The Wolf and the Wildflower by Stacy Reid

 💖💖💖💖💖/5

I loved Jules and James’ unique story in The Wolf and the Wildflower by Stacy Reid; a story of loss, worries, cover-ups, saving face and forbidden love. James Winters, the Duke of Wulverton, thought lost at sea at age eighteen, somehow survived the harsh wilderness of the Yukon, only to be discovered by a trapping team in Alaska a decade later. He is now back in London, unrecognizable to his family, as James was forever changed by the time he spent in solitude, surviving by his determination to live. His family expects him to step back into society and marry, but he is overwhelmed by their touch, their noise, and their rich foods. He can no longer stand physical touch, and longs to be in nature away from all the hustle and bustle of town. His mother, quite worried that James will never conform, hires a renowned psychologist, and his son to determine his mental fitness and prepare him to reenter society. Jules Southby, was born a woman but has lived her life disguised as a man since birth; enjoying the freedoms that she would not have if she had been raised as a lady. She went to university and plans to follow in her father's footsteps; studying Psychology and the human mind. When the opportunity to assist her father in treating the Duke of Wulverton arises, she jumped at the chance. James rejects Jules's father and quickly sniffs out her secret, aware, because of his heightened senses, he realizes she is in disguise. He wants her to help him in disguising himself as the Duke his mother, family, and the ton expect. As he is nicknamed Wolf, due to his name, James decides to call Jules Wildflower, since it was her scent that opened their connection.

 

James and Jules bond as they trust one another and a friendship grows between them. Knowing the consequences of this forbidden relationship, they battled and fought their magnetic attraction and sizzling chemistry. James was almost animalistic, hungering for Jules, similar to the wolves that protected him while he was missing. James and Jules are two lost souls, found only by each other.

 

Ms. Reid wrote an emotional, love story about two people who wanted to be accepted for who they are, not who they pretend to be. She provided a tale, one that should not be missed, rich with emotions, sizzling chemistry, secrets, wonderful dialogue, and engaging characters giving James and Jules a chance be their true selves and a forever together. I highly recommend The Wolf and the Wildflower to other readers.

 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.