A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas (2008, Hardcover)
I understand this is one in a series of light hearted romantic Regency era novels. Short and simple it is an entertaining read to anyone who enjoys the likes of Jane Austen and life in England of a certain time. For my reading this is an ideal quick treat and I shall look forward to all of Ms. Kleypas works in the near future. Christmas was an especially good time to set this story as the tradition of putting a tree in the home and decorating had just started to become popular in America and was now being carried to Great Britain. The story brings to focus how trends can skip from Germany to the USA and back across the pond to England when families travel from one area to another.
Rafe Bowman is a rake who has arrived from America to settle on a marriage his father has decreed to earn his stake of the family fortunes. His chiseled good looks impress everyone, but his wild ways are known and may hinder his betrothed from accepting. Several love scenes get pretty juicy and may shock some readers. The author does a good job of being graphic without being obscene. His sisters and the Wallflowers (their friends) work in the most unexpected ways, seeing where his heart truly lies and work their magic to a happy end.
I enjoyed this story and will seek out more form this author.
