Devil in Spring

The Ravenels, Book 3

By: Lisa Kleypas

Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells

New York Times best-selling author Lisa Kleypas delivers the unforgettable tale of a strong-willed beauty who encounters her match in one of London's most notorious - yet irresistible - rakes.

An eccentric wallflower

Most debutantes dream of finding husbands. 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.

©2017 Lisa Kleypas (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Book 3 Ravenals

Really enjoyed the first 2 books of the series. Love the narrator but the second half of the story moves quickly and isn't as good as the other books.

Lisa At Her Best

Would you listen to Devil in Spring again? Why?

I’ve listened to it several times already and Ive only owned the book a couple of weeks!

What other book might you compare Devil in Spring to and why?

I can’t think of a romance that is like this one...

Have you listened to any of Mary Jane Wells’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not sure.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Opposites attract...then, there’s these two!

Any additional comments?

This one was a joy - start to finish! Having our hero be the son of Sebastian and Evie was just icing on the yummy cake. I’m already hoping that there will be more stories concerning the rest of their children as well as the children of the other wallflowers. Here’s hoping!! (fingers crossed).
Since I, personally, am an accident prone introvert who tends to be awkward and completely unable to guard my tongue, I can safely say I indentify with Pandora. I was able to overlook her lack of trust and her suspicious nature, most of the time, because of her nightmarish childhood, but I still found myself wanting to shake her from time to time. . Still, she is the most interesting female protagonist that Lisa has ever created in my opinion. “...If you live in isolation long enough, it becomes a part of you. And when you try to change it, it’s like looking into the sun. You can’t bear it for too long.”’ I imagine all introverts listening to this book perked up hearing those words. I know I sure did. I live them every single day, and it was so nice having them so eloquently conveyed through this funny, intense young girl.
Gabriel...(sigh). There’s not much I can say regarding that fine, almost perfect, young man other than wow...just wow. I believe Gabriel to be the very best of his parents. He’s cynical and sarcastic one minute and warm and loving the next, and the perfect match for the funny, thorny, distrustful Pandora. I loved “watching” him go through self-doubt for probably the first time in his life, and how he became willing to let down his guard and allow Pandora to see all of him, not just the perfect exterior. He falls in love with her practically from the very start, which really messes with his perceived reality of how things should be. But that’s love for you❤️.

So, how hilarious was this book?!?! . Oh, my goodness, I was laughing practically from the very start! “I never ruin more than one young woman a night”. Then, on to the Ravenels and the whole scene of Gabriel trying to explain how he compromised Pandora by pulling her out of a settee and Devon’s weary response of “That...would be Pandora”. 😂 Then, those journal entries and “...Of course, this would happen. Of course she’d have to meet the Duke and Duchess after tumbling onto the drive like a half-witted carnival performer...” and so many more instances of Ms. Kleypas’ humor.

I’ve either read or listened to most of Lisa’s books down through the years and this one may very well be my all time favorite. So, I highly recommend it to you. Ms Wells did a fine job in her narration. She slipped up a couple of times with confusing the voices but it wasn’t enough to detract from the overall performance. If you haven’t already read the other books from the Ravenel series, I suggest you do so before listening to this one...just to flesh out the characters.

Thanks again, Ms. Kleypas, for this book. It is lovely from start to finish!

Spoilers !!!

"OMG i knew it, you have the pox"
this book is hilarious....definitely worth it..
the reader is great as well...

Kleypas does it again

Any additional comments?

Lisa Kleypas is a master at writing stories that entertain and delight you. The characters remain true to the series, they are funny, touching, and sensual. The story is not predictable but completely entertaining. I'm giving nothing away, you will want to listen to every moment for yourself.

good to see The Wallflowers re-emerge

good to see The Wallflowers real merge those stories were great always wanted to hear what happened in the family's life next

sensuous and witty

I laughed and cried. This is a well written and narrated book that transports the listener right into the heart of the story.

Pandora is a hoot

I wanted to hear more. Who was the Ravenel looking guy. Did her hearing improve? Did they solve the crime??

There was one thing missing.

I really wish Pandora had been pulled into a Wallflower meeting.

Otherwise it's a wonderful book. I really enjoyed how Pandora & Gabriel met.

A delight!

One of my favorite authors and now a new favorite narrator. Lisa Kleypas as always creates a wonderful story and Mary Jane Wells brings these engaging characters to life. I wish she could re-record all of Kleypas's books for Audible. Her cadence and delivery of each character's personality is amazing.

I am glad

I am glad I didn't pay much attention to the bad reviews, Pandora is my favorite character of the ravenals. it's fun.