How to be a Wallflower by Eloisa James is book one in a new series by Ma. James. A wonderful historical romance. I liked the characters of Cleo and Jake.

Jake crossed the ocean with the sole purpose of making acquisitions and bringing renowned professionals to his network of theaters in America. Determined and with a lot of money to invest, he followed his achievements until he came across the entrepreneur Cleopatra Lewis.

Cleo has just lost her mother and met her grandfather, an aristocrat repentant for how he treated his daughter and willing to get to know better and arrange a good marriage for his granddaughter.

It turns out that Cleo is not at all thrilled with her grandfather's plans and is determined to be a mere girl without salt in the corner of events (a Wallflower). For that she needs the help of a famous theatrical modiste who is in some trouble with Jake.

When they meet at Martha's emporium, Jake and Cleo find themselves facing each other and realize how much they want the same thing.

This dispute will yield good laughs, new cloth and a lot of sensuality. Will this duo be willing to give up their purposes to live a great love?

With her elegant writing, Eloisa James brings to life enemies who became friends who became lovers and who made my reading days sunnier. I loved this couple their stubbornness, determination and how everything resolves between them.

Fun and sighs guaranteed. Hoping to be published in Brazil.

Two out-of-the-box characters come together in a quirky, sexy romance. The heroine, Cleo, was raised by a rakish mother who never settled down or put her daughter first. So Cleo thinks she wants to be a wallflower. Jake is an American entrepreneur who came to England to expand his theater business back home. The two clash almost immediately over a costume company, of all things, but the book really gets going when Jake realizes Cleo is the true find.

This story grew on me once the couple started to become friends. I loved the meddling old men and kooky friends (who I know we will see in other books). There is also a fun pineapple callback to a previous romance. James has a way with language, and it comes through in this romance. If you like her books, I think you will enjoy this one.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

In my first Eloisa James read, I found a capable heroine at the helm. Cleo inherited a business selling commodes from her father (the horror! The indelicacy!) After a lifetime of being a parent/confidante to her mother while learning the ins and outs of the business from her father, she is an independent, confident woman. Not exactly a proper lady in the strictest sense, she drinks, she swears, she snorts when she laughs. Cleo meets Jake when she outbids him to invest in a costumier, but she hasn't seen the last of the tenacious American. Their interactions start with fun business banter and a meeting of minds and devolve into a wager that only kind of makes sense, but their judgment is clouded by other things so. Unromantic statements and more straight talk than coyness were refreshing from both parties.

I enjoyed the characters' romantic journey; it covered both light-hearted and deeper connections between them. The drama was light but meaningful, progressing the story rather than bogging it down. Yet it was the side characters I loved most. The flower seller who is convinced Jake doesn't have what it takes to woo an heiress had me in stitches. I also loved the heartwarming bond developing between Cleo and the grandfather she never knew. I only wish we could have had some clear queer representation with the "friend of the family" Byng who might as well have been grandpa's partner. It felt like a clear undercurrent to me but was never addressed.

A couple of other minor points did bother me. Cleo is surprised to learn she "felt lust like every other human" when no we don't. On behalf of ace people, thanks for the erasure but no thanks. Also, Jake thinks of Cleo as "his, even though she had no idea of it." I don't mind the concept of a chase or trying to woo someone; I just wish the descriptions didn't have to fall into such patriarchal terms. It also doesn't jive with the rest of the dynamic between the characters. Generally speaking, Jake treats Cleo as an equal in terms of business and is interested in her as a person, but lust apparently turns the grabby hands man energy up to a 10. To be fair, whenever Jake says something possessive out loud, Cleo lets him have it. But that doesn't stop his thoughts from running rampant. I would be more bothered if his behaviors were controlling. Instead, I was just confused by the lack of synergy between thought and action.

This was a really enjoyable read despite a few trips and stumbles along the way. I definitely want to read more from this author and find out what she has up her sleeve for Yasmin next. Thanks to Avon for my copy to read and review!

Well, this was something.

I am a huge fan of Eloisa’s books, so I’m always going to read whatever she puts out.

I liked Cleo and Jake well enough. They’re both smart, good, loyal people. I enjoyed how they met and how each was open minded to the other. The chemistry seemed non-existent and more of a telling, not showing. I will say that I loved how Jake was smitten right from the start and how he adored her. Cleo’s push and pull was exhausting. There are a few other interesting characters and I’m hoping we see Yasmin again.

Plot wise, it was fairly boring. I was eager to see how the fashion “game” played out; however, it didn’t add the layer of competition I expected. Instead, the outfits were described as an afterthought. There wasn’t any sort of build up or conflict and while the epilogue was sweet, I needed a bit more.

Overall, this story was all fluff and I usually love that. Sadly, this was a bit underwhelming.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

Elosia James is one my all time favorite authors. Never pass on her books. Loved Cleo and Jakes story. I look forward to reading more

The premise of this was amazing! I enjoyed the characters and their banter was delightful. But I got a little exhausted by it. I was so sick of the word wallflower by a certain point I couldn't help but be annoyed with every character when they used it, which obviously made the novel a little hard to enjoy.

Eloisa James is one of my top three romance authors. I get excited every time I hear a new book by her is coming out. While I don't think this had the witty repartee of many of her previous novels, the tension and romance between the two lovers was fantastic. I highly recommend this to fans of historical romance.

How to Be a Wallflower by Eloisa James was an excellent story. I loved the characters and how they interacted with each other. Cleo, who does not wish to marry, chooses to become a wallflower. Jake, an American, spots Cleo and quickly falls for her. The two first become friends and then the attraction becomes more. The storyline is well executed, the characters are well developed, and the pace is perfect. I look forward to another book from Eloisa James.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

A wonderful read. Such a well crafted book. Ms. James is a master story teller and in her hands the characters, plot and complexity are masterfully handled. A very enjoyable read with sizzling chemistry and a well deserved happy ending.

I absolutely love this author, every single read is a homerun and this is no exception. The characters are so compelling, the FMC isn't just a trope, she's a fully fleshed out person with her own wants and desires which adds so much depth to the story and relationship. Great read!

Eloisa James is a brilliant author. Usually, I enjoy her work. This book, unfortunately, just wasn't for me. The heroine is too modern. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

DNF at 19%

I was unable to feel any engagement with the characters in this title. I found myself wanting to read other titles instead of finishing this one, so I have decided not to finish.

I am unable to recommend this title.

The first time I read an Eloisa James, I hated it. But I am so glad that I gave her a second chance. Her books have gotten so much better. The Characters are far more likable and the romance believable. I know that marriage and fidelity are viewed differently in today's world but I don't enjoy fiction when that is a major part. Luckily James no longer writes this way. Her heroes are actually 'good men'. When you don't spend the entire time yelling at the characters, the book is far more enjoyable. In terms of historical accuracy, this book has several problems, but in the end, I did not care. I liked the book.

I really enjoyed Cleo and Jacob's story. I really loved competitiveness that was between them and all the bantering. It had me laughing out loud! 🥰

I've long been a fan of Eloisa James' novels, but this one was a miss for me. I only got through the first half of the book before giving up on it, as I was just not connecting with the characters or story. I may try it again at a later date to see if maybe it was my mood at the time.

I have read a few of Eloisa James' books before, but I have to say I think this one may be my new favorite!

The two main characters are not your typical members of the Ton - they are fun, quirky, independent and completely perfect for each other. One is an American, which pretty much automatically makes him an outsider in the Ton's view but he's best friends with a Duchess. The other is an independent woman (and the granddaughter of a Viscount) who owns her own business and is looking to invest in another. The two of them end up wanting to buy the services of the same dressmaker and it turns into a hilarious competition that only brings the two of them closer.

I absolutely loved this non-traditional take on Regency romance - it was fun with a lot of great dialog and the chemistry between these two characters definitely had the hallmark of a fantastic Eloisa James novel. I absolutely recommend this book if you love historical romance and are looking for something just a bit different that will make you laugh out loud as well as fall in love with the characters and the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Let me start by saying that I generally LOVE Eloisa James. I went into this one hopeful...but, to be honest, I just really wasn't feeling the story line or the characters themselves. This may be a one off for me, but I was disappointed. Didn't finish.

Strong heroines. Hard hearted heroes. Irresistible chemistry. The thrill of an Eloisa James novel is that love at first sight becomes a powerful dance with courageously, unpredictable characters that prove hard to resist.

If the stunningly beautiful cover art with Eloisa James' name emblazoned across the front doesn't automatically make you want to snatch this book quicker than a freshly baked piece of chocolate cake, then you seriously don't know what you are missing!

Miss Cleopatra Lewis is a force of nature. Trying to hide her light under a bushel--or a ghastly turban--in order to fulfill her promise to participate in a London season, while getting to know her grandfather, will be nearly impossible. But determined to succeed, WITHOUT being pestered by erstwhile suitors, Cleopatra enlists the aid of her trusted maid to find a modiste willing to drab down her wardrobe.

Enter American tycoon, Jacob Addison, who is just as determined to steal said modiste away and send her to America to head up the costuming department for his various theatre companies. It's suddenly a Clash of the Titans, up in here!

This enemies-to-friends-to lovers, story was a page-turner from word one!

I simply adored the wry and intelligent banter between these two and I found the whole idea of Cleopatra running a commode (that's toilets, btw) company and brawny, Jacob jaunting about London in garishly loud suits, utterly hilarious. Eloisa, YOU are Brilliant!

If the rest of the series is as uniquely original and entertaining as this one--and come on, it's Eloisa James, so you know it will be--then just sign me up now, because I'm all-in!