Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas

Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas 332 pages

The Hathaways #5

 As a lover of animals and nature, Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors than in the ballroom. Even though she participated in the London season in the past, the classic beauty and free-spirited Beatrix has never been swept away or seriously courted . . . and she has resigned herself to the fate of never finding love. Has the time come for the most unconventional of the Hathaway sisters to settle for an ordinary man—just to avoid spinsterhood?

Captain Christopher Phelan is a handsome, daring soldier who plans to marry Beatrix's friend, the vivacious flirt Prudence Mercer, when he returns from fighting abroad. But, as he explains in his letters to Pru, life on the battlefield has darkened his soul—and it's becoming clear that Christopher won't come back as the same man. When Beatrix learns of Pru's disappointment, she decides to help by concocting Pru's letters to Christopher for her. Soon the correspondence between Beatrix and Christopher develops into something fulfilling and deep . . . and when Christopher comes home, he's determined to claim the woman he loves.

I enjoyed this book. It was not my favorite of the series, but I am still glad I read it.

Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas

Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas - 266 pages
The Ravenels #6

Lady Cassandra Ravenel has always wanted to marry -- to find love and have a little family of her own.  However, she's starting to think it will never happen.  She can't find someone to love that loves her in return.  Tom Severin wants to marry Cassandra but he agrees that he is not capable of love.  Then Cassandra is maligned in a scandal and Tom hurries to rescue her . . .

This is the final book in the Ravenels historical romance series.  It is also probably my favorite in the series so far.  I really liked the character of Tom and have from the beginning of the series.  Cassandra was also much more interesting in this book than in the previous ones.  I'm looking forward to see what family and historical period Lisa Kleypas focuses on next.

The Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas

The Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas - 384 pages
Book 3 - The Wallflower series

"I'm Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent. I can't be celibate. Everyone knows that." Desperate to escape her scheming relatives, Evangeline Jenner has sought the help of the most infamous scoundrel in London. A marriage of convenience is the only solution. No one would have ever paired the shy, stammering wallflower with the sinfully handsome viscount. It quickly becomes clear, however, that Evie is a woman of hidden strength-and Sebastian desires her more than any woman he's ever known. Determined to win her husband's elusive heart, Evie dares to strike a bargain with the devil: If Sebastian can stay celibate for three months, she will allow him into her bed. When Evie is threatened by a vengeful enemy from the past, Sebastian vows to do whatever it takes to protect his wife . . . even at the expense of his own life. Together they will defy their perilous fate, for the sake of all-consuming love.

I loved this book.  I would recommend this to regency romance fans.

It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas

It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas - 400 pages
2nd in the Wallflower series

Headstrong American heiress Lillian Bowman has come to England to find an aristocratic husband. Unfortunately, no man is strong enough to tame the stubborn beauty's fierce will. Except, perhaps, the powerful and arrogant Earl of Westcliff-a man Lillian despises more than anyone she's ever met. Marcus, Lord Westcliff, is famous for his icy English reserve and his supreme self-control. But something about the audacious Lillian drives him mad. Whenever they're in the same room, they can't stop themselves from battling furiously to gain the upper hand. Then one afternoon, a stunningly sensuous encounter changes everything . . . and Lillian discovers that beneath the earl's reserved façade, he is the passionate and tender lover of her dreams. What neither Westcliff nor Lillian suspect, however, is that a sinister conspiracy threatens to destroy any chance of happiness. After a shocking betrayal endangers Lillian's safety-and possibly her life-will Marcus be able to save her before it's too late?

I liked this one better than the first one in the series.  It is definitely worth reading if you enjoy regency romance. 

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas- 384 Pages
1st in the Wallflowers series

Four young ladies at the side of the ballroom make a pact to help each other find husbands.....no matter what it takes.

Proud and beautiful Annabelle Peyton could have her pick of suitors-if only she had a dowry.  Her family is on the brink of disaster, and the only way Annabelle can save them is to marry a wealthy man.  Unfortunately her most persistent admirer is the brash Simon Hunt, a handsome and ambitious entrepreneur who wants her as his mistress.

Annabelle is determined to resist Simon's wicked propositions, but she can't deny her attraction to the boldly seductive rogue, any more than he can resist the challenge she presents.  As they try to outmaneuver each other, they find themselves surrendering to a love more powerful than they could have ever imagined.  But fate may have other plans-and it will take all of Annabelle's courage to face a peril that could destroy everything she holds dear.  

This was an enjoyable read.  I would have liked it much more if the heroine of the book would have given up her snobby ways sooner, but it was still a good book.

Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas

Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas - 391 pages
The Ravenels, bk 4

Dr. Garrett Gibson, the only female physician in England, and Ethan Ransom, a former Scotland Yard detective, have always had sparks between them.  Now those sparks are turning romantic just as Ethan is becoming embroiled in a national conspiracy.  Will they be able to protect each other while also finding their love for each other?

This is the fourth book in The Ravenels series of historical romances by Lisa Kleypas.  This book focuses on a bastard son who doesn't want any connection with the Ravenels.  I thought the first half of the book was pretty slow.  However, it picked up in the second half.  It was interesting to see a hopelessly romantic male lead for a change.  Not the strongest book in the series, but still interesting to read.

Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas

Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas - 408 pages
Ravenels #2

Lady Helen Ravenel is determined to marry Rhys Winterborne even though he believes the relationship is completely over.  They have several barriers to overcome though.  Winterborne has severely insulted Helen's sister-in-law and her husband.  Helen has recently discovered who her father really is and that he and Winterborne hate each other.  And Helen is determined to save her newly discovered half-sister from a loveless life in an orphanage.  This relationship is doomed.

I listened to this on audio.  I really enjoyed the narration by Mary Jane Wells.  The accents she used were wonderful.  I especially enjoyed the Welsh accent she used for Winterborne.

Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas

Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas - 375 pages
A Friday Harbor Novel

Zoe's life is about change as her grandmother has just been diagnosed with having had several mini-strokes and alzheimers.  She's determined to bring her grandmother to Friday Harbor to live with her.  This means having Alex remodel her family cottage.
Alex is going through a particularily rough patch right now.  He's in the middle of a nasty divorce.  His business went belly up when the economy tanked.  And worst of all -- he's acquired a ghost that won't leave him alone.  Now the ghost is pushing him to admit his feelings for Zoe as well as the ghost's relationship to Zoe's grandmother.

This was the best of the Friday Harbor novels so far.  It seemed to have much more depth than the previous two books.  It also lived up to it's paranormal romance description more than the others as the ghost was a main character in the story.

Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas

Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas - 326 pages
Friday Harbor #2

Lucy Marinn is shocked when her long-term boyfriend breaks up with her and asks her to move out so his new girlfriend can move in.  She's even more shocked when the new girlfriend turns out to be her sister.  She's reeling from the events when she meets Sam Nolan.  They want different things.  Sam keeps all relationships extremely casual while Lucy wants to find someone to love forever.  Will their relationship be able to work?

This is the second book in Lisa Kleypas' modern day paranormal romance series Friday Harbor.  The paranormal references are pretty rare but magic does play a role in the story.  Overall, though I would call it a typcial romance.  I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas

Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas - 280 pages

Gabriel, Lord St. Vincent, has managed to avoid marriage for years.  But then he is found assisting Pandora Ravenel in a compromising position and now they are forced to marry.  The problem is that Pandora has no desire to wed.  She wants to stay independent and manage her blossoming career as a board game designer.

I really enjoyed this book.  While it is the third book in the Ravenels series, it could also be considered a sequel to the third Wallflowers series book -- Devil in Winter.  It was interesting to revisit the old characters as you met new and interesting characters.  The only thing that bothered me is that I have to wait until next spring to read the next book in the series.

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas - 232 pages

Mark Nolan is trying his best to take care of his orphaned niece after his sister dies.  It's difficult, especially since she's been mute since her mother died, but he's been getting by with the help of his brother.  But now, Holly has written a letter to Santa asking for a mother.  Mark eyes toy shop owner Maggie as a possibility but she's not ready to love again after her husband died.  Will the three of them become a family?

This is the first romance by Lisa Kleypas set in modern times that I have read.  I usually read her historical romances.  It's the first in a series about the Nolan brothers.  I also realized as I was reading it that I've watched a Hallmark movie based on the book a few years ago.  It was interesting enough that I'll read the next book in the series.

Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas

Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas - 402 pages

Devon Ravenel has just inherited an earldom - something he has never wanted.  It's particularly bad as the estate is saddled with debt.  He plans on dismantling the estate and selling it but there is the little matter of the former earl's three innocent sisters and widow.  Can he manage to save the estate and win the heart of the widow Kathleen.

This was an unusual historical romance in that the main characters had very little interaction for probably 75% of the book.  I've read the second book in the series and it seems as if this book mainly serves as a set-up for rest of the books in the series -- introducing all the characters.

Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas

Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas - 410 pages

Rhys Winterborne is shocked when Lady Helen Ravenel comes to him wanting to resume their engagement.  Her family is against the marriage so they determine the only way to get what they want is for her to become compromised . . . .

This is actually the second book in the Ravenel series.  I'm going to have to go back to read the first book.  I enjoyed the story and the characters.  It was a fun, quick read.

Where's My Hero? by Lisa Kleypas, etc.

Where's My Hero? by Lisa Kleypas, etc. - 384 pages

This is a collection of short romances featuring side characters from the authors' other books.
Against the Odds by Lisa Kleypas
Midsummer's Knight by Kinley Macgregor (aka - Sherilyn Kenyon)
A Tale of Two Sisters by Julia Quinn
I picked up this book for the Lisa Kleypas story.  However, it was Julia Quinn's story that I enjoyed the most.