Avon | February 2019 | 384 pgs
Source: Library
This is the fifth installment of The Ravenels series and it functions as a standalone.
When young widow Phoebe, Lady Clare, attends a family wedding she didn't expect to meet up with her late husband's old schoolmate. She and Henry were childhood sweethearts and they got married despite his ailments. Phoebe heard a lot of things surrounding West Ravenel through Henry. She knew he was a bully and that Henry had a difficult time at the boarding school. So when Phoebe encounters a dashing man who has a charming way with her young sons, the last person she'd thought of is West but as fate would have it it's truly him.
West has a tarnished past and he's not proud of it. His unhappiness childhood more or less driven him to be an attention-seeker in school; but at that time he didn't realize his behaviours caused misery to some children like Henry. As an adult, his wayward behaviours earned him some reputation in society and at some point he must've gotten tired of everything because he turned his attention to managing properties and agricultural. And the moment he sets his eyes on Phoebe he knew he has to know her, although she seems to be far out of his reach.
Phoebe doesn't want to have anything to do with West, but he seems like a changed person and most of all, he seems to like her sons. Now Phoebe may come across as an aristocratic lady, but she's the daughter of Lord St. Vincent - one whom almost everyone knew to be the devilishly wicked rake in England (he's the hero in the other book, Devil in Winter) and as they get to know more of each other Phoebe knows he is the man that she wants but will they be able to overcome the obstacles of the past?
I haven't read Devil in Winter, but I loved this book! I loved the complexity relationship between Phoebe and West in the beginning and how it gradually turned to mutual attraction as the story progresses. I liked Phoebe for her independence; for not being afraid to say no to a man's work of managing Henry's land even though his cousin takes care of everything. But I liked West more for his humour, his heart for tolerance and most of all his love for Phoebe's children. He's a changed man but there's still a part of him that is tormented from the past and I liked how Phoebe and West complemented each other through the things they'd gone through and how they slowly come to terms with a little push from Phoebe's father.
Although I haven't read all of Lisa Kleypas's books, I've to say I'd enjoyed those that I read and this book left me a warm fuzzy feeling.
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I think these kinds of books are always fun to read. :)
Lark - Yes, it is. And they're my comfort reads. :)
Both Phoebe and West sound like great characters. I haven't tried anything by Lisa Kleypas before, but I think I might really like this one.
Wendy - Lisa Kleypas is one of my favourite authors when it comes to historical romance. I hope you'll give her books a try one day.
Warm and fuzzy is good!
I need to read this! I did read the previous book and I liked West's characters so I'd love to read his story now. Lisa Kleypas definitely writes a good romance novel!
Jenclair - I haven't read historical romance for a whiLe. And I'm glad Lisa's latest book delivers. :)
Iliana - I hope you'll enjoy this book as much as I did, Iliana. :)
I've been eyeing this one! Glad to hear it's fine as a stand alone and that you enjoyed it.
Naida - Hope you'll enjoy this, Naida.