We Love Lisa Kleypas discussion

Hello everyone who loves Lisa Kleypas novels!

I just wonder if anyone have any clue to who the new hero in "Devil in Disguise" may be?Some people are even wondering if its a illegitimate son of Sebastian St. Vincent.

What do you guys think?

I hope that's not the case. There's nothing i hate more in a Romance book that the OW/Illegitimate child trope, and to do that to one of our favorite, more established couples would suck lol.
Im praying it's a younger brother or something.

I feel like the hero is somebody we haven't met yet. If I remember correctly, there wasn't anyone who stood out to me as still single after Chasing Cassandra released. Usually Kleypas kind of baits her readers with potential pairs in earlier books, and I don't remember any single dukes or magnates by the end of the last novel.

There have been at least 2 mentions of a younger brother who was doing bisiness in America. He was unable to make it home in time for either of his sibling's weddings. I can't recollect his name, but he was referred to in Devil in Spring and the Devil's Daughter

Since the heroine is Merritt Sterling, daughter of Lillian & Marcus, Lord Westcliff (Wallflowers #3)
I would assume that the hero is a completely new character. The book description says “Keir MacRae, a rough-and-rugged Scottish whisky distiller”, who is on the run.

I really hope LK has books planned for all of the children of the Wallflowers!

Gayle wrote: "There have been at least 2 mentions of a younger brother who was doing bisiness in America. He was unable to make it home in time for either of his sibling's weddings. I can't recollect his name, b..."

His name is Raphael :D

Victoria wrote: "Gayle wrote: "There have been at least 2 mentions of a younger brother who was doing bisiness in America. He was unable to make it home in time for either of his sibling's weddings. I can't recolle..."

Well...that theory went out of the window.

I cannot wait for a new LK book. I have been in such turmoil and such deep sense of struggle that I kid you not (my teen's favourite expression!) reading my favourite writers' books is the only thing that actually soothes my ravaged thoughts... sorry for all the bleakness in this little note; I don't usually do this. I don't do it at all, really... just a day; yeah, it's been a day...

Medusa wrote: "I cannot wait for a new LK book. I have been in such turmoil and such deep sense of struggle that I kid you not (my teen's favourite expression!) reading my favourite writers' books is the only thi..."

Lisa have that gift of cleaning away all the bleakness Medusa,i know exactly what you mean!

I hope everything is alright with you..!

Azet wrote: "Medusa wrote: "I cannot wait for a new LK book. I have been in such turmoil and such deep sense of struggle that I kid you not (my teen's favourite expression!) reading my favourite writers' books ..."
All well as all can be...I really didn't mean to slip like that as if struggling for attention...just human, I guess...thank you, I appreciate it :)

Do you guys think it could be a younger, illegitimate brother? I think Sebastian's father lived a pretty long life...

Ann-Marie wrote: "Do you guys think it could be a younger, illegitimate brother? I think Sebastian's father lived a pretty long life..."

Hmm a brother Sebastian knows nothing about?...Interesting.!

Ann-Marie wrote: "Do you guys think it could be a younger, illegitimate brother? I think Sebastian's father lived a pretty long life..."

It's a likely if not a bit of a predictable storyline...
Nevertheless, I am all for it; I don't mind it one bit. I would hate for the illegitimate son storyline to happen. Devil, he might be our Sebastian, but I remember he had said he had no illegitimate issue as he was very careful about it but that his dad might have had...along those lines... as far as I remember

I would definitely prefer the brother than an illegitimate son!

Yeaaah please let it be a brother

Medusa wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "Do you guys think it could be a younger, illegitimate brother? I think Sebastian's father lived a pretty long life..."

It's a likely if not a bit of a predictable storyline...
N..."

Wohooo you just made my hope return!!!I am all in for badass brother of Sebastians!

I have too much faith in Lisa Kleypas to even consider that this could be an illegitimate son. I’m going with the theory of younger brother that no one knows about.
Only thing is we already had a similar story in Hello Stranger (The Ravenels #4) but still...

Toffee wrote: "I have too much faith in Lisa Kleypas to even consider that this could be an illegitimate son. I’m going with the theory of younger brother that no one knows about.
Only thing is we already had a s..."

It's a go to scenario for sure... we could be wrong on many levels, although the plausible explanation is that of an illicit issue-be it brother or son. To be fair and honest, this being a LK book, we will most probably gobble it all up in the end, no matter what we initially felt like or thought of...

Medusa, I meant to respond to your post earlier about how you've been out of sorts and LK brightens you up. I know what you mean. Rereading is such a great way for me to chill out. I can look forward to my favorite scenes and even pick up some little details I'd missed before. It's a great pastime.

Have you ever read Elisa Braden? She's my new favorite historical romance author and I put her right up there with LK. If you haven't, try "The Devil is a Marquess" first. It's book 4 of the series, but it's the first one I read and I was totally hooked.

On topic: I too hope it's a brother and not a son, although it is totally possible that there could be a son Sebastian doesn't know about. He's got so many other kids, it just feels like it would make things very complicated.

Beanbag wrote: "Medusa, I meant to respond to your post earlier about how you've been out of sorts and LK brightens you up. I know what you mean. Rereading is such a great way for me to chill out. I can look forwa..."
Hey Beanbag! Thank you :) I'm like a tick, stuck on favourites mostly and I have no shame in regards to rereading the same books all over again. Especially LK books, which have a Pride and Prejudice moment for me every time I read them. I'm such a sucker for Jane Austin!
I haven't read Elisa Braden and I am usually very specific about new books and not always adventurous to say in expanding my knowledge :) That being said, I am always in search of new faves and will most definitely give it a try and will let you know!

As for LK's new Devil, I have decided that I might be leaning towards a new set of heroes...Who know's, maybe it's neither a son nor a brother but a delicious new era of devils all around! Add the Scottish brogue to that and you get one very willing and captivated reader!
As a post scriptum, I have an urge to reread the original devil's book, yet again! Ahhh! The sarcasm, the sardonic feels! Dear to my heart, still... :)

You're right, Medusa, it could be someone who has had a similar POV (super cynical and hedonistic) to Sebastian before he meets his true love. That might be recognizable to Marcus and I can't imagine he'd be okay with his daughter winding up with someone like that when there's no guarantee he's going to turn out like our lovely St. Vinnie. But who knows?

Beanbag wrote: "You're right, Medusa, it could be someone who has had a similar POV (super cynical and hedonistic) to Sebastian before he meets his true love. That might be recognizable to Marcus and I can't imagi..."
As per her lineage, I expect Merritt (it's unbelievable almost but that's my mom's name, btw!!!) to have both of her parents' character traits. Although I must admit, I am a bit weary of this... Lillian as a side character was much more approachable and likable to me as opposed to when written in her own book. I could not discern certain characteristics, she came as a sort of a mishmash of cultures, which might have been exactly the point. But, I digress...
It's a new type of strong women in romance novels.
Let's hope for an enjoyable new man with some instilled humour, just like our original Devil.
As a side note or rather afterthought; being a new installment of the Ravenel series, is then the Scot to be another distant Ravenel familial?

Medusa wrote: "Beanbag wrote: "You're right, Medusa, it could be someone who has had a similar POV (super cynical and hedonistic) to Sebastian before he meets his true love. That might be recognizable to Marcus a..."

No, he's not a Ravenel. At least that was clarified by Lisa already

Did y’all see the BEAUTIFUL cover?

Also, this excerpt was released!

https://goodmorningamerica.com/cultur...

Since Lady Merritt (Marsden) Sterling, daughter Marcus and Lillian is definitely the heroine, I think it confirms that we are getting a completely novel hero. It’s curious, though, that the cover says “A Ravenels Novel”

OMG I JUST SAW THE COVER!!!!!!
IT LOOKS SO STUNNING!

The cover is beautiful!! I LOVE that colour combination and the font for 'Devil in Disguise'.

Thank you for posting the excerpt Denise! It’s hooked me in already. I can’t wait to read it! 😊

"His eyes, the glinting blue of winter ice, were alert with the devil's own intelligence, the cheekbones high, the nose straight and strong."
My, my, my.... le sigh! :)
cannot wait!
Thank you for the link Denise!

Just about to come in and put the excerpt but I see you guys saw it.

As for speculation about the hero, Lisa said he is someone new who has no relation to the Ravenels. Merrit's book was originally supposed to be the first book in the Wallflower spin-off but she decided to just make it the final book in the Ravenels instead.

I've been seeing fan theories about the hero being tied to Sebastian or his long lost son and I don't see the connection there but I get why people are confused. I'm honestly surprised too she made this the 7th book. I'm still 2 books behind in this series, did Merritt make an appearance in Cassandra's book?

And yeah the cover is gorgeous!

ETA: And can someone help how is Sebastian a Ravenel again? I've been reading these books in long stretches so I can't remember the family tree. Are Devon and West related to him?

From what I remember, Merritt first appeared briefly in Devil's Daughter. She's a close friend of Phoebe, the heroine of that book. Phoebe is Sebastian and Evie's daughter and she ends up with West Ravenel.
I think she also made an appearance in Cassandra's book.

Sebastian is also connected to the Ravenels because his son Gabriel marries Pandora Ravenel in Devil in Spring (basically his children like marrying Ravenels lol)

I'm also surprised this is a 7th book. This series is getting very long! Maybe this book will pivot into a new series...

Toffee wrote: "From what I remember, Merritt first appeared briefly in Devil's Daughter. She's a close friend of Phoebe, the heroine of that book. Phoebe is Sebastian and Evie's daughter and she ends up with West..."

I really hope this series would pivot a Walfflower's descendants spin -off cause honestly i feel like its getting a little bit long. I would have been ok with Cassandra's being the last book of the Ravenel Series...specially cause that ending really had a closure kind of vibe. Anyway...

♥ℳelody wrote: "As for speculation about the hero, Lisa said he is someone new who has no relation to the Ravenels. Merrit's book was original..."

I don't know. The way he is described as having pale amber locks and striking blue eyes really screams Sebastian. Also the use of Devil in the title (a Sebastain thing lol) and the fact that the blurb hints at the hero being connected to a powerful family...
I hope not tho lol

Yes, I agree that Cassandra's book definitely felt like it was the end, and I think originally it was intended that way. It also made sense since she was the last Ravenel...

Lots of clues hint at the hero being somehow connected to Sebastian. I personally don't think he's his illegitimate son though just because I don't see Lisa Kleypas portraying a beloved hero in a negative light like that. But I think he's definitely... something lol

Might he be connected to Evie instead? She also has blue eyes I think? Maybe he's from her mother's side of the family?

I think he being a half brother would be more likely...after all Sebastian's father was described as a creepy old dude lol

Toffee wrote: "From what I remember, Merritt first appeared briefly in Devil's Daughter. She's a close friend of Phoebe, the heroine of that book. Phoebe is Sebastian and Evie's daughter and she ends up with West..."

The eyes bit didn't phase me cause that's par for the course for LK, quite a few of her heroes have had ice blue eyes. Hmm.....well I would rather he be a half brother or distant cousin than a love child cause the idea of a random Sebastian Jr running around would a big fat NO for me. That's too messy & cheesy for Lisa to do. I'm still not convinced he's related to him cause of physical description, that means nothing to me. But you're right the title is a little confusing. I hope it's misleading. LOL

Thanks Toffee for the family recap! I know about Phoebe and Gabriel connections. But that doesn't explain Books 1, 2 & 4. None of those have anything to do with Sebastian that's why I'm confused about this pivot about everything circling back to Sebastian and everyone asking what the connection is to the Ravenels? Sebastian is not a Ravenel, his kids married into them but that's about it. I thought the whole series would center around Devon and West's family roots, aren't they blooded Ravenels? Hence my confusion. 😅

As much as I love and adore Sebastian and his family, why are they taking over this series? LOL I kinda wish she would drop the whole "devil" thing. It's a bit overkill at this point and the idea of every new character being related to old characters is kind of gimmicky for me. But that's just my two cents. I'd rather characters I know and love rest and bring new characters who have no tie in. Lisa used to be so good at little cross overs and "nods" to her older series, I liked those better, they were subtle. This just seems like overkill. The idea of everyone being related and or connected to older characters is not exciting to me. Especially since now 2 of Sebastian's kids have gotten HEA. I think that's enough. I don't need long lost brother, cousin, etc. He already has a big brood as is. 😅

♥ℳelody wrote: "Toffee wrote: "From what I remember, Merritt first appeared briefly in Devil's Daughter. She's a close friend of Phoebe, the heroine of that book. Phoebe is Sebastian and Evie's daughter and she en..."

Honestly, I don't think this book belongs in the Ravenel series since the main characters are definitely not Ravenels, and they're not relations of theirs.

LOL taking over is right! This definitely feels like a Wallflower series book more than anything else. I completely agree about the 'devil' thing being too much at this point. We've definitely seen plenty of Sebastian and his wholesome family now.

Looking forward to the book but I agree Im surprised this isn’t the start to a new series! I like the idea of a WallFlower spin off for more of those characters children but connecting to the Ravenels seems strange?! Merritt Isn’t related to them so unless the Scottish Hero is.

Also just finished Again the Magic Would love to see what happens to Aline & Olivias families (Westcliff Sisters).

I don't like to see the Wallflower characters getting old. I want to leave them in their prime.

Yeah, this series has become a Wallflowers part 2 series. I don't mind the small cameos, but when Sebastian St. Vincent steps in and takes over the story and solves the misunderstanding between the leads, then I start getting a little frustrated. The original leads were fun to read about it, but I'm here to fall in love with these new characters.

I miss the time where the leads fought for each other!the scene where Sebastian surrender`s his heart to Evie...ahhhhh!

Yes! These are spot on! Just makes me doubt everything about the couple's relationship when they have to be told to stay together by other people, rather than taking that step on their own.

Azet wrote: "I miss the time where the leads fought for each other!the scene where Sebastian surrender`s his heart to Evie...ahhhhh!"

<3

Alice wrote: "Yeah, this series has become a Wallflowers part 2 series. I don't mind the small cameos, but when Sebastian St. Vincent steps in and takes over the story and solves the misunderstanding between the..."

That. That right there is why I was nervous about this since Book 3. There is literal no need for it. Also 60 year old grandparents Seb and Evie outshown the lead couple for me by a mile. 🥰 I'd rather Lisa go back to the little cameos she was so clever at and leave it at that.

For example, Lily Lawson being courted by Evie's father in Then Came You? Genius. Cam having a small part in The Wallflower series? Smart. That's how you do crossovers. Lisa has been saying for a while she wants to do a Wallflower spin off and it sounds like it's in the works now (unless she changed her mind?), I just don't get why Sebastian and his family had to take over this series?

M wrote: "I love Lisa and will always cherish all of her books. She is one of the few authors that I buy the book as soon as it is released. With that being said, I have to confess that although I love the R..."

Same. I love her and her writing so much. While this series isn't as strong as her older work for me, it had potential. I HATED Kathleen, but the girls and the secondary characters were intriguing since Book 1. Loved West, Helen, Rhys, Tom. And I agree Ransom felt very random but the fact that Garrett played a big part in the previous books it made enough sense and I looked the other way. I'm generally not a big fan of "surprise" relatives tropes, and Ethan Ransom randomly coming into the mix as a by-blow was a bit gimmicky for me. But now we suddenly have 2 books about Seb's kids and now another for Marcus's. I'm just wondering if a spin off series is even worth it at this point since we already have 3 Wallflower offsprings getting their HEA in this series? It just feels redundant at this point.

But that all being said, I adore Lisa and will pretty much read a telephone book by her. LOL I just wish she would have more faith in her new characters and not have to rely on her older works to get readers interested. It's not needed IMO. But that's just me.

This trend is so popular in Romance novels in general. I keep seeing authors release books that are somehow connected to their most popular series or character… I guess then they can say, well, if you liked the hero of this book, you can also find him in this book, and this book, and this book… I always find it overwhelming when in order to read the story I really want, I need to have read 10 prior books or something ridiculous, to understand who all the characters are. I hate this tactic of book selling. I do not want to buy all these other books I’m not interested in!

It’s funny that the Ravenel series started off as an independent series, but to continue with it you now need to go back and read the Wallflower series.

It was great to find small nods to other characters for sure. I remember some character in one of the books mentioning reading a Sara Fielding novel <3 Great little easter eggs!

Well, I couldn’t be more pleased! I absolutely adore the Ravenels - Especially, West!!! (Anyone else picture Nathan Fillion as West? No? Hmmm).

I have to agree with others about Kathleen. She’s def the weakest character in the series. The first time I read “Cold-hearted Rake” I was not a fan of Kathleen. After re-reading the entire series, however, she’s grown on me - She’ll never be a favorite, but I find her much more likable now.

As far as everything turning into a Wallflowers spin off, bring it on! The Wallflowers were awesome. Plus, imho it’s fantastic when an author weaves memorable (beloved) characters throughout various/separate series. I’m hoping we get to learn about Fox, Raphe, Saraphina, Ivo and all the rest of the wallflower offspring.

Random Thoughts...

Am I alone is wishing LK would actually write “Steven Armstrong, Treasure Hunter”???

Loved Pandora in every book, except her own.

I agree with Denise. I love seeing characters prove previous books, like seeing old friends. I also agree about Kathleen..imagine my initial excitement that a LK character shared my name, Kathleen, only to find upon reading the book that I couldn't stand her!

should say "from previous books"!

@Toffee Pudding
I don’t think one, necessarily, HAS to go back and read the Wallflower novels to enjoy The Ravenels. Sebastian and Evie are just as charming, wether you know their love story, or not.

Too, I think it just depends on what type of reader you are.
Prior to reading the newest release in a series, I REALLY ENJOY taking a look back - especially if it’s been a while. I love going back to book one, re-reading through the entire series and then, cracking open the latest book. Weird, I know, but we all have our quirks. 😂

Denise wrote: "@Toffee Pudding
I don’t think one, necessarily, HAS to go back and read the Wallflower novels to enjoy The Ravenels. Sebastian and Evie are just as charming, wether you know their love story, or no..."

That's exactly what I do every time there's a new book in my beloved series. I reread, refresh my memory. The story flows so much better, I believe! :)