How to Woo a Wallflower by Virginia Heath is the first book of Society’s Most Scandalous. Jasper, the Earl of Beaufort, hadn’t seen Lady Harriet Fitzroy since before the riding accident that left her with a limp. He sees a new woman before him. One who charms him beyond measure. Hattie’s family disapproves of Jasper’s rakish past. But when Jasper’s life takes a surprising turn, Hattie agrees help him out despite the risk to her reputation.

This was a super cute and quick read! I enjoyed both Jasper and Hattie and I loved their chemistry.

This is probably one of my oldest books on my NetGalley shelf and I struggled to get in the mood for it. No fault of the story or the writing!

This had loads of regency romance tropes such as brothers best friend, there’s some disability representation, and the author is generally a witty writer. So I had high hopes. There were some anachronistic moments and usually they don’t bother me, however in this one I did find myself taken out of the story a bit. So I enjoyed it, but it’s not one I’d revisit.

Okay characters… Hattie is a feisty wallflower, but who is entirely capable and not just her accident/limp. Jasper is a rake who owns a gambling hell who finds himself the father to a little girl unexpectedly. They come together to team up and the slow burn commences.

Overall this is a solid story! Thank you NetGalley for my arc in exchange for my honest review.

Finally making her debut after a long recovery from a horse-riding accident, Hattie is relegated to the wallflower chairs - but at least her brother's rakish best friend, Jasper, is there to keep her company.

This might have been the oldest remnant on my NetGalley shelf that I've yet swept off - while I like this genre and this author, I never seemed to get into the mood for it. I had the idea that this would be a straightforward Regency romance, and the book did not exceed my expectations.

It was a quick, charming read about a pair of characters that I liked as a couple. When an orphaned child, the daughter of a friend, falls into Jasper's lap, Hattie tries to help him be a better father, but as he has a scandalous reputation they cannot associate very openly. I liked how Jasper saw Hattie as the strong, capable person she was when everyone else seemed to write her off due to her disability. I also liked how Hattie's life-altering accident and long recovery was presented in a realistic and unsentimental light.

However, I did feel like the book used a lot of Regency romance tropes, and not always to the best effect - a hero who owns a gentlemen's club, an unexpected child, and the brother's best friend, for example. While these elements are all woven into the hero's background in a convincing manner, I just thought there was too much going on. With so many stock elements thrown together, while the book is well-written and enjoyable, it simply does not have staying power after I've turned the last page.

4 stars
A highly enjoyable regency romance that helped me out of a reading slump, featuring disability representation and some truly likeable main characters.
Harriet, our heroine, is physically disabled; she walks with a heavy limp thanks to an accident in young adulthood, and knows that as a result her pool of suitors is limited mostly to noblemen too deficient in personality to attract ‘perfect’ (able-bodied) wives. Jasper, our hero, is a charming nobleman who cultivates his reputation as a rake to increase business at his gentleman’s club—meaning of course that he will never be fully respectable. The two start an unlikely but genuine friendship, which grows into a lovely romance.
One aspect of the novel I particularly enjoyed was Harriet’s commitment to charity volunteer work at a free medical clinic for impoverished youth. All too often, poor or ill children are pitiable props that romance novels use to make the heroine look saintly, but Harriet doesn’t condescend to the young man she’s coaching through recovery, rather seeing him as an equal going through the same recovery she underwent, and he is allowed his own personality and agency within the novel.
It seemed at first as though the ‘villain’ of the story would be the press or society gossip, but these played relatively minor roles. I found myself detesting Harriet’s thick-headed elder brother, who constantly tried to ‘protect’ her in ways that infantilized and humiliated her, often making her position worse than before his meddling started. That said, his role was also small, and I really enjoyed that the main conflict ended up being interpersonal rather than the work of an external villain. The real problems revolved around Jasper’s misguided attempts at ‘nobility,’ and were solved by allowing Harriet the autonomy she deserved in making her own life choices.
This is a charming romance with two fully realized main characters, both of whom I enjoyed spending my time with, and a rather accessibly entry into period romance as a genre.

I liked this set up and the story, the two leads drew me in and I rooted for them. a reformed rake story is always a good one.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After a horrific riding accident left her injured, Lady Harriet Fitzroy isn't about to let anything stop her. She was told she would never walk again, but though she has a limp, she proved everyone wrong, and has become a spirited young woman, always ready to help others. Jasper, the Earl of Beaufort, hasn't seen his friend's younger sister since before the accident, but is shocked to see what a beautiful woman she has become. Her family doesn't agree with his reputation, but she won't let that stop her, and risks her own reputation to help him find a wife. Little does she know, though, that he's already found the woman he wants to be with.

I really liked this book. Harriet was such a feisty character, who didn't care for the Season, or finding a husband, but would rather spend her time at the hospital helping others in situations like she had been in. She was lucky that she had a caring and loving family to support her through her recovery, but many in London do not. A self proclaimed wallflower, Harriet spends her time on the sides of ballrooms, though when Jasper arrives home, he puts an end to it. I loved their growth as friends, and then partners. Jasper unexpectedly finds himself the father of a young child, and though he knows that it will cause scandal, he is ready for the world to know his daughter, and doesn't want to hide her away. I really found this to be a great romance, and I hope to read the others in the series soon!

Part of a series that worked well as a standalone, we have two self described rescuer MCs who follow their hearts to quickly move from friends-to-lovers. This also features a best friend’s sisters trope, wallflower and rake trope, and looming scandal as an obstacle to them being together.

Overall, this was a fast read that had some heart strings tugging, a small amount of steam, and tight writing. While I never felt like I “knew” the MCs in depth, their friendship and romance was believable and I was invested in their HEA.

I generally liked the characters, the conflict was reasonable and not too angsty, and the banter between characters was entertaining. I also liked the way Hattie’s disability was handled, although aspects may be triggering for some because it does talk about pity/infantilism of differently abled bodies. I thought Hattie grappled with the grief of her injury and her journey with a lot to be respected and admired, however, so it was uplifting in a way that had some meaning for me.

I found some of the language to be anachronistic/prochronistic which was a bit jarring. Similarly, one of the characters, a ten year old orphan who had been working and not educated since he was small, was too well spoken and insightful to be believable. Because I received an ARC, I am hoping some of this was fixed in the published version…but in case it wasn’t, readers who love the history and are annoyed by inaccuracies should probably skip this one.

There were a few intimate scenes, but were not highly graphic, and some mentions of medical procedures/accidents, and some mature content (mistresses, prostitution, gaming). However, the whole thing was fairly vanilla so okay for readers who do not mind a bit of mature content.

It was a solid read with many enjoyable moments, even if the historical details and character depth were missing.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have read quite a few books by Virginia Heath, and I have loved them all, so I had high hopes about this book. It definitely delivered. I loved this book as much as all of the author's other books.

A rake and a wallflower get stuck in a traffic jam, resulting in the two reuniting and embarking on a whole new journey towards happiness--with many bumps along the way! I adored both the hero and heroine, both making the best out of the wrenches life throws at them--for Hattie, a devastating injury that left her with a limp; for Jasper, working hard to get his family out of poverty and becoming the father to a little girl overnight.

Loved it! Great story and a fun read. I have enjoyed this one immensely and look forward to the rest of the series!


I just reviewed How to Woo a Wallflower by Virginia Heath. #HowtoWooaWallflower #NetGalley

Though smart and capable, Harriet has been treated as fragile ever since a serious riding accident left her with a limp. The only one who appreciates her is Jasper, her brother’s best friend. But with his rakish reputation, her family wants him nowhere near her. Can they overcome expectations and fall in love?

I love Virginia Heath, and this book is no exception. Harriet ignores the obstacles others put in front of her and lives her best life. Jasper opened a gambling club to save his noble family from bankruptcy, and feels no remorse for his scandalous reputation. This couple is likeable and a perfect match. The story is engaging and satisfying.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

How to Woo a Wallflower by Virginia Heath is a sweet, lightly steamy, new Regency Romance.

Lady Harriet Fitzroy, a duke’s daughter, expects to sit through the London Season as a wallflower and she’s dreading it. Two years earlier, she suffered a terrible riding accident that almost took her life. She recovered, but was left with a deformed leg and a limp. This markedly reduces her value on the marriage mart. Avoiding the usual ton activities, Harriet spends much of her time volunteering at the children’s infirmary where her own life was saved.

Jasper, the Earl of Beaufort, is a friend of Freddy Fitzroy, Harriet’s brother. (Harriet had a crush on him when she was younger.) He’s also the owner of the scandalous gambling hell, The Reprobates’ Club. He started the club after his nearly bankrupt father disowned him, and he’s now a successful businessman. It’s not socially acceptable for a lord to work; moreover, Jasper is a known rake. He’s definitely not the kind of man Freddy wants anywhere near his sister.

Because Harriet has spent two years in recovery, she hasn’t seen Jasper in quite a while. Their paths cross when she is on her way to the infirmary and he’s on his way to his club. Jasper is aware of her accident and is prepared for her to be sensitive about her limp. But he’s not prepared for her sense of humor, her resilience, and her determined self-sufficiency. Not to mention her beauty. He’s smitten. And her old feelings for him return with a vengeance.

To complicate matters, just as they are reacquainting themselves, Jasper receives word that an old friend has died, leaving him charge of her four-year-old daughter. The “old friend” was a courtesan, known to be an old mistress of his, so everyone will naturally draw the conclusion that the child is his daughter. If Jasper was too scandalous for a decent young lady to associate with before, he is definitely out-of-bounds now.

However, Harriet is even more impressed with Jasper after seeing his concern for the child and the readiness he displays to claim her as his own. And Jasper is more impressed with Harriet the more he watches her persevere despite her physical limitations. Their determination to help one another weather the London Season – where Harriet must endure the humiliation of being an object of pity and scorn and Jasper awaits the breaking of the worst scandal of his life -- turns into a passionate, but secret, courtship.

The protagonists are wonderfully drawn, sympathetic characters. The chemistry between them is believable. They face their obstacles bravely and are honest with one another (even if their secret romance requires a good deal of lying to everyone else.)

Now I’ll have to see what happens with Harriet’s twin sister!

To Woo a Wallflower is a delightful, charming regency love story.

You will love this book if you are a fan of the Bridgerton series or Lisa Kleypas’s Wallflower series. What made this book stand out for me was how Virginia put her own unique spin on the world of debutants and the London Season. I really enjoyed Harriet’s story and her character. She is a different kind of London Lady; she’s this beautiful blend of charm and grit. The accident that left her with a limp added an interesting element to the story. Harriet comes from a wealthy and well-known family, but her injury has made her a wallflower. Her experiences at these London Season events are quite different from other heroines from other book series. Instead of men actively pursuing her, they now pity and avoid her. Her overbearing older brother pushes his friends and male acquittances on her, which leads to lots of awkward conversations (that no one wants to have). Just when Harriet thinks she can’t bare another moment of this Season, in walks Jasper, who saves her (not that she needs saving).

The whole story just flows really nicely. I have to say that I was surprised at the amount of detail and “meat” this story had. I know it is supposed to be a short novella-type book, but it definitely felt like a full fledge novel. I am a huge fan of Virginia’s books and always enjoy her characters. They have this edgy and witty feel to them. I love how women can hold their own against their male counterparts. It makes from some very fabulous conversations.

I loved watching Harriet and Jasper interact. Their chemistry is just fun, real, and definitely swoon-worthy at times. Both characters are going their tough times in their lives, and neither is actively looking for love. One of the things that I liked best about these two was that they were on equal footing. What I mean by this is that one character isn’t above the other, or one character doesn’t become the main rescuer in the story. These both become heroes and help each other characters in the story. There is a slower progression in their relationship. They start out as friends who help each other out, slowly evolving into something much steamier.


To Woo a Wallflower is perfect for those looking for a book to satisfy their Bridgerton fix.

Thank you, Harlequin Historical, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a terrific friends-to-lovers/best friend's sister book. There are several obstacles between Hattie and Jasper and their HEA, and I loved seeing them overcome each.

Hattie dreads the upcoming Season. The riding accident that left her with a permanent limp means she cannot dance, which means she will be relegated to the wallflower chairs with the rest of Society's misfits. It doesn't help that her overprotective brother, Freddie, plans to introduce her to as many single men as he can. She's already been subjected to one who is interested in her for her connections and has made it plain that she's lucky to have his attention. Hattie would much rather spend her time at the children's hospital, helping the doctor who saved her life and leg. On the way to one of these visits, she encounters Jasper, her brother's best friend.

Jasper is a man with a scandalous reputation. Jasper opened a gentlemen's gaming club when his family fell into financial straits. The Reprobates' Club has done very well, and Jasper is now a wealthy man. He also has a reputation with the ladies. So much so that Hattie's brother, Freddie, who is Jasper's best friend, warns him to stay away from Hattie for fear of Jasper's reputation ruining her. When Jasper sees Hattie for the first time since her accident, he is stunned by her beauty and kindness. He knows he should stay away from her, as his reputation would do her no good. But when she comes to his rescue after devastating news turns his life upside down, his honor demands that he help her, too. This began a slow-burn romance that started as friendship and grew to be much more.

I loved the development of the relationship between Jasper and Hattie. Both are nurturers/protectors and bond quickly over their efforts to help each other. Their banter is fun, and their chemistry is obvious. One of my favorite things is that Jasper sees Hattie for the beautiful, kind, and intelligent woman that she is. He knows her handicap, but it doesn't define her in his eyes. I enjoyed his growing respect for her as he got to know her. There are multiple scenes where his eyes are opened to situations that he would never have noticed without her pointing them out. I adored his protectiveness toward her and his ways of demonstrating it. Seeing him run interference with men like Lord Boreham was fun, and his formation of the Wallflowers of 1813 Club was inspired. He did mean to keep their relationship to friends, but the more time they spent together, he realized he wanted more. But with the scandal about to break over him, he doesn't want it to rub off on her, so he tries to distance himself from her.

Hattie had a crush on Jasper when she was younger but put it behind her after her accident. Those feelings are resurrected when they meet again, but with her handicap, she doesn't expect anything to come of it. I loved seeing her step in to help the overwhelmed Jasper deal with Izzy's arrival. I loved that she didn't judge him and saw how hard he worked to overcome past mistakes. She sees the caring, intelligent, and honorable man beneath the scandalous reputation and does everything she can to support him in his efforts. I loved the shopping scene with Jasper's cluelessness and Hattie's amusement at his panic. When the expected scandal broke, I laughed out loud when Hattie faced down a pair of gossipy, judgmental women with an excellent rebuttal. She didn't shy away from blunt language, and it was a pleasure to see her lay into them.

I loved the ending and seeing Hattie lay waste to Jasper's attempts to protect her rather than make her part of the solution. Her anger and hurt were understandable, and I loved seeing Jasper realize his mistake. Unfortunately, Freddie's interference created another hurdle, but Jasper overcame that one quickly with his emotional response to Hattie. I also loved their decision to embrace the scandal rather than hide from it. I wish there were an epilogue, but I hope to see more of them in the following books.

I loved how Hattie's family supported her during her recovery after the accident. Unfortunately, they have become overprotective, and it drives her nuts. They also judge Jasper because of his past and don't look past his reputation at the man he is. Freddie was incredibly frustrating, considering he's supposedly Jasper's best friend. There appears to be some scandal attached to his romance/marriage, and I'd love to know if he has his own story.

I loved the two children in this story. Izzy is adorable in her love for Jack and how she took to Hattie immediately. I enjoyed seeing how she brought out the softer side of Jack. Young Jim was just the opposite. In the hospital with the same type of injury, Hattie had, his fear of his future causes him to lash out at everyone. Hattie's determination to help him runs up against his stubbornness and fear. It was interesting to see what broke the stalemate between them. I also loved how Jack's feelings for Hattie spilled over onto Jim and the solution he devised.

Fun and snappy.

The dialog is light and bright, as Hattie, two years after a bad accident, is now a confident, young woman making her debut along with her sisters. She's stronger for the accident that left her with a limp. Jasper, her brother's friend and fellow rake, is taken with the grown up Hattie. The tone is very regency Austen with a helping of scandalous gossip thrown in.
Recommend.

What a charming story! And everything I’ve come to love from Virginia Heath. Heath was so slow to build Jasper and Hattie’s friendship, and gave it room to breath, that the subsequent affection, lust and love felt natural.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

This delightful and sweet historical romance has a nice regency slice of life feel to it and a lovely building of a relationship between the hero and heroine. This best friend's sister romance is a charming and delightful quick read that will entertain any historical romance reader. Virginia Heath's writing feels accessible, is well paced and brings to life the romance beautifully.

Jasper, an earl, could have any debutante that he wants but he is constantly drawn to his best friend's sister, who he has not seen since her serious riding accident. Hattie is spirited and strong and she is willing to risk her reputation to help Jasper, even though her family disapproves of his rakish reputation. But as these two spend time together they are both able to help each other grow and explore their desires and wants.

I think the true strength and beauty that lies in the novel really hinges on the trust these two build with each other. I also love Hattie's resilience and strength as she navigates life after her accident which has left her disabled. I love that Jasper see's Hattie on a deeper level and he knows she is strong and capable of any thing. Jasper and Hattie have a lovely chemistry that builds as they spend more time together and learn to rediscover each other in a new light. The steam level on this novel is lightly sensual, and exactly what I would expect from a Historical Harlequin.

If you are looking for a light historical romance novel, with a strong heroine and a misunderstood hero who see the other for who they truly are, then his is an endearing option for you. I really enjoyed the characters and the ease of the writing style that made this a really lovely and low angst read.

I mostly stuck around to see if I was right about Jasper and Cora’s relationship. There was a lot of telling and not showing and I didn’t really get why the MCs were into each other.

How to Woo a Wallflower is a charming and romantic friends-to-lovers historical romance and another fabulous read by Virginia Heath. The story follows Lady Harriet Fitzroy and Jasper, the Earl of Beaufort, friends who haven’t seen each other in years before Harriet was seriously injured in a riding accident. Jasper is a rake with a scandalous reputation and quite the opposite of Harriet, who is more of a wallflower. However, neither can deny the chemistry and growing feelings between them.

Harriet and Jasper are dynamic protagonists, and their characters are fleshed out well. Hattie is disabled. She did not recover fully from a horse riding accident, and she now walks with a limp. Though beautiful, kind, and intelligent, Hattie is judged because of her disability and is either looked down upon, coddled, or used by family and peers. However, Hattie doesn’t let this define her. She becomes an advocate for others with disadvantages and often helps the doctor who helped her recover. This work gives Hattie purpose and is so meaningful to her, which Jasper quickly realizes.

Jasper is a scandalous rake who owns an even more scandalous club, and though he is the son of a Duke, he, like Hattie, is very much judged. It doesn’t matter that he saved his family from financial ruin. His role as club owner brings derision with it. Like Hattie, he doesn’t let others’ opinions define him, though he does struggle to shake his poor reputation.

Jasper and Harriet have such a wonderful romance filled with fun banter, great chemistry, and a strong connection. The couple begins as friends, and their relationship develops into something more, which I loved. Friends-to-lovers is a favorite trope of mine, and Heath creates a romantic relationship that’s built on respect, admiration, trust, and a ton of sexual tension! Jasper is one of the few people in Hattie’s life that sees past her disability and doesn’t treat her like she’s incapable. And Hattie sees how hard Jasper is trying to make up for mistakes in his past. They make such a fantastic couple, even though many obstacles stand in their way. I like how they both learn from each other and gain surety and confidence because of their bond.

The secondary characters are also great, and I particularly enjoyed the Wallflowers of 1813 Club. They are fun and interesting, and I’m hoping they have roles in future books in the series. Though I didn’t love him, Harriet’s brother is another important character. He is a major obstacle in Harriet and Jasper’s relationship, and he continually warns Jasper away from Harriet. His coddling, unneeded protection, and refusal to see past Hattie’s disability parallel society’s perceptions. However, unlike society, his actions are based on love.

I really enjoyed How to Woo a Wallflower, which probably comes as no surprise considering how much I usually adore books by Virginia Heath. It’s an entertaining, heart-warming, romantic, and thought-provoking historical romance and one I’d highly recommend. It’s also a great start to Heath’s new Society’s Most Scandalous series, and I look forward to reading the next book.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Historical for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Hattie had a terrible accident which left her with a leg inches shorter than the other. Jasper has had a lot of scandals in his past. Hattie volunteers with the doctor who helped her to be able to walk. Jasper is an Earl who runs a gentleman’s club. They have been friends for years. It has become something more.

The heroine is strong woman who knows what she wants. The hero is determined to do the right thing, to stay away from Hattie because she’s his best friend’s sister. The book was well written. It kept me interested until the end. Virginia Heath is a wonderful writer.