Publishers Weekly
09/26/2022
Scandalous family secrets aren’t enough to animate the flimsy second Would-be Wallflowers Regency romance from bestseller James (after How to Be a Wallflower). French Lady Yasmin Régnier, 25, is often the subject of gossip: her mother was Napoleon’s mistress and, at 16, she herself was duped into a fake marriage to a fortune hunter. Society cannot completely shun her, however, as her grandfather was a duke. Giles Renwick, British Earl of Lilford, is similarly whispered about, as his mother’s promiscuity throws the paternity of Giles and his sister, Lydia, into question. Still, like his peers, Giles keeps Yasmin at a distance—but for him, it’s more out of fear of his intense attraction to her than disdain for her checkered past. No longer able to resist, he proposes marriage, taking Yasmin, who’s long believed him to hate her, quite by surprise. As Giles works to prove his love, impetuous Lydia works to sabotage the couple. Lydia’s strenuous objections to the match feel entirely hypocritical—her own actions are just as likely to bring scandal as an association with Yasmin would—and her mean-spirited antics distract from the romance. The couple has chemistry to spare, making the weak obstacles to their happiness all the more frustrating. This misses the mark. Agent: Kim Witherspoon, InkWell Management. (Nov.)
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
“The romance galaxy is filled with luminous stars, but few twinkle as brightly as James, who, with the launch of her Regency-set Would-Be Wallflowers series, once again dazzles readers with superbly conceived characters, a sublimely sensual love story, and sparkling wit.” — Booklist (starred review) on How to Be a Wallflower
"A story as wild as the heroine's family name and one that will reward romance fans who want a funny book about an unusual heroine." — Kirkus Reviews on Wilde Child
“A sparkling Georgian romance. James’ writing shines and the Wilde clan’s infectious energy is the epitome of delightful. Overflowing with tried-and-true romance tropes like opposites attract and secret pining, Wilde Child proves that sometimes there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.” — BookPage
“Longtime historical romance fans and newbies to the genre (particularly those whose interest was piqued by Bridgerton) will delight in this well-done addition to a solid series.” — Library Journal on Wilde Child
“As usual, Eloisa James manages to weave a sweet, funny, and poignant tale. I don't think readers of the Wilde family antics will be disappointed.” — Romance Reviews Today
Booklist (starred review) on How to Be a Wallflower
The romance galaxy is filled with luminous stars, but few twinkle as brightly as James, who, with the launch of her Regency-set Would-Be Wallflowers series, once again dazzles readers with superbly conceived characters, a sublimely sensual love story, and sparkling wit.”
Romance Reviews Today
As usual, Eloisa James manages to weave a sweet, funny, and poignant tale. I don't think readers of the Wilde family antics will be disappointed.”
BookPage
A sparkling Georgian romance. James’ writing shines and the Wilde clan’s infectious energy is the epitome of delightful. Overflowing with tried-and-true romance tropes like opposites attract and secret pining, Wilde Child proves that sometimes there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.”
Julia Quinn
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.
Library Journal
09/01/2022
In James's second "Would-Be Wallflowers" novel (following How To Be a Wallflower), Lady Yasmin Régnier attracts scandal wherever she goes, and the British aristocracy cannot wait to judge her—for being French, her downfall by a rake, risqué fashion choices, or for a mother who was once Bonaparte's mistress. The upstanding Earl of Lilford is determined never to put a foot wrong lest he follow in the footsteps of his parents' impropriety. Regardless, he is obsessed with Yasmin's joyous nature and dances with her at every event of the Season. Yasmin is baffled by Lilford's attention as he abhors frivolousness and gossip, but when Yasmin sees Lilford's younger sister Lydia behaving recklessly with her suitors, she tells Lilford in hopes of preventing Lydia's ruination. After Lilford spends more time with Yasmin, the two embark on a secret affair and later engagement, but society's and Lydia's disapproval may prove to be too much for the couple to endure. VERDICT Readers will admire how Yazmin's positive attitude nullifies the critical voices around her, and her grandfather is an absolute delight. Unfortunately, Lilford's controlling nature and his malicious sister tend to detract from the fun and romance of James's Regency novel.—Eve Stano
