Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas
|
List Price: Our Price: $6.70 You Save: $15.25 (69%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $6.26 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Blue-Eyed Devil
Book Review: LK redeemed herself
Summary: 5 Stars
I hated Sugar Daddy. I thought it was one of the most boring books I've ever read so I was a little hesitant to read BED. I am glad I did because it was an amazing read. Book Review: "I have come to realize that you can never be truly happy unless you've known sorrow"
Summary: 4 Stars
In spite of my initial qualms about reading Sugar Daddy, I was immediately wrapped up with that novel after the first two chapters. I loved the characters and very much wanted more. Consequently, I couldn't wait to get my hands on BLUE-EYED DEVIL. Was I in for a surprise when the story begun to unfold. I wasn't expecting a story about domestic violence, especially not one as descriptive as Lisa Kleypas served her readers.
BLUE-EYED DEVIL is the story of Haven Travis, an idealistic young woman who refused to live to her father's expectations. She fell in love with her college sweetheart and married him despite her family's disapproval. Just like a fairytale the marriage begun beautifully... and also ended horribly. As if waking up from a bad nightmare, Haven found herself in a violent relationship where she would bear the physical and emotional scars for a long time. When Haven escaped and found herself within the protective cocoon of her family once again, she started to slowly pick up the pieces. She found herself a job and a new love in the form of the blue-eyed devil, Hardy Cates.
But recovering from such traumatic experience is not a simple matter. Haven found herself the recipient of her manager's bullying. I admit that I was initially appalled by the continuation of abuse and started questioning the author's position on the subject matter. I was thinking surely, this character couldn't be this spineless? Yet I also had to take a moment to stop and think what do I really know about emotional and psychological abuse? Who am I to make judgement on things I do not fully comprehend? So I kept reading to find out how it all pans out. Then I began to understand Haven's actions and how the abuse has taken its toll on her. I felt that this was significant to Haven's journey in regaining her self-confidence and inner strength. The author brings so much emotion to life as we read about how Haven is finally able to deal with her past and overcome the nightmares that have haunted her.
Now as much as I liked this novel, I didn't love it like its predecessor. My biggest gripes were the fact that I finished the book feeling like it wasn't quite the ending I expected for Hardy, nor did I feel like I truly go to know him or Haven. While I was happy to see both main characters get their happily-ever-after, I felt that there was still more to them than what was portrayed. With Haven, there was such an enormous contrast to how she was described in the first book that it took me a while to relate to her in the beginning. With Hardy, I expected so much more and wanted to see things from his point of view instead of Haven's. In the end, I was left feeling that I was only able to peel off some of the layers hiding the real man underneath.
Nevertheless, anyone who has at some point in their life felt the heartaches that love can bring will find themselves immersed in the story about two people who are able to turn their lives from the brink of misery and find love once again.
Book Review: Not a member of RWA, so my review is honest
Summary: 1 Stars
Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas
Wow. This is one of the absolute worst books I've ever read. Not so much the story, which wasn't great, but was so poorly told. No, it's the writing. Just awful, like something a first-year college kid would write. By chapter four, I was downright angry with the author in the way she portrayed a newly-married woman who finds out she married a wife-beater. Been there, done that, so when someone makes it into a story, I really appreciate it to be realistic. This wasn't. According to the cover, Ms. Kleypas usually writes historical romance. I can see that since every sentence is littered with too many prepositions, adjectives, and adverbs, and every chapter is littered with at least four flashbacks and really long narratives telling you how everyone looks and everything about their history, as well as the color and pattern of the wallpaper. Enough already. I was bored to tears and no longer cared about the spoiled rich girl Haven Travis or her poorly-behaved caricature of a husband Nick. Grow a backbone already. I have friends who are Texans and they are nothing like the caricatures in this book. I'm afraid I could never recommend any of this author's books. The next time I read that someone is a RITA award-winning author, I will definitely avoid their books like the plague. This is about the fifth one this year that's been just awful, and I read an average of twenty books each month, so that's saying something.
If you're interested in reading books with Texans (more realistically depicted), read one of Susan Elizabeth Phillips' books or if you just want to read about cowboy-types in general, read Patti Berg. This author just can't write and from reading her preface about how chummy she is with friends at RWA, it's obvious that's the only reason she made it into print.
Book Review: Blue-Eyed Devil- A Joyfully Recommended Title
Summary: 5 Stars
Haven Travis is an heiress and member of the wealthy Travis family. When she marries against her family's wishes, she finds herself alone in a dangerous situation.
When Haven finally makes it home, she resolves to never let her heart be broken again. Hardy Cates has different plans...
Blue-Eyed Devil spoke to my soul and has stayed with me for weeks. A poignant story of one woman's triumph despite the odds, Blue-Eyed Devil will appeal to readers of every genre.
Lisa Kleypas has written a beautifully crafted novel that is a true must read. I can't stop raving about Blue-Eyed Devil!
Annmarie
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
Book Review: Bravo!
Summary: 5 Stars
The book is absolutely amazing! It took me less than a day to read it, as I couldn't put is aside: I was longing to know what would happen next and share every emotion the heroin felt... The book is smart, witty and sincere. I can't wait to get more of Lisa Kleypas