With its combination of an adorable heroine, clueless duke hero, witty repartee, and steamy sexytimes, Not That Duke is my favorite of the series so far. Of the three heroines, short, plump, bespectacled, freckled, clumsy, and clever Stella answers best to the title Would-Be Wallflower. I love that she didn't have to change herself for Silvester to fall for her.

"She wanted what Merry had, what Yasmin had ... She'd spent her life never being loved for being herself. She'd be damned if she accepted a lifetime of the same."

And, for all that he's slow on the uptake and he fought his feelings for a long time, Silvester appreciated Stella for her uniqueness. I absolutely loved reading about the progression of their relationship, especially when Silvester started seeing Stella in a new light and the lightbulb moment when he finally realized that he loves her. While his cluelessness made me roll my eyes, I have a fondness for him borne out of reading the previous book in the series and how he was like a big brother to Yasmin. Also, I live in Huntington so, I claim him as my duke. 

"I love the way you say No to me ... The way you say Yes to me."

Between the pets, the children, the duchesses, and Eloisa James's signature multitude of fascinating secondary characters, there were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. There were touching ones too, especially that confrontation scene between Stella and Silvester near the end. I was already giving this book a high rating, but the fact that it brought me to tears brought it over the edge. 

My only criticism is that the cover doesn't represent Stella very well. Where's the spectacle, the prominent bosom, the freckles? I wish Ms. James would insist upon a truer-to-book-description cover model in future books. 

Many of the scenes in Not That Duke took place at the same time as The Reluctant Countess just in different points of view. I suggest reading Yasmin and Giles' story first to better appreciate Stella and Silvester.

5 *****

I’m not going to regurgitate the plot summary, I presume you’ve read the publisher’s blurb before moving on to reader reviews.

I devoured this book. I thought, “I’ll just read for an hour and then get to the mountain of work awaiting me.” Ha ha ha, nope. I read avidly and uninterruptedly until the last page, and was very sorry it was over!

I admit I’m already a big fan of Eloisa James’ books, but I still delight in how beautifully they are imagined and crafted.

The characters were well introduced and then credibly evolved over the course of the story. Their attraction – and resistance – were so well developed. They are intelligent and willing to sometimes flout the strictures and expectations of their rigid social segment. The “supporting cast” were also well drawn, with telling details so we easily recognize them, and understand their choices.

A rare joy for me is having to look up a word while reading (news or novels) – usually it’s just to confirm I’m correctly inferring the meaning (acidulated!), or the text actually explains a phrase I’ve used all my life but not actually known what it (a petard, in this instance) was. Such is the added delight of having a university professor as an author. Not many people could bring that into a natural and entertaining conversation between characters, but this author succeeds beautifully. And I appreciate and respect a popular fiction author who respects their readers enough to use that perfect word, even if it is not in common use!

Solid five stars. And now the wait begins for the next Eloisa James release. Until then I’ll search her backlist for any I haven’t read

My thanks to the publisher for a free preview copy in exchange for my honest review.

I can always count on Eloisa James for interesting stories and characters who feel so real that they could walk off the page. She also stays true to the period that her books are set in, which I appreciate so much.

I really liked the heroine in this book. Lady Stella Corsham was not fond of her appearance: her hair was red, she wore spectacles, and had freckles. She was also short and not very slim. She does not compare well next to the reigning belles, particularly Lady Yasmin Ragnier,. She is lovely, graceful, slim, and sought after.

Stella has several secrets she is keeping, as she has her own plans for her life. One thing that surprised me was the amount of rudeness that the young women inflicted on each other, in their competition to find husbands. While they mostly dismissed her as being a threat to their own ambitions, Stella was an easy target for ridicule and rudeness. In short, she was living for the day that she could quit London and go home.

Lady Yasmin Ragnier and Giles Renwick, Lord of Lilford were initially introduced in the previous book, and also have large roles in this book. Giles and his friend Silvester Parnell, the Duke of Huntingdon, appear to be in a friendly competition for Lady Yasmin's hand for the next dance, to take her into dinner, and perhaps for her hand in marriage.

Being a wealthy Duke makes Silvester a target for young women (and their chaperones) who are not above trying to force a match through compromise. He and Stella, who also has no wish for a forced marriage, form a pact to have each other's backs and hopefully escape unwed. It was a good plan, but you know what they say about the best laid plans going awry.

The only thing I disliked about the book was something that occurred close to the end of the book. I thought Stella overreacted to something that was really very minor. It seemed out of character for her.

I was pleased and excited to receive an e-arc from the publisher Avon and Harper Voyager via NetGalley. It was a pleasure to voluntarily read and review this book.

I really enjoyed the feel of this book. It reminded me why I fell in love with historical romance over 15 years ago. The heroine was sure of herself and didn't want to settle for being second best which was great to see.

The second half of the book took a bit to get moving to the conclusion but it didn't bother me too much. It was also odd to see some head hopping in a few chapters. Though frequent in historical romance 10 years ago most today don't use that tactic. This made me feel like I was reading a classic in the best way.

Lady Stella Corsham has been mad for Silvester Parnell, the Duke of Huntington for years- unbeknownst to him. Silvester thinks he is in love with the reigning Diamond of the ton, Lady Yasmin, who is also being pursued by his best friend, the Earl of Lilford. Silvester's mother tells him that Stella is the woman he should make his duchess but he does not listen to her advice. He is wanting someone who is duchess material but does not require him to love her. After his bid for Lady Yasmin's hand falls through when she weds, the Earl of Lilford, Silvester decides to pursue Stella. Stella doesn't think Silvester or any of the other men who are currently pursuing her are serious about her because of her red hair and her generous figure, especially her breasts. Even though they are sexually attracted to each other, Stella doesn't believe Silvester cares for her and he has to work hard to prove to her that his feelings for her are sincere. Not that Duke is well written and provides the right amount of romance, steam and mean girl angst to keep the readers turning the page until the very end of the story. I couldn't put my Kindle down until I was finished with the book because I wanted to know how the story would end.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

The latest from Eloisa James does not disappoint! Although this is billed as an enemies to lover, the Duke and the Lady start off as ‘enemies’ but develop into best friends. This book is a slow burn, but in the best kind of way. The Duke and Lady develop a true friendship and a solid foundation that leads to love. I also love that the Lady is a wallflower and the Duke falls in love without the Lady undergoing a transformation from ugly duck to swan. The Lady was always a Diamond of the First Water and the Duke was just the first one to notice! Ms. James outdid herself with this book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Stella wants a cottage beside a bookstore. Sounds like Heaven to me. Spectacles, me too. Reading & spouting facts when you should be quiet, me too. I love this lady. Silvester is like the football team captain. He looks good, smells good, everyone likes him. Turns out there's more to him than that facade. Great couple, great story. Hit home a bit and I loved every second of it. I'd now like to figure out exactly what happened with Giles & Yasmin. I need to re-read The Reluctant Countess.

#EloisaJames #Netgalley #Avon #NotThatDuke #Would-Be Wallflowers #historicalromance #romance

Not That Duke by Eloisa James takes the enemies to lovers troupe and gives it a delightful twist. Stella finds her self with a case of puppy love for Silvester, the Duke of Huntington. And why not? The man is gorgeous and always there for her with her repeated disasters in the ballroom. But what would such a god want to do with an opinionated, freckled, accident prone woman? Plenty. They become friends even as he thinks he has fallen in love with this year's original. It;s too good to be true in Stella's eyes and malevolent forces feed her misinformation which makes Stella distance herself. And even as Silvester's feelings turn amorous *fans self*, Stella does not buy it. Even as circumstances force them to wed, Stella hardens her heart. Silvester must fight to win Stella's heart as his feelings grow into love. The struggle is real but the reward so well worth it. This book will make you laugh and sigh out loud! Get your copy today!

Not That Duke ranks high on my list of favorite Eloisa James historical romances. Full of charm, witty banter, and slow-burn romance, it hits all the right notes for an enjoyable escape. Were there times I wanted to toss our hunky hero off a cliff? Of course! Though he does redeem himself nicely in the end, proving his heart belongs solely to the right woman...for the right reasons. It's Stella, though, who shines most brightly in this story. I adored her! If you've ever felt like the odd one out, Stella is here to show you that sometimes the red-haired, curvy, bespeckled, intelligent, opinionated woman takes home the season's prize, not in spite of who she is but because of all that she is. She's one of my all-time favorite James heroines. I loved her, I loved her story, and I'm already eager to read it again.

To minimize the love triangle angst of the first half of this book, I do recommend reading The Reluctant Countess first.

A temptation with an endearing heart and a frustrating romance. Not that Duke is classic Eloisa James. A heroine whose courageous enough to stand her ground. A hero that shows heart. A love story that gets under your skin. I love a good enemies to lovers romance. From tempestuous attraction to irresistible heartache, Stella and Silvester deliver on all fronts.

I love a strong woman main character, who isn't afraid to be herself. The miscommunication and willful redirection in this is SO HARD. If this book had been print, I would have thrown it.

Tough luck for the Duke of Huntington! Lady Stella’s crush on Silvester fizzles as his crush starts to sizzle in “Not That Duke” by Eloisa James!

I love the quirky dowager duchess and her antics of getting her choice of wife in close proximity with her son. She encourages Stella to be herself when some encourage her to dim her light.

I absolutely love the female main character! Stella constantly hears how she should act during her debut season. However, her cleverness and knowledge can’t be contained. On top of that, it’s vital that she wears her spectacles, she has freckles, and her curvy body is supposedly not in fashion. She doesn’t let anything keep her down for too long. She doesn’t give a fig about the charming Silvester’s ducal title.

I almost felt bad for the duke because he got friend zoned at the worst time. He did persistently deliver actions and words portraying that he will fight for which he desires the most no matter what he has to climb or declare.

If you enjoy bluestocking wallflowers, close proximity, forced proximity, and friends to lovers reads, then I highly recommend this book!!!

Thank you to Net Galley, Avon Books, and Harper Voyager US for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Lady Stella is feisty, outspoken, has freckles, wears glasses. Silvester Parnell, Duke of Huntington, was in love with, or at least thought he was in love with, Lady Yasmine.
In fact, both of Stella’s suitors are in love with Yasmine. Even though he is courting Yasmine, Silvester spend time with Stella. They play chess and dance at balls. Yasmine ultimately chooses the earl, Giles. Somewhere in all this, Silvester decides his mother was right all along and that Stella is the perfect duchess for him. Stella is not easily convinced. They do marry, but things do not go smoothly. Silvester really needs to think things through better. This is a delightful story with much humor, two eccentric duchesses, one confused duke, a lovely girl who could use some self-confidence, a steamy romance, and a happy ending. This is the third book and a wonderful addition for the Would-Be Wallflowers series. Susan Duerden’s narration was quite entertaining.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Not that Duke A Would-be Wallflowers Novel #3 is a shout out to all of the partial, or fully wallflowers. We were never chosen for the Prom Court, or made cheerleader, never dated the football captain, or were always chosen last for basketball. We might have had classes with the alphas, because we were usually very smart, but we were never really part of them. Any of this sound familiar? Any of you still shuddering from your school days, usually starting in kindergarten?
As to our long-lasting dating lives, we were never sure if we were the number one choice. That’s all may of us wanted, to be number one for somebody. Until we were, and usually stayed that way.
I think our daughters and granddaughters have a different life now. They are able to more easily say, FU, but I think many still bear some scars, as human nature doesn’t change all that much.
Lady Stella has a very large dowery, impeccable bloodlines, and is short, plump, red headed, freckled, wears glasses and in love with the catch of the season, Silvester, the Duke of Huntington. He treats her as a little sister, spends lots of time with her. In turn she gets to watch him being half of a golden couple, the other half being Lady Yasmin, a genuinely delightful woman. Oh yeah, it seems like Lady Stella is also being courted by the Earl of Lilford, who is also in love with Lady Yasmin. I believe his story was in book #2.
So, I’ve liked this series, but then I like anything Ms. James writes. In fact, I usually treat myself to a random reread of many of her books before reading her latest.
Not That Duke excels in the vicious, nasty, no redeeming qualities of Lady Lydia, the sister of the Earl of Lilford. As usual with women like her she had her sycophants, so she could spread the venom.
There is a lot of fun with friends- Merry, the Countess of Trent- frenemies-The Dower Duchess of Huntington and Mrs. Tyme, Stella’s aunt, Stella and Silvester. This book also earns four cayenne peppers for hot sex.
The banter was witty and entertaining, when it wasn’t being a bit whiny. By the duke, no less. I also enjoyed the the Duke shown in another negative light as perhaps being ethically challenged. I think perfection is overrated.
I also loved that Stella was genuinely plump, not just “softly rounded”, but in most other HRs, the heroines call that plump, and the heroes call that hot.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an Advanced Reader’s Copy.

The Duke of Richwhiteman is looking for a wife. He thinks he wants Yasmin to fill the role bc she’s thin and blonde and perfect in all ways. He could never marry his friend Stella, because she is too much-too smart, too eccentric, too opinionated, too curvy, too redheaded, too bespectacled. Maybe it’s not that she’s too much, maybe it’s that he’s just not enough!

Duke has eccentric parents who give zero F’s about social graces, so he overcompensates by being the ultimate ducal gentleman of the ton and wants a vanilla wife to make it all look perfect. But it turns out, our golden Dukey is a pervy hornbag with questionable ethics- a phoney baloney sapiosexual who is as turned on by Stella’s brain as he is her curvy body. He slowly falls for Stella but she doesn’t trust him bc she’s been told for years how she is lesser than all the other ladies of the ton- which doesn’t stop her from consenting to heavy petting…and eventually marriage. But we all know a marriage without trust is gonna be a mess. And we all know I’m here for a mess always!

I liked this one. Per usual, Eloisa James has a deep cast of fully crafted and interesting characters- many from her last book. She flips the script of regency romance in ways that I won’t spoil but truly enjoyed. Overall, def recommend if you like historical romance with sexually awakened women. The Duke is mostly an entitled fool, but he’s a hot lovestruck fool w amazing pecs, so he’s forgiven.

Smut- 2.56 stars
Romance- 3.89 stars
Story- 4.32 stars
Sapiosexuals who find blind women in glasses hot- 17.14 stars

Not That Duke is an indulgent combination two of my favourite tropes and humorously depicts the mishaps of Stella’s first Season. Long accustomed to finding herself on the outside of what society deems behaviour becoming of a Lady, Stella finds an unlikely ally in Silvester Parnell, The Duke of Huntington.

Alas, he has designs on another and Stella acknowledges the most ladies like herself can hope for is finding a suitor with which she shares a mutual respect.

The relationship between Stella and Silvester flirted between friendship and frosty, until The Duke finally gets with the program and melts our Stella’s jaded heart. It was wonderful to witness our pragmatic protagonist fall head over heels in love. I very much enjoyed their endearing story. As sweet as it is, there was plenty of risqué innuendo, banter & steam to give it an edgy bite.

The novel "Not that Duke" is a captivating and heartwarming story of self-discovery and true love. The chemistry between the headstrong Lady Stella and the enigmatic Duke of Huntington is undeniable. Eloisa James' enchanting writing and well-developed characters make this enemies-to-lovers romance an absolute page-turner.

Stella's eccentricity and unique charm amuse the Duke of Huntington. Despite his charm and title, Silvester is intrigued by the feisty redhead who still needs to be addressed. However, fate takes them down an unexpected path, leading to a newfound relationship neither of them could have foreseen.

Silvester and Stella must navigate the complexities of their relationship. Silvester's initial disinterest transforms into genuine admiration for the quirky woman he now calls his wife. Each day, he falls deeper in love with the woman he playfully calls "Specs. Winning Stella's heart proves to be a challenge. She struggles to trust Silvester's change of heart. Eloisa James expertly weaves a tale of emotions, vulnerability, and passion as Silvester endeavors to prove the authenticity of his feelings.

This story perfectly blends wit, humor, and tender moments that will leave you with a warm feeling in your heart. If you're a fan of historical romances filled with lively banter, endearing characters, and a swoon-worthy love story, "Not that Duke" is an absolute must-read. Prepare to be enchanted by the allure of Lady Stella and the Duke of Huntington as they embark on an unforgettable journey of love, trust, and second chances.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It kept me reading and I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books by this author.

I'd like to first say I was sold by this book blurb; unfortunately, this is not the book I was given. I feel as though I was sold a false bill of goods. I was so excited to read this, but was utterly disappointed. Maybe this series isn't for me. I didn't care for the second book, while I loved the heroine. Same can be said with this book, I hate the hero: doesn't deserve the heroine. While Stella, the heroine of this book, is delightful. My heart broke for her so much much. She's treated like an afterthought, no one, besides the Dowager Duchess, even cares for her. I loved the first book in this series. I don't know what happened to subsequent books. I don't understand.

Thank you so much to the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Stella was raised by her aunt and uncle who are disappointed in her lifelong love of knowledge, her red hair, and her spectacles. She seen by the ton as an awkward girl and longs to fit in. Silvester is a duke and is interested in Stella only as a friend because his sights are set on someone else. Eventually he realizes he and Stella could be a good match.
This is the 3rd book in the series and after that disclaimer at the beginning of the book, the author notes it isn't necessary to read the others in the series. I disagree. The girl Silvester pursues for most of the book is the main female character from Book 2 in the series. This book takes place at the same time just from a different perspective. A large portion of the book focuses on whether this belle of the season will choose Silvester and how Stella wishes she were Silvester's first choice. As a result, it was distracting from the story between Stella and Silvester so his about face in choosing Stella felt unnatural. I never felt super invested in the story but I think fans of this author and the series will enjoy this book.