Waltz of the Wallflower

Delicate Hearts, Book 1

By: Catherine Mayfair

Narrated by: Aubrey Elson

Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

After receiving a note that bore hurtful words from a suitor during the previous London season, wallflower Miss Lydia Fortescue fears her third season will be as disastrous as the previous two. Given the choice, she never set foot in town again. Her father, however, has grown tired of her spinster status and demands that either she find a husband or he will find one for her.

William Montgomery, seventh duke of Bennington, has been enthralled with Miss Fortescue since he first set eyes upon her. Last season, he spent hours compiling a love note for her, but judging from Miss Fortescue's silence, his words of admiration had failed to win her heart. William believes that this season, he will be able to convince the quiet yet intelligent woman to allow him to woo her.

When unexpected circumstances throw the pair together, Miss Fortesque begins to realize that William is not the brute she thought him to be. However, her timidity makes it difficult for her to accept that he is interested in more than the new business ventures her father has acquired.

Will the newly fashionable and scandalous dance, the waltz, help Lydia shed the timidity that has subdued her for most of her life? Will William convince the woman for whom he cares that his intentions are true?

©2019 Catherine Mayfair (P)2020 Catherine Mayfair

Well delivered story

This was an enjoyable story with excellent narration. The different voices for each character brought the story to life.

Sweet Historical Romance

As Miss Lydia Fortescue begins her third season she fears a repeat of last season when William Montgomery, seventh duke of Bennington, wrote her a hurtful note insulting her. Despite her fears, she attends a ball with her chaperone at her side, only to be confused when the Duke tries to spend time with her. Discovering the truth at the bottom of the note leads Lydia to a greater discovery about herself.

This was a sweet clean read with no steamy scenes and a guaranteed happily ever after. I'm used to reading about Dukes who are rakes, spending their time with ladies of the night and finally being won over by a sweet virginal miss. This is a refreshing change! William is a little sweet, a little bumbling, and definitely a romantic. Lydia is perfect for him as a down to earth thinker who just needed a little self confidence. I liked their time on the page together, I'd listen to more by this author.

The narration was well done, I requested a copy of the audiobook and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Great Historical Romance

I really enjoyed this book! It is a good historical romance. Well written and a great narrator.

I was gifted this audiobook in return for my unbiased opinion.

I wonder who first discovered the efficacy...

"I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!" - Elizabeth Bennett, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I can tell you who Elizabeth!

Poor William Montgomery, seventh duke of Bennington, has written a few lines of verse to send to a young lady he most admires, but they get swapped for another set and are not received well at all. Miss Lydia Fortescue is a wallflower, and finds the words too cruel to bear. A series of misunderstandings ensue which the two must navigate to find love on the other side. It takes trust and a willingness to be forthright and open. May there be waltzes and wooing.

An enjoyable listen

As far as romances go (whichever period they are set in) it's really difficult, I think, for the writers to be truly original - yet Ms Mayfair, while operating within the limits of the genre, still manages to keep us interested, intrigued and entertained with her book:)
The pair of the main characters - Miss Lydia Fortescue and William Montgomery, the Duke of Bennington - are just meant to be together (which we know right from the start:)) so the misunderstandings and qui-pro-quos that happen on the way due to other people's meddlings are just fun to follow. All the characters are quite well-written, some more memorable than others. The pace of the story is good, dialogues witty and overall the book gives you this feeling of light entertainment and satisfaction a good romance should.

Narration by Ms Elson is also very good; the pace of her reading is just about right, the voices are distinct and well-done, and they match the personalities of the characters. It's a very decent interpretation of the book.

DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.