re invested in reading series and having closure. My review was given on the ARC copy received from the Publisher via NetGalley in return for my honest opinion, happy reading.

William, Viscount Wivenly, sails with his best friend, Andrew Grayson, to St. Thomas to take care of family business. It's a relief to get away from all the young ladies in England trying to trap him into marriage. Miss Eugenie Vallaret and her mother are trying to manage their import-export business without her step-father, Nathan Wivenly. His ship was attacked by pirates who murdered him and his crew. Will is infatuated with the lady, but everytime he approaches the lady it ends in disaster. He must change tactics and woo the lady. As a plot that involves the business and Eugenie unfolds, Will has promised to protect her at any cost. This book may inspire you to sail to St. Thomas. Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

William, Viscount Wivenly, has never had to work for a lady’s attention or affection. Everything has always come very easy to Will, yet he still yearns for something greater. He is going to the West Indies to get away from the plotting, grasping, insipid girls and women that want him only for his title, both now, and when he inherits the earldom.

Will arrives in St. Thomas, Danish West Indies to investigate issues with his Uncle’s company. He meets Miss Eugenie Villaret while he is posing as a mere mister and sparks immediately start to fly. Assuming Eugenie is a widow, Will considers an affair with her. Eugenie is the granddaughter of a count and a viscount and wants to marry for love, like her mamma and step-papa. After a major error on Will’s part, the mistaken identities are cleared up and the two are betrothed. Will has to woo and court her; something he has NO idea how to do.

I found it endearing that even though Eugenie is not sure of Will’s affection or character, she takes his side in domestic issues. This is another first for Will--no one takes his side. The chase to wed for Will, Eugenie and their friends adds humor and an engaging charm to the story. The subplot of Eugenie’s step-papa and the villains added a brilliant layer of tension throughout the story. Ms. Quinn has created wonderful characters; fun, spirited and sometimes irreverent. Tidwell, Will’s valet, is an excellent example. He is forever worried about Will’s cravats to the determent of Will’s wellbeing, and it made me smile. Once again she has brought together a dazzling ensemble of companions as you travel through this story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

An entertaining and well written story, and I loved the setting of the West Indies. William was arrogant in my opinion, but I grew to like him. .
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The fifth book in the Marriage Game, William, Viscount Wivenly and Miss Eugénie Villaret's story held my interest from cover to cover. A well written story with a very good storyline that flows smoothly across the pages. Both do not want to marry, but fate has a different plan. The story is well worth reading. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

There is something in men that everyone wants getting with a character that wants too but don’t convey to the society rules and reduces them that gives me life. And this book gave it to me

William and Eugenie were two characters I enjoyed getting to know. Their adventures and romance made for a great read!

The bachelors are falling one by one. This delightful series pits men who are desperately trying to avoid marriage, despite their obligations to do so and the women who finally catch their interest. But these women aren't so interested in marriage either, so the men will have to work to get their HEA. This book has intrique, pirates, kidnappers, a hurricane at sea and two romances. Very exciting, but also lively banter and some very funny situations.

William, Viscount Wivenly, has women conniving to have him put in a compromising position to force a marriage. Not that they really know or care about him, though he is quite handsome, but they are only interested in his title. He escapes to the West Indies, with his best friend, Andrew Grayson, son of a shipping magnate, seemingly to discover what is happening with his uncle's business. His uncle's ship was captured by pirates and the crew murdered. His widow has written to his father that the business is failing, while the business manager claims it is prosperous. Right off the ship, Will and Andrew go undercover and meet two lovely ladies, Eugenie Villaret and Cicely Whitecliff. Instant chemistry for both couples, but while Andrew sets out to woe Cicely, Will doesn't realize that the woman who has caught his eye is his step-cousin, but thinks that she is a widow to bed, not an innocent. She makes him pay for that mistake.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

If you believe in l0ve at first sight, you may enjoy this story. This story includes several families and some are dyfuctional, This story has violence, murder, kidnapping and some "steamy parts. There are also some stories of slavery. Very interesting characters in this story and lots of them.

Eugenie Villaret is a woman of her own mind. She is not like those women in England, all simpering and giggling. Eugenie is a woman that does what she feels is right. Whether that be rescuing orphaned children or sorting out her family's business issues. When she and her friend sneak into the Family business's warehouse one night, all hell breaks loose, and they meet William and Andrew.

William is the Viscount Wivenly and travels to the West Indies to help his cousin's family. He is also using this trip as an opportunity to escape all the mothers who are trying to match make him with their daughters. Will is not the marrying kind. He likes widows, if you know what I mean. When he runs into Eugenie, who he thinks is a widow, Will starts to think that this trip could actually be worthwhile.

However, there is mysteries, kidnapping and adventures to be had along the way before Will and Eugenie can fall in love.

William is an ass. While he does grow a little in this book, he is still a bit of an ass. Eugenie starts off as this amazing child rescuing heroine but that is where is stops and she turns into a pretty basic female. Disappointing really. The saving grace of this book is the mysteries and adventures. Who is out to get Eugenie and why? Where is Nathan? Without that fun this book would fall rather flat. The spice is okay. One of a series but can be read as a stand alone.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books and Ella Quinn for this early release copy in exchange for my honest (maybe too honest) review.

Ella Quinn writes superb closed door historical romances. I usually can fly through them and this was no exception. If you enjoy her work, then you will enjoy this!

Danish West Indies St. Thomas July 1816 to Dunwood House London England April 1817
William “Will” Wivenly, Viscount Wivenly is always dealing with the machinations of the ton’s young women. When his father asks him to check a family situation in the West Indies he jumps at the chance for adventure and to get away. Will is about to have an adventure he never counted on. Eugenie Villarett Joyeuse was raised by her late stepfather and her mother in the West Indies. She’s attacked thinking it was her work with orphan slave children. Eugenie is worried about her mother after the recent death of her stepfather. When conflicting information about the family shipping business comes to light Eugenie and Will may just have to work together for the truth. Will with be Enticing Miss Eugenie Villarett into something more while they investigate.

Ella Quinn fifth book in The Marriage Game series is Enticing Miss Eugenie Villarett. A man who isn’t looking for marriage is hounded by the young women looking to hook a title of earl. Will Wivenly is asked by his father to take a trip to help out family in the West Indies Islands. Along with his best friend Will sees this as an adventure. Eugenie Villarett Joyeuse was raised in the West Indies by her mother and stepfather. The recent death of her papa and the conflicting reports about the shipping business has Eugenie and her best friend investigating for the truth. A run in with the two new men sets the scene to finding out the truth. Enticing Miss Eugenie Villarett passion, danger, misconceptions, feisty young women and men who can handle them. Set in the early 1800s in the West Indies there is ships, kidnapping, several bad guys but all serving a single purpose. Lives are on the line as these two couple work their way through the tangled series of adventures. Misdirection, stubbornness and a man used to be chased all keep Will and Eugenie at odds. Enticing Miss Eugenie Villarett by Ella Quinn is her fifth installment in the Marriage Game series. A Viscount not looking to be under the control of his future wife like his friends. Will finds that a feisty woman who doesn’t give in may just be what he didn’t know he wanted. Ella Quinn doesn’t just give her readers one love story but two and a third that the thought is over and combines them in this story of adventure, love, danger and ship voyages. Lives are in peril as they look into a shipping business. Ella Quinn’s Enticing Miss Eugenie Villarett keeps the reader on their toes with all the suspense dealing with a couple of family situations and finding the love of your life. A must for Quinn fans and a way to become acquainted with her stories filled with feisty women, strong men who find each other while finding their true love.

A raunchy Regency Romance that would have Georgette Heyer's hair curl but the misunderstandings, regency social mores, the ghastly Mamas trying to settle their daughters and the even more ghastly daughters trying to entrap eligible bachelors would be very familiar. Titled William is the hero avoiding matrimony and Eugenie is naïve but concerned about the apparent discrepancies in funds of her late step-father's business. Set mostly in the West Indies against a mixed background of Dutch and British control the locations are more interesting than typical Regency London ballrooms. There are plenty of sub-plots and romances with dastardly family members trying to kidnap Eugenie and so on. Could get a bit confusing at times. An ok read improved by its locations. 3.5* but can't really round up to 4, sorry. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

Enticing Miss Eugénie Villaret is the 5th volume in The marriage game series by Ella Quinn. It was first published in ebook in 2014 and it will hit the shelves in paperback on October 24, 2023. That’s why I had the opportunity to review the book.
I discovered the author last year with The Worthington series in French, and I loved the two books published by J’ai Lu (I’m still waiting the translation of the other books). It included everything I love to read nowadays in a romance novel : instalove, hero determined to seduce the heroine and a heroine who doesn’t let herself be pushed around especially if the hero behaves badly, and that’s the case in this book.

The book tells the story of William, Viscount Wivenly, who flees London and the husband-hunting ladies, and Eugénie Villaret, whose French mother moved in Jamaica then in St Thomas, an island situated in the Danish West Indies. The story takes place in 1816, a few years after the Danish approved the abolition of slavery. It’s an important element in the story as it’s one of the cause of the conflicts between the heroes plus their relatives and the villains in the book.

At the beginning of the book, we learn that Eugénie’s step-father, who is from London, died at sea a few months ago. He owned a import-export business which since has been run by a manager. However, the latter told Eugénie’s mother that the company had begun to fail. So she sent a letter to her step-father’s nephew, who is none other than William. In the letter, she requests his assistance.
As for William, he has two versions of events : his uncle’s wife says that the company is failing and the manager says that everything’s fine. So he decides to take advantage of his « escape » to untangle this situation.

The encounter between the heroes takes place in three steps : the first one is a visual one, the second one is a real encounter but a case of mistaken identity and the last one is the official encounter. At each step, the reader knows that they are attracted to each other but, because of a misunderstanding, William will have to make amends in order to obtain Eugénie’s favours.
In addition to their love story, the author tells the one of Eugénie’s best friend and William’s best friend.
There is also some suspense due to the heroine’s French family, and there is a twist.

On the whole, I liked this book a lot, yet, it was not easy at first because of the text. Indeed, the author uses some French words to show the heroine’s origins. I didn’t find that very natural. I got used to it particularly because the story was interesting. Then there was the case of mistaken identity and I was afraid that it would take a lot of place in the book. I must say, I don’t like this plot in the books I read. In the end, Ella Quinn managed it well.

Our heroes are surrounded by some very nice members of their family and friends. Some of them already have their books, others have some potential. I haven’t read the other books in the series yet but I haven’t been bothered by it. I will certainly read them sometime in the future.

To conclude, I recommend Enticing Miss Eugénie Villaret for those who want a light read.

I was more interested in the other love story and friends of the leads in this book, not sure why but mostly the hero wasn't someone I really was rooting for during it including how he treated the heroine

I had a hard time keeping interested in this book and never really warmed to William at all. This might not have ben helped by the slow pace and some of the plot seemed disjointed and flat. A surprising disappointing book from such a well known author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was an entertaining, well-written historical romance. It was steamy, fast-paced and held my interest. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

William, Viscount Wivenly, or Will, tired of having women trying to trap him into marriage, decides to go to the West Indies to investigate his uncle's shipping business. He has been getting conflicting reports on how much the company is actually earning. Knowing next to nothing about shipping, he brings his friend Andrew, since he is involved with his family's shipping company. Eugénie, whose stepfather ran the offices before he was killed when pirates captured his ship, is convinced the new manager is lying when he claims the business has started losing money. She decides to sneak into the offices at night to search for proof, and brings along her best friend Cecily, who happens to know about the business as well. All four come together since Will and Andrew have the same plan. Then, the story becomes one with intrigue, murder, mystery, romance, and surprises along the way.
Here we get two for the price of one!\The story is different from most Regency romance novels I have read. There are two romances, and each has their own separate point of view. While Andrew and Cecily are secondary characters, there is depth to their own story. It runs its course at the same time as Andrew and Eugénie, but theirs is instant love. There is a vivid, but tastefully written intimate scene. i haven't read a novel that revolved another couple as well as the main couple. Cecily and Andrew are a sweet couple, and their story moves really quickly. Most of their story is them trying to find the pastor to marry them because her mother demands the wedding she wants, and ignores Cecily's wishes.
Will spends most of his time trying to woo Eugénie after he proposes since she doesn't believe he actually wants to marry her. There is a mystery about her, but she isn't aware of it because her family never thought the past would come to haunt them. I would have thought the same way if it happened to me. So, it's not far fetched.
Eugénie is a bit confusing as a character. She is known as a person who saves children from being sold into slavery after their parents are taken away from them. This is supposed to be an important part of her story and character. However, there were only two instances where it is mentioned or discussed, and she doesn't really talk about it with Will, although he was already aware of what her family was doing. I'm not sure why he would have known, since his uncle didn't really discuss the business with him. The first time she does anything is in the beginning, and I had to go back to read it to understand its meaning. She was seen rescuing a child, and chased when she ran from them. They kept coming for her even after she hid the child. I did not even realize people were trying to abduct her until later in the novel.
I also felt there were three or four different plots within the story. While I will not spoil the plot, one or two of them could have been written as one, and been much better. The back and forth between all of them had me going back and forth as well, to make sure I was focusing on the right one.
The romance was sweet, and it was nice to see how Will and Eugénie came together as a couple. She does not think he wants to marry her, and he is trying to convince he does. Luckily for him, Andrew and Cecily are very helpful. The sidebar story of Will and the lady who grew the flowers on the island helped it even more. I enjoyed her involvement.
While I did enjoy everyone's stories, I do not think I will read this one again. However, it does hint at a future novel, and I will read that one. The style of writing is comfortable, even when I got lost within the plots.
This is the 5th in the "Marriage Game" series, it can be read as a stand alone. The previous characters are mentioned as a side note, and do not interfere with the story. You do get to meet them in the epilogue. (Not a spoiler)
There are a few somewhat graphic intimate scenes. They are short, and well written,. Some of the details are skipped as they are not needed.
I would recommend this to adults.

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