Kleypas, Lisa--Devil in Spring informal buddy read starts May 27, 2018

[Snowtulip]

I must say I'm a bit swoony over Gabriel :D

[Sally906]

....and we're on the boat and have been married.

Lunch break at end and so, sadly, my reading time stops for a few hours now until I get home.

[Michelle]

Just finished book 2 so starting on this one tonight.

Can't wait to hear all about Pandora's shenanigans. I loved her in the first two books.

[Eldarwen]

Michelle wrote: "Just finished book 2 so starting on this one tonight.

Can't wait to hear all about Pandora's shenanigans. I loved her in the first two books."

Cool! Hope you liked the first two :-)

[Eldarwen]

Snowtulip wrote: "I must say I'm a bit swoony over Gabriel :D"

He is swoon-worthy :-)
I still can't quite get over that first chapter when they meet. The dialogue has something special hehe, especially his parts.

[Eldarwen]

~Michelle~ wrote: "Finished!

Chaptesrs 22 - Epilogue:"

I finally finished the last few pages as well!

So annoying when work or even your lunch break don't allow you the time to read the last 30 pages in a book! Seriously - so inconsiderate :-p

(view spoiler)[I liked the ending, the action and the plot that made an appearance as we finally get to focus on something slightly different than just the two main characters. Don't get me wrong, I like both of them and they're good together - once Gabriel gets over his overbearing protectiveness (I was shocked when he almost really did break his promise!) - but a little something else does make for a better book in the long run. Interesting what kind of disasters Pandora can get into without even meaning to! She really does have a knack for getting herself into rather delicate situations hehe. (hide spoiler)]

However, (view spoiler)[what I found sorely missing in this was the details about what Pandora had to learn/do in order to fully step into her role as countess. There was no more mention of the social conventions she might have to at least partially adhere to such as running a household, attending charity events (which should probably suit her quite well) or whatever else comes along with being Gabriel's wive.

Also, there was no mention of how the factory was set up, what kind of women Pandora ended up hiring, how many, how they managed to make it happen so that it was indeed Pandora's factory and not her husband's by law, etc etc. It was a shame that this part wasn't more developed but merely glossed over. (hide spoiler)]

As for (view spoiler)[ Dr Garrett Gibson, I really like her! Tough as nails, intelligent and all around a woman to have by your side. It was great that she was so sure in how to help Pandora and brought her through a difficult surgery without too much trouble, and that she was able to come up with a solution to potentially help Pandora with her hearing. Of course that was going to come up at some point though - cliché haha. I cannot wait for Garrett's and Ransom's story though! I particularly like Ransom as well. His appearances have been brief so far but they were enjoyable. (hide spoiler)]

[Morgan]

Prologue

Well... (view spoiler)[Aren't these parentals some frisky, little things? Haha. I got such a kick of out of this prologue. Disregard the fact that it is written from a historical fiction perspective, I could genuinely see parents in today's society behaving in such a similar fashion. I am a sucker for love that is still hot and on fire, perhaps that's why I've always been drawn to historical fiction romances. I especially enjoyed the foreshadowing as to the trouble the son, Gabriel, has found himself in. Sounds like quite a bit of trouble indeed. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1

This was a very well-written and inviting first chapter. (view spoiler)[I absolutely adore Pandora's character. I have my own Pandora (though she's a tad bit younger at only seven-years-old, LOL) and I always envy the young girls who are unapologetically themselves. It takes a brave individual to be who they are without regrets or excuses. It is easy to conform to societal norms, as opposed to stay the road of individuality and uniqueness. I applaud Pandora for continuing to be her genuine self, as opposed to adhering the societal norms of their time and dancing with man after man, just to appease her chaperone.

I hope the situation with the seetee does not cause too much an issue for her. I hope she does not end up having to agree to a marriage due to how the earring debacle will appear to the rest of their high-class society. Unfortunately, I fear that she will still be betrothed to the man, but I pray that in the end, they find love, if it comes down to that. I also hope that she doesn't lose her spunk or begin conforming.

Cassandra and Dolly seem to be the stereotypical women of the time period, adhering to their feminine duties to woo the men and place dowries and titles over the potential for unconditional love. Pandora's chaperone has no patience for anything but strict adherence to these rules. (hide spoiler)]

On a side note, I always love hearing how their clothes are designed and imagine myself twirling around in these beautiful, ornate dresses and playing princess for a day. Please tell me I'm not the only one who does that?! LOL.

[Sally906]

AAAAAARG!!!!

Just left the theatre after Pandora had a run in with (view spoiler)[ the mistress (hide spoiler)] and now there is blood everywhere (view spoiler)[ as she has been stabbed (hide spoiler)] and my lunch break has ended and I have to leave it right at that spot.

THREE hours until I can find out everything is OK!

[Eldarwen]

You can do it, Sally! You can survive those three hours!! ;-)

[Eldarwen]

Morgan wrote: "Prologue

Well... [spoilers removed]"

I think (view spoiler)[you're right about Cassandra and Dolly. I completely forgot about Dolly actually but it is appalling she married for a title and money rather than for love and then STILL keeps up her affair so obviously. I understand that it might not always have been possible to marry for love in that age what with society and rules and overbearing unemotional parents (they're not all like the awesome (grand)parents in the prologue), but nevertheless, it's a shame. (hide spoiler)]

[Snowtulip]

~Michelle~ wrote: "Finished!

Chaptesrs 22 - Epilogue:


While "

I agree (view spoiler)[ that the terrorist plot and bomb threw me for a loop at first, but so glad everyone was ok!

Loved the female doctor in that timeframe and how she educated Gabriel on being able to be as good as or better of a surgeon (hide spoiler)]

[Snowtulip]

Sally906 wrote: "AAAAAARG!!!!

Just left the theatre after Pandora had a run in with [spoilers removed] and now there is blood everywhere [spoilers removed] and my lunch break has ended and I have to leave it right..."

That's pure torture Sally, having to wait that long during that part of the story!!

[Snowtulip]

This book made me smile, it seems like that doesn't happen as often as it should anymore...will probably read it again :D

[Sally906]

Finally finished - had to wait until my lunch break today as the grandchildren came over last night.

Was a 5 Star read for me and can’t wait until I pick up the next one in the next day or so.

Really enjoyed catching up with Garret again so can’t wait to see her story in this next book.

(view spoiler)[was a bit perturbed that though the plot was thwarted they still haven’t caught the perpetrators - also, is Ethan a family connection? Of course he must be - again willl all be revealed in the next book (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Absolutely adoring this one. Pandora is a favorite of mine. The sparks between them at the beginning!

Loved the slight of hand trick with his calling card. She’s intrigued.

Going back in now. I’ll try to update as I go, but I’m really sucked in.

[Snowtulip]

Those sparks were my favorite, but luckily I felt that way throughout the book :)

[Eldarwen]

Agreed on the sparks!
Even more so because neither of them really knows what hit them until their in too deep :-)

[Michelle]

Loving their banter during the card game!

This book is my favorite so far. I love both MCs.

[Maritza]

So we know that Pandora and Gabrielle will end up together but I love their beginning and the fact that he admires her spunk. Pandora is a woman after my own heart. She knows what she wants and is not afraid to voice her opinion. I am hoping he will encourage her in her goals and damned be societal rules. All this from the first three chapters. Love her support system who do not inhibit her eccentricities.

[Morgan]

I loved Pandora and Gabrielle. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well, especially because couples that can "banter" together are sure to stay together. Haha. I fell in love with them as individuals, as well as their relationship. I love how unapologetically herself Pandora is. I am so envious of that. I think that Gabrielle truly tried to push himself outside of his usual comfort zone with Pandora, which is admirable as well.

[Michelle]

I loved this book! This has been my favorite of the three so far.

Pandora and Gabriel are perfectly matched, and I love how she was able to tie in my love of the Wallflowers as well. I adored Evie and Sebastian's story, and it was perfect to read about one of their children. Made my marshmallow heart sing inside. :)

I love how Pandora was accepted as herself from the beginning, not just from Gabriel but also from his family. After years of her feeling like a weirdo, she finally has found her spot.

And I appreciate how Kleypas writes unconventional female characters. They are all different in their own way, but unique and you want to see them succeed.

Great story! 4 stars for me.

[Michelle]

Sally906 wrote: "Finally finished - had to wait until my lunch break today as the grandchildren came over last night.

Was a 5 Star read for me and can’t wait until I pick up the next one in the next day or so.

..."
Definitely intrigued about the family connection.

[Morgan]

Michelle wrote: "I loved this book! This has been my favorite of the three so far.

Pandora and Gabriel are perfectly matched, and I love how she was able to tie in my love of the Wallflowers as well. I adored Evi..."

I haven't read the first two. I read this as part of a buddy read for tower teams. Do y'all think it's worth reading the first two as well? I wouldn't mind checking them out, but I see some people mentioning this was their favorite and I know I definitely enjoyed it, but I'm a sucker for a good romance, always! LOL. This is the first book I've read of Kleypas, but I agree with what you said Michelle, about her unconventional female characters. I can't speak to other books of hers, but even Pandora in this book was very unique and quirky and didn't conform to the societal norms of the time. I loved that! I love that she just was who she was and didn't apologize for it. That's such a special quality. Even more special because a great man accepted her for who she was, regardless of what society had to say. Isn't that something? :D

[Eldarwen]

Yes, the first two are definitely worth it.

[Eldarwen]

Michelle wrote: "I loved this book! This has been my favorite of the three so far.

Pandora and Gabriel are perfectly matched, and I love how she was able to tie in my love of the Wallflowers as well. I adored Evi..."

True! They really all are unique in their own ways, even the ones that don't have as much "screen time" as the main characters.

[Michelle]

Eldarwen wrote: "Yes, the first two are definitely worth it."

I agree. And you should read the Wallflowers series, too.

[Snowtulip]

Morgan wrote: "I loved Pandora and Gabrielle. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well, especially because couples that can "banter" together are sure to stay together. Haha. I fell in love with them as individuals..."

Banter is one of my favorite things to make a great love story, it seems I don't find enough of it though!

[Snowtulip]

Michelle wrote: "Eldarwen wrote: "Yes, the first two are definitely worth it."

I agree. And you should read the Wallflowers series, too."

I definitely became interested in that series after loving Gabriel's parents :D

[Eldarwen]

Snowtulip wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Eldarwen wrote: "Yes, the first two are definitely worth it."

I agree. And you should read the Wallflowers series, too."

I definitely became interested in that series after lovin..."

Seconding what Snowtulip said.

I might have to get my hands on that Wallflower series :-)

[Michelle]

Yes, I have all of the Lisa Kleypas books. See you in the Dungeon?

[Jammin Jenny]

This will be my first Lisa Kleypas book. Hope I like it! The cover looks cool.

[Maritza]

Wow I loved it, loved it. What can i say I loved Pandora and her free thinking ways. Gabriel for his ability to learn to love Pandora without trying to change her. Her family for their love of each other and his family for being down to Earth. I also would like to go back and read his parents book. Pandor was way ahead of her time in the way she wanted to live her life and am happy that the found the man who would let her spread her wings. A great pick.

[Michelle]

Yes! i totally agree, Maritza. I love how wonderful Gabriel turned out to be. He just loved her and accepted her for who she is.

For those of you who have read the Wallflowers series,
(view spoiler)[ I'm really impressed at how much Evie changed Sebastian. Look at the wonderful children they raised! Gabriel is such a great guy and the rest of the family seems so loving and caring. I knew she had influenced him for the better but I loved the glimpse of their future. (hide spoiler)]

Yep, I'm a sap.

[Maritza]

Jammin Jenny wrote: "This will be my first Lisa Kleypas book. Hope I like it! The cover looks cool."

This was also my first time with this author and I must say that it reminded me of Alice Clayton's female characters who just bring a smile to my face. You kind of forget it's a historical romance because the thinking is so modern. I think you will enjoy it.

[Maritza]

Michelle wrote: "Yes! i totally agree, Maritza. I love how wonderful Gabriel turned out to be. He just loved her and accepted her for who she is.

For those of you who have read the Wallflowers series,
[spoilers r..."

Yes Michelle, Gabriel was a hood mix of Sebastian and Evie. The story Evie told of a young Gabriel and the fox really exemplifies the man he turned out to be. Despite Pandora's childhood she still maintained a strong semblence of self. What she was capable of and her Imagined deficiency.

[Ora]

Maritza wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Yes! i totally agree, Maritza. I love how wonderful Gabriel turned out to be. He just loved her and accepted her for who she is.

For those of you who have read the Wallflowers ser..."

This is my favorite book in the series!!! I love Sebastian and Evie and so happy LK did a book with their eldest son and happy Phoebe's is coming out soon.

Agree about Gabriel.

I forgot about the last part of the book with Pandora getting injured. I love Garrett's Rx for Pandora after realizing how Gabriel was handling on Pandora's recuperation.

[Ora]

One of the things I love is LK's ability to tell a wonderful story while giving insight about issues of the time.

[Eldarwen]

Ora wrote: "One of the things I love is LK's ability to tell a wonderful story while giving insight about issues of the time."

Agreed. There's a degree of this in all of the Ravenel books.

I assume it's the same in the Wallflower series as well? I have them now on my shelf after several of you have raved about it (besides, Sebastian and Evie sound like a fun couple) so I'm going to read them soon. :-)

[Ora]

Yes it is. My first LK book was Mine Till Midnight. I didn't realize it was a spin off of the Wallflowers. I would love to see any of the Hathaways make an appearance in upcoming books.