Dominic and Torie were 2 characters that I enjoyed reading about. I was rooting for Torie to get Dominic once her sister made it clear she was not going to remain Dominic’s fiance if he kept his twin charges.
A great book to read!

Viscount in Love by Eloisa James

This story deals with often overlooked topics of such novels set in the same time period. The sins of the parents being attributed to their offspring, neglect, learning disabilities and fighting for changes.

Torie is a lady by birth, but she's stronger than at first glance. Often overlooked as less than, she is a remarkable woman with an enormous capacity of acceptance. She's always thought if she married it would be a love match.

Viscount Dominic Kelbourne didn't set his sights on Torie. In fact be was engaged to her sister, until he wasn't. Now he realizes that everything he thought he wanted in a wife is rubbish. And someone who doesn't fit any of his long standing ideals is precisely what he needs.

I had some mixed feelings about this one, but I did enjoy it overall. I was drawn to this ARC because I've had good luck with historical romances that involve a grumpy male main character who finds himself suddenly the (completely unprepared) guardian of weird/precocious children, and that's just what we have here. The story is a bit of an odd one - our male main character is initially betrothed to the female main character's sister. Their long, chaste, and very superficial engagement implodes when Viscount Dominic Kelbourne is suddenly the guardian of his gifted but unconventional niece and nephew. His betrothed, Leonora, has no interest in other people's children and she breaks off their engagement in a surprisingly scandalous way. Her sister, Torie, is our female main character, and Kelbourne sets his sights on her, knowing that she has already formed a strong bond with the children. Their relationship is, frankly, weird. Torie cannot read or do any sums (I'm assuming maybe she's meant to have dyslexia and dyscalculia, but it's not totally clear), and so much is made of that throughout the book. Many think she's "addled" but she's clearly intelligent, has an eidetic memory, and is an accomplished artist, so I found it really confusing that this was such a huge part of the narrative. It would have been different if her new husband seemed more aware of her intelligence from the start, but he also seems to be of the mind that she is somehow unintelligent throughout the book. It takes him forever to actually come around, and I found that pretty annoying. The romantic relationships in this weren't particularly healthy or happy for most of the book, but the children saved this for me, especially Kelbourne's niece, who writes hilariously overwrought gothic tales of murders and ghosts. I would definitely read more from Eloisa James (this was my first full length novel of hers), but this wasn't a favorite historical overall.

On the surface, Viscount in Love is a lighthearted Regency romp with a grumpy hero who finds himself unwillingly falling for the sunshiny younger sister of his former betrothed, who ditched him as soon as he became the guardian of his chaotic 10 YO twin niblings. And then there's the stinky baby bunny that somehow ends up in his proper household.

Unlike her prim and proper sister, Torie immediately bonds with Dominic's young charges, so much so that even though she wants to be loved for herself, she reconciles herself to marrying Dom to be able to stay in their lives. Fireworks ensue as Dom loves nothing more than a good argument while Torie thinks so far outside the box that he finds himself floundering trying to keep up with her. Along with this is a strong attraction on both their parts that might even lead to love.

Underlying all of the fun banter and charm, though, is an intense plot thread about neurodivergence, bullying, and society's disregard for people perceived as damaged. Torie, the FMC is severely dyslexic. She can't read at all and has been looked down upon and disparaged by her drunken father, and outwardly sweet but inwardly rotten older sister for most of her life. Somehow, she never seems to let the slings and arrows get her down and is a wonderful, strong protagonist who still manages to find plenty of joy in life. She's also a talented painter, although again, this isn't recognized or appreciated by her family.

As Dom comes to know her, he starts to recognize just how intelligent she is and is determined to protect her from other's poor opinions, even though he still manages plenty of missteps of his own. His own father bullied him and his sister and he has an irrational fear about letting anyone else, especially a woman "control" him, but slowly comes to see that there's no shame in compromising with the people you love and trusting them with your heart. I was definitely rooting for both of them and loved watching them form a family with the twins. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

3.5 Stars If you are looking for a regency romance with a boy obsessed, you are going to love Viscount in Love! Nobody would've described Viscount Dominic Kelbourne as being lovestruck until his wife, Torie, steals his heart. She's his perfect match, but she doesn't want to be married. So he needs to make his wife fall in love with him. This book will have you giggling! Dominic is swoony, Torie is so sweet, and the children are hilarious! There's also great disability representation for dyslexia. Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!

A highly entertaining read about a Viscount and his unconventional romance with the sister of his ex-fiancé. Filled with plenty of smoldering looks and even a regency strip tease 😉
Dom has recently become the guardian of his sister’s twin children. The two precocious kids don’t fit the mold of high society – prone to speaking of subjects unfit for delicate sensibilities as well as sharing stories of death and misfortune. Dom’s current betrothed is a “proper” lady and does not want anything to do with Dom’s new charges. Thus, she quickly finds a replacement husband, leaving Dom in need of a new bide. He determines his former fiancé’s sister, Torie, to be the right fit as she adores the twins and has created a sweet friendship with the children (as well as being incredibly attractive).
Torie is seen by society as a pretty face but thought to be an uneducated ninny as she has never been able to learn to read. Her family treats her poorly and Torie, being the sweet soul she is, is forever belittling herself in order to beat others to any disparaging remarks about her that might arise in any social obligation—a burden that has become tiresome to Torie.
The ensuing romance between Dom and Torie, as well as the new family unit that forms around the twins was a joy to read!

Sister's fiancé
Grumpy sunshine
Regency Romance
Single dad

I liked this couple when they were alone and when they were with the twins. They are both carrying secrets that are similar yet keep them apart. I was surprised by Torie's last secret and thought that it should have been hinted at earlier in the book so that it made more sense to the reader. The twins are highly entertaining, and the dialogue is a lot of fun.

I loved it!
Historical romances are always relaxing and a wonderful escape from the here and now. Eloisa James expertly weaves the lives of this grumpy/sunshine couple into a heart touching love story which teaches about societal and familial expectations and demands and how it imprints on a person's life, how words and labels hurt or strengthen...how someone learning to believe in and understand you can make all the difference...and how some can manage to march to their own drummer. It hit all the emotions, laughter, tears, anger, love. Some threads you'd think would be predictable yet turns into surprising twists that gives an incredible journey to a happily ever after!

I adored Dominic and Torie's story! It was so much fun watching these two together. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Viscount in Love
A Novel
by Eloisa James

"Viscount in Love" by Eloisa James is a delightful Regency romance featuring the grumpy/sunshine trope.
Dominic Kelbourne, a viscount suddenly in charge of his niece and nephew, is left by his fiancée and ends up marrying her free-spirited sister, Torie.
Torie, who has dyslexia, is a talented artist and a compassionate character who quickly bonds with the children.
The plot is engaging, with hilarious and heartwarming moments, especially involving the twins and their antics. Dominic’s growth from a haughty aristocrat to a loving husband is well-written, showcasing his transformation and realization of his mistakes. Torie’s journey from feeling undervalued due to her learning disability to becoming her own self is beautiful to see throughout the story.
The story is fun, flirty, and filled with heat, making it a perfect read for romance lovers. Eloisa James has crafted a charming tale with endearing characters and a satisfying ending.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy, opinions are my own.

Enter a favourite trope: Grumpy/sunshine!

Viscount Dominic Kelbourne has been affianced for going on two years to a woman who he deemed as perfect for the role of his viscountess. Yet two years have passed and with the sudden arrival of his niece and nephew as his wards, the eccentricities of the children push his betrothed to secretly marry another. Leaving her sister behind, a woman who's inability to read has deemed her as nothing more than a glorified nanny in his eyes.

Victoria "Torie" has lived her life with the notion that due to her inability to read, she will end up a spinster and takes solace in painting. So when her sister's betrothed ends up the guardian to two precious children, Torie creates an unlikely bond with them. That is until her sister gilts her fiance and he looks to Torie to take her sister's place.

Well this was a very interesting premise! I love the notion that Dominc was jilted and since he has spent time with Torie (and wishes to "protect" her from her father) offers for her hand. And pretty much forces the situation since he paid to wed Torie's sister and their father cannot pay Dominic back. Yet Torie is having none of it―forcing Dom to enlist the aid of his niece and nephew to secure Torie as his future countess.

I am usually not a huge fan of children in books especially as they can sometimes hijack the plot and attention on them. Yet I adored Florence and Val especially how from the moment they met Torie, they treated her unlike how others had in the past. I loved that they so casually would stop mid-sentence to explain the meaning of a word that Torie might not know and how excited they were to read to Torie from their favourite books. It just warmed my heart.

I did like that Dom was a force to be reckoned with in more ways than one. And I like Torie I love how he was shaped for 'sportive tricks'. How he wished to defend Torie, especially when she becomes his wife, and yet he does provide the fodder for the third act conflict when he says something carelessly and truly injures Torie. And I do like how Eloisa James writes Dom finding out more about his wife and humbling his pride and realising even more so his mistake. He truly grows as a character and I really appreciated seeing that growth.

Torie!! Oh my goodness do I adore Torie. She is one of those FMCs that we just want to champion. I loved learning about her paintings and how she was capturing the concept of time. Never before have I truly truly desired to see a painting that was depicted in a novel. I really wish we as the readers could have seen Torie's talent. She was a singular character. One who strove to find the beauty in everything and was truly the sunshine of our duo.

I will note that I had a difficult time reading chapter 19 - I know it ended up being a misunderstanding but the fact that the reader waits until around chapter 25 to get a full account of what went on gave me a lot of what I felt was unnecessary anxiety. I liked that it was cleared up, but until that moment those few chapters almost ruined the entire story for me.

Viscount in Love is a magnificently written story by Eloisa James. Readers will be delighted from the first page to the last. The characters are superbly engaging. Torie is funny and offers many surprise opportunities for the reader to laugh out loud. It is great to watch Dominic’s character unfold like a flower in bloom. But the best are the two young children who by far stole the show. The plot of the story is engaging and runs at great pace. The dialogue is wonderful and makes reading the story an absolute pleasure. Make sure you get your copy and enjoy!

After loving Eloisa James’ last series I was so excited to have an opportunity to read this book. The first book and a new series by Viscount in Love Was a delicious lady, fun and layered historical romance. I will say I wanted to throttle our hero on multiple occasions, but by the end he completely won me over. Tori is frivolous and over the top in her lifestyle and clothing. She’s this way because of the way society views, her and her unfortunate inability to read. She does find escape and love in her painting. Her family isn’t the most supportive or nice to her but she’s always there for her sister who is the very definition of a perfect regency woman. She won over the Viscount Kelbourne. Things go sideways and the Viscount unexpectedly becomes the ward of his sisters, two kids and Tori, sister fleas and marries someone else. Adorably inappropriate children, stubborn Viscount, wonderful side characters that pop up, and a very different road to love.
This story Solidified my opinion that I could never have lived during the regency time but also showed how difficult it would have been for Tori. Dominic screws up so many times but her eventually figures it out with some help and it’s so worth it. Can’t wait for more in this series.

I think I’m really going to like this new series of Accidental Brides! Viscount In Love was highly entertaining.

Torie’s very proper sister (who I don’t like, honestly who would) is engaged to a Viscount but after 2 years they haven’t married yet. Weird. Then the Viscount, Dominic, finds himself the guardian of his twin niece and nephew. These children as funny and sweet and a little feral at first.

Torie finds herself becoming very attached to these children. Her sister does not. Her sister who cares what society thinks of her makes a decision that throws everyone’s life into chaos.

Grumpy/sunshine! In love with the wrong sister! Precocious kids! Just a few things you'll find in Viscount in Love.

FMC Torie can't read; MMC Dom puts a lot of weight on "intelligence." They've been attracted to each other ever since they met, but he was engaged to her sister the whole time (Two. Years.). Now, he's inherited the guardianship of his sisters' naughty, neglected children, and his fiancee can't stand them. Torie loves them, though, and Dom finds that he might have chosen the wrong sister...

James's prose is always a strength. We really liked the way she put these two characters together. Torie's determination not to flinch when society doesn't value her could make her seem like a Pollyanna character, but we read it as a validation of her feminine attributes in the face of adversity. Plus Dom basically has the physique of a lumberjack, which is always an asset.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

I thought this was a good story with a lot of entertaining moments. It was a fun, easy read that moved at a fast pace. I liked it though it had a few issues, but overall, it was an enjoyable read.

I liked Dominic and Torie a lot, though they had their moments when they made me crazy with questionable thoughts or choices. I loved his niece and nephew and their quirky selves and the challenge they added for Dominic, it brought a lot of entertainment value to the story. There was a lot of humor involved as Torie stood up to Dom, sharing what was on her mind. It was all those humorous moments woven into the story that sold it for me.

I loved the first half of the story, how Dominic was engaged to Torie’s sister and the development of him then pursuing Torie after that fell apart. I thought that was a lot of fun. There was light, sometimes odd, drama involved that kept things moving along. The second half didn’t keep me engaged as much, there were times when this historical romance felt a bit more modern. Torie has a learning disability that was mentioned throughout the story and I appreciate that the author incorporated this, however, it was shared an exorbitant number of times and it felt like overkill.

In the end, I thought this was a fun and charming read. Not super in-depth but it moved at a good clip and I thought it made for a good time.

This started off shakily for me. Dominic was engaged to Torie's sister for TWO YEARS before she jilted him rather than parenting his orphaned niece and nephew, two peculiar and gifted 11-year-old twins. It was made clear they never even kissed during their engagement. Dominic picked the sister as a bride because of her ladylike grace and acumen. He's horrified when Torie takes an interest in the children because he, her family, and society, think she's addled and a fool for not being able to read (she has Dyslexia.) He wanted an intellectual wife but decides he'd take Torie for their mother, making a deal with her father. Dom is patronizing, domineering, mean, and condescending. He thinks her stupid and humiliates her with his mistress. So what's to like? Torie. She has learned to hide her hurt at thoughtless remarks, she's a talented painter, and loves the children. She somehow loves Dom too. Both had emotionally abusive fathers, and after some good groveling by Dom, he has a change-of-heart and promises to be better realizing Torie has intelligence and talents he never recognized. Now he has to prove it to her.

From start to finish this book will entertain you. I couldn't help but laugh at parts. Truly more than I expected from just reading the blurb. I just loved it

Two eccentric orphans bring together a grumpy viscount and the free-spirited heroine who steals his heart.
He wants a nanny not a bride and she wants to marry for love. But when the arrogant viscount finds that his viscountess has stolen his heart, he’ll have to give all he has to win her love. This is a poignant story. I liked it very much.
I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

A lovely story with the incredible inclusion of a Lady (Torie) with a reading disorder. Anything less than perfection was hugely scandalous during this timeframe. When told she was to marry Dominic life changed for both of them. A hugely witty story, Heartwarming and excellently written. From one of my favorite authors.
I received an advance reading copy from the publisher through NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion.