How to Be a Wallflower
A Would-Be Wallflowers Novel
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4.3 • 267 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
From New York Times bestseller Eloisa James, a new Regency-set novel in which a heiress with the goal of being a wallflower engages a rugged American in a scorchingly sensual, witty wager that tests whether clothing does indeed make the man—or the wallflower! A perfect companion story to Eloisa's My American Duchess.
Miss Cleopatra Lewis is about to be launched in society by her aristocratic grandfather. But since she has no intention of marrying, she visits a costume emporium specifically to order unflattering dresses guaranteed to put off any prospective suitors.
Powerful and charismatic Jacob Astor Addison is in London, acquiring businesses to add to his theatrical holdings in America—as well as buying an emerald for a young lady back in Boston. He’s furious when a she-devil masquerading as an English lady steals Quimby’s Costume Emporium from under his nose.
Jake strikes a devil’s bargain, offering to design her “wallflower wardrobe” and giving Cleo the chance to design his. Cleo can’t resist the fun of clothing the rough-hewn American in feathers and flowers. And somehow in the middle of their lively competition, Jake becomes her closest friend.
It isn’t until Cleo becomes the toast of all society that Jake realizes she’s stolen his fiercely guarded heart. But unlike the noblemen at her feet, he doesn’t belong in her refined and cultured world.
Caught between the demands of honor and desire, Jake would give up everything to be with the woman he loves—if she’ll have him!
Cleo's unconventional background and Jake's American roots cause a stir in the rigid social hierarchy of Regency England.
Customer Reviews
Fun read! Great start to a new series!
Another great read by Eloisa James! Cleo and Jake are an adorable pair from the beginning. If you love stories that feature strong, independent women and big, cinnamon roll heroes, this one is for you! I have read so many HRs with an American woman who heads to England to find husbands but has read none that feature rugged American men who find love in England until this one. Also, she does a great job setting up possible storylines for great secondary characters in the book without distracting from the main characters, Cleo and Jake. Great read! I can’t wait for the second installment in November!
So much permission…
Not much to this story. Very little tension, way too much focus on consent leaving the reader to feel stuck in reality instead of spirited away by the fiction we crave - ultimately anticlimactic and not much to recommend it. Feels like the Author got as bored as I did with it and hastily wrapped it up to move on to a more exciting story.
Kippers and love
Cleo Lewis’s goal is to be a wallflower. She walks into Quimby’s for WF-esque dresses and finds out that the proprietor has to move to America because of a stipulation in a contract. Being in business herself, Cleo realizes that the unsigned contract allows her to become the savior of Quimby’s.
Jake Astor Addison cannot deny the talent he sees in Martha Quimby and offers her more than Cleo did to ensure she becomes a part of his investments back home. He goes as far as moving into Cleo’s hotel to convince her to give Quimby’s up.
I love the wager the enemies cook up because it meant they can make each other look a fright. However, the wager allows as much close proximity between the two who keep having to set boundaries denying their desire for each other.
I love how kippers play a role in this book. It is unexpected and hilarious. Who knew kippers would create a connection, allowing a friendship and romance to bloom.
If you love reading about independent women and men who know the value of letting go for something more valuable, then you will enjoy this book.
I stopped a couple of times during my read to appreciate and just be in awe of EJ’s writing, so if you are a fan or seeking a new author to read, you will not be disappointed.
Thank you to Net Galley, Avon, and Harper Voyager US for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.