14
May312010
BOOK REVIEW: Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas
by Carolyn • Posted in 4 Star Reviews
Title: Secrets of a Summer Night
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Publisher: Pitakus (UK) / Avon (US)
Publication Date: June 2010 (UK) / 2004 (US)
Paperback: 346 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
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Rating: 8/10
Goodreads Summary:
Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle’s most intriguing—and persistent—admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition… but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.
Her friends, looking to help, conspire to entice a more suitable gentleman to offer for Annabelle, for only then will she be safe from Simon—and her own longings. But on one summer night, Annabelle succumbs to Simon’s passionate embrace and tempting kisses… and she discovers that love is the most dangerous game of all.
Review:
Secrets of a Summer Night is the first book in ‘the Wallflowers’ series, and being a newbie to the genre, the first book I’ve read by Lisa Kleypas. I really enjoyed the story and Kleypas’s writing style. The characters are realistic, the writing lovely and the story had my full attention until the very end, where I sighed in contentment.
This is an historical romance and is written in vivid detail. I was immersed in the time period of the 1840′s and London society. The time period shows women in a very different light than today’s woman. Women then always had to be chaperoned when in the company of a man, otherwise it was seen as scandalous and the gentleman had to propose to put things right. And women had to find a suitable husband before they hit twenty-five, otherwise they were seen as spinsters, passed their ‘sell by date’ so to speak. Sometimes I found society’s dictations hard to swallow as a twenty-first century chick, but it just made the story more compelling.
Annabel is the heroine in this instalment of ‘the Wallflower’s‘ and needs a husband quick as her family’s wealth is diminishing. She’s also in her early twenties and will soon be seen as an old dried up maid if she doesn’t wed soon. But Annabel and her three friends, Lillian, Daisy and Evie, have a plan! Unfortunately, things don’t really go to plan when the utterly delicious, Simon Hunt, keeps coming onto the scene!
Simon Hunt is completely gorgeous and just enough of a rogue to make your toes curl – in a good way. He’s charming, good-looking, rich… what’s not to love? Well, he wants Annabel, but not as a wife but rather as his mistress. Of course, his feelings do change as the story progresses.
Annabel is a great character who’s bright and generally sweet in nature. Completely loyal to her family and finds it difficult to see her mother being used by a wealthy aristocrat just to keep them above the bread line. However, sometimes I found her to be quite frustrating with regards to her attitude towards Mr Simon Hunt. Simon wasn’t born into a titled family and made his fortune by other means. Society looks down on this kind of entrepreneurial way of living, and so Annabel treats him with disdain. This isn’t really the fault of Annabel, just societies restrictions. It takes her a while, but eventually she is drawn to his charms.
The love scenes are passionate but tame with regards to detail. The only scene I found myself cringing slightly was one where Annabel and Simon were in a passionate embrace and Simon’s thoughts were continuously emphasising how naive and inexperienced Annabel was, which I thought detracted from the passion and I also felt slightly embarrassed for Annabel.
All the characters are so well rounded and I loved the dialogue between them. I really enjoyed the witty, restrained, banter between Annabel and Simon, and the secret plotting of the self-proclaimed ‘wallflowers’ to catch a husband.
Verdict:
Secrets of a Summer Night is a wonderful book. I loved the characters, the romance and the detail given to the time period. And because of this book I have now bought several titles by Kleypas, which I can’t wait to read!! I am also really looking forward to the next book in ‘the Wallflowers‘ series, It Happened One Autumn, the story of Lillian.
Source: Thank you to Piatkus for sending me this book for review.
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14 Comments
Great review! I'll definitely get it!
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Love Kleypas in general but the Wallflower series is one of the best historical series out there
I think my fave in this one is Lillian and Evie's 
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This is a really great review! I have a couple of Lisa Kleypas books, but not this one yet. After your review, I am definitely tempred to read this one too, as soon as I get the chance.
P.S. If you like historical romances, you should check out Kathlen E. Woodiwiss. She is the author who got me into this genre, and she's good. "The Rose in Winter" is a great start, one of her best novels.
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I LOVE this series, Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite historical romance authors. This is one of my favorite books of hers, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Wonderful review, I have a sudden urge to go re-read it now, LOL.
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Aleksandra – Thanks! Do, it's a great read!
Camille – I can't wait to read the others in the series!
This Miss – Thanks, glad you like it. Also, thanks for the recommendation, I will definitely check author out!
Anna – This was only my second historical romance when I read it a couple of weeks back. I am really enjoying the genre and am looking forward to reading more by this author. So great to find new books to read!
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This is one of my favorite historical romances from one of my fave series! You'll love the rest of them. I can't wait to see what you think of Evie's story.
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Awesome review. I LOVE that your reading historicals
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I absolutely love this series! It's such a shame that it's so short! I even read a Wallflower Christmas to keep it going. My favorite was Lillian's story. Great review Carolyn!
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lovely review seems highly enjoyable!
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Jacqueline – If the rest of the series is as good as Secrets of a Summer Night, then I know I'm in for a treat! Can't wait to read them
Juju – Hehe.. me too! I'm really enjoying this new-to-me genre, and it's not just historical but basically all romance. I've only read about five romances in my lifetime, so it really is exciting to discover new authors
KittNLuv – Thanks Peggy! I'm so looking forward to reading the rest of the series and some of the other books by Lisa Kleypas!
Blueicegal – Thanks and it really was – if you enjoy romance then I would definitely recommend you read it
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Great review! I am still leery about the romance genre. (As I've only started reading PNR.) Would this be one you would strongly recomend for a first time Historical Romance readers?
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Shera – This was only my second historical romance so a newbie to genre myself – to be honest I don't usually read romance at all, I am only just beginning to explore the genre. However, my review says it all. Yes, I would recommend it, but how it compares with other historical romances I couldn't say
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I'm fairly new to the historical romance scene myself. I've read the first two books in the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn and The Bargain by Mary Jo Putney and really enjoyed them all!
I have this on my TBR list already but I really enjoyed your review =) I'm glad you liked the book.
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