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A review by xsophiehoughton
Temptations of a Wallflower by Eva Leigh
4.0
Temptations of a Wallflower follows two characters we have briefly met before, Lady Sarah Frampton and Jeremy Cleland. Jeremy is the cousin of Lord Marwood, and a vicar, and when he last met with his cousin, he was given a book by the renowned erotic author, The Lady of Dubious Quality. He shouldn't have been as engrossed in the books as he was, especially considering his father received his earldom because of his morality, and with his place in the church. His father, Lord Hutton, recalls Jeremy to London, and gives him an ultimatum - he must find The Lady of Dubious Quality, and expose her, or he will lose his allowance and have to survive on his small living. No one has ever been able to discover her identity, but Jeremy must do so, or be cut off. Lady Sarah Frampton is the Watching Wallflower, the daughter of a duke who has never found anyone she wants to spend her life with. Her parents have always despaired over her love of writing, and stopped her from becoming a 'bluestocking' by forcing her into society, even when she doesn't want to. Little do they know, but she has been writing prolifically, for years, and actually is The Lady of Dubious Quality. If anyone discovered she is The Lady, she would be ruined, but she needs her writing to live, to give her purpose. When she meets Jeremy at a garden party, even with their wholly different social status, they are drawn to one another, and soon feelings develop. And when Sarah realises someone is searching for the Lady, she asks Jeremy to marry her, in a way to give her some protection, but still keeps her secrets. Will Jeremy's search reveal his wife is in fact the Lady he's looking for, and how will the revelation affect their marriage?
To say that Eva's books have quickly become some favourites of mine would be an understatement. In each book she writes, there are fantastic characters and relationships, amazing plot lines, and engaging language. Sarah and Jeremy in this book were, on paper, so very different, but together they were wonderful, and true, and could be real with each other. Even though Jeremy was the son of an Earl, he was the third son, and had been forced into the church, even though it wasn't for him. He enjoyed his work, but it didn't fulfil him like he would've wanted, but with Sarah he felt more like the real Jeremy. Also, he developed a backbone after meeting Sarah, starting to go against his father and stand up for himself, rather than relenting to his wishes. Sarah did the same, too. Her mother, in particular, was adamant about the way her daughter should behave, and forced her to attend events with people who should be her 'friends', but wanted to see her fall. The scene at the gallery was one of my favourites, where both Sarah and Jeremy, together, defied the expectations of those around them, and it was the first real moment we could see their affection blossom. Of course, there were moments of angst and despair, but I enjoyed the way Eva wrote it so that when it was overcome, they were stronger together, and could fit anything head on. All three of The Wicked Quills of London books were beautiful, and I can't wait to start Eva's next series!
To say that Eva's books have quickly become some favourites of mine would be an understatement. In each book she writes, there are fantastic characters and relationships, amazing plot lines, and engaging language. Sarah and Jeremy in this book were, on paper, so very different, but together they were wonderful, and true, and could be real with each other. Even though Jeremy was the son of an Earl, he was the third son, and had been forced into the church, even though it wasn't for him. He enjoyed his work, but it didn't fulfil him like he would've wanted, but with Sarah he felt more like the real Jeremy. Also, he developed a backbone after meeting Sarah, starting to go against his father and stand up for himself, rather than relenting to his wishes. Sarah did the same, too. Her mother, in particular, was adamant about the way her daughter should behave, and forced her to attend events with people who should be her 'friends', but wanted to see her fall. The scene at the gallery was one of my favourites, where both Sarah and Jeremy, together, defied the expectations of those around them, and it was the first real moment we could see their affection blossom. Of course, there were moments of angst and despair, but I enjoyed the way Eva wrote it so that when it was overcome, they were stronger together, and could fit anything head on. All three of The Wicked Quills of London books were beautiful, and I can't wait to start Eva's next series!