How to Be a Wallflower: A Would-Be Wallflowers Novel (Would-Be Wallflowers, 1)
From New York Times bestseller Eloisa James, a new Regency-set novel in which a heiress with the goal of being a wallflower engages a rugged American in a scorchingly sensual, witty wager that tests whether clothing does indeed make the man—or the wallflower! A perfect companion story to Eloisa's My American Duchess.
Miss Cleopatra Lewis is about to be launched in society by her aristocratic grandfather. But since she has no intention of marrying, she visits a costume emporium specifically to order unflattering dresses guaranteed to put off any prospective suitors.
Powerful and charismatic Jacob Astor Addison is in London, acquiring businesses to add to his theatrical holdings in America—as well as buying an emerald for a young lady back in Boston. He’s furious when a she-devil masquerading as an English lady steals Quimby’s Costume Emporium from under his nose.
Jake strikes a devil’s bargain, offering to design her “wallflower wardrobe” and giving Cleo the chance to design his. Cleo can’t resist the fun of clothing the rough-hewn American in feathers and flowers. And somehow in the middle of their lively competition, Jake becomes her closest friend.
It isn’t until Cleo becomes the toast of all society that Jake realizes she’s stolen his fiercely guarded heart. But unlike the noblemen at her feet, he doesn’t belong in her refined and cultured world.
Caught between the demands of honor and desire, Jake would give up everything to be with the woman he loves—if she’ll have him!
Cleo's unconventional background and Jake's American roots cause a stir in the rigid social hierarchy of Regency England.
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Community Reviews
Rival investors for an English costume emporium, Cleo and Jacob are immediately at odds. He wants only the best outfitters to move to America, but Cleo wants to use the shopâs skills at making her a wallflower for the season. Cleo wins the emporium as the owner really doesnât want to move to America and Jacob decides he will get it back, no matter the cost. However, the cost quickly ends up being his heart.
Upon a closer look, Jacob discovers an intelligent, witty, independent woman that he longs to call his own. His determination and patience is just what a woman like Cleo needs. Cleo decided long ago that she wouldnât marry. One, she would lose the company that she inherited from her father, Lewis Commodes. She quite enjoys being a business owner, thank you very much, and wonât give it up. Two, she saw her mother run rampant over everyone to have many affairs - her husband, her daughter, and other wives included. As one would expect, this left a sour taste in Cleoâs mouth regarding marriage.
The romance starts as a delightful competition of sorts. Cleo plans to have Quimby's expand from theater costumes to dressing the merchant class who are looking to land titles, Jacob plans to counter her plan by commissioning a garish wardrobe for himself that will make people think twice about the styles. In the interest of fairness (and as a ploy to get her to spend more time with him) they agree to design each other's wardrobes.
One thing I really liked about this book was that the drama and conflict wasnât what I expected. I swore up and down that I knew, exactly, what the conflict would be. As I approached the 80% mark, the place of almost all conflict in romance books, I was pleasantly surprised that I was wrong. Or at least, it was only a small part of the entire conflict.
An incredibly fun read where the hero falls first and pursues hard.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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