What a delightful friends-to-lovers, forbidden-love historical romance! This is my first read in the series. I can say without hesitation it’s a stand alone. Had no trouble reading without reading the previous two in the series. First, I rarely dip back into historical romance but it was my first genre love in romance and who could resist this story. How happy I was to read this book. We have Lady Ophelia with all her feisty artistry that has been repressed for years and finally given flight in this book. We have the dangerously protective hero, Devlin—the swoon-worthy irresistible badboy denying his fierce love for this woman. The characterization is beautiful and the story flow carries you from scene to scene. And there’s a dog, a monstrous loyal beast. Who doesn’t love a hero with a dog?
If you’re looking for heavy feels, beautiful characters and a sweeping historical romance, this is your book.
Copy received through Netgally via the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodness this book was very emotionally charged! Ophelia has had quite a bit on her plate and has been dealing with huge revelations of familial and romantic variety. With financial surprises, shock regarding her parents especially her father's behavior, she feels like she is lost just as she was as a child. And yet again, Niall finds her. I think it is a wonderfully done story, terribly romantic, and truly shows the strength of their love. #netgalley #ascoundrelofherown

This was so sweet Imma die alone! Okay, I might be exaggerating a little bit but it has the "touch her and I'll kill you" trope. so of course I'm simping over them!

Their romance was sensational, steamy, angsty, remarkable and forbidden in all the right ways. The first word that comes to mind when thinking of Davlin is heartwarming. He gave us everything you'd want in a love interest. And maintained his kindess despite his rough past. Fifi was fierce and wonderful. I would've loved to see more of her rebellious side and more of her secret identity.
And finally, we deserved to see her fathers' karma. He's been asking for it since page one. In my head he's paid for his mistakes and horrible doings.

The epilogue got so excited for the next book. Fanny dressed as Viscount Derrick’s valet, interest most definitely piqued.

Good novel , well written ..its a light read , low on angst but Stacy did great job in adding in steam . Look forward to the other wallflower series

Easily 5 stars.

This book pulled me out from a reading slump and threw me into a world so delightful, and passionate, and heartwarming, and sensual that I couldn’t put it down - from the very first to the very last page!

There’s wonderful humor, quirky delights, deeply feeling, richly plotted out characters, and soooo much love, longing, and routing for our hero and heroine.

This is a page turner, one that will be on my re-read list.
Stacy’s books have become one of my auto-buys and also: Can I please have the rest of the series, like, right now?!? Pretty please!

Caution: You may very likely
- fall in love with Ophelia (Fifi) & Devlin,
- consider what it would take to make stargazing in the Forrest a viable option at this time of the year,
- have the urge to look up pictures of baby goats,
- and while you’re at it also check out hot men conversing with dogs 😉

Content warnings (Please only read of you’re ok with potential spoilers):
Description of forceful separation of newborn from mother, mention of stillbirth, mention of imprisonments and physical abuse of children, forceful marriage and conditional parental love (on page).

P.S. To the publisher: I wished you'd gone with a cover model that depicted the heroine in her natural, described beauty, the one that the hero felt so compelled by!

I first want to say thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I truly am a fan of Stacy Reid. I've enjoyed pretty much everything she has written and A Scoundrel of Her Own was no exception. From the sweet beginnings of young love in the prologue to the odd twists and turns of their reunion and courtship of Devlin (Nial) and Ophelia (Fifi), I found myself just loving them more and more as the book went on. As with any romance novel set in this time, there are of course some liberties taken with just how free Ophelia was to just do as she wished and how much agency she had (which honestly, just doesn't ever bother me because its fiction), but overall this story was a delightful read and gave me the HEA I was looking for. I really enjoyed this one!

I absolutely loved the first book in this series but I have not been as fond of the books that have followed. It took me a while to get through this book. I guess I just wasn’t as invested in the characters as I should have been.

Devlin (Niall) could have been seen as obsessed. Ophelia (Fifi) could be impetuous and was given a lot of unchaperoned freedom for someone of her station and her time. I have seen this before in historical romances but this bordered on excessive (really straining credulity).

There was also a time jump (5 months) between chapter one and chapter two that left out quite a bit of information, like how she decided to become Lady Starlight, how she went about performing as her, who she interacted with, etc.. If this was in book two, I do not remember the details.

For me A Scoundrel of Her Own was just okay.

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy from NetGalley for preview and this is my freely given review.

In all honesty, I do not think there has been a Stacy Reid novel or novella that I have read that I have not thoroughly enjoyed fully in all it's swoon-worthy romanticism. I have absolutely enjoyed the first two stories in this series and had high expectations for this one.

I loved the prologue to the story; it was a beautiful set up to the history of the two protagonists, with Devlin, or Niall as he was known back then, as a heroic 12 year old boy throwing himself into a river to save Ophelia when her carriage overturns and she falls into the water. She was only a child, but they end up stranded in the woods when he saves her, and they spend many days together. He is her hero, and she entrances him. In their childlike innocence, they play, learn from each other, and become friends, and they pledge to marry. Then they are found and she is returned home. But instead of being lauded as her saviour, the young hero is dragged away from her.

Move ahead 15 years, and Ophelia is an on-the-shelf Sinful Wallflower. She is the indulged and loved daughter of a Marquess, but has pledged to wed for love, but has not found someone who stirs her. She has also found out a secret about her family that haunts her and drives her to disguise herself to search for answers in more dangerous areas of London.

Niall, now better known as Devlin Byrne, has never forgotten his childhood fairy, Fifi, and was driven to better himself to be worthy of her, leaving his family as a youth, and building his fortune through some dubious means in London. He has become wealthy, and powerful, but knows he would never be accepted by Society. Perhaps he never expected to find his Fifi again, but does one night as she is out in her disguise, and starts to follow her and learn about her.

They reconnect, but are from very different worlds. Their courtship is unusual, and secretive, as well as fraught with some distrust from both sides. But there is also a sweetness to it as they have that childhood connection that is remembered and cherished. Devlin still has that desire to cherish and care for Ophelia, but also is aware of their differences and how she may end up rejecting him, and he tries to protect himself from what he feels will be an inevitability, even as their affair grows more passionate, and he also helps her in her quest to find some answers to other secrets.

This is an over the top love story, but I loved the different characters and the wonderful way Stacy Reid delves into their characters and emotions. I could really empathize with some of the feelings of conflict, loss, trepidation, and sadness. I kind of would like to go into some more detail, but feel it would lead to a spoiler, so I wont. There is great tension between Ophelia's love for her parents and wanting to do what they wish, but also her love for Devlin, and her wishes to seek out answers.

What I would have loved to have seen was more of an answer as to why the Marquess did what he did so many years ago, and a deeper resolution of that and another healed relationship perhaps. But something like that, which may be more realistic in this day and age, would have likely been out of the question then.

All in all, I felt this was a lovely, almost fairy tale-like story that spoke to me of enduring love, and passion. It had lovely HEA. Also it had a dog - and a goat! I always said that if I could, I would have a miniature goat for a pet (Nigerian miniature goats - look them up; they are freaking adorable!). So add in the four-legged furries to a historical love story and I am mush in your hands. By the way, I hope that goat or the mastiff end up shoving that Cousin Effie into the deepest, wettest, most foul-smelling mud puddle possible. What a sanctimonious jackass she was!

4 out of 5 shining stars in the night time sky and bring on the rest of the remaining Sinful Wallflowers!

Sometimes I have an itch to escape daily life, and only historical romance will do. A Scoundrel of Her Own by Stacy Reid certainly fits the bill, and it was a great getaway to Regency England.

As a child, Ophelia, the daughter of a marquess, fell into a river, and Niall was the boy who jumped in to save her. He cared for her for many days before they were found, and the two formed a lasting bond. Since Niall wasn’t of noble blood, he was sent away with barely a thank you and a command to stay away from his dear Fifi.

Now he presents himself as wealthy Devlin Bryne, who runs gaming hells and commands the London underworld. He has spent his entire life trying to make himself into a man who can not be looked down upon. With his giant dog Conan, he roams the nighttime streets. It is on one of these walks that he meets up with Ophelia again. Once he gets a glimpse of her, he devises a plan to meet up with her, and have her sing for him.

Ophelia needs Devlin’s help. While her father thought he was on his deathbed, he revealed a family secret. Now that he’s recovered, he won’t give her any of the other relevant information she’s desperate to learn. Devlin is very protective of her, and anxious to get her the information she’s searching for. Eventually Ophelia and Devlin get into the details of their previous connection, all while he is helping her with her investigation and falling in love.

The major conflict in this book is mostly based on class differences. There wasn’t any question about Ophelia and Devlin’s feelings for each other, just that they didn’t think they could ever be together. At points, Ophelia seems a little naive, and she doesn’t seem to grasp the societal implications as well as Devlin, even though she’s the one who is a member of the ton.

The beginning of the book parallels events from the previous book in series, which I haven’t read yet. But, it didn’t affect my enjoyment or understanding of the story. If you are looking for a historical romance with lots of gowns, balls, and star crossed lovers, check out A Scoundrel of Her Own.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This novel was an enjoyable read on the next Sinful Wallflower being wicked, Ophelia has a talent for dancing and singing, and has not been forced into a marriage, even though she is beyond the marrying age. Ophelia is told a secret that greatly affects her and she seeks to discover the truth. Ophelia did not expect to meet Devlin Byrne, who is wealthy, a commoner, and ruthless. Ophelia and Devlin have a past that they both remember fondly, but they come from 2 different worlds. Their meetings become secret and develop into so much more. Devlin's choices were because of his chance meeting with Ophelia as children and he has not forgotten what he asked her. Both try not to love the other, especially due to the difference in their social classes. No one can control the heart, but will society's expectations control then?
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Scoundrel of Her Own is the third book in Stacy Reid’s Sinful Wallflowers series! With layered and interesting characters, great messages, and an epic love story, there’s a lot to love. The story focuses on Lady Ophelia Darby, the daughter of a marquess, and Devlin Byrne, an enigmatic man who lives on the dangerous fringes of society.

The couple first meets when they are children, and Devlin, then known as Niall, rescues Ophelia, who he nicknames Fifi, from drowning. Niall and Fifi must seek shelter together for a week before being rescued and returned to their families. During that week, a wonderful relationship develops between Niall and Fifi that neither has forgotten about. The young pair become fast friends and promise to marry each other before they are rescued and separated. Though most of the story takes place sixteen years later, when they are in their twenties and happen to meet again, these flashbacks to their time together as kids are so sweet and charming.

Ophelia and Devlin are complex and compelling protagonists, and neither really seems to fit into society. Ophelia often disguises herself as a singer called Lady Starlight and wows audiences with her stunning voice. She also secretly tries to find out more about her past and the shocking revelations her father revealed while on his death bed. When out as Lady Starlight, Ophelia has a mysterious protector, someone who ensures her safety, though they’ve never met. Ophelia learns that her protector is none other than her childhood savior Niall, now called Devlin.

Devlin’s reputation as a dangerous and foreboding man is quite different from the boy she remembers. Devlin is a delightfully swoon-worthy romantic hero, and he and Olivia have an epic love story! Olivia is Devlin’s forever and only love. He’s loved her his entire life, and everything he’s done, he’s done to be worthy of her. Since he is from a lower class than Olivia, her family has never approved of him, and they hurtfully reject and insult him on more than one occasion. However, Devlin and Olivia love each other unconditionally and without reservations. They have such a strong bond, and their connection only grows as they reunite and grow closer. This makes for some sweet, some intense, and many swoon-worthy moments between the pair. They have an amazing life-long love story, and I loved every minute of it.

Between Ophelia disguising herself and sneaking out, Devlin’s mysterious life, and the secrets in Ophelia’s family and her attempt to unravel the truth, there is a lot of intrigue in the story. There are also interesting messages about social class and prejudice, which is especially noticeable in how Ophelia’s family treats Devlin, both when he is a young boy and as an adult. Because of his station, her family deems Devlin unworthy, when in actuality, he is the most noble and honorable of them all.

I thought this was a great addition to the Sinful Wallflowers Series, and I adored Ophelia and Devlin’s sweet, passionate, and beautiful love story. Thanks so much to Entangled: Amara, Netgalley, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Lady Ophelia Darby exists in two worlds. In one, she is the impudent, willful daughter of a powerful marquess and darling of the ton. When I started reading I couldn't put it down. .Stacy Reid is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this books.Can't wait for the next book .

4 stars

A Scoundrel of Her Own by Stacy Reid is the third book in the Sinful Wallflowers series. When Lady Ophelia Darby was 8 years old, she had a carriage accident and landed in a river. She was heroically rescued by Devlin Byrne who was only 4 years older than her. After her rescue, the two of them spent a few days together at an abandoned cabin before being rescued. The two vowed to marry each other, but were separated due to their class differences. Ophelia is the only daughter of a marquess and Devlin is the son of a carpenter. The two don’t see each other again for 15 years.

The love between Ophelia and Devlin is so endearing. I absolutely loved them and their journey back to each other. I loved how the author didn’t waste any time helping the characters figure out who the other was. Additionally, the couple work together to solve a mystery surrounding Ophelia's parents. There was just so much going on in this book and I could not put it down. I will absolutely read the other books that come out in this series.

I was invited to read an ARC of A Scoundrel of Her Own, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #AScoundrelofHerOwn

Stacy Reid's books are so good that whenever I finish a new one, I immediately go back and read one of her older ones because I don't want the journey to end.

The only thing this book was missing was some backstory into the sinful wallflowers, other than that, it was perfection. Lady Ophelia finds out some distressing information about her birth and goes on a self-journey. She runs into a man who rescued her when they were children and he helps her.

Devlin was the best hero. I loved their backstory and how he made himself into someone for Lady Ophelia. He also had a lot of emotional depth and didn't shy away from Ophelia when she needed him. He was a very swoon-worthy hero. There was a lot of steam from about mid-way on. Lots of sex scenes and very well-written.

I also loved that this couple had met as children and that their bond transcended time. It was a beautiful story, I read it in one sitting.

A Scoundrel of Her Own is book 3 in Stacy Reid’s Sinful Wallflowers series, the books do follow a group of wallflower friends that you see or are mentioned throughout each other’s books but could definitely be read as standalones too. I recommend and love the whole series though (and everything Stacy Reid).

This story kicks off with such a sweet childhood meeting between Lady Ophelia at age 8 and Niall, a 12-year-old local boy. Niall rescues Ophelia, who he nicknames “Fifi”, as she’s drowning and they hole up in a cabin together for over a week. This was seriously the cutest, I loved their survival moments and these 2 sweet kids promising to marry one another one day. Cut to them getting rescued and separated as Ophelia’s parents inform Niall he is too beneath their daughter to ever hope they’d be friends after.

The story moves forward to years later. Lady Ophelia is a willful daughter of a powerful marquess and darling of the ton, who also secretly moves through the underworld’s shadows as songstress Lady Starlight. At 24-years-old, Ophelia is a “long in the tooth, on the shelf” wallflower whose parents have told her she could marry for love. As Lady Starlight, Ophelia covers up her raven black hair to don a golden blonde wig and mask (the cover photo I guess is her in disguise) and is protected by the notoriously wealthy scoundrel, Devlin Byrne. Ophelia has a hidden agenda while she’s moonlighting as Lady Starlight.

I really adored this read, the class difference trope always works for me and I’m especially obsessed with the reunited-childhood friends to adult lovers trope. I was surprised how quickly Ophelia and Devlin realize who one another is and get together in this story, it’s definitely low on the angst for that aspect of the book. But their relationship still worked for me completely. This book takes place during the same time as the events in book 2 (Her Wicked Marquess) so you do see Maryann & Nicholas in this (the beginning of their relationship and wedding). There was some seriously sweet moments in this: the cabin, the rings made of vines, when Ophelia finds something she’s been looking for at the end had me in tears, a gifted baby goat named Barbosa, a dog named Conan.

4.5/rounded to 5 stars. Thank you to the publisher (Entangled) for an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts & review. A Scoundrel of Her Own is out December 28, 2021.

Loved it!! Couldn't stop reading it!

Loved Fifi and Devlin.

They met when they were kids - unusual circumstances... and 15 years later they stumble across each other! The plot seemed predictable yet unpredictable - not sure if this makes sense but you will know while reading it.

Their emotions and angst - oh what a great read!

Looking forward to the next in the series!

*all of my reviews contain possible spoilers*

Just like the two previous books in this series, I read this one in one night! Stacy writes such amazing stories I can't seem to put them down!

This one had so much aww-inspiring moments in it. And yes I mean aww not awe. Because every 5 minutes I was going, "Awwwww" out loud! 😅 There were so many sweet and poignant and cute moments in this one. It filled my heart with this warm joyful feeling. Likely if I'd looked at myself in a mirror my eyes would have been sparkling and my cheeks frozen stiff from a permanent smile! When I say these moments were cute and sweet, I don't mean the cheesy kind. I mean the kind that is beautiful and powerful. Where you feel a realistic and natural and authentic connection between two people. And it feels real and it feels special. It makes you want to hug the person you love and protect them. The relationship between Devlin (Niall) and Ophelia/Fifi is this extremely unique relationship and is so inspiring. There's such an underlying bond of actual friendship, and this extremely powerful passion between them. Somehow both elements blend together so seamlessly and it creates this very unique relationship that you don't see very often. Something that feels so earthly and yet magical at the same time. It's so warm and refreshing and wholesome. Every word that comes to mind doesn't do it justice. So I'll leave it at it's beautiful. And and it's amazing.

Devlin is such an amazing hero and character. I've read many books with amazing heroes, but Devlin is definitely on his own level and I don't think I've read many other heroes who could stand on his particular level quite as he does. He's wholly complex, but in a way that is so naturally tangible. He reminds me of a man, of a 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯, who hasn't let society or the world shape the kind of man he is. His personality and his beliefs and how he treats and interacts with others. He's someone who you could easily trust and be yourself with. He's someone you could be open with and be a friend to. And you would receive it all back in equal measures. He's so honest and open in a way that should come natural to everyone. And it's honestly not natural or easy in this world to be who you are, to be open, and to trust others. To know you can be in someone's presence and be comfortable and not feel the weight of everything that is false in the world bearing down on you because of the people you're near, and how they let the world dictate how they act and what they say. With Devlin I feel like he's just a true person and human being. There isn't all these false and secretive aspects to him as a person.

Ophelia is a wonderful heroine herself. She sings amazingly which I love because I'm a sucker for beautiful music and I love singing! But she is so non-judgemental and open-minded. And very caring and considerate of those she loves. But I feel like her care and thoughtfulness for everyone else is what is her downfall at times. She conquers it in the end, but before that happens she truly has the biggest inner-battle with herself on how to handle her family and what to say to them. For a long time she let's alot of it dictate her happiness, and Devlin's. She tries to speak up to her family when it concerns Devlin but she's mostly polite about it and she's easy to form regrets when she does. I was like, "Hell no. Ain't no reason for regrets girl! Don't even!" (Alas, she did not listen to me.)
Devlin is considered below her and her family, and it would be a scandal for her to be associated with him. I promise you I do not exaggerate when I say her family bad-mouths Devlin quite alot. And Ophelia is hurt by this, obviously. Yet they continue to do it. And Ophelia continues to mildly stand up for him, and for herself. Having known what her life has been like, how she's been raised, I could never hold anything against someone for trying to find a way to keep the peace in such a situation, for not speaking out, and for trying to avoid scandal. But when we finally get to the scene where Ophelia and Effie are at the theater (or opera?) and Effie starts talking badly about Devlin and reprimanding Ophelia, I'd had enough.
Devlin is simply an amazing person who always puts Ophelia first and loves her without restrictions. And I could not stand the way her family continuously spoke to Ophelia about him. I finally got to a point where I was pointing my finger at my book and snapping my fingers and yelling out loud, "I don't think so girl, you better stand up to them! Don't put up with this shit anymore. Ain't no way you gonna let them talk about him like that. You tell them what's what and you leave! Hell no."
Yea, legit those were some of my words... You should've seen me in my room... looking like a total idiot in my righteous temper. 😆

The connection between Ophelia and Devlin was the dearest thing I've read in a long time. Knowing each other as children when he rescued her and then finding their way back to one another years later was something truly beautiful. Even if Devlin doesn't admit it to himself, he's always loved her and never stopped. And the same can be said for Ophelia even if for some time she had ceased thinking of him. She still never forgot him, and even kept his ring. As he had kept hers.
When they part as children, Devlin's goal was to become wealthy and be a man who could marry her. It was his sole intent and the reason behind everything he did. It was his driving force, even if after awhile he had ceased looking for her and expecting to marry her. Ophelia on the other hand could only be at home with her parents, being raised as a young girl who would become a lady of quality. Her life wasn't entirely hers to dictate or control. She mourned the loss of him for some time but then time went on and she moved on. She never forgot him but she just didn't have the same upbringing and driving force that Devlin had, to keep him in the forefront of her mind as he did her.
But it was obvious that they both had kept each other in their hearts through all that time.

I had all the sweet mushy feelings when they both asked each other if they loved the other and their answers were, "Not yet." It was the cutest thing ever, especially because you knew that they already did. It was like their way of saying, "Yes, but I'm afraid to admit it." You could tell there was so much fear they were hiding inside. Not sure if they could trust to admit to loving each other.

Ophelia was wondering if he would actually be more to her than just a lover, and if so then there was the worry over her family's opinions, and society and the scandal it could cause.
And Devlin trying to fight his love for her until he knew for certain she would actually marry him, which was a huge uncertainty for him. What with her worries over the scandal and hurting her family, because of their differences in rank etc.

In the end it was Ophelia who had to take the plunge and decide to reach out for her own happiness and take it. For her and Devlin. No matter what her family said. And I'm beyond happy that she did. If she had continued on the same path and not agreed to marry Devlin without her father's blessing, and Devlin had had to be the one to figure it out, then I would have been more than sorely disappointed in Ophelia. Because Devlin definitely deserved better than that. So when Ophelia tells her family she is going to be with him even though they were all objecting, my heart soared with happiness! She goes outside and Devlin's out there waiting, and thinking, and my heart reached out to him. It was absolutely the most heart-tugging moment.

This story was genuinely such a beautiful and warm experience. I was not disappointed at all. And it's no surprise because Stacy has never let me down before! The previous 2 books in this series are 2 of my most favorite books of all time. They are so superb in their writing, and passion, and heartfelt moments. This one was no different, yet was also uniquely different from the first 2. It was a wonderful read and I highly suggest it!

I can't wait to have a physical copy of this on my shelves when it drops! But for now I'm just thankful and beyond happy that I could have an advanced ebook copy. So thank you so much to Stacy and Entangled Publishing (thank you Riki!) and Net Galley from the bottom of my heart!!

#AScoundrelOfHerOwn #NetGalley #EntangledPublishing #StacyReid #SinfulWallflowers

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Lady Ophelia Darby has had a privileged life, as the only child of a wealthy marquess. The only blip was when she was washed away with the stream and missing for some days aged 9, but she met Niall, a local boy who looked after her, and promised he would one day marry her - but was never seen again. But when her father became ill, and nearly died, she discovered the the estate wasn't doing as well as she thought, and her mother was in fact a singer, whom her father had stolen from as an infant, and not the person she had called mama her whole life. Ophelia wants nothing more than to find her birth mother, and discover what happened to her, and when Devlin Byrne starts to offer her money and help, in return for a song and a dance, she can't say no, can she? Especially not when she realises that her childhood friend and new protector are one in the same, and the feelings that grow between them are definitely not puppy love. Devlin can always remember the words the marquess spoke to him all those years ago, and he's stopped at nothing to become rich and powerful - in order to be good enough for his Fifi. Can they overcome the odds to be together, or is this a scandal even too much for them to face?

This series is phenomenal, and I've been wanting more ever since I read Her Wicked Marquess last year. Though Ophelia is beautiful, wealthy daughter of a marquess, she's hasn't married yet, and finds greater comfort in her friendship with the other 'wallflowers', than on the marriage mart. She wants to marry for love, and has never found anyone who's made her consider losing the freedom she has. And after she finds out the truth about her parentage, and grows bolder in her search for her mother, she can't quite imagine a life as a dutiful wife. With Devlin, she feels things she never has before, and the realisation that he and Niall are one and the same, makes her wish she wasn't Lady Ophelia, but Fifi in reality. Honestly, their romance was perfect, and every moment they were together, I was giddy reading it. I wholeheartedly despised Ophelia's widowed cousin, Effie, who was brought in in be her chaperone after she danced with Devlin in public, and was a stuck up snob every time she appeared on the page. Ophelia was much better off with Devlin, and away from her domineering family, who really showed their true colours across the course of the story, and I nearly cheered at the final scenes. I hope Fanny's book is next, because the little asides and mentions about her own adventure has definitely whet my appetite for more!

Stacy Reid brings forth her third installment in the delightful Sinful Wallflowers series. Starring Lady Ophelia a fiery songstress who struggles to maintain both her image as the darling of polite society and her devilish alter ego as Lady Starlight and Devlin Byrne the handsome as sin bad boy from the wrong side of the ton who has his sights set on gaining her attention. But as the attraction between them grows it becomes clear that Devlin is after more than just Ophelia’s time, her very heart maybe at risk.

I had a good time reading this and I really loved the inclusion of events and characters from the previous books but having read the previous two installments in the series I can say that I was a little disappointed in this book. Everything in felt rather anticlimactic. There is very little happening in this book besides the two love birds getting to know each other. Stacy Reid tried to shoehorn in a tragic backstory for Ophelia but it kinda didn’t really amount to anything. I did, however, really love Ophelia and Devlin’s origin story in the prologue, it was very cute.

Ophelia and Devlin were both strong characters who were completely compassionate and open with one another and that was a joy to read. Not having the “conflict” of the book be miscommunication was a complete breath of fresh air. However, wonderful their actions were with each other they didn’t quite match the tension the author was trying to establish. Devlin’s inner monologue and his actions towards Ophelia never made sense nor did we ever see any of the so called ruthlessness of his reputation. He was a complete sweetheart. I couldn’t understand why he was conflicted if he was supposed to be this guy who goes after and gets whatever he wants. Ophelia’s actions also seemed to help negate any tension in the book. She was so strong and willful that it was obvious she cared little for what society would say regardless of what the author was trying to have readers believe.


Overall, this was an enjoyable read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.

While I really enjoyed some parts of it, this book did not work for me on multiple levels, and part of it is personal preference. Books that start off with the characters as children are usually a hard sell for me, but if you love the childhood-friends-to-adult-lovers trope with a side dose of wrong-side-of-the-tracks and a big helping of intense pining, definitely check this one out!

The book opens with a prologue in which our heroine, Ophelia, aged 8, has been in a carriage accident. She fell in a river and our hero, Niall (aka Devlin), aged 12, has saved her from drowning. They’re lost in the woods and come across a cabin where they stay together for several days before they are found. They form an intense connection and Niall vows that he will marry Ophelia when they grow up. But Ophelia is the daughter of a marquess, and Niall is nobody, so Ophelia’s father harshly turns him away when they’re rescued and he vows to himself to grow into a man who will be worthy of her in society’s eyes.

After the prologue, it has been 16 years and Ophelia is now a 24-year-old member of the sinful wallflowers friend group. She has just found out something earth-shattering about her father and her past, and she’s trying to find more information. This means she has to traverse the seedier parts of London, and this is where Niall, who now goes by Devlin, sees her again and decides to offer his protection behind the scenes. Five months after Devlin sees her, he sends her a note with a very large bank draft made out to her father, who’s in debt, and a request for a song in return for the money. She accepts, they meet, and she learns that this dangerous man who’s provided his protection is Niall, the boy who saved her from drowning all those years ago. Thus begins their new relationship as adults.

Somewhere in here is an amazing romance novel, but I feel this book suffers for having some of the most interesting parts (Ophelia spotlighting as Lady Starlight, for example) off page. We are told about these things, but we don’t get to see them. We also find out later about all the things Devlin does to try to help others who’ve grown up the way he did, but I wish we’d seen more of that, and that we’d seen it earlier in the book so I could have liked him more. The beginning, in general, felt very drawn out, and I think it could have been condensed considerably. There was a lot going on in this book, a lot of threads to be woven in, and I don’t feel it was all done effectively.

What really didn’t work for me was that this entire book hinges on their childhood meeting and connection, and I didn’t buy into that at all. Ophelia in particular was so young when they met, it honestly felt creepy to me that Devlin would continue to hold a torch for a girl he met when she was 8. His level of devotion is so intense, too, that it added to the discomfort. It just really rubbed me the wrong way throughout the whole book.

What I did love, though, was that, despite the intense childhood connection, they did still need to build up their relationship as adults. It did feel insta-love-y at times, but their relationship grew and deepened, and I thought that was really well done. Devlin emotionally supports Ophelia through a very turbulent time, and that was great! I honestly loved a lot about their relationship as adults. There are some really swoon-worthy scenes between them, and the chemistry is great! I also really liked the plot line where Ophelia is trying to find out more about what she learns from her father in the beginning. It was a very emotional journey for her, and I thought that was done well.

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for providing a free advanced copy of this book for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.