The Wallflower’s Christmas Wish

Cheryl Bolen

Oct 2022 · The Brides of Bath Book 8 · Harper & Appleton

About this ebook

At the age of four and twenty, Miss Diana Furness is a confirmed spinster. Not only is she possessed of a nondescript appearance, but a stepmother with two daughters of her own to launch has convinced Diana she’s inconsequential. Only one thing has ever given her joy: her artistic talents.

The marriages, one by one, of his circle of friends and siblings has left Sir Elvin Steffington feeling most bereft. Perhaps it’s time for him to join their ranks. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a single beauty in Bath for him to woo. Added to that dilemma, his sister, who’s married and moved off to Yorkshire, has begged for his portrait as her Christmas present. He bloody well does not want to pose for a portrait, but his love for his sister wins.

A chance encounter convinces him the exceedingly plain Miss Furness is the only person in Bath capable of painting his portrait, but he must first convince this talented amateur. After bribing the stepmother, Elvin and Diana are together on a daily basis while he poses for the portrait. This closeness reveals there’s much more to the plain spinster than being a wallflower. Could he fall in love with a woman so vastly different from any woman to whom he’s ever been attracted? Could an intelligent woman like her even be attracted to a sport-mad man such as he?

Ratings and reviews

A Cinderella story, this novella may be short, but it hits all the right buttons for a holiday romance. Sidelined and being taken advantage of by her stepmother and two step-sisters, Diana would far rather stay in her room and read than attend Bath social events. Sir Elvin Steffington has his own aversion to society, although he has come to the conclusion that the only way to assuage his loneliness is to marry.

About the author

Cheryl Bolen is a former journalist and English teacher turned author with her first book in 1997, A Duke Deceived. Since then she has published over 20 books. She has made the New York Times and USA Today Best Seller Lists several times. She has earned several awards for her writing such as: Second Place Best Short Historical Novel 2015 International Digital Awards, Winner Best Historical Novel 2012 International Digital Awards, and First Place Best Short Historical, Holt Medallion Contest 2006.