Member Reviews
Enticing Miss Eugenie Villaret is the fifth book in The Marriage Game series.
William, Viscount Wivenly has no plans to get caught in any young womans marriage plans. He escapes to the West Indies in order to see if he can rescue his aunt and family from a reported failing business after his uncle has died.
Miss Eugénie Villaret is determined to protect her family’s livelihood while covertly rescuing orphaned slave children. She has also managed to avoid any suitor that looks her way. She plots with her friend Cecily to sneak into her family's business in order to take a look at the books to see how much trouble the business is in.
After arriving William and his friend Andrew decide to check the Wivenly business to have a look at the books only he encounters what he believes is to be the widow Wivenly who he finds extremely attractive. But when William realizes he has compromised Eugenie he offers to marry her.
A long-lost relative has concocted a plan to kidnap Eugenie in order to save their family from financial ruin. Will William marry Eugenie before it is too late.
This is a lighthearted and entertaining romance. Two people that stubbornly refuse to marry fall in love, but it is not an easy romance. William has to work very hard to court Eugenie which is something he has never had to do before, and he makes a lot of mistakes before he gets it right.
West Indies....
William is determined not to marry, but to dally.
Eugenie is very idealistic (resucing orphans) and is propositioned by William, inapproporately, mind you. She is a Miss. Not sure if William is a catch. But he sets his cap for Eugenie.
I liked that it does travel to the West Indies.
I enjoyed the story. Reminded me some of the stories of the first books that were put out back when the genre first came out in the seventies and eighties. The story drew you in and kept you there. Wishing you were there with them on the islands.
I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley and leaving a review by my own accord.
William, Viscount Wivenly, plans to remain the most eligible of bachelors. Fleeing the pressure of the ton, he’s bent on finding refuge in the West Indies. What he finds instead is a fascinating stranger, a woman so unlike those of his society that he can’t resist such a beguiling distraction. Determined to let nothing complicate her mission to protect her family’s livelihood while covertly rescuing orphaned slave children, Miss Eugénie Villaret does her best to evade suitors. Until she meets William
The fifth book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own the author’s characters live in the same world so make appearances in her other books, which I personally love. I loved both Will & Eugenie & thoroughly enjoyed their enemies to friends to lovers story. The story starts slowly as it sets the scene but then the pace starts to increase & I was hooked. Plus there’s also a secondary romance. It was different to the other books in the series, which was refreshing
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
William, Viscount Wivenly, is determined to avoid the marriage trap, even if it means he has to find refuge in the West Indies. What he doesn’t expect to find is Miss Eugénie Villaret, a woman who fascinates him like no other. Miss Eugénie is determined to let nothing complicate her mission to protect her family’s livelihood while covertly rescuing orphaned slave children. Yet when Eugénie and William are together, both are determined to prove their point.
A fun read, with plenty of punch at the start. Eugénie, in particular is a likeable character whilst Will, can be quite obnoxious. I found Eugénie’s attitude quite refreshing when lined up against Will, and her determination to prove herself.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Set in the West Indies, William (Viscount Wivenly) has been sent to check on his fathers business. He doesn’t share who he is wanting to investigate quietly. He meets Miss Eugenie Villaret out in the evening and for some reason assumes she is a young widow and presses some advances. Later when all is revealed for honor's sake he proposes marriage. In an oddity they are actually cousins but not by blood. She is actually rather young and naive. She didn’t mind his kiss but has no plans to wed. He decides to woo her.
This is the kind of story I usually easily enjoy. Instead William is pompously annoying, although he improves over time. His thoughts and treatment of women in the beginning may be historically accurate but not something I want for a love interest. And everything is rather instant lust or instant attraction. The author brings in interesting bits about the Islands. I especially liked that simple things like ages when you could wed varied based on which country claimed the island. Slave laws differ too. I did like Eugenie, but of course I love strong women.
This is the fifth book in a The Marriage Game series but can be read as a standalone. I’ve read the previous book in the series. It was first published in August 2014.
Little did women knew when they first set sail for the West Indies, they were bound to meet their destinies. But before their HEAs, they had to contend with several issues, including a kidnapping and secure mission. Enjoyable read with wonderful characters and some villainous ones.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.
Happy to leave London and its title hunting ladies, William, Viscount Wivenly, and his best friend Andrew set sail for the West Indies. They’re to investigate the conflicting reports Will’s father, the Earl of Watford, received concerning his late nephew’s company.
Eligible, entitled and wealthy, Will is determined to never live under the cat’s paw - a marriage will happen on his terms, and without all those stifling emotions. That is until he runs into a breathtaking young lady… and when their paths cross once more a few nights later, he can’t help but kiss her.
Refusing to believe her late stepfather’s businessman about how poorly the company is doing, Eugenie Villaret sets out to discover the truth for herself with the help of her best friend Cecilia.
Eugenie never considered any suitors until she accidentally runs into a handsome stranger on the street. When said stranger turns up in her father’s office a few nights later while the ladies are investigating, sparks fly. But then he makes the mistake of underestimating her… she refuses to fall for his charming smiles and arrogance.
The man who wants to earn her heart will have to do the work!
In come Eugenia’s conniving uncles on her father’s side and their plan to claim her. Add Nathan Wivenly regaining his strength on another island, a risky escape plan, an attempt at kidnapping, wedding plans, the search for a priest and a turbulent sailing trip…
Yes, the start may be slow, but once they get going it’s one hell of a ride!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A nice enemies to friends to lovers romance, he falls first and he falls hard even though he doesn’t realise it. She’s a bit more reserved and careful with her heart.
Will is a complete blockhead (and somewhat of an arse) when it comes to Eugenie - lucky for him he has some reliable allies knocking sense into him - and stubborn but thoughtful Eugenie knows her worth - nothing but respect for this lady! She may be innocent, but she isn’t too shy to teach him the meaning of the word “no”.
Family sticking together is the heart of this story and the colourful cast of side-characters surrounding the MCs add an interesting dynamic. Their friendships feel honest and true, and are very entertaining as there’s some excellent dry wit in this tale.
This was a fun and adventurous page-turner with beautiful character development and some nice steam. There are different subplots happening at the same time, so the beginning is a bit confusing. As the story advances they start to intertwine leading to a thrilling climax before the HEA.
(the epilogue was a bit ‘bleh’ for me)
I enjoyed this book very much and would gladly recommend it!
FYI it was first published in 2014 and handles issues like slavery and colonialism
Such a surprise novel. I don’t always like reading historical romances set into the colonies and islands, but this one novel was so interesting that I read it all. I found it reminded me a lot of the old fashioned “bodice rippers” of the past. The novel has Viscount Wivenly, William sent by his father to identify what is happening to a family member who seems to be frantic about her husband’s business and her concern for her family.
Meanwhile, Eugenie is suspicious about her mother’s man of business. She does not believe that their company is struggling. She and her best friend break into the offices to check out the books. At the same time William and his best friend also break into the company offices to find the truth about the company. They both surprise each other and form an uneasy alliance to find the truth. However, William does not know that Eugenie is a lady and his uncle’s step daughter. He mistakes her for a “questionable” type and treats her poorly.
The novel twists and turns from there between Eugenie and William and various nefarious characters. Eugenie and William will both need a serious change of heart, learn to trust and share information that will allow this mystery of the business to be resolved. Enticing Miss Eugenie Villaret by Ella Quinn was a fun read.
This is the fifth book in the Marriage Game series and was previously released in 2014.
It is not your typical Regency, since it takes place in Saint Thomas and the West Indies.
There are two love stories in the book. Eugenie and Will who disliked each other at first, and Andrew and Cicely, Eugenie's friend who had an immediate attraction to each other. There are a few plot twists and several villains in the story. All in all, it is an interesting read.
Rogue and bachelor William goes to the West Indies to see why a family business is not doing well. When he discovers his widowed aunt is being taken advantage of and her beautiful step daughter Eugenie is in danger, he steps in to protect them. Eugenie is a strong woman in her own right and leads William on a merry chase for her. I received an ARC from Net Galley and Kensington Books for my honest review.
When I read the blurb for this book, I was excited that it would be away from London and all those glittering ballrooms. Usually, I devour Miss Quinn's books, but this one kind of left me flat. I thought it more mystery than romance and I lost interest in it. I did finish it, but it took me days which is never a good thing.
Ella Quinn is one of my most favorite authors! William and Eugenie's story is no exception to the quality book that she puts out. This book will have readers fascinated with their story and like me, waiting for her next book to come out.
I am a total sucker for regency romance and Ella Quinn writes it spectacularly. Anyone who loves Tessa Dare and Julia Quinn will fall in love with the characters Ella creates.
The depth of emotions you feel through Will and Eugenie are amazing and I will absolutely be devouring the rest of this series.
Ella Quinn's Enticing Miss Eugenie Villaret is a captivating and refreshingly unique romance that pulled me in from the beginning and held my attention until the end, leaving me wanting more.
I expected this book to be a straight-forward romance between two intriguing characters. Instead there was a whole other plot amd I’d classify this book as more of a mystery romance. It wasn’t what I expected and the parts of the book from perspectives other than Will amd Eugenie dragged,
Will is send to help with his late uncle shipping business but before he can introduce to them he must make some investigation of his own.
Eugenie is trying to help her mother who is devastated after her father's death, when a man is sniffing around their business she take is upon herself to find out the true situation about their finances.
When those two meet they don't know each other identity which leads to some misunderstandings, like Will thinking Eugenie is a widow he can have a few night of fun with.
The shock comes when he realized that the woman he kissed is his uncle daughter and he has to offer for her.
I liked the beginning of this one but somewhere along the way it got me lost. The books has two romance in it, the main couple and the one about their best friends'.
I didn't like how Will went from 0 to 60, he was a bachelor who never wanted to marry and then he does, but nothing had actually happened to make him change his mind. Eugenie didn't like the way he behaved but she was all to happy to agree with him, she barely even made him sweat it, he should have grovel.
The story has some twists along the way and a mystery but I wasn't terrible invested into it.
* I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
4 Stars! Previously released in August 2014, this is the 5th book in ‘The Marriage Game’ series and can be read as a standalone. I liked this book a lot since it was not like the usual regency romances I’ve read and is based on the island of St.Thomas in the Danish West Indies. The main male character was William, Viscount Wivenly and in the beginning, I really disliked him. He was an arrogant, entitled, jerk who acted based on the head in his pants instead of the head on his shoulders. Thankfully he get better throughout the book. I liked the main female character, Eugenie, especially when she refuses to marry Will. The secondary characters, the main characters best friends, Andrew and Cicely, get a love story too and they had a love at first sight story, basically the opposite of Will & Eugenie. With an evil uncle trying to kidnap Eugenie and William trying to woo her, a few ‘sexy times’ scenes and issues that worked themselves out pretty easily all ending in a HEA ending for almost everyone. All in all, an entertaining read.
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*
This is the first book of the The marriage game series that I read and love it. Even thought, its the.fifth book of the series I was able to read it as a stand-alone book, although I’m quite sure that those who read the series in order probably enjoyed it even more.
Here in this story, you’ll find a young women trying to survive a situation created by the men in her family who were supposed to protect her while living in an era where slavery is still debated by different countries and women had no rights.
It was interesting to learn the difference between the French, English and Dutch islands and they way they lived at that time.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I received a copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review
-The most captivating story so far in the series; it's about time. Pirates, kidnapping, mysteries, suspense, romance, and starting at 75% many - too many, like 15-20 - bedroom scenes which is why I'm only giving 4 stars. It did not add anything, except to show us that people can't even wait a week!
-There's a romance between William and Eugenie, then there's another one with Andrew, his BFF, and Cicely, her BFF. There might be one also between Marisole and Tidwell.
-The lovely conversation Cicely and Eugenie had concerning poor relations was hilarious; they had a lot of misconceptions of life in England.
-As soon as Andrew's response to William was "tomorrow night" you just knew it was going to be fun. The ladies were going to be there too!
-At first I thought William's actions towards Eugenie, like he had to follow her everywhere, were a bit irrational and not in a good way. But at other times, I didn't like how Eugenie was treating William, especially in front of everyone. She was also looking at every excuses not to marry him and she didn't even know him (for ex., which causes he would support).
-I was a bit confused as to why William would ask Andrew about what he found out in the diary since he was the one to read it after Eugenie passed it to him in her father's office.
-It was entirely funny when William was given rum by Smithwick and he toasted to farming. I died right there. They were doing the books.
-The relation between Cicely and Andrew is sweet and funny, especially when they wrote notes to each other all day. I do not wish Mrs. Whitecliff on anyone.
-I'm not sure who Grace and baby Gideon are; they appeared in the epilogue.
-Editing: wrong word, missing word, too many words, switching from brandy to cognac and vice-versa.