The Wicked Wallflower is probably my favorite entry in one of my all-time romance series. Here, Phillippa "Pippa" Darlington, younger sister of the Duke of Leighton (he of the "Leighton Cluster"), has long been in lust and maybe a little bit of love with Xander MacCauley, one of her brother's business partners. Xander is (secretly) the bastard son of an earl who grew up in the rookeries and continues to be on the somewhat seamy side of life. Xander also secretly returns Pippa's feelings, at least the lust part to start with. With Leighton out of town on his honeymoon, he has tasked Xander with keeping Pippa out of trouble - a task easier said than done.

Put into each other's company more and more, Pippa and Xander deepen their connection. The connections between the ton and Limehouse strengthen accordingly.

LOVE LOVE LOVE Pippa and Xander. Pippa is so strong and unwilling to compromise on her own happiness. When Xander tries to run scared, she simply doesn't let him. She taxes him with facing his true feelings and desires and is strong enough to overcome other disapprovals of their burgeoning relationship. Fabulously steamy and bringing in just the right touch of the characters from past and future series entries, this could be a standalone, but I urge people to read the whole series because it is just so good.

5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions herein are entirely my own.

Independence, purpose and adventure are what Lady Philippa Darlington wants most in life. Too bad she’s a duke’s sister. She’s expected to do better, to be prim and proper, and to marry.
After two miserable Seasons she has a plan: disappear into the masses like a true wallflower and do some secret undercover work for the Duchess Society. She means well, but gets herself in trouble more often than not, and mysteriously gets rescued every single time.
There’s one man who caught her eye, but he’s forbidden fruit. He’s dangerous, keeper of many secrets and he’s her brother’s friend. Should she? Could she? Would he?

Prince of Limehouse, respected Leighton Cluster member, entrepreneur extraordinaire and soon-to-be gaming hell owner. Just a few of Xander Macauley’s many occupations.
One by one his closest friends are getting married, starting a family and, worst of all, falling madly in love with their wives.
Love! Not something Mac is looking for… but that hellion of a Little Darlington keeps putting herself on his path.
She’s not safe in his world, she too young, she wants love and her brother, the duke, will kill him for touching her. Oh, she’s something else! Determined, clever, enticing, captivating… could this be more?

📚 Mayfair meets the rookeries. Two worlds mingling more and more in the third book of this series. The main characters and families are well established by now, but it’s still an interesting and entertaining journey to dive deeper into these MC’s history. To see how they develop and grow. There’s a magnetism between them that kept me reading page after page. And who can resist a delicious bad boy ?
📚 very steamy, open door, brother’s friend, bluestocking, age gap, slow burn, class difference

Thank you to Tracy Sumner, NetGalley and Wolf Publishing for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Pip, a wild hoiden, has always been attracted to her brother’s rogue friend Xander. When Xander tries to save her from her many dangerous exploits, he finally decides he cannot deny the feelings he has for Pip. I cannot wait to read the next in this series. I received an ARC from NetGalley and WOLF Publishing for my honest review.