Reviewed by True
TITLE: The Wolf and the Wallflower
SERIES: Wolves of the Ton #1
AUTHOR: Devin Harnois
PUBLISHER: October Night Publishing
LENGTH: 281 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 22, 2023
BLURB:
Lord Jasper Thorne is the most eligible bachelor of the season, but he chafes against the expectation to marry a suitable lady and forge a strong alliance for his pack. Acting polite and proper at balls makes him want to take his wolf form and flee into the woods. Then he meets shy wallflower Ambrose and suddenly social events are much more tolerable.
Ambrose Linfield is hopelessly smitten the moment he meets handsome, charming Jasper. They discuss books they aren’t supposed to be reading, chat with each other at balls when Jasper should be dancing with ladies, even shift together under the full moon.
When Ambrose takes a bold chance and Jasper discovers the truth of his own feelings, everything changes. Secret kisses and stolen moments consume them, but the end of the season draws closer. Soon Jasper will have to do his duty, unless both of them are willing to defy their parents, their packs, and all of society.
REVIEW:
Imagine Ballrooms, Lords, Dukes, Duchesses, a quite rigid royal society in a world of wolf shifters and pack. Bachelors who needed to court women. What if you are an exception?
The ladies have been waiting for Lord Jasper Thorne to attend his Debut Ball. He’s the most wanted bachelor this year. He hates it, thank goodness for the shy wallflower, he was so kind to be his safe space, to shake off the ladies. Ambrose Linfield isn’t as highly ranked as Jasper but they seemed to enjoy each other’s company very much.
It’s all for appearance, to make his father and the pack’s reputation look good. Ugh.
He is supposed to choose a woman at the end of the season. Ugh again.
Jasper prefers Ambrose’s company. They are sweethearts. They met again and again and developed a fine friendship. Jasper had the bright idea to help each other find a wife. Ambrose has no ambition to find a wife, and can’t explain to Jasper why. Jasper would be disgusted and it would mean the end of their friendship.
Jasper invited Ambrose to spend the full moon with him. Ambrose is anxious, in wolf form, he can’t lie or disguise his true feelings for Jasper.
Both men are utterly sweet and endearing together, with all the stress in their life about matching, they found strength and courage with the other, to enjoy their firsts.
It got tougher and tougher to find time together.
The story got, nearing the end, an unexpected turn, I love to be surprised!
I loved this Regency historical romance, and the combination of pack and authority was well done.
The emphasis on the matching part was a bit too dominant in this story. It was almost only about that, it was dragging on, so the development was slight. After Ambrose behaved boldly, the story turned more forward. I loved the shifting parts.
The characters are decent, polite, and modest. Their first sexual experience was quite sweet and endearing.
The writing was clear and captivating, a bit on the slow side, and the period it took place felt valid.
Overall an enjoyable experience.
RATING: 
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