#newtomeauthor
This author grabbed me from the beginning. I was so excited to read her story.
📚This is my first read by Samara Parish. In her story of How To Win a Wallflower John has to come out of his solitary life when his brother unexpectedly passes away. Now he is left to fix everything his brother has messed up; including large debts, estate falling apart and a betrothal to a fiance who is far from what he wants.
John's only hope is his best friends, off limits sister Lady Charlotte who comes up with some wild solutions to both of their problems. All this while she tries to fix everyone's problems.
Both have to be careful to stop feelings for each other. John likes the calm solitude in America and Lady Charlotte loves the bustling social life. Soon it becomes to hard to stop feelings and do what they set out to do.

This story was packed with details that made you feel connected to all the characters and what they were going through. It was a slow paced love story that got you involved and on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what happens next.
I can't wait to find more by this amazing author.

I loved this brother’s best friend romance about unexpected second chances.

Charlotte has always wanted John for herself. When he inherits the title after his brother’s disappearance, his affairs are in shambles and the estate is on the verge of bankruptcy. He’s invested all of his time and dreams in his manufacturing business in America, and now that’s jeopardized too. He needs to find a wife with a plump dowry.

John unexpectedly finds himself on the hook to marry his brother’s viper of a fiancée- who hides her venom beneath a poorly disguised veneer of civility. This viper has gone to extraordinary lengths to make Charlotte miserable, and castigate her in public. John is a noble, caring man who doesn’t deserve the punishment of being shackled to her.

So Charlotte devises a plan. She will use her considerable problem-solving ability to help him find a more palatable solution. Their forced proximity leads to confessions about long denied feelings and the ideal way out of the quandary would be for them to marry so he can use her dowry instead.

But her dowry is still less than the amount needed. And Charlotte’s brother doesn’t approve of the proposed sacrifice. He wants her to marry a man who can return her feelings. A man who won’t abandon her for his business interests in America as soon as the vows have been exchanged.

Of course the mess doesn’t end there…

The acrobatic maneuvers and hoops this couple had to endure and conquer to claim their HEA kept me engaged until the end.

Such an endearing story. You expect a wallflower in these stories to be the woman, but not the man. The gender reversal was nice, and the blossoming of this love story was beautiful. The rags to riches twists and turns had some unexpected things occur, and i was delightfully surprised by them, enjoying the well written ending. #netgalley #HowtoWinaWallflower

Newly returned to England after his brother’s death, John Barnesworth finds himself in quite the predicament: shouldering a title he doesn’t want, far from where he wants to be, under mountains of debt with estates falling apart and an unexpected—and unwanted—betrothal.

Lady Charlotte Stirling—next door neighbor, younger sister to John’s best friend, beloved by all (with the exception of John’s supposed fiancée and her cronies), and harboring a childhood crush—wants to help and maybe she needs some help of her own.

But what are they to each other—this social butterfly (her) and wallflower (him)? Friends? Friendly? Something else entirely?

This one is so much fun. From Charlotte’s schemes to John’s inventions to the twists and turns in the storyline, it definitely keeps the reader entertained. There is a delicious buildup as the affection between the two grows, some A+ heat, and the proposal from John is just so perfectly him.

On one hand, it’s a delightful romp, but on the other, it touches on deeper issues and themes: mental health, PTSD, what happens when soldiers return from war, social themes, how women can have influence in a patriarchal society, class differences, addiction, bullying, speech disorders, neurodivergence, the long-lasting impacts of parental approval or disapproval, how your childhood can shape you, and the impact of scientific discovery.

I definitely recommend it.

I received a review copy from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

After enjoying book #1 and not enjoying book #2 at all, I was unsure how I would feel about this third and final installment in the Rebels with a Cause series. Then it completely blew my expectations out of the water and now I wish the series wasn't over!

This is a brother's best friend, opposites attract romance with a reclusive inventor hero and a social butterfly, belle of the ton heroine. Charlotte and John truly bring out the best in each other by complementing one another's weaknesses with their strengths. The conflict, both external and internal, was believable, and the various subplots did not make the plot feel muddled but rather added to the characters' journeys and made me want to keep reading to see how it all would end.

The only thing I didn't understand was the book's title. Charlotte is not a wallflower by any means—even though she's been unmarried in the four years since her debut, she always has a dance partner and is very involved in several aspects of society. There also was not much "winning" here, just John and Charlotte needing to find solutions to their various problems so they can be together.

Overall I HIGHLY recommend this book and cannot wait to see what Samara Parish comes up with next! Even if I'm disappointed Oliver the Foreman and Charlotte's brother, Will, won't be getting books of their own (though I'd argue a spinoff series is definitely possible...).

This was a new to me author and I really enjoyed this book! I def want to go back & read Fi’s story! I loved that our hero was the wallflower and our heroine was the social butterfly! Lady Charlotte loves outing and people, she’s got a big heart and would do anything for her family! Charlotte has had a crush on John for a long time and she’s determined to marry for love! So when John, the new Viscount Harrow, is back in London to take off the new title since his brother has died. He’s found out his brother left things in a major debt…..now he may have to marry an heiress just to pay it off! When Charlotte comes up with a plan for John and her to work together to pay off his debt and help her brother, Will, they decided to gamble! These two were such a wonderful match! I loved how John started to transform and open up a little around people! This was definitely a slow burn with opposites attract! All in all a great read! Can’t wait to see what’s next from this author!

London - 1825

John Barnsworth, fifteenth Viscount Harrow, has just inherited his title after the death of his brother, Walter. He is learning what a terrible mess Walter had left the estate in as he had not paid bills or taken care of tenants and the farming. Now, John needs a lot of money to pay off these debts.

His friend and longtime London neighbor, Edward, Duke of Wildeforde, is commiserating with John and suggests that he needs to marry an heiress. This is not something John wants. Afflicted with a slight stutter, he has always enjoyed his own company and lived for a time in Boston. Now, he is back in London and must take up his new position.

Lady Charlotte Stirling, Edward’s sister is single and having turned down numerous proposals, enjoys working hard along with her friends for charities. She has long had a crush on John. So, when Charlotte and John renew their friendship, they decide to join together and solve his problems that Walter has left him.

This was a pretty good book but I felt that it took on too many subplots making it overly long and a bit busy. This is a pet peeve of mine with historical romance novels. However, I can say that I liked Charlotte, but it took awhile for me to like John as he came across as weak. But, all in all, it is a good book with certainly a different plot.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Another win in this series!

I have found each book in this series to get better and better as they go along and I'm glad I took a chance on a new to me author earlier this year.

I've been wanting John's story since we met him and his stutter in How to Survive a Scandal knowing the bond he shared with Benedict, Fiona and Edward. Getting more of him in How to Deceive a Duke I was ready, so ready for his story. I have a soft side for the quiet hero's and I knew John wouldn't disappoint.

This story was a lovely breath of fresh air as the author gives us a twist on the traditional "wallflower" story, making John the wallflower. I know how he feels in many situations that he would rather be alone with his inventions or just his dog than in a room full of people. Small talk is the bane of my existence and like John, I need an anchor in social situations so that I feel comfortable enough to engage. That anchor is usually my husband so that John finds the calm and comfort in Charlotte while out being forced to be the Viscount Harlow, I understood it all perfectly.

Unrequited love is one of my favorites and having had a crush on my brother's friend and later married him, I get how it all can happen. Charlotte is someone I would like to call a friend; she's an extrovert after all and all introverts need a extroverted friend to force them to go out. She does a good job with John all while keeping up with her obligations and creating new ones to help John out of a sticky situation. Of course any form of shenanigan's in romance is cause for the couple to get close and eventually fall in love and I adored the ride we took with John and Charlotte. Especially rides in the carriage...

Ugh but Edward! He was such a jerk in this book and while I can see his concern for his sister being heartbroken, I think our dear older brother Duke forgot all about how he first met Fiona, how he got her out of jail and that his own beloved is different from him AND a commoner but how that makes their bond stronger. I am glad both John and Charlotte followed their hearts even though it could mean they may not end up with the outcomes they expected.

But that aside, I loved every word of this book. I like how the author mixes her reality on the page with characters she's created with actual historical figures. It somehow makes these important people such as Morse more human to read him as a friend and colleague of John's.. Oh and kudos to Charlotte for her first sentence in code.

I have many, many moments that are on repeat in my head from this book, how can I ever think of a thunderstorm the same way again after what John promises Charlotte? The quiet ones are the ones who are always the sexiest and John definitely fits the stereotype.

Every bit of this book was fun as John and Charlotte develop their plan to get John out of debt. There were definitely characters that I didn't like but the exchange with Charlotte and Luella at the end was perfect and freaking fracking Walter. Ugh. I'll just leave it at that.

I have to mention William. That young man has hurt my heart so many times for what he has lived through and I do hope he eventually gets in an HEA even if it's in passing. He deserves to find someone who will fight along side him and for him. He's such an amazing character.

And now I am rambling which is usually a good sign if I have made sense with all these words.

I just loved this book and this series. That's all.

This is the 3rd book in the “Rebels With A Cause Series”. This is my first time reading a book by Samara Parish and I rather enjoyed reading about John and Charlotte. John has suddenly returned to London after the death of his brother. Things are not well with the estate, there mountains of debt. To top things off John has inherited his brother’s fiancé who is not interested in nor wants. John’s brother has a dowry that could get John out debt but again he wants no parts of it. Charlotte is John’s best friend sister and she is the one holds his interest. This is a great read that held me captive and turning page after page to find out what John would do.

Will John choose happiness or will he choose his brother’s fiancé?

I received an ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

4 1/2*STARS*
A madcap scheme to solve the problem of debt brings Charlotte and her brother's best friend, John Barnesworth, the new Viscount Harrow, as partners. The love of her life, Charlotte only wants a life with John. Everyone else thinks otherwise. In their games for cash, there is hope for a life together. But disaster strikes twice and heartfelt decisions must be made. A well made plot to a happy ending.
Heat level 3
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Loved this historical romance! It was a great addition to the Forever family and I’m so glad I got the chance to read it! The author was so descriptive, it was perfect!

This book was not really on my radar. A couple of friends were reading it and reminded me of how much I enjoyed her previous books and I am so glad that I picked it up. Charlotte has loved John for years, but has been told over and over that they are too different and shouldn't be together. John is shy and quiet and introverted and the second son of viscount. When his brother turns up dead with massive amounts of debt, not only is John forced to find a way to cover his brother's debts, but also find a bride who is willing to be left behind when he goes back to his reclusive life in America.

Together and apart, Charlotte and John work to over come his issues and the struggles that she encounters as the story unfolds. Family drama, forbidden romance and lots of societal expectations stand in their way. But their journey to love is an adventure you won't want to miss.

Another favorite by Samara Parish! She really knows how to write a smutty love story that has the right balance between lust and love. In this story, the third in a series, we get to see Charlotte's love story, something I was so excited for after reading the previous one (How to Deceive a Duke). John is such a sweetheart and I love how well he and Charlotte compliment each other, despite their differences. I can't wait to read what Samara Parish writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC for review.

I am a sucker for a wallflower romance. I can never pass it up - not sure why. Charlotte is not a wallflower, she is one the shelf out of total choice - she has many men trying to win her over but since she was a child she has wanted John
and now he's back in town because his brother has passed
John has always felt like the outcast with her family but never with his friend Edward's family - these feelings he is having for his friend's sister are unacceptable
he only wants to go back to the Americas and work on his inventions

Things I liked:
- I enjoyed the dynamic between Charlotte and John - it was adorable the way she had to hold his hand through social interaction
- I found John extremely adorable - the whole nerd thing is a vibe for sure
- The schemes that are throughout and attempted are out there and a bit of a mess - loved everything about it
- I thought the heart behind each character was fabulous - they all had something they were working through so this wasn't light the whole way

I got the impression another book would be coming with another character - while I wait I will be going back to reach the previous one in this series

Inventor John Barnesworth is forced to return to London from Boston when he unexpectedly inherits his brother’s viscountcy. Upset at losing his peaceful solitude, he’s even more distraught to learn that his brother has badly mismanaged the estate and left nothing but debts and a contract with an exceedingly unpleasant fiancé who expects John to uphold his brother’s promises. Her excessively generous dowry would solve John’s new financial issues but he’s not sure it’s worth sacrificing his happiness. So, when his best friend’s sister, Lady Charlotte Stirling, proposes an outrageous scheme to solve his problems, he’s desperate enough to give it a shot, though he struggles to keep his growing feelings for her from getting in the way.

Lady Charlotte knows John is off limits as her brother’s best friend and because he wants to return to America, and she can never see herself leaving her family behind in England. She’s a social butterfly and he prefers to avoid society so a future between them doesn’t make sense, and yet she can’t keep herself from at least trying to help him solve his money problems any more than she can stop herself falling even more for him than she already had when they were younger.

There was a lot going on here, but this book is for me, worked the best of any of the series so far. That said, it definitely wasn’t without some issues that I just can’t help but note. Edward certainly hasn’t learned from any of his past meddling in his siblings’ lives. He’s also a pretty terrible friend to John for most of the book and, though he did come through a little bit later on in the story, it wasn’t enough for me. In fact, none of the people John claimed as friends were there for him when he needed them, and he’d lost everything through no fault of his own. Charlotte could be very oblivious, and I wish she’d fought for John a bit more, but at least she did believe in him because his friends and family sure didn’t. She seemed frivolous at first, but I think that was because she saw herself that way initially. In actuality, though she was rather naïve, she did know a good deal about observing and managing people. This was not a skill I can relate to, but I definitely identified with John’s shyness and the strain he felt when dealing with people in social situations. I really wanted to see him restored to everything he had built, and I wanted to see more of him getting the love and self-worth he deserved. John was just a very endearing, sweet cinnamon roll who needed a hug. I was glad to see the villain here get his comeuppance, though I do wish it hadn’t occurred so much off page. Overall, I did find some parts of this book to be a bit stressful and anxiety inducing, but not nearly as much so as the previous books (and especially Edward and Fiona’s book), I think because John and Charlotte felt so inevitable. I loved the fact that the fights they got into were so realistic and relatable in that they fought and said unkind things to one another, but still loved each other. Charlotte was just a bit too wishy-washy for a while for me to be wholly satisfied, and I wanted to see John have more support from his friends/Charlotte’s family, but otherwise, I really enjoyed this story as it kept me invested and I didn’t want to put it down.

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

This is my favorite book of the series! What they felt for one another, the obstacles, the angst, I was here for it.

John Barnesworth has returned to London after the sudden death of his brother. He finds things are quite bad. The estates are falling apart and his brother left a lot of debt. He doesn't have enough money to set it all straight. He's also inherited the fiance his brother left behind, her dowry could settle all his problems but marriage isn't in the cards for him.

When Lady Charlotte Stirling learns all this she makes it her mission to help him find a way out of this arrangement. She doesn't want him to end up with her mortal enemy. She cares for him too much to see him with such an awful woman. She offers a marriage of convenience but her brother denies her request.

The closer they get to solving his problems, the harder it is for her to deny her feelings.

Thanks so much to the author, and Forever Publishing for this ARC to review.

I must admit that I'm a bit on the fence about this book. While in general I'm inclined to say that I liked it, there were also things about it that I really didn't care for. On the plus side, I thought the story was really cute, I enjoyed the opposites attract and brother's best friend tropes, John was a very likable grump, and I totally adored Charlotte and thought she was a true gem. As for what I didn't care for the biggies were the meandering second half and what I thought were some very unneeded and unwelcome subplots, and just a whole lot else going on to distract from the romance. Still, it wasn't a terrible book, and I don't regret reading it.

How to Win a Wallflower is the third book in Samara Parish's historical romance series Rebels With a Cause. I have not yet read the first two books; I definitely plan to amend that situation! This book stood alone perfectly well, though references were made to past events. I was not confused in the least. I loved the twist in this story...the wallflower in question was our hero!

John Barnesworth, the reluctant new Viscount Harrow, has to leave his reclusive life in the American wilderness and return to England to settle his brother Walter's affairs. He's shocked to see the condition of the estates; they are crumbling, and the coffers are empty. What John has inherited is a huge debt...and apparently a horrible fiancée! Her dowry can save him, but can he spend his life in utter misery married to this hateful woman? Enter Lady Charlotte Stirling, who has had a crush on John for some time. He is her brother the Duke's best friend; the Duke has warned Robert away from his sister as he believes John is totally unsuitable. Charlotte cannot bear the thought of John marrying her nemesis to get the woman's dowry. She comes up with a bold plan to win the funds to save his estates...

I absolutely adored this opposites attract/friends-to-lovers story! This was a character-driven story first, and that's what made it special to me. I just loved John, our "wallflower". Yep, I have added another book boyfriend to my list. John was a reclusive genius with a photographic memory and a stutter. He resented leaving America and returning to England to inherit the mess Walter left him, but he was determined to do what was right for his tenants, and he would pay off all the debts his brother owed. He was socially awkward and didn't want to go to Society balls; he just wanted to work on his inventions and projects and return to America when everything was set to rights. And then there was Charlotte. She was a social butterfly who adored going to parties and acting as her brother's representative when he needed it. She loved everything about Society, except for the woman John was expected to marry! Her brother told her that John was not for her, but she knew differently. (I didn't find Charlotte's brother particularly likable; perhaps he had his reasons. I look forward to going back to read his story.) Charlotte also has a financial problem of her own: Her other brother Will, who was forced to be a soldier by the Duke, returns to town, very sick and owing lots of money to some bad characters, and Charlotte is determined to get both John and Will out of debt. But how? Well, with Charlotte's charm and John's ability to count cards due to his photographic memory, they were bound to win at cards! Of course, some things didn't go so well, but Charlotte and John got closer to each other and passion exploded. Some sexy scenes were behind closed doors, but some were a bit more explicit; it was all lovely, however. I loved their relationship and their determination to beat the odds and become a couple. There were some tough times, but their romance was incredibly satisfying. I hope we get to see brother Will beat his demons and find true love, and I hope we get it soon!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How To Win A Wallflower caught me off guard with its vivid characters, brilliant dialogue, and engaging plot. John is an inventor and scientist who abhors society. John is most comfortable alone with his inventions. Charlotte is the opposite of John; she is the center of every crowd and thrives on attention. John has inherited an estate that is broke and is facing an intolerable solution until Charlotte steps in to help. The once unrequited love Charlotte has felt for John begins to grow, but the odds are against the couple. John and Charlotte must decide if love is enough to keep them together.

Both John and Charlotte are relatable, lovable characters. Their connection is one-sided at the beginning of the book. However, the couple’s connection turns passionate the longer they are together. I thought John and Charlotte were perfect for each other; their differences strengthened each other. The couple’s relationship is magnetic.

The storyline moved well and kept my attention. I enjoyed the pent-up emotion between the couple; it was electric, and John and Charlotte ignited the page when they allowed their passions to grow. The opposite natures of the couple seem an unsurmountable problem, yet each strength complimented each weakness perfectly. Secondary characters and plots enriched the story. How To Win A Wallflower is the third book in the Rebels With A Cause series. Samara Parish delivers another unforgettable, poignant romance that leaves the reader demanding more!

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

The third installment in Parish''s "Rebels with a Cause" series picks up after Duke Edward & Fiona's story. It is the love story of the duke's long-time friend and business partner John (who I guess is a "rebel?") & his younger sister Charlotte (who I guess is a "wallflower?). A sweet, brilliant, introverted guy suddenly inherits a title and the social butterfly girl-next-door who's always crushed on him, finally gets her shot at turning his head? I'm here for it. I love good opposites-attract romance, especially when the guy is the nerdy one!

Though, there's nothing really rebellious about John. He's in trade. He's an inventor. He does everything society expects of him whether he likes it or not. Charlotte's "wallflower-ness" is also up for debate. She was a very social person and always dancing. Just because she chose to befriend wallflowers, doesn't necessarily make her one. I probably would've gone with another title, especially since Eva Leigh's "How the Wallflower Was Won" was published recently as well and these titles are soooo confusingly similar. Easier said than done though, as all historical romance titles and stories seem to blur together.

This book had everything a high-stakes steamy romance needs: a villain to take down, a family to win approval from, lots of money issues, gambling schemes, family drama and a couple you root for. I love the mad-cap race about town ending. It's a very bingeable book, hard to put down.

It left me wondering if her brother William's story might be next and what kind of romantic adventures the battle-scared military man will get up to in America! Parish's writing seems so effortless, her dialogue so dreamy and her plots so natural. Her books are a must-read. They never disappoint this rabid historical romance reader.