A Wallflower's Wassail Punch

an open mind meets the eye of the storm

Annette and her four older brothers were the children of Lord Henry Page, the Earl of Beecham. During her first London season, Lord Frederick danced with her, spiked her drink with rum and pinched her bottom. Her immediate reaction was to punch him in the nose, just as her brothers had taught her. Of course he made a scene about his bleeding broken nose and a ridiculed and shunned Annette left for the country, never to return. Now five years later, her father wants to remarry and his fiance, whom Annette adores, fears that if Annette doesn’t marry before they do, she will become an unhappy spinster. So, they decide to throw a Christmas house party and invite a very select group of men from whom Annette can choose. Andrew, the widowed Viscount Weston, received an invitation to Henry’s party, which he attended after he shipped his nineteen year old daughter Phoebe off to London to spend the holidays with her fiance and his family. He was awestruck the first moment he saw Annette, and soon learned that the actual purpose of the party was to find her a husband. Henry knew from their university days that Andrew was a good judge of character, and hoped he would provide insight and feedback regarding the potential suitors. At nearly twenty years her senior, he did not consider himself in the running. What follows is the delightful tale of suitors engaging in activities, trying to charm a beautiful woman with a large dowery, and the ups and downs that are experienced along the way. With the exception of the vicar’s sister, everyone plays nice in the sandbox, and there are some rather humorous and endearing moments. Andrew and Annette are clearly drawn to each other, and despite one major setback they get their happy ending, as do two other couples. This is a light tale with heavy moments, that will keep your attention, engage your heart and leave you with a smile.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.