Wilde in Love (Wildes of Lindow Castle Book 1)

I have been less than impressed with some of Eloisa James' recent offerings and foolishly read some reviews before starting the story. Inevitably, this initially coloured my judgement, but instead I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in her new series, the Wildes of Lindlow Castle. It is a light, fun, entertaining read.The story centres around a house party, at which Alaric, the returned adventurer is the star guest; also visiting are Willa and her friend Lavinia. Willa is determined not to like Alaric, because she thinks, erroneously, that he enjoys all the hero worship. He meets Willa, and starts falling in love with her more or less straight away. His character is endearing and engaging - he pursues Willa, adamant that they are destined to be together. She resists, but finds herself coming round as she sees more of the real Alaric.James doesn't give us one of those annoying heroines who blow hot and cold - Willa knows she is falling for Alaric but tries to push her feelings away because of the standards she has set for herself in a husband, moulded to some extent by her parents' actions [she is an orphan].I loved the banter and humour between the large cast of characters. The villain was signposted very early in the book, and the villainous actions were entirely expected. I am not sure whether the author used this simply to reinforce the depth of feeling between Alaric and Willa, but it worked for me.Eloisa James always makes her readers feel like part of her family - if you look at her website, she often gives snippets of family life - and that includes family pets. So the skunk and cat also worked for me! The other feature that I like with her books is that at the end, she usually gives some background history to certain features within the story - including, in this one, the inclusion of the pet skunk!Her epilogues are always heart warming and leave one feeling that a loving relationship has come full circle. I am looking forward to the next one - the cliffhanger at the end of the book [a marketing ploy, but I don't care!] is genuinely shocking, and I look forward to finding out the background to it in the next book.Read it, enjoy it and don't overanalyse. A delightful read.

After the Duchess and Essex sisters series, this was a long-awaited event, but didn't live up to either. The writing is not engaging and there are contradictions within paragraph of one another, as though the author didn't bother to re-read. The biggest plot event is hugely heavy-handedly signalled, and the hero has very little character. The earlier series gave readers memorable characters with something to distinguish them - this has personalities so sketchy and off-the-shelf as to be forgettable.

First of all let me apologise to ardent Eloisa James fans - my rating is based on reading about 45% of this book.If I am honest I stopped enjoying this writers books after the brilliant Bridgerton series. But, I have gamely continued to buy her books whenever the synopsis attracted my attention. This is how I came to purchase this copy on Amazon.Sounded great, a new family to follow, get to know and grow to love. Feisty heroines and romance set in a different time frame to the Regency, so thought I would give it a go. It all read quite well, until the most unlikely set of circumstances ever to be met by a 18th century young woman.She meets an itinerant pedlar, while out walking with a group of fellow guests at a country house party and she is gifted a - SKUNK!! With all due respect Miss James - the chances of this happening in the Georgian period are pretty minimal. I suggest a squirrel or even a polecat might have been a better option in the UK.A quick check on the internet will inform readers that skunks do not make great pets, the earliest writers who came across them, all describe, how difficult they are to live alongside - eloquently describing how pungent their scent is and how challenging their personal habits are!You say at the end of your book that they can make good pets, if trained properly. Poor Willa would have had to spend hours training the little critter and ensuring that it did not perform its normal activities, such a scent spraying on her lovely clothes and bedding! Most probably she left it to the maids - lucky girl.Perhaps I am being too critical and should have gone with the storyline and accepted the unlikely adoption of this little creature but truly, this is the point in the book;where I started to lose interest. It’s also the point where the narrative and actions of the characters became increasingly banal and I lost complete interest!I am sorry but there are so many books on my Kindle awaiting my attention that I have the choice to continue reading the dreary dialogue or read something else. Something else won out.

The first in a series is always a tough one: the story itself and its hero and heroine must be good but you also have to start world building. Getting the balance right can be a challenge. This book provides a delightful story in the romance between the very private Willa and the very famous Lord Alaric Wilde while clearly setting up a number of interesting characters for the following books. I loved Willa but I would have liked Alaric to be a little rougher and tougher or trumpeter. He was a little too nice for me. I hope Lavinia and Alarics friend find romance together.A lovely epilogue - a James trademark!

I bought this book today planning to read and savour it for at least three or four days. I finished it today! The story starts with humour, has some steamy scenes in the middle, a good climax and wonderfully satisfying ending. It also contains a suspense scene about North and Diana, whose story I would love to read next or maybe Lamina and Parth's. A fantastic book.

Oh dear, this is so dull. I have loved Eloisa James' books in the past, but this is such a disappointment. The characters are boring and one dimensional. It is very difficult to give two hoots about them and scenes go on and on and get nowhere. I'm halfway through and nothing has happened. I had such high expectations for this book and sadly, it is as exciting as a punctured soufflé.

I had such high expectations but overall found this rather dull that I gave up trying to finish it. I couldn't find myself connecting with characters or engaged with the story...

Always an enjoyable read

A jolly tale- cotton wool of the best kind for the brain

Eloisa James returns with another heart-hugging and racy romp perfect for this season. As days darken and leaf strewn streets beckon us into the sanctuary of a warm reading nook,...

Highly recommended -very pleased with purchase & delivery

A promising beginning to a new collection, I did enjoy the story , but it didn’t quite entertain me as previous books by Eloisa.

I always love reading anything by Eloise James and she hasn't disappointed me this time, I love it and can't wait for the next in the series too Wilde to love .......

Not as good as her other books . disappointing

This is one of my favorite authors.

Miss Wilhelmina Everett Ffynche (otherwise known as Willa) is not your average high society lady who simpers and is only interested in needlework and suchlike ......