A review by allingoodtime
It Happened One Autumn: The Wallflowers, Book 2 by Lisa Kleypas

emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

I am not one for spoilers so I try not to even read the blurbs of future books in a series. I wait until it’s the next one in line for me to find out which characters from the series are being featured next. So, there were some things in this story that surprised and even upset me. My mind was going one way and the story went another with a particular character.

Lillian and Westcliff weren’t a surprise for me. I love how they challenge each other. The first few times they give into their chemistry, there are some iffy consent lines. Those are the times I had to remind myself this was published almost 20 years ago. And, to be frank, Westcliff can be brutal when he’s trying to deny his feelings for Lillian. To her credit, Lillian does not allow Westcliff to keep toying with her emotions and puts up her walls after too many of his slights.

It quickly becomes apparent Westcliff is a romantic at heart. The Westcliff that makes an appearance at the end of Again the Magic starts emerging and is added to. When he cares, he cares deeply. He can’t help but be intrigued by the woman who will stand up to him and dare to defy him.

Of course, Lillian only wants to be loved for who she is. She doesn’t admit that to even herself, but constantly being reprimanded for her true personality doesn’t help with her self-esteem. She refused to change for anyone, yet wants someone to be okay with that.

There is a character in this story that will be featured in another story and, I’m sorry, but I don’t see how they will ever be redeemed. Even when I wanted to believe the betrayal wasn’t happening, that there was some other explanation, the things they said negated that hope. I’ll have to go into that book with the trust that the author can change my mind.

Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the love story in this book. The connection and camaraderie the wallflowers have are kept up in this story and it was great to see them all still supporting each other. 
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