Devil in Winter

"This is just one of those cases where the “hype” and the expectation just did not meet up my expectations. A lot of people I follow have said that this is one of the best Lisa Kleypas books from not just the “Wallflower” series but also from the follow up “Ravenel” series. I much more enjoyed the book “Devil in Spring” about Sebastian and Evie’s son Gabriel.<br/><br/>The issues for me in this book were about having just too many plot lines to follow for it to be completely enjoyable in my opinion. First there is Evie’s abusive family, then the dad dying, the club having to be turned around and profitable really soon after, the bet that Sebastian and Evie makes (which is pointless by the way), Sebastian being shot and nearly dying, Ross Bullard with his mysterious ailment, etc. If only a couple were chosen out of the list I just gave then maybe I would have enjoyed this a little bit more, but it just felt stifled from the weight of so many things taking place throughout the whole book. <br/><br/>Another huge thing that was sort of not explored more was the reasoning behind Sebastian’s bad behaviour in the previous books, other than a quick reference that his mother and sisters were killed from disease in quick succession. If there was more development with his characterization, I might have liked him a bit more. <br/><br/>The things I did enjoy about this book were the slow building chemistry of the book and with said chemistry comes sexual chemistry. The sex scenes were really well written and probably the best parts of the book for me. <br/><br/>Since I read this series out of order I think I will continue, even though I didn’t ending up loving it as much as I thought I might. I’m also really looking forward to reading Cam and Daisy’s own story that was teased in this book."

"UH... I LOVE THIS BOOK???? I have not enjoyed a book like this in SO LONG?? I was content with reading most of the HRs and they were ok but this book just told me I had EXTREMELY low expectations for both the quality of HRs AND their heroes BC WHAT??!?? I cannot believe I was actively AVOIDING this book because the beginning. I didn't even read the other books in the series and I could tell Sebastian was terrible like wtf.. BUT MY GOD... I LOVE SEBASTIAN ST. VINCENT??? <br/><br/>Literally I've never seen anyone care for their lady love as Sebastian has FROM THE BEGINNING. It made no sense? Tbh I'm still not sure what caused the change in him. He says he's a heartless bastard AND YET... HE'S GENUINELY BEEN SO KIND ?? And I don't mean just Evie too like literally everyone else... He's both perfect and imperfect and just... exactly my type"

"Oh, Lord St. Vincent. You sweet, tormented, sex-crazed freak you. You are adorable!<br/><br/>Loved this book: Loved the twists and turns, both actually and emotionally, that these characters had to come through to come together. St. Vincent with his rakish ways, at first, with selfish intentions and growing and bettering himself through the book. Evie, overcoming shyness, abuse and her physical handicaps to be better for him. The backdrop of the club, the SUBVERT reference to Derek Craven (this is 20 years POST "Dreaming of You" so the timeline is around LK's "Where's My Hero" novella with Lydia / Linley) in Sebastian's managing of Jenner's, and the emotionally-ranged characters. <br/><br/>TW: There is obvious abusive situations in this book so that made it hard to read at times. Know it happened, and it adds to the story, but it's still there.<br/><br/>Also, we get all 4 Wallflowers in this book (and the spouses, currently) and they are all part of the story as well *squee!*"

"4 stars for Sebastian St Vincent. <br/><br/>Sebastian is spectacular, his intro was witty and funny, and basically he’s just perfect. The infatuation happened pretty much right off the bat, but no matter. Kleypas is an excellent historical romance writer. I feel she really captures the dialogue accurately while still keeping it slightly modern. All in all, this was a good read."

"4 solid stats, so atmospheric you feel the cold in your bones"

"I really really loved reading Evie and Sebastian's love story. I really found the build up sweet and wholesome. I think there was a missed opportunity in the book where Evie could have established her voice and independence at the end of the book and I was a little disappointed it wasn't taken. Also from the title of the book it takes place in winter and I kind of thought it would have been a little more atmospheric, unfortunately very little of the book references anything beyond the cold weather on the journey to Gretna Green. Even still I really enjoyed this Wallflower book."

"This was a book I really wanted to like— and yes, like the ******* I am, I for some reason read the 3rd book first. Didn't regret it, considering the fact I rather like the overuse rake turned to devoting husband trope a lot.<br/><br/>Before reading this book I read a couple of romance that wasn't it, so I really hoped this one was different— oh and it was. The character arc the characters go through, the tension and dialogue, not to mention Sebastian reduced to a gasping mess when he's supposed to be the experienced one was immaculate. <br/><br/>You watch as Evie really comes into her own, especially when everyone thinks she's shy, and sweet, and entirely incapable of handling someone as selfish and cunning as her new husband to be, which of course created some funny scenes given she was the one that approached him. I really loved Evie as a character, for someone everyone seemed to view not as weak-willed but something very close it was interesting to watch her development, not to mention Sebastian who has a pretty big one, pun intended. Anyway, the story, friendships, romance and the characters arcs made this feel like a fleshed out story and an enjoyable read."

"Heroine has a Stutter."