Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas
As a lover of animals and nature, Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors than in the ballroom. Even though she participated in the London season in the past, the classic beauty and free-spirited Beatrix has never been swept away or seriously courted…and she has resigned herself to the fate of never finding love. Has the time come for the most unconventional of the Hathaway sisters to settle for an ordinary man—just to avoid spinsterhood?
Captain Christopher Phelan is a handsome, daring soldier who plans to marry Beatrix’s friend, the vivacious flirt Prudence Mercer, when he returns from fighting abroad. But, as he explains in his letters to Pru, life on the battlefield has darkened his soul—and it’s becoming clear that Christopher won’t come back as the same man. When Beatrix learns of Pru’s disappointment, she decides to help by concocting Pru’s letters to Christopher for her. Soon the correspondence between Beatrix and Christopher develops into something fulfilling and deep…and when Christopher comes home, he’s determined to claim the woman he loves. What began as Beatrix’s innocent deception has resulted in the agony of unfulfilled love—and a passion that can’t be denied…
This is the book that everyone has been waiting for, Bea’s story. I fell in love with Bea in the first book, her unbridled will and her love for everything needy especially animals. I appreciated the fact that Lisa did not change her but just made her more of herself as she got older, there was no way that Bea was going to fit into society I mean she was a Hathaway after all. Just like you knew that the hero for Bea would have to be someone who is troubled and needs her calming patient influence.
Christopher was a treasured war hero who is struggling with his emotions and the events that happened while at war. He is no longer the society gentleman that he used to be, in fact he does not even like to be a part of the society life, even though he is trying to convince himself that he needs to be. If he would have his way he would stay home and drown his misery. Of course you know that cannot happen so in walks the one person who he wants nothing to do with and turns his life upside down. Once Christopher realizes it was Bea who was writing him while he was away his attitude changes towards her and their love starts to blossom.
I do have to say that although this was a good book it was not one of my favorites. Probably because I knew we were coming to the end of the Hathaways. I did enjoy it but found it pretty predictable. The series in whole is excellent and I would recommend them to anyone who has not yet read a Lisa Kleypas or a historical romance.
My overall rating 4 out of 5
I agree with alot of your points. Personally, I wish Kleypas allowed the 'mystery letter writer' go on a bit longer. There was a distinct shift from the first half to the latter half of the story. The first half was the better, romantic & sweet, everything good.
I enjoyed LITA but it's not my favorite either. Probably, Tempt Me At Twilight is my favorite. I will miss this gang!