Book Review: Chasing Cassandra (The Ravenels #6) by Lisa Kleypas

Chasing Cassandra
The Ravenels #6
By: Lisa Kleypas
Published: February 18, 2020
Publisher: Avon Books
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Source: Audible Purchase

Everything has a price... 

Railway magnate Tom Severin is wealthy and powerful enough to satisfy any desire as soon as it arises. Anything—or anyone—is his for the asking. It should be simple to find the perfect wife—and from his first glimpse of Lady Cassandra Ravenel, he’s determined to have her. But the beautiful and quick-witted Cassandra is equally determined to marry for love—the one thing he can’t give. 

Everything except her... 

Severin is the most compelling and attractive man Cassandra has ever met, even if his heart is frozen. But she has no interest in living in the fast-paced world of a ruthless man who always plays to win. 

When a newfound enemy nearly destroys Cassandra’s reputation, Severin seizes the opportunity he’s been waiting for. As always, he gets what he wants—or does he? There’s one lesson Tom Severin has yet to learn from his new bride: 

Never underestimate a Ravenel. 

The chase for Cassandra’s hand may be over. But the chase for her heart has only just begun...

My Thoughts:

Chasing Cassandra was a story that completely swept me away... Cassandra was so sweet, kind, and I genuinely loved her character.  She's longed to fall in love and get married.  Her twin is happily married, and didn't even want it like Cassandra did!  Now she's stuck attending another season; alone, and bored with the men who are her prospects.  She attracts a lot of attention, because she is so beautiful, and comes with a generous dowry.  Unfortunately, finding luck in love hasn't been her fate.

Tom Severin is a man who gets what he wants.  Brilliance, business savvy, hard work, and determination have made him in to a successful and powerful railroad magnate.  Yet Tom is lonely for companionship.  When he see's the beautiful Cassandra, he is determined to make her his wife.  

There is a spark of attraction between the two of them, and Tom's personality intrigues her.  He is different from any man she's ever met before. Tom wants her to agree to marriage, but she refuses him when he says he will never love her, or anyone for that matter, because he believes himself incapable.

A male suitor that wants Cassandra, plays dirty by starting rumors about her, in order to try to force her hand into marriage.  Tom is angry that anyone would do that to Cassandra, but decides to use it as an opportunity to try to get her to wed him.  However, Cassandra isn't willing to settle on any road that doesn't lead to true love.

I adored this story!  Tom Severin was so amusing, and made me laugh.  The narrator really got in to character and became Tom. I can't tell you how many times I laughed.  Tom's personality really came through, and I fell in love with him, right alongside Cassandra.  He had so many layers to his character, and I enjoyed discovering each and every one.  For a man that believed he only had five emotions, we learned that he had a huge heart.  His past had shaped him in to the man he had become, but Cassandra brought out the best in him.

I loved all of the literary references, and how Tom always managed to put his own twist on each story's lesson.  Together, Tom and Cassandra were magic.  Their story was chock-full of feels, romance, swoons, laughs, and entertainment.  A favorite read of 2020, I highly recommended you pick up this story if you haven’t already! 

Purchase At:

Amazon | Audible | Barnes and Noble | iBooks 

About the Author:

LISA KLEYPAS is the RITA award-winning author of 21 novels. Her books are published in fourteen languages and are bestsellers all over the world. She lives in Washington State with her husband and two children.

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

Devil in Spring
The Ravenels #3
By: Lisa Kleypas
Publisher: Avon Books
Published: February 21, 2017
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Source: Cloud Library Rental

An eccentric wallflower… 

Most debutantes dream of finding a husband. Lady Pandora Ravenel has different plans. The ambitious young beauty would much rather stay at home and plot out her new board game business than take part in the London Season. But one night at a glittering society ball, she’s ensnared in a scandal with a wickedly handsome stranger. 

A cynical rake… 

After years of evading marital traps with ease, Gabriel, Lord St. Vincent, has finally been caught-by a rebellious girl who couldn’t be less suitable. In fact, she wants nothing to do with him. But Gabriel finds the high-spirited Pandora irresistible. He’ll do whatever it takes to possess her, even if their marriage of convenience turns out to be the devil’s own bargain. 

A perilous plot… 

After succumbing to Gabriel’s skilled and sensuous persuasion, Pandora agrees to become his bride. But soon she discovers that her entrepreneurial endeavors have accidentally involved her in a dangerous conspiracy—and only her husband can keep her safe. As Gabriel protects her from their unknown adversaries, they realize their devil’s bargain may just turn out to be a match made in heaven... 

My Thoughts:

Devil in Spring was a fantastic audio, and a book where I didn't want to take my headphones off.  I'm enjoying The Ravenels Series, but have been listening to it out of order, more based on interest than anything else.  These can be read as standalones, and I have not had any problems following along.

Pandora is a a quirky, determined, and independent wallflower.  She doesn't ever want to get married, because her dream is to start her own game board business, and be the one running and controlling every aspect of it.  Unfortunately, once a lady marries, everything she owns becomes her husband's property.
Pandora has been attending the season, more as a support, so that her twin Cassandra, can find what she yearns for most; love and marriage.  However, at one such ball, Pandora finds herself in what appears to be a compromising position.  The handsome, wealthy, and upperclass, Lord Gabriel St. Vincent is just trying to be of assistance to Pandora, but their position is misconstrued. 

Now Lord St. Vincent must marry Pandora, or her reputation and that of her family will be ruined. The Ravenels' accept an invitation to spend the week with the St. Vincents at their estate, so everyone can get to know each other.

What follows is a beautiful love story that had me smiling and giddy.  I loved Pandora's strength, unique, fun, and impulsive personality.  I thought Gabriel was the traditional romantic hero.  He was gallant, and once he started to fall for Pandora, he was all about her.  My heart melted with how he was willing to give her what she needed, wanted, and deserved, in a time where women were considered second-class citizens.  His actions showed us how much he loved and treasured her.

If you like historical romance, or want to give it a try, I recommend reading, Devil in Spring.

Purchase At:

Amazon | Audible | Barnes and Noble | Google Books

About the Author:

LISA KLEYPAS is the RITA award-winning author of 21 novels. Her books are published in fourteen languages and are bestsellers all over the world. She lives in Washington State with her husband and two children.

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Book Review: Devil's Daughter (The Ravenels #5) by Lisa Kleypas

Devil's Daughter (The Ravenels #5)
By: Lisa Kleypas
Publisher: Avon books
Published: February 19, 2019
Source: Cloud Library Rental
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Book Summary:

New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas delivers a scintillating tale of a beautiful, young widow who finds passion with the one man she shouldn't...

Although beautiful young widow Phoebe, Lady Clare, has never met West Ravenel, she knows one thing for certain: he's a mean, rotten bully. Back in boarding school, he made her late husband's life a misery, and she'll never forgive him for it. But when Phoebe attends a family wedding, she encounters a dashing and impossibly charming stranger who sends a fire-and-ice jolt of attraction through her. And then he introduces himself...as none other than West Ravenel.

West is a man with a tarnished past. No apologies, no excuses. However, from the moment he meets Phoebe, West is consumed by irresistible desire...not to mention the bitter awareness that a woman like her is far out of his reach. What West doesn't bargain on is that Phoebe is no straitlaced aristocratic lady. She's the daughter of a strong-willed wallflower who long ago eloped with Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent—the most devilishly wicked rake in England.

Before long, Phoebe sets out to seduce the man who has awakened her fiery nature and shown her unimaginable pleasure. Will their overwhelming passion be enough to overcome the obstacles of the past?

Only the devil's daughter knows...

 

My Thoughts:

It has been quite awhile since I've read a historical romance, but lately, I find myself drawn to them.  I've been wanting to try Lisa Kleypas, because I think the covers of her books are so beautiful. I loved this one so much, that I immediately downloaded the next book in the series, Chasing Cassandra.  Needless to say, I've found a new author to love and enjoy.

Devil's Daughter was a tender and tentative romance that I devoured. Narrator, Mary Jane Wells, does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life, and she infuses them with personality.  

Phoebe, Lady Clare, is a widow raising two precious little boys.  She plans on marrying her deceased husband's cousin, because of a promise that she made to him on his deathbed.  However, once she attends her brother's wedding, she meets and is drawn to the wickedly alluring West Ravenel. Phoebe is prepared to hate him, because she heard stories about how he used to bully her husband when they were in boarding school together.  However, she soon learns that West is a good man, and is not the same person he use to be.

West thinks Phoebe is too good for him.  She is of higher social standing, and West has quite the scandalous past.  However, he quickly realizes that nothing can stand in the way of love.

I adored these two characters and didn't want their story to end.  Phoebe was such a lady.  She was patient, kind, caring, and really sweet.  Yet, she also knew how to stand on her own two feet.  West won me over with the way he interacted and played with Phoebe's sons.  He treated everyone with respect and kindness, and the workers respected and admired him.

West had me swooning, and when he was with Phoebe, you could feel their combustible chemistry.  Read Devil's Daughter if you're looking for a truly romantic read, with sizzling chemistry, loveable characters, and a story you will never want to end.  Let the swooning commence! 

Purchase At:

Amazon | Audible | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | TBD

About the Author:

LISA KLEYPAS is the RITA award-winning author of 21 novels. Her books are published in fourteen languages and are bestsellers all over the world. She lives in Washington State with her husband and two children.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram