Member Reviews
Viscount in Love by Eloisa James brought back my love for all things Regency. This book is lovely and easy to read and her lost in. I love Dom for his struggles reconciling himself with the great man he his despite his father’s harsh words. I loved Tori for her strong, confident character despite always being “less than” her peers. Solidly 4 out of 5 stars.
Miss Victoria Sutton or Torie, as she is known to all, is an unusual young woman. She is the younger sister of the seemingly perfect Lenora, who is currently engaged to be married to Dominic Kelbourne, a Viscount with wealth, good looks, and a reputation for his fierce behavior.
Torie has her opinions on her sister's match and on any number of things, but she is kind enough to share them only with her closest friend in confidence. While she has many ideas, Torie is thought of as "lacking" by her family and the nobility due to a learning issue from which she suffers, but she has learned to adapt.
Kelbourne is stern, darkly handsome, and humorless, but a respected member of the house of lords. It is during his engagement that he becomes guardian of his sister's twin children, a girl and boy, due to a tragic accident that killed both her and her husband. These two children are beyond eccentric and quirky and are most likely what would be described today as "gifted." They are also a governess' nightmare. Unfortunately, they have been neglected by their now deceased parents, and these unsocialized sprites are living with their bachelor uncle who is at his wits' end trying to understand them.
The twins, Florence and Valentine, are about 11 or so and are very entertaining to everyone except Kelbourne's fiance, Torie's sister, and this is where the plot begins to evolve.
Torie and Kelbourne both begin to notice each other in a less than familial manner, and lust rears its sultry head. Other colorful characters enter the fray and add to the story as the reader is pulled into the family dynamic as well as the heat of a developing romance.
This is a wonderful tale, funny, sometimes offbeat, romantic, and with a heat between the two main characters that keeps the pages turning. It was one of this author's best, and I highly recommend it. Definitely a book to curl up with and read all in a day as I did.
Fun read. Of course the children took center stage. I like fake engagements and this one was very well written. Good plot, character development and a sizzling remance.
An auto buy author for me. This has all of Eloisa’s style. I admit I had difficulty connecting to the Viscount. He was conflicting in his behaviour. Torie is a classic heroine. Overcoming challenges and looking for love from others and giving plenty in return.
Their relationship was quite frustrating for me. Not my favourite Eloisa James, but always worth reading.
London, England - 1800
Miss Victoria Sutton, known to friends and family as Torie, is not impressed with the viscount that her sister has been betrothed to for two years. He's stern, and clearly shows no real passion for his future bride. However, knowing her sister, Leonora, Torie is pretty sure that there isn't any need for him to be in love with her. He's a viscount, and Leonora is all about being ladylike, and there is certainly no need for passion. Torie wants to wed for love, and so far, as she moves into her third Season in London, things aren't looking promising. To make matters worse, Torie can neither read nor write - something she seems to have inherited from her late mother.
Lord Dominic Kelbourne is known for his strict, solemn behavior, and for losing his temper in the House of Lords. He chose Leonora because she seems to be exactly the kind of wife that a viscount should have. She is quiet, well bred, and doesn't seem to be a needy woman who will demand that he give up his vivacious mistress. But when Dominic's sister and husband die suddenly, leaving behind their eleven year-old twins, he finds himself in the new role of being their guardian. And that could be a problem for both children are eccentric, to put it mildly. Pretty much relegated to a nanny their entire lives, Florence has chosen to write horror stories, and Valentine considers himself smarter than everyone.
Introduction of the twins to Leonora does not go well. She finds them untrained and rude. But Torie immediately falls in love with them, understanding their uniqueness. The twins welcome Torie with open arms.
For Dominic things come to a head when Leonora elopes with another man! He's stunned, but knows he must find a wife soon. With Torie visiting the twins frequently, he soon realizes that, despite her coldness towards him, she adores Florence and Valentine. And Dominic is also more and more attracted to her frankness. But would she consider marrying him? That is a tall order for the brash, independent Torie.
The first book in the Accidental Brides series, VISCOUNT IN LOVE is a delightful beginning. Torie and Dominic couldn't be more different from one another. But they do share a love for the orphaned twins. Is that enough for both of them in a marriage, though?
A great summer read, VISCOUNT IN LOVE will entertain readers.
as someone who loves historical romance, it is shocking to me that it has taken me so long to read an eloisa james book! i am astounded that i would wait so long because it seems this book was made for me!!! i will be working my way through her extensive back log asap°
I loved this book. In this story, Dom, Viscount Kelbourne is set to marry Leonora Sutton, and meets her sister Victoria (Torie). The wedding is not planned/been postponed for years, until Dom's sister dies and he is given care of her 11 year old twins. Torie enjoys being with the twins, while Leonora on some level refuses to deal with them even though she is engaged to their "second father". Right before their wedding, Leonora runs off with another man. There is some ongoing discussion about how Dom needs a nanny for the kids, who are brilliant but hard to handle, but Dom is also attracted to Torie.
A main conflict in this story is that Torie can't read or write. Of course in this day and age we can assume she has dyslexia and dysgraphia, but interestingly enough, her issues never do get solved in the book. She is also a brilliant artist, forced to downplay her talent because of women's roles in this time and place.
The kids are hilarious, adorable characters in the book. They're precocious and don't seem to be all that sensitive to the fact that their parents just died. Both Torie and Dom love them, and she agrees to marry him because she's attracted to him but also to be around the kids.
There is a lot of discussion over their relationship and getting over how their parents have treated them over their lifetime. Dom's father wasn't affectionate and was demeaning. Torie's family didn't take her seriously because she couldn't read or write and weren't particularly nice about it. They have an overwhelming attraction, and enjoy being together but Dom doesn't like being told what to do, and Torie holds her own in negotiating what she will and won't do as his wife.
There isn't really a big conflict in the book, it's mostly about the personalities of the main characters and learning how to take care of each other (and the kids). I liked the characters and it was nice to see Torie stand up for herself and Dom try to change to make their relationship better.
In the current romance reading world this book was attempting a "grumpy/sunshine" trope and the spice level was kind of mid-range. I read the summary that James wrote about the backstory in England in the time of the book, and that was a mistake. On some level James can be a bit more "academic" than others (you know, she went to Ivy League schools...) but using the word "tool" (you know where) in the book was an odd choice for an academic such as herself.
I received an advanced copy and am giving an honest review.
Torie and Dominic’s chemistry was soo good!! I loved how nuanced these characters were and how they grew together. The writing as always was engaging and kept me entertained from start to finish!
Eloisa James has once again proven her mastery in the realm of historical romance with her latest novel, "Viscount in Love." In this captivating tale, James deviates from the conventional trope of the grumpy viscount and delves deeper into the complexities of mental health and societal expectations.
Contrary to popular belief, the viscount in question isn't merely a curmudgeon; rather, he grapples with profound mental health challenges. James skillfully navigates the intricacies of his struggles, shedding light on the masks individuals wear, particularly those with titles in society. Through her characters, she explores not only physical disabilities but also the often overlooked realm of mental health and the effects of past traumas.
One of the strengths of "Viscount in Love" lies in its portrayal of characters who face obstacles beyond the superficial trappings of aristocratic life. James deftly illustrates the daily struggles of those with disabilities and abusive pasts, imbuing her narrative with empathy and understanding. The novel serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength exhibited by individuals navigating such challenges.
Fans of James's previous works will delight in the appearance of familiar characters, adding depth and continuity to the story. The inclusion of a special character, whose significance spans multiple books, adds a layer of nostalgia and continuity to the narrative.
Furthermore, James tantalizingly hints at future developments by introducing a name from her earlier works, sparking anticipation for potential future storylines. This subtle nod to her past works demonstrates James's adeptness at crafting interconnected narratives that keep readers eagerly anticipating each new release.
In conclusion, "Viscount in Love" is a standout novel that firmly establishes itself as one of the best of 2024. Eloisa James's adept storytelling, combined with her exploration of complex themes such as mental health and societal expectations, makes this a must-read for fans of historical romance. With its memorable characters and engaging plot, "Viscount in Love" is sure to captivate readers and leave them eagerly awaiting James's next literary offering.
I was sad to finish this book! The characters were so perfectly imperfect yet admirable (no spoiler here). Mistakes were made and overcome with the foundation of any promising relationship; understanding and forgiveness. Both protagonists evolve as individuals and as a couple. The details of their time were described with clarity,
Torie's superpower was patience, humor, and the capacity to forgive her loved ones despite their human failings towards her. But she was no pushover! She is a wealth of hidden depths, Dominick is not what he seems either. If she was "still water running deep", he was the seemingly impenetrable rock; guess who changes with time. While some characters are less than likeable, the author keeps them in their places. However, Florence and Valentine are delightful. They truly are a conduit between Torie and Dominick, and we as readers can love them too.
I have many books by Eloisa James in my library. This one has earned its place as well.
It is no surprise to me that this story is such a wonderful journey. The author does a great job of writing a story that is entertaining and has enough twists and turns to keep one on their toes while reading it. I felt so sorry for Torie’s affliction, but her attitude about it was so very refreshing. The reason she has the issue is not of her own doing, but to be constantly reminded of it in a negative fashion by her own family is just plain cruel. Dominic has his own issues, trying to get his dead father’s voice out of his head that was so abusive, the wall he built up allowed for no real life lived. Watching Torie bring down those walls with wit and banter was adorable. They both had growing to do, and it was satisfying to watch them do so. The last twist I NEVER saw coming and it is a doozy! The twins reminded me a little of the Addam’s family kids (am i aging myself) They were adorably funny and so precious, I just wanted to hug them! It is amazing what families can do to their children/siblings that causes such horrible issues later in life. I would DEFINITELY recommend this story…you will love it!
I received the book for free and these are my own opinions
Viscount in Love
By Eloisa James
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First off, let me say that Eloisa James is one of my favorite authors. I adored this book and Dom and Torie. The twins, Florence and Valentine, were little scene stealers and quite possibly stole the show!
Eloisa James always crafts such memorably engaging characters, and Dominic and Torie are no exceptions. While engaged to one sister, Dominic bonds with another sister, so when his fiancée runs off with another suitor, Torie and Dominic get married after harried circumstances. As the two explore the intricacies of marriage, James weaves a tale of romance, adoration and connections.
good story. a little slow moving at times. I love the kids. Dom is a very different man with Torie. It's shocking the change in him and the things he says to her once they are a couple
I downright adored Viscount in Love; each page was a pleasure to read. I was utterly charmed by Valentine and Florence, Torie was magnificent, and Dom was, while a little dense in places, an ultimately terrific MMC.
This was a purely fun read. I really enjoyed this series starter and am already looking forward to the next book 😍
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the DRC
Eloisa James is a brilliant writer and this book is a great representation of that skill. The characters are very well-written and made this a riot of emotions for me. I loved Tori and my heart went out to her. She is definitely a new favorite heroine. I was thrilled she connected so well with the twins. Viscount Kelbourne on the other hand had me wanting to plant him a facer quite a bit. He was able to redeem himself, and like Tori, I did see his better side at times throughout the book. The eccentric personalities of the twins made a great addition to the book. I do hope that they one day get their own hapy ever after.
This book has a good pace throughout and very entertaining. It is also on fire with the passion Tori and Dom create when together. I didn't want to put this book down. Enough so that I lost track of time and that rarely happens. Highly recommend this book and look forward to other books by Eloisa James.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishes for an honest review.
ARC REVIEW (Thanks NETGALLEY!)
This plot was so murky it was hard for me to get a feel for who “Dom” & Torie were. Dominic is originally engaged to Tories sister and she’s a snooty bitch. Dominic’s sister dies and gets custody of his sisters twins. They’re little nutty children who talk about farts and beheadings. Torie loves the kids, her sister doesn’t. Anywho, sister fucks off and married some other dude because she doesn’t want to play mama to the weird kids. While Torie has been babysitting the twins Dom realizes she’s pretty hot and wants to marry her. She says no a bunch of times until he takes off his shirt and Torie’s like whoa those shoulders I guess I’ll marry you. Some shit happens with his old mistress she gets mad. Some other shit happens with a painting tutor. Random scene at the market Dom stabs someone with his fancy sword. Torie couldn’t read or write, it was mentioned like 400 times. Idk I didn’t care for them or the story.
I loved this book. To be honest, I haven't enjoyed the last couple of her books but this one turned it around. Torie and Dominic were both likeable characters with sizzling chemistry. Torie was vulnerable but strong, Dom was vulnerable but strong. And they actually seemed to like each other!
The absolute stars were the twins though. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of their dialogue and interactions with the other characters.
This was fun! It's been a bit since I have read Eloisa James, and I was not sure what to expect, but this was very much in keeping with her style. Quick and fun, a nice romance with some sturm and drang but ultimately low stakes. A quick and light read.
Another great romance from Eloisa James! Her books are an “auto buy” (or borrow from the library!) for me. I love that the characters have depth to their personalities and deep motivations for their actions. She also often includes a characteristic that is considered a normal difficulty or disability today and gives us a glimpse of what it would be like to struggle with this in the past. Her female characters were all a step beyond the typical debutante looking for a lord trope and I really enjoyed getting to know them all.