4.5 stars!

One sentence summary: Daughter of a female rake lives an independent life but when she starts to fall in love with a brash American she worries that she might be more like her mother than she thought.

Cleo Lewis was such a unique heroine. Independent and unconcerned about marriage, she is able to live by her own rules. Though she does want to make her grandfather, Viscount Falconer, proud.

Jacob Astor Addison comes from a prominent American family and he doesn’t quite fit into British society. He is in England to acquire the best costumer for his American theaters but Cleo buys the emporium before he can. He vows to win it back but very quickly realizes what he really wants is Cleo.

This is a character journey, not much actually happens. It’s about Cleo reconciling her promiscuous mother’s example with her current situation. Jake and Cleo become friends first (although he’s determined to have her early on) and she learns more about her mother’s desires and her own as their relationship gets serious.

3.5-4 Stars! This was a pretty good book. Cleo and Jake are the main characters and I liked both of them. They seemed to fall in love really fast and the end felt a bit rushed but other than that it was a really good book. I’m looking forward to reading the next books in the series.
*I received this book at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*

The first in a new series from Eloisa James, How to Be a Wallflower centers around Cleo Lewis and Jacob Astor Addison. Placed in the Regency period, with admitted historical embellishments in the afterword, this story's hero and heroine are an American hero and an Independent business woman. Two very independent people who want the same business at the beginning of the story and prompts the building attraction.

Much of the falling in love seems to be placed in the hands of Mr Astor. Cleo is the character that takes the most time to realize she's in love with him. All these twists on the classic regency romance are what Eloisa James does best. I wish there was more interaction with the secondary cast, especially Byng and Viscount Falconer. And we have yet another well turned out hero with the lavish costumes he is made to wear about town.

This was a delightful easy read with little conflict between the main characters. We were introduced to several characters who I am sure are the center of the next novels in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC to read and review.

This is Cleo and Jakes story. She is a business owner who never wants to marry. He is an American businessman. They both want the same business. She gets it. He instantly falls in love with her. He moves into the hotel rooms across the hall from her. He tries to convince her. He has the support of her grandfather. The story is well written. I was sorry to see it end. I can’t wait for Eloisa James’s next book.

I liked! There was insta love, which I usually dislike, but it was one-sided (his) and it fit his character. I really liked the leads. A second book in the series was set up, and I am interested in that too. I didn't love the Wildes series (I didn't even read all of it) so I'm hoping that this promising start has the author's stories heading back into more interesting territory.

I adored this book. It was fun visiting past characters and meeting new ones. The story moves at a good pace, there was great banter, the chemistry was hot, and there wasn’t too much angst. It was just what I would expect from one of my favorite authors. Overall a very enjoyable read and I can’t wait for the rest of the series to come out.

Thank you Eloisa James and Avon for the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#EloisaJames #HowtoBeaWallflower #NetGalley

I've read a zillion such novels but this is a new author to me. And wow! Now I'm going to have to purchase all of her books to read! But great H/h especially H. And great, HOT sex scenes. We LIKE steamy scenes. If you want "sweet" there are plenty of those on amazon--find one you like and use the related books section to find more. But if you want steamy, well, start here! Well done, author!

Eloise James books are a treat and this is no exception. How to Be a Wallflower is a little different from most Regency Britain historical romances in that it’s the story of a wealthy American and a very independent woman who’s the granddaughter of a Viscount but also the owner of a successful business. The love story of Jake Astor Addison and Cleo Lewis is fun, sexy and satisfying. Although not necessary to completely enjoy this book but I suggest that you also read James’ My American Duchess for the story of the Duke and Dutches of Trent, who play a role in this book. Hopefully, there will be more….
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

How to Be a Wallflower is the first book in a new series by Eloisa James. The series will follow three young ladies who resolve, for very different reasons, to be wallflowers. But despite all their best efforts to hug the side of the room, they end up the center of attention instead. Eloisa James always brings a very fresh, unique voice to historical romance and I was very into the premise of this “I want to be a wallflower” book.

Miss Cleopatra Lewis is 22-years old and for years has been managing her own fortune, including Lewis Commodes, the wildly successful business of commodes she inherited from her father. After the death of her mother, Cleo has gotten in contact with her long-lost grandfather, a Viscount. One of her mother’s last wishes was for him to launch Cleo into society. Cleo agrees to meet him but fully intends to debut as a wallflower while living in London, since she is completely uninterested in marriage. Cleo visits Quimby’s Emporium to be outfitted as a proper wallflower and hears that an American, Jacob Astor Addison, plans to move the entire business with him back to New York. The shop owner doesn’t want to leave and Cleo steps in to outbid Jacob and becomes an investor to see that the business stays put in England. While business rivals, Cleo and Jacob actually form a friendship and he’s smitten with her from the start.

So while I enjoyed their friendship, I did find the romance to be lacking. I was very surprised how quickly Jacob falls for her since I didn’t feel like we saw many romantic moments between them. It does take Cleo longer to come around to the idea since she’s so against marriage when first arriving in London. A lot seems to happen off-page and we are told about instead which I feel like seeing it would have helped the story more. Even Cleo building a friendship such her grandfather is told but never shown and would have been a nice detail.

If you are a fan of Eloisa James then you will recognize the appearance of her characters from My American Duchess. Jacob stays with Merry, Duchess of Trent, his childhood friend and they share a lot of scenes together. Merry has been married now for almost a decade and has 3 children with the Duke. Even the pineapple incident from their book is brought up.

Thank you to the publisher (Avon, Harper Voyager) for an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts & review. How to Be a Wallflower has a publish date of March 29, 2022.

Miss Cleopatra Lewis is determined to be a wallflower, avoid marriage, and pursue her business dreams. Jacob Astor Addison wants to acquire a business to help his theaters.... and his competition for said business just happens to be the most stubborn and infuriating woman he has ever met, Miss Cleopatra Lewis. Cleo and Jacob are opposites and they are exactly what the other is not looking for. However Jacob soon finds himself falling for Cleo while Cleo has made it clear she has no plans of settling down. Jacob will have to find a way to convince Cleo that he is the one for her and that what truly matters to him is her and not just their business competition. Throw in costume parties, picnics, witty banter, and cute breakfast dates. This was such an adorable read! I loved both of these characters and their romance was so sweet! The overall story was great and I would definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a cute romance read!

*Thanks Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

How to Be a Wallflower provides this hilariously silly premise when Cleo buys Quimby’s Emporium, a dress making business, out from under Jake, an American. Their disagreement turns into a challenge/competition of each clothing the other. That gets only more ridiculous by the day. But, Jake is a real trooper meeting Cleo’s every challenge because he is definitely man enough to do so. Jake is more kind to Cleo than she to him with the clothing designs; she is dressed beautifully while he looks pretty much like a peacock.

Somewhere along the way, Jake has fallen in love with Cleo and uses all he has to win her over. He stayed a gentleman all along their romantic journey. While Cleo has been ‘scared’ by her mother’s ‘mating’ habits while growing up causing her to refuse to ever marry. Jake has his work cut out for him to win her over. He does so in a sweet, endearing way.

Cleo’s grandfather and his close friend join in the mix to make life more interesting for Cleo and Jake; just to make it a bit more fun and entertaining. A bit of a challenge for Cleo is Jake’s childhood friend and former possible betrothed, Merry. Merry is very happily married to a duke, but Cleo still has concerns over their close friendship. Once Cleo has been won over and is considering marriage, Jake’s past comes back to cause problems.

This was my first book by Eloisa James and it shan't be my last. It was an amusing and engaging romp and I enjoyed it a lot. The characters were relatable and sympathetic, the side characters quite amusing, and the premise just absurd enough to inject quite a lot of humor and shake up the typical regency romance plot.

I greatly enjoyed hearing about Cleo's mother and seeing her work through her grief and mixed feelings. I also enjoyed the wardrobes Cleo and Jake created for one another -- and especially Byng's joyful and colorful takeover of the designs. Cleo and Jake's closeness and respect for one another was also quite wonderful.

The plot at times felt a bit thin, and the ending a bit contrived. Also, Cleo got over her shame and humiliation just a little too fast to be believable. It felt a bit like the story had to hurry up and conclude within a certain page count.

Overall though, a highly enjoyable read and I recommend it. I also look forward to the sequel(s).

*Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing an e-arc for review.

I really enjoyed Cleo and Jake's romance. They were both likable and fun to get to know. I also was fond of many of the side characters.

The end did feel a bit rushed though.

Recommended for anyone who wants a quick, romantic read.