Snowflakes and Wallflowers by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Description:
Becoming the Earl of Castleton wasn’t something Arthur Brynnwood was expecting. Yes, his great-uncle was old, but Arthur had always imagined him living forever. But after he learned of his great-uncle’s passing he went from being just another gentleman to one of the highly sought after prizes by matchmaking mamas of the ton. Suddenly the responsibility of running such a vast estate was thrust on Arthur’s shoulders. The estate accounts were a mess and it was clear his uncle’s steward had been embezzling from his uncle for years. When he arrives at the castle and sees the gross mismanagement of the properties he loses his temper and orders the new steward to let people know their rent were rising – either pay or move.

To his surprise a lovely young woman name Matilda comes to him the next day, pleading prettily for leniency for herself and her ailing aunt who had been living in a cottage free for years. Too used to the wiles of women, Arthur remains unmoved by her words and tells her coldly there will be no reconsideration of his orders. He is the new Earl of Castleton and he will be obeyed. The next thing he knows, he’s choking on a snowball thrown at his face and Matilda is marching away, back straight and head held proudly high. Once again, his temper explodes. He grabs her and wrestles the shrieking, kicking woman to a bedchamber and locks her in until he decides what to do with her.

He find himself intrigued and reluctantly impressed by her show of spirit. She’s not the usual, simpering, coy type of women who all but worship at his feet in London. And her beauty… he feels an unexpected lust when he imagines her long, russet hair and eyes the color of good whiskey. Deciding it’s been too long since he’s had a mistress, he knows exactly how to solve the problem of Matilda: he’ll allow her free use of the cottage she lives in for the rest of her life in exchange for being his mistress this Christmas season…

Review:

Snowflakes and Wallflowers by Lauren Smith is the 2^nd book in her Christmas Wallflowers series.  We meet Matilda (Mattie) from the start, when she receives a letter outside her door.  Mattie lives in a very small cottage, with her ailing aunt; they have lived there rent free for many years, as the Earl of Castleton always looked out for them, until his death.  Mattie reads the letter, which was sent by the new Earl, who tells them they have to move out quickly, or pay a high rent; which they cannot afford.  She quickly runs in the bad snow storm, to talk to this new Earl, and plead their case.

Arthur Brynnwood, is now the Earl of Castleton, having inherited the land and title from his deceased distant Uncle.  Arthur has no idea how to run the estate, and works his steward reviewing what is needed to repair the terrible condition of the mansion and land; as well as previous mismanagement.   He then orders the steward to have people living on the estate, to raise rents or make them move.  When Mattie arrives to talk to the new Earl, he is belligerent and arrogant, telling her he will not change his mind; she loses her cool, and on the way out, throws a snow ball that landed on his head.  Arthur is now angry, and takes Mattie and locks her in a room.    Learning about her ailing aunt, Arthur orders they pick up the aunt to bring her to the mansion, and have a doctor into her health.

Arthur finds himself intrigued by the spirited and feisty, Mattie; as he is not used to women not listening to him and fighting his every move.  Arthur will make a deal with Mattie, increasing her stay at the cabin for months, if she will become his mistress for two weeks.  Mattie, who is a virgin, does feel lust when Arthur kisses her, and decides to accept the deal.

In a short time, both Arthur and Mattie find themselves falling hard for each other; as their relationship escalated into a steamy affair, with Arthur treating Mattie like a queen. Arthur will also learn to his shock, the conditions that Mattie and her aunt lived in (tiny cabin, little food, heat, etc.), and begins to make changes to fix and add on to the cabin they lived in.  When friends of Arthur surprisingly turn up for the holidays, he begins to see a different light to those he used to call friends and their terrible behavior.

After the bad start, I really liked Arthur and Mattie together, and loved watching them fall in love.  Arthur turned into a sweet and caring man, who changed him totally. Snowflakes and Wallflowers was so very well written by Lauren Smith.  I loved the story, and the main characters, and especially loved the epilogue.  I suggest you read Snowflakes and Wallflowers, as it was a sexy heartwarming read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review