Loved the story and loved the characters. The twins are so endearing, even with their (or maybe because of) their eccentricities. Everyone underestimated Torie because she couldn't read and write. Dominic discovered right away that there is more to her than everyone thinks. But he still underestimated her. She doesn't think she could ever love him because they fight all the time, that is when they aren't kissing. He makes her forget everything. She was going to marry a Duke, but Dominic chased him away so he wouldn't have the competition. Can an illiterate artist and a man who relishes arguing in the House of Lords find common ground?

A charming historical romance that feels like classic Eloisa James. The bloodthirsty twin wards were my favorite part, as well as a helpful plot device that persuaded Torie to marry Dominic, her sister’s ex-fiancé. (Well, that and a fair amount of lust.)

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

I’m giving this four stars despite having some complicated feelings about it, and those four stars belong to Torie. She’s not the typical Regency heroine - a brilliant artist who is completely illiterate. She’s resigned herself to a certain idea of what her future holds, and it was quite fun to see how she was forced to change her expectations. I loved her, hated her family, and cheered when she got ever good thing she deserved.

Dominic…frustrated me. He was sometimes the charming viscount, and sometimes this grumpy man who held back every emotion. Normally that dynamic works for me in a histrom! I can’t explain the moment that truly made me annoyed with him without spoilers, but don’t worry - he does redeem himself in the end,

His niece and nephew, who pretty much become his children, are so delightfully weird and clever and brash. They were the stand out stars of this book, and they will genuinely make you laugh out loud.

Rating: 3/5 stars
Steam level: Open-door scenes

Thoughts:
Viscount in love is a romance novel that depicts a romance between an uptight, stubborn male lead (my favorite kind of male lead) and a kind, compassionate female lead. There is a lot to like about this novel. It’s written with a modern voice that is easy to follow and understand. The pacing was good, the angst was riveting, and the dialogue was romantic, funny, and entertaining. The honest, emotional conversations between Dominic and Torie were very satisfying to read, and I appreciated the build-up of the main conflict. Additionally, the incorporation of the children added depth and joy to this book.

However, there were moments where I felt that Torie was far too often mistreated. Dominic was rude, belittling, and thoughtless at times. There were legitimate explanations for his behaviors, however, his actions were often inconsistent, hurtful, and frustrating. These events were followed by Dominic’s communication and inner dialogue featuring genuine regret, making the apologies feel worthwhile until he made another mistake. I felt that these conflicts should have been written with more attention to the resolution. Additionally, in this day and age, I felt that the theme of ableism could have been written more sensitively. There is also an instance of body shaming that did not sit well with me.

Overall, this was an enjoyable romance novel with very memorable moments. Although I did not connect with this book, I would recommend this to other readers and will continue to read other titles by this author.

I received an advanced reader’s copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed reading this book and I didn't want to put it down. It was a great historical romance and the characters were refreshing. The twins are a riot and kept me laughing. Victoria is feisty and quirky and I love how the Viscount was protective of her. This book did not disappoint and I can't wait to read more in this series.

🎨🐇This viscount has to work hard to snag and keep his bride!😉

This romance had a great plot, with a female lead with a learning disability and a barely supportive family, a hero who hasn't learned to gauge a possible audience to his actions or think before he speaks in anger, and some orphans who can't be let loose in polite society thanks to their overactive imaginations and lack of a filter for their extensive vocabulary. And there's a fixation with painting rabbits that leads to a new pet companion the children name Odysseus and a family of rescue rabbits that add some whimsy. It's fun, flirty and has some heat.

Author Eloisa James produces some of my favorite Regency romances, often introducing an aristocrat with an unusual medical condition or, in this case, dyslexia which has made Victoria/Torie the butt of jokes and pitying looks throughout her life. But she doesn't let this stop her from having a memory like a steel trap, and being intelligent, well-spoken and a punctillious painter. The general tone is light, but with some serious notes.

Viscount Dominic/Dom has his flaws: a raging temper he can't control (especially when debating things he cares deeply about in the House of Lords), father issues and a regular ability to underestimate his new wife. But it's gratifying to see how he changes, even before the surprise he has in store near the end of the story when he's struggling to make amends for his earlier insensitivity. And Torie does adore his muscular figure!

Recommended.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Once again, Eloisa James gives us a winner! With relatable characters, and story lines that bring those characters together, she has woven a charming story of love and laughter. Recommended to all romance readers. #ViscountInLove #Netgalley #SaltMarshAuthorSeries

This was a book I went back and forth on whether I liked or not. There were some delightful scenes and I thought Torie was a unique and very likeable character, strong and someone who believed in herself despite everyone around her (including her family) putting her down all the time. There were also scenes where you can't believe the words coming out of our hero Dominic's mouth that made me want to throw something at him. He's likeable one minute and an incredibly condescending jerk the next.

Dom has been engaged to Torie's sister for two years when his scandalous sister dies and leaves him as the guardian to her two children. They are intelligent but hellions, and Leonora uses it as an excuse to get out of the marriage. But Torie has fallen in love with the children and Dom sees the solution: he'll marry Torie, she'll take care of the kids and he'll be able to properly deal with the fact that he's suddenly realized he's in lust with her. Torie refuses his generous offer but he eventually wears her down- there's a great scene in her art studio that was 5 stars all the way and shows you there is some humor and playfulness in our viscount, even though it is rare to come out.

Torie's dislexia means she can't read but she's a passionate artist. Dom sees this as a fashionable pasttime and doesn't pay attention to it, or anything else she enjoys. When he finds out more about her from someone else (a man) he gets mad she didn't tell him. He's confused by the idea she wouldn't want him to keep a mistress and gets mad when she puts her foot down on that issue- after all, why should he do anything because his wife wants it? Late in the book we find out he had a controlling father who had certain ideas of how to raise his son, but I think that should have come up much earlier than it did to help explain (to the reader if not Torie) why Dom is the way he is. We get a really well-developed character in Torie and how she's dealt with her difficulties and the bullying and slights about it, but Dom was less well rounded. Though by the end he groveled very well, which helped me like him a bit more.

An arrogant viscount learns the hard way that he doesn't actually know everything and needs to change if he's going to live up to the promise of keeping his wife happy- and learns she's no delicate flower willing to be trampled.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This one is tough to rate. I could see it being hit or miss, with the viscount being, honestly, infuriating at times. I think my face even got a little red out of annoyance. I do think it was redeemable by the end and the romance came together. It was a tough sell and I gotta commend the author for writing such flawed characters. Everything the twin kid characters said and the way Torie defended herself stood out.

Having eagerly followed Eloisa James on Instagram, I couldn't wait for the release of her latest book. Her writing has always held a special place in my heart—some of my all-time favorite books are hers.

I'll admit, I'm not typically drawn to plots involving a sister's fiancé (which is why I couldn't get into the second season of Bridgerton—having three close sisters might be to blame, haha) or stories centered around children, so this book didn't grip me as a page-turner. It took me three days to finish, which speaks volumes. Still, I found the writing charming, and I'm glad I pushed through to the end instead of stopping halfway, especially since everything was (SPOILER?) due to a miscommunication on both parts—another plot device I'm not fond of. Throughout most of the book, I found myself more drawn to the female main character (FMC) than the male main character (MMC), and I appreciated the portrayal of dyslexia. However, the final part of the book left me somewhat disappointed and incredulous regarding the FMC.

This book also strongly reminded me of her work 'This Duchess of Mine'—anyone else see the resemblance?

In this book, Eloisa James demonstrates a unique ability to anticipate and address reader reactions to plot developments, which I found quite engaging. It seems she carefully considers feedback, perhaps from editors or readers. For instance, when something improbable occurs that made me think, "Well, that's hard to believe," the FMC subsequently voices the same skepticism in the next scene. This approach not only acknowledges potential concerns but also allows the MMC to effectively reinforce the plausibility of the plot point. It's a departure from the usual conventions of historical romance, but I appreciate how it adds depth and credibility to the narrative.

Another highlight for me was reading the author's note at the end of the book, where she shared the inspiration behind the story. It provided a refreshing glimpse into the real-life experiences that shaped the fictional narrative, offering an emotional insight into the author's world.

Although this particular book didn't quite earn a 5-star rating from me, I'm eagerly looking forward to the new series it introduces.

A big thank you to the publisher for providing the ARC!

This was my first Eloisa James book, but it definitely won't be the last. This was a fun book, but I didn't feel the chemistry between Dom and Torie as much as I have in other books. It's a more complicated storyline than other romance novels: Dom needs a wife and has a two-year long engagement with Leonora, the stuck-up ice princess sister of Torie. Torie is clearly dyslexic and dysgraphic but is also full of sunshine. When Dom's sister and brother-in-law both die and he winds up with 11-year-0ld twins, Leonora makes it perfectly clear she's not raising them. Without other options, Dom decides that Torie would make a perfectly good wife to him--and more importantly, a perfect mother to the twins. Dom and Torie then go around and around to figure out what they both want and why.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this steamy romance. I really enjoyed it.

This is the first book in the new Accidental Bride series.
I absolutely loved the unconventional storyline.
Sometimes I wanted to slap some sense into Dominic for his temper and his lack of humor.
I loved the secondary characters, especially, Dominic's wards the twins.
There is every emotion possible in this book. It is laugh out loud funny, has some scary moments, lots of steam and at times is very emotional.
There is a lot of wonderful banter between Torie and Dominic.
I highly recommend this start to the new series.

I always enjoy Eloisa James' novels and Viscount in Love was no different. Dom and Torie's story was fun to read and kept my attention throughout the entire book.
Torie (Victoria) is obviously dyslexic but back in the day, people who couldn't learn to read and/or write were considered lazy and stupid, so she was labelled as both. Her father is an alcoholic narcissist, and not discreet about her disability, which has hurt her reputation on the marriage mart considerably. Torie's sister, Leonora, on the other hand, who is beautiful, and a "diamond" is engaged to Viscount Dominic Kelbourne, who has recently inherited responsibility for his late sister's twins. They aren't out of the school room yet but need a mother's love and guidance, which he expects his soon to be Viscountess to provide. Leonora, however, makes clear she has no interest in raising them. She suggests her sister would be much better than she could ever be at taking care of the twins, and since Torie appears to be unmarriageable, suggests she is the perfect substitute. Kelbourne, who had a horrid childhood has no intention of seeing the children relegated to a country home where they will be "out of sight" and that is where our story begins.
I could write all day about the plot but suffice it to say that Kelbourne ends up marrying Torie instead of Leonora and they fight their way to the altar and to understanding and love.
It's hard to read about someone who's dyslexic in a time when there was no treatment or acknowledgement other than physical punishment and the scorn of both family and the general public. But I loved that James featured this condition in the story because it existed and had to be dealt with and Torie's solutions to her problem are both heroic and interesting.
As usual, James has written a terrific story and I strongly recommend it.

As always Eloisa James delivers a sweet and intriguing novel that involves enemies to lovers, a center of entertaining emotions, and a love story layered and as endearing as a ice cream tiered cake! Dominic and Torie were written with such expertise and witty dialogue of course only eloisa could write it!

Dominic and Torie are fire and ice! Both need each other on the surface and emotionally within their hearts. I love how Dominic is protective of her and how Torie becomes the object of his affections over time. Especially of the twins! They love her!

Sexy writing makes the ultimate book swag in this tale!

This book is almost sensory overload! Dominic, the viscount, thinks he wants a certain type of woman for his wife: quiet, controlled, demure. As his situation changes he finds himself in absolute lust with a lady who meets none of that criteria. The atmosphere is explosive whenever Dom and Torie are in the same room. He's convinced she's the one. She's afraid he is seeing her as a nanny for his wards, who are not your typical children. Her lack of interest in his proposal makes Dom more competitive in winning her hand in marriage. Some of his strategies are sneaky but brilliant. I loved this story and all its layers!

Viscount in Love by Eloisa James is the first clever and sharply witty installment in the series. This book delivers everything that fans of the romance genre could desire from such a luminary author. The enemies-to-friends-to-lovers storyline is infused with humor, illustrating how a seemingly perfect match on paper may not translate to real chemistry. This novel is both compelling and delightful, offering a light and humorous take on historical romance. Enjoy this charming read that is sure to captivate and entertain.

I LOVED this story! I felt tingles. It did seem odd, though, that the sister never reappeared. I kept expecting some grand reckoning between the two of them, and it never came. Her friend Clara also mysteriously disappeared halfway through the book, which felt odd as well. But overall, I did believe the romance and loved the story.

If you like stories with chaotic outspoken children, this book is for you. Dominic is an emotionless and stern viscount who has custody of his sister’s orphaned twin children. Luckily, he’s already engaged to a proper lady to help raise them. Except the proper lady is appalled by the children and wants to send them away, but ends up jilting the groom anyway. Dominic ends up trying to convince Torie, his would-be-sister-in-law, to marry him instead since she’s already developed a relationship with the children. It takes a lot of convincing to make it happen, despite the lust and attraction being apparent from the start. The falling in love part takes a bit longer on everyone’s part but it’s super emotional once they have it figured out. The family dynamic is one of my favorite parts of this book.

This was an absolute joy to read. I am a huge fan of Grace Burrowes’ historical romances, and this is very much in that vein. Torie and Dominic have a love story that’s at once complicated and dead simple: their chemistry is off the charts, but they’re the last to know.
At the outset, Dominic has long been engaged to Leonora, Torie’s socially perfect older but rigid sister. When presented with Dominic’s late sister’s ten year old brilliant and quirky twins, Leonora balks and elopes with a titled widower when Dominic refuses to banish the children to be raised by others in the countryside,
When it’s revealed that Torie and Leonora’s recklessly wagering father depleted their dowries with his wasteful habits, Dominic demands his bridal “gift” be repaid immediately only to be informed by his would be father in law that it’s impossible as he’s in significant debt. Struck with inspiration and the knowledge that Tori’e and the twins adore each other, Dominic declares he’ll take Torie as his bride in lieu of repayment.
Torie has always been the ugly duckling to her conventionally acceptable sister, and was told by her awful father that her inability to read and write has precluded her from finding and keeping a suitor. When she learns that her lack of a dowry was the real cause for her unmarried state, she’s humiliated but initially refuses to entertain the idea of marrying the broody, hulking viscount. Dominic fights dirty, wearing Torie down by reminding her that she’d be able to raise and nurture the beloved twins if she were his viscountess.
Torie always dreamed of marrying for love, although she never expects to find it with Dominic, as he’s told her he thinks himself incapable of true love but more than happy to introduce her to the pleasures of the flesh. Together they forge an uneasy partnership centering around the welfare of the twins, but there’s no denying the scorching attraction between them.
This is a lovely book about the power of kindness, compassion, and love in bringing very different people together, and the beauty of found family.
I was fortunate to have received an advance reader copy from the author and NetGalley, and I’m pleased to share my honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book, the story was captivating and the romance /spice was fun to read. Tory and Dom are a cute couple that fell in love way before marriage but none wanted to accept it! I loved that despite the fact that they had living standards Dom supported Tory’s dream.