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notbambi's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I actually quite liked the characters. It's a pity they were in such a messy book.
This story is less than the sum of its parts. There are quite a few scenes that are funny, or romantic, or dramatic, and work perfectly well in isolation, but they don't string together to make a cohesive plot. The first half of the book, the Wallflowers make their pact and set their sights on getting Annabelle a husband, but that's resolved about halfway through, the other three girls basically disappear, and the rest is pretty weak. The subplot with Annabelle's mom seems like it's going to end very dramatically for a moment, then just kind of sputters out. Drama with Simon's family is brought up in one scene and never mentioned again. The same scene seemingly introduces a conflict around whether she REALLY loves him, which based on the ending is supposed to be the big conflict in the final third, but the actions and thoughts of both characters don't really lead me to think that this is something causing them a lot of heartache. Even the final chapter, melodramatic as it is, doesn't really feel like it should be the ending to this book. It should have ended 10 chapters ago when they got together!
As I say, I like the characters. Simon's a rascal without being an unlikeable jerk. Annabelle's pigheaded, in a good way. The Wallflowers, underutilized as they may be in the back half, are a likeable group who you can see being besties.
Last comment, and something of a TRIGGER WARNING, this book has a subplot of a woman being coerced into sex by a man she hates in exchange for money. It's awful, I hate it, it makes me feel like I need a shower. It's a level of human depravity that feels out-of-place in an otherwise fluffy novel.
This story is less than the sum of its parts. There are quite a few scenes that are funny, or romantic, or dramatic, and work perfectly well in isolation, but they don't string together to make a cohesive plot. The first half of the book, the Wallflowers make their pact and set their sights on getting Annabelle a husband, but that's resolved about halfway through, the other three girls basically disappear, and the rest is pretty weak. The subplot with Annabelle's mom seems like it's going to end very dramatically for a moment, then just kind of sputters out. Drama with Simon's family is brought up in one scene and never mentioned again. The same scene seemingly introduces a conflict around whether she REALLY loves him, which based on the ending is supposed to be the big conflict in the final third, but the actions and thoughts of both characters don't really lead me to think that this is something causing them a lot of heartache. Even the final chapter, melodramatic as it is, doesn't really feel like it should be the ending to this book. It should have ended 10 chapters ago when they got together!
As I say, I like the characters. Simon's a rascal without being an unlikeable jerk. Annabelle's pigheaded, in a good way. The Wallflowers, underutilized as they may be in the back half, are a likeable group who you can see being besties.
Last comment, and something of a TRIGGER WARNING, this book has a subplot of a woman being coerced into sex by a man she hates in exchange for money. It's awful, I hate it, it makes me feel like I need a shower. It's a level of human depravity that feels out-of-place in an otherwise fluffy novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
annick's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Delightful for fans of kleypas.
I enjoyed this start to the wallflowers. I thought the episodic elements were well paced. I will read again.
Some mild irritations with dialogue and vocabulary and how Daisy and Lillian come out.
I suspect this 2021 edition has tweaked some of the challenging aspects of Philippa’s experiences and trauma.
I enjoyed this start to the wallflowers. I thought the episodic elements were well paced. I will read again.
Some mild irritations with dialogue and vocabulary and how Daisy and Lillian come out.
I suspect this 2021 edition has tweaked some of the challenging aspects of Philippa’s experiences and trauma.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Sexism, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
book_gremlin42's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content and Classism
itsjadenbaby's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Fantastic! Exactly what I wanted/needed from a historical romance. The female friendship is amazing and the romance was enjoyable!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Infidelity, Grief, and Death of parent
kyeruhh's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I think I enjoyed this? I really liked Simon (mainly bc I love a pining man) but Annabelle was so shallow for most of the book that I never ended up connecting with her. The side characters were fun, especially the wallflowers and Jeremy, so I do look forward to reading more in this series. I also really appreciated that there was no third act breakup.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Classism
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
heather667's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Murder
benelie's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
carbs666's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-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
3.0
This book starts off SO strong but it does kind of sag in the middle and become a bit "meh" towards the end (hate to say it about my girl Lisa but it's true), hence the 3 star rating. I love how this book sets up the Wallflowers series and gives you a little bit of information about each of the wallflowers to take into their coming books.
I appreciate Simon Hunt a lot he really is like a proto Tom Severin (one of my favourite Kelypas heroes) and I also appreciate how Lisa injects her usual threat of deadly violence/accident into this book to bring some additional spice. The best part of this book for me is when Annabelle gets bitten by an adder (literally what????) and Simon takes care of her. He cuts off her corset!!!! So hot!!!!! In general, I felt like the potential for external conflict created by that gross lord who was hounding Annabelle and her mom could have been better realized than it was, and while I appreciated how Lisa did inject some peril and conflict towards the end it also felt a bit random when there were other much better set up options. I've read the last 2 books in this series but I've never read this one or the second one, so I expect I will be working thru a full series read/reread in the next little while.
I appreciate Simon Hunt a lot he really is like a proto Tom Severin (one of my favourite Kelypas heroes) and I also appreciate how Lisa injects her usual threat of deadly violence/accident into this book to bring some additional spice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
jmelkw's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
sydapel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Not sure I know any other review but aggressively fine? I did appreciate that it didn't take the turn I was expecting - "marriage of convenience to save me & my family from ruin" - and I love a good caretaking scene, but not a lot else to recommend it otherwise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent