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.

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?