| Title | : | Scandal in Spring (Wallflowers, #4) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0060562536 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780060562533 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Mass Market Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 374 |
| Publication | : | First published July 25, 2006 |
| Awards | : | RITA Award by Romance Writers of America Short Historical Romance (2007) |
Quirky and fun-loving American heiress Daisy Bowman is the last unmarried Wallflower. Her exasperated father has informed her that if she can’t find a husband by the end of her third London season, she will be forced to marry a man she hates—the ruthless entrepreneur Matthew Swift.
Daisy is horrified. A Bowman never admits defeat, so she decides to do whatever it takes to marry someone . . . anyone . . . other than Matthew. What she doesn’t count on, however, is Matthew’s unexpected charm, or the blazing sensuality that soon flares beyond both their control. And Daisy discovers that the man she has always hated just might turn out to be the man of her dreams.
But when a scandalous secret is uncovered, it could destroy both Matthew and a love more passionate and irresistible than Daisy’s wildest fantasies.
Scandal in Spring (Wallflowers, #4) Reviews
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4 Standing by your man Stars
Scandal in Spring was a touching and sweet read. I loved Daisy and Matthew. Matthew had a funny dry sense of humor that was very charming. Daisy was a romantic and a dreamer. They made a cute couple. I thought Matthew was so sweet the way he loved Daisy. I loved the bowls war they had. I laughed so hard. I have to say I really don't like Daisy and Lillian's parents. Just sayin' they are cold-hearted assholes. This book was a little slower for me then some of the others in this series. There was some action towards the end, and a really sad part that made me tear up. Overall I enjoyed this book. Devil in Winter is still my favorite of the series! -
I loved this story! Maybe it was because I approached it with lower expectations, since everyone has said it's not as good as the first three Wallflower books, or maybe it was because LK is such a fabulous storyteller, and made me fall in love with the characters...but who cares--I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thinking back on the other Wallflowers stories, maybe Scandal In Spring doesn't quite have all the drama, or even the passion (although Daisy and Matthew were passionate enough for me) of the other books, and maybe Daisy and Matthew's relationship wasn't as volatile as the others, but there was plenty to love in this sweet (and sexy) story.
I loved how Daisy and Matthew met (or should I say "re-met", since they'd known each other for quite a while). I'm assuming that Matthew and Daisy hadn't seen each other for three years (she being in England and Matthew in New York), and Daisy (and her sister Lillian) remembering Matthew as being this unattractive, gangly string-bean, know-it-all "suck-up" who works for her father. Daisy's father has given up hope that she'll find a peer to marry, and he wants to marry her off in the worst way, so he tells her that he's picked out Matthew Swift for her. Daisy (and Lillian) are aghast at this idea, and Daisy's determined that this not happen. But when Daisy meets Matthew at the wishing well at Stony Cross...oh wow, she can't believe how he's "filled out" and how attractive he's become. There's a bit of a spark there, but Daisy fights it. When Daisy confronts Matthew with her father's idea for them, Matthew assures Daisy that it will never happen, that he "can't" marry her. Hmmm, what does that mean...?
Throughout the story we're told about Matthew's long hidden desires for Daisy, but how he's determined to not let anything happen between them, no matter how much he longs for her. We're left to wonder just what he's hiding, and if Daisy will ever find out his secrets. I must confess when I did found out what he was hiding, it wasn't as bad as I'd imagined. And I loved how Daisy and Westcliff (and even Lillian and Thomas Bowman) supported him and were determined to see that he and Daisy get their HEA. These scenes brought a few tears to my eyes.
There were many scenes between Matthew and Daisy that I enjoyed, but one of my favorites was an early one--their encounter with the trapped goose. Hilarious! Another was when Matthew rescued Daisy from the wild boar--this was when Daisy and Matthew both knew that the attraction between the two of them was mutual, and the reader knows that things are about to heat up. And probably one of the most emotional for me was when he presented her with the "daisy" ring (*sigh*)
The love scenes? Verrry satisfying. I loved how Daisy was not a shrinking violet and often took the initiative, and delighted in provoking Matthew into losing control. While Matthew was described as being practical and "dependable"...dependable does not mean boring! I really felt the love between these two.
One other thing made this book so satisfying to read, and that was the inclusion of all the other wallflowers (Lillian, Annabelle, and Evie) in the story, and to read about their ongoing friendship. Wow, those ladies have some great dialogue in this book! They always make me laugh! I also enjoyed seeing the continuation of Westcliff's and Lillian's relationship (loved Westcliff's devotion to her), and I particularly loved the amount of page time Westcliff got in the story, and how he turned out to be such a friend to Daisy and Matthew. He may be my favorite hero in the whole series.
So fans of this series, if you've been holding out on reading this one because you've heard it wasn't that great, just remember a "not so great" book by Lisa Kleypas is better than a lot of books out there. I loved this one, and I'm so sorry that I only have one more to read in this memorable series. Now on to
A Wallflower Christmas! 4 1/2 stars -
Book 4 in the Wallflower series finds Daisy Bowman, the only wallflower yet unwed, being faced with an ultimatum: Find a suitable husband by the end of May, or be forced to wed a man of her father’s choosing. Who is that man? Matthew Swift, Thomas Bowman’s protégé and the last person on the planet that Daisy would ever consider marrying.
Matthew Swift learns about the marriage ultimatum from Daisy herself. While he has secretly adored her for years, there are skeletons in his closet that would threaten any chance they might have at happiness, so Matthew has decided to spare her the pain and embarrassment of his past that he knows will catch up with him eventually. He does this by trying to push her away, insult her and finally, he attempts to fix her up with someone else, even though it tears his heart out to do so.
Each book has its own memorable moments and things that made me laugh. There were many such instances in this book, but the one that I still find myself *giggling* over was in regards to the lawn bowling game in which Daisy and Matthew found themselves opponents. The game had been relatively civilized for a while, though it was a very short while. Their teammates long forgotten in the heat of competition, Kleypas segues into the frenzied game:Years later it would still be called the most blood thirsty game of lawn bowling ever witnessed at Stony Cross. The game was extended to 30 points, and then 50, and then Daisy lost count. They fought over every inch of ground and every rule of play. They mulled over each shot as if fates of nations depended on it. And most of all, they devoted themselves to knocking each other’s bowls into the ditch.
The game that followed was, for me, laugh out loud funny and will be one of my favorite moments from any book.
As always, Lisa Kleypas gives us characters who are more than just words on the page. They are people we care about, cheer for and sometimes even cry for. Her stories are well thought out, and her writing style is easy and comfortable. While describing the settings in splendid detail – so much so that I was able to imagine myself right there in the midst of it all with very little effort, I never felt like there was a droning on of unimportant words meant simply to fill the page.
Lisa Kleypas has quickly become one of my very favorite authors, and The Wallflower series will be added to my list of books to be read time and time again.
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"Scandal in Spring" is about the youngest of the four wallflowers, Daisy Bowman who finds her soulmate in the one man she has always detested,but a man who have secretly loved her after all these years.Lisa Kleypas writes a marvellous love-story and proves yet again how deep and severe the power of love can be.
[image error] -
I'll just say I agree on everything the third time around. I cried and laughed just as much as the first two reads.
Updated review after second reread 3/27/13
Oh my freaking god - this book is so amazing! This was the second time around, and if anything I loved it more! I truly love the Wallflower series and this book is my favorite. If I could only read one romance novel ever again, then I would pick this one.
I loved the writing, the humor, the plot, well everything! If I could, I would have highlighted the whole book!
I love Daisy. I see so much of myself in Daisy, and I would like to have her as my new BFF.She was the most provoking, beguiling woman he had ever met. Thunderstorms and rainbows wrapped together in a convenient pocket-sized parcel.
Her father decides that she must marry before May, or he'll give her to Matthew Swift. Daisy is enraged but when she actually meet Matthew sparks fly. They are absolutely made for each other.After all, every swift-sailing ship needed an anchor.
And I totally adored Matthew and maybe that has something to do with the fact that he did remind me of someone very close to my own heart. He is not as domineering as Hunt or Westcliff but he definitely hold his own and earn everyone's respect, except maybe Lillian's."But as much as I hate to admit it, that puts us in a minority. Swift is liked by everyone in the northern hemisphere, including Westcliff and his friends, my friends, the servants, the neighbors, children, animals and higher order of plants," Lillian finished sardonically. "If root vegetables could talk, I've no doubt they would say they like him, too."
And if not the love story is enough, the book is set almost exclusively on Westcliff's estate. We get to follow the other Wallflowers, and especially Lillian and Westcliff and the birth of their child! They play a huge role in this one, but we also get to spend time with Annabelle, Evie and Simon Hunt. It is a wonderful conclusion to a wonderful series! But do yourself a favor and start from the beginning - it is well worth it.
I cried and in the end I was super giddy. The best epilogue yet! Nerd alert! I also adored that this book deals with industrialism and the decline of aristocracy in England, and I really enjoyed all the conversations on public policy and social reformation. And, there were so many amazing moments. . -
This fourth and last instalment is, on par with the first
Secrets of a Summer Night, the one that I found less engaging in the series.
A hero hiding his identity, pining after the heroine since she was fifteen, she who has never spared him a glance until they meet again in England years later where she suddenly "notices" him? Not the best scenario to lure me in as far as my favourite tropes go, and I knew this from the start, but I really wanted to read the complete series so, armed with the best intentions, I gave it a chance anyway.
While Daisy and Matthew share some very cute moments, and Kleypas is always extremely good at conveying sensual chemistry, I couldn't help but being uninterested in their romance as a whole. Daisy is presented as a dreamer, perennially with her nose tucked in a book, but she often appeared immature rather than merely sheltered to me. And Matthew was a brooding hero wallowing too much in his woe-is-me secret lot, when instead his big revelation toward the end felt quite overplayed and farfetched to be convincingly moving, besides once again compressing all the drama in the very last chapters, thus following a pattern I've already recognised in several other Kleypas's plots.
As usual the book was technically well written, with lively dialogues and a fine sense of time and place, and it was nice to see the previous heroes and ex-wallflowers rooting (or meddling in the case of Lillian, the heroine's sister) for the couple.
All in all a worthy last instalment to the series, but having enjoyed a strong book 2
It Happened One Autumn, and loved a fabulous book 3
Devil in Winter, it was quite hard for it to keep up. -
A pesar de que Daisy es en teoría la más romántica, le ha tocado la historia mas "sosita".
El principio me ha encantado, entre otras cosas, por la lucha interior que sostenía consigo mismo Swift por mantenerse alejado de Daisy. El final en cambio, me ha parecido lentísimo, y ha hecho que mi valoración baje.
Y ya terminada la serie de las Wallflowers (me gusta mucho más que floreros), resumo mis impresiones:
-La mejor pareja: Anabelle y Simon
-El hilo conductor en todos los libros: Marcus Westcliff.
-El más tierno: Sebastian Vincent.
-El descubrimiento: Gretna Green.
Y finalmente... ¡seguiré leyendo a la autora!!! -
Okay hear me out: ᵀʰᶦˢ ʷᵃˢ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵈᵉᵛᶦˡ ᶦⁿ ʷᶦⁿᵗᵉʳ
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To tell you the truth I started this book determined to dislike Matthew Swift. From the previous book I got the impression that the next hero would be Cam Rohan and I was rooting for him and Daisy. So when I read on the summary about Matthew Swift, an unknown American, I was disappointed. Also Daisy has been the less impressive wallflower of the four.
But the amazing Lisa Kleypas ended the series with a bang!!! Daisy's story became my favorite, even more the one of Lillian and Marcus with their constant bickering.
Daisy proved to be a mature young lady who, once set her mind on a goal, would stop to nothing in order to accomplish it. (Even seduce her husband-to-be). I enjoyed every word, every page. -
3.5 stars
I've been going through a massive reading/reviewing slump lately. I think this book was a massive victim of that slump. I hoped a Wallflower book would pull me out of it, but alas it didn't. There's nothing wrong with this book, I just failed to connect to it. My fault and not the author's.
This book is about the youngest wallflower Daisy, whose father declares a match for her when she doesn't procure an English husband. Unfortunately, Daisy hates the American businessman her father chose, despises him in fact. But sometimes the person we least suspect is the perfect person for you!
Anyways, I liked parts of this book but wasn't feeling it. I loved the first 3 books in this series, and I will happily read more by Kleypas in the future.
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Daisy Bowman, the last of the wallflowers left to marry, has had three season and has yet to find a man to marry. So her father insists that she has two months to find a husband, or she will be marrying Matthew Swift. From what she remembers of Matthew Swift is a cold man so much like her father, who is driven and intelligent, but when she meets him again she is stung by how much he has changed over the years. No longer a "bag of cabbage" he is handsome, strong features and mesmerizing. So with the help of her brother n' law and Evie's husband, they have selected some gentlemen eligible for her, to come to Westcliff's home in the country. Matthew Swift exudes charm and sensual beauty that has every woman tittering in his favor. However Daisy is insistent on trying to ignore Matthew, but as much as she tries, she finds herself feeling more alive around Matthew than any other man. His kisses waken up her senses, and she aches not only for his sensual touch but she also aches to know the man as well. But Matthew is hiding something, something that haunts him and could destroy everything....Scandal In The Spring is the fourth in the Wallflower Series. This is Daisy's story. I find that whenever I read any books from this author, I just fall in love with the story and the characters, and the same is true for Scandal In Spring. It was such a delight to read this one, and it has been some time since I have. I loved both of these characters, as far as hero's go Matthew Swift is one of my favorites. He is handsome, driven, passionate, and throughout the story we see Matthew come to life. The interaction between Matthew and Daisy is witty, fun, and at times sensual; and entertaining to the reader. As far as love stories go this is a golden treasure, and one that will charm any reading with a romantic heart. Scandal In Spring is definitely at the top of best romances!!
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Audio: 4 STARS!
Story: 4 STARS!"You're the only one I've ever wanted."
I've come to the end of the Wallflowers. 😥 I'm sad, but I loved being back with them in Scandal in Spring.
Though this wasn't my favorite installment of the series, I wasn't disappointed at all with Daisy's book. It was full of LK's signature humor and tender moments. And Lillian and Marcus played large roles in the story, which thrilled me.
What didn't thrill me, however, was Matthew; he was too 'cold' for too long. But honestly, even a cold LK hero is better than most, so I'll stop my whinging before it really begins. 😂
If you love historicals and you haven't read the Wallflowers, you're missing out!
OVERALL:Book 1: 3.75 STARS --> Annabelle
Book 2: 5+ STARS --> Lillian
Book 3: 5 STARS --> Evie
Book 4: 4 STARS --> Daisy -
'Father, wouldn't it be wonderful if hummingbirds had tea parties and we were small enough to be invited?'
Daisy
A lovely romance between a whimsical dreamer and an ambitious, pragmatic businessman. A wonderful story, a hint of mystery, touches of humour and love scenes (mostly) devoid of purple prose. The best in the series.
Steam: 2.5-3 -
I can safely say that I loved all of the Wallflowers, and I loved all of their men. But I do think I loved Matthew Swift most of all. He is such a down to earth person, not really caring about others opinions of him. He just does what he wants, and what he wants is usually wonderfully endearing. His interaction with Annabelle's baby made me melt. He and Daisy's "bloodthirsty lawn bowling" game made me laugh out loud. And his enduring love for Daisy was beautiful. There are so many lines in this book that come from Matthew that I want to put them on a poster and hang them in my room like a teenager.
I adored this addition to the series. They were really all quality reads, but this is my favorite. There's just something about Daisy that I love. Her bookish nature, her romanticism, and her awe of Matthew when she finally gives in to what is building between them. As I said in the update, big fat sigh!!! -
Adorables Daisy y Mathew. ❤️ Una historia preciosa. ¡Me encantó!
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Daisy deserved a husband who was honest and whole, not one who had built his life on lies.
But that didn’t stop Matthew from wanting her. He had always wanted Daisy, with an intensity that seemed to radiate from the pores of his skin.♥ What an excellent book for the final wallflower!! ♥
She hated it that she felt so alive with him. She hated the way her senses drank in his presence like dry earth absorbing rain. She hated his handsome face and virile body, and the mouth that was more tempting than any man’s mouth had a right to be.
Daisy Bowman is probably the wallflower I can most relate to. Her love of books, how she prefers losing herself in reading than the company of others was wonderful. She’s a dreamer, who loves the idea of romance, adventure and excitement. She’s always despised Mr. Matthew Swift, who she sees as a replica of her father, someone who is power hungry, and who only values money and status. And after the ultimatum from her father, she’s determined to find a worthy Englishman to marry, because she refuses to marry Matthew. But upon seeing him again, she can’t believe how much he’s changed and how much her feelings towards him has changed too.
Love was supposed to be a happy, giddy emotion. Like the silly verses written on Valentine cards and decorated with feathers and paint and lace. This wasn’t at all like that. This was a gnawing, feverish, bleak feeling…an addiction that could not be quenched.
I loved Matthew and the fact that he’s been in love with Daisy for years, but because of secrets from his past that could destroy him and the fact that Daisy seemed to despise him, he longed for her from afar, never revealing the depth of his feelings. Matthew was such a great hero, definitely not a rake, and the way he appreciated and understood Daisy being a dreamer, her love of books, made me love him even more.
“I’m jealous of every man who comes within ten feet of you. I’m jealous of the clothes on your skin and the air you breathe. I’m jealous of every moment you spend out of my sight.”
I absolutely adored the romance and the heated banter between them. Both are very competitive and it was a lot of fun seeing them trying to get the upper-hand and how much they enjoyed their sparring. Matthew tried so hard to keep Daisy at arms length, but his longing and her determination proved to be his undoing ;-D I loved their sexy times which was so hot and the mystery regarding Matthew’s secrets was excellent.
As always the bond between the four wallflowers, how they are always there for each other was so special and wonderful!
This is such an awesome series, definitely one of the best HRs ever written and a must read for all HR fans. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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I am really enjoying this series even though I am managing to read them all completely out of order. I have always been a fan of all things Regency, starting with my love for Georgette Heyer, and this author's books just fit the bill.
Lisa Kleypas has a talent for writing charming characters and witty dialogue. It is nice too the way she brings back the characters from previous books so we can see how their lives have progressed.
Altogether light, entertaining and very enjoyable! -
Daisy is the most fanciful of all the Wallflowers. She is forever with her head stuck in a book and thinking random thoughts.
“When he had explained why investors who wanted low risk and moderate returns should put their capital into national debt shares, Daisy had interrupted him by asking, “Father, wouldn’t it be wonderful if hummingbirds had tea parties and we were small enough to be invited?”
Matthew on the other hand is dependable with two feet firmly on the ground and pockets full of solutions to various problems. He has been in love with Daisy for years, but a secret in his past has made him keep his distance and now when they are thrust together again he is trying very hard to remember how to not let her get under his skin.She was the most provoking, beguiling woman he had ever met. Thunderstorms and rainbows wrapped together in a convenient pocket-sized parcel
Daisy’s father has finally set down the law, Daisy will need to either find a husband in the next few months or….she will have to marry Matthew. While Daisy’s father is trying to push them together her sister is completely against the idea of Daisy marrying and American and leaving to live in America. She has enlisted her dutiful husband to help dissuade Matthew from pursuing Daisy.“I informed Mr. Swift quite sternly that I will not allow anyone to make Daisy unhappy. And I demanded that he give me his word not to marry her.”
“Oh, thank God,” Lillian said with a sigh of relief.
“He refused.”
“He what?” Her mouth fell open in astonishment. “But no one refuses you.”
“Apparently Mr. Swift wasn’t told about that,” he said.
I think this was actually my favorite in the series. In all the other Wallflower books the men were rakes and/or very alpha. But Matthew Swift is a different hero altogether. He is a bit timid most of the time and in complete control of himself for the most part. He wants the best possible life for Daisy even if he doesn’t believe that he himself can give it to her so he is determined to help others see how very special she is. Matthew is easily likable and anyone who can stand up to Westcliff wins some respect in my book.
“You don’t like Mr. Swift any more than I do,” she retorted.
“No,” Lillian said frankly. “But much as I hate to admit it, that puts us in a minority. Swift is liked by everyone in the northern hemisphere, including Westcliff and his friends, my friends, the servants, the neighbors—”
“You are exaggerating—” “—children, animals and the higher order of plants,” Lillian finished sardonically. “If root vegetables could talk, I’ve no doubt they would say they like him, too.”
Also I enjoyed that fact that Daisy has to be more of the pursuer once she realizes that she maybe has some feelings for Matthew. He is bound and determined not to bring her into the potential mess his life could become and she practically has to seduce him. I really liked the change in romantic tactics in this book. I loved the way Daisy handled him into her ruinatiuon..
There are some very tender moments also that I enjoyed and I really loved that when Matthew’s past came to light the loyalty that was shown by all his friends.
There is still the humor and side banter of all the Wallflowers and their husbands and as all the circles have grown to include a few more characters I really like where everything ended up. All and All I have had a really good time with this series and will probably try a few more books by LK.
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4 STARS
"A versatile flower, the daisy," Matthew commented, breaking the silence.
"Lovely in its freshness and simplicity. I've always thought it went well in any kind of arrangement."
Another wonderful story by Lisa Kleypas. And a sweet ending to the Wallflower series. I was really happy that she included the other characters in the book. And Daisy finally got her happy-ever-after ending. I felt that this one was a little bit more predictable than the first three novels. But I loved the characters. Daisy was a bit of a free spirit. Almost too much so for the time period. And a little bit of an exhibitionist. LOL. How scandalous. And Matthew Swift was just perfect for her. -
I liked Daisy in the previous books. She is the last Wallflower in need of a husband. Mama, of course, wants an aristocrat. Daisy just wants someone to love her for what she is ... she is a little romantic, a bit scatterbrained, somewhat unpredictable, a dreamer, a reader, a true friend ...
“Most lives are not distinguished by great achievements. They are measured by an infinite number of small ones. Each time you do a kindness for someone or bring a smile to his face, it gives your life meaning. Never doubt your value, little friend. The world would be a dismal place without you in it."
-- WESTCLIFF. Aw, loved him too.
I loved Matthew. The tall American who works for Daisy's father. Daisy has never liked him in the past, when their paths crossed. But she hasn't seen him in years ... and he has changed, quite a lot! He is tall, handsome, rich."I'd spend eternity in hell for one hour with you"
"I want to be part of you," he whispered.
"I want forever with you."
Of course, it is not all plain sailing. There are secrets to be uncovered.
Damn it all, he thought, can nothing involving the Bowmans ever be simple?
LOL. No!
Book three was my least favourite but enjoyed the other books in the series very much. I liked catching up with the characters from the previous books too.
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This is my favorite book in the Wallflower Series. What a ride! I’m kind of crying right now, LOLOLOL! I can’t believe I read all 4 books in a week and now it’s over! It’s done. This series, as a whole, is an absolutely EPIC journey! It’s a 5 + star series that has the most incredible cast of characters. I love them so much and I’m so sad it’s over! Gah! I need to take a minute! LOL!
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I'm slowly working my way through the Wallflowers series, and I have to say, this is Lisa Kleypas at her most charming. Nothing can surpass my love for The Gamblers duology, of course, but Wallflowers comes pretty darn close. It's about three sisters, and their friend, all of whom are considered wallflowers and bluestockings, and completely undesirable as wives...
Daisy Bowman is the last Wallflower, and really feeling that "forever alone" vibe now that all of her sisters and friends are married. Her expectations for what she wants in a husband are unrealistic, though, fueled by the fictional ideals in the romances she's so fond of reading, and her father has lost patience with waiting for Daisy to pair off with someone and taken matters into his owns hands. She's to marry his protege, Matthew Swift, unless Daisy can marry within two months.
At first, Daisy really annoyed me. She's spoiled and selfish and spends most of the first half of the book whining to her sisters and her friends about how much she hates Matthew. She's also hurt, because her father and Matthew (albeit in a nicer way) both imply that she's a parasite, which she is, pretty much. All she does is lounge around and take advantage of the comforts her father's wealth affords her, and she doesn't even seem particularly grateful for it.
What saves the book is Matthew. I didn't really think any hero could be better in this series than St. Vincent (I have a thing for evil rakes, I guess), but Matthew is pretty much the perfect romantic hero. He's an uptight businessman with a dry sense of humor, and he subscribes to the "I've loved you for years" trope - I'm a sucker for pining heroes, especially when they have a way with words.
Matthew actually makes Daisy into a better person, I think, because he indulges her whimsical side, while also calling her on her crap when she behaves boorishly. And she made him a better person, too, by forcing him to be less tense and making him feel loved. His backstory looms over most of the story, and I actually thought it made sense. Nothing too outlandish; it's entirely plausible.
Oh, and let's not even talk about the sex scenes. (Were the other Wallflower books this explicit? Matthew, you animal!)
Daisy may not be my favorite type of heroine, but Matthew is exactly my kind of hero.
3.5 stars -
It was a popular belief in Victorian society that women, with their mercurial natures and lesser brains, could not have the same quality of friendship that men did. Only men could be loyal to each other, and only men could have truly honest and high-minded relationships.
this has got to be one of the coolest gif's I've found. WTF is going on here?
So, the Victorian asshats didn't think much of women, huh? Well, I say to them:
The last of the Wallflowers finds her true love in this book. It is a cute story, but definitely not quite as good as the first three. It was just slightly less than the others. Less humor. Less dimension in the supporting characters. Less St. Vincent <--- which is the biggest let-down. How could she make me love that beautiful bastard for two books and then shrink him down to speaking two or three sentences in this one? And, they weren't even snarky, smarmy, or sarcastic <--- my favorite three "S"'s!
Even still, it was a sweet and fitting ending to the series. -
“A versatile flower, the daisy,” Matthew commented, breaking the silence. “Lovely in its freshness and simplicity. I’ve always thought it went well in any kind of arrangment.”
I am high on feels from this book. I now know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, who my number one Guy is in this whole series. Marcus Westcliff, followed by Matthew Swift. These two men really melt my butter, if you catch my meaning.
This book had everything! An arranged marriage that both try to get out of, only to find that they are head over heels for each other. I feel like I’m mourning the loss of a spectacular series. This book wraps up The Wallflowers, except for a Christmas novella type that I am desperately looking forward to.
Lisa Kleypas is a gift to all historical romance lovers out there. She has a gift, and no one matches her talent.
“To put to rest any doubts you might have…I’m jealous of every man who comes within ten feet of you. I’m jealous of the clothes on your skin and the air you breathe. I’m jealous of every moment you spend out of my sight.” Sigh..Matthew Swift has ruined me. -
Books in Wallflowers series are stand-alones, but most enjoyed if read in order:
Book 0.5:
Again the Magic
Book 1:
Secrets of a Summer Night
Book 2:
It Happened One Autumn
Book 3:
Devil in Winter
Book 4:
Scandal in Spring
Book 4.5:
A Wallflower Christmas -
First read March 15-16 , 2010
Second read March 24, 2013.. yup read it in a day... that good!!
This is the fourth book, and perhaps my favorite in the Wallflower series. In the previous three books we are introduced to Daisy Bowman. The daughter of an American industrialist and entrepreneur. Thomas Bowman has brought his two daughters to England with the sole purpose of them marrying a Peer. His motives for this is so that his business connections will be better when he expands his Soap Empire to England, and he's willing to bargain his daughters in order to close the deal. In his mind, Lillian succeeded greatly in landing the best business connection in all of England by marrying Lord Westcliff because of his long 'pure' family title, and his business connections and investments. Thomas doesn't consider it amazing that it's a true love match.
After two seasons in England, Thomas if fed up with Daisy not catching a Peer, and in his frustration he's given Daisy an ultimatum. Find a husband by the end of the Season (two months) or you'll be forced to marry who he decides she must marry... and that person is none other than his protigé Matthew Swift.
Daisy is repulsed by the proposition her father has offered. There's NO WAY she would ever marry Matthew Swift, because to her Matt is exactly like her father. Work and business first and foremost, and to hell with family and friends.
Daisy and all her siblings know how they were brought up...their Mother was satisfied with the wealth her husband provided, oblivious to his countless affairs, and her not showing one ounce of love or compassion to her children. Their father was the extreme opposite. He set such high standards for his children, thinking that they were ungrateful and lazy, and that they "expected" a life of luxury because they never had to work for anything. He made it was impossible for them to please him no matter how they tried. He never showed them love, but if anything He constantly criticized their behavior for not being good enough for him.
Out of all the Bowman children, Daisy is the youngest and the one with the softest of characters, and the least one of his children that Thomas Bowman understands, which is why he feels he has to take matters into his own hands.
Daisy's a reader, she's compassionate, and caring. She cheers for the underdog, and children and animals love her (which is probably why Evie is the most comfortable with Daisy out of all the other Wallflowers).
When I was reading this book, this song "Dreamer" by Supertramp was constantly in my head, because I think it best describes Daisy.
"Dreamer, you know you are a dreamer
Well can you put your hands in your head, oh no!
I said dreamer, you're nothing but a dreamer
Well can you put your hands in your head, oh no!
I said "Far out, - What a day, a year, a life it is!"
You know, - Well you know you had it comin' to you,
Now there's not a lot I can do
...If I could see something
You can see anything you want boy
If I could be someone-
You can be anyone, celebrate boy.
If I could do something-
Well you can do something,
If I could do anything-
Well can you do something out of this world?
Take a dream on a Sunday
Take a life, take a holiday
Take a lie, take a dreamer
dream, dream, dream, dream, dream along..."
When Daisy tells her fellow Wallflowers her predicament, Lillian is livid by the audacity of their father's proposal, and she also agrees with Daisy's assessment of Matthew Swift.. that he's exactly like their father, therefore, an awful match for Daisy! The Wallflower's then take it upon themselves to find Daisy a suitable husband, and fast. Evie gets Sebastian to make a list of eligible respectable bachelors based on the files he has on the members at their gaming club. And, Lillian proceeds to invite the contenders to her country estate, Stony Creek in order to find the most compatible bachelor.
The Wallflower's soon realize that Thomas Bowman has also sent for Matthew Swift from America to join them at the estate.
Frustrated and upset, Daisy takes a walk to the wishing well that she and her fellow Wallflowers all made their first wishes upon the first time they were ever invited to Stony Creek. She figures this she can use all the luck she can get so she makes a very simple wish," I wish for the right man for me. I'm prepared to be open-minded". She then tossed all the pins she had wrapped in a paper and threw them all in asking the well spirit, "I would like all of these pins to be credited toward the same wish."
.. and at that moment he arrived. "He was as tall and brawny as Annabelle's husband". He seemed awfully familiar to Daisy, but she couldn't place him. He knew her name, and with increasing confusion she couldn't figure out how she would ever forget a man this attractive. "His features were strong and decisively formed, too masculine to be called beautiful, and too striking to be called ordinary". When it finally dawned on her who he was, her knees nearly gave way beneath her. "You, she whispered, her eyes wide with astonishment as she beheld the face of Matthew Swift".
Daisy couldn't stop staring at him. She'd never seen such a transformation in a person before. He was no longer a 'bag of bones', but had filled out quite nicely. He was dressed in elegant clothes. But, the differences in him were more than physical. Maturity had also given Matthew an err of self-confidence that gave the impression that he knew who he was, and how to get what he needed.
... and this is where Daisy & Matthew's adventure begins.
You see, Matthew isn't who he claims to be. He has a secret, one which would destroy the life he's worked so hard to create, and also one that would destroy all relationships he now held dear...including the love he's had for Daisy since the first time he laid eyes on her many years ago, when she was only a teenager and him a young man of 18. Matthew knew he could never have Daisy because of who he is, and where he came from, so he hid his feelings so well that Daisy thought he was just as shallow as her father.
I LOVED this story so much more this time.
Their romance is beautiful and inspiring, and the reader is cheering the whole time, waiting for them to finally connect. We (the reader) are eagerly anticipating for Matthew to finally give into his heart and take what Daisy is offering him... all of her.
And when he does, he is shocked & surprised, but with no regret.
and I've since read the last 2 chapters twice, and every time... I end up balling my eyes out.
I absolutely ADORE Daisy's character!!
Because of her personality and who she is, her love is so strong, and once she loves, she is loyal to the end..which is exactly what Matthew needs.
AND SUCH AN AMAZING EPILOGUE!!!
5 sparkling, beautiful stars!!
Read it... Now!! -
Reread. I loved this even more the 2nd time around.
“To friendship," Lillian said, her voice suddenly husky.
And their four glasses clicked in one perfect moment.”
A perfect end to a fabulous series.
Book 4: London 1844
Characters:
Daisy, 22:
An American whose father has made his fortune manufacturing soap. Her mother brought her and her sister (Lillian) to England to marry peers. Lillian has already found her true love (Book 2) and Daisy is the last of the Wallflowers who has yet to marry. She loves to get lost in books and spends her days reading and dreaming.
”Daisy was an idealist, a dreamer, a mercurial creature who alternated between childlike whimsy and shrewd intelligence.”
In book 1, Daisy's requirements for a husband were the following:
"I want to marry a man who has read the entire collected works of Shakespeare. Someone quiet and romantic—better yet if he wears spectacles— and he should like poetry and nature, I shouldn’t like him to be too experienced with women.”
By book 4, her requirements had changed:
“What I wish for is…the right man for me. I'm prepared to be open-minded.”
Matthew:
Matthew is an American and the right hand man in Daisy's father's company. He has been summoned to England by Daisy's father to oversee a new division of the soap company and the father fully intends for Matthew to marry Daisy. Matthew has a ton of self confidence when it comes to business, but he is harboring a secret that makes him less confident in his personal life.
"He had been to hell and back at a much earlier time in his life, having known physical pain, deprivation, near-starvation, and bone-chilling fear.”
He has had a pretty big crush on Daisy for years, but has not been willing to pursue her because of his secret.
“She was the most provoking, beguiling woman he had ever met. Thunderstorms and rainbows wrapped together in a convenient pocket-sized parcel.”
Story:
Daisy's father had decided that since she couldn't land an English peer, that it would be ideal for her to marry his right hand man. Daisy was appalled by this demand and was quite taken aback when her father suggested she was a parasite to her family and she would indeed marry the husband he had chosen for her. Yikes 😬A parasite?? Geez, thanks dad. 😤
Daisy and Matthew have a strong attraction to each other but she is trying to come to terms with the fact that he is not the person she thought he was and he is trying to accept the fact that although he loves Daisy, they can never be together because of his past.
"A long time ago," he eventually said, "I made an enemy, a powerful one, through no fault of my own. Because of his influence I was forced to leave Boston. And I have good reason to believe this man's grievance will come back to haunt me someday. I've lived with that sword hanging over my head for years. I don't want you anywhere near me when it drops.”
Matthew’s love for Daisy just jumps off the page. In everything he does, he puts her first and is willing to sacrifice his own happiness. Swoon ❤️
Daisy has been such a fun character throughout this entire series and i absolutely adored her in this book. It was so much fun to watch her feelings change for Matthew and for her to finally get her wish.
“When she was with him, she felt the promise of something more wonderful, more exciting than anything she had read or dreamed about.”
When Matthew’s secret is finally revealed, Daisy’s unwavering support and unconditional love was so inspiring. I loved that she believed in him with every fiber of her being.
This story includes all the characters from the previous books and it was heartwarming to see the girls continue to treasure their friendship and stand by each other. Westcliff’s voice of reason and his support of both Matthew and Daisy just tugged on my heart strings.
”Daisy has a unique spirit," Westcliff said. "A warm and romantic nature. If she is forced into a loveless marriage, she will be devastated. She deserves a husband who will cherish her for everything she is, and who will protect her from the harsher realities of the world. A husband who will allow her to dream.”
I have absolutely loved this series. I can’t say enough fantastic things about the wonderful journey I have taken with these four Wallflowers. My heart is entwined with theirs and I’m truly sad to have to say goodbye.
Quotes:
“I have received a poor rate of return on my investment in your husband-seeking. Do you know what that means, Daisy?"
"I'm an underperforming stock?" she guessed.”
“Daisy," Westcliff said gently, "most lives are not distinguished by great achievements. They are measured by an infinite number of small ones. Each time you do a kindness for someone or bring a smile to his face, it gives your life meaning. Never doubt your value, little friend. The world would be a dismal place without Daisy Bowman in it.”
“Never do an enemy a small injury."
"Only you would quote Machiavelli during lawn bowling," Daisy said through gritted teeth.”
“If Mr. Swift wanted me, he wouldn't stop to ask for my permission any more than a lion would stop and politely ask an antelope if he would mind being eaten for lunch.”
“You've always been everything I thought a woman should be. And I have wanted you every second of my life since we first met.”
“I'm not short. I'm…vertically disadvantaged.”
“I've reconciled myself to the fact that it would be easier to push a pea with my nose from here to London than to try and stand in the way of this marriage.” -
No one is more upset than me that this didn’t receive a 5-star. I really tried. But in the end, I can’t dismiss the fact that I started liking this book only in the second half.
Plot
Declaring her dreamer nerd daughter a lost case because she can’t find herself a husband, Mr. Bowman intends to give Daisy up to his best employee, Mr. Swift. Daisy who hadn’t seen the man for years already reject the thought of marrying him. But when they meet again, something changed. Unbeknownst to Daisy, Matthew Swift loved her for a long, long time. As Daisy notices the flaming attraction, Matthew set boundaries and tries to reject her love because of the fear that his past might catch up with him. He’s afraid Daisy will leave him once she knows about his past.
Thoughts
I really did not enjoy the first half of the book and I will tell you why.
I detest mean characters. This is actually why I dislike the sister, Lillian (it doesn’t help that she’s very present in this one), but I never thought to feel the same way about our heroine, Daisy. She was supposed to be intelligent. I can’t believe someone intelligent could be so closed-minded, especially about character growth. To be fair, she changed real quickly, but I don’t see why she had to be mean to begin with. Matthew has done nothing to her to deserve such hostility and vile remarks (All he ever did was stay quiet and be “a bag of bones” good god, he’s not wealthy; you couldn’t blame him for not being properly fed at the time). Once she changed and started to use her head, the book got better for me, so I’ll forgive it.
Other than Daisy, I have a problem with the plot. With the sparring and prejudice (clearly not my thing), there’s nothing else of interest in the first half. We didn’t have much of a conflict other than them not liking each other and her trying to make him jealous. I must say I’m surprised because the previous book has such a thick delicious conflict that keeps you on the edge of your seat and this one relies on tropes and dynamics for the first half. And when you don’t particularly enjoy the themes and tropes use here, then what is there to appreciate? I don’t like sparring, jealousy, prejudice, or dishonesty; so I’m left with a book that’s not bad, but not for me. However, once Daisy stopped being mean, they started communicating, and the real conflict surfaced, that's when the book gets good for me.
I thought I would love the story because it was Daisy! She’s a bookworm who mostly read romance novels (how can I not relate to that?). Turn’s out, what won me over was Matthew.
Oh, Matthew, Matthew, Matthew. How sweet and caring you are. Truly a delicious man. Although I’d like to feel more of his pining —it doesn’t feel as painful as… let’s say Michael Stirling in Bridgerton series; I blame it on Matthew’s more logical manner, but nevertheless!!!! his affection for Daisy is just too adorable not to love. I mean, who wouldn’t be flattered that a man collected trinkets of your belonging in his pockets? I’d marry him on the spot, thank you.
I’m glad after knowing his affection towards her, Daisy soften and changed her treatment. Matthew deserves a girl who is equally besotted with him. I would accept no less for the man. I got your back, Matt.
Conclusion
I thought the conflict arrived too late and finished too quickly. Although I didn’t enjoy the first half because it felt inconsequential and trivial, it redeemed itself in the middle. Most of the credit I give to Matthew for being such a sweetheart. Daisy changed just in time, right before I lose interest. Her transformation stopped me from giving this up; and so, everything went well for the rest of the book and I finished it in 2 days total. I would enjoy it more without a lot of fan service towards Lillian and Marcus, but I guess some people like that so I won’t complain.
-
Άλλη μια πολύ αγαπημένη μου σειρά έφτασε στο τέλος της.
Αυτό είναι το τελευταίο βιβλίο και δεν μπορώ να του δώσω τίποτα άλλο εκτός από 5 αστέρια,αν και δεν είναι το αγαπημένο μου,εξακολουθώ να πιστεύω ότι ήταν εξαιρετικό,φανταστικό,καταπληκτικό και ότι άλλη συνώνυμη λέξη μπορώ να σκεφτώ.
Το τελευταίο λουλουδάκι μας η Ντέζι είναι η μοναδική που είναι ακόμα ανύπαντρη,οι φίλες της και η αδερφή της έχουν βρει την ευτυχία.
Αν και έχει μια ήσυχη προσωπικότητα,αυτό δεν την καθιστά αδιάφορη.Και το καινούργιο αγόρι μας έχει τη φήμη του σκληρού,του αδίστακτου,του κακότροπου αλλά δεν είναι τίποτα άλλο παρά μια μάσκα που έχει επιλέξει να φορά προκειμένου να προστατευτεί,λόγω ενός μυστικού που τον βασανίζει για χρόνια.
Η εξέλιξη της σχέση ανάμεσα στην Ντέζι και τον Μάθιου,ειδικά συγκριτικά με τα ζευγάρια στα τρία προηγούμενα βιβλία της σειράς,γίνεται με τρόπο πολύ πιο ομαλά και διακριτικό,χωρίς πολλές εκρήξεις,αλλά καθόλου βαρετό καθώς δεν λείπουν οι ανατροπές,τα πειράγματα,οι παρεξηγήσεις,ο ρομαντισμός και ο αισθησιασμός.
Για μια ακόμη φορά οι σκηνές με τα λουλούδια μας κλέβουν την παράσταση με τις αξέχαστες ατάκες τους,τα πειράγματα και τα καμώματα τους.Ειδικότερα η σχέση της Ντέιζι με την αδερφή της,παρόλο που μερικές φορές η Λίλιαν με τρέλανε.
Πέρα από το καινούργιο ζευγάρι η συγγραφέας μας ανοίγει ένα παράθυρο στη ζωή όλων των χαρακτήρων που αγαπήσαμε.Η ζωές τους έχουν τακτοποιηθεί και έχουν ωριμάσει στις σχέσεις τους.
Πέρα από τον ρομαντισμό,τους πολυσχιδείς χαρακτήρες,η Λίζα έχει ταλέντο και στη συγγραφή(προφανώς έχει γίνει πολύ καλή μετάφραση)με τις περιγραφές των εποχών,εδώ στο συγκεκριμένο την άνοιξη.Όταν ολοκλήρωσα την ανάγνωση του βιβλίου έβαλα στη διαπασών την άνοιξη του Vivaldi(οι γείτονές μου με λατρεύουν).
Δεν θα μπορούσα να σκεφτώ καλύτερο τρόπο για να κλείσει η τετραλογία,ειδικά με την τελευταία σκηνή.
Η σειρά αυτή θα έχει πάντα μια ιδιαίτερη θέση στη καρδιά μου και ευτυχώς θα έχω την ευκαιρία να διαβάσω κι άλλα της Λίζας,είτε είναι εποχής ή σύγχρονα και ανυπομονώ να ταξιδέψω πάλι μαζί της. -
4-4.5!!! I’m actually so sad I’m finally done with the Wallflowers series. I want moooreeee 😭 But I loved Daisy and Matthew so, so much. They were adorable, wholesome, and so freaking sweet! And that epilogue for the Wallflowers? JUST PERFECT.
