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from our B+ review: This is the final book in Maya Rodale’s Wallflower trilogy, and is the best of the lot. I enjoyed the first one (The Wicked Wallflower), which was full of humour and light-hearted banter, even though it did require rather a large suspension of disbelief at times; the second (Wallflower Gone Wild) was a bit of a disappointment, but Ms Rodale clearly saved the best till last, because What a Wallflower Wants is a much more deeply felt story, telling of a young woman’s path towards reclaiming her life following a horrific event.

Prudence Merryweather Peyton, known throughout the ton as “London’s Least Likely to be Caught in a Compromising Position” has seen both her dearest friends find love with two handsome, charming men who are devoted to them. While she is delighted for them, Prudence can’t help but be just a little sad for herself, as she has no such happy prospect before her. Four years previously when in her very first season, she was violently assaulted, something she has revealed to no-one, not even her closest friends. Ashamed, scared and no longer desirous of attracting the attention of any man, Prudence retreated to the wallflower corner at balls and parties. Having learned never to expect help from any quarter, Prudence now has to save herself from the ridicule that will ensue if she is still unmarried by the time of the annual ball held by the graduates of the famous Lady Penelope’s Finishing School. In desperation, she accepts a proposal of marriage from a young man she knows will be satisfied with a marriage in name only, and elopes with him – only to discover that her intended has feet of clay when their coach is held up and robbed.

Having managed to escape, Prudence encounters a young man driving a smart equipage who offers his assistance. Unable to conquer her fear of being alone with a man, she refuses his help and continues on foot, only to discover that the same man – who had introduced himself as John Roark, Viscount Castleton – has thoughtfully arranged a room, food and a hot bath for her at the nearest inn.