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: 🤡🤡🤡

Clara Vetry (the Honorable Clara Vetry, in fact) needs to leave London, and badly. Prinny, heir to the throne of England, has marked her as a favorite of his. Clara reacts impulsively to an untoward advance, hitting him, and perhaps making her mother shrink in horror. So, she's off to Scotland to live with an aunt she's never met. But another impulsive moment has her on a different coach instead, heading to a castle where there's a young laird in need of a housekeeper. It's extremely clear to the widower Caelan MacCrae that Clara is a lady and not a housekeeper, but her company delights him and he's in need of delighting, and in more desperate need of a woman in his house again than he knew.

A delight to read, this book had me laughing almost from start to finish. I haven't read as many of Eloisa James's newer books (I've read many of her older books though) and I love seeing how she takes her keen eye to character-building and applies humor that works well for a 2025 reader.

When a book has a widowed main character, I often prefer a book where the deceased spouse was loved. Caelan loved his late wife, though the relationship was far more complex than most people understood. It's very easy for Clara to spend intimate moments wondering about comparison. Additionally, the attention Clara has had from Prinny is understandably woven into her reactions to sex and intimacy, but her resilience and interest in Caelan make her embrace her passions rather than shrink.

I particularly liked the author's note from Eloisa James, who approached this novel through the lens of the literature her main characters may have been reading at the time. She imagines Clara and Isla reading similar books of beleaguered heroines and having the opposite effect on them as women, from climbing trees and being adventurous to the rigidly chaste and prudish. I enjoyed reflecting on that dichotomy.

I did not read the first book in the series - I'm waiting for my library hold months later still - and did not find this romance lacking. You can safely start here.

I am a huge Eloisa James fan, and I have been waiting for this book!
In this adventure we meet Caelan who is laird of Castle Caerlaver. He isn't interested in marriage. He is happy with the way things are, well…except his home is falling apart and can't even find a housekeeper. Now we find Miss Clara Vetry. Her Season didn't go so well, in fact it ended up disastrous. She takes matters into her own hand, she is that strong willed. She jumps in a carriage headed for Scotland, as a housekeeper of all things. She is okay with this turn of events because she isn't too fond of marriage to begin with. She prefers her books and freedom. Turns out she is supposed to be the housekeeper to Caelan. Soon they begin to fall for each other. And when a unexpected marriage to each other takes priority he must find a way to win her heart.
This story has it all strong characters, great storyline & back-story and a keeps you on the edge of your seat for more type of story. The perfect combination of great conversation, wit and of course that magical passion you're not going to want to put it down! You are going to love this adventure.
I loved it!!! You will too. Enjoy the adventure.

Hardly a Gentleman is my favourite Eloisa James novel I've read!
When the opening scene is of the MC fly fishing naked in a loch I knew I was going to love the vibe of this book. And Eloisa James just doubled down with reprising the scene for when the MCs meet for the first time ―esp. with how shocked Clara is later on in the novel with Caelen's anatomy after her first glimpse.

There were so many times I laughed out loud during this book. I loved Clara's character from her animal inspired reticules to taking her future into her own hands in a coaching yard in by assuming the identity of a housekeeper. How Caelen fell first and kept asking for her hand. The whole idea that he was like 'you want a castle and books and I have a castle and books' and Clara is like pass. Until she could not pass any longer. I enjoyed Caelen's slight cluelessness on how to win Clara's heart & how his widower past effected him in ways that he did not foresee.

We've got a hidden identity trope (well Clara's attempt at it...), the elements of forced proximity that only a small town can provide as well as a forced union to avoid scandal.

To say I loved this story would be an understatement. I have never laughed while reading a story as much as I did reading this one. The author wrote fantastic dialogues that made reading a great joy. I loved both Caelan and Clara and the banter between them was hilarious throughout the story. There were secondary characters who added greatly to the story. This was a new author for me and I intend to read more of her work. I highly recommend this story.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

Eloisa James is a treasure! I've loved every one of her books.

Clara Vetry is having a difficult time. After a scandalous incident at a ball caused by the Crown Prince, her mother decides to send her to Scotland to live with an aunt. Her mother intends for her aunt to find her a husband - any husband.

Clara does not like her mother's plans for her. She is supposed to be chaperoned by her dresser to the aunt's house but they each go their separate ways. A carriage is waiting for a housekeeper - Clara tells the driver that she is the housekeeper, and eventually arrives at a somewhat dilapidated castle in Scotland. Her first meeting with her new employer is when he is at the loch, wearing nothing. Unless holding a net or a fishing pole counts.

Caelen is the Laird and he is a widower. Caelen quickly figures out - as does the rest of the staff - that Clara has no idea of how to keep a house. They each had misunderstandings to overcome; while Clara thought that Caelen was grieving his deceased wife, Caelen thought that Clara was married since she wore a wedding ring. It took a while for the two of them to figure everything out.

I received an e-arc from Avon and Harper Voyager, and voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

This book touch on grief, loss of a loved one, and sexual abuse/harassment as part of the plot. Yet, it also brings the reader around to healing, fun, joy, and strength. Clara and Caelan are brought together due to issues not of Clara's making. Excellent banter, secret identities, some steam and the beauty of protection when necessary. Beautifully written, well paced and full of colorful characters. A solid read!

We both really, really loved this one! Clara Vetry is banished from London by her mother after a frightful encounter with the Prince Regent. Instead of going to her relative's house, Clara instead takes the place of "Mrs. Potts," housekeeper-to-be for Caelan, hot Scottish laird (complete with kilt, castle, books, and whiskey). There's major instalust, super fun banter, and so much sexy sex! (I personally loved how much Caelan liked dirty talk AND how much Clara just wanted him to shut up and get on with it.)

We both agree that THIS is how you write a book without a major driving plot. It's also a master class in how to work with lots of different tropes without letting them get out of hand: the fake identity never causes issues; the sunshine/grump pairing never devolves into stereotype; and side characters who could have read as stock (the matchmaking sister, the meddling ex-mother-in-law, the precocious child) all had plenty of complexity and interiority. And while the book begins with an absurd but awful groping from the Prince Regent, the incident doesn't feel underplayed or overblown.

This is just a great historical all around. 10/10 would read again.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

We first meet the exceptionally sexy Laird Caelan MacCrae when he is fishing. Midstream. In the nude. With thighs like tree trunks. It was then that I knew I would love this book, and the rest of the book continued to fulfill my desperate, current need for a five star romance. The introduction to the heroine, Miss Clara Vetry, also shines as exceptional and memorable. After being mauled and harassed by Prince George, Clara defends herself using her very own mammalian inspired fashion design. She then takes the first opportunity to escape her circumstances by “pretending” to be a housekeeper to the messy and masculine laird, Caelan. Widowed and publicly pitied, Caelan’s past continues to haunt the couple, but their robust, physical love defeats their past legacies.

Oh, how I love this book. Let me count just a few ways…

1. Eloisa James’ dialogue always resonates as exceptionally witty, dynamic, and romantic. I could spend my life smiling as I read her banter between couples. Caelan and Clara are certainly no exception to this, and when they are together (picnicking, fishing, bathing), I found myself completely enthralled. James uses humor beautifully, and I often (quite literally) laugh out loud while reading her novels.

2. Eloisa James composes allusions and connections to other literary classics in such a brilliant manner. From the digs at Juliet to the inclusion of Robert Burns to the motifs of Rebecca, I relished the literary tapestry James creates here.

3. This book depicts both masculinity and femininity as messy, vibrant, and sensual. Clara and Caelan are each marginalized by their partners and communities for their hearty presentations of their gender. This results in a fascinating social commentary and creates truly electric physical chemistry between the two characters.

4. I applaud Eloisa James for having this hairy, huge, sexy Scottish laird be naked as much as possible in the book. What an absolute delight.

I highly recommend this book to those who are new to Eloisa James or to those who are James aficionados (Jamesinados). This book reveals the power of historical romance to connect us to the past (James’ research is always notable) and to help us escape the present. Cheers to James for this triumph and many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

Overall rating:

This was such a delightful, unique love story.

Clara’s mother sends her away from London (and the unwanted attentions of married royalty) to Scotland, where she is to meet an acquaintance. Instead, desperate for freedom, she hops into a waiting carriage, asserting herself as the housekeeper hired for Castle CaerLaven, whose laird is a young widower, Caelan.

It becomes apparent to everyone immediately that Clara is not a housekeeper, but she is accepted into the community with open arms and without (many) questions. And when she and Caelan feel an immediate pull towards each other, it’s not a question of *if* they’ll get together, but how and when.

Full of humor, frank discussions about grief and loss, and found family, this historical romance was a steamy delight.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, steamy, heartwarming and kept me reading. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.