Hardly a Gentleman by Eloisa James is the second book in Eloisa James’ Accidental Brides series, although the books are stand-alone stories. I was looking forward to reading Clara’s story after meeting her (and her home-made reticules with animal faces) as Torie’s best friend in the book, Viscount in Love. No one writes quirky heroines better than Eloisa James!

Prince George's lascivious interest in Clara has ruined her chances to find a match on the London marriage mart. After a scandalous ballroom incident involving the drunken Prince, Clara is packed off to the Scottish Highlands by her mother to live with an elderly great-aunt. Inspired by the adventures she reads in her lurid novels, Clara poses as a housekeeper at Laird Caelan CaerLaven’s castle. It was hilarious to see how Clara tried to apply The Castle of Otranto and The Mysteries of Udolpho (both very popular books at the time!) to her situation.

Caelen, the Laird of Castle CaerLaven, is living in a filthy castle. All his attention is on fly fishing and writing books about fishing, which what he’s been doing since his wife, Isla, died. However, Caelen quickly falls for Clara. No one believes that Clara is a housekeeper and she quickly admits it.
The characters in the story are great and their personalities drive the story. The dialogue is witty and often very funny, not only the dialogue between the couple, but the conversations with the other characters in the story. The supporting characters are vivid and well-developed. Clara’s maid, Hortense, and Caelen’s sister, Fiona, could have their own stories. Working out the misunderstandings surrounding Caelen’s marriage to Isla was key to the plot and it took some time to resolve, but the HEA was very satisfying.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cute and silly. After Clara slaps the future King of England, her mother ships her off to an elderly relative in Scotland. No man in England will marry her now. Instead, Clara gets into a carriage meant for the housekeeper of Scottish laird, Caelan. He's a widower living in a filthy castle, doesn't even wash his hands after gutting a fish. She's luscious and curvy, with spun sugar hair so he doesn't mind having a housekeeper whose never cleaned or cooked and hires her own maid. It was also odd that they didn't even meet until the 25% point of the book. I had a hard time staying interested.

Hardly a Gentleman is a beautiful, slow-burn romance wrapped in some of my favorite tropes: forced marriage, hidden identity, and a broody widower who absolutely loses his heart while trying not to acknowledge it. Eloisa James delivers a love story that feels both sweeping and deeply intimate — and it’s a journey that is so worth taking.

After an embarrassingly public incident (that wasn’t even her fault), Clara Vetry finds herself banished from London society and sent to the wilds of Scotland. Her fall from grace is sharp, unfair, and painful — and you can’t help but ache for her. On her way north, Clara meets the unfortunately named Mr. Cobbledick (and yes, I absolutely laughed), who mistakes her for the new housekeeper bound for MacCrae’s crumbling castle.

Enter Caelan MacCrae — a man who at first seems almost feral, though not cruel. He simply has no patience for society’s expectations anymore. Having mourned his wife, Caelan has built a life where he answers to no one, including the judgment of others. He immediately recognizes Clara’s deception for what it is but allows it, sensing something different — something alive — in her that he desperately needs.

The slow, simmering connection between Clara and Caelan is the heart of this novel. They fall hard, but it’s anything but easy. Clara must wrestle with the shadow of Caelan’s first wife, believing she’ll never measure up. She also struggles with her own eccentricities — qualities that make her wholly charming to readers, but which she fears make her unfit for the role of “proper lady” she was once groomed for. But yet at the same time, embraces her quirks at the same tme. Watching Clara come to realize she’s exactly who Caelan needs — not in spite of her uniqueness, but because of it — is so deeply satisfying.

Caelan is a hero brimming with unspoken tenderness. His love is fierce but not always articulated, and James does an exquisite job of letting his actions — often gruff, sometimes clumsy — speak louder than his words.
This is a romance about two bruised people who, in finding each other, discover that love doesn’t require perfection — only acceptance. Their road is messy, emotional, and often funny (seriously, Cobbledick!), but every moment of their slow-burn fall into forever is earned. There is a great supporting cast of characters with Caelan’s sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and Wilhelmina (the silkie chicken).If you love hidden identities (that arent’ really hidden), moody Scottish settings, flawed characters who love ferociously, and heroines who embrace their glorious weirdness, Hardly a Gentleman is a must-read. Eloisa James once again proves that love stories are never about fitting into molds — they’re about breaking them wide open.

Caelen is a widowed Scottish laird who never cleans his castle nor wears many clothes. Clara flees to Scotland after she’s publicly humiliated in London by the future King of England, who is a real scumbag (I’m looking at you, King George IV). Rather than getting into her intended carriage to Scotland, she decides to have an “adventure” and jump in a carriage headed to Caelen’s dumpy castle, where she will be employed as his housekeeper. She shows up to find a naked Caelen fishing in the loch (so Scottish of him) and how can she not fall in love with him? A lot of witty banter and castle cleaning ensues and these two crazy kids fall in love. This book was cute- not super steamy, but Eloisa James always writes an entertaining read with sharp dialogue and smart/sassy heroines. Her hero’s are always lovable dipshits and Caelen fits that bill perfectly. If you like Eloisa James, this will not disappoint.

Smut- 1.9 stars
Romance- 4.3 stars
Story- 3.9 stars
Naked Scotsmen- 9.8 stars

Fun book about two people who are very different than their peers. I enjoyed the story's premise and the two main characters' interactions.

Caelan is a widower whose wife died two years ago. He's not interested in remarrying and prefers simply to be left alone to write his books about whisky and fishing. His family and the villagers believe that he is lost in grief over his wife's death. Most of his staff are gone, and his castle is a filthy mess. He doesn't care. However, his sister insists that he needs a new housekeeper and sends to England for one, as no one locally will touch the place.

Clara is a young lady whose fourth Season comes to a disastrous end. A beautiful and curvy young woman, she unfortunately drew the attention of the (married) Prince Regent. Matters come to a head when a drunk Prince makes a spectacle of himself and her, ending with him groping her and ripping her dress in full view of a ballroom full of people. I thought her reaction was great, but it didn't go over well with the Prince. Clara's mother, who is far more concerned with appearances than her daughter's feelings, banishes her to stay with a distant relative in Scotland.

However, Clara isn't about to roll over and accept her mother's plans for her. At a coaching inn, she bails out of her carriage and jumps into one taking a housekeeper to Scotland. She looks at it as an adventure despite having no experience. Her arrival at Castle CaerLaven is an eye-opener, as she stumbles on Caelan while he is fishing (kiltless) in the loch. The encounter is highly amusing and sets the tone for the book.

While Clara attempts to pass herself off as the new housekeeper, no one believes her. That doesn't slow her down, and I enjoyed seeing her put everyone to work - including Caelan. I loved the cleaning scenes and seeing Clara steamroll over his reluctance.

I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Caelan made no secret about his desire not to remarry. Clara is off men, thanks to her recent experiences. However, there is no doubt about the sparks that fly between them. After spending lots of time together cleaning and getting to know each other, Caelan realizes he wouldn't mind marrying again as long as Clara is the bride. Clara fights her feelings for Caelan because, like everyone else, she believes he's still in love with his late wife. She won't risk her heart on someone who can't love her back.

I got frustrated with Caelan's refusal to talk about his wife and the truth of their relationship, which allowed the misunderstanding to go on way too long. Caelan keeps proposing, and Clara keeps turning him down until an unexpected twist forces them to marry. The misunderstandings continue until a crisis forces them to face that which keeps them apart. I liked the ending and have high hopes for a happy future for them.

The secondary characters provided additional humor to the book. From Caelan's sister, Fiona, who ignores his protests to hire a housekeeper and has a matchmaking glint in her eye, to Elspeth, the maid, and Cobbledick, the driver, each one provides lighthearted moments and occasional serious advice. But my favorite was Fiona's son, Alfie, and his pet chicken, Wilhelmina. Alfie is adorable, and his unfiltered comments are fun.

The author says her inspiration started with the idea of a Scottish laird fly fishing in a loch naked and that was all it took to get me interested lol. On top of being absolutely hilarious this book had so much heart. I adore romances where one (or both) characters are unique and unappreciated and then find the person who revels in the parts of them that society doesn’t understand. Clara's optimistic, bookish nature was deeply relatable. While she is an avid book lover she is also not adverse to adventure and I truly believe Caelan and Clara are well matched in their adventurous natures. I was already have a fabulous time with this book but the ending really sealed the deal for me. Eloisa James left no conflict unresolved and she didn’t settle for mere happiness. She had to prove that Clara and Caelan are made for each other and I totally believed it. They are both so gone for each other and it's adorable to see.

Note - The story starts with Clara being groped and this inciting incident does continue to cause her some distress throughout the book so if that's a sensitive topic for you definitely check trigger warnings to get more details.

I giggled, I kicked my feet, I read bits aloud to my partner! Of course I did, this is an Eloisa James novel. Eloisa James is one of my auto-read authors and I was so excited and thankful to get to read this book through NetGalley and the publisher.

Historical Romance is such a comfort genre for me, the stories feel like a warm hug. Hardly A Gentleman is no exception. I settled in immediately for Clara and Caelan’s story, happy to root for their love and the circumstances that would lead to them ending up together. I loved the Highland setting and the larger cast of characters who adopt Clara and help her see herself through new eyes.

I had such a fun time reading this story and a lot of that is because it is Very Silly. Clara has a lot of strongly held ideas that do not always reflect reality and are based entirely on what she has read in romantic novels (same, honestly). She overcomes difficulties by deciding that whatever is happening is an adventure, and somehow, that works out for her? Sometimes this is endearing and sometimes it is a little bit annoying, but either way it definitely helps to carry the plot. If silliness is a deal breaker for you, this book is probably not for you.

Hardly a Gentleman was another wonderful display of Eloisa James’ charm and humor! I will say my attention kept slipping throughout the book because there wasn’t much to the plot and the relationship itself was pretty cutesy.

*Spoiler*
It’s happened a few times, and I’ve decided I really like when a widow/widower isn’t like *that sad* to be in their current situation lol. Everyone assumed this dude was just so bereft but that wasn’t the case at all.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️.5/5


I received an eARC from the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.

When the story begins with the hunky Scottish laird Caelen MacCrae fly-fishing in the altogether in the loch near his castle in the Highlands, you know you're in for a romping good time. Caelen's a widower who has let his castle fall apart due to sheer lack of interest, though everyone in the village believes he's heartbroken over the death of his wife two years prior. He'd much rather concentrate on the needs of his tenants, making whisky, writing books, and his beloved fly-fishing. His sister Fiona arrives, having walked over from the neighboring estate, proceeds to tease him mercilessly over his lack of clothing and cajoles him into accepting her help in finding him a new housekeeper. Caelen's Scottish house staff has steadily deserted him since his wife's death, so Fiona writes to agencies in England for a replacement.

Lady Clara Vetry takes the place of the new housekeeper due to mistaken identity at a coaching inn. Her self-absorbed mother has sent her off to Scotland after four Seasons end in public disaster, thanks to the unwanted attentions from the disgusting Crown Prince George. Mama wants Clara to redeem herself and to save Lady Vetry's social standing by staying with an aunt and marrying a Scottish lord. Being smart and resourceful, Clara takes the opportunity for a new adventure when she's mistaken for Caelen's new housekeeper.

Sparks fly when Caelen & Clara meet for the first time, the chemistry between them is off the charts. As they get to know each other more, and the passion flares between them Caelen proposes to Clara but she declines. She believes the "Grand Love Story" that the villagers tell of Caelen & his first wife, and doesn't want to be thought of as second best. Eventually Clara's full identity and circumstances come to light and they have to marry. The question then is will Clara share her fears of being compared to his first wife and will Caelen open up about the truth of his first marriage.

Hardly a Gentleman is a fun and riveting story. I was drawn in from beginning to end. The characters were fascinating, and I always like a story set in the Highlands. If you're a fan of a lot of spice, this book is extra spicy. Lots and lots of steamy love scenes between the main characters. I did not realize this book was part of a series (book 2), though it can be read as a stand alone book. I do plan to buy the first book in the series because I am very interested in reading more.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing me with this ARC. My review is fully my own honest opinion.

Tired of attending the seasons waiting on an eligible man to recognize her as a potential partner, Lady Clara Vetry jumps on an available carriage headed to the Highlands for what she thinks is a position as a housekeeper. She ditches her own maid who was to serve as her chaperone during transport while she is supposed to be visiting her aunt. Unbeknownst to Laird Caelan CaerLaven, his sister had requested a mail order bride to be sent to help organize his house and be a companion to him. Neither Caelan nor Clara wanted a relationship, he was happy fishing in the nude and Clara wanted to be free to read and be out from under her mother’s disapproving influence. While all of Caelan’s friends and family thought he was still grieving the loss of his wife at an early age, he was struck by how much Clara was the first woman he has been interested in since his wife and he asks her to marry him. Clara decides instead of being a housekeeper she will buy her own castle in Scotland and fill it with books. Fortunately, as they live in his castle with the help of his family and hastily added staff, Caelan and Clara give into their attraction to each other and achieve their HEA.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Clara has just been embarrassed in front of all society. It's just too bad that the man who embarrassed her is married. And the prince. It seems like her reputation will never recover. Her mother shows no surprise. Clara has been just a little odd since she was a child. She always liked books and, let's not even bring up her large bosoms. So, Clara's being shipped off to Scotland. Not forever. Although it could be. Just until her mother can show her face around ballrooms again. She never thought that she'd decide to hop in a carriage and pretend to be a housekeeper. Named Mrs. Potts no less.
Caelen just wants to live his life. His wife died and he just keeps moving on, ignoring the dust and grime gathering in his castle. That includes fishing naked. And that's how Clara sees him first. While it's not exactly love at first sight, Caelen does start proposing to Clara pretty quickly. He's sick of everyone thinking that he's a grieving widower so he's willing to get married. Not to the first woman who shows up but to the first one who doesn't seem to be there to try and become his wife. In fact, Clara refuses all the way up until the time that someone recognizes her and they're forced to wed. This, of course, not only lets them slake their lust for each other, but gives them time to fall in love.
This book was darn enjoyable and reminded me why James is a master in the craft of romance.

Four stars
This book came out April 29, 2025
ARC kindly provided by Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Alfie and his pet chicken, Whilheminia stole the book, total scene stealers. Caelean and Clara are just two oddballs destined to be together. He’s widowed and she’s been banished to the highlands to live with an aunt she has never met. Clara chooses her own adventure and gets on a carriage meant for an MIA housekeeper, arrives to the castle to an unsuspecting naked Caelean fishing in the water. No one believes she’s an actual housekeeper, but she stays and helps Caelean clean up his castle. They became friends and Caelean is literally head over heels for her but she is too concerned he still loves his dead wife. The attraction was mutual and very high. I was entertained, great humor and obsessive characters.

Hilarious and Heartwarming!

Honestly, Mary Jane Wells is a Rock Star! Such a superb audiobook performance!

I love me an Eloisa James novel and I especially love the ones set in Scotland and Hardly A Gentleman is no exception!

Even though it’s unpopular, I’m an Instalove kind of girl and this story of two lonely souls finding their way to each other is just grumpy/sunshine Instalove perfection!

Hardly a Gentleman is the second book in the Accidental Brides series by Eloisa James. This story stands alone if you missed the first, as I did. (WHY did I miss the first one?! I love must-read Eloisa James!) This book was classic Ms. James to me. When I think of her books, the ones that stand out are like this one. The characters are funny, sweet and sexy, the plot is much fun with a bit of woe, and you hate for it to end!

Honorable Miss Clara Vetry's last Season ends horrendously, Desperate to get away from the disaster, she jumps into a carriage that was hired to bring a housekeeper to Scotland. Meanwhile in Scotland, widowed Caelan MacCrae, Laird of CaerLaven, has no interest in getting married again, especially a love match. At least he thinks so, until he sees his new housekeeper, "Mrs. Potts". Marriage to this delicious bookworm sounds like a fine arrangement to him. However, Clara refuses his proposals again, and again, and again... When her true identity is revealed, though, she is forced to marry Caelan. So now he has Clara's hand in marriage, but will he ever win her love?

The word that first comes to mind when I think of this book is "charming". It describes both the storyline and the characters. Eloisa James can suck you into her stories, and you'll never want to get out of them. The characters really shone and are unforgettable; Clara and Caelan are now one of my all-time favorite fictional couples. First there's Clara. Her Season ended in an awful mess. Though she did nothing wrong, just defended herself against a powerful (and nutty) man, she was the one who was ostracized. Her (terrible!) mother was ashamed, and she told Clara to take her dowry and leave; maybe she could buy herself a husband. Mama Vetry was definitely not Mother of the Year material! Clara was ready to get away, and she jumped in a carriage that was supposed to bring a housekeeper to Castle CaerLaven in Scotland. Surely she could be Mrs. Potts! When she arrived, she saw a handsome man fly fishing in the loch...without a stitch of clothing. That's got to be one of the best meet-cute plot lines ever! Clara was bold, brave, and an insatiable reader. She didn't bring a huge amount of her personal belongings with her, except for her books. Many, many books. Her being a bookworm made me fall in love with her! Clara wasn't tall and willowy; she had some. rolls and "jiggly bits", and her hair could not be tamed. I loved Caelan as much as Clara. Besides being a manly, handsome Scotsman in (and out) of a kilt, he was clever and kind. He was widowed a couple of years ago, and everyone believed that he lost the love of his life and was still grieving for her. The castle was a pigsty; his deceased wife's belongings and furniture were falling apart, and the kitchen was absolutely frightening. The man REALLY needed a housekeeper. I adored Caelan because he was attracted to Clara - found her delectable, wild hair and all - and didn't hide it. He wanted to marry her and didn't hesitate to ask her numerous times. When her true identity was discovered and they had to wed, Caelan was ecstatic. Clara was worried that he still pined for her dead wife and would never love her. The repartee was clever, and the attraction was off the charts. When steamy time came, an iceberg couldn't cool you off! But there was a lightheartedness to even the erotic acts. I don't want to give away all the good stuff, so let me share some of the outstanding supporting characters. Clara's mother was a horrid woman, and you'll love to hate her. Caelan's sister Fiona was sassy and witty, and she wanted her brother to have a housekeeper...and a new wife. Fiona's son Alfie was a hoot ("Are you SERIOUS?!") and had a pet chicken name Wilhelmina that he took everywhere with him. Mrs. Gillan was Caelan's mother-in-law; at first she was horribly annoying (she would not stop talking about the "grand love" between her deceased daughter Isla and Caelan), but I really grew to like her. And I must not leave out Mr. Cobbledick, the coachman who took Clara to Scotland...because I wanted to type his name. Loved it! I definitely need to go back and read the prior book - thank goodness I have it! - and I certainly hope this series continues for a long time to come!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Thank you to Kaye Publicity & Avon Books for the review copy!

A new Eloisa James book with narration by Mary Jane Wells? You know I’m going to eat it up ASAP!

I absolutely adored Clara - a book obsessed, imaginative, curious FMC. Readers who love a rugged laird will also adore Caelan, and he grew on me a lot as he softened up. All of the side characters are equally lovable, I especially loved Alfie and his pet chicken.

While I really enjoyed this book overall, I did find the miscommunication at the core of it to be a little repetitive after a while, and I was SO relieved when Clara finally let Caelan open up to her!

If you pick this one up, make sure to read the author’s note! James is such a thoughtful author, and I enjoyed reading about her intention behind the book!

I adored Clara and Caelan's story! These two were just so much fun to watch! I can't wait to see what James comes out with next!

I really loved Caelan and Clara. This was such an enjoyable book and I loved every minute of it. It is an easy read that is just what you want if you want a book that has some romance and humor in it. They are such a great couple. I'm so glad I found this author because everything I have read by her I have really enjoyed.

The moment I see a new Eloisa James' novel is coming out, it goes on my 'want to read' list. And she did not disappoint with this newest installment of her Accidental Brides series. I adored the first novel in the series, so I was very excited to see Clara return as the FMC in in Hardly a Gentleman. This book was a bit wacky and silly, but the perfect thing I needed on some rainy April days.

Nobody tells a story like Eloisa James! This book is another jewel that I waited for and as soon as I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. Clara is so unlike your average debutant you’ll instantly fall for her just as our hero, Caelan, did even though it did take awhile and a bit of drama to get him to admit it. With the Spector of his first wife and Clara’s previous mental torment of her mother and future King, Caelan had his hands full in convincing her of his love but he wasn’t really trying at first. The humor adds so much fun to this love story and really makes you want to keep reading all night so plan accordingly and enjoy!

I am totally recommending this book solely for the laird’s nephew that has a rabbity chicken with a topknot. But really, that’s an example of the joyful humor in Hardly a Gentleman. This book just felt FUN to me, like I could tell that Eloisa James really enjoyed writing it, and sometimes that’s exactly what I want in a romance. Both MCs are playful curious souls who really just get each other and this is why friends can sometimes make the best lovers.

Our heroine Clara likens herself to an adventuress when she takes a chance on hopping aboard a carriage headed to Scotland pretending to be a “Mrs. Potter”. Fleeing one scandal (and it’s a good one—of the type I’ve never read!) though only leads her to Caelan, a widower in need of a housekeeper where if he were aware she wasn’t married, would lead to Clara being compromised. Caelan is just as differently unique as Clara, preferring to fly fish in his birthday suit, and caring little for the nature of his filthy castle. (I actually wondered if James had to research cleaning methods of the Georgian era, because anyone in the laird’s region knows a housekeeper would have a tall order returning his castle to a habitable state). Its seems Caelan needs Clara just as much as she needs him.

I laughed so much at the dry humor of this book from Clara hitting a Royal with her whiskered handbag, to Clara’s mother thinking a Laird was pronounced Lard. I also found Caelan’s persistence with repeatedly asking Clara to marry him, sweetly satisfying. He might be a little thick when it comes to realizing what Clara truly desires, but the transformation from two people enjoying spending time together to one of intimates felt like what a relationship should be. This is also one of the most realistic wedding nights (it’s funny and unexpected, but sweet nonetheless). And let’s just say Clara is a bit surprised when she realizes how much kinder warm temperatures are to her husband’s nether regions when not immersed in a cold loch.

This book was a hit for me and can be read as a standalone. I’d recommend it if you like large brawny lairds, beautiful well-read adventurers and romance with a lot of heart and humor. I received an early copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Steam: 🪭🪭.5
Humor: 🤡🤡🤡