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This thread is open to discuss Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas.



Synopsis
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...

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MORE UNDER SPOILER
(view spoiler)[

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res

Can't wait to pick this one up! I enjoyed the two previous ones quite a bit. Crazy sisters, the lot of them!

(Team Severus Snape for TT)

It's on my wish list on Overdrive...

Team Draco Malfoy for TT

I’m in for Team Draco!

OK - I'm here for Team Luna Lovegood - have made sure I've got it downloaded into kindle ready

I'm in for this! Team Ginny Weasley! :D

I might join in too (if books I'm currently reading ever finish).

for Severus Snape

Here from Team Weasley for my first BR. Hi Morgan.

I'll be joining in from Team Tom Riddle!

OK. It’s the 27th here in Oz - so I have downloaded it off the cloud and opened to page 1

Whoo!

It's Sunday morning here, and after shower and breakfast, I'll take an hour to read before heading out for lunch.

The Prologue was entertaining :-)

Chapter 1 + 2

I think I'm going to look what this book has in store for us. Pandora has always been a wild spirit and I like that it's already thrown in everyone's face right at the beginning of the book.

Gabriel is still a bit of an unknown, except for his reputation, but he's promising to be interesting - especially in combination with Pandora.

First chapter made me grin quite a bit.

Loved the opening with the frisky and playful parents. Like the intro to the main characters...

This is just the right book for a couple of lazy Sunday afternoon hours to while away the time.

I'm up to chapter 7 now and am enjoying it a lot.

(view spoiler)[The Ravenels have arrived at Herion Point to meet Gabriel's family and it's been an interesting visit so far. Of course, things don't go as nicely as Pandora had hoped but nobody seems to think any less of her for not being entirely proper all the time. (hide spoiler)]

I'm starting - Team Newt Scamander.

Hello all! I just received my book from the library. I will be reading for Team Ginny Weasley. I have a few books I have to finish up first, unfortunately, before I can start this one, but it looks so good and I'm very excited.

Chapters 1 - 5:


I'm liking this one so far!! I almost always do audiobooks and this time is no different.

(view spoiler)[I thought the prologue was great!

How could Pandora end up in such a fix so early in the story? LOL! I think she's going to be an interesting character for sure!! What a unique job she wants to have as a board game creator.

Gabriel seems like an interesting character so far as well. I like that he is intrigued by Pandora!

Pandora and her family are on the train heading to Herion Point at this point in the story. I can't wait for them to get there! (hide spoiler)]

~Michelle~ wrote: "Chapters 1 - 5:


I'm liking this one so far!! I almost always do audiobooks and this time is no different.

I thought the prologue was great!

How could Pandora end up in such a fix so early in th..."

I'm listening to the audiobook as well and I like the narrator.

I love how the characters from her other series intermingle with one another. And I'm really liking Pandora and Gabriel.

SandyL wrote: "~Michelle~ wrote: "

I love how the characters from her other series intermingle with one another. And I'm really liking Pandora and Gabriel."


This is my first Kleypas novel but I can foresee reading more in the future!

Read some more last night - I am up to where Gabriel has gone to the Ravenel's London home to offer to marry Pandora to save her reputation. Which Pandora does not care about and does not want to marry.

I laughed at the pickle she got herself into in the Summer House which lead to the public compromising.

As always Kleypas had dragged me into her world as if I had never left. I feel as though I am with friends.

I loved Gabriel's parents in the opening chapter - years of married life and a grandchild and still finding each other sexually attractive - need more books that says this, because growing older is not a death sentence to love (says the happily married grandmother of 40 years with 3 grandchildren)

I have my book on hold on Overdrive...

Half way through Chapter 5 and Pandora is making a list about Gabriel in her diary:

#6 Lord St. Vincent reportedly has a mistress.
#7 The word 'mistress' sounds like a cross between mistake and mattress.

LOL @ #7 - never a truer word said :)

Sally906 wrote: "Half way through Chapter 5 and Pandora is making a list about Gabriel in her diary:

#6 Lord St. Vincent reportedly has a mistress.
#7 The word 'mistress' sounds like a cross between mistake and ma..."

I laughed at that, too! :-D

Soooo... when I signed up for this, I didn’t realize it was the third book in a series. :(

I started reading the prologue and logged into GR to add it to my current reads and I saw it said #3. Are there pivotal things from the first two books I need for this one? I hate reading books out of order. :(

Morgan wrote: "Soooo... when I signed up for this, I didn’t realize it was the third book in a series. :(

I started reading the prologue and logged into GR to add it to my current reads and I saw it said #3. Are..."

The same thing happened to me and I don't usually read out of order either, but I decided to move forward since I had already signed up for the BR.

So far, I don't feel lost or feel like I needed the first two books to understand this one. I know some of the same characters spill over into this one, but I think the basis for the story is new from what I read in the synopses of the others.

I'd be interested to hear what someone who has read all the books has to say, too, though. :)

Sally906 wrote: "Half way through Chapter 5 and Pandora is making a list about Gabriel in her diary:

#6 Lord St. Vincent reportedly has a mistress.
#7 The word 'mistress' sounds like a cross between mistake and ma..."

Hahaha yess, that fact was great!

Weellll, technically no, you do not need to read the previous books to understand the characters in this one.

The previous books concern Devon and Kathleen (#1) and Helen and Rhys Winterborne (#2).

Pandora and Cassandra have always been around and mentioned, but nothing world-moving has been shared about them.

There is a BR for the first book though - HERE. They started May 22nd so you should still be able to catch up if you want to and they might just continue onto book 2 and then this one.

Sally906 wrote: "As always Kleypas had dragged me into her world as if I had never left. I feel as though I am with friends.
"

She does have a knack for it!
There hasn't been all that much time for me between this book and the previous ones but I still feel like I could have started this and have been right back in the world and the family without missing a beat.

Chapters 6 - 10:


So the family has arrived at Herion Point and (view spoiler)[right from the beginning mishap finds Pandora. She also continues to blurt out stuff be less than 'proper.' But I love it! She makes me giggle. I think she is a very well-written character! (hide spoiler)]

And Gabriel (view spoiler)[is also brilliant! Although he sure did change his mind about marrying Pandora rather quickly in my opinion. At least he does seem genuine in his attraction to her. I keep wanting Pandora to hurry up and change her mind and fall in love with him! (hide spoiler)]

I think Ivo (view spoiler)[is absolutely adorable, by the way. And I'm impressed at the relationship Gabriel has with him seeing the age difference between them. (hide spoiler)]

The pox (view spoiler)[and the sheep balloon! LOL!! Those two can have some interesting conversations! (hide spoiler)]

The card game (view spoiler)[has just ended and Pandora will be expected to make the rendezvous with Gabriel. I can't wait to see what comes of that! (hide spoiler)]

I'm at the same spot you are, Michelle!

And I have to say that I agree on all counts! Ivo is so adorable and (view spoiler)[the relationship with his older brother is indeed incredible considering the age difference. But they all seem to not mind age at all. Justin is treated like Ivo, despite the fact that he's even younger, and it's great. Justin wanting to be presented properly to the Ravenel family was a fun scene as well! (hide spoiler)]

Gabriel (view spoiler)[really did change his mind quite quickly, but in a way, I think the two of them complement each other until they'll find a balance that will work very well for them (hide spoiler)].

Can't wait for the result of the card game! ;-)

~Michelle~ wrote: "Chapters 6 - 10:


So the family has arrived at Herion Point and [spoilers removed]

And Gabriel [spoilers removed]

I think Ivo [spoilers removed]

The pox [spoilers removed]

The card game [spoil..."

Your observations are great, Michelle - I agree with them all! I love Pandora's lack of filter and Gabrielle just keeps getting yummier!

Chapters 11 - 15:


Well that escalated (view spoiler)[quickly��.and nicely if I might add! And I love that Pandora is still so open and honest with her questions and comments. (hide spoiler)]

I also love that she still kept up writing her list.

She has (view spoiler)[finally agreed to marry him!!! Yay!! Although, we really read nothing of the wedding itself. We pick back up at the beginning of the honeymoon with Pandora being seasick. Yes, she did give in to having a honeymoon, but only a week instead of a month. Can you imagine a month-long honeymoon? Wouldn’t that be great? (hide spoiler)]

What a (view spoiler)[love scene we’re presented with!! Sweet and hot! I love these two together! (hide spoiler)]

I've got to stop reading for a few minutes, but I surely don't want to. :(

Chapters 14 and 15:

(view spoiler)[Yes, very disappointing that we don't get to see anything of the wedding itself. It would have been interesting to see how Pandora handled it all, even if it was just family and close friends, so not quite as much pressure as initially anticipated.

But I was squealing when she finally, finally accepted to marry him after all the back and forth. At some point I just wanted to shake her and tell her that he already promised he wouldn't break her spirit - if not in those terms - so what was she waiting for?! (hide spoiler)]

Her comments are often so childlike in their honesty, it's great! I think Gabriel also mentioned somewhere early on that she throws herself into games like a child, and I love that she retains that quality. If only more people were as honest ;-)

I love how patient Gabriel is with her - so very different than he was first depicted (view spoiler)[especially when he's teaching her how to dance and finding ways for her to be as involved with her game board company as possible. (hide spoiler)]

I'm joining late :) Just downloaded the audio!

Yay, welcome to the party, ST!

SandyL wrote: "I love how patient Gabriel is with her - so very different than he was first depicted [spoilers removed]"

That's true! (view spoiler)[I particularly liked the fact that he immediately wrote the family lawyer to ask for clarification on how she could remain independent, or as much as possible anyway. Wouldn't have thought he'd be that understanding. (hide spoiler)]

However, I am now on chapter 17 and (view spoiler)[I find that precious little is being said about Pandora having to step into the role of a countess / duchess-to-be. So far anyway, it seems as though Gabriel does everything so she can remain a free spirit, but she isn't really doing much that speaks of taking on the duties that should technically fall to her. Not that I mind that she isn't the typical high-class lady, but it would be nice to see her reciprocate Gabriel's generosity in that particular respect. (hide spoiler)]

Snowtulip wrote: "I'm joining late :) Just downloaded the audio!"

I've been listening - she's a good narrator!

Chapters 16 - 21: (I got so caught up listening to the book that I forgot to stop at Chapter 20 as planned!)

(view spoiler)[They are back from the honeymoon and Gabriel has surprised me at the lengths he was willing to go to in order for Pandora to have some say in her board game business...especially during the time the book is set.

Pandora goes to visit a print shop and ends up in an odd situation when someone else calls on the printer as well. She feels uneasy and tells Gabriel about it. He tells Drago, her new footman, to keep a close eye on her.

It's a good thing he did because later, at a play, the printer ends up stabbing Pandora, nearly killing her, before being captured and found out to be part of an Irish military group.

Pandora eventually has surgery, by a female at that, and her life is saved for now - and hopefully for the rest of the book!

And can I just say that I love Drago, AKA Dragon. Haha! I thought that scene was rather funny!!

Oh...and the love scenes are still amazing in detail without being trashy, in my opinion. (hide spoiler)]

SandyL wrote: "Snowtulip wrote: "I'm joining late :) Just downloaded the audio!"

I've been listening - she's a good narrator!"

Love the narration!

Mondays and Tuesdays are bad for me reading wise - but was able to read on a bit yesterday during my lunch break - I am now just about to start Chapter 9 after (view spoiler)[they all went to the beach and he thoroughly kissed her - sigh I am confident that Gabriel will be able to come up with a solution to her remaining independent if they marry (hide spoiler)]

Finished!

Chaptesrs 22 - Epilogue:


(view spoiler)[While I obviously had no idea what direction this book would take when I started listening to it, I definitely didn't foresee a terrorist plot and an attempted bombing! I didn't expect Pandora to be stabbed either, so there's that...

I'm so glad Gabriel and Dragon were able to stop the bombing! That would have been awful.

I'm also glad the doctor is hopeful for Pandora's ear treatments to help to some degree!!

I LOVE that her board game sold out! And that she's going to offer a job to her lady's maid. Maybe she can get a more proper lady's maid the next time around. LOL!

I also love that Pandora stayed just as free-spirited at the end of the book as at the beginning...and that Gabriel is just as satisfied with it!:-D (hide spoiler)]

I thoroughly enjoyed Devil in Spring!! I don't know why I've never read a Kleypas book before, but she is completely on my radar now! This is a 5* book for me.

~Michelle~ wrote: "I thoroughly enjoyed Devil in Spring!! I don't know why I've never read a Kleypas book before, but she is completely on my radar now! This is a 5* book for me. .."

OH lucky you to be just discovering her - you have SO many to read now :)

~Michelle~ wrote: "Finished!

Chaptesrs 22 - Epilogue:


While I obviously had no idea what direction this book would take when I started listening to it, I definitely didn't foresee a terrorist plot and an attempted..."

I've just finished as well. I love this book and Pandora was so much fun. Nothing, other than her hearing, seemed to get her down. (view spoiler)[ Even after her injury she was just as funny and amusing as ever and I was so glad she was able to get Gabriel to lighten up. And she was so brave to be willing to try and identify the bad guy. (hide spoiler)]

Michelle - The Wallflowers and The Hathaways are also great series and they interconnect with characters.

Sally906 wrote: "~Michelle~ wrote: "I thoroughly enjoyed Devil in Spring!! I don't know why I've never read a Kleypas book before, but she is completely on my radar now! This is a 5* book for me. .."

OH lucky you ..."

Yes! Exactly!! :)

SandyL wrote: "~Michelle~ wrote: "Finished!

Chaptesrs 22 - Epilogue:


While I obviously had no idea what direction this book would take when I started listening to it, I definitely didn't foresee a terrorist pl..."

Oooohhh...that's good to know about the other series. Going to look them up now!

I'm absolutely loving Pandora so far, she is so funny and I love how she just keeps saying whatever is on her mind. She is very endearing and I can't wait to see how this is going to progress with Gabriel. Just getting to their visit to Sussex, should be fun!

Sandy and Michelle, I agree on the narration, loving it :)

Sally906 wrote: "Half way through Chapter 5 and Pandora is making a list about Gabriel in her diary:

#6 Lord St. Vincent reportedly has a mistress.
#7 The word 'mistress' sounds like a cross between mistake and ma..."

Loved that!