Book Reviews of Blue-Eyed Devil (Travis, Bk 2)

This is fiction that also tries to do some educating about narcissistic personalities and domestic abuse, and in this aspect the book does very well. In my mind however, it set up Haven's character in a way that the sex scenes brought the story down for me, but I am suspect I'm in the minority on this and in skimming past them. Otherwise, it was very well-written (particularly the first part. I was heavily involved with Haven's experiences in her marriage), had engaging characters so all in all, I thought it was very good.

An excellent read. Hardy Cates is excellently written. The bad taste he leaves in your mouth at the end of the first Welcome book is slowly washed away by the way he loves the Haven. A wonderful literary journey that takes you not just through the romance of these tow interesting and complicated characters but also through what brings them to each other. I really enjoyed this book. Warning though; the descriptions of Haven being abused are very graphic and struck a cord with me. I would throughly enjoyed this book and think it is a great addition to any book club.

I really liked this book. I loved Hardy but was somewhat conflicted over Haven. I just wasn't sure if her victim image was accurate. However, when you recall that she grew up with parents who were too into themselves to instill self-confidence, self-worth or give her love, it helps you to understand how she could fall for a narcisstic husband the first time around. Her mother tried to make her into what she thought she should be by degrading her to the point she controlled her which would explain how easily Haven fell into the victim role with Nick. Her father was too busy making money and trying to make wifey happy to help Haven develop these strengths or to even show he loved her. He even held her inheritance over her head to try to make her do what he wanted. After I thought about this part of her story, I realized I have known people like her and she became much more realistic to me. I really appreciate the way Kleypas wrote this real life situation into the book and admire Haven for overcoming the abuse and becoming a strong individual who could love again. Great story!

I love the helpless defenseless female lead like anyone. I mean, we all enjoy being rescued, but never have I seriously hated the female lead like I did Haven. God, It even pains me to have to write about it. The only GOOD thing about this book was Harvey, the male lead. Kleypas' description of him is pure poetry, and his actions through out the book left me breathless.

Don't get me wrong, I do feel for women in abusive relationships, but it gets to be tiresome when a woman makes a mistake and then finally gets help, only to refuse help over and over again for fear that she appears weak. I felt more and more frustrated as I turned each page. In the end, I actually wanted her to be written off. I felt Harvey could do better.

So, don't read this book for the character development. There is none. Read this book for the steamy love scenes (although it takes FOREVER to get there) and the all male essence that is Harvey. Yumm.

***Happy sigh****
Lisa Kleypas does it again with book two in the Travis series. I liked Blue-Eyed Devil much more than Sugar Daddy although I think Liberty was a better character than Haven. Blue-Eyed Devil gets into the meat of the story much more quickly and the pacing worked better for me than Sugar Daddy.

Kleypas has an amazing ability to slowly build believable love and passion between her characters. She always includes such fine detail about their lives, their background, their homes, jobs, and cities where they live. It isn't that boring filler that seems to be used by so many authors, it is interesting, relevant information. The people come alive in her books.

Blue-Eyed devil has a heroine who is a bit more of a victim than I'm accustomed to with Kleypas, that is probably the biggest downside to the book. But the character does gain a spine eventually and we're treated to Hardy who is a wonderful character unto himself. There are the well-written requisite love scenes in this book, with reasonable heat.

Kleypas uses a different writing style in her contemporary books, where the story is written first person so you don't get to know the other characters as intimately as you do in her historicals. I think it works - in a way it makes the hero seem that much more heroic. But I don't think we get to know Hardy as much as you'd like, especially because he was such an enigma in Sugar Daddy.

Another winner from my favorite author.
4.5 stars.

I actually think it was one of Kleypas's better books. I have only read her historic romance before this one.

I think although the story had romantic elements it was really about Haven's experiences of being a victim of domestic abuse and breaking her own cycle in life. In many ways, Kleypas showcases how Haven's life growing up kind of set her up to be in an abusive relationship with Nick. Not only did she have get to her life back by leaving Nick but learning to stand up for herself with her family, work, and other relationships.

I agree with the review that some of the sex scenes with Hardy did bring the book down a bit but Kleypas is known for her "romance" and that was what this book is marketed as. So I will forgive those scenes. They weren't bad just didn't seem believable or fit in well.

Good read. I had a hard time reading about Haven's relationship with Nick than with Vanessa. It made me cringed but it was good.

Loved this book. I have a keeper copy.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! Good Texas romance with very real life events. You feel everything that is happening to the main character. The GOOD and the BAD. She is an exceptional authour!!!!!

I love this author and this series, the first of which is Sugar Daddy. Well written and fast paced. This book was exceptionally sweet and wonderful.

After marrying a man her family didn't approve of, Haven Travis is determined to make her marriage work. But it soon turns into an abusive relationship and Haven is lucky to escape with her life. Haven moves back to her Houston and begins to heal with the help of her family and therapy. Hardy Cates is a self-made millionaire from the wrong side of the tracks. He is also an enemy of the Travis family. When Hardy and Haven meet, sparks fly, but Haven is determined to stay out of a relationship and guard her heart.

Wow, I loved this book. Haven's abusive marriage was very believable. Her husband works on her self-confidence, breaking it down to make her believe that she is responsible for all of their marriage woes. Hardy is the perfect man for her. He is the type who doesn't take "no" for an answer, but he understands Haven and knows that she needs to make her own decisions about their relationship. My rating: 5 Stars.

Excellent book! The author gives a very accurate accounting of exactly what it's like to live in an abusive marriage. I know, I've been there. It was almost uncanny how similar Haven's experience was to my own. There must be many, many women out there to whom this has happened. I got out, but the feeling of failure was there. I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially those who are or have been in a relationship with a narcissistic personality.

Fantastic book. I loved it even more than Sugar Daddy.

This is on my keeper shelf. It is hard to put down. And one of Kleypas' best. I love that both Hardy and Haven are flawed and not perfect. The backstory and depth of characters is outstanding. Definitely recommended and then some.

This starts out with a horrible domestic violence situation and morphs into a sweet romance. Hardy Cates really is a sweetie and Haven Travis definitely deserves a HEA. Lisa Kleypas's characters are wonderful and insightful which makes for a terrific retelling of this not so new story.

LOVED this book!!! The development of the main & supporting characters was great and Kleypas managed to infuse enough humor in the right places to keep the harsher scenes from becoming overwhelming. I've read all 3 "Travis" books and each one is so different yet all related.

Warning that some scenes are really difficult to read....the heroine is in an abusive relationship....but there's no sugar coating it and I really liked that there's a therapist character adding a bit of insight without getting preachy. No doubt this is damsel in distress/white knight storytelling, but modern enough to keep you interested.

Way too graphic for me. Take out the sex scenes and there's barely any story left.
That said, I DID read the whole thing. But domestic abuse and personality disorders are NOT my idea of topics for a good novel.
Sugar Daddy was so much better, in my estimation.

Loved this book - had a hard time putting it down!

If there was a way to give this 10 stars, I would. Desert Island Keeper!

Very good book. This is a follow up to "Sugar Daddy" where Hardy is first introduced.

Well written book. Love the way Lisa writes. Looking forward to reading the next of the series.

great read

i love this author- this book was wonderful- a hot read

Great book!

This book was fun.

Another excellent book by Kleypas. Same family and some of the same characters as Sugar Daddy, but you don't need to read one to read the other.

I had heard so many great reviews on this book and I ran out and bought it. I was disappointed. This book was told entirely in a first person narrative and I could not get into it.

Great story line. Could not put down.