Born to Be Wilde
(Libby/OverDrive eAudiobook)

*Starred Review* How humiliating! It's bad enough that because of her family's unique financial predicament, Lavinia Gray must propose to Parth Sterling. What is even worse is that the man has the nerve to reject Lavinia's offer of marriage. Of course, the fact that Lavinia has more than once referred to him as Appalling Parth may have something to do with his refusal. Or it could be because Parth has already zeroed in on a much more suitable matrimonial prospect, the lovely-in-every-way Elisa Tornabuoni Guicciardini Contessa di Casone. Fortunately, Parth offers to find Lavinia an equally suitable and, more important, equally wealthy man to marry. All Lavinia has to do is trust Parth. RITA Award-winning James' stylishly entertaining novels have always been in fashion with discerning romance readers, and the third triumphant addition to her Wildes of Lindow Castle is no exception. James once again deftly embroiders her prose with dazzling wit while expertly infusing the sigh-worthy romance between her marvelously unique romantic couple with just the right measure of luscious sensuality.--John Charles Copyright 2018 Booklist

Beautiful, sought-after Lavinia Gray will do anything to save her mother from ruin, even propose to "Appalling" Parth -Sterling, the wealthiest bachelor in town, a man who has always ignored her but who also has a reputation for fixing problems and getting things done. Naturally, Parth refuses. For one thing, he is not about to marry a woman as shallow and frivolous as Lavinia seems to be; for another, he has someone else in mind. Nonetheless, Parth is concerned, and when he learns that -Lavinia is in dire financial straits, he vows to find her a suitable husband-someone good enough-a task that becomes more difficult as he spends time with Lavinia. A heroine with a genius for fashion attracts a bicultural hero who finally acknowledges her worth in a gorgeously crafted story that for all its lightheartedness addresses serious questions. VERDICT Flirty, sexy, and full of brilliant humor, this latest episode in the Wilde family saga overflows with familiar characters; a joyous romp and refreshing summertime diversion. Nicely done. James (Too Wilde To Wed) lives in New York City. © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The third installment in the Wilde historical romance series features an heiress who has fallen on hard times and her infuriatingly attractive nemesis, the richest bachelor in England.Lavinia Gray is horrified to discover that her mother is an opium addict who has decimated her daughter's dowry to support her habit. Once renowned for her beauty and riches, now Lavinia's "old life seemed to lie in shards around her feet." To save her mother and herself, Lavinia proposes to Parth Sterling, a wealthy businessman taken in as a child by the eccentric and loving Wilde family after his Englishman father and Indian mother died. Lavinia and Parth have been thrown together often enough in the company of the Wildes that they have formed ill opinions of one another: Lavinia thinks Parth is too stern and correct, while Parth thinks the fashion-obsessed Lavinia is shallow. Parth rejects the offer but agrees to help Lavinia find a suitor, perhaps a European prince, while himself courting an Italian contessa. Of course, underneath the antagonism there is a mutual attraction, and as they give in to it, they come to know more about one other. Parth's character arc is mainly to stop seeing Lavinia as "shallow as a puddle," which he does, very quickly. Lavinia develops her prodigious, and bankable talents as a modiste and stylist, learning to embrace her love of clothing as an art form. Readers are advised to read the first two books in the series to better understand immediate past events, which are frequently referenced, and the large cast of characters James has created. Even with that background, however, the characters' motivations are often opaque or nonsensical, very little actually happens beyond psychological gymnastics, and Parth's Indian heritage, which might have provided fertile ground for deepening this two-dimensional character, is almost completely sidelined.A dull hero and little plot make this book best for readers with knowledge of the first two books in the series who cannot bear to miss any Wilde action. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

*Starred Review* How humiliating! It's bad enough that because of her family's unique financial predicament, Lavinia Gray must propose to Parth Sterling. What is even worse is that the man has the nerve to reject Lavinia's offer of marriage. Of course, the fact that Lavinia has more than once referred to him as "Appalling Parth" may have something to do with his refusal. Or it could be because Parth has already zeroed in on a much more suitable matrimonial prospect, the lovely-in-every-way Elisa Tornabuoni Guicciardini Contessa di Casone. Fortunately, Parth offers to find Lavinia an equally suitable and, more important, equally wealthy man to marry. All Lavinia has to do is trust Parth. RITA Award–winning James' stylishly entertaining novels have always been in fashion with discerning romance readers, and the third triumphant addition to her Wildes of Lindow Castle is no exception. James once again deftly embroiders her prose with dazzling wit while expertly infusing the sigh-worthy romance between her marvelously unique romantic couple with just the right measure of luscious sensuality. Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.

Beautiful, sought-after Lavinia Gray will do anything to save her mother from ruin, even propose to "Appalling" Parth Sterling, the wealthiest bachelor in town, a man who has always ignored her but who also has a reputation for fixing problems and getting things done. Naturally, Parth refuses. For one thing, he is not about to marry a woman as shallow and frivolous as Lavinia seems to be; for another, he has someone else in mind. Nonetheless, Parth is concerned, and when he learns that Lavinia is in dire financial straits, he vows to find her a suitable husband—someone good enough—a task that becomes more difficult as he spends time with Lavinia. A heroine with a genius for fashion attracts a bicultural hero who finally acknowledges her worth in a gorgeously crafted story that for all its lightheartedness addresses serious questions. VERDICT Flirty, sexy, and full of brilliant humor, this latest episode in the Wilde family saga overflows with familiar characters; a joyous romp and refreshing summertime diversion. Nicely done. James (Too Wilde To Wed) lives in New York City.