New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James returns to the Accidental Brides series with a romance about a forced marriage between a feisty heroine and a Scottish laird… neither of whom have plans to marry, let alone fall in love.
Desperate after her Season comes to a spectacularly disastrous end, the Honorable Miss Clara Vetry jumps into a carriage hired to take a housekeeper to Scotland.
The laird of Castle CaerLaven has no interest in a wife, especially a love match—but when Caelan sees his new housekeeper, he changes his mind. Marriage to a delectable bookworm strikes him as a perfect arrangement.
To his surprise, Clara refuses his proposal once…and again…yet again.
When her true identity is revealed, and they’re forced to marry, Caelan realizes he has a far more crucial challenge.
He finally has Clara’s hand—but how will he ever win her heart?
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Sexual Content - 3/5
3/5
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Violence - 0/5
0/5
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Language - 3/5
3/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 0/5
0/5
Summary
Hardly a Gentleman by Eloisa James is a steamy, charming romance full of wit, heart, and delightfully mismatched characters. It tells the story of Clara, a curvy, independent young woman whose fourth London Season ends in scandal after a humiliating encounter with the Prince Regent. Shamed and exiled to Scotland by her status-obsessed mother, Clara refuses to quietly accept her fate. Instead, she seizes the chance for an adventure—posing as a housekeeper and heading to the rugged Highlands.
Her unexpected arrival at Castle CaerLaven kicks off a spirited and funny clash with Caelan, a reclusive widower determined to live in peace with his books and whisky. Their first meeting—when Clara catches him fishing in the nude—is laugh-out-loud funny and sets the tone for their fiery and slow-burning romance.
Clara is spirited and refreshingly direct, winning over the castle’s neglected staff and dragging Caelan (grudgingly) into cleanliness and companionship. While both are wary of love—Clara, due to recent betrayal, and Caelan, due to lingering secrets—their chemistry is undeniable. Their banter, emotional push-pull, and eventual honesty make for a satisfying arc, even if a few miscommunications stretch on a bit too long.
Supporting characters add charm and humor, especially Caelan’s sister Fiona, the loyal staff, and Clara’s scene-stealing young cousin Alfie with his pet chicken, Wilhelmina.
Overall, Hardly a Gentleman is an entertaining read with richly drawn characters and heartfelt emotion. Readers who enjoy bold heroines, reluctant heroes, and a touch of Scottish chaos will find this story a delightful escape.
Sexual content - steamy
Language - 8 uses of the F word. 23 uses of D@mn,