NOVEL REVIEW: DEVIL IN WINTER BY LISA KLEYPAS
Eiyo Fadneiras,
How was your Christmas yesterday? Did you guys have a good celebration? I hope you guys did. Especially my Christian friends and those who celebrate ^_^
Today, I'm going to share my review of a historical romance novel titled Devil In Winter (DIW). Devil In Winter is written by New York Times Bestselling author, Lisa Kleypas. Now let's begin this review with the author's bio...
ABOUT LISA KLEYPAS
Lisa Kleypas is a RITA (Romance Writer Of America) award-winning author of both historical romance and contemporary women's fiction. Her novels are published in 14 different languages and are bestsellers all over the world. Kleypas is an alumnus of Wellesley College. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. She became Miss Massachusetts in 1985. Kleypas lives in Washington with her husband, Gregory, and two children.
ABOUT DEVIL IN WINTER
Devil In Winter (DIW) is Kleypas' no.1 bestselling novel of all time. This novel was a finalist for the 2007 RITA Award. According to book experts, DIW is a novel that all LK fans must not miss. And I'm glad that I've read it ^_^
DIW is a heartwarming and alluring Victorian romance story between a beautiful innocent young woman named Evangeline Jenner (Evie), and a handsome rake named Sebastian Lord St. Vincent. DIW is the third book in Kleypas' Wallflower series.
Evie Jenner comes from a wealthy background. She is the only daughter of a gaming club owner, Ivo Jenner. Ivo Jenner promises that one day Evie will inherit his wealth once he leaves this world.
However, Evie is not a very lucky girl. Her mother died while giving birth to her. Her father is too busy handling his club business. He doesn't have time for Evie. Because of his busy schedule, Ivo Jenner sends Evie to live with her relatives. Evie's relatives are not nice people. They are greedy and jealous of the Jenners' wealth.
When Ivo Jenner is on his deathbed, the relatives plan to steal Evie's inheritance. They want Evie to marry their son, Eustace who is an alcoholic. If their plan succeeds, the relatives will get rid of Evie and take her inheritance all to themselves. How cruel!
To escape her cruel relatives, Evie runs away from home and takes a very high risk. She approaches Sebastian Lord St. Vincent, London's most wicked rake. Sebastian's reputation is so dangerous that thirty seconds alone with him will ruin any young woman's good name. Sebastian is having trouble with money. He is on the verge of bankruptcy. And Evie knows that.
Evie bravely asks Sebastian to marry her. She is desperate to be free from her greedy relatives and needs his protection. To Evie, marrying Sebastian is the only way for her to escape. However, Evie's proposal comes with one condition: no lovemaking after their wedding night. Surprisingly, Sebastian accepts Evie's proposal. And they travel to Gretna Green to get married.
As the plot evolves, Evie and Sebastian start to have feelings for each other. Evie's relatives are not happy with her. They plan to kidnap Evie and steal her inheritance. They still want her inheritance! Geez... how greedy! Besides her greedy relatives, there is also another antagonist who is not happy with Evie Jenner. But who could it be? Can Sebastian protect Evie at all costs?
MY REVIEW OF DEVIL IN WINTER
As a big fan of Lisa Kleypas, I'm grateful that I've read her evergreen novel. DIW is a very beautiful romance novel with compelling characters and a heartwarming storyline. Like other Kleypas novels I've read before, this novel also touches my heart deeply.
DIW has the Hades-And-Persephone romance trope in it. FYI, this is my all-time favorite romance trope ^_^ DIW is a romantic love story between an innocent girl and a bad boy. It's amazing how love changes a person. Love makes Evie more courageous than ever. Love transforms Sebastian from a rake into a loving and devoted husband.
Besides the Hades-And-Persephone romance trope, DIW is also a non-cliche Cinderella-And-Prince-Charming love story. The female protagonist, Evie Jenner is a different kind of Cinderella. She's not the hopeless girl who is willing to spend her life being tortured by cruel people. Evie knows she deserves way much better. Evie is willing to do anything to achieve the happiness she deserves even though it requires her to take a risk. And she handles her circumstance well. I like Evie's stubborn personality. It makes her a go-getter girl indeed. Evie is one of the book beauties that all girls should look up to as a role model.
Besides Evie's character, I also like the way Kleypas transforms Sebastian into a good person. Kleypas once portrayed Sebastian as an antagonist in It Happened One Autumn (Wallflower Book 2/the book before DIW). Sebastian is also a very alluring, charming, and romantic hero. Reading Devil In Winter makes me have a crush on him. He is now one of my favorite top 10 book heartthrobs. Hehehe ^_^
Another thing that makes me enjoy reading DIW is that I can read about Cam Rohan's character again. Cam Rohan is the hero in Mine Till Midnight. He is the first LK hero that I have a crush on. Hehehe ^_^ It's so cute to read about him again. FYI, DIW was actually published before Mine Till Midnight. Kleypas introduces Cam in DIW before she makes him a hero of his own romance story.
Overall, I rate this novel 10/10. I just love this novel so much! I would repeat reading it again soon. I also highly recommend this novel to my fellow bookworms who are into the historical romance genre. Trust me, you're going to love DIW, guys. Plus, it's a novel you must not miss. Especially if you're into the historical romance genre and are an LK fan. But I also need to be honest, that there are some steamy lovemaking scenes in the story. So it's not suitable for teenagers under 18. Oops!
Ok, so this is my review of Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas. Has anyone read this novel? If yes, what is your opinion of the story? What do you think of Sebastian's transformation from an antagonist to a hero? Please share your opinion in the comment box below with me.
Ok, this is all for now. Thank you for reading this review. I'll see you guys again in my next post. Take care and have a good boxing day ^_^
XoXo,
Fadima Mooneira ^_^
(Authorpreneur, Content Creator, Blogger & Illustrator)
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LK NOVELS REVIEWED BY FADIMA MOONEIRA
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Yessss!!! This is one of my favourite novels of all time, and Sebastian is also in my top fictional crush list!!! 😍 Devil In Winter was the first LK novel I ever read, so I already loved him too much to care if he was the antagonist in It Happened One Autumn 😅
ReplyDeleteLooks-wise, I imagined him resembling Gabriel Aubry. But young Brad Pitt looks great too! 😍😍😍😍😍
DeleteI've not read the book, but you always give a holistic review and it's amazing. Also, I love the fa t that you take out the time to create fan art works of all your reviews, and they're always beautiful. Good job Fadima and happy boxing day to you too. ❤️
ReplyDeleteThanx! Same goes to you as well. Have a good shopping day, dear.
DeleteI’ve not heard of this book before but as usual you have described and reviewed it with passion. I honestly can’t wait to have time to read a book again
ReplyDeleteYou can always make to for reading. Just schedule it. Probably 30 minutes before going to bed? Yeah, that will do.
DeleteYpu’re welcome, Lauren 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
ReplyDeleteOoh, this sounds like a great period piece; I would love to read it as it sounds like something I'd enjoy. Thanks for highlighting it here!
ReplyDeleteYes, you should read DIW, Molly. I’m sure you will enjoyed it 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
DeleteThe book is interesting but love your art and pictures. The hug one look pretty. I will check more about the author and this lovely novel.
ReplyDeleteYay!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteSo many questions about this book. What year is this set in? How old is Evie? How come Sebastian is her only option?
ReplyDeleteDear Unwanted Life,
DeleteTo answer your questions:-
1) DIW is set in the Victorian England. Btw, didn't I mentioned that this is a Victorian romance story in the second paragraph in About Devil In Winter?
2) Evie is 23 years old.
3) Evie believes that Sebastian is her only way to escape her relatives that he has power to protect her.
Great review. While I don't think this is a book for me, I'll definitely be recommending it to my wife or daughter.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
DeleteI've not read this novel before & thanks for sharing your own opinion of novel review here. Cheers SiennyLovesDrawing
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome ^_^
DeleteThanks for sharing this review, I read about this author before but have not read her full novel yet
ReplyDeleteHer novels are the best!!!!!!!!
DeleteGreat review. I love the plot of this book. I still need to read some of this authors books because they sound so good.
ReplyDeleteYessssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lisa Kleypas is the histocial romance queen. And Devil In Winter is already listed as an evergreen romance read.
DeleteI haven't read this book, but after reading your review, I would like to! I also love your illustrations of Evie and Sebastian!
ReplyDeleteYes, you should babe. Devil In Winter is listed as an evergreen romance read by book experts.
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