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Never the Bride #5
Always the Wallflower
Always the wallflower and never the bride—imprisoned by fear to watch life at the sidelines...
Lady Letitia Cavendish is a Cavendish, but only a cousin of the current Duke, so even her name isn't enough for potential suitors to court her. She's a wallflower, terrified of putting herself forward, and so life continues on without her.
But at two and twenty, things are getting desperate.
The most confident rake in town, Edward Wynn, is a handsome devil—and being the Viscount of Stulsemere doesn't hurt. When, despite his best efforts, he's partnered with the most boring lady at Almack's, he resigns himself to twenty minutes of silence.
And is astonished. Lady Letitia is nothing like what he expected, and after she storms off and leaves him standing, Edward has to know more.
He's determined to understand her. She's torn between remaining invisible and finally making a good match. Personalities collide, and compromise seems out of reach, as the unexpected happens.
What will society say as the biggest rake courts the wallflower of the season? Can Letitia ever take a step towards a happily ever after?
This full length novel is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series that can be read in any order.
Lady Letitia Cavendish is a Cavendish, but only a cousin of the current Duke, so even her name isn't enough for potential suitors to court her. She's a wallflower, terrified of putting herself forward, and so life continues on without her.
But at two and twenty, things are getting desperate.
The most confident rake in town, Edward Wynn, is a handsome devil—and being the Viscount of Stulsemere doesn't hurt. When, despite his best efforts, he's partnered with the most boring lady at Almack's, he resigns himself to twenty minutes of silence.
And is astonished. Lady Letitia is nothing like what he expected, and after she storms off and leaves him standing, Edward has to know more.
He's determined to understand her. She's torn between remaining invisible and finally making a good match. Personalities collide, and compromise seems out of reach, as the unexpected happens.
What will society say as the biggest rake courts the wallflower of the season? Can Letitia ever take a step towards a happily ever after?
This full length novel is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series that can be read in any order.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2020
620 people are currently reading
826 people want to read
About the author
Emily E.K. Murdoch
146 books282 followersEmily E.K. Murdoch is also known as Emily Murdoch.
Emily Murdoch is a medieval historian and writer. Throughout her career so far she has examined a codex and transcribed medieval sermons at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, designed part of an exhibition for the Yorkshire Museum, worked as a researcher for a BBC documentary presented by Ian Hislop, and worked at Polesden Lacey with the National Trust. She has a degree in History and English, and a Masters in Medieval Studies, both from the University of York. Emily is currently working on a new four part Regency novella series, two of which are now published.
You can follow her on twitter and instagram @emilyekmurdoch, find her on facebook at www.facebook.com/theemilyekmurdoch, and read her blog at www.emilyekmurdoch.com
Emily Murdoch is a medieval historian and writer. Throughout her career so far she has examined a codex and transcribed medieval sermons at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, designed part of an exhibition for the Yorkshire Museum, worked as a researcher for a BBC documentary presented by Ian Hislop, and worked at Polesden Lacey with the National Trust. She has a degree in History and English, and a Masters in Medieval Studies, both from the University of York. Emily is currently working on a new four part Regency novella series, two of which are now published.
You can follow her on twitter and instagram @emilyekmurdoch, find her on facebook at www.facebook.com/theemilyekmurdoch, and read her blog at www.emilyekmurdoch.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
November 21, 2020
UUUGGGHHHHHHHH! Such an amazing beginning - painfully shy, insecure, ostensibly plain wallflower is wooed by rake. I wasn’t sure about him from the start because he comes off as a villain, literally actually seducing debutants and abandoning them after he gets what he wants. Not just widows or unhappy wives, but virgins whose lives are theoretically ruined by him. Not appealing to me at all, but I was willing to give him a shot. (1.5 stars)
August 7, 2020
Sparkling eyes captivate!
Wallflower from solid ton background meets rake of first order. Her best friend is his adopted sister. Not that that makes much difference as they barely speak to each other (there's a mystery here!)
Lady Letitia Cavendish is painfully shy in large gatherings. She doesn't dance. Well that's not right. It's just that no-one ever asks her. So she's perfected the hanging out amongst the curtains, loosing herself in a crowd, fading into the background as a way of coping.
Only Edward Wynn, the Viscount of Stulsemere, practiced seducer and rake really notices her when they're forced to dance. He is shocked when he pushes Letitia beyond her painful silence and she leaves him standing in the middle of the ballroom. Rejection is something Wynn's unused to. He's fascinated, and then he's taken by the fact that the shy Letitia is downright gorgeous when she lifts her head and stares him down.
But is that fascination strong enough for a confirmed rake to pay attention to the stirring of his heart and is Letitia brave enough to take what she wants?
I've got to say I cooled off from Wynn. I was rather startled by Letitia's willingness to cosy up with him, in the family home two bedrooms away from her parents! What!! Oh hi, yes here I am, the man of your dreams, standing in your bedroom having just bribed the footman. Yikes!
I warmed to him even less when he reverted to type and sets about playing seductive games in the middle of a ballroom with an attractive heiress, as Letitia looks on! What a cad! Sure he gives an excuse. The sort of, 'Sorry honey I can't seem to go against my base nature--the lure of the chase you know.' A craven meaningless apology.
But back to Wynn's so called adopted sister Mariah, Letitia's best friend, who reads books at social occasions. I am puzzled by her persistence with the reading of A New Mathematical and Philosophical Dictionary which she finds riveting and keeps trying to persuade Letitia into reading. A rather strange reoccurrence leading where? Will we find out?
Despite all these strange little threads, this tried and true trope of wallflower and rake is a tad different, and although in my mind I felt it was never quite grounded. I do however look forward to Mariah's story.
A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley
Wallflower from solid ton background meets rake of first order. Her best friend is his adopted sister. Not that that makes much difference as they barely speak to each other (there's a mystery here!)
Lady Letitia Cavendish is painfully shy in large gatherings. She doesn't dance. Well that's not right. It's just that no-one ever asks her. So she's perfected the hanging out amongst the curtains, loosing herself in a crowd, fading into the background as a way of coping.
Only Edward Wynn, the Viscount of Stulsemere, practiced seducer and rake really notices her when they're forced to dance. He is shocked when he pushes Letitia beyond her painful silence and she leaves him standing in the middle of the ballroom. Rejection is something Wynn's unused to. He's fascinated, and then he's taken by the fact that the shy Letitia is downright gorgeous when she lifts her head and stares him down.
But is that fascination strong enough for a confirmed rake to pay attention to the stirring of his heart and is Letitia brave enough to take what she wants?
I've got to say I cooled off from Wynn. I was rather startled by Letitia's willingness to cosy up with him, in the family home two bedrooms away from her parents! What!! Oh hi, yes here I am, the man of your dreams, standing in your bedroom having just bribed the footman. Yikes!
I warmed to him even less when he reverted to type and sets about playing seductive games in the middle of a ballroom with an attractive heiress, as Letitia looks on! What a cad! Sure he gives an excuse. The sort of, 'Sorry honey I can't seem to go against my base nature--the lure of the chase you know.' A craven meaningless apology.
But back to Wynn's so called adopted sister Mariah, Letitia's best friend, who reads books at social occasions. I am puzzled by her persistence with the reading of A New Mathematical and Philosophical Dictionary which she finds riveting and keeps trying to persuade Letitia into reading. A rather strange reoccurrence leading where? Will we find out?
Despite all these strange little threads, this tried and true trope of wallflower and rake is a tad different, and although in my mind I felt it was never quite grounded. I do however look forward to Mariah's story.
A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley
May 10, 2021
1.5☆
Edward was a boorish character and I was not at all convinced by his sudden realization that he loved Letitia.
He's the type that will be under another women's skirts in no time. Too bad for the lady, she deserved a real man.
Edward was a boorish character and I was not at all convinced by his sudden realization that he loved Letitia.
He's the type that will be under another women's skirts in no time. Too bad for the lady, she deserved a real man.
July 29, 2020
Always the Wallflower
Never the Bride Series #5
Emily E. K. Murdoch
https://www.facebook.com/theemilyekmu...
Release date 08/06/2020
Publisher Dragonblade Publishing
Blurb :
Always the wallflower and never the bride - imprisoned by fear to watch life at the sidelines…
Lady Letitia Cavendish is a Cavendish, but only a cousin of the current Duke so even her name isn't enough for potential suitors to court her. She's a wallflower, terrified of putting herself forward, and so life continues on without her.
But at two and twenty, things are getting desperate.
The most confident rake in town, Edward Wynn, is a handsome devil - and being the Viscount of Stulsemere doesn't hurt. When, despite his best efforts, he's partnered with the most boring lady at Almack's, he resigns himself to twenty minutes of silence.
And is astonished. Lady Letitia is nothing like what he expected, and after she storms off and leaves him standing, Edward has to know more.
He's determined to understand her. She's torn between remaining invisible and finally making a good match. Personalities collide and compromise seems out of reach as the unexpected happens.
What will society say as the biggest rake courts the wallflower of the season? Can Letitia ever take a step towards a happily ever after?
My review :
Will he be able to curb his way for the lady of his heart ...
It all started because she picked his pride, as at first glance he classified her as plain, demure and dull, yet this glum miss seems to not be happy to be offered the honor of a dance with him.
So it spiked his interest.
Letitia is not a character I much liked at first, too mousy, tongue-tied yet it is like she has two personalities, the one when with her friends (yet I did not see it in the previous book) and the blending-with-the-furnitures mask. And while her inner core does not really change along the pages, for some odd reasons, with Edward, she becomes as much at ease than with her close friends.
Edward is a rake at heart, a persona he performed for a decade. So when a miss refuses to look at him, his ego does not take it well. Once the bait launched, he will realize there is more to the bland wallflower, but will she be enough to make him change his way.
To better understand Edward, I would have liked to learn more about his relationship with his parent and his adopted sister but outside learning his father was a bully, nothing truly explains his attitude nor why he was a London’s absentee for two years.
Their romance is cute as Letitia while staying her true self finds in her mind the strength to open up to him and stand for herself. Up to Edward to decide what counts more.
4 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing and here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Never the Bride Series #5
Emily E. K. Murdoch
https://www.facebook.com/theemilyekmu...
Release date 08/06/2020
Publisher Dragonblade Publishing
Blurb :
Always the wallflower and never the bride - imprisoned by fear to watch life at the sidelines…
Lady Letitia Cavendish is a Cavendish, but only a cousin of the current Duke so even her name isn't enough for potential suitors to court her. She's a wallflower, terrified of putting herself forward, and so life continues on without her.
But at two and twenty, things are getting desperate.
The most confident rake in town, Edward Wynn, is a handsome devil - and being the Viscount of Stulsemere doesn't hurt. When, despite his best efforts, he's partnered with the most boring lady at Almack's, he resigns himself to twenty minutes of silence.
And is astonished. Lady Letitia is nothing like what he expected, and after she storms off and leaves him standing, Edward has to know more.
He's determined to understand her. She's torn between remaining invisible and finally making a good match. Personalities collide and compromise seems out of reach as the unexpected happens.
What will society say as the biggest rake courts the wallflower of the season? Can Letitia ever take a step towards a happily ever after?
My review :
Will he be able to curb his way for the lady of his heart ...
It all started because she picked his pride, as at first glance he classified her as plain, demure and dull, yet this glum miss seems to not be happy to be offered the honor of a dance with him.
So it spiked his interest.
Letitia is not a character I much liked at first, too mousy, tongue-tied yet it is like she has two personalities, the one when with her friends (yet I did not see it in the previous book) and the blending-with-the-furnitures mask. And while her inner core does not really change along the pages, for some odd reasons, with Edward, she becomes as much at ease than with her close friends.
Edward is a rake at heart, a persona he performed for a decade. So when a miss refuses to look at him, his ego does not take it well. Once the bait launched, he will realize there is more to the bland wallflower, but will she be enough to make him change his way.
To better understand Edward, I would have liked to learn more about his relationship with his parent and his adopted sister but outside learning his father was a bully, nothing truly explains his attitude nor why he was a London’s absentee for two years.
Their romance is cute as Letitia while staying her true self finds in her mind the strength to open up to him and stand for herself. Up to Edward to decide what counts more.
4 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing and here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
July 25, 2020
Always the Wallflower
Series: Book 5 in the Never the Bride
Rating: 2 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.
I will be honest and say that I enjoyed most of this book until I didn't. I really liked how Lady Letitia Cavendish, wallflower of 22, brought one of the most infamous rakes to his knees. She's always been very shy and was only comfortable with her friends, but when Viscount Wynn, Edward, comes to town she's attracted to him causing her more social anxiety. It seems that for Edward, Letitia was a challenge because she didn't immediately swoon at his feet. Which was a very big surprise for him because apparently women drop at his feet every time he pays any attention to them. Everything was going well. You could see that they were developing feelings for each other, though he was in denial most of the time. His friends could clearly see what was happening to him, he was the one oblivious to it.
Towards the end of the book it is when it all went downhill for me. What he did to prove that he still had swag with the ladies made him a jerk. From then on I really didn't like him and I can't believe how easily Letty forgave him. It really upset me how he behaved, especially because she was honest with him about her feelings and to me it seems that he took advantage of her. I loved it when she totally tells him off and he's actually caught by surprise at her reaction. Really?!? Also I didn't believe for a second he really loved her not when previous days he had done that. She deserved so much more!
Series: Book 5 in the Never the Bride
Rating: 2 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.
I will be honest and say that I enjoyed most of this book until I didn't. I really liked how Lady Letitia Cavendish, wallflower of 22, brought one of the most infamous rakes to his knees. She's always been very shy and was only comfortable with her friends, but when Viscount Wynn, Edward, comes to town she's attracted to him causing her more social anxiety. It seems that for Edward, Letitia was a challenge because she didn't immediately swoon at his feet. Which was a very big surprise for him because apparently women drop at his feet every time he pays any attention to them. Everything was going well. You could see that they were developing feelings for each other, though he was in denial most of the time. His friends could clearly see what was happening to him, he was the one oblivious to it.
Towards the end of the book it is when it all went downhill for me. What he did to prove that he still had swag with the ladies made him a jerk. From then on I really didn't like him and I can't believe how easily Letty forgave him. It really upset me how he behaved, especially because she was honest with him about her feelings and to me it seems that he took advantage of her. I loved it when she totally tells him off and he's actually caught by surprise at her reaction. Really?!? Also I didn't believe for a second he really loved her not when previous days he had done that. She deserved so much more!
February 7, 2023
3,75 stars
August 18, 2020
Regency.
I thought Edward and Letitia got to know each other too
quickly. I doubted a shy girl like Let would initiate a kiss
at one point. But my biggest fear was Edward loved the thrill
of the chase & would never be satisfied with one woman.
I envisioned a sweeter love story.
I thought Edward and Letitia got to know each other too
quickly. I doubted a shy girl like Let would initiate a kiss
at one point. But my biggest fear was Edward loved the thrill
of the chase & would never be satisfied with one woman.
I envisioned a sweeter love story.
July 26, 2020
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Enjoyable read that keeps your attention, and every character is wonderful.
I Love Edward Wynn , the Viscount is such a handsome Rake.
This man has a way with words , he can debauch a lady with two minutes of conversation. That makes him dangerous in any mothers book.
Letitia Cavendish is a Wallflower, but doesn’t want to be, she lacks confidence.
Meeting Edward will make it break her. She scared it will be the latter.
These two do have a brilliant chemistry, but constantly she doubts both him and herself, it’s quite sad seeing her torment, but is she right to doubt his honour.
Very enjoyable and entertaining, the characters and story are wonderful, mixing beautifully with the rest of the series.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
January 22, 2021
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Having just finished the previous book in this series, I was overjoyed when my approval email came through for Always the Wallflower. This book is the story of Lady Letitia Cavendish, who is a perpetual wallflower and extremely uncomfortable in society. Being the bridesmaid at her friend, Harry's wedding, to her cousin, the Duke of Devonshire, has left her in the spotlight and she's more than a little overwhelmed. Her parents want her to be the belle of society - being a Cavendish, after all, it's what society expects - and she has only ever felt like a fish out of water. When the adoptive brother of her friend, Mariah Wynn, appears in town, he keeps wanting to spend time with her, and his notorious reputation is only one thing that she's wary of. Edward Wynn, the Viscount of Stulsemere, knows his title and his appearance have always opened doors for him, and he's never been denied, but with Letitia, she's not impressed with his rogueish ways. He's drawn like a moth to a flame, and will he be able to convince her that his feelings are genuine, and he's not just using her?
Letitia had intrigued me in Always the Best Friend, and having the chance to see her story was wonderful. She is still treated like a child by her parents, even though she's 22, and between their own expectations, and that of the ton, she never fit in with society. Only with the group of friends she's grown up in is she comfortable, and they are really protective of her, and of the way others see her. She's sort of the butt of all jokes with how much of a wallflower she is, and people seem to enjoy ridiculing her, so when Edward starts showing her attention, so more than a little apprehensive of his intentions. Edward has always been known as a flirt and a rake, but around Letitia, he's changing, and that's plainly obvious when he punches another 'gentlemen' for his comments about Letitia. The chemistry between the couple develops as the story grows, and the way that we see Letitia coming out of her shell, and being a strong and feisty character was an amazing transformation. I enjoyed the way the angst and plot twist was dealt with, and think that the next book will be Mariah's, and I'm dying to learn more about how her and Edward have come to be so estranged.
Having just finished the previous book in this series, I was overjoyed when my approval email came through for Always the Wallflower. This book is the story of Lady Letitia Cavendish, who is a perpetual wallflower and extremely uncomfortable in society. Being the bridesmaid at her friend, Harry's wedding, to her cousin, the Duke of Devonshire, has left her in the spotlight and she's more than a little overwhelmed. Her parents want her to be the belle of society - being a Cavendish, after all, it's what society expects - and she has only ever felt like a fish out of water. When the adoptive brother of her friend, Mariah Wynn, appears in town, he keeps wanting to spend time with her, and his notorious reputation is only one thing that she's wary of. Edward Wynn, the Viscount of Stulsemere, knows his title and his appearance have always opened doors for him, and he's never been denied, but with Letitia, she's not impressed with his rogueish ways. He's drawn like a moth to a flame, and will he be able to convince her that his feelings are genuine, and he's not just using her?
Letitia had intrigued me in Always the Best Friend, and having the chance to see her story was wonderful. She is still treated like a child by her parents, even though she's 22, and between their own expectations, and that of the ton, she never fit in with society. Only with the group of friends she's grown up in is she comfortable, and they are really protective of her, and of the way others see her. She's sort of the butt of all jokes with how much of a wallflower she is, and people seem to enjoy ridiculing her, so when Edward starts showing her attention, so more than a little apprehensive of his intentions. Edward has always been known as a flirt and a rake, but around Letitia, he's changing, and that's plainly obvious when he punches another 'gentlemen' for his comments about Letitia. The chemistry between the couple develops as the story grows, and the way that we see Letitia coming out of her shell, and being a strong and feisty character was an amazing transformation. I enjoyed the way the angst and plot twist was dealt with, and think that the next book will be Mariah's, and I'm dying to learn more about how her and Edward have come to be so estranged.
July 22, 2020
Despite being cousin to a duke and part of powerful family, Lady Letitia Cavendish is a painfully shy wallflower. Viscount Edward Wynn is an overconfident rake, recently returned to town. When he is partnered with Leticia for a dance, she finds him both alluring and insulting so she walks away and leaves him standing alone on the dance floor. Having never been treated this way, Edward is suddenly intrigued and obsessed.
This is the fifth book in the Never A Bride series. There are a lot of crossover characters, so it works best as part of the series. I thought the description sounded good and I really wanted to like this book, but sadly I didn't. I did not care for Edward and it got worse as the story went on, not better. I just didn't buy this relationship.
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #AlwaystheWallflower #NetGalley
This is the fifth book in the Never A Bride series. There are a lot of crossover characters, so it works best as part of the series. I thought the description sounded good and I really wanted to like this book, but sadly I didn't. I did not care for Edward and it got worse as the story went on, not better. I just didn't buy this relationship.
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #AlwaystheWallflower #NetGalley
November 8, 2020
Even though this is a relatively short novel, one of the most fabulous aspects is Letitia’s growth. She begins timid and shy but really blossoms! The worst aspect is that it leaves you wanting more!
Read full review in the 2020 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2020 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
September 10, 2020
I was very eager to read this book as I've liked the previous books in the series. However, the storyline and plot was so weak. We are expected to believe that this rake falls for the wallflower (who has been ignored all her life) after just one dance. There was no stimulating conversation between the two, as if they tried to get to know one another, nothing. It was all physical attraction. On top of that the hero flirts brazenly with another woman because 'thats what he is used to"! Leticia is not a confident woman and forgives him too easily, i thought. The hero really was pitiful and I just didn't like him.The connection between the two was very unbelievable and weak.
Ms Murdoch wrote such an excellent story in Always the bridesmaid and Always the best friend..This book falls short.
Ms Murdoch wrote such an excellent story in Always the bridesmaid and Always the best friend..This book falls short.
Read
November 5, 2020"This historical romance gives a whole new meaning to the word LONGING."
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
August 4, 2020
This is the second book I've read by Emily E.K. Murdoch in the Never the Bride series, and I really enjoy her voice in the Regency genre. This book, for the most part, is a light and fun read.
Always the Wallflower is painfully shy Letitia Cavendish's story. Her shyness and social anxiety cause her to be overlooked and to be the butt of many jokes.
She meets the adopted brother of one of her good friends and over the course of the book, grows into a more confident woman. Edward, is a rake and a world class flirt. He sees Letitia not only for who she is, but for what he know she can become if she can overcome some of her paralyzing social fear.
My favorite part of this novel was Edward's fierce protective nature of Letitia. He stood up for her on several occasions, which were just swoon-worthy! And they had great banter together.
I really loved this novel, totally feeling the chemistry between Letty and Edward (they had a super steamy first kiss early on in the story), until about 3/4 of the way through. Then something happened that made me want to throw my kindle across the room. Edward openly flirts with a beautiful and wealthy heiress at a ball. Why? Because he can. Because he wants to see if he still "has it." Because it makes him feel alive. And of course, Letty hears and sees all. There was not enough groveling that Edward could have done to right this wrong. So far into the book, and his flirting (beyond flirting, he was making innuendos and even promises to get together with this other woman) was just a nail to Letty's heart. She had such a hard time trusting Edward, and this is why. If this had happened earlier in the book, he would have had plenty of time to change and grow. But seeing this happen at the end just made me feel that he really didn't respect Letty.
Again, a light, fun, steamy read. But I wish I could erase the final act from my mind, because I really feel it set the hero and heroine's relationship back and they didn't have enough time to properly recover.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
Always the Wallflower is painfully shy Letitia Cavendish's story. Her shyness and social anxiety cause her to be overlooked and to be the butt of many jokes.
She meets the adopted brother of one of her good friends and over the course of the book, grows into a more confident woman. Edward, is a rake and a world class flirt. He sees Letitia not only for who she is, but for what he know she can become if she can overcome some of her paralyzing social fear.
My favorite part of this novel was Edward's fierce protective nature of Letitia. He stood up for her on several occasions, which were just swoon-worthy! And they had great banter together.
I really loved this novel, totally feeling the chemistry between Letty and Edward (they had a super steamy first kiss early on in the story), until about 3/4 of the way through. Then something happened that made me want to throw my kindle across the room. Edward openly flirts with a beautiful and wealthy heiress at a ball. Why? Because he can. Because he wants to see if he still "has it." Because it makes him feel alive. And of course, Letty hears and sees all. There was not enough groveling that Edward could have done to right this wrong. So far into the book, and his flirting (beyond flirting, he was making innuendos and even promises to get together with this other woman) was just a nail to Letty's heart. She had such a hard time trusting Edward, and this is why. If this had happened earlier in the book, he would have had plenty of time to change and grow. But seeing this happen at the end just made me feel that he really didn't respect Letty.
Again, a light, fun, steamy read. But I wish I could erase the final act from my mind, because I really feel it set the hero and heroine's relationship back and they didn't have enough time to properly recover.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 14, 2020
Not all wallflowers are introverts, but timid Lady Letitia Cavendish who detests crowds and drawing any attention to herself definitely meets the criteria for both. As an introvert myself, this story stirred up many feelings from my youth.
Somehow handsome, charming, highly social Viscount Edward Wynn catches a glimpse of the woman behind Letitia's mask of social invisibility. He becomes intrigued by the delightful, intelligent, sensual female who emerges in small group or one to one conversation. Edward's determination to understand Letty and draw her out from wallflower status, plus his natural flirtatious extroverted habits, create problems and misunderstandings between them. How can two such divergent personalities come together in any lasting relationship?
Help and advice from friends and family that readers may have met in prior books of the series keep bringing the couple together. The basic premise for success of relationship for these very different people seems to be that each will desire to change to be more compatible with the other in response to shared love.
Nice theory, but having live this story in my own time, I honestly believe it makes a fine literary contrivance for HEA, yet does not play out well in real life. Some ideas about the nature of romantic relationship may need to remain within the pages of romantic fiction! For those who need to know, the book includes some sexual encounter.
To say that I did not enjoy the book would be untrue. However, I experienced a poignancy that most readers will not.
Somehow handsome, charming, highly social Viscount Edward Wynn catches a glimpse of the woman behind Letitia's mask of social invisibility. He becomes intrigued by the delightful, intelligent, sensual female who emerges in small group or one to one conversation. Edward's determination to understand Letty and draw her out from wallflower status, plus his natural flirtatious extroverted habits, create problems and misunderstandings between them. How can two such divergent personalities come together in any lasting relationship?
Help and advice from friends and family that readers may have met in prior books of the series keep bringing the couple together. The basic premise for success of relationship for these very different people seems to be that each will desire to change to be more compatible with the other in response to shared love.
Nice theory, but having live this story in my own time, I honestly believe it makes a fine literary contrivance for HEA, yet does not play out well in real life. Some ideas about the nature of romantic relationship may need to remain within the pages of romantic fiction! For those who need to know, the book includes some sexual encounter.
To say that I did not enjoy the book would be untrue. However, I experienced a poignancy that most readers will not.
August 3, 2020
Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of Always a Wallflower by Emily E.K. Murdock for the purpose of reading and reviewing prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and no one has influenced them.
Always a Wallflower is a delightful Regency romance with an endearing heroine and a flawed hero. The plot pulled me into the story from the first page and held me in its thrall until the last. The novel has a lovely setting that allowed me to escape to the historical period.
Lady Leticia Cavendish is an enchanting heroine. While naïve, she knows what she wants in a husband and marriage. Her shyness has kept her a wallflower until she meets the hero. He brings her out of her shell.
Edward Wynn is the typical London Rake and has a difficult time giving up his seduction of women. When he meets the heroine, he senses something different as he chases after her. His emotions are confusing because he’s never experienced them before and has a hard time recognizing love. He clings to his old behaviors until he must let them go if he wants to gain the respect and love of Lady Leticia.
The romance between Leticia and Edward is combustible, but the hero is so used to his old ways, he makes terrible decisions, driving Leticia away. While I wanted to shake him several times, I still loved him and wanted him to reform and get the girl.
If you enjoy romances set in the glittering world of Regency England with a heroine who will pull at your heartstrings and a hero that desperately needs reforming, then you will love Always a Wallflower as much as I did. Happy reading!
Always a Wallflower is a delightful Regency romance with an endearing heroine and a flawed hero. The plot pulled me into the story from the first page and held me in its thrall until the last. The novel has a lovely setting that allowed me to escape to the historical period.
Lady Leticia Cavendish is an enchanting heroine. While naïve, she knows what she wants in a husband and marriage. Her shyness has kept her a wallflower until she meets the hero. He brings her out of her shell.
Edward Wynn is the typical London Rake and has a difficult time giving up his seduction of women. When he meets the heroine, he senses something different as he chases after her. His emotions are confusing because he’s never experienced them before and has a hard time recognizing love. He clings to his old behaviors until he must let them go if he wants to gain the respect and love of Lady Leticia.
The romance between Leticia and Edward is combustible, but the hero is so used to his old ways, he makes terrible decisions, driving Leticia away. While I wanted to shake him several times, I still loved him and wanted him to reform and get the girl.
If you enjoy romances set in the glittering world of Regency England with a heroine who will pull at your heartstrings and a hero that desperately needs reforming, then you will love Always a Wallflower as much as I did. Happy reading!
August 6, 2020
Lady Letitia Cavendish is very shy and uneasy in social situations earning herself the label of wallflower. She has many friends among the aristocracy and has no problem being outgoing with them.
When Letitia sees Edward, Viscount Wynn at a soiree, she is intrigued, but he has a reputation as a rake. He is bored with society and does not see any young women that interest him. However, we he learns that Letitia is a Cavendish, he is determined to dance with her. He is disappointed that she is so plain and shy. But as they dance, Edward realizes that she is actually quite pretty. When she appears shy about answering his questions, he calls her a wallflower and she walks away. Now he is determined to court her but she is not interested.
When they see one another at balls and dinners, he observes how outgoing she can be while still ignoring him. Now, he’s really intrigued and wants to get to know her. When an attraction sparks between them, things get very heated. However, her father does not want her to wed him as he has a reputation as a rake. What can they do? Is there hope for them to be together?
This story has a lot of potential, but so many things were a turn-off for me. The biggest thing was their immediate physical attraction to which they gave into. One would think that Edward would immediately be doing all he could to win Letitia's hand by visiting her often and asking her father her hand. I did not like Edward and found him to be a lazy cad.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
When Letitia sees Edward, Viscount Wynn at a soiree, she is intrigued, but he has a reputation as a rake. He is bored with society and does not see any young women that interest him. However, we he learns that Letitia is a Cavendish, he is determined to dance with her. He is disappointed that she is so plain and shy. But as they dance, Edward realizes that she is actually quite pretty. When she appears shy about answering his questions, he calls her a wallflower and she walks away. Now he is determined to court her but she is not interested.
When they see one another at balls and dinners, he observes how outgoing she can be while still ignoring him. Now, he’s really intrigued and wants to get to know her. When an attraction sparks between them, things get very heated. However, her father does not want her to wed him as he has a reputation as a rake. What can they do? Is there hope for them to be together?
This story has a lot of potential, but so many things were a turn-off for me. The biggest thing was their immediate physical attraction to which they gave into. One would think that Edward would immediately be doing all he could to win Letitia's hand by visiting her often and asking her father her hand. I did not like Edward and found him to be a lazy cad.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 7, 2020
This is a novella, only 164 pages so it is easily read in an evening and if you are a Regency Romance fan then that makes for a satisfying evening. Letitia is so painfully shy when meeting new people that there seems little hope of her ever making a match. But in spite of their first meeting Edward observes her vibrant interaction with those she is familiar with. This intrigues him to know her better.
I truly enjoyed this book and though the novella format often makes it too difficult to develop the characters Ms. Murdoch did an exceptional job in helping us to see Letitia and Edward for who they really are. I recommend this book to all romance fans.
I received this book free for review from the publisher.
http://ladeetdareads.wordpress.com
I truly enjoyed this book and though the novella format often makes it too difficult to develop the characters Ms. Murdoch did an exceptional job in helping us to see Letitia and Edward for who they really are. I recommend this book to all romance fans.
I received this book free for review from the publisher.
http://ladeetdareads.wordpress.com
November 17, 2020
Always the Wallflower (Never the Bride Book 5)
The love story of Letitia and Edward. Letitia is very shy and she does not like to met new people. At Almack's, her cousin force he to dance with Edward. From there he want her. Edward is known as a known rake. Can he prove he ready want Letitia? Great story.
The love story of Letitia and Edward. Letitia is very shy and she does not like to met new people. At Almack's, her cousin force he to dance with Edward. From there he want her. Edward is known as a known rake. Can he prove he ready want Letitia? Great story.
August 1, 2020
A wallflower, Letitia, is intrigued when rake, Edward, finally notices her. She decides to finally go after what she wants, which is Edward. Will he be willing to change his ways to be with her? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Press for my honest review.
August 17, 2020
I liked the h but I don’t think I liked the H 🤷🏻♀️
August 21, 2020
This was a new author for me, and a newish trope (wallflower meets rake). It is also book 5 in its series, so there were many characters that might have been familiar to the series reader, but were a bit overwhelming for a new reader. The main characters here felt a bit uneven--Letitia is defined more by what she doesn't do and doesn't like (study, dancing, crowds, flashy clothes) than what she does. It seems at first that the suggestion is that her parents are abusive, but then they end up being rather kind, just strict and elitist about their family heritage. Edward gets more of a backstory as to why he's a rake, but he has no boundaries or self-control in the present. I still don't understand why his adopted sister a) was ever adopted; b) ended up with the Cavendishes; c) ended up back with the Wynns; or d) suddenly wants him to be with her best friend. I also don't know why Letitia forgives him. Maybe a future book will answer the Mariah questions at least?
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital ARC for the purpose of an unbiased review.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital ARC for the purpose of an unbiased review.
September 8, 2020
Leaning on walls
I believe Ms Murdich has captured the pain around extreme shyness and the beauty it becomes when love enters the picture. I love this series
I believe Ms Murdich has captured the pain around extreme shyness and the beauty it becomes when love enters the picture. I love this series
August 23, 2020
I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for and honest review. I wanted to like this book and I think this started with some promise but by the end I didn't care about either character.
Edward ends dancing up with the ultimate wallflower Leticia whom he only agrees to dance with sight unseen because she is part of the powerful Cavendish family. However, Leticia is painfully shy and unable to hold a conversation outside of people she is extremely familiar with.
I am sorry but Edward sucked. He was selfish,
arrogant, and always seeking to be friends with powerful people. He cares about Leticia but doesn't act like it. In fact he acts like she is just another conquest and his behavior at the end is pathetic and immature.
Leticia on the other hand is just pathetic. I get being shy but the fact that she gives in so fast and falls for Edward and then forgives him again at the end. Ugh.
Plus the fact that leticia parents are never around and she is never chaperoned. She just randomly walks from place to place at night by herself.
Edward ends dancing up with the ultimate wallflower Leticia whom he only agrees to dance with sight unseen because she is part of the powerful Cavendish family. However, Leticia is painfully shy and unable to hold a conversation outside of people she is extremely familiar with.
I am sorry but Edward sucked. He was selfish,
arrogant, and always seeking to be friends with powerful people. He cares about Leticia but doesn't act like it. In fact he acts like she is just another conquest and his behavior at the end is pathetic and immature.
Leticia on the other hand is just pathetic. I get being shy but the fact that she gives in so fast and falls for Edward and then forgives him again at the end. Ugh.
Plus the fact that leticia parents are never around and she is never chaperoned. She just randomly walks from place to place at night by herself.
February 9, 2021
DNF 24%.
God these few chapters I read are just dreadful. I'm generally not a fan of reading about very shy people, but most of the time I can work with it because they have a personality. But no, Letita is just SHY. She's SHY okay, very SHY. And we're told on every page since the start of the book to the point where I put it down.
In the first so many pages I read, it's already contradicting itself. The Vicsount keeps being impressed by people with titles and even stumbles and turns awkward (oh look it's all an act, he's actually just as awkward as Letita now they simply must fall in love) when he's in the presence of nobility of higher standing than him and then like three sentences later he talks about bedding minor royalty. If you're so used to being around nobility and even royalty why would you still stumble and become awkward around them? Come on..
Besides that, he became highly aroused (at a dinner table, of course) at the effect he had on Letita, who is really scared around men, so her being scared of him turns him on. Sure, thats not problematic at all. I figured we'd learn why Letita was so scared of men later in the book, but according to other reviewers we never do.
A man persuing a woman just because the woman didn't immediately orgasm when they looked in his eyes is just so tired. Can we stop preteding that if a person is generally considered beautiful or handsome that literally every person in existence will fall for them? I'm sure you have met actual people in real life, because there's always people who don't see the appeal of certain celebs. It would have been so much more interesting if the Viscount found something about Letita intruiging, something that was in the vein of 'I want to have what I can't have'.
God these few chapters I read are just dreadful. I'm generally not a fan of reading about very shy people, but most of the time I can work with it because they have a personality. But no, Letita is just SHY. She's SHY okay, very SHY. And we're told on every page since the start of the book to the point where I put it down.
In the first so many pages I read, it's already contradicting itself. The Vicsount keeps being impressed by people with titles and even stumbles and turns awkward (oh look it's all an act, he's actually just as awkward as Letita now they simply must fall in love) when he's in the presence of nobility of higher standing than him and then like three sentences later he talks about bedding minor royalty. If you're so used to being around nobility and even royalty why would you still stumble and become awkward around them? Come on..
Besides that, he became highly aroused (at a dinner table, of course) at the effect he had on Letita, who is really scared around men, so her being scared of him turns him on. Sure, thats not problematic at all. I figured we'd learn why Letita was so scared of men later in the book, but according to other reviewers we never do.
A man persuing a woman just because the woman didn't immediately orgasm when they looked in his eyes is just so tired. Can we stop preteding that if a person is generally considered beautiful or handsome that literally every person in existence will fall for them? I'm sure you have met actual people in real life, because there's always people who don't see the appeal of certain celebs. It would have been so much more interesting if the Viscount found something about Letita intruiging, something that was in the vein of 'I want to have what I can't have'.
January 13, 2021
I’ve come to the conclusion that some people must be paid for a favourable review because book is 1 star. While there is character growth there is definitely no happy ever after, there is in the written word but like all romance novels we like to think they are so in love that they will change their spots unfortunately Wynn doesn’t and doesn’t really care too, he concludes that flirting is in his nature and that it’s a physical act but his heart belongs to the heroine, so she’s in for a heart breaking road ahead in their marriage. Glad there’s no epilogue because it would be her at home crying with him bedding his latest challenge 👎
November 1, 2020
Terrible
I slogged through to the last chapter, but wasn’t even interested in reading the epilogue. The h was a naive twit and the H was (and continued to be) a big gross flirt. And, the story was very disjointed. So disappointing.
I slogged through to the last chapter, but wasn’t even interested in reading the epilogue. The h was a naive twit and the H was (and continued to be) a big gross flirt. And, the story was very disjointed. So disappointing.
August 16, 2020
Full of semi spoilers - I'll do basic review before spoilers for you all
Where to begin: there is a small sex scene but not enough to gasp and turn and stop a book ( not that I mind I love a good sex seen or more)
Personal review: overall a quick read , two very different people come together and find love. You have a wallflower and than a rake. I found alot of it to be different from what I'm used to reading , aka talk of rank and being a viscount being low on the totem pole , where as most books don't even mention that . The books seems to sometimes quit chapters abruptly and move on to days later which is fine just you've got to fill in the blanks at times. The Female lead is made out to be strong but at the same time not strong. And at times the Main guy was made out to seem like the rake and than the shy guy . It was confusing a bit. This was my first book out of the series and for the author . But the characters all pieced together we'll. I felt like something was missing more passion for two that fall in love I think!
Let's start with introduction -
Leticia aka Letty is a wallflower , she comes from a higher ranking family but the kicker is she is just a cousin , her father doesn't seem to understand that and thinks because the last name is Cavendish that they are ... She has a stutter but only in groups or when talked directly to by a man or stranger. Her best friend is named Maria who is the adopted sister of the main make.
Edward Wynn is a rake of rakes. He sleeps around and has no intentions of marrying. He is a viscount and came from a broken family. Back in town he is set up to dance with Lettie but instantly hurts her feelings .. this is where everything goes into play.
After leaving Wynn on the dancefloor Lettie flees and hopes to never have to come in contact with him again. Determined to see her again Wynn makes sure he can run into her more than once. He becomes instantly attracted to her but more so because Lettie isn't the same as all the other girls she isn't the type to Fawn over him and he likes that.
Through out the book you get detail of rank and where someone stands and so being a viscount is apparently not high up there on the mark Edward is told that he stands no chance with Lettie by his friends. In this book he stands up for Lettie on numerous accounts even physically hits someone over rude comments made for her.
Lettie falls hard and fast giving herself up to him which makes her think he loves her and wants to marry her. At a ball Edward even though he likes Lettie wants to see if his charm still works as a rake and hits on a wealthy single woman. The flirting is in appropriate and Lettie over heard it. Being caught he chases after her, tells her he never told her he loved her or would marry her and that ends up breaking letties heart.
I will save the rest for you to read ....
Where to begin: there is a small sex scene but not enough to gasp and turn and stop a book ( not that I mind I love a good sex seen or more)
Personal review: overall a quick read , two very different people come together and find love. You have a wallflower and than a rake. I found alot of it to be different from what I'm used to reading , aka talk of rank and being a viscount being low on the totem pole , where as most books don't even mention that . The books seems to sometimes quit chapters abruptly and move on to days later which is fine just you've got to fill in the blanks at times. The Female lead is made out to be strong but at the same time not strong. And at times the Main guy was made out to seem like the rake and than the shy guy . It was confusing a bit. This was my first book out of the series and for the author . But the characters all pieced together we'll. I felt like something was missing more passion for two that fall in love I think!
Let's start with introduction -
Leticia aka Letty is a wallflower , she comes from a higher ranking family but the kicker is she is just a cousin , her father doesn't seem to understand that and thinks because the last name is Cavendish that they are ... She has a stutter but only in groups or when talked directly to by a man or stranger. Her best friend is named Maria who is the adopted sister of the main make.
Edward Wynn is a rake of rakes. He sleeps around and has no intentions of marrying. He is a viscount and came from a broken family. Back in town he is set up to dance with Lettie but instantly hurts her feelings .. this is where everything goes into play.
After leaving Wynn on the dancefloor Lettie flees and hopes to never have to come in contact with him again. Determined to see her again Wynn makes sure he can run into her more than once. He becomes instantly attracted to her but more so because Lettie isn't the same as all the other girls she isn't the type to Fawn over him and he likes that.
Through out the book you get detail of rank and where someone stands and so being a viscount is apparently not high up there on the mark Edward is told that he stands no chance with Lettie by his friends. In this book he stands up for Lettie on numerous accounts even physically hits someone over rude comments made for her.
Lettie falls hard and fast giving herself up to him which makes her think he loves her and wants to marry her. At a ball Edward even though he likes Lettie wants to see if his charm still works as a rake and hits on a wealthy single woman. The flirting is in appropriate and Lettie over heard it. Being caught he chases after her, tells her he never told her he loved her or would marry her and that ends up breaking letties heart.
I will save the rest for you to read ....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2020
This is a 3,5 book.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
So, this is another case of the wallflower-rake trope (a favorite if I ever had one). Two differences as it is: Letitia is terribly really insecure and falls for an actual rake that has the hots for her, seeing in her a challenge.
This had a pleasantly upward graphic. That is because I started to dislike the way the hero was acting halfway through the book and thought there was little possible salvation. I was (very happily) wrong. Instead, I was in the front roll watching Letitia conquer herself, on her path to self-worth and self-empowerment, and gives Edward the set down of the century in historical romance. Really. I can’t count the number of times I read a romance novel and wanted the heroine to scream at a partner acting miserably. This felt so good! I think I even said BRAVO! Out loud a couple times while reading it.
I did have a couple notes – chaperones were not really a thing here, and that was not really a problem for me, but the pacing of the book, the appreciation the characters had for long walk (and the dialogs that happened then) made me want to read something in a country setting (maybe for the next book). And I did wish for a look further in the future of their HEA< it felt like a rather abrupt ending, with not so many private conversations happening between the couple after they get back together.
P.s – a couple of times Edward seems to deem himself unworthy in his circle, being “merely a viscount”; by most books I read, him being titled, a title that, from the giver information comes at least from his father (though probably older) coupled with a fortune and him being of marriageable age would grant him very much wanted in his circles; Letitia, cousin of a duke or not, was deemed a wallflower and already had had a couple seasons, bordering becoming a spinster. Unless he held hands with royalty per se I did not see the issue as so pressing as it was made out to be. Given that, I did not understand some of his insecurities where this was concerned.
That aside, it was a great read, and I will definitely check further works by the author.
Many thanks for those who granted me a copy of this book.
I hope others enjoy it too.
Read
February 7, 2023Always the Wallflower, Book 5 of the Always the Bride series, was about the very shy wallflower Lady Letitia Cavendish, cousin of His Grace Montague Cavendish, the current Duke of Devonshire, and Lord Edward Wynn, the Viscount of Stulsemere, a known rake.
Side note: One gross error on the part of the author was the way she had Harriet, the Heroine from the previous book, being addressed as "Lady Harriet, Duchess of Devonshire. A Duchess would never, ever, ever be addressed as "Lady" anything! She would be addressed as "Her Grace" or "Your Grace". The author should know this, as she specifically used that very correction in the previous book when another character tried to address her as "Lady Harriet", and she kept calling her "Lady Harriet" throughout the book. There was also the possible misaddressing of Edward. The author had him addressed as "the Viscount of Stulsemere", but at another point during the wedding reception, Letitia had looked up and noticed a gentleman on the other side of the room as being "Edward, Viscount Wynn".
Letitia had always been shy around men...so shy she always got tongue-tied and stumbled over her words, if she was even able to get any words out, to begin with. At only 22 years of age, she had long been known as a wallflower, though she couldn't recall when that had first been mentioned. Letitia longed to find a husband and have children, but she just couldn't interact with a man well enough to find a man interested enough.
Edward, a man who was considered to be the most confident rake in town, didn't have a problem ruining young ladies. In fact, he took pride in doing so. For him, being a rake meant taking "all the pleasures of women without any of the responsibility". In fact, he believed himself to be "God's gift to women".
Edward's first impression of Letitia was that she was a servant at the Duke of Devonshire's wedding. His second opinion of her was that she was "plain, plain even for Almack’s". His third impression was "Oh, God...One of those. Too embarrassed to say anything, too shy to contribute to the conversation—the wallflowers of society". Not a very nice way of thinking about another person, to be sure. When they danced together, he was quite pissed off at her lack of interest in him because he felt slighted that any young lady would not want to be seen with him, let alone dance with him. He was so arrogant, believing all women loved him, loved being seen with him. Yet, as they danced he realized she wasn't as plain as he first thought. However, he made a mistake and insulted her, and with a final glare at him, she dared to walk off the dance floor and leave him in the middle of the dance. He was astounded, and intrigued, that she had left him, for no one had ever walked away from him before.
Several things about Edward pissed me off. The first thing was his arrogant, self-centered attitude. He was just so full of himself it was difficult to read. The second was his outlook of women...especially innocent women he had no problem ruining. The third was how he told Letitia he was going to court her but then later told her he was never planning on marrying her...just bedding her and "moving on".
When Letitia answered Edward's question of what she had heard about him, she responded that she had heard he seduced innocent women, ruined them, and then refused to marry them. When she asked him if that was his intention with her as well, his response was he would never do that to her. And yet, that was, indeed, his intention. While he claimed his heart belonged to "Letty", he had no problems flirting with any and all ladies...and even bedding them.
Attending a ball held by the Duke of Axwick, Edward wanted to prove he could still use his charms to win any female present. Focused on the richest debutante, he made his move, using his "charms' and all the known lingo he could muster to gain her attention. Hearing the scandalized gasps of everyone around him, Edward looked over the girl's shoulder...and there stood Letitia...the one person he did not want hearing him woo another woman. all hell broke loose.
Although this was not the first time I had read this particular book, I had not written a review about it before. I have to admit, the second reading was no better than the first. It angered me that anyone would write a book about such a hateful man as the main male character. I detested Edward for how he callously treated women...especially Letitia. While he claimed she "had utterly possessed his heart since he had first been introduced to her", he used her for his own gain and never had any intention of marrying her. He used words and actions to trick her into sleeping with him, surrendering her virtue while thinking he had spoken words of love and a future together.
This book had way too much angst and drama, caused mainly by Edward and his arrogant ways. There was very little humor, some moments of passion, but mostly there was heartache, betrayal, and sadness.
The storyline was a simple one that one would find in the old Harlequin books where the main male character forced the main female character to do his bidding. That was pretty much what happened here, except Edward charmed his way with Letty instead of browbeating her. Letitia's character was a milksop. She allowed her shyness to force her to become a wallflower. There was no other reason for that to happen. It wasn't that she didn't have the looks or wealth to gain a man's attention. She deliberately underdressed and hugged the walls to keep anyone from paying her any attention. But when someone actually noticed her, she allowed him to walk all over her. Letty's character had no backbone...even at the end of the story. She should have told Edward off when he approached her to apologize for his actions and words and given Edward the cut direct...but she didn't. She gave in much too quickly. Only for the briefest of moments did she let loose and tell Edward a few home truths, but it wasn't more than mere moments and she yielded to his words of contrition. Though she told him he was "a gentleman of words" and that wordplay was his "bread and butter", she still allowed his words to sway her.
Sadly, this was the worst book so far in the series. It barely earned a one-star rating but came nowhere near to being added to the Keeper for the Shelves collection. It was definitely not worth the time reading once, let alone twice. It was absolutely not well-thought-out, nor was it well-written. If I could give it less than one star...well no, I won't even give it the one star. I just don't have the heart to waste a star on this book.
Side note: One gross error on the part of the author was the way she had Harriet, the Heroine from the previous book, being addressed as "Lady Harriet, Duchess of Devonshire. A Duchess would never, ever, ever be addressed as "Lady" anything! She would be addressed as "Her Grace" or "Your Grace". The author should know this, as she specifically used that very correction in the previous book when another character tried to address her as "Lady Harriet", and she kept calling her "Lady Harriet" throughout the book. There was also the possible misaddressing of Edward. The author had him addressed as "the Viscount of Stulsemere", but at another point during the wedding reception, Letitia had looked up and noticed a gentleman on the other side of the room as being "Edward, Viscount Wynn".
Letitia had always been shy around men...so shy she always got tongue-tied and stumbled over her words, if she was even able to get any words out, to begin with. At only 22 years of age, she had long been known as a wallflower, though she couldn't recall when that had first been mentioned. Letitia longed to find a husband and have children, but she just couldn't interact with a man well enough to find a man interested enough.
Edward, a man who was considered to be the most confident rake in town, didn't have a problem ruining young ladies. In fact, he took pride in doing so. For him, being a rake meant taking "all the pleasures of women without any of the responsibility". In fact, he believed himself to be "God's gift to women".
Edward's first impression of Letitia was that she was a servant at the Duke of Devonshire's wedding. His second opinion of her was that she was "plain, plain even for Almack’s". His third impression was "Oh, God...One of those. Too embarrassed to say anything, too shy to contribute to the conversation—the wallflowers of society". Not a very nice way of thinking about another person, to be sure. When they danced together, he was quite pissed off at her lack of interest in him because he felt slighted that any young lady would not want to be seen with him, let alone dance with him. He was so arrogant, believing all women loved him, loved being seen with him. Yet, as they danced he realized she wasn't as plain as he first thought. However, he made a mistake and insulted her, and with a final glare at him, she dared to walk off the dance floor and leave him in the middle of the dance. He was astounded, and intrigued, that she had left him, for no one had ever walked away from him before.
Several things about Edward pissed me off. The first thing was his arrogant, self-centered attitude. He was just so full of himself it was difficult to read. The second was his outlook of women...especially innocent women he had no problem ruining. The third was how he told Letitia he was going to court her but then later told her he was never planning on marrying her...just bedding her and "moving on".
When Letitia answered Edward's question of what she had heard about him, she responded that she had heard he seduced innocent women, ruined them, and then refused to marry them. When she asked him if that was his intention with her as well, his response was he would never do that to her. And yet, that was, indeed, his intention. While he claimed his heart belonged to "Letty", he had no problems flirting with any and all ladies...and even bedding them.
Attending a ball held by the Duke of Axwick, Edward wanted to prove he could still use his charms to win any female present. Focused on the richest debutante, he made his move, using his "charms' and all the known lingo he could muster to gain her attention. Hearing the scandalized gasps of everyone around him, Edward looked over the girl's shoulder...and there stood Letitia...the one person he did not want hearing him woo another woman. all hell broke loose.
Although this was not the first time I had read this particular book, I had not written a review about it before. I have to admit, the second reading was no better than the first. It angered me that anyone would write a book about such a hateful man as the main male character. I detested Edward for how he callously treated women...especially Letitia. While he claimed she "had utterly possessed his heart since he had first been introduced to her", he used her for his own gain and never had any intention of marrying her. He used words and actions to trick her into sleeping with him, surrendering her virtue while thinking he had spoken words of love and a future together.
This book had way too much angst and drama, caused mainly by Edward and his arrogant ways. There was very little humor, some moments of passion, but mostly there was heartache, betrayal, and sadness.
The storyline was a simple one that one would find in the old Harlequin books where the main male character forced the main female character to do his bidding. That was pretty much what happened here, except Edward charmed his way with Letty instead of browbeating her. Letitia's character was a milksop. She allowed her shyness to force her to become a wallflower. There was no other reason for that to happen. It wasn't that she didn't have the looks or wealth to gain a man's attention. She deliberately underdressed and hugged the walls to keep anyone from paying her any attention. But when someone actually noticed her, she allowed him to walk all over her. Letty's character had no backbone...even at the end of the story. She should have told Edward off when he approached her to apologize for his actions and words and given Edward the cut direct...but she didn't. She gave in much too quickly. Only for the briefest of moments did she let loose and tell Edward a few home truths, but it wasn't more than mere moments and she yielded to his words of contrition. Though she told him he was "a gentleman of words" and that wordplay was his "bread and butter", she still allowed his words to sway her.
Sadly, this was the worst book so far in the series. It barely earned a one-star rating but came nowhere near to being added to the Keeper for the Shelves collection. It was definitely not worth the time reading once, let alone twice. It was absolutely not well-thought-out, nor was it well-written. If I could give it less than one star...well no, I won't even give it the one star. I just don't have the heart to waste a star on this book.
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