This Regency romance is a joyful, adventurous romp full of clever disguises, witty banter, found family vibes, and a swoon-worthy sapphic love story. If you crave LGBTQ+ representation - especially a plus-size, bookish heroine and a wonderfully gender-fluid love interest - you’ll be right at home with the Wynchester clan. Bonus: pet hedgehogs, daring heists, and a cast of lovable oddballs. Fans of heartwarming historicals, found family, and stories where everyone gets to be their authentic self will absolutely enjoy this one.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers felt the story was a bit thin, with social themes taking center stage at the expense of subtlety and plot development. If you’re not a fan of modern values woven into historical settings, aren’t looking for overt inclusivity, or prefer your romances packed with sizzling tension and tightly woven intrigue, this one might not be your cup of tea. The book also moves at a gentle pace, which might drag for anyone hunting for nonstop action or high drama.

A delightfully inclusive, feel-good Regency romance that celebrates love, found family, and being unapologetically yourself. Great for readers seeking joyful, diverse historical romance - maybe less so for anyone after a more traditional or high-stakes period drama.

About:

The Perks of Loving a Wallflower by Erica Ridley is a regency romance novel that focuses on the characters Tommy and Philippa from the Wild Wynchesters series. The book delves into the complexities of their relationship, showcasing their communication, respect, and the challenges they face together. The story is filled with romance, mysteries to be solved, and moments of adventure and intrigue, all set against a backdrop of familial love and acceptance within the Wynchester family. The writing style blends romance with elements of disguise-based antics, delivering an engaging and enjoyable read that keeps readers enthralled from beginning to end.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, including a plus-sized female lead and a non-binary protagonist, showcasing relatability and depth that resonate with readers.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by clever dialogue and engaging storytelling that blends humor with emotional depth, providing a light-hearted yet sincere reading experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The story revolves around a romantic relationship between two women set in the Regency period, addressing themes of love, identity, and societal pressures, while incorporating adventure and mystery.

Setting:

The setting takes place in Regency England, where historical elements are interwoven with modern themes, creating an immersive backdrop for the narrative.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with moments that are fast-paced interspersed with slower, character-focused segments. While it maintains overall engagement, some sections may feel dragged out.

Tommy Wynchester strolled off one of the many boats docked at Billingsgate and melted into the marketplace. The smell of the water permeated the crisp air, as did the cacophony of voices, punctuated b...

Notes:

The book is part of The Wild Wynchesters series by Erica Ridley.

It features a sapphic romance set in the Regency era.

One of the main characters, Philippa York, is a bluestocking and wallflower.

The other main character, Thomasina Wynchester, is non-binary and a master of disguise.

The story includes themes of inclusivity and acceptance.

Readers noted the book can stand alone despite being the second in the series.

The romance has elements of adventure and mystery, making it more than just a love story.

The characters include diverse representations, including disability and plus-size traits.

There is a strong focus on the bond of the Wynchester family's love and support for each other.

The book includes light-hearted elements, such as a homing kitten and a planning parlor with chalk maps.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings may include discussions on social issues related to gender identity and societal expectations, as well as themes encompassing family pressure.

Has Romance?

Romance is a central theme of the book, featuring a prominent sapphic relationship between the main characters.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

Fans of Bridgerton will love this "delightful" Regency romp (Julia Quinn, New York Times bestselling author ) named one of the best romances of the year by Entertainment Weekly.

As a master of disguise, Thomasina Wynchester can be a polite young lady-or a bawdy old man. She'll do whatever it takes to solve the cases her family takes on. But when Tommy's beautiful new client turns out to be the highborn lady she's secretly smitten with, more than her mission is at stake . . .

Bluestocking Miss Philippa York doesn't believe in love. Her heart didn't pitter-patter when she was betrothed to a duke, nor did it break when he married someone else. All Philippa desires is to decode a centuries-old manuscript to keep a modern-day villain from claiming credit for work that wasn't his. She hates that she needs a man's help to do it-so she's delighted to discover the clever, charming baron at her side is in fact a woman. But as she and Tommy grow closer and the stakes of their discovery higher, more than just their hearts are at risk.

Entertainment Weekly Best Romances of 2021

Library Journal Best Romances of 2021

October 2021

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375 pages

Ratings (5)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (1)
Liked It (3)

Reader Stats (34):

Read It (6)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (10)
Not Interested (17)

What can you read after
The Perks of Loving a Wallflower?

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The Perks of Loving a Wallflower

Erica Ridley

Book 3 in the series:The Wild Wynchesters

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