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A review by laurenjodi
Diary of an Accidental Wallflower by Jennifer McQuiston
2.0
Diary of an Accidental Wallflower
2 Stars
Miss Clare Westmore is well on her way to becoming the Season’s sensation and landing herself a duke, when she ends up on the sidelines with a twisted ankle. Her one consolation, however unsuitable, is the devastatingly handsome Dr. Daniel Merial. Soon Clare and Daniel find their inappropriate attraction growing into something more. Will they be able to get past their social differences to be together?
A wonderful premise. Unfortunately, mine seems to be the minority view when it comes to appreciating Ms. McQuiston’s writing as her style is drawn out and her characterization unappealing.
Clare’s preoccupation with her social standing and that of others does not make for a particularly engaging heroine, and the fact that she conceals her intelligence from others to make an impression on the boorish members of the ton only add to her lack of appeal. Her behavior is somewhat reminiscent of Annabelle Peyton in Secrets of a Summer Night, but unlike Klepas’s heroine, there is no legitimate excuse for her self-interest and snobbery.
Being both a commoner and of Roma descent, Daniel is a more attractive hero. However, even he cannot compensate for the poor plotting and tedious writing. To begin with, there is very little foundation to the revelations of Clare’s paternity and all that evolves from this, and the lives of the secondary characters overshadow the romance. Speaking of, Clare and Daniel’s chemistry is non-existent and their relationship is devoid of emotional and sexual tension. Finally, the numerous anachronistic actions and references make it difficult for the reader to become immersed in the time period.
All in all, a disappointing read and I am unlikely to read another of this author’s works as the other book of hers that I attempted What Happens in Scotland was a DNF.
2 Stars
Miss Clare Westmore is well on her way to becoming the Season’s sensation and landing herself a duke, when she ends up on the sidelines with a twisted ankle. Her one consolation, however unsuitable, is the devastatingly handsome Dr. Daniel Merial. Soon Clare and Daniel find their inappropriate attraction growing into something more. Will they be able to get past their social differences to be together?
A wonderful premise. Unfortunately, mine seems to be the minority view when it comes to appreciating Ms. McQuiston’s writing as her style is drawn out and her characterization unappealing.
Clare’s preoccupation with her social standing and that of others does not make for a particularly engaging heroine, and the fact that she conceals her intelligence from others to make an impression on the boorish members of the ton only add to her lack of appeal. Her behavior is somewhat reminiscent of Annabelle Peyton in Secrets of a Summer Night, but unlike Klepas’s heroine, there is no legitimate excuse for her self-interest and snobbery.
Being both a commoner and of Roma descent, Daniel is a more attractive hero. However, even he cannot compensate for the poor plotting and tedious writing. To begin with, there is very little foundation to the revelations of Clare’s paternity and all that evolves from this, and the lives of the secondary characters overshadow the romance. Speaking of, Clare and Daniel’s chemistry is non-existent and their relationship is devoid of emotional and sexual tension. Finally, the numerous anachronistic actions and references make it difficult for the reader to become immersed in the time period.
All in all, a disappointing read and I am unlikely to read another of this author’s works as the other book of hers that I attempted What Happens in Scotland was a DNF.