The Wicked Wallflower by Maya Rodal

Historical Romance

What Goodreads says:

"Maya Rodale's captivating new series introduces London's Least Likely—three wallflowers who are about to become the toast of the ton…
Lady Emma Avery has accidentally announced her engagement—to the most eligible man in England. As soon as it's discovered that Emma has never actually met the infamously attractive Duke of Ashbrooke, she'll no longer be a wallflower; she'll be a laughingstock. And then Ashbrooke does something Emma never expected. He plays along with her charade.
A temporary betrothal to the irreproachable Lady Avery could be just the thing to repair Ashbrooke's tattered reputation. Seducing her is simply a bonus. And then Emma does what he never expected: she refuses his advances. It's unprecedented. Inconceivable. Quite damnably alluring.
London's Least Likely to Misbehave has aroused the curiosity—among other things—of London's most notorious rogue. Now nothing will suffice but to uncover Emma's wanton side and prove there's nothing so satisfying as two perfect strangers…being perfectly scandalous together."

Characters:  Ashbrooke is really something else.  He has had it too easy with women so Emma is something he has no experience with.  He starts out likeable and while he changes that does not.  Emma is great.  She has wit and intelligence, neither a plus on the marriage market.  It is fun to see the two interact and finally get together.  Ashbrooke’s aunt plays a major role and she is a wonderful character, old and near the end of her life but still a force of nature.

Plot:  No one believes in Ashbrooke’s invention or business interest.  Emma is tired of the social scene and just want to have a husband and family.  They need each other but the thing that stands between them is who sent the engagement notice to the paper and who will inherit the Aunt’s money.  I had a suspicion on both and it turned out both were true. 

Writing:  This is a very well constructed story with great dialog (some so funny I was laughing so hard I had to quit reading) and description, wonderful characters and an interesting plot.  The writing holds everything together and kept me reading into the night.

A Wicked Wallflower is full of fun.  It is an enjoyable read.  I have heard that laughter prolongs live and if that is true I laughed enough reading A Wicked Wallflower to add several years to my life.  There are other wallflowers introduced and ready for their stories so I will be on the lookout for the next wallflower book.

Avon published A Wicked Wallflower by Maya Rodale in 2013.

I received an ARC of A Wicked Wallflower from Edelweiss.