not a win for me

This book and I had problems, the most grievous of which was the fact that I was indignant on Olivia's behalf for the entire book. Their marriage was arranged when they were children. Then, he disappeared for 15 years without so much as a word. But when he needed a woman to do womanly things in his life, he showed up—a perfect stranger—to take the tool off the shelf and demands she honor the agreement (because she's convenient). Until that point he hadn't honored it, but despite her protests that she did not wish to marry him, he demanded she would.

Given these circumstances I was even more indignant that he liked and was attracted to her. He got to ignore her for as long as he liked (injuring her in the process) and then gets a pretty and amusing wife out of the deal. While she got ignored and then forced into a marriage she didn't want. Oh, how men always get their cake and to eat it too, while women eat crow, apparently. The fact that she gave in as soon as he said the magic three words enraged me further still, if you'd believe that possible. As if all it takes to make a woman who doesn't desire marriage desirous of it is to be chosen by a man. Seriously, f*ck off.

Also, the whole premise of the book is how long the Duke 'left her on the shelf' before coming to claim her (and she's meant to mother a 19 and 20-year-old.) So, she must be above average age for a marriageable woman. Yet, neither of her BFFS appear to be married either and she acts like a complete child.

Lastly a comment on the editing/narration. Since I had an audio copy I don't know where the errors originated (from the author or the narrator) but there were several misused words. And while as an American I'm no expert on English accents, I rather suspect this author's accent (with her Vs for Th, for example) did not even approximate an aristocratic English accent. Rather like hearing a book set in the Bronx read in a Southern accent for us Americans. Not bad, but a little jarringly out of place. Presumably more so for someone from that part of the world.

I'd likely give this author another chance. But this book was a bust.

Note: I received a free copy of this book. I chose to listen and review it.

2 people found this helpful

Wallflower, I Think Not

A Wallflower's Folly
Fortunes of Fate Series, Book 6
By: Amanda Mariel



This is a short, clean historical fiction.

Lady Olivia Montague and William Breckenridge were contracted to wed, when they were children. He however never showed up in 15 years, until after his parents died. He has three younger sisters that need a mother figure. However, by this time Olivia has made up her mind to become a spinster and live life her way. The more they try to get their own way, the more things change. I liked it but would have liked some deeper character building. I'll keep an eye out for more in this series.




The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Kelley Ann Hill brought the story to life.



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

1 person found this helpful

It was ok...

I love historic romances and I had high hopes for this book. It was alright but I doubt I will listen to it a second time, which I frequently do with many of my other books. The book was short and I feel it lacked depth in the characters. I appreciate a short book now and again but the story line and plot could have been more developed, I would have preferred a longer book with more substance. Again, not a bad book by any measure, I did like it just wasn’t my favorite book of all time kind of book.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

1 person found this helpful

Cute Story ruined by TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE Narration!

Her name is OLIVIA!!!! But the narrator calls her Olivy-ay...WTF?? Once would have thought her sound editor would have caught that! Then, there are a few words she pronounces that showcase her natural accent (words with V's, some R's, etc.), and oh yes....she refers to him as a mar-QUESS....not "mar-quiss" as it is usually pronounced. I tried getting through the whole story, but btwn mar-QUESS, Olivy-ay and incorrectly rolled V's...I just couldn't take it, and gave up after 2 chapters!!!

What a shame!!!

The only good part of my day

I loved this audiobook. It was the only good part of my day. I listened to it while I was working. I loved the story.

enjoyed it

Would I listen to it again: yes
Did the stories keep me engaged: yes
Was I invested in the characters: yes
What did I like? story has a good pace, characters are engaging and it's well written.
Olivia is strong and smart and wants nothing to do with William who she was betrothed to when they were children, her attempts to avoid marriage to William are entertaining as he tries to win her heart.

Narrator comment: I enjoyed Kelly Hill's narration, she's done a great job bringing these characters to life.

It’s a fortunate great story

Book 6 in the series. A historical romance story. The author writes how life was in the 18 hundred . The story tells how women were treated at that time period. If the women , Ladies of the ton were not married by a certain age they were considered wall flowers .
Heroine is Lady Olivia Montague . Hero is Duke of Thorne, William Breckenridge. Lady Olivia and the Duke have been promised to be married for 15 yrs . The duke had no need to be married, but now he does. He just became a Duke when his parents passed . He is suppose to take care of his 3 sisters . That is when he knows that Lady Olivia as the Duchess will help him .

Kelly Ann performance was good . Her accent and tone was perfect for that time period.

The lady is not a wallflower

Book 6 in the series. A historical romance story. The author writes how life was in the 18 hundred . The story tells how women were treated at that time period. If the women , Ladies of the ton were not married by a certain age they were considered wall flowers .
Heroine is Lady Olivia Montague . Hero is Duke of Thorne, William Breckenridge. Lady Olivia and the Duke have been promised to be married for 15 yrs . The duke had no need to be married, but now he does. He just became a Duke when his parents passed . He is suppose to take care of his 3 sisters . That is when he knows that Lady Olivia as the Duchess will help him .

Kelly Ann performance was good . Her accent and tone was perfect for that time period.

Sometimes the chase is the best

Olivia was set to be a spinster for all of her life. She actually liked beiing a wallflower and did not want to marry. Olivia falls in love but fights it till the very end. It is a fun book to read of the chase that goes on with her betrothed as they had been since children. Enjoyable short book.



This book
was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Narrator can make or break

The narrator's cockney accent ruined this book for me. Dropped L 's in the middle of words and th pronounced as f or v sound. Struggled to finish this one.