DEVIL IN DISGUISE is the seventh book in the “Ravenels” historical romance series by Lisa Kleypas. Although DEVIL IN DISGUISE works as a standalone novel, it will be most exciting for fans of her earlier “Wallflower” series, since that chronicles the exploits of the previous generation. In DEVIL IN DISGUISE, Lady Merritt Sterling is somewhat unique for her time. She is a successful businesswoman completely in charge of her late husband’s company. Like her mother before her, Merritt is a strong woman who isn’t easily lead or manipulated. Keir MacRae is a sexy Scotsman who meets Merritt when they wind up doing business together. In addition to the powerful physical attraction, Keir is drawn to Merritt’s forceful personality and kind heart. There is a “memory loss” trope in this book, but it adds a fascinating layer to the story without being tedious.
When Keir seems to be targeted by some unknown villain, Merritt demands to be helpful as he recovers from his various attacks, and as everyone works out where the danger is coming from. I like how everybody comes together in this story to unmask the villain. Merritt’s friends and extended family are fun secondary characters without cluttering up the story and taking the focus off the love story. I like that Keir is open about his feelings when he realizes they are returned, and how he doesn’t try to stifle, or make demands on Merritt. The biggest obstacle to this couple finding long-term happiness together is Merritt herself. She doesn’t try to be obstinate about things, but Lisa Kleypas does a good job conveying to the reader Merritt’s logic as she tries to work it out in her head. There are a few obvious logistical obstacles to this romance, but after her last husband died, this heroine has a little emotional baggage to sort out. The chemistry between this hero and heroine is fab and they have a mutual respect as well as a physical attraction. The emotional connection makes the sexual tension and ultimate physical intimacy that much more intense.
DEVIL IN DISGUISE has a well-matched couple, and a romance that’s sweet, sexy, and satisfying. This will appeal to readers who enjoy a character-driven story. Because Merritt’s brother pops up as a secondary character in this story, I would love to read his love story is a possible future book. I look forward to Lisa Kleypas’ next book.
New York Times bestseller Lisa Kleypas returns with an enthralling and steaming romance between a widowed lady and a Scot on the run—who may have connections to one of London's most noble families.
“The devil never tries to make people do the wrong thing by scaring them. He does it by tempting them.”
Lady Merritt Sterling, a strong-willed young widow who’s running her late husband’s shipping company, knows London society is dying to catch her in a scandal. So far, she’s been too smart to provide them with one. But then she meets Keir MacRae, a rough-and-rugged Scottish whisky distiller, and all her sensible plans vanish like smoke. They couldn’t be more different, but their attraction is powerful, raw and irresistible.
From the moment Keir MacRae arrives in London, he has two goals. One: don’t fall in love with the dazzling Lady Merritt Sterling. Two: avoid being killed.
So far, neither of those is going well.
Keir doesn’t know why someone wants him dead until fate reveals his secret connection to one of England’s most powerful families. His world is thrown into upheaval, and the only one he trusts is Merritt.
Their passion blazes with an intensity Merritt has never known before, making her long for the one thing she can’t have from Keir MacRae: forever. As danger draws closer, she’ll do whatever it takes to save the man she loves . . . even knowing he might be the devil in disguise.
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