It's been a minute since I've read Eloisa James, but I was feeling some good old historical romance and the synopsis got me.

I adored this cast of characters. Dominic, Torie and the twins were so much fun to read. The twins were absolute entertainment. I enjoyed how Dominic and Torie seemed incompatible but worked so well together (after they worked out a few kinks, of course.)

I do wish Dominic would have opened up and let loose a little sooner, and I didn't like how Torie kept such a large part of herself hidden from Dominic for so long. The reveal was done in a way that I wasn't really a fan of.

However, this is still a recommended read, and again, I had a great time reading it.

Clara next?

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

Families, Temper Tantrums, Secrets, Admitting Love:
My first time reading anything by this author, and I did enjoy the plot of the story and the characters for most of the story.
I totally enjoyed Torie who is fascinating and sparkling with an Inteligent mind, but she does have a reading flaw that we know today a Dyslexia.
Dominic who is Tories' sisters betrothed has his own issues and I found him fairly blank, but he seems quite fascinated with Tories positive personality.
The story is very involved with a large cast of characters that take the story into many situations. Some pleasant some not.
After conquering theirs fears, jealousy, miserable childhoods, discovering how to show their love for each other the story ends with a rewarding conclusion.
😢 Con: The intimate scenes seemed quite rushed and lacking in sensual emotion feelings enough to make my heart catch. No fan needed for me.
💖I liked the story well enough to read this author again.
💋Adult Advisory🌶🌶🌶
📖Rating: 3.8 rounded up to 4⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story had the potential for being interesting but ended up as a series of tropes: heroine who overcomes a disability (reading) by becoming an artist, humorless hero who suffered under his father's barbs as a youth and now wants to marry for an heir and NOT for love, two young precocious wards, and a pet (rabbit) that is more trouble than it is worth. To summarize, Viscount Dominic Kelbourne proposes to Torie after being jilted by her proper, elegant sister. Torie agrees because she loves his wards and is attracted to the Viscount even though there are a number of things she doesn't like about him. There are some extra scenes, such as a trip to a livestock market and the heroine fleeing to the country, that add nothing to the story.
As mentioned, the story started out promising but became tedious after the hero and heroine marry halfway through the book. I would not want to read this again, which is my measure of a truly great read.

Viscount in Love is the first in a new series by perennial favorite Eloisa James. Featuring a surly viscount and a literally illiterate artist, Viscount in Love displays a return of the wit and humor for which James's characters are best known. Thrown together when Dominic, the eponymous viscount is jilted by her sister, Tori initially wants nothing to do with the grumpy and domineering lord. She is quickly won over by his wards, though. The twin niece and nephew of Dominic are probably the most enjoyable characters in a book brimming with noteworthy ones. Though Tori cannot read, she is well educated and a devoted artist, and she takes the twins under her wing--and they allow her to spread her own wings. In so doing, she realizes that she has limited herself simply because of what society thinks. And her viscount? He realizes that he's been doing the same thing to both himself and his new wife.

The book gets a little long in the middle (tedious melodrama, unfortunately), but is overall a humorous and heartwarming read.

This was a great historical romance.

Torie is a free-spirited painter with the inability to read and write. When she meets her soon to be brother-in-law's orphaned, twin wards she instantly falls in love. The more time that she spends with the twins the more she realizes that her sister will not make the best guardian for them. She realizes that she may never get an offer due to her illiteracy, so she offers to raise them and is offered a proposal instead.

Dominic is a grumpy Viscount that is feared by the Ton. He picks Lenora because he believes she will make a perfect Viscountess. When his sister and her husband pass away and he becomes the guardian to his twin niece and nephew, he starts to question his choice. When he is jilted, he knows that Torie will make the perfect substitute. He thinks that Torie would be relieved by his proposal and is surprised when she turns him down. When he makes up his mind about something he will not give up until he gets it.

This is a great story of two very strong headed people falling in love. The twins add a fun factor to the story. The unconditional love that is provided by both Dominic and Torie is endearing. Even when Dominic is bumbling in his courting you cannot help but love his character.

I love reading historical stories that have disabilities that would not have been socially accepted in history but are now very common and accepted. Torie's dyslexia is a challenge for her, and people treat her in a way that we would never even think of.

The two main characters had great chemistry through the entire book. I was rooting for both of them to get the best happy ever after.

I loved the book and all of the characters. I cannot wait for more books in this series. If you like Grumpy heroes and strong reluctant heroines you will love this book.

Thank you Avon Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this book in exchange for my hones review.

Wow! This story!! Right from the beginning I was hooked. I don't want to give anything away so I'll just say...read it!! I'm definitely hoping for this to be a start of a series!!

Round up to 4.5
Victoria (Torie) Sutton cannot read. The ton learned this fact during her second comeout and has belittled her ever since despite her beauty. When the book opens, she is seemingly sleepwalking through life with no particular goals to speak of. Her sister Leonora on the other hand has always known what she wanted - a viscount. A duke would draw too much notice from the gossips and papers. A viscountess is just the right rank without the trials and tribulations that go with being a public figure. She bags her viscount in the form of Dominic Kelbourne and all is right with her world. Leonora drags out their engagement for years and then the death of Kelbourne's sister changes everything. His sister left twins in Kelbourne/Dominic's care. They are incorrigible and Leonora wants to send them to the country. Torie visits them as their soon to be Aunt and a fast friendship forms. Eventually Leonora breaks the engagement leaving Dominic and Torie in a fix. She cannot continue to visit the twins with no connection to Dominic.
This book is about two very flawed and damaged characters who somehow find their way to each
other and to a healing. While there is action involved in the book, it is very much character and relationship driven. Eloisa James is wonderful with dialogue. It is fast, witty and very poignant at times. These characters felt real warts and all. The twins were real characters in their own right and not cardboard ones as so many children are in books. My only quibble would be that Torie's sister and father's characters did not have a resolution. Other than that, I loved this book and read it in one sitting. A definite positive recommendation for Viscount in Love.
*Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC in return for a honest review.

Eloisa James doing what she does best!! A sexy, starchy hero, a chaotic heroine who doesn't quite fit in and needs to learn to embrace her own eccentricities, and - of course - a pair of slightly creepy but extremely lovable children. I'd read 100 more books like this if I could.

I absolutely adored this unconventional romance.
Victoria has accustomed herself to being regarded as nothing more than a pretty bit of fluff. Ornamental and vapid. Lacking the mental capacity to hold a conversation about anything of substance.
Her intelligence doesn't manifest itself through her ability to dissect literary works - her dyslexia prevents her from doing that. Because her dyslexia was misunderstood in Regency England, she is ridiculed as foolish and dumb by her family.

Dominic is engaged to marry Torie's elder sister, Leonora. His fiancee is very opinionated, although she hides it well. When her true colors reveal themselves, a calamity of circumstances leads Dominic and Torie to the altar. Their marriage of convenience, while characterized by incendiary attraction, is nothing more than that. A way for Dominic to acquire a hostess for his burgeoning political career and bring stability to his life. It is a way for Torie to escape the confines of her life and spread her wings. A way for her to become both an independent spirit and a mother. A way to garner safety.

The longer they spend in each other's company, the more Dominic realizes that his new bride's often flippant behavior disguises a well-honed, astute mind and a way of looking at the world that is new and enlightening. The longer they spend in each other's company, the more Torie realizes that her handsome, often ill-tempered husband is capable of cherishing her the way she's always wanted.

Watching this stubborn couple navigate their way into each other's hearts was one of the loveliest experiences of my reading year so far.

Eloisa James has been a favorite of mine for over 20 years! However, I DNF this novel. It seemed a departure from her usual style of writing. It will remain on my TBR list and we try it again in the future.

Fun start to a new series from one of the queens of romance. I do enjoy a marriage of convenience that is anything but convenient for both parties. The kids make this book; I about died trying to not laugh hysterically during the plane ride I was reading this book on. Get ready for hijinks and, of course, a happily ever after.

first time reader of eloisa james and i will certainly be reading more. i loved the low drama, high spice in this book and fell absolutely in love with valentine and florence. must read!

im not usually a regency reader and i did not love this book for that. it was fun and the characters were fun but it just isn't my vibe

Solid romance by Eloisa James. Charming children, likable hero, fun heroine. A frothy & satisfying read.

I was so excited to get this EARC because I love Eloisa James, and this book did not disappoint.
Viscount Dominic Kelbourne has been engaged to Lenora Sutton for 2 years, but she is in no rush to marry him. Her sister Victoria has not been lusting after him for 2 years either.
Suddenly, his twin niece and nephew are his wards after the death of their parents. They are 11 years old and quite unique. Victoria is entranced by them, Lenora thinks Victoria should be sent into the country with them, problem solved.
That is until the Viscount tells her his plans to keep them with him. And so our story begins.
Dominic is another hero who has had bad parenting. Victoria, called Torie, has a very bad case of dyslexia and has little hope of a love marriage.
She is, however, a painter, which will become a big plot point.
How all these characters interact is a particularly wonderful story. I can't wait for the next one and I can't even imagine who will be the characters, though I hope it will be best friend Clara.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.

Suddenly guardian to twins, Viscount Dominic Kelbourne is luckily betrothed to a suitable lady—until she elopes. With no time to woo, Dominic decides to marry his fiancée’s unconventional sister. Torie isn’t perfect, but their kisses are so passionate that society thinks he’s actually chosen her.

Torie has never been able to make sense of words on a page, so she has turned her talents to art. She longs for a man who values her as she is… but marries for the sake of the twins. She doubts Dominic is capable of love, let alone respect, but as their heated debates turn into something more, Torie begins to imagine a life as a wife, not a nanny.

But when the arrogant viscount finds that his viscountess has stolen his heart, he’ll have to give all he has to win her love.

Kayne: This is my favorite historical romance I’ve read this year. I adored both the heroine and the hero in the story, despite his flaws and the romance was hot.



Viscount in Love is the first book in the Accidental Brides series. In it, Viscount Dominic Kelbourne suddenly becomes the guardian to his twin niece and nephew after his sister and her husband pass away in a carriage accident. His fiancé, Leonora, whom he thought would be the perfect wife to help him with his political career suddenly elopes with another Lord and leaves him in need of a bride to help him with his new wards.

His eye falls on Leonora’s sister Torie. She is wonderful with the twins, she’s lovely and kind, and the more he's around her, he finds himself attracted to her, so he visits her father and offers for her. It's not, he thinks, love, but it will work.

Dominic has his faults but I really liked his character. He is known for his temper (he bellows in the House of Lords) but I like that he owns up to his mistakes. He’ll say the wrong thing and accidentally insult someone but then realizes it immediately and apologizes. I found him appealing and, regularly, funny.

Torie is one of my favorite historical heroines.Society dismisses her because she can't read--the reader realizes she's dyslexic--but Dominic sees how smart she really is and how joyful she is, no matter how much the world knocks her down. And while, initially, she doesn't want to marry a man who just wants her as a nanny, she does desire Dominic and she loves that he so desires her. Their relationship is spicy--this is one of James' hotter love stories!

What did you think of Dominic and Torie?

Dabney: I like the leads a lot as well. Dominic is an emotional idiot--a very sexy emotional idiot--and I liked how he pushed himself to do better. Torie, who reminded me strongly of Mia from Four Nights with the Duke, is a classic James heroine--full of heart, humor, and just enough self-doubt to be adorable. Together, the two fogged up my iPad with all the steam they generated--this is one of James' hotter reads--and I enjoyed their story.

What did you think about the twins?

Kayne: I liked how the twins connected with Torie right away, and she with them. Florence and Vincent are eccentric eleven year olds, grieving for their parents. They have been neglected in the country and don’t have proper manners.

It’s a funny scene when Leonora and Torie meet the twins - Florence is writing horrid, gruesome stories and when Dominic asks his fiancé, Leonora, if she is ready to help him manage their care, she suggests Torie can retire to the country with them and paint. (Torie loves to paint.) I will say, I wasn't surprised when Lenora eloped--it's clear that she is not cut out to mother such unusual children.

Dabney: I liked the twins but they veer awfully close to twee. I just don't believe that there are kids who behave this way, especially not in the Regency era. But they are written for comic relief and they are funny although I found the whole rabbit poop thing a bit much. (You'll have to read the book!)

Kayne: I enjoyed their adventures with the rabbits, although I agree with you about the rabbit poop! Torie reminded me of Linnet from When Beauty Tamed the Beast, which is one of my favorite Eloisa James books. Both women are beautiful but misunderstood and looked down upon by society, Torie because of her dyslexia and Linnet because everyone thought she was pregnant. I haven’t read Four Nights with the Duke yet but it sounds like one I would enjoy so I will definitely check it out.

Dabney: What did you think about the romance between Torie and Dominic?


Kayne: In the beginning it was like a marriage of convenience. Dominic needed someone to help him with the twins and Torie had grown attached to them and wanted to be near them. But it didn’t take long before the chemistry between them combusted and they were on fire for each other.



Dabney: I liked the romance even though it was, for much of the book, mostly about lust. Which is fine but I felt like the emotional part of the story was more obscure than I'd have liked.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the novel is that Torie is a damn fine artist or so all those who understand art tell us so. I wished for more descriptions of the art--I had a hard time figuring out what, exactly, petals that indicated the passing of time looked like. And there is a description mid-book from Dominic that made the art sound Cubistic. I did love that she is so adamant that she must paint. What did you think about her avocation?

Kayne: I loved the mystery surrounding Torie’s artwork. Her father described her paintings as kittens, roses and bunnies and I began to suspect that he underestimated her. I hesitate to say too much because I don’t want to give anything away, but I thought it was great fun as we learned more about Torie and her artwork!

Dabney: I enjoyed this because James is a brilliant trope writer. But, not only did Torie remind me of another of James' heroines, the plot felt recycled too. This is a B read for me simply because, as much as I had a very fun time reading it, I feel like I've read this story from this author before.

What's your take?

Kayne: I was captivated by this story. It had passion, humor and spice and I didn’t want it to end. My grade is an A.

I’ve had only just started reading some of Eloisa James’s books, but I have so far enjoyed her writing. I especially enjoy the heroines she creates as well as the more progressive minded of heroes. However, I can’t say I enjoyed Dominic’s character all that much. For one, the way he referred to Torie simply because of her learning difficulties, did not sit well with me. Perhaps because my profession is in education, I a bit more sensitive that kind of mentality or rhetoric. Of course, I understand and appreciate the need to maintain some semblance of historical accuracy. It’s just not appealing to read in a hero set in a romance novel.

Additionally, the twins were eccentric, yes—they were clearly neurodivergent. The way they were referred to by second characters also irked me. I tried power through that by reconciling that with the period and its historical context. Unfortunately, when they started talking about Dom’s mistress and how he “didn’t like to told what to do” and/or his previous declaration that having a mistress was not categorized as “infidelity”. . . yeah he wasn’t so progressive minded then.

All that impacted my general enjoyment of the story, but I still very much like Ms. James writing styles just not considering marking this one as one of my favorites.

*ARC provided by Net Galley. I have given my honest and voluntary review.

I normally love Eloisa James books, but this one was a bit of a miss. It took a while to get into the book. Viscount Dominic Kelbourne is engaged to Torie's sister, but she no longer wants to marry him when she realizes that he is the guardian for his sister's twins: Florence and Valentine. Torie cannot read, and her family and the rest of society treat her like she is unintelligent. Torie is passionate about painting, and I loved the descriptions of her painting. Kelbourne asks Torie to marry him after his engagement with her sister falls through. She worries that he is only marrying her to be a mother to the twins. Torie is a charming, likable main character. Something felt off about the character of Kelbourne; he would pivot from being very stoic and emotionless to extremely passionate.

I really liked this book. Our hero, Viscount Dominic Kelbourne (Dom), is engaged to the heroine’s sister, Lenora. Because of this Victoria aka Torie, believes that she can speak freely to him and not try to please him. This led to some rather hilarious conversations. However, once Dom became the guardian of his sister's children, a set of twins named Valentine and Florence, Lenora became even more wary about marrying her fiancé. She had good cause. The children had been rather neglected and were not well bred. They were incredibly brilliant and creative and intrigued by death. Torie got on with them famously. When Torie felt that the twins’ manners had progressed to a level of success, she invited her sister to have lunch with them. It did not go well. It in fact led to Lenora running off in the middle of the night to marry another man. The next morning when Torie's father, Sir William, called the Viscount over to break the news to him, Dom revealed that he had paid $10,000 to marry Lenora and if he wasn't repaid, he would have Torie as a substitute bride. She did not appreciate that. Nor did she appreciate that her father told Dom she couldn’t because he had already promised her to a Duke who had been courting her.

One part of the story that was frequently mentioned, was Torie’s inability to read. She thought it was the reason why she had failed to secure a husband in her first and second seasons. It turns out it was because her father was charging the men who proposed a fee to marry his daughters. This is actually the reverse of how it usually went at that time when a woman came into the marriage with a dowry. Turns out that Sir William was not only a drunk but also gambled and there were no dowries for his daughters. As to Torie’s inability to read, i was quite pleased that the only mention of dyslexia was in the author's note after the book ended.

So that I don't spoil too much of the book, I will let you find out how and where hero and heroine come together and what keeps them apart, what happens to the twins, and a few other interesting plot twists.

The banter in this book had me laughing out loud multiple times! I loved Torie and the twins! Dominic was a stick in the mud but had a good heart and a keen mind. Really, all the characters are quite fun.

I highly recommend this book! I am eager for the next book in what I believe will be a series.

I want to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins for access to an advanced readers copy. This was an honest review.

This felt like a realistic victorian romance where the man doesn't have modern ideals (which brings you out of the book), and while I found myself annoyed that the conflict seemed to revolve around the fact that she gave Dom orders, and what society would think, it felt true to the time period. The two year engagement length was kind of wild to Leonora, could definitely be cut down to 6 months and then have a longer engagement to Torie.