The Wallflower: Book I of the Wallflower Series

by Francesca Black

“You can’t raise a girl in a glass house and expect her not to notice the cracks.”

Daisy Madden has always been the quiet one. The good girl. The one who watches everything from the sidelines.

But when she moves into Holt Manor for her final year of school, the game changes. The men in this house—the golden boy she’s always loved, the brother who terrifies her, and the enigmatic man at the center of it all—don’t just see her. They study her. They stir something in her she’s spent her whole life trying to bury.

As secrets unravel and desires sharpen, Daisy must confront the she was never meant to stay on the sidelines. She was made to play. But the rules? They're not hers.

And the price of curiosity is always the same.

A slow-burn psychological spicy romance for readers who crave tension, power dynamics, and spirals they can’t escape.
If you loved A Court of Silver Flames, Babel, or The Secret History, this book was written for you.

456 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2025

About the author

Francesca Black writes stories about power, control, and the things we don’t want to see.
Her debut series, The Wallflower Saga, is a dark, seductive descent into family, obsession, and identity—where surrender is inevitable and love might be the most dangerous thing of all.

Her work blends psychological thriller, dark romance, and literary kink into a narrative experience designed to spiral you deeper with every page. She writes for the reader who wants to feel cracked open, seen too deeply, and held anyway.

Some stories are fiction. Some are warnings. Some are confessions.
This one? I’ll let you decide what you need it to be.

READ The Guest: A Wallflower Series Novella now. https://www.amazon.com/Guest-Wallflow...

Reviews

[Ayra · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 10%.

This was not the book for me. There was way too much mention and emphasis on the fact that the FMC Daisy was "finally 18". It was super creepy to me and I could not get passed. it.

There is a huge possibility this book was great (especially based on other reviews) but I just don't have it in me to continue when everytime I pick up the book I get the ick.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Reader's Contract at the start of this book really piqued my interest, promising a passionate and powerful experience that was messy in an intriguing way. However, as I delved into the story, I found the messiness to be frustrating rather than engaging.

The pacing felt off, racing through some sections while dwelling excessively on trivial details in others. I was left confused, struggling to grasp the characters' motivations and the plot's direction, particularly regarding Daisy's situation with Marcus.

Overall, I found the book disappointing, with unfulfilled expectations, a lack of coherent plot, and a repetitive writing style. Safe to say, I won't be reading any more from this series!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Dani Brier · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Readers Contract at the beginning of this book really had me excited to read this. It claimed the book was passionate and powerful, messy and “not safe” and when I actually read the book, it was messy but not in a good way. It sped through some areas and highlighted every single non-consequential detail is other parts. I felt like there was more to desire and almost like a fever dream of what the heck is going on, who are these people, why is Daisy being “given” to Marcus. I struggled with this book. With the characters, with the empty promises, overall lack of plot and repetitive writing style.

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

[Dark Bedroom Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Wants to stay right here, in this crack of light. In the space between change, before whatever’s coming next.”

Well, for hours I couldn’t find the right angle to write about this book... So this will be exactly how it comes.
It’s the first book in a series, and I won’t spoil anything.
I want to stay with my very first impression, because there are no other words to describe this book: WILD. PSYCHOLOGICAL. ICE. SHOWER.
The blurb didn’t prepare me. At all.
Sometimes I crave a good, dark, spicy romance to refresh my mind. The best way is to pick an ARC: no reviews, no spoilers, just a fresh start. And a debut? Even better! No background.
And so I picked this one. With a smile on my face I read the first bit - the ‘reader’s contract’ and thought, hell yeah, this will be fun. But the deeper I got, the more my smile dropped and not because I didn’t like it, but because I was in awe of it.
The way it’s written… hard to describe. As someone who rarely enjoys third-person POV, I have to say: this is one of those times it works perfectly. You can see and feel every character at once. It’s like traveling through bodies by magic, while watching the whole room through your own eyes, through a microscope. There’s not much dialogue, but when words do come, they hit in exactly the right place at the right time. The narration is detailed, so the dialogue feels like a climax.
Sometimes it reads like poetry. Like a secret diary. A whisper. Experience. Erotic.
I have a tiny hope that in the printed version, all the words, lines, and spaces stay exactly as they are - because this form holds its magic.
This world is dark, seductive, inviting, cryptic. No chapters of history lessons - just minimal hints, just enough to lead you deeper. And still, you’re blindfolded.
The story is about Daisy. Turning eighteen. A young woman wanting ‘things’ to happen. Finding the parts of herself that scare her. Challenges. Finding the doors that invite her. Again and again.
All those things could live inside any woman, at any age. What do You desire? What do You feel? Can You be honest with yourself, or with someone else?
I feel like this story says: Keep digging. Find Your true desires. Maybe keep it just for you, like a confession.
What stood out to me is how women are described here and how the men are written, too. These male characters are still mysteries, distant enigmas with a power far deeper. This can be a wake-up call for women. And a lesson for men. Though honestly, I want some of those lessons for myself.
This psychological way of telling the story shows Why we crave dark and spicy romance - how it builds, how it breaks you open.
And to rate the spice level… Yes, there is an open-door scene, but the whole book is so intimate, so thick with sexual tension, hunger, lust, and raw, painful wanting that the system just… doesn’t work here.
My suggestion: don’t try to chase the plot. Look deeper. Take your time and think between the lines.
The other books in the series are coming soon too, and I feel like a starving celibate waiting for them.
I got this ARC via @Booksirens, and I cannot wait to see what’s behind those other doors. For Daisy. For me.

⭐5/5
🌶️?/5

Dark Romance ∙ Psychological Thriller ∙ Forbidden Love ∙ Obsession ∙ Slow Burn ∙ Good Girl ∙ Hot & Steamy ∙ 18+/Trigger Warnings

[Holly Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

‼️NO SPOILER BOOK REVIEW‼️
📖 : The Wallflower
✍🏼 : Francesca Black
••••••••••••••••••••
👀P.O.V : Third person omniscient
🧭Genre & Themes : Psychological Dark Romance, steamy romance, power, perception, unraveling
🌟 Tropes : slow burn, forbidden feelings, childhood lovers, power dynamics
⚠️ Content warnings: read the ‘Readers Contract’ page 5
🔥 Spice Level : Steamy and lyrical — emotionally charged with moments of high tension and heat
••••••••••••••••••••
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
📝 Plot Overview : The Wallflower begins with the illusion of safety—familiar boys/men, an old world, a house she’s always known. But that illusion slowly frays. Daisy has lived in this orbit her whole life, but this year, something shifts. The men of Holt Manor don’t just pull her in—they reshape the world around them. The tension is emotional, psychological, and deeply romantic, but never clean. This isn’t a love story—it’s a slow, intimate unraveling. What Daisy thought she knew begins to dissolve, and by the end, you’re not just questioning the story. You’re questioning yourself for thinking you ever understood it at all.

💡Conclusion : This book was unsettling in the most beautiful way. The writing is lyrical and sharp, the emotions raw and disorienting. I was confused—but willingly so. Even when I didn’t understand what was happening, I could feel it. As Daisy put it, “The weight starting to feel less physical, more atmospheric — like she’s carrying a question no one will answer.” That line sums up my reading experience: haunting, immersive, and hard to shake. Minor flaws and personal preferences aside, this story lingers like a question I’m not sure I was meant to ask. Did I read this—or did it quietly rewrite something in me?

[The Dragon Den Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review of The Wallflower by Francesca Black
* * * * *
An eye opening look into seperate points of view in sex, first times, influence, kinks and the issues of communication in a relationship.

I was not one for the plot or the flow of the story. The wording had an effect on the mood for sure, but I felt it slightly dragged.
The topics that can be focused on in this read really are great issues to focus on, and something that has not been so indepth in other romance books I have come across.

Daisy and Marcus's first time is a major feature in this book. Two seperate people, two points of view on their partners and what they are wanting from their sexual experience.
Daisy is seen by Marcus as innocent and pure and everything he should cherish. Family and friends have already given their direction, advice and orders on what Marcus should focus on during their shared first time, highlighting that certain men are aware and have learned through their own experiences how women should be treated - thank the Lord. However, Marcus is facing his own internal conflict. When it comes to sex, he hides his possessiveness and darkness, believing it will hurt her.
Daisy may be a virgin as much as Marcus, but she is very aware she craves something beyond 'vanilla'. She loves the way Marcus treats her beyond sex, and is very excited to go deeper into their desires. Self aware and seeing a little 'show' from others, her mind and body demand a specific kind of pleasure.
When nerves hit, when expectations aren't met, and when you don't communicate with your partner after one of the biggest experiences you can share together...things will go down hill.

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to put into words how I feel after reading this story.

Confused? Yes. Hooked? Yes. Absolutely want to read the next books in this series.

Such a slow burn with some mind games along the way.

Daisy vs the Holts - Nic, Mac & Marcus

Finishing her last year of school surrounding by these men who determine the rules and she's just there to navigate blindly through them.

I will say the writing style took a bit to get accustomed to and I'm not sure I'm a fan of it but that didn't stop me finishing the book. So that's my reasoning for marking this as a 4 star for me.

Thank you NetGalley & Francesca Black for this read.

[Grace -thewritebooks]

Thank you to NetGalley and Francesca Black for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

Such mixed feelings on this one! I was super interested to begin with in our fmc's slow spiral of confusion as she begin to question herself and her relationship, but then the last third I felt completely lost. I couldn't tell who I was supposed to be rooting for or where we were at with each relationship.
However this was so binge-able and I flew through it, would definitely want to read book 2 if only toget some closure?? And figure out what's going on omg

[Ali Pratt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

This was just not good. The writing was sloppy and messy. The characters were one dimensional. There was really no plot… just thinking about having sex, not having sex, watching others have sex, a finally having sex once, and then not having sex and obsessing over it. The family dynamics were very very weird and uncomfortable and the fact that Daisy was basically given to Marcus and the Holt family from a young age and then the author drug out them having sex was strange. Did not enjoy this and found myself asking “what is going on” a lot.

[Kelly Mannion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was unsure throughout this book if I liked it or not, I think mainly due to the style of writing and lack of conversations throughout, but after going on to read the second book (and now about to start 3rd) I've realised it works.

During this first book I felt sympathy and frustration towards both Daisy and Marcus and felt like screaming "JUST BLOODY TALK TO EACH OTHER"

Chuck seems a good guy, Nic is mysterious and from what I've got of Mac so far 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Katryna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wallflower by Francesca Black

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

IMPORTANT CAVEAT I WILL HARP ON REPEATEDLY!!! This is the first book in a series and the only one I’ve read at the time of writing this review. I plan to read the second book and come back to update this review after doing so. SO everything I say here only refers to the first book and may not remotely apply to subsequent books!

The book as it stands gets a 2.5 from me, but my hope that maybe later books redeem it is the reason I’m going to bump that up to a 3 rather than downgrading it to a 2 in the amount of stars I give it.

The review is relatively spoiler free – I don’t call out anything specific but I do talk about my opinion of some of the characters and vaguely allude to the kind of events that take place. I don’t think anything in here will spoil the plot of the book at all, though I do hate on a character a bit, so if you’re worried that might bias you, skip reading this until you’ve read the book!

OKAY, now, onwards!

To be completely honest, I quite literally both loved and hated this book. Like, it’s genuinely both.

I’ll start with the love:

- I do actually really enjoy the writing style – short lines, to the point, descriptive but also symbolic, the use of repetition to invoke some sort of emotion in the reader. I live for that. It’s more evocative of a poem than a novel and I think when done right it can be a fantastic narrative tool – especially when the internal thoughts and feelings of the characters is the most important aspect of the book. I think Black does this really well and I really enjoyed reading a book written in this style.

- The book is a dual perspective between the FMC Daisy and the MMC Marcus as they lead up to their first time having sex since they’re both now finally of age (that is, 18). The dual perspective narrative was a really good choice. Being able to get the thoughts and emotions of each character, contrasted with how the other interpreted their behaviour was a) a good way to show how appearances aren’t all they seem to be and b) helped to make the reader less likely to rage out at a character who’s behaving stupidly when it’s obvious to you (the reader) that the situation is actually the complete opposite. The character motivations mostly made sense and there was usually enough internal monologue background to explain why they thought a certain way or why they behaved a certain way. Which was great! Especially since my tolerance for “characters acting stupid or unreasonable with zero explanation” is EXTREMELY low.

- The book does well in setting up the next (and subsequent) books in the series and it was enough to make me want to pick up the second book!

The hate:

- Although everything I said about the writing style remains true – it wasn’t always executed very well here. There was A LOT of repetition of filler words and phrases that don’t drive a point home so much as just feel like lazy writing. For example, in the chapter: School of Hard Chucks – by the 10th time I read the phrase (or some variation on) “a beat” (context wise like, “he took a beat (waited/hesitated) before replying” I was actually getting genuinely frustrated and increasingly so every time the word appeared again (and some cases nearly back to back). Variations of “a beat” occur 16 times in the 10 pages of that dialogue taking place alone (and 51 times overall in the book (not including phrases like heartbeat or beat of a drum)). Maybe the overall amount is fine but the 16 uses in 10 pages just made my blood pressure spike every time I saw it afterwards. When you’re using such a minimalist writing style, you’re forced to switch up the phrases/words/colloquialisms that otherwise get lost in books with super rich and descriptive language.

- I hated literally every character. Daisy I guess was fine mostly, she’s newly 18 so I can’t really fault her for being immature and occasionally frustrating. The same could be said for Marcus but it’s a lot harder when his character flaws are genuinely problematic behaviours whose only justification really is toxic masculinity and a fragile ego. I’ve met Marcus before, many times in fact, from 18 into their 40s and let’s just say not a single one was a good experience. Maybe that’s the point though, maybe he’s supposed to be unlikeable. But the fact that I can’t exactly tell is what puts me off of him as a character. Characters that let you know what they’re all about – or a third-person narrator who does so, I can deal with no problem – those can be great characters. But Marcus isn’t that and I just can’t stand him. The other characters are pretty secondary and one-dimensional so they’re not really likeable or unlikeable beyond the surface level, I think, but that surface level feels is basically the same for all of them which feels pretty unrealistic and just sort of “trope-y” and repetitive without good reason.

- I can’t figure out the point of like, 50% of the story – what’s going on, why people behave the way they do, what Daisy seems to know is happening? I will say I have hope that later books will clear this up, but the problem is that while I can be willing to read the second book in a series where I overall disliked the first book, a lot of people aren’t like that. I’ve read plenty of pretty awful first books for the series to pick up as the author finds their groove with the characters. But if anyone reads this feeling the same way as I do, it’s possible they would just write off any subsequent books and not even bother.

All that being said:

- I am absolutely going to read the next book in the series because I like being wrong about these things. I like when a second or even third book surprises me and makes me feel like, “okay yes this was worth it” (for example, the entire Cruel Prince trilogy I thought was all in all pretty terrible, but then I read The Stolen Heir and The Prisoner’s Throne and both .5 books (The Lost Sisters and How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories) and I thought they were fantastic). SO, I still have hope, maybe not for Marcus and whether or not I’ll ever tolerate his existence, but for the series overall.

- I love a good spicy romance (secret time: I’ve been frequenting asstr and Literotica for a decade) and I’ve certainly read my fair share of good, amazing, and downright abhorrent erotic fiction. And even there, I’m well aware that not every story is for me and that’s totally fine. The disclaimer at the beginning was super intriguing but really didn’t feel like it delivered at all – however, maybe it will for the series as a whole, I don’t know yet. But it’s entirely possible that’s because I’ve been reading stories “like that” for my entire adult life and have seen all manners of “spiralling into darkness.” But hey, just in case someone else has had degenerate reading tastes for too long, this (first) book is not going to scratch that itch.

- BUT AGAIN I MUST REITERATE FOR LIKE THE FOURTH TIME: this is completely based off of only reading the first book and I will come back and revise after I read the second book and then we can go from there.

Once again, thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC and I tentatively look forward to reading the next book!

[Brooke Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very enticed to read this by the beginning note from the author and I dare say it, I’m hooked. Very annoyed with some of the characters but they are flawed in a way that just keeps me coming back for more

[Jennifer Loschiavo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good erotic novel. If you are more into this world outside of reading, I think this series and this author might be good for you. There is good buildup and I think the writing is true to what could possibly happen in a real scene.

[Vivien Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was great, it absolutely kept my attention from beginning to end. It's a spicy psychological romance with a slow burn. The way the author tells us the story is mysterious yet captivating. This is one you have to read yourself to fully appreciate it.

[Cool Aunt Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting. The story starts simple: young man and young woman have been family friends their entire lives, and have grown into a romantic relationship, The action revolves around everyone in both of their families having an overwhelming interest in the FMC (Daisy) losing her virginity to the MMC (Marcus). With every other character having advice and warnings for the young couple throughout the set up of the book. If you think that sounds weird, it's because it is.

Then, the story shifts into something that is truly hard to describe. Both MC's make mistakes, communication does NOT happen, and they both lose touch with reality (just a smidge).
This is a "Head Thought Novel," not a dialogue novel. If you skim books just for dialog, you're going to miss what is actually happening in this book. You will miss two characters slowly descending into addiction.

There are scenes that I still can't figure out how they fit into the overall story. They happened, they seemed to have weight at the time, and then the next chapter it didn't seem like it make any difference to the story (specifically the card room scene at the end). It makes me feel like everyone is hiding something huge from Daisy/Us. The psychological themes in this book will mess with you. You'll feel like you're being pulled in multiple directions, without consent.

My two themes of this book are: the reality of "growing up" or being "grown" not living up to fantasy; and. how we grow into sexuality as an adult.

Random Thoughts:
The family dynamics are truly out of this world. The entire time I was thinking that every single character wants to get busy with every single other character. Even between the parent and child generations. For being a wealthy group of people, they are all very open with their sexuality and kinks with each other.

The way the book is written, you get most character's POV. You would think that gives you insight into their thoughts, however, it just highlights how much they all are hiding from Daisy.

The best part of this book? There is a step-by-step, play-by-play guide on how to seduce a woman. Literally spelled out by the wonderful Chuck. I would recommend this book for that section alone, despite how weird the overall reason for the scene is. And honestly, this was the "hottest" scene in the book.

Don't get me wrong, there are erotic scenes, but this isn't your typical "smut book." This is tension, sometimes uncomfortable tension. This is curiosity and desire making decisions for you. Don't expect the typical.

I really grew to dislike the MMC, and I think that is intentional. However, he is the ultimate reason I don't think I'm going to continue with the series. I don't want him to get a redemption arc, I do recommend this book.

[Ashley W. · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Wallflower by Francesca Black begins with an impressive spark—the Reader’s Contract. This unique and compelling introduction immediately pulled me in, and I was so taken by the promise of the story that I snapped photos and sent them to my fellow book lovers, declaring, “Now this is how you start a book.” Sadly, that initial excitement quickly fizzled out as the novel failed to deliver on its early potential.
The story centers around 18-year-old Daisy, who is essentially "given" or betrothed to Marcus Holt, a moody and possessive young man. What could have been an intriguing slow-burn romance or coming-of-age tale turned into a repetitive, meandering narrative with little to no plot beyond the slow buildup to their first intimate moment—a scene that ended up being more of a letdown than a payoff. And from there, things only continued to deteriorate.
The only time I felt even remotely invested was during a dinner scene between Daisy, Marcus, and another couple—a moment that hinted at depth and tension—but even that ultimately fell flat. The characters never seemed to evolve or learn from their experiences, and their relationship dynamics often felt emotionally unhealthy and unbalanced, with hints of manipulation and jealousy that were concerning rather than romantic.
Stylistically, the book struggled. Word and statement repetition became a major distraction, to the point where it felt like filler rather than meaningful prose. While the descriptive detail was strong in places, it often veered off into tangents that added nothing to the actual storyline, dragging the pacing and muddling the focus.
The point-of-view shifts were especially frustrating. Instead of clearly separated perspectives through chapters or marked breaks, the narrative often jumbled multiple POVs together without warning, making it difficult to track who was speaking or feeling what at any given time. Add to this the unusually long chapters—some of which could have been easily split into more manageable sections—and it made for a confusing and fatiguing reading experience.
Though The Wallflower is the first in a four-book series, I felt no urgency to continue with the series. The book lacked a strong narrative arc or satisfying resolution, and by the end, I felt more exhausted than curious. Ultimately, this was a story about a timid girl and a hot-and-cold love interest, wrapped in a structure that didn’t do its characters—or its readers—any favors. What started as a promising concept devolved into a frustrating and underwhelming read.
Thank you NetGalley and Francesca Black for the opportunity to read this ARC and provide my honest review.

[Cat Lady Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a challenging and frustrating read for me. Maybe I should have walked away when the author's "Reader Contract" at the beginning warns this will not be a neat, tidy story. But I committed to review this ARC, so I continued reading. The Contract warns "You may want to throw [this book] across the room" and it was accurate!

First, parts of the story are vague in a way that's supposed to be mysterious, but was mostly frustrating. Second, the book is written in third person, but switches between different people's points of view without really making it clear who is having the thoughts or feelings being described. I'm still not entirely sure how Daisy feels (other than perpetual self-loathing) and I don't think she knows either.

Daisy is a fresh-faced innocent 18 year old living with her bohemian pot smoking photographer mother, her powerful wealthy stepdad with whom she has a close but mildly unsettling relationship, and her stepbrother who is way too old to bully his stepsister but does it anyway. She is happily betrothed to 20 year old Marcus Holt, her childhood friend from another powerful wealthy family. But she's also attracted to his brother. I had wondered if it would be a why choose/reverse harem, but sadly it was not. And she's very close with his father, to the point where Marcus believes his dad would disown him if he hurts her.

Marcus starts out as an adorable sweetheart, but his character arc quickly becomes problematic and disturbing. He exhibits all the danger signs of an abuser, including becoming enraged and jealous of a vibrator.

I enjoy dark romance with power dynamics, but this didn't have those vibes. Some scenes were delightfully steamy, but it all goes downhill when Marcus completely ignores the advice his brother and her stepdad (yikes) give him about satisfying a woman when they finally do the deed. I had second hand embarrassment from reading about their first time.

I'm tempted to find out how this series ends, but I read the descriptions of the other 4 books and I don't think I can put myself through the emotional turmoil.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC I received in exchange for my honest review.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review – 3.5⭐️ rounded up

Summary:
Daisy is the golden girl—sweet, obedient, and ready to take the next step in her relationship with her boyfriend, Marcus. But as she tries to step into her own desires, it becomes clear that Marcus’s complicated family—particularly his father Nic and brother Mac —have a grip on her she can’t quite escape. As lines blur and boundaries shift, Daisy’s world gets a whole lot more tangled, emotionally and sexually.

Review:
This book wastes no time getting sultry—the heat level is high and stays there. The erotic scenes are explicit, intense, and frequent, so if that’s your thing, this one delivers.

The point-of-view shifts are really well done—clean, seamless transitions that helped the pacing and deepened the character moments. That said, I had a hard time keeping track of the many characters introduced early on. A family tree or relationship chart at the beginning would’ve gone a long way toward easing that confusion.

I’ll be honest: I’m not entirely sure I understood the full scope of the story—or the layered dynamics between Daisy and Marcus, Mac, and Nic. It felt emotionally complicated in a way that didn’t always clarify itself.

Bottom line: A bold, erotic story that throws you straight into the heat. Great POV work and atmosphere, but the character web is dense and at times confusing. If you like high-heat reads with complex emotional entanglements, this might work for you.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Debarati Mishra]

I have never done this reviewing on netgalley so I read the tips. There was one about giving the plot in short. My problem is I don’t understand the plot. The book blurb is not clear either. I got the vibe that MFC wants to have sex with her BF but also have hots for the BF’s big brother add in the father of the BF too who feels like had sex with her mother and there is a sense of secrecy with her paternity too, that’s the vibe I got. Yes it’s bit convulated. The writing didn’t help either. There is a content warning which gave me hope that I was going to read something lyrical, it’s unique I haven’t read a content warning like that. Instead I got something else, very repetitive saying lot of thing but also not saying anything. I didn’t like the writing style either every sentence consisted max 3-4 words. Some even one word. What worked for the content warning didn’t work for the actual book. If felt halting , harsh and disjointed. Frankly didn’t work for me. There was a weird scene with the BF and the FMC’s step father for me it’s very distasteful. Didn’t understand the meaning of the epilogue either. Given this experience I will not continue with the series which feels sad cause if I start a book/series I want to know what happens in the end, if it’s aHEA for the characters involved but won’t be knowing that here, even that doesn’t motivates me to continue. I tried by jumping to the epilogue after first couple of chapters but as I said I didn’t get it.
Sorry to say it’s a DNF for me.
Though it’s not a good book which I DNF , I thank Netgalley for this free book.

[Oleander · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fresh take on dark romance— a disturbingly realistic portrayal of societal grooming and the unspoken roles powerful men place both on each other and on the women in their circles. Through Daisy’s spiraling inner thoughts on the shame surrounding her budding sexuality and her boyfriend Marcus’s explosive low-self esteem forged under the pressure to live up to the accomplished male figures in his life, we see the utterly destructive consequence of expectations. These expectations poison the evolution of their relationship with confusion and distrust, showing how easily something innocent and exciting can turn so very sour.

The writing style landed as a stream of consciousness prose, fitting the fast-paced and highly emotive atmosphere of the story. At times it became disjointed and unpredictable, but this also added to the overall feeling of the spiral that I believe the author was aiming for.

In the beginning, the specifics of the family trees and their relationships were somewhat confusing but in a way that just increased the taboo vibe– the suspense remained high, as it wasn’t clear to me just how forbidden Daisy’s choices, at any moment, might end up being.

The ending did leave a curious crack in the door.

spice
🌶 🌶/5
tropes
power dynamics, forbidden feelings, taboo, family politics

I initially reviewed this free copy as an ARC for NetGalley. My thanks to them and to the author for the opportunity.

[Sarah Gries · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read The Wallflower by Francesca Black. These are just my own thoughts and opinions.

I really wanted to like this one — the premise sounded like a great dark romance, and there were definitely some steamy scenes that delivered. The spice is heavy and frequent, which some readers will love, but for me, it ended up feeling like too much. After a while, it started to overpower the story instead of adding to it.

The writing felt a bit all over the place at times — some parts just didn’t flow well, and the transitions between scenes could be jarring. It honestly felt a little rushed or unpolished in places, which made it tough to stay fully into the book.

I also never really connected with the characters. I get what the author was trying to do with their emotional backstories, but it didn’t hit for me. I found myself skimming parts just to get through it.
That said, if you’re into dark romance with a lot of spice and don’t mind a bit of messiness in the writing, this might still be worth checking out. It just wasn’t for me.

Cheers

[BloggingBooks& Banter · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Wallflower Book by Francesca Black 🚪👀🥲 - These are my personal reviews.

Rating 1/5 🤦🏻‍♀️- I did not like this. It was too fast in some areas and then proceeded to drag in others. It definitely wasn’t something that made me question everything I’ve ever knew. I found it lacking in so many ways. This one really let me down.

Spice 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ - Lots of spice. Little to no true romance. If you aren’t a sucker for that sort of story and prefer just spice, look no further.

Overall Review: I didn’t like the FMC or MMC. I didn’t like anyone except Jules, really. This obviously wasn’t what I was expecting. I just kind of felt uncomfortable the whole time. The FMC being attracted to like everybody gave me the ick. She gave me super gross vibes. The MMC just seemed like he knew better than everyone else. The super confusing father situation was off putting. To sum this up, I was just disappointed. There is a lot of meat to the story but most of it is useless information.

I could not find this title on Romance.io but that is why you have me!

[Gigi · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

I really liked parts of this book, mainly the descriptive, metaphorical writing, and the way the author captures raw and real human emotions. While I am usually not a fan of third person tense, I actually kind of liked the stream of consciousness third person writing in this case because I feel like while it was a little chaotic, it mirrored the chatacters' inner uncertainty as they grapple with their various emotions. I really resonated with Daisy's inner monologue at times as she balances expectations with the realities of coming of age.

I feel like there are some amazing nuggets inside this book, but there is also SO MUCH unnecessary information. That made the book really boring at times. I also felt like even though I knew it was the first in a series, nothing was really resolved at all which left me feeling confused but not invested enough to continue the series.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Carly Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a bit of a struggle to get through. I received this book as an arc. This was described as a dark romance, I did not get those vibes. The writing style was the hardest for me. This is an angsty piece. The emotions this book gave me were immediate. Right from the start. This story follows Daisy, the princess of the story. She’s 18 and in love with Marcus. Or they were inevitable and she never really had a say, not quite sure about that still. It was very ominous. There were hints that they were just together for their families choice, not by their own. Nothing much really happens. Beautiful woman and devastatingly handsome men. Men that run the world, but it never tells us much about what they run. It left me feeling like a young girl had an experience that she thought would be world changing and it was just not the way she thought. The writing style is unique and if you’re into that, read this.

[Mandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️ 1🌶️

I’m honestly not sure how to feel about this book. The writing leaves a lot to the imagination. It is written in third person which can be hard to keep track of. It’s basically a story of a virgin girl surrounded by various men in her life until the night she loses her virginity to the “golden boy” she loves. He makes a promise to be kind and gentle with her but curiosity has it, that isn’t what she wants at all. Their families are intertwined since a young age and once her 18th birthday come around she’s look at differently, they’ve all been waiting for the moment her innocence is gone. The book ends on a cliff hanger, there is no finality to the story. I won’t be reading the other books as this one didn’t really peak my interest. Maybe I just didn’t understand the story and was left confused and unfinished, just like Daisy. Thank you for the opportunity to read prior to release.

[Shayleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I went into The Wallflower hoping for a dark, emotionally intense slow burn. What I got felt more like a confusing and repetitive slog. The writing tries so hard to be poetic and stylized that it ends up feeling forced and choppy. Instead of drawing me in, the fragmented sentences and cryptic prose pulled me out of the story again and again. There were moments where I honestly had no idea what was going on, and not in a mysterious or intriguing way, but in a frustrating way that made me question why I was still reading.

The repetition was relentless. I found myself skimming entire pages that felt like the same thought reworded a dozen times. I get that the book was trying to be moody and introspective, but it missed the mark for me. If you enjoy vague, aesthetic-heavy storytelling that prioritizes mood over clarity, this might work for you. It just did not work for me.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I originally got this from NetGalley but wish I would have read through KU so the author would have gotten credit.

If I was to give a summary of the book, I wouldn’t know where to begin because I don’t know what’s going on. Sounds odd but it’s true, and it still makes me want to read the next book. It’s like a sign that says “do not enter’, and all I want to do is walk through that door. It just keeps you enough out of the loop to draw you in.

Going in, this wasn’t what I expected at all and I think that’s why I liked it.

Writing style was more artsy, poetic, and choppy. Wasn’t bad but I could see how people could be turned off by it. So if you see the page count don’t be discouraged, it only took a couple hours to read the whole thing. Not sure why sentences were broken into separate lines though. That part is weird to me.

Personally, I liked it even though I don’t know what just happened or what’s going on.

Thanks NetGalley and Francesca Black!

[Chelsea Drumm · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book with an odd mix of psychological thriller and romance. This was written in a way that felt very suspenseful, I found myself holding my breath, waiting for something insane to happen. Reading it honestly felt like a fever dream and half the time I was reading and rereading trying to understand what was going on. This is a book that explores desires and wants, and the characters are super messy and flawed. I can appreciate the messiness, it made for a really harrowing read, but some things l found disturbing. Like the love interest using derogatory language towards someone he supposedly loves. The family dynamic was awkward and often uncomfortable. And there is something really gross about the FMC being basically given to the Holt family. This one was a miss for me. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

[Lauren Lovett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok - first of all, I just want to preface my review by saying that this is a truly personal opinion. I still believe everyone should read this book, because the author has put a lot of time and energy into it. I personally really struggled with the style of writing and the lack of plot.

That being said, I still gave it 2 stars because the characters were interesting and I felt the beginnings of a seriously incredible family/mafia style dynamic being built. Unfortunately, we never quite get enough information from the author to sink our teeth in....

The book is about a young girl on the journey of her sexual awakening....but I didn't find it empowering, more trouble and blame-focused.

I thought with the trigger warnings at the beginning, that we were in for a wild ride, but again, I didn't experience that at throughout the book and would struggle to tell you the storyline.

[thaiyah sharell bratton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be very refreshing in the writing style and the storyline. It’s not like anything I’ve ever read. It’s provocative, erotic, sensual, but also beautiful and elegantly written.

I felt uncomfortable but also invested in the characters and what they felt and experienced. I connected to them more due to how the writer makes you feel what they feel.

While I did enjoy, it was hard to read in a single sitting. I felt myself have to take a break because of the content. I lived the writing style as it was a breath a fresh air, but I also struggled with trying to sit and read it all at one time. I feel like I needed more information and just a little less feeling.

Overall great read if you’re looking to experience something completely new and interesting!!

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