ARC Review: Once Upon a Wallflower by Wendy Lyn Watson

Once Upon a Wallflower is a Regency mystery romance with a tender edge. This is the first book I have read by Wendy Lyn Watson. Her specialty is mysteries and that is evident in this story. It is also evident that she is a skilled and effective writer. I enjoyed both the romance and the mystery.

Lord Ellerby wins a bride for his son in a card game. It is announced that Nicholas, Lord Ashfield will marry Mirabelle Fitzhenry. But there are two cousins named Mirabelle Fitzhenry. Ellerby thinks he is getting Bella, the beautiful blonde daughter of his card opponent. Instead, they substitute Mira, the plainer, red-haired cousin. Fortunately, Nicholas is attracted to Mira and uninterested in Bella. Mira like Nicholas, but is wary of the stories that he murdered three women. As the families gather at the Ellerby estate to organize the wedding Mira becomes convinced of Nicholas’ innocence and vows to prove it. Danger lurks as she tries to find the real killer and become sure of Nicholas’ love.

Once Upon a Wallflower was an enjoyable, all-round story. Both Mira and Nicholas had some deep insecurities, but were decent and sincere. I think the writer could have developed their characters a little more. We know that Nicholas was an artist, but saw only a little of how art was part of him. Why did he live in the tower alone? His relationship with his father was also a little confusing. We saw things that happened to Mira, but didn’t fully know what made her tick. Nevertheless, I was sympathetic with both of them and was happy that they found each other. The mystery was intriguing, but not too difficult to figure out. The ending didn’t thoroughly tie up all of the loose ends (What happened to Beatrix? Did Bella and Jeremy truly love each other? How did Nicholas reconsider his relationship with his father?), but generally I liked the book.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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