How To Be A Wallflower by Eloisa James
Series : 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!
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!
Another Eloisa James book that I ended up loving and one with a heroine who's nothing like a wallflower(though she desires to be one to avoid marriage)!❣️✨
Cleo, the owner of the successful Lewis Commodes(started by her father) is about to be launched into society by her grandfather, whom she's just met after many years of living a wild and nomadic life with her mother. But, she has no interest in marrying and as she enjoys her independence she decides to make her wardrobe as boring as possible before her debut, in order to drive away any prospective suitors!
While trying to accomplish that she ends up buying Quimby's Costume Emporium with an idea in mind, thwarting the plans of an American businessman - Jake, who had wished to buy it before her. Their relationship starts off with lively competition and they end up making a bet - with each designing the other's wardrobe. And as sparks fly, both Jake and Cleo find themselves caring more about each other than their costumes and the bet!
"He had to admit that she had a point, but he was playing a double game: he no longer gave a damn about Quimby's. He needed a reason to see Cleo: a solid reason that would give him the time and space to win a woman who seemed damned near unwinnable-because she couldn't be courted by conventional means. At the moment, of he had asked her to dance, she would conclude that he was trying to cozen her into giving up Quimby's."
I loved how Jake decided to pursue Cleo from the moment that he realized that he'd fallen for her! He's determined, cheeky and charismatic. Cleo is a great match for him with her wit, confidence and bravery. But, she's also afraid of being like her mother - who spent most of her life going in and out of relationships with various men as she chased her 'passions'. Though Cleo is level-headed and smart, it doesn't stop her from feeling the attraction between her and Jake. As she slowly begins to fall for him, she also learns to trust him(and herself) as their relationship deepens. Their relationship development is so cute!
Cleo's grandfather and his friend were so much fun! And I loved meeting Jake's friend Merry(from My American Duchess) and her Duke again in this one! They have such a good friendship!
This book doesn't have much drama and I don't think we needed that last bit at the end to create some conflict lol 🐮. Kinda unnecessary 😛
Do give this one a try if you're in the mood for a light and humorous romance! And I think the next book might be Yasmin's? Very excited to see how it goes!
You can find my reviews for the author's other books here
*I was provided with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest
review*
New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James writes historical romances
for HarperCollins Publishers. Her novels have been published to great
acclaim. A reviewer from USA Today wrote of Eloisa's very first book that
she "found herself devouring the book like a dieter with a Hershey bar";
later People Magazine raved that "romance writing does not get much better
than this." Her novels have repeatedly received starred reviews from
Publishers' Weekly and Library Journal and regularly appear on the
best-seller lists. After being a finalist for a RITA—the top award in the
genre of romance fiction awarded by the Romance Writers of America—over
ten times, she won in 2013.
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