With a fast-paced plot, dynamic leads, and plenty of heat, this proves unputdownable." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“The second in James’s “Accidental Bride” series will be an instant favorite of friends-to-lovers romance fans, and readers of the first book, Viscount in Love, will delight in this sequel.” — Library Journal (starred review)
"James (Viscount in Love, 2024) cleverly constructs another whimsically witty addition to her superbly entertaining Accidental Brides series that is graced with a delightfully book-obsessed heroine with a flair for designing animal-inspired drawstring bags and a smolderingly sexy Scottish hero with a penchant for clothes-free fly-fishing." — Booklist
"James has long been one of the masters of zany, witty Regencies, and for much of the story she’s in top form. The second novel in her Accidental Brides series starts strong, with a setting that fans of Scottish romances will fall for... James’ many fans will be happy to add this laird to their shelves." — Kirkus Reviews
“James always brings something special to her stories, and her references to real popular novels and poetry of the time add depth and meta fun on every page of this charming romance.” — BookPage
“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
“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.” — Library Journal (starred review) on Viscount in Love
“Launching her new Regency-set Accidental Brides series, James (Not That Duke, 2023) once again displays her usual perfect sense of literary aplomb by first creating a uniquely appealing pair of protagonists (including a heroine who is not about to let not being able to read or write hold her back) and then setting them loose in a wit-infused plot enhanced by a wildly entertaining cast of secondary characters.” — Booklist on Viscount in Love
“An unusual dyslexic heroine provides depth to a solid Georgian romance.” — Kirkus Reviews on Viscount in Love
★ 01/01/2025
After being humiliated in front of the heights of London society, Clara Vetry escapes to the Scottish Highlands. In order to forge her own path and avoid marriage at all costs, she takes the identity of the newly hired housekeeper at Castle CaerLaven. The laird of CaerLaven is Caelan, who is expected to produce an heir but has sworn off love after the death of his wife. Clara and Caelan are instantly drawn to one another, but Clara refuses to marry him—until circumstances force them to do just that. Despite the situation, Caelan hopes he can turn their marriage of convenience into one of love. James successfully uses tension to further the plot and keep readers invested and showcases her skills in crafting well-developed characters (including the secondary cast) involved in richly interesting stories. VERDICT The second in James's "Accidental Bride" series will be an instant favorite of friends-to-lovers romance fans, and readers of the first book, Viscount in Love, will delight in this sequel.—Jenn Laskosky
2025-03-08
A Scottish laird and an English lady defy convention together.
Up in the Highlands, lairds do as they please, and for the brawny Caelan MacCrae, Laird of CaerLaven, that means fishing naked in the loch, even in chilly April weather. Widowed two years ago and uninterested in the finer things, he’s happiest when he can catch his own trout, cook it over a fire, and then be left alone in his rapidly crumbling estate. And mostly, no one bothers him—until the Honorable Miss Clara Vetry arrives during a bout of unclothed fishing. Though she claims to be Mrs. Potts, a woman ordered from London to be his housekeeper, she’s actually a bookish noblewoman in her fourth season, fleeing London in disrepute after striking the Prince Regent in response to his groping her bosom. Banished by her mother, she jumps at the chance to start a new life, and even though everyone she meets can tell she’s not actually a housekeeper, she settles in and starts setting Castle CaerLaven to rights. Despite himself, Caelan is immediately attracted to Clara’s raucous hair and straightforward nature, and is intrigued to hear that all she wants in life is a “castle filled with books”; he has one to offer, and before long, he does. Clara is taken by Caelan’s tree-trunk thighs and kind nature. But even after they kiss and start falling for each other, Clara feels certain he won’t ever love her as he did his first wife and Caelan isn’t sure how many times he can keep proposing to Clara and being rejected. James has long been one of the masters of zany, witty Regencies, and for much of the story she’s in top form. The second novel in her Accidental Brides series starts strong, with a setting that fans of Scottish romances will fall for almost as quickly as Caelan falls for Clara. Unfortunately, the momentum gets bogged down due to a misunderstanding that lingers far longer than it should, leading to a conclusion that leaves several plot points dangling. However, the strong character development and very spicy intimate scenes more than make up for the story’s weaknesses, and James’ many fans will be happy to add this laird to their shelves.
An uneven but charming Highlands romance.
