Diary of an Accidental Wallflower by Jennifer McQuiston Series: Seduction Diaries #1
Published by Avon on February 24th 2015
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Avon
ISBN: 0062335014
The first irresistible installment in New York Times bestselling author Jennifer McQuiston's Seduction Diaries series proves that some secrets are too delicious to hide.
Pretty and popular, Miss Clare Westmore knows exactly what (or rather, who) she wants: the next Duke of Harrington. But when she twists her ankle on the eve of the Season’s most touted event, Clare is left standing in the wallflower line watching her best friend dance away with her duke.
Dr. Daniel Merial is tempted to deliver more than a diagnosis to London's most unlikely wallflower, but he doesn’t have time for distractions, even one so delectable. Besides, she's clearly got her sights on more promising prey. So why can’t he stop thinking about her?
All Clare wants to do is return to the dance floor. But as her former friends try to knock her permanently out of place, she realizes with horror she is falling for her doctor instead of her duke. When her ankle finally heals and she faces her old life again, will she throw herself back into the game?
Or will her time in the wallflower line have given her a glimpse of who she was really meant to be?
Summary
Clare Westmore, is the daughter of a viscount, and has her sights set on a future duke. But on the afternoon before a important ball, she ends up spraining her ankle, and it becomes so swollen that she can barely walk, but she is determined to go to the ball and make her appearance. But then she meets Dr. Daniel Merial, who notices her in pain and discomfort. He makes it clear that if she goes dancing, that the consequences would be disastrous. So she is left on the sidelines watching her friend dance with the future duke. When Daniel examines her further he insists that she must keep off the ankle for at least a few weeks, and the season is just getting started. Clare knows that she can’t afford to lose those weeks, but she doesn’t see how she has much choice. While Clare is resting up, Daniel visits often, checking on her progress and this handsome doctor does more for her than aide with her swollen ankle. She starts to see who Daniel really is, and his potential to aid others. Clare knows that she will need to make a difficult choice, a life among society married to a man she doesn’t love, or be with the man that is poor but is driven to succeed and would love her…
The Hero
Daniel Merial, is a Doctor and the son of a gypsy horse trader. He is just starting to make his name known among the higher members of society. Daniel is busy with his experiments and contributing to the hospital when he can. But there is one elderly lady among the Ton, who is his patient, but also his friend. She has brought him slowly into her world and in that world he meets Clare. Daniel knows that he isn’t good enough for Clare, but he is drawn to her. The character of Daniel is quite deep, which you don’t expect when you first start the story. There is so much to his character, and I loved how firm he is with Clare. He doesn’t let anyone tell him what he knows is right and wrong, especially when it comes to his knowledge of the human body. He is intelligent, good humor and handsome. He has no family, and works alone on his experiments quite often, but he can be charismatic and charming. He was such an endearing character, and I wanted so much for him in this story to get his HEA.
The Heroine
Clare Westmore, on the surface seems to be a simpering miss, only after a title. Clare is not your typical English lady. She puts up a front for society, but she has depth and perception that not many see, except for Daniel and her siblings. Clare was a heroine that at first I didn’t know what to make of her, I thought her to have a weak spine and not having much intelligence. But you see how she has character and she grows on you as the story moves forward. You start to see how smart she is, and that she has dreams of her own, but can be hidden underneath the expectations of her family and society. I loved her gumption, and she totally won me over in the end. I love a woman that goes after what she wants, no matter the consequences. She was pretty amusing at times, and she was pretty well developed.
Plot and Story Line
The beginning of the story seems like your typical light hearted regency romance. This is the first of a new series by Jennifer Mcquiston. I am unsure what the series is really about yet, I am hoping to see more of Clare’s sister and brother…boy were they a hoot and jolly good time. There were so many instances in the story they added character and wit to the story that you don’t see until it happens. They were fun and quirky…what’s not to love right? IN the beginning the connection between Daniel and Clare is slow going. But you see the flirtations a bit, and a friendship building up a bit. There isn’t’ much heat until the latter half of the story. I feel like the story needed to be built up first before they could get to the “good stuff”. But this pair was original, and I loved seeing the little games they would play with each other without seeming like they are playing games. It was very subtle, but by the end you see how it leads up to it. I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy the heroine as much as I did. Because at first, I was very unsure about her. I knew that I probably wouldn’t like her too much, but the author proved me wrong on that score. (Don’t you just love it when authors do that?) What I loved was the slow and engaging romance that this turned out to be. It had many promising qualities to it that becomes a gem of a romance.
Cover
This is such a simple yet gorgeous cover. And from the first time I saw it, I knew that I wanted to read it just for the cover alone. Her dress is beautiful, I love the bright red dresses, and it’s so bold and really draws your eye. The pretty green settee blends well, and I love the blurred floral background we have. Makes me just want to jump right into the scene and get a book of my own and forget about the stresses of the world.
Overall View
A winning romance set in the regency era, of two mismatched people, that need the love of each other. A story of true love and friendship and doing what is right no matter the consequences. A beautifully written romance that will win your heart.
0 Comments