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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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:
No
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.5 stars! This book was great! Annabelle is a woman who is 25 and still on the search for a husband. While she is very beautiful, she has no dowry and thus is not a desirable wife. Getting more desperate, she plots a plan to get a husband with her three friends who are also wallflowers. However what she doesn't know is she's caught the eye of Simon, who is vastly wealthy but is not a peer as he was born into the middle class and Simon will do anything to earn her favor. I loved Simon in this book. He doesn't care about class and he goes out of his way to take care of Annabelle and help her. Very swoon worthy! I also love Annabelle's friends and I can't wait to read their stories!
funny
hopeful
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
I forgot how ridiculous historical romance plot lines can get (not that Iām complaining š).
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Secrets of a Summer Night, first book in Lisa Kleypas' Wallflower Quartet, introduces us to the wallflowers as a group, and sets the scene for the eldest wallflower, the beautiful and fair Annabelle Peyton. Peyton's family is in severely reduced circumstances and unable to afford the upkeep for another season of balls, gowns, carriages and the like. The men of the ton, having waited this long, are now convinced if Annabelle can make it through her final season without receiving an offer, she will give up entirely and become a well-kept mistress instead.
But, of course, Annabelle has other plans. And so, we begin our journey, as she sets her sights on several eligible bachelors.
This was another enjoyable Kleypas romance, spoiled a bit by a few (3) questionable plot points: 1. The notion of a very rigid class structure when you are in dire financial straights, and would still not dare to stoop so low as to marry a wealthy industrialist and butcher's son. 2. The idea that once a woman reached a certain age, she would immediately resort to prostitution to get by. 3. The idea that Annabelle's mother resorted to prostitution with a slimy older man to keep the family afloat.
In spite of these questionable decisions by Kleypas, the romance between Annabelle and Simon was nonetheless enjoyable and I'll definitely continue the Wallflower series.
But, of course, Annabelle has other plans. And so, we begin our journey, as she sets her sights on several eligible bachelors.
This was another enjoyable Kleypas romance, spoiled a bit by a few (3) questionable plot points: 1. The notion of a very rigid class structure when you are in dire financial straights, and would still not dare to stoop so low as to marry a wealthy industrialist and butcher's son. 2. The idea that once a woman reached a certain age, she would immediately resort to prostitution to get by. 3. The idea that Annabelle's mother resorted to prostitution with a slimy older man to keep the family afloat.
In spite of these questionable decisions by Kleypas, the romance between Annabelle and Simon was nonetheless enjoyable and I'll definitely continue the Wallflower series.
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Classism
Minor: Death of parent
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was fun take on a historical romance. I liked Annabelle a lot as the heroine of the story. She came off a strong-willed, but not too independent she was annoying. I love the little group she made with the other Wallflowers to help them all get married. They are a fun group of women and I look forward to the other stories with them. Simon was also an excellent roguish hero and I enjoyed his storyline. I liked that he was a titled man, but had made his fortune. It provided an interesting twist I don't often see in historical romances. All in all, an excellent novel with the perfect amount of spice. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!