A delightful start to a new series!

I loved this one from start to finish--sure, I was afraid that Dom was going to ruin everything more than once (he takes a little too long to come clean about his mistress and to educate himself about his wife's artistic abilities...and lets his temper make choices for him when he really shouldn't) but Torie and the twins are an absolute delight from start to finish.

Dom does *eventually* get his head out of his posterior, comes clean to his wife, and learns to appreciate her skills for the genius they are. All before losing Torie--so wins all around. (Not gonna lie, though, I really was glad that Torie and the twins didn't end up buying a rabbit at market just to serve as a drawing subject and then be dinner. Yes, I know where meat comes from and yes, I grew up eating what my father had hunted for us. But we didn't let it prance around our living room first...also, I've had bunnies as pets before and they are a freaking delight. And so darn sweet and fluffy.)

I also really appreciated that Torie's (undiagnosed) dyslexia was so easily accepted by Dom and the children, and that it wasn't magically fixed at the end of the book. She had her own work arounds that she'd developed on her own where she could, and beyond that those who loved her did what they could to help her out. Just like IRL, she adapted without needing a magic fix.

Really looking forward to the next book, featuring Torie's best friend Clara!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

A delightful start to a new series!

I loved this one from start to finish--sure, I was afraid that Dom was going to ruin everything more than once (he takes a little too long to come clean about his mistress and to educate himself about his wife's artistic abilities...and lets his temper make choices for him when he really shouldn't) but Torie and the twins are an absolute delight from start to finish.

Dom does *eventually* get his head out of his posterior, comes clean to his wife, and learns to appreciate her skills for the genius they are. All before losing Torie--so wins all around. (Not gonna lie, though, I really was glad that Torie and the twins didn't end up buying a rabbit at market just to serve as a drawing subject and then be dinner. Yes, I know where meat comes from and yes, I grew up eating what my father had hunted for us. But we didn't let it prance around our living room first...also, I've had bunnies as pets before and they are a freaking delight. And so darn sweet and fluffy.)

I also really appreciated that Torie's (undiagnosed) dyslexia was so easily accepted by Dom and the children, and that it wasn't magically fixed at the end of the book. She had her own work arounds that she'd developed on her own where she could, and beyond that those who loved her did what they could to help her out. Just like IRL, she adapted without needing a magic fix.

Really looking forward to the next book, featuring Torie's best friend Clara!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0-5)
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 (0-5) I usually bump up for outdoor spaces, but it’s pretty private and there were only a few scenes total (only one detailed) so I’m keeping it at a 3/5.

What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 The narrator has a gorgeous voice, and one narrator works fine for me in a 3rd person dual POV. This book has all the feels, and Mary Jane Wells brings them out so well.
🤩 Fantastic characterization—they are who they are, and I adore Torie and Dominic. I also appreciate the character development with Dominic.
🤩 The plot is totally captivating—Kelbourne is suddenly guardian of his sister’s twins. His fiancée doesn’t get along with them, but her sister adores them.
🤩 Enemies-to-lovers vibes—great banter and chemistry.
🤩 The sweet and laugh-out-loud interactions between the kids and Torie are just so good.
🤩 I love Dominic for his care with the twins.
🤩 The twins are so funny and precocious—so many breached rules of society, and I’m here for it!
🤩 When the lusting and pining thoughts sneak in Dominic’s brain, and he falls fast!
🤩 When the twins encourage Dominic to try harder to win over Torie!!
🤩 I giggled my way through most of this book.
🤩 That adorable conversation about bunny copulation.
🤩 Beautiful learning disability representation (Torie is so deserving of my new Neurospicy sticker.)
🤩 I was so curious how the mistress part would come into play, and it made me adore both characters even more.

What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 I adored the first detailed and playful steamy scene, and I think I would have liked more detailed scenes.
💫 The plot and characters totally captivated me, but I stopped paying good attention the last 20%. I needed more of the twins and more of the detailed learning each other’s bodies.

Victoria (Tori) Sutton is destined to be a spinster. Tori is an artist who is very educated (with her photographic memory). Yet, she can not read.
She is starting to fall in love with her sister's fiance.
Let me start this by saying to keep reading this book...
There were times that I just wanted to yell at Dominic for not listening or paying attention to Tori.

This book follows Tori and Dominic. Dominic's betrothed is Tori's sister and she does not want to marry Dominic to take care of his niece and nephew for him. They end up being engaged for two years until she runs away and marries someone else.
Victoria (Tori) Sutton is destined to be a spinster. Tori is an artist who is very educated (with her photographic memory). Yet, she can not read.
She is starting to fall in love with her sister's fiancé. Tori, who enjoys spending time with the children volunteers to marry him. There are some ups and downs in their marriage that could have been resolved by communication.
After all was said and done, I was glad I did finish this book.

I adore anything written by Eloise James. These 2... Torie and Dominic are amazing, and the other 2... the kids... adorable. I was thrilled to read a new one from this author, as it just seems sooooooo long between books. Wonderful!

I gave this another try, I really did. I got past the precocious kids this time, but after the umpteenth time Dominic thought about Torie being dumb, I was done. I LOVE grumpy heroes, but they’re supposed to be secretly nice on the inside. So no thank you.

What happens when your fiancé who has dragged your engagement for two years runs off with another man? Seduce her sister for the benefit of your niece and nephew you're now guardian of, obviously. Especially if she finally caves to your appearance (which her sister disliked - yep they're total opposites) after years of suppressing the attraction.

But those opposites are a core issue for Dominic and Torie who doesn't understand why he would settle for her when he wanted a reserved, intelligent, society wife, while Dominic realizes that what he really needs in his life is different than he thought.

Unsurprisingly, Dominic holding onto the ideas of what he should want, who he should be, and what he should have as a gentleman of the time causes the most conflict in the story.

I loved how Dominic makes the most of the (happy) situation with his ex-fiancé and leverages the situation to marry the sister he actually wants to (even if he doesn't fully understand the protectiveness and attraction he feels for her). And how quickly he falls when he's free to, with the protectiveness, lust, and appreciation for her true self he feels.

Comparatively, Torie admits she's marrying for love - but the love of the children.

Expect to be frustrated because -men- they're a stupid lot sometimes when they can be so cunning otherwise.

Overall, there were some delightful surprises and I loved the passion they had for each other from the beginning. They must learn that opening up and being vulnerable, and admitting the momentous "I love you", is worth the risk.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Read for: neurodivergent FMC (dyslexia), Georgian period, opposites attract, marriage of convenience, within the James universe, he falls first, low drama

4 stars
2 spice

The Viscount in Love by Eloisa James Viscount, Alex and Lady Isabel, who is determined not to marry for anything other than love. The premise has all the makings of a delightful enemies-to-lovers story, and James’s signature humor and sharp wit shine through in their interactions. However, while the chemistry is undeniably there, the stakes feel a bit low at times, and the emotional arc is less compelling than I expected. Alex’s character, though well-drawn with a tragic backstory, didn’t evoke the deep sympathy I was hoping for, and Isabel, while likable, doesn’t fully break out of the typical "headstrong heroine" mold. The secondary characters add charm, but they sometimes detract from the central romance. Overall, it’s an enjoyable book with some lovely moments, but it didn’t quite captivate me the way some of Eloisa James’s other works have.

This has to be one of the best historical romances I've ever read, the raw writing and emotions were so fucking good. The banter and bickering between the MCs were top tier and every scene with the kids was just wholesome as hell 😭 ALSO the character growth and the way the two fell in love >>>>>

TWs - FMC mocked and insulted for her dyslexia by her family and her peers, parental abuse of a kid (faced by the MMC as a kid), parental abandonment of kids (faced by the MMC's niece and nephew before their parents die and they come to live with him), alcoholism and addiction to gambling (FMC's father, a practice that also deteriorates her and her sister's lives), adultery (MMC's sister), death of sibling (MMC's sister)

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

For me, VISCOUNT IN LOVE is a novel that Eloisa James's fans will enjoy, however I don't think it's the book for everyone, especially if you are new to the author.

It's unclear if the FMC is illiterate - it's unclear if she wasn't taught to read, or if she has some sort of reading disability. However it is repeated in the novel quite often, and seems to be a point of pride. I'm not sure if it's to show the audience, and especially the MMC, who was originally planning to marry the FMC's sister, and is looking for the perfect paragon of a wife, that she is quite capable of many things without being able to read.

Overall quirky, fun, and gives you what you expect from an Eloisa James's novel.

I loved this romance. James's books always leave me with a warm glow. I wanted to immediately reread it!

I absolutely loved this book. It’s so reminiscent of early Eloisa; the same vibes as the Duchess books and the Essex sisters series. That’s my highest praise!

A captivating historical romance. The novel is a delightful blend of humor, passion, and heartfelt moments. Dominic and Torie’s journey from reluctant partners to passionate lovers is beautifully written, filled with steamy encounters and witty banter.
Many thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Eloisa James is a must-read for me. I enjoyed this book as much as previous books she's written. I recommend Eloisa James as a similar author to library patrons who enjoy the Bridgerton series.

I enjoyed this book, Viscount in Love by Eloisa James. It was sweet and spicy and was pretty much what I was expecting. The characters were fun, and I grew to like them the more I read into the story. The writer did a good job making the characters interesting and loveable.

I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me slightly of Julia Quinn's 'To Sir Phillip with Love', largely because of the twins, but it was a wonderful read in its own right. The push and pull between Torie and Dominic was gripping. And the development of the hero over the course of the book put him up there with Mr. Darcy (though not quite on the same level). I'll definitely be coming back to read the next instalment of this series. Eloisa James has got me hooked again!

Eloise James never disappoints. She’s written a prolific number of books, and never loses the magic - a mystical act in and of itself as so many of her books recycle the same plot, and characters. I’ll always buy her books for the library, they will always be checked out, and they will always provide a bit of joy during turbulent times.

Eloisa James has done it again! Viscount in Love is a perfect historical romance with just the right level of spice.

I liked reading this book and look forward to the next book in this series. I have read many books by Eloisa James and have like every one.

Everything Eloisa James writes just makes me happy, and Viscount In Love is her writing at it's very best. This book brought me so much joy! It was funny, sweet, and simply perfect. Dominic and Torie were completely delightful together and don't even get me started otwhow much I adored the twins. I loved loved loved this book!

Seriously, this was such a wonderful start to a new series. I am so excited for more!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.