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anoveldestination's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I really struggled to connect with the characters in this. For me, Penny was the stronger character of the two. Her backstory and love for animals gave her a lot more depth than Gabe, whose rake with a dark past storyline felt trite. Usually, Tessa Dare gives her heroes dark pasts, but each of the characters usually still has something unique in their story. Gabe's backstory and motivation didn't feel as fleshed out as Tessa Dare's characters usually are. Also, while Penny was a more believable character, the animal lover trait did seem like it was a little absurd and taken too far.
Perhaps, it was my struggle to believe the characters that also made me doubt their romance, but I didn't feel a lot of tension in their relationship and I never felt invested in their future as a couple. I didn't dislike their story and the progression of their relationship made sense, but I didn't care about their story either. It was a very "meh" romance for me.
In terms of style, I thought this book lacked some of Tessa Dare's usual humor. I didn't really find myself laughing or smiling in many parts, only in the scenes with characters from the previous books in the Girl Meets Duke series. The one redeeming quality of this story for me was the ending and Penny's character growth.
Perhaps, it was my struggle to believe the characters that also made me doubt their romance, but I didn't feel a lot of tension in their relationship and I never felt invested in their future as a couple. I didn't dislike their story and the progression of their relationship made sense, but I didn't care about their story either. It was a very "meh" romance for me.
In terms of style, I thought this book lacked some of Tessa Dare's usual humor. I didn't really find myself laughing or smiling in many parts, only in the scenes with characters from the previous books in the Girl Meets Duke series. The one redeeming quality of this story for me was the ending and Penny's character growth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Bullying and Child abuse
madsmcw_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Abandonment
ezraaa's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse and Abandonment
2ndbooktotheright's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual assault
beccaand's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another banger from Tessa Dare.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
mablayy's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Pedophilia
lapon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Abandonment
madele's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
mmandolynn's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Violence
rereadsromance's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
4.5
The Wallflower Wager was, in my opinion, the most heartbreaking installment in the Girl Meets Dukeseries.
I adored Lady Penelope Campion’s character, she was so very kind and pure of heart even while keeping such a devastating childhood secret.* She loved Gabriel wholeheartedly and without reservations even when he did not see himself as worthy of her love.
Gabriel didn’t believe he was good enough for Penny even though he was the first person who made her feel safe, protected, and loved. Against all of his intentions, he could not help but fall to her for her charm and fall hard. Penny taught him to love; love her, love her animals, and love himself.
Gabriel was willing to kill for Penny and honestly I wish she would have allowed him to kill the villain; it made me sick to my stomach that he didn’t die in the end.
However, I did love the fact that Penny reclaimed her power over her own life. She chose happiness and alongside Gabriel she found her own happy ending.
It was nice to catch up with all of the other couples from the series and although it has been literally years, I have not given up hope of one day reading Nicola’s story.
*childhood sexual abuse, non-graphic, mild mentions
I adored Lady Penelope Campion’s character, she was so very kind and pure of heart even while keeping such a devastating childhood secret.* She loved Gabriel wholeheartedly and without reservations even when he did not see himself as worthy of her love.
Gabriel didn’t believe he was good enough for Penny even though he was the first person who made her feel safe, protected, and loved. Against all of his intentions, he could not help but fall to her for her charm and fall hard. Penny taught him to love; love her, love her animals, and love himself.
Gabriel was willing to kill for Penny and honestly I wish she would have allowed him to kill the villain; it made me sick to my stomach that he didn’t die in the end.
However, I did love the fact that Penny reclaimed her power over her own life. She chose happiness and alongside Gabriel she found her own happy ending.
It was nice to catch up with all of the other couples from the series and although it has been literally years, I have not given up hope of one day reading Nicola’s story.
*
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Pedophilia