Unfortunately I think I've discovered that historical romance just isn't really for me. I don't think this has anything to do with this book, I did like the characters, but I just didn't like reading the setting. Which is weird because I love Jane Austen and want to read more of them. So what's the deal here? It might have to do with the fact that it is a story written from a modern perspective so it feels different. Ultimately I think if you like historical romance that this will be a huge hit for you. Plus it's gay and you can't go wrong with that.

Alright, "The Perks of Loving a Wallflower." Spoiler alert: I'm here for it.

First things first, the characters. They're like your favourite comfort food – familiar, comforting, and oh-so-easy to love. Our wallflower protagonist had me rooting for them from the get-go and the supporting cast. A+ for adding the perfect seasoning to the mix.

Now, the plot. It's a sweet, slow burn that warms the heart. Picture cozy evenings, a cup of tea, and a good book – that's the vibe. The author weaves a tale that's both heartwarming and delightfully unexpected. I appreciated the simplicity and authenticity of the storytelling.

Let's talk about writing style. It's smooth, like a well-brewed cup of coffee—no unnecessary frills, just straightforward prose that gets the job done. Plus, a sprinkle of humour had me chuckling at just the right moments.

Pacing? Goldilocks would approve – not too fast, not too slow. It hits that sweet spot that keeps you turning pages without feeling rushed. I was genuinely invested in every moment, savouring each chapter.

The ending – perfection. It tied up loose ends and left me with a goofy grin and maybe a tear or two. It was a satisfying conclusion that didn't overstay its welcome.

3.5 stars - I love how Erica Ridley branched out and provided a female/non-binary historical romance. The Wild Wynchesters are a fun bunch and they always get into shenanigans, though their hearts are pure. This story focuses on Tommy and Lady Phillipa as they fall in love, with a heist as a third character. There were times when Tommy's behavior took me out of the historical and into a more modern era, but overall I loved reading about two women who are able to fall in love. And have some representation in romance beyond hetero/cis stories.

This book was just as good, if not better, than the hype. I enjoyed reading about the MCs coming into her own and exploring areas of herself she was not aware existed. The “risk” of being in a lesbian relationship kind of had me on edge - I wasn’t sure how it would resolve and was worried the other characters would be terrible. The emotional depth and character development was great, even if the end felt a tad rushed. Maybe I just wanted more of their story, though.

I received an ARC courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

This was a fun, unique queer historical story. Philippa is an intelligent, interesting young woman who needs to find a nobleman husband so that her parents leave her alone. Philippa isn't wholly interested in finding a husband, so her mother takes away her only joy- her friends- until she finds one. This is where Erica Ridley turns the friends-to-lovers trope into something that was new to me- instead of Phillipa finding a rake or friend's older brother to enter a fake relationship with, she finds Tommy, her friend's sibling who was born female but is a master of disguise. Tommy often plays a male and is willing to play a new man about town to help the lovely Philippa, who Tommy has been crushing on for a long time. Now the two must figure out how to navigate hiding their true feelings from each other, hiding Tommy's true identity from the ton, and how to have some kind of HEA in a world where their (secret) love is not accepted.

Erica Ridley did a wonderful job making this a fun, entertaining read while also not shying away from some of the more difficult aspects of gender identity and queer love in a historical romance. My only complaint is that I truly wish the cover reflected the characters as they were described in the book.

Being a romance reader is a must for this book. Being part of the LGBTQIA+ community is not a must to enjoy this regency-esque sapphic romance with intelligence and intrigue.

Great to see queer representation in the regency romance subgenre! This one was done well and had a heartwarming love story at its center.

I thought this one was extremely fun. Both Tommy and Phillippa felt very distinct. I loved how the story touched on life for women in those times without being too depressing or sad. And in general, I thought this was better written than most historical romances I've read. This is definitely a fun romp if you're looking for a different take on the Regency Era, and the sequel potential is exciting.

This book series is such a refreshing Regency romance! Easy to read and become completely immersed in this world. This book is exceptionally unique in the diverse representation of a non-binary character Tommy! Can't wait to read the rest of the books and follow the Wynchester family!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this title, but my reading interests have changed. I will not be finishing this book, but look forward to others in the future.

I loved every thing about this book. It was an absolute delight to read. Plus, we love a queer romance in this house.

The Wynchesters are officially my favorite found family in historical romance after this book. So many memorable characters that could easily earn their own stories if Ridley wanted to keep this series going, but I’ve been looking forward to Tommy and Philippa’s romance since the very beginning. I do agree that the cover for this book feels a bit misleading in terms of Tommy’s gender presentation (although it is in line with how she chooses to reveal herself to Philippa’s parents at the end of the story), and I was a little caught off-guard by how chill Philippa’s parents (her mother, especially) was over her decision to just become a glorified spinster and live with the Wynchesters — but this was another entertaining, hilarious caper featuring characters who exist on the fringes of society and intervene to right wrongs, and I’m looking forward to Graham’s story next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a first for Erica Ridley – a queer romance! I loved seeing nonbinary Tommy and thought that the way she dealt with gender felt very honest and genuine – it is something of a focus of the story, but never feels like it’s being dumbed down or overly explained, and it’s not a subject of terrible angst, it’s just a part of Tommy. I do keep seeing this pitched as f/f, and the cover definitely makes Tommy look more feminine, but although she uses she/her pronouns there’s really quite a lot more nuance to it than that, so just something to bear in mind that the marketing’s not quite fair to the nuance of the book (also, Philippa is described as plump, so I don’t know who the people on the cover are!). But, getting back to the book, I was surprised to click so much with Philippa, who I’d found rather a stereotypical bluestocking in The Duke Heist, but I really enjoyed getting to know her and seeing her journey out from under the thumb of her horribly controlling mother through her friendship with the Wynchesters. The bookish elements are great, and it’s fun to see the hyper-masculine rake tropes flipped on their heads, too!

The Perks of Loving a Wallflower is a delightful in statement in Erica Ridley's Wild Wynchesters series. I was so excited to read Tommy's story. We get a charming sapphic romance full of conflict and a big family with their wild antics. Highly recommend and can't wait for the next!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was super cute. I love the sleuthing/adventure aspects to this series and I loved the romance.

I really liked the second installment in this series and am really looking forward to seeing where we go from here.

Friends, this was a DNF for me.

I really wanted to like it, and I did try to get through it, but I couldn't do it. I think it's probably a wonderful book for someone else, but it wasn't for me.

This book was such a delight! I loved the world Erica created here and how it all played out. I can't wait to go back and read the rest of the series

AHHHHHH this book is EVERYTHING. I love the emerging trend of more and more queer historical romances - YES PLEASE. I want to be best friends with both Tommy and Philippa (but let's be real, mostly Philippa, haha!) Like most of Erica Ridley's regency romances, this is a very light, fluffy, charming read that goes far too quickly. I do feel like the cover doesn't really represent the book well, especially Tommy (who comes off I think as a gender-fluid character).

I couldn't think of a better way to kick off the month than sharing one of the last queer romances that I read and loved: The Perks of Loving a Wallflower by Erica Ridley.

This Regency romance follows Tommy Wynchester, a veritable master of disguise, and Miss Philippa York, the bluestocking she can’t stop thinking about. When Philippa needs help righting a grave wrong, Tommy vows to do whatever it takes to help her and begins a scheme to take down the villain. This was my first Ridley and it definitely won’t be my last—I loved the warmth and hilarity of the Wynchester family, Tommy's pining for Philippa, and Philippa's growth as she learned to stand up for herself.

Tommy really swept me off my feet from the start. She's rakish and charming and a skilled master of disguise. I particularly loved the sections that explored her thoughts on gender and how clothing was more than just a useful disguise for missions, it had become a way she could express her identity.

I also loved that Ridley gave both characters moments when they needed to stand up to the other with Philippa demanding to be included in Tommy's grand schemes and not left behind as a bystander, and Tommy refusing to compromise who she was, even for the person she loved. Also a fun behind-the-scenes nugget: The couple on the cover are a couple in real life!

The Perks of Loving a Wallflower was a wholesome, cute, and steamy Sapphic historical that I recommend to everyone! Tommy and Philippa are so freaking cute together and I loved that their communication with each other was top tier. Also, I loved that they both cared for each other but refused to change who they are inside for the other person. They learned that they shouldn’t hold their own true self back even when it comes to the people they love.