📖 Overview
Devil's Daughter follows Phoebe, Lady Clare, a young widow and mother who encounters West Ravenel at her brother's wedding. Their first meeting stirs memories of her late husband's childhood tormentor, as West was a notorious bully during his school days.
The story tracks their evolving relationship as Phoebe grapples with running her estate and protecting her children's inheritance. West, now reformed from his troublesome youth, offers his expertise in estate management while confronting his past actions and their consequences.
Their attraction builds against a backdrop of Victorian society's expectations, family obligations, and personal growth. Both must navigate their complicated history while facing present-day challenges in managing land and relationships.
The novel explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the capacity for change. Through its Historical Romance framework, it examines how past actions influence present relationships and whether people can truly transform themselves.
👀 Reviews
Readers highlight the chemistry between Phoebe and West, with many reviews noting their emotional connection feels authentic compared to other historical romances. The slow-burn romance and West's character development receive frequent mentions in positive reviews.
Readers liked:
- West's complexity and growth throughout the story
- Inclusion of characters from previous Kleypas novels
- Period-accurate details and dialogue
- The balance of humor and serious themes
Common criticisms:
- Some found the pacing too slow in the first third
- Several readers wanted more conflict between the leads
- A few noted the plot was predictable
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.05/5 (47,000+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.6/5 (2,800+ ratings)
BookBub: 4.4/5 (1,400+ ratings)
"West Ravenel's transformation from bully to swoon-worthy hero is believable and compelling," notes one top Goodreads review. Multiple readers praised how the book handles themes of grief and second chances while maintaining lighter moments.
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Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean A proper lady creates a list of forbidden activities and enlists a notorious rake to help her complete them in exchange for his silence about her scandalous behavior.
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase A bluestocking beauty faces off against the most notorious rake in London, resulting in a battle of wits that turns into an unlikely marriage.
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🤔 Interesting facts
🌟 This novel is part of The Ravenels series but features Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent - a beloved character from Kleypas's earlier Wallflowers series - creating an exciting crossover between two of her most popular historical romance series.
💫 Author Lisa Kleypas initially began her career as Miss Massachusetts 1985 and competed in the Miss America pageant before pursuing writing full-time.
✨ The book's heroine, Phoebe, is the daughter of Evangeline and Sebastian from "Devil in Winter," one of Kleypas's most popular novels, making this story particularly meaningful for long-time fans.
🌟 The historical setting includes accurate details about Victorian-era farming innovations and agricultural reforms, as Phoebe manages her late husband's estate.
💫 The hero, West Ravenel, represents a significant character transformation - from a schoolyard bully mentioned in earlier books to a reformed man who becomes an expert in agricultural management.