wildwolverine's review against another edition
3.0
This book is like a fruit that's not ripe yet. There are so many promises, and you're sure it'll get sweeter and better. Unfortunately, it's not there yet. This book holds up an interesting couple of Kathleen and Devon, two people determined not to get into a commitment, whether that's a committed relationship or a full-blown affair. There's an eccentric family isolated from London society very similar to the Hathaways. So, when I opened this book, I expected a sweet but moving romance with some slapstick humor thrown in. I almost got that.
Because this is the first book of a series, Kleypas has to introduce everyone who will someday have their own book. Here, we meet two brothers and three sisters, and you can bet they all have show-stealing personalities. As a result, the story feels busy and muddled with everyone trying to get a word in edgewise, and the leads don't get the page-time they need to fall in love and us with them. The exchanges between Kathleen and Devon were cute, but they were so rarely together that I didn't really buy it when they fell in true love. Truthfully, I feel like Kathleen should've ended up with the younger brother, West. He understood her better and respected her opinion, unlike Devon who was gone too often to really get to know the widow. Neither of them moved beyond the lust stage.
Hopefully the next books focus on just the couple more. Aside from that, the writing was descriptive and immersive. Kleypas's usual tools are here: the sudden danger, the brute of a hero, the short heroine, and some wonky pacing. Overall, I enjoyed this, but it could've been and should've been so much more.
Because this is the first book of a series, Kleypas has to introduce everyone who will someday have their own book. Here, we meet two brothers and three sisters, and you can bet they all have show-stealing personalities. As a result, the story feels busy and muddled with everyone trying to get a word in edgewise, and the leads don't get the page-time they need to fall in love and us with them. The exchanges between Kathleen and Devon were cute, but they were so rarely together that I didn't really buy it when they fell in true love. Truthfully, I feel like Kathleen should've ended up with the younger brother, West. He understood her better and respected her opinion, unlike Devon who was gone too often to really get to know the widow. Neither of them moved beyond the lust stage.
Hopefully the next books focus on just the couple more. Aside from that, the writing was descriptive and immersive. Kleypas's usual tools are here: the sudden danger, the brute of a hero, the short heroine, and some wonky pacing. Overall, I enjoyed this, but it could've been and should've been so much more.
sri_savita's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly, I didn't dislike this one as much as other readers, partially because I read this book last so I already had a good sense for a lot of my favorite characters who were STILL more developed here, in Book 1, than our two main characters.
Pandora is still just as quirky, Cassandra is funnier, and the two of them together are hilarious, something we don't see as often in either of the books that focus on them individually. I found they really shined in this book, along with Hamlet - the pig!
West's character development was great to see too; he's been a consistent favorite for me.
Helen was wonderful EXCEPT near the end when all goes to hell with Winterborne. I actually thought one of the most moving parts of this book was when Helen plays her favorite piece on the piano, one which she's forgotten the name of since it was taught to her many years ago, and Rhys recognizes it as Welsh. THAT was a compelling romantic hook, and in their book there is the idea of a mysterious song calling loves to each other, so it made perfect sense.
I also think we got to see how important pride is to Winterborne when he was discussing how he thought it was important for customers to see they could buy shirts that the owner of the store wore, but he had no idea higher-class society probably saw him as foolish for not wearing bespoke clothing. My heart actually hurt for that level of vulnerability. This was the strongest character development in the book by far! It was also sweet in the epilogue that the orchid thrived with Rhys. This was all wonderful.
But of course it couldn't be this simple and LK had to fuck it up. Helen had to instead become so fragile that she never spoke, and Rhys just become a threatening asshole. Who actually finds this creepy shit attractive? I feel like LK tried to write another Sebastian/Lord Dain from Loretta Chase's Lord of Scoundrels (same type of character description as someone with dark features who feels like he's conventionally unattractive to highborn women and leans into his immigrant "brute" nature) but failed because this type of character only works when someone can match them in intensity - which Helen cannot and does not, having read her book.
Unfortunately there was so much going on in this book to set up conflicts and other books that we didn't get a lot of character development for Devon and Kathleen. Devon, who is not as cold-hearted or rakish as the title suggests, is actually a character I liked. His humor and wit were there, he is emotionally aware, and pragmatic. I think he had a steady calming energy most of the time and very little of the Ravenel temper. He was logical and practical which I appreciated too, his way of communicating love wasn't super flowery and unrealistic, and he knew he was feeling emotions unlike some of the dudes in these stories lol. And I didn't mind Kathleen either, she had some witty lines as well. Also that carriage scene was pretty spicy. I thought it was unique how LK tried to create a sort of casual arrangement for them, and the conflicts of navigating something like that, of course this all had to quickly culminate in love and marriage by the end which was a little sloppy - especially with four narrative POVs by that point (Helen's and Winterborne's included).
By the end with the whole Winterborne debacle Devon had to say some stupid domineering bullshit to Kathleen too - explain to me why "You'll never be safe from me" sounds attractive? So, then I was irritated with both him and Winterborne and wanted to punch them in the face. So, one star taken away for all this annoyance.
Still, I'm glad I read this book as it gave more context for how everything started for the Ravenels, who I largely adore in this series! Books 3-6 are my favorites, and reading this one last helped tie everything together. Super excited for Merritt's Book 7 this July! I know I'll be rereading these books for years to come!
Pandora is still just as quirky, Cassandra is funnier, and the two of them together are hilarious, something we don't see as often in either of the books that focus on them individually. I found they really shined in this book, along with Hamlet - the pig!
West's character development was great to see too; he's been a consistent favorite for me.
Helen was wonderful EXCEPT near the end when all goes to hell with Winterborne. I actually thought one of the most moving parts of this book was when Helen plays her favorite piece on the piano, one which she's forgotten the name of since it was taught to her many years ago, and Rhys recognizes it as Welsh. THAT was a compelling romantic hook, and in their book there is the idea of a mysterious song calling loves to each other, so it made perfect sense.
I also think we got to see how important pride is to Winterborne when he was discussing how he thought it was important for customers to see they could buy shirts that the owner of the store wore, but he had no idea higher-class society probably saw him as foolish for not wearing bespoke clothing. My heart actually hurt for that level of vulnerability. This was the strongest character development in the book by far! It was also sweet in the epilogue that the orchid thrived with Rhys. This was all wonderful.
But of course it couldn't be this simple and LK had to fuck it up. Helen had to instead become so fragile that she never spoke, and Rhys just become a threatening asshole. Who actually finds this creepy shit attractive? I feel like LK tried to write another Sebastian/Lord Dain from Loretta Chase's Lord of Scoundrels (same type of character description as someone with dark features who feels like he's conventionally unattractive to highborn women and leans into his immigrant "brute" nature) but failed because this type of character only works when someone can match them in intensity - which Helen cannot and does not, having read her book.
Unfortunately there was so much going on in this book to set up conflicts and other books that we didn't get a lot of character development for Devon and Kathleen. Devon, who is not as cold-hearted or rakish as the title suggests, is actually a character I liked. His humor and wit were there, he is emotionally aware, and pragmatic. I think he had a steady calming energy most of the time and very little of the Ravenel temper. He was logical and practical which I appreciated too, his way of communicating love wasn't super flowery and unrealistic, and he knew he was feeling emotions unlike some of the dudes in these stories lol. And I didn't mind Kathleen either, she had some witty lines as well. Also that carriage scene was pretty spicy. I thought it was unique how LK tried to create a sort of casual arrangement for them, and the conflicts of navigating something like that, of course this all had to quickly culminate in love and marriage by the end which was a little sloppy - especially with four narrative POVs by that point (Helen's and Winterborne's included).
By the end with the whole Winterborne debacle Devon had to say some stupid domineering bullshit to Kathleen too - explain to me why "You'll never be safe from me" sounds attractive? So, then I was irritated with both him and Winterborne and wanted to punch them in the face. So, one star taken away for all this annoyance.
Still, I'm glad I read this book as it gave more context for how everything started for the Ravenels, who I largely adore in this series! Books 3-6 are my favorites, and reading this one last helped tie everything together. Super excited for Merritt's Book 7 this July! I know I'll be rereading these books for years to come!
thecrafter's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
jessicalouise25's review against another edition
4.0
I love Lisa kleypas and I did enjoy this book but it was weird. It seemed to be more about building the next book than concentrating on this one. I didn't mind the content involving Helen and Winterborne but I would have liked more content rooted in the relationship between the main characters. The relationship was a little lacking in substance and there were too many periods where nothing was happening at all with them. The secondary characters, namely West, were the main thing that saved this book. The writing was superb as usual and that definitely raises the star rating too. Overall I did enjoy this book, I just didn't enjoy the relationship as much as the book. I'm a bit scared to read the next one based on how this one ended with regards to Helen's story but I'm hoping it's a 'Devil in winter' sort of transformation. *fingers crossed*
mariaili's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
theanachronismreads's review against another edition
4.0
Good introduction
What an interesting time period to set a series! Lisa Kleypas has a way with her characters and the Ravenels are no different. Looking forward to the series.
What an interesting time period to set a series! Lisa Kleypas has a way with her characters and the Ravenels are no different. Looking forward to the series.
red_steele's review against another edition
3.0
This book is unbalanced. Devon is a top-tiered arse and other than lust and sexual tension I found nothing worthwhile between him and Kathleen. It would have made more sense for Kathleen to fall in love with Wes.
The author ruined Kathleen’s character falsely characterizing her as a “strong woman”. There was zero character growth and unfortunately she yielded to Devon’s predictable seduction. There was too much sex and unnecessary foul language.
I liked the secondary characters (Helen, Pandora, Cassandra and Wes). I hope the next book is better.
The author ruined Kathleen’s character falsely characterizing her as a “strong woman”. There was zero character growth and unfortunately she yielded to Devon’s predictable seduction. There was too much sex and unnecessary foul language.
I liked the secondary characters (Helen, Pandora, Cassandra and Wes). I hope the next book is better.
hnatola's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mckellstar's review against another edition
4.0
3.5-4/5
I’m not sure what to rate this. I enjoyed it, but I also know I enjoyed her other books more… a full review to come!
I’m not sure what to rate this. I enjoyed it, but I also know I enjoyed her other books more… a full review to come!