It Happened One Autumn

I just finished reading It Happened One Autumn. Technically it’s the second book in the Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas. However, the books within this series are only loosely related and can be read independent of each other.

Lillian Bowman’s father, a rich American soap manufacturer, has decreed that Lillian must find an English aristocrat to marry and raise the family’s social status. Unfortunately, society finds Lillian too independent and ill-bred. As a result, Lillian has spent the London season sitting on the sidelines with the other wallflowers. However, Lillian is determined to catch herself a husband, as long as it isn’t the insufferable and priggish Lord Westcliff.

Okay, I admit the book’s description sounds like every other historical romance. However, It Happened One Autumn is well written. It’s one of those books that make me wish I had a fireplace where I could curl up with a relaxing book and a glass of hot chocolate and ignore the rest of the world. Naturally I can ignore the world without a fireplace but a fireplace creates so much more atmosphere ;-)

Disclaimer: the two main characters do have graphic premarital sex (though thankfully not within the first couple of pages). The plot doesn’t revolve around sex but it does exist. Please don’t read this book expecting a traditional Jane Austen read-a-like.