The Devil in Winter (The Wallflowers)

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actual footage of me battling the part of me that wants to make this entire review about Kev Merripen: The best part of this book is that we get to see Saint Vincent from the Wallflower series, and he is just as glorious as ever:

My feelings about St. Vincent are a little more complicated. I don't really like that he's hanging out in alpha limbo. He's a bit too...courtly to be straight up gamma/alpha, but he's way too rapey and chauvinistic for me to accept him as a "nice" hero. His constant bragging about his prowess definitely garnered an eye-roll or two from me. That said, he had some great lines. Sexy lines. He's the perfect example of a character who you might find sexually attractive but would make a sh*tty boyfriend. When this is unsuccessful, it seems that all he can do is wait the allotted period before he can embrace his ravenous inhibitions or maybe, just maybe, see what this love business is all about.

When this started, I felt like I was missing more about Sebastian's character. I am assuming we got a lot of him at the end of book two, but I did get enough that I understood he was definitely a devilish character who wasn't afraid to go after what he wanted. I loved how Evie is normally a shy wallflower, but at the beginning of this book, she decides to go after what she wants and ask Sebastian to marry her since she wants out of an arranged marriage and he needs money. The moment they agree, I was SWOOOOONING over this romance. Seriously. Their trip to Scotland to get married, her taking care of her father, and Sebastian running the gaming hell...everything was perfection. While going to college, Kleypas started writing from time to time, with her mother and father offering support upon graduation for her to publish her debut. Aged twenty-one, Kleypas’ debut book was sold. Accordingly, Lisa was dubbed Miss Massachusetts despite her very short figure. You have a point. There's nothing so tiresome as being reasonable. I myself avoid it whenever possible. Still, you can't brawl when there are ladies present. It will give them ideas." You have a vivid imagination, Miss Hathaway." His tone was bland. But there was a flare of provoking laughter in his eyes. "I have no such thing. The rest of my family is steeped in imagination—I'm the one who clings desperately to reality." -Cam and Amelia Sebastian is one of the sexiest heroes ever written. Gosh the man just makes me melt. Out of all the Wallflowers, Evie is my favorite, hands-down. I thought she was an interesting character and I wanted to know more about her, although she didn't seem to say much. But what she did and didn't say sparked my curiosity about her. I knew I was eager to read her book. I was overjoyed that Ms. Kleypas paired her with Sebastian. I saw a possibility there between them, don't ask me why. Literally, I said, "Yes!" when I read the excerpt for this book and saw that they would be paired together. I loved how at first Sebastian kind of didn't see Evangeline, but when he saw her, he really saw her. He is the most considerate, divine husband for such a former rake. He is crazy about Evie and can't seem to keep his hands off of her. He sees to her every need and is very honest about his shortcomings. I was glad that Evangeline didn't just give herself away lightly to Sebastian. She treated herself with worth and that was what Sebastian needed from a woman, for a rake who could have any women he wanted (except for Lillian, a lesson he learned well in Autumn).

He seduced the first woman Westcliff, his best friend, ever showed an interest in. And recently kidnapped Westcliff's finance, Lillian, to force her to marry him because he wanted her dowery. Totally selfish in every way possible. Cuz, seriously, what's more fun than haggling with someone like a used car salesman over an old toaster that may or may not burn one side of the bread while not heating the other side in the hot Texas sun? Evangeline did not rise to his baiting, only gave him a steady stare that was evidence of an innate toughness Sebastian had never encountered in a woman before. “I’m offering to marry you,” she said. “I want your protection. My father is too ill and weak to help me, and I will not be a burden to my friends. I believe they would offer to harbor me, but even then I would always have to be on guard, fearing that my relations would manage to steal me away and force me to do their will. An unmarried woman has little recourse, socially or legally. It isn’t f-fair…but I can’t afford to go tilting at windmills. I need a h-husband. You need a rich wife. And we are both equally desperate, which leads me to believe that you will agree to my pr-proposition. If so, then I should like to leave for Gretna Green tonight. Now. I’m certain that my relations are already looking for me.” Phyl, I too am very curious to see how Kleypas’ new editor and publisher will affect her writing. I’m so glad you are enjoying the Rosenthal book! :-)Amelia had her own bitter moments. She was betrayed from a man that she loved in the nearest past and she had sworn to stay single and to protect and take care of her siblings... And believe me, her siblings had many problems. Evangeline Jenner (Evie) has been physically abused by her Aunt and Uncle since she was a little girl. She stutters and is considered a wallflower. Her father is a gambling club owner and is dying, but her Aunt and Uncle refuse her wishes to see him. Ever since she was promised to her cousin for marriage, she is desperate to get away from her abusers and will do anything necessary to see her father before he dies, including asking Lord St. Vincent to marry her. There’s something just so special about a historical romance done the Lisa Kleypas way. Light, yet with substance. So much sexual passion and yet such tender love. Her books are always a delightful escape and her heroes are always so sigh-worthy.