A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas

Book Description:
The Wallflowers are four young ladies in London who banded together in their wild and wickedly wonderful searches for true love. Now happily married, they join together once again to help one of the world's most notorious rogues realize that happiness might be right under the mistletoe...

It's Christmastime in London and Rafe Bowman has arrived from America for his arranged meeting with Natalie Blandford, the very proper and beautiful daughter of Lady and Lord Blandford. His chiseled good looks and imposing physique are sure to impress the lady in waiting and, if it weren't for his shocking American ways and wild reputation, her hand would already be guaranteed. Before the courtship can begin, Rafe realizes he must learn the rules of London society. But when four former Wallflowers try their hand at matchmaking, no one knows what will happen. And winning a bride turns out to be more complicated than Rafe Bowman anticipated, especially for a man accustomed to getting anything he wants. However, Christmas works in the most unexpected ways, changing a cynic to a romantic and inspiring passion in the most timid of hearts.

A Wallflower Christmas takes a trip to Victorian London, under the mistletoe, and on a journey of the heart. With her trademark charm, sensuality, and unforgettable characters, there's no one like Lisa Kleypas to make you believe in the magic of Christmas.

This is a sequel to the Wallflower series, which I just finished a few days ago. I must admit, my timing worked out wonderfully to read this book at this time of year, only days before Christmas! I enjoyed this short novella (213 pages) and it was nice to catch up with the Wallflowers and their respective husbands and find they are all still blissfully in lust love with their husbands and vice versa! Lillian redeemed herself in this book for me, I was getting annoyed with her in the last 2 books, but she did a lot of good turns for Hannah, who was the star of this book.

Hannah is the wallflower companion to the incomparable Natalie Blandford who is being considered as a bride by the rakish and oh so good looking American Rafe Bowman, brother to Lillian and Daisy Bowman (now Lillian, Countess of Westcliff and Daisy Swift).

Rafe's father has ruled he must marry Natalie or forfeit his fortune and future inheritence of his father's soap factory. At first, Rafe arrives in London with the intention of going through with the courtship until he meets shy and unassuming Hannah. It's love at first sight. There is no other accounting for it. Rafe is instantly smitten by her (though, frankly, I don't see why). Hannah is sweet and demure, not overly attractive, so it's not clear what Rafe sees in her, so it must be something chemical or he just wants to see if he can seduce her within 20 minutes of first meeting her. He loses no time in kissing her - deeply - and she doesn't stop him. She knows it's wrong, but he's irresistible and this kissing business (and more) continues while they are together at Stony Cross Manor in Hampshire (where most of the Wallflower series takes place) for the Christmas holidays. Rafe is torn, does he obey his father, do the "right" thing and ask Natalie, who's vivacious and a beauty and a daughter of the peerage (as his father puts it) or throw cares to the wind and seduce, bed, and (maybe) marry Hannah instead and thus lose his father's money (which he doesn't really need anyway.)

Rafe certainly seems hell bent on seducing her and Hannah is just too defenseless to put him off. I kind of had a problem with this. At times I felt like he was forcing himself on her when he really shouldn't have been - it was ungentlemanly and unseemly. Yes, yes, I know, it's a romance! But, I have my standards and I felt sorry for Hannah. She wasn't gorgeous or rich and didn't know what to do. She was falling for Rafe (against her own good judgment) and because of that, she turned down an honest - albeit unromantic and in writing, no less - marriage proposal. She believes that Rafe may love her (based on an indiscreet love letter he wrote and then tried to burn unsuccesfully), or he may just want her for a mistress. What to do? Choose him and turn down the only marriage proposal she may ever get, or refuse to let him "do things" to her since he's probably going to marry Natalie (who I didn't like at all, btw - meow.) Rafe and Hannah seem to be kissing all over the place, it's a wonder they never get caught!

I felt because of the brevity of the book, things were rushed. Rafe and Hannah kiss way to soon, there is no build up. They get hot and heavy very soon too and I just kept thinking, "Hannah, you shouldn't be doing this with him!" Still, I give her credit, she kept her virginity intact until the end of the book, although they weren't married yet. That bachelor annex at the Manor has gotten a lot of mileage in these books!

Without spoiling the ending, I can assure you it all ends tidily and Lisa Kleypas throws in a couple of hot sex scenes with her new and her old characters from the past books to make everyone happy. This was a fun and feel good Christmasy romance that is a must to read for everyone who has read her Wallflower series. I hope she writes a few more!

4/5

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Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas

Book Description:
After spending three London seasons searching for a husband, Daisy Bowman's father has told her in no uncertain terms that she must find a husband. Now. And if Daisy can't snare an appropriate suitor, she will marry the man he chooses—the ruthless and aloof Matthew Swift.

Daisy is horrified. A Bowman never admits defeat, and she decides to do whatever it takes to marry someone . . . anyone . . . other than Matthew. But she doesn't count on Matthew's unexpected charm . . . or the blazing sensuality that soon flares beyond both their control. And Daisy discovers that the man she has always hated just might turn out to be the man of her dreams.

But right at the moment of sweet surrender, a scandalous secret is uncovered . . . one that could destroy both Matthew and a love more passionate and irresistible than Daisy's wildest fantasies.

I think this was my 2nd favorite of the Wallflower Series, my favorite was the prequel, Again the Magic, but this one was my favorite of the four original books. I didn't expect it to be, Daisy was always the immature one, the one that I didn't really care about in the other books, and I have to really give Lisa Kleypas a hand - she did a great job with this romance! I was under the impression that Daisy was going to wind up with Cam Rohan (from Devil in Winter) and I'm so happy she wound up with Matthew Swift instead! Daisy started out as being described as a head in the clouds, flighty type of heroine. But, over the course of the book we see her mature and transform into a young woman who knows what she wants, and stands strong and by her man! Her life becomes passionate and enthralling, she no longer is in need of her books for excitement.

I really enjoyed seeing how they meet again after many years, and he winds up being this handsome, smart, dependable but oh so attractive American! I love these kind of stories! Of course she despises him at first, but sex appeal takes over and it was really fun to read all about their unorthodox courtship, fun and sexy, a real page turner! I read it in less than a day! Plus, this book had the usual other Wallflowers and their husbands in it too, all taking place in Hampshire at Lord Westcliff's manor. The one fly in the ointment is, I must admit, Daisy's sister, Lillian. She now really gets on my nerves. I liked her a lot in her own story, It Happened One Autumn, but in the rest of the books she is just annoying to me and such a bitch! But, her husband Marcus is still my favorite, with Matthew Swift coming in a close 2nd. There was something about Matthew that I really loved in this book! I found him very appealing, maybe because he came across as more normal than many of the other heroes in this series. Plus, all throughout the story I was dying to find out what his big secret was! And could he have picked out a more appropriate and adorable ring for her? I loved it!

Without giving away any spoilers, I'll just say, this was a heartfelt story from beginning to end. I'm glad to see Daisy found true love with a commoner and an American and that their life will now be happy and settled. No more running away, no more dark secrets. She'll be with her friends, and I found the last page touching, a great finale to this quartet of books! One of my favorite romance series that I've read to date! I highly recommend all of them, Lisa Kleypas consistently writes excellent romances!

4.5/5

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Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas

Book Description:
Easily the shyest Wallflower, Evangeline Jenner stands to become the wealthiest, once her inheritance comes due. Because she must first escape the clutches of her unscrupulous relatives, Evie has approached the rake Viscount St. Vincent with a most outrageous proposition: Marriage!

Sebastian's reputation is so dangerous that thirty seconds alone with him will ruin any maiden's good name. Still, this bewitching chit appeared, unchaperoned, on his doorstep to offer her hand. Certainly an aristocrat with a fine eye for beauty could do far worse.

But Evie's proposal comes with a condition: no lovemaking after their wedding night. She will never become just another of the dashing libertine's callously discarded broken hearts-which means Sebastian will simply have to work harder at his seductions...or perhaps surrender his own heart for the very first time in the name of true love.

The third in the ever popular Wallflower series, this is the story of Evie, who is desperate to get away from her abusive family that is forcing her to marry her odious and corpulent - not to mention cruel - cousin. She goes to the rake from the last book, It Happened One Autumn, Lord St. Vincent and proposes a marriage of convenience. Desperate himself for money, he takes her up on the offer and they speed off to Gretna Green for a quickie marriage and consummation.

I must say, I really enjoyed this book! Sebastian (St. Vincent) takes on the role of the reformed rake. He has had the worst reputation in the past and I liked watching his transformation with Evie. He winds up being considerate and caring, making sure she rests and her feet are warm in the cold in their carriage to Gretna Green. Their wedding is a quick affair, and he lets her sleep that night, but the next morning, he's considerate enough to wake her up most pleasantly and they consummate their marriage. He is irresistible, yet she tells him she'll only sleep with him this once, just to make the marriage legal so it cannot be anulled by her family. And so we have a bit of angst and sexual tension forming here, for she obviously enjoyed the sex with him (who wouldn't?), but is convinced he can never be faithful to her (she's gone into this marriage with her eyes wide open) and doesn't want to just become another unhappy conquest of his.

One thing leads to another and they begin to fall for one another. Her father is dying (he's a gambling club owner) and she wants to be with him and nurse him in his last days. Sebastian goes with her and winds up taking over the Club and has a flair for it. But, this crazy employee has it out for Evie and tries to kill her and winds up shooting Sebastian instead when he throws himself in front of the bullet to save her. It's touch and go there for a while, but St. Vincent lives and he also winds up making up with The Earl of Westcliff (from the last book) whose wife he tried to abduct. Once again, the Earl is invaluable in this book and saves St. Vincent's life (he's good at this in these books).

All in all, this was a really good reformed rake's tale with a different plotline as well. The shy and stuttering Evangeline finds her unlikely match. St. Vincent is virile, great in bed, blonde and oh so attractive - lucky Evangeline! If she's going to propose to someone for a marriage of convenience - at least she picked someone like St. Vincent! Onto the next in the series!

4.5/5

Note: I'm reading a bunch of romances for the next few weeks in light of the stress and business of the Christmas season - I just can't concentrate on anything heavy right now, but after the New Year, I'll be in action again.

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It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas

Book Description:
It happened at the ball . . .

Where beautiful but bold Lillian Bowman quickly learned that her independent American ways weren't entirely "the thing." And the most disapproving of all was insufferable, snobbish, and impossible Marcus, Lord Westcliff, London's most eligible aristocrat.

It happened in the garden . . .

When Marcus shockingly—and dangerously-swept her into his arms. Lillian was overcome with a consuming passion for a man she didn't even like. Time stood still; it was as if no one else existed . . . thank goodness they weren't caught very nearly in the act!

It happened one autumn . . .

Marcus was a man in charge of his own emotions, a bedrock of stability. But with Lillian, every touch was exquisite torture, every kiss an enticement for more. Yet how could he consider taking a woman so blatantly unsuitable . . . as his bride?

Another delightful Lisa Kleypas steamy romance! I like this one better than the first in the Wallflower Series. This one is Marcus's story, brother of Olivia and Alina from Again the Magic. Rich, staid, aristocratic and dependable Marcus finally meets his match in Lillian Bowman, a rich, brash American heiress who has bothered him from the first day they met. They are repelled by each other at first, but in this book, thanks to a "magic" perfume of Lillian's that turns Marcus on his head with desire, they find each other irresistible, despite the fact they both believe they can't possibly be meant for each other.

I really enjoyed this book and loved the funny, yet steamy encounters between Lillian and Marcus. Plus, I love these sort of stories in which the aristocrat falls for the unsuitable American girl. I really liked Lillian and her sparkle and fearless personality. But, she has her downfalls, one scene was very funny over dinner involving calf's brains. Westcliff is irritated by Lillian and they're always squabbling, but at the same time, he is drawn to her and can't bear to see her with anyone else!

The plot was a good one: Marcus resists Lillian, but can't help kissing her any chance he gets alone with her! She thinks it's from her perfume and doesn't believe he really cares for her. Meanwhile, the rake, Lord St. Vincent is in need of an heiress and sets his sights on Lillian as well. He is smooth, handsome and has a terrible reputation with the ladies - but an old friend of Marcus' so he's on the scene a lot. Will he capture Lillian and make her his wife? There was an exciting ending, plenty of hot premarital sex, and a happy ending with a total cliffhanger for the next book!

I recommend this series, this was a fun read!

4.5/5

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Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

Book Description:
Four young ladies enter London society with one common goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband. So a daring husband-hunting scheme is born.

Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle's most intriguing -- and persistent -- admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition ... but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.

Her friends, looking to help, conspire to entice a more suitable gentleman to offer for Annabelle, for only then will she be safe from Simon -- and her own longings. But on one summer night, Annabelle succumbs to Simon's passionate embrace and tempting kisses ... and she discovers that love is the most dangerous game of all.

This is the second Lisa Kleypas book that I've read. Again the Magic was the first in this Wallflower Series by her and I loved it! Unfortunately this one wasn't as good for me. There just didn't seem to be that same excitement as in the other one.

The first part of the book took a long time to get interesting between Annabelle and Hunt. Mostly it sets the scene for Annabelle's reasons why she has to marry for money - not easy when you don't have a dowry. She first meets Simon Hunt two years earlier in the prologue and experiences this searing kiss from him in the dark and never forgets it. Two years later once she's been out already in her 4th season, and pretty much considered over the hill, he pursues her, but is it as his mistress or as his bride? Even though he's fabulously wealthy, it's nouveau money, he's a self made man, the son of a butcher and she looks down her nose at him. She is determined to marry a peer of the realm, even though she finds him disturbingly handsome and virile and - an unforgettable kisser! The main theme of this romance is old money vs. new money in the face of the industrial revolution in England in the 1840's. The aristocrats are resisting the influx of commoners with money, yet at the same time, they need the money since their fortunes are sadly depleted. This parallels with Annabelle's dilemma, will she be able to marry well, or will she become some rich man's mistress to save her family?

Annabelle comes from good blood, but her family is in dire financial straights, and her mother is forced to sleep in secret with this horrible old Lord who pays some of their debts to keep her younger brother in school and Annabelle on the marriage mart. Their only chance is if Annabelle marries well. Annabelle, a wallflower due to her lack of a dowry, becomes friends with four other wallflowers and they plan to help Annabelle catch a husband. Often, Annabelle was described as passionate and stong-willed, yet I didn't see that in her. I don't think her character was really fleshed out all that well and I don't believe she'd ever accept being a wallflower or would allow her mother to sleep with this horrible old Lord if she was as strong willed and stubborn as she is referred to! At a country house party in Hampshire (the same estate as in Again the Magic) Annabelle goes after Lord Kendall, but Simon Hunt is there too, always watching her with that sardonic, amused look on his face. He knows just what she's up to. She sort of half-heartedly goes after Lord Kendall, I wouldn't say she was all that determined, but getting bitten by a snake didn't help her cause either!

One night, purely by accident, Annabelle and Hunt have a passionate moment hiding in the music room (this is the secret of the summer night as in the title) but she vows it was a mistake and it can never happen again. She's still determined to go after Kendall, since things have gotten even more dire with her family and the evil Lord that is tormenting her and her mother is there at the country house party too! But eventually, Annabelle realizes that she can't go through with entrapping Kendall into a compromising position to marry her, and due to a series of events that same evening, she winds up becoming engaged to Hunt instead! I found the whole scenario sort of rushed and Annabelle just gave into him and accepted him too easily. It was just too pat.

The last third of the book is about their marriage and how she has to cope with the fact that she's married a commoner and is not treated the same as if she had married someone from the aristocracy. Even though Simon is fabulously wealthy, he's treated with disdain by the aristocrats. He's a rogue anyway and does nothing to ingratiate himself with their set, except maybe to help them out financially which he probably does to embarrass them. But not all of them disdain them, he's good friends with Lord Westcliff (Marcus from Again the Magic), which is why he is present at the house party in Hampshire. So, even though Annabelle and Hunt have an enjoyable and passion filled marriage, she has to face being snubbed and talked about behind her back (she has a tendency to eavesdrop).

One of the things that bothered me with this story was that it kept reminding me of Gone With the Wind, which I've read upteen times and it is one of my favorite books. Simon Hunt was just like a Rhett Butler in many ways, especially in his description! Then there is Annabelle coping with being snubbed by the aristocratic set because she married a new money commoner. This reminded me so much of when Scarlett married Rhett and began hanging out with all the carpetbaggers, yet was shunned by the respectable, Confederate families in Atlanta. The big difference with Rhett and Hunt is, Rhett actually did come from a good family in Charleston, whereas Hunt came from a decidedly middle class background, which is impossible to overcome in England. Since GWTW is one of my very favorite books, I couldn't help noticing the similarities and it bugged me... but not too much.

All in all, the book wasn't bad by any means, but I think I was spoiled with Again the Magic and expected this one to be better. I'm very much looking forward to the next in the Wallflower Series, which is about the courtship of Marcus, Lord Westcliff and his story!

3.5/5

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Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas

Book Description:
She gave him her innocence . . . Lady Aline Marsden was brought up for one reason: to make an advantageous marriage to a member of her own class. Instead, she willingly gave her innocence to John McKenna, a servant on her father's estate. Their passionate transgression was unforgivable -- John was sent away, and Aline was left to live in the countryside . . . an exile from London society . . . and he took her love.

Now McKenna has made his fortune, and he has returned -- more boldly handsome and more mesmerizing than before. His ruthless plan is to take revenge on the woman who shattered his dreams of love. But the magic between them burns as bright as ever. And now he must decide whether to let vengeance take its toll . . . or risk everything for his first, and only, love.

Ever since I've gotten into reading romance books in the past few months, the one name I have heard over and over again is Lisa Kleypas. Frequently her name comes up as writing some of the best historical romances out there. I was doubtful and felt they couldn't be as good as all that - well, I stand corrected - they are. I loved this book - I think it's the best romance I've read to date.

There are a number of reasons why I loved this book. For once, it was a good plotline that hooked me and I stayed interested in up to the very last page. I didn't want it to end. Aline and McKenna grow up together, but he's a stableboy and she's the daughter of the manor. It all takes place originally in 1832. They grow to love each other, but for various reasons McKenna is sent away, partly due to their romance being found out and Aline doesn't want to see him hurt by her father. She tricks him into leaving her for his own good, but she winds up making him hate her for doing it.

Twelve years go by and he returns to the manor in England after making his fortune in New York (shades of Heathcliff). They are still undeniably attracted to one another, but he's out for revenge and she cannot tell him about the horrible disfiguring scars she has on her legs from a terrible burn accident that happened to her shortly after he left the estate twelve years earlier. She's afraid if she tells him, he'll never be able to look at her and feel the same way about her. Yet, she'd rather not have him at all since she's afraid he'll stay with her out of pity and eventually regret his decision, and she can't live with that chance. Thus, she decides to lie to him again about the real reason why she's sending him back to New York without her.

Not only is the main plotline good, but so are the side ones. There is another love story going on with her sister, Livia, and McKenna's American partner Gideon Shaw, which is just as good and sexy as the McKenna/Aline plot. Gideon is a drunkard, but very debonaire and good looking and rich - will he be able to give up drinking for good for the love of Livia who has her own past scandal to contend with? It seems implausable, but I was captivated with their side of the story.

I couldn't get enough of this book, the sex scenes were great (for both couples) and plenty to go around, but I didn't feel they were just gratuitous sex scenes, they added to the plotlines and enhanced the emotional feeling of the romance. Another side character I really liked was Lord Sandridge a gay neighbor of Aline's. He was amusing and tender and compassionate, her confidante. I'd like to see more of him.

Not your typical formulaic romance here. It was thoughtful, not overly gooey or sappy. Aline is a formidable heroine at 31 years old. She's a woman now and a gracious hostess for her brother yet carries a huge secret burden around with her always. McKenna is larger than life, I loved seeing his tranformation from the young 18 year old stable boy to the rich businessman from New York come back to seduce Aline and carry out the revenge he's been dreaming of for 12 years - of course it doesn't happen quite the way he thinks it will.

I'm not going to give away too much, no spoilers here, but I'll just say, it all ends well and it's a very satisfying ending. I'll be sure to read the rest of the books in this series, of which this was the prequel. The series is known as The Wallflowers.

If you're into steamy English historical romances - this is a keeper!

5/5

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