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    A Wallflower Christmas
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    A Wallflower Christmas
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    A Wallflower Christmas
    Audiobook5 hours

    A Wallflower Christmas

    Written by Lisa Kleypas

    Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    It's Christmastime in London and Rafe Bowman has arrived from America for his arranged meeting with Natalie Blandford, the very proper and beautiful daughter of Lady and Lord Blandford. His chiseled good looks and imposing physique are sure to impress the lady-in-waiting, and if it weren't for his shocking American ways and wild reputation, her hand would already be guaranteed.

    Before the courtship can begin, Rafe realizes he must learn the rules of London society. But when four former Wallfowers try their hand at matchmaking, no one knows what will happen. And winning a bride turns out to be more complicated than Rafe Bowman anticipated, especially for a man accustomed to getting anything he wants.

    However, Christmas works in the most unexpected ways, changing a cynic to a romantic and inspiring passion in the most timid of hearts.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateNov 2, 2010
    ISBN9781441883254
    Unavailable
    A Wallflower Christmas
    Author

    Lisa Kleypas

    New York Times Lisa Kleypas graduated from Wellesley College with a political science degree. Her historical romance and contemporary women’s fiction novels are published in forty different languages, and are bestsellers all over the world. Currently she lives in Southern California with her husband Gregory.

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    Reviews for A Wallflower Christmas

    3.5/5

    339 ratings36 reviews

    What did you think?

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    • 5/5
      Excellent good
    • 4/5
      It was nice catching up with all the Wallflowers and knowing that they're happy. Lillian's and Daisy's brother from America has arrived and his wealthy father wants an aristocratic wife for him to help further their business goals.. They've selected Lady Natalie but it's her poor relation, cousin Hannah, who acts as her companion that catches Rafe's heart.
    • 3/5
      The wallflowers have reunited for Christmas but little do they know that their efforts will be required for an honourary member of their group. When Lillian and Daisy's oldest brother, Rafe Bowman, comes to England to negotiate with his father for receiving a share in the family's soap company, he's willing to concede with his father's demand that Rafe marry Lady Natalie Blandford as a condition. Until Rafe encounters Natalie's cousin and companion, Hannah. Hannah herself is utterly horrorstruck at her cousin being married off to a disreputable American but finds herself charmed by Rafe despite her better instincts.A sweet Christmas novella that is split evenly between Rafe and Hannah's romance while also checking in with the relationships of the quartet of wallflowers. Despite the shorter page count, none of the plot feels rushed and it's a very nice (and festive) bow to tack on to the end of this series.
    • 2/5
      A Christmas love story isn't usually this heavy. And again Lillian and her issues ruined it almost completely. I liked Rafe Bowman a lot, but Hannah took her sweet time to show why I should like her.

      Still, it would have been a lovely story if Lillian's insecurity regarding her husband hadn't reared its ugly head. There wasn't a single reason why that should be in a story like this. The moment that happened, even if it does not actually play any role whatsoever (to be fair), I lost my interest and just read through to get to the end.

      The best part of the story is Rafe's letter.
      If you are interested in snippets of Lillian, Daisy, Annabelle and Evie and their husbands, read this. Otherwise, you won't miss much if you skip it.
    • 3/5
      3.5 stars - it was great to be back with the Wallflowers again and I loved that their stories continued. However I really disliked Rafe and couldn’t warm to his romance story at all so it sort of ruined the book for me.
    • 2/5
      I tried I got to 94 % and quit this book. I loved the other books in the series but this short Christmas special just bored me to tears. ZZZZZ and tears T^T

      Okay so we meat Lillian's brother, who we have never met before in the series. He has to marry a peer to collect on his inheritance from his father's company. Everything is set up, the peer, is also somebody we have never heard from before, and she is as exciting as dirt to him. Oh but there is somebody else he falls almost instantly in lust/love with and she make him lose everything he thought he wanted. Guess, what happens, yep predictable.
      It all happened too quick, to easy and way to predictable for me. I missed the banter from the earlier books and the familiarity of the characters.
    • 2/5
      A special addition to the popular Wallflowers series focuses on Lilian and Daisy’s ne’er-do-well brother, Rafe Bowman and the planned betrothal to aristocratic Natalie Blandford. But neither is in love and the introduction of a quiet, wallflower (Natalie’s impoverished companion, Hannah Appleton) throws all the plans into disarray. Can true love win over family obligation? Will the love of a good woman tame the notorious rake? Will he sexually assault her before “coming to his senses” and realizing he actually loves her? Will there be trembling limbs, weak knees, flushed skin, plump lips, smoldering looks and passionate embraces?Do I really need to answer any of those questions?I’ve been enjoying dipping my toe into the regency romances during this month’s tag challenge. But I’m quickly getting tired of the predictability of them. It’s like candy. Even really good candy. A little is a delicious treat. A steady diet of it is boring.
    • 5/5
      Another enjoyable story involving relative of Wallflower women ... had me frequently reminiscing fun scenes from previous books
    • 4/5
      While the actual quartet from the series is over this is a revisit to the now married Wallflowers and the brother of two of them. Rafe Bowman has made his fortune in the US, almost despite his father. Now he has been summoned to marry and the woman he is to marry is Natalie whose companion Hannah, her cousin, is proving to be a distraction.It's fairly predictable, quite a quick read, and I found it quite enjoyable. The Christmas scenes made this book come alive.
    • 5/5
      This is a wonderful holiday read!! So wonderful visiting the wallflowers again!
    • 4/5
      A wonderful revisting of all the Wallflowers and their husbands as well as a romance for a brother to boot. A wonderful holiday read.
    • 2/5
      I wanted to get into this book but it just dragged to much for me that I ended up not finishing it. =0/
    • 5/5
      I thought I can't fall in love with the wallflowers any harder, but really Lisa Kleypas writing is charming and the book is amazing, and I can't wait for more of the wallflowers, and i am so happy that lillian had one of the bigger roles in the new book bcoz she is the best ex-wallflower ever.

      Wealthy entrepreneur Rafe Bowman has come to London to marry Lady Natalie, an aristocratic bride who will help to further his ambitions. But two things stand in his way : Lady Natalie's disapproving companion Hannah . . . and Rafe's passion for a woman he should not want and can never have . . .
    • 3/5
      It was fun to revisit these characters.

      The dude was a little rapey, though, which is not usually a thing in Kleypas's books. I'm not sure what happened. And he really just kissed her. But still.
    • 4/5
      Short but sweet. I liked Rafe, although his realization that he loves Hannah is a little bit too sudden for my linking. The Wallflowers and their husbands are present, but in a nice way and they don't take over the story.

      Negative: the price. I waited nearly four years for the price to come down from more than twice the price of a normal novel - for a mm novella! Even at the new price I think this novella was still too expensive.
    • 3/5
      I'm being lazy and reviewing the entire series as one. Also many of my thoughts apply to all the books. I've never been a big romance person but I've never been opposed to them either. I discovered this series on a list for top romance series when I needed something for the 2013 Challenge Group Februray Challenge. Spoilers for the series follow:


      One thing I didn't like about each book was, with one exception, every single female was a virgin and every single male had had plenty of partners (and in the cases where the male was already attracted to her, he thought of her when with the person). The reason some of the proposals happened was because he had "compromised" her (loved that phrase). Yet the men never had that worry about all the other women they had been with?

      Past that these books were fun and I enjoyed each one. I was happy I read Again the Magic first since then I had a prior knowledge of the Westcliffs and in particular Marcus. I was sad that Aline and McKenna never appeared in the rest of the series. McKenna's proposal was probably my favorite of all the couples.

      Simon and Annabelle were probably my favorite couple overall. I was surprised that many other reviewers labelled her as snobbish. I understand at the beginning she was hellbent on marrying a peer but primarily for the money for her family. I don't see anything wrong with that. Simon only went after her as a mistress and that was why I felt she ignored him. Once he did actually propose she almost instantly accepted him. Loved that he kept trying to compromise her afterwards in order to make sure she would marry him. After the marriage she did have trouble accepting the change in her life but she never blamed him. I adored the ending with her going after him and Westcliff saving them both and the two of them finally getting along.

      Westcliff is probably my favorite male character and I did really like Lillian. Their book was not my favorite because I felt it borrowed too much from Pride and Prejudice, which I adore. The two stubborn lovers with the male as an upper class aristocrat, a bad first proposal, a wedding obsessed mother, and a conniving countess. Loved the ending again with Westcliff beating the shit out of St. Vincent. Hilarious! This book did have my favorite passage:

      "You may set your mind at ease with the knowledge that I do not find you desireable in any way whatsoever."
      "I understand. Enough said, my lord."
      "If the two of us were left alone on a deserted island, I would have absolutely no thought of approaching you."
      "I realize that," she said shortly. "You don't have to go on and on about it."
      "I just want to make it clear that what I did was a complete aberration. You are not the kind of woman wom I would ever be attracted to."
      "All right."
      "In fact-"
      "You've made yourself quite clear, my lord."

      St. Vincent and Evie's story was enjoyable and I thoguht they worked quite well together. I was sad that none of the other wallflowers showed up till over halfway through the book. I also didn't realize that Evie's father appears in an earlier series, so I may have to pick that up next.

      Scandal in Spring was my least favorite of the four wallflower series. I liked the concept but I figured out basically what Matthew's secret was from the start and kept getting annoyed that he put off telling her till it was too late. The game between the two of them was interesting and I enjoyed seeing how protective Westcliff had become of Daisy.

      Wallflower Christmas was fun but I did not enjoy it as much as the previous five books.
    • 2/5
      This review is for all 5 books in the series, because while I think they're harmless one by one, taken as a whole, they support rape culture.Let me say that there is no outright rape in these books, but they are all steeped in the trope of a beautiful virgin (in this case one in each book) who only needs a forceful man to awaken her sexual urges.While I love the idea of the four wallflowers working together to secure husbands, and the descriptions of the gorgeous clothing, the characters themselves are fairly stereotypical--the shy girl, the brash American girl, the dreamer and the down-on-her-luck girl from the gentry. The men are equally two-dimensional--the rake, the industrialist, the stuffy lord and the irritating American.All of the female characters, the four wallflowers and a secretary in the last book, are preyed on by the men, who reduce them to quivering masses of sexual desire by forcing kisses and gropes (and in one case, oral sex) on them. It's always because the women are so, so desirable that the men cannot withstand their urges. It's been almost 200 years since The Lustful Turk was written, but apparently we're still believing this trope, glorifying it and in all too many cases, acting on it. We need to stop.
    • 4/5
      “The Wallflowers are four young ladies in London who banded together in their wild and wickedly wonderful searches for true love. Now happily married, they join together once again to help one of the world’s most notorious rogues realize that happiness might be right under the mistletoe….”Rafe Bowman has spent his entire life in the shadow of his father, Thomas Bowman. As Bowman’s oldest son, much was expected from Rafe. Rafe’s childhood was spent with tutors. He was not allowed many toys and he rarely was allowed to spend time with his four younger siblings. Rafe’s best was never good enough and his mistakes brought about severe reprimands.Realizing he’d never have a place in his father’s lucrative soap manufacturing business, Rafe sets out to make his own fortune. He makes his fortune by investing in the stock market and misleading guilible men into the wrong ones. In America, he leads the life of a rogue and gains the reputation of one to boot. After Rafe has made his own fortune, Thomas makes him an offer: marry Lady Natalie Blandford and Rafe will have a partnership in the family business and it’s the onl way Rafe will get it.Hannah Appleton is the poor country cousin of Lady Natalie Blandford and Natalie’s companion. Lillian Bowman invites Hannah over for tea so that she, Annabelle, and Evie can learn more about Natlie. The morethey know, the more they can help Rafe with his courtship. When Hannah arrives, she and Rafe take an instant disliking of each other. Sparks fly and the quarrel between them is heated and crackling with tension. After the tea, Hannah decides she must do what she can to prevent a union between Natalie and Rafe.Hannah is a sweet, caring and selfless girl and that is what Rafe is so attracted to. He can’t help but get her riled up from time to time. Hannah is also opinionatedas well and unlike most youn English misses, she isn’t afraid to tell a man how she feels. Rafe is fascinated by her, but he is all but bethrothed to her cousin. Rafe must choose: his father’s business or love?I adored Hannah and Rafe’s story! A Wallflower Christmas is the perfect blend of everything I love as a reader. It’s a reunion of favorite characters, a Christmas celebration and a great romance story all rolled into one. The four original Wallflowers become Hannah’s supporters when she feels like she has no one to turn to. There are several tender moments that had my eyes welling up and even though I write this in May, there were also moments that reminded me of all the wonderful meaningful traditions of the Christmas season. For it’s 213 pages A Wallflower Christmas is well worth the investment!
    • 2/5
      Hannah Appleton, Lady Natalie Blandon's companion, is called upon to vet Rafe Bowman, the prospective fiancé of her ladyship. Rafe Bowman is the relatively crass but undeniably good-looking brother to Lillian, Lady Westcliff (the first of the Wallflowers to find her HEA in Kleypas' popular romance quatrain.) Rafe, an American, needs a bit of acculturation to British manners if he is to succeed in wooing Lady Natalie; but the unprepossessing Hannah doesn't think Rafe will suit.Surprisingly, owing to the merits of the first four Wallflower novels, A Wallflower Christmas is weak in its plot development and sexual tension. The opening chapters (boy meets girl) showed promise; but story was quickly reduced to its formulaic bones - what follows is a variation on the Classic Cinderella tale set in Victorian Era England - and the end result was little more than a gloss of what could have been an engaging full length novel in its own right. To a certain extent, A Wallflower Christmas serves as a coda to the Wallflower series as readers catch a glimpses of the married lives of Lillian, Evie, Anabelle and Daisy; but if readers skip this title, they haven't missed anything. Overall, it's disappointing end to the series.
    • 4/5
      A fitting conclusion to the Wallflowers series, though I'm still in denial that it's over. (There's two more brothers back in the States, hint hint....) All of the original Wallflowers (and husbands, eventually) are present, which was nice, though perhaps a touch too much space was spent on back story here for the size of the book--most people who pick it up will have read the others, yes?--and more time could have been spent on Hannah and Rafe; but still, it was a sweet story. And the letter--sigh. What a letter. Natalie's attitude toward it (and really, her attitude in general) made me want to smack her upside the head. I suppose everyone deserves their happy ending, but still....
    • 3/5
      I'll admit it: I was surprised at how good A WALLFLOWER CHRISTMAS was. We get a brief reunion with all four wallflowers, who have assembled for the Christmas holidays, and see a special moment with each lady and her current husband. Meanwhile, we get a brief but effective romance for Lillian and Daisy's brother, Rafe Bowman.

      Rafe is prepared for an arranged marriage. He's been set up with Natalie Blandford, a beautiful English aristocrat whose family could use an infusion of American industrial wealth. Natalie is gorgeous, charming, and clever, and Rafe likes her just fine...but he's surprised to discover that he likes her poor cousin and lady's companion Hannah much better.

      Hannah and Rafe are drawn to one another even though circumstances push them apart. Hannah has a true regard for Natalie and doesn't want to disrupt an arrangement that makes her happy while Rafe is, at first, content to go along with the plans other people make for him.

      They have a warm, slightly antagonistic relationship that is wonderful to read, and their romance works even though it's bracketed within the short time frame of a Christmas reunion. Holiday activities like decorating the tree and reading Dickens are elegantly woven into the plot.
    • 3/5
      A Wallflower Christmas
      3.5 Stars

      Synopsis
      The time has come for Rafe Bowman, an incorrigible rake, to settle down and he travels to England to meet his prospective wife. However, it is not the socially desirable Lady Natalie Blandford who captures his fancy but her poor relation and companion, Hannah Appleton. Can he, with the help of his intrepid sisters and their friends, find happiness with the woman he loves?

      Note: It is necessary to read the Wallflowers series first so as not to ruin the other books.

      Review
      Enjoyable opposites attract romance between a cool-headed Englishwoman and a hot-headed American rake.

      Hannah and Rafe are cute together, however their relationship is a bit rushed. Hannah is practical and passionate but she is too forgiving of her spoiled, selfish and obnoxious cousin Natalie.

      Rafe is a sexy rake and knows how to write a sexy, steamy love letter. Unfortunately, much of the action resolving the obstacles to his and Hannah's romance takes place "off-screen" which detracts from the overall plot. The excerpts from Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol are tedious and unnecessary. If I had wanted to read it, I would have.

      All in all, a light, quick and enjoyable read, and it was great catching up with the other wallflowers, particularly Lillian and Marcus (who is still my favorite Wallflower hero) and Evie and Sebastian.
    • 5/5
      This tender love story begins with a gathering at Stone Cross Park, including all four wallflowers, their husbands and families. Rafe Bowman, is coming from America to meet his future bride, that much to his dismay, his father has picked out for him, and the Wallflowers, including his sisters, go about in assisting him in this endeavor, not before having ever courted a Englishwoman before, and a member of the Ton as well. When he arrives he firsts meets her companion, Hannah and finds that from their first meeting, he has a fervent desire for this woman and their interaction with each other stimulates his senses. Hannah, companion to the woman he is suppose to marry, is surprised when he focuses his attention toward her. She finds him arrogant, bold, cynical, but soon entrances her in a whirlwind of his kiss. At first she think its just infatuation that is between them, but as Christmas time draws closer, she begins to realize that her feelings for him reach far beyond infatuation and toward genuine and passionate love... A Wallflower Christmas is the fifth and last installment in the Wallflower series that was written by astounding author Lisa Kleypas. When I first started this book, I didn't know what to expect out of this story, I thought it might be enjoyable, but after reading the whole story within a couple of hours, its a classic love story, with the enchanting Christmas scene that even makes it even more magical. The character interaction between Rafe and Hannah was playful, witty and very amusing for this reader, there was also a intensity about their relationship, both on a physical and emotional level. This was such a well written story, that I found the story seemed all too riveting and entrancing. From the first page to the last page I couldn't stop reading, I was so drawn into this love story, that I think I forgot my surrounding. A Completely unforgettable love story that you better get a box of tissues, you will need it, it will bring many laughs and at other times many tears, that will tie up your heart strings to no end!!! A Chanting Love Story To Remember!!!My Favorite Quote"Then I will have to show you what happens to women who stand in my way." Before she could comprehend what was happening, one powerful arm had brought her against his hard masculine body. With his other hand, he grasped the nape of her neck, and tilted her head backward. And His mouth took hers.
    • 5/5
      Much like a couple of the other books in the Wallflower series, I thought that A Wallflower Christmas started a little weak, but by the end, I was completely hooked. What primarily made me skeptical at the beginning was the love/hate relationship and love at first sight themes, neither of which I'm really a fan. I guess I just don't get the love/hate scenario, how a person can one minute strongly dislike someone, often for no particularly good reason, and the next be melting into a passionate embrace with them. I also admit that the short length of the book itself made for a very quick romance that all takes place over a matter of just days, but once again, Lisa Kleypas pulled out all the stops toward the end and made me totally believe that Rafe and Hannah were completely in love with one another and truly would have an HEA.I wasn't entirely sure about Rafe at first either. The first two kisses he stole from Hannah left me a little cold. At the time, he just seemed arrogant and spoiled, used to getting whatever he wanted, and he wanted Hannah. Once they got to Stony Cross Park (the place where so many magical moments have been born in Lisa Kleypas's stories), he started to show more vulnerability. The conversation with his father was very revealing, because it showed just how much Rafe (like his sisters, Lillian and Daisy) had been trying to gain his father's approval all his life and never got it. He seemed to have realized this years ago when he broke ties with his sire, but in hopes of still inheriting the family fortune, he's back and considering marrying his father's choice of a bride for him. I was so glad to see Rafe stand up to Thomas Bowman once and for all, no matter the consequences. It showed he had a great strength of character. Because of this, I think he might have been subconsciously testing Hannah, who was quite disapproving of him when they first met, to see if she would still care for him in spite of his bad boy persona. Also, the part about the toy soldier was sweet and heartbreaking. Ms. Kleypas has always been very good at making some small memento important to the character development. I just wish that she had found a way for Rafe to tell the story to Hannah himself rather than it coming from Lillian. I've always thought that secondary characters relating information about the past generally takes away good opportunities to build intimacy between the hero and heroine, but I'll admit that this element wasn't as annoying in this book as it has been in others I've read. Best of all, his love letter to Hannah was utterly swoon-worthy. Besides setting the pages on fire, I thought it proved beyond a shadow of a doubt how deeply he had come to love her.I can't say that I entirely understood Hannah's initial dislike of Rafe. She kind of seemed to have it in for him before she ever met him, and then his uncouth American ways, and worse yet him accosting her in the hallway with a passionate kiss, only added fuel to the fire. Again, once Hannah arrived at the house party, she started showing a softer side. She slowly became more willing to spend time with Rafe which in turn, helped her get to know the man underneath the facade. Hannah turned out to be a very gentle and sensitive young woman. I loved how she read A Christmas Carol to the children each night, and Rafe couldn't resist listening as well. I thought something might come of Rafe's assertion that Hannah was tired of being in Natalie's shadow, but it never really went any further. Hannah perhaps could have been a bit more developed than she was, but overall, I found her to be a likable heroine.It was really nice seeing all the wallflowers and their husbands again. I thought it was really sweet how they banded together to help Hannah and made her an unofficial member of their group. Fans of Sebastian and Evie and Marcus and Lillian will be happy to know that both couples get their own brief love scenes. I was a little disappointed that there weren't more interactions between Simon and Annabelle and Matthew and Daisy. The latter couple and Simon didn't even appear until nearly halfway into the book. At least, Simon and Annabelle got a scene of affection with the implication that they were headed off for some intense lovin', but Matthew and Daisy (my favorite Wallflower couple) didn't even get that much. Perhaps it's her strong personality, but Lillian always seems to be a scene-stealer. Since she's not my favorite Wallflower heroine, that's not always a good thing. Once again, she actually managed to aggravate me a little in this book by doubting Marcus's love for her. I realize that her past might give her some insecurity issues, but one would think that after two years of marriage to him, she would have grown and changed enough that she would have no trouble trusting him, especially when their passion hadn't seemed to wane one bit. Admittedly, it was a very Lillian-esque thing for her to do, but I still wish that Ms. Kleypas had found another way to handle this part of the story. It was obvious to me right from the start what Marcus was up to, and to have Lillian questioning him the way she did cast a bit of a pall over their HEA for me. Luckily, this little side plot was a very small part of the overall story, but I have to admit that I couldn't help cheering Marcus on when he was sorely tempted to take Lillian over his knee and thrash her for thinking such a thing. I may have had a few minor issues here and there with A Wallflower Christmas, but overall, it was a very good read. I loved the Christmas theme with the decorating of the tree, and the little secondary bit about Thomas Bowman's toupee was a hoot. Not to mention, as always, Lisa Kleypas knows how to write a satisfying love story. In my opinion, A Wallflower Christmas was a fitting conclusion to the Wallflower series and another keeper for me. I hear tell that some of the characters pop up again in the spin-off Hathaway series. I really look forward to starting that series, and with any luck, perhaps I'll get to visit with a few of my favorites again.
    • 3/5
      This was a bit boring and too reliant on previous books in the series. The "hero" was disturbingly pushy and overbearing at first - he seems the sort of guy who'd come very close to crossing the line with an uncooperative woman when drunk...
    • 4/5
      Delightful fluff and a quick read. An airy pick-me-up after too much reality and a dreary winter. Will Rafe Bowman, wealthy American cad, marry the beautiful, charming Lady Natalie or her poor cousin Hannah? You know from the beginning who his choice will be, but the short trip to the end is so much fun!
    • 3/5
      The major strength of Lisa Kleypas 'A Wallflower Christmas' is the likeability of the protagonists. Uncivilized American rake Rafe Bowman is at heart a charmer who can't help being drawn not to the wealthy English lady he's supposed to be courting, but to her penniless cousin/companion, Hannah. Both Hannah and Rafe are drawn as essentially good people who have had difficult lives. But it's their biting wit and strong sexual draw that make the sparks fly. The major question, will Rafe and Hannah get together, is of course answered by the genre, and there's really little plot or character development, yet it's a pleasant read. 'A Wallflower Christmas' will, of course, be of interest to those who have read the earlier books in the series, but this novella stands alone. I haven't read the others and enjoyed this one. My major complaint is one of marketing: $16.95 for 213 pages is a bit steep.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this cute little addition to the Wallflower series. It was a perfect Christmas time read! It felt warm and cozy, like catching up with old friends or sipping hot chocolate in front of the fireplace. Definitely not a deep, inspiring read by any means, but I adore the Wallflowers and Natalie, the newest addition, isn't bad herself!
    • 4/5
      Stony Cross, Hampshire 1845Another arranged marriage brought Rafe Bowman to England. Trying to discover as much as possible about his intended, Rafe’s sister, Lillian set up a tea with Lady Natalie’s companion, Miss Hannah Appleton. From the start, Rafe’s crass charms did not win over Miss Appleton, her honesty with him about it left him stunned and interested. He could not go against his fathers wishes and get everything he wanted, he wondered if any sacrifice be worth it, if his feelings were reciprocated, if it would or could last the test of time.Wonderful to see the Bowman family, the other Wallflowers and their significant others, again. The story was very predictable, but like all Wallflower stories, it was very enjoyable. I was a bit disappointed and sad to see Lillian doubting Marcus, although the resolution turned out to be ok, I didn‘t feel the side story was needed for the progression of the main story. Great to have several love matches revisited and doing so well, the camaraderie of the girls and the inclusion of Hannah was so fun to watch. The mention of Charles Dickens ‘A Christmas Carol’ was a nice touch for a timeline connection.
    • 4/5
      An enjoyable but quite short holiday-themed read for Wallflower fans. Lillian and Daisy’s eldest brother Rafe meets Hannah Appleton, cousin/companion to Lady Natalie Blandford, Rafe’s intended bride. The wallflower gang meets up at Stony Cross Park, where there's decorating for the holidays, the adventures of a misplaced toupee and a love letter.