Devil in Spring (The Ravenels #3) by Lisa Kleypas

Title: Devil in Spring
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Ravenels (Book 3)
Format: Paperback; 496 pages
Publisher: HarperLuxe; Lgr edition (February 21, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0062662694
ISBN-13: 978-0062662699
Author's Website: http://www.lisakleypas.com/
Notes:  I won a copy of the book from a contest. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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Once upon a time a wallflower decided to help out a friend. In the process she managed to be compromised by a settee. The blunt of the blame, however, was placed upon the shoulders of a young man who had the misfortune of happening upon the young miss who had managed to trap herself within the carved confines of a sette's scrollwork.

She wasn't looking to ever marry.

He was definitely not looking to shackle himself any time soon to a bride.

Fate, however, had other plans because...

“Dangerous creatures, wallflowers. Approach them with the utmost caution. They sit quietly in corners, appearing abandoned and forlorn, when in truth they’re sirens who lure men to their downfall. You won’t even notice the moment she steals the heart right out of your body—and then it’s hers for good. A wallflower never gives your heart back.”

One of the things I love about Ms. Kleypas' books is that they tend to capture the innocence and feelings that one experiences the first time they truly fall in love. The butterflies in the stomach, the insecurity of it all, and the way one gives their whole self with no restraints to the individual who captures their heart. It's the trifecta of first love, all wrapped in a wonderfully steamy, witty, and undeniably charming romance. Who could resist? Certainly not I. *smirk*

This is the third installment of the Ravenels series, and some old and familiar faces from Ms. Kleypas' earlier Wallflower series make a welcomed appearance. The Duke and Duchess of Kingston (those of you who read the the 'Devil in Winter' know them better as Evie and Sebastian) are the proud parents of several children the eldest of  which is Gabriel, the debonair gentleman who rescues poor Pandora from the evil settee.

Pandora, whose name is very well suited to her, is very different from the other ladies of the ton. She's been raised outside of society and was pretty much left to her own devices until her sister-in-law took an interest in her and her sisters. Finally entering society, Pandora has no wish to marry, instead she has hopes of living independently self supporting herself with the income she acquires from creating and manufacturing board games. A husband is the absolute last thing she wants. She believes marriage is a trap that takes away the wife's identity, and she's still trying to find herself. Plus, she knows being married to someone as good looking as Gabriel, described as looking like a fallen angel, would be a trial as women, both young and old, would always be throwing themselves at him.

Likewise, Gabriel has no desire to marry anytime soon. When caught with Pandora in the summer house, he is anything but pleased at the prospect of marrying her. She possesses none of social graces or skills required to navigate the treacherous terrain that is the ton. Nor does she possess the expertise needed to run an efficient household of a future duke. The conundrum of it all is that while he doesn't wish to marry her, he quickly realizes he doesn't want anyone else to either. While he always thought he'd be bored with a wife after a few months, there's something about Pandora that tells him boring is not a term that will every be associated with the unpredictable chit.

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out of 5 roses. It was devilishly delicious. sensuously seductive, and enchantingly engaging. I loved the sexual tension between Gabriel and Pandora. I adored how Pandora's name suggests by opening her up to society she'll set them on their toes. Plus, I loved revisiting Evie and Sebastian. It was like getting ice cream with your cake and eating it too. I loved it. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating- - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the Ravenels series: