A review by allingoodtime
Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

emotional hopeful reflective fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

 
I was prepared to love all of the women who make up the Wallflowers, but I wasn’t expecting them to have such distinct personalities from the very beginning. Such a wonderful talent to be able to get that across so quickly. While they all have their roadblocks to finding a suitor, it seems Annabelle’s may be the most dire.

Annabelle grew up with privilege and should have been snatched up quickly once she was of age, but her father passed away and the family was quickly plunged into debt. Although she’s beautiful, no man is willing to take on a woman who doesn’t have a dowry and has a  mother and young brother that need to be cared for.  Especially when she’s known to be strong-willed and the men feel she will eventually have to give in to being a mistress due to her financial situation. In Annabelle’s mind, that is not an option. She will find a way. Hence, the Wallflower’s pact starts with finding Annabelle a suitable match.

For years there has been an undeniable attraction between Annabelle and Simon. He has made his interest evident, although he doesn’t want a wife but a mistress. Annabelle has never admitted her attraction because she doesn’t realize that’s what it is…she doesn’t think of Simon as a suitable match as he is not part of the ton. He is new money and he doesn’t bow to “polite” society’s expectations and she is nothing if not the picture of a proper lady.

These two are so much fun. They are so obviously falling in love with each other yet are in complete denial for different reasons. Even through multiple misunderstandings that would usually cause that bond to break, they keep coming back to each other. It’s amazing.

For all of the angst, heat, and fighting there are also moments of incredible tenderness that had me swooning. The way these two come to be betrothed is delightful while the denials of feelings of love are comical. This book was a lot more fun than I expected. 
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