Secrets of a Summer Night (The Wallflowers - Book 1)

I have probably read this series five times and it still holds up. Simon Hunt is a particularly refreshing hero as he's not a peer but an industrialist. And the friendship among the four "wallflowers" of this series is a charming thing indeed.

Simon Hunt is a self made millionaire. But his millions can't buy him a place in the upper tiers of British society. He, and the growing number of self made commoners, are looked down upon by the aristocracy and thought of as opportunists and social climbers. Simon is only barely tolerated in "polite" society because of his friendship with the estimable Lord Westcliff (the hero of the next book in the series) and because the crumbling aristocracy can't ignore his millions try as they might. Simon doesn't care less about his pariah status in the upper circles since he disdains their boring parties and inane conversation. Only one thing keeps Simon from swearing off balls and soirees altogether and her name is Annabelle Peyton.

Annabelle and her family are in desperate straits. They are living in genteel poverty and desperately trying to keep head above water. The obvious solution out of their predicament is for Annabelle to marry a peer, however, her chances of getting a proposal are virtually zero due to her lack of a dowry. As her fourth season draws to a close, Annabelle knows that it has to be now or never. To that end, she meets a group of fellow wallflowers and they strike up a friendship centered around their immediate need to catch husbands. They concoct a plan to help Annabelle trap a peer into marriage during a house party. But Annabelle's confidence and her plans are shaken by the presence of Simon Hunt. Annabelle cant't forget the day she allowed him to kiss her and she can't forgive him for making her like it. Simon makes it clear that he has only wanted one thing from Annabelle ever since that day and she will not yield regardless of his wealth or his handsome looks. As the days go by and she gets to know the real Simon and she can't help but be attracted by this tender, sweet and oh so sexy man. However, she musn't forget not only that Simon only wants her for his mistress but the fact that he is not a peer. Even if he proposed marriage she couldn't bring herself to marry a commoner since as far as she is concerned it would be social suicide.

For his part, Simon is determined to make Annabelle see him for who he is instead of his lack of a social pedigree. At first he set out to charm and disarm her with the goal of making her his mistress. However, Simon didn't count on falling head over heels in love and while she is responsive to his kisses he knows that his feelings aren't reciprocated. So, Simon sets out to change matters and make Annabelle his body and soul.

After finishing this book I have decided that Lisa Kleypas is virtually unbeatable in the hero department. Her heroes are an incredibly potent mix of tender, loving, sexy, arrogant bad boys that I simply can't resist and Simon is no exception. I also have to commend the author for pushing the envelope with Annabelle. She is unapologetically selfish and mercenary and she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. She clearly wants to marry a peer not only for the well being of her mother and brother but also for her own well being. She makes no bones about wanting to be part of high society and having money and servants. So, if you are looking for a self sacrificing heroine who will put herself through hell for the sake of others you won't find her here. I admit Annabelle is a little hard to like but I found her refreshingly real and so she won me over by the end. The love story is heart clutchingly romantic and the love scenes are incredibly tender and of course this being a Kleypa's book they are also very hot. All in all this is a hell of a story and I highly recommend it.

Characters are four wallflowers, who are never, ever asked to dance at events. The four decide
to help one another find the suitable man, starting with this book, and Annabelle. All of the girls
are so different, and thus makes each book a joy to read.

I enjoyed Secrets of a Summer Night because I like the simple romance at the heart of the story. Easy reading which reader to escape the real world for a while. It's also fun to realize how different our social world works now.

Another great book in the Wallflower series. Each member of the family has their own unique personality. They're Funny, sexy and witty. Their troubles and loves make you feel a part of it. You'll laugh with them and cry, too.

Annabelle and Simon are so cute, I smiled from page one to the end. From their chess game to their differences about class, I adore Simon's determination and Annabelle being able to see that she does not need to marry a peer. A perfect introduction to the wallflowers.

Absolutely wonderful! And I love how the author didn't end it after they were married. I laughed out loud at so many parts, very witty humor! Loved this book loved the language. Just started on the second one!

Not your normal romance. The "Wallflowers" are humorous as well as the situations they find themselves in. Reminds me a little of Julia Quinn's Bridgerton stories. It keeps you interested all the way through.

Well written adult regency romance! The first 60% of this novel is clean enough for a young adult but the tone changes drastically after a wedding. The characters are well developed, interesting and completely lovable!

Well written novel with twists and turns taking a butcher's son into the realm of the peerage wanting knowledge of how to invest money to make money. However, he was not of the peerage, he was invited to many affairs and they accepted him for his knowledge of finance.
There were many women looking for marriage at events that happened in the season but there were four young ladies that always were overlooked. They soon became friends and nicknamed themselves as, "The Wallflowers." This is the first of the novel of the same title.
Hence,the wallflowers devise a plan that they will help each other find husbands. Through a series of plotting and planning, the butcher's son finds love in the first of the wallflowers, Annabelle.
This novel is amusing to an extent and delightful to entertain you. I loved it.
I have read the first three and am just getting around to writing the review so I was so ready to continue on the adventure. This is the first of Ms. Klepas's novels I have read so keep writing and I will keep reading.

This introduction to the Wallflower series is good. The next two are my favorites, but this is definitely above most of the romance genre. What I love about Kleypas is her deft handling of characterization. The people are distinct and I find myself touched and very interested. I often have a hard time putting my kindle down. I have read criticism of Simon for his only wanting Annabelle as a mistress, but I think that one realizes that he is falling in love with her very early in the book. He finds himself interested in more than her looks. Their mutual fascination with each other is obvious. They just needed to spend time together to overcome their prejudices. Spoiler!!
The snake bite scene is adorable and serves to show Annabelle that Simon can be a caring man and not just kind of lecherous, and allows Simon to do the caring which lets his emotions deepen. I love that the story doesn't end at the wedding, but actually gets better afterwards. The ending is exciting, touching, and really leaves one anticipating following novel.
Very good ?

These books are wonderful. Good characterizations, realistic setting, and good storytelling. However, a lot of reviews describe these are Regency, and they are not. They are set in the Victorian Age about 40 years after the Regency period.

Excellent writing. I love the story line and the wall flowers. Once you start reading you don't want to stop. I don't think I should tell the story plot. Readers, read for yourself and enjoy. I am sure you are going to enjoy reading it.

Lisa Kleypas knows how to write historical romance that is detailed, yet never boring. She doesn't try to put 21st century ideals onto her characters, which may sometimes make what they are thinking and feeling less relatable, but it gives us a more clear picture of the thought at the time. For instance, the disdain that the English nobility had for any working man, no matter how rich.

All the characters are well-drawn and unique, and the dialogue always feels natural. If I have any complaint at all, it's that the story arch felt a bit off. A major plot point is just wrapped up in a re-telling, rather than showing us the action, which would have been more satisfying. I probably would have given this 4/1/2 stars, but good romance is so rare, I won't dock any stars for that one thing.

My all time favorite of all her books! The characters are so real you fall in love with Simon and root for him. I read the wallflower series out of order but this one was the best, although they are all great.

As a incorrigible romantic, I must say that Lisa Klepas has once again satisfied. She has been able to tap a wide range of emotions without allowing me to put the book down. Great writer. Great book.

Loved the time period and the characters. It was hard to put down once I started reading it. I love series books where you are already acquainted with the characters. I couldn't wait to read the next book.

I decided to read The Wallflowers series because I read that it had a good love story, particularly the 3rd book. The first book was OK, and i was forgiving since it was the first book in the series. But as I read the next book, I was so disappointed to discover that the author has absolutely no range. In the first book, 4 girls make a pact to help each other find husbands, and one by one the "love" stories unfold. But as each girl became the main character, they basically turned into the same person! There were some external differences, such as hair color, body type, etc., but as each girl became the main character, there was hardly anything in the personalities to tell them apart. Same thing for the guys, too. Apparently all guys are exactly the same when they're in love, from the way they speak, to the way they consummate their love. The sex scenes were cringe worthy, and unfortunately you'll read practically the same horrible sex scene in each book.

If you're just looking for a so-so book, then go ahead and buy this. If you want quality, don't waste your time.