such a sweet book. i love the role reversal where the men are the 'wallflowers' and are still so perfect for their match. And like any heroine these men won't be led around.

Two novellas about heroines whom have no desire to marry, yet are feeling pressured to do so. Evangeline decides to seduce her friend Henry because she believes she can manage him. Tamsin decides to have a wallflower Simon ruin her so she is safe from her cousin and can lead a bluestocking life. Both women underestimate their men and the intensity of feelings these men invoke. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

I loved this book where the roles are reversed and the men are the wallflowers instead of the women. Both stories loosely overlap for the heroines Evangeline and Tamsin are friends and have a common goal so reading both stories back to back is the best way to enjoy the stories. I was thoroughly entertained by both stories, but "A Lady's Gift for Scandal" featuring Tamsin and Simon was my favorite. Simon was an absolute delight as the hero who didn't see himself as a hero.

I highly recommend this book if you're looking for an entertaining duet of stories. I've always enjoyed Jess Michaels books and now I'm a fan of Elizabeth Essex as well.

These novellas are a nice holiday read. A bit of reversal of characters, where the men are wallflowers and the women are the center of attention, diamonds of the first water. Both stories slightly overlap, but are still their own. Love is found where it is least expected and nothing is as it seems. One is afraid of love, based on her own parents' marriage, fearful of having someone chosen for her, and decides she wants a man who can be managed, but never expected how her plan would backfire on her. One is a bluestocking, wishing to be ruined to avoid marriage to her cousin, who would show her off as a "trophy wife", never expecting the love that would develop for a man who unleashes her desires. Love is found where it is least expected and sometimes the best laid plans do not have the outcome desired, but rather something more.