A newbie’s guide to Lisa Kleypas’ WallFlowers Series. Her beloved Historical romance series is a romance readers must read.
The WallFlowers Series By Lisa Kleypas is one of my all time favorire historical romance series. I acutally read the second book in the series first, but was so intrigued, I went back and started from the beginning.
This series has spawned my second favorite series of hers The Hathaways and my third :the Ravenels.
Whenever someone tells me they want to read more books like the Bridgertons, I always point them to this series first and foremost.
Let’s talk about why.
What Kind of romance is The Wallflower Series.
The Wallflower series are historical romances set in England in in the 1800s The series starts when Gorgoeus but poor Annabelle, American heiresses( and sisters) Lillian and Daisy and shy and stuttering Evie are seated at the back of the ballroom as usual and decide to band together and help each ther find husbands.
?Hilarity and of course romance ensues…
The Lisa Kleypas Wallflowers Series In Order
Secrets of a Summer Night
Summary:
Proud and beautiful Annabelle Peyton could have her pick of suitors—if only she had a dowry. Her family is on the brink of disaster, and the only way Annabelle can save them is to marry a wealthy man. Unfortunately, her most persistent admirer is the brash Simon Hunt, a handsome and ambitious entrepreneur who wants her as his mistress.
Annabelle is determined to resist Simon’s wicked propositions, but she can’t deny her attraction to the boldly seductive rogue, any more than he can resist the challenge she presents. As they try to outmaneuver each other, they find themselves surrendering to a love more powerful than they could have ever imagined. But fate may have other plans—and it will take all of Annabelle’s courage to face a peril that could destroy everything she holds dear.
My opinion:
This one is what I like to call a classic romance novel. it has all the traditional troupes of a romance novel, but in the best way possible.
Rating: This is not my favorite in the series, but I give it a solid 4/5.
It Happened One Autumn
Summary
Headstrong American heiress Lillian Bowman has come to England to find an aristocratic husband. Unfortunately, no man is strong enough to tame the stubborn beauty’s fierce will. Except, perhaps, the powerful and arrogant Earl of Westcliff—a man Lillian despises more than anyone she’s ever met.
Marcus, Lord Westcliff, is famous for his icy English reserve and his supreme self-control. But something about the audacious Lillian drives him mad. Whenever they’re in the same room, they can’t stop themselves from battling furiously to gain the upper hand.
Then one afternoon, a stunningly sensuous encounter changes everything. But what neither Westcliff nor Lillian suspect, however, is that a sinister conspiracy threatens to destroy any chance of happiness. After a shocking betrayal endangers Lillian’s safety—and possibly her life—will Marcus be able to save her before it’s too late?
My thoughts:
Love a god enemies to lovers romance and on top of it an Alpha male and an alpha female…it’s heaven. I was expecting fireworks AND GOT THEM. Didn’t hurt that they couldn’t stop having sec. LOL. Also, this books is so good because it introduces my absolute favorite morally gray villain: Sebastian St James.Trust me .
Rating: I give it 4.5/5
Devil in Winter
Summary
Desperate to escape her scheming relatives, Evangeline Jenner has sought the help of the most infamous scoundrel in London.
A marriage of convenience is the only solution.
No one would have ever paired the shy, stammering wallflower with the sinfully handsome viscount. It quickly becomes clear, however, that Evie is a woman of hidden strength—and Sebastian desires her more than any woman he’s ever known.
Determined to win her husband’s elusive heart, Evie dares to strike a bargain with the devil: If Sebastian can stay celibate for three months, she will allow him into her bed.
When Evie is threatened by a vengeful enemy from the past, Sebastian vows to do whatever it takes to protect his wife . . . even at the expense of his own life.
Together they will defy their perilous fate, for the sake of all-consuming love.
My thoughts:
This is, hands down, my most favorite book in the series. Because I unashamedly love Sebastian St James in all his morally grey, seductive self. What makes this book so good is that it really is the most serious of all of the books.Both of our main characters are dealing with issues and the fact that they help each other through it….sigh…Years later, I will go back and ONLY read this book in the series. Because…Sebastian.
Rating: 5/5. Top tier.
Scandal in Spring
Summary
Quirky and fun-loving American heiress Daisy Bowman is the last unmarried Wallflower. Her exasperated father has informed her that if she can’t find a husband by the end of her third London season, she will be forced to marry a man she hates—the ruthless entrepreneur Matthew Swift.
Daisy is horrified. A Bowman never admits defeat, so she decides to do whatever it takes to marry someone . . . anyone . . . other than Matthew. What she doesn’t count on, however, is Matthew’s unexpected charm, or the blazing sensuality that soon flares beyond both their control. And Daisy discovers that the man she has always hated just might turn out to be the man of her dreams.
But when a scandalous secret is uncovered, it could destroy both Matthew and a love more passionate and irresistible than Daisy’s wildest fantasies.
My thoughts:
To me, this was the slowest book of the series, but it’s light and easy like Daisy. Its the classic; he falls first/unrequested love. But it was wonderful to see how our last Wildflower finds her true love.
Rating: 4/5.
Lisa Kleypas Books Connected to the WallFlower Series
A WallFlower Christmas focuses on Lillian and Daisy’s Brother as the main characters. It was great to see all of the characters again and it’s a fun quick holiday read.
I just recently discovered Again the Magic which is a prequel to the series and tells the love stories of Marcus’ younger sisters, Aline and Livia. I thought I had read every Lisa Kleypas book so I was pleasantly surprised.
But there are three other books I would suggest that have a connection to the Wallflowers books:
The Gamblers of Craven’s Series features Cravens and introduces us to Evie’s Father.
Cam Rohen ( introduced to us in Devil in Winter) my favorite character besides Lord St Vincent, is the hero of Mine till Midnight: the first book of My second favorite Lisa Kelypas series : The Hathaway Series
And if you want to keep going: Check out The Ravenels Series which jumps forward a generation to feature the children of Evie And Sebastian: Devil in Spring and Devil’s Daughter
I hope you enjoy Lisa Kleypas Wallflowers Series just as much as I did!