Also in this series: Cold-Hearted Rake, Marrying Winterborne, Hello Stranger, Devil's Daughter , Chasing Cassandra
Series: The Ravenel's #3
Published by Avon on January 1st 1970
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Pages: 288
Format: eBook
Source: Self Purchased
An eccentric wallflowerβ¦
Most debutantes dream of finding a husband. Lady Pandora Ravenel has different plans. The ambitious young beauty would much rather stay at home and plot out her new board game business than take part in the London Season. But one night at a glittering society ball, sheβs ensnared in a scandal with a wickedly handsome stranger.
A cynical rakeβ¦
After years of evading marital traps with ease, Gabriel, Lord St. Vincent, has finally been caught-by a rebellious girl who couldnβt be less suitable. In fact, she wants nothing to do with him. But Gabriel finds the high-spirited Pandora irresistible. Heβll do whatever it takes to possess her, even if their marriage of convenience turns out to be the devilβs own bargain.
A perilous plotβ¦
After succumbing to Gabrielβs skilled and sensuous persuasion, Pandora agrees to become his bride. But soon she discovers that her entrepreneurial endeavors have accidentally involved her in a dangerous conspiracy-and only her husband can keep her safe. As Gabriel protects her from their unknown adversaries, they realize their devilβs bargain may just turn out to be a match made in heaven...
Summary
Lady Pandora Ravenel isn’t like all the other debutantes, she isn’t preoccupied with looking for a suitable match, or talking non sessically about the weather, she is always looking for new designs for her board games and the best ways to implement them. While doing a favor for a friend, she gets caught in a delicate position and before she knows it she is compromised by none other than Gabriel St. Vincent. Gabriel has spent years making sure he would never be caught in a scandal, and for the first time he is caught but he isn’t all that unpleased about it. There is something about Pandora and her resistance to marriage that intrigues him. He knows he will need to convince her that they are well suited, that he would never control or try to change her. But will Pandora discover a life with Gabriel worth the sacrifice, a tender and sweet love she never expect to find…
The Hero
Gabriel St. Vincent, was raised in a loving home with parents who raised him to be strong and resilient. To be kind and considerate and supportive. Gabriel is careful with the sexual appetites he has and never to be discovered. His father’s rakish reputation is placed upon his shoulders. Gabriel is a hero you can swoon over. He is the perfect mix of both Sebastian and Evie (Our couple in Devil in Winter) He is charming, tender, accepting but he is also playful and inherited his father’s rakish nature. I loved his character so much, he just makes me smile just thinking about him and his mischievous nature that is sexy as sin.
Being imaginative and playful doesn’t make you any less of an adult.” Gabriel said gently. “It only makes you a more interesting one.”
The Heroine
Pandora Ravenel is not like the rest of her family. She is a hellion, was free at a young age to go wild and free and explore. Her mind thinks in different ways and she can be a bit untamed. She doesn’t understand society’s restrictions on women and refuses to get married and lose her rights as a person and seeing her dreams go out the window. Pandora was a heroine I honestly wasn’t sure how much I would like in this one. But seriously, after the first chapter I knew I would really adore her character and Kleypas has such a talented way of winning you over. Pandora is free thinking, spirited, and not concerned with the Ton. She has a crafty mind, very intelligent but says exactly what is on her mind.
Plot and Story Line
Now I honestly can’t say that this is my all time favorite book that this author has written(Because I just LOVE everything she writes)…but it is the most surprising and crafty romance I have ever read from her. This book surprised me in so many ways, I honestly had high hopes for this book and Lisa Kleypas surpassed all my expectations from this book. And there were so many fun moments, a feisty and clever dialogue that will keep you thirsty for more. The story starts off with seeing Evie and Sebastian together (yeah loved this part but it sets the stage for the story and we also get some delightful moments of Westcliff) then we see the scandal that happens. Now its all very innocent but doesn’t look good in the end.
Why would I be amused by the sight of a young woman posing upside down on a piece of furniture?”
I’m not posing. My dress is caught in the settee. And I would be much obliged if you would help me out of it!”
“The dress or the settee?” the stranger asked, sounding interested
“The settee.”
Now Pandora is all resistant to marrying Gabriel. She doesn’t see the need for it. However Gabriel is persistent and convinces her and some of her family to come to an estate for a visit. This is basically where Gabriel and Pandora discover and learn each other and the more time they spend together, the more they fall in love with one another. I loved the built up of their relationship. They have powerful chemistry that is off the charts, (and man can Kleypas write a fantastic kissing scene) and we see the relationship that Gabriel has with his parents and his siblings. Gabriel isn’t sure of Pandora at first. She is so different from any other woman he has met, but he is soon captivated by her. His family easily accepts her too, in fact they are all quite charmed by her.
You dazzle me, Pandora. Every beautiful, fascinating kinetic molecule of you. The night we met, I felt you like an electric shock. Something about you calls to the devil in me. I want to take you to bed for days at a time. I want to worship every inch of you while minutes smolder like moths that dance to the flame.
As Pandora is of them, she rarely gets such quick acceptance from people. And seriously Gabriel and Pandora when they get together it is simply swoon worthy, I love the way they build love and trust with each other. They share passion that is sizzling, but they also have a strong emotional bond that shines through the pages. And we get a bit of a teaser toward the end that leaves you curious to see how Kleypas is going to handle that angle. This romance leaves you with a giddy and floating in the air happy feel and wrote this book in such a delicate way and just proves how truly talented she is at writing romances that leaves you breathless and eager for more.
The Cover
How can you NOT love this cover…its simply breathtaking!!! I love the colors here, the blues are so very pretty and love the floral background. And the stepback pose is so very romantic.
Overall View
Devil In Spring is a sensual filled romance that has a clever dialogue, characters to melt your heart and an engaging plot that delights and shocks you from time to time. Get read for a tale of a lifetime. A LUSCIOUS AND DEEPLY RIVETING TALE
Dangerous creatures, wallflowers. Approach them with the utmost caution. They sit quietly in corners, appearing abandoned and forlorn, when in truth they’re sirens who lure men to their downfall. You won’t even notice the moment she steals the heart right out of your body–and then it’s hers for good. A wallflower never gives your heart back.
Books N Tunes Challenge
Pick #6 Escape- Enrique Iglesias
I am picking this one up as soon as I can also, I adore the cover and by goodness cannot wait to read their story π
It is pretty exciting and Kleypas is pure talent when it comes to writing romance. Enjoy.
Yay!! So glad you loved Devil in Spring and that it surpassed your expectations. π I’ve been waiting to see how Gabriel and Pandora get together so I can’t wait to start this tonight!
Oh I hope you love this one Michele…because I just adored it. Hope you have fun with this couple and Gabriel’s family.
Yes, I have heard the rumor that this one is fantastic
Yep it was fantastic!!! You would really like it.
This is such a gorgeous review for the book and you hit every feeling that I felt towards it. It was phenomenal, so I’m really happy you loved it too. I loved that we saw both of Evie and Sebastian in Gabriel too. And omg the family! I’m crossing my fingers we will see a Phoebe story and also a Rafael story at some point. I just love LK so much. She can honestly do no wrong, in my opinion.
oh Thank you Nick!!! It was phenomenal right? I was kinda nervous about this one especially with Evie and Sebastian’s connection. And wasn’t the dialogue so clever? I just couldn’t get enough of the wit and bantering and fun family times too. I really hope she explores the St.Vincent’s more with the siblings. Because they were fun. And my heart just broke for Phoebe though I would love to see that she finds a HEA. I am curious what she will do next, she never ceases to amaze me though. Glad you loved it too.
The doctor’s book is next! And then Cassandra, then West, according to what she said in her FB live Q&A!
Ah yes, it does sound splendid and I do enjoy the tug of a forced marriage scenario when they really are right for each other. And to be better than expected is a big deal.
Loved your review and tune, Renee!
oh yes it was simply fantastic Sophia. And Kleypas did a fantastic job writing this one. Such clever writing.
This book had a lot to live up to, and I’m thrilled to see that it’s more than meeting it. I still need to read this series. I’m just so nervous. I need to get over that.
you SO need to get over it hun. hehe I still can’t believe you haven’t started the series. Granted the first book is alright, I enjoyed it but each book just gets better. And seriously this book is a story you will love. So witty and clever and we see Sebastian and Evie and their family and its so fun to see. And Gabriel is the perfect blend of them. I seriously would bake you brownies if you pick this book up LOL
Added this one because of you <3
oh yay *clapping hands* You will adore this book so much. Have you read Kleypas before? I am not sure if you have, but seriously this is one of the best books she has written and definitely a book you would love so much. Let me know what you think of it.
OMG that non-cover photo you shared towards the top of your review is STUNNING. They are such a pretty couple. π π π π I have only seen super positive reviews for this book! I kind of wanted to binge-read the series that is the “prequel” to this book… but I really want to read this book. π What do you think? Better to read the series (the one with Devil in Winter in it)? Or just go for this one? I’m glad it lived up to the hype and did not disappoint!
Wonderful review, Renee. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Alyssa,
Yes they did a great job on the stepback right? You definitely need to binge read these. I do think this can be read as a stand alone though. So feel free to grab it up and you will really love it. Its so fantastic. I do think that after reading this one to go straight to the Wallflower series and yes Devil in Winter is probably my favorite HR of all time. I love it so much.
this book has been getting so much love lately! need to start this one soon. π
you definitely should pick this one up, Kleypas is wonderful but this book is a story you would LOVE. I guarantee it.
This cover is stunning. This couple does look fun. Love the sette teaser.
It is gorgeous right? Have you read Kleypas before? If not I think you would love her work.
I think I read one her books years ago but do not remeber which one. I think the hero had issues more darker than heroes she has ever wrote about. But then again it might of been Jennifer Ashley.
I LOVE the first quote. I seriously melted when I read it! He said some of the sexiest things! Lol.
This sounds so good, Renee!! I added it and the series to my tbr – and I’ve already checked with my library to see if they carry it. They have the first two books so yay! I’ve not read Kleypas – even though I know you love her. I’ll rectify that soon! π
WHAT???? No Kleypas yet??? Dang woman get on that hehe Just joking. Seriously though, you need to read her. She is in my book the QUEEN of Romance. She wrote this story so beautifully, and definitely grab books one and two—Two is just as good too. Just watch out though, or you might need to read her whole backlist. hehe
I can’t wait to dive into this!!!!