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Veena’s review of The Reluctant Countess (Would-Be Wallflowers, Book 2) by Eloisa James
Historical Romance published by Avon 29 Nov 22 

The last thing the very proper Earl of Lilford needs in his life is to be associated with the so-very-unproper Lady Yasmin, and yet he gives in to temptation night after night by dancing the first waltz of the evening with her. It’s definitely against his and his family’s best interests to take that relationship any further, but the heart wants what the heart wants.

Yasmin is the granddaughter of an English duke and, thanks to his position, is accepted in the Ton.  Her past as the daughter of Napoleon’s mistress and aborted love affair with a French dandy keeps her from being welcomed or even considered marriageable material. Of course, it doesn’t help that she provokes society by dressing and acting provocatively.

She’s attracted to Giles and he to her, but that attraction has no future. Besides, his sister is definitely not cupid on the scene doing everything in her power to come between her brother and his heart. Interestingly his sister is guilty of all that she accuses Yasmin of and more.  That is one lady who does not get her comeuppance in this story.

When chance puts Giles and Yasmin in a compromising situation, Giles offers for her hand.  The story sparkles as the two of them dance around each other on their way to the altar. A great cast of secondary characters and a bit of drama, this is a wonderful chapter in the series.

Grade: B

Summary:

Giles Renwick, Earl of Lilford, has never made a fool of himself over a woman—until he meets Lady Yasmin Régnier. Yasmin is ineligible for his attentions in every way: not as a wife, certainly not as a mistress (she is a lady!), nor even as a friend, since they vehemently dislike each other.  Her gowns are too low, and her skirts are dampened to cling to admittedly lovely thighs. She loves to gossip—and giggle.

She isn’t dignified, or polite, or even truly British, given that her father’s French ancestry clearly predominated. Not to mention the fact that her mother had been one of Napoleon’s mistresses, a fact she makes no effort to hide.

So what—in heaven’s name—possesses him to propose?

And what will he do if she says yes?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: