What a Wallflower Wants audiobook

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***What A Wallflower Wants by Maya RodaleBook Three of the Bad Boys & Wallflowers seriesPublisher: AvonPublication Date: September 30, 2014Rating: 4 starsSource: eARC from Edelweiss***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***Summary (from Goodreads):In the third novel in Maya Rodale's charming Wallflower series, London's Least Likely to Be Caught in a Compromising Position finds temptation in a devilishly handsome stranger . . .Miss Prudence Merryweather Payton has a secret.Everyone knows that she's the only graduate from her finishing school to remain unwed on her fourth season—but no one knows why. With her romantic illusions shattered after being compromised against her will, Prudence accepts a proposal even though her betrothed is not exactly a knight in shining armor. When he cowardly pushes her out of their stagecoach to divert a highwayman, she vows never to trust another man again.John Roark, Viscount Castleton, is nobody's hero. He's a blue-eyed charmer with a mysterious past and ambitious plans for his future—that do not include a wife. When he finds himself stranded at a country inn with a captivating young woman, a delicate dance of seduction ensues. He knows he should keep his distance. And he definitely shouldn't start falling in love with her.When Prudence's dark past comes back to haunt her, John must protect her—even though he risks revealing his own secrets that could destroy his future.What I Liked:First things first: hate the cover? Me too. It's atrocious, in my opinion - very reminiscent of old-school historical romance novels' covers *shudders*. But don't let that deter you at all, because this book is probably one of my favorite historical romance novels of 2014.Second thing - it's been a while since I've read/reviewed a historical romance novel, hasn't it? July 27th was the last day that I reviewed one. I have this one and another one releasing in September, but I just got both of them, so I can't read/review them a month in advance, like I usually do (I'm in the middle of the October releases, if you hadn't noticed). But, I'm squeezing in this one because I love Rodale's books, and this one turned out to be quite awesome!Prudence is the last of the wallflowers to shirk her awful nickname and "title" of wallflower. Emma and Olivia are married to wonderful men, and the finishing school's ball is coming up. Prudence needs to marry, otherwise she will look like a fool and a failure. When she is stranded in an inn one night, a stranger decides to pay for her stay. John Roark is a handsome, titled stranger, and Prudence has caught his eye. But both of them have terrible secrets - are either of them ready for the other?I read book one of this series - Emma's story - and really enjoyed this one. For some reason, I totally missed out on book two, and skipped it. This one is my favorite though. Prudence is so different from your typical husband-hunting girl in season. Something awful happened to her, and while we know what it is that happened, the actual even itself is revealed slowly to readers.Prudence has a lot of spirit and backbone - I really liked her. She isn't a ninny at all, she isn't weak, she isn't stupid. She's really funny to read about, but she's also made of iron, because she is so incredibly strong and hard-willed. Something awful happened to her, but throughout the story, she learns to hold her head high and not let it define her.I thought John would be a total rogue, but he isn't! He's quite the gentleman... sort of. You'll have to read the book to know what I mean by that. John is seriously a good man, a nice person, clever and flirtatious, but also intuitive and understanding. Definitely a favorite historical romance hero.I loved learning about these two characters' pasts. Prudence's secret is more obvious but more painful. My heart broke for her on so many occasions, especially as John was discovering them for himself. John's secret kind of took me by surprise - I didn't really expect that at all. Good old John... although, he isn't that old. *winks*The romance starts as a attention-is-caught-quickly kind of thing, but the hero and heroine progressively fall in love. It's obvious that Rodale won't play any games with the romance in this book, which is a relief. We know that Prudence and John are meant for each other, but each of their secrets are like barriers. Nevertheless, I really liked the romance. It was sweet and well-developed, but also quite sizzling and steamy.Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I'm kind of sad to see this series end, but it ended with the best book! I can't ask for much more than that.What I Did Not Like:I think I would have wanted to see more steamy scenes between John and Prudence. I understand, given the nature of certain things, that this might have proven difficult, but I feel like it would have added to Prudence's character development. In general, I wanted more physical interactions from those two. We get plenty of emotional/sentimental interactions though!Would I Recommend It:As far as historical romances go, yes! Sure! This one was different from most of the ones I've read, since both of the protagonists don't really seem to act all high-society-bred... and both of them are hiding BIG secrets. I liked this book so much!Rating:4 stars. I hope Rodale has a new series coming out soon! I do enjoy her historical romance novels.

Devoured this book in a day. I absolutely adored this story and how it has a message behind it. Beautiful and tastefully done.

***Note: The author's introduction contains this warning: This novel includes a graphic depiction of sexual violence.***Like a true wallflower, Prudence was always in the background, quietly supporting her fellow wallflowers on their quest to make good marriages. Prudence never seemed to voice out her own dreams and wishes -- only her fears: what if, in the 100-years of existence of Lady Penelope's Finishing School for Young Ladies of Fine Families, she would be the only graduate of their school not to get married after her fourth season? It is not hopeful enthusiasm or youthful optimism that drives Prudence to seek out a marriage: it is fear. And, now we understand why. Prude Prudence is London's Least Likely to be Caught in a Compromising Position. There are two ways to read this statement:1. No one would ever think to put Prude Prudence in a compromising position.2. If Prudence was in a compromising position, no one would be able to catch her. It is the second statement that is, sadly, sad, but true. There was a moment in Prudence's past when she desperately needed someone to walk in and interrupt something, when she hoped Society would do its job -- but God and Society failed her and it left her ruined."Are you there, God? 'Tis I, Prudence."- PrologueThe first line of her story shattered my heart and set the tone for What a Wallflower Wants: Prudence has been let down time and time again by the people and forces that she depended on. No one was there that night she she was ruined. No one stepped in to say no. Even now as she faces another failure, another social disgrace (being a spinster and the only unmarried graduate of Lady Penelope's Finishing School for Young Ladies of Fine Families), she is by herself. By her standards, she's doing fine: she has successfully rebuffed unwanted attention and she has kept her demons at bay. But, when her planned arranged marriage goes awry (and she is left alone once again), Prudence is forced to reevaluate her situation. But, this time, when she expected no one to come to her rescue, someone did:John Roark is a man on a winning streak who is on his way to London to cement his future and further increase his wealth. Prudence and John have both been on the receiving end of life's misfortunes and both have survived it. John recognizes Prudence's wariness -- it's a feeling he knows only too well. He also recognizes that Prudence has been hurt. While he doesn't know how, why, or by whom, it's also a feeling he knows very well. Our hero doesn't really talk about his past, but the few glimpses of it that we see, show us the slow and steady climb of a man from darkness to light. On that road to London, John had a choice: he could've respected Prudence's decision and left her be, so that he could concentrate on his plans -- or he could stay and help her. The former would help him and his family, the latter would help ... Prudence. On the surface, it seems like a no-brainer: the needs of the one versus the needs of the many, but John saw things differently, and chose to stay with Prudence. I really loved John. I loved how gentle and understanding and kind her was to Prudence and to the people around him. His goodheartedness isn't an act to impress Prudence or gain her favours. It's really something that is innate to John: he deeply cares for everything around him: be it horse or human. He hadn't planned on being attracted to Prudence, but, as the days passed, John saw how incredibly brave and wonderful Prudence was -- and falling in love with her became inevitable.He wasn't done with Miss Merryweather. Not that he had plans or designs, just that there was more there to explore; he knew it with a bone-deep certainty. he could not go, not yet, and that is why he was vexed. he was tugged in two directions.Those eyes. That rare smile that made him forget everything else. The hint of what she would feel like in his arms. He wanted to lose himself in her curves, taste her, know her, soothe her, protect her. In more ways than she would ever, ever know, he wanted to be the man for her.- p. 117In her author's introduction, Rodale promises a happy ending. A strange thing to say, because all romance stories end happily anyway, but I realized as I read on that the reminder is necessary: as the story progresses and we discover what truly happened to Prudence, as your heart breaks when you read about John's past, as things don't seem to go our hero and heroine's way, the promise of the happy ending is a comfort, because no two people deserve it more than them. No two people have worked and struggled harder at living than John and Prudence."It's hard, isn't it," she mused, "when the world doesn't allow much room for a person to live the life they want."She thought of all the strict rules imposed on a woman, defining her innocence, her marriageability -- or ruination. She thought of the strict social barriers separating the aristocrats from everyone else, and she thought of servants who were just supposed to fade into the background. She wanted to be more than her qualifications as a wife, more than the status of her virginity.He wanted more, too. Was that so wrong?- p. 308Royale does a wonderful job of balancing the events in the story: there are negative things, but there are also positive things. Like the crests and troughs of a wave, Prudence and John's story is a wonderful testament that: yes, one's winning streak won't last forever, but neither would one's losing streak. The story will break your heart to pieces, but it will also mend it and make it whole in the end.Saving the best for last. It's why coffee and dessert come after a meal and it's why Maya Rodale's What a Wallflower Wants is the letter-perfect ending to her Bad Boys and Wallflowers series.

OK WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT???!!!THAT WAS SO UNEXPECTED I DIDN'T READ THE BLURB BEFORE I READ THE BOOK BECAUSE I READ THE FIRST TWO SO FAST I WAS LIKE OK I'M JUST GONNA MOVE ON TO PRUDENCE'S BOOK AND IT'LL BE ENTERTAINING AND FUNNY AND QUIRKY AND NOT ANGSTY LIKE THE FIRST TWO BUT ???!!!i just diedTO MAYA RODALE FOR CAPTURING THE MENTAL STATE OF A STRONG ASS WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN VIOLATED IN A WAY THAT NO ONE DESERVESSo basically, Prudence, "London's least likely to be caught in a compromising position" was compromised indeed, during her first season, as you learn after the first few chapters of the book. However, this "compromising" was against her will. She . Was. Raped.Raped.She was so jaded (rightfully so), and scared and anguished and not broken, but damaged, she reminded me of this heartbreaking sceneThe damage, shame and heart-brokenness this had caused her, at mere 18 years of age, was too much for someone like her to bear, yet SHE PERSISTED.The book starts right where you would want it to if you have read the first two, and you don't have to read the first two for it, but I feel like it would be good to get to know Prue's character from her two best friends' points of view because it shows just how she was able to hide her grief.As her coach gets robbed by a highwayman, her fiance, whom she was planning to marry for convenience just to show the London Ton (the pack of the most bitchiest bitches who I would love to strangle) was a wussy and made her sacrifice herself, and she ended up stranded, walking towards the nearest town. It is on the road, when it is a hot ass day where she meets "Castleton" aka John. I LOVED John. SO FUCKING MUCH.He was handsome, understanding and so so patient and strong and everything you would wish for in a man. He recognized what Prue was going through in a matter of days when no one realized it since the four years when it happened. Basically he was perfect, and their romance was so beautiful I cried. I literally cried and that has not happened in a while when I've read a book, but it was a good cry. Like I actually wanted to cry because I knew she would get through it because this is a HEA kinda book.While it was heavy and sad, it was so heartwarming and uplifting, because John taught Prue that she was worth loving, and she needed to love herself, and know that she was lovable. During their time together John taught her to embrace the strength he knew he saw in her“Anger will give you strength, where fear will make you weak.”“I love you, Prudence,” he declared with a crack in his voice. “I, John Roark, upstart footman, love you. I want to marry you.”(I DIED RIGHT HERE IT WAS TOO SWEET AND THIS“The truth is, I love you,” he said, gazing into her eyes, unflinching. “All of you. I know you, Prudence. And I am only telling you this now because I want you to know that you are loved fully and completely for who you are—the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful. I am so sorry that this lie came between us, but without it, we would have never known each other, so I cannot bring myself to regret it completely. It will haunt me until my dying day that I am not enough for you. I came tonight, Prudence, to keep my promise. And to make sure that you know that you are loved.”in a nutshell, me:AND AT THE END WHEN ALL WAS WELL AND GOOD AND HAPPY AND SWEET AND SOLVED AND DEAD IM DEAD YALLIM SO HAPPY

So, I don't usually read too many historical romances...why...I don't know...I LOVE Lisa Kleypas' Historicals and Judith McNaught, but haven't ventured out of my comfort zone, but I am SOOOOOO glad that I did with Maya Rodale's Newest Release, and the final in the Bad Boys & Wallflowers Trilogy, WHAT A WALLFLOWER WANTS.John Roark...Just says it all...John Roark...If he isn't one of the best heroes I have EVER read, well then I just don't know romance. He couldn't have been more perfect for our heroine Prudence, who I have to say, has become one of my favorite heroines in romance, and for those of my readers who read most of my reviews...well..let's just say I want all the heroes for myself...not too keen on sharing with the heroine!Maya Rodale couldn't have done a more perfect job at writing such a delicate plot and weaving in a budding romance, while keeping the importance, and strength of the underlying message there at all times. The beauty of healing is written at it's BEST in WHAT A WALLFLOWER WANTS. John doesn't "save" her, well...not in the mental sense, Prudence herself is strong, he just gives her a push in the direction to start the real healing, and to feel empowered instead of afraid. I swear, I couldn't have LOVED him more. Such a great romance, and an even better message to those who have been hurt by a similar tragedy...and God Does Answer, a Hero Does Come...You are NEVER alone!! Thank you Maya for a TRULY amazing book!! (and on a side note...Now I have to go and read the OTHER two in the series AND the three Modern Day Companion Novellas...So much for sleep these days!)

My first book by this author and I enjoyed it! Someone recommended this to me and I enjoyed it. There's definitely some silly moments with the plot but overall, this was pretty good. This book starts with Castleton and Prue encountering each other after Prue is stopped by a highwayman on her way to eloping. The plot sort of carries on from there as they get to know each other. The other major plot point is that Prue was raped by a man named Dudley a few years before the start of this book. This event a Prue's recovery is a major part of this book so definitely know that going in. I thought that plot point was handled pretty well. I think Rodale did a good job avoiding the idea that falling in love will fix your trauma. There are definitely some modern sensibilities sprinkled in but this is fiction so I'm almost always fine with that sort of thing, but your mileage may vary. A lot happens at the end and some things were a bit silly, (view spoiler)[ I mean Roark jumped through a window on a horse into a ballroom, or at least I think that's what happened because then they just have a conversation and dance, presumably with a horse standing behind them (hide spoiler)] but I was satisfied with how this wrapped up. The characters are fun. Castleton has a big secret that keeps part of his identity undercover until the very end. We know more about Prue but there was still a moment at the end what I thought "wait, does Prue have a family?" I would have appreciated to learn more about both characters beyond their secrets and other struggles but I did like them as a couple. I liked the way Castleton treated Prue with regards to her experience with assault. The sex is really tame in this book but in the context of the larger plot, this was fine with me. I'm not sure if this is typical with Rodale's books or if she did that because of the sexual assault part of this book but either way it was fine. I would definitely read more from this author. I own the first book in this series and I would also love to read the book about Mr. Knightly, the newspaper man we see briefly in this book. I enjoyed the relationship and the plot and hopefully I'll enjoy whatever I read next from this author.

3.75 StarsOf the three books, this one was the best from a romance point of view. I appreciate the author creating a real reason for Prudence to be a wallflower rather than just the typical historical excuses (like chronic Bluestocking-itis). All of her internal struggles and breakthroughs had real significance to show how this character grew from page one through to the epilogue. I absolutely adored John and for whatever reason never saw the twist coming about his identity. He was such a wonderful Hero for Prudence! His care and patience with her truly was romantic as it allowed her to be herself and believe that the man she opened up to wouldn't abuse that trust. Even when things had fallen apart I loved how these two held tight to all of the emotions they felt for one another and used that to keep fighting for a happy ending. For all of the reviewers complaining about a lack of historical accuracy in this series, I would have to just say to go with it. Sure, there was insta-lust and a completely improbable reason for these two to be together alone for so long; however the story itself was entertaining and it hit all the right marks, making it a joy to read.

This is the third book in this series and in my opinion the best book so far in this series. The reason for it are the two leads and their collective heartbreaking and heartwarming backstories. The author did an outstanding job handling really heavy subject, while adding some humor throughout the story.If you love complex characters, these two are it. Both have a need to get rid of some past baggage in order to surrender to the love they both feel and deserve.The plot "thickened" as the story progressed and kept me in constant state of anticipation of the end result. Great story with some angst and suspense. Well worth the read!Melanie for b2bComplimentary copy provided by the publisher

I really liked this book. Not only was it a lovely romance with strong characters, but it tackled a subject that rarely comes up in historical romances.

Miss Prudence Merriweather Payton has been dubbed "London's Least Likely to Be Caught in a Compromising Position" and after four seasons, she may be the only woman to go unmarried for so long after graduation her finishing school. No one, not even the loving aunt who raised her or her two best friends, knows that Prudence was raped at a ball early in her first season and has made very sure she's never alone with a man or considered marriage material. After all, her entire worth on the marriage market has been forcibly stripped from her. Yet now, with the upcoming anniversary ball of her finishing school, where even her two former wallflower friends have found happy marriages, she can't bear to be the only graduate left unmarried. Taking matters into her own hands, Prudence travels to Bath and arranges a marriage of convenience to a gentleman who she knows will never expect or demand conjugal rights, as he's rather more interested in his best friend. However, on the way to his estate, where they are to be married by special licence, their stagecoach is attacked by a highwayman, and her intended pushes her out of the carriage to distract their attacker. She manages to escape, no thanks to her fiancee, without attracting the robber's attention and is left to make her way to civilisation alone.Trudging through uncomfortable heat at first and later pouring rain, Prudence vows never to trust another man again. When she's offered a ride by a dashing and handsome man who introduces himself as John Roark, Viscount Castleton, she refuses even though she's cold, wet and tired. They nevertheless meet again at the country inn where she seeks refuge. As the torrential downpour continues for days on end, the two are trapped, along with a number of other guests, until the weather settles down. John and Prudence spend quite a lot of time in each other's company, and it doesn't take long for John to realise that someone badly hurt Prudence at some point in the past. Roark is on his way to London with a grand business proposition which will secure not only his own future, but that of his mother and sister. He has secrets he cannot divulge and certainly isn't looking for or able to support a wife in his current situation. Yet he gets more and more smitten with the wary Miss Merriweather (she doesn't give him her full name) and when her dark past shows up unexpectedly at the inn, and she nearly suffers a repeat performance of her former attack, he doesn't even think before jumping in to defend her and pummelling her attacker.After John beats up her rapist, saving Prudence from another nightmare scenario, she breaks down and finally tells someone about the (to her) deeply shameful secret about what happened years ago, and he comforts her, confessing that his sister once suffered the same fate as her. He is therefore fully aware of how scared and distrustful of men she must be. Even knowing that she may be scared, he proposes that they travel to London together, leaving the inn in case her attacker returns. They pose as man and wife on the road, and John's gentle treatment, understanding and patience gives Prudence hope that she may in time be able to trust another man again and possibly not recoil at being touched. But John's past is about to catch up with him too, and what will happen when Prudence discovers the secrets he's been hiding and the reasons he's in such a hurry to make it to London?This romance deals with the aftermath of rape, and it doesn't in any way gloss over what happened to Prudence. The scene where she is attacked is graphically described, in a horrible inversion of the usual love scenes in such a book and there is no doubt that something terrible and irrevocable is done to a helpless young woman, whose life is never the same afterwards. Even now, rape is a horrible crime, but in a time when a woman's chief commodity was her virtue and she was seen as tainted goods and worthless if she lost it, rape took away any chance a woman had to make a good marriage. Prudence spends four years carefully making herself as unattractive and unobtrusive as possible, happily embracing her wallflower role, simply so she won't ever have to confess the truth about her tragic fate. When she meets a kind man who not only treats her gently but understands her pain, that is just as attractive to her as his physical beauty. Having kept her secret for so long, she's desperate to confide in someone.John, absolutely furious about the trauma she's been through, not only beats her attacker within an inch of his life and drives him and his friend out of the inn, but insists on being allowed to show Prudence how to defend herself, as it's not fair that she go through life seeing herself only as a victim. She needs to reclaim her self worth, and his self defence lessons and the way he refuses to see her or treat her as ruined is a great help in making her start to blossom again. The third and final of Maya Rodale's Bad Boys and Wallflowers, even with some rather melodramatic turns in the last third of the book and some pretty huge coincidences furthering the plot, this is by far the best in the series. Prudence is a lovely heroine, so strong and admirable for refusing to let her ordeal break her. John is a sensitive and understanding hero, who because of his unusual background is able to accept Prue's disgrace in a way most men in her peer group would not. I'm also not entirely sure if the ways in which the villain gets his comeuppance is historically accurate, but it felt very satisfying.I read romances as a means of entertainment and escapism. In historical romances, I like being diverted by historical locations, pretty dresses, fancy titles and couples finding love, often across societal boundaries that are somewhat anachronistic. This book made me cry, more than once, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't just because I was pumped full of fertility hormones. Reading about a young woman having her entire future stolen from her in a savage attack is upsetting, and as Rodale points out in the afterword, many women of the past were driven to depression or suicide by such events. While other aspects of the book weren't perfect, I thought the main issue of the story and the love story between Prudence and John was very effective. Well worth checking out, as long as you're not sensitive about the darker side of the plot.

** spoiler alert ** Well, this was surprisingly deep. With a title like that and blurb that speaks of would-be lovers stuck at an inn all rainy weekend, I thought this would be in for a smutty penny, in for a smutty pound. And while there is plenty of smut, the strongest point of the novel is a heroine on an emotional mend and the struggle that leads up to it. Lost? No worries, I've got a map:Pros-Important Intro*Maya Rodale does right by the reader, informing/warning us that the novel deals with graphic depictions of sexual assault and the effects of PTSD prior to the prologue. Pretty heavy stuff for an historical romance.-Ruined Romantic Notions*Prudence dreams what all finishing school girls dream of: waltzing with a handsome man who will take her in his arms, spending the entire night ravishing her. Unfortunately, someone known in the beginning as "The Beast" takes advantage of Prudence's naiveté and rapes her in a hallway in the midst of her first ball. It was such profoundly sad scene, Prudence at the mercy of some man who pulls and pushes his way into her, her nightmare unfolding as some other girl's dreamy dance come true is happening a wall away. *Strange pro, I know, but this author doesn't hold back: she delivered to the point of discomfort, and I think if you're going to say you wanted to touch on the realities of rape, you've got to come psychologically correct.-Sexual Healing*For real, though. I said there were smutty bits, but true to emotional recovery, it takes awhile for actual act to occur. Instead, Castleton (our hero) instructs Prudence to use her hands on herself to do what he would, allowing her to own her pleasure. *I've read... shall we say, self-love in historical romances before, but they've always been done by a character's knowing hand, showing their partner how they touch themselves. This was Castleton conveying love that Prudence can be comfortable with. His insistence that they wait until she's actually ready to make love shows that his anatomy isn't some cure all; she has to come to terms with what was stolen and move forward to something better.*It's all so sweet! She runs to his bedroom in the night, banging on the door after his assurance of "I'm very patient", and goes "I want you to kiss me".*When they actually do the do, it's with her saying "yes" over and over again. This isn't new in historical romances, but it does take us back to the night she pleaded "no", and now gets to say "yes", not just from fulfillment, but to every new questioning move Castleton makes towards her in bed. I'm sure that sounds long winded, but it's how I felt.-Beatles Refs.*Strange for sure, but go with me on this:1.Castleton's push for Prudence to open up and move forward/notice that not all the world has forsaken her, sounds like a possible analysis of "Dear Prudence". Plus, I mean hello, the name. 2.While riding towards London, Prudence looks towards the sky and after noticing the rain has cleared asks "Is that sunshine?" Umm... "Here Comes the Sun", anyone?-Turns Out, You Just Can Kill the Beast*Hope that makes some "Hotel California" fan smile, btw. It perfectly encapsulates the metaphorical killing of Prudence's beast. And she does it in writing, how fitting is that?Interesting Elements-PTSD*Prudence deals with vivid panic attacks/flashbacks when Castleton initially touches her. For example, while at the inn, Castleton asks Prudence for a dance. She grants him this, but when he begins to move closer, her past begins mingling with her present. His features meld into "The Beast's", his hands once gentle take on a roughness, and his embrace now a cage. *The absolute frustration of Prudence hurt nearly as much as reading her assault: she laments that she did everything right and yet she still got fucked over, how she wants to look at Castleton for who he is/wants to appreciate his good nature/looks but can't because what if all men are the same just further cements this to a near four star read.-Rampant Sexism*Prudence often wonders why she didn't scream, and then we're told ladies don't make a scene, and that at the time, she wanted him to be caught in the act. However, in retrospect, she reveals that all a witness would see is a couple in the throes of premarital sex. Then they'd be forced to marry, when during this time period, "The Beast" would actually have the legal right assault her.-Social Dynamics*The whole reason Castleton is able to deceive the ton is based on the fact that high society is full of blind followers; no one's looking too closely at something that looks good/is trending, which he eventually does. How very modern of Maya...Cons-Characterization? Who's She?*Beyond her tragedy, I didn't really know Prudence. And yeah, you could argue that this is a deliberate choice on Rodale's part, to have the reader feel dominated by Prudence's tragedy, but then we also don't know much about Castleton except that he respects women and wants to provide for his mother and sister. Great traits for him, but what are his interests? We got one hint that he loves reading "girly" novels (I mean me too, babe, but in the words of Britney Spears, "Gimme More").-Tacked on Tribulations*Oh man, did that really drag the final bit of the novel. So much of Castleton taking the I.D. of some rich guy he resembles, chapters of "The Beast" POV, his whole demise-while satisfactory-really was just kind of info-dumped in, as was Castleton and Prudence spilling their secrets/coming up with a plan for faking their marriage-oh man, I totally spaced on that till just now. That's how info dumpy this book was towards the end.*Pacing problems would be a better a better section heading.Overall, solid 3.75 to full four for the book doing what it set out to. We're not really here for Castleton sans Prudence. Prudence's recovery is the star of the show.