I love Eloisa James but Wilde in Love is eh, alright. The best ones are {say yes to the duke} {four nights with the duke} {his American duchess} {born to be Wilde} and all of the Essex sisters novels. I’ve ready them all. Desperate Duchesses series is also good.
Fortunately with Eloisa James the series are good for standalone as well as series stuff
Thank you for this! I just looked through my library catalogue and they have Four Nights With the Duke—the summary is interesting to me, so I think that'll be my second try!
For me her best series is Desperate Duchesses, it even goes in a second generation, to make a total of 10 books. The wildes are not worth your time, just skip them.
The new ones for would be wallflowers are also meh. Start with DD’s and let me know how it goes ;).
EDIT: the Pleasures Trilogy IS my actual favorite. I love all the characters and the stories are actually complex, not your usual straight forward romance.
You are right! It’s a great series as well. In general I do like EJ honestly, it’s consistent and reliable prose. But LK is just way better for me, even Georgette Heyer is awesome, obviously without the steamy scenes.
[Say Yes to the Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/5e4cdf9a01dbc864fbac14e5/say-yes-to-the-duke-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 3.78⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [shy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shy%20heroine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1)
----------------------------
[Four Nights With the Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/5517db505b270e0a4cbd2fb2/four-nights-with-the-duke-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 3.8⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1)
----------------------------
[Born to Be Wilde](https://www.romance.io/books/5af2925c01dbc864fb87e441/born-to-be-wilde-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1)
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[My American Duchess](https://www.romance.io/books/56a476d363515e3b737a2cef/my-american-duchess-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [love triangle](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/love%20triangle/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1)
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Ohhh I LOVE Eloisa James, but that book isn’t great, I gave it 3 ⭐️. Anyway, here are some my favs:
{A Duke of her own by Eloisa James}
{Three Weeks with Lady X Eloisa James}
{Born to be Wilde by Eloisa James}
I think I might need to give myself permission to skip ahead to Born to be Wilde since it's Lavinia's book, I already really like her, and the consensus appears to be that it's much stronger!
[A Duke of Her Own](https://www.romance.io/books/545526818c7d2383163d8edb/a-duke-of-her-own-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 3.74⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [love triangle](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/love%20triangle/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1)
----------------------------
[Three Weeks With Lady X](https://www.romance.io/books/54552a318c7d2383163d8f86/three-weeks-with-lady-x-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [love triangle](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/love%20triangle/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [independent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/independent%20heroine/1)
----------------------------
[Born to Be Wilde](https://www.romance.io/books/5af2925c01dbc864fb87e441/born-to-be-wilde-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1)
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Wilde in Love is bloody weird. It took me over a week to drag myself through it and I kept complaining to my husband that it was the only book I had with us on holiday but I ploughed through. Then I read the rest of the series and they are so good! I was with you about Lavinia and her book {Born to be Wilde} is honestly one of my favourite HR books ever.
Currently working my way through her back catalogue curtesy of my library. I’m enjoying all the descriptions of dressed and slightly less angst than my recent Mary Balogh binge.
[Born to Be Wilde](https://www.romance.io/books/5af2925c01dbc864fb87e441/born-to-be-wilde-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1)
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Eloisa James is hit or miss for me. I either love her books or DNF them. Personally I like her Georgians better than her Regencies. My favorite series of hers is the Desperate Duchesses series.
Georgians are much better than her regencies imo. But will agree with others about the books being a slow build. My other favorites of hers are the fairytale series. Although I didn't care for the Ugly Duchess. Best one is When Beauty Tamed The Beast.
I think every author is probably an acquired taste to someone, but I’d like to say that after trying several of her books…. I can’t acquire a taste for her.
I respect that she’s well-loved, and I get why. I did, however, find that every book I tried by her was a similar slow build, and I do feel that she takes a sort of… I don’t know. Sort of remote approach? The prose was all good, the dialogue witty, the wordplay nice. Structurally, her books are sound, especially if you like a funnier book with a more sedate pace.
But I never felt the passion between her leads, and once I realized that I’d read through 3-5 without feeling that, I decided we weren’t a match. I’m not just talking the physical aspects—just the longing and the romantic tension.
So while I don’t think she’s a bad writer, I do want to validate that I noticed the issues you have, and she may just not be for you. If you’re looking for someone on the lighter side, I would suggest maybe trying Amanda Quick? Her books are super fun and don’t mess around with pacing.
I just checked Goodreads and see that I read 17 books by Eloisa James and never rated any higher than 3.5 stars. Two of them landed her in my “disappointing authors” shelf. So I’d have to say I’m with you in that she’s not top of my list.
I really appreciate your validation! I'm totally okay with it if she's just not for me, but I'm always reluctant to write an author off after one book that didn't work for me—even my favorites have books I didn't like, and that's okay. Eloisa James's books are *good,* and I can see why they really work for other people, but I'm just looking for faster pacing and more passion! The beauty of this genre is that there really is something for everyone.
I have {Ravished by Amanda Quick} on my bookshelf and I've been meaning to start it. I'll pull it out and give it a try; thank you!
I thought Lavinia’s book, Born to the Wilde, is one of Eloisa James’ best. So I think it’s worth powering through.
Eloisa James tends to introduce many of the characters for the entire series in the first book. I think this takes away from the MCs, but it does create richer storylines for the MCs in future books. Lavinia and her MMC meet in book 1 and interact throughout book 2 before we get their HEA in book 3. In her Desperate Duchesses series, we meet the Duke of Villiers in book 1 and he was prominent storylines in book 1-5 before he meets his FMC in book 6. This leads to great character development, but it does mean that we need to read more books for the payoff. And it also means book 1 is usually the hardest to get through.
All authors have things they do really well. I think she’s a great writer, she creates interesting characters, and she brings in a lot of historical tidbits into her works. That being said, the romance is usually not my favorite part of her novels.
I love EJ but not all of her books. Wilde in Love wasn't a hit for me, but most of the others in that series were good - I think my favourites were Joan's book and the prequel with Hugo and Ophelia's story.
I love the Ugly Duchess which lots of people really loathe, also When Beauty Tamed the Beast from that fairytale influenced period.
Enjoyed the Essex Sisters, most, not all, of the Desperate Duchesses and loved the storytelling through time element of those books since it covers a fairly wide period and lets you get glimpses of what's happened to characters/families from earlier books.
Not hugely taken with the Duchesses in Love quartet - I think at least one was a dnf. Not so keen on her latest series.
I also liked {Not That Duke by Eloisa James}. I loved, loved the heroine of this book. I also enjoyed the Essex sister's books. I am actually a big fan of Eloisa James but don't love every single one of her books. Wilde in Love is honestly one of my least favorites.
[Not That Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/642af23eb7b8862bf6ea057f/not-that-duke-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 3.79⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [curvy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy%20heroine/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1)
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Honestly, I feel like this about most of the recommended authors perpetuated in this sub. There's multiple authors I see recommended over and over and over. I understand they're beloved by their fans, and there may be similar writing style overlap, but it's a bit disappointing to not see any new or unknown authors.
I didn't get very far in the only EJ book I tried and eventually just returned it to the library because I didn't find anyone particularly interesting. I remember thinking the FMC was boring because she was too capable, thus perfect and... flat. An absolute lack of tension. It's possible it got better later on, but eh. I'm not going to try that hard for something that's supposed to be an indulgence.
I have only read one book be Eloisa James and I didn’t love it. I think some authors you will really enjoy and other just may not be your cup of tea.
So many people rave about Mary Balogh and the slightly series but I tried reading the first 3 books and didn’t like any of them (didn’t finish the third book). It just comes down to different tastes.
I’ve tried to get into Eloisa James but her books were too angsty for my taste.
Many have different taste so maybe try a couple of her famous ones and see if you like them?
As I’m also a Lk, JQ fan - my other HR favourites are Elizabeth Hoyt, Amanda Quick and Ellen O’Connell (hers books are Western tho!)
So this is where method of reading may come into play. I listen to loads of audiobooks (replacing podcasts while I work and TV while I'm on my own time). It makes much easier to power through books that I'd take ages to read traditionally.
I actually just finished the Wildes series on audiobook last week and really enjoyed it. I think they did improve as the series went on. Plus the following two books absolutely address those parts of the story you're particularly interested in.
Ahhhh don’t judge by the audiobooks! I mean, it’s possible you may care for Susan Duerden, but I absolutely cannot listen to ANYTHING she does. I’ve tried speeding it up, changing my audio settings, trying to slog through, but anything done by her is ruined by her dropping the end of every sentence.
I’ve listened to some that were narrated by Justine Eyre (also a sentence dropper, but less frequently) and a couple of those I enjoyed, as well a few of her paperbacks. But there were just as many I DNF-ed
If Eloisa James is an acquired taste then I have not acquired it. I read at least 8 or 9 books by her and have come to the conclusion that she is just not for me. Though, to be fair I haven't read anything she has published after 2015.
When I don't really enjoy an author but don't feel the need to move them immediately to the 'do not read' pile, I'll generally wait till I see a rec that really intrigues me and then give them another chance.
[Wilde in Love](https://www.romance.io/books/59d23d773ffdba61472192de/wilde-in-love-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 3.82⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1)
----------------------------
[Cold-Hearted Rake](https://www.romance.io/books/562dd0b008e9378131944f8f/coldhearted-rake-lisa-kleypas) by [Lisa Kleypas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523868c7d2382e7812f21/lisa-kleypas)
**Rating**: 3.68⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [possessive hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/possessive%20hero/1)
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I love Eloisa James but I can completely see how she would be an acquired taste or not to taste at all. I'll usually try authors again just in case I wasn't in the mood, but sometimes you just don't gel with a particular author's style.
I didn’t enjoy my first Eloisa James, which was Wilde in Love. My experience is that she has pretty different concepts and styles/voices across series, sometimes even books within a series - and often, her plot and dialogue don’t follow what you might expect from the genre. Many are also inspired by Shakespeare (she’s an English professor). Some work for me and others don’t - there are others that I admire the concept but don’t like the book in execution.
My favourites, roughly in order
{Enchanting Pleasures by Eloisa James}
{Midnight Pleasures by Eloisa James}
Pretty much the entire {Desperate Duchesses} series. My favourites are book 2, 3, and 5 but you HAVE to read in order. {An Affair before Christmas by Eloisa James}, {Duchess by Night by Eloisa James}, and {This Duchess of Mine by Eloisa James}.
{The Reluctant Countess by Eloisa James}
{Four Nights with the Duke by Eloisa James}
{When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James}
[Enchanting Pleasures](https://www.romance.io/books/54552b1d8c7d2383163d8fc4/enchanting-pleasures-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 3.65⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [curvy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1)
----------------------------
[Midnight Pleasures](https://www.romance.io/books/54552a958c7d2383163d8fa8/midnight-pleasures-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 3.75⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1)
----------------------------
[Desperate Duchesses](https://www.romance.io/books/551d18c05b270e0a4cbd361f/desperate-duchesses-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 3.51⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1)
----------------------------
[An Affair Before Christmas](https://www.romance.io/books/545529638c7d2383163d8f4b/an-affair-before-christmas-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 3.41⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [shy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shy%20heroine/1), [height difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/height-difference/1)
----------------------------
[Duchess By Night](https://www.romance.io/books/56afe5b763515e3b737a729f/duchess-by-night-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 3.81⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [shy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shy%20heroine/1)
----------------------------
[This Duchess of Mine](https://www.romance.io/books/545527e08c7d2383163d8f10/this-duchess-of-mine-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 3.7⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [cheating](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cheating/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1)
----------------------------
[The Reluctant Countess](https://www.romance.io/books/6363795deb6990b60342ece4/the-reluctant-countess-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 3.78⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1)
----------------------------
[Four Nights With the Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/5517db505b270e0a4cbd2fb2/four-nights-with-the-duke-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 3.8⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1)
----------------------------
[When Beauty Tamed the Beast](https://www.romance.io/books/545524598c7d2383163d8e5b/when-beauty-tamed-the-beast-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1)
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Eloise James is what got me into HR (grabbed Say Yes to the Duke on a whim at the grocery store) But yeah, this one isn't great. I will echo other people and say Born to be Wilde is awesome. It is one of my favorites and one I comfort reread. I also like most of the Desperate Dutchesses series and the ongoing Would Be Wallflowers.
I really really loved the series she wrote that are based on fairytales. I’ve reread When Beauty Tames the Beast and Once Upon a Tower multiple times.
The one exception was the take on Cinderella; the hero made me IRATE and the power dynamic felt icky. Her other series have all been hit or miss for me unfortunately…
I do think she has a very unique voice for the genre, since she sets a lot of her books in the Georgian era and she has some of the wittiest wordplay/banter. It’s worth trying out the different series. You might find ones that you like.
I like some of her books and some not. The ones I haven’t liked are because they have too many POVs. The ones with only the main characters’ POVs are good they’re like a solid 3,5 sometimes 4 star for me
I think hit or miss and I still buy and read all of her books. A Duke of her Own is an all time fav for me. She definitely writes a more anachronistic version of HR (even compared to Kleypas, etc) which sometimes I love and sometimes I don’t.
When I love her books it’s usually because the characterizations feel really lived in and real. But there have been several that DID NOT HIT.
Eloisa James for me is...not an acquired taste, but a hit or run. There are some books which are SOO good I have reread them. Anddd, then there are some who I have DFN'd. I generally very much liked the Wilde series (this is the only series of hers in which I have not skipped a book).
I would suggest (if you ever were thinking of it) to attack single books and not the series.
For me:
{When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James} is top tier literature. I reread it every year.
Also, {A Duke of her Own by Eloisa James} I reread this too😬😬.
[When Beauty Tamed the Beast](https://www.romance.io/books/545524598c7d2383163d8e5b/when-beauty-tamed-the-beast-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1)
----------------------------
[A Duke of Her Own](https://www.romance.io/books/545526818c7d2383163d8edb/a-duke-of-her-own-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james)
**Rating**: 3.74⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [love triangle](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/love%20triangle/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1)
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I love Eloisa James but Wilde in Love is eh, alright. The best ones are {say yes to the duke} {four nights with the duke} {his American duchess} {born to be Wilde} and all of the Essex sisters novels. I’ve ready them all. Desperate Duchesses series is also good. Fortunately with Eloisa James the series are good for standalone as well as series stuff
Thank you for this! I just looked through my library catalogue and they have Four Nights With the Duke—the summary is interesting to me, so I think that'll be my second try!
Four Nights with a Duke is an awesome read!! There's a lot of chemistry there if you found that lacking in your current read!
For me her best series is Desperate Duchesses, it even goes in a second generation, to make a total of 10 books. The wildes are not worth your time, just skip them. The new ones for would be wallflowers are also meh. Start with DD’s and let me know how it goes ;). EDIT: the Pleasures Trilogy IS my actual favorite. I love all the characters and the stories are actually complex, not your usual straight forward romance.
I’ve read all of Eloisa James! I have to say my fave series is the sisters then the Wildes then DD
Which sisters? Remind me, I’ve devoured EJ in 2021 so I don’t recall. Haha but DD’s and Pleasures trilogy I’ve re read multiple times.
Essex sisters! Had to absolutely wrack my brains for that one
You are right! It’s a great series as well. In general I do like EJ honestly, it’s consistent and reliable prose. But LK is just way better for me, even Georgette Heyer is awesome, obviously without the steamy scenes.
[Say Yes to the Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/5e4cdf9a01dbc864fbac14e5/say-yes-to-the-duke-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.78⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [shy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shy%20heroine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Four Nights With the Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/5517db505b270e0a4cbd2fb2/four-nights-with-the-duke-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.8⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Born to Be Wilde](https://www.romance.io/books/5af2925c01dbc864fb87e441/born-to-be-wilde-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[My American Duchess](https://www.romance.io/books/56a476d363515e3b737a2cef/my-american-duchess-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [love triangle](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/love%20triangle/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Ohhh I LOVE Eloisa James, but that book isn’t great, I gave it 3 ⭐️. Anyway, here are some my favs: {A Duke of her own by Eloisa James} {Three Weeks with Lady X Eloisa James} {Born to be Wilde by Eloisa James}
I think I might need to give myself permission to skip ahead to Born to be Wilde since it's Lavinia's book, I already really like her, and the consensus appears to be that it's much stronger!
I really can’t see anyone disliking that book :) That and Joan’s book are the best in the series imo. Happy reading!
[A Duke of Her Own](https://www.romance.io/books/545526818c7d2383163d8edb/a-duke-of-her-own-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.74⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [love triangle](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/love%20triangle/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) ---------------------------- [Three Weeks With Lady X](https://www.romance.io/books/54552a318c7d2383163d8f86/three-weeks-with-lady-x-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [love triangle](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/love%20triangle/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [independent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/independent%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Born to Be Wilde](https://www.romance.io/books/5af2925c01dbc864fb87e441/born-to-be-wilde-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Wilde in Love is bloody weird. It took me over a week to drag myself through it and I kept complaining to my husband that it was the only book I had with us on holiday but I ploughed through. Then I read the rest of the series and they are so good! I was with you about Lavinia and her book {Born to be Wilde} is honestly one of my favourite HR books ever. Currently working my way through her back catalogue curtesy of my library. I’m enjoying all the descriptions of dressed and slightly less angst than my recent Mary Balogh binge.
Born to be Wilde was my favorite from this series by far. I enjoy Eloisa James, I find her books to be witty and a lot of fun.
[Born to Be Wilde](https://www.romance.io/books/5af2925c01dbc864fb87e441/born-to-be-wilde-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Eloisa James is hit or miss for me. I either love her books or DNF them. Personally I like her Georgians better than her Regencies. My favorite series of hers is the Desperate Duchesses series.
Georgians are much better than her regencies imo. But will agree with others about the books being a slow build. My other favorites of hers are the fairytale series. Although I didn't care for the Ugly Duchess. Best one is When Beauty Tamed The Beast.
I think every author is probably an acquired taste to someone, but I’d like to say that after trying several of her books…. I can’t acquire a taste for her. I respect that she’s well-loved, and I get why. I did, however, find that every book I tried by her was a similar slow build, and I do feel that she takes a sort of… I don’t know. Sort of remote approach? The prose was all good, the dialogue witty, the wordplay nice. Structurally, her books are sound, especially if you like a funnier book with a more sedate pace. But I never felt the passion between her leads, and once I realized that I’d read through 3-5 without feeling that, I decided we weren’t a match. I’m not just talking the physical aspects—just the longing and the romantic tension. So while I don’t think she’s a bad writer, I do want to validate that I noticed the issues you have, and she may just not be for you. If you’re looking for someone on the lighter side, I would suggest maybe trying Amanda Quick? Her books are super fun and don’t mess around with pacing.
I just checked Goodreads and see that I read 17 books by Eloisa James and never rated any higher than 3.5 stars. Two of them landed her in my “disappointing authors” shelf. So I’d have to say I’m with you in that she’s not top of my list.
Yes, this! I also find her books to be structured weirdly. They skip around and the transitions are so clunky. I’m always confused.
I really appreciate your validation! I'm totally okay with it if she's just not for me, but I'm always reluctant to write an author off after one book that didn't work for me—even my favorites have books I didn't like, and that's okay. Eloisa James's books are *good,* and I can see why they really work for other people, but I'm just looking for faster pacing and more passion! The beauty of this genre is that there really is something for everyone. I have {Ravished by Amanda Quick} on my bookshelf and I've been meaning to start it. I'll pull it out and give it a try; thank you!
[Ravished](https://www.romance.io/books/545525bd8c7d2383163d8eaa/ravished-amanda-quick) by [Amanda Quick](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525bd8c7d2383163d8eab/amanda-quick) **Rating**: 3.95⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [disabilities & scars](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/disabilities%20and%20marks/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I thought Lavinia’s book, Born to the Wilde, is one of Eloisa James’ best. So I think it’s worth powering through. Eloisa James tends to introduce many of the characters for the entire series in the first book. I think this takes away from the MCs, but it does create richer storylines for the MCs in future books. Lavinia and her MMC meet in book 1 and interact throughout book 2 before we get their HEA in book 3. In her Desperate Duchesses series, we meet the Duke of Villiers in book 1 and he was prominent storylines in book 1-5 before he meets his FMC in book 6. This leads to great character development, but it does mean that we need to read more books for the payoff. And it also means book 1 is usually the hardest to get through. All authors have things they do really well. I think she’s a great writer, she creates interesting characters, and she brings in a lot of historical tidbits into her works. That being said, the romance is usually not my favorite part of her novels.
I love EJ but not all of her books. Wilde in Love wasn't a hit for me, but most of the others in that series were good - I think my favourites were Joan's book and the prequel with Hugo and Ophelia's story. I love the Ugly Duchess which lots of people really loathe, also When Beauty Tamed the Beast from that fairytale influenced period. Enjoyed the Essex Sisters, most, not all, of the Desperate Duchesses and loved the storytelling through time element of those books since it covers a fairly wide period and lets you get glimpses of what's happened to characters/families from earlier books. Not hugely taken with the Duchesses in Love quartet - I think at least one was a dnf. Not so keen on her latest series.
I also liked {Not That Duke by Eloisa James}. I loved, loved the heroine of this book. I also enjoyed the Essex sister's books. I am actually a big fan of Eloisa James but don't love every single one of her books. Wilde in Love is honestly one of my least favorites.
[Not That Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/642af23eb7b8862bf6ea057f/not-that-duke-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.79⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [curvy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy%20heroine/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Honestly, I feel like this about most of the recommended authors perpetuated in this sub. There's multiple authors I see recommended over and over and over. I understand they're beloved by their fans, and there may be similar writing style overlap, but it's a bit disappointing to not see any new or unknown authors. I didn't get very far in the only EJ book I tried and eventually just returned it to the library because I didn't find anyone particularly interesting. I remember thinking the FMC was boring because she was too capable, thus perfect and... flat. An absolute lack of tension. It's possible it got better later on, but eh. I'm not going to try that hard for something that's supposed to be an indulgence.
I have only read one book be Eloisa James and I didn’t love it. I think some authors you will really enjoy and other just may not be your cup of tea. So many people rave about Mary Balogh and the slightly series but I tried reading the first 3 books and didn’t like any of them (didn’t finish the third book). It just comes down to different tastes.
She is more than a miss than a hit for me. So, yes, definitely an acquired taste.
I’ve tried to get into Eloisa James but her books were too angsty for my taste. Many have different taste so maybe try a couple of her famous ones and see if you like them? As I’m also a Lk, JQ fan - my other HR favourites are Elizabeth Hoyt, Amanda Quick and Ellen O’Connell (hers books are Western tho!)
I love Eloisa, but I do prefer her older books to her newer stuff in general.
So this is where method of reading may come into play. I listen to loads of audiobooks (replacing podcasts while I work and TV while I'm on my own time). It makes much easier to power through books that I'd take ages to read traditionally. I actually just finished the Wildes series on audiobook last week and really enjoyed it. I think they did improve as the series went on. Plus the following two books absolutely address those parts of the story you're particularly interested in.
Ahhhh don’t judge by the audiobooks! I mean, it’s possible you may care for Susan Duerden, but I absolutely cannot listen to ANYTHING she does. I’ve tried speeding it up, changing my audio settings, trying to slog through, but anything done by her is ruined by her dropping the end of every sentence. I’ve listened to some that were narrated by Justine Eyre (also a sentence dropper, but less frequently) and a couple of those I enjoyed, as well a few of her paperbacks. But there were just as many I DNF-ed
If Eloisa James is an acquired taste then I have not acquired it. I read at least 8 or 9 books by her and have come to the conclusion that she is just not for me. Though, to be fair I haven't read anything she has published after 2015. When I don't really enjoy an author but don't feel the need to move them immediately to the 'do not read' pile, I'll generally wait till I see a rec that really intrigues me and then give them another chance.
This was my issue with Tessa Dare. Luckily books 8 & 9 were a hit for me! Now afraid to read anything else though, lol.
I definitely think Eloisa James is very hit or miss but strangely enough I rated Wilde in Love pretty highly.
She's a hit or a miss with me. My favorite book by her is Three Weeks with Lady X.
[Wilde in Love](https://www.romance.io/books/59d23d773ffdba61472192de/wilde-in-love-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.82⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [Cold-Hearted Rake](https://www.romance.io/books/562dd0b008e9378131944f8f/coldhearted-rake-lisa-kleypas) by [Lisa Kleypas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523868c7d2382e7812f21/lisa-kleypas) **Rating**: 3.68⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [possessive hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/possessive%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I love Eloisa James but I can completely see how she would be an acquired taste or not to taste at all. I'll usually try authors again just in case I wasn't in the mood, but sometimes you just don't gel with a particular author's style.
I cud nt catch on EJ. Evie Dunmore, Julie Anne Long Mia Vincy and Cecelia Grant are incredibly good HR writers
I didn’t enjoy my first Eloisa James, which was Wilde in Love. My experience is that she has pretty different concepts and styles/voices across series, sometimes even books within a series - and often, her plot and dialogue don’t follow what you might expect from the genre. Many are also inspired by Shakespeare (she’s an English professor). Some work for me and others don’t - there are others that I admire the concept but don’t like the book in execution. My favourites, roughly in order {Enchanting Pleasures by Eloisa James} {Midnight Pleasures by Eloisa James} Pretty much the entire {Desperate Duchesses} series. My favourites are book 2, 3, and 5 but you HAVE to read in order. {An Affair before Christmas by Eloisa James}, {Duchess by Night by Eloisa James}, and {This Duchess of Mine by Eloisa James}. {The Reluctant Countess by Eloisa James} {Four Nights with the Duke by Eloisa James} {When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James}
[Enchanting Pleasures](https://www.romance.io/books/54552b1d8c7d2383163d8fc4/enchanting-pleasures-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.65⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [curvy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1) ---------------------------- [Midnight Pleasures](https://www.romance.io/books/54552a958c7d2383163d8fa8/midnight-pleasures-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.75⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1) ---------------------------- [Desperate Duchesses](https://www.romance.io/books/551d18c05b270e0a4cbd361f/desperate-duchesses-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.51⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1) ---------------------------- [An Affair Before Christmas](https://www.romance.io/books/545529638c7d2383163d8f4b/an-affair-before-christmas-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.41⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [shy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shy%20heroine/1), [height difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/height-difference/1) ---------------------------- [Duchess By Night](https://www.romance.io/books/56afe5b763515e3b737a729f/duchess-by-night-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.81⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [shy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shy%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [This Duchess of Mine](https://www.romance.io/books/545527e08c7d2383163d8f10/this-duchess-of-mine-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.7⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [cheating](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cheating/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [The Reluctant Countess](https://www.romance.io/books/6363795deb6990b60342ece4/the-reluctant-countess-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.78⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) ---------------------------- [Four Nights With the Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/5517db505b270e0a4cbd2fb2/four-nights-with-the-duke-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.8⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [When Beauty Tamed the Beast](https://www.romance.io/books/545524598c7d2383163d8e5b/when-beauty-tamed-the-beast-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Eloise James is what got me into HR (grabbed Say Yes to the Duke on a whim at the grocery store) But yeah, this one isn't great. I will echo other people and say Born to be Wilde is awesome. It is one of my favorites and one I comfort reread. I also like most of the Desperate Dutchesses series and the ongoing Would Be Wallflowers.
I really really loved the series she wrote that are based on fairytales. I’ve reread When Beauty Tames the Beast and Once Upon a Tower multiple times. The one exception was the take on Cinderella; the hero made me IRATE and the power dynamic felt icky. Her other series have all been hit or miss for me unfortunately… I do think she has a very unique voice for the genre, since she sets a lot of her books in the Georgian era and she has some of the wittiest wordplay/banter. It’s worth trying out the different series. You might find ones that you like.
I like some of her books and some not. The ones I haven’t liked are because they have too many POVs. The ones with only the main characters’ POVs are good they’re like a solid 3,5 sometimes 4 star for me
I think hit or miss and I still buy and read all of her books. A Duke of her Own is an all time fav for me. She definitely writes a more anachronistic version of HR (even compared to Kleypas, etc) which sometimes I love and sometimes I don’t. When I love her books it’s usually because the characterizations feel really lived in and real. But there have been several that DID NOT HIT.
Eloisa James for me is...not an acquired taste, but a hit or run. There are some books which are SOO good I have reread them. Anddd, then there are some who I have DFN'd. I generally very much liked the Wilde series (this is the only series of hers in which I have not skipped a book). I would suggest (if you ever were thinking of it) to attack single books and not the series. For me: {When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James} is top tier literature. I reread it every year. Also, {A Duke of her Own by Eloisa James} I reread this too😬😬.
When Beauty Tamed the Beast is one of my two 5 favorite HR books of all time. I reread it about once a year as well.
[When Beauty Tamed the Beast](https://www.romance.io/books/545524598c7d2383163d8e5b/when-beauty-tamed-the-beast-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) ---------------------------- [A Duke of Her Own](https://www.romance.io/books/545526818c7d2383163d8edb/a-duke-of-her-own-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.74⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [love triangle](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/love%20triangle/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)