Honestly, I spent the majority of this book being very frustrated at a number of things that I never really got to enjoy it, even when the writing itself was diverting. The storyline and the leads are nonsensical. The romance is too instantaneous, and the big "reveal" was honestly me begging for it not to be the case for 3/4 of the book while knowing that was exactly what would happen. Not to mention that this book barely qualifies as a historical, the way it's written, which is a cardinal sin, in my book.

Kleypas must really be running out of ideas because this book has nothing to do with the Ravenels. This series has essentially become Wallflowers part 2, and I find this quite annoying because this just means that all of the supporting characters are cardboard people who love everyone unconditionally, trust everyone implicitly, and never ask any questions. No one acts like this. If anything, this book is romanticizes family more than it does romantic love. The idea that you will be accepted and loved no matter who you are is the driving force of this book, but again, the actual romance between Merritt and Keir is quite boring. They go from being attracted to each other to being in love. There's no courtship, and so I never really fell in love with them as the reader.

Merritt is a widow who does whatever she wants, whether that's running her ex-husband's business or inviting bachelors over for dinner... all while complaining about losing her reputation. Let's be real. All of her friends are the Ravenels and the children of the Wallflowers, totaling 30-something families. If her reputation ever went to pieces, she wouldn't need any other friends. She has plenty already who don't care about reputations. Besides, her father, as we're repeatedly reminded of in every book, is the most powerful Earl in all of England. No one is going to cut his daughter from society without bringing on his wrath. The stakes were so low in this, I could crawl over them. It's such a shame, because I really liked her in the beginning. She took a lover, like a mature woman, and the two were able to act responsible about the affair. They had their fun, but then they part ways, even while feeling inexplicably tied to one another. Their differences are such that they know a life together won't work... except they somehow work it all out despite never actually talking about it. By the end of the novel, Merritt is useless and becomes another, indistinguishable romance heroine with no likable characteristics.

Keir, for his part, gets amnesia shortly after meeting Merritt, causing him to forget everything about her. At first, I was intrigued and relished the idea of watching him fall for Merritt again but in a new and different way. Except that didn't happen. He's constantly aroused by her, and then his love for her explodes on him because... he sees a piece of paper with both of their names on it. I shit you not. That was all it took. There is no tension, and he is willing to give up everything to be with Merritt at the drop of the hat. For half the book, he reasonably states that he hates London and England and that all he wants is to b a simple brewer on his Scottish island, but then he doesn't experience any internal conflict and gives it all up once he sleeps with Merritt.

The biggest issue for me was the big "reveal", which is a bit of a spoiler. Keir is revealed to be the illegitimate son of Sebastian aka the Duke of Kingston aka Lord St. Vincent. Now, Keir is supposed to be a product of Sebastian's debauched days before he married Evie, but honestly, I didn't care. It completely ruined the character for me. I'm not necessarily mad because he has a child without Evie (though I don't like it). I'm mad because it shows just how callous Sebastian really is. With a past as colorful as his, he undoubtedly has MULTIPLE illegitimate children. Not only that, it's actually stated in Devil in Winter that he has illegitimate children but doesn't care about them. Suddenly, we're expected to believe he cares about this one child? Why? Because Keir becomes the unexpected heir to a viscountcy. To me, this demonstrates that Sebastian only cares about his other offspring if they're in some way valuable. Otherwise, they are not worthy of his love and notice. Now, you could argue this is a realistic trait of a ducal character. However, Kleypas beats readers over the head with how great a guy Sebastian is for taking in Keir, how he's so different from all the other lords for even acknowledging Keir. Just no. Sebastian is a heartless, classist prick, and it completely overshadows the romance because I couldn't get over how horrible he was.

There are people who will love this book simply because it's a Kleypas novel and because it features cameos from so many Wallflower characters. I mean, if that's all it takes for you to be happy, then you'll like this book. But if you want conflict, growth, and a supporting cast that does more than act as sounding boards to the two leads, (you know, the stuff that actually makes a story a story), then you'll be frustrated by this completely unnecessary addition to the Ravenel series. I'm sorry, Kleypas, but it's really starting to feel like you're running out of ideas. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this. There were definite similarities to Hello Stranger, book 4, but I adore that one so I didn't mind. I also loved seeing a bit more from Sebastian and Evie (Devil in Winter, book 3, Wallflowers), they delight me every time they're on page in any book. =) Every time amnesia is used as a plot point, it fringes on being a bit dubious, but it was handled well here. There are nice historical tidbits sprinkled in, I already knew most of them, but I appreciated them nonetheless. They were written in a way that informed without distracting very much from the actual story, which is good too. Lots of really sweet lines and romantic moments. The Ravenels is one of my favorite series, and this was a good addition to it.

2nd read- I quite enjoyed this on a second read as well, pretty much everything I wrote in my first review still stands.

3rd read- I think I felt even more sentimental about all these characters this time around. There are so many lovely friendships, and romantic interactions. It was a pleasure to read again.

All the books in the Ravenels series are very re-readable to me.
I would rate them-
Hello Stranger 5 stars
Chasing Cassandra 5 stars
Devil in Disguise 5 stars
Devil's Daughter 5 stars
Marrying Winterborne 5 stars
Cold-Hearted Rake 4 stars
Devil in Spring 3 stars ( )

Devil in Disguise
4.5 Stars

Series note: Although listed as book #7 in The Ravenels series, this is actually a continuation of Kleypas's Wallflowers. I highly recommend reading the earlier series before the Ravenels as there are also other connections in previous installments (particularly books #3 and #5).

Merritt Sterling, intelligence, wit, and charm enable her to handle any conflict while running her late husband's shipping business. These traits stand her in good stead when Keir MacRae, an irate client, storms into her office demanding explanations regarding his shipment of whiskey. This sets in motion an intense attraction and indefatigable love that defies both Merritt and Keir's own good sense as well as society's conventions.

Merritt and Keir's romance is incredible, and it is wonderful catching up on the Marsdens and the Challons once again. The closure provided with regard to Sebastian and Lillian's past is another highlight of the book.

The twist regarding Keir's identity is pretty evident from the start. Nevertheless, it is interesting to see it play out as the characters put two-and-two together and the truth is revealed.

The only minor disappointment is the anti-climactic resolution of the suspense plot. Considering the build-up, I was expecting more action and excitement.

All in all, an excellent end to a delightful series. Perhaps Kleypas can be convinced to write another. ( )

Any book that has Sebastian St Vincent in it, even if he’s not the main character, is a very good book. Loved the direction that Kleypas has taken this series. As good as her other novels! ( )

Merritt is a respectable widow running her husband's shipping business with her brother. Keir MacRae is a whisky distiller and client. The two have an immediate attraction that they decide to act on for one night.

A fire at Merritt's warehouse leads to Keir being severely injured. When the cause is determined to be arson, a prior mugging seems less random leading to the discovery of Keir's parentage as well as a deepening relationship with Merritt if they can survive.