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The Grooms #4

Her Imperfect Groom

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Despite his three engagements, the thrice-jilted baronet, Sir Wallace Benedict, has trouble when it comes to those of the fairer sex. Twenty years old and still unmarried, Edwina Banks, has taken it into her mind to see that Sir Wallace get his much-deserved and long awaited happily-ever-after. Because truly then, she can find hers, too... Or can she?

First published January 30, 2012

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About the author

Rose Gordon

40 books472 followers
USA Today Bestselling Author and writer of eight unusually unusual historical romances that have been known to include scarred heroes, feisty heroines, marriage-producing scandals, far too much scheming, naughty literature and always a sweet happily-ever-after.

When not escaping to another world via reading or writing a book, she spends her time chasing two young boys around the house, being hunted by wild animals, or sitting on the swing in the backyard where she has to use her arms as shields to deflect projectiles AKA: balls, water balloons, sticks, pinecones, and anything else one of them picks up to hurl at his brother who just happens to be hiding behind her.

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5 stars
397 (35%)
4 stars
424 (37%)
3 stars
235 (21%)
2 stars
48 (4%)
1 star
12 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for ᴥ Irena ᴥ.
1,652 reviews222 followers
December 1, 2014
2.5
Sir Wallace Benedict is not a new character in this series. He had a very important role in Her Reluctant Groom being a reason Marcus realized he should do something about Emma. Even with this quirks, his counting of everything around him when he is nervous, you can't help but like him. He is quite believably made a love interest in this book. He still counts when he is nervous and we find out more about him than before, but he is never depicted as simpleton. Edwina decided to help him marry and, of course, she jumped to a conclusion (and every member of her family) that Wallace still loves Lady Chatterfield.
Having one of the characters dyslexic was wonderfully inserted into the plot. You don't just get 'and he or she has that problem' and then nothing is done with that information.

The story is completely based on one misunderstanding and the inability of the two main characters to actually say what they feel, but I am not sorry. It isn't as strong plot device as some others, but it still told a story. This is a light read with little to no drama.
Profile Image for Kelly_Instalove.
509 reviews110 followers
April 13, 2012
I really hate to give this only two stars, but I found it disappointing after enjoying all the author's other books.

On the plus side, I loved the main characters - Edwina is funny and smart, and Wallace is a the Regency equivalent of a charming nerd. I also liked the subplot - I thought the way Wallace responded by revealing his own issues and finding ways to teach Edwina was really sweet and believable, and one of the best elements of romance in the story.

On the other hand, I have a tendency to take off a star for a "Big Misunderstanding" plot - and for this book I have to take off two additional stars for a whole bunch of idiotic "Little But Irrelevant And Sometimes Ridiculous Misunderstandings."

The primary misunderstanding described in the book blurb might have been OK by itself, but the continual intrusion of not one but two Evil Ex-Fiancees and numerous smarmy relatives were major annoyances.

Between the and even more ridiculous mistaking the family dog for a lover (seriously?????) this was almost a DNF, but in the end it was worth a fairly satisfying HEA.
Profile Image for Angieleigh.
826 reviews121 followers
August 29, 2012
I received a review copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Wallace is probably my favorite male character and the reason behind that is because he's so flawed. He is so severely anxious so much of the time that you want to grab him into a hug and protect him from the evil that masquerades as society.

I especially loved Edwina as she is the complete opposite of her brother. Alex kind of ticked me off for a good portion of the book, but I also understand that he was just trying to protect his sister.

I have to say that one of my biggest reasons for loving Rose's books is that she doesn't spend the first chapter explaining what happened in the previous book. Each one stands on its own. What I mean is, each one is focused on a couple, with everyone else being secondary. You don't hear about what happened with Edwina's cousins and how they snared a husband - unless they're giving her advice - and you don't hear about why Marcus stays in the country. Her Imperfect Groom is about Edwina and Sir Wallace, period.

You can't help but fall in love with her characters. They're human just like us, with faults like everyone else and secrets like everyone else. There's no captivating beauty - except for Madison - pining away for her overly muscled hunk; instead you follow a pretty 20 year old who is in love with someone whom she doesn't think cares for her - but is wrong, naturally - and a gentleman who has been jilted several times and has social anxiety that you really want to hand him a Xanax for.

For those who enjoy historical romances, READ THESE BOOKS. I dare anyone to not fall in love and pine for more when you're done.
Profile Image for Judy.
3,152 reviews
February 17, 2012
Her Imperfect Groom by Rose Gordon
Book 4 in the Groom Series
Sir Wallace has some particular idiosyncrasies about him, I find it makes him the most endearing character. This poor guy has been engaged three times and each time the woman married someone else. The last time was the closest as he was about to speak the vows when the woman's true love came to the rescue. He finally has a chance to woo the gal who caught his eye three years earlier, Edwina Banks, but it's a bumpy road for him. There are misunderstandings and mostly two women from his past keep showing up and interrupting.

Edwina Banks wants nothing more then to marry Sir Wallace. His odd behavior is nothing new to someone who grew up with Alex as a brother. When a misunderstanding has Edwina believing he loves another she comes up with a plan to help Wallace learn how to court a woman. Edwina has a secret of her own as well that she has even managed to hide from her family.

This book will have you rooting for Sir Wallace and Edwina while it may have you fuming at the antics of the other two women. We get to see all the beloved characters from the previous book as well. I found this to be a great addition to the Groom's series and I daresay that Wallace may have tugged on my heartstrings a bit more than anyone else. We also get to know the mischievous twins, Elijah and Henry, much better.
**Sexual situations within marriage.

http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Profile Image for Melania Ramona.
613 reviews23 followers
February 6, 2016
It pains me to give a book so low a rating, but this particular book was so annoying that I managed to finish it just by force of will...
The whole story was based on a string of ridiculous misunderstandings that made me feel the main characters were just marionettes into the hands of the author, performing a charade she thought was interesting. I thought it was anything but. It made the hero & heroine seem stupid and immature, which was sad because there were scenes where I could see their true selves and I liked those glimpses.
And then there were all the other characters... many, many other characters who "occupied" - unnecessarily - about half the book. I understand this book was part of a series, but I don't understand the need to make all the previous couples so much a part of this story. The numerous scenes and seemingly unending dialogues where the participants were a bunch of names unknown to me were boring and about as annoying as the stupid misunderstandings.
It was really a shame because Edwina and Wallace seemed nice enough in some scenes... but all the other illogical stuff ruined it all. I was genuinely upset and frustrated reading the book.
Profile Image for Resti .
420 reviews4 followers
May 17, 2012
Kesaal dengan yang ini. Serius nih, dari pertama kali ketemu Wallace di buku kedua seri ini, aku langsung jatuh cinta sama dia. Gak sabar dan penasaran gimana cerita dimana dia yang jadi tokoh utama.
sayang banget, buku ini mengecewakan. terlalu banyak salah paham. memang siih kalo gak ada salah pahamnya jadi garing. tapi orang orang di buku ini, terutama si Edwina, gak liat fakta dulu, gak tanya tanya dulu, langsung aja ambil kesimpulan buruk tentang Wallace. Kasian si Wallace, sudah dikejer kejer sama mantan tunangan, sering di cemooh gara gara gampang nervous, si edwinanya malah gampang banget percaya dengan omongan orang. udah tau gimana sifat si wallace. tapi tetep aja. masalah si Mayor aka anjing peliharaan juga nyebelin. dan si wallace nya juga kadang terlalu baek dan terlalu proper, arghh... kecewa banget.
Profile Image for Valencia.
Author 1 book32 followers
December 18, 2014
I've read all of the Scandalous Sister books and the Grooms books and my favorite character out of all 8 books is Wallace. I love how his character is so unsure of himself then so protective, sweet and tender when it comes to Edwenia. I loved their romance it was the most innocent one to me. I thought it might have been ruined when the book got to the more intamate scenes, but Gordon executed those scenes very well. I love Gordons work and the fact that it isn't just lust and sex like in many other regency romances. In her books there is actual romances and plots and twists. After reading 8 of her books some points of her books are repetitive in the aspect of the mindset of some of the guys. However, every character had their own identity, flaws, and characteristics. I really enjoyed these books!! I read all 8 of them in about 10 days.
Profile Image for Krissy.
1,677 reviews343 followers
January 5, 2016
Sir Wallace has got to be the most endearing and sweet hero I have ever read!! I could just eat him up! I thought Edwina was perfect for him. This whole book was just so sweet. My heart ached for the H. Poor guy. He was an odd one, that's for sure. But I liked him all the more for it. I loved the fact that nothing he did fazed Edwina in the least. She loved him no matter what. The whole thing was very entertaining. 4 stars
Profile Image for |Stephanie|.
1,133 reviews36 followers
January 21, 2016
This story not only fulfilled my love for Historicals but for wounded characters as well. I adored Edwina and Benedict's and loved reading about their journey to happily ever after. My only complaint is I know it says these can be read as stand alone but I highly recommend reading the previous books first (which I didn't) because I was quite lost on who was who and past stories. Other than that I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author. 4 Stars!
Profile Image for sefakor.
319 reviews1 follower
February 24, 2024
⭐️ 3 stars.

this book quite literally took dragging something to the absolute level. because WHYYYYY did they resolve everything at the very end of the book????

she didn’t know he loved her and he didn’t know she loved him till the last chapter. and literally the last three pages i kid you not…?????
come on.

it was so unnecessary and long and boring. constant back and forth and just unnecessary confusion that made no damn sense. like we all like angst but damn don’t make them realize their feelings at the last chapter????

it’s sad that they ruined the romance on that little aspect because i thought everything else was lovely. even though it’s not explicitly stated (i’m assuming due to the period) the dyslexia and neurodivergent representation was good.


they were too stubborn? naive? i don’t know the appropriate waits to use but yeah.
they dragged it for too long.
Profile Image for Sharon.
2,738 reviews6 followers
December 1, 2018
enjoyed it but some of the misunderstandings went a little far.
Profile Image for Sharon.
1,286 reviews23 followers
January 20, 2019
A lovable, imperfect groom in need of a woman who can see past his flaws to the loving, honorable man who needs her. Trials and tribulations abound from spiteful women, but this couple manage to overcome them with help form loving - if sometimes hilarious - family.
Profile Image for CassandraG.
611 reviews
June 27, 2012
Sir Wallace Benedict, an odd ball, if ever there was, an odd ball to be had. Even if, he was a very handsome odd ball, he was still an odd ball, (though not a simpleton odd ball). He had this nervous habit of counting everything in sight to help quell his nerves.

He meets Edwina Banks and in his own awkward lovable way falls for her and she for him even though she concocts a hare-brained scheme to help him love another who it turned out, did not really love him and in fact had already been engaged to him, but dumped him for another. But lately even she was trying to hook her claws back into him.

Luck would be on Edwina’s side though. She was secretly in love with Sir Wallace, but he didn’t know it yet. When a secret or two came out, Sir Wallace helped her more than she helped him with this so-called farce. And a farce it was, because for his part, he wanted nothing to do with his “Supposed want-to-be-intended”. He eventually wanted Edwina and they would be together if he could help it.

It was charming, sweet and it had some absolutely hilarious moments at certain points. It was thoroughly enjoyable. If you’ve haven’t read the others in the series, you’ll definitely enjoy this one, but make sure you at least get a chance to read the others. They’re an absolute treat as well.

Any way you read the series, you’ll be in for a real treat.

ARC review for reading romances for Rose Gordon.
Profile Image for Danae Ringsby.
82 reviews3 followers
April 11, 2014
Romance, mystery, duels even in the weirdest since of the word and of course you have to have a happy ever after.

Sir Wallace knows that his heart lies with another and finally he thinks that he should be able to win her love once and for all, but can a secrete by one of the parties with stand the trauma of coming to life? What would you do for the love of your life? Would you die for them? Would you want to make sure that you can give them the best life possible? He finds a secret of his love and he is determined to make things right. Wallace is the funny, sweet, kind, caring and most of all he is true. He doesn't hide the counting and he is ok with that. All he wants to be able to do is to marry the one person that he truly loves.

However can love truly conquer all? What would you be willing to do for someone you love?

Her Imperfect Groom is wonderfully written, the story line flows perfectly, the characters are easy to identify with, and there is a history as well as insight to the individual character. The whole series is awesome.
Profile Image for Georgina Parkin.
2,293 reviews58 followers
November 20, 2016
I loved it! I can't pick a favourite of the four because I weirdly like them all equally as much. I'll be reading book one in the bostoner series very soon before going back to the first series and then eventually coming back to continue. I need to read the bostoner soon for a monthly reading challenge otherwise I would have waited until I read the other series first, but oh well.

I'm so glad I found these books. They're cheeky, steamy, and I love historicals like these. Super easy to read and not super long.

The characters in this series were all great to me, and this book in particular was nice to read as the two protagonists were 'odd' as he is slightly OCD and she has dyslexia. I just found it great that they helped each other especially in a time when both things made you a loon or people thought less of you for it. Just good people. Also, Alex, you're a twat dude.
Profile Image for Rachel Kennedy.
123 reviews
May 16, 2015
This is the third in this series that I have read because I find the stories enjoyable and have gotten involved with the characters. They are quick reads which do not necessarily follow the strict historical guidelines governing relationships/society. I especially liked this book as it addresses more in depth issues only touched upon in previous books with regard to Sir Wallace and now Edwina Banks, that being her illiteracy from what appears to by dyslexia and his "oddities" from what appears to be a form of autism. The resolution and "happy ending" is even more heartwarming when the characters are "flawed" rather than story book figures none of us can truly relate to.
265 reviews
September 30, 2013
I like this author. I liked the story line, 2 people meeting and caring for each other for 3 years and still feeling the same way. What i did not like was the misconception, EVERYTHING was misunderstood it was so irritating!! All it would have taken to clear things up (from both sides) were a few words. But for whatever reason neither would say anything, and just kept thinking the worst about the other person! I understand back that it not being appropriate for woman to be blunt, but this book went a little to far into the "let's all NEVER talk to each other"
Profile Image for Judy Lavik.
286 reviews14 followers
Read
February 2, 2015
Nobody does it better!

Nobody can create a flawed character quite like Rose Gordon. They come to life and demand your compassion. Sir Wallace Benedict is the most flawed of all her characters, and one of the most lovable. Edwina Banks has loved him since the day he met her, as he has loved her. But through a series of misunderstandings, some of which were deliberately caused by others, neither believes their love is returned.

When all the misunderstandings are laid to , Wallace melts my hear when he tells her, "you're the part of me I didn't know was lost."
Profile Image for KP Pryce.
105 reviews5 followers
September 20, 2016
This is the second book I've read this week where one of the main characters cannot read. But the show-stopper with this one was the H's disposition - a complex and heart wrenching disposition that was wonderfully portrayed by the author and truly made me 'feel' for the man. I kid you not - there was more than one occasion when I would have reached into the story and squeezed his hand myself if that were at all possible.

The sources of external conflict were well drawn and used to great effect, and the characterisations very well done.

This one is well worth reading.
Profile Image for Tammy .
109 reviews
April 15, 2012
Another great story. Wallace and Edwina are adorable, just as the other couples in this series. Lady Chatterfield and Lady Sinclair are worse than Marcus' sister Olivia, if that is possible. The only down side is it took so long to sort things out there was not much happy time before the epilogue. Looking forward to reading the sister series the precedes this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
4 reviews
August 10, 2016
Her Imperfect Groom had so much potential, from the blub I wanted to read it desperately. But I hated the numerous problems the heroine and the hero had in the novel due to miscommunication, to the point it became really frustrating to read. It could have been a four star read if the author solved the miscommunication problem somewhere in the middle of the story.
Profile Image for Morgan Reeves.
Author 5 books29 followers
January 19, 2016
Another great story

This is the second book I've read by Gordon, and I'd have to say that this story was even better than the one before. The dialogue and scene execution was on point and hilarious and I ADORED the fact that both main characters had what could be considered 'handicaps.' It made them both three-dimensional and endearing. I would definitely recommend this book!
Profile Image for Marie.
238 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2016
Fun

This book received four stars because it was fun, entertaining and the characters were endearing. I loved it. I did not, however, find it as entertaining as the others in the groom series. I recommend this book for adult readers who like historical romances with cute humor. I really loved Wallace. Even with his imperfections I thought him truly adorable. Fun story!
562 reviews2 followers
March 6, 2016
I enjoyed this last book of the serie: 4.5 stars. The hero, as per the title, had rather large problems that made it hard for him to fit into society. The heroine loved him despite his flaws and had a secret of her own. I did not give this book 5 stars as the characters sometimes seemed inconsistent. But I still enjoyed this story.
Profile Image for Chu.
1,459 reviews71 followers
April 1, 2012
It has some very weak and very strong parts. But good thing when I'm almost bored, the nice parts come to light. I wished the author had more consistency with the story line. I like the series, but this isn't my favorite book among the four.
Profile Image for Huong.
940 reviews
May 14, 2012
Oh Wallace...

Another surprising winning romance! For such a 'weird' hero, Wallace really grew on me...even with all his oddities. The set of misunderstandings between Wallace and Edwina was quite hilarious too.

Even awkward people can find love!
Profile Image for Landy.
629 reviews23 followers
January 2, 2013
So far of this series this one made me laugh out loud often. When the Banks and their spouses get together is a sure bet something hilarious will happen.
Love Wallace he is a sweetheart and perfect match for Edwina.
Profile Image for Erin.
58 reviews15 followers
October 5, 2013
I really wanted to like this book, but the plot was very muddled. I couldn't find any momentum and the focus of the main characters' imperfections kept switching. The plot did not flow, unfortunately. I recommend Her Secondhand Groom instead...
Profile Image for Kathy.
1,091 reviews3 followers
January 27, 2016
A comedy of errors!

Wonderfully written with good insight on how people with learning disabilities and idiosyncrasies were treated in those times. Perfect pairing makes you believe that there is a perfect match for everyone out there!
Profile Image for Stacey.
139 reviews14 followers
February 14, 2012
Uhm Humm, I really am enjoying these series of books. It has just the right amount of romance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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