Once Smitten, Twice Shy

         

Title: Once Smitten, Twice Shy

Series: The Wilmot Sisters #3

Author: Chloe Liese

Publisher: Berkley, January 14, 2025

Pages: 384

Genre: Contemporary Rom-Com

Since heartbreak entered the scene, Juliet Wilmot, once a hopeless romantic, has sworn off love. But when she's presented with the chance to revisit romance-purely for practice-with the gorgeous, off-limits guy she keeps serendipitously running into, it feels like a sign from the universe.

Quiet, shy Will Orsino knows happily-ever-after isn't on his horizon. Problem is, for the sake of the family business, marriage is. Resigned to the inevitable, but with no confidence he can woo a wife, he can hardly say no when fate hands him the alluring, unattainable woman he keeps crossing paths with, offering to help him learn the ropes of romance.

Neither of them looking for love, Jules and Will agree they're the perfect pair to practice romance. Except that practicing to perfection leads to an irresistible attraction. Their once smitten hearts, though still twice shy, might have happily-ever-after written in the stars for them, after all.

I am so obsessed with these retellings. They're so fun and smart and perfect. I love Twelfth Night, and I love that this series is rounding out with a favorite of mine. 

The fact that she worked the twins in as she did, and her name is Juliet. Ugh, it's just so good. I am glad that Juliet wasn't tricking Will. They were both in agreement that they were practicing and they were only trying to keep their fake dating from their friends and family. Which is a nice mirror to Bea and Jamie's fake dating that was purely for the benefit of their friends and family. 

There was a lot of serendipity working in this one. The fact that they were apparently family friends all along, and just didn't know it? Had a lot of mutual friends, but had never met somehow? That was a fun touch. This did fall into the "series wrap up" rut a little bit. I understand the benefits, and as a fan, I am not upset in the least to see it. But it does take away a tiny bit from the Jules and Will of it all. Certainly not enough to tear through this book!!! I can't wait to see what Chloe Liese will do next. Post Bergmans and Wilmots!

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 2/5