Eloisa James begins her new historical romance series, Would be Wallflowers, with the delightful HOW TO BE A WALLFLOWER. Although this is the first book in a series, characters from James's 2016 release MY AMERICAN DUCHESS are seen throughout.
Cleopatra Lewis is a young woman who ran the family commode business while her mother dragged her around the country following theater troupes (and male actors). Upon her mother's recent death, she is making contact with her grandfather who is a viscount. To remain independent, she decides to visit a costumer and dress as a wallflower to escape proposals of marriage. She enters into business with the proprietress of the costume establishment to keep an American investor from sending the company overseas.
Jacob Astor Addison, the American Investor, is intrigued by Cleo and talks her into a wager where he will order her wardrobe and she can order ridiculous garments for him to wear for presentation to society. Jake and Cleo spend time together and become close. Cleo's insecurities keep her from believing in a future with Jake and then drama from Jake's family comes into play to cause trouble.
Cleo and Jake are great main characters. HOW TO BE A WALLFLOWER is an enjoyable, light story with fun secondary characters.
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!
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