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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
There are some books in life that you don’t actually read. They aren’t just stacks of paper to be perused lackadaisically. Some books need to be consumed over and over again. Each one is different for each person and the reasons differ as well. But there will come a book like that for everyone. My book just happened to be Blue-Eyed Devil. I bought this book new seven years ago and have read it so much and so often that it’s only held together by pure stubbornness.
Blue-Eyed Devil is a contemporary romance and a stand-alone sequel to Lisa Kleypas’s Sugar Daddy. It is told through the eyes of Haven Travis who is a daughter of an oil tycoon, Churchill Travis. The book starts off with her meeting Hardy Cates in a dark wine cellar and their attraction is instantaneous. He offers a proposition that is innocently romantic, you can’t help but wish they’d run away together. But, alas, Haven is already engaged to Nick and plans to go through with the wedding to him despite objections from her father and vague warnings from her best friend. Of course, the marriage doesn’t go well, to put it mildly. Nick turns out to be a horribly abusive narcissist who’s final act in the marriage is to beat the daylights out of Haven, rape her, and throw her out of the house to wait for him to bring her back in. Haven escapes and returns to Houston two years later, a little older and a lot changed.
Kleypas provides enough character development and realness to the story that you can’t let go, can’t put it down. Her characters are flawed and imperfect. They make mistakes and poor choices. And as a reader, you are drawn in. The story doesn’t dwell solely on the romance. it doesn’t use it as a crutch to maintain momentum. The plot breezes through the pages and keeps you enthralled, wondering how it will all come together. A look into the lives of previous characters is also given to satisfy the ever-remaining curiosity after a cover is closed.
Yes, it’s a bit of a cliche as contemporary romances go. Forever unsatisfied, gorgeous woman meets rich, sexy bad boy and sparks fly. But it’s told in a way that will make you not care. Hardy Cates is the perfect romance hero and with Haven’s story, he’s the perfect one for her.
I love this book. I’ve loved it since my first read through. I fell in love with Hardy’s line right at the beginning: “Go tell Nick you’re not feeling well, and come away with me. Right now. There’s a strawberry moon out tonight. We’ll go somewhere and find a soft patch of grass, and share a bottle of champagne. And I’ll drive you to Galveston to watch the sun rise over the bay.”
Blue-Eyed Devil will always get 5 out of 5 stars from me. It’s a book that I will read time and time again.
Book Triggers: rape, domestic violence
Blue-Eyed Devil is a contemporary romance and a stand-alone sequel to Lisa Kleypas’s Sugar Daddy. It is told through the eyes of Haven Travis who is a daughter of an oil tycoon, Churchill Travis. The book starts off with her meeting Hardy Cates in a dark wine cellar and their attraction is instantaneous. He offers a proposition that is innocently romantic, you can’t help but wish they’d run away together. But, alas, Haven is already engaged to Nick and plans to go through with the wedding to him despite objections from her father and vague warnings from her best friend. Of course, the marriage doesn’t go well, to put it mildly. Nick turns out to be a horribly abusive narcissist who’s final act in the marriage is to beat the daylights out of Haven, rape her, and throw her out of the house to wait for him to bring her back in. Haven escapes and returns to Houston two years later, a little older and a lot changed.
Kleypas provides enough character development and realness to the story that you can’t let go, can’t put it down. Her characters are flawed and imperfect. They make mistakes and poor choices. And as a reader, you are drawn in. The story doesn’t dwell solely on the romance. it doesn’t use it as a crutch to maintain momentum. The plot breezes through the pages and keeps you enthralled, wondering how it will all come together. A look into the lives of previous characters is also given to satisfy the ever-remaining curiosity after a cover is closed.
Yes, it’s a bit of a cliche as contemporary romances go. Forever unsatisfied, gorgeous woman meets rich, sexy bad boy and sparks fly. But it’s told in a way that will make you not care. Hardy Cates is the perfect romance hero and with Haven’s story, he’s the perfect one for her.
I love this book. I’ve loved it since my first read through. I fell in love with Hardy’s line right at the beginning: “Go tell Nick you’re not feeling well, and come away with me. Right now. There’s a strawberry moon out tonight. We’ll go somewhere and find a soft patch of grass, and share a bottle of champagne. And I’ll drive you to Galveston to watch the sun rise over the bay.”
Blue-Eyed Devil will always get 5 out of 5 stars from me. It’s a book that I will read time and time again.
Book Triggers: rape, domestic violence
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
*TRIGGER WARNING for Domestic Abuse, On Page Rape, S/A, Abuse regarding birth control.
I honestly wish I had some trigger warnings going into this.
Hopefully this review reaches who it needs to.
Lisa Kleypas has explored uncomfortable topics before (it took me a long time to come to peace about St. Vincent) but /this book/?..... either I simply blocked out other time's it's happened, or the Blue Eyed Devil was more graphic than what she has published before.
Look, the relationship between our main protags is cute (especially post-elevator rescue), but the first half of this book is dealing with so much on page unsavory depictions of sexual assault. It is handled realistically, and the characters do deal with the emotional fall out, but there isn't a warning going into the chapter. Compared to the overarching romance, the abusive marriage depicted in this book is an ice bath.
I honestly wish I had some trigger warnings going into this.
Hopefully this review reaches who it needs to.
Lisa Kleypas has explored uncomfortable topics before (it took me a long time to come to peace about St. Vincent) but /this book/?..... either I simply blocked out other time's it's happened, or the Blue Eyed Devil was more graphic than what she has published before.
Look, the relationship between our main protags is cute (especially post-elevator rescue), but the first half of this book is dealing with so much on page unsavory depictions of sexual assault. It is handled realistically, and the characters do deal with the emotional fall out, but there isn't a warning going into the chapter. Compared to the overarching romance, the abusive marriage depicted in this book is an ice bath.
Holy Cowboy! Lisa Kleypas did it to me again!
Once more, as with the Hathaway series, I have been bewitched and spellbound by the Travis Family. Lisa Kleypas delivers some powerful storytelling. Each volume is brought forth through the eyes of our heroine. Her story is told almost autobiographical; reflections, memories, and most importantly, the people and relationships responsible for shaping and shifting their individual life path.
Sugar Daddy, being that of Liberty Jones’ story, is expressed through the heart of a compassionate dreamer. Liberty is a rock solid woman. She knows about hardship, sorrow, tough decisions, and sacrifice, but through it all she never becomes disillusioned. Her generous heart and giving spirit remains steadfast and true. Sugar Daddy brings together Liberty Jones and Gates Travis with tenderness, passion, and old fashioned true grit. (4+ Stars)
Next, Blue-Eyed Devil -- Okay ... I confess, this one is my favorite. Actually, I read this one first, but after reading Sugar Daddy ... Yep, had to go back for seconds on Blue-Eyes. The emotional resonance of this story is both wretchedly tragic, and triumphantly redemptive. The coming together of Haven Travis and Hardy Cates is perfection, heart-rending and precious. Each born and breed on separate sides of the track, but ultimately forged from the same hellfire's. Hence, igniting their soul deep understanding of one another; as only those that have bore witness to the dark place can truly comprehend and accept in another. These two hearts that have been bloodied, scorched, and irrevocably scarred, finally find a place of healing in each others arms. Damn, I am a sucker for second chances, and this one takes the prize. (5 Stars)
Lastly, Smooth Talking Stranger. In this volume, Lisa Kleypas has a little fun. Turn the lights down low, turn up the perfect mood music, and relax with the entertaining sharp wit and sizzling passion between Jack Travis and Ella Varner. Of course, as with all things̶sometimes you must swallow the bitter with the sweet. So amidst the laughs and playful banter, Jack and Ella must navigate their budding relationship through personal fears, dysfunctional family members, and potential misunderstandings. Nevertheless, Smooth Talker plays-out as a light, lovable, and rousing romantic comedy. Have fun, y’all. (4+ Stars)
In addition to the wonderfully drawn characters, Kleypas breathes life into the wild and vivid State of Texas, as if it were a character unto itself. It has been said that everything is bigger in Texas, and if the Travis Family is presented as leading evidentiary support ... Then I am forced to yield to such an overwhelming affirmation. The Travis brothers, and Hardy Cates are, without a doubt̶keepers. To paraphrase from a line in a movie -- I didn’t think they made those models anymore?
Sweet indulgence ... Tall, Texan Men, can it get any better than that? Go on, you deserve it
Once more, as with the Hathaway series, I have been bewitched and spellbound by the Travis Family. Lisa Kleypas delivers some powerful storytelling. Each volume is brought forth through the eyes of our heroine. Her story is told almost autobiographical; reflections, memories, and most importantly, the people and relationships responsible for shaping and shifting their individual life path.
Sugar Daddy, being that of Liberty Jones’ story, is expressed through the heart of a compassionate dreamer. Liberty is a rock solid woman. She knows about hardship, sorrow, tough decisions, and sacrifice, but through it all she never becomes disillusioned. Her generous heart and giving spirit remains steadfast and true. Sugar Daddy brings together Liberty Jones and Gates Travis with tenderness, passion, and old fashioned true grit. (4+ Stars)
Next, Blue-Eyed Devil -- Okay ... I confess, this one is my favorite. Actually, I read this one first, but after reading Sugar Daddy ... Yep, had to go back for seconds on Blue-Eyes. The emotional resonance of this story is both wretchedly tragic, and triumphantly redemptive. The coming together of Haven Travis and Hardy Cates is perfection, heart-rending and precious. Each born and breed on separate sides of the track, but ultimately forged from the same hellfire's. Hence, igniting their soul deep understanding of one another; as only those that have bore witness to the dark place can truly comprehend and accept in another. These two hearts that have been bloodied, scorched, and irrevocably scarred, finally find a place of healing in each others arms. Damn, I am a sucker for second chances, and this one takes the prize. (5 Stars)
Lastly, Smooth Talking Stranger. In this volume, Lisa Kleypas has a little fun. Turn the lights down low, turn up the perfect mood music, and relax with the entertaining sharp wit and sizzling passion between Jack Travis and Ella Varner. Of course, as with all things̶sometimes you must swallow the bitter with the sweet. So amidst the laughs and playful banter, Jack and Ella must navigate their budding relationship through personal fears, dysfunctional family members, and potential misunderstandings. Nevertheless, Smooth Talker plays-out as a light, lovable, and rousing romantic comedy. Have fun, y’all. (4+ Stars)
In addition to the wonderfully drawn characters, Kleypas breathes life into the wild and vivid State of Texas, as if it were a character unto itself. It has been said that everything is bigger in Texas, and if the Travis Family is presented as leading evidentiary support ... Then I am forced to yield to such an overwhelming affirmation. The Travis brothers, and Hardy Cates are, without a doubt̶keepers. To paraphrase from a line in a movie -- I didn’t think they made those models anymore?
Sweet indulgence ... Tall, Texan Men, can it get any better than that? Go on, you deserve it
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
No
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Hardy Cates is one sexy character. The mistaken identity scene is pretty hot. The storyline between Haven and Nick is so sad. The scene where Haven calls Gage got me teary-eyed. The one thing that stood out as a bad thing for me was how they were ok with just paying Nick off to avoid Haven having to go through a trial. I know they're rich but I really wish LK had written that they would fight back rather than trying to sweep things under the rug. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this one. I previously read book #3 STS and will definitely read book #1 soon.
emotional
funny
slow-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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Moderate: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Blood, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol