I love this series. Ugh, it's one of favorites. I love Lisa Kleypas; she's one of my favorite authors. So this is a high rated title for me. There's honestly only one thing that bothered me and just in case you've not read this one, I don't want to give it away but it's the only thing that keeps this from being a five star read.

Now, to me, this was pretty insta-love and I'm not usually a fan of that but here, I actually didn't mind for once. I really enjoyed that Keir is a Scot. I felt it shook up things a little. Plus, I mean, I'm obsessed with Scotland and in the middle of tracing my great-grandfather's line to the clan Davidson...

So all in all, another great installment in this series.

Will go live on my blog: 2/24/22

"He would relive that kiss in a thousand dreams. It had been as unlike anything that had happened in his life before, as it would be from anything that came after."

FINAL DECISION: I guessed the twist in this one almost immediately, but I loved it anyway because this is a wonderful story of two people who fall in love and the plot is almost superfluous. Kleypas does so much was characters who are entirely likable and yet make the romance compelling.

THE STORY: Lady Merritt Sterling, a widow, is running her husband's business when she meets Kier MacRae, a Scottish distiller. From the moment the two meet there is something between them. But the class differences between them weigh heavily on Kier who does his best to keep his distance from the tempting widow. Merritt, on the other hand, knows from experience that regrets are corrosive. At the same time, someone seems determined to kill Kier.

OPINION: This book just warmed my soul. One this I loved about it was its context. In many ways, this is the story about family, and I loved how the couple here is supported and loved by the families in the story. The romance is luscious, incredibly sexy, but also has a sweetness and loveliness that I really enjoyed. The story warmed my heart as most of the conflicts were external and these are just two really good people. Perhaps life and society and villains might try and keep them apart, but they are decent and kind to one another.

Kier is just adorable (who doesn't love a Scotsman who is hardworking and responsible and a big handsome man). He is respectful to Merritt and even when he doesn't see a future for them, he is not dismissive of her thoughts. Indeed, he treats her with respect and talks to her. At the same time, he isn't a pushover who takes all his cues from her.

Merritt is also refreshing as a heroine. Strong and independent, she also understands sacrifice and compromise. She doesn't insist on her own way -- even if Kier does consider her fondly as "bossy".

Sometimes I love dramatic angsty books, and sometimes I love books like this: really good people who are making the best choices they can.

WORTH MENTIONING: Fans of Kleypas will get glimpses of plenty of her characters from previous books. Merritt is the daughter of the couple from IT HAPPENED ONE AUTUMN and we also get more of Sebastian and Evie from DEVIL IN WINTER. There are plenty of updates all around!

CONNECTED STORIES: DEVIL IN DISGUISE is the seventh book in the Ravenels series. This series, however, has become deeply entwined with the Wallflowers series. All the books in the Ravenels series that start with "Devil" are in essence spin-offs of DEVIL IN WINTER. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend reading both series -- they are fantastic.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley in order to prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

I love this series from Lisa Kleypas, and this a perfect addition to that series! The tension between Lady Merritt and Keir was so fun. I loved them together.

Lady Merritt Sterling, a strong-willed beauty who runs a shipping company, knows London society is dying to catch her in a scandal. So far, she’s been too smart to provide them with one. But then she meets Keir MacRae, a rough-and-rugged Scottish whisky distiller, and all her sensible plans vanish like smoke. They couldn’t be more different, but their attraction is powerful, raw and irresistible.

From the moment Keir MacRae arrives in London, he has two goals. One: don’t fall in love with the dazzling Lady Merritt Sterling. Two: avoid being killed.

So far, neither of those is going well.

Keir doesn’t know why someone wants him dead until fate reveals the secret of his mysterious past. His world is thrown into upheaval, and the only one he trusts is Merritt.

Their passion blazes with an intensity Merritt has never known before, making her long for the one thing she can’t have from Keir MacRae: forever. As danger draws closer, she’ll do whatever it takes to save the man she loves . . . even knowing he might be the devil in disguise.

4.5 stars

Lady Merritt Sterling is the widowed daughter of an earl. She had been married for less than two years when her husband, Joshua, died while traveling to his native America. Since that time, she has been running his shipping business, while training her younger brother for that role. When an angry client bursts into her office after an unfortunate incident with his merchandise, Merritt finds herself undeniably attracted to the man.

Keir MacRae is a Scottish distiller, and when his precious cargo of fine whisky is not where it should be, he goes straight to the top for some answers. Keir’s anger is defused by Merritt’s calm handling of the circumstances, as well as her promise to put the situation to rights. When Keir somehow finds himself taken under Merritt's wing, with fresh clothes, lodging, food, and a dinner invitation, he seems unable to refuse.

Keir is unexpectedly attacked while en route to dinner at Merritt’s home, but he manages to get there, despite his injuries. After some patching up, they begin to converse like old friends, despite the huge difference in their social standing. When Keir plans to take his leave, Merritt (whom he calls “Merry”) invites him to stay for just one night, with no strings attached. Their passion for each other is off the charts, leaving them physically satisfied, but unhappy at their different lives, which allows no way for them to be together.

When Keir is attacked yet again, this time almost fatally, it’s clear that someone desperately wants him dead. Merritt flaunts convention and takes Keir to her home, determined to nurse him back to health. I love Merritt to pieces – she’s a force to be reckoned with. She gets her way by calmly knocking down every obstacle in her path, yet doing it with kindness and a smile. Her first marriage was an affectionate one, but can’t compare to the new and exciting feelings she has for Keir, and she’ll do what she has to in order to keep him alive. Keir’s injury is so serious that it seems to preclude any slim chance they do have of a future together. Merritt is the daughter of old friends, Lillian and Marcus, from IT HAPPENED ONE AUTUMN in the WALLFLOWER series. Keir is slower in coming to realize that he and Merry belong together, but once he does, his actions will be sighworthy. It turns out that Keir also has a tie to another beloved character from the WALLFLOWER series, but I won’t spill the beans for those who have yet to read this book. I adored that series so much, and it’s wonderful to visit them decades into the future and observe their children’s lives. DEVIL IN DISGUISE has a bit of mystery, warm family love, and a tender and quite steamy romance. This all makes for a joyful read, and the epilogue is golden!

This was my most anticipated read of 2021! Anything with Sebastian is always intriguing but I was very, very nervous. Sebastian has been through a lot already and I was concerned about anything that might make his fans look upon him unfavorably. Fortunately, Lisa knows exactly what her readers need and I was more in love with Sebastian and the new characters in this book as well.

I don't want to spoil anything so I won't go into the plot but our hero and heroine are perfect for each other. I am on the fence of whether this should be considered a Ravenal novel but it doesn't really fit anywhere else. At the end of the day, I don't suppose it matters.

If you're a fan of Lisa's books, you'll want to read this and if you love the St. Vincent family then you will doubly love this!

I love this series. Merritt is an unusual woman in that she runs a shipping business. She is a widow and has took over her husband's company when he passed away. Her brother helps- which means we get to see some familiar characters.

Keir is a captain who is selling whiskey. They fall into a mystery together when someone threatens Keir's life. They have an immediate attraction. IT was very much opposites attract- except they are both independent, strong-willed people. The mystery is interesting and dose connect to other characters in the story. It was a great escapist, weekend read that left me happy.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Thanks to the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was not my favorite Lisa Kleypas novel. Though I enjoyed the banter and re visiting with characters. This book seems a bit confused and rushed in some places. I was not a fan of the twists at the end. But again it is a Lisa Kleypas book so I enjoyed parts of the book but not all. She is still an amazing writer and I will always read her books but this one just did not hit it out of the park for me.

Keir is from Scotland but in England trying to find out why someone wants him dead. He's also trying not to fall in love with Merritt, a shipping manager that the ton is waiting to end up in a scandal. The two have instant chemistry and steamy attraction. Danger leads both of them to a new beginning and the chance for a wonderful relationship.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley.

***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

Wow. This one was fun. I loved so much about it. The idea that Merritt was in charge of a shipping company. The characters. Their connection and the story.

Keir and Merritt work as a couple because they both respect one another. I know that seems like an odd thing to say, but it's important to point out in a historical romance...as sometimes women in historical romances are written as a little deferential to the men in their lives...which is the way it was at the time.

As always with titles by this author, I genuinely enjoyed reading this book.

I enjoyed and recommend this title.

I’m a longtime fan of this series, but as I read it, I also tried to take it in as if I’d not read any of the other titles. I’m happy that I can recommend this to people who haven’t read the series and don’t mind reading out of order or who want a stand alone. Recommending to fans of the Bridgerton series.

In true Lisa Kleypas style, this book has exciting and dangerous adventure and enough steam to fog up the windows. Unfortunately, I felt that this book was kind of attempting to rewrite the canon of the Kleypas universe in a way that was a bit of a bummer. As always, this book was filled to the brim with cameos by Kleypas fan favorites, but it just wasn't enough to sell me on this one.

This series is so fun! I enjoy reading about the next generation gang in my books. Plus seeing all the original peeps as they pop up, it makes these books even more addicting.

It’s been a few years since I read a kleypas historical romance but I enjoyed being back in this world. I will say there was a bit too much insta love/lust for me in the beginning and I only continued bc I wanted to meet some of the older characters from her previous books again. 3.5 rounded up to a four for me. Overall still enjoyable just too much insta love.

Lisa Kleypas is quickly becoming one of my go to authors. There are some days that it’s so nice to just fall into the familiarity of a series. The same world, glimpses of characters you got to know in one of the other books and falling in with a new couple. I did not do my research with this book and just started reading it. Later I realized it was book SEVEN!!!! It was great as a stand alone book, but then I had to read all the other ones. I love the world Kleypas has created. Some parts are funny, some parts are intriguing and some parts are steamy. All good things.

Kier MacRae is our sexy Scotsman who is a whiskey distiller who storms into Lady Merritt Sterling’s office when things aren’t going according to plan at the docks. Merritt had taken over her late husband’s shipping business and was able to keep her independence, but also got her labeled as a bit quirky. There are definite sparks flying when they first meet. When Kier gets injured, Merritt is there to nurse him back to health. They learn things about each other and we learn who Kier’s biological father is. I enjoy the impropriety and scandal ;) I really like Keir, who seemed a bit gruff on the outside, but his interactions with Merritt made him easy to love. He's somewhat traditional even though he's open and accepting. His inability to resist Merritt is a fun part of this book and his eventual capitulation gives us readers the perfect HEA. A great book to pick up when you just need some joy in your life.

Another solid hit up the historical romance middle from Lisa. Though comparatively to the market she’s old fashioned, her fans will be pleased with this effort.

Well this was absolutely amazing!!! Although in fairness to have yet to read a book from L.K. that I didn’t absolutely love. This had all the right amount of nostalgia from past characters, new romance, well written characters and just a great balance all around. The tiniest of hints of intrigue but your really not focused on that aspect of the storyline. What can I say, I’m a fan!

Was not able to read before published. I'm a big fan of Lisa Kleypas and this book was purchased for my library's collection. I will recommend when doing reader's advisory.

Since her far-too-young husband's death at sea, Lady Merritt Sterling has taken over management of the family shipping company, and she has done it well. Her working is scandal enough, so she lives like a hermit to avoid attracting even more attention. However, Keir MacRae's appearance in her office, drenched in the whiskey he distils, sets off all kinds of fireworks in her heart. Giving him the apartment in her warehouse is just good business. But, when Keir is stabbed, then nearly blown to bits, and loses his entire shipment of whiskey to a fire in that same warehouse, questions arise. Who is trying to kill Keir, and why? Can she work together with her friends to keep Keir safe, and discover what lies in his past that someone would kill to cover it up?

This is book 7 in Lisa Kleypas' The Ravenels series, and while some of the Ravenels make an appearance, it is probably more closely tied to her Wallflowers series, with characters from Devil in Winter making a strong showing. I listened to the audio version of this, which I enjoy because I can do other things while I "read". I like the humor Kleypas tosses in, and boy, can she write steamy scenes! This whole series has been good (which is why I jumped at this book when it appeared on NetGalley.) I definitely recommend (all 7 books, if you can!)

I binge read this entire series ! I mean back to back.just what I expect and want from a Lisa Kleypas romance I enjoyed this book went with the flow because I just love escaping into this world .

Give me anything Lisa Kleypas wants to write and I'll devour it.

I'm not sure why this was categorized as a Ravenels book because it had absolutely nothing to do with them, but I've never turned down the chance to have more Sebastian in my life.