We Love Lisa Kleypas discussion

***With those words, Lara's life turned upside down. Hunter, Earl of Hawksworth, had been lost at sea. Or so she'd been told. Their unhappy marriage--with its cold caresses and passionless kisses--was over. But now a powerful, virile man stood before her, telling secrets only a husband could know, and vowing she would once again be his wife in every way. While Lara couldn't deny that this man with smoldering dark eyes resembled Hunter, he was attentive and loving in ways he never was before. Soon she desperately wanted to believe, with every beat of her heart, that this stranger was truly her husband. But had this rake reformed--or was Lara being seduced by a cunning stranger?***

Getting ready to start this one. Another book with mixed reviews, but the plot sounds really interesting to me. :)

I liked it but not as much as her other novels. I haven't hated anything she has written yet.

I agree, while it was not my favorite it is still much better than many historical out there. Some people think this is her best book, so you'll have to decide for yourself. I would recommend it to any LK fan, I just wouldn't suggest a newbie start with this one.

Well, all of the mixed reviews of Where Dreams Begin made me a little hesitant to read it. And that ended up being my favorite LK book that I've read so far. So, I have an open mind. :)

It wasn't my favorite, but I didn't dislike it.

I loved Hunter. He really made an impression on me. I liked that it was a reimagining of Sommersby, which is a great movie, but very sad ending.

I agree, Sommersby was great! The "dead no more" theme is one of my favorites.

Be sure to let me know which books do that well, with HEA, and no accidental bigamy. Not fond of that.

I just got through with this one and I really liked it. I liked Hunter, just wonder if it couldn't have worked out for him to be acknowledged as the half-brother.

Robyn wrote: "I just got through with this one and I really liked it. I liked Hunter, just wonder if it couldn't have worked out for him to be acknowledged as the half-brother. "

No- it wouldn't have worked as he was illegitimate and the title would only pass to legitimate issue and the lands would usually be entailed to the title. So he would have to live and die with the lie intact.

I actually thought this one was a really good story, maybe not so strong on the romance but my preference is for plot first and anything else is a bonus. It was rather creepy although not in the gothic novel sense.

I should probably re-read this one, but I was sort of disappointed, I think. It wasn't as strong as most of her books, and the "Hey, I'm not dead anymore" genre is one of my favorites, so maybe my expectations were too high.

I loved it. It's one of my favorites from her. Hunter is so fierce. I think it's more understated and at the same time less cheerful than some of her other books.

new_user wrote: "I loved it. It's one of my favorites from her. Hunter is so fierce. I think it's more understated and at the same time less cheerful than some of her other books."


Yes, a bit darker, a bit more difficult and more tightly plotted. I was never convinced of a "happy" ending until we got there and I liked that it wasn't a perfect ending. For instance Lara might never know his real name.

In comparison with her more recent books- say the Wallfloers and especially the Hathaways it felt less comfortable and therefore I was not sure of a HEA and I liked that about it. I found Married by Morning had a somewhat over engineered conclusion- this felt like a better balance.

This was my first LK book and jumpstarted my love of her writing.

I liked that too, mshj. He's not as charismatically charming as some of her other heroes either, but he's romantic and sweet in a different way. I think a lot of people couldn't sympathize with the heroine because they felt like she was weak, perhaps, but it's not the first time we've seen a heroine come from a bad marriage thinking that she prefers her independence. It's realistic, and I thought that premise was believably written here.

There was just something about this one that I couldn't connect with. I love all her books, but for me, and I think I stated this in my review, the most memorable character was little Johnny and his pet Mousey. It wasn't a bad read, but not as good as her others, in my opinion.

That said, I had read it just coming down from a Wallflower high, so that might have had something to do with it.

I think that's a problem for a lot of readers too. It's written in a much different tone than her other books. Less mature and well-adjusted, more angsty and sort of dysfunctional, maybe, but I loved it, LOL.

new_user wrote: "I think that's a problem for a lot of readers too. It's written in a much different tone than her other books. Less mature and well-adjusted, more angsty and sort of dysfunctional, maybe, but I lov..."

Yes- I wouldn't volunteer to take Hunter on but his character and the unusual background made for quite an intense read.

Definitely.

Is there a story for the abused sister? I can't remember.

Not that I know of. That might be interesting though.

I didn't think there was. It would make a good one. Talk about tortured heroines.

LOL! Yeah, really! Kleypas should take advantage of it.

I was rather irked with the sister. I mean, really? How close to dead does one need to be before realizing that maybe accepting sanctuary from your sister is a good idea?

UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "I was rather irked with the sister. I mean, really? How close to dead does one need to be before realizing that maybe accepting sanctuary from your sister is a good idea?"

sadly she is very much in the tradition of abused wives - she has lost all sense of self worth

I just finished this LK yesterday. At this point I feel that LK can do no wrong. While it was not a favorite, I read it in one day! LOL
I agree with you Mshj, Lara's sister role was perfectly executed she has the pattern of an abused woman spot on!
I liked Lara so much. She came off as a perfectly balanced heroine. My one and only issue was when she found out about Hunter she was so quick to turn him in and bring back the God awful Uncle and wife. I wish some how the "conflict" played out a bit differently.
For me Hunter lacked something that her other hero's have. It may have been do to the plot. The mystery of his identity may have made him less approachable for me.
Overall a strongt 4 star LK winner!!

Kelly wrote: "I just finished this LK yesterday. At this point I feel that LK can do no wrong. While it was not a favorite, I read it in one day! LOL
I agree with you Mshj, Lara's sister r"

I think I said in my review that the only characters in this book that really grabbed me were Johnny (the boy) and Mousie. LOL