Pretty and popular, Miss Clare Westmore knows exactly what (or rather, who) she wants: the next Duke of Harrington. But when she twists her ankle on the eve of the Season’s most touted event, Clare is left standing in the wallflower line watching her best friend dance away with her duke.
Dr. Daniel Merial is tempted to deliver more than a diagnosis to London’s most unlikely wallflower, but he doesn’t have time for distractions, even one so delectable. Besides, she’s clearly got her sights on more promising prey. So why can’t he stop thinking about her?
All Clare wants to do is return to the dance floor. But as her former friends try to knock her permanently out of place, she realizes with horror she is falling for her doctor instead her duke. When her ankle finally heals and she faces her old life again, will she throw herself back into the game?
Or will her time in the wallflower line have given her a glimpse of who she was really meant to be?
DIARY ENTRY #1:
May 2, 1848
Dear Diary,
If a man’s worth is measured in pounds, a woman’s is measured in dance steps.
And if those dance steps are with a future duke, surely they are worth all the more.
Mr. Alban, the future Duke of Harrington, asked me to dance again last night, the third time since the start of the Season. My friends are abuzz with what he might ask next, and I must confess, I hope it is something more significant than a dance. I know the Season has just begun, but surely a proposal cannot be far from his mind?
When I feel the sting of jealousy from the less fortunate girls lining the walls, I remind myself some casualties are inevitable if I am to dance all the way to a ducal mansion. Any girl who feels tempted to accept the first offer that comes their way would do well to comfort themselves on the arm of a mere marquess.
Miss Clare Westmore
The Future Duchess of Harrington
About the Author:
A veterinarian and infectious disease researcher by training, Jennifer McQuiston has always preferred reading romance to scientific textbooks. She resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, their two girls, and an odd assortment of pets, including the pony she promised her children if mommy ever got a book deal. Jennifer can be reached via her website at www.jenmcquiston.com or followed on Twitter @jenmcqwrites
Jennifer’s Review of Diary of An Accidental Wallflower
Review (5 Stars): I have heard so many wonderful things about Ms. McQuiston’s books and I can definitely see what everyone has been raving about over the years. Diary of An Accidental Wallflower is an enchanting romance that will sweep you away with its fascinating characters and witty dialogue. Clare Westmore has everything planned to attract the attention of a certain Duke and hopefully gain the wedding proposal she has been waiting for. On the day of the big event, Clare twists her ankle in the park and even though she is in terrible pain, nothing will keep her from attending this dance and see the Duke of Harrington. At the dance, Clare carefully disguises her injury from everyone except the one person whose job it is to treat what ails the upper class, Dr. Daniel Merial. Daniel sidelines Clare for a month to heal her sprained ankle but Clare feels that her chances to win a Duke may be slipping out of her hands while she sits out part of The Season. What she soon discovers is that the more time that she spends with the handsome doctor makes her realize that she may not want a Duke after all, but that love has another plan for her entirely.
I wasn’t sure what to make of Clare in the beginning of this story because she seemed like every other young woman of that time, focused on only herself and looked down on others around her. Meeting Daniel was a great thing for her and because of him she was a very different woman by the end of the book and I was so glad to be able to watch that journey right along with her. Daniel was adorable, smart and sexy and I wish that there were more guys like him in the world. Clare was a very lucky woman and I loved the romantic chemistry between her and Daniel from the very beginning. I think that Diary of An Accidental Wallflower is one of my favorites this year and I hope some of Clare’s siblings get their happy endings sometime soon in future books from Ms. McQuiston.
Thank you for a chance to win the romance book, and the story sounds like a delightful read.
Thank you for hosting DIARY OF AN ACCIDENTAL WALLFLOWER!
Looks like the twisted ankle was a boon in disguise for Clare because she will follow her heart now instead of her designs on getting a “top dog” in the Ton. 🙂 Thanks for the post.
Thanks for the giveaway chance. Sounds liks an intriguing read. Thank you.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com