d_laney's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mckellstar's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5
This was very different in tone from 'Devil in Winter', but I still LOVED it!! Simon Hunt can GET. IT.
I started this series with book three ('Devil in Winter') and loved it, so I decided to continue on by starting at the beginning. Here we meet our four wallflowers: Annabelle, Lillian, Evie, and Daisy.
This story follows Annabelle, a woman of the peerage with no dowry, who is desperately seeking a husband to help support herself and her family. It's a pretty difficult task as all the men pass her by because of her lack of wealth- everyone except for Simon Hunt, that is. Simon is not noble nor is he a gentleman; he is a self-made man who started off working for his father, a butcher, and who made smart investments along the way to acquire the massive amount of wealth he now has. But Annabelle can't stand him! She refuses to marry him (even if he were the marrying kind), and she absolutely cannot fathom becoming his mistress. So what's a girl to do? Find and marry the richest man around, obviously. Too bad that just so happens to be none other than Simon.
Oddly enough, even though this book is clearly older than the third book, this felt more contemporary in its writing style. I loved the women's friendship and their banter- Lillian and Daisy are sisters and they were freaking hilarious! They made me miss my siblings and the way we teased each other growing up. I loved that they all had actual personalities and adequate 'screen time' and not just enough to set them up for their own books later on in the series. (Evie had the least amount, but it makes sense with her story - I've already read it, so I know- and I'm sure that will change in the next book.)
Simon, like I said earlier, can get it. He was a freaking DREAM. He had so many amazing lines, I don't know how Annabelle didn't fall for him right away. She's clearly stronger than I am! He was caring, daring, and I can't think of another word that rhymes but HE WAS GREAT. He was the poster boy for playing the long con- except his 'con' was actually not a con, but just incredible self-confidence and faith that they would be together. Just... wow.
Annabelle had real family problems to deal with, and I appreciated that she had a good head on her shoulders. She was sensible and mature and I was rooting for her from the beginning.
This book had way less steam than 'Devil in Winter', but I still couldn't put it down! Steaminess doesn't usually make or break a book for me, but I just had an expectation because of the other book of hers I'd read. However, what was there was lovely.
Just like 'Devil in Winter', I ate this shit up. On to the next Wallflowers book!
This was very different in tone from 'Devil in Winter', but I still LOVED it!! Simon Hunt can GET. IT.
I started this series with book three ('Devil in Winter') and loved it, so I decided to continue on by starting at the beginning. Here we meet our four wallflowers: Annabelle, Lillian, Evie, and Daisy.
This story follows Annabelle, a woman of the peerage with no dowry, who is desperately seeking a husband to help support herself and her family. It's a pretty difficult task as all the men pass her by because of her lack of wealth- everyone except for Simon Hunt, that is. Simon is not noble nor is he a gentleman; he is a self-made man who started off working for his father, a butcher, and who made smart investments along the way to acquire the massive amount of wealth he now has. But Annabelle can't stand him! She refuses to marry him (even if he were the marrying kind), and she absolutely cannot fathom becoming his mistress. So what's a girl to do? Find and marry the richest man around, obviously. Too bad that just so happens to be none other than Simon.
Oddly enough, even though this book is clearly older than the third book, this felt more contemporary in its writing style. I loved the women's friendship and their banter- Lillian and Daisy are sisters and they were freaking hilarious! They made me miss my siblings and the way we teased each other growing up. I loved that they all had actual personalities and adequate 'screen time' and not just enough to set them up for their own books later on in the series. (Evie had the least amount, but it makes sense with her story - I've already read it, so I know- and I'm sure that will change in the next book.)
Simon, like I said earlier, can get it. He was a freaking DREAM. He had so many amazing lines, I don't know how Annabelle didn't fall for him right away. She's clearly stronger than I am! He was caring, daring, and I can't think of another word that rhymes but HE WAS GREAT. He was the poster boy for playing the long con- except his 'con' was actually not a con, but just incredible self-confidence and faith that they would be together. Just... wow.
Annabelle had real family problems to deal with, and I appreciated that she had a good head on her shoulders. She was sensible and mature and I was rooting for her from the beginning.
This book had way less steam than 'Devil in Winter', but I still couldn't put it down! Steaminess doesn't usually make or break a book for me, but I just had an expectation because of the other book of hers I'd read. However, what was there was lovely.
Spoiler
My only real complaint with this book is the way the plot/conflict was structured towards the last third of the book. It seemed that the conflict was finding a husband, but it was really something else, so once she and Simon were married and we still had like 25% to go, I was really confused as to what the conflict could possibly be. Everything was fine in the end, but I did think it was a bit of an odd choice to structure the story this way.Just like 'Devil in Winter', I ate this shit up. On to the next Wallflowers book!
sashareadssss's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-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? No
4.0
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Secrets of a Summer Night
4 Stars
Synopsis
Annabelle Peyton is in want of a husband. She doesn't require much only that he be a peer and have sufficient funds to raise her family out of poverty. Simon Hunt is a self made man who has everything he could ever want except the one woman who will never have him - Annabelle. Can these two very different people find a way to overcome their differences for love?
Reviews
Charming and funny read with a very hunky hero but the heroine rubbed me the wrong way.
While Annabelle is in desperate straits and it is difficult not to sympathize with her circumstances, she is nevertheless not a likeable character due to her haughty, mercenary, elitist and selfish personality. She does ultimately redeem herself but it was too late for me. Simon, on the other hand, is simply perfect - honest, intelligent, sexy and sensual, understanding and accepting, loving and determined - I could go on and on but I won't. His only flaw is his attraction to Annabelle as I have no idea what he sees in her.
The plot is an enjoyable yet predictable love/hate romance with some Pride & Prejudice thrown in for good measure. The historical background on Victorian social norms are well researched and interesting, especially the descriptions of the decline of the aristocracy and the rise of the industrialist middle class. The portrayal of the difficult choices faced by women who fall outside the accepted conventions is also very apt.
The writing is good although it does lack a certain flow. I sometimes found myself re-reading lines and even entire paragraphs just to make sure I was following the action.
The real highlight of the book is the hysterically funny banter, machinations and antics of the Wallflowers. The Rounders-in-Knickers scenes still have me smiling.
Overall, an entertaining beginning to a promising series. Lillian and Marcus are up next and I look forward to seeing just how crazy they can drive each other.
4 Stars
Synopsis
Annabelle Peyton is in want of a husband. She doesn't require much only that he be a peer and have sufficient funds to raise her family out of poverty. Simon Hunt is a self made man who has everything he could ever want except the one woman who will never have him - Annabelle. Can these two very different people find a way to overcome their differences for love?
Reviews
Charming and funny read with a very hunky hero but the heroine rubbed me the wrong way.
While Annabelle is in desperate straits and it is difficult not to sympathize with her circumstances, she is nevertheless not a likeable character due to her haughty, mercenary, elitist and selfish personality. She does ultimately redeem herself but it was too late for me. Simon, on the other hand, is simply perfect - honest, intelligent, sexy and sensual, understanding and accepting, loving and determined - I could go on and on but I won't. His only flaw is his attraction to Annabelle as I have no idea what he sees in her.
The plot is an enjoyable yet predictable love/hate romance with some Pride & Prejudice thrown in for good measure. The historical background on Victorian social norms are well researched and interesting, especially the descriptions of the decline of the aristocracy and the rise of the industrialist middle class. The portrayal of the difficult choices faced by women who fall outside the accepted conventions is also very apt.
The writing is good although it does lack a certain flow. I sometimes found myself re-reading lines and even entire paragraphs just to make sure I was following the action.
The real highlight of the book is the hysterically funny banter, machinations and antics of the Wallflowers. The Rounders-in-Knickers scenes still have me smiling.
Overall, an entertaining beginning to a promising series. Lillian and Marcus are up next and I look forward to seeing just how crazy they can drive each other.
uzaii's review against another edition
4.0
The ending was very touching, but I was a bit annoyed by Annabelle and Simon throughout the story, so it's more of a 4.5 stars rounded down than up.
I don't understand some of the comments though, Annabelle was way less materialistic than I anticipes when reading the reviews.
I don't understand some of the comments though, Annabelle was way less materialistic than I anticipes when reading the reviews.
jmelkw's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
anotherhel's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Meeh it's good. Too much focus on money and status. End is kind of rushed.
Mr. Hunt is a beast.
Meeh it's good. Too much focus on money and status. End is kind of rushed.
Mr. Hunt is a beast.
"I love you, dammit.”
She brushed her lips teasingly against his. “How much?”
He made a slight sound, as if the soft kiss had affected him intensely. “Without limit. Beyond forever.”
“I love you more”
geo_ix's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
It was really close to being a 4 star read, but the last 30%, basically after they get married really dragged for me. Parts of the end I enjoyed, but at the same time it was super slow in terms of story. The start was also super slow and then they’re married and it’s super fast in terms of romance lol
Anyway, I really did enjoy the book. I enjoyed the characters to a degree, and I’m very interested in Evie.
It was really close to being a 4 star read, but the last 30%, basically after they get married really dragged for me. Parts of the end I enjoyed, but at the same time it was super slow in terms of story. The start was also super slow and then they’re married and it’s super fast in terms of romance lol
Anyway, I really did enjoy the book. I enjoyed the characters to a degree, and I’m very interested in Evie.
rebeccatc's review against another edition
4.0
Secrets of a Summer Night is the first book in Lisa Kleypas' Wallflowers series and one of the best historical romance novels I have read. The Victorian era story involves Annabelle Peyton, an impoverished noblewoman determined to make a good marriage to save her mother and younger brother from desperate straights. Simon Hunt is the local butcher's son, a self made millionaire whom Annabelle deems beneath her since he is not of noble blood. Annabelle soon teams up with three other "wallflowers" in a scheme to catch a noble husband, but circumstances and Simon Hunt interfere with her plans. The book is very well written with realistic and witty dialogue and a sense of humor, and it avoids many of the usual romance novel cliches. Simon wins her over with a combination of kindness, honesty and fun. There is very little melodrama, but the situation Annabelle finds herself in is real: as a woman, she does not have the option of making her own fortune as Simon has done. Annabelle is believably flawed but never so stupid, clueless or selfish that I wanted to slap her as I have many other romance novel "heroines." Simon is masculine without being overbearing, violent and pigheaded. The Wallflowers add an element that is rare in this genre: true female friendship among peers. I will be reading the rest of this series soon.