The Perks of Loving a Wallflower

Starred review from August 2, 2021
Don’t judge this book by its title—bluestocking Philippa York may be bookish, but she’s no wallflower, and master of disguise Tommy Wynchester is no demure miss in pearls. Bestseller Ridley’s second Wild Wynchesters romance (after The Duke Heist) arguably touches the holy grail for Regency fans: like Georgette Heyer, but with sex. Lesbian sex, in fact, which pairs deliciously with classic Heyer elements like Shakespearian gender bending and exquisitely delineated fashion. “Tommy” is short for Thomasina, and she’s infatuated from afar with Philippa. A sibling dare to act on her feelings and hold a conversation with Philippa launches her on a masquerade as Baron Horace Vanderbean, guardian of the madcap Wynchester clan and aspirant to Philippa’s hand. Then the perfidy of a friend’s uncle leads the pair into a complicated collaboration to expose him. Along the way, the women uncover truth after truth about themselves and each other, until they can no longer deny what they want. While Ridley does not have Heyer’s skill with minor characters, she has the very great virtue of making her protagonists’ confrontation with the status quo believable. Compromise here is a dragon to be slain, not an inevitable bargain with society. It’s a feminist fairy tale readers will rejoice in. Agent: Lauren Abramo, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

Starred review from October 1, 2021

The saga of a group of quirky orphans adopted by a foreign baron continues in delightful fashion in this second book of Ridley's "Wild Wynchesters" series (after The Duke Heist). Tommy, who is excellent at disguising herself, takes on the mantle of the baron's reclusive and handsome heir, to help bluestocking heiress Philippa find a groom that meets her parents' approval and correct an injustice. As the two women work together, their feelings for each other grow and make their lives increasingly complicated. The cute central romance is propped up by fantastic side characters, particularly the other Wynchesters (readers will hope to see the siblings get their own happily-ever-afters) and a cat named Tiglet who steals the show and furthers the plot. VERDICT This clever novel will delight readers looking for queer historical romances and or a series featuring a group of unconventional romantic leads.--Jenny Kobiela-Mondor, Midwest Collaborative for Lib. Svcs., Lansing, MI

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 1, 2021
Coming from different classes and being the same sex doesn't stop Philippa and Tommy from falling in love in this hijinx-filled Regency romp. Miss Philippa York's mother is determined to find a titled man for her daughter to wed. Philippa would rather focus on conducting her reading circle of bluestocking women, one of whom wants proper acknowledgment for creating a wartime cipher that her uncle stole credit for. Thomasina Wynchester and her siblings may not be Polite Society, but their various skills make them the perfect team to help seek justice in this case, which becomes far more complex, as secrets are found hidden inside illuminated manuscripts. Little does Philippa know, but Tommy has been enraptured with her for a year without finding the courage to approach her. A master of disguises, Tommy finally finds confidence when disguised as the charming, flirtatious, fictitious Baron Vanderbean. Philippa is delighted when Tommy reveals her true identity, but as their friendship develops into romantic yearnings, she's torn between society's expectations and her own desires. Funny and sexy, this second installment of the Wild Wynchesters series showcases the empowerment that comes when people find total acceptance from their families, lovers, and themselves. The lead characters' identities are realistically nuanced: Philippa has never been interested in men but hadn't found herself sexually attracted to women before Tommy ignited her passion. Tommy only desires women, but her own gender is more fluid, feeling sometimes feminine and sometimes masculine. They are both caring, smart, and lovable, which makes their relationship journey completely enchanting. Sapphic bliss.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from September 15, 2021
As a member of the scandalous Wynchester family, Thomasina, called Tommy, has used her talent for disguise to help her family with their ongoing quest to aid the downtrodden and desperate of London. But Tommy's latest undercover role as the new Baron Vanderbean may be her most challenging to date, since it puts her in close proximity to bookish Philippa York. Ostensibly, Tommy's task is to help Philippa and her cadre of bluestocking friends prove that Reginald Northrup is stealing credit for devising a code created by his niece Damaris. However, Tommy quickly discovers that while playing a man might be easy, falling in love with a woman like Philippa definitely is not. After wowing readers with The Duke Heist (2021), the first in her Wild Wynchesters series, Ridley comes back strong with another exquisitely written, utterly transcendent romance that perfectly captures the joy of being loved for who you truly are. Distinguished by a generous measure of buoyant wit, insightful characterization, luscious sensuality, and just the right dash of whimsy (homing kittens, anyone?), this is pure reading bliss.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.