The Reluctant Countess: A Would-Be Wallflowers Novel

Written by Eloisa James

Narrated by Susan Duerden

New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James returns to the Would-Be Wallflowers series with an enemies-to-lovers romance between a proper earl and an entirely improper lady—whom he can’t stop thinking about.

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?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Nov 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9780063139602

Eloisa James

Eloisa James is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author and professor of English literature, who lives with her family in New York, but can sometimes be found in Paris or Italy. She is the mother of two and, in a particularly delicious irony for a romance writer, is married to a genuine Italian knight.

Reviews for The Reluctant Countess

[jessica · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is probably one of the best historical romance books i've read in a long time.

[Andrea Author · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Given his parents' scandalous marriage, Giles seeks a countess who's above reproach. Yet he falls for Yasmin, who has a reputation as a flirt. Can she forgive the indifference he showed her in the past?⁠

This book focuses on the intricacies of relationships within the bounds of Regency etiquette. Typical of Eloisa James, it's a well-written, entertaining novel with a deeply flawed hero. If you approach it from the perspective that romance novels aren't necessarily intended as guides to building a healthy, happy marriage, then it's a fun read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Anjali Agarwal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ms Eloisa James one of the most prolific historical Romance authors . The most intelligent yet sometimes flawed group is brilliant characters flow through a charming narrative, adventures and romance. Her prolific writing just brings to
Life these characters and draws the reader back to the bygone times. Superb and Amazing. I love each and every one of her published book. They are a superlative class of writing .