There’s only so much a lady can take. After a disastrous couple of years on the London scene, Miss Clara Vetry snaps and retaliates against her main oppressor: King George. She spent years rejecting his uncouth advances and no one, not even her mother, dared condemn the king for his reprehensible behavior. That evening, she knows she must leave London, and it sets her in motion to find her true love. She flees to Scotland and the waiting castle (and arms) of the Laird of CaerLaven, Caelan. Banter, antics, and a forced marriage ensue.

How have I never read an Eliose James novel before? This story has all kinds of wonderful highlights: a forced marriage that you cheer for, a Beauty and the Beast-style library and castle, a community that rallies around the both of them and all the banter you could want. I really enjoyed this, read it super quickly because I just couldn’t put it down, and I immediately went and added Eliosa James books to my TBR. I think that readers who are into OG bodice-ripping novels or perhaps want to take a break from the current state of new romance/spice will really enjoy this: it’s sweet, streamy, and has all the chemistry! It made me want to read more classic romances rather than what’s being touted as the “new spicy TikTok sensation.” Recommended for romance readers, historical romance folks, and anyone who loves a gruff, bookish, Scottish love interest.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

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 someone else in the hopes of going on an adventure. She pretends to be a housekeeper for the laird of Castle CaerLaven. The laird, Caelan, is a widow and his castle has been in disrepair ever since the death of his wife. Caelan immediately 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.

This book just wasn't for me. I normally love Eloisa James books, so I was really disappointed that I didn't like this book more. The first 70% of the book was fine, but once things between Caelan and Clara start to get serious, I felt like their personalities drastically changed. Clara becomes this simpering virgin, and Caelan can no longer communicate to share his emotions with Clara. The side characters of the book were a bit cliche and not likable. Also, the book was lacking a resolution to provide closure to the relationship of Clara and her mother. Fans of historical romance can skip this one.

Content: some sex scenes, but I'd say they were pretty tame. Mentions of sexual assault

I enjoyed the heroine's journey and what happened after she left her family. I thought it especially funny how no one was fooled into believing her stories, as she has a fanciful mind. She reads a lot of novels and reminded me of Catherine Morland from Northanger Abbey in terms of naivete and how her world view is shaped by the novels she reads. Her interactions with other people were quite funny. This book leaned heavily into the longing and miscommunication trope, as the main characters could have solved a problem easily by talking to each other. As the main characters were terrible at communicating with each other, their main thoughts were repeated over and over again and it was a bit repetitive.

Cute historical romance that looks at the more realistic parts of living in the early 1800s. I have enjoyed many of Eloisa James' books, including this story, and would be interested in reading more written about some of the aspects that are more realistic in some of her future books.

Eloisa James books are always hit or miss for me. This was fine. The characters were cute, and they story was alright. I think it was the constant harping on about the dead wife that did me in. I did finish it and not in a hate read type of way, so that counts for something.

Another brilliant book by Eloisa James. I get excited when she has new books coming out. The characters were wonderfully written as was the plot. An English Lady meeting the Rugged Highland Laird had me wanting to read this book.
Clara had her head stuck in books and seemed silly and unrealistic, but she was actually pretty sensible. Her adventurous spirit and caring heart made her a perfect heroine. I know some like to use MFC, but Clara is a heroine. She saves and rescues others. I also liked that she wasn't perfect and was insecure... like most women.
Caelan was a widowed Highland laird thought to still be grieving his dead wife and kept to himself rather than reveal the truth. His character was one you love instantly.
The book moves at a great pace and even had me laughing out loud a few times. Eloisa James is great at the character's emotions coming off the page. This book doesn't have dull moments and has passionate kisses and well-written spicy scenes.
I look forward to reading more books in this series and by this author. Thank you NetGalley and and HarperCollins for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Eloisa James has done it again with this utterly charming, sizzling romance! Clara and Caelan’s story is a delightful blend of wit, tension, and heartfelt emotion, where every page brims with the sparks and surprises of an unexpected love. Their journey from reluctant partnership to love is woven with humor, chemistry, and just the right touch of vulnerability. James captures the complexity of two people who never expected or wanted a true connection, making the romance feel real and earned. Anyone who’s a fan of forced proximity, feisty heroines, and a romance that builds beautifully will be swept right off their feet by this book.

4.5 stars. A fun new romance from Eloisa James, whose frothy plots and sprawling families full of meddling relatives are a joy to read. This one features a trope I love--the single man's housekeeper who's secretly a lady. Clara (she of the whiskered reticules from a previous book) has a humiliating encounter with the Prince Regent at a public event, and flees to Scotland. She accidentally gets a job as housekeeper to the most slovenly man in the country. Of course Caelen has the excuse of being a widower, but really he just doesn't care what things look (or smell or taste) like.

Clara doesn't manage to fool anyone that she's really a housekeeper, since she packed mostly books and gowns. But Caelen's family and the friends Clara starts to collect don't really seem to care. There's not really a villain here. The tension comes from Clara's and Caelen's interior lives and how far they're willing to grow for the other person.

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

Wonderful characters
Beautifully written

Clara, Torie’s best friend from Viscount in Love, seeks adventure and escape from the unwanted attention of Prince George and her critical mother. All she wants is a castle and books. She stumbles upon a naked man fly fishing in Scotland and finds out he has a castle and books. A perfect match!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you're looking for a sweet sexy romance between a Scottish laird and an Englishwoman who flees to become a housekeeper after an unfortunate Encounter with Prince George, this is the book for you. Relatable characters, fun situations, and some very hot sex.

Recommended.

I think this is the 10th Eloisa James book I've read and all have been 4 or 5 star reads. Her characters are always multi-faceted and the plots well-crafted. If you've read this author before and liked her, this title will be no different. If you haven't read James yet, what are you waiting for?

I loved this story. Both characters grew as people and together in a relationship. The romantic tension was there. My only critique is that Isla came up WAY too much. I realize that she functions as the main tension point between characters, but I was so sick of her name popping up and Clara freaking out immediately.

Any tiny remnants of self-control I have leave my body when I see a new Eloisa James. 👋

Clara is an well-read, impulsive, unmarried lady whose fourth season ends abruptly when she is accosted and shoves a high-profile man. Her overbearing mother is perpetually disappointed in her and makes a decision to send her off to a distant aunt in Scotland. Instead of getting in the intended carriage, she opts to take a different carriage bound for Scotland that was intended for a no-show housekeeper.

Caelen is the widowed laird of Castle CaerLaven. His meddling sister puts an advertisement for an English housekeeper without his knowledge because his castle is a hot mess and his current housekeeper is terrible. He's writing books on fly fishing and whisky, because why not? And he fly fishes naked, because why wouldn't you?

When Clara arrives at Castle CaerLaven no one believes she is a housekeeper. Every single person clocks her as a lady within minutes, if not seconds of meeting her. But she still gets his home organized, discovering that he hasn't done much to take care of the castle since his wife died two years ago. The whole village is under the impression that Caelen is still grieving his wife, which gives Clara the same impression. They clean the castle and hire staff and Caelen realizes that he does actually want to marry again and he wants to marry Clara.

Hijinks ensue. Each one assumes important and ultimately incorrect things about the other. He keeps proposing, she keeps declining. And since this is the Accidental Brides series, it's not a spoiler that they do get married.

I really enjoyed this story. Clara is a quirky, fun heroine and Caelen is a Scottish laird with two shirts, 200 books and a castle. What else could you want?