ARC Review - - Viscount in Love

Viscount in Love

by Eloisa James

Accidental Brides - Book 1

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: July 23, 2024

Reviewed by Santa 

He wants a nanny, not a bride…

Suddenly guardian to twins, Viscount Dominic Kelbourne is luckily betrothed to a suitable lady—until she elopes. With no time to woo, Dominic decides to marry his fiancée’s unconventional sister. Torie isn’t perfect, but their kisses are so passionate that society thinks he’s actually chosen her.

She wants to marry for love…

Torie has never been able to make sense of words on a page, so she has turned her talents to art. She longs for a man who values her as she is… but marries for the sake of the twins. She doubts Dominic is capable of love, let alone respect, but as their heated debates turn into something more, Torie begins to imagine a life as a wife, not a nanny. 

But when the arrogant viscount finds that his viscountess has stolen his heart, he’ll have to give all he has to win her love.

Santa Says:

If you are looking for a slow burn, lust-to-love on second sight where the hero falls first - look no further than Eloisa James’ new series starter Viscount In Love. This five star read will fit perfectly into your summer beach reading tote bag.  

Dominic Kelbourne, Viscount Kelbourne, is in the market for a spouse. He has very specific requirements for his bride to be. She is to run his household, be agreeable and play hostess. At first glance, Leonora Sutton seems to fit the bill. Her drunkard of a father is of no concern to him. And her sister is quiet enough to not cause him any concern. Their two year engagement doesn’t bother him, as he always seems to have more important matters to address at Parliament. 

Leonora’s sister, Victoria (Torie) prefers staying in the background painting and visiting with friends. She is also very beautiful and  attracts some very ardent admirers but her reputation as a dullard eventually turns all suitors away. This label is repeated in front of others, specifically Kelbourne, by her own sister and father! Brutal. After all, they would say, how can someone who could not seem to read or write hope to run a household? 

Torie for all her faults is a kind and considerate person with strong convictions. She has a fantastic memory for any information told to her. It is how she learns new information, books, and stories.  Her compassion comes to the forefront when Kelbourne becomes guardian to his orphaned twin niece and nephew, Valentine and Florence. He embraces them immediately in a way their own parents never did. They immediately bond with Torie. Meanwhile, her sister would banish them back to the countryside.

Viscount Kelbourne is immediately faced with another dilemma when Leonora sneaks off to marry a much older man. The twins start to play cupid for a match between Torie and Dom. He sees the merit as he becomes more attracted to Torie. She stirs up a wealth of emotions in him from lustful thoughts to the sheer joy of everyday life. 

He proposes and Torie hesitantly accepts. However, the road to happiness does not run smoothly. They seem perfectly matched but she is not the docile perfect hostess he thought he wanted. But sometimes, what you thought you wanted pales in comparison with what you gain. 

There is quite a bit of angst in this book. The heat level is scorching, so make sure you have a fan handy. If you love a bit of groveling, you will also love this book. Dominic and Torie are products of some pretty harsh environments they grew up in. Dominic’s father was a cruel and harsh man. Torie suffered verbal abuse and some neglect because of her learning disabilities of both dyslexia and dyscalculia. They survive and thrive with the twins, finding a love that offers them the hope and home they never really had before.