His Matchmaking Wallflower: A Regency Historical Romance

by Jayne Rivers, Maggie Kent

A taciturn duke. A smitten wallflower. A secret that could ruin everything.

If Lady Charlotte Fitzgerald does not wed this season, she risks being declared a spinster--or worse, being forced into a betrothal with the most unpleasant cad in the ton.

Unfortunately, the only man she wishes to marry--the surly but kind-hearted Duke of Arundel--only sees her as a younger sister. When she, the duke, and her closest friends are invited to the same house party, it's the perfect opportunity to win him over--if only he weren't so skilled at avoiding her.

Lady Charlotte is prepared to risk everything for the man she adores, but her gruff duke is keeping a massive secret, and if it comes to light then her dreams for the future will go up in flames.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Romance

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2025

About the author

Jayne Rivers adores regency romance books, especially those by Sarah MacLean and Julia Quinn. She writes feel-good stories with heroines she’d love to befriend and heroes she’d love to sweep her off her feet - if she weren't married, of course.

Reviews

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jayne Rivers is a pretty new author for me. This is only my 4th book by her. I just started reading her in April, 2024 and have really love her writing. Looking forward to this new series. I don't know this other author. It's strange, recently I've noticed several of the authors I read are coming out with new books and they are being written with another author. Not something I've really seen much before.

I really liked this story. It kept me engaged. I liked Charlotte and Henry. I loved how strong Charlotte was and how incredibly faithful to have pushed through the issue and never waivered. I see why Henry was so stubborn in his denial but so glad they persevered. I didn't really notice until the end when they did finally have sex that there was really no other sex in the book at all, barely even kissing and the sex scene at the end wasn't much. It seems she had more in her Unconventional Bride series but still an overall good read.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSirens for a copy of this book and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the first book of a new Regency series by Jayne Rivers and a new to me author, Maggie Kent.

Lady Charlotte is a shy wallflower, but being an aristocratic lady, there are high expectations of her brother and her mother to wed, to settle her future. Especially as she has gone through several seasons. However, she has not attracted the attention of anyone who has struck her as a decent husband, and deep down, the only one she wants is Henry, the highly eligible Duke of Arundel, and best friend of her brother. She has known him since childhood, but is sadly aware that he is only aware of her as the young girl that used to follow him and his friend around in the country. But her mother and rather clueless brother are determined that she wed this season, despite the only apparently interested suitor is one that disgusts Charlotte.

Henry is caught in a stressful dilemma this season. He is forced to socialize by his mother, who is determined he will continue the Arundel line by finding a suitable bride. However, they hide a scandalous secret about Henry that has him determined never to marry, because if the truth were to ever come out, it would destroy his family and he would never want to subject any woman to such ruination.

Charlotte gathers together her close friends, a group of fellow wallflowers who live on the edges of popular society to help her escape being matched to her unwanted suitor and perhaps help bring her to Henry's notice as a potential bride. They are not aware of Henry's plans to avoid marriage, especially in light of his mother's determined efforts to marry him off, including a massive house party at the ducal estate where many eligible misses, including Charlotte and her friends, are brought in to parade in front of Henry. Despite the pastural beauty, and the fun and games arranged by his mother, Henry is still fearful of the consequences of his secret and use Charlotte, her brother, and her friends to keep himself away from the other matchmaking mamas and their hopeful daughters. But the more time he spends with Charlotte, the more aware he becomes of her and his warm feelings for her.

This was OK, but I found that there was a lot of anachronisms and inconsistencies in the story that took away from the story for me. Including why the unwanted suitor was called Sir Leonard, when he is the second son of an Earl - why was he not Lord Leonard, unless he was a baron, baronet, or knight in his own right? Henry's secret was a device to add tension and drama to the plot, acting as a barrier for Charlotte and Henry to overcome, but his fears and responses felt quite overblown, especially in light of the social and political power that is in his and his mother's reach, as well as in the reality of real life past scandals of aristocracy, especially those higher up in the Ton.

In the end, it was a decent story, but not one where either the story, or the rather tepid characters really gripped me.

2.5 stars out of 5

[Holly Brown-Horsler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read and loved 'The Duke's Inconvenient Bride', 'The Earl's Bluestocking Bride' and 'The Viscount's Unwanted Bride' I was very eager to read the next book by Jayne Rivers—the start of a new series, no less.

Charlotte and Henry's story was charming and full of regency romangst (romantic-angst, new word I've coined there which is perfectly suited for this story hehehe). Charlotte is a wallflower hoping to avoid a loveless marriage—pining for her brother's friend. Henry is duke hiding a significant family secret, so despite his newly discovered feelings for Charlotte refuses to marry in order to protect her.

I wont spoil the plot with details of all the ups and downs or how the story unfolds, but I will say that it's another great read. If you liked Jayne Rivers other books then you'll certainly enjoy this one. As always, I hope Jayne Rivers is planning another book, which I will be waiting with baited breath to read upon release.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Fanosse23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Matchmaking Wallflower is the captivating first book in a new series about young women on the fringes of society who band together to take control of their own destinies in love and marriage. The story introduces us to Charlotte, a determined wallflower striving to evade an arranged marriage. Her heart secretly yearns for Henry, the Duke of Arundel, her brother’s best friend.

Charlotte’s character is relatable and endearing, as the author skillfully delves into her emotions and aspirations. She’s kind, intelligent, and self-aware, qualities that shine through as she devises a clever plan with her friends to improve their prospects for genuine love. Their strategy unfolds during a house party orchestrated by Henry’s mother, who, frustrated with her son’s refusal to seek a bride, invites an array of potential matches.

Henry is a charming, honorable duke burdened by a significant family secret that prevents him from pursuing marriage. Despite his growing feelings for Charlotte, he resists his heart’s desires, believing that his secret could harm anyone he holds dear. His internal struggle adds depth to his character, making his interactions with Charlotte both tender and tension-filled.

The chemistry between Charlotte and Henry is electric, intensified by the societal pressures and hidden truths that threaten to keep them apart. When Sir Roger, an unwelcome suitor, refuses to accept Charlotte’s rejection, and a mysterious twist emerges, the stakes rise, keeping me eagerly turning the pages.

What makes this story truly engaging is Charlotte’s courage to seize control of her fate, pledging her love to Henry despite the risks. The blend of secrets, societal expectations, loyal friendships, sizzling chemistry, and a dash of humor creates a rich tapestry of drama and romance. If you’re a fan of friends-to-lovers tropes, strong heroines, and heartwarming love stories, you should give this series a try. I know I am eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are, of course, no shortage of romance books set in the Regency era of Great Britain and so it might sound unbelievable to say this felt a little different; after all how much different could any book be in the genre at this point with so many to compare them to. Perhaps it’s the presence of a girl group that brings to mind Penelope and Eloise from Bridgerton. Or maybe it’s that it feels like we get more of a happily ever after for Charlotte and Henry than we do in other books where the traditional ending is right [or not long] after a couple has finally declared their love. Perhaps it’s that these authors don’t go too far into the weeds with Regency-era terminology so that it feels like you have to search a new term or concept every few pages just to understand what’s going on? There’s an approachability about the way the book is written without taking you out of the time in which it’s set. It feels like we could be friends with Charlotte, Felicity, Miranda, Adeline, Genevieve, and Helena. You’ll certainly want to root for them. If any criticism could be lobbied against this book, it’s that perhaps the mystery is maybe a little overblown and once you finally find out what it is, it doesn’t feel quite as dramatic as you might’ve been expecting. Maybe you even see it coming? But there are enough other elements in the book to make that less important and to enable you to feel that Charlotte and Henry’s happily ever after is deserved. This is the first book by Jayne Rivers or Maggie Kent that I’ve read and it makes me want to read more. I hope her brother William shows up in a future book in the series and I can’t wait to see what Charlotte’s friends get up to as they help each other navigate the ton and the marriage mart in Regency England! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[T M. Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Matchmaking Wallflower is a delightful Regency romance that exceeded every expectation. The author weaves together witty banter, aching vulnerability, and a slow-burn romance that keeps you engaged until the final page.

The heroine, a self-proclaimed wallflower, is written with such heart and depth that readers cannot help but root for her. Her quiet strength, intelligence, and kindness shine through as she navigates both the social strictures of the ton and her growing feelings for the hero.

The hero, in turn, is equally captivating—a gentleman with warmth, charm, and just enough flaws to make him completely human and wonderfully endearing. Together, they make a pair whose chemistry leaps off the page.

What makes this book truly special is the balance it strikes between lighthearted humor and genuine emotion. The matchmaking premise is both clever and refreshing, allowing for deliciously awkward encounters, tender moments, and sparkling dialogue that stays true to the Regency setting while keeping the tone lively and relatable.

The secondary characters add richness without ever distracting from the central romance. The author’s attention to detail in her depiction of ballrooms, courtship rituals, and quiet garden conversations immerses the reader in the period and makes the love story feel both timeless and unforgettable.This is the kind of romance that leaves you smiling long after you set it down. Smart, sweet, and thoroughly enchanting,

His Matchmaking Wallflower is a perfect pick for anyone who loves heartwarming historical romance. I cannot recommend it highly enough—an easy 5 out of 5 stars.

[Marion Löw · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice story and a good start to the new series, which centers on a shy wallflower facing spinsterhood or an unwanted marriage, and her secret crush, a reserved duke and her brother's best friend, who has no intention of marrying due to a dark family secret. The plot is well written and full of emotion, inner conflict, scheming mothers, matchmaking wallflowers, a dash of humor and drama, a repulsive suitor, great chemistry between the protagonists, and some steam. I found Charlotte's friends very likeable and am already looking forward to their stories.

Lady Charlotte Fitzgerald is already in her fourth season and well on her way to becoming a spinster or being coerced into an unwanted marriage by her mother. She has been in love with Henry, her brother William's best friend for years, but he only sees her as his friend’s little sister.
Henry, Duke of Arundel, is also pressured by his scheming mother to finally find a wife. But because of his dark secret, Henry is determined never to marry and drag a woman into his potential scandal. When Henry's mother organizes a matchmaking house party that he cannot avoid, he asks Charlotte and her friends for help in keeping the prospective suitors away, unaware that Charlotte herself hopes to finally win his heart and escape a miserable marriage to another suitor...

All in all, an entertaining historical romance novel with a whole host of lovable characters, a villain, conniving mamas, humor, heart and some heat that I am happy to recommend!

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good story! Lady Charlotte Fitzgerald was in her fourth season and her mother, who feared that her daughter would end up being a spinster, dragged her to every event hoping that someone would decide to court her. Sir Roger Leonard, an earl’s second son took a possesive interest in Charlotte, much to her dismay, as she was in love with her brother Wiliam’s best friend Henry, the Duke of Arundel. When her mother tried to push the courtship with Sir Roger, Charlotte reached out to her friends Felicity, Miranda, Genevieve, Adeline and Helena. They formed a pact to help each other. Meanwhile, Henry’s mother was pressuring him to marry. She even tricked him into hosting a house party filled with eligible candidates. Henry made sure that William, Charlotte and her friends where there to run interference. Because Henry had a secret that if revealed could ruin him, he had vowed never to marry, as he did not want to subject a wife to possible ruination. What follows is a tale of the goings on at the house party. You will find threatening notes, the persistence of an unwanted suitor, two determined mothers, conniving ladies, steamy kisses, supportive friends, and one big declaration of love. This story is well written, has a variety of characters, and an undercurrent of fear that tends to keep the reader on edge. This is the first book in what promises to be an entertaining series. It appears that Felicity is next, as the epilogue tees up the arrival of her absentee guardian.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angela Brannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was happily plugging along reading this sweet Regency romance about the shy and nice wallflower Charlotte and Henry, the dashing Duke of Arundel. There were parties, balls, conniving society mothers and scoundrels. The book has everything you expect from a sweet Regency romance. Rather formulaic but the romance buildup was nice and the obstacle to their HEA was well thought out and executed. There was missed opportunities for the author to throw in some mean girl antics at the house party that would have added some depth and interest to the society debutantes vying for the Duke, but all in all an enjoyable read.

However, once the trouble was resolved and the HEA started, I was blindsided by the appearance of a graphic bedroom scene that was so out of character for the rest of the book. Nowhere was there any hint of spice except for a few stolen kisses. The bedroom scene seemed thrown in gratuitously for no apparent reason except to maybe get a wider audience. The tone of the rest of the book is sweet romance, so if the authors were going for a spicy book, there should have been some spice elsewhere along the way. Shoehorning smut into the end of a sweet book is too jarring of a juxtaposition and it totally ruined this book for me. If you want to write a spicy book, then write it as that. If you want to write a sweet Regency romance, stay true to the genre and keep the bedroom door closed.

I read an advance copy for free and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Charlotte Fitzgerald is a shy quit young lady who doesn’t like going to social gatherings. She knows that if she doesn’t marry this season she will be on her way to spinsterhood.

Henry, Duke of Arundel doesn’t ever want to marry due to a family secret that could destroy the family name. His mother is insisting that he do his duty and find a wife.

When Henry, Charlotte and her friends are invited to the same house party they see this as the perfect opportunity. The plan is simple get Henry to see Charlotte as more than his best friend’s little sister. But Charlotte is not sure the plan will work or if he actually returns the same feelings she has for him. While Henry is starting to see Charlotte as a lovely young lady he knows that he can’t be anything more than just a friend due to his secret. Will Henry decide that loving Charlotte is worth the risk?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought it was a fantastic start to a new series by the authors!! I absolutely loved Henry and Charlotte’s love story!! It was fabulous!! I thought this book was entertaining, very delightful and full of romance. I felt Henry and Charlotte were the perfect couple together and liked how they overcame the secret together instead of letting it keep them apart. The secondary characters were absolutely wonderful and really added to the entertainment in the book. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next book in the series!!

[Ellianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
By being the first in a new series, this book has the unenviable task of not only setting up the world and its future MCs, but also telling us a compelling enough story that would make us *want* to keep reading. It more or less succeeds at both, but not without difficulty. I loved seeing Charlotte’s firey strength emerge when her future happiness was being threatened (indeed, she had more conviction than anyone, including Henry, who was a likable enough MMC, though too easily railroaded by outside forces), and while I enjoyed her and Henry as a couple, it took over half of the book for their love story to have any real substance, as the characters were far more engaged with their insufferable mothers, who cared far more about society than their children’s happiness, and their friends. I greatly enjoyed Henry’s friendship with Charlotte’s brother William, and even laughed out loud at their ridiculous attempts at fighting once William became apprised of Henry’s feelings toward his sister. As for Charlotte’s friends, however, there were simply too many to keep straight, even with little tidbits into each of their character. I know each subsequent book will give us far more insight into their lives, but as it stands, I found it a bit frustrating. Also, I was hoping for more antics from their self-made sisterhood of wallflowers, but will hold out hope for this to happen in future stories, as I’ve greatly enjoyed Rivers’ previous books and look forward to what comes next.

[Slwd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry and Charlotte

“His Matching Wallflower” is book one in the series The Wallflower Brides Club by Jane Rivers and Maggie Kent. Secrets and matchmaking wallflowers are the driving forces in this historical romance. I thought both main characters, Henry and Charlotte, were well written. There are a lot of secondary characters, Charlotte’s brother William, all of Charlotte’s wallflower friends, Henry’s mother, and the slimy Sir Roger, who push the story forward. Henry’s mother demands he marry and organizes a house party with eligible females coming out of the woodwork. I do like that Henry was drawn to Charlotte from the beginning and was not wishy washy with all the females throwing themselves at him. He held on tightly to his family secret, so tight that he was hurting those he cared about. I liked that Charlotte had a loyal group of friends that supported her at every turn. The story is a little slow moving, dragging here and there. I wanted more chemistry between Henry and Charlotte, they were friends, yes, and Charlotte was William’s little sister, but their relationship was changing and a simmering chemistry should have been more pronounced. I did enjoy this story, but it could use some tweaks to make it better.

I received this ARC for free and am voluntarily leaving a review, my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

[Charmaine Fernando · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet regency romance that will have you swooning. Lady Charlotte Fitzgerald is a shy wallflower who has not been successful at the marriage mart though she has had several seasons to find someone suitable. She is on her way to spinsterhood, but her brother and mother are determined that she make every effort not to do so. Henry, the Duke of Arundale is Charlotte’s brother’s best friend and still sees her as a younger sister instead of the woman she truly is and someone who is in love with him. When a house party is organised, Charlotte and her fellow wallflowers decide to help Henry along to see that Charlotte is the perfect match for him.

Henry himself is wary of getting married as it would expose his family’s secret which could destroy the family’s name. His mother on the other hand is insisting that he face the situation and get down to business.

Long story short, the house party where both Charlotte and Henry are thrown together is the perfect setting for said matchmaking attempts by all concerned parties and we have our HEA. A lovely story with witty dialogue, slow burn romance, with a wonderfully endearing ending that will have you smiling. I received an ARC from the publishers and Book Sirens and submit my honest review voluntarily.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte has known Henry since childhood. He is her brother’s best friend. Both of them are being pressured by their mothers to wed. Charlotte is a wallflower. She wants to marry for love. The person she pines for is Henry. Henry has vowed not to marry because of a scandalous family secret. Henry, at the insistence of his mother, hosts a house party to which a number of prospective brides are invited. Amidst all the annoyance, including some sort of blackmail plot, Henry realizes his feelings for Charlotte. With the determined debutants, his meddling mother, the family secret, and blackmail, is there any hope the two of them can find happy ever after? Charlotte and Henry have an entertaining and charming story. The other characters are interesting. Charlotte’s friends and William are wonderfully supportive of the couple. Both mothers are the typically meddling type. The villain is an odious persistent suitor. There is some angst and lots of snarky banter (especially from some of the ladies at the party), a surprise or two on the night of the ball, and a happy ending. A well-done and enjoyable read.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSirens and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love that Henry and Charlotte’s love is so gentle and sweet, and the obstacles to their romance are (mostly) external.

Charlotte’s fears of being wed off to a man she doesn’t like, and who doesn’t respect her or treat her well are believable and well-founded in the events that have happened in the book — I absolutely love that she and all the other wallflowers with whom she’s friendly band together to support each other and protect each other. Women helping women is a good strategy, and makes these secondary characters interesting enough that I want to read their books too!!

The only reason I have removed stars, and not given 5 stars is that Henry’s “secret” is something that is near unprovable and his belief that he could go to Newgate over it doesn’t make sense. There was no evidence — it could certainly hurt his MOTHER’s social status through rumours, but realistically could not affect Henry’s title or freedom. It works within the story as a fantasy regency trope, but not as a realistic one.

I’m looking forward to the next book in this series, and plan on reading more by this author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tiffany P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel had a pretty original plot with the secret that was controlling the Duke’s hope for his future. Charlotte was Henry’s best friend’s younger sister that he had known since his childhood. He finally began to see her in a different light but had vowed to never marry because of a family secret. Charlotte had loved Henry forever but thought he only saw her as a little sister instead of the woman she had become. Once she decided to show him differently she worked with her friends to get her heart’s desire. Once Henry revealed his secret, she accepted him and they worked together to find the person trying to blackmail him so they could be together free of any threats. This novel was a friends to lover, close proximity story with good characters, humor, blackmail, marriage minded mothers, threats of scandal, romance, love, and supportive family and friends. After solving the mystery of the blackmailer, they got their HEA. There was a bit of steam most after marriage, but also a teaser for the next story. I can’t wait to see the next matchmaking adventure.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

With no prospect in sight and no hope of being noticed by the one she desired, Lady Charlotte Gordon's fate seemed sealed. Recognizing that her future hung by a thread, poised to snap and plunge her into disaster, she saw no other path than to try and steer it to her advantage. I liked Charlotte's determined and intelligent personality; she knew what she wanted, even though circumstances seemed to be against her. Henry struck me as confused about how to handle his situation, and I would have liked to see more communication between him and Charlotte. I enjoyed the twist the story took with the mystery. I love historical romances full of secrets, romance, and situations that could be considered controversial. I was immediately intrigued, and the way the author handled the situation captivated me. It stimulated my imagination and made me think. I found William's character and his entourage of friends interesting, and I hope we'll soon have their stories. I thoroughly enjoyed and was entertained by this story.

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, Great cover. Full of drama, society, house parties, balls, secrets, mystery, blackmailer, romance, chemistry, emotions, humor and some last minute steam. Lady Charlotte is a young woman who is a wallflower as she is shy, the same as her friends. When at a social event, she and her friends stand back along the sides/walls not really being a part of the rest of the dancers. Charlotte is told by her brother and mother that she will need to marry. But the only problem is the man who wants her is not the man of her choice. Henry is a Duke and told by his mother that is time to marry. He refuses due to a secret that would come back to haunt him and his family. So now his mother throws a house party to expose him to the ladies who are available. Henry and Charlotte are put together more and more till the feelings evolve between them. A lot of action at this house party but they do get their happily ever after. Curl up and enjoy this story. Would recommend to everyone.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet, cozy Regency romance with all my favorite tropes. A quiet, grumpy duke? A shy wallflower who’s loved him forever? Yes, please!

Lady Charlotte is easy to root for. She’s kind, hopeful, and quietly brave, especially with the pressure of marriage hanging over her. I loved how determined she was to take a chance on love, even when the odds weren’t in her favor. The Duke of Arundel is very much the classic brooding hero—reserved, a little rough around the edges, but clearly good-hearted once you look closer.

The house party setting was fun and gave the story plenty of tension and stolen moments. I especially enjoyed the “he thinks of her as a sister” angst and the slow build of feelings. The secret the duke is hiding adds just enough drama to keep the pages turning without overwhelming the romance.

If you enjoy gentle pacing, emotional restraint, and soft yearning, this book is worth picking up. It’s heartfelt and comforting—perfect for a quiet afternoon read.

I received a complimentary copy from BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving my review. 

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have Lady Charlotte Fitz-Gerald who has a huge crush on the Duke of Arundel aka Henry. Henry has a huge secret and plans never to marry! The secret involves his mother and it is beyond frustrating that she won’t aid Henry but pushes no shoves him toward marriage!

Charlotte took one look at Henry and after one dances knows he’s the one!

Charlotte forms her own ladies group to not only assist on her quest to engage Henry’s affection! She also needs to ward off a persistent suitor with poor hygiene and won’t take No for an answer!

When a blackmailer appears at a house party Henry is filled with fear and Charlotte usually shy and quiet won’t back down or give in!

I love how Charlotte fights for her man and Henry has no choice but to stand with her! Bravo for these two standing together to fight for their future!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Willow A. McDowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I absolutely loved this! The writing was elegant and engaging, the plot kept my attention from start to finish, and the characters were wonderfully crafted. The concept behind this story makes for a fantastic foundation to a series, and I’m already excited to see the other characters get their own stories and happily-ever-afters. I’m especially looking forward to Miranda’s!

My only critique is that the ending felt a bit rushed — I would have loved a few more chapters to draw out the tension. Personally, I also wished for a touch more scandal, drama, and spicy kisses sprinkled throughout, but that’s just my preference.

Overall, this was a delightful read that swept me away, and I can’t wait to continue following this series as it unfolds. I’ll be eagerly picking up the next installment as soon as I can get my hands on it!

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve just begun to get into the historical romance genre, and this was definitely a fun one and had a lot of what I’ve been enjoying with the genre. A bit over the top silly at times, but that’s one of the things that’s fun with the genre. Charlotte and Henry were both lovely characters and their relationship was very sweet, and I love the mutual pining. I liked that while William was a bit protective over Charlotte it wasn’t too much where I got annoyed by it. I also liked the slight mystery aspect of the blackmailing, even if it was a bit obvious what was going on there.

My main issue is just that the ending felt rushed once Charlotte and Henry got together. There was so much left that had to be wrapped up, and it could have used a bit more time. But other than that, for the most part, I enjoyed the book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sonia]

This was the cute story of Charlotte and Henry. Henry was the best friend of Charlotte's older brother, and she had always had a crush on him. For the most part, Henry viewed her as a child. Furthermore, he harbored a family secret which would not allow him to get married in good conscience.

Not only was Charlotte madly in love with Henry, but she also had a pesky suitor that would not take "no" for an answer. Enter Charlotte's wallflower friends! The ladies were working hard to run interference for their fellow wallflower while encouraging Henry at the same time. They also gave the story some comic relief.

As much as I enjoyed reading this book, I was left with a few unanswered questions at the end. I wish that the family secret storyline had been further developed. On the bright side, this is the first book of a series so there will be further opportunities for more detail to be revealed!

I received a free ARC from BookSirens and the author. This is my honest review.

[Deborah Durand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful

Rivers has a penchant for writing Austenesque romances. Her style is particularly charming and most suitable for a beleaguered wallflower trying to escape a future of spinsterhood. Charlotte Fitzgerald is a quiet unassuming young lady with very little to recommend her, other than her intelligence, but her heart is set on her brother’s best friend. Henry, the Duke of Arundel, is set against marriage because he harbors a shameful secret.
Read how Charlotte and Henry try to unsuccessfully avoid their mothers’ machinations to pair them with unsuitable prospects. Will the couple eventually come to recognize their friendship as being something more? Read this sweet little novel. A little snow and mistletoe could improve the scenery, because Christmas always supplies magic needed for romantic ncounters.
I have received an ARC from the author and I am leaving an unbiased review voluntarily.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Matchmaking Wallflower by Jayne Rivers and Maggie Kent is the first in the new regency romance series, The Wallflower Brides Club. What happens when a group of shy friends decides they’ve had enough of the “marriage mart”? They band together to help one another avoid unwelcome marriages to undeserving men, while hopefully finding love along the way. I think this was my favorite part of this story. These young women looked out for, supported, and encouraged one another. It was truly lovely!
In this story, Henry harbors a secret which he fears will not enable him to marry, no matter how attracted he is to Charlotte. Charlotte may be a shy wallflower but has so much strength of character. With the help of her friends, Charlotte and Henry work to find a way past the secrets, fears and misunderstandings that stand between them.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thoroughly enjoyable read. I usually read contemporary fiction but will always choose to read anything Jayne Rivers writes. There are all the things you’d expect from a historical story it’s like being transported a couple of centuries into the past. When Charlotte faces the very real possibility of being married off to a not so gentlemanly man absolutely not of her choosing, she and her friends embark on a plan to help her win the heart of her lovely Duke - who just happens to be her brother’s best friend but who has a very big secret! I won’t spoil the story but suffice it to say, their path is not a simple one. There’s some intrigue here as well as romance and it was nice to read the brother’s best friend trope in an historical novel for a change. It worked very well. Highly recommended.

[HfbR · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Charlotte Fitzgerald and Henry, Duke of Arundel. Charlotte has known Henry since she was a child, her brother is his best friend. She’s had a crush on him for years but thinks he still sees her as his friend’s little sister. How better to get the man you want than to enlist your friends to help make a match……

This was a well written story with some good characters and descriptions but the plot was weak and too slow and predictable at times. That extra something was missing for me, and the spicy scene at the end really didn’t fit with the tone of the rest of the book. Hopefully the next book in this series will be a bit more interesting 🐈‍⬛

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte seemed to have more spine than Henry at times. She stood firm and wanted the vipers to come from their lairs if they dared and be seen as liars by all. Charlotte was fierce when she dug her heels in. A friend's to lovers with pushy parents acting like the apocalypse would come if these men or ladies were unmarried and not producing heirs. The brood mare effect. How far will a person go to have their man or lady???? I look forward to more machinations and shenanigans in the upcoming books. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a good example of the societal pressure and restrictions that were placed upon the people during this time period. Henry is pressured to find a wife in order to continue his lineage and pass on his title. However, he has a secret, that if revealed, would forever taint his family. Charlotte is also feeling the pressure after numerous unsuccessful seasons without a betrothal. I enjoyed their story as they navigated all the pitfalls thrown in their way by interfering mothers, unwanted suitors and desperate daughters. It was a little slow at times, but not so much that the reader gets bored.

[NelleRenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were a few inconsistencies in the story, but overall it was an enjoyable read. The FMC needs to resist her mother’s push for her to marry an unsuitable man. She is in love with her brother’s friend. He has a secret and is determined not to marry even if his mother is pushing for it. There seems to be a blackmailer to add some suspense. I felt that is secret wasn’t that overwhelming as worse had happened in the ton. It was a nice way to introduce some of the characters who will be featured in other books in this series.