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adventurepanda's review against another edition
5.0
Reread 13th February 2019
This is not my first reread of this book by a long shot, and it is definitely not the last one I’ll have. Whenever I need a book to get me out of a bad mood, a reading slump, a long day, or just because I feel like it, it usually ends up being a historical romance reread. This one is definitely one of my favourites, if not my favourite one, just because of how much I love the main characters and their relationship. It’s uber-cute and hot and goals, I heart it and I ship it so much. I have yet to find another historical romance that lives up to this one for me, which is why I’ve moved up my star rating to a 5. It feels stupid to love a book this much and not give it a full star rating, even if my gripes about the anticlimactic ending and Matthew’s secret still stand. I won’t be surprised if I end up reading this again before the year is out
This is not my first reread of this book by a long shot, and it is definitely not the last one I’ll have. Whenever I need a book to get me out of a bad mood, a reading slump, a long day, or just because I feel like it, it usually ends up being a historical romance reread. This one is definitely one of my favourites, if not my favourite one, just because of how much I love the main characters and their relationship. It’s uber-cute and hot and goals, I heart it and I ship it so much. I have yet to find another historical romance that lives up to this one for me, which is why I’ve moved up my star rating to a 5. It feels stupid to love a book this much and not give it a full star rating, even if my gripes about the anticlimactic ending and Matthew’s secret still stand. I won’t be surprised if I end up reading this again before the year is out
raddreader's review against another edition
5.0
Reread. I loved this even more the 2nd time around.
“To friendship," Lillian said, her voice suddenly husky.
And their four glasses clicked in one perfect moment.”
A perfect end to a fabulous series.
Book 4: London 1844
Characters:
Daisy, 22:
An American whose father has made his fortune manufacturing soap. Her mother brought her and her sister (Lillian) to England to marry peers. Lillian has already found her true love (Book 2) and Daisy is the last of the Wallflowers who has yet to marry. She loves to get lost in books and spends her days reading and dreaming.
”Daisy was an idealist, a dreamer, a mercurial creature who alternated between childlike whimsy and shrewd intelligence.”
In book 1, Daisy's requirements for a husband were the following:
"I want to marry a man who has read the entire collected works of Shakespeare. Someone quiet and romantic—better yet if he wears spectacles— and he should like poetry and nature, I shouldn’t like him to be too experienced with women.”
By book 4, her requirements had changed:
“What I wish for is…the right man for me. I'm prepared to be open-minded.”
Matthew:
Matthew is an American and the right hand man in Daisy's father's company. He has been summoned to England by Daisy's father to oversee a new division of the soap company and the father fully intends for Matthew to marry Daisy. Matthew has a ton of self confidence when it comes to business, but he is harboring a secret that makes him less confident in his personal life.
"He had been to hell and back at a much earlier time in his life, having known physical pain, deprivation, near-starvation, and bone-chilling fear.”
He has had a pretty big crush on Daisy for years, but has not been willing to pursue her because of his secret.
“She was the most provoking, beguiling woman he had ever met. Thunderstorms and rainbows wrapped together in a convenient pocket-sized parcel.”
Story:
Daisy's father had decided that since she couldn't land an English peer, that it would be ideal for her to marry his right hand man. Daisy was appalled by this demand and was quite taken aback when her father suggested she was a parasite to her family and she would indeed marry the husband he had chosen for her. Yikes 😬A parasite?? Geez, thanks dad. 😤
Daisy and Matthew have a strong attraction to each other but she is trying to come to terms with the fact that he is not the person she thought he was and he is trying to accept the fact that although he loves Daisy, they can never be together because of his past.
"A long time ago," he eventually said, "I made an enemy, a powerful one, through no fault of my own. Because of his influence I was forced to leave Boston. And I have good reason to believe this man's grievance will come back to haunt me someday. I've lived with that sword hanging over my head for years. I don't want you anywhere near me when it drops.”
Matthew’s love for Daisy just jumps off the page. In everything he does, he puts her first and is willing to sacrifice his own happiness. Swoon ❤️
Daisy has been such a fun character throughout this entire series and i absolutely adored her in this book. It was so much fun to watch her feelings change for Matthew and for her to finally get her wish.
“When she was with him, she felt the promise of something more wonderful, more exciting than anything she had read or dreamed about.”
When Matthew’s secret is finally revealed, Daisy’s unwavering support and unconditional love was so inspiring. I loved that she believed in him with every fiber of her being.
This story includes all the characters from the previous books and it was heartwarming to see the girls continue to treasure their friendship and stand by each other. Westcliff’s voice of reason and his support of both Matthew and Daisy just tugged on my heart strings.
”Daisy has a unique spirit," Westcliff said. "A warm and romantic nature. If she is forced into a loveless marriage, she will be devastated. She deserves a husband who will cherish her for everything she is, and who will protect her from the harsher realities of the world. A husband who will allow her to dream.”
I have absolutely loved this series. I can’t say enough fantastic things about the wonderful journey I have taken with these four Wallflowers. My heart is entwined with theirs and I’m truly sad to have to say goodbye.
Quotes:
“I have received a poor rate of return on my investment in your husband-seeking. Do you know what that means, Daisy?"
"I'm an underperforming stock?" she guessed.”
“Daisy," Westcliff said gently, "most lives are not distinguished by great achievements. They are measured by an infinite number of small ones. Each time you do a kindness for someone or bring a smile to his face, it gives your life meaning. Never doubt your value, little friend. The world would be a dismal place without Daisy Bowman in it.”
“Never do an enemy a small injury."
"Only you would quote Machiavelli during lawn bowling," Daisy said through gritted teeth.”
“If Mr. Swift wanted me, he wouldn't stop to ask for my permission any more than a lion would stop and politely ask an antelope if he would mind being eaten for lunch.”
“You've always been everything I thought a woman should be. And I have wanted you every second of my life since we first met.”
“I'm not short. I'm…vertically disadvantaged.”
“I've reconciled myself to the fact that it would be easier to push a pea with my nose from here to London than to try and stand in the way of this marriage.”
“To friendship," Lillian said, her voice suddenly husky.
And their four glasses clicked in one perfect moment.”
A perfect end to a fabulous series.
Book 4: London 1844
Characters:
Daisy, 22:
An American whose father has made his fortune manufacturing soap. Her mother brought her and her sister (Lillian) to England to marry peers. Lillian has already found her true love (Book 2) and Daisy is the last of the Wallflowers who has yet to marry. She loves to get lost in books and spends her days reading and dreaming.
”Daisy was an idealist, a dreamer, a mercurial creature who alternated between childlike whimsy and shrewd intelligence.”
In book 1, Daisy's requirements for a husband were the following:
"I want to marry a man who has read the entire collected works of Shakespeare. Someone quiet and romantic—better yet if he wears spectacles— and he should like poetry and nature, I shouldn’t like him to be too experienced with women.”
By book 4, her requirements had changed:
“What I wish for is…the right man for me. I'm prepared to be open-minded.”
Matthew:
Matthew is an American and the right hand man in Daisy's father's company. He has been summoned to England by Daisy's father to oversee a new division of the soap company and the father fully intends for Matthew to marry Daisy. Matthew has a ton of self confidence when it comes to business, but he is harboring a secret that makes him less confident in his personal life.
"He had been to hell and back at a much earlier time in his life, having known physical pain, deprivation, near-starvation, and bone-chilling fear.”
He has had a pretty big crush on Daisy for years, but has not been willing to pursue her because of his secret.
“She was the most provoking, beguiling woman he had ever met. Thunderstorms and rainbows wrapped together in a convenient pocket-sized parcel.”
Story:
Daisy's father had decided that since she couldn't land an English peer, that it would be ideal for her to marry his right hand man. Daisy was appalled by this demand and was quite taken aback when her father suggested she was a parasite to her family and she would indeed marry the husband he had chosen for her. Yikes 😬A parasite?? Geez, thanks dad. 😤
Daisy and Matthew have a strong attraction to each other but she is trying to come to terms with the fact that he is not the person she thought he was and he is trying to accept the fact that although he loves Daisy, they can never be together because of his past.
"A long time ago," he eventually said, "I made an enemy, a powerful one, through no fault of my own. Because of his influence I was forced to leave Boston. And I have good reason to believe this man's grievance will come back to haunt me someday. I've lived with that sword hanging over my head for years. I don't want you anywhere near me when it drops.”
Matthew’s love for Daisy just jumps off the page. In everything he does, he puts her first and is willing to sacrifice his own happiness. Swoon ❤️
Daisy has been such a fun character throughout this entire series and i absolutely adored her in this book. It was so much fun to watch her feelings change for Matthew and for her to finally get her wish.
“When she was with him, she felt the promise of something more wonderful, more exciting than anything she had read or dreamed about.”
When Matthew’s secret is finally revealed, Daisy’s unwavering support and unconditional love was so inspiring. I loved that she believed in him with every fiber of her being.
This story includes all the characters from the previous books and it was heartwarming to see the girls continue to treasure their friendship and stand by each other. Westcliff’s voice of reason and his support of both Matthew and Daisy just tugged on my heart strings.
”Daisy has a unique spirit," Westcliff said. "A warm and romantic nature. If she is forced into a loveless marriage, she will be devastated. She deserves a husband who will cherish her for everything she is, and who will protect her from the harsher realities of the world. A husband who will allow her to dream.”
I have absolutely loved this series. I can’t say enough fantastic things about the wonderful journey I have taken with these four Wallflowers. My heart is entwined with theirs and I’m truly sad to have to say goodbye.
Quotes:
“I have received a poor rate of return on my investment in your husband-seeking. Do you know what that means, Daisy?"
"I'm an underperforming stock?" she guessed.”
“Daisy," Westcliff said gently, "most lives are not distinguished by great achievements. They are measured by an infinite number of small ones. Each time you do a kindness for someone or bring a smile to his face, it gives your life meaning. Never doubt your value, little friend. The world would be a dismal place without Daisy Bowman in it.”
“Never do an enemy a small injury."
"Only you would quote Machiavelli during lawn bowling," Daisy said through gritted teeth.”
“If Mr. Swift wanted me, he wouldn't stop to ask for my permission any more than a lion would stop and politely ask an antelope if he would mind being eaten for lunch.”
“You've always been everything I thought a woman should be. And I have wanted you every second of my life since we first met.”
“I'm not short. I'm…vertically disadvantaged.”
“I've reconciled myself to the fact that it would be easier to push a pea with my nose from here to London than to try and stand in the way of this marriage.”
chillstock's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
justmimi1947's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
geo_ix's review against another edition
5.0
In the beginning I was liking this more than book 3, but towards the end, while I still loved it, I did quite love it as much? I really loved how he’d had feelings for her for a long time. I loved that she didn’t notice and didn’t like him but slowly came to get to know him and that all changed. That button thing? Adorable.
I would like to say, Mr Bowman is an absolute douche. I’m glad we barely saw him because every time we did (at least around his daughters/wife) I was angry.
I was so interested in what he’d done, I honestly did NOT guess what he did. I was pretty shocked no one really cared. Perhaps would have liked it even more if someone besides the accuser was against him?
Overall it was real good. I didn’t really like Daisy’s sister in this, she got on my nerves how much she tried to steamroll her sister, but now that I think back on it she did roll her eyes and snap at Daisy back in the first book when we met them, maybe I just didn’t notice it as much until now.
I would like to say, Mr Bowman is an absolute douche. I’m glad we barely saw him because every time we did (at least around his daughters/wife) I was angry.
I was so interested in what he’d done, I honestly did NOT guess what he did. I was pretty shocked no one really cared. Perhaps would have liked it even more if someone besides the accuser was against him?
Overall it was real good. I didn’t really like Daisy’s sister in this, she got on my nerves how much she tried to steamroll her sister, but now that I think back on it she did roll her eyes and snap at Daisy back in the first book when we met them, maybe I just didn’t notice it as much until now.
420blazeit's review against another edition
3.0
this was better than devil in winter. i said what i said.
sad to see the wallflower series end but also… not really? i enjoyed the female friendships in this more than the actual relationships. i think it was because the stakes in every single third act breakup were so mf LOW. and most of them involved the hero getting hurt/sick and having to be nursed back to health. my least favorite trope.
i see the nurse back to health as a way for the hero to avoid taking any responsibility for the situation or a problem that they caused. that wasn’t the case in this book but still, i’m bitter at the carriage incident. it created unnecessary tension that added nothing to daisy and matthews story. if anything it would b more effective to have cam make a guest appearance. (this j proves to me that no one weaves in Actual Plot better than loretta chase and kerrigan byrne)
regardless this was still a fun series, albeit forgettable, and i’ve heard good thing about the Hathaway spinoff series from kleypas, so i’ll probably gravitate towards those after a little historical romance break ✅
sad to see the wallflower series end but also… not really? i enjoyed the female friendships in this more than the actual relationships. i think it was because the stakes in every single third act breakup were so mf LOW. and most of them involved the hero getting hurt/sick and having to be nursed back to health. my least favorite trope.
i see the nurse back to health as a way for the hero to avoid taking any responsibility for the situation or a problem that they caused. that wasn’t the case in this book but still, i’m bitter at the carriage incident. it created unnecessary tension that added nothing to daisy and matthews story. if anything it would b more effective to have cam make a guest appearance. (this j proves to me that no one weaves in Actual Plot better than loretta chase and kerrigan byrne)
regardless this was still a fun series, albeit forgettable, and i’ve heard good thing about the Hathaway spinoff series from kleypas, so i’ll probably gravitate towards those after a little historical romance break ✅
aprilius_maximus's review against another edition
4.0
*.) Again The Magic ★★
1.) Secrets of a Summer Night ★★★
2.) It Happened One Autumn ★★★
3.) Devil In Winter ★★★★
4.) Scandal in Spring ★★★★
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1.) Secrets of a Summer Night ★★★
2.) It Happened One Autumn ★★★
3.) Devil In Winter ★★★★
4.) Scandal in Spring ★★★★
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jaclynmaria's review against another edition
5.0
So much love for this series! My heart is so happy, what a sweet ending!
emmanadine's review against another edition
4.0
Yay! Finally a Kleypas hero that doesn't make me want to punch myself in the face.
Though, to be honest, I've liked a few others, too, but this one was very nice. And I love Daisy. She 'bout climbed him like a tree!
Though, to be honest, I've liked a few others, too, but this one was very nice. And I love Daisy. She 'bout climbed him like a tree!