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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
This story was way more intense than I expected it to be! The first in the series made me want to read more but I didn’t think I would like it as much as I did.
Blue-Eyed Devil
4 Stars
After hearing about this book for years, perhaps my expectations were too high. Yes, Haven's story is well-written (obviously, it is Lisa Kleypas after all); her journey is intense and emotional, and her romance with Hardy is captivating - that man is simply yummilicious!
While the reading experience is enjoyable overall, there are a couple of problematic issues. First, is Haven herself. Although she is a sympathetic and likable heroine, she has absolutely no backbone! Yes, there are reasons for her inability to stand up for herself (her mother's systematic erosion of her self-esteem, battered wife syndrome), but this does not make it easier to relate to a woman who is, in essence, a victim of her own making.
Second is the portrayal of the abuse Haven suffers at the hands of her sociopathic narcissist of a husband. Yes, the descriptions play an important role in understanding Haven's character, but ultimately, she fails to internalize the lessons learned from the experiences, and as such, their harshness is not warranted, especially in a romance novel. Thankfully, this episode in the book is short-lived as I might have DNFed otherwise.
Overall, Blue-Eyed Devil is a heartbreaking story and well worth the effort. However, readers with triggers for abusive relationships should be forewarned.
4 Stars
After hearing about this book for years, perhaps my expectations were too high. Yes, Haven's story is well-written (obviously, it is Lisa Kleypas after all); her journey is intense and emotional, and her romance with Hardy is captivating - that man is simply yummilicious!
While the reading experience is enjoyable overall, there are a couple of problematic issues. First, is Haven herself. Although she is a sympathetic and likable heroine, she has absolutely no backbone! Yes, there are reasons for her inability to stand up for herself (her mother's systematic erosion of her self-esteem, battered wife syndrome), but this does not make it easier to relate to a woman who is, in essence, a victim of her own making.
Second is the portrayal of the abuse Haven suffers at the hands of her sociopathic narcissist of a husband. Yes, the descriptions play an important role in understanding Haven's character, but ultimately, she fails to internalize the lessons learned from the experiences, and as such, their harshness is not warranted, especially in a romance novel. Thankfully, this episode in the book is short-lived as I might have DNFed otherwise.
Overall, Blue-Eyed Devil is a heartbreaking story and well worth the effort. However, readers with triggers for abusive relationships should be forewarned.
Hardy Cates es descendiente de Sebastian St. Vincent vía West Ravenel. No tengo pruebas, pero tampoco dudas.
¿Qué voy a decir yo de Lisa Kleypas que no haya dicho ya? Esta señora es todo lo que está bien en el mundo, y sus personajes también. Haven y Hardy no son la excepción.
Me temo que la reseña no va a salir muy articulada, pero este libro es una pedazo de montaña rusa de emociones y todavía estoy un poco mareada. Curiosamente, es el segundo libro que leo este mes que toca el tema de la violencia doméstica, así que no he podido evitar compararlo con Romper el círculo, de Colleen Hoover. Los dos tratan distintas etapas del abuso con distinto grado de profundidad. Mientras que Hoover se centra en el reconocimiento de la situación del abuso, Kleypas se enfoca en las secuelas que eso deja y en los esfuerzos de Haven por recuperar su autonomía perdida.
Me ha parecido muy interesante que se muestren distintas caras de la violencia según la situación como cuando la violencia la ejerce tu pareja, tu padre u otra persona de tu entorno. También me ha sorprendido que se reconozca que una mujer pueda ejercer el papel de abusadora.
De la parte romántica no diré mucho, porque Lisa siempre sabe lo que se hace y siempre lo hace bien, incluso en sus libros regulares. Mucho mejor que en el libro anterior, desde luego, aunque solo sea por la extensión. Mucho más explícito también, con ese buen hacer que tiene la autora siempre. Hardy es mi hombre. Haven es estupenda. Los secundarios un poco meh, pero no importa porque los protagonistas se roban todo el libro y hacen que no quieras prestar atención a nada más. Sobre todo Hardy. Ay, Hardy <3 <3 <3. La verdad es que los otros dos Travis que quedan no me llaman mucho, pero van a caer igual.
Por ahora le doy cuatro estrellitas, pero como me gusta cambiar la puntuación después de asentar la lectura, a lo mejor le caen cinco.
¿Qué voy a decir yo de Lisa Kleypas que no haya dicho ya? Esta señora es todo lo que está bien en el mundo, y sus personajes también. Haven y Hardy no son la excepción.
Me temo que la reseña no va a salir muy articulada, pero este libro es una pedazo de montaña rusa de emociones y todavía estoy un poco mareada. Curiosamente, es el segundo libro que leo este mes que toca el tema de la violencia doméstica, así que no he podido evitar compararlo con Romper el círculo, de Colleen Hoover. Los dos tratan distintas etapas del abuso con distinto grado de profundidad. Mientras que Hoover se centra en el reconocimiento de la situación del abuso, Kleypas se enfoca en las secuelas que eso deja y en los esfuerzos de Haven por recuperar su autonomía perdida.
Me ha parecido muy interesante que se muestren distintas caras de la violencia según la situación como cuando la violencia la ejerce tu pareja, tu padre u otra persona de tu entorno. También me ha sorprendido que se reconozca que una mujer pueda ejercer el papel de abusadora.
De la parte romántica no diré mucho, porque Lisa siempre sabe lo que se hace y siempre lo hace bien, incluso en sus libros regulares. Mucho mejor que en el libro anterior, desde luego, aunque solo sea por la extensión. Mucho más explícito también, con ese buen hacer que tiene la autora siempre. Hardy es mi hombre. Haven es estupenda. Los secundarios un poco meh, pero no importa porque los protagonistas se roban todo el libro y hacen que no quieras prestar atención a nada más. Sobre todo Hardy. Ay, Hardy <3 <3 <3. La verdad es que los otros dos Travis que quedan no me llaman mucho, pero van a caer igual.
Por ahora le doy cuatro estrellitas, pero como me gusta cambiar la puntuación después de asentar la lectura, a lo mejor le caen cinco.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a very good novel. However, it needed a content warning for rape and domestic abuse.
Note: Covers physical and emotional abuse in a marriage.
Wow, this book surprised me and it put me on an emotional roller coaster. I had to stay up till 3 AM to make sure that Haven escaped her abusive relationship. And I cried when she did! Kleypas did a really good job of portraying trauma and the healing process and the hurtles that come after it.
Wow, this book surprised me and it put me on an emotional roller coaster. I had to stay up till 3 AM to make sure that Haven escaped her abusive relationship. And I cried when she did! Kleypas did a really good job of portraying trauma and the healing process and the hurtles that come after it.
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars! ... Maybe 4 stars!
Okay well this book was sooooo much more better than the first one. Like SOOO much more better. I was honestly not going to continue the series because of how awful the first one was. It sucks that Liberty and Gage's story was just to set up the rest of the books.
I'm so happy I didn't stop because then I wouldn't have uncovered Haven and Hardy. They were a beautiful pair.
I found that the beginning was so hard to read.. The abuse Haven suffered from Nick was horrifying. I swear I almost cried for her. I wanted to reach in and save her.
I loved Hardy... Like a lot. But I felt like because it's only told on her perspective we don't get much of his personality and that sucks.. I wish we knew more of the male leads.. Why couldn't Ms. Kleypas alternate POVs?
Okay well this book was sooooo much more better than the first one. Like SOOO much more better. I was honestly not going to continue the series because of how awful the first one was. It sucks that Liberty and Gage's story was just to set up the rest of the books.
I'm so happy I didn't stop because then I wouldn't have uncovered Haven and Hardy. They were a beautiful pair.
I found that the beginning was so hard to read.. The abuse Haven suffered from Nick was horrifying. I swear I almost cried for her. I wanted to reach in and save her.
I loved Hardy... Like a lot. But I felt like because it's only told on her perspective we don't get much of his personality and that sucks.. I wish we knew more of the male leads.. Why couldn't Ms. Kleypas alternate POVs?
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Hard read, but a good enough book and well written
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape