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Eloisa James

How to Be a Wallflower: A Would-Be Wallflowers Novel Mass Market Paperback – March 29, 2022

by Eloisa James (Author)

1,620 ratings

Book 1 of 2: Would-Be Wallflowers

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From New York Times bestseller Eloisa James, a new Regency-set novel in which a heiress with the goal of being a wallflower engages a rugged American in a scorchingly sensual, witty wager that tests whether clothing does indeed make the man—or the wallflower! A perfect companion story to Eloisa's My American Duchess.

Miss Cleopatra Lewis is about to be launched in society by her aristocratic grandfather. But since she has no intention of marrying, she visits a costume emporium specifically to order unflattering dresses guaranteed to put off any prospective suitors.

Powerful and charismatic Jacob Astor Addison is in London, acquiring businesses to add to his theatrical holdings in America—as well as buying an emerald for a young lady back in Boston. He’s furious when a she-devil masquerading as an English lady steals Quimby’s Costume Emporium from under his nose.

Jake strikes a devil’s bargain, offering to design her “wallflower wardrobe” and giving Cleo the chance to design his. Cleo can’t resist the fun of clothing the rough-hewn American in feathers and flowers. And somehow in the middle of their lively competition, Jake becomes her closest friend.

It isn’t until Cleo becomes the toast of all society that Jake realizes she’s stolen his fiercely guarded heart. But unlike the noblemen at her feet, he doesn’t belong in her refined and cultured world.

Caught between the demands of honor and desire, Jake would give up everything to be with the woman he loves—if she’ll have him!

Print length

400 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Avon
Publication date

March 29, 2022
Dimensions

4.75 x 0.95 x 7 inches
ISBN-10

0063139537
ISBN-13

978-0063139534
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From the Publisher


	Wilde Childe	Say Yes to the Duke	My Last Duchess	My American Duchess
	✓	✓	✓	✓

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Eloisa James writes with a captivating blend of charm, style, and grace that never fails to leave the reader sighing and smiling and falling in love. Her style is exquisite, her prose pure magic. Nothing gets me to a bookstore faster than a new novel by Eloisa James.” — Julia Quinn

"The romance galaxy is filled with luminous stars, but few twinkle as brightly as James, who, with the launch of her Regency-set Would-Be Wallflowers series, once again dazzles readers with superbly conceived characters, a sublimely sensual love story, and sparkling wit." — Booklist (starred review)

“James’s newest series won’t disappoint, with her signature abundance of banter, humorous situations, and strong-willed characters determined to have their way, creating sizzling sexual tension.” — Library Journal

“Another bright, delightful read from a queen of historical romance.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) on Say No to the Duke

"James delivers all the banter and sizzle her fans expect in the nuanced fifth Wildes of Lindow Castle Georgian romance...Series readers will be pleased." — Publishers Weekly on Say Yes to the Duke

"A story as wild as the heroine's family name and one that will reward romance fans who want a funny book about an unusual heroine." — Kirkus Reviews on Wilde Child

“A sparkling Georgian romance. James’ writing shines and the Wilde clan’s infectious energy is the epitome of delightful. Overflowing with tried-and-true romance tropes like opposites attract and secret pining, Wilde Child proves that sometimes there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.” — BookPage

About the Author

Eloisa James is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author and professor of English literature, who lives with her family in New York, but can sometimes be found in Paris or Italy. She is the mother of two and, in a particularly delicious irony for a romance writer, is married to a genuine Italian knight. Visit her at www.eloisajames.com.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Avon (March 29, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0063139537
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0063139534
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.75 x 0.95 x 7 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #116,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,138 in Medieval Historical Romance (Books)
- #3,754 in Regency Romances
- #8,238 in American Literature (Books)

Customer Reviews:
1,620 ratings

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About the author

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Eloisa James

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Eloisa James is a New York Times bestselling author and professor of English literature who lives with her family in New York, but can sometimes be found in Paris or Italy. She is the mother of two and, in a particularly delicious irony for a romance writer, is married to a genuine Italian knight.

For info about books, visit www.eloisajames.com and sign up for her Five Fabulous Things newsletter. Or ask a question on Facebook (where Eloisa spends entirely too much time): https://www.facebook.com/eloisajames

Customer reviews

5 star		61%
4 star		26%
3 star		10%
2 star		2%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Sheila M

Great Start to New Series: Competent heroine with a hero who will do anything for her

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 9, 2022

Verified Purchase

FINAL DECISION: This book gave me such a warm feeling. The hero is so amazingly supportive. He knows that he loves Cleo from almost the beginning and the book is how he shows her that he will always be supportive of her. There isn't much drama in this book (except for the ending) but the relationship between Cleo and Jake was all that I needed.

THE STORY: Cleopatra Lewis had a unique upbringing. While she will agree with her grandfather's desire that she have a season, she intends on dressing like a wallflower as she intends to never marry. Instead, she will continue with her business interests. One day she meets Jake Astor Addison, an American, and the two quickly are engaged in a battle of minds when Cleo sweeps in and takes a business from right under Jake's nose. Determined to change Cleo's mind, Jake proposes a swap -- he will design Cleo's wardrobe for the Season and she will do the same for him.

OPINION: I admit that I'm a sucker for books that are lighter on plot and more focused on the personal development of the characters' relationships with one another. That's what I loved about his book. The real conflict here is Cleo dealing with her own past and being able to trust the relationship between Jake and herself.

I thought from the blurb of this book that there would be a lot of conflict between Jake and Cleo, but I found this book to be much more about these characters growing towards one another than I expected.

Cleo has independence and strength and yet her life has left her with scars that she has to confront in this story. She runs her deceased father's business and is determined to continue to do so, and as such, she doesn't plan on marriage. At the same time, her mother's endless affairs have soured her on the idea of romantic love. I was drawn to Cleo because she demonstrated how much she cared for those around her even as she sometimes espoused a cynical view of the world.

Jake is the type of hero who makes it his mission to support the heroine and is a genuinely good guy. The book sets up the story to be an enemies-to-lovers story with a lot of conflict between the main characters. I was pleasantly surprised by how that expectation was subverted. I loved Jake as a character and quickly was rooting for him to show Cleo that he is exactly the man she needs. Jake turns the world over for Cleo. The great thing is that his being an American seemed to fit exactly the path he takes. In a world that seems to be bound by so many rules and expectations, Jake is willing to accommodate where he must and shove aside what he can to be with Cleo.

This book just made me feel comforted and warm inside. This is not a book about high drama and angst. While I like those stories, I have plenty of love for a romance with a highly competent woman who finds a man who is strong and supportive of her. And who will do anything for her without having to first battle against her.

WORTH MENTIONING: The Earl of Lilford and Yasmin are the main characters in the next book in the series THE RELUCTANT COUNTESS. Good thing because I loved them in this book.

CONNECTED BOOKS: HOW TO BE A WALLFLOWER is the first book in the Would-Be Wallflowers series. The hero, however, is the childhood friend of the heroine of MY AMERICAN DUCHESS and she makes an appearance in this book.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

3 people found this helpful

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TracyJane

4.5 stars - Loved this book!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 29, 2022

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After the death of her mother Julia, Miss Cleopatra “Cleo” Lewis, the owner of the very successful Lewis Commodes company, sets out to fulfill her mother’s last wish and has reconciled with her estranged grandfather. Julia was a “free spirit” and though raised as a proper lady, she eloped with the blacksmith’s son and proceeded to live life on her own terms, which included taking lovers and following traveling acting troupes. When Cleo tells her dresser that she has agreed to participate in the season with her grandfather and plans to don the role of a wallflower since her own experience and her mother’s behavior has left her with no desire to marry, her dresser suggests that Cleo visit Quimby’s Emporium for her attire. It is here that Cleo meets Jacob “Jake” Astor Addison and then proceeds to buy the Emporium out from under him.

Jake is in London to visit his dearest friend, Merry the Duchess of Trent, and to convince Martha Quimby to relocate to the States and design costumes for his theaters – something he thought was a done deal until he is thwarted by Cleo. Before their meeting Jake had planned to return to America and marry a very nice girl, he even purchased a ring, but all that changed after Cleo came into his life, and now nothing will stop him from winning her – not even a ridiculous agreement to pick each other’s wardrobes. Jake plans to win Cleo’s heart, one kiss, and one kipper at a time, and it seems like he might be successful, that is until a well-meaning letter results in an unexpected visit that may cost him the love of his life.

What a great start to a new series! This was a well-written, nicely-paced story with wonderful characters. The story is both fun and piquant, it is filled with emotion, witty banter, a relationship-shy heroine, a brawny, kipper-loving hero, a great cast of secondary characters, steamyish love scenes, an opal ring, and a very sweet ending complete with an epilogue. I really loved this book and Jake has taken his place in my top five of all-time heroes. I also loved Cleo, but I agree with another reviewer who stated that her resistance to marriage was dragged out a little too long – not so much as to be annoying, but enough to be a bit tiresome. All in all, it was an excellent read and I can’t wait to read the next installment!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

D. Bush

great start to a new series

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 3, 2022

Verified Purchase

This book is a great introduction into a new series!
When Cleo and Jake meet they are immediately on the outs. Jake wanted to buy Quimbys Costume Emporium and take the whole business over to America, and Cleo has just bought it out from under him.. Their first meeting was great as Jake is trying to tell Cleo how hard running a business will be, and that she will end up running it into the ground. Little does Jake know that Cleo is an hieress and had taken over her fathers business at the age of 14 when he passed away.
I loved Cleo, she is a strong woman who has no problem being exactly who she is, and knows exactly what she wants. Which is to visit her grandfather and get to know him, and have a whole new wardrobe made that will make her look like a wallflower. So unapealing that no man will want to marry her.
Both Cleo and Jake love the verbal and mental sparring that comes when ever they end up in the same room, which leads to some strong feeling of annoyance, intrigue, and lust. They begin spending alot of time together, which leads to their feelings building into something stronger, and eventually to love.
There were a couple of instances that could have gone towards a miscomunication trope, but thankfully both Cleo and Jake talk to each other after and things don't escalate.

This is a super cute adversaries to friends to lovers story. I really like them as a couple and how Jake acted towards Cleo before he decided he wanted more even when he was trying to get the shop he was always truthful and upfront about his plans. They are a great couple who have some really great chemistry. I also loved the epilogue, I love getting a glimpse into the future of our couple.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series, which I hope will be Yasmines!

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Romancefiend

Luke Warm to Tepid

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 30, 2022

Verified Purchase

In my opinion this is one of Eloisa James’s weakest novels. I usually love her writing - it’s fresh humour, use of irony, varying types of comedic structure, characters and character development etc etc. This book failed on most counts - about a quarter of the way through I almost gave up - and only hope for improvement and genuine puzzlement about how poor the book was for EJ, kept me going. There are moments of charm and flashes of the prior joy EJ’s characters could bring to the page. Maybe it’s time for the author to try something different - a different genre or historical period, something to shake things up a bit. Must be hard producing a lot of books in the same genre and maintain fresh characters and plots.

2 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

Enjoyed

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 19, 2022

Verified Purchase

I Enjoyed reading this book. My one criticism would be that the story line savagery predictable, with no twists in the story. Heroine really could have done with a bit more persuading about marrying the hero. But I did enjoy the book

Sandy Essex

Eloisa never let's you down.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 30, 2022

Verified Purchase

A lovely read. Eloisa nevers disappoints. Enjoyed the connection with other American heroine. Also enjoyed that it was a love story. No crime etc.
Looking forward to next in series

SarahM

Loved this book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 29, 2022

Verified Purchase

I'm completely biased as I love Eloisa James book. A great story with two brilliant characters. A strong intelligent independent heroine.
This book had me smiling throughout. From the mad costumes to the kippers. I highly recommend it.

Shelagh

An easy read

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on May 12, 2022

Verified Purchase

Light, witty and at times emotional, How To Be A Wallflower is an easy read with a predictable ending. It’s the journey to that ending that makes this an enjoyable book. I found Cleopatra Lewis quite irritating at the start of the story—just couldn’t get my head around her desire to wrap herself in ghastly clothes—but she mellowed as the story progressed and meantime her romantic interest Jacob Astor Addison, Jake, made up for her. Overall, I enjoyed this story and, while it wasn’t Eloisa James’ best ever book, it was a good read and a nice start to her new series.

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