This will be my first time reviewing a re-read here on the CBR, but with this re-read I realized, I did not remember this book at all. 2013 was a heady time for me. I was following the CBR for the first time and discovering all sorts of new authors, especially in my favorite genre of romance. The ladies on here kept mentioning Lisa Kleypas so I finally went to the library and got one out. Fast forward to a month later… and I’ve read 15 or so of her books. They all mostly blended together at that point for me. How do I know this? My excel spreadsheet of my reading habits told me. Insanity level record keeping comes in handy once in awhile!
So Secrets of a Summer Night is the first story in the Wallflower series. Here we meet Annabelle, a penniless gentle lady, but beautiful young-ish woman, and Simon, a commoner with a penchant for making money. They meet briefly at the beginning (where Simon steals a kiss), but the main story takes place a few years later, where Annabelle is at wit’s end trying to find a wealthy husband to support her family (preferably an aristocrat). Simon, since that kiss, has watched and waited, biding his time till he can get what he wants. Through many misunderstandings, schemes, and adventures everything bumps along, until they both finally realize so much more than a relationship of money.
And goodness! Second time around was the charm! I remember (and referencing previous notes) quite liking this one at the time, but it’s all blended together with so many other Kleypas heroes/heroines. I’ve re-read some of her books, but usually it was just what was available at the library at a moment’s notice, and this one never is. Now I know why. Because Annabelle and Simon are THE VERY BEST. I really enjoyed that both of them were so very secure in who they were, while at the same time willing to take chances and see new ways in the world around them. Also, Simon, whoo-eee that is a hero right there Ms. Kleypas. More like him please. Oh, wait! You also gave us Harry Rutledge, so yes, thank you.
Anywho, if you’ve never read Kleypas before, she’s one of the current greats of the genre so you should! And The Wallflowers series is an excellent place to start. You get all of her best features: wonderful female friendships, fantastic heroes, and stories to make you swoon. Go forth and enjoy!
I feel like I may have to reread this immediately to see what I missed. I finished it over the weekend and was only 3.5 not 5 star happy with it. I have updated my review to reflect your romance twin status with Mrs. Julien. :)
My first read through was a 3.5-4, but that’s mostly due to a Kleypas overload. I needed her warm-fuzzy fix daily at that point. On the re-read I got a lot that I missed the first time, and really appreciated the complexities to both hero and heroine.
I daresay, I like Simon even better than Harry. They’re both so deliciously, quintessentially Kleypas men though. All that sardonic, self-made, rakish deliciousness. [shiver of joy] We need to make a “Kleypas Ten” ranking her most attractive heroes. I’ll probably last less than 10 minutes before collapsing in a heap and crying out “Don’t make me choose?”:
Gideon Shaw
Zachary Bronson
Simon Hunt
Harry Rutledge
Sebastian
Derek Craven
Jack Travis (NRA membership – DISQUALIFIED!)
Ross Cannon
Tell me you can’t stand Marcus either, Beth.
It bears repeating, that of ALL of them, I think Ash Turner would be the one I would marry given the opportunity.
Zachary Bronson
Harry Rutledge
Simon Hunt
After that they all start to blend together, although Gideon was actually the first Kleypas I ever read, and he’s quite dreamy, but not with those three. Those three are Romance Hero.
And yes, I can’t stand Marcus, ugh. He’s so stuffy.
Ps. I haven’t read the Turner series yet, so I can’t comment on those… Oops! My library doesn’t have them.
You are going to LOVE Smite.
You’ve inspired me to reread Zachary and Holly’s book.
I’m going to flatter myself and think you reread this because *I* just did after reading Winterborne. I’m glad you’ve come around to agreeing that Simon is the best. You know I love Harry, but no one can compare to Simon.
You did inspire me to revisit. Simon is wonderful, but he’s not to Harry or Zachary level for me. Those two. Maybe with time, and more re-reads Simon can join them in the echelon of OHoasdjfla;kdsfh;ad…