Customer Reviews

A Wallflower Christmas

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(48)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In order to secure an interest in his father's company Rafe Bowman, eldest brother of Lillian and Daisy, has come to England for a Christmas holiday to meet the English lady his social climbing parents want him to wed. The independently wealthy Wall Street mogul is a typical American -brash, crude and downright improper. And its Miss Hannah Applegate's opinion that the brutish rogue would never make as acceptable husband for her gentle and beautiful charge. He's entirely too outspoken, direct and has no manners. So the stubborn companion blocks all his efforts in courtship. But Rafe is up for the challenge and no managing miss, no matter how tempting and beguiling she may be, is going to get in the way of his financial goals. And soon Hannah realizes that she might have been in fact wrong about Rafe. Beneath his uncivilized exterior lies a lonely and wounded child looking for happiness. Much to her dismay Hannah is falling in love with this imperfect man. But this handsome enigmatic man could never want a poor relation with no social ties such as herself, especially if it meant forfeiting his stakes in his father's company. Or could he?

After highly anticipating The Wallflower Christmas, I'm both happy and disappointed with the results. The book itself is *extremely short* merely 210 pages. So the romance, while excellent, reads more like those shorter anthology books (multiple stories by different authors) rather than a full blown historical romance. And while there's fair development of the delicious lovable rogue Rafe's character, Hannah's is sadly underdone. For example we find out barley anything about her family background. Happily though their romance is filled with the trademark Kleypas sexual tension with plenty of swoon worthy scenes. As far as the Wallflowers are concerned there are two very good parts with Sebastian & Evie The Devil in Winter (The Wallflowers, Book 3) and Marcus & Lillian It Happened One Autumn (The Wallflowers, Book 2), but they are very short (only a few pages each :( ). And Simon and Matthew might as well have been statues for all the attention they get.

So while I enjoyed the romance and the Wallflower update (technically not an update since the book takes place a few months after Daisy's book and well before Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways, Book 1)) I hesitate to recommend this due to the steep price. Her novels normally run $8 and this is nowhere near the caliber of novel Kleypas usually writes. And I feel like the publishers counted on the fact that the readers would fork over extra just to read updates about their beloved characters. OK -you can make me pay more BUT give me more! Thats just not the case here.

Really a nice Christmas romance with a small treat for die-hard Sebastian and Marcus fans. And although its a very good short romance and frankly anything with Sebastian (*sigh*) is a keeper IMHO, I suggest checking this one out throughly at the bookstore or library before you buy.

The reading order of Wallflower and Hathaway books-
Secrets of a Summer Night (The Wallflowers, Book 1)
It Happened One Autumn (The Wallflowers, Book 2)
The Devil in Winter (The Wallflowers, Book 3)
Scandal in Spring (The Wallflowers, Book 4)
A Wallflower Christmas
Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways, Book 1)
Seduce Me at Sunrise (The Hathaways, Book 2)

As long as you go into this book expecting a pleasant, predictable, well-written romance novel, you won't be disappointed. I haven't read an historical romance novel in years, not counting Jane Austen, and I forgot they could be really good. I liked this one enough to order all four of the other Wallflower books.
Rafe Bowman is your typical leading man, rich, not worried about what others think, very experienced with women. He's expected to marry rich, upper-class girl Natalie Blandford, a union that would benefit both their families. Hannah is Natalie's poor cousin who acts as her paid companion, and she meets Rafe first to try to find out a bit about him. Rafe is immediately attracted to Hannah, but she dislikes him because of his informality and borderline crude ways. She thinks he's completely wrong for Natalie. What follows is no surprise. Rafe's charm starts to get through to Hannah and her resistance crumbles. Because he's a "rogue" with a devil-may-care attitude, he has the guts to go against his father's orders that he propose to Natalie. Isn't that the kind of man we all want? One who would renounce his family's fortune to be with us but ultimately still be wealthy?
This book is just the kind of pleasant fluff you crave sometimes and it's done well.

I've enjoyed the Lisa Kleypas "Wallflower" series. I think because I have enjoyed following the stories of the women, this book became an extension of characters already known and was - therefore - just ok. Felt very much like a rush to get a Holiday story out and quality in storytelling suffered for it.

Rafe Bowman comes from the rough and tumble Americas to win the hand of titled woman (Natalie Blandford) and secure a place for him in his family fortune. Hannah (Natalie's cousin) is absolutely certain this is not a proper man for Natalie. And so begins the hunt toward truth.... He is not the man for Natalie, but perhaps he is the man for someone else. Question is... will either of them realize it in time.

It is an easy ready. It is good if you've read the rest of the wallflower series. Other than that.... I found myself disappointed at the way this book felt like it was phoned in for Christmas.

Marketing a scant 200 pages as a hardcover "novel" could only be done with a big name author. Lisa Kleypas has loaned out her good name to make a quick buck on this pathetic romance and peek at her former Wallflower standouts.

Kleypas can be devastating at describing the seedier side of life, the despair of neglected children, and how their hope for a better life is worn thin like the sole of an old tennis shoe (Sugar Daddy). So why, when she has all this material set up in both Rafe and Hannah, does she gloss over their past like a coat of bright red nail polish? Is it because this is a perky Christmas time book? The only hint of her powers comes out in Lillian telling a significant story about a small solider keepsake of Rafe's. That's the Kleypas that I admire.

Heroine Hannah's intro scene was solid, but after that her character started to break down like sugar in water. What was her backstory anyway? Ladies's paid companions were a tragic lot, but there's only a scant sentence or two explaining her history. For some reason, Hannah is never fleshed out, or made terribly interesting, which makes Rafe's sudden head-over-heels love feel empty and forced.

Finally we come to the Wallflowers themselves. We get several scenes of the girls being chummy, and demonstrating just how boring happily married people can be in fiction. There's a reason that regency romances so often end with marriage, and that's because Jane Austen had it right; marriage is the beginning of the end. We do get two gratuitous sex scenes, between Evie and Sebastian, and Lillian and Westcliff, but they won't satisfy the rabid fans and only serve to take up precious space that belonged to Hannah and Rafe. If they had been the ones getting hot and heavy, maybe I would feel something for them now.

Lisa Kleypas, probably the most talented author in romance today, has worked her magic again in this little gem of a novel which both updates curious fans about the fates of the four Wallflowers, ( Annabelle in Secrets of a Summer Night (The Wallflowers, Book 1); Lillian in It Happened One Autumn (The Wallflowers, Book 2); Evie in The Devil in Winter (The Wallflowers, Book 3); and Daisy in Scandal in Spring (The Wallflowers, Book 4)); and presents a new love story about Daisy and Lillian's wonderfully rakish brother, Rafe.

In usual charming Kleypas fashion, the course of true love runs rocky, and here the problem is that although Rafe has been brought to England to marry a lady (hopefully the lovely Lady Natalie Blandford), he is drawn to lowly lady's companion and Blandford poor relation, Hannah Appleton. Most unsuitable, and most delicious. The sexy scenes are steamy and the repartee is bright and witty.

Reading about the further histories of the wonderfully happy marriages of the four original Wallflowers, Lillian, Annabelle, Evie and Daisy, while following the romantic peccadilloes of the sexy Rafe and the strong-minded Hannah is a tasty Christmas treat for any romance lover. But Kleypas fans will be in heaven.

Lisa Kleyaps, who is an outstanding writer let me down on this recent work. Although I thoroughly enjoyed MOST of the Wallflower Series, I thought that this was lacking somewhat. Rafe, who happens to be Lillian and Diasy's American brother shows up to marry Lady Natalie, only to fall for Natalie's companion Hannah. The characters although all reunited seemed somewhat one dimensional. The book was very short and length and the typically exciting storyline that Kleypas is famous for, was missing. I have seen better work from Ms. Kleypas. I often compare Kleypas to Johanna Lindsey and this reminds me of some of her Chirstmas series "Home for the Holidays", that also were letdowns. Kleypas needs to stick to creating works of quality, and not fall into the trend of releasing holiday works. This book was short and to the point, which took a lot of fun out of what I anticipate from such a writer.

A Wallflower Christmas is the fifth book in Lisa Kleypas' WallFlower series. All the lovely ladies and their handsome husbands are back providing a perfect background for a holiday romance. Just like a Christmas Carol an American rake finds the importance of love and sacrifice. Coming to England to claim a bride, his father's choice, and to ensure his place in the family, Rafe Bowman loses his heart for the very first time. Romantic interludes between the characters from the four previous novels, Scandal in Spring, The Devil in Winter, It Happened One Autumn, and Secrets of a Summer Night add spice to this gentle love story.

It is not necessary to have read the first for books to enjoy this historical romance. It stands alone. However reading it will make you hungry to know more about the past adventures which have led the wallfowers to this particular holiday.

I recommend this book

Lady Natalie Blandford comes from a titled family that is in need of a financial boost. Rafe is an American who is wealthy by his own means and also set to inherit the mass fortune that his father has made in the soap business. Rafe is willing to do what he needs to do to cement his place in the family company; marrying Natalie is one of those things. But when Miss Hannah Appleton, Natalie's cousin and companion, comes to meet Rafe she is convinced he is not right for her Natalie. Suddenly Natalie isn't looking too good to Rafe, either.

I am a fan of Ms. Kleypas and her Wallflower series contain four of my favorite books by her. I jumped at the chance to read yet another part of this series and wasn't at all disappointed. It's a lot shorter than the others in the series, more of a novella than a novel and I flew through it in one afternoon. Rafe isn't quite as entertaining alone as his sisters Lillian and Daisy are, but when paired up with Hannah they manage to sizzle and shine.

The humor and the uniqueness that made the wallflower series and characters standout is present in this tale and Rafe may not be as precocious as his sisters, but he is definitely memorable. Hannah presents the perfect counterpart to his personality and their journey is well worth the ride.

This book also features the characters from the previous books and gives you a glimpse into their lives now that they have all found their happily ever after. Guaranteed to make you smile and put you in the Christmas mood, this was an excellent addition to my favorite series! Enjoy!

Cherise Everhard, September 2008

This is a delightful, heartwarming love story. Lisa Kleypas has managed to blend together charm and atmosphere and a satisfying story about two people who were not supposed to fall in love.

Rafe Bowman and his father have a turbulent past but there is hope that the future will be better for them if Rafe will just meet and propose marriage to the English aristocratic young woman his father has chosen for him. Thomas Bowman has decided that he wants to settle even more firmly within the English upper crust and he can do that by holding a lucrative business arrangement over his son's head. Rafe is a rake, he knows it, his parents know it and his sisters know it. But he also has a very good head for business and he wants to be allowed to run the continental segment of his families soap manufacturing business. If it means marrying the woman his father has chosen, then so be it. He knows he will not love her but he doesn't intend to fight his father's wishes. Then Rafe meets Miss Hannah Appleton, the companion of the woman he is supposed to propose to. The problems begin when Rafe is instantly attracted to Hannah even though she doesn't like him at all.

Hannah has been the companion of Natalie Blandford for three years and truly only wants what is best for her. When Hannah is invited to tea at the home of Lady Westcliff she meets the brash American who slouches in his chair and has a terrible accent. This man will never do as a husband for Lady Natalie. He is too vital, too forceful, too audacious and too arrogant.

This book brings back the four original women from the Wallflower series in a country home setting at Christmastime. It is really wonderful to see the women together again and reacquaint ourselves with them as wives and mothers. Kleypas manages to insert very touching stories concerning each of the marriages into this new story and it is a pleasant updating. In one part of the story each of the wallflowers gather in an upstairs room to hear what is happening to Hannah and each vows to keep the secret she is sharing with them. But you just know that will never happen. Each one loves her husband too much to ever keep a secret like this from him. Besides, maybe the husbands can help solve the impass involving Rafe, his father, Hannah and Natalie.

This wasn't a very complicated plot but it was a very satisfying read. Just the kind of book to bring you up to date on some of your favorite characters, introduce you to several new ones and put you in the Christmas spirit.

I am a big fan of the Wallflower series and have been anxiously awaiting this book since I read an excerpt Kleypas had posted. If you know Lillian, Daisy, Annabelle and Evie, you will be pleased to "see" the girls together again. I strongly disagree with the previous reviewer who felt bringing them into the storyline overshadowed the story between Rafe and Hannah. Be aware that this book is only a little over 200 pages - not a full length novel. That did not matter to me because Kleypas can craft a true romance in half the words of a lot of authors - she makes every word count and doesn't overdo the details that can bog down a story - she doesn't have to because of her use of the language.

Just don't expect a continuation of the Wallflowers' stories in which there is a focus on the the girls and Sebastian, Simon, Matthew and Westcliff (the hero hotties we all love). This is about the romance between Hannah and Rafe Bowman (brother of Daisy and Lillian). I think if you keep that in mind, you won't be disappointed.

This book was a true pleasure to read and I find it hard to believe that any Wallflower fan wouldn't find it satisfying, even if it is a little abbreviated. I thought there was just the right balance between the Wallflowers reunion and the Hannah and Rafe romance. I could feel the romance and the new characters were so well developed that I came to "know" them well. Great read for any Kleypas fan.