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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
A Fun read that extends the universe of The Wallflowers and the Ravenels, I read this very quickly. I think it could have been a little longer to fully develop the conflict with the land management and the romantic triangle, but it was still enjoyable.
Neither Devil in Spring nor Devil's Daughter can be read without first reading Devil in Winter -- seeing Seb & Evie having built a life together is delightful (if a bit focus pulling, but really they are the best...)
West and Phoebe together have a fun chemistry that works (West's complex about his sordid past gets a bit old after a while) and the inclusion of Phoebe's
children Justin/Stephen makes for some sweet and funny moments.
West and Phoebe together have a fun chemistry that works (West's complex about his sordid past gets a bit old after a while) and the inclusion of Phoebe's
children Justin/Stephen makes for some sweet and funny moments.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
West and Phoebe could rule this world and i will never complain when i get more sebastian and evie content
fast-paced
I loved West before this book, but now? I love him. This book was a delightful, quick read, that I knew I would enjoy but didn't realize just how much I would!
Also, I think I need to move my reading of [b:Devil in Winter|114166|Devil in Winter (Wallflowers, #3)|Lisa Kleypas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309220205l/114166._SY75_.jpg|1823830] up ASAP, because I'm definitely starting to realize all the fuss about Sebastian!
Also, I think I need to move my reading of [b:Devil in Winter|114166|Devil in Winter (Wallflowers, #3)|Lisa Kleypas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309220205l/114166._SY75_.jpg|1823830] up ASAP, because I'm definitely starting to realize all the fuss about Sebastian!
My rating for Devil's Daughter is probably 3.5 stars, and I might upgrade later. I liked both Phoebe and West; and his apology to her and her forgiveness was lovely. I also laughed at the message that accompanied Galoshes. I would have liked more of a confrontation between Phoebe and her in-laws and a more developed resolution to the overall story. Maybe an epilogue?
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
Don't get me wrong, I've never read Kleypas I don't enjoy! That said, this is easily the weakest of the Ravenels series. I like West a lot and I think Phoebe is a good match for him, but I don't feel like the book is moved by plot as much as it's moved by these two wanting to bone. Which is fine! It's just a little hollow.
Kleypas has this habit I sort of dislike of dropping in a huge conflict right at the end of a book that has had very little external conflict throughout. In this case, Edward showing up and trying to shoot West completely out of the blue. I feel like these kinds of scenes would be a lot more rewarding if there had been more focus on external conflict throughout the book. In this case, there is some external conflict, but it's not keeping the couple apart, so to have it almost come between them at the very end doesn't make much sense.
All that said, I really enjoy the relationship West builds with Phoebe and her children, coaxing her out of her brittle shell and engaging with the boys on their level. I also got so much pleasure out of watching Phoebe really just say "fuck it" and take control of her own life. Overall, an enjoyable read, it just doesn't hold a candle to the first two in the series imo.
Kleypas has this habit I sort of dislike of dropping in a huge conflict right at the end of a book that has had very little external conflict throughout. In this case, Edward showing up and trying to shoot West completely out of the blue. I feel like these kinds of scenes would be a lot more rewarding if there had been more focus on external conflict throughout the book. In this case, there is some external conflict, but it's not keeping the couple apart, so to have it almost come between them at the very end doesn't make much sense.
All that said, I really enjoy the relationship West builds with Phoebe and her children, coaxing her out of her brittle shell and engaging with the boys on their level. I also got so much pleasure out of watching Phoebe really just say "fuck it" and take control of her own life. Overall, an enjoyable read, it just doesn't hold a candle to the first two in the series imo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Terminal illness
This book is fine. It's okay. It's not standout, but it's not bad either. Enjoyable but unmemorable. 3 stars.
I should really have taken a longer Kleypas break. I have read too many of these at once and I need a change, but I needed an audiobook and this one was available at the library (and then my hold for book 4 came in...so I guess I have one more before I take a break lol). But I don't think my whatever 3 stars is only because I'm over saturated with Kleypas right now.
This one's a reformed rake/widow, where the rake is already reformed and the widow is perfectly pleasant but kind of ready to move on. There's not that much conflict so some of the "oh but we shouldn't marry!" feels forced and the end is a bit abrupt. There's also a decent amount of fanservice for Sebastian St Vincent and Evie in here, to which I say, Kleypas just write that book again, I would rather do that than see him invading Phoebe's book. Kleypas's penchant for creating characters that feel like people does well with the villain, such as he is, from whom I really got that something-off, smarmy feeling without it being really blatant when he's first introduced.
There's a lot of kids in this one, so take that for what it is, and also Kleypas is getting a major point off for using the word "flanges" (flanges!!) to describe Phoebe's labia. I was going to take off a full star but she clawed it back by giving me lube-needed-for-PIV-sex, a reality I enjoy seeing on page.
I should really have taken a longer Kleypas break. I have read too many of these at once and I need a change, but I needed an audiobook and this one was available at the library (and then my hold for book 4 came in...so I guess I have one more before I take a break lol). But I don't think my whatever 3 stars is only because I'm over saturated with Kleypas right now.
This one's a reformed rake/widow, where the rake is already reformed and the widow is perfectly pleasant but kind of ready to move on. There's not that much conflict so some of the "oh but we shouldn't marry!" feels forced and the end is a bit abrupt. There's also a decent amount of fanservice for Sebastian St Vincent and Evie in here, to which I say, Kleypas just write that book again, I would rather do that than see him invading Phoebe's book. Kleypas's penchant for creating characters that feel like people does well with the villain, such as he is, from whom I really got that something-off, smarmy feeling without it being really blatant when he's first introduced.
There's a lot of kids in this one, so take that for what it is, and also Kleypas is getting a major point off for using the word "flanges" (flanges!!) to describe Phoebe's labia. I was going to take off a full star but she clawed it back by giving me lube-needed-for-PIV-sex, a reality I enjoy seeing on page.
emotional
funny
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:
No
4.5 stars
So close to 5 stars but in the end there wasn't enough of West and Phoebe together. Resolution (i.e. Edward) seemed a little rushed for me as well. Definitely could have done with another 30-50 pages but that could just be me.
Onto last book (why does this series have to end????!).
So close to 5 stars but in the end there wasn't enough of West and Phoebe together. Resolution (i.e. Edward) seemed a little rushed for me as well. Definitely could have done with another 30-50 pages but that could just be me.
Onto last book (why does this series have to end????!).