Book Review: Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

Title: Secrets of a Summer Night

Author: Lisa Kleypas
Series: Wallflowers #1

ISBN: 978-0060091293

Publisher: Avon

Pub. Date: 2004

Source: Kindle

Genre: Romance/ Historical Fiction

Pages: 384
Rating: 4 Kisses
Author's Website

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Four young ladies enter London society with one common goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband. So a daring husband-hunting scheme is born.  Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle's most intriguing--and persistent--admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition . . . but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.  Her friends, looking to help, conspire to entice a more suitable gentleman to offer for Annabelle, for only then will she be safe from Simon--and her own longings. But on one summer night, Annabelle succumbs to Simon's passionate embrace and tempting kisses . . . and she discovers that love is the most dangerous game of all.

My Reveries and Ramblings: Secrets of a Summer Night is the first book in Lisa Kleypas’s Wallflowers series. It centers around Annabelle, the oldest member of a group of friends who have made it their mission to find suitable husbands after years of being wallflowers. Annabelle, who is very beautiful, has been unable to catch a husband since she’s poor and has no dowry. In a last ditch effort to save her widowed mother and brother from being completely destitute, she makes one last great effort to catch a husband (with the help of the other wallflowers). However, in trying to snag a titled husband, she slowly starts falling for Simon Hunt, an affluent yet rough-around-the-edges businessman.
      This review comes years after reading the series many many times. To be completely honest, I didn’t like Annabelle the first time I read her story. However, I grew to like her. She’s got so many admirable qualities. She’s brave and stubborn. Yeah, she is very materialistic, but her loved ones ALWAYS come first.
      Simon Hunt is a very hardy outspoken man. Most people find him to be a bit much. But he has such a big heart. Ah, Simon. Definitely one of my book boyfriends. (Pretty much all the guys in Lisa Kleypas books are on that list). I just loved the way that Simon was always happened to be around to help her. Even though she pretty much rejects his help for most of the book, at least he’s there. Cue sigh.
      Secrets of a Summer Night is a great quick read. You’ll be smiling, gushing, and sighing the entire time. Being a huge fan of Lisa Kleypas, I can always count on a great romance read. Seriously, I reread her books at least twice a year. She has a knack for putting just enough of all the elements: romance, action, drama, humor, etc. You want it, it’s got it! Even though it’s not a Regency-era novel, it does make you feel like you are in a Jane Austenesque world. The story is engrossing and very romantic. I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend not only Secrets of a Summer Night, but the entire Wallflower series.

Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

(pssst...It's $2.99 on kindle right now)

Playlist:

(Click Here if you want to listen to it on Grooveshark--if you don't have spotify)

Book Review: Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas

Title: Again the Magic

Author: Lisa Kleypas

Series: The Wallflowers #0.5 (Prequel)

ISBN: 978-0380811083

Publisher: Avon

Pub. Date: February 2004

Source: Purchased

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 391

Rating: 5 Kisses

Excerpt | Author’s Website

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  She gave him her innocence . . .Lady Aline Marsden was brought up for one reason: to make an advantageous marriage to a member of her own class. Instead, she willingly gave her innocence to John McKenna, a servant on her father's estate. Their passionate transgression was unforgivable -- John was sent away, and Aline was left to live in the countryside . . . an exile from London society . . .and he took her love.

Now McKenna has made his fortune, and he has returned -- more boldly handsome and more mesmerizing than before. His ruthless plan is to take revenge on the woman who shattered his dreams of love. But the magic between them burns as bright as ever. And now he must decide whether to let vengeance take its toll . . . or risk everything for his first, and only, love.

My Reveries and Ramblings:  When Aline and McKenna’s feelings are discovered by her father, he threatens McKenna’s very existence if Aline ever sees him again. In order to protect him, Aline convinces  McKenna that she does not love him, hoping he will never return to Stony Cross.  After he leaves, Aline descends into a depression that is followed by a terrible accident that leaves Aline with scars on her legs.  Twelve years later, McKenna returns to Stony Cross from America, where he became one of the nouveaux riches, to take his revenge on Aline for all the pain and heartache he caused her.  Aline realizing his intentions decides to ride it out until he goes back to New York.   This plan fails however when both McKenna and Aline start to fall for each other again.  But Aline can never be with him, for she is not only a spinster, but also damaged.

         I don’t think I’ve ever cried, or even teared up while reading a romance novel, before reading Again the Magic.  Here we have two characters who are obviously in love with each other, but refuse to acknowledge it, and instead spend almost 400 pages fighting it.   The book begins with Aline and McKenna in their late teens, already in love.  Life is good.  Well, except for the fact that Aline is the daughter of the cold and malevolent Lord Westcliff, and that McKenna is only a footman.  After years of resenting, no that is not strong enough, hating is a better word; after spending years hating Aline, he starts to unwind when he realizes that Aline never married or slept with anyone.  This sends his plan to “break her” out the window.  Aline on the other hand, doesn’t mind McKenna’s efforts at hurting her.  In fact, she welcomes them because they allow her to feel after years of being numb.  This entire book had me screaming “Just say it!”  It was like McKenna and Aline decided to be stubborn and thick-headed at the exact same time.  And this is what created the tension throughout the novel.  All of these scenes led up to an amazing tear-filled ending that any fan of romance will LOVE. 

         This novel deals mostly with Aline and McKenna’s story but it also includes Livia, Aline’s sister, and Mr. Shaw’s, McKenna’s business partner, story.  This one was also cute.  Of course, not as much drama as the main love story, but still a bit dramatic.

         For a historical romance, this was fantastic.  It was an emotional, film-worthy story that will have you rushing to the bookstore wanting more of this series.  

Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Goodreads

Playlist:
(Listen on Spotify)