DEVIL'S DAUGHTER is a "Ravenels meet The Wallflowers" novel by Lisa Kleypas. These main characters wind up being so much different than I expected them to be. Phoebe, Lady Clare is a widow with two young children to take care of. About a million years ago, West Ravenel was a jerk to Phoebe's late husband when they were both boys at boarding school. Thankfully Lisa Kleypas resolves this past transgression of West's quickly. I was really looking forward to DEVIL'S DAUGHTER and Lisa Kleypas delivers. DEVIL'S DAUGHTER is a story with stellar chemistry between the hero and heroine, great check-ins with previous generation favorite characters without being cheesy, and all about female empowerment.

I love stories about widows, and they usually fall into two main categories -- women who cared for their late husbands, and women who are greatly relieved or even overjoyed by the death of their spouse. Phoebe and her husband were childhood sweethearts, so she mourned him and often thinks of him with fondness even though it has been about two years since his death. Phoebe is initially determined to dislike West when she first lays eyes on him, because of the hurts he dealt her husband in their youth. I'm happy that Lisa Kleypas doesn't take too long before Phoebe and West hash that out and he makes a heartfelt apology. Although she loved her late husband, it's difficult for Phoebe to not make comparisons between him and West. Her late husband was of a frail and sickly constitution, while West is athletic and very capable. An unintentional courtship develops between the two simply because of the close proximity to each other, and the natural and easy attraction that they have for each other.

The difficulty that arises and the thing that acts as an obstacle to Phoebe and West being together long-term is West himself. Although typically alpha, as so many Lisa Kleypas heroes are, West is very much a slave to his inner demons and self-doubt. West doesn't think he's worthy of love or good enough for Phoebe. As much as he tries to put her off, Phoebe can't help but find West attractive for a multitude of reasons. In addition to his obvious good looks and resourcefulness, he is affectionate with her children, and always finds ways to enrich her life. As well as satisfying Phoebe sexually and emotionally, he tries to educate her so that she is capable of successfully running her estate on her own, without being in the dark and at the mercy of whatever men are currently managing it. West treats Phoebe with the same degree of respect that everyone in her family does, without any male condescension.

DEVIL'S DAUGHTER is a devil of a good time with enchanting characters and a delicious romance. I enjoyed seeing Sebastian, Duke of Kingston as a subtle and also not-so-subtle matchmaker for his daughter. I eagerly await the next Lisa Kleypas romance.