Eloisa James is either hit or miss for me. Mainly because I think her humor when done well is SO GOOD. But when it’s not done well, it kinda tanks the whole book for me. Case in point: Hardly a Gentleman. The first 70% of this book is so zany and so ridiculous. And usually? I love zany and ridiculous. The more bonkers, the better! But Caelan and Clara had almost no depth to them (or really knew anything about each other) until the last little bit of the book.

I think at a certain point, it went from zany and fun to just kind of silly? The humor was holding up the whole story valiantly but it just wasn’t strong enough on its own to really invest me in either character. They felt extremely shallow and immature and I just wasn’t vibing.

That being said, the last 25% was incredibly good! We finally got more than the surface level silliness between Caelan and Clara and there was some solid heart to heart talk + a sick bed scene which always slaps for me. I just wish we’d gotten a bit more of that emotional depth earlier in the book. There was ample opportunity! Clara is SA’d by Prince George! We see a bit of PTSD from her needing to wash daily to get rid of the feeling of his hands on her. But it tapered off into nonexistence and I was a bit disappointed.

After smacking the prince with her reticule for getting grabby with her, Clara escapes London and embarks on an adventure away from London to Scotland. Her perfect dream home is a castle with many books. impersonating a housekeeper, she lands on the doorstep of a Scottish laird who owns a castle with many books. The laird, Caelan, is a widower, and the attraction between Clara and him is amusing to read. The humor is delightful and quirky / fun.

Rating a 4 out of 5 stars. There were references to things that didn't seem to fit with the time period, plus I expected some of Clara's issues to be tied up by the end of the story. Other than that, good read.

“Hardly a Gentleman “ by Eloisa James, is a witty and charming book. It has adventure, romance and humor all rolled into one.
Clara Vetry has to leave London after a scandalous incident with the Crown Prince. Her mother sends her to live with an elderly aunt in Scotland. Clara impulsively gets into a carriage meant for a housekeeper hoping to o go on an adventure. She ends up at CaerLaven Castle where the Laird, Caelan, is fly-fishing naked in the loch.
I loved our MCs. Clara and Caelan are really lovely people.
Clara is quirky, spunky and kind and open to a variety of friendships. She reads a lot of novels and has a fanciful mind. It was funny how literally no one was fooled into believing her lies about her background and how she became a housekeeper. Caelan, the gruff Scottish laird, is a widow and his castle has been in disrepair ever since the death of his wife. He feels an attraction to Clara, but Clara thinks that he is still in love with his first wife so she doesn't want to pursue a serious relationship with him.
The side characters are well-developed and add to the fabric of the novel. Clara’s interactions with the town folks are quite funny.
But this book depends heavily on the miscommunication trope and the MCs inner dialogues feel repetitive. The MCs are terrible at communicating with each other, they could have solved the problem easily by talking to each other. Caelan doesn't tell Clara the full story of his late wife till around 90%.

“Hardly a Gentleman” is a well-written book, with a fun plot, likeable characters, witty banter and deep emotions.
I enjoyed clara and Caelan’s story and recommend “Hardly a Gentleman “ to all fans of historical romance. This is the second installment in the Accidental Brides Series, but it can be read as a standalone. 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Another brilliant book by Eloisa James. I received an ARC through NetGalley. This book is a standalone, though characters from the previous book show up. I read this in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. Now, even days later, this book is still rent free un my head. I wished it hadn't ended.

Always down for a burly Scottish MMC! Eloisa James is a favorite author of mine, and she keeps putting out hits. She writes a great misfit heroine and I especially love that she often does so without the FMC being a wallflower. Clara is so fun and eccentric and it was great to see her matched with reclusive Caelen. Bonus points for some “bonkers historical romance” vibes (she decides to go under cover as his housekeeper on a whim) and the many times this book had me laughing out loud.

I just loved this book!! I rarely give 5 stars but boy does this book deserve it. I was laughing out loud throughout the book.
Clara, a well endowed debutante has been hounded by the Prince Regent through her 3 seasons, but she has finally had it when he uses his handkerchief to wipe bird poop off of her and grabs her breast and rips her dress and no one comes to her aide, so she hits him with her homemade mouse face reticule. You will have to read this book just for this scene a lone. Of course her mother (a horrible mother by the way) chastises her and sends her off to Scotland to live with a great aunt.
Clara is a reader of romances, particularly The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole (which serendipitously I am reading right now for a book club). She believes in fairy tales and since her mother has signed her huge dowry over to her, Clara takes matters into her own hands. I do not want to give too much away, but she ends up in Scotland at a small castle pretending to be a housekeeper. Her first sight of the owner is seeing him naked, fly fishing.
Caelin is a widower who everyone things is still grieving for his dead wife Isla, for the past 2 years.
His first sight of Clara is her covering her eyes as he turns to face her. He is as stunned as she is.
Suffice to say, their interactions are funny and also full of misunderstandings, the worst of which is finally explained at the end. I did not want this book to end.
I received an EARC from Netgalley and the publisher for review. I was so excited I read it immediately. I want everyone to read this book??

Long story short: if you enjoy abundant chemistry in your leading couple, excellent writing, and stories that make you laugh and cry in quick succession, this novel is for you.

It felt like it took forever to get Clara and Caelen together at his castle in Scotland, where she has decided (on a bit of a lark) to become his housekeeper. Normally, having the romantic leads go a good 20% of the book before meeting isn't a recipe for success. It worked here (despite me yelling "when are they getting together already?!") because you'll fall in love with each individually before they have their first encounter--her, a bit disheveled and alight with adventure following her road trip from London; him, naked as the day he was born as he fly-fishes in the cold loch.

He's incredibly sexy and a little absent-minded. She's singular in her impulsiveness, whimsy, and gentle caring. And if the plot is a bit nonsensical at times from their first meet-cute, it's bananas in the best ways possible. Her crazy matches his, and it's obvious they should be in love. Their whole relationship is a vibe, and a delightful one at that.

Eloisa James is a wonderful writer. She's thoughtful at every level of the story (plot, characters, dialogue, setting), and the whole narrative sparkles with humor and passion. She builds a rich community, and by the end, you will love the little Scottish town in which Clara ends up as much as she does.

The central hang-up between the characters started to irk me a bit near the end, but mostly because I liked Clara and Caelen enough to want them to just get over the obstacle already! I read this as an advance reader copy, but I will definitely be getting a copy of this for my shelf for a future re-read.

This was my first book by this author and she is apparently well loved but the book dragged for me. I found myself bored and struggled with the Scottish dialog. I am never a fan of the trope of people never really communicating so they make all kinds of incorrect assumptions. It’s a sweet book but not one that would lead me to seek out the author again.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

What can a young lady do when a grabby Crown Prince won't leave her alone and then gropes her in public? Well, Clara is not a pushover and using her cute little mouse reticule, whacks him in the stomach. Of course, even if the prince is a royal lecherous creep, she cannot avoid scandal, so she flees to the country to hide out.

Caelan is the laird of his castle and territory and avoiding the advances of women who want to comfort this poor grieving widower and become the next wife. Oh, and he loves to fish in the buff, who wouldn't love that sight?

When the two meet, Caelan finds a woman who won't fall at his feet and Clara finds a man that is hard to resist but she is all about setting out on her own so he will have a hard time changing her mind because this time, he wants a new wife.

The difficult part is that he doesn't want to love her (just marry her) and there are secrets that come out as you read along about his first marriage so it is a long road to change her mind because Clara won't settle for anything less than being the love of someone's life. Good luck, Caelan, this won't be an easy road to travel!

Is it even possible for Eloisa James to write a bad book? It certainly doesn't seem that way, and as always, this book was delightful, from start to finish. On one level, her books usually are not wildly unique in plot, but as always she has exceptionally well-done, interesting characters making understandable choices in their life. She's a bit more of a comfort read than some of my other favorites, but the most luxurious of comforts every time you read her.

Hardly a Gentleman by Eloisa James is another winner from this much beloved author.

Clara Vetry is the subject of unwanted attention by Prince George and he compromises her in public and her mother has had enough. Clara just wants to be left alone, so she happily accepts her mother's "offer" of her dowry in exchange for getting out of town and going to live with distant relatives in Scotland. However, Clara is ready for adventure and plans to buy her own castle that she can fill up with her beloved books, so she takes advantage of a situation and instead goes to be a housekeeper for a Scottish Laird. She ends up at the Castle CaerLaven and see the Laird, Caelen fishing in the nude at first glance.

They must overcome their initial attraction to each other, his dead wife, his dead wife's mother, and the effects that Clara's sexual assault (that's exactly what it was) has on her confidence.

I loved this book and dropped everything to read it in one sitting. I can't wait for the next book by Ms. James.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in consideration of an honest opinion. All views are my own.

"So fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in luve am I, And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till a’ the seas gang dry."

Fabulous historical romance! I really enjoyed this story, Clara's naivety, Caelan's Highland manliness, and how they discover they're in love. The man who is disenchanted with love and the woman who doesn't want or need a husband fall madly for each other.
A bit of a miscommunicate trope, Caelan doesn't tell Clara the full story of his late wife till around 90%.

The author's note at the end was good..."Caelan and Clara are anti-heroes, compared to the novels of their time. They embrace the messiness of life, the impulsive, improper delight that people in love can take in each other. They also, crucially, learn to talk to each other about sex."

A Scottish laird who is truly a gentle man when appropriate meets his new English housekeeper. His castle is in total disarray. The housekeeper is actually a titled lady who knows what a castle should look like according to her novels and his certainly doesn’t. The supporting characters are many and add to this novel. There are silly moments and very serious ones, too.

Eloisa James almost always delivers and this was no exception!

Fans of historical novels will be awash in fun tropes and very well written chemistry. Our fair protagonist manages to be a unique and quirky woman without veering too hard into "not like other girls" territory. Our gruff Scottish Laird fits the archetype perfectly, but actually has some personality and a character arc. The supporting cast is tropey to the point of just missing satire, but here it works. As is common in this genre, the heart of the conflict could be resolved by just talking, but the slow(ish) burn and constant exposition of The Issue (here, a dead wife that may have been mythologized just a touch) doesn't feel too "draggy" since there is enough subplot percolating to keep the plot interesting.

Historical romance fans, and the author's devoted readers, will enjoy this Eloisa James Classic.

ARC REVIEW! (Thanks NETGALLEY!)

Not gonna lie, the first 50-60% of this book is wacky as hell, I honestly thought I was high trying to figure out what was happening. Clara tells everyone she’s a married house maid and no one believes her but still go on with it? No one would let Caelan talk and tell the truth about how he felt about Isla, we’re thinking this whole time he’s a grieving widower he kind of comes off as a creep to Clara. I wanted more of Clara and Caelan just being cozy and making fishing lures, they were adorable together. I wanted some closure between Clara and her mom. I’m guessing her lady’s maid in the beginning will be the next book?? Epilogue was adorable, Caelan was a dirty boy 😉

Eloisa James has done it again! This novel had just the right amount of humor, sorrow and sex. After an unfortunate incident with the prince, Clara makes an impetuous decision. Meeting Caelen changes the course of her entire life.

Throw in a witty sister, former mother in law, and a nephew and you have a recipe ripe for misunderstandings. But clearly our couple was meant to be.

Eloisa James is always a must read for me.

There was one blatant typo near the beginning of the book where the last names Bufford and Gillian were misused

Miss Clara Vetry’s fantastic bosom has caused a scandal with Prince George, and his marked (but unwanted) attention over the years have left her unmarriageable in London. As she’s being packaged away by her mother, she seizes the chance to be like the adventuresses in her novels and takes the place of an English housekeeper on her way to a Scottish castle. When she arrives, she comes across the widowed Laird of the castle, Caelan Eneas, fly-fishing in the nude, and he knows right of the bat she’s more lady than scullery maid. It’s not long before Caelen has a different position in mind – wife. But Clara would rather stay an adventuress and find a castle of her own and tries to resist the (ridiculously attractive and charming) laird.

Eloisa James is always an automatic buy for me. I really enjoyed the author’s note at the end (“A Note about Heroes, Heroines, and Sexual Mores”) talking about how these young women would read these fantastical romances and how that could affect their perceptions of romance and real life. Clara reads these novels and believes that OF COURSE she can just hop in a carriage and pretend to be a housekeeper, never mind that her practical knowledge is that of a lady. I did find her a frustratingly naïve character at times because of this, but the note at the end really helped me to put her into context. What I did really like about Clara is that she holds strong to figuring out how to live life on her own terms, rather than just taking what may be easier (e.g. marrying Caelen). Caelen is immediately poleaxed by Clara, and then so very confused as to why she won’t agree to marry him, and it’s always fun to watch a powerful man have to work for it for the first time in his life. I’d recommend this book to those that like seeing Georgian/Regency heroines trying to figure out what they want for themselves for the first time (and those that like really hot Scottish lairds who fish naked and climb library ladders in kilts).

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for an eARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

Eloisa James is an autobuy author for me. Her novels are always a delight, and this one is no exception.

I loved how the FMC was strong-willed, but still whimsical and fun.

Definitely recommended.

James hits another one out of the park. Faithful readers met the heroine in Viscount in Love and we get to watch her come into her own.

Clara is spunky and kind and open to a variety of friendships. In fact, I think the various relationships she forges throughout the story with delightful characters is the strength of this book.

The hero, Caelan, is the typical rough, handsome hunk with integrity. His inner thoughts aren’t explored as much as James has presented in the other books in this series. Perhaps this is the reason that the main arc felt a little too stretched out. As a reader, I thought the misperception was always hanging over the story in a way that could have been parsed out a bit more as the book progressed rather than held, at times awkwardly, until the last.

This is a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ recommendation.

This book was such a cozy historical romance. It was also very hot.

Clara is sent away from London in disgrace after she whacks the Prince of Wales with her mouse reticule (good for her!) and decides that instead of rusticating in disgrace she'd rather be a housekeeper at a castle in Scotland. She makes friends with the carriage driver and buys herself a ton of novels for the trip and has a grand old time, finally ending up at CaerLaven Castle where the Laird, Caelan, is fly fishing naked in the loch. As one does. Hilarity ensues.

I found the hero and heroine just really lovely people and the whole premise very cozy. She cleans his castle and makes it livable again! He falls in love after his first wife's death! They have to get married for romance reasons! She is worried he doesn't love her as he loved his first wife and she's right but not in the way she thinks! It was just really enjoyable and extremely readable.

Heat level: 4.