Secrets of A Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

Annabelle Peyton and Simon Hunt's book





Secrets of A Summer Night (Wallflowers #1)

By Lisa Kleypas

Book Blurb:
"Four young ladies enter London society with one common goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband. So a daring husband-hunting scheme is born."

Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle's most intriguing--and persistent--admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition . . . but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.

Her friends, looking to help, conspire to entice a more suitable gentleman to offer for Annabelle, for only then will she be safe from Simon--and her own longings. But on one summer night, Annabelle succumbs to Simon's passionate embrace and tempting kisses . . . and she discovers that love is the most dangerous game of all.

I hope I can convey the love I have for this book. Let's just get this out of the way, ok? I LOVED this story, Secrets of A Summer Night! 

I always imagine what the book characters look like (who doesn't?) and I love when there is extra art. I find that this Wallflower series does seems to include some beautiful art. I think that this is a perfect rendering of Simon and Annabelle. Well not that Simon casually walks around with bulging muscles and shirtless. 

Secrets of a Summer Night is just an awesome read. I was whisked away to London 1842 and I really enjoyed reading about the Victorian era. It is fairly new for me to read about the industrial revolution and how there was so much change in England at this time. The aristocracy was really trying to stay in charge and remain at the top of the food chain yet the rich Americans and English business men were set in changing the world.  This evolution wasn't all the main plot of the story but it heavily dictated the conundrum that faced Annabelle and the other wallflowers. 

Speaking of the wallflowers, what an awesome group of ladies. There is Annabelle, a Lady with no dowry. Daisy and Lillian Bowman, incredibly rich Americans but not schooled in the proper English mannerisms and then the lovely but stammering red head Evie. These bright women were left to sit at the dreaded wallflower seats at all of the balls due to their circumstances. These four women create a strong friendship and scheme to get themselves each married off. Its such a shame that women of history had to be married in order for them to move forward in life. I do love reading about their various ways to obtain this goal. 

Since Annabelle is the oldest at twenty five, the group put her at the top of the list and devised a plan to obtain a aristocracy husband. Of course, even the best laid plans can get side tracked and that is exactly what happens. I loved reading every moment of their schemes and detours. In fact I relished in it. I smiled, giggled and turn the pages with anticipation to see where Annabelle would end up next. 

No story is complete without a villain and the slimy creepy Lord Hodgeham fit the bill perfectly. Preying of Annabelle and her mother's desperate financial issues, he took every advantage his greasy hands could. Secrets of A Summer Night demonstrates the lengths a mother will go to for the love of her children. 

Simon was a fabulous hero. I loved his arrogance and his commanding presence. Even ruthless business men have soft spots and Annabelle was his. There was such satisfaction reading how much he fell in love with Annabelle. 

Next book is It Happened One Autumn and I am eager to crack open the first page. Lisa Kleypas' writing is completely magical to me. She has a gift with words. 

Teasers: Rounders in knickers, adder bite, a gift of walking boots, 

"Without limit. Beyond forever." Quote from Simon