Lady Pandora Ravenel has no interest in marriage. She doesn't know why she must attend balls and dance with eligible men. Wishing she could just disappear from the latest ball; she gets her chance when a friend asks for her help finding an earring. A turn of fate leaves Pandora in a compromising position with Gabriel Challen, Lord St. Vincent. Gabriel has been avoiding marriage minded women for years. He certainly didn't want to be caught by a sheltered, clueless girl who is not suitable to be his bride. But as he gets to know Pandora, he begins to believe that she may be the perfect woman for him.
This is the 3rd book in the Ravenel series. I was happy to be introduced to Gabriel, the son of Sebastian and Evie from "Devil in Winter". He, along with is whole family, is very likeable and I'm hoping to see more of them in this series. I wasn't looking forward to reading about Pandora. I was not a fan of her in the first two books. But she grew on me as we got into her head and learned about her upbringing. At first Gabriel and Pandora didn't seem suited for each other, but they turned out to be a wonderful couple.
I loved the humor in this story. It kept me glued to the pages. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
This is the 3rd book in the Ravenel series. I was happy to be introduced to Gabriel, the son of Sebastian and Evie from "Devil in Winter". He, along with is whole family, is very likeable and I'm hoping to see more of them in this series. I wasn't looking forward to reading about Pandora. I was not a fan of her in the first two books. But she grew on me as we got into her head and learned about her upbringing. At first Gabriel and Pandora didn't seem suited for each other, but they turned out to be a wonderful couple.
I loved the humor in this story. It kept me glued to the pages. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
This was a fun and lively story. Loved the witty banter and sharp barbs exchanged between the main characters. Great pace and fun characters, loved having previous characters from the series be a part of this story also.
4.5* rounded up
My favorite so far of the Ravenels. This is Pandora's and Gabriel's story. Devil in Winter was another Kleypas favorite of mine, so it was wonderful to "see" Evie and Sebastian. Gabriel is their oldest son. The Challons are a loving family. Pandora's parents were not and she and her sisters had an isolated upbringing.
Pandora is a character I really grew to like. And Gabriel. He was so perfect. What made this book work so much for me was this: Pandora and Gabriel love each other just as they are. There is nothing sexier or romantic than that. No big misunderstanding. They communicate their wants, desires, what doesn't work, etc.
Nice setup for the next (Dr Garrett Gibson and Ethan- a detective who might be related to the Ravenels).
My favorite so far of the Ravenels. This is Pandora's and Gabriel's story. Devil in Winter was another Kleypas favorite of mine, so it was wonderful to "see" Evie and Sebastian. Gabriel is their oldest son. The Challons are a loving family. Pandora's parents were not and she and her sisters had an isolated upbringing.
Pandora is a character I really grew to like. And Gabriel. He was so perfect. What made this book work so much for me was this: Pandora and Gabriel love each other just as they are. There is nothing sexier or romantic than that. No big misunderstanding. They communicate their wants, desires, what doesn't work, etc.
Nice setup for the next (Dr Garrett Gibson and Ethan- a detective who might be related to the Ravenels).
Sigh ...
It was a lovely visit with Sabastian and Evie, as we see how impetuous Pandora grapples with her attraction to Gabriel, Lord St. Vincent against the reality of losing her identity and rights in Victorian London.
The story was very amusing. The writing was the usual Kleypas mixture of humor, history lesson, and interesting family dynamics in the unusual courtship between the smitten hero and the business-oriented heroine who wants to keep running her own business.
So I'm keeping an electronic copy for after I pass along the paper copy!
It was a lovely visit with Sabastian and Evie, as we see how impetuous Pandora grapples with her attraction to Gabriel, Lord St. Vincent against the reality of losing her identity and rights in Victorian London.
The story was very amusing. The writing was the usual Kleypas mixture of humor, history lesson, and interesting family dynamics in the unusual courtship between the smitten hero and the business-oriented heroine who wants to keep running her own business.
So I'm keeping an electronic copy for after I pass along the paper copy!
Lisa Kleypas is on my "auto buy" list, so naturally, I read the book as soon as it came out. I love her "Ravenal" series. This is the third book in that series. It is also related to Devil in Winter, one of her "Wallflower" series, and also the first book of hers that I ever read. I so enjoyed being the scrapes that the heroine got herself into - and how the hero helped her escape them. Kleypas writes with humor, but also with sensuality, fabulous sense of place/setting, and great intensity. I already have the next book in the series on order.
I really couldn't figure out this match until the 'happily ever after'. The H/H seemed like water and oil. The plot seemed contrived. Once I got past the first of the book I bought into the story. This was almost a two-parter. The 'happily ever after' came and went. Then, we got to the mystery. I am sticking with the series. Recommend.
