Sweet Conclusion to Wallflowers Series

A SCANDAL IN SPRING is the story of Daisy Bowman and Matthew Swift. Daisy is the youngest of the Wallflowers. Daisy’s father has tired of waiting for her to find a husband. He has given her an ultimatum – find a husband before the end of the season in two months or she will marry his protege Matthew Swift. Daisy is appalled, but soon changes her mind when Matthew travels to England and he is not at all as she remembers. The two begin to fall in love but a secret from Matthew’s past threatens to keep them apart.

This book is a satisfying conclusion to the Wallflowers series, but is my least favorite. The conflict between the characters is mostly external and while there is a big buildup to the revelation of the secret, the resolution is too quick and easy. That being said, the book is not a disappointment and it is a sweet ending to the series.

For fans of the series, it is a necessary read. For others, I recommend starting with one of the other books of the series.

Fantastic Book! My Favorite of the Series

THE DEVIL IN WINTER is a classic for a reason. It is the third book of Kleypas’ Wallflowers series. This book is takes the classic rake and wallflower story and makes it simply amazing. The rake, Sebastian, Viscount St. Vincent is an incredible character. Kleypas does a great job of taking him from the unrepentant rake who was the villain in the second book of the series and making him a swoon worthy hero. The transition is slow and realistic and so incredibly moving. His slow developing love for the wallflower Evie makes this book one of my all time favorites.

At the same time, Evie is a wallflower, but not a sweet helpless idiot. She is incredibly strong and unlike similar stories it is Evie who approaches the rake. She has been subjected to much cruelty in her life and has built a strong character from those experiences. It is her strength that attracts Sebastian.

I have nothing negative to write about this book. The ability of Kleypas to write such intricate characterizations is one reason she is an amazing writer. I highly recommend this book. Honestly, one could read this book independent of the others in the series (I did the first time) and while the book is better read in context, it is not essential to read the others first.

Classic Romance Between Two Strong Willed People

IT HAPPENED ONE AUTUMN is the second book in Lisa Kleypas’ Wallflower series. The series is the stories of four women who band together to find husbands. This book is the story of Lillian Bowman, the daughter of a wealthy American shoemaker, who has come to England to catch a peer for a husband. Sparks fly between Lillian and Marcus, the Earl of Westcliff. Lillian finds Marcus to be cold and domineering; Marcus finds Lillian to be an ungovernable menace. Of course, that makes them perfect for one another!

I really enjoyed this book. The romance between Lillian and Marcus sparkles. The book is funny and emotional. Keypads, of course, writes in such a manner that every page is interesting. My only complaint is that I find Lillian a difficult heroine to love. I believe it is my bias and not any weakness in the story. Bo th Lillian and Marcus are arrogant, strong willed characters. That makes it somewhat difficult for me to like her as quickly.

This book also has the strong appearance of St. Vincent,who is the villain here and the hero in the next book. I think he steals the book and the last part of the epilogue is my favorite.

Great First Book in the Wallflowers Series

SECRETS OF A SUMMER NIGHT is the story of Annabelle Peyton and Simon Hunt. Annabelle is of the genteel class but her family has fallen on hard times since the death of her father and she desperately seeks marriage to a peer to rescue her family. Simon Hunt is of the new generation…a butcher’s son who has made a fortune but exists only on the fringes of society.

This book is interesting because it deals with the intersection between the aristocratic classes and the new industrialists that are changing the entire world including the social world. Kleypas’ writing is brilliant and witty. The characters and the situation make me smile. The only negative is that Annabelle is not the most likeable of heroines at the beginning of the book.

Annabelle and Simon remind me quite a bit of Scarlett and Rhett. There is something about Annabelle’s desperation and the monies ways of Rhett that echo in this book for me.

I love this series and this is my second favorite of the series. I’d rate it a 4.5 stars. The rounders game between the ladies is classic! I highly recommend this book and the entire series.

Story of Love Long Denied

AGAIN THE MAGIC is the love story of Lady Aline, the daughter of and Earl and McKenna, the former stable boy who worked on her family’s estate. The two meet as children and are friends. As they age, however, they fall in love. They are separated by Aline’s father. The bulk of the story takes place twelve years later when they meet again.

McKenna has made himself living in America and has come back for revenge on Aline. The book is one where Aline keeps many secrets from McKenna. For those readers who are adverse to stories that could be avoided if the characters would speak honestly with one another, this book is not for you. I don’t mind the trope, however, when the reasons behind the lies are made clear. In this book, I understood why Aline lied to McKenna. I felt the pain of the two characters.

There is also a side romance involving Aline’s younger sister Olivia. This book is a prequel to Kleypas’ Wallflowers series as it introduces the Earl of Westcliff, who is Aline’s older brother. While certainly not necessary to the Wallflowers series, it is a nice introduction to that series.

I recommend it.