I did not like the cover but I did love the story. Another great historical romance that you will love!

Lucy Morris always delivers such a sweet story filled with so much emotion. And not the annoying kind, which stresses you out and makes you wonder why these two can't be together. A nice journey of two characters finding each other, and unveiling their feelings for the other. The side characters are well developed too, and you want to know more about them. If you want a smile on your face at the end of the book, pick this one up.

A light and fun read about how the best of plans can go awry and end in happiness. I especially enjoyed the protagonists relationship with her parents.

Miss Marina Fletcher is the daughter of a wealthy architect and her first season was the opposite of a success. Now she wants only her music- the love of her life... then she meets Brooke the Duke of Framlingham, at a house party.- the rest is a delight to read!

Marina is the daughter of an architect who wants to make a name with society to improve his business, leaving Marina forced to socialize with the ton who disdain her for not being one of them. She meets the Duke of Framlingham and he is impressed by her wits. Like Marina, Brook is trying to avoid the marriage mart, but for different reasons - she does not want to marry without love and he does not believe in it, so they devise a fake engagement to give them what they each want - she can work on composing without being bothered by her father and he can travel more. Being fake engaged means spending time together and an attraction soon grows between them. , he is intrigued by her intelligence. Though neither has a mind toward marriage, they realize that forming a fake engagement would allow them the freedom they desire—for Brook to travel and for Marina to toil at composing without interruption. The forced proximity of this arrangement, however, swiftly ignites a passion neither one of them could have expected and that is when it gets to be a book that I could not put down!

How the Wallflower Wins a Duke by Lucy Morris is a slow burn, friends to lovers, Regency romance that was enjoyable, sweet and fun. Miss Marina Fletcher, the daughter of a wealthy architect, loves to not only play but compose music. After a humiliating experience during her first season, thanks to a deceitful man, she has decided that marriage is not for her and has instead decided to dedicate her life to her true love. Though she wants a family of her own, she won't give up her hope for a love match. She and her parents arrive at the Duke of Framlingham's home for a house party and audition for an architect to build a new house; along with her father's greatest rival and his family. The tension between the two families is evident from the start.

Brook Wyndham, the Duke of Framlingham, was never supposed to be the duke, mocked by the ton as the Spare Heir Duke, he has been labeled a rake and a reckless gambler, but these attacks to his reputation are lies. Brook joined the army at a young age and served in the wars, never planning on returning to his family. But when tragedy takes not only his father, but also his brother, he steps up to do his duty and lets the ton think the worst of him to spare his mother the humiliation. He would do almost anything for his mother, but he draws the line at marriage. Brook just wants to be free and longs to travel; to find himself, and his mother’s matchmaking attempts are annoying. He is ready to tell her off when he meets Marina. Not classically beautiful, he is intrigued by her and forms a friendship with her. Then he comes up with an idea that will let them both have what they want, they will get engaged and have a long engagement, during which time, he will travel the Continent and she will pursue her musical ambitions without society’s censure.

The development of their relationship was interesting. Brook is falling for her but refuses to see it. He is focused on his desire to leave England. Marina's feelings for Brook also grow, but she believes she isn't suitable for him. There are interesting twists involving Marina's brother, her music and insecurities about it, and the ever-obnoxious Moorcroft family, but none diminishes the strengthening attraction between them. Fears and insecurities pull them apart. It takes Brook facing his past before he can look at the future. Brook will have to decide if “finding” himself is worth losing the love of a lifetime.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #Harlequin

Water themed names...

Marina and Brook (see? Water themed)....agree to a fake courtship, but kind of secret.
Marina has a list of rules she is happy to follow and cool with being a wallflower without the pressure to wed.

Whereas, Brook, new to the title of duke, he is an unexpected heir, hence, the pressure for him to wed. He would rather travel. Quite frankly, so would I.

I haven't read Lucy Morris before, but I enjoyed her writing and this story and can recommend it.

How the Wallflower Wins a Duke is a swoon-worthy Regency romance.

I LOVE Lucy’s books and always burst out in a little dance whenever I see she has a new book coming out. I adored everything about this book. It is bursting with loveable characters, an interesting story, and a romance that swept me off my feet. There is nothing better than sinking into a good Regency romance. I spent my whole Saturday reading this book in my backyard, and I’m not mad about it. Lucy knows what makes a fantastic Regency romance, which shows in her writing. She knows what her readers want and delivers every single time. There is so much to like about this book. First, let’s chat about the story. This story really has it all: Regency drama, balls, a secret love affair, and a Duke who is wholeheartedly captivated by a Wallflower. The pacing and flow of this story is perfection. Everything moves along fairly briskly, and Lucy knows the right moments to throw in a twist, a swoony hidden moment, or some high-society drama. It really becomes this addictive read that you just can’t put down.

The secondary characters added so much to this story. I love the Marina’s family dynamic. In a Regency romance, an MC rarely has a close and healthy relationship with both parents. Marina’s parents are AMAZING! They truly adore and respect their daughter and son, and their love for their children is limitless. That love flows both ways. Marina’s loyalty and love for her parents is constantly shown throughout this book. Marina’s relationship with her parents also puts this new twist on a Regency romance in the sense that Marina isn’t worried about her future. She knows that if she never marries, her parents will still love her and that her future is safe. She will have money and the ability to pursue her music with or without marrying a man. Normally, the heroine feels immense pressure to marry, but in this case, it’s the Duke who is feeling this pressure. I love this twist because instead of the heroine being back in this corner, she chooses to pursue this fake engagement and secret relationship with the Duke because she wants to, not because she has to.

The romance was utter perfection. Everything was perfectly balanced, and Lucy included all those tropes and micro tropes that are just catnip to soul. The growing relationship between Marina and Brook (aka the Duke) is one that is done mostly in secret, which I love. Those secret moments and touches also had this fear that someone would catch them, which only heightened that lusty tension between these two. I really like these two characters. I loved that witty and sharp banter that existed between them. Marina doesn’t take any crap from Brook, which he finds utterly refreshing and charming. The moment Brook lays eyes on Marina, he knows that there is something different about her. The problem is Brook doesn’t want to marry; he wants to travel, and the only reason why he proposed a fake engagement arrangement with Marina is to get his mother off his back. For Marina, she doesn’t know quite what to do with the feelings that are popping up whenever Brook is around. Part of her doesn’t want to marry, but another part realizes that she is falling fast and hard for Brook. The growing relationship between these two was addictive and had just the right amount of spice. It was so well done.

How the Wallflower Wins a Duke was a swoony and addictive read, perfect for anyone who loves Regency romances.

This slow burn of friends to lovers Regency romance was very cute and fun. Marina loves to not only play but compose music which has caused her a bit of heartache since it's not custom for young women to compose. Brook, Duke of Framlingham was never to be the Duke but with his brother’s death he is now thrown into a life he didn’t want or grow up training for- we learn more about his childhood throughout the book. We also have some wonderful side characters with Marina’s wonderful parents and brother and Brooke’s mother. I loved Brook in this one so much, it takes him a bit to speak up sometimes but he enjoys Marina’s music.

Lucy I have loved her Viking romance and now really enjoyed this Regency, I do really enjoy her writing style. I can’t wait for more of any time period from Lucy!

Fake dating
Friends to lovers
Slow burn
Regency
Rich commoner - Duke

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin for access to this arc.

This is a book I'm not going to be able to finish. The current trend for historical romances seems to be that they have a more modern "feel" and that's just not what I'm looking for. I'm barely three chapters into this story and already I'm cringing at how off everything is. The final straw is Brook (and what Duke would be casually referred to by his first name while in company with guests, especially ones he doesn't know?) discussing marital prospects - who are sitting at the same dinner table, presumably within earshot - with a young woman he's never met before in his life??

I let myself be lured by a lovely cover (and it truly is lovely) but this book is just not going to work for me. From now on I think I'll be sticking to contemporary Harlequin books.

The characters in this book are interesting and well developed. The pace is leisurely, and the plot tends to focus on courtly manners.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Good book. Marina is the daughter of a prominent architect. She is also a talented musician, though her confidence took a hit several months earlier thanks to a deceitful man. Since then, Marina has decided to concentrate on her music and not worry about finding a husband. Though she wants a family of her own, she won't give up her hope for a love match. As the book opens, she and her parents arrive at the Duke of Framlingham's home for a house party and audition for an architect to build a new house. Also present is her father's greatest rival and his family. The tension between the two families is evident from the start.

Brook, the Duke of Framlingham, recently inherited the title after his father's and older brother's deaths. As the "spare," he spent most of his life feeling second-best and ignored. He made his life in the army and was happy there. Since taking up the title, Brook has felt weighed down by his responsibilities to the estate and cleaning up his mother's messes. He wants to have the opportunity to live life on his terms finally. He plans to leave England to travel the Continent and enjoy the privileges he now has. Unfortunately, his mother is equally determined to keep him in England and see him married.

After spending some time talking to Marina, Brook has the idea of asking her to enter into a fake engagement with him. That will get his matchmaking mama off his back and allow him to do the traveling he wants. Brook proposes that she would then be able to concentrate on her music without the added distraction of husband-hunting. The encounter did not go as he had hoped, but he remained intrigued by Marina. She eventually gives in to his proposal.

The development of their relationship was interesting. Brook is falling for her but refuses to see it. He is focused on his desire to leave England. Marina's feelings for Brook also grow, but she believes she isn't suitable for him. There are interesting twists involving Marina's brother, her music and insecurities about it, and the ever-obnoxious Moorcroft family, but none diminishes the strengthening attraction between them.

My favorite part was the support that Brook gave Marina the night she performed her music. I loved his appreciation of her talent and his determination to give her the confidence she deserved. But fears and insecurities pull them apart. It takes Brook facing his past before he can look at the future. I loved the ending and the depth of emotion as Brook and Marina looked at the future together.

After a humiliating experience during her first season, Miss Marina Fletcher, the daughter of a wealthy architect, has decided that marriage is not for her and has instead decided to dedicate her life to her true love; music. But her plan might be sidetracked when her very talented father, along with his greatest rival and their families, are invited by the Duchess of Framlingham to attend a house party, so she can get to know them better before deciding who to hire to design the family’s country estate, especially after meeting her son, the Duke. He is the most handsome man she has ever met and it is clear his mother wants him to marry, the problem is the Duke isn’t ready to marry and wants to travel, but his mother is relentless and soon Marina agrees to a fake betrothal with the Duke, that gives them both the freedom to pursue their own desires, it seems perfect, until it isn’t.

Brook Wyndham, the Duke of Framlingham, was never meant to be the duke, mocked by the ton as the Spare Heir Duke, he has been labeled a rake and a reckless gambler, but these smears to his reputation are lies. Brook joined the army at a young age and served in the wars, never planning on returning to his family. But when tragedy takes not only his father, but also his brother, he steps up to do his duty and lets the ton think the worst of him to spare his mother the humiliation. But he draws the line at marriage, Brook just wants to be free and longs to travel; to find himself, and his mother’s matchmaking attempts are getting annoying. He is ready to tell her off when he meets Marina. Though she is not classically beautiful, he is intrigued by her and forms a friendship with her. Then he comes up with an idea that will let them both have what they want, they will get engaged and have a long engagement, during which time, he will travel the world and she will pursue her musical ambitions without society’s censure. It is perfect, but that was before their feelings were involved and now Brook will have to decide if “finding” himself is worth losing the love of a lifetime.

I have read and enjoyed this author’s Viking romances and was eager to read her first Regency era romance. Sadly, this book didn’t captivate me as much as her previous books. The writing is good, but the story is not as smooth as her other offerings have been and I never really connected with her characters. The story has a lot of plot strings that honestly don’t really fit with the story and did nothing to advance the romance. Overall, it was a good read that I liked, but not a book I would read again.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *

A new author to me. I enjoy learning about new authors and reading their works. I have a soft spot for books that feature wallflowers and given the title of this book, I was immediately interested.

I do wish that there was more background given to an incident that impacted Marina earlier in the novel. Instead, the incident was alluded to and that part of her background was left for readers to infer instead. Nevertheless, Marina's confidence was left shattered after that, and it is that affect that influences her actions later on in the book.

I struggled to understand Brook's character though. I just had so many questions that were left unanswered. However, I did like his chemistry with Marina and there were some sweet moments within the book. All in all, I do think this was a good read and enjoyed it. I would have rated it higher but for the missing scenes and the somewhat lackluster epilogue.

ARC provided by Harlequin Romance via NetGalley. I have given my honest and voluntary review.

This is a new Author to me and I completely enjoyed reading Marina Fletcher and Brook the new Duke of Framlingham's story. It was entertaining watching as they worked towards their happy ending in this engaging story. I would like to read more by her. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is my first time reading this author. I found it a little difficult to get into this book. But once I did, I was hooked.
I found the attraction between Brook (the Duke) and Marina ( an architects daughter) was perfect. He different find her a breath taking beauty , but instead a breath of fresh air. She to thought him to be a rogue, but a kind and funny one. Their attraction and love was slow burning, as they got to know each other.
Throw in a business rivalry and a pushy mother and it made a very good story. I look forward to your next book.
4⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

I enjoyed this regency romance and even though I keep looking I don't think I'm going to fin a modern day regency that gives me the rom com and snark of Jane Austen.

On the whole, this was a cute read that I easily finished in a day and a half. I enjoyed the characters, but there were some things that I wish had been done differently that I feel would have added to my overall enjoyment.

To begin with, I wish there had been an prologue from the night of the soiree where Marina was so thoroughly humiliated. Hearing about it after the fact, I didn't quite get the sense of what had actually happened. Was it just finding out that the man she had feelings for was using her, or were there a lot of snide comments made from the other guests prior to that? I really needed to know why her confidence was so badly shaken when it seemed most of what happened that night boiled down to the man she liked, and his cousin.

I also wish we would have gotten an epilogue set some ways in the future so that we knew how things turned out not only for Brook and Marina, but for Brook's mother as well. It seemed very unfinished to have him proposing to her and his mother poised to go off on a grand adventure of her own and then not know what happened. Did his mother find what she was looking for? Did Brook take Marina to visit the places she wanted to visit? Did she become well-known for her music? I had so many questions that I wanted answers to.

One final issue that I found curious is the way the Moorcroft family constantly made snide (and often downright rude) comments towards Marina and her family when Mr. Moorcroft was also trying to win the right to build the Duke's new home. It seemed ridiculously childish, and in my opinion it took Brook entirely way too long to put them in their place.

Aside from those things, I loved the chemistry between Brook and Marina and how she wasn't afraid to put him in his place when he needed it. I also enjoyed how they were friends first, that made it easier to believe that they had fallen in love with one another as the time passed. I would definitely read more from this author.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

How does one musical prodigy and a duke come together?

Marina is a famous architects daughter, and heiress and musically talented. She is tainted in society for displaying her talent at party with zest and passion and her vicious rivals the Moorcrofts.

Brook, second son now Duke, wants nothing to do with his family legacy. Ignored by his family for most of his life he has no connection to his home or his only surviving family his mother. All he wants is to tour the continent. All his mother wants is to secure the ducal line.

A house party ensues where Brook and Marina meet each other. The attraction, friendship and emotions build. They decide to pursue a fake engagement but the line between fake and real starts to merge.

A light read that traverses societal norms and classes and leads to a hea.

Very enjoyable. Light and fast paced.

Historical romance featuring inspiring, intelligent lead characters. I love how the author weaved music throughout.

I highly recommend this romance and look forward to exploring more of this author's books!

Advance digital copy provided by NetGalley. Thank you!