| Title | : | It Happened One Autumn (Wallflowers, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Mass Market Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 382 |
| Publication | : | First published September 27, 2005 |
| Awards | : | All About Romance (AAR) Annual Reader Poll Best Villain (2006), RITA Award by Romance Writers of America Short Historical Romance (2006) |
Where beautiful but bold Lillian Bowman quickly learned that her independent American ways weren't entirely "the thing." And the most disapproving of all was insufferable, snobbish, and impossible Marcus, Lord Westcliff, London's most eligible aristocrat.
It happened in the garden.
When Marcus shockingly—and dangerously—swept her into his arms. Lillian was overcome with a consuming passion for a man she didn't even like. Time stood still; it was as if no one else existed—thank goodness they weren't caught in the act!
It happened one autumn.
Marcus was a man in charge of his own emotions, a bedrock of stability. But with Lillian, every touch was exquisite torture, every kiss an enticement for more. Yet how could he consider taking a woman so blatantly unsuitable . . . as his bride?
It Happened One Autumn (Wallflowers, #2) Reviews
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! It Happened One Autumn (stand-alone). Marcus Marsden, Lord Westcliff meets his match in the feisty American heiress, Lillian Bowman!
“It has all the makings of a farce. One can scarcely conceive of a more ill-suited pair.”
Books in Wallflowers series are stand-alones, but most enjoyed if read in order:
Book 0.5:
Again the Magic
Book 1:
Secrets of a Summer Night
Book 2:
It Happened One Autumn
Book 3:
Devil in Winter
Book 4:
Scandal in Spring
Book 4.5:
A Wallflower Christmas
It Happened One Autumn (stand-alone) follows the unlikely romance between Lord, heir and investor Marcus Marsden, The Eighth Earl of Westcliff and American heiress and “wallflower” Lillian Bowman, Lilly.
It’s lust-hate at first sight with the outspoken Lillian spending the Season in London to catch a respectable, preferably titled husband. She cannot stand to be around the stuffy Earl, though he makes her tingle in odd places.
Marcus steers clear of the willful American pretty much ever since he caught her playing baseball in her knickers. She might do things to his libido, but that does not make her wife material.
Follow their tempestuous relationship as they bicker, fight, challenge, argue, hate, steal kisses and lust after each other during an autumn party at Marcus’ country estate, year 1843.
Seven words to describe Marcus Marsden, The Earl of Westcliff: Trailblazer, charismatic, proper, loyal, hard-headed, graceful and noble.
Seven words to describe Lillian Bowman, Lilly: Opinionated, snarky, strong, stubborn, innocent, independent and loyal.
It Happened One Autumn, told from dual POVs, is an opposite attracts hate-to-love romance with sexual tension overload, hilarious situations and bantering plus lots of obstacles along the way. Stellar character development in both the superb cast (to be featured in many more books) and the unforgettable Lord Westcliff and his Lillian.
“She could never fit into the mold of a Marsden wife.”
“Then the mold will have to be broken.”
***
Hero: ★★★★★
Heroine: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Storytelling: ★★★★★
Sexual tension: ★★★★★
Sex scenes: ★★★★★
Story ending: ★★★★1/2
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OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: | LOW FOCUS |
Darkness: | LOW FOCUS |
Humor: | HIGH FOCUS |
Kink: | LOW FOCUS |
Romance: | HIGH FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Suspense: | HIGH FOCUS |
Thank you Liz for our (F)BR! -
4 Hate/Love Stars
******Spoilers*****
It Happened One Autumn was a good read but I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. I was really looking forward to Lillian's book. I loved her brash, foul mouthed, outspoken american ways. I couldn't wait for her to bring Westcliff to his knees. So I was a little disappointed that for half the book Westcliff fought his attraction to Lillian. I also didn't like that Lord St. Vincent was trying to court her or that they kissed. I wanted Westcliff to go after her like Simon from book one went after his wife! I did like Westcliff and loved Lillian. I enjoyed their relationship when they got around to having one. I even liked St. Vincent even though he acted like a villain towards the end. I am still looking forward to his book with Evie. Overall it was an enjoyable read! Just not as good as I expected. -
Why are the best books the hardest to review? I'm not sure I can come up with enough superlatives for this one, the second book in Lisa Kleypas's magical Wallflowers series. I think she hit the ball out of the park with this humorous, emotional, romantic read!
I had my doubts coming into this, after reading
Secrets of a Summer Night. In that book Marcus, Lord Westcliff (most eligible bachelor in England), was such an uptight, humorless stick-in-the-mud--how was I going to fall for him in his own book? Ahh, but LK did a 180 with his character, giving us his whole backstory (including brutal childhood), and I got to understand him, and fall in love with him right along with the heroine, American soap heiress Lillian Bowman.
Now, Lillian--I loved this girl despite (or maybe because) she was so opinionated, headstrong, irreverent, stubborn, sharp-tongued, funny,--and she took no guff from the button-downed, often arrogant Westcliff. Oh how they battled! Their arguing and sniping masked a heap of sexual tension between the two. He wanted her but hated that he did; she wanted him but hated that she did! You knew something had to give--who would be the first to break down and do something about it?
There were many, many scenes in this book that either made me laugh or made me sigh in satisfaction. Laughing? Any of the many conversations between Lillian and the other Wallflowers (Annabelle, Evie, Daisy--they had such fun together), but especially between Lillian and younger sister Daisy and the experiments with the perfume that Lillian insisted worked as an aphrodesiac. I also got a chuckle out of Westcliff and his friends (Hunt, St. Vincent, Shaw) discussing the frequency of their sexual liasons, and the time Hunt caught Westcliff and Lillian in a compromising position and teased him about his "once a week" beliefs.
The sighing? When Westcliff decides to give Lillian a few pointers about how to bat; their first kiss while hiding behind the hedgerow; the scene in the Butterfly Court (smokin' hot); the scene with the pear brandy (funny and scorching hot); when Westcliff professes his feelings and tells Lillian that she can be whoever she wants to be as long as she's with him; the poached pear scene (yowza!); and finally, when Westcliff stands up to his viper of a mother and tells her where to go! Yay, Marcus!
As usual, Kleypas's story is superbly written, with vivid descriptions of the characters, the food (the calf's head!), the clothing, and Westfield's beautiful estate of Stony Cross Park. Kleypas leaves no stone unturned in her storytelling--the characters backstories and every emotion are all layed out for the reader to enjoy--I felt that I was right there in the 1840s English countryside, witnessing it all.
Now LK threw a bit of a curveball that I didn't see coming, regarding St. Vincent (who I was liking just fine), that made me dislike him. Now how is she going to redeem him in his book (
Devil in Winter)? I can't wait to find out! I don't know if she can top this one, which earns 5 big stars!
Westcliff (as I see him)...
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I originally wanted to write a long review explaining why this series took a problematic turn and well, this book in general. But I still can't comprehend Kleypas's choice. So here's my somewhat of a review of the book before the very last scene and then I'll tell you why readers are outrageous, at least, those who take their books seriously.
There will be spoilers for the kissing and the like scenes. And the ending but unrelated to the MCs.
This book was actually fun. Sure, it wasn't great. It was what I expect reading a historical romance.
Lillian was too headstrong and I don't mean that as a compliment. She was needlessly stubborn and almost killed an animal because of her pride. But I also liked that she doesn't back down. I enjoyed the wallflowers' chat and I was actually looking forward to continuing the series in the next book, until that thinghappened.
As for Marcus, I was looking for his story since I read the first book in this series. He's cool but there was a particular scene that made no sense to me. I don't think it's a spoiler since it happened early on in the book. So basically he kisses Lillian (for the first time) and he literally couldn't stop (even when she told him to and he was all the time saying how much doesn't like her), she had to forcefully stop him. Not only I found his behavior questionable for ethical reasons, I also thought it's out of character. The man is very composed and a "gentleman". He seriously couldn't control himself when he kissed Lillian? C'mon.
And then. Lillian is a virgin, you see. So her first time? Marcus decided to sleep with her while she was drunk. Sure, she said she wanted it and even later she wasn't against it. But the fact remains that he slept with her for their first time together while she was intoxicated. That's not okay.
Other than that (as if it's not enough), the book was a fast read and okay.
Until...
Sebastian happens.
You see, the only reason I started this series is to read
Devil in Winter and what a shock the last part of this book was. I've already met Sebastian in the
Mine Till Midnight and he was an okay guy, I was sad I got spoiled for his story with Evie but I wanted to read it nonetheless. Plus, Devil in Winter has such a high rating for a historical romance! (how??!!?!?!?!?)
Sebastian in this book is a bastard, an asshole, and apparently, he would rape a woman if it means getting what he wants. He kidnaps Lillian, sexually harasses her, would've slept with her against her will, married her forcefully, and well, that gives you an idea about what a horrible man he is.
But don't worry!! Kleypas has a redemption arc for him! Evie, one of the wallflowers, proposes to marry him and he accepts (that's the story for Devil in Winter) and of course, love can make people like Sebastian good with morals and ethics!
What bullshit.
First, how can I read about such a selfish, self-centered, molester, kidnapper, main male character?
Second, how can I read about a female character who betrays her friend (who was kidnapped and all that) and marries the person who hurt her?
I honestly can't. I'm disgusted. Well, both betrayed their best friend's trust so :) but Evie is such a sweet soul, she deserves better.
While I understand why people who read Devil in Winter without reading this book can stomach Sebastian's past, I really don't understand how readers who read this book carried on and loved the sequel. I'm curious about how Kleypas will try to redeem him through love but I won't put myself through reading the third book just to be angry about it. It's true these stories are fiction but when they get problematic, it stops being just "fiction", at least for me.
My friend told me I won't like this book but I didn't know why. I saw the mixed reviews but didn't read them. I secretly had a tiny hope I'm going to like this book because of Marcus and Lillian. Since I enjoyed the story, I didn't rate it 1 star but that's because Evie and Sebastian's story was only hinted at. I just want to 1 star Devil in Winter because people like Sebastian, don't deserve another chance in my book. Maybe after spending years in prison or something and not because he just started loving someone...
Kleypas lost some serious points with me, I don’t think I’ll read any of her books in the near future. -
There are guilty pleasures, and there are Guilty Pleasures.
It Happened One Autumn is a Guilty Pleasure.
Four young ladies enter London society with one necessary goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband. So they band together, and a daring husband-hunting scheme is born.
It Happened One Autumn follows the second Wallflower, the bold and shockingly opinionated Lillian Bowman, whose crude manners, American origins and nouveau riche status complicate her attempts to find a noble husband in English society. Her improper comments and attitude are met with contempt, but no one is more annoyed at her stubborness and inability to act like a delicate young woman than Lord Westcliff, an overbearing and controlling nobleman who happens to be the most eligible bachelor. Their fights are legendary, their pigheadedness equal. But aside from their mutual annoyance, there is something else brewing; something that shimmers and burns, passion and attraction and a deeper connection that entangle them in a web of stolen kisses, unyielding egotism and a love that may endanger Marcus' heritage and everything he's struggled to achieve. The question is, what will he choose? His legacy, or the only woman that challenges him and makes him feel alive?“Oh, Daisy, it's revolting the way I want to fawn all over him. I'm afraid I'm going to do something dreadfully silly today. Burst into song or something. For God's sake, don't let me.”
It Happened One Autumn is not a literary masterpiece. It's not a work of art that inspires poems and frenzied reviews glorifying the prose or the concept; you won't find deep meanings conveyed in its pages. It will not rattle you to the core, or make you a better person after you finish it. However, I don't give a single darn. Because in all honesty, I devoured it in less than 24 hours and I had the time of my life.
It was delicious, sensual, funny, with a dash of suspense and a flock of butterflies upsetting my stomach. Lisa Kleypas used autumn hues, and painted lavish balls, picturesque gardens, a rainbow of dresses and delicacies that transported me to another time, another society that was beautiful and cruel, that sucked me in its ways and expectations and left me dazed. Marcus and Lillian give the definition to enemies-to-lovers. He wanted to tame her; she wantet to prove him that she is a capable woman, proud of her choices, a woman who shall not be controlled. Their fights were like fireworks. But their other scenes, well,
Their chemistry was insane. They collided with the force of two meteorites, but they also connected in an emotional level that made me all warm and fuzzy. And even though I found Lillian's behavior over the top (hello 3.5 stars), fighting for the sake of fighting, throwing tantrums and opposing to common sense for no reason at all, their relationship utterly endearing.
And (surprise!) I fell in love with Marcus, with his uptight and his protective and his wicked side.
*gulp*
So, if you're up for a fun ride, and a blazing historical romance, do try the Wallflowers!
P.S. I don't know if the next book will be my cup of tea. After the things St. Vincent did in this one, I find it hard to impossible to even like him, let alone consider him a love interest.
You can find this review and more on BookNest! -
4.5 stars!
“The next time you face a room full of strangers . . . you might tell yourself that some of them are just friends waiting to be found.”
The Wallflowers are so good!!! I think this book is my favorite in the series so far (yes, I have read Devil in Winter already). I liked the chemistry between the main characters in this one the most so far, that hate to love you tension. This book is the story of Lillian and Westcliff, a brash and outspoken American and a formal, follow the rules Englishmen. Right off the bat they cannot stand each other, but as time goes by they realize their hatred for each other might be something more.
“I can't get it out," she said.
"Just pull at it."
"It hurts. It's throbbing."
"Pull harder."
"I can't! It's truly stuck. I need something to make it slippery. Do you have some sort of lubricant nearby?"
"No."
"Not anything?"
"Much as it may surprise you, we've never needed lubricant in the library before now.”
I'm not normally one for historical romance, but Lisa Kleypas has that magic about her writing. It's never cheesy to me (and I loathe cheesy historical), and never do I roll my eyes at the language or the diction. It's an amazing escape from reality, a foray into the lives and loves of the past.
I'm also going to add, when Lillian and Westcliff do finally give in, BOOM WENT THE OVARIES! You wanna read it now, don't you?
“There is nothing on earth more beautiful to me than your smile...no sound sweeter than your laughter...no pleasure greater than holding you in my arms."
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Another hit from Lisa Kleypas! This book was so fun and I just love American heroines who do not adhere to the British society standards. I really enjoyed Lillian's character and there were so many scenes I loved, but I think the baseball scene was my favorite. She's not afraid to run around with servants or ride astride and she was just so fun! Then, we have the hate to love relationship between her and Marcus and it was SO GOOOOOD! I do wish that I had waited to read Devil in Winter after this because I knew the huge plot point that was going to happen in the end. But it was fun to see how Sebastian became the villain before his book.
As always with this series, I loved the friendship between the wallflowers and how much they got together in this book. They talked all the time and gave each other advice. I also felt for Marcus and the childhood he had experienced and his mean mother. Lisa Kleypas just develops such intricate plots and characters and I loved this one! -
*0 stars*
Warning: Offensive language
The heroine was drunk while the hero decided he HAD to have her. Let that sink in. He took her virginity while she was sloshed out of her mind.
Fuck, Marcus, that piece of inbred shit and fuck this book to hell and back. DNF@ 78% -
This was adorable in every single way. The story was perfectly balanced. I have no complaints.
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3.5 stars
An enemies to lovers story between a foul mouthed outspoken heroine and a grumpy arrogant hero. Their banter was hilarious and their chemistry was so freakin explosive. Overall, this was so entertaining. However, the first time these two slept together the heroine was completely drunk! This just made me so uncomfortable and it kinda ruined things for me. Anyway, Now I’m so looking forward to see how St Vincent is going to be redeemed!! -
FOUR POINT FIVE STARS
THE HUSBAND HUNTERS ARE BACK!
In London (1843) a pact is made between 4 wallflowers. They will help each other find husbands starting with the oldest and working down to the youngest.
(1) Annabelle is the oldest of the pact. Married - first book.
(2) Lillian is a rich American who has not acclimated to England.
(3) Evie is painfully shy and stutters.
(4) Daisy is the younger sister to Lillian.
IT HAPPENED ONE AUTUMN is another GREAT installment in this series of wallflowers. Lillian is the next one in line to find a husband. She's unlike anything the English men are use to. She's a rich American who comes off a little more wild and free than her English counterparts.
Then we have FOREVER and lifetime bachelor, Marcus, Lord Westcliff. His attraction to the brazen American girl is hidden from everyone. Being mixed up with someone of her standard wouldn't look good for his family lineage.
In comes the play of a special perfume that holds a secret ingredient that turns men hot and heavy for you. Any time Marcus gets within a close distance to Lillian his animal magnetism goes wild for her.
Towards the end of the book there's a little plot twist that I didn't see coming which made for a fun adventure.
I read part of this and listened to the audio for the other half. If you haven't read a Lisa Kleypas book you should give them a try. They're well written with interesting plot lines.
SERIES:
Can be read as standalones but it's recommended reading the series in order.
Prequel:
(#0.5)
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Wallflowers series is followed by The Hathaway series:
Can be read as standalones but it's recommended reading the series in order.
Novella:
(#2.5) -
Re-read 5/4/21:
I listened to the audiobook version narrated by Rosalyn Landor for my third time reading this. Still big 5 stars!
Re-read 10/11/19:
Just as wonderful as I remember from almost 10 years ago!! Still big 5++ stars!!
Original read/review Jan'2010:
5++ stars – Historical Romance
WOW! I loooved this second installment in Kleypas’s extraordinary Wallflowers series about four very different young ladies in Victorian era England society whose deep bond of friendship sustains them through the trials and tribulations of life, family, relationships, and love.
Wealthy American heiress Lillian Bowman is fiercely independent, strong-willed, feisty, daring, obstinate, brash, honest, outspoken, free-spirited, opinionated...pretty much everything lacking and undesirable in a proper English bride befitting of someone as renowned as London’s most sought after bachelor, Marcus, Lord Westcliff. That’s just fine by Lillian, because the last thing she wants is a domineering, stuffy, snobby, dogmatic, pompous aristocrat for a husband. But it doesn’t take long before sparks fly and fireworks explode between the two stubborn rivals who have a lot more in common than either of them wants to admit, and their intense attraction and volatile passion soon becomes too strong to ignore.
Boy oh boy did I love these two willful hardheads together! Talk about powerful, electric zing-chemistry...Marcus and Lillian had it in spades! I enjoyed their sarcastic, witty banter and spirited arguments, and their smoldering hot passion scorched the pages. But most of all, I loved the tender, romantic moments (like the scene below) that demonstrated how perfect Marcus and Lillian are together.
Marcus, Lord Westcliff:
“Rest. You’ll need to regain your strength...because once we’re married, I won’t be able to leave you alone. I’ll want to love you every hour, every minute of the day.” He nestled her more closely against him. “There is nothing on earth more beautiful to me than your smile...no sound sweeter than your laughter...no pleasure greater than holding you in my arms. I realized today that I could never live without you, stubborn little hellion that you are. In this life and the next, you’re my only hope of happiness. Tell me, Lillian, dearest love...how can you have reached so far inside my heart?” He paused to kiss her damp silken skin...and smiled as the wisp of a feminine snore broke the peaceful silence.
It Happened One Autumn is a remarkable, intensely romantic, and enchanting read that will hold a top place on my keeper shelf for years to come! Verrry big 5 stars!
And just for fun and laughs, I had to capture the hilarious scene between the wallflower gals discussing, or perhaps more accurately, vehemently dismissing, Evie’s rather portly cousin Eustace being her one and only marital prospect.
“Wait a minute,” Daisy said suspiciously, coming to Lillian’s side.
“We’ve met Evie’s cousin Eustace before. Lillian, do you remember the ball at Winterbourne House?” Her eyes narrowed accusingly. “He was the one who broke the chair, wasn’t he, Evie?”
Evie confirmed Daisy’s question with an inarticulate murmur.
“Good God!” Lillian exclaimed, “you are not considering marrying him, Evie!”
Annabelle wore a puzzled expression. “How did he break the chair? Does he have a foul temper? Did he throw it?”
“He broke it by sitting on it,” Lillian said with a scowl.
“Cousin Eustace is rather l-large boned,” Evie admitted.
“Cousin Eustace has more chins than I’ve got fingers,” Lillian said impatiently. “And he was so busy filling his face during the ball that he couldn’t be bothered to make conversation.”
“When I went to shake his hand,” Daisy added, “I came away with a half-eaten wing of roast chicken.”
“He forgot that he was holding it,” Evie said apologetically. “He did say he was sorry for ruining your glove, as I recall.”
Daisy frowned. “That didn’t bother me nearly as much as the question of where he was hiding the rest of the chicken.”
BUWAHAhaHAhahaha!!!! That scene just flat-out cracked me up! :) -
2.5 stars
I was really enjoying this enemies to lovers historical romance, and compulsively read it, until that scene.. WTH Kleypas? This was written in 2005, but still I don't understand why an author would choose to include a scene which so clearly has no consent?!
It's a shame because I love the wallflower girls, and I loved Lillian in this, and felt that she deserved better. Like I said, I was enjoying this book, set at Stony Cross again, and liked the magical aspect of it. I enjoyed the banter/feuding between Lillian and Marcus, and was rooting for them until the last part of the book.. There were a few other aspects near the end featuring Marcus's mother and his friend St. Vincent which I didn't like either 😭 I'm not sure if I even want to read the next one, how can Sebastian be redeemed?
So four stars for the first part of the book, Lillian, the side characters, the wonderful setting, but the last part left a sour taste in my mouth. -
When love makes you lose control.
This is my favourite in the series. Nothing gets my heart pumping (in my reads) like a hero who listens to his heart instead of his head. When the hero is dumbfounded, discombobulated and bamboozled by his feelings, I can't help but want to sigh. I love that his mind is telling him that she's all wrong but his heart and body are saying *come a little bit closer*. They try to ignore it. They try to fight it. They run screaming from it. But IT is too much. Those blasted feelings won't leave.
Marcus fought a valiant battle, but love...and Lillian, were the winners.
One of the most unlikely couples to ever fall in love, in the end, they were a perfect match for each other. His stiff upper lip will remind Lillian to be a lady every so often. Her adventurous spirit will help Marcus to have fun once in a wee while. I love it when opposites attract.
This series is one of my all-time favourites in historical romance. Lisa Kleypas writes lovable characters and the Wallflowers are some of the best. If you haven't read this series and thinking of trying out historical romance, I definitely recommend a visit with the Wallflowers.
The audio was amazing and I think Rosalyn Landor is my go-to narrator for Historical Romance. Her voice is easy to listen to, the accents spot-on and she does very well with the male characters too. I never struggle with telling the characters apart.
I will definitely be going on in the series and with that ending, I think it will be sooner rather than later.
No change in my rating as I loved the audio as much as reading It Happened One Autumn.
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Wow! Another fun installment of The Wallflowers series.
I love the way Lisa Kleypas developes her characters. Subtly, without pages and pages of narrative descriptives. We learn about them by seeing them in action, or through the eyes of others.
It was such a joy to watch Marcus, Lord Westcliff, put aside the bitterness of his childhood, the will of his mother and the demands of his title and just allow himself to experience the emotions which, despite his best efforts, were awakened by Lillian Bowman.
And it was also a joy to watch Lillian put aside her own preconceived notions of Marcus, the man, and allow herself to accept her feelings of love for him, and accept his love for her as well.
Marcus and Lillian are fabulous together. When they get together they bring out the worst in each other, but they also bring out the best in one another.
OK, I just want to say that there are 2 scenes that stand out in my mind and both made me laugh. I won't go into detail so as not to ruin it for anyone who hasn't read this... but who didn't laugh at baked calf's head and dingy dipper butterflies? Don't deny it, if you've read this book, you laughed. And the other scene was where Annabelle, having come down to breakfast with dark circles under her eyes and looking as though she hadn't slept at all during the night (because she hadn't) was trying to delicately explain to Lillian, Evie and Daisy the effect that a certain perfume had had on Simon, her husband, who needed no potion to influence or increase his sexual... virility.
And it would be shameful if I didn't mention that there are some very steamy sexual encounters that were... how can I put this... steamy. I may never look at pears the same way again. *sigh*
Well, needless to say, while I enjoyed
Secrets of a Summer Night ,
It Happened One Autumn has made me a Lisa Kleypas fan! -
Meet Lillian rich lady from America whose parents ship her off to England to find a man #thanks-a-fucking-lot-Dad
The only problem is ....these stuffy english men want a lady of modesty and class. And Lillian? Lillian don't do none of that shit
��The good news is that your husband seems to be on the way.”
“If so, the bastard is late,” Lillian retorted, causing Daisy and Evie to laugh.”
Her family is invited to stay at Lord Westcliff’s home as it is the height of the season and bachelors are everywhere....except Lillian can’t seem to escape the one man she hates: Marcus Marsden
“He’s just a man, dear. I’m sure he orders his servants to help him put his trousers on one leg at a time, like everyone else.”
I loved her brash, foul-mouthed, outspoken American ways. I wanted her to bring Westcliff to his knees. This story was so entertaining from how they bicker, fight, challenge, argue, hate, steal kisses, and lust after each other.
“There is something about you that makes me feel terribly wicked. You make me want to do shocking things. Maybe it's because you're so proper. Your necktie is never crooked, and your shoes are always shiny. Sometimes when I look at you, I want to tear off all your buttons. Or set your trousers on fire.”
Oh how they fought! Their arguing and sniping resulted in a pile of sexual tension and Lillian the troublemaker got them in the most ridiculous hilarious situations:
“Would you mind telling me why you were drinking pear brandy in the middle of the afternoon?”
“Because I couldn’ open the sherry.”
His lips twitched. “What I meant was, why were you drinking at all?”
Same girlll sameeeee
She is so sassy and such a spitfire. I love how Westcliff was hesitant towards her but he knew that he needed his equal Someone to challenge him, make him laugh, make him angry....and that someone is Cece! I mean Lillian, right the protagonist
“Fear you?” she said without thinking. “Good God, I would never do that.”
Easing her head back, Westcliff looked at her while a slow smile spread across his face. “No, you wouldn’t,” he agreed. “You’d spit in the devil’s eye if it suited you.”
And oh sweetie, my heart was just a puddle reading Westcliff come to terms with his feelings:
“Run barefoot on the front lawn. Eat pudding with your fingers. Tell me to go to hell as often as you like. I want you just as you are”
Goddamn it my heart, Westcliff is just da man
I love how this one scnee he is both worried about her...and threatening her at the same time like gggodddamnnn
Overall, this was a great read and definitely my favorite out of the series becauses I loved Lillian’s character and felt she was more relatable than the others. Plus Westcliff was so done with her shit but couldn’t seem to stop himself from joining the trouble. I can see the build-up for our other characters which, considering how much I enjoy this author's writing style, I will probably continue even if I am not as excited for their stories. I mean how could you beat the brash and sassy Lillian?
Great read, 4 stars -
3,5 Stars
One thing's for sure: Westcliff, the hero, has much more patience with ill-mannered houseguests than I do. The houseguest in question being the heroine, Miss Lillian Bowman.
The brash American heiress and the starchy English earl, so much potential especially in the hand of such a skilled author, and in fact, for the greater part the book delivered on all accounts and I enjoyed most of their scenes together immensely. If only Lillian had been a little less confrontational. I understand, and appreciate, feisty, but she bordered on rude several times and showed an animosity towards the hero that really had no solid ground, so the "opposites attracts" trope often felt overplayed to me.
The closed confines of Stony Cross, Westcliff's country estate, where the whole story takes place, didn't allow for much action or plot twists and all the (slightly over-the-top) drama was concentrated in the very last section, though the lively dialogues, the sparkly banters between the leads and their off the charts chemistry, the humour and the flowing writing more than made up for it. And Westcliff, now he was a dear and sexy one.
It also was nice to meet once again the Wallflowers and the other cast of characters and follow their further interactions which, as I've already found in book 1
Secrets of a Summer Night, were some of the best fun. -
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*No Longer For Me*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
Re-read:
The book centers around American heiress Lillian Odelle Bowman (24?) and Marcus Marsden (35), Lord Westcliff, the Earl of Westcliff. Lillian is looking for a husband in England, what she didn't expect was finding the arrogant Lord Marcus interesting.... I don't know how, but somehow I obviously liked Lillian the first time reading it, this time however? I almost hated her at some point. Her recklessness and actions when people say no to her are insane. She feels the need to prove herself someway and actually put others in danger in doing so. She almost hurt a horse to prove a point that she could do something, when it was obvious that she couldn't. Marcus thinks Lillian an ill-natured brat, and I actually tend to agree. She has too much pride in herself, and it's annoying. She's also, in my eyes, a bit selfish. ‘‘Your Grace, she thought. That was what Westcliff would have to call her, once St. Vincent came into his title. First she would be Lady St. Vincent, and then the Duchess of Kingston. She would be above Westcliff socially, and she would never let him forget it. Your Grace, she repeated, comforting herself with the syllables. Your Grace…’’
It's pathetic. She's quite pathetic, to be honest. Her character ruined the whole book for me. I couldn't stand her. The moments between Marcus and Lillian were the only thing that was interesting and worth reading. The last 30% or so I started to skim a lot. I considered quitting it, but when I had come so far, I might as well finish it. That being said, the female character ruined the whole book, made me roll my eyes at her many times, but Marcus was interesting and hot. Marcus was the only thing in the book that was readable, the rest was meh and the female was annoying. Strange how I didn't notice the first time reading it.... I seem to have liked it a lot the first time around :O
Other Characters:
The list is a bit long so I've put it in a spoilers tag.“You create trouble from thin air,” Mercedes said, her eyes slitted. “Which is why I am going to supervise the pair of you closely. After your behavior on our last visit here, I am amazed that we were invited back.”
“I’m not,” Lillian rejoined dryly. “Everyone knows that we’re here because Westcliff has an eye on Father’s company.”
“Lord Westcliff,” Mercedes corrected with a hiss. “Lillian, you must refer to him with respect! He is the wealthiest peer in England, with a bloodline—”
“—that’s older than the queen’s,” Daisy interrupted in a singsong tone, having heard this speech on a multitude of occasions. “And the oldest earldom in Britain, which makes him—”
“—the most eligible bachelor in Europe,” Lillian finished dryly, raising her brows with mock significance. “Maybe the entire world. Mother, if you’re actually hoping that Westcliff is going to marry either of us, you’re a lunatic.”
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Historical Romance (M/F).
Series: - Series (Can Be Read As A Standalone), Book Two.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Marcus Marsden.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Unsure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Not really.
Will I read this again in the future? - Definitely not.
New Rating - 2/1.5 stars.
First read:
I actually liked it. Really liked it.
Rate: 3.5/4 stars -
Δεν μπορώ να θυμηθώ την τελευταία σειρά που ερωτεύτηκα πριν τη γνωριμία μου με τη σειρά οι τέσσερις εποχές.Μετά την ανάγνωση του τα μυστικά της καλοκαιρινής νύχτας είχα πολλές αναγνωστικές προσδοκίες από τη συνέχεια και ευτυχώς η Lisa Kleypas δεν με απογοήτευσε.Είναι πολύ εύκολο να ερωτευτείς με μια ιστορία της.
Αν τα υπόλοιπα ��ορίτσια δυσκολεύονται να βρουν σύζυγο,τότε η Λίλιαν Μπόουμαν έχει πρόσθετες δυσκολίες.Είναι από την Αμερική γνωστή και ως ο νέος πλούτος και είναι δύσκολο να βρεθεί κάποιος πρόθυμος εργένης να την παντρευτεί επειδή δεν κατέχει τίτλο,έχει κολλαριστά πρασινωπά δολάρια αλλά αυτό δεν αρκεί για την αριστοκρατία του Λονδίνου.Επιπλέον οι τολμηροί τρόποι και ότι δεν γνωρίζει τους "κανόνες",περιπλέκουν ακόμα πιο πολύ τις προσπάθειές της να βρει έναν ευγενή σύζυγο στην αγγλική κοινωνία.
Αυτό που μου αρέσει πιο πολύ στην συγγραφέα είναι το πόσο καλά έχει προσεγγίσει την εποχή στην οποία διαδραματίζεται η ιστορία της,στην προκειμένη περίπτωση την εμπάθεια των Άγγλων έναντι των Αμερικάνων,την σύγκρουση του παλιού και του νέου κόσμου,οι οποίοι βρίσκουν με δυο αντιπροσωπευτικούς μαχητές τον Μάρκους και την Λίλιαν αντίστοιχα.
Το πιο διασκεδαστικό και δυνατό σημείο του βιβλίου είναι η αλληλεπίδραση μεταξύ αυτών των δυο.Έχουν τρομερή χημεία μεταξύ τους.Τι μπορεί να συμβεί όταν έχεις δυο εκ διαμέτρου αντίθετους ανθρώπους με τόσο ισχυρές προσωπικότητες και αυταρχικές τακτικές ; θρυλικές μάχες από τις οποίες πετάγονται σπινθήρες και μετά πυροτεχνήματα.
Αν και έχουν ξεκινήσει ως αντίπαλοι μου αρέσει ο τρόπος με τον οποίο η Kleypas υφαίνει την ιστορία έτσι ώστε να είναι πιστευτή όταν το υποτιθέμενο μίσος τους στρέφεται προς τον αμοιβαίο σεβασμό και την τελικά την αγάπη.
Ο Μάρκους που γνωρίσαμε από το πρώτο κιόλας βιβλίο της σειράς είναι μπλαζέ,με καλούς τρόπους,καλή ανατροφή,όμορφος,γοητευτικός,σνομπ και υπερόπτης,αν και ένας υποδειγματικός άνθρωπος και άριστος αδελφός.Όσο προχωράει η ιστορία,η συγγραφέας μας δείχνει μια πιο ευαίσθητη και παιχνιδιάρικη πλευρά του μέσα από τις σκέψεις του,τις αποκαλύψεις από το παρελθόν του και τις πράξεις του προς τη Λίλιαν κατέληξα να μου αρέσει πολύ περισσότερο από ό,τι περίμενα.Αρχηγός της οικογένειας με πολλές ευθύνες στους ώμους του,δεν ήταν ποτέ σκλάβος στα πάθη του και έτσι είναι έχουμε τη χαρά να τον δούμε να παλεύει με την έλξη του για την ‘’ακατάλληλη’’ Λίλιαν μια αγάπη που μπορεί να ��έσει σε κίνδυνο την κληρονομιά του και όλα όσα αγωνίζεται να επιτύχει.
Ένα άλλο χαρακτηριστικό που μου αρέσει είναι το χιούμορ της και ευτυχώς στο δεύτερο πρόσθεσε ακόμα πιο πολλές χιουμοριστικές σκηνές,πνευματικούς διαλόγους,πειράγματα,κλεμμένα φιλάκια στον κήπο.
Θέλω,αααχ πόσο θέλω μια μέρα να μπορώ να ταξιδεύω και να μείνω στο μέρος που εκτυλίσσεται η πλοκή.Δεν με νοιάζει που οι τοποθεσίες που περιγράφει η συγγραφέας ανήκουν στη φαντασία της θέλω να τις επισκεφτώ,θέλω να ανακαλύψω τις κρυφές πόρτες,τον κήπο των πεταλούδων και το θερμοκήπιο.Η συγγραφέας εκμεταλλεύτηκε την ομορφιά της Αγγλικής εξοχής,επέλεξε την πλούσια παλέτα του φθινοπώρου (την αγαπημένη μου και ίσως την πιο ρομαντική εποχή) και με μετέφερε σε γραφικούς κήπους,συνάντησα κομψές κυρίες με πλουμιστά φορέματα και σχεδόν γεύτηκα τα εδέσματα εκείνης της εποχής(εκτός των μοσχαροκεφαλών,γιατί θα είχαν την ίδια επίδραση που είχαν και στην πρωταγωνίστρια).
Συνολικά ήταν απολαυστικό,ρομαντικό,αισθησιακό,αστείο,με καλοδουλεμένους διαλόγους μου χάρισε μια ευχάριστη αίσθηση αναστάτωσης και ένα σμήνος πεταλούδων να αναστατώνουν το στομάχι μου όπως συνέβη στη Λίλιαν.Ότι καλύτερο για το απαραίτητο χουχούλιασμα στον καναπέ,με κουβερτούλα και καφεδάκι.
Πολύ καλύτερο από τα μυστικά καλοκαιρινής νύχτας.Όσο προχωράει η σειρά έχω την αίσθηση ότι γίνεται όλο και καλύτερη.Όπως και στο πρώτο βιβλίο η δράση κάνει την εμφάνισή της στα τελευταία κεφάλαια,αλλά εδώ υπήρχε και μια μικρή ανατροπή,όταν διαβάσετε τον επίλογο πιστεύω ότι θα έχει την ίδια επίδραση που είχε και σε μένα,θα θέλετε να τρέξετε στο βιβλιοπωλείο να αγοράσετε το επόμενο αμέσως.Ευτυχώς τα αγόρασα και τα δυο μαζί.
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Another entertaining entry in the Wallflower series, all of which have been thoroughly enjoyable even if I did read them out of order!
This time it is Lillian's turn to find herself a rich husband and she does it in style. As in all the other books the dialogue is the thing- smart and funny and always entertaining. The characters are well defined and as I am sure I have said before, probably many times, the overall atmosphere of the book is a la
Georgette Heyer but with sex. And this is not a bad thing.
Sad that this series is finished but luckily
Lisa Kleypas has written others! -
This was a great second entry into the Wallflower series. I really enjoyed this story and I firmly believe that Lillian and Westcliff are soulmates. They are both strong, vital people who are not afraid to say what they think and do what they want to do. Westcliff is a very arrogant man and very opinionated. He came off as being a little bit snobby in some ways. Not in the sense that he was too good to associate with self-made men of working class origins. He was very forward-thinking in that manner. But he was snobby in how he viewed Lillian and her sister, because they were brash Americans. Lillian is very forward thinking, and would never fit into the mold of a well-bred, quiet, English lady. Westcliff thinks that's exactly what he wants if he marries. But he's not in a hurry to marry anyway, although he knows he must. I think he was waiting for that spark that exploded when Lillian came into the picture. Perhaps his snooty attitude toward Lillian was just his way of keeping a barrier up against her. Westcliff fought his feelings for Lillian for as long as he could. But I have to give it to him, when he fell, he fell hard.
I enjoyed the way Lillian needled him. Westcliff had a tendency to take himself way too seriously. He needed to loosen up. Lillian starts out finding him too high in the instep and too stuffy and far too bossy, but at the same time, she's fiercely attracted to his muscular vitality and virlity. Westcliff is a keen sportsman and athlete. I like that he believes in working hard and isn't a rake (this was a nice change for a character who was very much of the aristocracy). I think this aura also won over Lillian. There is no question about the strong attraction between Lillian and Westcliff, and it drives this book towards its inevitable conclusion.
In this story, my favorite hero, St. Vincent, is more of a villain. What he does was very ill-advised, and he pays for it the hard way. Luckily it helps to show Marcus, Lord Westcliff, what he is about to allow to slip through his fingers. Maybe that's why Westcliff can't stay mad at him.
I can't say this is one of my favorites by LK. I think it's because Westcliff and Lillian are very abrasive characters who I love in small doses, but can overwhelm me in large doses. But, LK has never written a bad book and she never will, in my opinion. And this book fits so seemlessly into the Wallflower series (with crossover with Again the Magic since Marcus is Aline's older brother) that it's going to be a keeper by default.
Actors I would cast as Westcliff and Lillian: Jamie Bamber and Natalie Portman.
[image error] -
4.0 "I Hate You but I Want You" stars
"Tell me, Lillian, dearest love...how can you have reached so far inside my heart?"
"I want to feel you, I want to kiss you everywhere..".
Wow...didn't see Westcliff being so passionate for Lillian. He's always so reserved. Who knew he had it in him? I think he was totally caught un-prepared for his need of Lilian.
West cliff never wanted to fall in love and placed no value on it. He's attracted to Lillian, but she is too far beneath him to consider for marriage.
"I'm sorry,"My God. Sorry-" His mouth clamped over hers, and he began to kiss her as if his life depended on it.
"My lord, have you gone mad?"
"Yes. Yes." "Give me your mouth...your tongue...yes."
Lillian is the brash American wallflower. She's rich as sin and very attractive, but her lack of breeding and poor manners have left her with no suiters.
She admits that Westcliff is attractive, but his, know it all, high handedness is serious turn off. Lillian is her own boss and refuses to back down when faced with a challenge"There is nothing on earth more beautiful to me than your smile...no sound sweeter than you laughter...no pleasure greater than holding you in my arms. I realized today that I could never live without you, stubborn little hellion that you are. In this life and the next, you're my only hope of happiness."
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God, I loved Lillian and Marcus so much! 4.5 stars. Their chemistry is fabulous and I loved how perfect they were for each other! I can't decide whether I love this or Devil in Winter more.
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A Delicious Historical Romance
One of my favourite books in the Wallflower series. Here we see outspoken and fierce American Lillian Bowman put a delightful wrench in the ordered life of self-contained and powerful Lord Marcus Westcliff. The passion between the two ripples off the pages.
I forgot how much of a douchebag Viscount St. Vincent was in this, that one key action of his had me frowning so hard, and yet I so enjoy him in Devil in Winter.
Marcus's mother remains ice old in each re-read. -
"I can't get it out," she said.
"Just pull at it."
"It hurts. It's throbbing."
"Pull harder."
"I can't! It's truly stuck. I need something to make it slippery. Do you have some sort of lubricant nearby?"
"No."
"Not anything?"
"Much as it may surprise you, we've never needed lubricant in the library before now."
And that, yes that, is why I continue to read books like this. -
5 STARS
Staring down at her adorably pursed lips, he felt an insistent warmth invading his heart, overflowing and spilling past its fretted barriers. God in heaven, he was tired of fighting his desire for her. It was exhausting to struggle against something so overwhelming. Like trying not to breathe.
I absolutely LOVED this one. Delightfully entertaining, and at times hilariously funny. This was an enemies to lovers connection that was incredibly addicting. There were several scenes that I wanted to read over and over again. Romance writing at its best.
“There is nothing on earth more beautiful to me than your smile…no sound sweeter than your laughter…no pleasure greater than holding you in my arms. I realized today that I could never live without you, stubborn little hellion that you are. In this life and the next, you’re my only hope of happiness."
There were a few things that I thought were a bit over the top. Mostly regarding that bizarre ending. But I still couldn't say that they took anything away from the story. Was it realistic? NO! But honestly isn't that why we read these books in the first place? And now, I'm dying to see how she redeems our hero of book 3. An impossible feat? We shall see. -
Se sabe el final desde el principio, pero da igual... Si es que aún sabiéndolo todo, engancha!!!
La parte final me ha dejado boquiabierta, ¡no me imagino la próxima pareja!!!!!! Un reto enorme el de Kleypas el hacernos cambiar de opinión sobre Vincent, teniendo en cuanta lo mal que "lo ha puesto" en este libro. Inevitablemente, continúo con el siguiente. -
*4.5 stars*
I love Marcus and Lillian! -
«No hay nada en este mundo más hermoso que tu sonrisa... ni sonido más dulce que el de tu risa... No hay mayor placer que poder rodearte con mis brazos. Hoy me he dado cuenta de que no podré vivir sin ti, por muy testaruda y alborotadora que seas. Eres mi única esperanza de felicidad, tanto en esta vida como en la siguiente. Dime, Lillian, amor mío... ¿cómo es posible que te hayas colado en lo más profundo de mi corazón?»
Lo que adoré a estos personajes, lo que me divertí y lo que disfruté con esta historia, ¡no tiene nombre! Me encantó. ❤️
De las mejores novelas de
Lisa Kleypas. -
★4.5★
"I've wanted you every moment since I first held you in my arms."
It Happened One Autumn is the second book in the Wallflowers Series. Relatively new to Historical Romance, I have discovered Lisa Kleypas to be one of my new favorite go-to authors. The Wallflowers features four young ladies living in London as they try to secure happiness and love. In this second book, we are introduced to the spunky American Lillian Bowman and the noble aristocrat Lord Marcus Westcliff. Lillian and her family are guests at Lord Westcliff's Manor. Lillian and Marcus are complete opposites and yet, together they are a perfect match. Marcus is quite wealthy and wants for nothing and Lillian is an unpolished, outspoken, American Girl just trying to find acceptance in society. At first, Marcus finds Ms. Bowman to be a reckless savage and yet, as they spend more time together a fiery attraction develops between the two. Lillian is not an ideal candidate for a bride for Lord Westcliff but they manage to fall head over heels in love with each other. Can Marcus truly set aside his family obligations and overlook the rules of society in order to wed an unruly American woman?
"There is nothing on earth more beautiful to me than your smile..."
Told in dual POV, It Happened One Autumn offers a tender and passionate love story with plenty of laughs. Lillian and Marcus share a charged relationship full of tension and heated seduction. Throughout the verbal warfare these two characters experience, the connection becomes real and authentic. The supporting characters offer intrigue and humor as Marcus and Lillian discover the truth about their fate! I highly recommend this book to HR fans and cannot wait to meet more of the Wallflowers! Although I am sure it is best to read the series in order, each book can be read as a stand-alone. Lisa Kleypas is a gifted storyteller who will transport you to another world!
***Wallflowers***
*This is a BR with my girl SUEBEE!
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