The Perks of Loving a Wallflower

Erica Ridley

Oct 2021 · Sold by Forever

About this ebook

Fans of Bridgerton will love this “delightful” Regency romp (Julia Quinn, New York Times bestselling author​) named one of the best romances of the year by Entertainment Weekly.

As a master of disguise, Thomasina Wynchester can be a polite young lady—or a bawdy old man. She’ll do whatever it takes to solve the cases her family takes on. But when Tommy’s beautiful new client turns out to be the highborn lady she’s secretly smitten with, more than her mission is at stake . . .

Bluestocking Miss Philippa York doesn’t believe in love. Her heart didn’t pitter-patter when she was betrothed to a duke, nor did it break when he married someone else. All Philippa desires is to decode a centuries-old manuscript to keep a modern-day villain from claiming credit for work that wasn’t his. She hates that she needs a man’s help to do it—so she’s delighted to discover the clever, charming baron at her side is in fact a woman. But as she and Tommy grow closer and the stakes of their discovery higher, more than just their hearts are at risk.

Entertainment Weekly Best Romances of 2021
Library Journal Best Romances of 2021
 

Ratings and reviews

Key points of this work: - An intelligent bluestocking who is being browbeaten by her parents, especially her mama, into marrying someone, preferably a noble, before another season ends. Said bluestocking is really not interested in marrying anyone but does not want to hurt her parents or ruin her father’s efforts in parliament. - A “jill of all trades" who is an expert in disguises, that aids her family’s efforts to right wrongs and help unfortunates. - A completely endearing and hilarious family, known for their endless escapades as well as an ability to love and care for one another and others. I was already familiar with the two main characters, Philippa York and Thomasina Wynchester, having read the prequel and book 1 in the series. I found them likable characters though I will say Thomasina had the stronger and more memorable character. Philippa won me over in book 1 when she knew she shouldn’t and couldn’t marry Lawrence, the Duke of Faircliffe. He was meant for Chloe, Thomasina’s sister and Philippa had no hard feelings toward Chloe. Thomasina became enchanted with Philippa after she first met her when she was disguised as Great-Aunt Wynchester in book 1. She felt remorse as she didn’t feel Philippa would accept her as she really was, as Tommy, not as Baron Vanderbean, the character she assumes in this book. I was torn with Philippa’s character in this book. For all her intelligence and an independent desire to form community libraries, she seemed too subservient to her parents and too willing to give in to what they demanded and expected of her. This greatly affected the growing relationship she was developing with Tommy. I enjoyed how all the Wynchesters were determined to find the proof that would help out Philippa’s good friend and fellow bluestocking, Damaris. She had developed a cipher that was helpful during the Napoleonic Wars but her uncle took credit for it. As to be expected with the Wynchesters, there were numerous hilarious moments in this work. I loved how Tommy was the perfect “rake” character. Ms. Ridley is to be commended on how she tastefully handled the growing sexual attraction between the two main characters and their resultant sensual scenes. It was her first effort in this venue and the first time for me to read a female/female encounter book. I’ve loved all the previous books I’ve read by this author and this one is no different. I appreciate being given the opportunity to review an ARC of this work and offer this voluntary review. All opinions stated are my own with an overall rating of 4 ½ Stars.

This charming Regency romance is the second book in the Wild Wynchesters series by one of my favorite romance authors, Erica Ridley. While the stories interconnect, each book focuses on one couple and can be enjoyed on its own. The Wynchesters are a delightful family of memorably idiosyncratic characters, all orphans adopted by a baron from a small foreign country. This book, and the entire Wild Wynchesters series, is populated with delightfully quirky, smart, funny characters who are each in their own way trying to do good. I adore them all. The main characters of this story are Tommy Wynchester and her bluestocking crush, Miss Philippa York. Tommy is a master of disguise who describes herself as both and neither gender. What she most longs for is someone who will love and accept her as herself. Philippa is a proper society miss trying to be a dutiful daughter, but she longs for adventure and a sense of being in command of her own life. Is there a way for both of them to get what they want? It is always a pleasure to watch the Wynchesters and Philippa’s highly accomplished circle of bluestockings engaging in wild hijinks to solve crimes and right wrongs. This was also a very sweet Sapphic romance. I found both aspects of the plot enjoyable. The story is told in chapters alternating between Tommy and Philippa’s perspective, which worked well. Note that there are explicit scenes of Sapphic sexuality. If that doesn’t bother you, then I highly recommend this book for fans of Regency romance and LBTQ romance. I was provided an unproofed ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review.

Tommy, Thomasina, Wynchester can be whatever she needs to be, a young man, an old man, a sassy old lady, or a debutante. What she wants to be is herself, just Tommy. Phillipa York is a bluestocking from a wealthy family. Her mother wants nothing more than for her to marry a titled man. Phillipa doesn’t want to marry at all. Tommy fell in love with Phillipa at first sight, but it may take a bit longer for Phillipa to reciprocate. Phillipa has only seen Tommy in disguise. When she reveals her true identity, Phillipa show interest, but the romance is a slow burn. At the same time Tommy and Phillipa are discovering love, there is a mystery to solve and an injustice to correct. Damaris’s uncle is about to take credit and receive honors for work she did. This is just the thing the Wynchesters love to be involved in. If the record can be set straight, they can do it. The Wild Wynchesters is a wonderful series, and this story is a great addition. The story, and the series, is an excellent example of family love and acceptance. Phillipa discovers both, something she has never felt before. She and Tommy are a sweet couple. Reading about the siblings is sheer delight. They are smart, funny, and totally devoted to each other and the latest addition to their family. Cute story, fantastic characters, and a pleasant narration by Moira Quirk. I recommend it. I received and ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

About the author

Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical romance novels. When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rain forests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.  To find out more, visit:EricaRidley.comTwitter @EricaRidley
Facebook.com/EricaRidleyInstagram @EricaRidley