Audiobook Review: How the Wallflower was Won by Eva Leigh

Author: Eva Leigh

Narrator: Zara Hampton-Brown

Title: How the Wallflower was Won

Series: Last Chance Scoundrels #2

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published:  September 27, 2022

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Finn Ransome is an expert on Lady Luck, which is why he refuses to take a chance on love. Experience has taught him that he's happier at a gaming table than around people he will, inevitably, disappoint. However, the clock is ticking on his father's matrimonial demands. But the only woman to catch his eye is a bluestocking who would never consider a rogue like him.

After a disastrous first Season, Tabitha Seaton decided to focus on books instead of ballrooms. She hopes to join the Sterling Society, a collective of the most brilliant, influential minds in London. Except, they will never admit an unmarried lady. Now Tabitha needs a husband, and a notorious, handsome gambler may be her best bet.

Finn and Tabitha are opposites who have no intention of wagering on a love match, and a calculated marriage of convenience solves all their problems--with no risk to their hearts. Once married, however, their potent attraction boils over into a deep passion that neither expected. When a painful mistake drives the new lovers apart, Finn will risk it all to prove a scoundrel and a wallflower are a winning pair...

Review:

I read book 1 a while back and for some reason I never picked up book 2. I'm finally getting started on this one all thanks to the TBR Challenge for February ;)

Here we follow Finn and Tabitha. Finn has mastered the art of gambling, but he won't take a chance on love. However, he is being forced to wed. His eye lands on Tabitha. It'll be purely a contract. A bluestocking like her would never love him anyway. Tabitha needs to get married because she wants to join the Sterling Society but in order to be considered they require her to be married. She has no interest in love after a devastating heartbreak years ago. Once married, however, they may have miscalculated and can't help but falling for each other. 

I enjoyed book 1 so I'm not sure why I let this series fall from my memory. Thank goodness for reading challenges ;) 

In order to truly appreciate this one, you will need to read book 1. Lots of references there and you learn (more) about WHY these fellas have to wed. 

Lovedddddd Finn. He was a gem. I liked Tabitha....until her freak out near the end. 

YES, I get why she was mad and hurt, but it was so melodramatic I couldn't help rolling my eyes. Poor guy had no idea that would trigger her. I worry about their marriage....honestly. Finn said something wrong/silly/dumb but it wasn't malicious and she is done with their marriage. No forgiveness. No talking. She literally said some cruel things and then took off. She hid from him for days. He literally had to track her down and apologize and it still took her a moment to forgive and then apologize herself. For someone so smart she really was dumb. People say dumb stuff ALL the time. Lord help him if DARES says something she doesn't like. :S 

Other than that....I had no other issues. I loved watching them become friends and then more. They were so sweet. They were so opposite but at the end of the day they were perfect for each other. 

I loved the last scene. I can't wait to read book 3!!! What on Earth is going to happen with our final couple?????? There is going to be a lot of talking they will need so they can get over what happened. Oof. 

The narrator did a lovely job. The guys all started to sound the same when we had a bunch in the room, but she did good. 

All-in-all, I enjoyed this and I'm glad I'm back on reading the series. There is one more and this is the one we have all been waiting for! WEEEEE. 

4 stars from me. It would've been a 5-er but Tabitha's lil scene angered me. 

- Favorite Character(s): Finn

- Least Favorite Character(s): Sterling Society members

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #8

- TBR Challenge #2

- Romance Reading Challenge #7 (Audiobook)