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The Wallflower Wager

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The Wallflower Wager

By: Tessa Dare
Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells
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About this listen

Lady Penelope cares for all creatures. Gabriel Duke cares for no one.

Can they care for each other?

Wealthy and ruthless, Gabriel Duke had to fight his way from the lowliest slums to the pinnacle of high society—and now, with a reputation as the ‘Duke of Ruin’, he wants to get even.

Loyal and passionate, Lady Penelope Campion never met a lost or wounded creature she wouldn’t take into her home, and her heart.

When her imposing—and attractive—new neighbour demands she remove her animals, Penny resists his demand and makes a counter-offer. She will part with her precious charges, if he can find them loving homes!

Rising to the challenge, Gabriel does not expect such a simple task to result in intimacy with Penny, and soon he finds this spirited spinster is not the push-over he thought.

But Gabe is not the only one with a past he’d rather forget. And if Penny is intent on saving Gabe, perhaps he might just need to save her first…

Perfect for fans of:

High society

Forced proximity

©2019 Tessa Dare (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Regency Regency Romance Romance Romantic Comedy Urban Comedy

Critic Reviews

‘A beautiful and sexy read.’– Frost Magazine

‘injecting just the right chemistry between her characters, Daredelivers another fine romance with a dose of good humour’. – WOMAN’S WEEKLY

‘Prepare to swoon over the latest historical romance from Tessa Dare’ and described it as ‘A sparkling romance, with just the right amount of humour.’ – WOMAN Magazine
All stars
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While I still think book 1 is my favourite this comes a close 2nd. Loved Penny and Gabriel's story. Love heals all. I loved the friendship development between the 3 men and the goat scene.

What Penny went through.....well it shouldn't happen yet it does to do many. I don't have words to express my feelings. (chapters close to the end mention sexual abuse from male family elder when Penny was 8 to 12 but not in great detail) The last few chapters broke my heart and then I was glad when the brother returned. Sad though his wife did not stand by Penny or her husband's side.

Though Gabriel didn't have it easy either. 2 souls who fell in love who healed each other essentially.

This is my first series by Tessa Dare but she has managed to write wonderful individual characters who are unique and you fall in love with, wonderful story with witty banter and romance, often with a side of adventure.

I have found myself in fits of laughter, smiling with joy when the characters are happy and was when they aren't and most of all couldn't put this book down until I had finished it.

My only dislike was how far forward it jumped in the epilogue and not knowing what happened re: Alex and her baby as there was no mention nor of Nicola or most of the friends.

Mary Jane Wells did spectacular job at narrating, possibly the best on audible.

Love heals all ❤💜❤

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I love this story, it’s wonderful writing by Tessa Dare and excellent narration by Marie-Jane Wells. I listen to it often as it touches something from my childhood. Thank you so much Tessa for including this background in this story.

Love this romantic story of love and healing

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I highly recommend this audiobook. I was hooked from the very first chapter. This is an excellent story with excellent narration.
Penny is a loving and caring soul. Gabe is a soul who needs to open himself to love. Each give the other the TLC they need. Theirs is a beautiful love story which sees Penny’s strength and Gabe’s goodness shine in spite of their respective pasts.

There were many amusing moments throughout that had me chuckling. The unlikely friendship that developed between Chase, Ash & Gabe was charming and one of my favourite chapters is the one with the 3 men and the goat.

Thoroughly entertaining

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This story is hard to put down, from the beginning to the end. I just loved all the characters and the storyline. I found myself laughing out loud most of the way through it, getting strange looks from my husband.
Mary Jane Wells narration as usual topped it off beautifully! I highly recommend

Tessa Dare as fabulous as always!

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Mary, you never fail to entertain.
Tessa, your humour creates a disturbance wherever and whenever I’m listening. I can’t help but to laugh out loud at the antics of the men in your stories.
You are now one of my favourite authors.

Mary Wells - Best performance on Audible

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I loved this book, it was light & funny - flowed well - the narrator was brilliant.

Thoroughly enjoyed it. 10/10 from me.

The Wallflower wager

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Tessa's characters writing seems to have evolved with her characters and this was a great example of how much fun you can have with such a great build up of characters! you'll definitely enjoy this one most if you read the first two in the series first!

funny and cheeky and plenty saucy

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Such a let down after the first two books. This book had so much potentional, but instead it was just 2 dimensional characters with trauma thrown in. There was no character development and it was just plain boring.
The narrator was wonderful again though! I loved that she kept Penny's distinct voice for her dialogue.

Narrator was fabulous, story was lacking.

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I found the context of the timeline of the story a bit unrealistic, nearly bordering on mills and boon style sex scenes (not that I've read any, just assuming). Not your Jane Austen. Was an easy read, however I did find the language and sex scenes a bit cringe worthy.

This was ok, enjoyable

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Charming story but the narration ruined it for me. The voice of the 26yo heroine sounded like a witless, spinster granny and her hero had the voice of a retired 65yo general. The inflections were misplaced and the dramatisation was too theatrical. It also sounded as though it was being read by the narrator for the first time. Reminded me of ‘story time’ in primary school. I’ve read literally thousands of this type of novel and would welcome the opportunity to give my interpretation. There was nothing authentic in this narration. It lacked passion and credibility. A much younger voice needed for a romantic novel. I think it really let the author down. Poor casting on this occasion. This is just my opinion of course. Listen to the sample and make up your own mind.

Charming story but the narration lets it down.

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