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The Devil in Winter

Book 3 in the series:Wallflowers

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In "The Devil in Winter," part of the Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas, the story revolves around Evangeline Jenner, a shy and timid young woman who proposes a marriage of convenience to the notorious rake, Lord St. Vincent. As their relationship develops, they both discover their true feelings for each other amidst family drama and societal expectations. The book explores themes of redemption, love, and self-discovery, with a focus on the transformation of the characters as they navigate their unconventional relationship.

The writing style of "The Devil in Winter" is praised for its ability to portray the gradual development of affection between Evie and St. Vincent, capturing the emotional depth of their characters. Readers appreciate the engaging plot that combines romance, intrigue, and mystery, creating a compelling narrative that keeps them invested in the story until the end.

Characters:

The characters exhibit significant growth; the heroine evolves from a timid wallflower into a strong woman, while the rake transforms into a devoted partner.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is lyrical and emotional, filled with wit and distinct character voices that make the story engaging and relatable.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on a shy heroine's unexpected marriage proposal to a notorious rake, setting off a journey filled with challenges that transform their relationship from convenience to genuine love.

Setting:

The setting reflects early 19th century England, incorporating elements of societal norms and a mix of public and private spaces.

Pacing:

The pacing is dynamic, blending swift moments of engagement with slower, more intimate character development.
As Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent, stared at the young woman who had just barged her way into his London residence, it occurred to him that he might have tried to abduct the wrong heiress last week at St...

Notes:

The story features a marriage of convenience between Evie Jenner and Sebastian St. Vincent.
Evie is a shy wallflower who has a stutter, while Sebastian is a notorious rake and rogue.
This book is the third installment in the Wallflower series by Lisa Kleypas.
Sebastian's character is initially introduced as a villain in the previous book, where he attempted to kidnap the heroine.
Readers are divided on Sebastian's redemption arc — some feel it is well-written, while others feel it's insufficient.
Evie proposes to Sebastian to escape her abusive family and to be free to see her dying father.
Sebastian evolves from a selfish cad to a caring husband throughout the story.
The book explores themes of vulnerability and care, especially through Sebastian's protective actions towards Evie.
Evie's strength grows as she stands up to Sebastian and sets boundaries in their relationship.
The novel is celebrated for its slow-burn romance and character development.
Readers often praise the book's engaging plot and chemistry between the characters.
The backdrop of a failing gaming hell plays a significant role in their relationship dynamics.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers/content warnings include themes of abuse, violence, and some instances of coercive interactions.

Has Romance?

Yes, the book is rich with romance, showcasing the evolving relationship between the main characters throughout the narrative.

From The Publisher:

"I'm Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent. I can't be celibate. Everyone knows that."

Desperate to escape her scheming relatives, Evangeline Jenner has sought the help of the most infamous scoundrel in London.

A marriage of convenience is the only solution.

No one would have ever paired the shy, stammering wallflower with the sinfully handsome viscount. It quickly becomes clear, however, that Evie is a woman of hidden strength-and Sebastian desires her more than any woman he's ever known.

Determined to win her husband's elusive heart, Evie dares to strike a bargain with the devil: If Sebastian can stay celibate for three months, she will allow him into her bed.

When Evie is threatened by a vengeful enemy from the past, Sebastian vows to do whatever it takes to protect his wife . . . even at the expense of his own life.

Together they will defy their perilous fate, for the sake of all-consuming love.

Ratings (84)

Incredible (22)
Loved It (28)
Liked It (19)
It Was OK (13)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (130):

Read It (86)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (22)
Did Not Finish (4)
Not Interested (17)

6 comment(s)

Incredible
1 month

***4.5***

What is there to say, really? I love Evie. And Sebastian won me over. :)

My one qualm is that I wish that, rather than playing out the thing with Bullard, LK had just kept the focus on Evie's family. We have had 2 books of intimations that they are horrendous human beings... and now in Evie's book, they show up once, Sebastian punches someone, and they are never heard from again. It felt anti-climactic, in terms of her family sub-plot.

But it didn't detract from the book at all. And it is funny, because even though I have yet to read an HR that didn't end in an HEA (are there such things? I can't imagine there are), there were several points in this book where I seriously wondered if things were going to end badly. I think that speaks a lot towards how involving the story was.

Re-read May 2017 - *****5 stars*****

So good that I have literally done nothing today except power through this book. Oh well. Yay for sick days.

I agree with my initial review - I would have liked more time spent dealing with Evie's hideous family, rather than the Bullard plot. I just felt like ... they didn't really pay for how they had tortured her. They are truly horrible people.

Such a glorious book... so moving. I cried in multiple places. I was really craving this re-read, after reading [b:Devil in Spring|30179647|Devil in Spring (The Ravenels, #3)|Lisa Kleypas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467895208s/30179647.jpg|50618062].

Re-read March 2018

So, after reading the new Ravenels book - [b:Hello Stranger|34379276|Hello Stranger (The Ravenels, #4)|Lisa Kleypas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1520360805s/34379276.jpg|55467230] - I had to go back and re-read

Devil in Spring ... and then of course I had to go back and re-read this book. It will always be one of my very favorites.

 
It Was OK
1 month

Since I didn't know where I left of, I started from page 1 again. Rating 3,5 stars

 
Loved It
3 months

This is my favorite Kleypas by far...almost unseated by Blue Eyed Stranger, but ultimately I don't think anyone will replace Sebastian and Evie.

 
Did Not Like
3 months

dubious consent

 
Loved It
7 months

Obviously, this is a very good read. My first in this series but it doesn't matter if you read the previous books or not.

The characters, Evie and Sebastian, are highly likeable. I can easily find the love between them. Their story is not really complicated or innovative but the writing is excellent.

The only problem is that I had a feeling of deja vu while reading it. And as long as I'm sure I have never read this book before, I have probably read too many historical romances. After some time you just know all the schemes.

 
Incredible
11 months

Rake falls in love with a wallflower

 
 
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