In society circles she's known as the Watching Wallflower-shy, quiet, and certainly never scandalous. Yet beneath Lady Sarah Frampton's demure façade hides the mind of The Lady of Dubious Quality, author of the most titillating erotic fiction the ton has ever seen. Sarah knows discovery would lead to her ruin, but marriage-to a vicar, no less-could help protect her from slander. An especially tempting option when the clergyman in question is the handsome, intriguing Jeremy Cleland.
Tasked with unmasking London's most scandalous author by his powerful family, Jeremy has no idea that his beautiful, innocent bride is the very woman he seeks to destroy. His mission must remain a secret, even from the new wife who stirs his deepest longings. Yet when the truth comes to light, Sarah and Jeremy's newfound love will be tested. Will Sarah's secret identity tear them apart or will the temptations of his wallflower wife prove too wicked to resist?
Temptations of a Wallflower is the third title in the Wicked Quills of London series by Eva Leigh. This is the first book by this author that I've read. The book can easily be read as a stand alone.
After a slow start the story picks up mainly because of Eva's vivid and rich characters. The heroine outranks the here; usually what we read on historicals most of the time is the opposite of that situation. There's a lot of sexual chemistry without forgetting to be provocative and romantic.
Jeremy and Sarah have an instant attraction to each other and become friends, they have a lot in common. She's a dreamer, and shines with her wish for independence. Jeremy doesn't fall behind, he isn't the typical Vicar you expect in a romance novel. About the secondary characters I really like Marwood, Jeremy's cousin!
His cousin continued, "It almost makes me think . . ." He peered at Jeremy. "As if you were thinking of a specific woman when you gave that look."
At once, Jeremy said, "There's no one." He didn't want Marwood considering Lady Sarah in any way.
"Shame," his cousin said. "A woman would want to be looked at that way." He smiled. "If I wasn't married, related to you, and inclined toward the amorous company of women, you'd have me in a heartbeat."
"Thank God for all those 'ifs,' "Good dialogue, engaging characters and lots of sexual tension is what you get on Temptations of a Wallflower!
I voluntarily reviewed an eARC.