The Wicked Wallflower (Wallflower Trilogy Book 1)

A pretty good romance, but definitely not true to the period in lack of chaperones, no posting of banns and odd timing -- too fast for the period. However the characters were solid and the love-story believable.

Straight in the recycling for this one. This wicked rake is not convincing - he's involved in a scandal every week but seems never to see it coming or be able to stop himself from behaving badly. I don't want a hero that's a) naive or b) a sex addict, thanks.

The heroine is quite well done - spirited but not rude or too 21st century. She actually comes across as intelligent. But her attraction for the hero is primarily that she repeatedly refuses him, so I wonder how they will fare in married life. Even his final declaration that she is the one, etc etc, is unconvincing - his past behaviour is evidence that he'll get bored and start wandering sooner rather than later. This makes the ending too tinged with uncertainty to truly be a "happy" one.

And, like many historicals, this one suffers from being too long by about 100 pages. I don't need endless examinations of their feelings, I really don't. Not if there's nothing new to be said.

As a romance this is fine. As a historical romance it is a failure. This author is wildly innacurate and inconsistent with her authenticity. The heroine spends four days unchaperoned in a closed carriage with a rake. Then she protests going on an unchaperoned afternoon drive because of her reputation. (Sorry girl that is long gone.) She has oral sex and perhaps more with one man but claims she is guarding out for her virtue. What does she think virtue means? Then she and one man exchange hand jobs hours before she intends to elope with another man. Apparently she still belives she is keeping her virtue and reputation and isn't cheating on her "true love" at all.
The author also seems to think every dance at a ball is a waltz instead of the waltzs being few and far between.
So much of this book is inconsisent and simply doesn't make sense. I did find the heroine funny and spirited if sadly lacking in a moral compass. I really wanted to belive in the hero's moral reform. I thought the book dragged on too long but volume of pages is more important to publishers these days than volume of plot. On the whole it was an entertaining read but I wouldn't want to actually own the series.

The Wicked Wallflower was an enjoyable romance between a wallflower and one of society's biggest rakes and I really liked it.

The Wicked Wallflower begins with Emma Avery's debut into society which doesn't go quite as she planned. Flash forward three years and Emma along with her two best friends, Olivia and Prudence, are considered wallflowers and three of London's Least Likelies. After the three indulge in too much sherry and a letter that should have been destroyed gets printed in the paper, Emma finds herself engaged to the Duke of Ashbrooke, one of society's most eligible men whom Emma has not actually met! Hilarity ensues when the two decide to enter into a fake engagement to save her reputation and repair his.

Right from the start, I really enjoyed Emma as a character. She's incredibly intelligent and not afraid to speak her mind, two things that landed her firmly in the wallflower category. However, even as a wallflower, Emma isn't willing to settle for less than love. Her friendship with Olivia and Prudence, her two fellow wallflowers, is wonderful to see. The scenes of the three indulging in too much sherry and getting into crazy situations were hilarious. I loved how well the three connected and that they were there for each other no matter what.

Blake, the Duke of Ashbrooke, started off as a bit of an ass. He initially enters into the fake engagement with Emma to try and fix his reputation as a womanizer and flake with the other gentlemen of the ton so he can get support for an invention of his. He then only romantically pursues Emma because she's the first woman to ever reject his advances, which is simply inconceivable to him. Thankfully, over the course of the book, he grows as a character and comes to actually care for Emma. He even recognizes that he was an ass and didn't give her much choice in how things worked out between them.

The romance between Emma and Blake was fun to watch play out. Outwardly, Emma was not in the least bit interested in Blake which caused him to go to extreme lengths to get her attention. It was nice to see the hero having to work to get the heroine's attention as that is a departure from a lot of romance novels I've read. The two did have an insane amount of chemistry and I enjoyed reading the romance scenes as they were very well written.

The Fortune Games held by Blake's aunt Agatha were highly entertaining. It was fun watching the guests run around trying to complete impossible tasks in a game that had no rules but the ones Agatha came up with as it suited her. I love how the games gave Blake and Emma a chance to get to know one another and it provided a lot of situations where they could have some great steamy moments.

Overall, The Wicked Wallflower was an incredibly fun historical romance and I will definitely be checking out the other books in the series soon.

MY THOUGHTS:
THE WICKED WALLFLOWER by Maya Rodale is an exciting Regency Historical Romance set in 1820′s London. #1 in the "Bad Boys & Wallflowers" trilogy and what a beginning. An interesting historical romance based on finding love and the beginning of the design of the computer(Difference Engine). This trilogy is about three Wallflowers, who are about to become the toast of the ton,cause a bit of scandal and the Bad Boys they love. First up is, Lady Emma Avery,the Least Likely to Misbehave, and one charming rogue,the Duke of Ashworth. Fast paced with secrets,romance,desire and yearning for love,family,children,acceptance and the invention of the Difference Engine. Ashworth, a mathematical genius and Emma, a Wallflower comes face to face with their destiny. Emma's betrothal is announced,accidentally, to the most eligible man of the ton, the Duke of Ashworth, let the games begin.....
Engaging characters, a bit of scandal, and lots of passion,romance and love,what's not to love. Ms. Rodale has done it again! I can hardly wait to see what awaits the other two Wallflowers!
An enjoyable read from beginning to end! Received for an honest review from the publisher and Edelweiss.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

This is the story of young debutantes known as wallflowers. The story centers around Emma one of the wallflowers also known as the buxom bluestocking. One night after a ball, the ladies are at Emma's house commiserating on the futility of husband hunting (this is their fourth season) when they are essentially invisible. They are drinking Sherry and were quite inebriated when Pudence & Olivia decide to write a notice for the paper announcing Emma's betrothal to the Duke of Ashbrooke. Emma refuses to allow it and while they are debating the merits of sending it to the newspaper they are told to leave the house as the kitchen is on fire. They go to spend the night at Olivia's house forgetting about the announcement they had written.
When a gaggle of uppity debutantes descends on Emma for a visit, Emma remembers the announcement and is afraid it is somehow the reason for their visit. She cannot admit that it is all a farce so she is trying to field questions when the very Duke she is supposedly engaged to arrives. Since they have never met he is unsure which of the females is his "betrothed" what a quandary. Emma realizes his problem and stands and greets him so he knows which one is her. The story really takes off from there when the Duke takes Emma to the garden and in front of the gaping females proposes to Emma. They are out of earshot so they can talk privately. He makes a big show of proposing to which Emma declines. But he's handsome, charming and used to having women fall at his feet. He refuses to take no for an answer and kisses her all the while feigning that she has accepted. Emma refuses but he points out that he has just proposed in full view of quite a few gossips and she has no choice. OMG. What can she do? She has to go along with his scheme. The story has so many unexpected twists that the reader is kept guessing as to how this farce is going to turn out.This book was so entertaining, not your average historical romance! I couldn't put it down.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

The Wicked Wallflower by Maya Rodale
Book One of the Bad Boys & Wallflowers series
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: October 29, 2013
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

Lady Emma Avery has accidentally announced her engagement—to the most eligible man in England. As soon as it's discovered that Emma has never actually met the infamously attractive Duke of Ashbrooke, she'll no longer be a wallflower; she'll be a laughingstock. And then Ashbrooke does something Emma never expected. He plays along with her charade.

A temporary betrothal to the irreproachable Lady Avery could be just the thing to repair Ashbrooke's tattered reputation. Seducing her is simply a bonus. And then Emma does what he never expected: she refuses his advances. It's unprecedented. Inconceivable. Quite damnably alluring.

London's Least Likely to Misbehave has aroused the curiosity—among other things—of London's most notorious rogue. Now nothing will suffice but to uncover Emma's wanton side and prove there's nothing so satisfying as two perfect strangers…being perfectly scandalous together.

What I Liked:

It's been a while since I read this book! I'm writing this review close to the end of October, and I read this book at the very end of July. Yikes!

Anyway, this book was the last historical romance book I've read - I haven't read one since! Not because I don't have any to read, or because I'm sick of the genre... but because I've been swamped with deadlines and release dates and COLLEGE. So, this review might seem kind of scant and vague. It's been a while since I read this book, and I do remember enough of why I liked it, and what I didn't like.

So, Emma and her somewhat dimwitted friends have a plan for Emma: send a letter to the post, announcing Emma's engagement to none other than the magnificently eligible Duke of Ashbrooke, the perfect specimen of a male. That will help her reputation - prove that she is more than a wallflower. Right? Foolproof?

Well, maybe... until Ashbrooke totally rolls with it. I thought that was HILARIOUS. He went with the silly plan, without knowing much about Emma, except that she is London's Least Likely to Misbehave. Good girl Emma and yummy Ashbrooke. Nobody believed that they could be a match!

It happened! And this book goes through the consequences of that letter getting to the post, and Ashbrooke playing along. Ashbrooke takes Emma to his aunt's house, to participate in the Fortune Games, in which couples compete to win the aunt's inheritance. It should technically go to Ashbrooke, because of the familial relations, but the aunt is HILARIOUS and makes everyone work for it. That's part of the test - for Emma and Ashbrooke to convince Ashbrooke's aunt that they are in love.

I love the lengths that Ashbrooke went to, to prove to Emma that he truly wanted to marry her, when he came to that decision. It ceased to be about winning the Games and inheritance money, or even convincing society that they are a legitimate match. Ashbrooke is thoughtful and considerate, and I feel like Emma totally does NOT deserve him. She wasn't always nice to him.

Not that I expected her to fall over herself swooning because it's Ashbrooke. Good for her for keeping her composure. But still, she could be a little nicer to the guy that saved her reputation! Because we all know how important reputation and status were in this historical time period.

Anyway, I truly liked the very end of this book - in which Emma had to work hard to get back Ashbrooke. One of the things that I dislike a bit about some historical romance novels is that the male has to be the one that convinces the female to stay together. In this case, Emma had to be the one to go the extra lengths to keep Ashbrooke. Huzzah!

Read this one, if you like historical romance novels. It's a good one!

What I Did Not Like:

Ugh, so, the first part of this book, in which Emma's friends write the letter to the post, to announce the match of Ashbrooke and Emma? Ridiculous! Who does that!? I mean, I know this whole book would not have been possible, without that detail, but seriously?! I wanted to conk Emma's friends on their empty heads. That plan made NO SENSE.

Also, Emma is a tad bit *too* passive for me. At the very end, she grows a backbone to get Ashbrooke back. But otherwise? Passive. And mean to Ashbrooke. Bad. Ashbrooke is FANTASTIC.

Would I Recommend It:

Yup! I really liked this novel. I feel like one of the problems people have when they read a lot of one type/genre of book is that they find them to be formulaic. I think this book was a refreshing, unique read - definitely not a formulaic historical romance novel. So, I believe that historical romance lovers - seasoned and novices - will like this one.

Rating:

4 stars. An enjoyable historical romance read! I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this one.

Wicked Wallflower by Maya Rodale (Audio Edition)
Narrated by Carolyn Morris
Series: Bad Boys and Wallflowers, Book 1

4 Stars - I loved the premise of this story, sort of a play on the hunger games… but with an inheritance up for winning. Truly enjoyed the banter between Emma and Blake. I did find Emma seemed to take a bit too long to come around to giving up her thoughts of whom she thought she loved, but not so long that I was rolling my eyes or anything. Emma’s friends were fun as well and I look forward to reading their stories.

The narrator did a great job. I would listen to her again.

~Paragraphs and Petticoats~

This was my first book from Maya Rodale and while it was an enjoyable read there were just a few things that kept it from being an outstanding read.

What I liked:

I really liked Emma's character. She made the most of an awkward and potentially embarrassing situation when she finds herself engaged to be married to Blake. I loved the spunk she showed during the Fortune Games and that despite being dazzled by Blake's good looks she doesn't let it overcome her good sense for the most part. She's still able to poke fun at him and his inflated ego.

Blake's aunt Agatha was one of my favorite characters in the story. She was so rich and old that she could do and say whatever she wished which just cracked me up. I loved her quips as she dealt with relatives who were obviously there solely for her fortune. She also had her own retinue of handsome servants to obey her every command and her sarcastic relationship with Blake was oddly touching.

The story itself was fun to read and as can be expected from the mention of the Fortune Games it does resemble a playful version of the Hunger Games. Aunt Agatha invites twelve people to her home and has them compete each year to be the heir to her fortune. She has a scoring system that is only understood by herself and anyone can be dismissed at any time. Like I mention above it was fun to watch people scramble and see who were obviously kissing butt and who were being honest in their opinions.

What I didn't like:

I'm usually oblivious about historical inaccuracies but even for me things just didn't "feel" right. Everything had a modern day teenage girl feel to it just with fancy party dresses and corsets thrown in. The love triangle also bugged me. Emma obviously fell in love with Blake and even acknowledged it to herself but still dithered back and forth between he and Benedict despite Benedict having made no attempt to wait for her. She was gone for just a few days and he immediately engages himself to another woman. How could Emma seriously consider marrying a man who does this even if he was one of the only ones to show any interest in her in the past? Not to mention he went three years without proposing which should have been the first sign that something wasn't right.

All in all a fun read but not one of my favorite historical romances.

I found The Wicked Wallflower to be a delightful historical romance with much humor and excitement to satisfy all. This is the first in a series about three friends from a finishing school that find themselves still unmarried after four seasons, they are "The Least Likely" ladies.

Lady Emma Avery and her two friends Lady Olivia Archer and Lady Prudence Payton are starting their fourth season still holding up the walls in the corners of ballrooms. The three are desperate to be engaged before their school reunion. Emma does have a beau, Benedict, and while they have thought about a future together he has yet to propose. While drinking sherry one night Emma's friends decide to see if they can make Benedict move faster and pen an announcement for the paper, but in their drunken state they think, why just ask for Benedict's hand, if they are going to dream, dream big and they announce the engagement of Emma and The Duke of Ashbrooke, but in the chaos of a kitchen fire, they lose track of the letter, that is until the announcement is published in the paper.

Blake, the Duke of Ashbrooke is a notorious rake and a big disappointment to his family, even his favorite aunt has not invited him to her annual Fortune Game. His reputation is so bad that businessmen who were ready to invest in his Difference Engine, a mathematical machine, are pulling back. He is desperate to show everyone he can be responsible so jumps at the engagement announcement and the two decide to work together; they will visit his aunt Agatha, win The Fortune Game and then split up.

This is such a fun book; I love the interaction between Blake and Emma. The fact that she is not interested in him just about floors him and the banter between them is hysterical. I also love his Aunt Agatha, she is a hoot and really steals the show when they are playing The Fortune Game. You can tell how much Blake and Agatha love each other but the way they portray it is amusing, they both tease each other with severity but you can tell the affection is there. Agatha was there for him when he most needed someone as a child, and that is very special.

As the story unfolds the change in Blake is phenomenal, he became this amazing romantic and when he reproduces the "day he proposed" for her when it never really happened, I got a bit choked up. I think the two together work well and the chemistry although slow to start takes off with a bang as they try to win the game. I was unhappy that it takes a while for Emma to make a decision and I hated that she still thought about Benedict after all Blake did for her. And to me, there was something slimy about Benedict that, although it was hinted at was never revealed - I think he got what he deserved.

The secondary characters were all fun and entertaining (except Benedict) and I know that the next wallflower books will be about her good friends, I am excited to see who they end up with and what adventures they will have. I think the ending was cute and I enjoyed how the author dealt with the conflict on the way to the happily ever after.

The author is writing the Wallflower series and Bad Boy series together, they parallel each other, one set in contemporary times and one in Regency times. According to Ms. Rodale the historical books can be read as stand-alone stories but the Bad Boy series should be read in order. The Bad Boy Billionaire's Wicked Arrangement is the contemporary parallel to The Wicked Wallflower and I am intrigued to read how the author brings the story to modern times but believe it will fit well. I can't wait to read them.

Review also on Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind

Copy from publisher through Edelweiss for an honest review

Sweet, steamy, and a brilliant historical romance! The Wicked Wallflower was absolutely fantastic. I really enjoyed reading this wonderful book. Loved it, just loved it!

Emma was a great heroine, one that was very likable. She goes from being an infamous wallflower to a famous toast of the ton. But, she wasn't going to be forced into anything or force another person into anything. I only had one issue with her. She begins the book in love with a man who has courted her for three seasons and still hasn't proposed. She is adamant that he is the one she wants to marry and won't be forced into marrying anyone else, even a duke. I understood that, but, later on, when it was clear that Emma was in love with Blake and Blake was in love with her, she kept holding onto that. Even though it was obvious that he wasn't going to fight for her and she had a much better option (AKA, a DUKE!). It annoyed me, but she did redeem herself by fighting for Blake when it really mattered. So, it ended up being a minor issue and I finished up the book really liking her.

Blake, the Duke of Ashbrooke...what can I say? He was perfect. He was so sweet and wonderful and I just adored him. And, he's not just a pretty face. He was very clever. The entire fake betrothal continued because Blake needed investors for a new invention (the Difference Engine) and he needed to repair his reputation if he wanted the money. He was super charming and his wit made the book so much fun to read. I loved how, once he knew he was in love with Emma, he wasted no time in wooing her and he was a pro at grand gestures. I thought he was perfect and I adored him.

The romance was lovely. Emma and Blake were really sweet together. Neither of them wasted any time being in denial and their feelings for each other were obvious. And, there was certainly some chemistry between them. They weren't the kind of couple to be constantly jumping each other but, when they did, it was steamy. I thought they were a wonderful couple.

I loved the whole story line of the Fortune Games. It was so fun and definitely a new idea. Seeing a dozen people compete for the favor of an old woman in the hopes that she would leave her enormous fortune to one of them was very entertaining. And I loved Blake's aunt, the host of the Fortune Games. She was a fun character, with her endless sass and her disregard for society's rules. I thought that whole idea was awesome.

The plot was fast paced. I was hooked the entire way though. I really enjoyed the story and I thought the ending was perfect.

The Wicked Wallflower was a lovely historical romance. I absolutely loved it! It was sweet, steamy, and a truly enjoyable read. Lovers of romance, you have to read this book.

*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

There's Physics involved in the story of The Wicked Wallflower, specifically, of Newton's Third Law of Motion, the idea of action and reaction -- it's dazzling to see this brilliant theory at work, not just in theoretical objects, but in actual characters.

Action/Reaction #1: She's one of London's premier wallflower and he's London's most sought-after bachelors -- their paths would never have crossed, until a notice appears in the newspapers, announcing their engagement. It was written on a lark, one drunken night in which three lovely wallflowers were discussing their fates, and never should've seen the light of day -- but, now it's out there. Lady Emma Avery sees it as a scandal in the making, but, Blake Auden, the Duke of Ashbrooke, sees it as an opportunity to get the much-needed funds for his Difference Engine project.

He convinces Emma to join him in his Aunt Agatha's Annual Fortune Games. Emma is wary of Blake, but she needs to win the Fortune Games if she wants her dreams to come true: to marry her long-time love, Benedict, and to give her family some financial security. It's a few days of suffering Blake's company for a lifetime of (perceived) happiness, so Emma goes along with the charade. But the charade slowly stops being a charade, when Blake starts to see and appreciate Emma's quiet beauty and grace, and when Emma starts to see beyond Blake's arrogance and good looks -- and both decide that they want their pretend love story to be real -- but, can they make it so?

Action/Reaction #2: To the world, Blake seems to have everything going for him: he's a duke, he's reasonably wealthy and he's incredibly handsome -- so handsome, that the ladies have something they call "The Ashbrooke Effect" to describe his impact on people. But Blake is also an orphan, who lost his parents to a tragic mistake that could have been avoided. He's a man with numerous estates, but only considers one place home: his Aunt Agatha's house, and whose one constant anchor in life (Aunt Agatha) seems to have given up on him (by not writing or inviting him to the Fortune Games).

He was the Duke of Ashbrooke, which meant he was invited everywhere. Always. As a rule. Especially by his own aunt. Though all the facts dictated otherwise. He had been snubbed by the one person whose good opinion and favour mattered to him.
- Chapter 2

Blake knows he's lead a really questionable life, but he's trying to change his ways and raise funds to build his Difference Engine, a machine that would solve human/mathematical errors. Unfortunately, no one want to bank on him because of his reputation. When the announcement appears in the papers, Blake sees it as a much-needed opening -- and he takes it.

While Blake tries very hard to impress Emma, she doesn't appear to be affected by his charm (outwardly, on the inside, however, is a different story) -- and it's a revelation for Blake. He realises that he cannot "finesse" his way through Emma's heart and really needs to work to get her to notice him, or to smile at him, or to accept him. It starts out as a novelty, but, our hero slowly realises he likes the person he is when he is with Emma.

I really loved Blake's character -- there's a surprising depth and humanity to his story and imagined him to still be a little lost boy at heart, and he needed a compass to find his way through life.

Blake said all of that, aware that no one heard him. People looked at him and saw duke or reckless scoundrel or notorious seducer. He supposed it was his fault; that was the version of himself he presented to the world. It was the version Emma -- and potential investors, and his peers -- had judged him on, before they even met.

In moments like these he began to regret all the brandy, women, and scandals.

When it really mattered, no one believed him.
- Chapter 7

There's a really wonderful scene towards the end, when Blake meets with his potential investors and he cites this particular law of Physics, and I was in awe of his eloquence and determination. This is Blake Arden, when he fully applies himself to doing something good.

"And I'm asking you to trust me," he said softly, the truth of it occurring to him as he spoke the words. "Every force possesses an equal and opposite reaction. My aunt didn't invite me to the games, for it was the most certain way to ensure my attendance. My previously outrageous behaviour rightfully caused you to withdraw your support from my project. true to the equation, I have responded with an equal and opposite reaction: I have reformed. Where I was once a drunken wastrel, I have become sober. Where I was once an unconscionable and unfaithful rogue, I have now become hopelessly infatuated with and devoted to my fiancee."
- Chapter 16

Action/Reaction #3: Emma is known is the "Buxom Bluestocking" and is London's Least Likely to Misbehave. In the beginning, she reacts to Blake the way all the other women do -- her knees weaken and her stomach turns into knots because of his physical appearance -- and it was easy for her to pretend not to be affected. But, as she discovers the Blake beyond the good looks, she experiences a very different variety of the "Ashbrooke Effect" -- and it's one that is a little harder to hide.

There's a love triangle in Emma, Benedict and Blake -- and, for once, I didn't mind that the scales were tipped heavily in Blake's favour: he isn't one to do things on a small scale, and really pours his whole self in every endeavour. I've seen grand declarations of love, but what Blake does is just amazing -- but, it's all grounded in sincerity and honesty.

"You'll just have faith, Emma, that my intentions are good and that I want you, and only you."
- Chapter 20

What this story captures perfectly is the exhilaration and the reward of taking the leap of faith -- Blake Auden was not the safest bet in the world, but I'm glad Emma chose him, because he won me over with his passion, resolve and clarity -- he was the only one to truly see how beautiful and worthy Emma was.

I will end this review with my favourite part of this book, and it's Aunt Agatha and the Fortune Games. Maya Rodale has a gift for making her secondary characters relevant. At The Fortune Games, we see a gamut of characters all vying for Aunt Agatha's money -- and they aren't cookie-cutter flat, but they all have very different stories. Aunt Agatha's story with her fourth (and favourite) husband was heartwarming, and Harriet Dawkins's story was a sobering look at what happened to women in those times who had little-to-no resources at their disposal.

Admittedly, this is not a story without flaws (the shifting POVs, and the too-modern language), but this is a story with so much joy and dynamism and fun. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be following this series.

Emma and Blake come together to protect reputations, build new ones, and compete for a fortune so that each may have their own happily-ever-after. Neither expected to discover that the happily-ever-after that each sought was with each other. A few reviewers have complained about historical inaccuracies, yes, there are some but this is fiction. If you wish to read a historically accurate biography of a young woman too long on the shelf, look elsewhere but if you wish to experience a delightful, fun-filled, romantic adventure that will leave you with a happy ending, THE WICKED WALLFLOWER might be the one for you.

THE WICKED WALLFLOWER by Maya Rodale is a wickedly good time. Mischief and mayhem result when three, too smart for their own good, wallflowers indulge in an evening of drinking sherry and cause one of them to embark on a journey that will make her blossom into something far more appealing than a wallflower. Maya has a knack for creating believably smart, yet rebellious young heroines who manage to take the rogues on whom they set their sights by surprise every time. Emma is no exception. She allows Blake to chase her until he's finally caught in her web of love. Secondary characters, among them Blake's Aunt Agatha, drive this story will delightful banter and create an environment that forces two personalities to recognize that they have more in common with each other than their peers. The Fortune Games are intriguing, imaginative, and for our couple, love inspiring.

I highly recommend THE WICKED WALLFLOWER by Maya Rodale to anyone who loves a story that intrigues, that manages to keep the reader a little off kilter as to what might happen, and to anyone who loves a wonderful, wickedly passionate, and romantically satisfying tale with a smiling happily-ever-after. I mean anyone - I recommend this one to those of you who aren't partial to historical romances as well, for Maya has something splendid planned for contemporary readers and it all begins with THE WICKED WALLFLOWER.

***eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

I found out about this book through Caffeinated Book Reviewer and got the book immediately because it sounded like a fun read. I wasn't disappointed at all. In fact, I was kept entertained throughout the book because the plot was slightly different than most historical romance out there--daring, funny and unusual.

Imagine announcing your engagement publicly by accident to someone whom you've never actually met before, what would the other party's reaction be? You know from the blurb that the Duke of Ashbrooke actually played along with Emma's innocent game and this is what made the story interesting.

I like how unusual the plot was and it is really refreshing to read about the deceit and how the two of them teamed up together to win in Blake's Aunt Agatha's games for a grand inheritance, which both of them badly need for their own reasons. This Aunt Agatha is another fun and crazy character, totally unpredictable! You should read how she judged people in the games. Blake... The Ashbrooke Effect, where ladies' heart start to flutter whenever he was around, didn't quite affect Emma, or so both of them thought. The conversations the both of them have and their actions brought out the best of their characters. I was eager to find out how both of them will end up--win or lose the game? It's fun to read how Blake tease Emma. I find it hard not to like the book but still, it has its flaws... like how Emma is able to attend the games with Blake, alone. Well, I suppose I can overlook it... The ending, although it's a happy one, it still felt somewhat lacking to me. A bit too daring? Well, you'll have to read it yourself and give your own verdict on this.

A delightful read and I will continue with the series to find out about the remaining two wallflowers.

There's Physics involved in the story of The Wicked Wallflower, specifically, of Newton's Third Law of Motion, the idea of action and reaction -- it's dazzling to see this brilliant theory at work, not just in theoretical objects, but in actual characters.

Action/Reaction #1: She's one of London's premier wallflower and he's London's most sought-after bachelors -- their paths would never have crossed, until a notice appears in the newspapers, announcing their engagement. It was written on a lark, one drunken night in which three lovely wallflowers were discussing their fates, and never should've seen the light of day -- but, now it's out there. Lady Emma Avery sees it as a scandal in the making, but, Blake Auden, the Duke of Ashbrooke, sees it as an opportunity to get the much-needed funds for his Difference Engine project.

He convinces Emma to join him in his Aunt Agatha's Annual Fortune Games. Emma is wary of Blake, but she needs to win the Fortune Games if she wants her dreams to come true: to marry her long-time love, Benedict, and to give her family some financial security. It's a few days of suffering Blake's company for a lifetime of (perceived) happiness, so Emma goes along with the charade. But the charade slowly stops being a charade, when Blake starts to see and appreciate Emma's quiet beauty and grace, and when Emma starts to see beyond Blake's arrogance and good looks -- and both decide that they want their pretend love story to be real -- but, can they make it so?

Action/Reaction #2: To the world, Blake seems to have everything going for him: he's a duke, he's reasonably wealthy and he's incredibly handsome -- so handsome, that the ladies have something they call "The Ashbrooke Effect" to describe his impact on people. But Blake is also an orphan, who lost his parents to a tragic mistake that could have been avoided. He's a man with numerous estates, but only considers one place home: his Aunt Agatha's house, and whose one constant anchor in life (Aunt Agatha) seems to have given up on him (by not writing or inviting him to the Fortune Games).

He was the Duke of Ashbrooke, which meant he was invited everywhere. Always. As a rule. Especially by his own aunt. Though all the facts dictated otherwise. He had been snubbed by the one person whose good opinion and favour mattered to him.
- Chapter 2

Blake knows he's lead a really questionable life, but he's trying to change his ways and raise funds to build his Difference Engine, a machine that would solve human/mathematical errors. Unfortunately, no one want to bank on him because of his reputation. When the announcement appears in the papers, Blake sees it as a much-needed opening -- and he takes it.

While Blake tries very hard to impress Emma, she doesn't appear to be affected by his charm (outwardly, on the inside, however, is a different story) -- and it's a revelation for Blake. He realises that he cannot "finesse" his way through Emma's heart and really needs to work to get her to notice him, or to smile at him, or to accept him. It starts out as a novelty, but, our hero slowly realises he likes the person he is when he is with Emma.

I really loved Blake's character -- there's a surprising depth and humanity to his story and imagined him to still be a little lost boy at heart, and he needed a compass to find his way through life.

Blake said all of that, aware that no one heard him. People looked at him and saw duke or reckless scoundrel or notorious seducer. He supposed it was his fault; that was the version of himself he presented to the world. It was the version Emma -- and potential investors, and his peers -- had judged him on, before they even met.

In moments like these he began to regret all the brandy, women, and scandals.

When it really mattered, no one believed him.
- Chapter 7

There's a really wonderful scene towards the end, when Blake meets with his potential investors and he cites this particular law of Physics, and I was in awe of his eloquence and determination. This is Blake Arden, when he fully applies himself to doing something good.

"And I'm asking you to trust me," he said softly, the truth of it occurring to him as he spoke the words. "Every force possesses an equal and opposite reaction. My aunt didn't invite me to the games, for it was the most certain way to ensure my attendance. My previously outrageous behaviour rightfully caused you to withdraw your support from my project. true to the equation, I have responded with an equal and opposite reaction: I have reformed. Where I was once a drunken wastrel, I have become sober. Where I was once an unconscionable and unfaithful rogue, I have now become hopelessly infatuated with and devoted to my fiancee."
- Chapter 16

Action/Reaction #3: Emma is known is the "Buxom Bluestocking" and is London's Least Likely to Misbehave. In the beginning, she reacts to Blake the way all the other women do -- her knees weaken and her stomach turns into knots because of his physical appearance -- and it was easy for her to pretend not to be affected. But, as she discovers the Blake beyond the good looks, she experiences a very different variety of the "Ashbrooke Effect" -- and it's one that is a little harder to hide.

There's a love triangle in Emma, Benedict and Blake -- and, for once, I didn't mind that the scales were tipped heavily in Blake's favour: he isn't one to do things on a small scale, and really pours his whole self in every endeavour. I've seen grand declarations of love, but what Blake does is just amazing -- but, it's all grounded in sincerity and honesty.

"You'll just have faith, Emma, that my intentions are good and that I want you, and only you."
- Chapter 20

What this story captures perfectly is the exhilaration and the reward of taking the leap of faith -- Blake Auden was not the safest bet in the world, but I'm glad Emma chose him, because he won me over with his passion, resolve and clarity -- he was the only one to truly see how beautiful and worthy Emma was.

I will end this review with my favourite part of this book, and it's Aunt Agatha and the Fortune Games. Maya Rodale has a gift for making her secondary characters relevant. At The Fortune Games, we see a gamut of characters all vying for Aunt Agatha's money -- and they aren't cookie-cutter flat, but they all have very different stories. Aunt Agatha's story with her fourth (and favourite) husband was heartwarming, and Harriet Dawkins's story was a sobering look at what happened to women in those times who had little-to-no resources at their disposal.

Admittedly, this is not a story without flaws (the shifting POVs, and the too-modern language), but this is a story with so much joy and dynamism and fun. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be following this series.

Emma and Blake come together to protect reputations, build new ones, and compete for a fortune so that each may have their own happily-ever-after. Neither expected to discover that the happily-ever-after that each sought was with each other. A few reviewers have complained about historical inaccuracies, yes, there are some but this is fiction. If you wish to read a historically accurate biography of a young woman too long on the shelf, look elsewhere but if you wish to experience a delightful, fun-filled, romantic adventure that will leave you with a happy ending, THE WICKED WALLFLOWER might be the one for you.

THE WICKED WALLFLOWER by Maya Rodale is a wickedly good time. Mischief and mayhem result when three, too smart for their own good, wallflowers indulge in an evening of drinking sherry and cause one of them to embark on a journey that will make her blossom into something far more appealing than a wallflower. Maya has a knack for creating believably smart, yet rebellious young heroines who manage to take the rogues on whom they set their sights by surprise every time. Emma is no exception. She allows Blake to chase her until he's finally caught in her web of love. Secondary characters, among them Blake's Aunt Agatha, drive this story will delightful banter and create an environment that forces two personalities to recognize that they have more in common with each other than their peers. The Fortune Games are intriguing, imaginative, and for our couple, love inspiring.

I highly recommend THE WICKED WALLFLOWER by Maya Rodale to anyone who loves a story that intrigues, that manages to keep the reader a little off kilter as to what might happen, and to anyone who loves a wonderful, wickedly passionate, and romantically satisfying tale with a smiling happily-ever-after. I mean anyone - I recommend this one to those of you who aren't partial to historical romances as well, for Maya has something splendid planned for contemporary readers and it all begins with THE WICKED WALLFLOWER.

***eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

I found out about this book through Caffeinated Book Reviewer and got the book immediately because it sounded like a fun read. I wasn't disappointed at all. In fact, I was kept entertained throughout the book because the plot was slightly different than most historical romance out there--daring, funny and unusual.

Imagine announcing your engagement publicly by accident to someone whom you've never actually met before, what would the other party's reaction be? You know from the blurb that the Duke of Ashbrooke actually played along with Emma's innocent game and this is what made the story interesting.

I like how unusual the plot was and it is really refreshing to read about the deceit and how the two of them teamed up together to win in Blake's Aunt Agatha's games for a grand inheritance, which both of them badly need for their own reasons. This Aunt Agatha is another fun and crazy character, totally unpredictable! You should read how she judged people in the games. Blake... The Ashbrooke Effect, where ladies' heart start to flutter whenever he was around, didn't quite affect Emma, or so both of them thought. The conversations the both of them have and their actions brought out the best of their characters. I was eager to find out how both of them will end up--win or lose the game? It's fun to read how Blake tease Emma. I find it hard not to like the book but still, it has its flaws... like how Emma is able to attend the games with Blake, alone. Well, I suppose I can overlook it... The ending, although it's a happy one, it still felt somewhat lacking to me. A bit too daring? Well, you'll have to read it yourself and give your own verdict on this.

A delightful read and I will continue with the series to find out about the remaining two wallflowers.

Overall it was an ok novel! Not very historical in terms of a traditional regency! More like a romance that can be placed within any timeframe with the added parts of carriages & fancy ballgowns & bits of haute ton thrown in there to make it resemble something out of the regency era!! The story itself dragged on & on sadly lost interest & skimmed last quarter of the book!! Wanted to see how it ended despite the redundancy of the main characters & misunderstanding galore until they finally Emma married her Duke!!!!! I love any novel about wallflowers so I might give the next in the series a try, but not right away!!

I adore story's where shy wallflowers capture the unlikely attention of roguish men, and this has to be the most surprising way to do it! Giddy from the influence of one too many bottles glasses of sherry and morose over their fourth season, Lady Emma Avery, along with her two best friends and fellow wallflowers, pen a note to the paper announcing Emma's engagement to the most unlikely of suitors, the re-known rake, the Duke of Ashbrooke. But never intending to ever actually submit the announcement, Emma gets quite the surprise a few days later when a gaggle of ladies descend on her house exclaiming over the news of her engagement. Even more surprising is when the Duke himself appears going along with the outrageous story! Blake lays out a plan for Emma to go forward with the engagement, at least for a little while; a plan that will help his sordid reputation and garner him the support he needs for an invention that is close to his heart, and one that will earn Emma the means to marry the man she truly loves, Benedict. But Emma surprises the Duke when she refuses him, he is instantly intrigued by this conundrum of a women and finally convinces Emma to accept the faux proposal. However, they must make it through Blake's crazy Aunt Agatha's Fortune Games for their plan to work and Agatha isn't going to make it easy for them....Will Emma and Blake come through on top, or will they loose not only the game but their hearts as well?

The Wicked Wallflower is my first book from author, Maya Rodale, and I truly enjoyed it. I'm not sure about the contemporary romance side to this series but I definitely plan on finding out what the other two wallflowers get up to in the next historical romances! Emma, along with her two friends, are each fun, quick and witty characters. And I loved how Emma totally took Blake by surprise, shaking his foundation and knocking his ego down a few pegs. Their relationship was rife with turmoil, each having their own path that led them down separate roads but when they get to that fork I was crossing my fingers for them to choose the right direction that led them back to each other again. I thought the romance progressed at a wonderfully believable pace and was enamored with every minute of it.

Blake's Aunt Agatha's Fortune Games was a unique way to bring two potential lovers together. Entertaining but not very believable, though it did make me wonder....was all the years of these ridiculous games just a push to get Blake to finally get his s*** together? Did Agatha always plan to give everything to Blake? I was surprised though by Benedict's ending and it was a bit confusing. But The Wicked Wallflower was an enchanting story that left me smiling at the end. ☺ If you're a historical romance fan then I recommend you picking this one up.

***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

Emma, Olivia and Prudence, all graduates of Lady Penelope’s Finishing School have been given nicknames by the ton. Lady Emma Avery has been dubbed, “Least Likely to Misbehave” I immediately liked all three girls, but our focus is on Emma. She is quite the character. She loves to read, has strong opinions and is a little naïve when it comes to love. I love strong female characters, who question things and Emma was brilliant. The Duke of Ashbrooke (Blake), is a complicated rogue and deliciously handsome. He has other ideas in mind when he decides to go along with this fake betrothal, and I loved when Emma tripped him up. Woman usually fall at his feet, but not Emma, forcing him to get to know her and uncover her many facets. Aunt Agatha was delightful and her Fortune Games a hoot.Benedict is a man who has courted Emma for three years, and I found him to be a wet noodle, who complicated the romance.

The Wicked Wallflower was such a fun romp, with its games, relationship trope and complicated romance. I immediately liked the girls, and knew this was a series I was going to enjoy. The romance was filled with witty banter, and I found myself snorting with laughter. Emma is dubbed, Least Likely, and Blake kept changing the title in his mind, giving us clues to his thoughts and insecurities all while being absolutely hilarious. I loved how Rodale peeled back their layers and exposed these characters. The romance was not without tension and misunderstanding, but it was believable. I craved my HEA relentlessly as we mounted obstacles and interfering boobs. The only issue I had with this novel was a technical one. It involving improper speech and etiquette for the period. Emma as a lady would never have been allowed to travel without a chaperone and characters were improperly addressed with regard to their title. This was a small bump and the flaw was consistent throughout the novel. Once I accepted it all was well. Copy received from publisher in exchange for unbiased review that originally published at caffeinated book reviewer.

Characters: Ashbrooke is really something else. He has had it too easy with women so Emma is something he has no experience with. He starts out likeable and while he changes that does not. Emma is great. She has wit and intelligence, neither a plus on the marriage market. It is fun to see the two interact and finally get together. Ashbrooke's aunt plays a major role and she is a wonderful character, old and near the end of her life but still a force of nature.

Plot: No one believes in Ashbrooke's invention or business interest. Emma is tired of the social scene and just want to have a husband and family. They need each other but the thing that stands between them is who sent the engagement notice to the paper and who will inherit the Aunt's money. I had a suspicion on both and it turned out both were true.

Writing: This is a very well constructed story with great dialog and description, wonderful characters and an interesting plot. The writing holds everything together and kept me reading into the night.

A Wicked Wallflower is full of fun. It is an enjoyable read. There are other wallflowers introduced and ready for their stories so I will be on the lookout for the next wallflower book.

I adore 'wallflower' stories because I love watching these women blossom! They're always more clever and exciting than society gives them credit for, and being there as they open up and let people see who they really are - often with the help of a devilishly handsome and rakish man - keeps me smiling and sighing throughout the story and, ultimately, falling in love!

This story is all that, as well as unique. The addition of "The Fortune Games" is ingenious! Likely to happen? No, but highly entertaining which is why I read fiction. If historical romance was written entirely factual...it'd be boring as heck and wouldn't be my favorite genre, which it is.

Anyway, I'm excited to read Olivia and Penelope's stories next!

Needs to be slashed with an editing pen; many redundant scenes and dialogue. Pretty much the run of the mill regency duke story, with a few cute pretty acts and colloquy. Read like the author's first book (it's not, but the first I've read by Ms. Rodale), there's something there but very infantile.

Oh, and you probably want to stuff any historical knowledge into a dark corner of your brain while you read this. I mean, I could be wrong but the terms "Lover Boy" and "God Awful" and an unmarried miss, albeit an engaged one, running wild unchaperoned with nary a raised eyebrow seem a tad off for 19th century England.

Decently meh. I am going to plan on reading the second in this series though, and give this author another try.

EDITED STARS FROM 2 STARS TO 3 STARS!!!

The storyline had great potential, but the Author Ms. Rodale couldn't quit pull it off. The story, the characters the scene none of it felt like a Regency Historical Romance. The characters Blake the Duke of Ashbrooke and Lady Emma have no depth. They are pretty one sided. I didn't really feel the love or romance between them. I don't need the Historical Romances stories I read to be perfectly accurate to the period, but at least realistic. As other reviewers have said Young Ladies of rank in the Ton did not go about unchaperoned. Unless married or widowed. Rich, Handsome Dukes were very arrogant and would not have been fascinated with Lady Emma the way Blake was fascinated with her. The roles should have been reversed. Sorry!

I enjoyed the Writing Girls series so when Ms. Rodale posted on Facebook that she was writing a new series, I was immediately interested. And when I got the book, I was not disappointed.

Having been an awkward kid and a wallflower in my younger years, I liked the way the wallflowers were portrayed. And I thought the entire scenario was well-played out. Loved the hero, loved the heroine, loved the story. A win all around.

And I find the parallel story idea with a contemporary book pairing to be pretty fascinating, too. I can't wait to read that one.

I was lucky enough to receive a free eARC from Avon in return for a review.

Maya Rodale is my favorite historical romance author. Her protagonists - both male and female - have not only good looks and charm but intelligence and wit as well. In fact, some of the witty repartees in this book had me laughing out loud. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am now intrigued enough to want to read "The Bad Boy Billionaire's Wicked Arrangement," her contemporary take on "The Wicked Wallflower."

This book was entertaining. It had a lot of funny moments. It was a hoot. It also had a lot of kissing and touching moments. I wouldn't have mind adding it to my favorites collection but I cannot seeing that this book was a library loan. But, great library loan nonetheless.

Maya Rodale launches a new series with this lively and fun romp. The tale can get silly and the language anachronistic, but the characters are appealing, particularly the endearingly crusty Aunt Agatha, and the Fortune Games are a wonderful diversion.
Heather Nordahl Files

I hardly ever write reviews, but this warranted one. I adore this book. Maya Rodale constructed likable characters and moments that are both funny and heart-wrenching. Annabelle is such a genuine character and completely relatable. I found myself laughing out loud, sighing when she did, and wanting to bash the Nodcock over the head for her. If you're at all over the fence about whether to read this book, jump off it and click buy. You'll probably go buy the others in the series as well, as I did.

There is so much to love about the first installment in Maya Rodale's new series! The three friends, all wallflowers, were likable from the start. Without giving too much away, the other plot elements drew me in and truly set this fun, hot historical romance apart. I loved the fact that the heroine announced her engagement to a Duke in the paper. And the Fortune Games were so much fun! This story is filled with entertaining side characters in addition to a hero and heroine I rooted for from the beginning. I can't wait for the next book in the series! I'm also eager to read the contemporary e-books attached to this series, in which the heroine is the author of the Wallflower books. Very original and smart idea!

This was terrible. I don't demand 100% historical fidelity in a romance novel, but this was straight-up unbelievable. A previous reviewer (Allana) has already pointed out many flaws in this regard, but here are two more horrors that pull you straight out of the story and back to 2014.
1) The author repeatedly used the phrase "The heart wants what the heart wants." You can't quote Woody Allen in a book purported to take place more than a 100 years before he was born.
2) The (completely ridiculous) conceit of The Fortune Games is so obviously influenced by the Hunger Games as to make me genuinely angry at the author for her lazy storytelling. I don't even think she is trying.

In other bad news:
1)The pacing is terrible, with the story sputtering along in jolts
2) It is never clear why the hero suddenly decides he loves the heroine, or even when he decides.
3) The heroine is described as a bluestocking but appears to be pretty dumb, and the books she reads are all torrid, sensationalistic novels. Just reading books doesn't make her scholarly.
4) The hero's aunt, who we are supposed to love and be charmed by, was not eccentric, she was just mean and capricious to almost everyone except (maybe) the hero.

Overall: ugh. Thank God I got it from the library.

Great book, great story! I loved Blake and Aunt Agatha so much. I liked Emma, just wish she had a little more confidence in herself. The ending was great and I can't wait to read the next book in this series!