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The Wallflowers' Revolt #1
The Wallflower's Great Escape
She was trying to escape one unwanted marriage. She never expected to end up in a deliciously inconvenient one with her brother’s brooding best friend.
Lady Georgiana Chadwick is done being a pawn in Society’s games. She has no intention of marrying the ancient marquess her father has chosen for her, no matter how many debts the match would settle. With a daring escape plan in motion, Georgie is finally ready to take control of her life—until her brother’s best friend, Lord Jason Pemberton, Earl of Pembroke, catches her in the act.
Jason has no interest in playing the hero. Haunted by the past and determined to keep his heart safely locked away, he only agreed to watch over Georgiana as a favor. But the stubborn, sharp-tongued wallflower is nothing like he expected. She’s infuriating, reckless, far too tempting…and suddenly very much his problem.
When one daring escape leads to a very public scandal, there’s only one respectable solution: a marriage of convenience. Now Georgie and Jason are trapped together in delicious forced proximity, matching wits, trading barbs, and trying very hard not to want each other.
But the longer they share a house, a future, and one inconveniently irresistible attraction, the harder it becomes to tell where duty ends and desire begins. What started as a scandalous rescue may become the one thing neither of them expected: a forever kind of love.
Packed with enemies-to-lovers tension, sizzling chemistry, and a bold wallflower who refuses to play by the rules, this witty Regency romance is perfect for fans of Julia Quinn’s charm and Sarah MacLean’s edge.
This book was rewritten and expanded in April 2026.
Lady Georgiana Chadwick is done being a pawn in Society’s games. She has no intention of marrying the ancient marquess her father has chosen for her, no matter how many debts the match would settle. With a daring escape plan in motion, Georgie is finally ready to take control of her life—until her brother’s best friend, Lord Jason Pemberton, Earl of Pembroke, catches her in the act.
Jason has no interest in playing the hero. Haunted by the past and determined to keep his heart safely locked away, he only agreed to watch over Georgiana as a favor. But the stubborn, sharp-tongued wallflower is nothing like he expected. She’s infuriating, reckless, far too tempting…and suddenly very much his problem.
When one daring escape leads to a very public scandal, there’s only one respectable solution: a marriage of convenience. Now Georgie and Jason are trapped together in delicious forced proximity, matching wits, trading barbs, and trying very hard not to want each other.
But the longer they share a house, a future, and one inconveniently irresistible attraction, the harder it becomes to tell where duty ends and desire begins. What started as a scandalous rescue may become the one thing neither of them expected: a forever kind of love.
Packed with enemies-to-lovers tension, sizzling chemistry, and a bold wallflower who refuses to play by the rules, this witty Regency romance is perfect for fans of Julia Quinn’s charm and Sarah MacLean’s edge.
This book was rewritten and expanded in April 2026.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2025
About the author
Valerie Bowman
58 books1,636 followersValerie Bowman is an award-winning author who writes historical and contemporary romance.
Valerie’s debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She’s been an RT Reviewers’ Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.
Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her rascally dogs. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.
Visit Valerie on the web at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com and sign-up for her newsletter at: https://valeriebowmanbooks.com/newsle...
Be sure to follow Valerie Bookbub for the latest on sales https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valer...
Valerie’s debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She’s been an RT Reviewers’ Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.
Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her rascally dogs. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.
Visit Valerie on the web at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com and sign-up for her newsletter at: https://valeriebowmanbooks.com/newsle...
Be sure to follow Valerie Bookbub for the latest on sales https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valer...
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 5, 2026
Read: 6/5/26
Setting: Regency England
Trope: runaway bride, forced marriage
The story started out great, but kind of puttered out once the MC married.
Plot: Georgiana will not sacrifice her life by marrying the 70 year old man her greedy family has betrothed her to. With the help of her two new best friends, Georgiana plans a daring escape. Now, if she can just get Lord Pemberton to stop following her. He's ruining all her plans!
Jason prefers his rakish lifestyle and avoids debutantes, but now he's forced to attend a ball. His friend is laid up and asks Jason to keep an eye on his sister and make sure she doesn't bolt. It's not long before Jason catches Georgiana trying to escape out a window. Though, once he learns who she's engaged to, he personally escorts her home.
Jason knows Georgiana will continue to avoid her lecherous fiance, yet he can't seem to stay away. Jason eventually learns her true plan. Georgiana is intending to runaway on the morning of her wedding and he can't do a thing about it because of the promises he made and sealed with a passionate kiss that left them both breathless.
On the morning of her wedding, Georgiana's plan goes off with out a hitch. Unfortunately, Jason interferes by kidnapping her and taking her to his home. He can't let her ruin herself! Jason asks Georgiana to marry him and then pays off her awful family. The pair marry that night, but do not consummate the marriage. Jason wants Georgiana to want him and Georgiana fears Jason married her out of pity. Can these two come together and finally admit their feelings? Luckily, Georgiana has her trusty friends to guide her.
Like:
1. I love a h who is willing to fight for her life! Georgiana was not going to sit back and allow her greedy family get away with bartering her to a nasty old man. She's my kind of h!
2. For all his rakish behavior, Jason was a decent, honorable man. He never wants Georgiana to feel like she doesn't have a choice.
3. I really enjoyed Georgiana's two friends. I look forward to their stories.
4. I like the ending.
Dislike:
1. I hate an unconsummated marriage! Luckily, this story is short and I didn't have to wait too long for them to finally come together. Also the sex scenes could have been steamer.
2. I find it hard to believe that Jason used to keep several mistresses. His honorable personality doesn't quite fit with his libertine reputation. Why do authors do this? I prefer my rakes to be actual rakes!
3. Jason's sister's death has haunted him his whole life. All it takes is one very simple conversation with the h and all his years of trauma and guilt are cured. Really? That simple?
4. This was a quick book, so there isn't much character depth in story.
Conclusion: this was a cute, light story. I liked it for the most part, but it kind of dragged in the middle.
Sidenote: Goodreads states this book is 300 pages. My version was only 194 pages and that feels more accurate.
Setting: Regency England
Trope: runaway bride, forced marriage
The story started out great, but kind of puttered out once the MC married.
Plot: Georgiana will not sacrifice her life by marrying the 70 year old man her greedy family has betrothed her to. With the help of her two new best friends, Georgiana plans a daring escape. Now, if she can just get Lord Pemberton to stop following her. He's ruining all her plans!
Jason prefers his rakish lifestyle and avoids debutantes, but now he's forced to attend a ball. His friend is laid up and asks Jason to keep an eye on his sister and make sure she doesn't bolt. It's not long before Jason catches Georgiana trying to escape out a window. Though, once he learns who she's engaged to, he personally escorts her home.
Jason knows Georgiana will continue to avoid her lecherous fiance, yet he can't seem to stay away. Jason eventually learns her true plan. Georgiana is intending to runaway on the morning of her wedding and he can't do a thing about it because of the promises he made and sealed with a passionate kiss that left them both breathless.
On the morning of her wedding, Georgiana's plan goes off with out a hitch. Unfortunately, Jason interferes by kidnapping her and taking her to his home. He can't let her ruin herself! Jason asks Georgiana to marry him and then pays off her awful family. The pair marry that night, but do not consummate the marriage. Jason wants Georgiana to want him and Georgiana fears Jason married her out of pity. Can these two come together and finally admit their feelings? Luckily, Georgiana has her trusty friends to guide her.
Like:
1. I love a h who is willing to fight for her life! Georgiana was not going to sit back and allow her greedy family get away with bartering her to a nasty old man. She's my kind of h!
2. For all his rakish behavior, Jason was a decent, honorable man. He never wants Georgiana to feel like she doesn't have a choice.
3. I really enjoyed Georgiana's two friends. I look forward to their stories.
4. I like the ending.
Dislike:
1. I hate an unconsummated marriage! Luckily, this story is short and I didn't have to wait too long for them to finally come together. Also the sex scenes could have been steamer.
2. I find it hard to believe that Jason used to keep several mistresses. His honorable personality doesn't quite fit with his libertine reputation. Why do authors do this? I prefer my rakes to be actual rakes!
3. Jason's sister's death has haunted him his whole life. All it takes is one very simple conversation with the h and all his years of trauma and guilt are cured. Really? That simple?
4. This was a quick book, so there isn't much character depth in story.
Conclusion: this was a cute, light story. I liked it for the most part, but it kind of dragged in the middle.
Sidenote: Goodreads states this book is 300 pages. My version was only 194 pages and that feels more accurate.
April 21, 2026
I always enjoy Valerie Bowman's books. She is one of my favorite authors (of which you know I have a few :)). She is an awesome writer even though I find her books to be quick reads for me. Maybe because they flow so good. I love all her stories and her characters and the sex is good and detailed. This is my 33rd book by her and have reading her since 2017. I am so excited she has a new series out.
I really liked Georgiana and Jason. I liked this story and their personalities. I liked their escapades and strong relationship. They were very comfortable with each other. It was another overall really good read and good story by Valerie.
I really liked Georgiana and Jason. I liked this story and their personalities. I liked their escapades and strong relationship. They were very comfortable with each other. It was another overall really good read and good story by Valerie.
December 26, 2025
A light read. The background is somewhat stinted. Likeable characters.
October 1, 2025
A steamy story. There is humour in this story and it is readable. However some bits just did not flow. By helping Georgie on quite a few occasions to ‘escape’ it was obvious that Jason was likely to be having to marry her. I am sure the gossips would have noted him watching and following her - he is apparently a sought after bachelor so he would be being watched in turn by mams and debutantes trying to catch him.
When she ran away from the church why didn’t she tell him there was a post chaise to take her to Bath. If concerned Jason could have escorted her, yet he takes her to his house and then they just wait for her family to turn up, who could then have marched her back to church and had her married, exactly what he was trying to avoid.
Something I found odd, and it happens in other books, the heroine exits a house, climbs in her carriage, only to find the villain, in this case Henderville, sitting in it. Given it’s her carriage how has the coachman let someone climb in? Why didn’t Jason have words with his coachman? This happens in other stories yet rarely is the coachman,and/or groom if present, questioned or chastised.
Also Poppy’s mother sounded just too extreme. No doubt there will be more of her antics in the later books in this series.
So debated if it was 3 or 4 stars. Maybe not quite 4, but readable and I will try the next book.
When she ran away from the church why didn’t she tell him there was a post chaise to take her to Bath. If concerned Jason could have escorted her, yet he takes her to his house and then they just wait for her family to turn up, who could then have marched her back to church and had her married, exactly what he was trying to avoid.
Something I found odd, and it happens in other books, the heroine exits a house, climbs in her carriage, only to find the villain, in this case Henderville, sitting in it. Given it’s her carriage how has the coachman let someone climb in? Why didn’t Jason have words with his coachman? This happens in other stories yet rarely is the coachman,and/or groom if present, questioned or chastised.
Also Poppy’s mother sounded just too extreme. No doubt there will be more of her antics in the later books in this series.
So debated if it was 3 or 4 stars. Maybe not quite 4, but readable and I will try the next book.
April 14, 2026
Cute, sweet, and I’ll definitely read the others in this series, but this one felt a touch rushed by Bowman’s standards? I don’t recall proofreading errors in her other works. Anyway, Georgie’s awful family has basically sold her to a horrible old marquess to settle her father’s gambling debts, and she seeks to escape with the help of her new friends Bea and Polly. Jason is friends with Georgie’s brother who is usually tasked with keeping her out of trouble at events, but since he is laid up with a broken leg, he asks Jason to keep an eye on her. Once Jason learns the awful truth about what Georgie’s unfeeling family (including her brother) have planned for her, Jason decides to help her escape instead, even if it means marrying Georgie himself.
November 18, 2025
Really enjoyed this book between Georgiana, a wallflower who parents and brother basically sold her to marry a creepy old Marquess for his money, and Jason, an Earl who is Georgie’s brother’s best friend. I like how Jason treated Georgie and that, since she wasn’t used to being respected and listened to, that she didn’t trust it at first. Also liked her two friends Bea and Poppy.
October 7, 2025
It's a fun little fluff of a story. Georgiana is disgusted that she's being bartered to a horny old marquis, and decides to run away from her wedding. But she ends up married to another man instead, and it doesn't take them very long to figure out it's a good thing.
Some sexual content.
Some sexual content.
October 6, 2025
Most imagative book I've read in awhile. Both main characters stood up to their convictions and I so rooted for them for their HEA .Looking forward to next books in series
October 7, 2025
Like all Bowman books this one is underdeveloped and poorly paced.
October 13, 2025
A Great Short Read
I look forward to the authors next book. It is entertaining from the beginning to the very end .. Hats off to the author. Hope you all enjoy this story.
I look forward to the authors next book. It is entertaining from the beginning to the very end .. Hats off to the author. Hope you all enjoy this story.
May 13, 2026
I understand the author has revised this book. The one I read was only 160 pages so there wasn't a lot of character development or conflict.
Not sure I enjoyed it enough to read the revised edition
Not sure I enjoyed it enough to read the revised edition
July 3, 2026
I love Valerie Bowman's work and this one was enjoyable for the most part, but the middle (after the nuptials) felt stilted and almost like it wasn't part of the same book. Overall, the read is in the high threes/low fours for me. Fun cover and fun banter, though. Georgie is a hoot!
July 11, 2026
Never really got into it. Everything just a bit flat.
July 11, 2026
An enjoyable story, a romantic escape with engaging characters and banter.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews