This was good - not my absolute favorite Eloisa James, but good enough. I'm more looking forward to the next one in the series, though.

Unnecessarily long, almost DNF

Did not catch my attention and interest quickly. Really, the story didn't pick up and really grab me until about the half-way point. It had enough to keep me going; no one doing anything stupid, no unlikable characters. In the end it was an interesting and amusing story. Perfect to while away an afternoon.

Caught me faster this time, having just read the prequel. Felt like a new book with glimmers of familiarity, not fully like a reread.

This book has been in my library for more than 3 months. I'm done at Chapter 8. This book is well researched but I found none of the wig-wearing characters are interesting.

3.5 For anyone out there struggling while reading this book I must say I didn’t care for this story when I started it. I kept reading thought because it is Eloise James and she is a favorite author of mine. It started very slow for me. I was so bored with the banter between the characters. And
The way Willa was adamant about not being interested in Alaric was convincing to me. It made his pursuit of her in the beginning kind of creepy.
Near Chapter 11 is when it started to turn around for me.
Lavinia & Parth were fantastic. I’m looking forward to their story.
Sweetpea & Hannibal were adorable. Although everyone seemed okay when the skunk kept spraying. I personally can barely breathe when I’m near that smell.
So, even though it was slow going I did end up enjoying the book and will read the next in the series.

With Eloisa James the keys to my level of enjoyment are generally how much I like the two main characters, and how good the Shakespeare jokes are. I am happy to report that I very much liked the main characters here, especially Alaric who was kind of a 18th century boy-bander. Alaric traveled through Africa recounting his adventures to a rapt audience. With that spark already there, an anonymous party (yes you will find out that person's identity) writes a play recounting Alaric's adventures, and adding in a whole bunch of fictional daring-do and some romance. The play opens in London and is the scandalous hit of the season, turning him into an unintentional heartthrob pursued by women wherever he goes upon his return to England after many years away. Its a fun storyline! He soon becomes enchanted with Miss Willa Ffynche one of the shining stars of the season, but she has no interest in him. First, she wants a man she can manage. Second she does not want to live with notoriety herself, and third, she does not want a husband whom half the women of her acquaintance are trying to bed. There are some moments toward the beginning where Willa is downright rude to Alaric for no real reason, but for the most part I liked her -- she is funny, smart, and cagey. I also loved her dynamic with her delightful bestie and with her unique pets (whom you will also get to know.) There were some solid Shakespeare digs, but too few. I love when Shakespeare scholars talk smack about the Bard! Overall one of James' hits for me -- not perfect, but very very good.

Light, frothy, enjoyable. The characters amused me and made me laugh. I expected this to be more 'Georgette Heyer' and really enjoyed the bawdy sense of humour Willa and Lavinia had and their level of education. Will put the rest of the series on my TBR list.