The Wicked Wallflower by Tracy Sumner
Tracy's Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Series: The Duchess Society, #3
Release Date: April 21, 2022
Lady Pippa Darlington, the sister of Roan, the Duke of Leighton, has no desire to marry into the ton, and after an unfortunate incident involving an earl and a glass of ratafia, she had "lessons" from the Duchess Society. But rather than look for a husband, she has been laying low and playing the wallflower to glean information the Duchess Society - unbeknownst to them. And when her snooping lands her in trouble, her rescuer is the only man she has ever wanted and the man who is determined to keep her at an arm's length – Xander Macauley. A Self-made man from the slums of London, who also happens to be a good friend and business partner of her brother. But Pippa is nothing if not fearless and just as determined to attain her heart's desire. Bit by bit, she worms her way into Xander's life and his heart, and if love is a battlefield, then Pippa is a major general and she is going to win this war!
Xander Macauley has wanted Pippa for years, but as his friend's little sister he has deemed her off limits, too bad she never got the memo. Try as he might to ignore her, he can't and has stopped trying. They embark on a passionate affair and emotions become involved, but his self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy keep him from imagining a HEA for them. Will he realize his mistake before it is too late and his headstrong lady closes her heart for good?
This was a great addition to the series, Pippa and Xander are a great couple and very easy to root for. The story was a little slow to start, but once it kicks into gear, it is a roller coaster ride to the end. This book has a slow burn romance, age-gap, forbidden passion, great secondary characters, "help" from previous characters, steamy love scenes, a hero with a soft-heart under a hard exterior, a heroine who isn't afraid to go after what she wants, a soulmate type of love and finally after some negotiating, a very sweet HEA that includes a heart-melting epilogue. This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title. I am happy to recommend this title to fans of slow-burn to smoking-hot historical romances that lead to HEA.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *
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