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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
An exquisitely written, emotional journey of betrayal, abuse and triumph of the spirit intertwined with a sizzling love story of two people who have more than earned their happy ever after, this book engaged all of my emotions and kept my attention riveted to the pages from beginning to end.
Blue-Eyed Devil is the second book Lisa Kleypas has written that is contemporary instead of being a historical romance. The book is written from the first person point of view, and while I normally prefer to know what the hero is thinking in romance novels, this book did an excellent job of showing that while still using Haven's first person point of view.
This book is simply fantastic, for many reasons. The main character is a great heroine, and like most of Kleypas' heroines she is a thinking individual instead of a twit. Her characterization is well done and I found no fault with her. The hero, Hardy Cates, has a silly name but in spite of that he remains a well crafted and complex character.
Now those who are looking for a straight romance novel may be disappointed as the book deals quite a bit with Haven's first marriage and her recovery from the abuse and rape she endured while married. Kleypas does an excellent job of making the reading understand why Haven stayed with her husband after the first time he hit her, showing the slow decline from loving fiancee to abusive spouse. You do not lose respect for Haven during the course of this abuse as you understand why she felt compelled to stay.
That said, I was relieved when she finally left her husband and returned to her hometown of Houston. Her recovery from her marriage is extremely interesting as she goes to counseling, gets a job, and makes strides in putting her life back together. Haven is a great character to root for even though her life is kind of a wreck.
Hardy is a typical Kleypas hero - he was raised poor, has self worth issues, but through hard work and a nimble mind he has managed to create a small empire of his own. His obvious attraction to Haven makes him even more endearing as he isn't a caveman as his characterization might lead one to think.
As Haven was raped in her previous marriage, she and Hardy face a few difficulties in the physical aspect of their relationship. Just when things are going hot and heavy between them, Haven with tense up from a flashback of her rape and be unable to continue. As this is a very real issue rape victims deal with, I thought it was fantastic that Kleypas added this to the story.
Too many authors gloss over rape, or use it as a threat to the heroine instead of reality, or even talk about it occurring in the heroine's past without discussing how something like that affects her sex life in the future. Kleypas wrote these scenes accurately and with great sensitivity. And how much can you love a big brawny man who instead of having sex with you offers to go with you to see your shrink instead? Taking a sensitive issue many women deal with and enhancing the hero's appeal with it is something few authors could pull off, but Kleypas does it with aplomb.
BED also is appealing in that Haven's family is fun to read about, even if her father is a jerk and her brothers overprotective. Some of the scenes with her and her brother Gage had me tearing up they were so sweet. I look forward to reading more books about this family in the future.
The only complaint I have is that the ending felt a bit rushed. I would have liked a little more happy ending than the tacked on Epilogue allowed for. Other than that, a great book that I highly recommend! I am so glad Kleypas is now writing contemporary romances!
This book is simply fantastic, for many reasons. The main character is a great heroine, and like most of Kleypas' heroines she is a thinking individual instead of a twit. Her characterization is well done and I found no fault with her. The hero, Hardy Cates, has a silly name but in spite of that he remains a well crafted and complex character.
Now those who are looking for a straight romance novel may be disappointed as the book deals quite a bit with Haven's first marriage and her recovery from the abuse and rape she endured while married. Kleypas does an excellent job of making the reading understand why Haven stayed with her husband after the first time he hit her, showing the slow decline from loving fiancee to abusive spouse. You do not lose respect for Haven during the course of this abuse as you understand why she felt compelled to stay.
That said, I was relieved when she finally left her husband and returned to her hometown of Houston. Her recovery from her marriage is extremely interesting as she goes to counseling, gets a job, and makes strides in putting her life back together. Haven is a great character to root for even though her life is kind of a wreck.
Hardy is a typical Kleypas hero - he was raised poor, has self worth issues, but through hard work and a nimble mind he has managed to create a small empire of his own. His obvious attraction to Haven makes him even more endearing as he isn't a caveman as his characterization might lead one to think.
As Haven was raped in her previous marriage, she and Hardy face a few difficulties in the physical aspect of their relationship. Just when things are going hot and heavy between them, Haven with tense up from a flashback of her rape and be unable to continue. As this is a very real issue rape victims deal with, I thought it was fantastic that Kleypas added this to the story.
Too many authors gloss over rape, or use it as a threat to the heroine instead of reality, or even talk about it occurring in the heroine's past without discussing how something like that affects her sex life in the future. Kleypas wrote these scenes accurately and with great sensitivity. And how much can you love a big brawny man who instead of having sex with you offers to go with you to see your shrink instead? Taking a sensitive issue many women deal with and enhancing the hero's appeal with it is something few authors could pull off, but Kleypas does it with aplomb.
BED also is appealing in that Haven's family is fun to read about, even if her father is a jerk and her brothers overprotective. Some of the scenes with her and her brother Gage had me tearing up they were so sweet. I look forward to reading more books about this family in the future.
The only complaint I have is that the ending felt a bit rushed. I would have liked a little more happy ending than the tacked on Epilogue allowed for. Other than that, a great book that I highly recommend! I am so glad Kleypas is now writing contemporary romances!
Hardy and Haven were my favorite of the Travises. Following Hardy from his roll in Sugar Daddy I couldn't wait to see how he ended up with Haven and I wasn't disappointed with their story at all.
5***** stars
This book is probably my favorite romance and definitely one of my most favorite audiobooks. And on top of it Hardy Cates is possibly my #1 favorite book boyfriend.
**********
Hardy Cates is a self-made man, born on the wrong side of the tracks. Haven Travis is a southern belle and a River Oaks princess (the rich part of Houston).
If you read the first book in the series (which is not mandatory to read this one) you know Hardy already and you saw how he broke the heroines heart, pulled a shitty stunt at the end of the book and pissed off the whole Travis family.
Hardy and Haven first met on a Travis wedding (Hardy was obv not invited) in a dark wine cellar where Haven mistakes him at first for her boyfriend. Sparks are flying immediately and Hardy made a proposal so tempting she almost cannot resist. But regardless how much she wanted to give in, Haven is not a cheater. So they part ways and Haven went off and eloped with her boyfriend Nick.
What follows is hard to stomach (TW!). Over two years of mental and physical abuse (on page) until one day Nick went too far and Haven in fear of her life escapes and runs away back home to Houston to her family.
After several month of therapy and healing Haven meets Hardy again, but she’s not the same woman she was before. She’s a branded soul now and even though she wants Hardy as much as he still wants her, she’s afraid that he is more than she can handle. And so he fights for her and does everything possible to proof himself.
But Hardy has his own past and his own scars.
The beautiful part is, when she discovers that Hardy has problems dealing with his own issues she stands up and fights right beside him for what they can have together.
I love Hardy & Haven and their story endlessly. ♡
**********
I’ve listened to this book about a hundred times and it never gets old for me. I love the voice and the narration of Brittany Pressley. Her southern accent and the drawl she gives Hardy is just so sexilicous. To be honest, I love the whole series.
Lisa Kleypas is just queen!
This book is probably my favorite romance and definitely one of my most favorite audiobooks. And on top of it Hardy Cates is possibly my #1 favorite book boyfriend.
**********
Hardy Cates is a self-made man, born on the wrong side of the tracks. Haven Travis is a southern belle and a River Oaks princess (the rich part of Houston).
If you read the first book in the series (which is not mandatory to read this one) you know Hardy already and you saw how he broke the heroines heart, pulled a shitty stunt at the end of the book and pissed off the whole Travis family.
"Shit, you’re a Travis, aren’t you?“
"okay,“ … "forget what I said about not exchanging names. Who are you?“
"For you, honey. I’m trouble.“
Hardy and Haven first met on a Travis wedding (Hardy was obv not invited) in a dark wine cellar where Haven mistakes him at first for her boyfriend. Sparks are flying immediately and Hardy made a proposal so tempting she almost cannot resist. But regardless how much she wanted to give in, Haven is not a cheater. So they part ways and Haven went off and eloped with her boyfriend Nick.
What follows is hard to stomach (TW!). Over two years of mental and physical abuse (on page) until one day Nick went too far and Haven in fear of her life escapes and runs away back home to Houston to her family.
After several month of therapy and healing Haven meets Hardy again, but she’s not the same woman she was before. She’s a branded soul now and even though she wants Hardy as much as he still wants her, she’s afraid that he is more than she can handle. And so he fights for her and does everything possible to proof himself.
But Hardy has his own past and his own scars.
„I hate bein’ his son. I hate the half of me that’s him. And I can feel it. That part that’s a bad, low, worthless son of a bitch.“
The beautiful part is, when she discovers that Hardy has problems dealing with his own issues she stands up and fights right beside him for what they can have together.
"You know,“ … "I told the hospital staff I was your fiancée so they let me stay here with you.“
"I’d hate to make a liar out of you.“
I love Hardy & Haven and their story endlessly. ♡
**********
I’ve listened to this book about a hundred times and it never gets old for me. I love the voice and the narration of Brittany Pressley. Her southern accent and the drawl she gives Hardy is just so sexilicous. To be honest, I love the whole series.
Lisa Kleypas is just queen!
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5
I enjoyed this book more than the first one but I recommend reading book 1 to get more insight into Hardy’s character.
The topic of abuse is prevalent in this story. If you do not want to read about a character that suffers (and overcomes) an abusive relationship, I would skip it.
I enjoyed this book more than the first one but I recommend reading book 1 to get more insight into Hardy’s character.
The topic of abuse is prevalent in this story. If you do not want to read about a character that suffers (and overcomes) an abusive relationship, I would skip it.
My least favorite of the Travis series entirely because of the abuse angle. While I appreciate the attempt to write about a subject that affects millions of people it is difficult to handle well and I felt Havens recovery story was minimized to make room for the romance.
I loved Hardy, but Haven not so much. Her dichotomous personality just didn't feel authentic. I liked book three, Jack's story much better.
Happy Reading,
Erika
Happy Reading,
Erika
i liked some things about it but skimmed the 2nd half. too predictable. I did like the way it started and that it was first person.