Series: Wallflowers, #4.5
Traits & Tropes: enemies to lovers; house party; reformed rake; wealthy hero
Publication Date: 10.14.08
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; London/Hampshire, Christmas, 1845
Heat Level: 3
Rating: 5 stars
Narration Rating: 5/5
Wealthy American businessman Rafe Bowman has just arrived in London to meet Lady Natalie Blandford, the titled miss his father wants him to marry. He’s got the money and looks to earn her favor even if his reputation leaves a bit to be desired.
Rafe’s sisters and their friends work to help him understand the rules of London society and engage in a little matchmaking of their own along the way. Finding a wife winds up being a bit more than Rafe expected, but soon he’ll learn that even his cynical heart is capable of great love.
I love a good underdog story and given Hannah’s position as a poor relation and lady’s companion she fits the bill. I was quite shocked by how utterly romantic Rafe turned out to be and I loved that he saw what he needed and went for it, uncaring of his father’s or anyone else’s ideas of what he should do. At first glance he and Hannah seemed like an odd pairing, but they were actually a good balance for each other. She helped temper some of his coarseness while he helped her live a little and let go of some of her stiff primness. She showed him the love and fidelity he was truly capable of, and I think this trope really worked well as a novella; it’s something that would’ve annoyed me as a full length book. It was also lovely to spend some time with the wallflowers and see them welcoming an honorary new member so kindly. This is the first of my Christmas reads that has actually put me into the spirit.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5127625470
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3778083641
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