Devil in Disguise (The Ravenels, 7) Mass Market Paperback – July 27, 2021

DEVIL IN DISGUISE is a standalone read with a happy ending. There are sexy scenes if that is a problem for you. However with the Scot saying the f word I doubt that Amazon will pick up on it. I had to read a couple of times before I was sure what he was saying. For fooks sake, there are times when you just have to use the f word. Every time I read one of Lisa's books I think they can't get any better or the hero that can steal my heart in the first 4 sentences. But then she does it. She is an absolute master when it comes to writing a love story in the Regency period. I absolutely love her books. Probably why I have 47 of them. When she makes the hero a Scot then I am sold no matter what the story is about.Merritt Sterling is a young widow. After her husband was killed at sea she took over his shipping company and single handed ran it until her younger brother decided he wanted to work for her. She taught him everything she knows and will shortly turn the company over to him. Currently she is still the boss although her brother is gradually taking control.This day at work he comes storming in her office to tell her that they have a big problem. Keir MacRae, a whisky distiller is right behind him and he is furious. When Keir loses his temper everyone runs. However, Merritt is very good at calming the savage beast. She is ready when he storms in. After apologizing and then fixing everything including his fees for docking his ships, he calms down and realizes just how good she is. Something passes between them.Keir is very aware that Merritt is a Lady and he is way below her in the class category. She is very kind to him, doesn't look down her nose at him but he keeps telling himself it is just her job. However Merritt is on a different wave length. She is quite taken with the big, gorgeous Scot. She is feeling things she has not felt in a long time. She has to be careful that she doesn't step over the line drawn by society. But some things are worth taking a risk for.This story is absolutely breath taking from start to finish. Good thing I don't have anything to do because I spent about 7 hours reading today. It was so worth it. I fell for this Scot quicker than Merritt did. If nothing else Lisa can write a hero better than any author I know. A few are close but in Regency, you just can't beat her. This story is a love story but it is also filled with mystery, adventure, attempted murder and in one case a murder. It has everything and is a great read. I HIGHLY recommend it. I also liked that we learned a little bit about a typewriter!! I have been a typist for over 65 years so it was fun to see how it all started. Great story, don't miss this one.I was not paid for this review. I am not a writer nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am a reader and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 7/27/2021

Good plot. Good characters. I could do without the pages of graphic sex. That said, I know how to flip pages and continue the story.

"He would relive that kiss in a thousand dreams. It had been as unlike anything that had happened in his life before, as it would be from anything that came after."FINAL DECISION: I guessed the twist in this one almost immediately, but I loved it anyway because this is a wonderful story of two people who fall in love and the plot is almost superfluous. Kleypas does so much was characters who are entirely likable and yet make the romance compelling.THE STORY: Lady Merritt Sterling, a widow, is running her husband's business when she meets Kier MacRae, a Scottish distiller. From the moment the two meet there is something between them. But the class differences between them weigh heavily on Kier who does his best to keep his distance from the tempting widow. Merritt, on the other hand, knows from experience that regrets are corrosive. At the same time, someone seems determined to kill Kier.OPINION: This book just warmed my soul. One this I loved about it was its context. In many ways, this is the story about family, and I loved how the couple here is supported and loved by the families in the story. The romance is luscious, incredibly sexy, but also has a sweetness and loveliness that I really enjoyed. The story warmed my heart as most of the conflicts were external and these are just two really good people. Perhaps life and society and villains might try and keep them apart, but they are decent and kind to one another.Kier is just adorable (who doesn't love a Scotsman who is hardworking and responsible and a big handsome man). He is respectful to Merritt and even when he doesn't see a future for them, he is not dismissive of her thoughts. Indeed, he treats her with respect and talks to her. At the same time, he isn't a pushover who takes all his cues from her.Merritt is also refreshing as a heroine. Strong and independent, she also understands sacrifice and compromise. She doesn't insist on her own way -- even if Kier does consider her fondly as "bossy".Sometimes I love dramatic angsty books, and sometimes I love books like this: really good people who are making the best choices they can.WORTH MENTIONING: Fans of Kleypas will get glimpses of plenty of her characters from previous books. Merritt is the daughter of the couple from IT HAPPENED ONE AUTUMN and we also get more of Sebastian and Evie from DEVIL IN WINTER. There are plenty of updates all around!CONNECTED STORIES: DEVIL IN DISGUISE is the seventh book in the Ravenels series. This series, however, has become deeply entwined with the Wallflowers series. All the books in the Ravenels series that start with "Devil" are in essence spin-offs of DEVIL IN WINTER. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend reading both series -- they are fantastic.STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley in order to prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

What could it be better than a Kleypa's historical romance? A Kleypa's historical romance with a Scottish hero. I loved it so much, and if the story and adorable MCs weren't enough we also get to see a lot of beloved characters from her previous series. All in all this is my favorite from the Ravenel's, my only regret is having waited so much to read it.

Delightful, yet suspenseful. At times, so heart-warming. Nicely ties the Challons, Ravenels, and Westcliffs together. One of the best in the series!

Li o livro aos poucos, saboreando-o devagar como se fosse meu prato preferido.E adorei!Enfim depois de meses aguardando-o, ele chegou em minhas mãos na versão econômica.Keir MacRae é o troglodita mais adorável desse mundo, era mal humorado, rude, soltava palavrões e era de uma sensibilidade incrível para amar uma mulher, no caso, a sortuda da Merrit. E um pedaço de mau caminho.Ele ficou enfeitiçado por ela tão logo se viram e se tocaram. Sabe aquela flechada certeira do cúpido? Pois foi assim. Eles praticamente se deram conta que havia uma atração fortíssima entre eles.Keir é filho ilegítimo do Sebastian com uma antiga amante casada. Tornando-se assim o filho mais velho dele. E que se recusa a aceitar que é filho dele, justamente pela lealdade que tem aos pais adotivos e não quer saber da herança. E tenta fugir da atração que sente por Merrit por saber que é inferior a ela.Merrit é uma viúva cheia de personalidade, que toma conta dos negócios depois que o marido faleceu. Com uma forte personalidade que herdou das qualidades do pai e da mãe. Corajosa, sem papas na língua. Não esconde que sente uma enorme atração por ele. Até o convida para jantar no dia em que se conhecem.E a paixão flui voraz nessa noite. Mas Keir esquece que passou uma noite com ela logo após sofrer uma atentado. E Merrit assume que é seu deve cuidar dele. E vão, a convite de Sebastian, para a propriedade do pai para protegê-lo de outro atentado e para tratá-lo e evitar que seja morto pelo marido da legítima mãe dele.Keir se recusa a ver Sebastian como pai. embora note as semelhanças, não deseja ser filho desse homem poderoso. Mas aos pouco ele percebe as qualidades do pai, sua humildade e sua honradez.Mas é no campo que paixão cresce em noites apaixonadas e ardentes.Mas antes terão que enfrentar um inimigo que está a espreita para atacá-lo. Mas só estarão tranquilos quando tudo se resolver e então, eles estarão prontos para viverem sua vida.

Can’t believe I’d missed this one. Loved the characters and their respective stories. It also brought everything full circle from earlier generations. Couldn’t put it down. Great book.

I liked this book so much! It is one of my favourites, I think the Ravenel’s series is one of the best of this author.