I enjoyed reading it from beginning to end as it started just where "Autumn" left off. I've been intrigued by Sebastian St. Vincent's character in this series and it's always interesting to read about a reformed rake by the most unlikely character of Evie. Although I haven't finished reading "Spring" yet, this is easily my favorite as it described Evie's life and her relatives' treatment to her. I was really moved how they fell in love with each other and Evie was not at all she seemed. She has a good head on her shoulder but because of her occasional stammering, she seems dim-witted. Story is predictable in the sense of they'll end up with each other eventually but the how is unpredictable. Evie's innocence is just what Sebastian needed, and her genuine affection and concern, not as a wife. With the other wallflowers present, there is humor again and I liked how the story progressed. This is a real love story and it was beautifully written. It touched me, made me laugh, made me wonder, and made my day. Lisa Kleypas never fails to entertain. ( )

This is Evie Jenner's story. She's the shy one who stutters and is an absolute sweetheart. Shy does not mean doormat by any means. Evie approaches Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent, and asks him to marry her so that she can escape the clutches of her greedy, abusive family who are trying to force her into marriage with her repulsive cousin so that they can control her fortune. In return for marrying her, Sebastian, a true rake and fortune hunter, will instead get Evie's money. Her only condition is that she be allowed to care for her dying father. So they set off for Scotland in a long arduous journey and during the trip forge a bond between them. Sebastian is the villain of the previous book, It Happened One Autumn, where he attempted to kidnap the heroine, Lillian, and was stopped by the hero, Lord Westcliff, who beat him up. Oh, yeah, Evie makes one more condition.... no lovemaking after the wedding night.

After the wedding Sebastian realizes he is extremely attracted to Evie and she challenges him to remain celibate for three months before she'll go to bed with him again (love this girl ... she's got spunk). In the meantime they arrive back in London and Evie rushes to her father's bedside. Her father is a gambling club owner (chief rival of Derek from DoY) and Sebastian (who has never done a day's work in his life) takes over management of the club.

This is a wonderful book. I loved Evie, shy and sweet, with an inner strength who takes no crap from the hero. And Sebastian.... *sigh*... wow, he completely redeems himself and then some. He is slowly transformed from a hardened amoral rake as he falls in love with Evie and becomes so protective of her. I see why so many are comparing him to Derek Craven. Most agree that he is ALMOST as wonderful as DC (impossible to beat DC in the hero department). Very sigh-worthy. All the secondary characters are very well drawn and the plot was excellent, especially Cam, the part-gypsy croupier from the gambling club. I wonder if he gets his own book. I hope so. Also the subplot drama was good about a former employee of the club who means to harm Evie. And the love scenes were hot. (Grade: A-) ( )

Evie Jenner, one of the group of friends who call themselves the Wallflowers, finding herself about to be forced into marriage with her loathsome cousin, instead proposes a marriage of convience with the rake St Vincent. Needing to marry a heiress, he agrees, but they soon find themselves attracted to each other.
This was the kind of fluffy romance I was in the mood for. I enjoyed the former rake's redemption, and Evie's gradual increase in confidence.

Of the Wallflowers books, this one seems rather haphazard. I still enjoyed it, but it's a bit of an uneven read. St Vincent shines more than Evie does -- he's a true Rake, and a devilish charmer; watching him reform is a delightful treat. It's also always fun to watch Kleypas treat with the lower strata of society, though -- unlike many Regency authors, she doesn't constrain herself just to the ton, but plays as freely with low as with high. ( )

IMPRESSIONS:
This story had SUCH potential and I was really looking forward to reading it after having read the second Wallflower story, IT HAPPENED ONE AUTUMN. I mean what more could you want: the horrible Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent, who is unashamedly sensual and unremorseful, Evie Jenner, a sweet, stammering wallflower who you just KNOW is going to get him whipped, and Lisa Kleypas writing the story! I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat. But so many times I felt that the story fell a little short; when she could have made a scene a real killer it just didn't have that usual hit quality that she normally always delivers. One example is the ring that is put on the necklace, it could have been discovered in a much better way by Evie or the delivery could have been better. Another thing which bothered me was that Sebastian seemed to transform so quickly, if he did transform that quickly I would have liked him to maybe be more in denial about it or just to have him be a little meaner for a little longer (as horrible as that sounds). Nonetheless, it must be said, that the story is still fun to read and I still have to say: You can't go wrong with a Kleypas.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
If you like Kleypas (and really, how can you NOT?) then read and enjoy, but don't expect it to be as good as some of her best ones, such as DREAMING OF YOU (one of my favorites), WHERE DREAMS BEGIN (so great!), WORTH ANY PRICE (amazing!), and I could go on and on. However, if this is your first time reading Kleypas, know that she has even better ones out there, so keep on reading!

UPDATE (1/13/2008):
I've read this book a few times again - I reread a lot of my historical romances and all of my Lisa Kleypas ones - and when compared with many of the new authors and books I've read recently, I wish I could change this to a four star review. Although it wasn't Kleypas's best, compared to other authors in the genre she really is an amazing writer and storyteller. I still agree with the criticisms I made above, but THE DEVIL IN WINTER definitely doesn't deserve only three stars.

(Written March 26, 2006 on Amazon.com) ( )