Lisa Kleypas - Scandal in Spring

After spending three London seasons searching for a husband, Daisy Bowman's father has told her in no uncertain terms that she must find a husband. Now. And if Daisy can't snare an appropriate suitor, she will marry the man he chooses—the ruthless and aloof Matthew Swift.
Daisy is horrified. A Bowman never admits defeat, and she decides to do whatever it takes to marry someone . . . anyone . . . other than Matthew. But she doesn't count on Matthew's unexpected charm . . . or the blazing sensuality that soon flares beyond both their control. And Daisy discovers that the man she has always hated just might turn out to be the man of her dreams.
But right at the moment of sweet surrender, a scandalous secret is uncovered . . . one that could destroy both Matthew and a love more passionate and irresistible than Daisy's wildest fantasies. 

Comment: This is the last individual story in the Wallflowers series by the author. I know there's another book after, with the Christmas theme, but the original wallflowers are four and this is the last of

them to get a story. I've read the story of the others in the previous three months and now it was time to get to Daisy's story.

Daisy is the youngest of the four friends with the common subject of being wallflowers. After a deal where they agreed to help each other find husbands for them all, Daisy is now the only one left. She is a dreamer and a hopeful person and wants someone like her to be happy with, but her father has other plans. If she doesn't find a husband on her own in a determined amount of time, he already has a man to fill the space.

Matthew Swift is a very bright and approachable man, actually. He's seen Daisy from afar since he met her at her father's house but he never dared to court her. After getting to know her better at Westcliff's estate, he realizes she is dangerous to his heart, but won't it be too late now?

This novel has several good things and two very annoying things that, for me, kind of decreased the book's potential of being amazing.

I liked the characters and the plot which, despite not being a surprise or innovation in the genre, was still done in a funny and classical way. I mean the plot and who Daisy didn't want to like Matthew but was helpless to fall for him and vice versa. I understand the need to make them possible enemies at first, but the truth is, it was all more suggestive than real. Daisy and Matthew actually make a great pair, although their relationship became physical very fast too soon in my opinion.

Something to bear in mind is both their personalities. 

Daisy likes to read and be comfortable - how I connected with her because of that! - but she has this dreamlike expectation of what it means to live and interact with others, I often thought she was a bit too naive and this really annoyed me. I do confess that, despite her wonderful need to be close to books and regret on not being able to read them and having to play stupid games instead as social conventions dictate really made me feel for her, but the way she talked and acted sometimes got on my nerves.

Still, I understand her character and why she this way, not only from the plot's need but also from the author's POV in creating her like this. But perfect she was not. And much less intriguing and captivating than her sister was on her own book.

Matthew, on the other hand, was much more close to reality and his actions weren't of someone forced to do something, he was a nice guy...with a secret. But in terms of acting and dealing with others, I liked him and found him likable and approachable, something I think suited Daisy because they sort of complemented each other.

However, Matthew's secret almost ruined everything. It was actually quite amazing how those who cared for him defended him without a doubt...in a way I think that was rather naive too, but it served the plot's purpose. But deep down, why? I mean, this only filled space, it wasn't a necessary thing to explain things...honestly it felt almost redundant and the way I see it, it was only there to add unnecessary drama.

All in all, interesting things, not always good execution choices. I liked seeing Lilian and Marcus, my favorite couple, and other characters and some funny and cute scenes with them all. I think the book was good but not amazing. Still, it's recommendable, especially to those who begin the series in the first place.

Grade: 7/10