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Waltzing with the Wallflower #1
Waltzing with the Wallflower
The Season has only just begun, but already Ambrose Benson Earl of Hawthorne is bored. That is, until his brother offers him a challenge. Something worthy of his particular talents.
The object: The girl hiding behind the potted plants: the one in the horrible dress.
The goal: Turn her into the envy of the ton. A lady suitable for a duke.
But there is just something about the lady. In spite of all her social misgivings, something inexplicably draws him in, making him want to waltz with the wallflower.
The object: The girl hiding behind the potted plants: the one in the horrible dress.
The goal: Turn her into the envy of the ton. A lady suitable for a duke.
But there is just something about the lady. In spite of all her social misgivings, something inexplicably draws him in, making him want to waltz with the wallflower.
71 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2012
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848 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
July 31, 2014
One bet.
One unplanned falling in love.
I would have probably liked this more if I had read it before Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake.
One unplanned falling in love.
I would have probably liked this more if I had read it before Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake.
May 16, 2012
This was a delightful short! I felt I actually got to know the characters despite it's length. I would love to see a series based on the three men or perhaps the idea expanded to a full novel.
My only quibble was the kiss at the ball at the end (it is unlikely considering the times regardless of the couple).
My only quibble was the kiss at the ball at the end (it is unlikely considering the times regardless of the couple).
June 7, 2012
Take a wallflower of one and twenty, recently released from indentured servitude, add two bored rakes, twins, no less, and a bet... And stir. The result: a pleasant regency romance. I can only say that I wish it were longer and more fully developed.
May 19, 2012
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...
An entertaining glimpse of London’s Season during the Regency Period, Waltzing With The Wallflower races along with humor, shallowness, and boredom of young noblemen who don’t consider the damage they may do when they make a bet involving a misfit “too-old” debutante.
Cordelia, with disgraced parents, is sponsored for a Season by an aunt and uncle, but her reputation, not of her own doing, makes her prospects of finding a husband slim to none. She hates the whole process.
Ambrose, Earl of Hawthorne, with a plan to make Cordelia a person of interest to the men in order to win a bet, asks to court Cordelia. He suggests clothing style, manners, etc. and then sees to it that she gets invitations to all the “right” places. He, his twin brother Anthony, and friend Colin Wilde see that her dance card is always full, with Ambrose dancing all the waltzes with her. Soon all the eligible men are showing her attention.
As Cordelia’s true personality, her quick wit, and her natural beauty emerge, Ambrose’s plan works almost too well. The fallout from a thoughtless bet and the price to be paid are predictable. The locations and events of the Season are the standards in Regency novels, but the creative way the plot unfolds with a sparkling humor keeps the reader turning pages.
Waltzing With The Wallflower, a seven-two page novella, is brief but it is well written with characters who hold one’s attention—a delightful escape from the mundane world.
At the end of the story, there are several pages of excerpts from other works by Ms. Van Dyken and Ms. Sanders to whet a reader’s interest as well.
An entertaining glimpse of London’s Season during the Regency Period, Waltzing With The Wallflower races along with humor, shallowness, and boredom of young noblemen who don’t consider the damage they may do when they make a bet involving a misfit “too-old” debutante.
Cordelia, with disgraced parents, is sponsored for a Season by an aunt and uncle, but her reputation, not of her own doing, makes her prospects of finding a husband slim to none. She hates the whole process.
Ambrose, Earl of Hawthorne, with a plan to make Cordelia a person of interest to the men in order to win a bet, asks to court Cordelia. He suggests clothing style, manners, etc. and then sees to it that she gets invitations to all the “right” places. He, his twin brother Anthony, and friend Colin Wilde see that her dance card is always full, with Ambrose dancing all the waltzes with her. Soon all the eligible men are showing her attention.
As Cordelia’s true personality, her quick wit, and her natural beauty emerge, Ambrose’s plan works almost too well. The fallout from a thoughtless bet and the price to be paid are predictable. The locations and events of the Season are the standards in Regency novels, but the creative way the plot unfolds with a sparkling humor keeps the reader turning pages.
Waltzing With The Wallflower, a seven-two page novella, is brief but it is well written with characters who hold one’s attention—a delightful escape from the mundane world.
At the end of the story, there are several pages of excerpts from other works by Ms. Van Dyken and Ms. Sanders to whet a reader’s interest as well.
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August 1, 2012Ambrose and Cordelia. It's basically "She's All That." I realize it was a novella, but the story was way too rushed. I've read novellas before where the love story was believable, but this isn't one of them. The "hero" kept having to explain his actions because they didn't make sense. Cordelia also comes out of her shell rather quickly, although I give the authors more leeway with that because of the format. I really wanted to know more about her past and I think a full length story that fleshed out both the main characters would have worked. Also, for a few pages, I really thought she was going to end up with the hero's brother, who seemed like a much nicer match. I hope he meets someone nice in the first actual book in this series.
There were some genuinely funny moments, though, and I bought the first book for Kindle for 99¢ or something like that, so I will probably give it a read.
There were some genuinely funny moments, though, and I bought the first book for Kindle for 99¢ or something like that, so I will probably give it a read.
September 6, 2012
This was a fun one. It's a short story so things move along quickly. I liked Ambrose and Cordelia, they had good Chemistry. I liked Ambrose's twin Anthony, even though they look identical they had unique personalities. I look forward to reading Anthony's story. I did think the bet angle was a little underwhelming. It was nothing mean spirited and I didn't understand why she was so upset, again it wasn't meant to be mean, but to help her. Overall, I thought it was enjoyable.
I am always curious how two people can write one book. How does that work?
Content: Clean, very mild innuendo.
I am always curious how two people can write one book. How does that work?
Content: Clean, very mild innuendo.
May 3, 2012
This was a fun and delightful novella, a sweet little romantic story, the kind of story I like to call a "Cinderella" story. If you want something deeper to read you won't care for this book. However, there are times when I just want to read a short fun story, because I don't have two days to devote to a longer novel. It was a fun plot and I hope they write Anthony's story next, I would like to know what happens to him and their friend Wilde also.
April 16, 2012
It was a sweet romance. I love reading about wallflowers. One of the reasons I enjoyed it might be because I am 21 and also a wallflower and I could relate with the characters' feelings. It made me think that I want to find a Ambrose or his twin. I love that they took time to talk to the girls who were on the side lines. I finished this book in a few hours, I give it 4* stars.
August 4, 2012
On page 28 of 85(Ebook) and I'll be honest,I can't wait to see how this book ends and how come the twin bothers come to a duel over "the wallflower".
It doesn't seem so bad being a wallflower after reading this book.Twin brothers,a bet,a duel,a pretty wallflower.... Quick ,good read.
It doesn't seem so bad being a wallflower after reading this book.Twin brothers,a bet,a duel,a pretty wallflower.... Quick ,good read.
May 25, 2013
I liked the book but I felt as if a piece of the story was missing. The piece where they fell in love. When they realised their love for each other I was thinking when did that happen?
June 6, 2020
Almost a novella, but good. A season in the ton can be dull IF you are a beautiful, rich, titled twin. Males get to chose from all the young ladies each year and if none pleases, they come back again and again until one strikes their fancy. Not so for the ladies. They are too too shuffled off to become spinsters, companions, nannies or bluestockings!
Being rich, handsome titled and a twin with no pressure to wed led the season to roll one after another and with only your brother and a few good friends to entertain you, a good wager seemed like the way to set the ton on it's ear. The wager was to take a wallflower and make her the star of the season, The object of every man's desire. Mission accomplished or major snaffu?
Being rich, handsome titled and a twin with no pressure to wed led the season to roll one after another and with only your brother and a few good friends to entertain you, a good wager seemed like the way to set the ton on it's ear. The wager was to take a wallflower and make her the star of the season, The object of every man's desire. Mission accomplished or major snaffu?
January 21, 2020
Giving this a 2.5 rating ***
This was a short, cute read. It really just took me a couple hours to read.
I do think it should have been a little longer though. It felt like there was a bit missing. And I would have loved to see more interaction between Ambrose and Cordelia. They were good together!
There were also historical inaccuracies. They had PDA, and went out on a ride together, and she was in unchaperoned.
Still, it was a sweet book! I enjoyed it.
This was a short, cute read. It really just took me a couple hours to read.
I do think it should have been a little longer though. It felt like there was a bit missing. And I would have loved to see more interaction between Ambrose and Cordelia. They were good together!
There were also historical inaccuracies. They had PDA, and went out on a ride together, and she was in unchaperoned.
Still, it was a sweet book! I enjoyed it.
June 29, 2021
A short, fun historical romance that involves a wallflower, twin bothers, a rake friend and a bet. What could go wrong? Well, … a duel between the brothers no less but a lovely ending with a happily ever after. I laughed a lot during this novella and appreciated both the humour and the way that the romance was developed even in the very short format. Although this is part of a series of novellas, it can definitely be read as a stand alone. I am looking forward to reading the next instalment.
May 4, 2017
Cute story about twins bored with the upcoming Season, looking to make it more interesting. After making a wager, Ambrose seeks out the girl hiding in the corner behind the potted plant. He, his twin Anthony and their friend Wilde proceed to get Cordelia out from the corner to enjoy the dancing. What Ambrose wasn't prepared for is how he would lose his heart to this unassuming shy girl.
June 23, 2017
I'm a longtime fan of both Rachel VanDyken and Leah Sanders, and this little novella has been on my bookshelf for years. Now that I've finally read it, I'm ready to jump into the next two in the series! Identical (almost) Ambrose and Anthony and their friend Colin make a delicious trio as they steal the hearts of all the debutantes in London. I loved watching Cordelia come into her own.
April 19, 2021
Cute, quick (real quick) and clean Regency novella. I would have loved to have this as a fully fleshed-out novel. I literally read this in an hour. There was no time to develop much of anything, much less characters or motivations. Nevertheless, I'll be checking more out from author Leah Sanders.
May 5, 2017
A very cute, quick read.
May 29, 2018
Very sweet story . . . Should be a nice trilogy
December 25, 2019
What an enjoyable read!
Loved, loved, loved this story. Short and oh so sweet! Loved all the characters and want to read about Anthony and Wilde!!
Loved, loved, loved this story. Short and oh so sweet! Loved all the characters and want to read about Anthony and Wilde!!
February 12, 2024
Cute story. Quick ande easy read while your waiting for your turn at motor vehicle or the doctor's.
June 22, 2025
An amusing quick read. I do wish authors would leave out the sexual innuendos. They add nothing to the story.
July 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A tender exploration of faith and love, Waltzing with the Wallflower balances romance with spiritual conflict. Paxson and Sebastian’s journey is heartfelt, showing the challenges and beauty of finding connection across belief divides.
A tender exploration of faith and love, Waltzing with the Wallflower balances romance with spiritual conflict. Paxson and Sebastian’s journey is heartfelt, showing the challenges and beauty of finding connection across belief divides.
July 5, 2013
Twin brothers, Ambrose and Anthony, seem to be dedicated bachelor's, turning every Season into a game for their amusement. Bored to tears with the current batch of polite society, a bet is struck. Turn this year's wallflower, a young woman who's family name has been drug through the mud, into the most sought after woman in town.
I have never been much for short stories, so I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. At only 75 pages, I wondered whether it could really draw me in. I have to say that this was a lovely book. I did not expect to connect with the characters so quickly and truly care about what happened to them in so few pages.
The brothers, Ambrose and Anthony, are quite entertaining. The authors captured the air of two privileged and bored young men very well. I enjoyed both of the brothers, but each one was unique from the other. Ambrose slowly beginning to fall for the wallflower they made the bet around, Cordelia, yet finding himself unable to admit her feelings was very well done. The authors planned the emotional ups and down nicely.
Cordelia herself was delightful as well. She is trying so very hard at the beginning of the book to avoid notice and just survive the Season unscathed. Her surprise at being sought out by the twins and then her trying to figure out how to deal with all the attention that produces was quite charming.
The romance between Ambrose and Cordelia was very sweet. There is plenty of tension and drama, especially when Cordelia's honor is called into question. I enjoyed watching each of the characters change and grow over such a short time. This is a very clean book, one I would be happy to pass on to my nieces.
Check out my other reviews at The Edible Bookshelf
I have never been much for short stories, so I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. At only 75 pages, I wondered whether it could really draw me in. I have to say that this was a lovely book. I did not expect to connect with the characters so quickly and truly care about what happened to them in so few pages.
The brothers, Ambrose and Anthony, are quite entertaining. The authors captured the air of two privileged and bored young men very well. I enjoyed both of the brothers, but each one was unique from the other. Ambrose slowly beginning to fall for the wallflower they made the bet around, Cordelia, yet finding himself unable to admit her feelings was very well done. The authors planned the emotional ups and down nicely.
Cordelia herself was delightful as well. She is trying so very hard at the beginning of the book to avoid notice and just survive the Season unscathed. Her surprise at being sought out by the twins and then her trying to figure out how to deal with all the attention that produces was quite charming.
The romance between Ambrose and Cordelia was very sweet. There is plenty of tension and drama, especially when Cordelia's honor is called into question. I enjoyed watching each of the characters change and grow over such a short time. This is a very clean book, one I would be happy to pass on to my nieces.
Check out my other reviews at The Edible Bookshelf
September 13, 2015
"Waltzing with the Wallflower" doesn't have any redeeming qualities that I can think of and I finished it five seconds ago. The writing is stilted and though the main characters are described as clever, the dialogue doesn't come close. Ambrose and Cordelia are far less interesting than the narrative would suggest, especially given that Cordelia spent several years as an indentured servant. It's a detail that probably ought shape her experience and perspective, but it scarcely seems to. On the one occasion that her past influences a single guest more than the Benson twins' charm, it doesn't go beyond an underwhelming confrontation. Ambrose doesn't have much of a past and insofar as his personality is concerned, I couldn't understand why he and Anthony wielded such influence with the ton, let alone influence that no scandal seemed able to mar.
It would be hard enough for a relationship between two flat characters to hold my interest, but "Waltzing with the Wallflower" doesn't even have a plot to support them and there's no conflict. I know it's a short story, but I think seventy-one pages is enough to create some sense of the characters, of the stakes, of movement and action. Instead, it felt like write-by-numbers: things happen because the Pygmalion plot demands it and characters react in certain ways for the same reason. There were no surprises and for me, no real sweetness.
I've never read anything by either Rachel Van Dyken or Leah Sanders, but I'm not inclined to pick up their longer work and I can't recommend "Waltzing with the Wallflower."
It would be hard enough for a relationship between two flat characters to hold my interest, but "Waltzing with the Wallflower" doesn't even have a plot to support them and there's no conflict. I know it's a short story, but I think seventy-one pages is enough to create some sense of the characters, of the stakes, of movement and action. Instead, it felt like write-by-numbers: things happen because the Pygmalion plot demands it and characters react in certain ways for the same reason. There were no surprises and for me, no real sweetness.
I've never read anything by either Rachel Van Dyken or Leah Sanders, but I'm not inclined to pick up their longer work and I can't recommend "Waltzing with the Wallflower."
September 26, 2012
Waltzing With The Wallflower is the story of twin brothers Anthony and Ambrose Benson, the two most handsome men in the ton, and what happens when one dares the other to focus their charm and attention on an assuming, innocent young girl who wants nothing more than to shy away from the limelight. Anthony Benson is the instigator of this bet, and Ambrose Benson the charmer who undertakes the transformation of Lady Cordelia into the belle of the ball, rather than someone who hides behind the pot plants hoping to be ignored.
I found Ambrose to be a very charming male lead, with his gentle nature shining through from the start. He comes across as the type of character that is both passionate and gentle, charming and understanding; in short he is portrayed as the perfect gentleman (for most of the story). His brother, Anthony, is a character that I felt gave a welcome shot of shadiness and underhanded-ness, though overall he comes across as a good guy. Cordelia was a charming heroine, with enough naivety to make her situation plausible and enough bite to make her interesting. The interactions between her and Ambrose are generally full of wit and charm, and I found them thoroughly enjoyable.
Rachel Van Dyken has a very easy style of writing, which immediately sucked me into the story (I was hooked within 3 pages). The addition of Leah Sanders input made the book a very fun read. They both succeeded in making their characters accessible and interesting. The only criticism I have of the book is that it wasn’t longer – I managed to read the whole thing in an hour and I ended it wishing there was more of the characters for me to get involved with.
I found Ambrose to be a very charming male lead, with his gentle nature shining through from the start. He comes across as the type of character that is both passionate and gentle, charming and understanding; in short he is portrayed as the perfect gentleman (for most of the story). His brother, Anthony, is a character that I felt gave a welcome shot of shadiness and underhanded-ness, though overall he comes across as a good guy. Cordelia was a charming heroine, with enough naivety to make her situation plausible and enough bite to make her interesting. The interactions between her and Ambrose are generally full of wit and charm, and I found them thoroughly enjoyable.
Rachel Van Dyken has a very easy style of writing, which immediately sucked me into the story (I was hooked within 3 pages). The addition of Leah Sanders input made the book a very fun read. They both succeeded in making their characters accessible and interesting. The only criticism I have of the book is that it wasn’t longer – I managed to read the whole thing in an hour and I ended it wishing there was more of the characters for me to get involved with.
January 22, 2015
It's a annual habit for Ambrose and his twin Anthony to pick a worthy debutante of the season to dote on and make her a huge success.
But this year, Ambrose is bored of picking the cream of the crop so Anthony decides to make this year more challenging. He chooses the most awkward and scandulous Cordelia as the pick of the season.
I had to start laughing as Ambrose glibly starts behaving as if Cordelia is just the most remarkable and beautiful woman he's ever seen even as she stumbles around cluelessly.
Ambrose - “I know many men have probably expressed similar interest—”
Hahaha.
Cordelia is adorably shy. She's the innocent, terrified, quiet sort of girl. She never knows what to say.
Anthony's humour is a winner and I'm sure his book will be equally fun.
Anthony - “She loves you! You love her! When such things happen, you apologize and propose!”
As usual, Rachel van Dyken has her cheesy and icky moments but she also has those moments where I'm giggling or “aww”ing. I also really loved the epilogue.
4 solid stars
But this year, Ambrose is bored of picking the cream of the crop so Anthony decides to make this year more challenging. He chooses the most awkward and scandulous Cordelia as the pick of the season.
I had to start laughing as Ambrose glibly starts behaving as if Cordelia is just the most remarkable and beautiful woman he's ever seen even as she stumbles around cluelessly.
Ambrose - “I know many men have probably expressed similar interest—”
Hahaha.
Cordelia is adorably shy. She's the innocent, terrified, quiet sort of girl. She never knows what to say.
Anthony's humour is a winner and I'm sure his book will be equally fun.
Anthony - “She loves you! You love her! When such things happen, you apologize and propose!”
As usual, Rachel van Dyken has her cheesy and icky moments but she also has those moments where I'm giggling or “aww”ing. I also really loved the epilogue.
4 solid stars
April 21, 2014
Im Moment lese ich mich gerade durch alle Bücher von Rachel van Dyken durch und da war es nur eine Frage der Zeit bis ich zur 'Waltzing with the Wallflower'-Serie kam.
Wer historische Romane aus dem viktorianischen England mag, der wird die Reihe lieben - vielleicht auch nicht. Hier wird nicht viel über kleidung oder Anstandsregeln erklärt, es geht nämlich gleich los.
Die Zwillinge Ambrose und Anthony sind DIE Junggesellen im ton. Wen die zwei sich in der Saison aussuchen, der wird eine gute Partie machen. Aus Langeweile wetten sie, dass Ambrose es nicht schafft das nicht mehr ganz so junge Mauerblümchen Cordelia zum Star der Saison zu machen.
Ambrose ahnt aber nicht, dass Cordelia gar nicht in das Rampenlicht der Gesellschaft geschubst werden möchte - sie fühlt sich neben den Topfpflanzen ganz wohl.
Die äußerst selbstbewusste Cordelia bringt das Leben der Zwillinge durcheinander und am Ende (oder Anfang) wollen sich die Brüder sogar ihretwegen duellieren.
Wuunderbar leicht und witzig geschriebene Kurzgeschichte!
Wer historische Romane aus dem viktorianischen England mag, der wird die Reihe lieben - vielleicht auch nicht. Hier wird nicht viel über kleidung oder Anstandsregeln erklärt, es geht nämlich gleich los.
Die Zwillinge Ambrose und Anthony sind DIE Junggesellen im ton. Wen die zwei sich in der Saison aussuchen, der wird eine gute Partie machen. Aus Langeweile wetten sie, dass Ambrose es nicht schafft das nicht mehr ganz so junge Mauerblümchen Cordelia zum Star der Saison zu machen.
Ambrose ahnt aber nicht, dass Cordelia gar nicht in das Rampenlicht der Gesellschaft geschubst werden möchte - sie fühlt sich neben den Topfpflanzen ganz wohl.
Die äußerst selbstbewusste Cordelia bringt das Leben der Zwillinge durcheinander und am Ende (oder Anfang) wollen sich die Brüder sogar ihretwegen duellieren.
Wuunderbar leicht und witzig geschriebene Kurzgeschichte!
February 12, 2017
A sweet, charming romantic romp. As much a delight to the senses as ice cream on a summer afternoon.
March 28, 2014
Pretty juvenile. Super quick read
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