Review: Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas
SYNOPSIS:
Four young ladies at the side of the ballroom make a pact to help each other find husbands . . . no matter what it takes
Proud and beautiful Annabelle Peyton could have her pick of suitors—if only she had a dowry. Her family is on the brink of disaster, and the only way Annabelle can save them is to marry a wealthy man. Unfortunately her most persistent admirer is the brash Simon Hunt, a handsome and ambitious entrepreneur who wants her as his mistress.
Annabelle is determined to resist Simon’s wicked propositions, but she can’t deny her attraction to the boldly seductive rogue, any more than he can resist the challenge she presents. As they try to outmaneuver each other, they find themselves surrendering to a love more powerful than they could have ever imagined. But fate may have other plans—and it will take all of Annabelle’s courage to face a peril that could destroy everything she holds dear.
REVIEW:
Continuing my exploration into historical romance, I was recommended to try Lisa Kleypas next. This introduction to a new series was whimsical and wistful. With vivid details, contrasting personalities, rag-tag friendships, I couldn’t help but fall in love with this story.
A group of four wallflowers form an unlikely friendship. This mismatched group of women had me laughing out loud. Annabelle, Evie, Lillian, and Daisy are so vastly different, yet they complimented each other flawlessly. They supported, lifted each other up, schemed and plotted as only women could, and were a shoulder to lean on when needed. Their friendship was endearing and I could read a whole book just on the mischief they could cause.
As soon as Simon was introduced in the story, I knew, without a doubt, that I was going to go down with that ship. He was mysterious, blunt, honest, sharp, determined and a complete alpha male. He just so happens to be determined to have Annabelle, who is stubborn to a fault, soft curves, and pure emotion. These two are just perfect for each other, even if Annabelle doesn’t see it immediately. Their banter and hidden moments had me blushing and sighing with content.
The story flows around the romance but there is so much more to it. The complex social hierarchy of Britian’s society, the struggles of poverty and just how important a dowry was back then (thank God that’s not a thing anymore), but most importantly that people rarely married for love, and those who found it were the luckiest of them all. Needless to say, I fell fast and hard for these characters and I can’t wait to start Lillian’s book next.
LINKS:
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
