I didn’t hate it but my biggest issue is just being stressed at every turn of this book. I didn’t know how the fiancé would go, then the gambling, or the possibility of a sex scene, then the last half, then the epilogue apparently. Every single event or decision made was stressful and I was reading more so to feel less stressed than because I was enjoying the goings on.

It got to a point where I was holding out my iPod touch, looking around each corner for Medusa. I really like Parish’s writing style, and am desperately craving more of a gentle stroll plot than a vigorous chase.

The plot twist was unnecessary. Every major milestone happens before 65% so at that point I was like cool now what? I think I short circuited. I wanted to enjoy this ride but I was holding onto the “Oh Shit!” handle at every corner. Honestly not even just corners, but straight lines too.

✨

Also where the hell was the sex? Book one was fade to black, but book two banged pretty well from what I can remember, and I was impressed with the change in style. So with book three, I just expected the level we got in book 2 and this simply…didn’t compare at all. The first carriage scene we got was such an abrupt fade to black, time jump I absolutely thought I accidentally skipped a page.

Then we got one semi explicit scene that lasted a couple pages. Then another very random fade to black moment halfway through the epilogue. The initial fade to black moment had me again STRESSED because I didn’t know how the sex scene would go. Personally, what an odd way to introduce the couple in a sexual situation. Why the record scratch?

✨

Edward’s such a thorn in my side and this reminded me time and time again why book 2 didn’t work for me. William’s addition here was like boom here’s the entire plot now and then it just faded to the background until poof it’s all better. No real questions were answered so he’s obviously getting a book, but it felt more disjointed than anything.

You definitely need to have read both books to read this one because a lot of names were thrown around with little explanation. Same thing with a lot of details and plot points.

✨

I did like how this didn’t really revolve too heavily on John being engaged to her enemy (the summary made it seem like he’d be spending a lot of time with said enemy) but it at least functioned differently here. I was happy with that actually, even if it did stress me out the entire time before the engagement ended. Speaking of the summary, they gambled rather than looked for American heiresses so idk where the disconnect happened, but the summary isn’t very accurate.

✨

John was cute and I guess I liked Charlotte but their relationship was so surface level. When he said “I love you” when he did I was like WUT?? (Bedroom John in general felt disconnected with his character from the first half of the book.) They were very different and wanted such different things that I think this needed to be more of a character driven book than it was. There was so much background noise that the intricacies of their relationship got lost in the fray.

The foundation of this book was there, but the execution went awry. Charlotte had been pining for John her entire life and we always love to see it. I think there was an opportunity to have a very low angst, sweet and deep romance, but the train took a different route…right into another train.

While I was stressed and a bit angry during the book, I felt so much better after I finished and looked at the book as a whole. I think this has more reread potential than first read potential from me.

How to Win a Wallflower is original, emotional, and achingly romantic. I absolutely adored John and Charlotte! These are two lovable and vulnerable characters, healing each other with love and kindness.

John Barnesworth, an awkward and introverted engineer, is perfectly content living in his tiny shack in America. But when his spoiled brother dies unexpectedly, John is forced to return and take his place as the new viscount. Unfortunately for John, the estates are bankrupt, and he is betrothed to his brother’s cruel fiancée. Her obscenely large dowry may be the only solution to his money troubles. I’ve had a fondness for John since How to Survive a Scandal. Despite his extraordinary intelligence, John’s speech impediment has made him the subject of ridicule. Even his parents treated him poorly. Consequently, John avoids the ton like the plague.

In contrast, Lady Charlotte Stirling is a social butterfly. Charlotte thrives on social connection and she’s a champion of wallflowers. A do-gooder at heart, Charlotte is secretly in love with her brother’s best friend (John) since they were children. When Charlotte discovers John’s financial woes, she offers to help him. Together they embark on a daring scheme to pay off his debts.

Charlotte and John are perfect together even though they seem the most unlikely couple. She gives him the confidence he needs, and he shows her that it’s ok to put herself first. Their love story is tender, poignant, and sexy. That ridiculously romantic proposal in the rain is imprinted in my heart now. John is such a lovely romance hero! There are also shocking twists and turns that kept me on my toes. I do hope we’ll get William’s book. My heart broke for him in the last book, and I’m glad he’s on the road to recovery. This was a fun and thoroughly satisfying read. I can count on Samara Parish to bring the drama, emotion, and heartwarming romance.

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for giving me the opportunity to read an e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

he can win me any day of the week. I wan hooked and loved it from start to finish. Must read it and you will understand and be hooked.

John is called home because his brother died. He is the new Lord Harrow. His estate is in debt. Charlotte has been in love with him since they were children. She wants to help him get out of debt.

The heroine is strong and wants to help the underdog. The hero is a genius inventor with a photographic memory. He is in love with Charlotte but her brother is his best friend who has warned him away from his sister.

I loved the book. The characters are well developed. It kept me engaged from beginning to end.

This was an incredibly romantic story, full of complex characters, including villains, which I really love. John and Charlotte were definitely meant to be.

Charlotte Stirling has carried a flame for John Barnesworth since she saw him under the tree in the garden behind her childhood home. Now that he is back in England and he desperately needs her help to avoid having to marry an heiress simply for money. But can he overcome his dislike of the ton, and can she put aside her desire to be of use to anyone and everyone?

In my review of Samantha Parish’s last book, I said that the Stirling siblings were my favorite part, and so I was delighted to see them again in How to Win a Wallflower! I particularly enjoyed the continuation of William’s story, though if one hasn’t read book 2 it might be difficult to understand his back story entirely. I enjoyed this book immensely; it’s fantastic to find in a period romance that the wallflower is not a wilting heroine, but a shy hero. All the characters were well written, with excellent development for each as the book progressed. I really found the side characters fun - the older ladies and Char's best friends were fantastic.

4.5 stars rounded to 5 for a fun, quick read!

My thanks to Forever and NetGalley for the chance to read this book, with all thoughts and opinions here my own.

Finn, Dom, and Kiernan have a year to get married. They must find compatible females. Finn is a strong gambler, but he does not read well. His father has told him what a disappointment he is to both his parents. Also, his tutor is extremely disappointed. They don't give him a chance.

Tabitha has studied everyone who is anyone. If she is single, she cannot belong to the Sterling
Society. But will they really change for her? Right now, men control the actions of this society. They
even go into Parliament. Men control all societies; women have no control.

This is supposed to be a marriage of convenience but the way the head two heroes are they even start to make love, vigorously. They slowly start to trust each other.

I received this ARC from Book Sirens and voluntarily reviewed it.

This is truly an original book! The shy Hero, made so by a nasty brother and demanding parents makes him want to do nothing but hide and invent. The social butterfly of a heroine is a feisty, well respected lady who happens to love the shy hero. It is the hero who is the wallflower and it was a refreshing change. To see them both grow over time AND to see the heroine and her nemesis comes to terms was truly enjoyable! I loved all the twists and turns and devoured this book quickly!

I absolutely adored How to Win a Wallflower! Charlotte and John's story is one for the ages. The push and pull of Charlotte's desire to please and John's fear of never measuring up turns into one of the most well balanced relationships that I have gotten to witness in the regency era romance genre. I loved how realistic their relationship development was, and I loved how they had to solve multiple hard pressing issues together before fully admitting their feelings for one another. This book left me excited to read all of Parish's other works. She truly knows how to write a swoon worthy romance.

When introverted engineer John Barnesworth inherits unexpectedly, he discovers he’s in debt and now betrothed to his brother’s unpleasant fiancée. Her dowry might save him from ruin, but do-gooder and social butterfly Lady Charlotte Stirling has a solution. Charlotte knows she can’t have him for herself because he’s her brother’s best friend, he’s engaged to her mortal enemy, and he wants to return to America.

Charlotte comes across as immature and pushy, and it was hard to warm to her. John says all the wrong things, and his stutter has nothing to do with that. I found him more likable.

This is third in a series and I felt
like I was missing a lot about the family relationships, so I guess it’s best to read in order. This isn’t exactly period accurate and I saw the big twist from a mile away. If I had liked Charlotte, or Charlotte and John together, I wouldn’t have minded and just enjoyed the ride. The final resolution dragged painfully for the last %20 of the book.

I love Samara Parish's other historical romance and this one doesn't disappoint. John Barnesworth inherits unexpectedly but find that he's now betrothed to his brother unpleasant but rich fiancee. He falls for Lady Charlotte instead, his best friend's sister....

I love both main characters. They are both smart and honourable people. I love how they understand and connect with each other. Another incredibly romantic story!

Thanks to the publisher and the writer for the arc.