I adored How the Wallflower Was Won, a marriage-of-convenience, opposites attract, scholar vs scoundrel historical romance, written with the wit and charm Eva Leigh brings to all her novels. Though this is book 2 in the Last Chance Scoundrels series -- and book 1 was utterly charming -- HtWWW works as a standalone.

Three-sentence summary: Wallflower and scholar Tabitha Seaton resigns herself to reenter the marriage mart after a disastrous first (and only) season for the very best reason: enhancing her eligibility to join the Sterling Society, an elite intellectual club heretofore made up entirely of old, white men. Their advice shapes social and economic policy at the highest levels, which is why she agrees to marry gambler and second son Finn Ransome, who has to wed if he wants to secure familial wealth for himself, his brother, and their closest friend. Tabitha and Finn find in one another the support, affection, and intimacy they've privately craved all their lives -- but gambling their hearts on one another is a bet both are too scared to take.

I confess, I was underwhelmed by the impetus for the late-Act II breakup. I would have loved to see Leigh take the approach in Tessa Dare's A Week To Be Wicked, in which the couple leans into love and trust over suspicion and reopened wounds, in order to face down an external antagonist. The reconciliation was worth it, for sure, but the break itself seemed like a major mountain-out-of-a-mole-hill situation. All the same, I adored Finn and Tabitha, and eagerly await the final Last Chance Scoundrels novel (Dom's story, Rogue's Rules for Seduction, coming Spring 2023).

Thank you to Avon/HarperVoyager for the advance copy.

I finished this book feeling frustrated and let down. Finn needed a much better story than this! Most of the book, I was around 3 stars. I thought it would finish around that… but alas I was only about 70% of the way in. It just kept going and the last 1/3 of the book got worse rather than better.

The grand gesture apology from Finn was 100% unnecessary. Because the climax issue was so ridiculous. And not Finns fault at all… but as a reader we’re supposed to endure him groveling for a ridiculous argument that was actually Tabitha should’ve taken ownership for.

This was a tough rating for me because I was looking forward to this one so much. Still hopeful that the third book will be a winner!

Tabitha Seaton is a bluestocking of epic proportions—her credentials are enough to boggle anyone’s mind. Her life goal (now that she’s 26 and a spinster) is to be the first woman to join the Sterling Society—a group of men who advise members of government on policy issues. Tabitha was told by the Society they’d consider her if she was married. It was very interesting for me to look into the library mentioned, the Benezra, and find out it does exist. While the whole plot of the book is happening, I’m stopping to look up words I’ve never heard of… Igbo, lascar. Tabitha is way past my intellectual capacity!

Finn Ransome tries to fix up Tabitha and his friend Dom into a marriage of convenience. Things go upside down and Finn considers Tabitha for his wife instead.

I liked the progression of Tabitha’s character from being a person who melts into her books 24/7 searching for acceptance to a person who realizes she doesn’t have to conform to the male societal hierarchy. She can make her own path. Finn realizes his deeper potential with Tabitha’s support. You can feel their intense connection both intellectually and physically.

I loved the book but I think some may think it a bit intense relating to all the quotes and first 20% of the book where Tabitha expounds on what she’s studied. I read the book twice to take it all in.

This was such a fun read. I loved that both Finn and Tabitha had strengths that complimented each other. There was such a good connection between the two. It was a little slow in the beginning, but I stuck with it and am glad I did!

What do you get when you mix an adept gambler, a bluestocking wallflower, and a marriage of convenience? That's right, you guessed it. HISTORICAL ROMANCE CATNIP.

The ingredients to that can only be found with Finn and Tabitha. It can only be blamed on their flaming attraction toward one another despite the oh-so "practical" terms of their arrangement. It's no secret that neither one of them have love down as a requirement for marriage. It's not in the cards. No bets necessary! In fact, Finn and Tabitha come together out of necessity - she, to gain admittance into an all-male intellectual society which requires her to have a husband; he, to make good on his deal to find a wife in under a year so that he, his brother, and his friend, Dom, don't have their funds cut off by their ultimatum-making families.

Since Finn has a learning disability, he has low self-worth. He believes he's not a suitable enough match for the erudite catch that is Tabitha, having heard his whole life that he's "unintelligent" and "ignorant," so he initially tries to set her up with Dom instead. That crashes and burns pretty quickly. In part, because Dom's still reeling from his wrecked nuptials with Willa, and in part, because Tabitha's trying to get into the Sterling Society before a new educational reform bill is passed. She, like Finn, has been underestimated. Undervalued. Invisible to men and society for much of her life, especially by way of her academic gifts. With heartbreak marring her past, she has learned to operate by logic rather than emotion, coming to believe that her heart is not something she can afford to risk.

The stakes are high for them both in different ways, but together, they weigh the logistics and decide to marry, leaving love completely off the table...

That is until love calls, anyway. Forcing them to roll the dice and play one Ace of a hand.

This was a solid follow-up to the first in the series. I liked how fervently Finn worshipped Tabitha for her mind, the way he championed her intellectual pursuits at all costs and seemed to fall more in love with her because of them. Tabitha was equally supportive. She not only encouraged Finn to open his own gaming hell but she saw he was shrewd and analytical and made sure he knew that. (In this house, we love couples who support each other!) I didn't care for their climactic conflict at the end, though. It seemed to build up out of nowhere and the apology afterwards was too one-sided when they were both in the wrong.

That said, I was grateful for the hefty dollops of spice, for the marriage of convenience trope, which is a favorite of mine, and for the foundations that were set in place for Dom and Willa. (I have a hunch they're going to ruin me. And to that I say: bring it on!)

Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for my review.

The only thing that kept this from being a SOLID four stars is the third act conflict. The whole rest of the book is an absolute delight, Finn is so wonderful and absolutely owns me and I want to give him a hug and tell him over and over how smart he is, Tabitha is a bluestocking on a mission and therefore automatically someone I want to root for, and there is some EXCELLENT spice (although I could use more). I also really appreciate that despite the premise of this book being Finn attempting to set Tabitha up with his friend, that doesn't last very long: he and Tabitha agree to a marriage of convenience within the first quarter-third (I'm not sure on the exact timing, just that I was glad they got together pretty early).

BUT THEN. The third act. I can't explain much without spoiling it, but basically the person who had to grovel is NOT the one who should've had to grovel. They said something that they didn't know would be hurtful, and the other person's response was out of pocket and intentionally hurtful, which ironically kinda proved the first person's point.

Would still recommend and love this series–Dom's book let's GOOOO–I just will never forgive that third act. There is a specific ✨scene✨ that has lived rent-free in my brain since I read it tho, and Finn is the loml, so. Worth it.

CW: sexual content, bullying, emotional abuse, child abuse

Finn and Tabitha both need something and a marriage of convienence will help them both. Finn is insecure and doesn't think he would be good enough for Tabitha, so he attempts to match her with his friend, Dom. Dom is too busy pining after Finns' sister to be interested in a marriage to Tabitha, or anyone else. Finn and Tabitha eventually decide to just get married instead. And everything is going well, they fit. However, Finn makes a rather innocuous comment, which Tabitha gets upset about, and things go poorly. Personally think this was a bit over exaggerated and a simple miscommunication, but we need angst apparently. They eventually work it out and it ends HEA. There's spice mixed in and the story is lighthearted and fun, for the most part. It was a good, easy read overall.

This is an engaging historical romance with great characters, strong and relatable messages, and a steamy love story. Finn and Tabitha have a great opposites-attract romance. Finn is a gambler and a rogue who thinks the intelligent Beatrice would never fall for a man like him. However, he needs to marry soon, and Beatrice is the only woman who has caught his eye. Tabitha is very proper and cool, and she is more comfortable among books than at a social gathering. Tabitha wants to join an influential intellectual society to encourage change and ensure that all people have a voice. However, in order to join the all-male society, she must marry. Theirs is a perfect arrangement, and they are both determined to maintain a businesslike relationship when married. However, they fail miserably.

I enjoyed this story and thought Tabitha and Finn had a swoon-worthy romance. I love how supportive they are of each other, boosting each other and showing each other how important and worthy they are. Though they are opposite in many ways and don’t know much about each other’s interests, they both try to learn from and support each other in their endeavors. And they’re so proud of each other! They brag about and defend each other and prove that their feelings are deep and real. Finn continually goes out of his way to please Tabitha and make her happy, and he is so thoughtful and romantic in his gifts and actions. I don’t think he even realizes how thoughtful he is, which makes him even more swoon-worthy! Tabitha, in turn, does the same for Finn, and she shows him he is so much more than he gives himself credit for. I love this, especially considering how hard Finn is on himself and how degrading others have been to him in the past. Tabitha and Finn see each other as no one else does, and it makes for a wonderful romance.

The chemistry between Tabitha and Finn positively sizzles, and their sexy time is steamy! Though they are generally proper in public, especially Tabitha, their private talk is dirty, and the freedom and ease with each other in the bedroom contrasts greatly with how they present themselves outside of the bedroom. Both are totally undone by the other, which makes for some spicy scenes.

Something else I found interesting in the story is how relatable some of the messages are. As I was reading, I noted that some political and social issues the characters talk about and experience aren’t much different from the situations we face today. It’s interesting and exasperating that we are still fighting the same fights today that people fought long ago while a small elite group of men tries to assert control over everything and everyone.

I’m enjoying this series and am excited to read the third book. I think it’s going to focus on Willa and Dom, whose broken engagement was the catalyst for the ultimatum given to the three men. It will be interesting to see how Willa and Dom handle seeing each other again, and I have a feeling their second-chance romance is going to be epic. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Avon for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

As I also received and reviewed the first book in this series, I was excited to also receive How The Wallflower was Won, the second book involving the second Ransome brother, the gambler Finn, and the bluestocking-spinster Tabitha Seaton. The primary trope for this book is marriage of convenience as well as the former sub-tropes I mentioned.

My review of the first book was chock full of emotion and how that book just left me bereft after all of the angst that occurred. I wish I could say the same about this one, but something about the story left me frustrated and a bit confused. Tabitha at the start of the book attends what could be considered a book club of it's time and we're introduced to a number of supporting characters that all sound interesting in their own way. However, they don't play much more of a role than to simply be props. One of the biggest disappointments I had was that, during the Big Conflict, only one of them was utilized and barely. I felt like I was missing something as the story just kind of progressed but in an inorganic way.

The second qualm I had was that our hero Finn is coded as dyslexic, yet at the same time, he's described as an excellent gambler. There is only one moment in the book where we are told that he is in his element. We don't much see it as he's with Tabitha and he wants to see her shine. That's all well and fine but I still wasn't really convinced of his abilities. It felt very much like a "told and not shone" which is not something I enjoy reading. Then there's his pugilism which is what evidently keeps him fit, it was just a moment in the story with Tabitha and then is was over.

I wish I could sit and write more about this book, but honestly, I'm just glad to be done with it. It took me ages to read compared to the first book and I just didn't care about what happened to Finn and Tabitha by the end. I just felt like there was a lot I was being spoon fed and then--ANGST! CONFLICT! MORE ANGST!!. It didn't serve the storytelling well very much.

I WANT to love this book the way I loved book 1, but I just don't. Still, Leigh has a way of writing feelings that just suck you in, so still look forward to book 3.

*My thanks to Netgalley for providing me with the ARC for an honest review*

A fun and light entry in the Last Chance Scoundrels series, but not my favorite. I'm just here for Dom's book (where he will hopefully be groveling for the rest of his life).

I received How The Wallflower Was Won written by Eva Leigh from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I believe this may be the first historical romance I have read by Eva Leigh and I was not disappointed. In fact, I look forward to reading all her other books now. This book is part of her Last Chance Scoundrels series. The story revolves around Finn Ransome, second son of of an Earl. He has always excelled at some activities while struggling with some others.
Tabitha Seaton, is a super intelligent, self-educated woman. She wishes to be part of an intellectual society made up only of men, and in order to even be considered for entrance, the society has asked her to at least be wed. Together, they embark on a marriage of expediency. This story is a journey of love and understanding. A lack of communication, fear of deficiencies and secrets being revealed prevent Finn and Tabitha from expressing  themselves. Their silent emotional self conflicts prevent them from making it a true marriage. What I loved most about this story is the emphasis on the importance of every single person's thoughts and opinions, regardless of gender, religion or cultural or financial backgrounds. A superb story.

I was interested to read the next book in this series because the first left me wanting to learn more about some of the secondary characters. This book was able to keep me involved and invested in Finn and Tabitha's romance, seeing how the wallflower blossomed and became her own after a marriage of convenience. The wallflower gets her opportunity to let her intelligence shine and hew new husband gets more than he bargained for. I absolutely cannot wait until the last book in the series and look forward to seeing all the connections! This is a great book and a must read!

Finn Ransome is a second son, convinced he isn't intelligent because he has difficulty reading, with a head for numbers and gambling. His father has decided that unless he, his brother and their friend all marry within a specific time frame, they will all be cut off financially.
After a single disastrous Season and a heartbreaking, one-sided love affair, Tabitha Seaton is convinced that marriage isn't for her. Until she decides upon joining the Sterling Society - an collective of intelligent and influential (and male) minds in society. They tell her that they will consider her application for membership if she is married.
Thus begins a marriage of convenience between these two opposites who aren't truly all that opposite. They both enter the marriage with an understanding that feelings won't be involved - which I think it required in this type of novel.

The blossoming of their relationship also corresponds beautifully with the growth of Finn's confidence that had been decimated by his father's careless words. The way the two main characters dance so closely around each other is masterful and builds the foundation of the relationship beautifully.

I highly recommend this book.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

I don’t think this book is really for me which is why I give it a rating of 2.5 (rounding up to 3). I haven’t read Eva before, but I found I really liked and was most intrigued by the secondary characters way more than the levelheaded, “scrupulously polite” hero and heroine in this book.

Fin is a strategic gambler and Tabitha is a bookish bluestocking set out to join an intellectual society. This wallflower/scoundrel trope usually is right up my alley, but I never really fell in love with Tabitha, and while Finn had a few moments of charm overall his characterization didn’t come across scoundrelly enough for a gambling scoundrel to me.

I think my biggest issue was the dialogue, it seemed a bit formal and clunky in parts which made the slow-burn romance seem too slow.

I felt things really kicked up between the main characters during the sex scenes. They were well written and hot, and I think if there was more banter or tension between Fin and Tabitha those scenes would have lit the pages on fire.

I’ve read in a few other reviews that this book seems to be more of a bridge between Finn’s brothers’ story and Dom’s story. My favorite lines in the book were either from Dom or about him.

Dom to Finn “But you saw me as a person, and you’ll never know what a gift that is until people deny you your humanity.”

About Dom “Either he’ll level the city, or he’ll disappear into the deepest, darkest cave, and never be seen again.”

So, I think I will revisit this author when his story comes out.

How the Wallflower Was Won is the second book in the Last Chance Scoundrels series by Eva Leigh. The first book in the series was one of my favorite books I read last year. To say I've been looking forward to the rest of the series is an understatement. Tabitha is a bluestocking wallflower who had an unsuccessful season many years ago. Since then, she is quite content bringing a book with her to balls and hiding out in libraries. Finn (along with his brother and best friend) was given an ultimatum by his parents to be married within a year or risk loosing out on his allowance. His brother already found his match so Finn is focused on setting his friend Dom up with Tabitha. Tabitha and Finn end up having an undeniable chemistry and find themselves in a mutual marriage of convenience with the promise that emotions will never get involved.

I really enjoyed this book, although not as much as the first in the series. Finn was adorable. I loved how he interacted with Tabitha. From the very start, he listened to her and her ideas. He gave her the room she needed to thrive as an intellectual. I flip flopped on my feelings for Tabitha. Sometimes, I just wanted to shake her. I understand she had been hurt in the past but the third act breakup was way blown out of proportion. Thankfully, that separation didn't last long. This book was delightfully spicy. Dining room table sex and carriage sex; need I say more. I am so excited to see Dom and Willa's second chance romance in the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Harper Voyager and Eva Leigh for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #netgalley #howthewallflowerwaswon #evaleigh #avonharpervoyager

Add this book to read at the beach this summer. Finn and Tabitha gives one all of the feels while reading. Both Finn and Tabitha have had to overcome a lot of issues in order to be together but their story is a great read!

I really liked A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO RAKES, the first installment in Eva Leigh's newest series, but I really loved HOW THE WALLFLOWER WAS WON. If you love historical romance tropes, this book delivers: matchmaking (with the main man character as the matchmaker, which I loved), marriage of convenience, pining, angst, 'oh no I'm developing feelings...' WALLFLOWER has the goods. Finn is also a hero with a learning disability (centered around reading, potentially dyslexia, though there is no specific diagnosis offered by the text) who has to work through the realization that just because someone has shamed you for something, doesn't mean it's actually shameful. Scholarly Tabitha's investment in educational reform for a wider cut of English society (in terms of race, gender, class) cuts to the heart of Finn's insecurities--without offering a narrative where the characters we are supposed to trust act cruelly. The novel advocates for the healing potential of having someone see you clearly (and how these people may not be the people who knew you longest--particularly families) and why a 'good match' doesn't necessarily depend on being similar. Don't miss this one; Eva Leigh consistently knocks it out of the park.

The previous novel in Eva Leigh’s Last Chance Scoundrels series was a delightfully spicy romp, and the spice is most definitely evident in book two How the Wallflower Was Won. But the use of a disappointing and unnecessary third act break-up pulls the final grade down a bit. 

Now that Kieran has found true love with Celeste (The Good Girl’s Guide to Rakes), it’s time for his brother Finn Ransome to settle down for the good of his inheritance.   

As covered in the previous story, Kieran and Finn caused a huge scandal at their sister Willa’s wedding, and their father has given them an ultimatum; get married or be disinherited. Even though their intentions were good – they believed the bride and groom – their good friend Dom – were making each other miserable (even though theirs was a love match) and in the end the wedding didn’t take place because Dom didn’t show - their father doesn’t care.  It’s put up or shut up time.  Even worse, both brothers are now estranged from Willa. 

Finn knows plenty about putting up and shutting up – he’s a gambler by trade and good at what he does.  But he knows he’s not brainy, nor is he good at romance, so he plans on a marriage of convenience. And thus he sets his sights on Miss Tabitha Seaton… the hope of getting her to marry Dom. 

Tabitha is a bluestocking whose first season was a disaster.  She’s set her sights on joining the Sterling Society, an influential intellectual think tank.  But unmarried women are not allowed, so Tabitha needs a husband. 

Though Finn tries mightily to get Tabitha to accept Dom, it’s him she’s interested in – and vice-versa.  So Tabitha and Finn agree to a marriage of convenience which will satisfy both of their needs.  With Tabitha’s attachment to the Sterling Society promising to make the world a better place just as Dom sets about opening his own gaming hell – will she and Finn manage to make a true marriage of it? 

How the Wallflower was Won starts out incredibly strongly, making you care for Finn - who puts little value on his intellect thanks to his abusive father - and Tabitha, who values hers but has neglected the simpler joys of life due to a hurt in her past.  They’re an unusual combination, and the chemistry is strong. Finn in particular is a great, sympathetic hero who makes you enjoy his growth. 

And then, the third-act break-up happens, with a fight that occurs for ridiculous reasons, and which results in Tabitha insulting Finn in a way that feels nigh-on unforgivable.  Her insult is malicious compared to his heat-of-the-moment jibes – her grovel and apology feel too brief and unsatisfying compared to his for her.  This is unfair considering what she insulted him about, and what she knows about his past. 

It's a shame because the relationship feels very real and has a lot of kick and spice.  As always, Leigh’s Scotsmen are fun to track - Finn is no exception to the rule - and I liked prickly, reluctant, scholarly Tabitha.  But that third-act breakup really is a mess that didn’t need to happen, and ultimately makes How the Wallflower was Won something of a disappointment. 

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I liked this book. It had some sizzling romance and a good plot that highlighted the problems of women in the Regency period. I did think that the solution to Tabitha's problem was a bit convenient (no spoilers here). But I did enjoy seeing the villains' comeuppance. This was a good page turning romance.

I’m such a huge fan of the marriage of convenience trope and historical romance so to find a mix of these things ensured that I was going to read it! This was my first book by Eva Leigh and it didn’t disappoint. I loved Finn and Tabithas story. They had great chemistry and the book was more emotional than I expected it to be. I found myself highly invested in their story and couldn’t put the book down.