When Prudence first meets John Roark, Viscount Castleton she is most certainly a damsel in distress in some ways. However, she is also a woman who saved herself from a highwayman with some quick thinking. This is something that I love about WHAT A WALLFLOWER WANTS -- the complex characters. Prudence has had her share of suffering but she is also a survivor and discovers that she is much stronger than she ever thought.

Castleton helps her realize that truth, and that is part of what makes him a fabulous hero. When she trusts him enough to tell him everything about her painful past, he teaches her how to physically defend herself. He's not some macho guy with an inflated sense of himself. He's strong but humble, and a man who cares deeply for those around him and is fiercely protective. He's an irresistible combo of sexy and sensitive.

The villain in WHAT A WALLFLOWER WANTS is truly despicable. However, the thing that ends up threatening their beautiful yet fragile relationship is the secrets that Prudence and John both keep. I think that the secrets themselves are not terrible, but I think Prudence has more trouble getting past John's secrets because of her unresolved feelings about her own past.

Maya Rodale perfectly depicts the imperfect responses of somebody who has been through a trauma. I like that Prudence's friends give her much needed support when they realize how much she needs it.

WHAT A WALLFLOWER WANTS is a wonderful story of one woman's journey to reclaim her life as she discovers her hidden strength. The incredibly tender and erotic love story is a great bonus. After reading WHAT A WALLFLOWER WANTS I will hunt down the previous books in this serious and devour them. I look forward to reading more books by Maya Rodale in the future.

Book Summary