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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Almost everything Lisa Kleypas writes is delightful and this book is no exception. It’s the story of a widow and a reformed rake. Phoebe is predisposed to despise West – the man who bullied her dear departed Husband at boarding school. But from the start, she can’t help the growing attraction.
He can’t deny his feelings either but he does not believe that he is worthy of her love.
Enjoyable book, but at times it seemed like older Kleypas books cobbled together. Judging against other romance author’s this would be a 4.5, but on a Kleypas scale probably just a 3.
He can’t deny his feelings either but he does not believe that he is worthy of her love.
Enjoyable book, but at times it seemed like older Kleypas books cobbled together. Judging against other romance author’s this would be a 4.5, but on a Kleypas scale probably just a 3.
4.5 Stars!Oh man! I loved West and Phoebe! I think West has jumped to one of my favorite Ravenel heroes, right behind Rhys!
I loved seeing the way West has taken to managing things. In the first book, he was trying but he still obviously had a ways to go. Here, there's still progress to be made, but he was still trying to make things better and he was helping the estate grow. I loved the relationship he had with the tenants and the way he was able to interact with them and determine what was needed for the various situations. Even though there was some selfishness involved, I also loved how willing he was to help Phoebe out with her quicksand problem. And the way he was with Justin and Stephen was so sweet.
At first, I'll admit I was frustrated with Phoebe. Understanding that the vision or information or whatever that she had regarding West was colored by Henry's perceptions and however many years, I couldn't quite understand her desire to hate him. Especially when Ivo was talking about things with the twins and she was so willing to laugh it off as boys, yet West wasn't someone she bothered to try and look at in that view (not saying West was in the right at all, but still). I did like the way she started wanting to learn about the estate and taking care of the tenants. It took a minute, but she finally acknowledged that maybe trying something different wouldn't be a bad thing, and then she seemed to jump in with both feet. I liked that she finally told Larson off, although I'd wished she'd done it before West even showed up and pointed things out.
I liked that Sebastian was able to smack some sense into West (although I now need to finish this series so I can go read his and Evie's book). I was kind of giggling throughout everything as he was telling West to basically pull his head out and go after Phoebe.
i don't know how but i both hated and loved this
the good
I liked West and I liked Phoebe. They were both very charming in their own ways and I liked their development throughout the story (their own development as well the as the relationships). I liked how Phoebe was a mother and a widow, a little different from the ~virginal~ vibes of our main ladies from the first three books. The scene where Phoebe says her stretch marks aren't pretty and West tells her otherwise was sweet. That's classic good stuff. The romance was good and fun and steamy. West really is A DREAM what with his charm and the way he was so kind to Phoebe's kids.. ugh GOOD MAN we just like NICE love interests ok
the bad
i finished this and it felt like i had read nothing? I'm not saying there's no plot in this story but genuinely i just finished and i felt like i had only read about 3 chapters. the pacing felt really strange, again the second half of the book went by so quickly. Not in a bad way like the first two books but REALLY i just don't know how i got to the end of this and felt SO underwhelmed because ... damn i really did. So low-key unimpressed. I loved the characters and I can get behind the relationship but there's no denying that this just felt a little forgettable to me :(
the good
I liked West and I liked Phoebe. They were both very charming in their own ways and I liked their development throughout the story (their own development as well the as the relationships). I liked how Phoebe was a mother and a widow, a little different from the ~virginal~ vibes of our main ladies from the first three books. The scene where Phoebe says her stretch marks aren't pretty and West tells her otherwise was sweet. That's classic good stuff. The romance was good and fun and steamy. West really is A DREAM what with his charm and the way he was so kind to Phoebe's kids.. ugh GOOD MAN we just like NICE love interests ok
the bad
i finished this and it felt like i had read nothing? I'm not saying there's no plot in this story but genuinely i just finished and i felt like i had only read about 3 chapters. the pacing felt really strange, again the second half of the book went by so quickly. Not in a bad way like the first two books but REALLY i just don't know how i got to the end of this and felt SO underwhelmed because ... damn i really did. So low-key unimpressed. I loved the characters and I can get behind the relationship but there's no denying that this just felt a little forgettable to me :(
Although Phoebe, Lady Clare, has never met West Ravenel, she does not have a good opinion of him. As a young boy, Phoebe’s late husband, Henry, attended boarding school where he was bullied by West. Since then, West has earned a reputation as a lazy scoundrel. So when she meets West for the first time at her brother’s wedding, she’s surprised to find West is a mature, kind, hardworking, and attractive man.
When talking about romance novels, I use the word ‘chemistry’ quite a bit, but rarely do I expand on what that means. For me, the three elements of chemistry I look for in romance are: sexual tension and heat, emotional connection, and a stimulating dynamic. Phoebe and West have all three. I was downright riveted from the moment they were seated next to each other at dinner. Their banter throughout the book was hilarious and hot. West interacting and playing with Phoebe’s children was very endearing (this coming from someone who is usually annoyed by children in books).
The romance was so good, I didn’t even mind that this book had hardly any plot, or at least nothing too high-stakes. The biggest external conflict comes from Henry’s cousin, and West’s foil, Edward Larson. Larson has been managing the Clare estate since Henry’s death and wants to marry Phoebe to make his position as de facto Lord Clare permanent. When Phoebe tries to take a more active role in the estate management, Larson puts up a lot of resistance. So, Phoebe seeks out West for advice since he has plenty of knowledge to share from his experience managing Eversby Priory.
Most of the internal conflict is also fairly low key. West’s transformation from idle drunk to brawny outdoorsman occurred back in [b:Cold-Hearted Rake|24431358|Cold-Hearted Rake (The Ravenels, #1)|Lisa Kleypas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1431563998l/24431358._SY75_.jpg|43110668]. Although Phoebe’s a widow, it’s been a year since Henry’s death and she’s out of her mourning period, so looking for a second husband at this point isn’t really taboo. While she’s nervous about reentering society as a single mother, grief for Henry doesn’t seem like as much of a romantic obstacle for her as the fact that West was a bully. I’d say the biggest internal conflict is West believing his past mistakes would make him an unworthy husband to Phoebe or father to her children. Phoebe has doubts about their compatibility, but it doesn’t take her very long to see how well suited they are. They finally get their happy ending after Phoebe’s father intervenes.
Speaking of Phoebe’s father, I was very happy to see Sebastian, as well as Evie and the other Wallflowers, again. To my intense delight, Daisy has become a successful novelist and her current work in progress is loosely based on Sebastian:
__________
STEAM · 4
When talking about romance novels, I use the word ‘chemistry’ quite a bit, but rarely do I expand on what that means. For me, the three elements of chemistry I look for in romance are: sexual tension and heat, emotional connection, and a stimulating dynamic. Phoebe and West have all three. I was downright riveted from the moment they were seated next to each other at dinner. Their banter throughout the book was hilarious and hot. West interacting and playing with Phoebe’s children was very endearing (this coming from someone who is usually annoyed by children in books).
The romance was so good, I didn’t even mind that this book had hardly any plot, or at least nothing too high-stakes. The biggest external conflict comes from Henry’s cousin, and West’s foil, Edward Larson. Larson has been managing the Clare estate since Henry’s death and wants to marry Phoebe to make his position as de facto Lord Clare permanent. When Phoebe tries to take a more active role in the estate management, Larson puts up a lot of resistance. So, Phoebe seeks out West for advice since he has plenty of knowledge to share from his experience managing Eversby Priory.
Most of the internal conflict is also fairly low key. West’s transformation from idle drunk to brawny outdoorsman occurred back in [b:Cold-Hearted Rake|24431358|Cold-Hearted Rake (The Ravenels, #1)|Lisa Kleypas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1431563998l/24431358._SY75_.jpg|43110668]. Although Phoebe’s a widow, it’s been a year since Henry’s death and she’s out of her mourning period, so looking for a second husband at this point isn’t really taboo. While she’s nervous about reentering society as a single mother, grief for Henry doesn’t seem like as much of a romantic obstacle for her as the fact that West was a bully. I’d say the biggest internal conflict is West believing his past mistakes would make him an unworthy husband to Phoebe or father to her children. Phoebe has doubts about their compatibility, but it doesn’t take her very long to see how well suited they are. They finally get their happy ending after Phoebe’s father intervenes.
Speaking of Phoebe’s father, I was very happy to see Sebastian, as well as Evie and the other Wallflowers, again. To my intense delight, Daisy has become a successful novelist and her current work in progress is loosely based on Sebastian:
“Daisy told us about her latest trip to New York, and—you’ll never guess—she’s modeling a character in a gothic novel after you. A v-vampire!”
“Hmmm. I’m not sure I like the idea of being a creature in a gothic novel. What exactly does he do?”
“He’s a handsome, elegant fiend who bites his wife’s neck every night.”
His brow cleared. “Oh, that’s all right, then.”
__________
STEAM · 4
4.5 stars!!!
For whatever reason I really loved this book! I love West and his sense of humor, and was super happy for him. It was a great story. I love how affectionate and considerate West was of Phoebe’s children. It was adorable. He will definitely nurture some great young men. Plus Phoebe deserves some wild passion after taking care of her ailing husband before his passing.
For whatever reason I really loved this book! I love West and his sense of humor, and was super happy for him. It was a great story. I love how affectionate and considerate West was of Phoebe’s children. It was adorable. He will definitely nurture some great young men. Plus Phoebe deserves some wild passion after taking care of her ailing husband before his passing.
Can we just... reconsider that cover? And... the title? Also, I am sick of Sebastian and Evie at this point even though they are my favourite Kleypas couple. Dear Lisa Kleypas, let them go, please.