Publishers Weekly
05/20/2024
Bestseller James (the Would-Be Wallflowers series) introduces her Accidental Brides series with this middling Regency romance. Victoria “Torie” Sutton, a dyslexic artist, suspects that her older sister Leonora and Leonora’s handsome fiancé, Viscount Kelbourne, are not truly in love, but she tries to dampen her own attraction to Kelbourne by focusing on his bad temper rather than his impressive physique. For her part, Torie is holding out for a love match, but finding an eligible suitor proves difficult when her inconsiderate father and sister have spread the fact that she’s illiterate throughout London society. After Kelbourne unexpectedly becomes the guardian of his late sister’s young twins, Leonora elopes with someone else, having not signed up to play mother. Kelbourne, whose affection has shifted from Leonora to Torie anyway, decides she’ll make a suitable replacement bride—if he and the meddlesome twins can convince her to say yes. Though plucky social outcast Torie is an admirable heroine, grumpy Kelbourne feels rather one-note and the obstacles keeping them apart are drawn out and repetitive. This is far from James’s best. Agent: Kim Witherspoon, InkWell Management. (July)
From the Publisher
Eloisa James writes with a captivating blend of charm, style, and grace that never fails to leave the reader sighing and smiling and falling in love. Her style is exquisite, her prose pure magic. Nothing gets me to a bookstore faster than a new novel by Eloisa James.” — Julia Quinn
“Bestseller James’s fun third Would-Be Wallflowers historical romance (after The Reluctant Countess) sets itself apart in the depth of its interpersonal complexities. Lovers of historical romance will delight in these well-rounded, flawed characters learning to live their best lives.” — Publishers Weekly on Not That Duke
“The third smartly sexy and sharply witty addition to James’ Would Be Wallflowers series offers everything fans could hope for and expect from this romance genre luminary.” — Booklist on Not That Duke
“This enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance uses humor to show how a match that looks perfect on paper may be no match at all when it comes to chemistry… a compelling and delightful read. Enjoy this light and humorous historical romance.” — Library Journal on Not that Duke
Library Journal
★ 05/01/2024
Suddenly a guardian to his twin niece and nephew, Viscount Dominic Kelbourne finds himself in need of a wife, more specifically a nanny. When his fiancée runs off with another man, he has no option but to quickly propose to her sister Torie. Unable to read and mocked by society, Torie has developed a talent for art. She dreams of marrying for love but agrees to marry Dominic for the sake of the twins. While their relationship has passion, they aren't in love, but maybe time, circumstances, and a growing closeness will change that. The first in James's (Not That Duke) new "Accidental Bride" series takes readers on a journey to find love, with a plot that takes shape quickly, even as the dynamic cast of characters are more slowly developed and carefully crafted. The classic miscommunication trope is used effectively to create tension between the protagonists and move the story along, while a surprise revelation comes to light at the end of the novel, which serves to make sense of earlier events. VERDICT James's latest book is a must-read for fans of historical romance.—Jenn Laskosky
