Devil in Spring (The Ravenels, #3) in 2-3-4 Challenge

Jun 12, 2022 Jonetta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: group-read, historical-romance, nc-br-digital-library, audiobook, 3500-2022, 2022-audiobook-challenge, 2022-beat-the-backlist-challenge, 2022-library-love-challenge

the setup…
Lady Pandora is the quirky and spirited one of the Ravenel twins. Unlike most women her age, she has no desire to find a husband, preferring to devote her energies towards the creation of her new board game. Her plans are to sell it in Winterborne’s Department Store, which is owned by her brother-in-law Rhys. But, life deals her a different hand to play when she attempts to help out a wayward friend and gets caught up in a scandal at a ball with none other than the most eligible bachel the setup…
Lady Pandora is the quirky and spirited one of the Ravenel twins. Unlike most women her age, she has no desire to find a husband, preferring to devote her energies towards the creation of her new board game. Her plans are to sell it in Winterborne’s Department Store, which is owned by her brother-in-law Rhys. But, life deals her a different hand to play when she attempts to help out a wayward friend and gets caught up in a scandal at a ball with none other than the most eligible bachelor of the season, Gabriel St. Vincent, the eldest son of the formerly notorious Sebastian St. Vincent, Lord Kingston.

the heart of the story…
Oh, the irony that this generation wallflower would find herself connected with the son of Sebastian St. Vincent who himself ended up marrying and being tamed by a woman of the same ilk. If you’ve read the author’s Wallflower series, Sebastian needs no introduction. If you haven’t, you’ve missed out on something remarkable. Pandora, however, is more self possessed, irreverent and like a breath of fresh air, which, thankfully, Gabriel quickly recognizes. I liked how the tables were turned and he found himself in reversal from first wanting to avoid marriage himself to plotting ways to convince Pandora to marry him. They are fairly opposite in nature but well suited because of that. Theirs is an adventuresome and highly sensuous match, too.

the narration…
I love the narrator selected for this series who continues to provide each of the characters a distinctive voice that seems to suit their personalities. She fit Pandora nicely and I loved her interpretation of Gabriel (and Sebastian!).

the bottom line…
I enjoyed this story, quite a bit, especially because of Gabriel having a strong appreciation for Pandora’s desire for independence and his working hard to honor that, even after they marry. However, I wasn’t thrilled with how her character seemed to inexplicably change in the second half with the introduction of a curious storyline that felt off. And, the confrontation with a woman from Gabriel’s past wasn’t tied off well. But, the strength of what preceded these two situations more than compensated. It was truly a gift to see Sebastian and Evangeline (Evie) appear in this story, a reunion I didn’t see coming but put me in a happy place. Despite my issues, I had a good time with Pandora and Gabriel. And, we got an answer for Pandora’s curious problems with her balance. You’ll have to discover that for yourself.

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May 14, 2017 Lauren rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: shy-reserved-heroine, quirky-heroine, historical-romance, forced-arranged-convenient-marriage, victorian, virgin-heroines, twins, neurodivergent

Devil in Spring
4.5 Stars

Caught in a compromising position, neither Pandora Ravenel nor Gabriel St. Vincent are interested in marriage. Nevertheless, the dictates of society force them to get to know one another, and soon their fierce attraction turns into a desperate passion that must overcome all obstacles.

Pandora is the latest in Kleypas's long line of wallflowers only in her case, it is a conscious choice rather than an unwanted fate. She is an endearing mix of alluring beauty, innocent naiv ...more

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May 18, 2016 Mary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: book-digital, lisa-kleypas, my-favorites, historical-romance

Pandora Ravenel and Gabriel; the current Lord St Vincent.

Creo que cualquiera que haya leído la "Saga Walflowers" va a recordar a Sebastian, Lord St Vincent. En mi caso tiene un lugar muy especial en mi corazón, ya que es mi único e inigualable personaje favorito de Lisa Kleypas.
En ésta nueva serie los Ravanel entran en contacto con el Duque y la Duquesa de Kingston, a.k.a Sebastian y Evie.... y toda su familia; hay un refrán que dice "de tal palo, tal astilla" así que obviamente no podía ser d Pandora Ravenel and Gabriel; the current Lord St Vincent.

Creo que cualquiera que haya leído la "Saga Walflowers" va a recordar a Sebastian, Lord St Vincent. En mi caso tiene un lugar muy especial en mi corazón, ya que es mi único e inigualable personaje favorito de Lisa Kleypas.
En ésta nueva serie los Ravanel entran en contacto con el Duque y la Duquesa de Kingston, a.k.a Sebastian y Evie.... y toda su familia; hay un refrán que dice "de tal palo, tal astilla" así que obviamente no podía ser de otra forma....

“Your kiss thrilled me beyond imagining,” he whispered. “Every night for the rest of my life, I’ll dream of the afternoon in the holloway, when I was waylaid by a dark-haired beauty who devastated me with the heat of a thousand troubled stars, and left my soul in cinders. Even when I’m an old man, and my brain has fallen to wrack and ruin, I’ll remember the sweet fire of your lips under mine, and I’ll say to myself, ‘Now, that was a kiss.’” Silver-tongued devil, Pandora thought, unable to hold back a crooked grin.”

Gabriel es el primogénito de Sebastian y Evie; el heredero al ducado y el actual "Lord St Vincent". Proveniente de una familia rica, amorosa y feliz, Gabriel no tiene pasado oscuro que esconder ni traumas que superar. Su vida ha estado siempre llena de apoyo, amor y estabilidad. Su único problema es la presión que se impone a sí mismo por la carga económica y social que su estatus y título conlleva. Si bien no es perfecto ya que (view spoiler) es un tanto exigente consigo mismo y la sociedad espera grandes cosas de él.
El encuentro entre Gabriel y Pandora es sumamente gracioso!!! Descubiertos "in fraganti" por un mal entendido, lo honorables en la ocasión es que Gabriel le proponga matrimonio a Pandora.

Pandora Ravenel es un espíritu libre. Una mujer muy peculiar y auténtica que cautiva a Gabriel desde el primer momento. Mientras más la conoce más se convence que, a pesar del poco tradicional encuentro, quiere pasar el resto de su vida con ella.

Es una historia muuuy linda!!! Romántica, tierna. Me encanta que Gabriel sea un hombre común y corriente pero con varios defectos, con padres que lo aman y apoyan como es; a pesar de desaprobar algunas de sus acciones siempre están presentes. No es un calco de Sebastian pero tiene muchas cualidades de ambos padres. Pandora es alocada e independiente para la época; ha sido aislada geográfica y emocionalmente por su familia pero es fiel a si misma y con Gabriel ella puede ser quien realmente es.
Además de ver al resto de los Ravenels conocer los nuevos integrantes y tener vistazos de las vidas de los protagonistas de los libros anteriores, conocemos a toda la familia de Sebastian y Evie..... con aparición especial de Lord Westcliff.

Adorable historia!!! Todas las amantes de Sebastian vamos a adorar a su hijo; no podía ser de otra manera!!!

“I love you more than I can bear. You’re everything to me. You’re the reason the earth turns and morning follows night. You’re the meaning of primroses and why kissing was invented. You’re the reason my heart beats. God help me, I’m not strong enough to survive without you. I need you too much . . . I need you . . .”

Una serie histórica como sólo Lisa Kleypas puede escribir, da para seguir mucho más. Supongo que también tendremos la historia de Wes. Pero me encantaría que hubiera un libro dedicado a la Dra Garrett Gibson!! ...more

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Mar 18, 2017 Jo Ann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: library-loan, historical, top-read-2017, 2017-read

This book is easily a 5+ love-it-so-much stars, but I'm taking off the "+" because I wanted more background on the development of Pandora's board game. I watched an interview with Ms Kleypas where she spoke about the research she did on board games, and especially real-life game creator Elizabeth Magie, so I was expecting more of that information to be incorporated into the book. But, who knows, maybe those bits ended up on the cutting room floor. In any case, I feel the prose in this book, as w ...more

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Jun 27, 2022 Christina T rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-stars, historical-romances, 3-in-series, audio, library-find, england, mary-jane-wells, i-love-this-heroine, i-love-this-hero, wallflower-children

Quick notes...I loved this book. It was so nice to revisit with one of the Wallflowers and her children. Gabriel was such a terrific hero. So worthy of book boyfriend. Pandora is my favorite Ravenel and I'm so happy her story was amazing. What an interesting little Ransom tidbit though....cannot wait for his book and his Lady Doctor. I'm also very fond of Dragon. Love that he changed his name because the Lady prefers it.
Mary Jane Wells, as always, did an amazing job of performing the book. I'm ...more

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Feb 27, 2017 Mya rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, audio-1000, romance, historical

Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas (Audio Edition)
Narrated by Mary Jane Wells
Series: The Ravenels #3

4 Stars - I immediately liked Gabriel. He's straightforward and doesn't seem too arrogant. I Loved how sometimes he just tries to bait Pandora. I Loved Pandora’s made up words and her fact book! Too funny! Their interactions are wonderful and they had a great spark between them. I did find some parts in the story had a bit more backstory and/or description which seemed to put a slight lull in the boo ...more

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Jun 27, 2019 Charlene rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I used to read everything by Lisa Kleypas that I could get my hands on. This one picks up with the second generation of some of the families that were in earlier books.

It is Romance (with some dangerous subplots), and this one does include a number of intimate scenes. If you cannot turn the page, and if this offends you, take note. These are just within the married couple, with one pre-marriage exception.

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Sep 23, 2022 Elizabeth Nolly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I loved this book. I enjoyed the meet cute, and like Pandora. Although Pandora started out really strong and independence but part way through it felt like she changed but not for the better. I still really enjoyed the story.

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