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A review by luhsoona
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
4.0
I really enjoyed this, devoured this book like I haven't devoured any other Lisa Kleypas book I've read so far. I know it's weird but, Sebastian made me laugh a lot in places, it was funny to see him reduced to someone who's ultimately harmless and in love.
I thought I wasn't going to believe in the love between him and Evie, but I get the logic to it. Evie is tough as nails in her own way, and I found it realistic how she could hold her own against Sebastian considering the abuse she had to endure at the hands of her family. I really enjoyed her as a hero, because despite this strength she had, she still overall had the personality of someone who's shy and kind. I really appreciated how multi faceted she was overall. I think a lot of reviews here say she steps in and out of character, but I think she's overall just finding herself, and obviously has experience dealing with assholes who are worse than Sebastian. She just hasn't been given the freedom to stand up to them before.
Sebastian I really liked, though I did find the shift towards his love for Evie sudden. Then I remember reading the book, he doesn't actually say the word love until the very end. I guess the shift was really fast to me, though the text does kind of imply that Sebastian is all bark and no bite.
Re: the threatened rape of Lillian last book, I felt like people will find the handling of this problematic potentially, and that's valid and I don't think this was a good handling of it necessarily either but I still found myself enjoying it despite this.
I think Sebastian sacrificing his life for Evie and being so close to death allows the forgiveness of everyone besides Lillian believable. Considering Lillian's personality, I didn't find her forgiveness believable but if I read her comments as exhaustion and dismissiveness towards Sebastian but concern for her friend in tone, I KIND OF? Get it. However I don't think any other situation would have redeemed him for me, even when Evie already deduces earlier he wouldn't have done anything to Lillian. Again, the text does a great job of slowing Sebastian is all bark and no bite.
Solid 4 stars because I enjoyed it so much, and it's overall a solid historical. I get it has its issues, but for the most part I found the handling believable. I will also say I liked the ~drama of it all, this book has a lot of intense moments and the characters are in danger a lot more in this book than others. It kept me entertained for sure.
I thought I wasn't going to believe in the love between him and Evie, but I get the logic to it. Evie is tough as nails in her own way, and I found it realistic how she could hold her own against Sebastian considering the abuse she had to endure at the hands of her family. I really enjoyed her as a hero, because despite this strength she had, she still overall had the personality of someone who's shy and kind. I really appreciated how multi faceted she was overall. I think a lot of reviews here say she steps in and out of character, but I think she's overall just finding herself, and obviously has experience dealing with assholes who are worse than Sebastian. She just hasn't been given the freedom to stand up to them before.
Sebastian I really liked, though I did find the shift towards his love for Evie sudden. Then I remember reading the book, he doesn't actually say the word love until the very end. I guess the shift was really fast to me, though the text does kind of imply that Sebastian is all bark and no bite.
Re: the threatened rape of Lillian last book, I felt like people will find the handling of this problematic potentially, and that's valid and I don't think this was a good handling of it necessarily either but I still found myself enjoying it despite this.
I think Sebastian sacrificing his life for Evie and being so close to death allows the forgiveness of everyone besides Lillian believable. Considering Lillian's personality, I didn't find her forgiveness believable but if I read her comments as exhaustion and dismissiveness towards Sebastian but concern for her friend in tone, I KIND OF? Get it. However I don't think any other situation would have redeemed him for me, even when Evie already deduces earlier he wouldn't have done anything to Lillian. Again, the text does a great job of slowing Sebastian is all bark and no bite.
Solid 4 stars because I enjoyed it so much, and it's overall a solid historical. I get it has its issues, but for the most part I found the handling believable. I will also say I liked the ~drama of it all, this book has a lot of intense moments and the characters are in danger a lot more in this book than others. It kept me entertained for sure.