ARC Review: How to Win a Wallflower by Samara Parish

Publication Date: December 13, 2022

Synopsis:

A wallflower will put everything on the line . . .

When John Barnesworth inherits unexpectedly, he abandons his solitude and returns to London to settle his brother’s affairs, only to discover his estates are crumbling and he is now betrothed to his brother’s unpleasant fiancée. Her dowry might save him from ruin, but at what cost? His only hope lies with the vivacious, charming Lady Charlotte Stirling, whose audacious solution to John’s troubles might actually work. If only he can keep his feelings for her out of the equation . . .

Lady Charlotte Stirling knows she can’t fall for John. He’s her brother’s best friend, he’s engaged to her mortal enemy, and he wants to return to America. Not to mention he’d never survive in her bustling social life. She can, however, try to solve his money problem. But the closer she gets to ensuring his freedom, the harder it is to let him go . . .

My Review:

I had a disappointing experience with a historical romance immediately prior to reading this, after not picking one up for awhile, and I was afraid I had lost my taste for the genre. I picked this one up hesitantly but flew through it in a day. I am happy to report that I have not, in fact, lost my taste for the genre — it was just that one book.

I had greatly enjoyed Samara Parish’s previous installation in this series, and I’m happy to say that I greatly enjoyed this one as well.

This time we have an unconventional Viscount, ill at ease with his newly acquired title, who would rather spend his time holed up in a solitary cabin with nothing but his myriad inventions to keep him company. He is scornful of and greatly dislikes society, and it is him the ‘wallflower’ in the title refers to — not Lady Charlotte. He is gentle and kind and good and it was wonderful to get a softer, more intellectual hero.

Lady Charlotte is a social butterfly who spends her time helping others. Making clothing for orphans, chairing comittees, drawing wallflowers into the social scene, helping her brother forge political connections… She has her work cut out for her in convincing John that he should make a bit of an effort with society, but as they embark on a wild scheme to acquire enough money to save John’s crumbling estates and her brother’s neck, they learn that though seemingly too different they fit together perfectly.

There are obstacles, of course, not least of which is Charlotte’s older brother — one of John’s few closest friends — who seems determined to keep them apart as he doesn’t think they will suit.

Some of the events strain credulity but I was completely engrossed in the twists and turns of the story and loved every minute. It reminded me of some of Georgette Heyer’s whirlwind, ridiculous plots. I greatly appreciated that the spice didn’t overwhelm the story or plot.

I would definitely recommend this if you are a historical romance fan, especially if you like unconventional heros and heroines – it ticked all the boxes for me.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for providing an early copy for review.