Rowena’s review of It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas.
Hero: Lord Marcus Marsden, Earl of Westcliff
Heroine: Miss Lillian Bowman
Four young ladies enter London society with one necessary goal:they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband. So they band together, and a daring husband-hunting scheme is born.
It Happened at the Ball…
Where beautiful but bold Lillian Bowman quickly learned that her independent American ways weren’t entirely “the thing.” And the most disapproving of all was insufferable, snobbish, and impossible Marcus, Lord Westcliff, London’s most eligible aristocrat.
It Happened in the Garden…
When Marcus shockingly — and dangerously–swept her into his arms. Lillian was overcome with a consuming passion for a man she didn’t even like. Time stood still; it was as if no one else existed…thank goodness they weren’t caught very nearly in the act!
It Happened One Autumn…
Marcus was a man in charge of his own emotions, a bedrock of stability. But with Lillian, every touch was exquisite torture, every kiss an enticement for more. Yet how could he consider taking a woman so blatantly unsuitable…as his bride?
Another delightful read by Lisa Kleypas. It’s really easy to fall right in love with a Lisa Kleypas story. She has a talent that is in a league all it’s own and she showcases her talent when she wrote this story because I’m telling you right now, in Secrets of a Summer Night, I hated Lillian Bowman. I hated her so much that I wanted to punch her in the face and bloody her up real good. As much as I hated her though, I didn’t want her to get kidnapped by that rascal, Sebastian St. Vincent.
Lillian has such a strong and stubborn personality, she’s got that whole “my way or the highway” kind of attitude and it really made me want to choke her the hell out numerous times.
This book was good.
I really enjoyed the entire story, going into this book though I didn’t expect to like it, because I wasn’t wild about Lillian in Annabelle’s story, because gosh this woman was so damn loud and “I know everything, it’s my way or the highway” type of girl, I didn’t think I’d like her. I should’ve known better though, because Lisa Kleypas certainly delivered with this story.
I loved the sparks between her and Marcus, I loved the whole “it’s the perfume” that’s why he’s wildly attracted to me. I loved how Marcus knew what the secret ingredient was and how he turned out to be right. I just liked the whole damn book, it was fantabulous!
I even enjoyed the whole, Sebastian stealing her away from Marcus, leaving Marcus to come and save the day! Was I mad at Sebastian for doing it? No…did I hate him? No…but that’s probably because I knew he was the hero in the next book and was giving him the benefit of the doubt…I just really enjoyed all of the coming together of Marcus and Lillian, I loved the secondary characters as well, especially Mr. Simon Hunt and his wife, Annabelle. They were the bomb in this story just as they were in their story.
Besides, the old cow that is Marcus’ Mom, I hated that Annabelle referred to her husband, as Mr. Hunt and not Simon. It bothered me, don’t know why but it did…hello, you’re amongst friends, your best friends at that, there’s no need for you to be so formal when talking about your husband, GOSH!
Aside from that, I really enjoyed the story and the way the whole story ended, leading into Evie’s story, I LOVE IT!!!! It made me start the next book right away. Just effing loved this whole book. Daisy is STILL my favorite though, but I’m not so mad at Lillian for being such a big brute about everything, she’s cool for the moment…haha.
Great book! FANTASTIC series!
Grade: 4.5 out of 5
Reading Order:
This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
this sounds wonderful..i have read a few of Lisa’s books and enjoyed them. Great review 🙂
But the way Annabelle spoke about her husband is accurate for the times! For once historical romance got it right!
I would have loved this book with a different heroine. I know she appeals to American readers in particular (I think it has something to do with fantasising it’s them!), but she’s such a pushy, rude, disrespectful brat, and her constant disregard for English society is offensive. Her childish pranks aren’t acceptable for someone of her age, about to marry into such a prestigious position.
I do love this series, but this was my least favourite (I love Annabelle and Mr Hunt’s(!) book best).
Mmm.. I think the Mr. Hunt thing was mostly the way Annabelle was brought up.
I didn’t mind it all that much.
I do love this book, mostly because of Marcus, I love him as an hero. Lillian often irritates me but she is a good match for him
Glad to hear you liked it so much as I have this series at home to read to, thanks for the great review.
I really liked the series. There is also a Christmas book with Lillian and Daisy’s brother Rafe. I think that was my favorite…
This is a wonderful series!
MY FAVORITE KLEYPAS NOVEL!
She’s written plenty of masterpieces, and I refuse to say which one is THE GREATEST, but this book is my most dearest held novel of all time.
To each there own, I don’t care for Annabelle and find Simon ok but I love Lillian through and through in every book.
This entire series is so awesome – I love all of the Wallflowers!
Devil in Winter is my favorite – but this one is a close second. Lillian is definitely a fantastic character.
This is actually my favorite of the series-I love Lillian so much (kind of want to be her) and she gets the super rich, super eligible Marcus. It’s just too too perfect!