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Devil in Spring was absolutely DELIGHTFUL! Actually, I was a little bit worried about this book because although Pandora was very interesting in Cold-Hearted Rake and Marrying Winterborne, she tended to become very irritating, which really frustrated me. A LOT.
Finding out who the hero for this book was, BLEW me away! I actually re-read Devil in Winter last year because I was so excited! As many know, Sebastian St. Vincent is one of Lisa Kleypas’ favorite and beloved heroes. I can see why. But I don’t agree. I think Craven and McKenna take those spots TBH. But I digress. Gabriel St. Vincent, son of Evie and Sebastian (now Duke of Kingston), is the hero in Devil in Spring. And he is absolutely the right man for our Pandora, who has ADD. I mean, their first meeting had me cracking up!
I knew that Gabriel was the perfect man for Pandora because of his mother. Evie stutters and I’m pretty sure growing up with his unconventional parents had an impact on him. Which really made him understand Pandora.
I loved Pandora. She is so delightful and charming and just the perfect (not perfect) heroine! I love how Lisa Kleypas created Pandora. She WAS NOT annoying in the least!
THE WALLFLOWERS
What I absolutely LOVED and squeed and fangirled over was The Wallflowers references! I love The Wallflowers series and meeting a few characters from the series was fun! I actually guessed Marcus based on his description alone! ha ha!
Also, Sebastian’s reminiscing about wallflowers and how wallflowers steal the hearts of rakes and never give them back? (I am totally paraphrasing here) PERFECTION! Again, there were a LOT of The Wallflowers references. So yes, CAN WE SEE THEM AGAIN?! Like Lillian and Marcus’ rambunctious kids? Or how about Daisy and Matthew’s kids? Annabelle and Simon? And what about Aline and McKenna? OMG Aline and McKenna! <3
Fangirling aside, this book is simply amazing! There aren’t a lot of historical romances that feature heroines with disabilities, so Devil in Spring was really refreshing.
THINGS I’m EXCITED ABOUT
Can we have a book about Dragon, please?!
And did anyone love the hint on Dr. Gibson’s book and who her hero is?! Eeeek!
Also DRAGON!
AUDIO LOVE
Mary Jane Wells narrates this superbly! I love her voice as Pandora – she actually talks fast like how I picture Pandora would talk! Her male voices are not as great as her female voices, but I still like the distinct voices.
Books like Devil in Spring
I picked the following books because they feature heroines with disabilities!
- The Secrets of Mia Danvers is about a blind heroine who “witnessed” a murder supposedly done by Jack the Ripper! I LOVED this book so, so much!
- Devil in Winter features Evie, a heroine with a stutter who propositions a scoundrel into a marriage of convenience.
- Beauty and the Blacksmith is about Diana who was the reason her family moved to Spindle’s Cove. She is a heroine who has a chronic illness, possibly asthma.
I decided to add step back photos to my historical romance reviews because they are ALWAYS SO AMAZING! I mean, look at this one? I gown is just AH-MAY-ZING and Pandora looks super gorgeous and Gabriel is super hot! SWOON SWOON SWOON!
Never to be one-upped by his son, Sebastian demanded that I post his step back photo with Evie as well. I thought it was appropriate seeing as the first chapter of Devil in Spring is super cheeky.
[rating-report]
What is your favorite Lisa Kleypas book? WHO is your favorite Lisa Kleypas hero? I NEED to know!
Did you love The Wallflowers references? Don’t you just want to meet all the Wallflowers again?!
Yay! I’m THRILLED that you loved this one as much as I did, Zee. Gabriel truly was the perfect hero for Pandora. He had sooooo many swoony quotes. I die a little just thinking about them together. I can’t wait for Dr. Gibson’s books! I’m with you on a Dragon book. I also just want books FOR EVERYONE! Phoebe, Rafael, Westcliff’s daughters. NEED!
Nick recently posted…The Infinite Variants of YA : February Releases & Twitter Book Pitches
Yes, yes, and YES!! Maybe we can shoot in a word to Lisa Kleypas about this! 😀
OMG is right!!! I just loved the way Kleypas wrote this book. Both characters were great. I was nervous about Pandora because I was afraid she would be annoying but she totally wasn’t (which is Kleypas’s talent right? she always makes unlikable characters be awesome). And I did love how perfect Gabriel and Pandora are for each other. The Stepbacks are just awesome, I love both. I think in this book we really were teased about so many potential books right? Dragon of course but I also am hoping for Gabriel’s sister too!!
Lover Of Romance recently posted…Book Love (53) A Pirate’s Wife For Me
Ohhh Phoebe!!!! I’m thinking West and then Cassandra will be with Dragon!!
And I actually liked Sebastian here than in his own book, because he was just dastardly there! ALSO, Kleypas does amazing things with unlikeable characters!
Also.. IVO!!! That young man will break ladies hearts someday!! Oh, and I want to meet Marcus’ kids! I bet Lilian and Marcus let their ‘rambunctious’ kids loose in their estate!
A MILLION STARS FOR EVERYONE! This book seriously made me so happy! And oh my gosh, yes Dragon! So cool. And Dr. Gibson!!! I need her to have a book so badly. I just can’t decide if I want her with Winterborne’s friend in Marrying Winterborne, or the detective guy from Devil in Spring haha.
And I love Seb amd Evie so much! It was so nice to see them (without them taking over the story).
And you described Pandora perfectly! Yay, Gabriel!
Awesome review, Zeeee!
Cyn @ Book Munchies recently posted…Review: Firefight by Brandon Sanderson
Thanks Cyn!!! There was a contest from Avon for those who preordered DiS and we just got the first chapter of Dr. Gibson’s book!!! And the guy is……Ransom!! <3 seriously, there was a hint in Winterborne and DiS already... and maaaaan I LOVE the first chapter so soooooo much, I can't believe I'm waiting A WHOLE YEAR FOR IT!!!
WHAAT! Yay! i guess a year isn’t too bad haha! Well Ransom is pretty cool, so I guess I’m cool with it haha. I did love Winterborne’s friend though haha. But yaaaay, excited for Dr. Gibson!
Cyn @ Book Munchies recently posted…Review: How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days by Kerrelyn Sparks
Me too! Super excited for Dr. Gibson! <3 And of course, Ransom... Maybe Winterborne's friend will feature in a future LK book!
Looks like you and Nick had the same feels on the book. I like that you read the audio because some historicals have horrible narrators.
Nereyda│ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist
Ohhhh you got THAT right! There are only a few who can narrate historicals well and I am so happy to announce that Mary Jane Wells is one of the good ones!