dukefn99's review
4.0
Read my complete review at https://novelsalive.com/2022/12/13/4-star-review-how-to-win-a-wallflower-by-samara-parish/
sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
How to Win a Wallflower was a book that I had been looking forward to reading, and it didn't disappoint. I had been looking forward to John's story and also Charlotte's story after she appeared in her brother's book. So when they are matched together, all the better.
I'm a fan of role reversal, so it was nice that in this novel, John is the wallflower that needs Charlotte's help in trying to find a spouse, preferably an heiress, so that he can pull the estate that he inherited from his older brother, out of financial ruin. While Charlotte would be a good candidate, he obviously can't marry her, because she's his best friend's sister and his business partner's sister-in-law. Oh how wrong the two of them happen to be, especially since Charlotte's had a crush on him forever.
and that twist, I didn't see it coming. It made sense to the plot and all things. Which brings me to the fact that you can see how much Samara Parish's writing has grown since her debut novel, How to Survive a Scandal, a mere two years ago. Excited to see what stories she'll write in the future.
I'm a fan of role reversal, so it was nice that in this novel, John is the wallflower that needs Charlotte's help in trying to find a spouse, preferably an heiress, so that he can pull the estate that he inherited from his older brother, out of financial ruin. While Charlotte would be a good candidate, he obviously can't marry her, because she's his best friend's sister and his business partner's sister-in-law. Oh how wrong the two of them happen to be, especially since Charlotte's had a crush on him forever.
and that twist, I didn't see it coming. It made sense to the plot and all things. Which brings me to the fact that you can see how much Samara Parish's writing has grown since her debut novel, How to Survive a Scandal, a mere two years ago. Excited to see what stories she'll write in the future.
heather667's review
adventurous
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Violence, Ableism, Bullying, and Drug use
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, and War
letmollyread's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
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? No
4.0
Lady Charlotte Stirling is known for her charismatic personality, her numerous causes, and her lofty numbers of proposals - all of which she has denied. Although she has not seen him in years, she has fostered a soft spot for John Barnesworth since childhood, though she knows she cannot have him. When John suddenly inherits and moves back to London, he finds a mountain of debts left by his late brother, and is forced to consider an undesirable marriage to solve his predicament. As she is known to do, Charlotte rushes to John’s aid, and the two come up with a scheme that just might be fanatical enough to work!
Just by the title I assumed this would be a story of a female wallflower and some roguish gentleman, but NO! I loved that it was John who was the wallflower, and Charlotte’s constant kindness that helped him become more comfortable with London society. The scheme developed by the two was so fun, and there is a jaw-dropping twist that I never imagined coming! I cannot believe I waited so long to read this one!
Thank you NetGalley, Read Forever Publishing, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book!
Just by the title I assumed this would be a story of a female wallflower and some roguish gentleman, but NO! I loved that it was John who was the wallflower, and Charlotte’s constant kindness that helped him become more comfortable with London society. The scheme developed by the two was so fun, and there is a jaw-dropping twist that I never imagined coming! I cannot believe I waited so long to read this one!
Thank you NetGalley, Read Forever Publishing, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book!
danadoesbooks's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
Thank you Forever and NetGalley for the eARC of How to Win a Wallflower! All opinions in this review are my own.
If you are a fan of the opposites attract and brother's best friend tropes, then you will love this historical romance!
I really enjoyed that this book has storylines beyond Charlotte's crush on John. Both of them have their own family problems that they must try to fix and by providing help and support, it shows how right they are for each other.
As much as I enjoyed the beginning of this book, the second half was really where it picked up! I loved the chemistry between Charlotte and John, especially when they concoct their scheme together. The twist and the obstacles that the characters needed to overcome in order to be together at the end were exciting!
How to Win a Wallflower was a great introduction to the Rebels with a Cause series (even though it is book 3) and I can't wait to read the first two!
If you are a fan of the opposites attract and brother's best friend tropes, then you will love this historical romance!
I really enjoyed that this book has storylines beyond Charlotte's crush on John. Both of them have their own family problems that they must try to fix and by providing help and support, it shows how right they are for each other.
As much as I enjoyed the beginning of this book, the second half was really where it picked up! I loved the chemistry between Charlotte and John, especially when they concoct their scheme together. The twist and the obstacles that the characters needed to overcome in order to be together at the end were exciting!
How to Win a Wallflower was a great introduction to the Rebels with a Cause series (even though it is book 3) and I can't wait to read the first two!
readers_sea's review
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed the story of John and Charlotte.
The tension between the characters was so real and raw despite their situation in Charlotte's brother not thinking John was good for her. I loved how comfortable they made each other feel and brought out new sides to each other. Even though they lived different lives, they always came back to each other one way or another!
I felt like the ending and resolution really dragged, which I guess is understandable since it was the 1800s and they couldn't just call each other but it did make me get a bit frustrated LOL.
Overall, I did really enjoy it and loved both characters. They always tried their best to be the best for each other through all the drama and tribulations along the way.
The tension between the characters was so real and raw despite their situation in Charlotte's brother not thinking John was good for her. I loved how comfortable they made each other feel and brought out new sides to each other. Even though they lived different lives, they always came back to each other one way or another!
I felt like the ending and resolution really dragged, which I guess is understandable since it was the 1800s and they couldn't just call each other but it did make me get a bit frustrated LOL.
Overall, I did really enjoy it and loved both characters. They always tried their best to be the best for each other through all the drama and tribulations along the way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Bullying
Minor: Sexual content
absarokamw's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
iggyebab's review
2.0
Received a copy for review.
Best friends younger sister/ unexpected aristocracy
Charlotte has had a crush on the quiet boy next door since she was a child. He left England after Eaton and has only returned because his brother was killed.
It’s an easy read with a shy Earl whose stutter has isolated him. His brothers complete destruction of the family fortune , has him panicking about paying all the debts off.
Best friends younger sister/ unexpected aristocracy
Charlotte has had a crush on the quiet boy next door since she was a child. He left England after Eaton and has only returned because his brother was killed.
It’s an easy read with a shy Earl whose stutter has isolated him. His brothers complete destruction of the family fortune , has him panicking about paying all the debts off.
autismreading_mom's review
4.0
I found this to be an emotional, romantic and throughly original. This was my first read by this author. I found myself really liking Charlotte but she seemed to be more sassy. Her character did not scream wallflower at all to me. This is a slow burn read with a lot going on in the plot. It has has a crazy twist in it that I was not expecting.I overall enjoyed this book and the writing style of Samara Parish.