Romance readers across the world jumped for joy when Lisa Kleypas announced the hero for the third book in the Ravenel series, Devil in Spring. Don't believe me, check out the amount of SQUEE! and OMG! on this site alone. The hero is Gabriel, Lord St. Vincent, son of Evie and Sebastian, the hero and heroine from one of my most favorite books, Devil in Winter.
Devil in Winter is book three in the Wallflower series, following Secrets of a Summer Night and It Happened One Autumn and preceding Scandal in Spring. The series centers on four women who, for some reason, are considered wallflowers by London Society and are not having success during their Seasons. The story begins as Evangeline Jenner makes an offer to Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent. An offer he can't refuse. (Ha Ha!) No, really. A marriage of convenience will provide Evie the freedom to escape her horrid relatives and will give Sebastian the money he needs to maintain his lifestyle since his father's money troubles will soon leave him with no allowance. Like all marriage of convenience novels, the marriage becomes anything but convenient as Evie and Sebastian learn to live with and love each other.
I could, and do, read Devil in Winter at least once a year. In fact, I just had the ebook checked out from an area library even though I own the paperback. Why is it such an enjoyable book for me? I'm not sure I can totally explain, but I'll try. Above all else, I enjoy the growth of the relationship between Evie and Sebastian and how it changes each of them. The dialogue is great. The supporting characters are memorable and make you want to immediately pick up their books.
If you're a fan of historical romance, and you've somehow missed Devil in Winter, please give it a chance.