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A review by illstoptheworldandreadwithyou
How to Win a Wallflower by Samara Parish
4.0
Newly returned to England after his brother’s death, John Barnesworth finds himself in quite the predicament: shouldering a title he doesn’t want, far from where he wants to be, under mountains of debt with estates falling apart and an unexpected—and unwanted—betrothal.
Lady Charlotte Stirling—next door neighbor, younger sister to John’s best friend, beloved by all (with the exception of John’s supposed fiancée and her cronies), and harboring a childhood crush—wants to help and maybe she needs some help of her own.
But what are they to each other—this social butterfly (her) and wallflower (him)? Friends? Friendly? Something else entirely?
This one is so much fun. From Charlotte’s schemes to John’s inventions to the twists and turns in the storyline, it definitely keeps the reader entertained. There is a delicious buildup as the affection between the two grows, some A+ heat, and the proposal from John is just so perfectly him.
On one hand, it’s a delightful romp, but on the other, it touches on deeper issues and themes: mental health, PTSD, what happens when soldiers return from war, social themes, how women can have influence in a patriarchal society, class differences, addiction, bullying, speech disorders, neurodivergence, the long-lasting impacts of parental approval or disapproval, how your childhood can shape you, and the impact of scientific discovery.
I definitely recommend it.
I received a review copy from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.
Lady Charlotte Stirling—next door neighbor, younger sister to John’s best friend, beloved by all (with the exception of John’s supposed fiancée and her cronies), and harboring a childhood crush—wants to help and maybe she needs some help of her own.
But what are they to each other—this social butterfly (her) and wallflower (him)? Friends? Friendly? Something else entirely?
This one is so much fun. From Charlotte’s schemes to John’s inventions to the twists and turns in the storyline, it definitely keeps the reader entertained. There is a delicious buildup as the affection between the two grows, some A+ heat, and the proposal from John is just so perfectly him.
On one hand, it’s a delightful romp, but on the other, it touches on deeper issues and themes: mental health, PTSD, what happens when soldiers return from war, social themes, how women can have influence in a patriarchal society, class differences, addiction, bullying, speech disorders, neurodivergence, the long-lasting impacts of parental approval or disapproval, how your childhood can shape you, and the impact of scientific discovery.
I definitely recommend it.
I received a review copy from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.