Lisa Kleypas has written so many books that I loved that maybe I was anticipating this one too much! It didn’t live up to my lofty expectations. Not that it was colossally bad, but my attention wandered as I read, I found myself skimming parts, and the romance I expected was lack luster.
Devon Ravenel is the rake of this story, and as rakes are wont to do he enjoys his life of wine, women and debauchery. Then his cousin dies, leaving him with an earldom and an estate that is in bad shape. His brother, West, is just as rakish and the pair of them don’t want any part of these responsibilities. He also plans never to marry, as his family has always been noted for their violent tempers and early deaths.
Kathleen, Lady Trenear, is the widow of his cousin, and she is determined to keep the estate in one piece, for the sake of her sisters-in-law. She is also maintaining deep mourning, even though she was only married for 3 days before her husband died tragically. She’s been raised that pleasure is a sin, and wasn’t prepared for the intimacies of marriage so her mourning seems rather over the top.
They meet, and instantly despise each other. He alternately patronizes her, lusts after her, and tosses off cruel comments about her, in her presence:
“West, are we quite certain that Cousin Theo perished in a fall?” he asked coolly. “It seems far more likely that he froze to death in the marital bed.”
West chuckled, not above the enjoyment of a malicious quip.
Another quote of his sums up his feelings:
“Lady Trenear and I are correct in our assessments of each other. I am a scoundrel, and she is a heartless bitch who’s entirely capable of looking after herself.”
Eventually, the sexual attraction pulls them together, and there are some very steamy encounters as he shows her that pleasure can be a good thing. Yet, I never felt the real romance between them, as I usually do with Ms Kleypas’ hero/heroine. Devon is a pale imitation of Sebastian, Lord St Vincent (Devil in Winter), or Derek Craven (Dreaming of You), two of my favorite Kleypas characters. I felt that West showed more growth as a character. He spends more time with Kathleen, getting to know the estate and its tenants. He cares about them, in ways that Devon doesn’t seem to. There also seemed to be more chemistry between West and Kathleen, to be honest.
Adding to my frustration, the side story with Helen (Devon’s cousin) and Winterborne (Devon’s friend), took up far too much space in this book. I understand that their relationship needed set up for the next book, but I wasn’t that interested in their saga at this point.
So by the last chapter, I still didn’t feel the love. Devon was still treating her like a possession, after she confronts Winterborne about Helen:
Turning his attention to Kathleen, he pointed to the doorway.
She didn’t like being commanded as if she were a disobedient poodle. When he was in this state, however, she decided it was better not to provoke him. Reluctantly, she started forward.
This is close to the end of the book, and he’s giving me pause that he’s not any different than he was in chapter one. And then, in a turnaround so quick it should have given him whiplash, things are wrapped up with kisses and promises of happily ever after…really?
The epilogue didn’t give me any fuzzy feelings about their future either, as it focused on the next couple instead. Oh, I know, epilogues can be over the top with depictions of dimpled babies and doting spouses, but it just felt wrong not to give a bit more closure. Unless we get a glimpse into Devon and Kathleen’s life in the next book, I’m feeling disappointed with where it ended.
I felt the opposite – I was SO glad to leave Devon and Kathleen behind and move on to other characters. I found them both unredeemed and unlikable. I’m really looking forward to West’s book. But, am I alone in feeling like these are a repeat of the Hathaways (other than the first book, which in the Hathaways was awesome)?
Book 2 – quiet sister/big bad brute who feels undeserving
Book 3 – sister who wants a normal life/self-made businessman (assuming the more ‘normal’ twin is paired with the railroad owning friend)
Book 4 – reformed addict/?
Book 5 – weird sister/?
Wow. I have spent too much time thinking about this. That’s embarrassing.
I like the way you think. Why fix what isn’t broken? Amelia is one of my all-time favourite heroines and that scene where she is crying on the stairs and Cam tells her it’s okay if she is done crying and okay if she isn’t done crying is one of the top romantic moments I can think of in any kissing book I’ve read.
I can remember NOTHING about Kathleen a month later. I am looking forward to book 2 and I PRAY it is nothing like Win and Kev’s. I think Winterbourne is going to be very Harry Rutledge and I ENDORSE THIS MESSAGE.
Mrs Julien I leave here: ROMANCE TWINS. That is all.
You really, really are twins. But I won’t be bullied! ;) Harry is my favorite Hathaway hero, with Christopher close behind. I would be thrilled if Winterborne ended up a Harry-esque character. But, I’m really nervous he will be like Kev. I skip that book when I reread the Hathaways. I felt like she was setting up the railroad tycoon to be the Harry character.
True story: A couple years ago at the recommendation of Beth Ellen I picked up Mine Til Midnight, and that was my re-entrance to reading romance which I hadn’t done since high school. I have not looked back! (And, I credit Lisa Kleypas with the existence of my second child.)
I re-read that book but skip to all of the Amelia and Cam parts.
I read romance in high school (Kathleen Woodiwiss and Judith McNaught), then took a hiatus until my 20s (Julie Garwood, Jude Devereux), then took a loooooong hiatus until 2012 and I haven’t stopped since. Alexis was the one who recommended Kleypas to me and I devoured her catalogue.
It’s rather hilarious how uniformly the Cannonball crew LOATHES the second Hathaways book. It was, in fact, my pick for worst book I read in 2015.
Oh, I see what you’re meaning here, I just didn’t need to have book 2 mixed in with book 1 so much! I’m not sure if I’m looking forward to Helen’s book, since Winterbourne didn’t do much for me either. He needs to redeem himself in order to attain the status of Sebastian et al.
I loved Amelia’s story too, and Cam is another fave hero. Lisa has written some very memorable heroes, but sadly, Devon isn’t one of them.
I am in the minority, I think. I did not like the Hathaway series at all, and am not crazy about the brutish man who feels undeserving character. That said, Helen and Winterborn were the more dynamic couple, so I am looking forward to the next book and hoping it isn’t a repeat of the Hathaway book.
You didn’t like ANY of the books in the Hathaways series? Win and Keve, sure, pure hate, but Harry and Poppy? Beatrix and Christopher? I love that last one more each time I read it. It’s a stealth 5 star book.
I’m really looking forward to West’s book as he was totally the more likable of the brothers. I also fervently hope that the next book is NOTHING like Win and Kev’s book, which is just truly awful and my absolute least favourite of the Hathaways, and my second least favourite of all the Kleypas novels I’ve read. As I really like Poppy and Harry’s book, I wouldn’t mind at all if Winterbourne is a lot like Harry.
I really liked West and expect him to be as charming as Leo. I hope Kleypas does better with his book than Leo’s though. I thought she blew it on him and Catherine.
Yeah, that book was a bit meh and the final bit in the brothel was just eye-roll-worthy