3.5 stars?

HMM. I’m quite bummed.

On the one hand, it wasn’t terrible and some parts I seriously enjoyed. But on the other hand, the parts I seriously enjoyed had nothing to do with our MC’s and their plot line, so like ???

I’m at a loss bc obviously I wanted to absolutely love this one, but it was too instalove-y for me, amnesia plots are still up for debate I guess, and the heroine was supposedly “barren” and WELL...yeah.
There’s also the quick and barely fleshed-out resolution to our very serious conflict but alas, what can I do?

I did tear up during one certain part, but am I really going to hang on so tightly to that in my justification for enjoying this novel as a whole?? HMM.

When I read the Ravenels series last year, I enjoyed it tremendously. I got so excited when I found out that there was another one coming in the series. Devil in Disguise is more of a cross between the Ravenels and the Wallfowers, two series by Lisa. Merritt is the daughter of a Wallfower-Lillian; and Keir, well Keir is very interesting. As a reader we found out more about Keir as the story progresses. With the romance, it made for an intriguing read. The romance between Keir and Merritt was sweet. It was a very immediate connection between the two. They had great banter and they were good together. It was fascinating to see how their relationship would progressed with everything going on in the background. Also, I loved the cameos that we got in this book. I was giddy when they came across the pages. Devil in Disguise was more than just a romance. There were suspense and mystery and twists you never saw coming. Overall, this was an enjoyable story.

An aristocratic widow falls for an unrefined Scottish distillery owner.

Another fantastic read by one of my favorite authors—a must-read for all historical romance fans, especially fans of the Wallflower series.

Devil in Disguise is book #7 in the Ravenels series but can be read as a standalone.

Merrit, a young widow, managed the shipping company she inherited from her deceased husband with the help of her younger brother.

For those who read the Wallflower series, Merrit is the daughter of Marcus and Lilian, the couple in It Happened One Autumn.

Keir MacRae, the hero, was a Scottish distillery owner who contracted Merrit's company to storage his whisky.

When strange things start to happen to Keir, he realizes someone is trying to end his life.

I loved the contrast between Merrit's aristocratic upbringing and Keir's early life as an adopted kid of much older working parents.

Both protagonists were so very loveable. Their attraction and the overall relationship felt right and genuine from the start.

I am a huge fan of the Wallflowers series, and it was such a pleasure to see Sebastian, Eve, Marcus, and Lilian decades after their HEA. Despite being much older, they kept the essence that made them such remarkable characters in their original books.

The background story was very well-plotted, and I love all the connections and surprises.

Historical Romance at its best!

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley for an honest review.

*This review will be posted on https://lureviewsbooks.com on 08/02/2021*

4 stars ⭐️
Reading the Ravenels have been so wonderful and this latest instalment did not disappoint!

Keir is our first Scottish hero in the series, and I absolutely adore him. He was so unique, in that I had never read about a character being a whisky distiller. Merritt is a widow and is strong-willed and determined but never overbearing, reminding me a bit of Evie from the Wallflowers whom I absolutely love.

Of course, this being a Lisa Kleypas novel, it goes without saying that Keir has such a way with words that got me swooning, and the banter and drama was so exquisite that I devoured this story hungrily. I did not mind Keir's relation to the 'devil' in the title, and quite liked the expanding of the family tree, if I do say so myself. Seeing Marcus and Lillian again got me squealing and sobbing like a lunatic, and the moments between Sebastian/Kingston and Evie were an absolute delight as always. I expect nothing less from my two favorite Wallflowers.

This was a solid read, but not entirely perfect mainly due to two things: 1) The romance felt a bit too insta-lovey to my liking. The demisexual in me adored the longer courting and interactions between earlier couples in the series, so for Merritt and Keir to have only met three days prior before catching feelings felt a tad rushed. I wished we got to see their journey to know each other better for much, much longer. 2) The epilogue wasn't my favorite, and to me, it reduced the impact of the meaningful conversation Merritt and Keir had about (view spoiler).

Despite the minor gripes mentioned, this series and the Lisa Kleypas universe have been the best escapism to lose myself into amidst this pandemic, and I can hardly wait for LK's next release.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it did not disappoint! I finished this in a night, I couldn’t put this book down! This was sexy and steamy right from the start, and I think Merritt may just be my new favorite historical romance heroine! She is brave and loyal and feisty. I loved Keir calling her a “wee bully” as she encourages him to have dinner with her and as she takes care of him their first meeting. Keir too is so swoon-worthy. He is this assertive, Scottish whiskey distiller with a heart of gold, and at his roots, he’s a romantic and it’s just so perfect. Merritt and Keir complement each other so well and step up for each other in all the ways that count and then some. Their chemistry sizzles and I love their respect for each other and the openness they have. It had so much nostalgia too with all the Wallflower references and scenes with Westcliff, Lillian, Evie, and Sebastian! I love watching these connections to the past series and seeing their love and friendship grow as they become parents! The subplot too was suspenseful and well crafted! Lisa Kleypas is just a master of this genre and this is one of my new favorites by her! This book has suspenseful, sweet, nostalgic, steamy, and romantic and just so so good!

Kleypass is considered a gold-standard for romance and this novel shows exactly why. While this is a new edition of an existing book in The Ravenels Series, it was a new read for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Merritt and Keir’s story hit so many great romance tropes (lust-at first-sight, independent women, Scottish heroes, secret identities, spies and assassins, plus a little hat tip to “While You Were Sleeping”) without feeling overly contrived. The plot contains a convoluted mystery that still feels realistic and is solved in a manner that doesn't require massive heroics or serious suspension of disbelief. The romance is hot, the supporting characters are amazing and a solid HEA is delivered.

Compulsively readable, as Kleypas always is, but JUST ONCE I would like to see an infertility plotline that doesn't end with "and somehow, magically, through the power of love/the hero's potent virility, the heroine got pregnant anyway". Given the maternal mortality rates at the time, you'd think the heroine would be better off adopting anyway! A baby is not, actually, necessary to the happiness and success of a marriage!

As a long-time Kleypas fan, I have to say that these second-generation stories are giving me all the joy. Merritt embodies qualities passed down from both of her parents (American Lillian Bowman and Marcus, Earl of Westcliff from It Happened One Autumn) and puts them to good use both in business as well as her personal life. She's strong, independent, stubborn, and about to fall for a man who is all wrong for her. But, what if he isn't?

If Merritt doesn't want Keir MacRae, she can send him my way. A gruff Scotsman with a mysterious past, a whisky distiller with the weight of his clan on his shoulders, a man who matches wits with Merritt during the day and sets her body aflame after dark? Yes, please!

Kleypas uses danger, passion, family secrets, humor, sparkling banter, heart-tugging emotion, and unexpected twists to bring this story to life and I was with her every step of the way. It is perfect? No. Do I care? Not in the least. Devil in Disguise is one of those books I'm going to turn to in the future when I need a good comfort read. It's everything I love about Lisa Kleypas and the characters she brings to life. I hope she has more second-generation stories in the works because I am here for them!

Though this is the seventh book in the Ravenels series, it stands exceptionally well on its own. Long-time fans will enjoy the cameo appearances of first-generation heroes and heroines from the Wallflowers series but readers new to Kleypas should be able to jump in here without any confusion. I enthusiastically recommend adding this one to your summer reading list.

4.5 Stars

*Advance copy received for fair and unbiased review

I was excited to read this book, because every now and then I love reading historical romance.

This book has everything I love. A big, strong Scottish man who is passionate and so kind to the people he cares about, a witty, smart woman, and steam!

I wasn’t sure what to expect, since I’ve never read a book from this author, but I was pleasantly surprised.

I really enjoyed Merritt’s character. She is charming, smart, kind… I loved how she interacted with all the characters. I love a woman who is sure of their place in this world, and that was Merritt.

Keir was… he made my heart throb. He’s so precious to me. He’s this big, strong man who believes Scots are tough and can’t be broken down. He gets a dose of reality once he falls for Merritt.

I loved the characters, and I loved getting to meet older characters that I didn’t know (but now want to go read about). I loved the plot—lots of romance and some thriller.

Overall it was a very enjoyable book.

The Devil In Disguise is the newest and final book of the Ravenel Series by @lisakleypas about Merritt Sterling- Merritt is Lillian and Earl Westcliff’s daughter, linking back to the Wallflower Series and holy Jesus, I need a family tree. So many of my faves from both the Wallflower and Ravenel series show up- it feels like a big family reunion.

Merritt is a widow who runs a shipping company in London. She meets rugged Keir MacRae, a Scottish whiskey distiller when he shows up in her office, soaking wet and pissed off due to some shipping snafu. Merritt immediately has the hots for Keir and this skanky-ho widow (Victorian term for sex-positive gentlelady) just goes for it. I think Keir had spoken like 15 words to Merritt, 13 of which were indecipherable, before they start making out. Yes Merritt, get what is yours, you pushy bitch!! Listen, bitches get shit done and in this case, Keir gets done…all the way done many times over, because girlfriend has Big Widow Energy. Merritt and Keir may be the horniest couple in this series!!!

It wouldn’t be a Kleypas novel without some drama and there is lots of drama and tension to choose from here: attempted murder x2 (poor Keir gets ROUGHED in this book), arson, hypoxia, fevers, amnesia, infertility, paternity, primogeniture (inheritance laws are dramatic, guys). I must say, with all of that going on, the story still dragged on in the last quarter. It felt like Kleypas ran out of energy to wrap up Keir’s attempted murder investigation in a compelling way. Tension regarding Keir’s rough/rural Scottish life and Merritt’s elegant/urban London life also didn’t have much resolution- I guess Merritt’s just gonna just leave her life as a shipping heiress to distill whiskey in Scotland now, lucky her. The things we do for guys who look and sound and screw like Jamie from Outlander.

My favorite part of the book was seeing all the old friends from the Ravenel and Wallflower series. Least favorite part was that I never knew what the frig Keir was saying (which didn’t really matter anyway).

Smut- 4.1 stars
Romance- 3.9 stars
Story- 3.75 stars
Slutty Widows- 50 stars always

ARC courtesy of @netgalley and @avonbooks. Thanks!!

I'm so glad I took time to go back and read the Wallflowers series before reading this because it's a huge Wallflowers reunion! It was really such a joy to follow Merritt, the daughter of Marcus and Lillian from It Happened One Autumn.

Right off the bat, there is an instant connection between Merritt, a widow running her late husband's business, and Scottish whisky distiller, Keir MacRae. As someone who is very impatient while waiting for romance and a physical connection to develop, I very much enjoyed this. Their connection is steamy and immediately passionate. Honestly, I don't think I'll ever see a typewriter again and not think of Keir and Merritt! They're so romantic.

The class difference between them and someone out to get Keir creates some conflict for them. Sebastian St. Vincent, now Duke of Kingston, comes into this story and a connection between him and Keir is discovered. I really loved seeing Sebastian again and seeing him in this role. He's really changed and softened from his reputation in the early part of the Wallflowers series.

This book isn't without other Ravenels cameos! We get to see Garrett, Ethan, and Phoebe. This book is kind of like a warm hug in that aspect. You're comforted by knowing the supporting characters so intimately. I loved this book so much! It's classic Lisa Kleypas with some extra spice in there.

Widow Merritt inherited her husband's shipping company, making a place for herself in a man's world. When Scotsman Keir's cargo of whiskey is in danger of confiscation, it's her job to fix the problem. The more time they spend together, the more difficult it is to keep their relationship professional. When Keir is brutally attacked, can Merritt nurse him back to health and protect him from a would-be killer?

Merritt and Keir are strong characters who fit well together. This is very much an insta-love book, although the relationship between them deepens over time. If you like Devil, you'll enjoy his inclusion in this novel.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I am such a Kleypas fan girl that this book is on my auto-buy list! The Ravenels is a great series and new readers or fans can jump right in and begin enjoying the characters and setting, then go back and read the rest of them!

Lisa Kleypas is absolutely the best when it comes to historical romance! Her books are so romantic in every sense of the word.. The poetic detail transports the reader to the London docks, to the sunlit beaches of South England and finally to the craggy shores of Scotland where you can smell the drams of whiskey.

Lady Merritt is a widow running her late husband's shipping business and finds herself on the receiving end of a disgruntled customer, McRae. But it isn't long before McRae is charmed by Merritt's warmth and she is mesmerized by the big-hearted, grumpy Scot.

While this novel is technically #7 in the Ravenels series, I think it's more accurately described as Wallflowers - the Next Generation. That said, it works perfectly as a stand-alone so even if you have never read a Kleypas novel before you can read this and enjoy it. P.S. if you have never read a Kleypas novel before then READ THIS ASAP. If you have read Kleypas before and especially if you loved the Wallflowers then you will get all the feels as your favorite characters come back in this book older, wiser and still sexy.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing and advanced reading copy so that I could provide an honest review of my opinions.

This was absolutely delightful in every way. My favorite in the series so far! A very unique heroine, a hero completely gone for her! Just wonderful. A gem of a historical romance and it was wonderful seeing Sebastian and Evie still so in love even after 30 years of marriage, and Sebastian has lost none of his devilment.
Overall, this is another beautiful addition to this series!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for an honest review

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. This is hard to type, but Merritt and Keir are my new favorite Kleypas couple. She is a strong, independent woman who took over her husband's shipping company after his death, and he is a whisky brewer from Scotland, and they are both just delightful. They are just two soft, kind people who are under the delusion that one night will ever be enough (sweet summer children). The fact that someone keeps attempting to kill him is just one of the reasons they initially try to stall their relationship. There was a fair bit of action and some mild suspense, and it was a riveting read.
While I would not say that you are required to have read the previous books in the series to understand the plot and the people, it would definitely help. There is a generous serving of cameos/recurring characters, and I loved getting to see earlier couples continuing to pop in and out. Sebastian and Evie have a fairly significant role in this book, and the two of them are always a joy. If you enjoy watching two really nice people fall in love while dealing with a heap of external conflicts, then this is definitely the book for you.

4.5 stars
Lady Merritt Sterling is a widow, businesswoman, and daughter of Earl Lord Westcliff. She is smart, capable, caring, and honest. She focuses on work and has no plans for getting married again.

Keir MacRae is a grumpy, outspoken Scot who has just hit a snag in his business due to something regarding hers. He bursts into her office and her life. He is handsome, charismatic, and oh so tempting. He is in London for a short time and then ready to head back to his home and distillery in Scotland.

The pull is hard to deny and sensible Merritt finds herself pushing him to play with fire. No matter how he tries to resist her and knows he is not good enough for her, they just seem to keep coming together. But Keir's time in London has been fraught with what now appear to be threats and things are heating up. And when he is in the worst of it, Merritt seems to be the person he wants next to him and can trust, even if he does not realize exactly why.

Secrets are revealed. Connections are made. Their lives are shaken up and turned upside down. She has her doubts and insecurities, but she is also fierce and his "wee bully. He has his own issues of self-worth regarding their differences and is an old-fashioned, honest man suddenly thrust into chaos. Their lives are lived in different worlds. But maybe fate might have led them right where they were supposed to be, but now they have to figure out if they can find a way to make it work....and stay alive in the process.

This is an engaging, sexy, swoony romance with some past secrets and suspense mixed in. I loved getting visits with old friends from the Wallflowers and Ravenels series. I enjoy the fact that the Wallflowers have instilled a sense of independence, free spirit, stubbornness, and tenacity in their daughters despite the fact that they have strong, powerful fathers. I enjoy the dynamics and close connections these families have. I will admit that Keir and Merritt's actual love story was sometimes a bit overshadowed by all that was going on and it did progress pretty fast despite a big hiccup. But I still really loved them together. He totally won my heart and he met his match in Merritt.

I know some people have been upset over the possibilities in this story, but I was totally satisfied with it and it did not change my opinion of any of my favorite characters at all. I do not think there is anything to worry about and should trust that the author knows what her readers want and would not set out to ruin her characters. In fact, I loved how it all came together and I think I might love them just a wee bit more. I always enjoy escaping back into this rich world and spending time with these amazing families.

6/5 stars! This was absolute and utter perfection. Merritt and Keir have a soul mate level epic romance. The way Keir loved Merritt was honestly one of the most beautiful portrayals of romance I have ever read about. This book transported me back into the Ravenel world and it felt like coming home to old friends.

But seriously...the way Keir adored, cherished, and worshipped Merritt was unforgettable. I want to read it all over again to experience it one more time!

This book also speaks to that understated quality Kleypas has of showing such strong female characters who are not in your face, obvious bluestocking agenda. She writes these heroines who are both soft and strong and perfect companions for the men in their lives.

Seeing so many beloved members of the Wallflower and Ravenel series, the families and friendships, was also so wonderful.

I loved every single page. This is a masterwork of historical romance.

Devil in Disguise was an exceptional story. With wonderful characters, rich details, and a strong storyline filled with twists and turns, I was captivated from beginning to end. I feel like this story made me fall in love with Lisa Kleypas all over again.

I was instantly in love with Keir and thought he was a sexy Scottish dream. He’s totally swoon-worthy with the best dry humor. He seemed so gruff but was incredibly sweet and caring with a heart of gold. I loved Merritt and her strength and perseverance. I loved how bold she was with Keir and why he was holding himself back. There were so many well-executed, entertaining moments between them that had me smiling and chuckling. I loved their dialogue, excellent banter, and flirting. They seemed so opposite at times but their attraction was undeniable, I loved that chemistry and exploding heat. There were also some seriously romantic moments in this that made me melt.

I loved the bit of mystery surrounding Keir and thought the build was amazing. With each new piece of information learned, I got more and more excited. There was so much emotion involved and I was filled with anticipation. I was absolutely THRILLED when everything about Keir was discovered. It was one of the best, I didn't-see-that-coming twists ever.

There are so many fantastic character connections involved and I loved seeing so many familiar faces from other books and series. I want to go back and reread stories and relive them all over again. I loved the bonds between the different people and seeing where everyone is at in their lives. I loved the build to different developing relationships and I got choked up so many times. It was brilliantly crafted.

Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite authors and this story is one of the reasons why. I love how it pulled me in and how inviting it was. I loved the different POVs, the incredible build and pace, the details, and the picturesque scenes. It was extremely well done. The epilogue was like icing on the cake. With engaging characters, entertaining scenes, and witty dialogue, this story is a must-read!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

🍃 Q: who’s your fave Kleypas wallflower?

One brawny, sentimental Scotsman, one soothing, take charge daughter of an Earl who’s also a shipping company magnate, & a conflagration burning between them—& it’s all written by queen Lisa Kleypas. It sounds really good, right?

It was. Also I have some big quibbles with it.

Devil in Disguise is Kleypas’s latest Ravenels offering & it’s hot & romantic & packed with so many of those emotionally resonant Kleypas moments I love. Not to mention two leads who are immediately heart- & body- struck by the other. Throughout DID Keir MacRae & Lady Merritt Sterling can’t stay away from the other without suffering.

But despite how beautiful of a writer Kleypas is & how her love stories make me feel, this romance feels lacking in moments of emotional intimacy (though the physical intimacy is 👍🏻) & two of the main conflicts feel unsatisfactorily resolved. Please see my CWs for a description of one conflict & its resolution which might be upsetting for some readers.

If you believe in love soon after meeting, DID might work well for you. I still really enjoyed it but it didn’t capture me heart & soul.

4 ⭐️. Release date: today!


CW: Merritt believes she’s barren. At the end of the book she’s pregnant.

[ID: a picture of the book underneath a flower and vine-filled pergola.]