A Wallflower Christmas (Wallflowers, #4.5) in Around the World in 80 Books

Aug 25, 2010 Juliana Philippa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-historical, 0-reviewed, romance, novella, 4-half-stars, 2010-reads, 2010-aug-reads, set-in-england, 0-own-in-dead-tree-form, victorian-historical-romance

4.5 stars This was such a great story, though know beforehand that this is a novella. I say that, because there could have been much more development of the characters and the story and everything happened a little too quickly and easily. It's 200 pages though, so what does one expect? Had this story been expanded into a full-length novel, I have a feeling it would have been a 5 star book (though one never knows of course - I had thought there was absolutely no possible way that I wouldn't absol 4.5 stars This was such a great story, though know beforehand that this is a novella. I say that, because there could have been much more development of the characters and the story and everything happened a little too quickly and easily. It's 200 pages though, so what does one expect? Had this story been expanded into a full-length novel, I have a feeling it would have been a 5 star book (though one never knows of course - I had thought there was absolutely no possible way that I wouldn't absolutely love Leo and Cat's story ...).

Rafe Bowman was a thrilling scoundrel and I'm always a fan of any bad-boy-good-girl/wallflower pairing, so I was predisposed to like the story. Hannah is not a "wallflower" in the Evie vein, and is actually quite outspoken and straightforward, though she was also sometimes unsure, not self-confident, and often preferred to fade into the background. This description may make her sound like many other heroines you've read, but for some reason, I found both her and Rafe to be unique characters, though in a very subtle way that I can't really put my finger on. Each was an interesting blend of contrasts, and had this been a novel, I think the story could have been greatly enhanced by an exploration of those different facets.

My only plot/character complain was Lady Natalie Blandford, Hannah's cousin and Rafe's possible-intended: that girl drove me nuts; I found her spoiled, self-absorbed, and selfish; and I did not understand at all why Hannah had any fondness for her, let alone considered her her best friend, nor how Rafe (or her other suitors) could have any positive feelings about her. She's apparently beautiful, but that's pretty much it - I saw no evidence of her apparent intelligence or kindness. (Her name is very appropriate: she's supremely bland).

For all Wallflower fans, we see a heavy amount of the four women and their other halves. Two of the couples have their own love scenes, and while normally I don't like it when a book has too much of a focus on any secondary (or tertiary) romance(s), in this case, the novella-aspect made it so that it didn't bother me. The story is short and light in a way that makes it unlikely to give much satisfaction to readers who aren't Wallflower fans.

OH!!! I can't believe I forgot to mention the best thing and my absolute favorite part of the book: THE LETTER. ::HUGE SIGH:: Rafe Bowman can write me letters anytime he wants! Honestly, that was undoubtedly the sweetest, tenderest, hottest, most wonderful part (among many, I might add).

(Written on August 28, 2010) ...more

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Jun 07, 2011 Kimberly rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-own, christmas, 2012-bookshelf, historical-romance

I couple days ago one of my book groups on Goodreads You'll love this one...!! A book club & more there was a 24 hour read-a-thon and while I only participated for about 17 of the 24 hours I had a lot of fun and this was one of my reads.

Last November I read & reviewed one of Lisa Kleypa's books called Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor. It was one of her contemporary romances and I just could not get into it so when I pulled this one off my shelf to read it on Saturday I was a little nervous. Howeve I couple days ago one of my book groups on Goodreads You'll love this one...!! A book club & more there was a 24 hour read-a-thon and while I only participated for about 17 of the 24 hours I had a lot of fun and this was one of my reads.

Last November I read & reviewed one of Lisa Kleypa's books called Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor. It was one of her contemporary romances and I just could not get into it so when I pulled this one off my shelf to read it on Saturday I was a little nervous. However, her historical romance novel A Wallflower Christmas was nothing like the contemporary read by her I read last year.

While I did not read the previous 4 novels in this historical romance series I was able to follow the story line because while the couples from the previous books are in this book the main focus is on Rafe Bowman who is brother to Daisy and Lillian who are two of the Wallflowers from earlier books as well as young Miss Hannah Appleton who is Rafe Bowman's intendeds companion.

Whilst trying to ensure that her brother is on his best behaviour when he meets his intended Lillian his sister invites Hannah to meet Rafe so both parties can learn about each other in a round about way. However instead of being interested in gleaming information about Natalie from Hannah her cousin Rafe finds himself inexplicably drawn to Hannah. While Hannah is attempting to put her attraction to the rakish Rafe on the back burner they end up in a heated embrace not long after they meet.

This sets off a whole chain of events and while Rafe and Natalie's parents are still trying to get them together over the holidays when all the Wallflowers come together with the Blandfords, Rafe, and Hannah in tow. But, against all odds fate, the spirit of Christmas time and the strong willed Wallflowers bring Hannah and Rafe together.

I thought that this was a wonderfully written Christmas historical romance novel. I was very surprised by how much I loved the writing in this book because of my experience with one of the author's other books but I couldn't be happier. The characters were great. I really loved Hannah. She was a lovely girl who wasn't interested in Rafe for his money but only for his love. She was witty, smart and unbelievable charming but still had her share of backbone.

Rafe was the typical rake but I loved him nonetheless because of how sweet, kind, and passionate when it came to Hannah, his two sisters and his young niece. While he could be pushy I didn't mind the way he came off in the beginning as being stuck up because I thought he redeemed himself when it came to getting the woman he's been waiting for.

I also really enjoyed all the different characters of the Wallflowers. After reading this book I'm very excited to read the preceding novels in the new year. This was a great Christmas read because it was cute, funny and sweet too.

I would highly recommend reading this book despite it being the 5th book in the series it's great read as a standalone. Lisa Kleypas seems to have redeemed herself in my eyes and if her other historical romances are as good as this I'm set. If you're looking for a quick, funny holiday read that's also a historical romance. Check this one out! ...more

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Dec 28, 2022 Ann rated it liked it

It was lovely to get cameos from the wallflower couples but the lead story has dubious consent. The part where the wallflowers come in one by one to talk to Hannah was hilarious and I liked the letter.

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