Scandal in Spring (The Wallflowers, Book 4) [Mass Market Paperback]

Lisa Kleypas (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 25, 2006

"I want you to do everything you've ever imagined doing with me…" With those scandalous words, Daisy Bowman, the sole "Wallflower" yet to be married, seals her fate with the last man she ever expected to tempt her.

After spending three London seasons searching for a husband, Daisy Bowman's father has told her in no uncertain terms that she must find a husband. Now. And if Daisy can't snare an appropriate suitor, she will marry the man he chooses—the ruthless and aloof Matthew Swift.

Daisy is horrified. A Bowman never admits defeat, and she decides to do whatever it takes to marry someone . . . anyone . . . other than Matthew. But she doesn't count on 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 right at the moment of sweet surrender, a scandalous secret is uncovered . . . one that could destroy both Matthew and a love more passionate and irresistible than Daisy's wildest fantasies.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lisa Kleypas is the author of nineteen historical romance novels that have been published in twelve languages. In 1985, she was named Miss Massachusetts and competed in the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City. After graduating from Wellesley College with a political science degree, she published her first novel at age twenty-one. Her books have appeared on bestseller lists such as the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and WaldenBooks. Lisa is married and has two children.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (July 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060562536
• ISBN-13: 978-0060562533
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 3.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (147 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lisa Kleypas graduated from Wellesley College with a political science degree. She is a RITA award winning author of both historical romance and contemporary women's fiction. Her novels are published in fourteen different languages and are bestsellers all over the world. She lives in Washington State with her husband Gregory and their two children.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#20 in Books > Romance > Historical

#28 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Historical Romance

#20 in Books > Romance > Historical

#28 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Historical Romance

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 80 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So Wonderful, and Yet, So Sad to See it End July 30, 2006

By K. Montgomery VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

As I finished the wonderful conclusion in Kleypas's wallflowers series, I found myself wondering, where will she go from here? I can honestly say that she has penned one of the dearest series of books ever to come across these well-read romantic eyes. The detail of Daisy's story was a masterfully done wrap-up to a heartwarming group of reads.

Daisy Bowman is a fresh breeze amongst the rougher backdrop that is her family. Her innocent ways have done her no favors though, as she's looked on with much affection by her sister Lillian and friends, just not with much sense. When her father demands she choose a husband, or else marry a man she detests, not even her fellow wallflowers can save her. Not one to back down from a challenge, Daisy is rather dismayed when the very man her father wishes her to marry, Matthew Swift, appears on the scene. He's much changed from the man she remembers and she's not sure how to deal with the attractive businessman. Chance finds them often together in the following days and Matthew turns out to be far more than the money hungry employee of her father than she first thought. As all-consuming passion buds between them, a tragic secret from Matthew's past threatens their hopes.

What has carried throughout this entire series to date, the strong characters, still reins supreme as the most enticing factor in the last installment. Daisy has appeared before as the witty youngest amongst the wallflowers, a fierce supporter of them and their heart's desires. To see their fervent support of her this time solidified my admiriation for their friendship. Daisy is brought forth in her own story as a sweet innocent, a woman bursting with the hope of love and someone to share it with.... She found her true love in the form of Matthew, a heart throbbing man who seemed very real and compellingly sexy. The other wallflowers, Annabelle, Lillian and Evie, all have recurring roles, along with their spouses, and that element of friendship is as strong in this installment as it is in previous ones, though not overpowering Daisy and Matthew's romance.

Romance that comes from a direction Daisy least expects, wonderful characters, poignant writing--it all meshed together perfectly. A very satisfying ending to a wonderful series, one I look forward to rereading for many years to come. Thank you, Ms. Kleypas, for a wonderful three years of romance.

K. Montgomery

Official Reviewer for The Mystic Castle Read more ›

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A worthy wallflower conclusion. July 26, 2006

By Glendale Mommy

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Scandal in Spring, the final installment of Kleypas's wallflower series, (Secrets of a Summer Night, It Happened One Autumn, and Devil in Winter) tells the story of Daisy Bowman's search for love. The youngest of the four friends who once dubbed themselves the "wallflowers", Daisy is a wealthy American heiress who desperately needs to find an English husband before her father marries her off to his protegee Mathew Swift. Daisy remembers Mr. Swift as a cold, ambitious "bag of bones" with the same temperament as her domineering father, but when Mr. Swift arrives in England, Daisy is shocked to discover that he has grown into a handsome and thoughtful man. Through a series of touching encounters, Daisy realizes that the last man she ever wanted to marry is the one man she can't live without.

Unfortunately Mr. Swift is keeping a secret that he knows will destroy whatever tenderness Daisy might come to have for him. Though he has adored Ms. Bowman from afar for years, he cannot let himself act on his feelings for fear of dragging his love into the darkness that threatens to track him down. But the more time he spends with the whimsical and charming Daisy the more he comes to realize that love is worth the risk of discovery.

Kleypas does a wonderful job of giving the last "wallflower" her own special love story. Daisy's romantic nature and Matthew's practicality compliment each other nicely. Daisy manages to keep an open mind about Matthew and he never disappoints her, even when his "secret" is revealed.

As in all romance novels their needs to be SOME reason that the hero and heroine can't fall madly in love with each other in the first 10 pages. Daisy's prejudice against Mr. Swift based on her father's approval of him was a very legitimate reason.... As for Matthew's part, his "deep dark secret" (which most readers will have figured out after the first time it is mentioned in the book) seemed somewhat contrived, though, as a literary device it served it's purpose.

Readers who enjoyed the first three wallflower books will enjoy seeing all of the friends back together again with their dotting husbands. As always, Kleypas has a true gift for writing likable and believable characters that deserve to fall in love and live happily ever after. Read more ›

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Love this series... August 22, 2006

By Malfoyfan VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

...of Wallflower novels. My favorite of the series is Secrets of a Summer Night; I don't think any of the others quite measures up to it, but they're all extremely enjoyable in their own ways. I am sorry to see this series end. Kleypas is probably my favorite romance author at this point; I always look forward to a new book from her. Hey, are any of you other fans thinking what I've been thinking...how about a book about the Gypsy Cam Rohan, who was enticingly introduced in Devil in Winter and never heard from again?? I thought he was a lot more interesting than the hero of this new book, and I was kind of hoping Kleypas would find a way to bring him and Daisy together. One can only hope....but back to the subject at hand; this is a book that is well worth your while, and I hope those who have not yet read Kleypas' wonderful books will check out the whole series.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars What ever happened to Cam Rohan??? July 28, 2006

By Loves to Read

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if it had not been for the foreshadowing in "Devil in Winter." That book hinted at a relationship between Daisy and Cam Rohan - a much more colorful hero with a gyspy background. I was expecting an exciting tale with a dark hero - instead it ended up as another (relatively) boring houseparty. That being said, Kleypas' writing is excellent and her heroes are well written, so it wasn't a complete waste. Still, I would prefer Kleypas to revisit the society she introduced us to in "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "Lady Sophia's Lover".

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Where is the scandal? August 8, 2006

By romance enthusiast

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Like most reviewers of this latest and last installment of the Wallflowers Quartet, I liked delving into Daisy's mind and heart. I also liked the presence of the other characters, who liven up an otherwise dragging plot. The plot is one of the reasons this novel isn't topnotch. The so-called scandal is deferred too long, so long that by the time it gets revealed to complicate the main romance, Kleypas rushes through it and summarizes instead of dramatizes that titled complication--I was confused by that label and disappointed in the plotting. It doesn't feel like a scandal but a mere interruption in the outcome. The other main problem is Matthew. He is intriguing but not in a great way. I couldn't quite get a handle on him throughout, and felt he was eclipsed by the constant dynamic presence of Marcus, and even by our brief reminder of sexy, roguish Sebastian, who thankfully is not totally redeemed. More of Matthew's inner life would give us a glimpse of him.

I would rate the Wallflowers series in the following order of excellence: 1) It Happened one Autumn (best wit and sparks between two strong romantic leads, esp. Marcus); The Devil in Winter (refreshing pairing of the shy wallflower with a hardened unstereotypical rake--we really see Sebastian begrudgingly and imperfectly overcome his selfish, jaded attitude); 3) Scandal in Spring (great heroine and secondary characters, see flaws above); 4) Secrets of a Summer Night (heroine is too grasping and shallow, hero is too brutish--butcher's son, ugh... The best thing about this novel is our introduction to Lillian and Marcus. I loved the rounders scene!) Overall, a great series! Read it from beg. to end.