The Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas is a classic of the historical romance genre. Atleast, that’s what we think. If someone ever asks for a historical romance genre recommendation, our first question is always…have you read the Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas?
In this guide to the Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas we are going to dive into everything you need to know. And maybe a few things that you don’t! We’ve put together our fantasy cast, the reading order, including prequels and sequels, and an at a glance series synopsis so you can get a feel for the books. But, don’t worry, we’ve avoided all spoilers.
For us, what sets the Wallflowers apart is the way Lisa Kleypas brings her characters to life. Whilst the books focus on the romantic relationship, it isn’t done in isolation. Our heroines are not just a potential partner of the hero, they’re sisters, daughters and friends as well. It’s a beautifully fulsome experience. As you can see our true aim for this Wallflowers series guide is to entice you to read the books (if you haven’t already!). And if you have read the books, to show off our fantasy cast and perhaps tempt you into a reread!
Series Synopsis
Miss Annabelle Payton, Miss Lillian Bowman, Miss Evangeline Jenner and Miss Daisy Bowman are regular sights at the peripheral of a ballroom. With each young lady having oddities and foibles that make them untenable to the bachelors of the ton. However, they strike up an unlikely friendship each vowing to help the others out to find a husband by means fair and foul. The bachelors of London and beyond had better watch out…
Don’t believe how much we love the Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas? Check out what’s number one in our post The Best Historical Romance Novels You Have to Read
Read the Wallflower series if you like…
Wallflowers Reading Order
- Again the Magic (prequel)
- Secrets of a Summer Night
- It Happened One Autumn
- Devil in Winter
- Scandal in Spring
- A Wallflower Christmas (sequel)
Other Lisa Kleypas books the Wallflowers pop up in!
In the Hathaway series by Lisa Kleypas, the Hathaway family inherit a dilapidated estate next door to Westcliff in Hampshire. The Hathaway series is set a few years after the conclusion of the Wallflowers series, so you can expect a few cameos from Westcliff, Lillian and Daisy.
You’ll also find characters from the Wallflowers series show up in Lisa Kleypas’ later series The Ravenels. The Ravenel series takes place decades after the Wallflowers series, when perhaps the Wallflower gang have had children of their own…
The Wallflowers Books
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Wallflowers Series Fantasy Cast
Lady Aline Marsden
Who is she? The eldest daughter of the eighth Earl of Westcliff and is the sister of Marcus Marsden, the ninth (and current) Earl of Westcliff and Lady Olivia Marsden
Book: First appears in Again the Magic
Romance: Her romance with John McKenna is told in Again the Magic.
Medical history: Had a terrible accident when she was younger which has left her legs horribly scarred
Fantasy Cast: Anne Hathaway
Quote: “I love him beyond reason,” she whispered. “He’s a stranger to me now, and yet he is still so familiar. I can’t imagine a sweeter agony, having him so close.”
John McKenna
Who is he? He used to be a stable boy in the Westcliff’s estate before being sent away for…reasons.
Book: First appears in Again the Magic
Romance: His romance with Lady Aline Marsden is told in Again the Magic
Employment: He has been living in America and made his fortune and is now a rich and successful man. He is a business partner (and best friend) of Gideon Shaw
Fantasy Cast: Aldis Hodge
Quote: Aline was his curse, his fate, his consuming desire. He would never stop wanting her, no matter what she did, no matter how many oceans and continents he managed to put between them.
Lady Olivia “Livia” Marsden
Who is she? The youngest daughter of the eighth Earl of Westcliff and is the sister of Marcus Marsden, the ninth (and current) Earl of Westcliff and Lady Aline Marsden
Book: First appears in Again the Magic
Romance: Her romance with Gideon Shaw is told in Again the Magic
Gossip: It is believed that she is illegitimate and a result of one of her mother’s affairs.
Fantasy Cast: Chloe Grace Moretz
Quote: Livia held his gaze and smiled. Very deliberated, she closed her eyes and opened them again, and looked at him through the warm, blurry brightness of hope.
Gideon Shaw
Who is he? He is from a prominent and rich New York high society family
Book: First appears in Again the Magic
Romance: His romance with Lady Olivia Marsden is told in Again the Magic
Issues: He is an unashamed alcoholic
Fantasy Cast: William Moseley
Quote: “You don’t have to say it back,” he murmured “For once I want to have the pleasure of loving someone without asking anything in return.”
Simon Hunt
Who is he? Simon is the son of a butcher and used to work in his father’s shop, but his business acumen mas made him extremely rich and successful
Book: First appears in Secrets of a Summer Night
Romance: His romance with Annabelle Peyton is told in Secrets of a Summer Night
Friends: He close friends with Marcus Marsden, Earl of Westcliff even though he enjoys making the aristocracy uncomfortable with his “low” birth
Fantasy Cast: John Krasinski
Quote: “The truth is, you can never really know a man until you’ve loaned him money. And you can never know a woman until you’ve slept in her bed.”
Annabelle Peyton
Who is she? Annabelle has been raised like a lady and loves the finer things in life but since her father died her family has had no money and so she lives in genteel poverty
Book: First appears in Secrets of a Summer Night
Romance: Her romance with Simon Hunt is told in Secrets of a Summer Night
Friends: Becomes best friends with Miss Lillian Bowman, Miss Daisy Bowman and Miss Evangeline Jenner
Fantasy Cast: Amanda Stenberg
Quote: “How sweet,” Annabelle mumbled sickly her eyes closed. “Every woman dreams of being told that she’s preferable to a dead cow.”
Lillian Bowman
Who is she? Lillian is an American heiress whose father has made a lot of money in the soap business, her younger sister is Daisy Bowman. Her family are in England hoping to make an aristocratic match for both her and Daisy
Book: First appears in Secrets of a Summer Night
Romance: Her romance with Marcus Marsden is told in It Happened One Autumn
Friends: Becomes best friends with Miss Annabelle Peyton & Miss Evangeline Jenner
Fantasy Cast: Jenna Coleman
Quote: “There is something about you that makes me feel terribly wicked. You make me want to do shocking things. Maybe it’s because you’re so proper. Your necktie is never crooked, and your shoes are always shiny. And your shirts are so starchy. Sometimes when I look at you, I want to tear off all your buttons. Or set your trousers on fire.”
Marcus Marsden, Earl of Westcliff
Who is he? Marcus is the ninth Earl of Westcliff, he’s known by his friends as Westcliff. He has two sisters, Lady Aline Marsden and Lady Olivia Marsden
Book: First appears in Again the Magic
Romance: His romance with Lillian Bowman is told in It Happened One Autumn
About: Westcliff is seemingly the perfect English aristocrat, stoic with a very dignified bearing and always follows the rules of proper behaviour
Friends: Close friends with Simon Hunt and Sebastian, St Vincent
Fantasy Cast: Fabien Frankel
Quote: “There is nothing on earth more beautiful to me than your smile…no sound sweeter than your laughter…no pleasure greater than holding you in my arms. I realized today that I could never live without you, stubborn little hellion that you are. In this life and the next, you’re my only hope of happiness. Tell me, Lillian, dearest love…how can you have reached so far inside my heart?”
Evangeline “Evie” Jenner
Who is she? Evie’s father is Ivo Jenner, the owner of a notorious gaming club. Ivo Jenner also appears in Lisa Kleypas’ Dreaming of You
Book: First appears in Secrets of a Summer Night
Romance: Her romance with Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent is told in Devil in Winter
Friends: Becomes best friends with Miss Lillian Bowman, Miss Daisy Bowman and Miss Annabelle Peyton
About: Evie has been raised by her abusive and terrible aunt and uncle. She has developed a stutter under their care and is very shy.
Fantasy Cast: Rachel Hurd-Wood
Quote: “…during the past quarter hour you’ve been fondling parts of my anatomy that no one’s ever dared to touch before.”
“I v-very much doubt that.” She burrowed even further into the depths of his coat, and added in a muffled voice, “You’ve probably been h-handled more than a hamper at Fortnum and Mason.”
Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent
Who is he? Sebastian is the son of an impoverished duke and is a notorious rake who dedicates himself to his hedonistic lifestyle, can be incredibly cruel and yet is capable of being incredibly kind
Book: First appears in It Happened One Autumn
Romance: His romance with Evie Jenner is told in Devil in Winter
Friends: His closest, and perhaps only, friend is Westcliff
Fantasy Cast: Christopher Mason
Quote: “It’s a mistake, you know. You have no idea what you’ll be exposed to…the obscenities and lewd comments, the lecherous gazes, the groping and pinching…and that’s just my house. Imagine what it would be like here.”
Daisy Bowman
Who is she? Daisy is an American heiress whose father has made a lot of money in the soap business, her older sister is Lillian Bowman. Her family are in England hoping to make an aristocratic match for both her and Lillian
Book: First appears in Secrets of a Summer Night
Romance: Her romance with Matthew Swift is told in A Scandal in Spring
About: She has a whimsical personality yet has a wide streak of practicality and common sense
Fantasy Cast: Miranda Kerr
Quote: “Father, wouldn’t it be wonderful if hummingbirds had tea parties and we were small enough to be invited?”
Matthew Swift
Who is he? Matthew is from an old Boston family and works for and is second in command of Daisy’s father’s soap empire. Mr Bowman views Matthew as the son he wished he had
Book: First appears in A Scandal in Spring
Romance: His romance with Daisy Bowman is told in A Scandal in Spring
Gossip: Matthew has been secretly in love with Daisy for years
Fantasy Cast: Henry Golding
Quote: “Is there any emergency for which you are not prepared, Mr Swift?”
“Miss Bowman, if I had enough pockets I could save the world.”
Rafe Bowman
Who is he? Rafe is the eldest Bowman sibling his sisters are Lillian Bowman and Daisy Bowman
Book: First appears in A Wallflower Christmas
Romance: His romance with Hannah Appleton is told in A Wallflower Christmas
About: Rafe is rich and successful in his own right; however, he tries to be please his father but his father never seems satisfied
Fantasy Cast: Pedro Soltz
Quote: “This is how we court girls in America. We grab them and kiss them. And if they don’t like it, we do it again, harder and longer, until they surrender. It saves us hours of witty repartee.”
Hannah Appleton
Who is she? Hannah is a poor relation and earns her allowance as a companion to her younger cousin
Book: First appears in A Wallflower Christmas
Romance: Her romance with Rafe Bowman is told in A Wallflower Christmas
Fantasy Cast: Zoey Deutch
Quote: She wanted him to stop, but more than that, she wanted him to go on forever.
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