Not That Duke

May 8, 2023
Bestseller James’s fun third Would-Be Wallflowers historical romance (after The Reluctant Countess) sets itself apart in the depth of its interpersonal complexities. Orphaned Lady Stella Corsham is decidedly not one of the incomparable beauties of her debut London season. An eccentric intellectual sporting spectacles, ill-suited clothes, and an unruly mop of red hair, she finds herself largely unaccompanied and wholly unimpressed by her prospects. Still, she longs for the love and admiration her fellow debutantes—especially the mysterious belle of every ball, Yasmin—attract. Silvester Parnell, Duke of Huntington, is the season’s biggest catch, and his indomitable mother is convinced that Stella is the only match for him, admiring her intelligence and backbone—but Silvester has his sights set on Yasmin. As his mother pushes Silvester and Stella together, the pair come to enjoy matching wits over rousing chess games, yet Silvester still doesn’t see Stella as a romantic partner—or so he tells himself. When he thinks he has competition for Stella’s affections, however, his own feelings become harder to deny. Though Stella’s self-pity grates through the first act, her steadily growing self-confidence is gratifying and her frank approach to her own sexual desires is refreshing. Lovers of historical romance will delight in these well-rounded, flawed characters learning to live their best lives. Agent: Kim Witherspoon, InkWell Management.

May 12, 2023

The third in James's "Would-Be Wallflowers" series (after The Reluctant Countess) pits a decidedly unconventional lady against a duke in search of the ideal wife. Lady Stella Corsham is unfashionable in every way: she's short, plump, bespectacled, redheaded, and opinionated. The only reason she has suitors at all is her generous dowry. Silvester Parnell, Duke of Huntington, is on the hunt for the perfect duchess: elegant, beautiful, well-mannered, and fashionable--a duchess like Lady Yasmin and utterly unlike Lady Stella, whom he laughingly calls "Specs." This enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance uses humor to show how a match that looks perfect on paper may be no match at all when it comes to chemistry, and the eccentric ladies of the Would-Be Wallflowers demonstrate how being a true individual is the height of fashion. Although some may struggle to understand Silvester's single-minded pursuit of Yasmin long after developing affection for Stella, those who sit back and enjoy the ride are in for a compelling and delightful read. VERDICT Readers need not have read previous books in the series to enjoy this light and humorous historical romance.--Meagan Day

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2023
An affable, eligible duke thought he knew whom he wanted to marry until he finds himself unexpectedly falling for a bespectacled and bookish lady instead. The dowager duchess may think Lady Stella Corsham would make a good match for her son, Silvester Parnell, Duke of Huntington, but he's not interested in marrying an opinionated, eccentric woman like his mother. For her part, Stella can't help her attraction to Silvester, but she knows he'd never consider her for a spouse--he's more interested in slender, charming women like Lady Yasmin R�gnier. Stella wants someone who would appreciate her intellect, like Giles Renwick, the Earl of Lilford. Still, Stella and Silvester become friends, and Silvester starts to appreciate Stella's appeal. When Yasmin and Giles marry each other, Silvester realizes he wants to marry Stella, but she doesn't want to feel like the second choice. A note at the beginning of the book explains that Part I overlaps with the time frame of The Reluctant Countess (2022), which focused on Yasmin and Giles. It stands on its own, although it might be more appreciated by those already familiar with the characters. Interpersonal relationships are the core of this low-stakes story; drama derives from miscommunications and incorrect assumptions as the characters socialize and attend balls and parties. The characters, particularly Stella and her kitten, are the highlight, but they're let down by a narrative that feels disjointed. Pacing can be sluggish, as some scenes feel overly drawn out or superfluous. A delightful heroine in a tedious story.

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July 1, 2023
Stella Corsham doesn't care what her societal peers say about wearing spectacles in public. She would rather see things clearly than be considered fashionable. One thing Stella thought she had plainly discerned was a friendship between herself and Silvester Parnell, duke of Huntington. Then one of Stella's frenemies informs her that Silvester was overheard mocking Stella's bespectacled and befreckled appearance. So, of course, when Silvester suddenly begins courting her, Stella is more than a tad suspicious. After all, how can Stella now believe that a man like Silvester might actually be making passes at a girl in glasses like her? The third smartly sexy and sharply witty addition to James' Would Be Wallflowers series, following The Reluctant Countess (2022), offers everything fans could hope for and expect from this romance genre luminary, including a smartly conceived plot that insightfully and empathetically explores the importance of finding one's place in the world, clever referencing of a sixteenth-century erotic poem, a look at the role gold plays in fiscal policies, and proof of why kittens always make life better.

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