Limecello’s review of The Wallflower by Dana Marie Bell
Paranormal romance released by Samhain Publishing 15 Apr 08
I’d heard of this book before it was released, bought it near the end of 2009, but only read it a few days ago. Just felt that little tidbit was relevant. I read it on one of the plane rides back home from RonCon, and it was a perfect for that – a quick read, with the requisite happy ending.
The story itself is short. Like really short- but it’s a novella, so that makes sense. (Unfortunately it left me with way too much time where I was forced to entertain myself.) Also, in all seriousness, the length meant the story left something to be desired. I didn’t believe the manner in which Max and Emma get together. At. All.
I am, however, interested in reading the rest of the series – especially Simon and Becky’s story, which is next. The Wallflower was a free read, which pretty much everyone can get – and Samhain has been very clever, offering the first story of a number of series as a free read for a limited time. Well played, Samhain. Well played.
Getting to the characters, Emma is likable, but not really a wallflower. I think the title and label is just to give her a pre-developed character, so no time/space needs to be spent on exploring that. Be that for the length, or whatever, I didn’t go for it. The jokes or implications from the “mean girls” that Emma was a lesbian also seemed pointless to me.
Max on the other hand didn’t seem like that much of a catch to me. Sure, every girl wanted him, and he was the alpha… but I guess he didn’t really catch my interest. Also being so very attracted to Emma based on her voice seemed… uninspiring. I did like that Max decided he wanted Emma and went after her.
However, the whole, “I see you for the first time in ten years and then scare the crap out of you at night and kidnap you for dinner under false pretenses then bite you and give you an orgasm against your car and now you’ve turned into a puma and we’ll be together forever” didn’t really do it for me. Sadly that’s pretty much the plot of the entire story, which I generally try to avoid writing about, but I don’t feel like that’s giving much away.
I will say, however, that I enjoyed Ms. Bell’s voice in her writing, and liked the characters, just didn’t think what they did made very much sense, or that their actions were so believable. It seemed like there were a number of gaps and plot holes, which I’m going to attribute to the length of the story. This might also be Ms. Bell’s first (or at least early) book, so I’m definitely going to give the rest a try if/when I get my hands on them. Also, a giant shiny gold star to Ms. Bell for having an excerpt on her webpage.
Grade: D+
Emma Carter has been in love with Max Cannon since high school, but he barely knew she existed. Years later she’s a
small business owner, running a unique curio shop with her best friend, Becky. She’s finally come out her shy shell and
into her own.When Max returns to his small home town to take up his duties as the Halle Pride’s Alpha, he finds that shy little Emma
has finally grown up. That small spark of something he’d always felt around the teenager has blossomed into something
more: Emma is his mate! A plot to match up his best friend (and fellow Puma) with Emma’s is a natural opening to get
her all to himself. A “kidnapping with food” and a bite to remember insure that the luscious Emma is permanently his.And when his ex-girlfriend tries to interfere, Emma proves to the Pride that she has what it takes to be the Alpha’s mate.
Read an excerpt here.
