The Wicked Wallflower is the third book in The Duchess Society Series. The main characters are Lady Pippa and Xander Macauley, who were both fun characters to follow. If you like strong, stubborn, feisty and determined females and powerful, attractive and warm hearted heroes who bump heads and hearts, this is for you! The angst level is just enough and the preview of characters to be found in coming books really whets the appetite.

Thanks to Wolf Publishing and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was thrilled to read The Wicked Wallflower. It is the third in The Duchess Society Series and I’ve read the previous two and the novella prequel. This focuses on Lady Philippa Darlington. Her brother became a Duke unexpectedly and after a much poorer childhood. She has had two seasons and is content to be a wallflower. She doesn’t fit with in with the ton is independent and gasp, she likes to cook. Her brother’s friend and business partner is by-blow Xander Macauley. He survived the work house and made a fortune in shipping, smuggling and gambling. He’s been keeping an eye on Pippa while her brother is in the country and rescued her and her reputation more than once. What they can’t deny is their attraction. He doesn’t feel he’s good enough for her and she isn’t interested in anyone else.

This is a slow burn and takes a bit to get going. At first I was frustrated that so many thoughts were just in their head. But finally they have delightful conversations. The pining for each other finally reaches a boiling point and then it is hot, hot, hot. I’d recommend reading the books in order because there is a lot of back history and the other couples feature in this book as well. Big thumbs up for this book and the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Wolf Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lady Phillips’s brother asks his friend and business partner, Xander Macauley to keep an eye on her. She has been in love with him for years. He is not appropriate for her because he isn’t nobility. She is being tutored by the Duchess Society, but she decides to be a wallflower. Macauley is constantly getting her out of trouble. She is very independent. He is fighting his attraction for her. She decides she wants him. There are secret meetings between them and hot love scenes. I love the Duchess Society books. They are independent women who marry on their own terms. Pip will do the same. Can’t wait for the next one.

Finally, Pippa's story!

I was expecting her story from the first sparkle that flew between her and Macauly. Because of him or of her, I don't even know.

And it was as wonderful as I hoped it would be!
Pippa is now a grown woman, who not only knows exactly what she wants, but who also goes for what she wants. She is courageous, witty and daring and everything Macauly needs. He is a kind soul wrapped in a rogue's attitude and hard life. Charming, tender and equally adventurous.

Their love story keeps you on you toes the whole time, as they are both creatures of action. There is not much drama but a lot of their actions that spark all kinds of scenes.

I loved their relationship, how wonderful they were to one another, as wonderful as the other supporting characters of their tribe. I loved how equally their powers emerged, no matter their age and status difference. And the deeper layers of the story, the search for meaning, a beautiful solution to make them both happy.

And I loved the glimpses for the next stories, can't wait to read them both! <3

I received a copy of this in order to offer my honest opinion on it.

Pippa (a duke's sister) has an unhealthy attraction to her brother's friend Xander (a rogue and ex-smuggler). After running into each other enough times, they finally give in to the attraction, even though Xander is working through feelings of not being worthy and swearing off love. A fun adventure for Pippa and Xander, they just keep staring at each other and meeting up. Loved their undeniable chemistry in this one and the set up of future books.

The Wicked Wallflower is the third book in the Duchess Society series. Unfortunately I had not read the first two books so it took some time to settle in to this book as I was totally confused as to the characters and their back stories of the Wallflower Society.
That said once the two main characters, Lady Phillips Darling, sister of a Duke and Xander Macauley a man whose childhood was spent in the workhouse and slums of London come into play this story starts igniting the pages.
Xander is now a rich man, smuggling and other means have made his fortune and he now owns a gambling hall which all the ‘ton’ use.
Phillipa has been attracted to Xander for over two years and he to her, but they couldn’t be more opposite to each other and any relationship would cause a huge scandal and have them ostracised from society. That doesn’t stop the relationship from progressing and they soon realise how powerful their feelings run.
Their story is well told, great characters and depth of emotion that is well described. The love scenes are certainly pretty explosive. This is not an easy journey for them but for this reader it was a very enjoyable and satisfying one. I now need to go read the previous books and then start this again…..which will not be difficult!
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

This is an incredible story full of passion and love.
The truth of this story is that like the hellion she is Pippa makes an awesome lover.
An Incorrigible Hellion
Independent, impulsive Lady Philippa Darlington guarantees her freedom by playing the role of wallflower for two miserable seasons in the ton. With the guidance of the most feared feminist enterprise in London—the Duchess Society—Pippa vows never to marry. But a madcap misadventure throws her plan off course and puts her face-to-face with the only man she’s ever wanted. A man who doesn’t want her.
A Rule-Breaking, Rookery Titan
Prince of the streets, Xander Macauley crawled from the slums to rule an empire. He has secrets—and fierce desires. One being that he’s smitten with his best friend’s little sister. Although reckless Little Darlington is the last woman in England he’d risk his heart over. When he has to rescue her from a masquerade ball gone awry, Xander finds he will go to lengths greater than he’d imagined to possess her.
Tracy Sumner has written another incredible book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.