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The Ravenels #7
Una tentazione pericolosa
Lady Merritt Sterling è una giovane vedova dal forte carattere che guida la compagnia navale del defunto marito. La buona società londinese muore dalla voglia di vederla al centro di uno scandalo, ma lei è troppo sveglia per dare loro questa soddisfazione. Fino a quando non incontra Keir MacRae, un rude distillatore di whisky scozzese. Non potrebbero essere più diversi, eppure sono attratti in modo irresistibile. E la loro passione potrebbe mettere entrambi in pericolo...
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2021
1067 people are currently reading
14165 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Kleypas
107 books31.5k followersLISA KLEYPAS is the RITA award-winning author of 21 novels. Her books are published in fourteen languages and are bestsellers all over the world. She lives in Washington State with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,607 reviews
July 26, 2021
I am dying over how wonderful this book was. It was everything I wanted and more from a Lisa Kleypas romance. I loved Merritt and Keir so much. The passion and love between them stole my heart. Devil in Disguise is now one of my new favorite Lisa Kleypas historicals!
DiD is book 7 in the Ravenels series but I'm not sure why that is. You might be able to read it fine as a standalone but I would recommend reading the Wallflowers series first, because this book is the second generation of that series. Not a lot of Ravenels actually show up. Merritt, our widowed heroine, is Lillian and Marcus' oldest daughter and is in charge of her late husband's shipping company. Her newest business partner is Keir, our very first Scottish Lisa Kleypas hero. The connection between them is instantaneous and fantastic to read!
Keir and Merritt killed me in the best of ways. I was swooning over their romance, which does happen quickly, but then a wrench is thrown in that slows things down and evens out the pacing. I adored how gone both of them were over each other. Keir is a total grumpy sweetheart and it was too easy to love him. There's a bit of suspense in this with someone going after Keir, so in between the romance, mystery, and family drama, there's never a dull moment in this read.
If you loved Sebastian from Devil in Winter, I am happy to say you'll get to see a lot of him here! We even get a few chapters in his POV. I won't spoil anything, but I had no problem with the connection between Sebastian and Keir. Honestly, it was just a delight seeing the Wallflowers cast (well, half of them) again and I can only hope we get more second generation books in the future!
Merritt and Keir are perfection together. There's a reason why Lisa Kleypas is so beloved and why she's my favorite historical romance author. I fall so hard for every one of her stories – and heroes – and cannot wait to read more!
***
GOODBYE WORLD. I'M READING AN ARC OF THE NEW LK.
***
UPDATE: the heroine is Merritt Sterling, Marcus & Lillian’s oldest!!! And I’m just gonna guess that the Scottish hero is somehow related to Sebastian 👀
***
GAAASSSSPPPPPPPPPP. A NEW LK!!!!
Could it be about Marcus & Lillian's kids?? Something entirely new? Honestly it could be about anything and I will still be dying for it.
DiD is book 7 in the Ravenels series but I'm not sure why that is. You might be able to read it fine as a standalone but I would recommend reading the Wallflowers series first, because this book is the second generation of that series. Not a lot of Ravenels actually show up. Merritt, our widowed heroine, is Lillian and Marcus' oldest daughter and is in charge of her late husband's shipping company. Her newest business partner is Keir, our very first Scottish Lisa Kleypas hero. The connection between them is instantaneous and fantastic to read!
Keir and Merritt killed me in the best of ways. I was swooning over their romance, which does happen quickly, but then a wrench is thrown in that slows things down and evens out the pacing. I adored how gone both of them were over each other. Keir is a total grumpy sweetheart and it was too easy to love him. There's a bit of suspense in this with someone going after Keir, so in between the romance, mystery, and family drama, there's never a dull moment in this read.
If you loved Sebastian from Devil in Winter, I am happy to say you'll get to see a lot of him here! We even get a few chapters in his POV. I won't spoil anything, but I had no problem with the connection between Sebastian and Keir. Honestly, it was just a delight seeing the Wallflowers cast (well, half of them) again and I can only hope we get more second generation books in the future!
Merritt and Keir are perfection together. There's a reason why Lisa Kleypas is so beloved and why she's my favorite historical romance author. I fall so hard for every one of her stories – and heroes – and cannot wait to read more!
***
GOODBYE WORLD. I'M READING AN ARC OF THE NEW LK.
***
UPDATE: the heroine is Merritt Sterling, Marcus & Lillian’s oldest!!! And I’m just gonna guess that the Scottish hero is somehow related to Sebastian 👀
***
GAAASSSSPPPPPPPPPP. A NEW LK!!!!
Could it be about Marcus & Lillian's kids?? Something entirely new? Honestly it could be about anything and I will still be dying for it.
July 25, 2023
Re-read- 7/23/23. Still meh about it and I will never get over Sebastian's character revision. Mary Jane Wells's narration elevates it up a notch.
Fourteen years ago, I drove like a madwoman an hour away to my nearest B&N with a cranky teething baby to get my hands on Devil in Winter on release day. I read the book in one sitting and then turned back to page one and re-read it again. Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent became my book husband that day and has been ever since. Needless to say, I was thrilled to see him reappear in Ravenel’s series and to see his children get their own HEA’s.
Then this book happened.
First, I’ll address the huge Scot elephant in the room. Yes, the title is a huge tip-off but I was holding out hope that Lisa wouldn’t do me like this 😒The revelation came around the middle of the book but by then I already knew that no twist was coming. Sebastian had fathered a child before he met Evie. I can’t properly convey how much I hated this. I hate that he had a child with some random woman and that the child grows into a man who looks more like him than his children with Evie. I reject this with every cell in my body and plan to scrub this revisionist history from my memory forevermore 😆
It’s hard for me to summarize this book because it is such a mess. Merritt, Lillian and Westcliff's eldest daughter, meets Keir when he is doing business with her shipping company and it’s pretty much insta lust/love. I have no problem with this as long as I get some relationship development but there was very little relationship or character development. Instead, there was a lot of telling about how their relationship developed over one dinner. The reader is never shown any of it until they sleep together. After, he leaves her because he gets a serious case of I’m Not Good Enough For You. He changes his mind almost right away and goes back to confess his feelings. Yes, this is after one night together from which the reader only gets to see the sexy times. He gets seriously injured though by the invisible assassin and then the book turns into the Bringing You Back from Death’s Door trope that Lisa Kleypas is so good at. Sebastian brings him to the safety of Heron’s Point to recover.
This is now about halfway through the book when Keir recovers consciousness but turns out he has amnesia. Reader, I wish I was kidding. And it wasn’t even the fun full-on amnesia but selective amnesia where he only doesn’t remember Merritt or their night together.
I’m a pretty forgiving reader but this was so eye rollingly unnecessary to throw on top of the murder plot and the secret baby nonsense. Then everything suddenly gets resolved about 50% into the story the reader is told not shown who was behind the murder attempts and why, and who Keir’s real father is. We never see the murderer or the man behind the plot. The latter half of the book then turns into a Wallflower reunion between the Westcliff’s and the Kingston’s. I loved seeing Westcliff and Lillian again and seeing the two couples interact but this meant that Keir and Merritt are relegated to secondary characters in their own book. With all the external conflict gone in one swoop, there is only some flimsy internal conflict keeping the main story dragging along. Keir’s kind-of-sort-off amnesia gets resolved and then it’s Merritt’s turn to half-heartedly push him away for his own good. The good old We Can’t Marry Because We Are Too Different becomes the conflict. Shortly after, the assassin plot comes back and the last few pages are devoted to this.
All that being said, I still swooned pretty hard with Keir and even though neither him nor Merritt ever popped off the page for me, they had some pretty romantic moments. Sebastian, of course, stole the show every time he walked onto the page and there was a really romantic scene with him and Evie.
Maybe my expectations were too high and my annoyance at the secret son trope colored every aspect of the book for me. I get that LK wanted to join the two favorite Wallflower couples through their children but I don’t feel it was necessary.
The book would have worked just as well if not better had Keir been just a distiller from Scotland.
I won’t mention the miracle baby :: eye roll::, or the fact that Merritt abandons the company she was running, or the weird character revision on Sebastian where at one point he tells Keir if he had known about him he would have done anything to keep him. Excuse me, Lisa Kleypas? Do you need a re-read of It Happened One Autumn? The Sebastian before Evie would not have taken responsibility for a by blow. He might have placed him with family but raise him himself? Never.
All in all, I thought the book a disjointed badly paced mess with some pretty swoony moments here and there but it wasn’t enough to save it for me. It was almost a tepid copy of Hello Stranger with the Wallflowers thrown in. My most anticipated book of the year is the most disappointing. I'm pretty bummed about it. That being said I hope she brings her A game to the next book.
⭐⭐💫/5
🔥🔥🔥/5
Thanks to @netgalley and @avonbooks for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Fourteen years ago, I drove like a madwoman an hour away to my nearest B&N with a cranky teething baby to get my hands on Devil in Winter on release day. I read the book in one sitting and then turned back to page one and re-read it again. Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent became my book husband that day and has been ever since. Needless to say, I was thrilled to see him reappear in Ravenel’s series and to see his children get their own HEA’s.
Then this book happened.
First, I’ll address the huge Scot elephant in the room. Yes, the title is a huge tip-off but I was holding out hope that Lisa wouldn’t do me like this 😒The revelation came around the middle of the book but by then I already knew that no twist was coming. Sebastian had fathered a child before he met Evie. I can’t properly convey how much I hated this. I hate that he had a child with some random woman and that the child grows into a man who looks more like him than his children with Evie. I reject this with every cell in my body and plan to scrub this revisionist history from my memory forevermore 😆
It’s hard for me to summarize this book because it is such a mess. Merritt, Lillian and Westcliff's eldest daughter, meets Keir when he is doing business with her shipping company and it’s pretty much insta lust/love. I have no problem with this as long as I get some relationship development but there was very little relationship or character development. Instead, there was a lot of telling about how their relationship developed over one dinner. The reader is never shown any of it until they sleep together. After, he leaves her because he gets a serious case of I’m Not Good Enough For You. He changes his mind almost right away and goes back to confess his feelings. Yes, this is after one night together from which the reader only gets to see the sexy times. He gets seriously injured though by the invisible assassin and then the book turns into the Bringing You Back from Death’s Door trope that Lisa Kleypas is so good at. Sebastian brings him to the safety of Heron’s Point to recover.
This is now about halfway through the book when Keir recovers consciousness but turns out he has amnesia. Reader, I wish I was kidding. And it wasn’t even the fun full-on amnesia but selective amnesia where he only doesn’t remember Merritt or their night together.
I’m a pretty forgiving reader but this was so eye rollingly unnecessary to throw on top of the murder plot and the secret baby nonsense. Then everything suddenly gets resolved about 50% into the story the reader is told not shown who was behind the murder attempts and why, and who Keir’s real father is. We never see the murderer or the man behind the plot. The latter half of the book then turns into a Wallflower reunion between the Westcliff’s and the Kingston’s. I loved seeing Westcliff and Lillian again and seeing the two couples interact but this meant that Keir and Merritt are relegated to secondary characters in their own book. With all the external conflict gone in one swoop, there is only some flimsy internal conflict keeping the main story dragging along. Keir’s kind-of-sort-off amnesia gets resolved and then it’s Merritt’s turn to half-heartedly push him away for his own good. The good old We Can’t Marry Because We Are Too Different becomes the conflict. Shortly after, the assassin plot comes back and the last few pages are devoted to this.
All that being said, I still swooned pretty hard with Keir and even though neither him nor Merritt ever popped off the page for me, they had some pretty romantic moments. Sebastian, of course, stole the show every time he walked onto the page and there was a really romantic scene with him and Evie.
Maybe my expectations were too high and my annoyance at the secret son trope colored every aspect of the book for me. I get that LK wanted to join the two favorite Wallflower couples through their children but I don’t feel it was necessary.
The book would have worked just as well if not better had Keir been just a distiller from Scotland.
I won’t mention the miracle baby :: eye roll::, or the fact that Merritt abandons the company she was running, or the weird character revision on Sebastian where at one point he tells Keir if he had known about him he would have done anything to keep him. Excuse me, Lisa Kleypas? Do you need a re-read of It Happened One Autumn? The Sebastian before Evie would not have taken responsibility for a by blow. He might have placed him with family but raise him himself? Never.
All in all, I thought the book a disjointed badly paced mess with some pretty swoony moments here and there but it wasn’t enough to save it for me. It was almost a tepid copy of Hello Stranger with the Wallflowers thrown in. My most anticipated book of the year is the most disappointing. I'm pretty bummed about it. That being said I hope she brings her A game to the next book.
⭐⭐💫/5
🔥🔥🔥/5
Thanks to @netgalley and @avonbooks for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2021
Reread! My feelings intensified even more. This was a dream to read.
————————————
This was glorious. I’m already thinking about rereading it this month. Probably within a few days or a week. And I already know it’s going to be better when I reread it the second time round
Lisa Kleypas has a knack for writing in a concise manner. She writes in a way that gets everything she needs to get across in few sentences/paragraphs without it being drawn out. Even though I would not mind it being drawn out. But there’s no need for it since it reads so complete.
The woman is just too fookin' skilled.
I really hope this isn’t the last book we are getting. It would be criminal for Lisa Kleypas to stop creating stories for the characters in this world.
My heart feels so heavy right now.
————————————
This was glorious. I’m already thinking about rereading it this month. Probably within a few days or a week. And I already know it’s going to be better when I reread it the second time round
Lisa Kleypas has a knack for writing in a concise manner. She writes in a way that gets everything she needs to get across in few sentences/paragraphs without it being drawn out. Even though I would not mind it being drawn out. But there’s no need for it since it reads so complete.
The woman is just too fookin' skilled.
I really hope this isn’t the last book we are getting. It would be criminal for Lisa Kleypas to stop creating stories for the characters in this world.
My heart feels so heavy right now.
August 9, 2021
I received an ARC from Edelweiss and an ALC from HarperAudio in exchange for an honest review.
1.5 stars
Devil in Disguise is the 7th book in the Ravenels series even though neither the hero nor the heroine has a connection to the Ravenels. Why is this book part of the Ravenels series? No idea. You should ask Lisa Kleypas and the publisher. This review will contain spoilers.
1.5 stars
Devil in Disguise is the 7th book in the Ravenels series even though neither the hero nor the heroine has a connection to the Ravenels. Why is this book part of the Ravenels series? No idea. You should ask Lisa Kleypas and the publisher. This review will contain spoilers.
December 12, 2021
The beginning was really boring, the middle hooked me, and the end was nice.
Not a bad book at all.
It didn't (for me) have the strongest start. Our hero is the owner of a whiskey distillery and our heroine has inherited her shipping company from her (now dead) husband.
Instantly, the two are attracted to each other and the sparks fly off the page.
And I just didn't care at all about any of it.
I haven't been 100% wowed by the Ravenels, so I wasn't actually surprised by my lack of excitement.
And then something is revealed. Something that perhaps I should have guessed because of the title of the book. <-- but I didn't, and it took me by surprise!
To say it made the entire book for me would be an understatement.
Now, I'm seeing a lot of people who are really upset in other reviews about the stuff I spoiler-tagged. I didn't even think about that being a drawback to the story.
Here are my personal thoughts on it.
If my husband and I found out that he had a grown child (that he hadn't known about) who was wandering around out there from his single days? Well, I can't imagine it making a difference in our relationship. One more kid at Christmas, you know? How could that be a bad thing? It certainly wouldn't cheapen what we have and I certainly would want to make sure that this new (to me) child felt welcome in our home.
So this new addition didn't make any difference to how I see the characters of the book.
Everyone is entitled to feel the way they feel, though.
Anyway.
There is even a bit of OTT amnesia thrown into the plot just to thicken it up a bit. Overall, I liked everything once it started chugging along at the halfway mark because this one was less about the romance and more about the mystery and the cameos for me.
The couple was cute and I honestly have no complaints about them, but the main draw was the parents.
HOWEVER.
I do feel like Kleypas might be milking the Wallflowers a bit hard.
While I do appreciate seeing all the old characters, I don't know how many more books I'll be willing to find charming just because it has an aging Sebastian & Evie in it.
I liked it, but if you are an old-timey Wallflower fan, you may want to check out spoilers before you pick this one up. Your mileage may vary.
Not a bad book at all.
It didn't (for me) have the strongest start. Our hero is the owner of a whiskey distillery and our heroine has inherited her shipping company from her (now dead) husband.
Instantly, the two are attracted to each other and the sparks fly off the page.
And I just didn't care at all about any of it.
I haven't been 100% wowed by the Ravenels, so I wasn't actually surprised by my lack of excitement.
And then something is revealed. Something that perhaps I should have guessed because of the title of the book. <-- but I didn't, and it took me by surprise!
To say it made the entire book for me would be an understatement.
Now, I'm seeing a lot of people who are really upset in other reviews about the stuff I spoiler-tagged. I didn't even think about that being a drawback to the story.
Here are my personal thoughts on it.
If my husband and I found out that he had a grown child (that he hadn't known about) who was wandering around out there from his single days? Well, I can't imagine it making a difference in our relationship. One more kid at Christmas, you know? How could that be a bad thing? It certainly wouldn't cheapen what we have and I certainly would want to make sure that this new (to me) child felt welcome in our home.
So this new addition didn't make any difference to how I see the characters of the book.
Everyone is entitled to feel the way they feel, though.
Anyway.
There is even a bit of OTT amnesia thrown into the plot just to thicken it up a bit. Overall, I liked everything once it started chugging along at the halfway mark because this one was less about the romance and more about the mystery and the cameos for me.
The couple was cute and I honestly have no complaints about them, but the main draw was the parents.
HOWEVER.
I do feel like Kleypas might be milking the Wallflowers a bit hard.
While I do appreciate seeing all the old characters, I don't know how many more books I'll be willing to find charming just because it has an aging Sebastian & Evie in it.
I liked it, but if you are an old-timey Wallflower fan, you may want to check out spoilers before you pick this one up. Your mileage may vary.
July 31, 2021
Sadly, I think this might be my least favorite book by my favorite historical romance author. This was just too much insta-lust, to the point that I actually wanted to skip some of the bedroom scenes. As for the actual romance, there’s basically none - there’s no relationship building at all. The only part of this book that I really enjoyed was seeing the characters from the Wallflowers series re-appear in this book. Otherwise this was pretty forgettable. The ending was perhaps the most anticlimactic of any book I have read in a while and I think the author and/or editor knew it. Why else would this book have an epilogue that doesn’t even directly have the main couple in it, only characters from the Wallflowers? They tried to throw a bone to her loyal readers, but it didn’t make up for how disappointing and disjointed this book is.
September 6, 2021
i really like lisa kleypas's writing but i find myself cringing when a certain name for anatomy is used during sex scenes. makes me shudder every time. i appreciate the scientific accuracy but it takes me out of the scene lol.
overall this was a really sweet, pretty tame romance. i didn't enjoy it quite as much as chasing cassandra but i do think generally speaking that the romances in this series tend to improve in quality as it goes on. this is certainly a good romance for these uncertain times, it probably won't stress you out.
overall this was a really sweet, pretty tame romance. i didn't enjoy it quite as much as chasing cassandra but i do think generally speaking that the romances in this series tend to improve in quality as it goes on. this is certainly a good romance for these uncertain times, it probably won't stress you out.
July 23, 2021
UPDATE: I just read spoilers and i’m soooo heartbroken i wanna cry! why would she do this to my favorite couple? LISA KLEYPAS WHYYY. nobody asked for this. my body and soul refuses to believe this. i’m going to pretend this book doesn’t exist.
UPDATE 2 upon reading book: This book feels like a betrayal to loyal fans. Nobody wanted a story about Sebastian to suddenly find out about a kid NOT with Evie. It was so unnecessary to write this. It completely ruined the present perfect family dynamic.
Doubt Gabriel and Phoebe as adults suddenly want a half sibling. LK needs to stop introducing half siblings and then doing no bonding scenes between them (i.e Ransom and other Hathaways) Seems like a cheap mechanism to continue series and make money if she doesn’t connect the characters well to who they are related to.
How does this story in any way add value to former characters?? Sebastian knows nothing about Keir and suddenly we get a rewriting of what Sebastian would have been like before Evie. In no world would Sebastian have accepted Keir prior to Evie. Also Merrit was already married and happy—why ruin her happy life to write another story with her. LK could have picked other Evie/Seb and Lilian/Westcliff kids if she wanted their kids to marry so badly. I’m so annoyed! this book even ruins Devil in Winter for me. 😫
_____________________________________________
HERE IS AN EXCERPT FROM DEVIL IN WINTER....where sebastian literally addresses not having illegitimate children so why the heck would LK do this to me????
“And she was not so naive as to believe that he hadn’t sired a few illegitimate children. He was a man of renowned physical appetites, and moreover he had never been one to worry over the consequences of his actions. Wondering if the same could be said of her husband, she asked cautiously, “Sebastian, have you ever…”
“Not that I’m aware of,” he said, understanding immediately. “I’ve always been inclined to use French letters—not only to prevent conception, but also to avoid the more exotic ailments that afflict the unwary.”
Excerpt From Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
I AM FREAKING PISSED
————————————————————————
Original Review
THEORIES ———
the H better not be some illegitimate son of Sebastian’s. I swear LK better not fuck this up now, pardon my language.
my other theory is that the H is Sebastian’s son Rafael in an amnesia plot or he is deliberately trying to be undercover? That would also make sense of the title “Devil in Disguise”...but this would mean that Raf is MUCH younger than Merrit.
Also wondering why this is considered a Ravenel book if the main characters have ties to Sebastian and Marcus 🤔
I am also annoyed that Merrit and Phoebe are both widow stories. Idk why, they just don’t do it for me. What’s next? Isabelle and Daisy’s daughter also being a widow? makes me sad.
Lastly, how awesome would a Fox and Seraphina story be?? 😍 Hope that’s in the works!
UPDATE 2 upon reading book: This book feels like a betrayal to loyal fans. Nobody wanted a story about Sebastian to suddenly find out about a kid NOT with Evie. It was so unnecessary to write this. It completely ruined the present perfect family dynamic.
Doubt Gabriel and Phoebe as adults suddenly want a half sibling. LK needs to stop introducing half siblings and then doing no bonding scenes between them (i.e Ransom and other Hathaways) Seems like a cheap mechanism to continue series and make money if she doesn’t connect the characters well to who they are related to.
How does this story in any way add value to former characters?? Sebastian knows nothing about Keir and suddenly we get a rewriting of what Sebastian would have been like before Evie. In no world would Sebastian have accepted Keir prior to Evie. Also Merrit was already married and happy—why ruin her happy life to write another story with her. LK could have picked other Evie/Seb and Lilian/Westcliff kids if she wanted their kids to marry so badly. I’m so annoyed! this book even ruins Devil in Winter for me. 😫
_____________________________________________
HERE IS AN EXCERPT FROM DEVIL IN WINTER....where sebastian literally addresses not having illegitimate children so why the heck would LK do this to me????
“And she was not so naive as to believe that he hadn’t sired a few illegitimate children. He was a man of renowned physical appetites, and moreover he had never been one to worry over the consequences of his actions. Wondering if the same could be said of her husband, she asked cautiously, “Sebastian, have you ever…”
“Not that I’m aware of,” he said, understanding immediately. “I’ve always been inclined to use French letters—not only to prevent conception, but also to avoid the more exotic ailments that afflict the unwary.”
Excerpt From Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
I AM FREAKING PISSED
————————————————————————
Original Review
THEORIES ———
the H better not be some illegitimate son of Sebastian’s. I swear LK better not fuck this up now, pardon my language.
my other theory is that the H is Sebastian’s son Rafael in an amnesia plot or he is deliberately trying to be undercover? That would also make sense of the title “Devil in Disguise”...but this would mean that Raf is MUCH younger than Merrit.
Also wondering why this is considered a Ravenel book if the main characters have ties to Sebastian and Marcus 🤔
I am also annoyed that Merrit and Phoebe are both widow stories. Idk why, they just don’t do it for me. What’s next? Isabelle and Daisy’s daughter also being a widow? makes me sad.
Lastly, how awesome would a Fox and Seraphina story be?? 😍 Hope that’s in the works!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
July 28, 2021i didn't finish this book because i couldn't connect to the relationship between merrit and keir which is a shame, but i enjoyed being back in the wallflowers world and seeing old favorites like sebastian and evie again. the whole "how is keir connected to sebastian" thing was as expected but that didn't bother me. i do think lisa kleypas needs to tone down the sebastian appearances, as much as i love him it's definitely time to let the second generation have the spotlight.
also i REALLY need books for seraphina and little ivo who are the youngest of sebastian and evie's children. they're so endearing and i would love to read their stories. i wouldn't really call this book a ravanels book because neither main character belongs to the ravanel family, it's more a direct spin-off from the wallflowers series.
update
so this book is going to be about merritt (marcus and lilian daughter) and a new character who is somehow connected to one of the prominent families in this series. since there’s devil in the title im PRAYING it’s not an illegitimate son of sebastian bc the other books in this series with devil in the title were about his children. maybe it’s a ravanel relation who has some tie to sebastian? i’ll take anything other than illegitimate son.
-
please let this be about seraphina (sebastian and evie’s daughter) and fox (marcus and lily’s oldest son) so they can serve childhood family friends to lovers excellence and i can see seb and marcus freak out bc they used to be “enemies”
also i REALLY need books for seraphina and little ivo who are the youngest of sebastian and evie's children. they're so endearing and i would love to read their stories. i wouldn't really call this book a ravanels book because neither main character belongs to the ravanel family, it's more a direct spin-off from the wallflowers series.
update
so this book is going to be about merritt (marcus and lilian daughter) and a new character who is somehow connected to one of the prominent families in this series. since there’s devil in the title im PRAYING it’s not an illegitimate son of sebastian bc the other books in this series with devil in the title were about his children. maybe it’s a ravanel relation who has some tie to sebastian? i’ll take anything other than illegitimate son.
-
please let this be about seraphina (sebastian and evie’s daughter) and fox (marcus and lily’s oldest son) so they can serve childhood family friends to lovers excellence and i can see seb and marcus freak out bc they used to be “enemies”
March 9, 2022
4 stars!
There’s just nothing quite like a Lisa Kleypas novel. I’m glad the women has written so many books because I’ll be a little bit devasted once I’ve read them all.
Devil in Disguise is the story of unconventional widow Merritt, who ran her husbands business after he passed away. In some dealings with the shipping business she meets a Scotsman named Keir who runs a whiskey business, and the sparks fly almost immediately. Both are attracted to each other but recognize nothing but scandal can come from their feelings. Yet when Keir’s life is threatened by assassins, Merritt finds herself mixed up in it too.
I really enjoyed reading this book, there’s something so comforting about a historical romance by this author. I will say I stupidly did not realize it was in connection with the book Devil in Winter (I should have known from the titles) so I was confused on who some characters were at the beginning of the book. To my credit it’s been a minute since I read the Wallflowers series. I loved the story of the Scotsman and the widow, two people who shouldn’t be together and yet fall in love anyways. The first half of the book was really strong, and then the second half there were ome plot points that fell a bit flat for me. But this renewed my love of historicals so I think I’m going to binge a bunch right after this one.
There’s just nothing quite like a Lisa Kleypas novel. I’m glad the women has written so many books because I’ll be a little bit devasted once I’ve read them all.
Devil in Disguise is the story of unconventional widow Merritt, who ran her husbands business after he passed away. In some dealings with the shipping business she meets a Scotsman named Keir who runs a whiskey business, and the sparks fly almost immediately. Both are attracted to each other but recognize nothing but scandal can come from their feelings. Yet when Keir’s life is threatened by assassins, Merritt finds herself mixed up in it too.
I really enjoyed reading this book, there’s something so comforting about a historical romance by this author. I will say I stupidly did not realize it was in connection with the book Devil in Winter (I should have known from the titles) so I was confused on who some characters were at the beginning of the book. To my credit it’s been a minute since I read the Wallflowers series. I loved the story of the Scotsman and the widow, two people who shouldn’t be together and yet fall in love anyways. The first half of the book was really strong, and then the second half there were ome plot points that fell a bit flat for me. But this renewed my love of historicals so I think I’m going to binge a bunch right after this one.
January 24, 2022
No one is more sad that I didn't love this book than me. And that ending? Made me want to drop it down ANOTHER star. The romance in here was okay, but it was so insta-love and I really didn't care. I thought the amnesia trope would shake things up, but it really didn't. They were head over heels for each other after knowing each other for like three days. Where is the tension and longing and angst? There was nothing in here that made me really care for the romance and want to keep reading. I did enjoy how Merritt was a widow and was a businesswoman, but the plot was slow and read more like Wallflower fan fiction than anything. The only reason I was enjoying reading was for the glimpses of the wallflowers and their children. Lillian was so adorable and I loved her interactions with Merritt (her daughter). What I did love was what Merritt confessed to Keir and how amazing and understanding he was. But then the epilogue had to go and just take it all back?? What was the point if that was going to be in the epilogue? Yeah, not cool. So overall this romance was pretty boring and had nothing I really loved.
July 25, 2021
4 STARS
Oh Lisa, I see what you did with the title there, you genius you, and I love it!
Lisa Kleypas was THE author that began my obsession with historical romance, and it all started with Devil in Winter. So the particular plot twist in this book seriously hit the spot for me and just brought things a full circle. Also helps that we've had quite a few books in between, because I'm not sure I would have felt the same had I read this sooner. *sheepish grin* But I digress.
Now look, I'm not typically a reader that enjoys insta anything; insta love/connection mostly. And this book had it. In spades. But much such is the genius that is Lisa Kleypas writing, because just when you think you're neck deep in a super syrupy sweet romantic story, she turns it on its head. And this girl? I was so here for it.
It's impossible not to love Merritt from page one. She's a widow who now runs her late husband's shipping business and does so well. She's strong willed, smart, and has a heart of gold. It's hard not to love that about her. Keir MacRae is a rough around the edges whisky distiller who feels he's not good enough to be the dirt beneath lady Merritt's feet.
What I loved about this story was Merritt. This is a woman who knows what she wants and even though she has a skittish Scott who's determined to fight the attraction between them, she doesn't shy away from going after it. I loved this. But just when you think this is all there is to a book, an attempted murder and some amnesia get thrown into the mix and suddenly you have the plot twists to beat all plot twists. Someone wants Keir dead, my beloved Sebastian makes a lengthy cameo, and I can't put the book down.
The first 30% of this book was a bit slow, but then it took a twist and I couldn't turn the pages quick enough. There's a mystery, a stunning love story, and an epic revelation that I simply inhaled. I don't think I'll ever get tired of this world or the spin offs. If you loved Lisa's Wallflowers series than you'll definitely appreciate the cameos here. And if you loved Devil In Winter, you definitely don't want to miss this one.
It was a dreamy romance with steam and heart and I can't recommend it enough.
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
Your name is carved so deep in my heart, a million years could no’ erase it.”
Oh Lisa, I see what you did with the title there, you genius you, and I love it!
Lisa Kleypas was THE author that began my obsession with historical romance, and it all started with Devil in Winter. So the particular plot twist in this book seriously hit the spot for me and just brought things a full circle. Also helps that we've had quite a few books in between, because I'm not sure I would have felt the same had I read this sooner. *sheepish grin* But I digress.
Now look, I'm not typically a reader that enjoys insta anything; insta love/connection mostly. And this book had it. In spades. But much such is the genius that is Lisa Kleypas writing, because just when you think you're neck deep in a super syrupy sweet romantic story, she turns it on its head. And this girl? I was so here for it.
It's impossible not to love Merritt from page one. She's a widow who now runs her late husband's shipping business and does so well. She's strong willed, smart, and has a heart of gold. It's hard not to love that about her. Keir MacRae is a rough around the edges whisky distiller who feels he's not good enough to be the dirt beneath lady Merritt's feet.
What I loved about this story was Merritt. This is a woman who knows what she wants and even though she has a skittish Scott who's determined to fight the attraction between them, she doesn't shy away from going after it. I loved this. But just when you think this is all there is to a book, an attempted murder and some amnesia get thrown into the mix and suddenly you have the plot twists to beat all plot twists. Someone wants Keir dead, my beloved Sebastian makes a lengthy cameo, and I can't put the book down.
The first 30% of this book was a bit slow, but then it took a twist and I couldn't turn the pages quick enough. There's a mystery, a stunning love story, and an epic revelation that I simply inhaled. I don't think I'll ever get tired of this world or the spin offs. If you loved Lisa's Wallflowers series than you'll definitely appreciate the cameos here. And if you loved Devil In Winter, you definitely don't want to miss this one.
It was a dreamy romance with steam and heart and I can't recommend it enough.
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
March 15, 2022
*3.75stars*
Yes, I did read the book but it wasn't the 5 star read I was expecting? Anyways-Still enjoyed it, LK will forever be my queen.
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I can read a hundred stories about wallflower kids but is anyone else sitting here like- what are Simon and Annabelle up to?
Yes, I did read the book but it wasn't the 5 star read I was expecting? Anyways-Still enjoyed it, LK will forever be my queen.
-------------
I can read a hundred stories about wallflower kids but is anyone else sitting here like- what are Simon and Annabelle up to?
February 24, 2022
Prior to starting this book, I've always wished for LK to write a book about Sara & Derek's grandchildren. Like if the Westcliffs and St. Vincent's's got one, they have to have one too.
But now I changed my mind. Stay away from this couple. Don't ruined it for me.
Anyway, I don't know what to feel about this book. I kinda want to say I'm disappointed but then again, I figured I will be disappointed from the early reviews.
Merrit Sterling, Lord Westcliff's daughter, is a widow in charged of her late husband's shipyard company when one day a burly Scot walked off the ship and right into her arms.
It was an okay story though; and not that memorable either. The highlights of the book were the wallflowers and their spouses, which is not how it supposed to be. When the main couple's romance didn't even grab my attention, then it truly got some issue. Their romance is so lackluster. They barely even spend time together, and then wtf
And let's talk about that anticlimactic ending. It was resolved so easily and out of frame. Suddenly the bad guys killed each other and there you go. There's your ending.
I would just like to say, bullshit.
But now I changed my mind. Stay away from this couple. Don't ruined it for me.
Anyway, I don't know what to feel about this book. I kinda want to say I'm disappointed but then again, I figured I will be disappointed from the early reviews.
Merrit Sterling, Lord Westcliff's daughter, is a widow in charged of her late husband's shipyard company when one day a burly Scot walked off the ship and right into her arms.
It was an okay story though; and not that memorable either. The highlights of the book were the wallflowers and their spouses, which is not how it supposed to be. When the main couple's romance didn't even grab my attention, then it truly got some issue. Their romance is so lackluster. They barely even spend time together, and then wtf
And let's talk about that anticlimactic ending. It was resolved so easily and out of frame. Suddenly the bad guys killed each other and there you go. There's your ending.
I would just like to say, bullshit.
December 23, 2025
4.5 stars. Another lovely, romantic and very readable addition to the Ravenels series. It's about Merritt, daughter of one of the Wallflowers, and how she and Keir Macrae fall quickly and deeply in love.
I liked Merritt, a strong, independent woman who very capably managed her husband's business after his death. I also liked Keir, the whisky distiller from Scotland's Isle of Islay. No kilts in sight, but his 'Scottishness' was very evident, and I enjoyed his brogue and his colourful Scottish vocabulary.
I'm aware some readers are disappointed in Keir's background and identity, which involves characters from past Kleypas books, but I did not mind at all. In fact, I enjoyed this aspect of the book and found it quite believable. For me, Kleypas wrote this aspect very well.
Having read all of the other books more than once, I feel as if I 'know' these characters, and this definitely added to my enjoyment of the book. There were lovely revisits with Lillian and Marcus (Merritt's parents), one of Merritt's brothers, and also Sebastian and Evie. Ethan and Garrett make an appearance too. We saw a bit more of Phoebe, and also her younger siblings, Ivo and Seraphina. I hope these two end up getting their own books one day, or their mysterious older brother Raphael. I'm totally up for that :)
The plot is fairly straightforward, without too many twists and turns. I really enjoy these kinds of books that really focus on the romantic relationship between the leads. Ms Kleypas' style appeals to me and I find her books very readable and entertaining. While this is not a 'perfect' book, I had only very minor carps and overall I really enjoyed it. [Reread Dec 2025 - still a very enjoyable read. Such a pity Ms Kleypas has not published any new books since this one 😢]
I liked Merritt, a strong, independent woman who very capably managed her husband's business after his death. I also liked Keir, the whisky distiller from Scotland's Isle of Islay. No kilts in sight, but his 'Scottishness' was very evident, and I enjoyed his brogue and his colourful Scottish vocabulary.
I'm aware some readers are disappointed in Keir's background and identity, which involves characters from past Kleypas books, but I did not mind at all. In fact, I enjoyed this aspect of the book and found it quite believable. For me, Kleypas wrote this aspect very well.
Having read all of the other books more than once, I feel as if I 'know' these characters, and this definitely added to my enjoyment of the book. There were lovely revisits with Lillian and Marcus (Merritt's parents), one of Merritt's brothers, and also Sebastian and Evie. Ethan and Garrett make an appearance too. We saw a bit more of Phoebe, and also her younger siblings, Ivo and Seraphina. I hope these two end up getting their own books one day, or their mysterious older brother Raphael. I'm totally up for that :)
The plot is fairly straightforward, without too many twists and turns. I really enjoy these kinds of books that really focus on the romantic relationship between the leads. Ms Kleypas' style appeals to me and I find her books very readable and entertaining. While this is not a 'perfect' book, I had only very minor carps and overall I really enjoyed it. [Reread Dec 2025 - still a very enjoyable read. Such a pity Ms Kleypas has not published any new books since this one 😢]
October 26, 2022
✨Read for the series stayed for the brogue and brief 69✨
**spoilers below**
Okay I really loved this!! MJW’s Scottish brogue is just SO GOOD. I totally enjoyed seeing the older couples (autumn and winter) and how they interacted with their children. I also just find the fact that Merritt ended up with a mini Sebastian hilarious.
I also forgot that Keir literally wore a beard because he was too handsome 💀 Did somebody say icon??? Legend???
I may be a completely heartless wench but I’m so not sad Merritt spent like no time mourning her husband. Sure he was fine, but widow/widower plots can sometimes be very cyclical. Merritt was just horny for that brogue and I really respect that.
Also the drama of Keir remembering at the eleventh hour that he and Merritt had got it on in a major way—impeccable. I had such a good time watching them fall in love.
**Spoiler**
I do wish the pregnancy at the end would’ve been handled differently than the “magical, virile sperm.” I was happy Merritt was able to have a child, but I think the foundation could’ve been built differently 🥺
Overall, I hope this isn’t the last in the series!! I want to see what Daisy and Matthew are up to and who their children are.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
**spoilers below**
Okay I really loved this!! MJW’s Scottish brogue is just SO GOOD. I totally enjoyed seeing the older couples (autumn and winter) and how they interacted with their children. I also just find the fact that Merritt ended up with a mini Sebastian hilarious.
I also forgot that Keir literally wore a beard because he was too handsome 💀 Did somebody say icon??? Legend???
I may be a completely heartless wench but I’m so not sad Merritt spent like no time mourning her husband. Sure he was fine, but widow/widower plots can sometimes be very cyclical. Merritt was just horny for that brogue and I really respect that.
Also the drama of Keir remembering at the eleventh hour that he and Merritt had got it on in a major way—impeccable. I had such a good time watching them fall in love.
**Spoiler**
I do wish the pregnancy at the end would’ve been handled differently than the “magical, virile sperm.” I was happy Merritt was able to have a child, but I think the foundation could’ve been built differently 🥺
Overall, I hope this isn’t the last in the series!! I want to see what Daisy and Matthew are up to and who their children are.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
September 11, 2022
I’m the one who’ll never forget. For me it will always be you, Merry, love, the woman I’ll want until my last breath"
No saben mi nivel de fangirleo intenso que tuve al leer este libro, si fuera por Evie y Sebastian yo le doy 5 estrellas a este libro porque ellos se merecen todas las estrellas del universo y más, cada día los amo más PERO no es su libro.
Sebastian me tenía con una sonrisa en la boca y con corazoncitos en los ojos cada vez que salía es que ese hombre es PURE PERFECTION y todo lo que se sale de su boca es música para mis oídos. Mi amor por él está llegando a nivel de la obsesión.
Por eso no entiendo porque Lisa Kleypas hizo lo que hizo o sea HOW ARE DARE YOU?!!! Tocar a su personaje más ICONIC y más querido.
Estás lucrando con él.
Aunque reconozco que el tema lo trató con pincitas y con mucho tacto, porque de otra manera me voy a la yugular e influyó que me spoilié porque si me agarra de sorpresa mi nivel de indignación sería máximo.
No esperaba nada de este libro y por eso lo pude disfrutar pero a pesar de eso siento que no es la gran historia y ese feeling de que me encantó no fueron en sí por los protagonistas y su gran historia de amor sino por personajes secundarios que amo demasiado.
La historia es bastante sencilla, con protagonistas muy a la Kleypas, agradables pero su historia de amor no es tan épica de hecho ocurre bastante rápido, no hay un desarrollo, es muy instalove en dos días están enamorados y esto ocurre porque la autora pasa a segundo plano el romance y se centra en el origen y pasado de Keir.
Keir y Merrit son una pareja muy adorable más no memorable, ella me gustó mucho a pesar de sus padres, es madura, sabe lo que quiere y va por ello.
Keir es ese rudo y guapo escocés que enamorado dice cada cosa bonita.
Tengo muchos mixed feelings con este libro y se nota por mis contradicciones porque mi fangirling estaba por la nubes, los disfruté muchísimo me la pasé muy bien leyendo pero siento que este libro es INNECESARIO.
Además que esta serie es de los Ravenels y nada tiene que ver con los Ravenels y está agarrando un rumbo hacia los hijos de Westcliff ¿Será que cambie de nombre?
Pd Amé que saliera Phoebe y saber más de su vida con West porque no se me olvida que Lisa no quedó debiendo su epílogo.
October 5, 2022
This turned out to be my favourite of the series and a really great way for it to end. To be honest as I was reading the first few chapters I was really enjoying the characters but at the same time I was thinking "who are these people?" Of course I soon found out, as familiar characters from the past began to arrive and then things became really interesting.
The love story began immediately and by page 35 Merritt and Keir are well into the action! Which made me wonder what the rest of the 350 or so pages were going to be about. It turned out there were several attempted murders, some serious recovery time from injuries, an unexpected inheritance, an even more unexpected discovery re paternity and more. It was all rather dramatic but lots of fun.
This has been a totally enjoyable series and I am only sorry it is over.
The love story began immediately and by page 35 Merritt and Keir are well into the action! Which made me wonder what the rest of the 350 or so pages were going to be about. It turned out there were several attempted murders, some serious recovery time from injuries, an unexpected inheritance, an even more unexpected discovery re paternity and more. It was all rather dramatic but lots of fun.
This has been a totally enjoyable series and I am only sorry it is over.
Read
October 28, 2020Edit: Meerut is Lillian and Marcus’ oldest child and it is thought that the hero is related to Sebastian because of “devil”!
Edit: Oh, no! I hate stories with widows :(
Oh my goodness!!! I am so excited! And equally curious! Will this continue onto the Ravanel storyline or be a completely book and a start to a new series? Who knows?
Does anyone have any ideas or know anything that I don’t? I am highly anticipating this book, although a year is going to be a hard time for me! It’s Lisa Kleypas, though, so you know it’s going to be amazing! Yayayayay! 🥰
Edit: Oh, no! I hate stories with widows :(
Oh my goodness!!! I am so excited! And equally curious! Will this continue onto the Ravanel storyline or be a completely book and a start to a new series? Who knows?
Does anyone have any ideas or know anything that I don’t? I am highly anticipating this book, although a year is going to be a hard time for me! It’s Lisa Kleypas, though, so you know it’s going to be amazing! Yayayayay! 🥰
August 4, 2021
This was simply... Not for me. It was instalove, bland, and Sebastian devil in winter fan fiction. The epilogue was also insensitive to readers. I was very bored throughout the book.
TW: infertility
TW: infertility
July 27, 2021
Worst HR I’ve read in a while, and it saddens me that it’s coming from one of my favorite authors in the genre.
I think it would’ve made for a much more interesting storyline to leave the past in the past, instead of revisiting Sebastian’s old exploits and even making those have lasting consequences. I would’ve adored this book if the H had been an interesting character for his own merits, instead of his story revolving around his status as Sebastian’s by-blow.
I unfortunately couldn’t buy the romance, especially since the main couple got together within the first 9 chapters out of 38(!!), nor Sebastian suddenly acting like a model father, when it’s canon that before DIW, he didn’t care about raising kids of his own. Not to mention that his confession of having ‘given [Keir’s mother] affection in exchange for her favors’ is freaking heartless even for his old standards!! Seb and Evie used to be one of my favorite couples of HR, but after this nth rehash of their family situation I am thoroughly bored with them. My favorite wallflower being completely fine with Sebastian having an illegitimate child also grated on my nerves: where’s the astute young woman who took her life in her own hands at 22? She certainly isn’t the same person as this book’s insipid matron who ‘wants to see the good in everyone’. I’m sorry, but I can’t stand sequels retconning previous books in such a blatant way. And it’s depressing that I’ve come to feel this way merely because this sequel reads like a cheap soap opera. Did we need the Marsdens and the St. Vincents becoming in laws? I don’t think so. Merritt’s story would’ve been much more compelling if it’d actually been her own, and not a rehash of the dynamics between her parents and their friends.
And last but not least, I had HUGE problems with this book’s approach to fertility. Both Merritt and Keir’s mother had trouble conceiving a child before Sebastian and his son came along. See, these poor infertile women only needed the right man! The book ends with Marcus and Sebastian bragging about their virility, illegitimate and abandoned children notwithstanding. Can you imagine a historical romance having a more callous and chauvinistic ending? For the first time while reading a LK novel, I am aghast.
The one part I truly enjoyed was the bonus marmalade cake recipe at the end, which sounds delicious and I plan to recreate.
I think it would’ve made for a much more interesting storyline to leave the past in the past, instead of revisiting Sebastian’s old exploits and even making those have lasting consequences. I would’ve adored this book if the H had been an interesting character for his own merits, instead of his story revolving around his status as Sebastian’s by-blow.
I unfortunately couldn’t buy the romance, especially since the main couple got together within the first 9 chapters out of 38(!!), nor Sebastian suddenly acting like a model father, when it’s canon that before DIW, he didn’t care about raising kids of his own. Not to mention that his confession of having ‘given [Keir’s mother] affection in exchange for her favors’ is freaking heartless even for his old standards!! Seb and Evie used to be one of my favorite couples of HR, but after this nth rehash of their family situation I am thoroughly bored with them. My favorite wallflower being completely fine with Sebastian having an illegitimate child also grated on my nerves: where’s the astute young woman who took her life in her own hands at 22? She certainly isn’t the same person as this book’s insipid matron who ‘wants to see the good in everyone’. I’m sorry, but I can’t stand sequels retconning previous books in such a blatant way. And it’s depressing that I’ve come to feel this way merely because this sequel reads like a cheap soap opera. Did we need the Marsdens and the St. Vincents becoming in laws? I don’t think so. Merritt’s story would’ve been much more compelling if it’d actually been her own, and not a rehash of the dynamics between her parents and their friends.
And last but not least, I had HUGE problems with this book’s approach to fertility. Both Merritt and Keir’s mother had trouble conceiving a child before Sebastian and his son came along. See, these poor infertile women only needed the right man! The book ends with Marcus and Sebastian bragging about their virility, illegitimate and abandoned children notwithstanding. Can you imagine a historical romance having a more callous and chauvinistic ending? For the first time while reading a LK novel, I am aghast.
The one part I truly enjoyed was the bonus marmalade cake recipe at the end, which sounds delicious and I plan to recreate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2021
2.5★
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2021/...
Quizás cuando se me pase el cabreo le suba nota 😂
Lisa Kleypas es una apuesta segura y sus novelas siempre merece la pena leerlas. No os fijéis en mi puntuación, simplemente de esta autora espero muchísimo más. Y esta novela me ha parecido entretenida, correcta, pero muy cómoda.
No entiendo por qué está metida en los Ravenels porque tan solo aparece de refilón uno de los personajes de la serie. Todo el resto son Wallflowers o descendientes.
Para mí debería ser el primero de la nueva serie.
Como historia, pues no sé, dejando de lado que la sorpresa en el punto que podría ser un poco de interés lo desvela la propia autora, pues sorpresa=0
La historia es un instalove total, de los que no me gustan. El romance queda cerrado sin ninguna tensión desde antes de la mitad de la novela. ¿para qué seguir leyendo? Pues porque aparecen (ya que la autora sabe lo que hace) secundarios muy adorados por nosotras, las lectoras.
Y eso es lo que me ha cabreado, me queda la sensació de que a metido cierto tema de por medio para plasmar escenas y frases, que son encantadoras , pero que en esta historia relegan a los protagonistas a un papel totalmente secundario.
¿dónde está la magia de la autora? ¿donde está el carisma de los protagonistas? Ambos totalmente desaprovechados y llenos de tópicos.
Es que ni ese tema secundario está resuelto con gracia
En fin, quizás cuando repose mis ánimas al hacer la reseña no sea tan tajante, ahora muy decepcionada.
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2021/...
Quizás cuando se me pase el cabreo le suba nota 😂
Lisa Kleypas es una apuesta segura y sus novelas siempre merece la pena leerlas. No os fijéis en mi puntuación, simplemente de esta autora espero muchísimo más. Y esta novela me ha parecido entretenida, correcta, pero muy cómoda.
No entiendo por qué está metida en los Ravenels porque tan solo aparece de refilón uno de los personajes de la serie. Todo el resto son Wallflowers o descendientes.
Para mí debería ser el primero de la nueva serie.
Como historia, pues no sé, dejando de lado que la sorpresa en el punto que podría ser un poco de interés lo desvela la propia autora, pues sorpresa=0
La historia es un instalove total, de los que no me gustan. El romance queda cerrado sin ninguna tensión desde antes de la mitad de la novela. ¿para qué seguir leyendo? Pues porque aparecen (ya que la autora sabe lo que hace) secundarios muy adorados por nosotras, las lectoras.
Y eso es lo que me ha cabreado, me queda la sensació de que a metido cierto tema de por medio para plasmar escenas y frases, que son encantadoras , pero que en esta historia relegan a los protagonistas a un papel totalmente secundario.
¿dónde está la magia de la autora? ¿donde está el carisma de los protagonistas? Ambos totalmente desaprovechados y llenos de tópicos.
Es que ni ese tema secundario está resuelto con gracia
En fin, quizás cuando repose mis ánimas al hacer la reseña no sea tan tajante, ahora muy decepcionada.
Want to read
October 19, 2022Update 19/10/2022
I don’t feel generous at the moment 😐.
I already stopped reading her books but now will put in my author to avoid list, too.
A secret child after an established HEA, is a MASSIVE NO for me! 😡.
Just meh..
Update 09/07/21
Wow, I’ve looked again, there’s over 9000 less ratings from book #3 to book #6 😳.
This one book #7.
I know I sounds cynical, but someone probably ask Ms. Kleypas to write something shocking to get more readers. Good luck with that and I wish her well. It’s her book anyway, she can write whatever she damn please!
Just like I can stop reading hers whenever I wanted to 🤷♀️.
————
I just read a review about what Ms. Kleypas did to Sebastian!!
I’m so happy I stop reading this series after book #3!
A fantastic way to destroy your fan’s favorite hero, Ms Kleypas!!!
Thank you for showing me, how you didn’t care about your fan’s feeling regarding Sebastian and Eve!
I don’t think I will read her book ever again! 🤷♀️😡
I don’t feel generous at the moment 😐.
I already stopped reading her books but now will put in my author to avoid list, too.
A secret child after an established HEA, is a MASSIVE NO for me! 😡.
Just meh..
Update 09/07/21
Wow, I’ve looked again, there’s over 9000 less ratings from book #3 to book #6 😳.
This one book #7.
I know I sounds cynical, but someone probably ask Ms. Kleypas to write something shocking to get more readers. Good luck with that and I wish her well. It’s her book anyway, she can write whatever she damn please!
Just like I can stop reading hers whenever I wanted to 🤷♀️.
————
I just read a review about what Ms. Kleypas did to Sebastian!!
I’m so happy I stop reading this series after book #3!
A fantastic way to destroy your fan’s favorite hero, Ms Kleypas!!!
Thank you for showing me, how you didn’t care about your fan’s feeling regarding Sebastian and Eve!
I don’t think I will read her book ever again! 🤷♀️😡
July 19, 2021
6/5 stars! This was absolute and utter perfection. Merritt and Keir have a soul mate level epic romance. The way Keir loved Merritt was honestly one of the most beautiful portrayals of romance I have ever read about. This book transported me back into the Ravenel world and it felt like coming home to old friends.
But seriously...the way Keir adored, cherished, and worshipped Merritt was unforgettable. I want to read it all over again to experience it one more time!
This book also speaks to that understated quality Kleypas has of showing such strong female characters who are not in your face, obvious bluestocking agenda. She writes these heroines who are both soft and strong and perfect companions for the men in their lives.
Seeing so many beloved members of the Wallflower and Ravenel series, the families and friendships, was also so wonderful.
I loved every single page. This is a masterwork of historical romance.
But seriously...the way Keir adored, cherished, and worshipped Merritt was unforgettable. I want to read it all over again to experience it one more time!
This book also speaks to that understated quality Kleypas has of showing such strong female characters who are not in your face, obvious bluestocking agenda. She writes these heroines who are both soft and strong and perfect companions for the men in their lives.
Seeing so many beloved members of the Wallflower and Ravenel series, the families and friendships, was also so wonderful.
I loved every single page. This is a masterwork of historical romance.
July 22, 2021
*This review contains spoilers, so be warned before reading this review*
Devil In Disguise is the newest installment in the Ravenels series and I will say that I was SO nervous for this book but I also kept my expectations lower on this one. When it comes to this series, it seems like the lower my expectation the better I tend to enjoy the read. I honestly never know what I will get with this series, since quite a few have been a hit or miss for me, but there was also a sense of eagerness with this one. And no I didn't receive the ARC on this one. This book actually is on the shelf of Barnes and Noble way early, so I recommend going out and grabbing it up. And after seeing some other romance readers I trust just cling in love to this book, I knew I had to read it and I honestly read this one in one sitting, it just drew me in so completely and loved the ride that Kleypas takes us on.
Devil In Disguise starts off with our hero, Keir MacRae, who storms into the office of Merritt Sterling, who is a whiskey distiller, and has major issues with his shipment. Merritt is the type of woman that is the solver and calms tensions, having taking care of her siblings, she knows how to cool a hot temper but Keir is a man she hasn't ever been faced with. He has the Scottish blood that fire hot, but Merritt is drawn to Keir in a way that she has never experience, not even with her late husband. She wants to explore the chemistry between herself and Keir, but eyes are on her and her family just waiting for a scandal to happen. But when Keir's life is put in danger, Merritt is determined to stand by his side, no matter the rumor or scandal. But when Keir suffers and Merritt is put in a certain position, she will have to be crafty to make sure that she and Keir have their chance, but fate may have other plans for them, including reveals from Keir's past that could change their dynamic completely...
Devil In Disguise is a story that truly packed a punch and there were some elements that I just wasn't expecting to happen at all. I was really excited for Merritt's book, but this book especially really ties the Ravenel series to the Wallflower series, and its all tied around Keir. Now I don't want to spoil too much, but lets just say that our delicious hero is the KEY to tying all the bonds together. I actually found Keir and Merrit's relationship to be sweet perfection. At first, you wonder, but honestly, their instant connection is breathtaking, and only Kleypas can write such sweet sexy chemistry you want more of. Normally instant connections such as these don't always work for me, but Kleypas really worked her magic in this book. From the beginning, you know that Keir and Merritt will have a battle, but their bond is strong enough to stand the tide ahead. And boy does Kleypas really throw some mountains in their journey. My heart just broke for these two, but most especially Merritt who is put in such a position but her strength and courage is truly admirable and she had my heart from beginning to end. She deserved to find her happy ever after, and even though she finds it, it will take perseverance on her part to find it. Keir was such a delightful hero, he definitely is the type of alpha hero that was so beautifully written. I loved his protectiveness of Merritt, his fighting for what he believed in, and his standing for his culture and background. He definitely has a spine and will fight for those he loves. I love how he is always watchful for Merritt, even in the most confusing moments of the plot. His attention and focus is solely on her and his character is steady and strong all the way through. And seeing his background come to light, and seeing his connection to the others was a journey I was all the way in for.
This is a story I didn't know what to expect at all, but it's a romance that captivated me all the way through. Surprisingly I couldn't be this book down, and I was swept away by their beautiful story. Its a story that while it capture the sweet perfection of intimacy, also builds in its depths of secrets that become clear, shines truth into the darkness and stuns you into silence with its powerful emotion. I won't say that this is the best book this author has ever written, or that its the most perfect one, but it worked for me in every way. The only downside to this book is the lack of stepback ....yep SO SAD. I am not sure why Avon didn't include it in this one when they have done the whole series, and I was looking forward to it all YEAR.
Overall I found Devil In Disguise to be a captivating read that stuns me in retrospect, a tale that offers depths of intimacy, secrecy revealed and connections unsuspected, a romance that is utterly enriching in his concepts, and a story you will cheer on from beginning to end.
Devil In Disguise is the newest installment in the Ravenels series and I will say that I was SO nervous for this book but I also kept my expectations lower on this one. When it comes to this series, it seems like the lower my expectation the better I tend to enjoy the read. I honestly never know what I will get with this series, since quite a few have been a hit or miss for me, but there was also a sense of eagerness with this one. And no I didn't receive the ARC on this one. This book actually is on the shelf of Barnes and Noble way early, so I recommend going out and grabbing it up. And after seeing some other romance readers I trust just cling in love to this book, I knew I had to read it and I honestly read this one in one sitting, it just drew me in so completely and loved the ride that Kleypas takes us on.
Devil In Disguise starts off with our hero, Keir MacRae, who storms into the office of Merritt Sterling, who is a whiskey distiller, and has major issues with his shipment. Merritt is the type of woman that is the solver and calms tensions, having taking care of her siblings, she knows how to cool a hot temper but Keir is a man she hasn't ever been faced with. He has the Scottish blood that fire hot, but Merritt is drawn to Keir in a way that she has never experience, not even with her late husband. She wants to explore the chemistry between herself and Keir, but eyes are on her and her family just waiting for a scandal to happen. But when Keir's life is put in danger, Merritt is determined to stand by his side, no matter the rumor or scandal. But when Keir suffers and Merritt is put in a certain position, she will have to be crafty to make sure that she and Keir have their chance, but fate may have other plans for them, including reveals from Keir's past that could change their dynamic completely...
Devil In Disguise is a story that truly packed a punch and there were some elements that I just wasn't expecting to happen at all. I was really excited for Merritt's book, but this book especially really ties the Ravenel series to the Wallflower series, and its all tied around Keir. Now I don't want to spoil too much, but lets just say that our delicious hero is the KEY to tying all the bonds together. I actually found Keir and Merrit's relationship to be sweet perfection. At first, you wonder, but honestly, their instant connection is breathtaking, and only Kleypas can write such sweet sexy chemistry you want more of. Normally instant connections such as these don't always work for me, but Kleypas really worked her magic in this book. From the beginning, you know that Keir and Merritt will have a battle, but their bond is strong enough to stand the tide ahead. And boy does Kleypas really throw some mountains in their journey. My heart just broke for these two, but most especially Merritt who is put in such a position but her strength and courage is truly admirable and she had my heart from beginning to end. She deserved to find her happy ever after, and even though she finds it, it will take perseverance on her part to find it. Keir was such a delightful hero, he definitely is the type of alpha hero that was so beautifully written. I loved his protectiveness of Merritt, his fighting for what he believed in, and his standing for his culture and background. He definitely has a spine and will fight for those he loves. I love how he is always watchful for Merritt, even in the most confusing moments of the plot. His attention and focus is solely on her and his character is steady and strong all the way through. And seeing his background come to light, and seeing his connection to the others was a journey I was all the way in for.
This is a story I didn't know what to expect at all, but it's a romance that captivated me all the way through. Surprisingly I couldn't be this book down, and I was swept away by their beautiful story. Its a story that while it capture the sweet perfection of intimacy, also builds in its depths of secrets that become clear, shines truth into the darkness and stuns you into silence with its powerful emotion. I won't say that this is the best book this author has ever written, or that its the most perfect one, but it worked for me in every way. The only downside to this book is the lack of stepback ....yep SO SAD. I am not sure why Avon didn't include it in this one when they have done the whole series, and I was looking forward to it all YEAR.
Overall I found Devil In Disguise to be a captivating read that stuns me in retrospect, a tale that offers depths of intimacy, secrecy revealed and connections unsuspected, a romance that is utterly enriching in his concepts, and a story you will cheer on from beginning to end.
May 21, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and the Tartans facebook group.)
Should I read in order?
Yeah, unless you want to read about a bunch of strangers. If you’re a completionist, start with Again the Magic, book .5 of the Wallflower series, and read all of those. Then Hathaways. Then Ravenels. Lillien and Marcus (It Happened One Autumn), Sebastian and Evie (Devil in Winter), Garret and Ethan (Hello, Stranger), Phoebe and West (Devil’s Daughter) all have page time. Daisy (Scandal in Spring) and Pandora (Devil in Spring) are very, very briefly mentioned.
Basic plot
Merritt (daughter of the couple from It Happened One Autumn) is still running her late husband’s shipping company. Keir MacRae comes into her life when he docks his whisky toting ships with her company.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian time period
- Highlander hero, widow heroine
- Heroine nurses hero back to health
- Amnesia – hero experiences it after an accident
- Medium steam – 3 full scenes and some kisses
- Sebastian
My thoughts:
I had pretty low expectations of this book, and sadly...it kind of met them. I just haven’t been too in love with the Ravenel series. And Sebastian wasn’t my favorite hero, like he is for many others, so when so much page time is for him, I just don’t care about it.
Overall the story was all right to me. It had some humor, it had sex. But for me, Merritt and Keir suffered here. I didn’t feel like I knew either of them that well by the end of the story. The instalove/lust I can be okay with, but here it just kind of fizzled out any sexual tension it had going. I found the story a bit boring? Not that I need a ton of action in my romances, I prefer it without actually and more character focused. But here, a lot of page time was spent on other characters. Page time spent on explaining some fascinating inventions of the era (which I did find interesting, but not at the expense of character development). And there is a murder plot going on against the hero, but I found the ending just so anticlimactic, I had to laugh.
The synopsis and some of the talk in the book made it seem like a scandal with Merritt was all everyone wanted. But I never really felt like that, because we didn’t get to see much of Merritt’s life. The society we see is only her family, who only cares about her happiness. Scandal never really happens, but it’s used as an overhead threat for marriage in the first part of the book.
I did really like both characters. I enjoyed Merritt's sunshine and problem solving disposition. I liked Keir's protectiveness. I think I could have really loved these characters if the story have delved deeper into their relationship and feelings.
The amnesia plot was just kind of strange? It kept Merritt and Keir at arms length for the middle of the book, but it all just seemed kind of pointless and over quickly.
Some things I did enjoy -
Other thoughts
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and the Tartans facebook group.)
Should I read in order?
Yeah, unless you want to read about a bunch of strangers. If you’re a completionist, start with Again the Magic, book .5 of the Wallflower series, and read all of those. Then Hathaways. Then Ravenels. Lillien and Marcus (It Happened One Autumn), Sebastian and Evie (Devil in Winter), Garret and Ethan (Hello, Stranger), Phoebe and West (Devil’s Daughter) all have page time. Daisy (Scandal in Spring) and Pandora (Devil in Spring) are very, very briefly mentioned.
Basic plot
Merritt (daughter of the couple from It Happened One Autumn) is still running her late husband’s shipping company. Keir MacRae comes into her life when he docks his whisky toting ships with her company.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian time period
- Highlander hero, widow heroine
- Heroine nurses hero back to health
- Amnesia – hero experiences it after an accident
- Medium steam – 3 full scenes and some kisses
- Sebastian
My thoughts:
I had pretty low expectations of this book, and sadly...it kind of met them. I just haven’t been too in love with the Ravenel series. And Sebastian wasn’t my favorite hero, like he is for many others, so when so much page time is for him, I just don’t care about it.
Overall the story was all right to me. It had some humor, it had sex. But for me, Merritt and Keir suffered here. I didn’t feel like I knew either of them that well by the end of the story. The instalove/lust I can be okay with, but here it just kind of fizzled out any sexual tension it had going. I found the story a bit boring? Not that I need a ton of action in my romances, I prefer it without actually and more character focused. But here, a lot of page time was spent on other characters. Page time spent on explaining some fascinating inventions of the era (which I did find interesting, but not at the expense of character development). And there is a murder plot going on against the hero, but I found the ending just so anticlimactic, I had to laugh.
The synopsis and some of the talk in the book made it seem like a scandal with Merritt was all everyone wanted. But I never really felt like that, because we didn’t get to see much of Merritt’s life. The society we see is only her family, who only cares about her happiness. Scandal never really happens, but it’s used as an overhead threat for marriage in the first part of the book.
I did really like both characters. I enjoyed Merritt's sunshine and problem solving disposition. I liked Keir's protectiveness. I think I could have really loved these characters if the story have delved deeper into their relationship and feelings.
The amnesia plot was just kind of strange? It kept Merritt and Keir at arms length for the middle of the book, but it all just seemed kind of pointless and over quickly.
Some things I did enjoy -
Other thoughts
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
October 10, 2022
the setup…
It’s been three years since Lady Merritt Sterling was widowed when her husband Joshua was lost at sea. She took over management of his shipping company, assisted by her brother Luke Marsden. The company has thrived but now is threatened because of one very angry customer, Keir MacRae, a whisky distiller from Islay whose shipment has met with all sorts of challenges since arrival. When he’s brought to Merritt’s office, the angry Scotsman sparks something inside her she hasn’t felt for a long time. Once he’s calmed down, Keir takes note of the remarkable woman in front of him and the feeling is mutual. She’s a bit more high born for his sensibilities but that feeling is definitely not mutual.
the heart of the story…
It’s more Wallflower than Ravenel with this story, which is a really good thing! Merritt is the daughter of Lillian and Marcus Marsden, Lady and Lord Westcliff, as well as the best friend of Phoebe St. Vincent Ravenel. She’s bright, bossy and utterly delightful, which captivated Keir from the start. I loved their romance as it wasn’t bogged down by any silly angst or worry despite the very real obstacles they faced. It was also made clear early on that someone was out to harm him as two attempts were made on his life, the last one coming close to being successful. There were also questions and hints about his ancestry that kept me intrigued. But it was Merritt and Keir who kept me riveted to the story.
the narration…
I’ve enjoyed every single performance in this series but this was even more special. Her mastery of Keir’s Scottish accent just made him more authentic and appealing. And, her voice for Sebastian St. Vincent was so…him!
the bottom line…
I’ve loved this series and am sad to reach the end, even though this was a worthy conclusion. How fitting that it would feature the Wallflowers front and center, with a charming romance between two great characters. Merritt and Keir both had strong personalities and instead of butting like rams, they fit almost perfectly. Their banter was witty and fun, making this one of the best dialogues of the series. I’m glad I chose to listen to each of the stories as the narrator delivered outstanding performances for all. This was a nice mix of romance, humor, mystery and excitement. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
It’s been three years since Lady Merritt Sterling was widowed when her husband Joshua was lost at sea. She took over management of his shipping company, assisted by her brother Luke Marsden. The company has thrived but now is threatened because of one very angry customer, Keir MacRae, a whisky distiller from Islay whose shipment has met with all sorts of challenges since arrival. When he’s brought to Merritt’s office, the angry Scotsman sparks something inside her she hasn’t felt for a long time. Once he’s calmed down, Keir takes note of the remarkable woman in front of him and the feeling is mutual. She’s a bit more high born for his sensibilities but that feeling is definitely not mutual.
the heart of the story…
It’s more Wallflower than Ravenel with this story, which is a really good thing! Merritt is the daughter of Lillian and Marcus Marsden, Lady and Lord Westcliff, as well as the best friend of Phoebe St. Vincent Ravenel. She’s bright, bossy and utterly delightful, which captivated Keir from the start. I loved their romance as it wasn’t bogged down by any silly angst or worry despite the very real obstacles they faced. It was also made clear early on that someone was out to harm him as two attempts were made on his life, the last one coming close to being successful. There were also questions and hints about his ancestry that kept me intrigued. But it was Merritt and Keir who kept me riveted to the story.
the narration…
I’ve enjoyed every single performance in this series but this was even more special. Her mastery of Keir’s Scottish accent just made him more authentic and appealing. And, her voice for Sebastian St. Vincent was so…him!
the bottom line…
I’ve loved this series and am sad to reach the end, even though this was a worthy conclusion. How fitting that it would feature the Wallflowers front and center, with a charming romance between two great characters. Merritt and Keir both had strong personalities and instead of butting like rams, they fit almost perfectly. Their banter was witty and fun, making this one of the best dialogues of the series. I’m glad I chose to listen to each of the stories as the narrator delivered outstanding performances for all. This was a nice mix of romance, humor, mystery and excitement. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
September 7, 2021
What's one more sleepless night on account of St.Vincent
July 21, 2022
As any Lisa Kleypas’ romance, Devil In Disguise delivers realistic characters while they fall in love and interesting subplots that make the final obstacle different from the ones you are tired of reading.
The heroine, Merritt Sterling, daughter of Lillian and Magnus (It Happened One Autumn), is a very sensible woman who loves telling people what to do and looking after them. The kind of woman who makes a list of requirements to choose her partner, one that only her deceased husband managed to fulfill. But when handsome Keir MacRae appears in her office, all her common sense goes through the window…
Keir might not know a lot about society, but this much he knows: Lady Merritt is well above his position. He also recalls a widow shouldn’t be meeting him at night, inviting him to her house, but even a gentleman like him is unable to resist someone as breathtaking as Merritt. But soon, that’ll be the least of his worries…
“() I feel perfectly justified in having dinner with a friend.”
“Friend,” MacRae repeated, now looking sardonic. “Is that what I am?”
“Yes, why not?”
He moved closer to her in the stairwell, his shadow falling over her.
“You would no’ call me that,” he said softly, “If you understood the temptation you are to me.”
While they fall in love very fast, Lisa Kleypas’ speciality is to convince you they are perfect for each other in a couple of scenes and you’ll understand the speed of their feelings as if they were your own. I loved them together, but it was over too soon. Around 30%, something happens and other characters steal the show: the Wallflowers and their husbands. While my favorite scenes were the ones with Sebastian and Evie (Devil in Spring), Lillian and Marcus, because it was a delight to see them again, it felt like the center of the story wasn’t Keir and Merrit’s romance anymore. Also, I’m very annoyed about something that happened in the epilogue -although it’s so typical I wasn’t even surprised.
“Let me go with you, () I’ll be the extra rib that protects your heart.”
“You can’t, Merry.”
The hint of a smile had vanished. “Because you doubt my abilities,” she said rather than asked.
Keir shook his head. “Because you are my heart.”
Definitely not something I’d recommend to someone who is not familiar with the Wallflowers -at least #2 and #3-, but if you loved the Wallflowers as much as me, this is not one you want to miss!! It would be amazing if Devil In Disguise was the first book of a new series following the Wallflowers’ children.
August 22, 2021
3 stars
Lisa Kleypas was one of the authors who first inspired my love of Historical Romance. Her books became the benchmark by which I judged all other historical romances, and her Wallflowers and Hathaways series are among my favourite series of all time. I even read her contemporary series, but was thrilled when she returned to writing Historical Romance. It saddens me to say that The Ravenels series has been very hit and miss for me and this book was very disappointing.
What I didn’t like…
Based on my preference for slow building romances, it was inevitable that Merritt and Keir’s insta lust/love scenario was not going to work for me. I felt that their romance was lacking in emotional depth and strong characterisation, while jumping into bed virtually straightaway precluded any delicious sexual tension.
I have no objection to sex scenes but save me from 15 pages of ‘textured bud’, ‘tender niche’, petaled edges’ and ‘tender cove’. 😟 These days I’m strongly of the opinion that less is more. In fact, in one of the most sensual scenes I’ve ever read, the hero and heroine weren’t even in the same room!
Keir’s amnesia didn’t seem to contribute anything to the story, other than cause Merritt some anxious moments.
Why the miracle baby?
When it came to the murder plot, I was disappointed that the villain was just a vague character in the background and never appeared on page. The whole resolution was anticlimactic.
What I liked…
I enjoyed seeing the relationship developing between Sebastian and Keir, and it was wonderful to spend time with Marcus and Lilian - like catching up with old friends.
I really liked Luke, Merritt’s younger brother, who is definitely worthy of his own book.
MY VERDICT: In view of my real disappointment with this series, I am seriously considering whether Lisa Kleypas should remain on my auto-buy list.
Lisa Kleypas was one of the authors who first inspired my love of Historical Romance. Her books became the benchmark by which I judged all other historical romances, and her Wallflowers and Hathaways series are among my favourite series of all time. I even read her contemporary series, but was thrilled when she returned to writing Historical Romance. It saddens me to say that The Ravenels series has been very hit and miss for me and this book was very disappointing.
What I didn’t like…
Based on my preference for slow building romances, it was inevitable that Merritt and Keir’s insta lust/love scenario was not going to work for me. I felt that their romance was lacking in emotional depth and strong characterisation, while jumping into bed virtually straightaway precluded any delicious sexual tension.
I have no objection to sex scenes but save me from 15 pages of ‘textured bud’, ‘tender niche’, petaled edges’ and ‘tender cove’. 😟 These days I’m strongly of the opinion that less is more. In fact, in one of the most sensual scenes I’ve ever read, the hero and heroine weren’t even in the same room!
Keir’s amnesia didn’t seem to contribute anything to the story, other than cause Merritt some anxious moments.
Why the miracle baby?
When it came to the murder plot, I was disappointed that the villain was just a vague character in the background and never appeared on page. The whole resolution was anticlimactic.
What I liked…
I enjoyed seeing the relationship developing between Sebastian and Keir, and it was wonderful to spend time with Marcus and Lilian - like catching up with old friends.
I really liked Luke, Merritt’s younger brother, who is definitely worthy of his own book.
MY VERDICT: In view of my real disappointment with this series, I am seriously considering whether Lisa Kleypas should remain on my auto-buy list.
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