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The Wallflower Wins #2

The Wallflower's Wicked Wager

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In this wild and witty series, the wallflower always wins... The rakes, rogues, and dukes won't know what's hit them...

Miss Helena Highbury is destined to write romantic novels. She might have to be a governess along the way to make ends meet. And when she discovers that her employer is the very model of a brooding hero, she might just have to take the plot into her own hands.

After all, what is a hero without his heroine?

181 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2020

463 people are currently reading
185 people want to read

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Eva Devon

106 books545 followers

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5 stars
337 (47%)
4 stars
213 (30%)
3 stars
117 (16%)
2 stars
32 (4%)
1 star
11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Sandra R.
3,374 reviews47 followers
May 1, 2021
Nicely written historical romance set mostly in Scotland in around 1800. Our heroine is a writer and a wallflower and goes to Scotland to be governess to three little boys. Needless to say she falls for their uncle, the Laird. Lots of internal narration and an interesting story told from both their points of view. I liked it - 3.5 stars.
Profile Image for Leena Aluru.
611 reviews41 followers
December 11, 2021
This is book 2 and our h wants to publish her novel. She's taken a governess post since she loves children and will have all the time to write. After all, how tiring can that be? Once the kids go back to the parents she's free to write at will. Ha! And then reality strikes - kids are needy at all times.
That really was the funniest part of the book. The rest was just meh.
Again, a great plot gone to waste.

Recommended: if you've read 1,and are a glutton for punishment, then ✅
Profile Image for Lana Birky.
1,718 reviews22 followers
November 28, 2020
Miss Helena Highbury is a wallflower. She has been raised by an aunt & uncle who are not wealthy but have good connections for attending Ton events. Helena is not a beauty, doesn't have a dowry & her real love is writing romantic novels, so she tells her aunt & uncle that she is going north for an extended stay with a friend, when in fact, she is going to begin a position as a governess to 3 adorable but impish boys who were about 8, 6 & 4 & had lost their parents. She would be able to dedicate all her free time to finish the writing of her romance novel. It was perfect - their grandmother was a lovely, welcoming woman; then their Uncle Gideon came back home from his partying & things changed.

Laird Gideon MacAlister was unbelievably handsome, a rake to many widows & unhappily married women. But now he was tired of all the games, the irate husbands, marriage minded women & needed to return to his real love, the Highlands, his home & all the crofters he was responsible for as Laird. He was going to be extremely surprised when he meets the new governess to his nephews.

Gideon & Helena had such a fun romance - it was sweet, full of humor, building a friendship, learning to trust, experiencing belief in oneself, romance, love & the three nephews just added icing to the cake. I highly recommend this book for a very entertaining read without a lot of angst. I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Pam  Bereznak.
1,845 reviews141 followers
December 1, 2020
I love Eva Devon and had read all her books. Cute story. Loved the characters.
Profile Image for Kiley.
1,889 reviews47 followers
May 8, 2021
Already, upon being introduced to the Hero, I didn't like him. He had no issue with bedding married women, but he was firm in that when he married, he would be faithful. Okay, so he didn't mind cheating with married women but he wouldn't have a mistress after marriage and she couldn't take a lover? Why couldn't he honor other people's vows as well?
There was a great deal of introspection by the two main characters. More words thought than spoken, which was a bit of a detraction from the story. This caused the story to drone on and on.
There was a great deal of humor in this book, which was a saving grace. But the drama was lackluster at best. The story had a boring flow almost dreary flow to it. The angst was definitely high, but it didn't have to be. The main male character tended to be overly dramatic when all he had to do was just let life happen.
The romance was pretty nil. There was truly no chemistry between the two main characters, even though they married. The story was so chaotic that one didn't know if it was a romance or just words thrown together to appear to be a romance novel.
While it did have a HEA, it was a bit disjointed I don't know that I've ever read a book that created so much confusion before. It definitely does not qualify for the Keeper for the Shelves award.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
443 reviews1 follower
December 8, 2021
This is a cotton candy book, sweet, fluffy, and lacking any substance. The book is short and goes by quick, which is good when you realize it basically has no plot. The characters are all nice, but have no depth. There is no conflict in the story, so the author throws out a weak one at the climax that had no build up, no impact, and was resolved instantly.

The premise of the book makes no sense when you think about it at all. I don't know why the heroine thought she would have time and energy to write after working a full time job educating three children when she had no experience. Why wouldn't she have just done what she told her family and visited her friend in Scotland? I also scoff at her instant expertise with three presumably grieving and rambunctious children. Her struggling to connect with the children would have at least added something to this bland story.

The author layed it on real thick when it came to the heroine's writing. I rolled my eyes when the hero started calling her a genius. She was able to sit down and write perfectly with no problems, no struggling with story elements, no rewriting, nothing. The hero and his publisher friend treated her like she wrote the next great novel when she just wrote a Gothic romance. It felt a bit self-aggrandizing to be honest.
Profile Image for Cindy C..
1,142 reviews14 followers
December 16, 2022
The second in The Wallflower Wins series and it does not disappoint. Helena and her friends decides to fallow her dreams instead of being wallflowers. Helena finds herself headed to the Northern part of Scotland to become a governess for three rambunctious young boys. She believes she will be able to write her first novel and get it published but, she didn't count on the boys in uncle Gideon to turn her world upside down. Eva Devon has outdone herself with this Highland romance, she has given readers a book that is well-written, her characters come to life as you find yourself drawn into their story and with a strong plot. The scenes are so strikingly detailed it paints an incredible backdrop that makes you feel like you are one with the story. It's a heartfelt story filled with drama, uncertainties, angst, passion and overcoming their fears.
Profile Image for Margaret.
3,241 reviews33 followers
March 3, 2021
IN LOVE WITH THE LAIRD
A wallflower escapes her family to work as a governess in Scotland and to fulfill her dream to be a writer. Helene is mischievous and full of life. She loves the three boys who need her. Their uncle Gideon is intrigued and smitten with the new governess. The boys are happy and he feels a freedom he hasn't felt in a long time. When he discovers Helene's book, he wagers seduction against her finishing the book. His motivation is just what she needed. Just when things seem perfect Gideon pulls away. An enchanting fairy tale that comes true.This was a very quick read.
1,296 reviews1 follower
November 28, 2020
A man who looks like a dream but appreciates the beauty in someone's heart and sole is so much more important than the beauty on the outside. The great twist in this story, in my opinion, was how our wallflower leaves to find her future even it as a spinster. She travels miles leaving all she know and hates to be a governess. Helena finds a home, a family and her dream but she finds so much more in Gideon.
474 reviews2 followers
May 2, 2021
Wonderful story

This book is the second in the series, and I truly enjoyed the story line of the handsome Laird and the wallflower. I was expecting a different story but was pleased at the different story line it took. Instead of angst , mystery and doubt it was one of growth, support and respect. Love was also invited!ed but I do not to give away too much of the story. Enjoy and happy reading,
Profile Image for Danielle.
363 reviews3 followers
June 6, 2021
Jane Eyre comes to Scotland: Helena dreams of becoming a writer and takes a job as Governess to avoid her family’s disapproval and, hoping that she’ll have plenty of time whilst her charges are asleep, she’ll be able to finish her three part novel in no time. Ha! Like Maria von Trapp, she finds she likes her charges too well and becomes their surrogate mother. Brucie Bonus: their uncle/guardian is super yummy and fancies her rotten #yum!
Profile Image for Brenda.
3,529 reviews48 followers
December 15, 2021
In this wild and witty series, the wallflower always wins... The rakes, rogues, and dukes won't know what's hit them...
Miss Helena Highbury is destined to write romantic novels. She might have to be a governess along the way to make ends meet. And when she discovers that her employer is the very model of a brooding hero, she might just have to take the plot into her own hands.
This book has an amazing plot. Writing romance is her destiny.
Eva Devon has done it again!
1,907 reviews18 followers
March 22, 2022
Excellent!

Another great adventure and unusual love story! Another wallflower leaves London to forge a new life, as a governess in northern Scotland. They are a delightful young trio, thrilled with this adventurous young woman. Then,their uncle and guardian, Gideon, returns home, handsome and not what Helena expected. Then , the fun begins as this unlikely pair discover their growing feelings.
475 reviews3 followers
August 22, 2023
Delightful, surprising story with refreshingly original characters

What a wonderful read! We get to watch each of the main character's be surprised by life changes, adapt well, and then discover the fear they've been hiding from themselves. Will they choose to go forward in spite of their fears? Will they communicate honestly? Take a chance with each other? The boys are refreshingly believable.
1,290 reviews5 followers
December 3, 2020
A delightful second book in series

This is a delightfully written second book in a great series. The plot is wonderful story of achieving dreams and a HEA. The characters are brilliantly crafted and so some strength to overcome their obstacles and fears. This is a brilliant book that will suit anybody who loves Steamy historical romances that have plenty of emotion.
651 reviews3 followers
December 22, 2020
An awesome read!

I really enjoyed this book. The story of Helena and Gideon was very cute and heartwarming. I liked how he read the book she was writing and fell in love with it and encouraged her to finish it. In the end he fell for her and they got to have their happy ever after. I very highly recommend this book! 👍👍👍👍❤❤❤❤
2,433 reviews
January 4, 2021
Hoped for more substance

A historical HEA of two lovely people finding love. It is quite simply written. I liked the whole idea of a group of women deciding to take charge of their lives and actually acting on it which is why I chose the book. I would have liked more depth in the plot and the characters - primary and secondary, however.
Profile Image for SynergyQuest.
2,034 reviews8 followers
October 26, 2021
Buttoned up

I enjoyed The Wallflower’s Wicked Wager. If I had a critique, it is that the ending felt hasty. The author missed an opportunity to let us witness the hero’s internal dilemma and debate. The heroine does a lot of the talking. The hero, not as much. It was a little too quickly buttoned up for my tastes.
451 reviews2 followers
March 22, 2022
the wallflower’s wicked wager book 2

I thought the heroine was a brave and strong young woman who was true to her heart and dreams even if she had to fib a bit without hurting anyone.By being governess to 3 lovely impish boys and able to be her true self without a care in the world safe to be carefree and not worrying about society Ks opinions ❣️💃🏻😘👍🏻
370 reviews
February 17, 2023
This romance was charming if a little underwhelming. There was no big conflict, no climax, and no strong passions. The two main characters are pleasant and nice, they are gentle and they get along well. It was a quick read, although the second half was quite uneventful. I enjoyed the first book in the series much more, and I don't know if I will continue with the other two.
Profile Image for Patricia.
838 reviews
November 27, 2020
GENTLY WONDERFUL

Eva Devon writes lightly humorous, gentle romances that trip through worlds rather like Shakespeare's.
Here, a young woman escapes her world to find her own power. She doesn't expect love, or help, and the journey to accept both makes the story.
Profile Image for Cindy Woltman.
288 reviews
May 24, 2021
Must read

Happiness, fear and love. A dashing laird who strives to brings happiness to everyone but is held back by fear. A governess who strives out to find her own way as a writer is also held back by fear. In each other they find strength, happiness and love.
Profile Image for Cynthia Houser.
1,611 reviews9 followers
July 21, 2021
Wicked Wager

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as the first book. The characters are interesting and engaging. I especially was quite taken with Gideon' s nephews. The were very entertaining.
Profile Image for Sarah.
440 reviews15 followers
April 14, 2022
DNF.

The writing is so immature, almost like its written by a teenager. Although I am sure plot is nice but after reading like 53 pages and cringing at every dialogue and scene description I realized this book isn't doing it for me.

Like I always say, life is too short to read bad books!
Profile Image for Marjorie.
2,099 reviews4 followers
December 2, 2020
Another great love story

This book was full of romance and love. Helena fell first for the 3 boys and then love at first sight for Gideon.
158 reviews3 followers
December 5, 2020
A heroine that wants to be a writer and a hero who is scared to get close to people for fear of losing them. A change in theme from the usual London ballrooms. I enjoyed reading this book.
1,130 reviews4 followers
December 19, 2020
Very good read and a great second book to the series. I really liked these characters and the plot of this book. Looking forward to reading the next installment.
779 reviews2 followers
March 2, 2021
Totally enjoyed

It is a page turner. Helena is determined to live her dream after four seasons of being a Wallflower. So she takes a job as a governess.
307 reviews
April 9, 2021
A great series.

I love the characters and the strength of their drive. Always look on the bright side of life. You'll never meet your goals if you don't reach for them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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