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A review by fulltimefiction
Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas
3.0
When I started reading [b:Mine Till Midnight|693016|Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways, #1)|Lisa Kleypas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1380326170l/693016._SY75_.jpg|679345] and met a few couples, I had this weird feeling that these people have their own stories… and my guess was right and I got spoiled for [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], the book I was looking forward to the most. Especially since the hero was a close friend to the love interest in Mine Till Midight.
Romance spoilers might be trivial but they are still spoilers... So yeah, start with this book if you’re new to Lisa Kleypas.
So about this book, it tells the story of Anabelle, her family is broke, and she is looking for a husband. This is her last season. If she doesn’t, she’ll have to marry a farmer (and God forbids) or become the mistress of a rich duke (better than being a governess, you know?). And Simon. The good-hearted, funny, smart, beautiful Simon. He’s dirty rich but he’s also self-made. Not one of the peers. So ew.
I’m having trouble lately seeing the sparks between couples in many books and I wonder if there’s something wrong with me. Then I read an HR and no, it’s not me. Because the chemistry was hot and undeniable in this book. I loved the slow burn romance -and Simon. Definitely, one of my favorites love interests in this genre.
The low point of this book however was Anabelle. They don’t have money left but they still hire a maid and a footman. She or her mom cleaning? What’s that? I didn’t understand how they can still hire people if they can’t pay their debts. She’s very materialistic and cares too much about appearances. She indeed admits her faults at the end while I don’t forgive her completely, but at least she changed her mind about a lot of things. Simon is too good and I don’t understand what he saw in her. But I did like their romance.
Another thing I loved was the wallflowers! Usually, I don’t like romance series -at all. I never continue them. Maybe I will one day when I’m short on books of this genre but not anytime soon. However, I know the next HR I’m going to read will be it happened one…
I believe Kleypas sat up their stage, and the love interests at that, pretty well. It certainly helps that the girls are all likable.
In sum, this was a fun historical romance. I certainly enjoyed reading it. I had a few issues with the heroines but it’s fine, I don’t take these books very seriously. And Simon was the star of this book. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series, especially since I liked the other girls more than Anabelle.