ARC Review: "Once Smitten, Twice Shy" by Chloe Liese (The Wilmot Sisters #3) ★★★★

ARC Review: Once Smitten, Twice Shy by Chloe Liese

Liese has concluded her Wilmont Sisters trilogy beautifully with this cozy and cute fake-dating insta-love reimagined romance. For fans of B.K. Borison’s Lovelight series and Jess and Nick from the tv show New Girl. 🧡 If only it followed the original Shakespearean narrative more.

“I love you,” I whisper. And I love that I don’t even know exactly when it happened, not like it seems to in my favorite stories, when it’s some grand epiphanic moment. Falling in love with Will has been like slowly wading into water since the moment I saw him, and now I’m saturated, neck deep in it, its power and beauty, our trust, and tenderness, and safety surrounding me.

[Contains some spoilers]

PLOT SUMMARY
Freelance writer Viola Juliet Wilmot (who goes by the name Juliet) has recently gotten out of a toxic relationship and has headed to Scotland in December for a break from everything. She has mixed connective tissue disease and celiac disease which gives her issues in her joints. There at a bar, she bumps into 34-year-old whiskey distiller Will Orsino, a very shy and socially awkward but sweet man with autism. Sparks fly instantly but, not wanting to be hurt again, Juliet flees the scene, satisfied that they will not meet again.

Seven months later, back at home in America, their paths hilariously cross again in her greenhouse. It turns out Will is best friends with her surrogate brother and neighbour, Christopher Petruchio. The two of them decide from this that nothing serious can come of them: Julia’s toxic ex was Christopher’s friend and the end of their relationship meant Christopher lost the friendship, so she does not wish to risk friendship fallouts again; Will considers Juliet off limits because she is like a sister to Christopher.

Will has pressure on him: intending to take over the family business at the whiskey distillery and farm, he intends to find a wife who can handle the socialising and networking aspects because this isn’t his strong suit. Therefore, Will wants to improve his romantic side so he can woo someone. Juliet has been rusty with romance and wants to get more comfortable with it again to get back out on the dating scene. She is tired of seventh-wheeling her family.

So, they concoct a plan: they will fake date to help each other out. And, of course, things become far more complicated than they expect, and real feelings are caught.

For me, getting emotionally comfortable and at ease in romance again will lead right into comfort and ease with romantic physical intimacy. But as I stare at him, I’m realizing, even if I *did* want to directly practice the physical aspect, I wouldn’t want practice to be the reason for his touch. I would want it to happen because he wanted me and I wanted him and nothing else.

This is told from the first-person present-tense POV of Juliet and Will.

OVERALL OPINIONS
Once Smitten, Twice Shy is the 3rd book in The Wilmot Sisters series about the oldest sister Juliet. You could say that finding this was “serendipitous” (iykyk). It is a tragedy (no, not the book!) that I have not read the other two sooner, I do want to get around to this! Her other sisters, Bea (from Book 1) and Kat (Book 2) and their beaus, feature in this book. I love their humour and the heart-to-heart they eventually all have near the end is so sweet! Liese really captures the essence of sisterhood, as it reminds me of my sister.

The title is so fitting and I love it. The expression “once smitten twice shy” essentially means that you have had a negative experience and now are cautious because of it. Both our main characters have this: Juliet is wary of starting a new relationship thanks to the trauma from her previous one and Will is very self-conscious and worried because none of his previous attempts at dating has got past the third date. It is so heartwarming that they both help each other heal, and this therefore has a special place in my heart. There is nothing better than coming out of a toxic relationship into a healthy one, although there can be some insecurities that show.

ㅤ ❦ the reimagining aspect

This is a reimagining of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” which is unique, but actually the story’s weakest element. Other than some names and the fact the story begins in December, this is nothing like the original. I expected a few quotes from the play, a plot closer to the original, and far more counterpart characters. I am well aware a reimagining is different from a retelling as a reimagining has far more creative liberties but this just felt like false advertising.

For those who are unaware of the original story, there is a love triangle: Viola (disguised as a man) loves Orsino but he loves Olivia but Olivia loves Viola (not knowing Viola is a woman).

Now, I was worrying about Olivia as she doesn’t show up in the first half of the story (whereas she appears quite early on in Act 1 Scene 5 in the play). We do get Olivia briefly as Olivia Tobias a social media influencer and photographer – but it’s one interaction with Juliet at the nightclub! This felt like a useless plot device as she doesn’t move the story on. I expected the plot to be that Will wants to practice with Juliet so he can try and get Olivia to be his wife. Perhaps Juliet’s bisexuality could have had more to do with the plot too. This would have been far closer than what we got. And the opportunity to include a character akin to the pompous Malvolio was wasted. He could have been the ex, for example!

It could be argued, though, that two most important aspects of the story remain the same: firstly, the laughs and celebration of love (shown through Will and Juliet’s ) and secondly and most importantly, Orsino (Will) eventually realises that, despite only knowing Viola (Juliet) as a friend, he has fallen in love with her.

There are some excellent Shakespearean references, though, which I will list below:
❧ Illyria (this is where the play is set; this is where Will stays in the book).
❧ Starts in December (the play is set during the Christmas season; the book starts in December though swiftly moves on from this).
❧ Olvia mistakes an identity (in the play, she mistakes Viola’s brother Sebastian for Viola because she was dressed as a man throughout; in the book, she mistakes Juliet for her friend/lover Basti at the nightclub).
❧ Names (“Twelfth Night”: Will Orsino is Duke Orsino, Juliet Viola Wilmot is Viola, Olivia Tobias is Countess Olivia, Olivia’s lover Basti is equivalent to Sebastian, Will’s witty assistant Fest is clearly the jester Feste, | “Romeo and Juliet”: Juliet’s name is Juliet, Will’s family name Montag is Montague, Will’s horrid neighbours Capulettis are the Capulets | Will’s name refers to William Shakespeare).
❧ “Romeo and Juliet” (Juliet’s name, Will strives to become a Romeo character, able to be bold and say poetic romantic things, the fact Will sees Juliet on the balcony and he later on serenades her with music there).
❧ “If music be the food of love, play on” (this feels like it is used when he serenades her with music)

ㅤ ❦ representation

I think representation is so important in stories these days, and what Chloe Liese has covered here has been amazing! We get the representation of chronic conditions and neurodiversity through Juliet and Will respectively.

A chronic illness is one of the worst things that can get overlooked quite easily because it’s not always physical. Liese raises awareness of celiac disease and MCTD (mixed connective tissue disease), the problems of having this, and the fact that chronic health issues change so much with each day. I know people with chronic health problems, and this is unfortunately so true! One day it’s much more manageable, the next it’s not. Julia certainly finds this as her condition gives her joint problems which can suddenly act up and cause her leg to stiffen. Thank goodness Will is there to catch her most of the time when this does happen! Liese also explores how helpless it can make Juliet feel at times, and how she dislikes being treated like she is delicate, mostly by her parents. Will is sweet in that he ensures she’s alright but doesn’t fuss over her much as he realises that’s the last thing she wants.

Neurodiversity is arguably more difficult to cover as no two people are the same. Will has sensory and social issues, often experienced by people with autism, and handles this either through earplugs in noisy spaces or by withdrawing himself from the situation. It is nice that the people around him check in and ensure he’s okay. Juliet, sensing the noise in the café bothers him, suggests they go to the park, which is nice of her. And when he goes to the party, fellow introvert Jamie suggests if he gets overwhelmed there’s the balcony.

ㅤ ❦ the story itself

I loved this so much, I didn’t want to put this down! Let’s start there. It reminds me so much of “Business Casual” by B.K. Borison, which I read and liked very much last year.

The thing I adored the most was the fact these two, who are in their 30s, communicate! I’m quite shocked by this haha because there are so many stories where characters simply don’t act their age and it gives high school drama vibes. It makes a refreshing change having them in their 30s, as characters in most romances are either in their late teens or early twenties.

They do this cute thing of pinkie promising to always be truthful, so they never downplay things or don’t discuss problems. Miscommunication is one of my least favourite tropes so I’m very glad that’s not in here. Oh, and a lot of you will be thrilled to hear there is no 3rd act breakup – thank goodness!

<< Positives >>
🠚The coverrr! The fact it’s the outfit from their first date (and, for those who know, the epilogue) with her lavender dress and his orange jumper ahhh! Utterly gorgeous!
🠚The fact that this story begins in Scotland, and Will’s family are part Scottish, makes me, a Scotswoman, so delighted – I had no idea! This might make me biased haha. And Liese is a real one for having “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” playing in the first chapter!
🠚Will and Juliet have very cute and oftentimes amusing interactions! The scene where Juliet asks Will about the broken coffee machine via written signs reminded me of Taylor Swift’s “You Belong with Me” music video. I laughed when they encounter each other again in the greenhouse was hilarious! I never expected to hear someone being held “at trowel point” haha! Oh and that scene at the restaurant where everything went wrong! My absolute favourite moment is Juliet doing that “rewind” across the coffee shop so Will can try again with his flirting, it is so funny and cute!
🠚The communication and maturity level of Will and Juliet.
🠚I love that they both consider the other very brave and this inspires them to be brave too. The fact that they are doing that without realising is just super adorable! 🠚I’m especially glad Juliet reveals early on that she more uses Juliet than Viola as a name.
🠚The spice is exquisite! He was really fulfilling those Highlander romance fantasy, dayum.
🠚Her sisters all make an appearance again, with their loved ones.
🠚The group chat is so unhinged, it was brilliant haha! Reminds me of the group chat in Lyla Sage’s Swift and Saddled.
🠚There is this really lovely moment between Will and his sister Mimi.
🠚Playlist/Music recommendations are included for every chapter!
🠚The epilogue was so sweet!
🠚Bisexual representation through Juliet.
🠚Chronic illness representation through Juliet.
🠚Neurodiversity representation through Will.

<< Negatives >>
🠚There wasn’t a great amount of conflict. The only conflict that was considered was the surrogate brother but this didn’t really amount to anything. If Christopher had appeared more often, if he had originally disapproved of him for some reason, perhaps (like in Business Casual). There could have been more explored with Will and his feeling of not needing to necessarily love someone to marry them. Either a slow and gradual shift from this mindset, or he shuts her down saying he cannot love her the way she loves him. Or he starts by lusting for her and shifts to love.
🠚I think Juliet’s past should have made her more insecure, or she should have had something so there was more of a weakness. Don’t get me wrong, we get that moment where she doesn’t hear from Will, overthinks and then believes she messed up Christopher and Will’s friendship, but there was not enough of this feeling. Or have a moment where Will is talking to another woman like Olivia and Juliet can feel jealous or upset. I too have gotten to the point where I am at peace with what happened to me from a toxic ex, and it’s beautiful. But it can take a while before that happens or you might think it’s fine then something rears its head.
🠚The pacing was rather fast. I didn’t expect us to meet Will so early on, and for it to be insta-love – the latter isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But they meet at the bar, a chapter set some time later they’ve met again. I was disappointed the scene where there was karaoke and success of the whiskey sales was missing, they just briefly talk about it afterwards.
🠚Will’s anxiety makes him order the wrong food. I feel like Juliet should have helped him order the right thing, actually.
🠚If I had a nickel for every time Juliet smiled in this book? I’d be rich. There is nothing wrong with smiling but she does it so often and the word choice was nearly always “I smile”. Too repetitive. Do some synonyms: “I grin, I beam, I smirk”. Same with “I laugh”: not once is there a giggle or a chortle.
🠚Minor thing but, while the imagery of bikes is mentioned throughout, I nearly forgot about the cute thing where Juliet had but two blue bike emojis next to her name on Will’s phone. I would have loved a moment where Will looks at it again and feels sad, or that bikes get referred to in the epilogue.
🠚Cannot believe Liese missed the opportunity for Juliet to say “I will, Will!” when he asks her will she marry him!

CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Juliet꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ Scary thing: her birthday is June 20th – exactly like me!! She is so relatable too. All her friends are “busy being full time employed, happily paired off, hands full with all their commitments – capital A Adults.”. It is nice that she looks for the good in people, and is open to ideas. I’m glad that she talks to her parents about that she wants to be fussed over less.

“And yes, romance novels are fictions, happy, hopeful stories. But I think they often capture very realistic human fears and hopes, and how the former often stop us from going after the latter, how love can make us feel safe and brave enough to change that.”

-ˋˏ ꒰ Will꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ He’s an action-speaks-louder-than-words guy. He reads people well. I am probably more like him in the sense that I prefer emails/texting than talking on the phone. He likes to do sudoku – same! Such a green flag all around, I love him! He is super adorable!

I want to kiss her. Badly. I want to cup her face and take her mouth with mine, make her melt into my touch. I want to show her that I might not be the smoothest talker or the most capable romancer or the life of the party, but I’m plenty capable in other ways. Ways that could make her feel so damn good.

FAV QUOTES
• He looks like a Highlander romance hero ripped out of the past and wrapped in modern clothes. Highlander romances are my weakness. As are redheads.
• The plan was to get out, have a few drinks, then go home without incident. Dancing with a handsome stranger who makes my heart fly definitely qualifies as an “incident.”
• there’s something so comfortingly gentle about him, even in all his imposing, intimidating physicality. He just *feels* like a man who grew up surrounded by women, who’s learned how to make them feel seen and safe.
• My gaze slips down to Juliet, her eyes still set on the sky. She looks so peaceful, so reflective. I want to know what she’s thinking, feeling, wondering. I want to know so much.
• I stare at her, the sun sparkling in her eyes, dark hair whipping in the wind, those soft dimples always waiting in her cheeks. “You just look . . . real lovely.” …I don’t tell her I didn’t even mean to say it, that my brain was thinking it and my mouth just said it. I don’t tell her I wasn’t trying to practice at all.
• “When I spend time with you, I forget everything else that ever made me happy— the perfect night of games and food and laughter with my family, the unbeatable line in my favorite song, the most breathtaking sunset, the best whiskey I’ve ever made. And when I’m not with you, when everything else that brings me happiness is all that’s left, the only thing I can think is just how much I want to share that with you, how much I want you to share with me what makes you happy, too.”
• Juliet peers at my arm, watching her fingers trace a meandering line from freckle to freckle. “I could spend an entire day doing this, tracing your freckles, finding constellations, hidden stories.” Her eyes meet mine. “Connecting the dots.”
• I don’t *need* that costume to reclaim the woman who owns her desire for love, romance, intimate passion; the woman I’ve been reaching to become in these healing months isn’t a far off hope anymore. She’s already here, looking me right in the eye.
• In the past, when even an implication of my sensitivities and limitations would come up, prideful defensiveness would rear its ugly head. But not anymore. Not with her. With Juliet, I don’t feel self conscious— I feel seen.
• “I think that’s who your soulmate is— someone whose existence blows your world wide open, someone who makes you want to be brave and curious.”
• “The most important people in our lives— because of how deeply they matter to us, how much of ourselves we entrust to them— it means they hold our heart in their clutches. That is terrifying. And some days the fear of how . . . exposed that makes us feel, all the unknowns it introduces, well, that fear is loud. But the love, the joy it brings you, the hope it gives you, can be even louder, the more you turn toward it, the more you give yourself over to it, the more you choose it. That’s how love gets the last word.”
• “not only could my heart be loved and love you . . . it was *made* to love you.”
• I smile up at him, this man I love so very much, and lift my pinkie. “Promise.” He smiles down at me as he hooks his pinkie with mine, then lets go, bracing himself over me again. His eyes hold mine. My breath stutters in my chest. And then he lowers his mouth to mine.
• Summer’s lush beauty glows around us— golden sun, tall lime green grass, a sea of magenta, violet, and buttercup yellow blossoms. Any other day, I’d be stopped in my tracks, soaking in the glorious view, the vast beauty all around me. But not today. Because Juliet is here. And her beauty is the only beauty I see.
• There’s no such thing as the “perfect” moment or words. Or maybe it’s just that perfection is much simpler than I thought. Maybe perfection isn’t the how or when but the what— the truth, that I love Juliet and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Maybe that’s enough.
• The way Will and I love each other is like those beautiful flowers creeping up the trellis outside our home— growing, bending, weaving together, nurtured with care and nourished richly, so they can thrive and blossom, changing with the seasons yet always entwined even in the harshest months, on the coldest days.
• The woman I am when I love Will is my best self, and that’s not because I’m always at my best, but because Will loves all of me and I’m safe to love him just as much, as we share our flaws and fears and frailty, knowing our love isn’t burdened by those truths but strengthened for having weathered them, and nothing could be better than that.

══════════ ⋆★⋆ ══════════

I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Chloe Liese, Little Brown Book Group, and NetGalley for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.

“Once Smitten, Twice Shy” is out now!