It Happened One Autumn: The Wallflowers, Book 2

Written by Lisa Kleypas

Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

Headstrong American heiress Lillian Bowman has come to England to find an aristocratic husband. Unfortunately, no man is strong enough to tame the stubborn beauty's fierce will. Except, perhaps, the powerful and arrogant Earl of Westcliff—a man Lillian despises more than anyone she's ever met.

Marcus, Lord Westcliff, is famous for his icy English reserve and his supreme self-control. But something about the audacious Lillian drives him mad. Whenever they're in the same room, they can't stop themselves from battling furiously to gain the upper hand.

Then one afternoon, a stunningly sensuous encounter changes everything . . . and Lillian discovers that beneath the earl's reserved façade, he is the passionate and tender lover of her dreams. What neither Westcliff nor Lillian suspect, however, is that a sinister conspiracy threatens to destroy any chance of happiness. After a shocking betrayal endangers Lillian's safety—and possibly her life—will Marcus be able to save her before it's too late?

This edition of It Happened One Autumn contains an altered version of the content that appeared in the original 2005 edition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Apr 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9780062992505

Lisa Kleypas

New York Times Lisa Kleypas graduated from Wellesley College with a political science degree. Her historical romance and contemporary women’s fiction novels are published in forty different languages, and are bestsellers all over the world. Currently she lives in Southern California with her husband Gregory.

Reviews for It Happened One Autumn

[DeeVarr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was quite entertaining. I like the setup for the next book in the series

[Courtney · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Love the book hate the narration. It seems it's only a problem on scribed, though. For some reason, parts of the story are removed from the scribed narration

[Corinne · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Great audio narration but the story has to be my least favorite of this series. I didn't particularly like any of the characters and I didn't find their romance believable.

[Marta Conlon · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked Lillian and Marcus' story. This is classic enemies to lovers and did not disappoint. Both mothers in this story are so wretched but I suppose that was just of the time. I look forward to finishing the series.

[claire · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was ok but I didn't like Lillian very much, she was too much of a fighter and always on the defence and carried on that way till almost the end. She was a bit too fiesty for my liking. She's the one I like the least out of the 4 so far. As for Marcus I liked him very much except for his awful voice.
I thought the narrator was distracting and ruined it, I didn't like her male voices at all, they all sounded really pompous. So I'm veeery pleased to see that the next 3 are narrated by Mary Jane Wells who I think is a much better narrator. So on to the next one.

[addictofromance · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It Happened One Autumn is a story that I have loved and adored ever since it was published. This book is the second book in the Wallflower series and one of the best historical series that has ever been written. Now I will say that there is much to love about this book, and even though I don’t love it quite as much as Devil in Winter or Scandal in Spring, there is so much to adore about this book.The Key Players of It Happened One Autumn are: Marcus, Lord Westcliff, London’s most eligible Aristocrat, full of responsibilities, domineering at times and in control. Lillian, An American miss who is looking to marry a title….feisty, rebellious, and unconventional.The story begins when Lillian and her sister come to a house party being hosted by the Westcliff’s in their country manor home. She and her sister Daisy, are both spirited and always tend to get into trouble. Lillian has no plans on even trying to pursue Westcliff because she has no desire to marry someone so stuffy and pompous and its obvious that Marcus has no interest in Lillian but they do like to argue with each other. Marcus protests very strongly upon the arrival of Lillian and her sister coming and its apparent that there is some strong attraction between Marcus and Lillian but they don’t want to admit it to themselves. So we seem them just play around with each other at first, not admitting the attraction they have toward each other and then they share a kiss and all reservations go out the window because its way more explosive than they at first want to admit even to themselves. The phrase “she/he doth protest too much” definitely comes into play. They definitely start acting on their physical attraction to each other, but there are other factors involved that seem to cause a conflict on whether they will act on how they are feeling. Marcus especially knows that he wants a biddable wife and Lillian is way too contrary for his liking. But when his friend St.Vincent starts trying his hand at courting Lillian….all of Marcus’ reserve go out the window.What is most fun about this book is the interaction between Marcus and Lillian. They definitely have sparks going on and its so entertaining to see them banter and try to battle with their words. Even though they are very different from each other, they are also both very stubborn, strong personalities and domineering. They are way more alike than they are different as far as their personalities are concerned and its probably why they fight their attraction so much at first. But soon emotion starts to enter into their relationship and adds a bit more unique dynamic. But what is the most important element is those tender sweet moments that develop between the two that is at odds with their spirited moments together. I love how poignant this story felt so many times and it comes upon the reader unexpectedly.“Rest. You’ll need to regain your strength…because once we’re married, I won’t be able to leave you alone. I’ll want to love you every hour, every minute of the day.” He nestled her more closely against him. “There is nothing on earth more beautiful to me than your smile…no sound sweeter than your laughter…no pleasure greater than holding you in my arms. I realized today that I could never live without you, stubborn little hellion that you are. In this life and the next, you’re my only hope of happiness. Tell me, Lillian, dearest love…how can you have reached so far inside my heart?” He paused to kiss her damp silken skin…and smiled as the wisp of a feminine snore broke the peaceful silence.Another fun aspect to the story that is prevalent through the whole series is the friendship between the four women or the “wallflowers” and I love seeing how they help each other find husbands even if it doesn’t happen the way they plan on. There is so much warmth and affection these women have for each other and will do anything for each other and I adore that. Here below is two of my favorite scenes that I just had to share.“Annabelle, what happened to you?” Lillian asked the next morning. “You look dreadful. Why aren’t you wearing your riding habit? I thought you were going to try out the jumping course this morning. And why did you disappearso suddenly last night? It’s not like you to simply vanish without saying—”“I didn’t have a choice in the matter,” Annabelle said testily, folding her fingers around the delicate bowl of a porcelain teacup. Looking pale and exhausted, her blue eyes ringed with dark shadows, she swallowed a mouthful of heavily sweetened tea before continuing. “It was that blasted perfume of yours—as soon as he caught one whiff of it, he went berserk.”Shocked, Lillian tried to take in the information, her stomach plummeting. “It… it had an effect on Westcliff, then?” she managed to ask.“Good Lord, not Lord Westcliff.” Annabelle rubbed her weary eyes. “He couldn’t have cared less what I smelled like. It was my husband who went completely mad. After he caught the scent of that stuff, he dragged me up to our room and…well, suffice it to say, Mr. Hunt kept me awake all night. All night ,” she repeated in sullen emphasis, and drank deeply of the tea.“Doing what?” Daisy asked blankly.Lillian, who was feeling a rush of relief that Lord Westcliff had not been attracted to Annabelle while shewas wearing the perfume, gave her younger sister a derisive glance. “What do you think they were doing? Playing a few hands of Find-the-Lady?”[divider]“Wait a minute,” Daisy said suspiciously, coming to Lillian’s side.“We’ve met Evie’s cousin Eustace before. Lillian, do you remember the ball at Winterbourne House?” Her eyes narrowed accusingly. “He was the one who broke the chair, wasn’t he, Evie?”Evie confirmed Daisy’s question with an inarticulate murmur.“Good God!” Lillian exclaimed, “you are not considering marrying him, Evie!”Annabelle wore a puzzled expression. “How did he break the chair? Does he have a foul temper? Did he throw it?”“He broke it by sitting on it,” Lillian said with a scowl.“Cousin Eustace is rather l-large boned,” Evie admitted.“Cousin Eustace has more chins than I’ve got fingers,” Lillian said impatiently. “And he was so busy filling his face during the ball that he couldn’t be bothered to make conversation.”“When I went to shake his hand,” Daisy added, “I came away with a half-eaten wing of roast chicken.”“He forgot that he was holding it,” Evie said apologetically. “He did say he was sorry for ruining your glove, as I recall.”Daisy frowned. “That didn’t bother me nearly as much as the question of where he was hiding the rest of the chicken.”It Happened One Autumn is a laugh out loud romance that will give you tingles and happy feels, it’s a story that is packed with lively banter, boisterous characters, tender romantic moments and characters that you will fall head over heels in love with!!

[Daphne Dominique · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There is no better narrator than Rosalyn Landor. She brings the stories to life.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas is the second book in the historical romance series, The WallFlowers. In this outing the focus is on headstrong American heiress, Lillian Bowman, who, along with her sister, has been brought to England to secure a marriage to an aristocrat. She has been placed in the path of the powerful and arrogant Earl of Westcliff and whenever these two are together, fireworks ensue. Both are convinced that they dislike and disapprove of each other, but it is obvious that these two are meant to be together.This was a fun romance story with plenty of bumps along the way. Marcus and Lillian were a couple that were easy to root for, and the ending of this book has me very intrigued to read on and see what is going to happen to the next wallflower. The author certainly knows how to spice up the 19th century so, when I am in the mood for romance, this is a fun series to turn to.

[jorgeousjotts · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This one really made me wonder if I wanted to continue this series. I was part way through reading her Ravenels books, when reviewers mentioned that the lead of the third book is the son of the couple in the third book of this series and how amazing their love story was. So I put a pin in that one so I could read them in order, and I've been keeping my eye out for those two especially. (In general, I think Kleypas' writing has improved with time and the Ravenels books are just better crafted). Specific to this book though, both leads seemed sort of one dimensional and caricature-like, and the way they ended up together was legit shady, (putting it nicely). But, what really gave me pause for even continuing the series was the trick 180 Kleypas did very near the end of this book with the man who will be the lead of the next one. (The one that I started reading this series for). It came out of *nowhere* for one, but also was pretty dang extreme for another! There's a whole list of sins I'll overlook in a romantic lead, but this was pretty 'mustache-twirling villain' like. And then, as quickly as it had been just dropped in there, there was hardly any resolution. It really made me question Kleypas' judgment. But, like I said, I think she's likely improving as she goes, which is the direction you want at least.

[duobond · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I dnf'd at 30%. Don't get me wrong, the writing is really good! However, all the consent and encounters in this book are super questionable. I don't think I will read any more books in this series.

[samnreader · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5: I'm going to explain the best I know how. I've forever preferred Batman to Superman. Superman is good and Noble and perfect and...BORING. Marcus is Superman.

While I enjoyed Lillian in this book(as an irreverent brat myself) and even their relationship push and pull, they just aren't my favorite types of characters. Even Lillian was too unapologetically herself, I just don't buy that, especially considering her parents.

I was not looking forward to this book, I didn't like either character in the previous books. But I'm so glad I read it. So what saved it from being a snore fest? Sebastian St Vincent. He is seductive from his first scene, and frankly much more interesting than the hero. I didn't realize that he was to be the hero in the next book (I try to avoid blurbs until I'm there in the series although I suck at remembering names), and I can't wait "to see the devil in his lair." And it's winter. Good work, Lisa Kleypas. I'm hopeless & shivering already.

[jetangen4571 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

They don't even like each other, but she has friends in this strange repressive country and one of them is married to a man he highly respects. She is a wild thing from the colonies whose father wants her to marry a peer and he is a peer who is expected to marry within his class. Lots of fireworks between them and a few surprising twists! I loved it the first couple of times I read it, and I still do. Rosalyn Landor is a marvelous narrator

[pnrlist · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Definitely a 4.5 star book. I really enjoyed this one! Funny, incredibly likable heroine, Lillian, that I definitely identified with (except for the wealthy virgin bit). I *adored* Marcus, with his emotional baggage and frustration with his own attraction to Lillian (though his behavior does end up being problematic, in my opinion). Lots of steamy drama. The epilogue made me glad I have the playaway of Devil In Winter in hand!

[lauren2013_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It Happened One Autumn
5 Stars

Synopsis
It is hate at first sight for Marcus Marsden, Earl of Westcliff, and the brash American heiress, Miss Lillian Bowman. He sees her as brash and ill-mannered while she perceives him as arrogant and snobbish. The only problem is that they can't seem to keep their hands off each other. Will they be able to get past their differences and accept that they are perfect for one another?

Review
Delightful and fun.

The writing and dialogue is excellent and the influence of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice is very much in evidence from the load and boorish parents to the slightly shady suitor (although St. Vincent is much sexier than Wickham) and the arrogant hero who is brought to his knees by the unconventional heroine.

Marcus and Lillian have an all-consuming passion and chemistry that sizzles the pages. Their opposites attract romance with its witty banter and steamy scenes is wonderful. Marcus is sexy in his stuffiness and struggles against his attraction to a woman he perceives as beneath him (Darcy anyone). Nevertheless, the vibrant and headstrong Lillian breaks through all of his barriers.

The perfume aphrodisiac motif was original and entertaining although the "secret ingredient" was obvious from the start.

The ending is unexpected and exciting, and it will be fascinating to see how St. Vincent redeems himself in the next book - the epilogue ensured that I would read the book immediately.

[myab-3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved Marcus - and his attraction to Lillian! Found myself skimming over a few bedroom scenes near the end as more that 2/3 and that's what I tend to do.. but it kept me reading and I enjoyed it.

[kathy89_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wealthy American Lillian Bowman is has been brought to London by her parents to find a titled husband. After being snubbed at the society balls during "the season," her father (a man who made his fortune in manufacturing soap) is invited to the country estate of Lord Westcliff to discuss entering into a business merger. Lillian is outspoken, rebellious and a little tom-boyish and the stodgy, proud Lord Westcliff hate each other. Lillian, however, bought a perfume in London that is supposed to be an aphrodesiac and as a lark decides to try it out on Marcus Westcliff. She, of course, thinks it's the perfume that is making his interest in her. Lots of amusing banter as the brash American is exposed to English customs and the aristocracy, especially during dinnner.

[narshkite · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Straight up fun. Good characters, witty banter, lovely romance. A beach read extraordinaire.

[mickyfine · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As the second eldest of the self-named wallflowers, Lillian Bowman is the next to benefit from the group's concerted efforts to find her a husband. As the group are invited to Marcus, Count Westcliff's Hampshire estate for a country party the women have a good chance of finding a suitable suitor for Lillian. But when Lillian and Marcus discover that their longstanding antagonism masks a surprising attraction, Lillian's marriage plans are suddenly altered.A case of two strong willed characters clash repeatedly but are also super attracted to each other. It was a thoroughly entertaining read.

[jammies_4 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This review is for all 5 books in the series, because while I think they're harmless one by one, taken as a whole, they support rape culture.Let me say that there is no outright rape in these books, but they are all steeped in the trope of a beautiful virgin (in this case one in each book) who only needs a forceful man to awaken her sexual urges.While I love the idea of the four wallflowers working together to secure husbands, and the descriptions of the gorgeous clothing, the characters themselves are fairly stereotypical--the shy girl, the brash American girl, the dreamer and the down-on-her-luck girl from the gentry. The men are equally two-dimensional--the rake, the industrialist, the stuffy lord and the irritating American.All of the female characters, the four wallflowers and a secretary in the last book, are preyed on by the men, who reduce them to quivering masses of sexual desire by forcing kisses and gropes (and in one case, oral sex) on them. It's always because the women are so, so desirable that the men cannot withstand their urges. It's been almost 200 years since The Lustful Turk was written, but apparently we're still believing this trope, glorifying it and in all too many cases, acting on it. We need to stop.

[mrsdanaalbasha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It Happened One Autumn is my favorite among the four wallflowers series!! because of Lillian Bowman, Lillian is beautiful but very bold, she quickly learned that her independent American ways weren't entirely 'the thing' and the most disapproving of all was insufferable, snobbish, and impossible Marcus, Lord Westcliff (he's so much like Mr. Darcy very prejudice) London's most eligible aristocrat.

Lillian lost her virginity and went all the way with Marcus before marriage, he didn't even offer a proposal, because his family disapproved of Lillian and her family (so like Elizabeth) but he marries her at then end, of course after a battle with another gentleman (not so gentle) who will end up with the third wallflower Evangelina, over who will marry Lillian Bowman.

[theyodamom · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Feisty American Lillian is not going to ever bow down to English societies rules. She has a strong will and an adventurous spirit that causes her to be left outside of the loop of marriageable ladies. She makes an effort, and almost makes it when she is taught by the Mother of the stuck-up Lord Westcliff.
Lord Westcliff and Lord Sebastian St. Vincent find themselves in a bit of a scuffle over the same woman. A woman that either of them should not ever want, really. The rousing between the lady and these two gets very funny at times.
There is a despicable action for one of my favorite characters. He shocked me with his desperation. I hope better for him in the future.
The ending was sweet romantic and a dang cliffhanger for the next couple book. I had to download the next book in the middle of the night because I cold not wait. So you have been warned. LOL
Overall I loved it. I love this authors character style and her pacing.

[grapeapril75-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The second book of the series is even better than the first!! Lillian is a feisty heroine who made me laugh often!! A fun and engaging read!! Can't wait for more!

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I did really enjoy this story of an independent woman, Lillian Bowman, who is an American trying very hard to fit into the English society where she is expected to find a husband. As an heiress this shouldn't be too hard but living up to the expectations of the society around her is hard and all she can see is a future where she will continue to pretend, all she really wants is a partner who will value her for herself but is this possible.It was obvious to see who would end up being her love interest in this story, the coming to terms with the situation was a good read and interesting journey to take with the characters and I did feel that the relationship was well done and would be good for both of them.

[azacia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an amazing and enjoyable book! I love the tension in the air between Marcus and Lillian! The book simply sizzled with their fiery tempers and hostility. The clever banter and witty remarks had me laughing out loud throughout most of the story! The scenes were delightful, original and inspired! Throw in a rogue lord, a bookish dreamer sister, a stuttering wallflower, an old hostile dowager countess and a handful of other interesting characters and a mesmerizing story unfolds.

I loved the twists and the character descriptions. I read this series out of order and couldn't understand what was so appealing about Lillian in the later novels, but after reading this I absolutely love her. She's clever, unafraid, boastful, and speaks her mind. Her strong will and determination is just what it takes to melt through the tough exterior that Marcus, Lord Westcliff has constructed around his carefully guarded heart. She's everything he never thought he wanted and exactly what she needed.

Hero: 5/5
Heroine: 5/5
Side Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Steaminess: 5/5
Overall: 5/5

[renrav · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm being lazy and reviewing the entire series as one. Also many of my thoughts apply to all the books. I've never been a big romance person but I've never been opposed to them either. I discovered this series on a list for top romance series when I needed something for the 2013 Challenge Group Februray Challenge. Spoilers for the series follow:


One thing I didn't like about each book was, with one exception, every single female was a virgin and every single male had had plenty of partners (and in the cases where the male was already attracted to her, he thought of her when with the person). The reason some of the proposals happened was because he had "compromised" her (loved that phrase). Yet the men never had that worry about all the other women they had been with?

Past that these books were fun and I enjoyed each one. I was happy I read Again the Magic first since then I had a prior knowledge of the Westcliffs and in particular Marcus. I was sad that Aline and McKenna never appeared in the rest of the series. McKenna's proposal was probably my favorite of all the couples.

Simon and Annabelle were probably my favorite couple overall. I was surprised that many other reviewers labelled her as snobbish. I understand at the beginning she was hellbent on marrying a peer but primarily for the money for her family. I don't see anything wrong with that. Simon only went after her as a mistress and that was why I felt she ignored him. Once he did actually propose she almost instantly accepted him. Loved that he kept trying to compromise her afterwards in order to make sure she would marry him. After the marriage she did have trouble accepting the change in her life but she never blamed him. I adored the ending with her going after him and Westcliff saving them both and the two of them finally getting along.

Westcliff is probably my favorite male character and I did really like Lillian. Their book was not my favorite because I felt it borrowed too much from Pride and Prejudice, which I adore. The two stubborn lovers with the male as an upper class aristocrat, a bad first proposal, a wedding obsessed mother, and a conniving countess. Loved the ending again with Westcliff beating the shit out of St. Vincent. Hilarious! This book did have my favorite passage:

"You may set your mind at ease with the knowledge that I do not find you desireable in any way whatsoever."
"I understand. Enough said, my lord."
"If the two of us were left alone on a deserted island, I would have absolutely no thought of approaching you."
"I realize that," she said shortly. "You don't have to go on and on about it."
"I just want to make it clear that what I did was a complete aberration. You are not the kind of woman wom I would ever be attracted to."
"All right."
"In fact-"
"You've made yourself quite clear, my lord."

St. Vincent and Evie's story was enjoyable and I thoguht they worked quite well together. I was sad that none of the other wallflowers showed up till over halfway through the book. I also didn't realize that Evie's father appears in an earlier series, so I may have to pick that up next.

Scandal in Spring was my least favorite of the four wallflower series. I liked the concept but I figured out basically what Matthew's secret was from the start and kept getting annoyed that he put off telling her till it was too late. The game between the two of them was interesting and I enjoyed seeing how protective Westcliff had become of Daisy.

Wallflower Christmas was fun but I did not enjoy it as much as the previous five books.

[mlleehreen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Wallflowers series is turning out to be one of my favorites - and 'It Happened One Autumn' was a thorough delight.

The perfume was an excellent opening gambit, a very original twist on an old idea - and I loved the way that Kleypas carried through the theme of scent over the course of the novel.

I adored Lillian, although I definitely have my own very biased reasons for favoring mouthy, headstrong heroines. And I thought that Kleypas paced the book in the most excellent way - Lillian and Marcus fight a lot, and those fights are pretty damn sexy, but right from the beginning Kleypas writes in the most lovely, tender moments between the two - it's clear over the course of the novel that they're growing to understand one another and respect one another, to have fun together. More than in a lot of romances, I came to believe that these were two people who could have a long and happy marriage together.

I happened to really enjoy Marcus - he is exactly as described, an extraordinarily talented man who can be overbearing and arrogant. I think his flaws make him more rather than less appealing & Kleypas does a respectable job here of making a solid connection between his love for sports and his exceedingly well developed physique (a lot of romance heroes, I have noticed, really don't have the kind of devotion to exercise necessary to develop the kind of bodies they're supposedly blessed with...).

This is a series not to read out of order, and I'm glad. I like that Kleypas has continued developing characters from earlier books in the series - Annabelle and Olivia, Simon Hunt & Shaw - and does a lot of work fleshing out characters who will have their own books later.

I really cannot wait for the next installment...

[jaguar897 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the second installment in the Wallflower Series. This book focuses on Lillian, the fiercely independent American heiress, and Marcus or Lord Westcliff, the stubborn, snobbish, yet very eligible English bachelor. Together these two have some serious chemistry. Unfortunately, most of the romance built up between these two occurs in book one, so it appears as if the romance happens rather quickly in book two. I could have done with a bit more back and forth between these two since there was some pretty good laugh out loud moments during their bantering. My only complaint is Kleypas’ insistence on using the word quiver once again. It’s used so much the word seems misplaced. I’m interested though in continuing onto Evangeline’s and St. Vincent’s romance.

[jen7waters · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well, that was intense...Again: so romantic. Lisa Kleypas you melt my heart.This book tells the story of the second wallflower scheduled to get a husband, Miss Lillian Bowman. She's filthy rich, very spirited, extremely sharp-tongued, and an American, an American husband-hunting in Victorian England, and her parents will have nothing else than an aristocrat for son-in-law - poor Lillian. Not really, for she manages to get the attention of the most eligible bachelor around, Marcus Westcliff, who is nuts about following traditions, and always does the right thing. Oh boy. Historical romance fans everywhere: you do not want to miss this.And I can not wait to put my hands on book #3 Devil in Winter, Evie's book, because she's my favorite wallflower! :)

[avernon1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

They say that opposites attract. I'm not sure. Are these individuals truly opposites, or do they see in the other what lies beneath the surface of their own selves? Is the brazenly out-spoken female just saying what we all wish we had the guts to say? Is it this bravery that makes her so endearing and desirable to a man who plays by the rules? I believe this is the case when Marcus, Lord Westcliffe, finds himself desiring the unfathomable Lillian Bowman.Marcus is a serene, straight-laced, proper English gentleman, not to mention the most eligible and wealthy man of the peerage. A true blue-blood. Along comes Lillian Bowman, an American girl, the daughter of a self-made millionaire. Having already read book one in this series, I knew that there was a tension growing between Marcus and Lillian. They made it quite clear to one another that each did not like the other. The verbal battles between the two were numerous. Yet these arguments masked a mountain of sexual tension between the two. The reader knows it is just a matter of time before one breaks down and gives in to these desires. But who will it be? How can this distinguished man align himself for life with such a boisterous woman when he is expected to marry a truly elegant, proper English lady in order to carry on the bloodline? These opposites do attract....but can it last a lifetime? Can they ignore their obligations and follow their hearts?I loved the heroine in this book. She was no lady....at least not a properly behaved lady of the 1800's. Lillian didn't wait for a man to ask her opinion....she gave her thoughts freely at every turn. She didn't accept what everyone told her was best....she questioned all of the rules of propriety. She was brazen, bold, stubborn, sharp-tongued, and very, very funny. A wonderfully head-strong woman. A gal I would love to hang out with. As for Marcus, he was a hero that I came to love. In book one, I thought he was a pompous a__! But this talented author reveals Marcus' history and the torment he went through as a child, and soon enough, I too was falling for this straight-laced gentleman who is really crying for a reason to let loose.... to reveal some of the rebellious boy within. I couldn't help but melt when he finally uttered what lay in his heart for Lillian: "Rest. You'll need to regain your strength.....because once we're married, I won't be able to leave you alone. I'll want to love you every hour, every minute of the day." He nestled her more closely against him. "There is nothing on earth more beautiful to me than your smile....no sound sweeter than your laughter....no pleasure greater than holding you in my arms. I realized today that I could never live without you, stubborn little hellion that you are. In this life and the next, you're my only hope of happiness. Tell me, Lillian, dearest love....how can you have reached so far inside my heart?"Lisa Kleypas has an uncanny ability to create believable characters. They are humourous, lifelike, even human! They become people you want to have tea with....chat with....gossip with. The reader connects with them easily. They make us laugh and cry; we feel empathy for them and we identify with them. We fall in love with them and cheer for them when they reach their happily ever after. I thoroughly enjoyed this second installment of the Wallflowers series, so much so that number three is already awaiting me on my E-Reader. With the click of a button, I will be once again immersed into history and immersed into a romance that will sweep me away with a sigh.

[lifeafterjane · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lillian Bowman has many disagreeable qualities. First, she's American, something that the staunch English peerage find amusing but not to be considered for matrimony. She's crass, verbally abrasive, fiercely independent and unyieldingly stubborn- yet more traits that tend to discourage the suit of eligible English lords. But even with her penchant for enjoying a rousing game of rounders in her knickers, a lady of sizable fortune, regardless of breeding and disposition, never goes unconsidered. However, Lillian will be damned if she's going to marry some arrogant, self-important, domineering English bastard, no matter what his title may be.Lord Marcus, Earl of Westcliff wouldn't describe himself as an arrogant, self-important, domineering English bastard. With one of the oldest, purest bloodlines in England, his breeding is unquestionable, and his affections and title largely sought after by many husband hunting young ladies. He has a vast array of businesses, properties, estates and fortunes to oversee, meaning he simply is important and people naturally do what he says because he'd never entertain the notion that they'd do otherwise. So no, he wouldn't say he was any of the offensive things that Miss Bowman just happened to accuse him of. He is, however, firm in his opinion that Lillian Bowman is a crass, verbally abrasive, unyieldingly stubborn, incorrigible, American upstart and Lord help the man who is finally shackled with that insufferable girl. In short- they're perfect for each other.Here's where I gush endlessly about the absolute joy and delight that is this series. I've gushed for two books now and here's number 3. Rather this is book 2 in The Wallflowers series and each one is just as good as the last. I've read them out of order and can assure you that it doesn't matter. The Wallflowers are a group of friends who band together to support and help each other during what can be the very trying and cutthroat ordeal of husband hunting in a London Season. Each book tells a different wallflower's story and this one gives us Lillian Bowman, daughter of a rich, American businessman. Having failed miserably at finding a husband amongst the high society in New York, her parents have carted her and her younger sister Daisy off to England in hopes of catching a lord. Lillian is unapologetically outspoken and can't stomach the idea of having a husband to rule over her. Her smart mouth continuously lands her in trouble throughout the book and that trouble somehow always involves the Earl of Westcliff, who can't help himself when it comes to finding ways to provoke her. Of course their misdeeds land them in love, but not until after a thoroughly tumultuous and unconventional courtship.We are gifted with the inclusion of Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent from Devil in Winter, quite possibly the best villain/hero in a romance novel ever. If you haven't read this series, you want to just to meet St. Vincent. I adore him, even with the purely dastardly thing he does in this book. I love him all the more for doing it. He's so wonderfully evil.Kleypas writes leading ladies that are very easy to relate to, and heros that any girl would find it impossible to resist, complete with all the saucy bits. If you're a romance lover, you have to read this series, and if you're not, this will sway you.