Eva Leigh does it again! The second installment of the Last Chance Scoundrels is just as delicious as the first. While the "conflicts" between the couple were a tad overblown for the sake of creating tension, the dialogue and the characters are just so dang good that I stayed up far past my bedtime to finish. I was instantly rooting for these two --- and I just love the progressive themes and relationships portrayed throughout.

Thanks to Netgalley + the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

P.S. --- I need Dom & Willa's story and I need it NOW.

I loved the hero, Finn Ransome. He and his friends have found themselves in a bit of a pickle. They all must find wives within 1 year. Finn doesn't care for himself, but he doesn't want to be the reason his friends lose their inheritance. Tabitha has her own reasons for wanting a husband. After Finn fails to set up Tabitha with his friend, he decides to marry her. His parents are trash and haven't helped him with his learning issues. Tabitha sees how intelligent Finn is and encourages his endeavors. They make a good team. I did want to Gibbs' smack them (an NCIS reference) in the back of the head. Can’t you two people TALK? A little slow going at first but I was hooked at 50% (it involved a deck of cards and a wedding night).

They had great chemistry but the pacing of the plot wasn’t it. I just really really hate the miscommunication trope. It’s the worst trope tbh. Having a third act break up out of left field is stupid and poor writing. The fight they have doesn’t make sense to the base they created in their relationship so I just glared through the last 50 pages of the book.
Three 🌟

This book was DELIGHTFUL! Eva Leigh manages to bring refreshing modernity to her historical romances. The heroine, Tabitha, is a bluestocking wallflower whose ambition is to join an elite intellectual society, but they say they won't consider an unmarried woman. Finn, our hero, is an earl's second son, a talented gambler (but not a reprobate), and in need of a wife. Their marriage of convenience seems like the perfect plan. Both of these characters are passionate and supportive of each other. It's lovely to read about a sharp woman trying to carve out a space for marginalized voices in London's intellectual community. It's even more lovely for her to have a husband who thinks she is the most brilliant woman in the world and who reminds her of it all the time. Their love is built on trust, understanding, and mutual respect (but also, insanely hot bedsport--Finn has a seriously dirty mouth). Leigh's books always hit for me and this one was out of the freakin' park!

I really liked the characters and the plot was interesting! It could have ended a bit sooner for me though!

This is good for fans of regency romance. The main characters are likable, and I like the acknowledgement of how everything was run by white men at the time and how difficult this made life for women. The final act conflict felt really silly and over-the-top to me, making me like this less, but to each their own.

I did not read the first book so don't really know how the whole the gang must all be married plot took place. I did like Finn a whole lot and really connected with how he felt about is reading difficulties and the scorn his father showed to him. Tabitha was harder to enjoy. I thought her whole reason for not marrying was kind of weak. One guy tells you to grow up and you decide that is the sole reason to not have any feelings? Hmmm. The whole intellectual society plot happened way too fast and the ending just went kind of fizzle.

I am wholly intrigued by Dom and Willa though.

Good Girls Guide to Rakes is one of my favorite reads of 2022, so I was looking forward to Finn’s story. I liked this, but it was a little clunky for me. I enjoyed the personality clash, which they come to learn that they aren’t so different after all. I liked how they supported each other’s dreams. I liked their chemistry.

What I didn’t like was the “problem.” It was understandably important for Tabitha to feel valued and not belittled but these two go from in love and having each other’s backs and sharing how they feel, to Finn saying one thing that she didn’t like and all of a sudden, she can’t be with him, he’s planning on a life without her, there’s big talk about forgiveness? I mean…it just felt really over the top. She never told him her trigger and her reaction was juvenile.

Last thing that knocked off a star was the repetitive orgasms. I believe there are 5 her very first time? And thereafter at least 3 each time if memory serves. I know it’s fantasy but that kind of stuff takes me out of the story because it’s just too much.

Looking forward to Dom’s story!

This was a fantastic book. I love this author and this book was a welcome addition. I loved the characters and found this story to be an easy read. Looking forward to the next book!!

How the Wallflower Was Won is another fabulous installment in Eva Leigh’s Last Chance Scoundrels series. I loved spending time with Finn and Tabitha, and watching them lower their defenses against love.

4.5/5 stars

Finn and Tabitha both have agendas about why they need to marry right away. Finn parents told him, his brother Kieran, and best friend Dominic that they need to find respectable wives in the next year, or be cut off from the family fortunes. Kieran is engaged to Dom’s sister, and Finn is attempting to find a suitable spouse for himself and for Dom. Tabitha is a blue stocking, but Finn doesn’t think he’s good enough for her because he struggles with reading. So he decides that Tabitha is a perfect candidate for Dom. And that’s before he finds out that she too needs to marry sooner rather than later. Tabitha aspires to join an intellectual society, but the male members won’t even speak to her unless she’s married. One thing leads to another, and Finn and Tabitha end up married.

Both Tabitha and Finn are attracted to each other, but they each insist their marriage of convenience will be based on logic not emotion. Ha! The chemistry between these two steams up every single page. It’s easy to see their attraction. But both of them have a hard time believing in themselves, which is why it takes them a lot longer to believe in each other. Tabitha is a smart, strong, sensible woman, and she doesn’t let Finn hide behind his family’s pronouncements of his stupidity. She can see how creative and strategic his mind is, even if he can’t.

This book is the second in the Last Chance Scoundrels series, and though there are references to events in the first book, it can work as a stand alone . But since the first book in the series, The Good Girl’s Guide to Rakes, is fabulous, no historical romance lover should skip it.

I adored Finn and Tabitha and their hesitant steps to falling in love. Their steamy scenes are hot, hot, hot and add to both the story and the development of their relationship. If you like sexy historical romance with strong characters, How the Wallflower Was Won is a must read.

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

Who knew I loved the whole marriage of convenience trope as much as I am? In the case of How the Wallflower was Won, Eva Leigh throws together two seemingly opposite characters, Finn and Tabitha, and almost immediately the sparks fly (despite their ongoing denial). He needs a wife in order to keep his friends and himself on the family bankroll; she needs a husband to be considered for an influential society club that has a powerful hand in politics and legislation. While they weren't originally meant for each other, they end up together and really are the perfect match, despite what their stubborn and intrusive thoughts say. For most of the novel they both fight the deep emotion that they feel for each other, which of course makes you want to shake them, but when they finally get it together, it's so very sweet.



Eva Leigh is still a new to me author and I'm finding that her characters and their dilemmas always keep me interested, entertained, and looking for the next read.

This was a pretty decent marriage of convenience book. I really liked both leads and I liked the combination of a hero with a learning disability with a bluestocking. It got a little frustrating that they both loved and trusted each other but STILL didn't believe that the other felt the same and the black moment seemed a little contrived. They were so good at communicating up until that point. I loved how both characters were super supportive of each other and really enjoyed them both encouraging each other to be themselves and follow their dreams.

From her first series to the current one, for me Eva Leigh hasn't struck a wrong key yet. Judging from how much I enjoy her books, I doubt she will. "How the Wallflower Was Won" is a charming, funny, passion-filled romance that makes all wallflowers have hope they will find their own Finn Ransome.
Tabitha is a bluestocking that has had one bad experience with love. As a result she decides books will be her refuge, and things of an amorous nature will be nonexistent in her life. Her desire to join an elite intellectual group rests on her being married. Enter Finn, who is in need of a wife, but attempts to matchmake Tabitha with his friend Dominic. Thankfully that plan doesn't work, and the sparks between Tabitha & Finn are allowed to blossom. They decide to marry and plan on it being simply a marriage of convenience. But those sparks....they are just too strong, and love blooms despite the fears of both.
I loved this book. Watching how Tabitha and Finn having confidence in each other's abilities allowed both to shine in their own way. It forced the parents of both to adjust their preconceived ideas, if only just a smidgen. It made those foolish men of the society Tabitha tried to join learn that intellect is not just the purview of old white men with university education. For the reader, it showed how much loving yourself and having the love & support of others can build up your confidence and allow you to be your best self. Definitely a winner and I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Thank you to NetGalley, Eva Leigh, and Avon for this ARC, which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

How the Wallflower was Won is the 2nd book in the Last Chance Scoundrels series. A book following 3 friends who have been given an ultimatum from their fathers after an event occurred in the first book, find a respectable wife within the next year or risk being cut off.

This book follows Finn Ransome, his brother Kieran was the hero of book 1. The story kicks off with Finn down to 8 months left to find himself a bride. But Finn doesn’t think very highly of himself and thinks he will have an easier time finding a bride for his friend Dom. In fact, the first 1/3 of this book is Finn trying to pair Tabitha (the heroine of this book) with Dom.

Tabitha Seaton is the only daughter of a viscount and at 26, she is happy being a bluestocking wallflower. The beginning of the story follows Tabitha and her want to become a member of the Sterling Society, England’s most noteworthy and influential intellectual society. When she is told women are not allowed, especially unmarried women, she asks if she was married if it would make a difference. When she’s told that if she was indeed married she would at least be given the barest consideration, Tabitha sets out to do the one thing she never said she would do…find a husband.

I just found myself to be bored during this read. While I adored Finn as a character, I just didn’t feel any connection between him and Tabitha and didn’t particularly enjoy her character. I don’t think it helped that the first 1/3 of the book Finn is trying to set up Tabitha and Dom together, trying to prove to both what a good match they would be under the circumstances of both needing to be wed. Finn has a learning disability (reading and writing) and thinks Tabitha is far superior to him throughout the read. Nothing was really standing between the couple, they get married early on in the read for what is supposed to be a marriage of convenience (for her to get into the Society and for him to appease his family), but they get along well and enjoy one another right away. The 3rd act conflict of something Tabitha gets upset with Finn about felt very out of left field, she gets upset and storms off after he makes some comments that triggered something that happened in her past (which she never told him about). It was all just a bit much. Finn though is great, he goes out of his way many times to please and make Tabitha happy. Some fun moments: he finds an inn with its own library for their wedding night, carriage sex, lots of dirty talk. I think Dom’s book will be great though and that is the one I’ve been looking forward to for the entire series.

Thank you to the publisher (Avon Books) for an e-ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own. How the Wallflower Was Won has a publish date of September 27, 2022.

So...I liked it, but I also felt How the Wallflower Was Won was a little one-sided. It's opposites attract, marriage of convenience (following the edict laid down in book one that all 3 -- Kieran, Finn and Dom must get married or be cut off financially).

Finn, inveterate gambler and big time cinnamon roll, really only exists to make Tabitha's dreams come true. I mean, who wouldn't want that? But as much as I loved all the adorable, thoughtful, sexy ways Finn went out of his way to make a marriage of convenience not just palatable, but actually totally satisfying for our bluestocking heroine, I left the story going, but what about Finn's dreams and ambitions?! (I know, I know, how many stories are "behind every great man is a great woman." Why shouldn't the roles be reversed. I know, but also, equal time!!

On the upside, steamy scenes have real sizzle, and I enjoyed the allusions to institutions dominated by white men. Ready for Dom's story in book 3.

3.5 stars

CW: Learning disability related to reading

I absolutely adored the author’s previous book, ‘The Good Girls Guide to Rakes’. I was really looking forward to this one, and it had many elements that I love in a good historical romance. This is a marriage of convenience, bluestocking/scoundrel romance.
Finn is the second son of an earl and has been given an ultimatum that if he, his younger brother, and their friend do not get respectable wives within the year, they will be cut off. Finn only plans to fulfill this ultimatum on behalf of the other two, as he makes enough gambling to take care of himself. Following his brother's marriage to their friend Dom’s sister, Finn thinks he has found a good match for Dom. Tabitha is a bluestocking who has hopes to join the Sterling Society, a club of intellectuals that advises parliament on bills. The club is naturally all men, largely wealthy and of a high social class. Tabitha has to marry to even be considered admittance. Finn makes multiple attempts to pair Dom and Tabitha despite his growing attraction to her—and her growing attraction to him. Once they realize Dom’s disinterest, their mutual interest, and each other's need for a spouse, they decide to marry each other.
Tabitha and Finn are both closed off from letting themselves love the other—as they both realize quite early on that it would be so easy to do so. Tabitha has a past hurt, and Finn feels inferior to Tabitha’s intelligence due to repeated taunting from his father.
What I really enjoyed was the chemistry between Tabitha and Finn. They had both been rebuffed in different ways but were so drawn to each other for their true nature. The steamy scenes were great, similar vibe to the first book which was… *chefs kiss*. Finn was incredibly supportive of Tabitha’s scholarly pursuits. Tabitha’s library group is a diverse bunch that many of Finn’s social class would not accept, and she is overjoyed when he takes it in stride.
I think what is stopping me from giving this a higher rating is the somewhat clunky pacing of the story. The first third deals with Finn trying to set up Dom and Tabitha, and then their marriage is decided upon and occurs very quickly. The middle third is largely their internal struggle of attraction and emotions that neither allows to surface, and the final third—probably less but it felt like it dragged on—is the third act conflict, subsequent resolution, conflict between the goodies and the baddies and subsequent resolution.
The conflict between Tabitha and Finn just felt incredibly uneven, that they had both said hurtful things, but Finn had said them accidentally and Tabitha had said them maliciously, and then Finn was the one who had to grovel.

How the Wallflower was won is the second book in the series. I started with this one and was able to catch up just fine after a couple chapters. For those that love steamy historical romances, you’re going to love this book! Very sexy in parts, but by that time the reader is invested in the characters and ready for some ooh-la-la! Lots of profanity in the racy bits, so be forewarned if that’s a dealbreaker for you.

To start off, I didn't know that this was part of a series. That said, there isn't a need to read the first to enjoy this story.

I really enjoyed this story. Finn and Tabitha are both strong, likeable characters with vulnerable spots, weaknesses that the reader can identify with. I appreciated that the disabilities were handled with care and not thrown at the reader, which made me like Finn all the more. Tabitha's gentleness with his soft spot and Finn's with her's was lovely to read.

The story was a tad predictable, but still extremely a joy to read.

*sigh* I really wanted to love this one. I’m a huge Eva Leigh fan and nearly screamed when I was given the ARC from Netgalley but this one just did not hit me like her previous romances.

Tabitha and Finn are great on their own and their love scenes are truly sizzling but the story as a whole did not work for me and I really really hated the third act separation. I thought we were finally past that? Why do writers continue to rely on them? It just really irked me. If you love Eva Leigh and don’t mind third act miss understandings and makeups a few chapters later then you’ll probably love this but I really couldn’t get past it because it just felt pointless.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC

this checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. Must read. Historical fiction oh yeah. Love me some of this. It was just like oh yea.