Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - The Wallflower Wager

This book seems like it should have an illustrated cover. I LOVED IT SO MUCH HOLY SHIT??!!

I've never, ever picked up historical romances. Historical fiction in general is not my cup of tea. HOWEVER. If you drop a novel with two gorgeous leads with hearts of gold and ANIMALS??? I have been won over.

The fact that Penny is the definition of a strong, independent woman while also representing her "times" is so amazing.

The only thing I didn't quite like is how quickly the romance bloomed in Gabriel's point of view. One chapter, he was thirsting over her physically (valid) and the next, he was head over heels. It honestly gave me whiplash and took away a little of the magic from the development of their relationship

Nevertheless, I loved it and enjoyed it and I am definitely picking up more of Tessa Dare's novels.

Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
SO GOOD. Classic sex scenes, a mirror scene *wiggles eyebrows* and a loooooot of slow burn.

P.S.: my spice ratings are a new thing and I am mainly rating off of ✨vibes✨ and don't have an actual scale.

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lindseyisreading's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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iamsammie27's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

5.0

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mindsorceress's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Aaaand I'm up to date with the series.

This is another Regency romance in Tessa Dare's Girl Meets Duke series that hinges on the premise of the two main characters being at odds before gradually falling in love. And we have ourselves a classic grumpy/sunshine dynamic, which I am ALL FOR. I liked Penny's happy-go-lucky attitude and how much she cared for the animals round her, though at times I think her character was a little less compelling than Alexandra (in book two) or Emma (in book one). Similarly, I didn't mind Gabe, but sometimes he strayed too much towards the stereotypical stoic, perma-annoyed love interest that we often find in historical romance.

There were some serious themes that were discussed and challenged fully in this book and the overall ending was satisfying, but the progression of Penny and Gabe's romance felt a little unbelievable at times for me (would he really have ended up liking her if her penchant for taking in animals annoyed him that much? And, in that era, [redacted] against an alley wall like that fees like it wouldn't happen?). On the whole though, I did enjoy this and I sped through it in a day.

Content warnings for pedophilia and sexual abuse of a minor (past), grooming, violence, sexual content.

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mightyola's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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joyceca's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is my least favorite of the three in the series, but it is still a great read. Gabriel was a great grumpy character and Penelope was so gentle and sweet. I didn't relate to the MC as much, but the wit and fun was still there. I really enjoy Tessa Dare overall and will continue to read her back-catalog while I wait for the fourth book.

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stephybara's review against another edition

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dark funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

A delight!

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