Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 stars

I don’t know how I survived before I discovered Lisa Kleypas books. They never fail to suck me in and make me avoid all responsibilities until I get to the happily ever after. Her romances are swoonworthy, her characters lovable, and her banter on point.

Devil in Disguise is about Merritt (daughter of Marcus and Lillian from the Wallflowers series) and Keir (who has a connection to a character we have met before). They fall in love instantly, but then are tested as someone is trying to kill Keir. It is very dramatic and full of suspense and I loved every page.

My favorite thing about this book is that we get to catch up with the beloved Wallflowers characters. I will read anything that features Sebastian, Evie, and the gang. I am hoping Lisa Kleypas continues to give us stories about their children (and then continues on to the Hathaways).

Overall, Devil in Disguise is romantic, thrilling, and addicting. Long-time fans and new fans will love this romance. Lisa, please give me 500 more books.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Lisa Kleypas was one of the first historical romance authors I read and remains one of my all time favorites. Kleypas books are compulsively readable and Devil In Disguise did not disappoint! I adored every minute of Merritt and Keir's story. Works as a standalone but will be extra fun for fans of the Wallflowers series. Can't wait for more!

If you're a Lisa Kleypas fan you'll probably enjoy this book. That said, it's not her best. It felt formulaic to me, relying heavily on tropes and appearances by popular characters more than strong leads or plot.
Once the protagonists got together I honestly couldn't summon up the energy to care about the B plot.
Competently written with some good moments, it's a pleasant way to spend a few hours but it's not making my list of the year's best romances.

This was a fast and furious romance. "No sooner met but they looked; no sooner looked but they loved..." and all that rot. I didn't like that aspect of it and the end wrapped up with rather a whimper but the more I thought about that, the more I appreciated the twist from what romance readers might normally expect.
Lady Merritt Sterling is the daughter of Lillian and Marcus of the Wallflower series. If you haven't read other books in this series, I suspect there may be a rather lot of names in this book. I've read all of the Wallflower books and all of the Ravenels (I've even reread the latter series recently) and I had trouble keeping up. But most of the romance occurs between Merritt and Keir McRae, a whiskey distributor. The book opens with the two meeting after McRae's shipment through her company is sent to the wrong port, potentially subject to extra taxes if it's not where it's supposed to be in the next day, and some of the men that she's hired to offload said shipment spilled a cask on McRae himself.

Now, Merritt has flaunted tradition by running a shipping company so she's already on shaky ice by society's standards. Now, she's thinking of taking up with a man with no history (he's literally an orphan with no hint of his past except a golden key) because he's hot. With icy blue eyes. And she wants to go to bed with him. And apparently the night is transcendent because not even being stabbed nor social conventions can make McRae stay away. But being stabbed isn't the only way someone tries to kill him and it may take a lot of cunning and some inventive stories to keep McRae alive and for the two to find their HEA.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out July 27th, 2021
Follows Chasing Cassandra
ARC kindly provided by Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

I wasn't sure how this book would connect to the others in the series. It also seemed that the language describing their feelings was cheesier then previous books. Over an easy and light read which I appreciated but not as good as others in the series.

Lisa Kleypas is one of the few authors I’ve kept on my auto-buy list through the years. I simply adore her voice and find her writing to be some of the sexiest and most romantic in the historical romance genre. Devil in Disguise features Merritt, the oldest daughter of Lillian and Westcliff from It Happened One Autumn, and a brand new character who will take your breath away.

Merritt Sterling is a widow running her late husband’s shipping company when she first meets Keir MacRae, a distiller who is in London to sell his supply of whiskey. But as soon as he hits the docks there are problems and Merritt, as the owner of the warehouse where it will all be stored, is determined to make it right. She bullies him into changing his whiskey-soaked clothing and into getting something to eat before he spends the next day and a half unloading and seeing to his business about town.

The two share an instant attraction and y’all this book is SEXY right from the beginning. The sizzle and snap of their chemistry had me all in almost immediately. Merritt is experienced and knows what she wants and that’s Keir and he can’t help but give in. I loved it. Keir is just so manly and sweet and he kisses her passionately and then spends the night leaving an exhausted, but happy Merritt behind.

Then something happens and he loses his memory.

This couple going from zero to a hundred between the sheets kind of took me off guard, but I was expecting something to happen to bring in conflict to their relationship. And whoo boy it’s a doozy. I think there will be some fans of one specific previous book (yes, I’m being vague, NO SPOILERS) that may be surprised, I know I was. But I thought it was handled well and ended up really working for me.

The external conflict, and the reason Keir loses his memory and is in danger, does manage to do one thing… bring this couple closer together. And also to give readers what they’ve craved for years, glimpses of Merritt’s extended family and friends and their interactions with them. There is one specific beloved character that plays a huge part in this storyline and I think once fans get over their surprise will fall in love with him even more. Thankfully, the conflict isn’t drawn out too much, if anything I was expecting a big showdown at the end and then was surprised again when there was just a small scene with some intrigue that ended pretty quickly.

Spoiler Tag:
My only real disappointment with this book is the contents of the epilogue. Merritt tells Keir right from the beginning that she is infertile, and he immediately responds with the possibility of adoption, he himself was adopted by a loving family. Then suddenly, to my surprise, there is a miracle pregnancy being discussed between the two grandfathers and it left me really disgruntled. I truly don’t believe this couple needed a pregnancy to have a wonderful HEA.

But, all in all, I do believe this is one of my favorite books in this series to date. The romance between Keir and Merritt swept me away and I couldn’t stop reading. I’m more than ready for whatever comes next.

Final grade-B+

I’m always here for a new LK book, but this one left me wanting.

I liked Merritt and Keir. They’re both stubborn and sassy and the chemistry between them was instant and tangible. It was delightful to see Lillian and Marcus and I’m definitely thinking about rereading their book. There are loads of other people, but I just don’t have the memory for all of the family members.

Plot wise, it was okay. The whole part of Keir being attacked is only addressed at the beginning and the very end. To me, it felt unfinished and an unnecessary plot device. The relationship was halted by an amnesia thread and seriously, there was just a lot going on

Now the part that’s bound to be controversial: I don’t understand what the big deal is about Sebastian. And in that, I struggled with parts of the story. Even though this is supposed to be Merritt and Keir’s story, for me, Sebastian took up too much of the focus. (And yes yes, I understand why, but it seems like pandering to a specific audience, instead of choosing a different way to connect things.)

Overall, of course I enjoyed it because it’s a Lisa book, but for me, it was missing a bit of the sparkle I’ve come to expect from her.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

I will read absolutely anything by Lisa Kleypas, and Devil in Disguise did not disappoint. I am so very happy to return to the Wallflowers universe and their children. Learning of an out-of-wedlock child by Sebastian wasn't exactly a surprise considering his background, but the romance that followed was heartwarming. There was suspense, love, family tension, everything needed to make a good romance.

I have read LK but not extensively. I tend to avoid older historical romances as they often trigger me. I have been on a kick of historical romance written recently and decided to dive in mid-series. I didn’t remember LK books having as much steam, especially early in the story, as this one had and I am definitely here for it.

Merritt and Keir meet over a dispute about how his whiskey shipment is being handled. There is instant lust. Merritt is a widow and decides to ignore convention. What comes next is a bit of a bananas plot that kept me reading voraciously. There is a threat on Keir’s life due to his parentage. I won’t post any spoilers but I personally enjoyed the plot. I loved that Merritt was a widow and sexually experienced and felt like their connection came through best in the sex scenes.

When Lady Merritt Sterling meets hot Scot Keir MacRae she decides so no longer wants to be the careful widow she’s been. But when Keir is constantly being hunted Merritt must decide if she’s going to throw herself into a scandal for a man she could love.

A fun loving widow and a super hot Scot?? Yes please!! This book is funny, sweet, romantic, and super spicy!! This is Lisa Kleypas at her best (and I have never read a Lisa Kleypas book that wasn’t amazing).

*I was provided an ARC by @netgalley and @avonbooks for my honest review

This book felt like a love letter to all Kleypas fans. What I particularly loved is that you don't simply get characters from previous books passing through on the page like you do with many books in a series. With Devil in Disguise, there are many, many beloved Kleypas heroes and heroines that play a prominent role on the page. Of course, the stars of the book are Merritt and Keir. These two are quite the match. I loved Merritt's take charge attitude. She sees what she wants and/or what is best and she goes for it. Keir is the perfect match to that fire. He's your typical Scot...not easily cowed and stubborn in his own way. Seeing these two pair up against one another was so much fun. On top of that, this book was so romantic in true Kleypas fashion. Plus, she doesn't hold back the heat with Merritt and Keir. You get family, adventure, and romance all in one. Overall, I loved this book, most especially for getting to spend real, genuine time with many of the Kleypas characters. While it is part of a series, it can be read on its own; however, I do feel you would get much more enjoyment having read the previous books in her Wallflowers and Ravenels series. If you have read and loved those, you will adore this book!

This book starts off at a gallop and keeps going. It's full of *things happening*, which a lot of books lately seem to have lacked.

The widowed Lady Merritt Sterling runs her late husband's shipping company and something's gone wrong with Keir MacRae's shipment of whiskey, resulting in him being drenched in alcohol and needing to work all night. There's insta-lust which turns quickly to insta-love. There's fast sexual tension and heated kissing, there are attacks in dark alleyways and mysterious explosions. There's near death and a sick bed scene, there's a mystery about parentage. There's amnesia. It's slightly bananas and I loved it.

Merritt carefully chose her first husband for steadiness and compatibility. But now she finds herself throwing caution to the wind for Keir. She knows what she wants. She knows what she might have to sacrifice to achieve it, and she makes that choice. Merritt, per Keir's description, is a wee bully, but in the kindest, for-your-own-good kind of way.

This is part of the Ravenel's series, the generation descended from Kleypas' Wallflowers series. I've read some books in both series and I don't think it's necessary to have read them all, but it's a joy to meet previous favorites. For example, Sebastian from Devil In Winter has quite a large role in this book, and it's wonderful to spend more time with him.

Prior to reading this, I'd been in a rut with historicals - so many were feeling bland and forgettable. But Kleypas has packed this story with action, emotion, and romance. It's also very steamy.

Go on then, read it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you like a good Scotsman as the male lead, Devil in Disguise has got one for you! Kleypas writes sexual tension and steam into every page of this novel, in addition to a little mystery and intrigue.

Devil in Disguise is the seventh book in the oh-so-romantic The Ravenels series by Lisa Kleypas. This is one of my favorite series EVER! I fell a bit behind in my reading and realized I still haven't read the last two books; however, I'm pleased to report that this story stood alone, so there was no confusion at all. I was thrilled to have a new hero from Ms. Kleypas to read about. But when I discovered that two of my all-time favorite heroes - Sebastian from Devil in Winter and Ethan Ransom from Hello Stranger - also figured in this story, I swear I swooned in absolute delight. I was in book boyfriend heaven!

Lady Merritt Sterling (daughter of Marcus and Lillian of It Happened One Autumn - another reason to squeeee) is a young widow who is successfully running her late husband's shipping company. Though quite independent, she is still a respectable widow...until Scottish whisky distiller Keir MacRae comes into her office, covered in his own whisky and mad as a hornet. The irresistible attraction between the two is instantaneous, and respectability be damned. They know they can only have one night together, as their lives are totally different. But then someone tries to kill Keir. Twice. When it's believed he's a target due to mysterious family ties, the families circle the wagons to keep him safe. Merritt, especially, will do everything in her power to keep the man she loves alive.

Oh, this book made me melt into one great big puddle! I didn't think any man's words could get to me as much as Ethan Ransom's did (I swear I highlighted half of his book when he spoke), but Keir certainly gave him a good run for his money. He was gruff and rough, fiercely protective, and spoke with a Scottish burr that would turn your knees to jelly. He knew he shouldn't fall in love with Merritt, but she called to his soul. He was incredibly romantic (oh, the special little piece of paper that he kept in his wallet!). ~Sigh~ Merritt, though from a whole other world, was in tune with him. She was an excellent and strong businesswoman, but still felt guilt over the loss of her husband. Merritt was actually just as fiercely protective as Keir was! I just loved their time together! They didn't try to hide their feelings and attraction from each other, and they were honest and open with their expectations. Intimate times were fiery...you will wish for an ice-cold loch to jump into to cool yourself off! Though I loved these two as a couple, my favorite parts of the book dealt with family, particularly Sebastian's family. And I admit I will NEVER grow tired of having Sebastian and Evie show up in any books by Ms. Kleypas. I was a bit disappointed in how quickly the climax of the suspenseful aspect of the book was tied up, but that was my only complaint. I laughed, cried and sighed throughout the entire story. Long live The Ravenels series!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This latest addition to the Ravenel/Wallflowers world was such a joy to read. There was so much I loved about this book. The instant attraction and connection between Merritt and Keir, the danger and suspense surrounding Keir, the secrets that were revealed and ultimately the happily ever after made this a fantastic story.

Although many early reviews have already given away the big secret, I won’t go much into that. I will say that it didn’t bother me as much as it did other people, especially since the one person who could be upset was not and was actually supportive. I actually loved that. Both Merritt and Keir individually were fantastic but together they were phenomenal. I loved the progression of their relationship. There was a bit of a hiccup early on after another attempt on Keir’s life, but it showcased their strong connection. It was also wonderful to see some old favorites and their impact in the story.

Overall, Devil in Disguise was a wonderful read and I hope even knowing what the secret is and may not agree with it, people will give it a chance. I actually really like the way it was written.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Heat Factor: These are some horny Victorians
Character Chemistry: It’s totally insta-love, and it was written lucidly enough that it worked for me
Plot: “We’ll never work because of an unequal match” + “Why is someone trying to murder me?”
Overall: I re-upped my membership in the Bad Decisions Book Club for this one and read it in one sitting. No regrets.

Just when we thought that the Ravenels series was finished - on account of, you know, the last known Ravenel finding her true love - Kleypas sends us a curveball by adding the story of Merritt Sterling nee Marsden. Now, if you know Kleypas, you know Merritt is the oldest daughter of the protagonists of It Happened One Autumn, which is the second book in the Wallflowers series. The third book is the famed and beloved (I might be biased - deal with it) Devil in Winter, and those protagonists had five children, two of whom are (now) married to Ravenels.

I feel like this world is getting complicated.

Merritt’s love interest is Keir MacRae, a Scottish whiskey distiller who comes out of nowhere, but there’s a mystery attached to him that made me decide to go all in with this one and not stop reading until I’d solved the mystery. And then I read some more. Because, as with Kleypas books, there’s a little something going on in the first half(ish) that gets figured out and maybe also resolved, and then the second half(ish) is more focused on a spin-off problem.

Part of the fun of the book is this “what is the deal with Keir” mystery, so I’ll leave it there. But I’ll also say that, other than quite a bit of involvement from the protagonists of Hello Stranger and a cameo from the heroine of Devil’s Daughter (not the Ravenel in that story, I’ll note), this book seems to be more of a “Next Generation Wallflowers” book than a Ravenels book. So if you love you some St. Vincent, or if Westcliff is your uptight hero of choice, this book is probably right up your alley! If you have no idea what I’m talking about, let’s talk about why this book might be fun for the people who aren’t already inclined to one-click a new Kleypas book.

The focus of this romance is the mystery/drama surrounding Keir, (yay for plot!) but the unequal match aspect definitely plays in for the “why they can’t be together right now” of the romance for a while.

Keir and Merritt have a really intense insta-love connection. I have neither a driving need to read insta-love, nor do I loathe it, so I usually take it as it comes. This rendition I very much liked. Keir is likeable in general, and he was as surprised by the sudden and overwhelming feelings he was experiencing as Merritt. But what really did it for me was that Merritt had been so pragmatic about her first marriage - not that she didn’t love him, but it was a very steady, sensible relationship - that when Keir shows up and she’s completely bowled over, she’s astonished that she can even be feeling what she’s feeling. She can’t believe that it could be real, but deep down she knows that it is, and she just decides she’s going to hang on for the ride because that’s what she wants to do.

It’s not angsty, I think, is what it boils down to. The willingness of the protagonists to embrace what they’re feeling, even though it’s totally bananas and realistically can’t last, was really fun. Kleypas also uses anatomically correct terms for genitals, so good on her. And the shenanigans that go on at Sebastian’s house were entertaining.

I simply really felt good reading this book.


P.S. Readers who don’t like the “I’m barren, but oh wait! Now my man has the super-sperm, and I’m pregnant!” might not enjoy that line in this book. I don’t love it myself, but it didn’t bother me too much in this book because a doctor actually diagnosed Merritt, so she was operating based on that information. Also, the condition she has can make conceiving more difficult (which is what the doctor told her - that she would have difficulty and might not be able to at all), but does not actually mean she’s unable to conceive or to carry a baby to term. To me, Kleypas handled this in a way that was scientifically accurate and also made sense in that Merritt would take to heart that she probably wouldn’t be able to have children. Ergo, not so bothered.


I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

This next installment in the Ravenel series by Lisa Kleypas continues with a sweet and light-hearted love at first sight story. Lady Merritt Sterling, a widow who has been running the shipping company left to her, is enraptured by Keir MacRae when he comes to her company's headquarters to handle a shipment of his family's whiskey. An attack on Keir leads to the exploration of his past and to see what their future could hold.

With good humor and strong, likeable characters, Devil in Disguise will keep readers excited for glimpses of favorite Wallflowers.

Murderous plots, explosions, clandestine liaisons, secret births and mistaken identities are at the heart of Lisa Kleypas’ latest novel. This intriguing plot is fortified with character favorites from stories past and introduces an honest and handsome stranger with a Scottish accent to spice up the mix. Kleypas’ atmospheric writing readily stirs readers’ attentions. Likewise, her ability to develop strong characters who are observant and use their observations to engage in smart and effective conversation also adds necessary depth.

The plot flies along, dropping new and interesting complications along the way, keeping readers’ interests. However, the structured pacing falls flat by novel’s end. Storylines reach a quick and uncomplicated resolution, which may disappoint a few readers. When considering how the mystery is resolved, how certain obstacles were removed and how these circumstances led to that final climactic action scene, the facts of the matter and associated motives don’t really make much sense. For such a smart and engaging story, this anticlimactic conclusion was unexpected.

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.

Wow, wow, wow! I love Lisa Kleypas' writing, stories for a reason. She builds out her characters and families so well I cannot accurately described what it was like to read this book. I am in awe of this book. I was immediately taken in by Merritt and Keir love story. Lisa Kleypas does swoon and intrigue like no other. I was captivated from the very beginning of this book. up to all the reveals that I could not put this book down. You would think that we would be only fascinated by the origins of some characters and getting answers. But, Kleypas interweaves a swoony, lovely love story with characters so vibrant and intriguing that jump off the page fully formed and realistic. I cannot wait to get the physical copy and the audiobook of this book when it is released. People will very pleased with this edition to the Ravenel series. I cannot wait to see what happens next. I really hope we get all the second generation of wallflower children and hopefully the Hathaways as well. Fingers crossed!