by Maya Rodale
Series: Bad Boys & Wallflowers #1
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Maya Rodale's captivating new series introduces London's Least Likely—three wallflowers who are about to become the toast of the ton… Lady Emma Avery has accidentally announced her engagement—to the most eligible man in England. As soon as it's discovered that Emma has never actually met the infamously attractive Duke of Ashbrooke, she'll no longer be a wallflower; she'll be a laughingstock. And then Ashbrooke does something Emma never expected. He plays along with her charade. A temporary betrothal to the irreproachable Lady Avery could be just the thing to repair Ashbrooke's tattered reputation. Seducing her is simply a bonus. And then Emma does what he never expected: she refuses his advances. It's unprecedented. Inconceivable. Quite damnably alluring. London's Least Likely to Misbehave has aroused the curiosity—among other things—of London's most notorious rogue. Now nothing will suffice but to uncover Emma's wanton side and prove there's nothing so satisfying as two perfect strangers…being perfectly scandalous together.
The Wicked Wallflower is the first book in a new series called Bad Boys & Wallflowers by author Maya Rodale. This was such a fun, delicious story and a delightful beginning. You will love the Wallflowers, and the dashing young men who will be lucky enough to claim them. Mini review: warm, humorous, romantic, witty and scrumptious.
The tale begins when we meet three wallflowers. These three young women are close to being placed on the shelf. They are fast friends. One night too much sherry and a kitchen fire result in Lady Emma Avery’s engagement to the Duke of Ashbrooke, one of England’s most eligible bachelors. Panicked and afraid of going from wallflower to laughingstock she is all but shocked when Ashbrooke plays along. A game is afoot; a scheme is hatched, and a temporary betrothal begins. The tale that unfolds while not without a few technical flaws was utterly delicious and had me laughing, swooning and flippin the pages.
Emma, Olivia and Prudence, all graduates of Lady Penelope’s Finishing School have been given nicknames by the ton. Lady Emma Avery has been dubbed, “Least Likely to Misbehave” I immediately liked all three girls, but our focus is on Emma. She is quite the character. She loves to read, has strong opinions and is a little naïve when it comes to love. I love strong female characters, who question things and Emma was brilliant. The Duke of Ashbrooke (Blake), is a complicated rogue and deliciously handsome. He has other ideas in mind when he decides to go along with this fake betrothal, and I loved when Emma tripped him up. Woman usually fall at his feet, but not Emma, forcing him to get to know her and uncover her many facets. Aunt Agatha was delightful and her Fortune Games a hoot.Benedict is a man who has courted Emma for three years, and I found him to be a wet noodle, who complicated the romance.
The Wicked Wallflower was such a fun romp, with its games, relationship trope and complicated romance. I immediately liked the girls, and knew this was a series I was going to enjoy. The romance was filled with witty banter, and I found myself snorting with laughter. Emma is dubbed, Least Likely, and Blake kept changing the title in his mind, giving us clues to his thoughts and insecurities all while being absolutely hilarious. I loved how Rodale peeled back their layers and exposed these characters. The romance was not without tension and misunderstanding, but it was believable. I craved my HEA relentlessly as we mounted obstacles and interfering boobs. The only issue I had with this novel was a technical one. It involving improper speech and etiquette for the period. Emma as a lady would never have been allowed to travel without a chaperone and characters were improperly addressed with regard to their title. This was a small bump and the flaw was consistent throughout the novel. Once I accepted it all was well.
The Wicked Wallflower is a humorous, sweet, romantic start to the Bad Boys & Wallflowers series. The next book, Wallflower Gone Wild, will feature Lady Oliver Archer and releases in March of 2014.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Diane Sallans
I’ve always been drawn to stories about wallflowers – I love it when they become the center of someone specials attentions.
kimbacaffeinate
Me too, good luck Diane 🙂
Andrea Amy
Your review makes me want to read this. It seems like the type of book that I could lose myself in, the type of books where I like the characters and want to know what happens to them.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Andrea, good luck and I hope you get to enjoy this as much as I did 🙂
Anita H
This sounds like a fabulous new series. Can’t wait to find out what happens to all the Wallflowers! Thanks for the chance to win!
kimbacaffeinate
Good luck Anita, this was a fun read 🙂
Lily B
Oh my Blake, how i’d love to meet him. Historical romances make me swoon. New ones to me make me giddy
kimbacaffeinate
Good luck Lily, this was such a fun read and I cannot wait for book two 🙂
Ada
I can’t wait to read this! I’ve seen so many reviews and that of her new contemporary series and I just want to use my grubby little hands and grab a copy of it! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Good luck Ada 🙂
Sandy Xiong
I read the book and it is a must read. It has its moments where you want to laugh but then there was a moment where I wanted to kill someone so much…her mother to be exact. I think her mother is my least favorite and it might be yours too if you read the book. I wouldn’t mind having a print copy of the book
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe, I agree her mother drove me crazy! Thanks Sandy 🙂
Mary Anne
I love this story! I’m going to read her companion book Bad Billionaire’s Wicked Arrangement next!
kimbacaffeinate
Awesome I snagged that novella too and love that it is a modern setting 🙂
Lark
This sounds a little like Lisa Kleypas’s Wallflower series, but perhaps a bit more of a romp. Regardless, you’ve definitely enticed me to take a look at the series. I love historicals with humor as well as a compelling love story, and from your description, that’s exactly what this book delivers. It’s going on my Goodreads TBR list.
kimbacaffeinate
I am so glad you added this to your list 🙂
Pamela D
The series name of Bad Boys and Wallflowers had me rolling my eyes, but once you started describing the three ladies, I changed my mind. This sounds very adorable. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
:snort: Yeah I could see you rolling your eyes but this is such fun and I love feisty characters 🙂
Jessica
I love fun and games in historical novels. Especially when boobs get in the way! If it is anything like Sarah Maclean’s novels, I will love it.
kimbacaffeinate
This was such fun..enjoy Jessica 🙂
Wayne Lecoy
I am entering your giveaway.
It would be great to win a copy of
The Wicked Wallflower by Maya Rodale.
I loved reading your review of this book.
The characters sound interesting and
i think i would enjoy reading this and
the cover captures your attention.
Thank you for having this giveaway!!!!!!!
kimbacaffeinate
Good luck Wayne!
aurian
She refuses his advances? Now I certainly have to read it Kimba! Thanks for the chance to win it.
Anita Yancey
It sounds like a wonderful story and I love the cover. I haven’t read a book by this author before, but I’m looking forward to them in the future. Thanks for having the giveaway.
kimbacaffeinate
This was my first for her as well, and while she didn’t nail the time period completely she does create a well packed, humorous tale with fun characters.
Candace
This one sounds great! I’ve been really enjoying the adult books more lately and been having a harder time with YA. This sounds like a really great start to a new series!
kimbacaffeinate
I struggle with YA unless it is dystopian, horror or post-apocalyptic.
brandileigh2003
sweet, humorous and complicated romance sounds great
kimbacaffeinate
agreed Brandi! 🙂
erinf1
I have this one! Thanks so much for the fun review and for reminding me that I had this languishing in my TBR pile 🙂 Definitely going to go dig it up. Happy Holidays everyone!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh my yes Erin, dig it out and enjoy my friend!
Sharonda
I love the cover, it reminds of the old Harlequin romances 🙂
Interesting concept as well.
kimbacaffeinate
Ah yes the old HQN covers I use to read my mother’s back when I was a teen 🙂
Nick
I certainly do love these wallflower and rogue historical romances. My favorite has to be Lisa Kleypas’ Wallflowers series! Have you read that one, Kim? This one sounds quite fun and I haven’t heard of this author before, but I’m going to give this one a shot. Emma sounds like she’s a little naive, but at the same time she seems feisty. Ooh and I can’t wait to see how Blake reacts to her not falling at his feet.
Great review, Kim! Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your friends and family. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
No I haven’t Nick but I made a note to look them up 🙂 Hope your Christmas was lovely too 🙂
Braine Talk Supe
When I used to read HR, I love themes like this. Their versions of spinsters and oldmaids and wallflowers are ridiculous for a modern woman but oh so delicious to read!
kimbacaffeinate
hehehe..agreed 🙂
Sharlene Wegner
Great review! Also, love the cover art!
kimbacaffeinate
historical romances always have the best covers 🙂 thanks Sharlene and good luck!
Janice Hougland
I love wallflower stories, especially as they so often surprise the “bad boys” and the ton! Surprises make life so much more interesting…and the romance so much more titillating! Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
I so agree Janice. Thanks 🙂
Victoria (aka Zemfirka)
I’ll blame it on the holidays that I’m all out of “meaningful” comments for now… 🙂 but I would like to win a copy of the book! Thanks for the giveaway. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, excused …and good luck!
Victoria (aka Zemfirka)
Keeping my fingers crossed! 🙂
Gloria Quintero
This looks like a promising series, a ‘wallflower’ rejecting the rogue. I look forward to reading the first book.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes the poor fellow didn’t know how to handle it 🙂
kindlemom1
This does sounds like a great new series!
kimbacaffeinate
It was fun Ali, thanks 🙂
Michelle Chew
Oh! This is interesting! And indeed sounds fun. I’m definitely getting this book! Thanks for sharing your review!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Michelle!
Mary
I love stories like this! A “wallflower”, awesome banter, and a hot duke. I’m so in! Oh, plus strong characters. I’m with you on that, too.
kimbacaffeinate
Ha, yes this was a win and the perfect start to this trilogy 🙂
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
Gosh this sounds like so much fun!!
kimbacaffeinate
It was, thanks Melissa 🙂
ailyn
wooo hot hot hot book to read… best one to curl in bed right?
kimbacaffeinate
Yes in deed, good luck Ailyn 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
hehe, OMG this sounds so fun. I love concepts like this in romances. So entering the giveaway!
kimbacaffeinate
Good luck Jennifer this was a fun read 🙂
blodeuedd
It does sound like a lovely one 😀
kimbacaffeinate
It was such fun 🙂