Wallflower or Warrior?This novel was impossible to put down from start to finish. The addictive blend of fiery heroine vs. unyielding, brooding lord is always a winner and with Tomboy of the Ton it is this tension - so central to the plot - that keeps the reader hooked. Emily Royal does a fantastic job of bringing her world and its characters to life. So come along with me as I dive into this romantic read! Note: A big thank you to Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the opportunity to read and review such an entertaining book. Bridgerton meets She's The ManTomboy of the Ton is a tale that puts a fresh spin on enemies-to-lovers romance. With a captivating cover - and an equally as captivating main heroine - it succeeds in being both entertaining and thought-provoking. To start, we are introduced to a delightful bouquet of wallflowers whose very last wish is to be 'seen' by Society:
There seems to be very little doubt in these ladies' minds that all handsome men are rogues and are not to be trusted. And Henrietta's love interest Giles (Lord Thorpe) says and does little to contradict this point of view. Her knight in not-so shining armourThe horse's ears pricked up, and she rubbed his nose. Then she smiled, and it was like the sunshine breaking through a cloud. It was the first time he'd (Giles) seen her smile - she'd laughed at him many times during their encounters over the years, but a soft smile of friendship - and love - was something he'd not seen before. Giles is probably the main reason it was hard to rate this book a full 5. His blatant disdain for Henrietta's unbridled freedom and joy for life could be taken for the 'brooding' typical of most historical romance leading males (*cough* Anthony Bridgerton *cough*). Just like Anthony, Giles has low expectations of marriage and love in general, and is not looking for a wife to love or to be loved in return. However...his words and actions are just so extreme. He takes great pains to privately - and publicly! - let Henrietta know that:
I understand him being drawn to her against his will. The book also ties his behaviour to him carrying trauma from his childhood, and to him being somewhat emotionally stunted in love and relationships. But what I couldn't understand was (i) the sheer magnitude of his hatred, and (ii) how on earth this poor young woman continued to love him through all of it. Everyone (myself included!) loves a good 'lord has to redeem himself" historical romance, but there was an edge to his anger towards her - a violence - that seemed far too great in comparison to her deeds. Maybe fuelled by his inability to express his feelings for her, yes, but still it didn't sit right with me. Nothing is worse than a man who takes out his frustrations on a woman, especially verbally. You're an adult. Deal with your baggage! By the end of the book, there was nothing that seemed to ever make him fully redeemable...at least for me. Despite his level of arrogance most likely being intentional for the purposes of the plot, it was genuinely hard to root for him to have a happy ending. In Henrietta's own words: "Better an urchin who grubs around in the dirt than a pompous ass who treats the world with contempt." The Power of Love"A partnership for life must be nurtured," lady thorpe said. "consider the rose bush, the sweet, soft petals, delicate aroma, and bright colours combined with the prickly thorns. That is how a relationship should be, a myriad of textures and layers." There are some truly beautiful words of wisdom interwoven throughout the book. Lessons on life, love, and what it means to come into your own. I think one of my favourite characters was Henrietta's father. The way in which he taught Henrietta to embrace the necessity of maturity, but without giving up the spark that made her unique, was incredibly sweet. He saw her need for freedom but also knew that the world they lived in required her to put aside the limitless freedoms of childhood and to learn how to become a functioning adult who could properly fend for herself: "Your quality lies in your courage and strength of character, and nobody can take that away from you." The bond of friendship between Henrietta and her fellow wallflowers - as well as with Giles' mother and cousin-turned-ward Beatrice - is another highlight of the book. Henrietta displays such fierce loyalty towards those she loves and learns a lot about herself through her relationships with others. She puts aside her own pain to support Eleanor, admires Lavinia's strength and unwavering support, and puts her own reputation on the line to secure Beatrice's happiness. She's honestly a stellar main protagonist who is unashamedly herself, even during the most dire of circumstances. Be Shelf-ishTake a stroll through this beautifully crafted word garden and give Tomboy of the Ton a read today.
Have you read it yet? What is your favourite historical fiction read? Let me know in the comments below.
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