The Duke and the Wallflower

The Unwanted Dukes, Book 1

By: Jessie Clever

Narrated by: Bridget Thomas

Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Shunned by a society that puts attractiveness above all else, Lady Eliza Darby’s wallflower status keeps her from getting the one thing she wants most, namely, to be a mother. But, when her scorned older sister returns home to see all of her sisters wed in happy matches, it may be Eliza’s only chance to secure a husband and have the children she so desires.

Jilted in a publicly humiliating display, Dax Kane, the Duke of Ashbourne, has sworn off love forever and has no wish to wed. But, when the title demands it, he selects the most perfect candidate for the position: Lady Eliza Darby, a wallflower so unattractive, he won’t be in danger of falling in love with her. But, the jilted duke will soon discover looks have nothing to do with love.

The Duke and the Wallflower is the first book in the steamy, heart-stopping historical romance series, The Unwanted Dukes. If you love sexy, spellbinding romance and heartwarming humor, don’t miss this captivating series from best-selling author Jessie Clever. Discover adventure and romance when you download The Duke and the Wallflower today.

©2020 Jessica McQuaid (P)2021 Jessica McQuaid

Abundance of Conflict

If you like to bash your head against the wall, this book is for you. It is not a terrible story by any means, but the constant conflict has you wanting to wring their necks or hit something. I love the narrator; she is very pleasant to listen to for both the male and female voices.

I absolutely loved this bk!!

I found myself lost and swept up in the tantalizing story and the believable and captivating narration!! I will look for more books buy this author AND narrator.
Just the right amount of romantic details. Not to little not to much and thank goodness NOT Vulgar or distasteful but rather sweet, respectful and captivating with just enough heat!!!! Just my kind of book!

Sweet Moments; Some Inconsistency

First the pluses: The protagonist Eliza was likeable. She was smart and dignified, and the relationship between her and her dog Henry was sweet. The minuses: personally, I would have kicked the leading man to the curb. He was handsome and yes, wealthy, but his redeeming qualities were... ?? So what if he was publicly humiliated once. That seems little justification for his behavior towards Eliza in his supposed leading-man role.

In a nutshell, if you are not too picky about characters behaving in ways that just don't seem to cohere with their personas, then go ahead and get this, as it did have sweet moments and I did laugh outloud once.

Lazy Writing

The book is just terrible. I can't believe an author can be so lazy . There is no character development, no real plot and no witty dialogue. If an author does not want to put in the work to write, then do something else. Don't just spit out a group of words so you can collect a cheque.
the h/h are emotionally damaged. They have a dance, talk a little about dogs and have a kiss. Suddenly there is marriage. At this point I and even some of the characters in the book can't understand why things are going so fast. In that we agree. A week later there is a blow up and the reader is suppose to believe that the hero is so much in love with the heroine that it has changed his whole life's perspective. How..How...how! They have only been together 7 days and for 3 of those days they have avoided each other.
I have approx 3 hours left, but can't finish. Even if the narrator was good it might keep me going, but the narrator is not very good. The hero's best friend (the same ages) sound like the hero's grandfather. It puts me off and since this character is the hero in the next book, I'll pass, as it's the same narrator.
Oh no, I am at the part where the grandfather/best friend is telling the heroine everything the hero should say to her. This just makes the hero look like a pathetic coward. There is just nothing to like in this book except the dog Henry.
Please avoid this book if you have an ounce of sense.

great story

The narrator voice had me cringing but due to my determination to hear the story it grew on me so if at first you stop because of the narration don't it will get better. The little twist and turns were well done.

a surprise!

enjoyed this slow burn book. loved the tenderness of the love scenes and how the hero is such a dunce in some ways and very clever in others! supporting characters are funny too.

Enjoyable

I actually enjoyed this. I thought the hero was a bit naive and kept making the same mistakes while the heroine was a strong woman. Good read nonetheless.

Delightful Read

Really enjoyed the development of the story. Lightly steamy and excellent narration. Can’t wait for the next books to release in this series.

Simple unassuming story

I found the story to be simple and straightforward. The narrator was good.
I really love stories where I fall in love with the characters and in this story I missed that. I found the Duke to be weak in character and lacking in courage. The female character had good moments. Overall, the story was passable but not memorable and the grand gesture at the end fell flat.

Great Series Starter

It’s a sad fact but true, usually when a much sought after Duke is paired with a Wallflower, he is handsome and she is a very homely spinster. While that trope is again used in this story the writing elevates it above the usual fare.

The characters are well rounded, the hearts are not easily won, the sex isn’t instantly perfect and mind blowing (although it eventually is).

The story is intriguing and heart warming.

The narrator is also very talented.

So much potential

A duke on every corner and modern names are just some of the errors. A duke calls another duke 'mate' and 'tosser'. The dog at the wedding ceremony was also a bit overdone.
The story line had potential but was squandered.
The narrator was good.

Fabulous

Great story funny,sad everthing I love. Excellent narration more please especially this narrator great combination.

Could have been better

Storyline was weak and very predictable. Definitely not a page turner or something you needed to keep reading to find out the ending.

The best of the bunch

The theme is the same throughout out the series, except a regurgitated version with new names for the leading characters. There are some new characters/foe in each book.
The non original theme starts with a plethora of Dukes. All who are full of self-pity and total jerks. The females, despite their build-ups, are "complete wimps." It is basical how far you want me to bend? So you can kick me. Where do you want me to lie? So you can walk over me. They are not quite masochist. but they do seem to like enduring a lot of pain all in the name of "love." The eldest sister is the worst as she is anything but a "Siren" more of a "Doormat." Stop here. Don't waste any more money or credits.

Charming- but weak …

Even so the storyline is charming - the execution was a bit weak and lacking - the narrator was becoming better the longer she read …

Sweet

A sweet romance story. Love the fact that the heroine is on the wrong side of plain.

loved it

I really liked this . I love lots of regency romance and this had a bit of every thing I love about it .

Recommended for taking a break.

A charmingly different tale, taking one delightfully where one expected.
I enjoyed the writing style.