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Would-Be Wallflowers #1
How to Be a Wallflower
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!
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!
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!
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 29, 2022
843 people are currently reading
9,062 people want to read
About the author
Eloisa James
136 books9,318 followersNew York Times bestselling author Eloisa James writes historical romances for HarperCollins Publishers. Her novels have been published to great acclaim. A reviewer from USA Today wrote of Eloisa's very first book that she "found herself devouring the book like a dieter with a Hershey bar"; later People Magazine raved that "romance writing does not get much better than this." Her novels have repeatedly received starred reviews from Publishers' Weekly and Library Journal and regularly appear on the best-seller lists.
After graduating from Harvard University, Eloisa got an M.Phil. from Oxford University, a Ph.D. from Yale and eventually became a Shakespeare professor, publishing an academic book with Oxford University Press. Currently she is an associate professor and head of the Creative Writing program at Fordham University in New York City. Her "double life" is a source of fascination to the media and her readers. In her professorial guise, she's written a New York Times op-ed defending romance, as well as articles published everywhere from women's magazines such as More to writers' journals such as the Romance Writers' Report.
Eloisa...on her double life:
When I'm not writing novels, I'm a Shakespeare professor. It's rather like having two lives. The other day I bought a delicious pink suit to tape a television segment on romance; I'll never wear that suit to teach in, nor even to give a paper at the Shakespeare Association of America conference. It's like being Superman, with power suits for both lives. Yet the literature professor in me certainly plays into my romances. The Taming of the Duke (April 2006) has obvious Shakespearean resonances, as do many of my novels. I often weave early modern poetry into my work; the same novel might contain bits of Catullus, Shakespeare and anonymous bawdy ballads from the 16th century.
When I rip off my power suit, whether it's academic or romantic, underneath is the rather tired, chocolate-stained sweatshirt of a mom. Just as I use Shakespeare in my romances, I almost always employ my experiences as a mother. When I wrote about a miscarriage in Midnight Pleasures, I used my own fears of premature birth; when the little girl in Fool For Love threw up and threw up, I described my own daughter, who had that unsavory habit for well over her first year of life.
So I'm a writer, a professor, a mother - and a wife. My husband Alessandro is Italian, born in Florence. We spend the lazy summer months with his mother and sister in Italy. It always strikes me as a huge irony that as a romance writer I find myself married to a knight, a cavaliere, as you say in Italian.
One more thing...I'm a friend. I have girlfriends who are writers and girlfriends who are Shakespeare professors. And I have girlfriends who are romance readers. In fact, we have something of a community going on my website. Please stop by and join the conversation on my readers' pages.
After graduating from Harvard University, Eloisa got an M.Phil. from Oxford University, a Ph.D. from Yale and eventually became a Shakespeare professor, publishing an academic book with Oxford University Press. Currently she is an associate professor and head of the Creative Writing program at Fordham University in New York City. Her "double life" is a source of fascination to the media and her readers. In her professorial guise, she's written a New York Times op-ed defending romance, as well as articles published everywhere from women's magazines such as More to writers' journals such as the Romance Writers' Report.
Eloisa...on her double life:
When I'm not writing novels, I'm a Shakespeare professor. It's rather like having two lives. The other day I bought a delicious pink suit to tape a television segment on romance; I'll never wear that suit to teach in, nor even to give a paper at the Shakespeare Association of America conference. It's like being Superman, with power suits for both lives. Yet the literature professor in me certainly plays into my romances. The Taming of the Duke (April 2006) has obvious Shakespearean resonances, as do many of my novels. I often weave early modern poetry into my work; the same novel might contain bits of Catullus, Shakespeare and anonymous bawdy ballads from the 16th century.
When I rip off my power suit, whether it's academic or romantic, underneath is the rather tired, chocolate-stained sweatshirt of a mom. Just as I use Shakespeare in my romances, I almost always employ my experiences as a mother. When I wrote about a miscarriage in Midnight Pleasures, I used my own fears of premature birth; when the little girl in Fool For Love threw up and threw up, I described my own daughter, who had that unsavory habit for well over her first year of life.
So I'm a writer, a professor, a mother - and a wife. My husband Alessandro is Italian, born in Florence. We spend the lazy summer months with his mother and sister in Italy. It always strikes me as a huge irony that as a romance writer I find myself married to a knight, a cavaliere, as you say in Italian.
One more thing...I'm a friend. I have girlfriends who are writers and girlfriends who are Shakespeare professors. And I have girlfriends who are romance readers. In fact, we have something of a community going on my website. Please stop by and join the conversation on my readers' pages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 836 reviews
Shelved as 'sampled-not-for-me'
April 5, 2022I am not rating this because I did not finish the book. I did read 50% and the plot was just so unbelievable that I would have trouble with it if written in the current period of time much less in 1815. I never warmed up to either character and nothing about the h drew me to her. The free-spirited way Cleo's mother raised her was more open than we were in the 1970's. I found the story so amazingly strange that I question myself as so many have loved it. What is wrong with me lol. I am now going to wander off and contemplate this.
August 22, 2022
✨Y’all know what Americans named Jake do to these delicate sensibilities✨
He loves her more than kippers and she loves him more than commodes. Can I make it any more obvious? (What’s obvious is that this book is classically Eloisa: charming, funny, a swift tug at the heartstrings.) I want to tuck this book in at night and make it pancakes and spontaneously bring it flowers and chocolate and whatever it desires. I want to embroider quotes on pillows and talk about it to strangers.
It’s soft touches and longing eyes and leans with hands against walls and breakfasts together and picnics for lunch and almost handjobs at the dinner table. He stands up for her when she enters the room and she doesn’t want to love him but she does. I read this book twice in order to adequately translate my 💗✨😌🤞💋😇💖🥰 feelings. I cried both times and I’ll cry again.
The angst was low but the pining was HIGH I’m holding ON for dear life. There was no villain, only wholesomely meddling side characters and so many moments that made me swoon so many times; I really should invest in a fainting couch. I highlighted this entire book. I cannot lie to you I literally highlighted this entire book. THE MAN JUST WANTS HER TOILETRIES NEXT TO HIS TOILETRIES OKAY.
The scope of the book is firmly focused on Cleo and Jake’s relationship. The pacing was also very lively and I was never bored. The two lived across the hall from each other at a hotel and they were on the page together a! lot! It also has a charming subplot of the costume shop. The two make a bet revolving around the costumes and it’s very fun and heartwarming. I would love though to have a fashion lookbook accompany this book because the fashion seems so interesting! But for the life of me I can’t picture any of the outfits.
✨
Step aside reformed rakes of the world, we have a new category: Reformed Jake right here right now. He is our respectful American king. He is THE Jake; all other Jakes must now make home under his gorgeous gorgeous shadow. Don’t worry, it’s a shadow with a view because as always, this man is big, built, and beautiful. His vehicle’s undercarriage is also very smooth—naturally, a big plus, checklist item #1 really.
Jake “That Jaw” Addison is a delicious cup of coffee, golden marshmallow of a retriever puppy so in love he sees hearts wherever he walks. He’s an I’ll-kiss-you-on-the-forehead-and-nuzzle-your-nose-and-say-you’re-bewitching-and-then-eat-you-for-breakfast-because-you’re-my-most-important-meal-of-the-day-and-I-have-a-very-large-appetite kind of guy. He also fought a bear and won??? My rugged lumberjake. The moment when this man said “years later he would still remember how hard it was to leave her that day” I was absolutely destroyed. I was screaming, crying, throwing up. She was just going to dinner! Jake is so dramatic and I love that for him.
Simultaneously, Cleo is being WONDERFUL throughout the entire book. She’s the one who has reservations about their relationship because her mother was never faithful and she doesn’t want to hurt him. [Read: Really frustrated she wants to climb him like a tree but will that stop her from treating him like Redwood National Park?] It’s a bit of a role reversal because you normally see this type of character (a lot of the times it’s the hero) self destructing because they think they don’t deserve love.
However, here, Cleo was very open with Jake and they worked through their issues gorgeously and neither ran. He was clearly courting her and she was taking the time to truly contemplate the thought. She wanted to know irrevocably that she was his first choice and that she wasn’t going to hurt him. He gave her the space to have that comfort and confirmation. Cleo is confident and compelling and I loved reading her chapters. I loved watching her fall in love with Jake, on her own time.
✨
If instalove isn’t your thing, this may not be the book for you. BUT I implore you to give it a try because it’s actually a quite perfect execution of instalove (which I too am not a huge fan of). It is definitely instant love for Jake and me anyways. It basically went like this: Jake and Cleo meet and he’s trying to buy a theater costume shop that she just bought. His whole plan is to get her to sign the company over to him and then to go back to America to marry a nice cow-loving woman.
**Kinda spoilery but I really wanted to articulate just how well the plot/arc was constructed.** However, 30% through the book this man realizes a few things that normally take a main character about 70% to realize. It was SO refreshing. 1. That he will absolutely under no circumstances be marrying anyone but Cleo because stringing that plot line along would be VERY foolish. 2. That he will be moving to Britain because why wouldn’t he? Cleo loves Britain and he loves Cleo and that would be a VERY foolish thing to get in the way of their relationship. 3. He doesn’t want the costume shop anymore because that would be a VERY foolish thing to want anymore. 4. He will do anything in order to make her love him because he would be VERY foolish to walk away but he will do it RESPECTFULLY. He will be honest and open and reveal his “evil mastermind” plans to be fair and wear clothes fit for peacocks because she designed them and he will befriend her grandfather and enjoy it all. 5. He won’t be scared of his love, he will simply accept it and be an adult about his emotions and feelings and circumstances.
✨
To circle back, The lack of a horrible draining villain character was so so so lovely I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved my time reading this book. This is a book you read if you want a warm hug and happy tears and to smile and to hold something close. She literally bewitched him body and soul and he walked through the meadow to get to her. Nothing was going to make him walk away like thoughts of he “doesn’t deserve her” or he “loves her too much” or he loves to leave and make that decision for her because “he just knows.”
He respects her and her opinions and her boundaries and understands that she needs time to accept herself and him and his love and he’s TOTALLY okay with that. He had biiiiig Joshua Templeman vibes of you’re-not-ready-for-us-yet-but-when-you-are-I’m-going-to-love-you-very-thoroughly-and-very-properly-and-very-very-creatively-on-very-many-surfaces-during-very-many-hours-of-the-day-and-nothing-is-going-to-make-me-give-you-up. This book is my historical Hating Game. I’m so happy right now. I’d say I could cry but I’ve already cried five times.
Much like the Hating Game, the steam wasn’t scorching here, but I was so in love with our cinnamon rolls I felt everything that was implied. There was enough to give this book three peppers but as you know, I’ll always want more.
Overall, I absolutely cannot wait for book two. Book two can do anything and I’ll love it forever. It’s going to be beautiful and I’m going to cry and I’m going to be so happy about it. Lilford is definitely very proper but he’s got such an edge and sparkle in his eye and I can’t wait to see how he pairs with Yasmin. And that epilogue??? My GOD the way I cried when it flashed forward. I also hope Frederica gets her time to shine.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
Thanks to the publisher for my eARC via NetGalley! All opinions are honest and my own.
_________________
Initial Reaction:
Top 5 all time no lie I’m in shambles. Word of the day: fucked up. I’m going to reread and then write the review bc I was too giddy the first time around to be coherent.
He loves her more than kippers and she loves him more than commodes. Can I make it any more obvious? (What’s obvious is that this book is classically Eloisa: charming, funny, a swift tug at the heartstrings.) I want to tuck this book in at night and make it pancakes and spontaneously bring it flowers and chocolate and whatever it desires. I want to embroider quotes on pillows and talk about it to strangers.
It’s soft touches and longing eyes and leans with hands against walls and breakfasts together and picnics for lunch and almost handjobs at the dinner table. He stands up for her when she enters the room and she doesn’t want to love him but she does. I read this book twice in order to adequately translate my 💗✨😌🤞💋😇💖🥰 feelings. I cried both times and I’ll cry again.
The angst was low but the pining was HIGH I’m holding ON for dear life. There was no villain, only wholesomely meddling side characters and so many moments that made me swoon so many times; I really should invest in a fainting couch. I highlighted this entire book. I cannot lie to you I literally highlighted this entire book. THE MAN JUST WANTS HER TOILETRIES NEXT TO HIS TOILETRIES OKAY.
The scope of the book is firmly focused on Cleo and Jake’s relationship. The pacing was also very lively and I was never bored. The two lived across the hall from each other at a hotel and they were on the page together a! lot! It also has a charming subplot of the costume shop. The two make a bet revolving around the costumes and it’s very fun and heartwarming. I would love though to have a fashion lookbook accompany this book because the fashion seems so interesting! But for the life of me I can’t picture any of the outfits.
✨
Step aside reformed rakes of the world, we have a new category: Reformed Jake right here right now. He is our respectful American king. He is THE Jake; all other Jakes must now make home under his gorgeous gorgeous shadow. Don’t worry, it’s a shadow with a view because as always, this man is big, built, and beautiful. His vehicle’s undercarriage is also very smooth—naturally, a big plus, checklist item #1 really.
Jake “That Jaw” Addison is a delicious cup of coffee, golden marshmallow of a retriever puppy so in love he sees hearts wherever he walks. He’s an I’ll-kiss-you-on-the-forehead-and-nuzzle-your-nose-and-say-you’re-bewitching-and-then-eat-you-for-breakfast-because-you’re-my-most-important-meal-of-the-day-and-I-have-a-very-large-appetite kind of guy. He also fought a bear and won??? My rugged lumberjake. The moment when this man said “years later he would still remember how hard it was to leave her that day” I was absolutely destroyed. I was screaming, crying, throwing up. She was just going to dinner! Jake is so dramatic and I love that for him.
Simultaneously, Cleo is being WONDERFUL throughout the entire book. She’s the one who has reservations about their relationship because her mother was never faithful and she doesn’t want to hurt him. [Read: Really frustrated she wants to climb him like a tree but will that stop her from treating him like Redwood National Park?] It’s a bit of a role reversal because you normally see this type of character (a lot of the times it’s the hero) self destructing because they think they don’t deserve love.
However, here, Cleo was very open with Jake and they worked through their issues gorgeously and neither ran. He was clearly courting her and she was taking the time to truly contemplate the thought. She wanted to know irrevocably that she was his first choice and that she wasn’t going to hurt him. He gave her the space to have that comfort and confirmation. Cleo is confident and compelling and I loved reading her chapters. I loved watching her fall in love with Jake, on her own time.
✨
If instalove isn’t your thing, this may not be the book for you. BUT I implore you to give it a try because it’s actually a quite perfect execution of instalove (which I too am not a huge fan of). It is definitely instant love for Jake and me anyways. It basically went like this: Jake and Cleo meet and he’s trying to buy a theater costume shop that she just bought. His whole plan is to get her to sign the company over to him and then to go back to America to marry a nice cow-loving woman.
**Kinda spoilery but I really wanted to articulate just how well the plot/arc was constructed.** However, 30% through the book this man realizes a few things that normally take a main character about 70% to realize. It was SO refreshing. 1. That he will absolutely under no circumstances be marrying anyone but Cleo because stringing that plot line along would be VERY foolish. 2. That he will be moving to Britain because why wouldn’t he? Cleo loves Britain and he loves Cleo and that would be a VERY foolish thing to get in the way of their relationship. 3. He doesn’t want the costume shop anymore because that would be a VERY foolish thing to want anymore. 4. He will do anything in order to make her love him because he would be VERY foolish to walk away but he will do it RESPECTFULLY. He will be honest and open and reveal his “evil mastermind” plans to be fair and wear clothes fit for peacocks because she designed them and he will befriend her grandfather and enjoy it all. 5. He won’t be scared of his love, he will simply accept it and be an adult about his emotions and feelings and circumstances.
✨
To circle back, The lack of a horrible draining villain character was so so so lovely I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved my time reading this book. This is a book you read if you want a warm hug and happy tears and to smile and to hold something close. She literally bewitched him body and soul and he walked through the meadow to get to her. Nothing was going to make him walk away like thoughts of he “doesn’t deserve her” or he “loves her too much” or he loves to leave and make that decision for her because “he just knows.”
He respects her and her opinions and her boundaries and understands that she needs time to accept herself and him and his love and he’s TOTALLY okay with that. He had biiiiig Joshua Templeman vibes of you’re-not-ready-for-us-yet-but-when-you-are-I’m-going-to-love-you-very-thoroughly-and-very-properly-and-very-very-creatively-on-very-many-surfaces-during-very-many-hours-of-the-day-and-nothing-is-going-to-make-me-give-you-up. This book is my historical Hating Game. I’m so happy right now. I’d say I could cry but I’ve already cried five times.
Much like the Hating Game, the steam wasn’t scorching here, but I was so in love with our cinnamon rolls I felt everything that was implied. There was enough to give this book three peppers but as you know, I’ll always want more.
Overall, I absolutely cannot wait for book two. Book two can do anything and I’ll love it forever. It’s going to be beautiful and I’m going to cry and I’m going to be so happy about it. Lilford is definitely very proper but he’s got such an edge and sparkle in his eye and I can’t wait to see how he pairs with Yasmin. And that epilogue??? My GOD the way I cried when it flashed forward. I also hope Frederica gets her time to shine.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
Thanks to the publisher for my eARC via NetGalley! All opinions are honest and my own.
_________________
Initial Reaction:
Top 5 all time no lie I’m in shambles. Word of the day: fucked up. I’m going to reread and then write the review bc I was too giddy the first time around to be coherent.
April 3, 2022
I loved this very charming romance between our English lady, granddaughter of a Viscount and Heiress to a toilet fortune and our rough and tumble American hero.
They had great chemistry, excellent banter, and the story was so fun and compelling.
James writing is always so enjoyable, tight and clever, and swoonily romantic.
I did feel like Jake decided he was in love with Cleo a bit too quickly and I wish the third act conflict had been a bit more intense, it took up just a tiny bit of the book and i wanted Jake to work for it a bit more.
But overall this was a delight to read, sweet, fun, and very charming.
They had great chemistry, excellent banter, and the story was so fun and compelling.
James writing is always so enjoyable, tight and clever, and swoonily romantic.
I did feel like Jake decided he was in love with Cleo a bit too quickly and I wish the third act conflict had been a bit more intense, it took up just a tiny bit of the book and i wanted Jake to work for it a bit more.
But overall this was a delight to read, sweet, fun, and very charming.
November 7, 2024
This book was utterly boring. I don’t have much to say in a review of it as there wasn’t much going on in the story.
In concept and as outlined by the blurb, this was to be an enemies to friends to lovers trope book. An unconventional heroine in Regency England intends to honour her dead mother’s wishes that she have a season but, as she never intends to marry, she plans to blend into the background and be a wallflower. Great concept but it was honestly only present for a tiny fraction of the book. She never even really attends any balls and mostly just stays in her hotel room having boring conversations with the hero.
And the bet or rivalry portion of the book, where they each design the other’s wardrobe, was fairly nonsensical, frankly it confused me. What was the purpose of designing the other’s clothes to be unfashionable? Was it to prove that the modiste they both wanted to do business with was good or terrible? And they never really proved it, that concept was also abandoned by the middle of the story.
The execution of this book was very lacking and the content very thin. As a result I was completely bored. Definitely the worst EJ book I’ve ever read. I haven’t read her stuff in a few years and now I wonder was it always so wordy and monotonous?
I can’t recommend this one. It’s coma inducingly bland.
In concept and as outlined by the blurb, this was to be an enemies to friends to lovers trope book. An unconventional heroine in Regency England intends to honour her dead mother’s wishes that she have a season but, as she never intends to marry, she plans to blend into the background and be a wallflower. Great concept but it was honestly only present for a tiny fraction of the book. She never even really attends any balls and mostly just stays in her hotel room having boring conversations with the hero.
And the bet or rivalry portion of the book, where they each design the other’s wardrobe, was fairly nonsensical, frankly it confused me. What was the purpose of designing the other’s clothes to be unfashionable? Was it to prove that the modiste they both wanted to do business with was good or terrible? And they never really proved it, that concept was also abandoned by the middle of the story.
The execution of this book was very lacking and the content very thin. As a result I was completely bored. Definitely the worst EJ book I’ve ever read. I haven’t read her stuff in a few years and now I wonder was it always so wordy and monotonous?
I can’t recommend this one. It’s coma inducingly bland.
March 29, 2022
How to be a Wallflower reminded me of those old-time screwball movie comedies. The classics. I could easily see Gable and Lombard playing the parts, or in modern day casting, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Sorry, can’t go more recent than those two. (I’m old) I am serious here, this is some funny stuff.
Miss Cleopatra Lewis is the granddaughter of Viscount Falconer. She has also inherited a thriving business, Lewis Commodes, from her father. Cleo has agreed to her grandfather launching her into society, he has even agreed letting Cleo appear as a wallflower. This is the grandfather Cleo has never met before thanks to her mother. Everyone should be so lucky as to have so loving a grandfather.
Cleo has an excellent reason for wanting to remain a wallflower. The minute she marries, all of her property becomes the property of her husband, leaving Cleo with no say in how Cleo’s property is run or sold.
Mr. Jacob Astor Addison is a seemingly roughhewn, very wealthy American entrepreneur and early theater impresario who encounters Cleo after she has “stolen” Quimby's Costume Design. Quimby’s is mostly a theatrical costuming business he was planning to buy. Buy and move to America in aid of his burgeoning theater empire. To keep the business in London, Cleo decides to buy and expand the business.
In the amusing and charming How to be a Wallflower (Would-be Wallflowers #1) Jake and Cleo become frenemies, issuing a challenge to one another, each allowing the other to help Mrs. Quimby design a wardrobe with the idea of thwarting the other’s goal.
Jake falls so hard, so quickly that he is willing to be the one to make all of the changes in his life. Cleo, after she fell, had a moment of great hurt resulting from a misunderstanding. Instead of making Jake grovel, she quickly figured out the problem and acted with total maturity and love. I do so enjoy grown up characters.
This is a bit unusual but the worst character in the book is dead. Julia’s mother. She eloped at age 17, cheated on her husband constantly, and never returned to see her mother and father. I’m only touching on her sins. Julia made Cleo promise to contact her grandfather. Cleo's grandmother has already died.
I applaud the Jake’s ethics for adding the name Addison and partially obscuring the Astor because of some of his uncle’s unscrupulous dealings.
A slight complaint, but there is a mistake in the book blurb. Not really one that will go unnoticed.
Thanks to this book, kippers will soon be seen THE romantic food. They will no longer be vilified! No one but Eloisa James could do this.
Eloisa James has written one of my very favorite series, the Desperate Duchesses, I have probably read each book at least five times. I am hoping that one day I can say the same about the Would-Be Wallflowers series. I am already looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for review purposes.
Miss Cleopatra Lewis is the granddaughter of Viscount Falconer. She has also inherited a thriving business, Lewis Commodes, from her father. Cleo has agreed to her grandfather launching her into society, he has even agreed letting Cleo appear as a wallflower. This is the grandfather Cleo has never met before thanks to her mother. Everyone should be so lucky as to have so loving a grandfather.
Cleo has an excellent reason for wanting to remain a wallflower. The minute she marries, all of her property becomes the property of her husband, leaving Cleo with no say in how Cleo’s property is run or sold.
Mr. Jacob Astor Addison is a seemingly roughhewn, very wealthy American entrepreneur and early theater impresario who encounters Cleo after she has “stolen” Quimby's Costume Design. Quimby’s is mostly a theatrical costuming business he was planning to buy. Buy and move to America in aid of his burgeoning theater empire. To keep the business in London, Cleo decides to buy and expand the business.
In the amusing and charming How to be a Wallflower (Would-be Wallflowers #1) Jake and Cleo become frenemies, issuing a challenge to one another, each allowing the other to help Mrs. Quimby design a wardrobe with the idea of thwarting the other’s goal.
Jake falls so hard, so quickly that he is willing to be the one to make all of the changes in his life. Cleo, after she fell, had a moment of great hurt resulting from a misunderstanding. Instead of making Jake grovel, she quickly figured out the problem and acted with total maturity and love. I do so enjoy grown up characters.
This is a bit unusual but the worst character in the book is dead. Julia’s mother. She eloped at age 17, cheated on her husband constantly, and never returned to see her mother and father. I’m only touching on her sins. Julia made Cleo promise to contact her grandfather. Cleo's grandmother has already died.
I applaud the Jake’s ethics for adding the name Addison and partially obscuring the Astor because of some of his uncle’s unscrupulous dealings.
A slight complaint, but there is a mistake in the book blurb. Not really one that will go unnoticed.
Thanks to this book, kippers will soon be seen THE romantic food. They will no longer be vilified! No one but Eloisa James could do this.
Eloisa James has written one of my very favorite series, the Desperate Duchesses, I have probably read each book at least five times. I am hoping that one day I can say the same about the Would-Be Wallflowers series. I am already looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for review purposes.
May 20, 2022
3 ☆
Now that the mourning period for her mother's death is nearly over, Cleopatra Lewis is ready to fulfill her mother Julia's last request -- to allow her maternal grandfather Viscount Falconer to launch Cleo into Britain's polite society.
Her mother's "ultra modern" (to put things politely) perspective on relationships contributed to Cleo's unconventional upbringing. Cleo could also be disparaged as the "queen of thrones" by unkind people as Cleo's fortune comes from Lewis Commodes, the business her father established. As a consequence, Cleo is opposed to the great "marriage mart" of the London season.
Gussie, her childhood-nurse-now-lady's-maid, heartily disapproves but introduces Martha, a theater costumer, to Cleo who wants a wallflower's disguise. Upon learning that Martha and her business are about to be unwillingly moved to America, Cleo rescues Martha by acquiring her business from right under the nose of the American buyer.
Martha accepts Cleo's offer just as the large and inelegant American investor Jacob Astor Addison stomps in (yes, the author has created a fictitious member of the wealthy Astor family).
How to Be a Wallflower is the first in a new series of historical romances by Eloisa James, so of course this wannabe wallflower and unrefined American will make a match of it. The only question is how they get there after their initial confrontational introduction. This is not my typical genre but I've been on a rare spate of Regency England romances no doubt whipped up by PBS' "Sanditon." It triggered my usual pet peeve against this genre which is that the characters felt too modern, as though they had worn period costumes and had been plonked into stage sets representing 1815. I liked the two protagonists well enough but from the synopsis, I had hoped for more. This was pleasant enough entertainment for several hours as there was little angst or melodrama. At the same time, it's not likely to be something I'll recall months from today as it didn't elicit any strong emotional responses. As the happy couple declared,
Now that the mourning period for her mother's death is nearly over, Cleopatra Lewis is ready to fulfill her mother Julia's last request -- to allow her maternal grandfather Viscount Falconer to launch Cleo into Britain's polite society.
"I warned the Viscount that I have no wish to marry, and that I plan to be a wallflower when I join him in society events."
Her mother's "ultra modern" (to put things politely) perspective on relationships contributed to Cleo's unconventional upbringing. Cleo could also be disparaged as the "queen of thrones" by unkind people as Cleo's fortune comes from Lewis Commodes, the business her father established. As a consequence, Cleo is opposed to the great "marriage mart" of the London season.
Gussie, her childhood-nurse-now-lady's-maid, heartily disapproves but introduces Martha, a theater costumer, to Cleo who wants a wallflower's disguise. Upon learning that Martha and her business are about to be unwillingly moved to America, Cleo rescues Martha by acquiring her business from right under the nose of the American buyer.
Cleo didn't feel a bit of guilt at the idea of thwarting this brash man. The American rebellion had happened before she was born, but she knew the facts of it. They were a wild and undisciplined people who wouldn't agree to pay taxes, even for tea. They'd rather drink coffee, simply to avoid taxes.
Which said about everything that needed to be said, given that coffee was a vile drink that tasted like fusty beans.
Martha accepts Cleo's offer just as the large and inelegant American investor Jacob Astor Addison stomps in (yes, the author has created a fictitious member of the wealthy Astor family).
He simply had the sort of character that dominated a room.
Partly because he was big. Big and rough. She'd never given America much thought, but she could imagine this man making his way through untamed forests in the snow.
How to Be a Wallflower is the first in a new series of historical romances by Eloisa James, so of course this wannabe wallflower and unrefined American will make a match of it. The only question is how they get there after their initial confrontational introduction. This is not my typical genre but I've been on a rare spate of Regency England romances no doubt whipped up by PBS' "Sanditon." It triggered my usual pet peeve against this genre which is that the characters felt too modern, as though they had worn period costumes and had been plonked into stage sets representing 1815. I liked the two protagonists well enough but from the synopsis, I had hoped for more. This was pleasant enough entertainment for several hours as there was little angst or melodrama. At the same time, it's not likely to be something I'll recall months from today as it didn't elicit any strong emotional responses. As the happy couple declared,
"We're the boring, loyal kind of people who stick together for life.
... boring ... loyal... happy."
December 18, 2021
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 Stars
📖THE STORY
One sentence summary: Daughter of a female rake lives an independent life but when she starts to fall in love with a brash American she worries that she might be more like her mother than she thought.
Tropes: different classes, heiress, American/British romance
🚹Hero: Jacob Astor Addison comes from a prominent American family and he doesn’t quite fit into British society. He is in England to acquire the best costumer for his American theaters but Cleo buys the emporium before he can. He vows to win it back but very quickly realizes what he really wants is Cleo. He is a man who is used to getting what he wants but isn't afraid to work for it. His patience is just what is needed for a woman like Cleo.
🚺Heroine: Cleopatra Lewis was such a unique heroine. Independent and unconcerned about marriage, she is able to live by her own rules. Though she does want to make her grandfather, Viscount Falconer, proud. She has a complicated past because she loved her mother but she knows that he mother didn't put her first and she want someone who will.
THE ROMANCE
♥️Romance reasons: Cleo is visiting Quimby's costume emporium when they are in crisis - the man who wants to buy will save them from having to close down but he plans to relocate the shop to America. Cleo makes a deal to buy the emporium right before Jake arrives and he vows that he will convince her to sell it to him. Since she plans to have Quimby's expand from theater costumes to dressing the merchant class who are looking to land titles, he plans to counter her plan by commissioning a garish wardrobe for himself that will make people think twice about the styles. In the interest of fairness (and as a ploy to get her to spend more time with him) they agree to design each other's wardrobes.
Sexy times:
💋First kiss: 38%
❤️🔥When they have sex: 79% (she loses her virginity) and 85%
🍑Oral sex on her? he gets her ready before their first time
🍆Oral sex on him? yes but it's in a fade to black moment
⛓Any kinks? if you count a mirrored ceiling
🛏Sex locations: In her room at the hotel and in his carriage with the mirrored ceiling
Spoilery thoughts:
If you liked this, you might like: Marrying Winterborne since this also has a hero that is smitten and devoted early on.
I was provided a ARC of this book through Netgalley and provided an honest review.
📖THE STORY
One sentence summary: Daughter of a female rake lives an independent life but when she starts to fall in love with a brash American she worries that she might be more like her mother than she thought.
"I haven't thought of a blasted thing other than kissing you since ... well, since I had my kippers this morning," he told her.
"Is that a compliment? The kippers beat me out?"
"Kippers demand attention. One can't have one's tool at the ready while removing tiny bones from a fish."
Tropes: different classes, heiress, American/British romance
🚹Hero: Jacob Astor Addison comes from a prominent American family and he doesn’t quite fit into British society. He is in England to acquire the best costumer for his American theaters but Cleo buys the emporium before he can. He vows to win it back but very quickly realizes what he really wants is Cleo. He is a man who is used to getting what he wants but isn't afraid to work for it. His patience is just what is needed for a woman like Cleo.
The American didn't just enter the chamber: he burst into it. It wasn't a matter of speed. He simply had the sort of character that dominated a room.
🚺Heroine: Cleopatra Lewis was such a unique heroine. Independent and unconcerned about marriage, she is able to live by her own rules. Though she does want to make her grandfather, Viscount Falconer, proud. She has a complicated past because she loved her mother but she knows that he mother didn't put her first and she want someone who will.
Her lashes swept up, and their eyes met. Dimly he registered that Cleopatra Lewis's gaze was not helpless or, for that matter, innocent. Her eyes were deep as the evening sky when it turns from blue to gray. They were knowing, older than she appeared, curious, amused .... desirous.
THE ROMANCE
♥️Romance reasons: Cleo is visiting Quimby's costume emporium when they are in crisis - the man who wants to buy will save them from having to close down but he plans to relocate the shop to America. Cleo makes a deal to buy the emporium right before Jake arrives and he vows that he will convince her to sell it to him. Since she plans to have Quimby's expand from theater costumes to dressing the merchant class who are looking to land titles, he plans to counter her plan by commissioning a garish wardrobe for himself that will make people think twice about the styles. In the interest of fairness (and as a ploy to get her to spend more time with him) they agree to design each other's wardrobes.
Sexy times:
💋First kiss: 38%
❤️🔥When they have sex: 79% (she loses her virginity) and 85%
🍑Oral sex on her? he gets her ready before their first time
🍆Oral sex on him? yes but it's in a fade to black moment
⛓Any kinks? if you count a mirrored ceiling
🛏Sex locations: In her room at the hotel and in his carriage with the mirrored ceiling
"I am my mother's daughter, and for the first time, I don't mind admitting it. I want more. All of it."
Spoilery thoughts:
If you liked this, you might like: Marrying Winterborne since this also has a hero that is smitten and devoted early on.
I was provided a ARC of this book through Netgalley and provided an honest review.
May 12, 2022
Okay, so this was a pretty good series introduction.
I thought Cleo and Jake had great chemistry, and I actually found the plot entertaining (if very fluffy). I enjoyed reading about the costumes and various garments, I alway like theatrical elements in romance. I also liked Cleo’s relationship with her grandfather, it was cute.
Despite some hang ups, I still didn’t want to give up reading at any point.
Issues:
a. the lack of steam (but the sexual tension was great). This one really is a slow burn, and the main scene was kind of clumsy and not very sexy compared to some of EJ’s other books.
b. the side character Yasmin was..really unlikeable. I didn’t really buy her bonding easily with Cleo, who is much less frivolous and rude. And I’m pretty sure she’s going to be the protagonist in the next book, so not really looking forward to that. Also, please tell me she doesn’t marry who I think she does.
C. Cleo’s mother (who isn’t even really a character since she’s dead the whole time and this isn’t a ghost story). I would have at least preferred if she was either more lovable or more villainous. I get that double standards are being called out and that humans have grey areas and not everything is clear cut, morally. But we really got hit over the head with it and her mother’s endless escapades. Okaaay we get it. Cleo also brought her up at some pretty awkward moments and it actually came across as sort of creepy.
Anyway, overall this was a nice, light read and probably the only romance novel I’ll read where the protagonist owns a toilet business, so that’s something. lol
I thought Cleo and Jake had great chemistry, and I actually found the plot entertaining (if very fluffy). I enjoyed reading about the costumes and various garments, I alway like theatrical elements in romance. I also liked Cleo’s relationship with her grandfather, it was cute.
Despite some hang ups, I still didn’t want to give up reading at any point.
Issues:
a. the lack of steam (but the sexual tension was great). This one really is a slow burn, and the main scene was kind of clumsy and not very sexy compared to some of EJ’s other books.
b. the side character Yasmin was..really unlikeable. I didn’t really buy her bonding easily with Cleo, who is much less frivolous and rude. And I’m pretty sure she’s going to be the protagonist in the next book, so not really looking forward to that. Also, please tell me she doesn’t marry who I think she does.
C. Cleo’s mother (who isn’t even really a character since she’s dead the whole time and this isn’t a ghost story). I would have at least preferred if she was either more lovable or more villainous. I get that double standards are being called out and that humans have grey areas and not everything is clear cut, morally. But we really got hit over the head with it and her mother’s endless escapades. Okaaay we get it. Cleo also brought her up at some pretty awkward moments and it actually came across as sort of creepy.
Anyway, overall this was a nice, light read and probably the only romance novel I’ll read where the protagonist owns a toilet business, so that’s something. lol
March 28, 2022
Barbara’s rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Series: Would-Be Wallflowers #1
Publication Date: 3/29/22
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 384
Goodness – what can I say except – I LOVE it! This was an excellent introduction to the series and I cannot wait for future books. I absolutely adored Jacob Astor Addison from the first moment he graced the page and that love just grew and grew as the pages fled by. Then, there is Cleopatra (Cleo) Lewis, whom I also loved – she was so very likable and strong and self-reliant and – well – she ran her own company. We had two outstanding lead characters surrounded by excellent supporting characters – not a clinker in the bunch. The story is a wonderful romance with wit, humor, and a heroine who has real issues with relationships. Once you read the book, you’ll understand why.
Jake has come to London in search of costumers, actors, actresses, etc. to relocate to America and work for his several theaters across the country. He doesn’t even particularly like the theater, but his father’s unfulfilled dream was to be an actor on the stage, and since his position wouldn’t allow that – he bought the theaters instead. Jake just hasn’t had the heart to divest himself of them, so he has a new business plan for them. While he’s in London, he’s also visiting with his good friend and fellow American, Merry, Duchess of Trent. Jake thinks he’s found the perfect costumer, Martha Quimby of Quimby’s Emporium, and her solicitor has her agreement to move her and her business to the US. Or … does he REALLY have her agreement? Imagine his shock when he arrives at the emporium to get the final papers signed and discovers that somebody else has just bought the interest right out from under him. Why – the unmitigated gall of that woman.
Cleo is the sole proprietor of Lewis Commodes company. The company was started by her father who had several inventions – one of which was the valve that allowed commodes to work. Cleo learned the business at her father’s knee – and inherited it when he passed away when she was only fourteen. She has actively run the business since then. Her father deliberately left the business to Cleo rather than her mother because her mother was flighty, undisciplined, and well – more of a free spirit than anyone you’ve read lately. As you read through the story, you’ll realize what a huge impact her mother’s lifestyle had on Cleo. It isn’t that Cleo doesn’t exactly trust men – it is that she doesn’t trust any relationship with men. Her mother’s lifestyle has always haunted Cleo because her mother wasn’t only blatant in her lifestyle, she left Cleo to clean up her messes. Cleo is terrified she’s like her mother, so she just doesn’t do relationships at all.
Cleo is in London to visit her grandfather whom she’s never met. Her mother eloped and never returned to her family or visited with them. Not because her family wouldn’t have loved and accepted her – just because her mother doesn’t seem to have had any capacity for love. So, upon her mother’s death Cleo went to meet him – and even have a bit of a season – although her version of a season was to be a wallflower. When she accompanied her ‘dresser’ to Quimby’s Emporium to commission a suitable ‘wallflower’ wardrobe, they found everyone in Quimby’s in near hysterics because they thought they were going to have to relocate to the US. Cleo decided to thwart the brash American who thought he could just come in a do as he liked with a good English company. She’d just show him!
The give and take – and one-upmanship – between Cleo and Jake is priceless. The wit and humor are outstanding and the HEA – including a wonderful epilogue – is absolutely perfect. I did, however, think Cleo hung on to her ‘relationship-itis’ a tad too long and there was a bit of needless drama introduced near the end.
I hope you will read and enjoy this book as much as I did. I can highly recommend the read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: Would-Be Wallflowers #1
Publication Date: 3/29/22
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 384
Goodness – what can I say except – I LOVE it! This was an excellent introduction to the series and I cannot wait for future books. I absolutely adored Jacob Astor Addison from the first moment he graced the page and that love just grew and grew as the pages fled by. Then, there is Cleopatra (Cleo) Lewis, whom I also loved – she was so very likable and strong and self-reliant and – well – she ran her own company. We had two outstanding lead characters surrounded by excellent supporting characters – not a clinker in the bunch. The story is a wonderful romance with wit, humor, and a heroine who has real issues with relationships. Once you read the book, you’ll understand why.
Jake has come to London in search of costumers, actors, actresses, etc. to relocate to America and work for his several theaters across the country. He doesn’t even particularly like the theater, but his father’s unfulfilled dream was to be an actor on the stage, and since his position wouldn’t allow that – he bought the theaters instead. Jake just hasn’t had the heart to divest himself of them, so he has a new business plan for them. While he’s in London, he’s also visiting with his good friend and fellow American, Merry, Duchess of Trent. Jake thinks he’s found the perfect costumer, Martha Quimby of Quimby’s Emporium, and her solicitor has her agreement to move her and her business to the US. Or … does he REALLY have her agreement? Imagine his shock when he arrives at the emporium to get the final papers signed and discovers that somebody else has just bought the interest right out from under him. Why – the unmitigated gall of that woman.
Cleo is the sole proprietor of Lewis Commodes company. The company was started by her father who had several inventions – one of which was the valve that allowed commodes to work. Cleo learned the business at her father’s knee – and inherited it when he passed away when she was only fourteen. She has actively run the business since then. Her father deliberately left the business to Cleo rather than her mother because her mother was flighty, undisciplined, and well – more of a free spirit than anyone you’ve read lately. As you read through the story, you’ll realize what a huge impact her mother’s lifestyle had on Cleo. It isn’t that Cleo doesn’t exactly trust men – it is that she doesn’t trust any relationship with men. Her mother’s lifestyle has always haunted Cleo because her mother wasn’t only blatant in her lifestyle, she left Cleo to clean up her messes. Cleo is terrified she’s like her mother, so she just doesn’t do relationships at all.
Cleo is in London to visit her grandfather whom she’s never met. Her mother eloped and never returned to her family or visited with them. Not because her family wouldn’t have loved and accepted her – just because her mother doesn’t seem to have had any capacity for love. So, upon her mother’s death Cleo went to meet him – and even have a bit of a season – although her version of a season was to be a wallflower. When she accompanied her ‘dresser’ to Quimby’s Emporium to commission a suitable ‘wallflower’ wardrobe, they found everyone in Quimby’s in near hysterics because they thought they were going to have to relocate to the US. Cleo decided to thwart the brash American who thought he could just come in a do as he liked with a good English company. She’d just show him!
The give and take – and one-upmanship – between Cleo and Jake is priceless. The wit and humor are outstanding and the HEA – including a wonderful epilogue – is absolutely perfect. I did, however, think Cleo hung on to her ‘relationship-itis’ a tad too long and there was a bit of needless drama introduced near the end.
I hope you will read and enjoy this book as much as I did. I can highly recommend the read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 19, 2022
This one was incredibly boring and insta-love. There were so many side characters and it also focused on fashion. Which I really don't care about in my historical romances. DNF.
April 1, 2022
Cleo and Jake meet-cute when she steals a business deal out from under his feet. At first he gets heated because he's an American business magnate - of course he should win all of the deals! But then he just get hot for Cleo. Jake's one of those heroes who pursues the heroine relentlessly. Obviously if she weren't into it, it would be a little stalkery. In this case, since the only thing keeping Cleo from committing to their relationship is her fraught memories of her mother, it's totally cool that he moves into the hotel suite right across from hers, sneaks into her room at night so they can have long conversations over cognac, and follows her into the dark avenues of Vauxhall.
Jake totally gets Cleo: she's falling for him but hesitant to commit because of her past experiences with her parents' marriage. She's also the head of her own company, and she doesn't want to give it up. (There's one point in the book where she realizes she might love Jake more than she loves being a boss - but to be clear, she never has to make a choice.) Eloisa James's writing is as flowing and fun as usual, and it's refreshing to be back in Regency England after her last Georgian-set series. If we have any criticism, it's that Jake might be a little TOO understanding. Cleo never really has to explain herself, and at times Jake seems to understand her contradictory feelings better than she does herself. We don't love angst for the sake of angst, but there really seems to be no impediment to their eventual HEA. Sometimes we just want the hero to work a little!
45-word summaries:
Laine: Jake thinks he wants a costume shop to fulfill his dead father’s ambition but he quickly realizes that what he really wants is Cleo. Cleo won’t risk her independence for anyone ever again after her selfish mother and garbage fiancee. Luckily their bodies aren’t logical.
Meg: It's totally cool that Jake moves into the hotel suite right across from Cleo’s, sneaks into her room at night so they can have long conversations over cognac, and follows her into the dark avenues of Vauxhall because he’s super hot and has good intentions.
This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy of the novel.
Jake totally gets Cleo: she's falling for him but hesitant to commit because of her past experiences with her parents' marriage. She's also the head of her own company, and she doesn't want to give it up. (There's one point in the book where she realizes she might love Jake more than she loves being a boss - but to be clear, she never has to make a choice.) Eloisa James's writing is as flowing and fun as usual, and it's refreshing to be back in Regency England after her last Georgian-set series. If we have any criticism, it's that Jake might be a little TOO understanding. Cleo never really has to explain herself, and at times Jake seems to understand her contradictory feelings better than she does herself. We don't love angst for the sake of angst, but there really seems to be no impediment to their eventual HEA. Sometimes we just want the hero to work a little!
45-word summaries:
Laine: Jake thinks he wants a costume shop to fulfill his dead father’s ambition but he quickly realizes that what he really wants is Cleo. Cleo won’t risk her independence for anyone ever again after her selfish mother and garbage fiancee. Luckily their bodies aren’t logical.
Meg: It's totally cool that Jake moves into the hotel suite right across from Cleo’s, sneaks into her room at night so they can have long conversations over cognac, and follows her into the dark avenues of Vauxhall because he’s super hot and has good intentions.
This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy of the novel.
April 5, 2022
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book.*
I always love a story by Eloisa James. This new series is off to a great start. I really enjoyed my time with Jake and Cleo. They have a very unique beginning and it continued to be quirky and sexy the whole way through. I also adored getting to see Merry and her children and George as well. They made me smile and my heart happy. Trent was a favorite of mine in the past, so that was a lot of fun.
Cleo is determined never to be noticed or to fall in love because she felt all her mother ever did was be "in love" with one man or another. I found this to be a nice trope reversal from what a man of the time may choose to think in a romance novel from time to time.
I liked how Jake was determined to win her and he did it with sweet words and kippers and coffee. He looked good in his tight pants and bombastic clothing. It was a fun time.
There was a bit in the beginning that took a too long to get moving and I found myself not in a hurry to pick it back up but I had a great time whenever I was reading it.
4 Stars
2.5 on the spice scale
I always love a story by Eloisa James. This new series is off to a great start. I really enjoyed my time with Jake and Cleo. They have a very unique beginning and it continued to be quirky and sexy the whole way through. I also adored getting to see Merry and her children and George as well. They made me smile and my heart happy. Trent was a favorite of mine in the past, so that was a lot of fun.
Cleo is determined never to be noticed or to fall in love because she felt all her mother ever did was be "in love" with one man or another. I found this to be a nice trope reversal from what a man of the time may choose to think in a romance novel from time to time.
I liked how Jake was determined to win her and he did it with sweet words and kippers and coffee. He looked good in his tight pants and bombastic clothing. It was a fun time.
There was a bit in the beginning that took a too long to get moving and I found myself not in a hurry to pick it back up but I had a great time whenever I was reading it.
4 Stars
2.5 on the spice scale
April 18, 2022
This is one of those recently all too common historical romances, in which the characters are ridiculously modern. Cleo has her own fortune, runs a toilet company, smokes cigarillos, drinks spirits, lives in a hotel as an unmarried woman, wants to remain unwed, and her Viscount grandfather is totally cool with all of it. This is supposed to be 1815...the joy of reading historical novel is in stepping into another world with different rules. Rules that often lead to troubles we might not face today. Ignoring the rules and conventions removes the entire point of the setting. Absolutely disappointing.
March 7, 2023
I do love me a hero with broad shoulders who sees what he wants and goes straight at it (wistful sigh). There isn’t much I don’t love about this book, actually, although the lovely Jasmin of the verbal diarrhea did get on my nerves a bit. I love the lightheartedness throughout most of the book, but I felt Cleo’s nervousness toward the end, and experienced the same heated horror and mortification she felt at the Duchess’s dinner when the guests from America arrive. When I, as a reader, experience the same emotional upheaval as a character, I am a very happy reader.
Quick question: can shoulders really be broad enough to pull off a tulip print jacket lined with orange silk?
My favorite Eloisa James book so far.
Quick question: can shoulders really be broad enough to pull off a tulip print jacket lined with orange silk?
My favorite Eloisa James book so far.
April 27, 2022
now, this is the type of historical romance that is my jam...
- independent heroine
- a hero who doesn't give up on her despite her slight hesitation to commit to marriage
- food representation 🤣
- banter
- off the chart chemistry
I am so excited about the future books in this series!!
- independent heroine
- a hero who doesn't give up on her despite her slight hesitation to commit to marriage
- food representation 🤣
- banter
- off the chart chemistry
I am so excited about the future books in this series!!
March 22, 2022
Title: How to Be a Wallflower
Series: Would-Be Wallflowers #1
Author: Eloisa James
Release date: March 22, 2022
Cliffhanger: no
Genre: historical romance
I'm a big fan of Eloisa James' books, so of course I was very excited at the opportunity to start a brand new series by her. Though, honestly, the synopsis seemed a bit muddled to me. I couldn't quite figure out what the goal their "competition" was supposed to be. She was going to create a dandified wardrobe for him to wear and he was likewise creating her an unattractive wallflower wardrobe. I assumed that the end goal would be revealed and things would fall in place neatly. Instead, the plot ended up feeling more confusing than anticipated.
Originally they were going to dress themselves, and when they told each other of their plan, decided to dress their opponent in order to make it "fair." That really made no sense to me. If they are truly competing and the hero felt that she was a worthy businesswoman equal to any man, why would they do this? He tells his friend, "All is fair in love and war" yet tries to win the game for her. I just couldn't wrap my mind around that. He grows attached to Cleo almost from the start, and he quickly adjusts his life plan to include a future with her. Unfortunately, she is marriage-shy due to her mother's flighty affections and infidelity towards men.
I have met any number of eligible men and they find me unsettling. Since I share their distaste, marital harmony is unlikely.”
She didn't have a positive role model to show her that relationships could be rewarding, or that marriage could be a joyous experience for the couple. Jake knows that it will be quite a challenge to earn her heart as well as her hand, and secretly decides to use their game to have plenty of time to be close to her. That means that their game/competition is rendered irrelevant right from the start since he secretly concedes and changes his goal.
Cleo was a strong, independent woman who lived the unconventional life that she wanted. She didn't fear a poor reputation or salacious gossip for not being confined to society's construct for women. She was brave in that way, but she had vulnerabilities like anyone else. She feared becoming too much like her mother. Bouncing from one whim to the next, and being ruled by fickle emotions. Her mother never seemed to care too deeply, and had no respect for others' marital status. She lived to please herself and no one else. Cleo did give love a chance in the past but the man ended up betraying her, so that cemented her resolve to avoid romance all together. She successfully runs the commode business her father founded and that allows her to be financially independent. If she married, the fruits of her labor would be transferred to her husband, which only serves to deter her even more from matrimony and love.
“You told me that a lady was never allowed to invest her own money.”
“Normally, they are not,” Merry said. “Miss Lewis appears to be a true original.
I love Jake's adoration of Cleo. He falls hard and fast which does not necessarily feel organic, however, I did enjoy his utter determination throughout the book to win the woman that he loved. He was a very blunt, honest man who could be a bit rough around the edges, but what you see is what you get with him. He never plotted to seduce her which showed that he had a strong sense of honor. As well, he was shamed by his father's involvement in the Opium trade and changed his prestigious last name in order to distance himself from his actions. That's a pretty incredible thing to do back then. It showed that he prioritized honor over a false sense of social superiority.
I really respected him as a hero which is probably why I felt a little bit bad for him having to suffer being laughed at as he wore his absolutely ridiculous clothing to evening social events. He suffered the humiliation like a champ, but why should he have to? I felt that it was a little mean spirited for everyone around him to get so much enjoyment out of him looking garish while she got to shine. He even got attacked by thugs one night because he looked like an easy target and at that point I wondered if Cleo would release him from their agreement. I was disappointed when she never felt remorse or gave it a second thought.
The conflict at the end came, and it was just as I had anticipated early on. The foreshadowing made it quite obvious so I was waiting for the moment to come rather than dreading an unknown issue. This could be a positive thing for those who like low drama stories with little outside interference in the romance. Yes, there was a bit at the end that caused a little difficulty between them, but it was resolved quickly with proper communication between the two. I appreciated that aspect of it. While I didn't love this one as much as some others by Eloisa James, there was still plenty to enjoy. It was wonderful to revisit characters from My American Duchess, and I enjoyed Lady Yasmin who was introduced as a secondary character. She will inevitably end up with another side character in this story. Their antagonism and chemistry was very apparent, so I really look forward to seeing them find their HEA together. It will surely be an enemies to lovers romance with plenty of sparks flying. In conclusion, this was not an enthusiastic five star win, but a good series starter that left me in anticipation of what's to come.
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May 22, 2022
I loved this book for the first half of it. Then is crashed and burned. Boom! Big eruption, never to rise . . . until the last 10%. Then, like a Phonex, it rose from the ashes, and it redeemed itself, somewhat. I loved the heroine, Cleo. She had so much going for her. She was crazy smart, not afraid to be a businesswoman in 1815 in England and she knew she didn't want to let a man control her. But, she was haunted by her mother, who was a free spirit, to put it nicely. Her mother really messed Cleo up, big time. The hero, Jake, was a man who wanted to grow his business empire and marry a nice, docile, serene woman. That wasn't Cleo. These two had a really rocky road to their HEA.
Miss Cleopatra Lewis is an heiress, her father made a fortune inventing and his most profitable invention was the Lewis Commodes, which were quite revolutionary for the time. Cleo is now in London reconnecting with the grandfather, Viscount Falconer, who is going to introduce her to London society, and hopefully, get her married well. Not that that is what Cleo intends, at all. She just wants to be a wallflower and endure the Season until her grandfather gives up on the marriage thing.
But, a personality and beauty like Cleo could wear a sack and she would still attract suitors, especially with the whopping fortune she has to boot. She has a smash up with a brash, rugged American, Jacob Astor Addison, when they both want different things for a business, Quimby's Costume Emporium, their both have their eyes on. Cleo steals the deal and Jake is furious, vowing to best Cleo if it is the last thing he does. Except he ends up wanting Cleo more than the business. As Jake and Cleo dance around each other, sparks fly and misunderstandings abound until they each have to just trust their feelings for each other. The End. 3 1/2-Stars
My thanks to Avon, Publisher, and Eloisa James, author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
Miss Cleopatra Lewis is an heiress, her father made a fortune inventing and his most profitable invention was the Lewis Commodes, which were quite revolutionary for the time. Cleo is now in London reconnecting with the grandfather, Viscount Falconer, who is going to introduce her to London society, and hopefully, get her married well. Not that that is what Cleo intends, at all. She just wants to be a wallflower and endure the Season until her grandfather gives up on the marriage thing.
But, a personality and beauty like Cleo could wear a sack and she would still attract suitors, especially with the whopping fortune she has to boot. She has a smash up with a brash, rugged American, Jacob Astor Addison, when they both want different things for a business, Quimby's Costume Emporium, their both have their eyes on. Cleo steals the deal and Jake is furious, vowing to best Cleo if it is the last thing he does. Except he ends up wanting Cleo more than the business. As Jake and Cleo dance around each other, sparks fly and misunderstandings abound until they each have to just trust their feelings for each other. The End. 3 1/2-Stars
My thanks to Avon, Publisher, and Eloisa James, author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
January 20, 2022
This is by my far my favorite read from Eloisa James!
Cleo Lewis isn’t interested in marriage, especially with a childhood riddled with her mother’s many romantic escapades haunting her. She’s interested in business and staying in the background.
Jake Astor Addison needs a costumer for his theaters in America and he’s pissed when Cleo Lewis buys up the costume emporium he wants from right under his nose. But hey, this would be wallflower is anything but and Jake is committed to making her his. Even if she’s totally against the notion of marriage all together.
I’ve learned that EJ is pretty insta-lovey, so I just am along for the ride when I read her books and this book is no exception to the instalove rule. Jake is basically like, “Must. Have. Herrrrrrr” immediately because she’s sooo different, but I really didn’t mind it at all since Cleo is so rightly opposed to it. But also she doesn’t mind making out a little.
Lots of great story telling and steam in this book along with a foreboding fight hanging over your heads the last 40% of the book that is handled very maturely and wonderfully at the end.
Loved this one! Thank you so much Avon for the ARC
Cleo Lewis isn’t interested in marriage, especially with a childhood riddled with her mother’s many romantic escapades haunting her. She’s interested in business and staying in the background.
Jake Astor Addison needs a costumer for his theaters in America and he’s pissed when Cleo Lewis buys up the costume emporium he wants from right under his nose. But hey, this would be wallflower is anything but and Jake is committed to making her his. Even if she’s totally against the notion of marriage all together.
I’ve learned that EJ is pretty insta-lovey, so I just am along for the ride when I read her books and this book is no exception to the instalove rule. Jake is basically like, “Must. Have. Herrrrrrr” immediately because she’s sooo different, but I really didn’t mind it at all since Cleo is so rightly opposed to it. But also she doesn’t mind making out a little.
Lots of great story telling and steam in this book along with a foreboding fight hanging over your heads the last 40% of the book that is handled very maturely and wonderfully at the end.
Loved this one! Thank you so much Avon for the ARC
Read
March 24, 2022Heiress Cleopatra Lewis is about to - reluctantly - join society with no interest in finding a match. Jacob Astor Addison is in London, acquiring businesses to add to his holdings in America. When Cleo steals a costume emporium business deal out from under him, the frenemies make a deal...Jake will design Cleo’s “wallflower wardrobe” and Cleo will design a wardrobe for him. When Cleo becomes the toast of society, Jake realizes he wants her for himself!
This is the first in the Would-Be Wallflowers series, but it is also a companion novel to My American Duchess. The heroine of that novel is friends with the hero of this novel.
I think there are a lot of readers who will enjoy this book, but sadly I just couldn’t connect with it. There was some good banter, but I couldn’t make it work. The hero seemed to fall in love and change course unbelievably quickly. 2.5 stars
Tropes: Wallflower, Enemies to Friends to Lovers
This is the first in the Would-Be Wallflowers series, but it is also a companion novel to My American Duchess. The heroine of that novel is friends with the hero of this novel.
I think there are a lot of readers who will enjoy this book, but sadly I just couldn’t connect with it. There was some good banter, but I couldn’t make it work. The hero seemed to fall in love and change course unbelievably quickly. 2.5 stars
Tropes: Wallflower, Enemies to Friends to Lovers
March 10, 2022
I was really excited going into this book as it was my first Eloisa James. There was definitely some great banter and a lot of hilarity in the romance between our couple. The side character were also very endearing and it was a fun plot to follow.
Cleo was a fabulous heroine and one of my favourite aspects of this novel! She is a headstrong heiress and businesswoman who is determined to keep her wits about her and not let anyone (any MAN) take that.
My main issue is that the romance developed way too quickly. Out of no where the MMC decides he is 100% in love with her and will be selling all his American companies and moving the England to woo and marry her. And I was just like “SIR? SINCE WHEN?” Sadly, Jake just didn’t work for me and I’m sad about that. However, I did love the flowers he got her! I was also frustrated that Cleo thought she couldn’t be with Jake because her mother was unable to stay in a committed relationships—this is one of my least fave tropes so it isn’t the books fault, but a me fault.
I will definitely need to check out other books by her.
** i read an ARC
Cleo was a fabulous heroine and one of my favourite aspects of this novel! She is a headstrong heiress and businesswoman who is determined to keep her wits about her and not let anyone (any MAN) take that.
My main issue is that the romance developed way too quickly. Out of no where the MMC decides he is 100% in love with her and will be selling all his American companies and moving the England to woo and marry her. And I was just like “SIR? SINCE WHEN?” Sadly, Jake just didn’t work for me and I’m sad about that. However, I did love the flowers he got her! I was also frustrated that Cleo thought she couldn’t be with Jake because her mother was unable to stay in a committed relationships—this is one of my least fave tropes so it isn’t the books fault, but a me fault.
I will definitely need to check out other books by her.
** i read an ARC
March 31, 2022
*NEW SERIES* Book #1 of the Would-Be Wallflowers series by Eloisa James. Pub. day 3/29/22
Our heroine, Cleopatra Lewis, is an English heiress and the successful business woman behind her late-fathers Lewis Commodes empire. She wants to be a wallflower after growing up under her mothers lifestyle of on-again-off-again affairs with actors she’d picked up along her travels (and unfortunately, always leaving Cleo to clean up the mess). With her mother’s passing, she arrives in London to finally meet her aristocratic grandfather, Viscount Falconer, and to be launched into society by him. But then a chance encounter with a certain Mr. sends her plans in a direction she could never of imagined, even more-so, after they end up as guests at the same hotel.. oops!
Our hero, American entrepreneur Jake Astor Addison, has a large, muscular build, is gruff but sweet, and has no problem speaking (or showing) how he feels. He’s in London to build up his businesses back home. One in particular, Quimby’s Emporium, he plans on buying, then moving to the states along with procuring English actors and actresses for his own theatre’s there.
The plot centers around the one-upmanship between Jake and Cleo. After coming to the rescue of dress shop owner Mrs. Quimby who specializes in theatrical costumes, Cleo buys a stake in Quimby’s Emporium saving Mrs. Quimby from moving to the states. Jake had already planned on buying it himself, and is completely out of sorts over the catastrophe caused by Cleo. They make a compromise. They will design each other’s wardrobes sewn by the emporiums seamstresses.. wearing them to parties and other ton engagements.. meanwhile scheming to undo the other. Poor Jake.. he’s quite dandy in his new duds!
Jake and Cleo’s HEA is fun and sweetly entertaining. I loved their witty banter, and that carriage scene.. wow.. (I had no idea carriages were built with these hidden features). EJ’s written this with just the right amount of spice and longing. I was in need of a romance I could get lost in, and as always, Eloisa James did just that. I can’t wait for book two.
Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager via NetGalley for kindly approving an arc for my honest review.
Our heroine, Cleopatra Lewis, is an English heiress and the successful business woman behind her late-fathers Lewis Commodes empire. She wants to be a wallflower after growing up under her mothers lifestyle of on-again-off-again affairs with actors she’d picked up along her travels (and unfortunately, always leaving Cleo to clean up the mess). With her mother’s passing, she arrives in London to finally meet her aristocratic grandfather, Viscount Falconer, and to be launched into society by him. But then a chance encounter with a certain Mr. sends her plans in a direction she could never of imagined, even more-so, after they end up as guests at the same hotel.. oops!
Our hero, American entrepreneur Jake Astor Addison, has a large, muscular build, is gruff but sweet, and has no problem speaking (or showing) how he feels. He’s in London to build up his businesses back home. One in particular, Quimby’s Emporium, he plans on buying, then moving to the states along with procuring English actors and actresses for his own theatre’s there.
The plot centers around the one-upmanship between Jake and Cleo. After coming to the rescue of dress shop owner Mrs. Quimby who specializes in theatrical costumes, Cleo buys a stake in Quimby’s Emporium saving Mrs. Quimby from moving to the states. Jake had already planned on buying it himself, and is completely out of sorts over the catastrophe caused by Cleo. They make a compromise. They will design each other’s wardrobes sewn by the emporiums seamstresses.. wearing them to parties and other ton engagements.. meanwhile scheming to undo the other. Poor Jake.. he’s quite dandy in his new duds!
Jake and Cleo’s HEA is fun and sweetly entertaining. I loved their witty banter, and that carriage scene.. wow.. (I had no idea carriages were built with these hidden features). EJ’s written this with just the right amount of spice and longing. I was in need of a romance I could get lost in, and as always, Eloisa James did just that. I can’t wait for book two.
Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager via NetGalley for kindly approving an arc for my honest review.
March 29, 2022
How to Be a Wallflower by Eloisa James is the first in a new series and it is an absolute delightful and entertaining story. Cleopatra Lewis is about to make her debut into society with her Viscount grandfather and has a plan to keep her single. Needing a wardrobe, she heads to a costume emporium and before she knew it, she finds herself buying into a new business venture and encountering a hot under the collar American business man, Jake Astor Addison, who is fit to be tied when his purchase fell through. Seeing he was outbid by a British businesswoman, he has to find a way to get her to change her mind. To try and outwit her he proposes an unconventional wager. He will design her wallflower clothes and she will design his. Does the clothing make the man or in this case, the woman? What it does for both of them is what they least expected but made things far clearer in what he wants. Cleo and Jake both find that they enjoy each other’s company and slowly become friends.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story because the characters were fun and interesting. Cleo had a past with her mother and father she had to work through to overcome her emotional issues with her feelings on love. Once Jake made it his mission to win Cleo’s heart and get her to marry him, he showed her daily with flowers, coffee and kippers. The secondary characters also help to bring this story to life and advance the story to its happy conclusion. The author’s writing style made it easy to read and it flowed nicely. I didn’t want it to end because the characters were so enjoyable to get to know and cheer for. I love the conclusion and how Jake and Cleo worked it out for themselves. Eloisa James has a hit on her hands and I look forward to reading more in this series.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story because the characters were fun and interesting. Cleo had a past with her mother and father she had to work through to overcome her emotional issues with her feelings on love. Once Jake made it his mission to win Cleo’s heart and get her to marry him, he showed her daily with flowers, coffee and kippers. The secondary characters also help to bring this story to life and advance the story to its happy conclusion. The author’s writing style made it easy to read and it flowed nicely. I didn’t want it to end because the characters were so enjoyable to get to know and cheer for. I love the conclusion and how Jake and Cleo worked it out for themselves. Eloisa James has a hit on her hands and I look forward to reading more in this series.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
March 30, 2022
This is my first book by Eloisa James and I really enjoyed her writing style. There are quite a few of my favorite tropes featured in the book, like enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and a hero that is all in. The instalove is very strong between Cleo and Jake and I was a little surprised by how quickly things shifted. Cleo was my favorite character in the book and she was such a fantastic heroine. I really loved how bold and fearless she was. It took a bit for Jake to grow on me, but his determination and love for Cleo won me over. I wasn't a fan of the predictable ending drama (moo) and it felt unnecessary. I also didn't love that Jake never told Cleo about his "arrangement" and his response after blindsiding and embarrassing her left much to be desired (where was the grovel!?) The epilogue set up the next book very well though (lots of hints for the next couple throughout) and I'm looking forward to seeing those sparks fly.
Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 3 stars
Story 4 stars
I both read and listened to How to Be a Wallflower and though enjoyable, I didn't fully love Susan Duerden's performance. The narration was fine overall, but I did have problems differentiating between characters and was glad that I had the text to refer to.
CW: grief, death of parents (past), classism, mentions of addiction (opium)
*I voluntarily read and listened to an advance review copy of this book*
Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 3 stars
Story 4 stars
I both read and listened to How to Be a Wallflower and though enjoyable, I didn't fully love Susan Duerden's performance. The narration was fine overall, but I did have problems differentiating between characters and was glad that I had the text to refer to.
CW: grief, death of parents (past), classism, mentions of addiction (opium)
*I voluntarily read and listened to an advance review copy of this book*
April 2, 2022
Full review to follow but in short, I'm not sure this book knew what it wanted to be, and it showed.
OKAY, I stand by my original review summary, but I guess to elaborate while some of the issues are fresh in my mind:
-The plot summary does this story no favors, because the fighting over Quimby's ends so early in the novel as to barely matter in the overall story except as a way that the characters first met.
-While I really appreciated that when Jake decided he wanted to be with Cleo, he was just in it and in no way wavered, I feel like he didn't do a great job of actually expressing that to Cleo in a way that would have helped her overcome her fears.
-Which leads me to my real problem with this story: I spent a good part of the middle of the story wondering why the characters weren't just on the same page, already, come on. Yes, they were together, but they were so clearly not on the same page, and I guess I just didn't buy the reasons they felt like they had to be apart.
-I guess I just... didn't feel the chemistry between the leads? I know that they liked each other, but I didn't connect to them at all, and that made it harder to overlook other issues I had with plot, pacing, and some choices about Jake's character, which I'll get to in a minute.
-I spent a good part of the latter half of the book dreading how stupid it was going to be when Cleo found out that Jake gave Merry the opal ring, and then it turned out to be even more ridiculous and terrible than I imagined, since Merry's letter prompted Jake's mother to bring his would-be fiancee to England and ended up humiliating Cleo at Merry's party.
-And then... nothing really came of it? It all got resolved too easily, and I'm not sure I really believed in it.
-I kind of thought less of Jake that he didn't seem to care about Frederica's reputation at all? It's great that he didn't want to change his plans or go back on his promises to Cleo just because his mother arrived with Frederica, but he didn't seem to give any real thought to the consequences she might suffer through no fault of her own.
-I definitely thought less of Merry for meddling in all of this. This story seemed to assume readers would know Merry's backstory and have read her book already, and I don't think that was great. I haven't read her book, and honestly, I wasn't inspired to read it by her appearances here.
-Finally, it was a real Choice to have Jake be part of a made-up branch of the Astor family. I already knew the history of the Astors and the fact that they made money in the opium trade, but for all that Jake changed his name because he didn't want to be associated with the family business/opium money... my understanding is that he changed his name but is still incredibly wealthy by virtue of his family fortune, built in part via the opium trade. I don't think you really get to take a new surname and just have that be the end of it. I think it would have been more meaningful if some of Jake's story had been trying to address opium addiction and the harm that his family business has caused. As it was, it just read as a super questionable choice to connect Jake to the Astors at all.
ANYWAY, Eloisa James is a weird one for me because before the Wildes series, she'd never really worked well for me despite writing well. Her writing was still good here, but this was overall a real disappointment after how much I generally enjoyed the Wildes. It's been days since I finished this, and I still don't understand what this book was trying to do. No wonder it came off to me as such a mess.
OKAY, I stand by my original review summary, but I guess to elaborate while some of the issues are fresh in my mind:
-The plot summary does this story no favors, because the fighting over Quimby's ends so early in the novel as to barely matter in the overall story except as a way that the characters first met.
-While I really appreciated that when Jake decided he wanted to be with Cleo, he was just in it and in no way wavered, I feel like he didn't do a great job of actually expressing that to Cleo in a way that would have helped her overcome her fears.
-Which leads me to my real problem with this story: I spent a good part of the middle of the story wondering why the characters weren't just on the same page, already, come on. Yes, they were together, but they were so clearly not on the same page, and I guess I just didn't buy the reasons they felt like they had to be apart.
-I guess I just... didn't feel the chemistry between the leads? I know that they liked each other, but I didn't connect to them at all, and that made it harder to overlook other issues I had with plot, pacing, and some choices about Jake's character, which I'll get to in a minute.
-I spent a good part of the latter half of the book dreading how stupid it was going to be when Cleo found out that Jake gave Merry the opal ring, and then it turned out to be even more ridiculous and terrible than I imagined, since Merry's letter prompted Jake's mother to bring his would-be fiancee to England and ended up humiliating Cleo at Merry's party.
-And then... nothing really came of it? It all got resolved too easily, and I'm not sure I really believed in it.
-I kind of thought less of Jake that he didn't seem to care about Frederica's reputation at all? It's great that he didn't want to change his plans or go back on his promises to Cleo just because his mother arrived with Frederica, but he didn't seem to give any real thought to the consequences she might suffer through no fault of her own.
-I definitely thought less of Merry for meddling in all of this. This story seemed to assume readers would know Merry's backstory and have read her book already, and I don't think that was great. I haven't read her book, and honestly, I wasn't inspired to read it by her appearances here.
-Finally, it was a real Choice to have Jake be part of a made-up branch of the Astor family. I already knew the history of the Astors and the fact that they made money in the opium trade, but for all that Jake changed his name because he didn't want to be associated with the family business/opium money... my understanding is that he changed his name but is still incredibly wealthy by virtue of his family fortune, built in part via the opium trade. I don't think you really get to take a new surname and just have that be the end of it. I think it would have been more meaningful if some of Jake's story had been trying to address opium addiction and the harm that his family business has caused. As it was, it just read as a super questionable choice to connect Jake to the Astors at all.
ANYWAY, Eloisa James is a weird one for me because before the Wildes series, she'd never really worked well for me despite writing well. Her writing was still good here, but this was overall a real disappointment after how much I generally enjoyed the Wildes. It's been days since I finished this, and I still don't understand what this book was trying to do. No wonder it came off to me as such a mess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2022
How to Be a Wallflower is a fun and unique historical romance and the first in a series that follows women who are determined to be wallflowers. The story follows Cleopatra Lewis, who is about to be announced into society by her grandfather, and Jake Astor Addison, an American who makes Cleo an offer she can’t refuse.
I loved Cleo and Jake and thought they had amazing chemistry! Jake’s an American, and Cloe’s a businesswoman, so both are on the fringes of polite society. Accepted because of their affluence and influence but not wholly embraced, they both see through the vapid machinations of many of their peers. Cleo and Jake have electrifying chemistry, and their banter throughout the story is fabulous. They are comfortable with each other very fast, considering they are both competing for the same woman’s business, and I love the way they tease and have fun with each other. They have an instant spark that only grows bigger and stronger as the story progresses.
Jake faces his feelings well before Cleo and spends much of the story trying to convince her to take a chance on their love, which I totally loved. Cloe doesn’t need or want a man, and she is quite successful without one. She has nothing to prove to anyone, and Jake loves her for it. Cleo struggles to open herself up to love after seeing her mother’s tumultuous and ever-changing love affairs.
I like how Jake slowly woos Cleo and shows her how strongly he feels for her, and it’s interesting to see if they let fear, miscommunication, and competitiveness stand in their way. And the depth of Jake’s love is super swoon-worthy! He is so enraptured by Cleo and admires so much about her, and he’s not afraid to show it. He especially proves this when they make an outlandish bet that leads to some super funny moments and some beautifully romantic scenes.
The secondary characters in the story are also fantastic. I love Lulu, the woman who sells Jake flowers. She is sharp and smart, and her sense of humor is great. Cleo’s grandfather and his friend are dynamic and fun, and I love their meddling ways. Even Cleo’s mother, who died a year before the start of the story, is well developed and has a strong voice. These characters add levity, humor, and many heartwarming moments to the story.
I enjoyed Cleo and Jake’s story. It is a wonderful historical romance with great characters and a swoon-worthy love story, and it’s a great start to Eloisa James’s new series! I would definitely recommend the book to lovers of historical romance and am thankful to NetGalley, Avon Books, and the author for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
I loved Cleo and Jake and thought they had amazing chemistry! Jake’s an American, and Cloe’s a businesswoman, so both are on the fringes of polite society. Accepted because of their affluence and influence but not wholly embraced, they both see through the vapid machinations of many of their peers. Cleo and Jake have electrifying chemistry, and their banter throughout the story is fabulous. They are comfortable with each other very fast, considering they are both competing for the same woman’s business, and I love the way they tease and have fun with each other. They have an instant spark that only grows bigger and stronger as the story progresses.
Jake faces his feelings well before Cleo and spends much of the story trying to convince her to take a chance on their love, which I totally loved. Cloe doesn’t need or want a man, and she is quite successful without one. She has nothing to prove to anyone, and Jake loves her for it. Cleo struggles to open herself up to love after seeing her mother’s tumultuous and ever-changing love affairs.
I like how Jake slowly woos Cleo and shows her how strongly he feels for her, and it’s interesting to see if they let fear, miscommunication, and competitiveness stand in their way. And the depth of Jake’s love is super swoon-worthy! He is so enraptured by Cleo and admires so much about her, and he’s not afraid to show it. He especially proves this when they make an outlandish bet that leads to some super funny moments and some beautifully romantic scenes.
The secondary characters in the story are also fantastic. I love Lulu, the woman who sells Jake flowers. She is sharp and smart, and her sense of humor is great. Cleo’s grandfather and his friend are dynamic and fun, and I love their meddling ways. Even Cleo’s mother, who died a year before the start of the story, is well developed and has a strong voice. These characters add levity, humor, and many heartwarming moments to the story.
I enjoyed Cleo and Jake’s story. It is a wonderful historical romance with great characters and a swoon-worthy love story, and it’s a great start to Eloisa James’s new series! I would definitely recommend the book to lovers of historical romance and am thankful to NetGalley, Avon Books, and the author for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
March 25, 2022
Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and Ms. James for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Oh My! So, when I received this ARC, I put down another book as I love Eloisa James as an author and welcomed reading this book in a new series. “How to Be a Wallflower (Would-Be Wallflowers#1)” was a one sitting enjoyable read for this reader.
Miss Cleopatra “Cleo” Lewis is very much a bluestocking, thanks to her profitable inventor father. She is very much the businesswoman where her fortunes are inherited from her father’s commode business. Although her mother, Julia was a free spirited theatrical loving individual, Cleo was taught the ways of society. It is the carefree life that her mother has lived that she is determined to become a wallflower with no thought in mind to marry. After her mother’s death, she is 10 months later reconciled with her estranged grandfather, Viscount Falconer to gain his assistance with introducing her into London’s society. However, to play the part of wallflower she needs to dress the part. She visits Quimby’s Costume Emporium where she becomes an investor in the business.
American, Jacob “Jake” Astor Addison is in London visiting an old friend and attempt to acquire Quimby’s for his theatrical ventures in the States. Unfortunately, he does not count on meeting Miss Lewis who buys the business right from under his nose. Now that he has met Cleo, all bets are off the table and he will do anything in his power to take back the business and win the heart of the new proprietress.
As this was around the Gilded Age, I do think the independence of the heroine and her business savvy could have been scaled down just a tad. It was a little slow in pace in some parts but picked up closer to the end. Although Cleo and Jake had to reckon with their own personal issues, I enjoyed their escapes that turned into adventures. This was a well-written story with likeable main characters and some secondary ones that I noted were in “My American Duchess” by the author. There was just enough…close to naught in banter and chemistry to build their relationship beyond the wooing. I was caught off guard a bit with the fast submission of Jake’s feelings for Cleo, and Cleo becoming a wallflower being lost somewhere in the story. I love historical romances that include the steamy and the intimacy between the H/h was nicely done. For me, the title misleading but the story was enjoyable and worth reading. Recommend....4/5 Stars
Oh My! So, when I received this ARC, I put down another book as I love Eloisa James as an author and welcomed reading this book in a new series. “How to Be a Wallflower (Would-Be Wallflowers#1)” was a one sitting enjoyable read for this reader.
Miss Cleopatra “Cleo” Lewis is very much a bluestocking, thanks to her profitable inventor father. She is very much the businesswoman where her fortunes are inherited from her father’s commode business. Although her mother, Julia was a free spirited theatrical loving individual, Cleo was taught the ways of society. It is the carefree life that her mother has lived that she is determined to become a wallflower with no thought in mind to marry. After her mother’s death, she is 10 months later reconciled with her estranged grandfather, Viscount Falconer to gain his assistance with introducing her into London’s society. However, to play the part of wallflower she needs to dress the part. She visits Quimby’s Costume Emporium where she becomes an investor in the business.
American, Jacob “Jake” Astor Addison is in London visiting an old friend and attempt to acquire Quimby’s for his theatrical ventures in the States. Unfortunately, he does not count on meeting Miss Lewis who buys the business right from under his nose. Now that he has met Cleo, all bets are off the table and he will do anything in his power to take back the business and win the heart of the new proprietress.
As this was around the Gilded Age, I do think the independence of the heroine and her business savvy could have been scaled down just a tad. It was a little slow in pace in some parts but picked up closer to the end. Although Cleo and Jake had to reckon with their own personal issues, I enjoyed their escapes that turned into adventures. This was a well-written story with likeable main characters and some secondary ones that I noted were in “My American Duchess” by the author. There was just enough…close to naught in banter and chemistry to build their relationship beyond the wooing. I was caught off guard a bit with the fast submission of Jake’s feelings for Cleo, and Cleo becoming a wallflower being lost somewhere in the story. I love historical romances that include the steamy and the intimacy between the H/h was nicely done. For me, the title misleading but the story was enjoyable and worth reading. Recommend....4/5 Stars
April 10, 2022
This is a wonderful, entertaining, well-written historical romance novel. It has a strong, likable female protagonist with a unique family history and business, a heart warming romance, family drama, a loving male protagonist, a happily ever after ending, and plenty of Ms. James' trademark humor and wit. Readers of "My American Duchess" will appreciate the appearance of a character or two. It is not necessary to read that outstanding novel in order to enjoy "How to be a Wallflower". Eloisa James never disappoints her readers!
June 16, 2022
✨simp hero: *exists* me:*adds another book boyfriend to the ever-growing list*✨
Who told Eloisa James that she can write heartthrob heroes like this and get away with it?
This is my favorite read from Eloisa James so far. It has an understanding, simp hero, a badaass businesswoman heroine, a delicious wager, secret trysts, stolen glances, last night dates, and more 🤩
Tropes:
👨🏽💼 self-made, businessman hero (simp behavior comes free)
👩🏽💼 business woman heroine (commitment issues included)
😏 heroine ruins hero’s business deal
😫rivals-to-friends-to-lovers
😍 instalove
🔥slow burn
❤️🔥 PINING
🤩competency k*nk
I read this when I was going through a big reading slump and this helped so much. It is a simple, easy-to-get-through kinda read while still having a refreshing plot 😍🙌🏽
The chemistry between the two characters was amazing 🤩 While the hero falls for the heroine almost instantly and simps for her throughout the story, the slow burn stems from Cleo not wanting to get married and having her personal trauma.
I will say, my enjoyment rooted, not in the development of the relationship, but rather how wonderful the hero was and both characters' professional development. The heroine was pretty stubborn in her ways which lead to very little development in a romantic sense. Plus, the hero's affections towards the heroine were very instalovey which definitely had the potential to irk me. I believe the wonderful women on the PlotTrysts podcast noted how the hero was a little too understanding. Any issue or personal flaw the heroine had, the hero would instantly understand and accommodate without her having to develop much. I know these things would normally really annoy me, but, somehow with her magical writing, Eloisa James was able to play it off. Still, I would have liked to see more romantic development relationship wise and heroine wise.
That being said, both characters truly understood and appreciated one another, often having conversations with each other late into the night or consulting each other about business stuff 😍🥺
The chemistry infused dancing, the late night talks, the secret trysts, the competency k*nk, the understanding nature, everything about Jake made me want to absolutely MELT 🥴🥴 If you are looking for a new book boyfriend to make you blush and smile like a lunatic while reading, please pick this book up 🙏🏽🙏🏽 He truly just wants to spend the rest of his life building something with Cleo and I CAN’T GET ENOUGH 😩🙌🏽
This is the first in a new series about a group of women who, for their own reasons, decide to turn into wallflowers, only to find love along the way. I LOVE that idea! Eloisa James took a familiar trope and turned it on its head with this series.
I cannot wait for the next installments!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars | 🌶🌶 🌶/ 5 steam
Thank you to Avon, Netgalley, and Eloisa James for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion ❤️
Who told Eloisa James that she can write heartthrob heroes like this and get away with it?
This is my favorite read from Eloisa James so far. It has an understanding, simp hero, a badaass businesswoman heroine, a delicious wager, secret trysts, stolen glances, last night dates, and more 🤩
Tropes:
👨🏽💼 self-made, businessman hero (simp behavior comes free)
👩🏽💼 business woman heroine (commitment issues included)
😏 heroine ruins hero’s business deal
😫rivals-to-friends-to-lovers
😍 instalove
🔥slow burn
❤️🔥 PINING
🤩competency k*nk
I read this when I was going through a big reading slump and this helped so much. It is a simple, easy-to-get-through kinda read while still having a refreshing plot 😍🙌🏽
The chemistry between the two characters was amazing 🤩 While the hero falls for the heroine almost instantly and simps for her throughout the story, the slow burn stems from Cleo not wanting to get married and having her personal trauma.
I will say, my enjoyment rooted, not in the development of the relationship, but rather how wonderful the hero was and both characters' professional development. The heroine was pretty stubborn in her ways which lead to very little development in a romantic sense. Plus, the hero's affections towards the heroine were very instalovey which definitely had the potential to irk me. I believe the wonderful women on the PlotTrysts podcast noted how the hero was a little too understanding. Any issue or personal flaw the heroine had, the hero would instantly understand and accommodate without her having to develop much. I know these things would normally really annoy me, but, somehow with her magical writing, Eloisa James was able to play it off. Still, I would have liked to see more romantic development relationship wise and heroine wise.
That being said, both characters truly understood and appreciated one another, often having conversations with each other late into the night or consulting each other about business stuff 😍🥺
The chemistry infused dancing, the late night talks, the secret trysts, the competency k*nk, the understanding nature, everything about Jake made me want to absolutely MELT 🥴🥴 If you are looking for a new book boyfriend to make you blush and smile like a lunatic while reading, please pick this book up 🙏🏽🙏🏽 He truly just wants to spend the rest of his life building something with Cleo and I CAN’T GET ENOUGH 😩🙌🏽
This is the first in a new series about a group of women who, for their own reasons, decide to turn into wallflowers, only to find love along the way. I LOVE that idea! Eloisa James took a familiar trope and turned it on its head with this series.
I cannot wait for the next installments!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars | 🌶🌶 🌶/ 5 steam
Thank you to Avon, Netgalley, and Eloisa James for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion ❤️
March 22, 2022
4.5 stars, rounded up
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.*
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.*
May 2, 2022
4.5 ⭐
I don't usually like this type of historical romance, but this story has everything I love. Hero 😍
I don't usually like this type of historical romance, but this story has everything I love. Hero 😍
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