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A review by readingthroughinfinity
The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Pedophilia
Minor: Violence and Sexism