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Clarissa and the Wallflower
They say opposites attract, so when the attention-seeker and the wallflower become friends, anything is possible.
Clarissa and Marc are the most unlikely couple, yet it doesn’t take much for everyone in Ardor Point to believe that they’re dating. No one would believe that the woman affectionately called The Pied Piper of Ardor Point could be friends with a guy, especially one so sweet, introverted, and standoffish as Marc. Marc, however, is drawn to confident women who see him for who he is, who don’t ask him to pretend to be something he’s not. Florist’s assistant by day and dominatrix by night, Clarissa, on the other hand, is a master of pretending to be someone else. In her leather and lace costumes, she’s the queen of pleasure manipulation. At least, she is until the one person she never expects to see walks into her dungeon.
When the weight of his own secrets pulls him away from Clarissa, a difficult conversation and wise words spur him into action. He’s willing to do whatever is necessary to close the rift between them, but she’s no longer willing to pretend there isn’t more than friendship between them. If they spill all their secrets, will the revelations bring them closer together or ruin their chances for a happy future?
Clarissa and Marc are the most unlikely couple, yet it doesn’t take much for everyone in Ardor Point to believe that they’re dating. No one would believe that the woman affectionately called The Pied Piper of Ardor Point could be friends with a guy, especially one so sweet, introverted, and standoffish as Marc. Marc, however, is drawn to confident women who see him for who he is, who don’t ask him to pretend to be something he’s not. Florist’s assistant by day and dominatrix by night, Clarissa, on the other hand, is a master of pretending to be someone else. In her leather and lace costumes, she’s the queen of pleasure manipulation. At least, she is until the one person she never expects to see walks into her dungeon.
When the weight of his own secrets pulls him away from Clarissa, a difficult conversation and wise words spur him into action. He’s willing to do whatever is necessary to close the rift between them, but she’s no longer willing to pretend there isn’t more than friendship between them. If they spill all their secrets, will the revelations bring them closer together or ruin their chances for a happy future?
- GenresRomance
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2025
9 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 15, 2025
This was an interesting and entertaining little read. I enjoyed the characters - we see well developed and varying people in this book which makes them feel more real. I was interested in the development of Clarissa’s character. She could have been portrayed as a rich girl going against her family’s wishes, but she is a woman dealing with trauma and a lack of love in the best way she can. She has taken her life into her own hands and got her power back. She is the best person to support Marc as he finds himself. The side characters are also fully formed and engaging - Carol, Jackson and even Nick add their own elements to the story.
I was interested to read the dominatrix angle of this story. It was an element that was well integrated into the story and moved the action along, rather than being a tantalising add in. The role Clarissa plays as a dominatrix are integral to her development and how Marc finds himself - showing that taking power is not just about sex but also about finding ourselves. I loved this part of the story.
The structure of the story flows well and keeps you engaged. This is a story about people building relationships and lives around trauma and finding the family that supports them. There is a little bit of slow burn and a touch of miscommunication and though that isn’t my favourite trope it does work in this instance.
I really enjoyed this read - Clarissa feels like a fresh, intriguing FMC that brings something new to my library. Carol is such a lovely supporting character and Marc is just a puppy dog - or is he? No spoilers!! Definitely add this to your romance TBR!
I was interested to read the dominatrix angle of this story. It was an element that was well integrated into the story and moved the action along, rather than being a tantalising add in. The role Clarissa plays as a dominatrix are integral to her development and how Marc finds himself - showing that taking power is not just about sex but also about finding ourselves. I loved this part of the story.
The structure of the story flows well and keeps you engaged. This is a story about people building relationships and lives around trauma and finding the family that supports them. There is a little bit of slow burn and a touch of miscommunication and though that isn’t my favourite trope it does work in this instance.
I really enjoyed this read - Clarissa feels like a fresh, intriguing FMC that brings something new to my library. Carol is such a lovely supporting character and Marc is just a puppy dog - or is he? No spoilers!! Definitely add this to your romance TBR!
February 18, 2025
I greatly enjoyed this story!!! I was a little worried at first because of how it starts extremely similar to “Carol’s Christmas Awakening” by the same author, but it quickly diverged into its own storyline.
I loved getting to see where characters from the last story have ended up and getting to know that books side characters a lot better. Clarissa’s alter ego was a definite shocker since we hadn’t learned about that yet, but I really enjoyed where it took the story. The little surprises were ones I really appreciated.
Here’s a couple of my favorite quotes!!
“If he responds well at all, it’ll be to praise. He deserves praise.”
“I want him, want him to want me.”
'Tell the people you care about how you feel before you lose the chance.'
I loved getting to see where characters from the last story have ended up and getting to know that books side characters a lot better. Clarissa’s alter ego was a definite shocker since we hadn’t learned about that yet, but I really enjoyed where it took the story. The little surprises were ones I really appreciated.
Here’s a couple of my favorite quotes!!
“If he responds well at all, it’ll be to praise. He deserves praise.”
“I want him, want him to want me.”
'Tell the people you care about how you feel before you lose the chance.'
February 7, 2025
If you're looking for a friends to lovers with a strong FMC with a hidden Identity, look no further than this book! It's so good!
Tropes: friends to lovers, golden retriever MMC, strong FMC, hidden Identity, slow burn.
Favorite quote: "I could eat you under the table."
Tropes: friends to lovers, golden retriever MMC, strong FMC, hidden Identity, slow burn.
Favorite quote: "I could eat you under the table."
February 7, 2025
I read this book as an ARC, and it was so good. I read it in one day. This was a great book, and I highly recommend you read it.
February 15, 2025
About 20 percent in, I knew this would be my favorite Leya Layne book!
Clarissa is an assistant by day, dominatrix by night, and a freak 24/7! She was definitely a fun character to get to know. I was delighted to discover she was a confident woman with life experience who knew what she wanted.
It was nice to see that her love interest, Marc, wasn't a super duper mega alpha, but a simple man who wanted to experience real love. It certainly made the spice interesting...😈
As I neared the end of the book, I wondered if I'd see them again, and then I came across the epilogue and Cole County...😲😊 Guess I have more books to read!
Clarissa is an assistant by day, dominatrix by night, and a freak 24/7! She was definitely a fun character to get to know. I was delighted to discover she was a confident woman with life experience who knew what she wanted.
It was nice to see that her love interest, Marc, wasn't a super duper mega alpha, but a simple man who wanted to experience real love. It certainly made the spice interesting...😈
As I neared the end of the book, I wondered if I'd see them again, and then I came across the epilogue and Cole County...😲😊 Guess I have more books to read!
February 26, 2025
I enjoyed this book, though I did feel lost a few times when she would shut down with a panic attack. But did love how he treated her and helped her through all of it.
February 22, 2025
After reading book 1 in one day I wounded what book 2 would bring at oh boy it didn’t disappoint.
I was given this book as an ARC
It has great story with a some good throw back to book 1 but this story definitely holds its own
As I loved book 1, i knew I couldn’t wait to read this one and I have to say I loved book 2 more.
100% recommend
I was given this book as an ARC
It has great story with a some good throw back to book 1 but this story definitely holds its own
As I loved book 1, i knew I couldn’t wait to read this one and I have to say I loved book 2 more.
100% recommend
April 3, 2025
While I really like the story being told I'm very much disappointed that so much of the important stuff for the plot happens off page. Most of the feelings behind developed are off page and so much more. Is still a good reason tho specially if you don't mind the off page it of it all
February 5, 2025
Clarissa is a designer for a small town florist by day, and a dominatrix by night. She hides behind a tough girl facade, only very few really know her, and even then they don’t know the whole her.
Marc is a shy guy running from his overbearing family. All he wants to do is sit in the back and crunch his numbers. He is not a social butterfly.
This unlikely pair meets under happenstance. Clarissa quickly finds something in him that she has never had before, ACCEPTANCE and COMPASSION. Marc, the shy guy who overthinks, finds Clarissa to be the person he needs to come out of his shell, but only with her. Until he meets Mistress Ingrid and discovers his submission side of himself.
This is a light hearted book. It does have some BDSM aspects to it but is not dark in nature at all. I would say this book hugs the line between closed door and open door romance. There are some scenes that could be considered open door, but they are glossed over and don’t have any explicit details. Emotions run, and suck you in. If you are looking for a light hearted small town romance with a touch of BDSM, I highly recommend reading Clarissa & the Wallflower.
Marc is a shy guy running from his overbearing family. All he wants to do is sit in the back and crunch his numbers. He is not a social butterfly.
This unlikely pair meets under happenstance. Clarissa quickly finds something in him that she has never had before, ACCEPTANCE and COMPASSION. Marc, the shy guy who overthinks, finds Clarissa to be the person he needs to come out of his shell, but only with her. Until he meets Mistress Ingrid and discovers his submission side of himself.
This is a light hearted book. It does have some BDSM aspects to it but is not dark in nature at all. I would say this book hugs the line between closed door and open door romance. There are some scenes that could be considered open door, but they are glossed over and don’t have any explicit details. Emotions run, and suck you in. If you are looking for a light hearted small town romance with a touch of BDSM, I highly recommend reading Clarissa & the Wallflower.
February 14, 2025
“Be honest with your mistress, and she will take care of you.”
Clarissa and the Wallflower…. where do I start? 190 pages of over coming the hard stuff, submitting to desires and taking the reigns on others! Flowers, a puppy, real life, characters you can relate too, a sprinkling of santa and lumbersnacks around each corner… sign me up!
I love a woman who can portray such strong and stunning confidence when really she isn’t even sure if she believes in herself- because reading that and watching them find who they are and what they want is just stunning… and it is made even sweeter when the man sees her for what she is from the beginning!
I could read 1000 more pages on Clarissa and Marc, though I have to say it is fantastic to have a quick read with the twists and turns in my pocket!!
4 ✨ 3 🌶️
🌹 Opposites Attract
🌹Friends to Lovers
🌹He falls First
🌹Golden Retriever MMC
Clarissa and the Wallflower…. where do I start? 190 pages of over coming the hard stuff, submitting to desires and taking the reigns on others! Flowers, a puppy, real life, characters you can relate too, a sprinkling of santa and lumbersnacks around each corner… sign me up!
I love a woman who can portray such strong and stunning confidence when really she isn’t even sure if she believes in herself- because reading that and watching them find who they are and what they want is just stunning… and it is made even sweeter when the man sees her for what she is from the beginning!
I could read 1000 more pages on Clarissa and Marc, though I have to say it is fantastic to have a quick read with the twists and turns in my pocket!!
4 ✨ 3 🌶️
🌹 Opposites Attract
🌹Friends to Lovers
🌹He falls First
🌹Golden Retriever MMC
February 15, 2025
Great spice and very well-thought-out characters! Absolutely loved this book!
February 22, 2025
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ This novella is Spicy. It is well written IMHO. I appreciate the hot curvy girl representation in our FMC. I also like that Leya Layne has not painted any of her characters as pristine or perfect. They feel like real people that I could know and talk to in everyday life although the main couple’s circumstances are not common. There may be a couple trigger warnings on this one but (with exception to a very few) I do not believe many would have issue. Still, you should read and heed any warning and judge for yourself. Have a fan handy when you read it because you’re sure to need a little air occasionally.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews