An aristocratic widow falls for an unrefined Scottish distillery owner.

Another fantastic read by one of my favorite authors—a must-read for all historical romance fans, especially fans of the Wallflower series.

Devil in Disguise is book #7 in the Ravenels series but can be read as a standalone.

Merrit, a young widow, managed the shipping company she inherited from her deceased husband with the help of her younger brother.

For those who read the Wallflower series, Merrit is the daughter of Marcus and Lilian, the couple in It Happened One Autumn.

Keir MacRae, the hero, was a Scottish distillery owner who contracted Merrit's company to storage his whisky.

When strange things start to happen to Keir, he realizes someone is trying to end his life.

I loved the contrast between Merrit's aristocratic upbringing and Keir's early life as an adopted kid of much older working parents.

Both protagonists were so very loveable. Their attraction and the overall relationship felt right and genuine from the start.

I am a huge fan of the Wallflowers series, and it was such a pleasure to see Sebastian, Eve, Marcus, and Lilian decades after their HEA. Despite being much older, they kept the essence that made them such remarkable characters in their original books.

The background story was very well-plotted, and I love all the connections and surprises.

Historical Romance at its best!

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley for an honest review.

*This review will be posted on https://lureviewsbooks.com on 08/02/2021*

4 stars ⭐️
Reading the Ravenels have been so wonderful and this latest instalment did not disappoint!

Keir is our first Scottish hero in the series, and I absolutely adore him. He was so unique, in that I had never read about a character being a whisky distiller. Merritt is a widow and is strong-willed and determined but never overbearing, reminding me a bit of Evie from the Wallflowers whom I absolutely love.

Of course, this being a Lisa Kleypas novel, it goes without saying that Keir has such a way with words that got me swooning, and the banter and drama was so exquisite that I devoured this story hungrily. I did not mind Keir's relation to the 'devil' in the title, and quite liked the expanding of the family tree, if I do say so myself. Seeing Marcus and Lillian again got me squealing and sobbing like a lunatic, and the moments between Sebastian/Kingston and Evie were an absolute delight as always. I expect nothing less from my two favorite Wallflowers.

This was a solid read, but not entirely perfect mainly due to two things: 1) The romance felt a bit too insta-lovey to my liking. The demisexual in me adored the longer courting and interactions between earlier couples in the series, so for Merritt and Keir to have only met three days prior before catching feelings felt a tad rushed. I wished we got to see their journey to know each other better for much, much longer. 2) The epilogue wasn't my favorite, and to me, it reduced the impact of the meaningful conversation Merritt and Keir had about (view spoiler).

Despite the minor gripes mentioned, this series and the Lisa Kleypas universe have been the best escapism to lose myself into amidst this pandemic, and I can hardly wait for LK's next release.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it did not disappoint! I finished this in a night, I couldn’t put this book down! This was sexy and steamy right from the start, and I think Merritt may just be my new favorite historical romance heroine! She is brave and loyal and feisty. I loved Keir calling her a “wee bully” as she encourages him to have dinner with her and as she takes care of him their first meeting. Keir too is so swoon-worthy. He is this assertive, Scottish whiskey distiller with a heart of gold, and at his roots, he’s a romantic and it’s just so perfect. Merritt and Keir complement each other so well and step up for each other in all the ways that count and then some. Their chemistry sizzles and I love their respect for each other and the openness they have. It had so much nostalgia too with all the Wallflower references and scenes with Westcliff, Lillian, Evie, and Sebastian! I love watching these connections to the past series and seeing their love and friendship grow as they become parents! The subplot too was suspenseful and well crafted! Lisa Kleypas is just a master of this genre and this is one of my new favorites by her! This book has suspenseful, sweet, nostalgic, steamy, and romantic and just so so good!

Kleypass is considered a gold-standard for romance and this novel shows exactly why. While this is a new edition of an existing book in The Ravenels Series, it was a new read for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Merritt and Keir’s story hit so many great romance tropes (lust-at first-sight, independent women, Scottish heroes, secret identities, spies and assassins, plus a little hat tip to “While You Were Sleeping”) without feeling overly contrived. The plot contains a convoluted mystery that still feels realistic and is solved in a manner that doesn't require massive heroics or serious suspension of disbelief. The romance is hot, the supporting characters are amazing and a solid HEA is delivered.

Compulsively readable, as Kleypas always is, but JUST ONCE I would like to see an infertility plotline that doesn't end with "and somehow, magically, through the power of love/the hero's potent virility, the heroine got pregnant anyway". Given the maternal mortality rates at the time, you'd think the heroine would be better off adopting anyway! A baby is not, actually, necessary to the happiness and success of a marriage!

As a long-time Kleypas fan, I have to say that these second-generation stories are giving me all the joy. Merritt embodies qualities passed down from both of her parents (American Lillian Bowman and Marcus, Earl of Westcliff from It Happened One Autumn) and puts them to good use both in business as well as her personal life. She's strong, independent, stubborn, and about to fall for a man who is all wrong for her. But, what if he isn't?

If Merritt doesn't want Keir MacRae, she can send him my way. A gruff Scotsman with a mysterious past, a whisky distiller with the weight of his clan on his shoulders, a man who matches wits with Merritt during the day and sets her body aflame after dark? Yes, please!

Kleypas uses danger, passion, family secrets, humor, sparkling banter, heart-tugging emotion, and unexpected twists to bring this story to life and I was with her every step of the way. It is perfect? No. Do I care? Not in the least. Devil in Disguise is one of those books I'm going to turn to in the future when I need a good comfort read. It's everything I love about Lisa Kleypas and the characters she brings to life. I hope she has more second-generation stories in the works because I am here for them!

Though this is the seventh book in the Ravenels series, it stands exceptionally well on its own. Long-time fans will enjoy the cameo appearances of first-generation heroes and heroines from the Wallflowers series but readers new to Kleypas should be able to jump in here without any confusion. I enthusiastically recommend adding this one to your summer reading list.

4.5 Stars

*Advance copy received for fair and unbiased review

I was excited to read this book, because every now and then I love reading historical romance.

This book has everything I love. A big, strong Scottish man who is passionate and so kind to the people he cares about, a witty, smart woman, and steam!

I wasn’t sure what to expect, since I’ve never read a book from this author, but I was pleasantly surprised.

I really enjoyed Merritt’s character. She is charming, smart, kind… I loved how she interacted with all the characters. I love a woman who is sure of their place in this world, and that was Merritt.

Keir was… he made my heart throb. He’s so precious to me. He’s this big, strong man who believes Scots are tough and can’t be broken down. He gets a dose of reality once he falls for Merritt.

I loved the characters, and I loved getting to meet older characters that I didn’t know (but now want to go read about). I loved the plot—lots of romance and some thriller.

Overall it was a very enjoyable book.

The Devil In Disguise is the newest and final book of the Ravenel Series by @lisakleypas about Merritt Sterling- Merritt is Lillian and Earl Westcliff’s daughter, linking back to the Wallflower Series and holy Jesus, I need a family tree. So many of my faves from both the Wallflower and Ravenel series show up- it feels like a big family reunion.

Merritt is a widow who runs a shipping company in London. She meets rugged Keir MacRae, a Scottish whiskey distiller when he shows up in her office, soaking wet and pissed off due to some shipping snafu. Merritt immediately has the hots for Keir and this skanky-ho widow (Victorian term for sex-positive gentlelady) just goes for it. I think Keir had spoken like 15 words to Merritt, 13 of which were indecipherable, before they start making out. Yes Merritt, get what is yours, you pushy bitch!! Listen, bitches get shit done and in this case, Keir gets done…all the way done many times over, because girlfriend has Big Widow Energy. Merritt and Keir may be the horniest couple in this series!!!

It wouldn’t be a Kleypas novel without some drama and there is lots of drama and tension to choose from here: attempted murder x2 (poor Keir gets ROUGHED in this book), arson, hypoxia, fevers, amnesia, infertility, paternity, primogeniture (inheritance laws are dramatic, guys). I must say, with all of that going on, the story still dragged on in the last quarter. It felt like Kleypas ran out of energy to wrap up Keir’s attempted murder investigation in a compelling way. Tension regarding Keir’s rough/rural Scottish life and Merritt’s elegant/urban London life also didn’t have much resolution- I guess Merritt’s just gonna just leave her life as a shipping heiress to distill whiskey in Scotland now, lucky her. The things we do for guys who look and sound and screw like Jamie from Outlander.

My favorite part of the book was seeing all the old friends from the Ravenel and Wallflower series. Least favorite part was that I never knew what the frig Keir was saying (which didn’t really matter anyway).

Smut- 4.1 stars
Romance- 3.9 stars
Story- 3.75 stars
Slutty Widows- 50 stars always

ARC courtesy of @netgalley and @avonbooks. Thanks!!

Widow Merritt inherited her husband's shipping company, making a place for herself in a man's world. When Scotsman Keir's cargo of whiskey is in danger of confiscation, it's her job to fix the problem. The more time they spend together, the more difficult it is to keep their relationship professional. When Keir is brutally attacked, can Merritt nurse him back to health and protect him from a would-be killer?

Merritt and Keir are strong characters who fit well together. This is very much an insta-love book, although the relationship between them deepens over time. If you like Devil, you'll enjoy his inclusion in this novel.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I am such a Kleypas fan girl that this book is on my auto-buy list! The Ravenels is a great series and new readers or fans can jump right in and begin enjoying the characters and setting, then go back and read the rest of them!

Lisa Kleypas is absolutely the best when it comes to historical romance! Her books are so romantic in every sense of the word.. The poetic detail transports the reader to the London docks, to the sunlit beaches of South England and finally to the craggy shores of Scotland where you can smell the drams of whiskey.

Lady Merritt is a widow running her late husband's shipping business and finds herself on the receiving end of a disgruntled customer, McRae. But it isn't long before McRae is charmed by Merritt's warmth and she is mesmerized by the big-hearted, grumpy Scot.

While this novel is technically #7 in the Ravenels series, I think it's more accurately described as Wallflowers - the Next Generation. That said, it works perfectly as a stand-alone so even if you have never read a Kleypas novel before you can read this and enjoy it. P.S. if you have never read a Kleypas novel before then READ THIS ASAP. If you have read Kleypas before and especially if you loved the Wallflowers then you will get all the feels as your favorite characters come back in this book older, wiser and still sexy.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing and advanced reading copy so that I could provide an honest review of my opinions.

This was absolutely delightful in every way. My favorite in the series so far! A very unique heroine, a hero completely gone for her! Just wonderful. A gem of a historical romance and it was wonderful seeing Sebastian and Evie still so in love even after 30 years of marriage, and Sebastian has lost none of his devilment.
Overall, this is another beautiful addition to this series!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for an honest review

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. This is hard to type, but Merritt and Keir are my new favorite Kleypas couple. She is a strong, independent woman who took over her husband's shipping company after his death, and he is a whisky brewer from Scotland, and they are both just delightful. They are just two soft, kind people who are under the delusion that one night will ever be enough (sweet summer children). The fact that someone keeps attempting to kill him is just one of the reasons they initially try to stall their relationship. There was a fair bit of action and some mild suspense, and it was a riveting read.
While I would not say that you are required to have read the previous books in the series to understand the plot and the people, it would definitely help. There is a generous serving of cameos/recurring characters, and I loved getting to see earlier couples continuing to pop in and out. Sebastian and Evie have a fairly significant role in this book, and the two of them are always a joy. If you enjoy watching two really nice people fall in love while dealing with a heap of external conflicts, then this is definitely the book for you.

4.5 stars
Lady Merritt Sterling is a widow, businesswoman, and daughter of Earl Lord Westcliff. She is smart, capable, caring, and honest. She focuses on work and has no plans for getting married again.

Keir MacRae is a grumpy, outspoken Scot who has just hit a snag in his business due to something regarding hers. He bursts into her office and her life. He is handsome, charismatic, and oh so tempting. He is in London for a short time and then ready to head back to his home and distillery in Scotland.

The pull is hard to deny and sensible Merritt finds herself pushing him to play with fire. No matter how he tries to resist her and knows he is not good enough for her, they just seem to keep coming together. But Keir's time in London has been fraught with what now appear to be threats and things are heating up. And when he is in the worst of it, Merritt seems to be the person he wants next to him and can trust, even if he does not realize exactly why.

Secrets are revealed. Connections are made. Their lives are shaken up and turned upside down. She has her doubts and insecurities, but she is also fierce and his "wee bully. He has his own issues of self-worth regarding their differences and is an old-fashioned, honest man suddenly thrust into chaos. Their lives are lived in different worlds. But maybe fate might have led them right where they were supposed to be, but now they have to figure out if they can find a way to make it work....and stay alive in the process.

This is an engaging, sexy, swoony romance with some past secrets and suspense mixed in. I loved getting visits with old friends from the Wallflowers and Ravenels series. I enjoy the fact that the Wallflowers have instilled a sense of independence, free spirit, stubbornness, and tenacity in their daughters despite the fact that they have strong, powerful fathers. I enjoy the dynamics and close connections these families have. I will admit that Keir and Merritt's actual love story was sometimes a bit overshadowed by all that was going on and it did progress pretty fast despite a big hiccup. But I still really loved them together. He totally won my heart and he met his match in Merritt.

I know some people have been upset over the possibilities in this story, but I was totally satisfied with it and it did not change my opinion of any of my favorite characters at all. I do not think there is anything to worry about and should trust that the author knows what her readers want and would not set out to ruin her characters. In fact, I loved how it all came together and I think I might love them just a wee bit more. I always enjoy escaping back into this rich world and spending time with these amazing families.

6/5 stars! This was absolute and utter perfection. Merritt and Keir have a soul mate level epic romance. The way Keir loved Merritt was honestly one of the most beautiful portrayals of romance I have ever read about. This book transported me back into the Ravenel world and it felt like coming home to old friends.

But seriously...the way Keir adored, cherished, and worshipped Merritt was unforgettable. I want to read it all over again to experience it one more time!

This book also speaks to that understated quality Kleypas has of showing such strong female characters who are not in your face, obvious bluestocking agenda. She writes these heroines who are both soft and strong and perfect companions for the men in their lives.

Seeing so many beloved members of the Wallflower and Ravenel series, the families and friendships, was also so wonderful.

I loved every single page. This is a masterwork of historical romance.

Devil in Disguise was an exceptional story. With wonderful characters, rich details, and a strong storyline filled with twists and turns, I was captivated from beginning to end. I feel like this story made me fall in love with Lisa Kleypas all over again.

I was instantly in love with Keir and thought he was a sexy Scottish dream. He’s totally swoon-worthy with the best dry humor. He seemed so gruff but was incredibly sweet and caring with a heart of gold. I loved Merritt and her strength and perseverance. I loved how bold she was with Keir and why he was holding himself back. There were so many well-executed, entertaining moments between them that had me smiling and chuckling. I loved their dialogue, excellent banter, and flirting. They seemed so opposite at times but their attraction was undeniable, I loved that chemistry and exploding heat. There were also some seriously romantic moments in this that made me melt.

I loved the bit of mystery surrounding Keir and thought the build was amazing. With each new piece of information learned, I got more and more excited. There was so much emotion involved and I was filled with anticipation. I was absolutely THRILLED when everything about Keir was discovered. It was one of the best, I didn't-see-that-coming twists ever.

There are so many fantastic character connections involved and I loved seeing so many familiar faces from other books and series. I want to go back and reread stories and relive them all over again. I loved the bonds between the different people and seeing where everyone is at in their lives. I loved the build to different developing relationships and I got choked up so many times. It was brilliantly crafted.

Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite authors and this story is one of the reasons why. I love how it pulled me in and how inviting it was. I loved the different POVs, the incredible build and pace, the details, and the picturesque scenes. It was extremely well done. The epilogue was like icing on the cake. With engaging characters, entertaining scenes, and witty dialogue, this story is a must-read!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

🍃 Q: who’s your fave Kleypas wallflower?

One brawny, sentimental Scotsman, one soothing, take charge daughter of an Earl who’s also a shipping company magnate, & a conflagration burning between them—& it’s all written by queen Lisa Kleypas. It sounds really good, right?

It was. Also I have some big quibbles with it.

Devil in Disguise is Kleypas’s latest Ravenels offering & it’s hot & romantic & packed with so many of those emotionally resonant Kleypas moments I love. Not to mention two leads who are immediately heart- & body- struck by the other. Throughout DID Keir MacRae & Lady Merritt Sterling can’t stay away from the other without suffering.

But despite how beautiful of a writer Kleypas is & how her love stories make me feel, this romance feels lacking in moments of emotional intimacy (though the physical intimacy is 👍🏻) & two of the main conflicts feel unsatisfactorily resolved. Please see my CWs for a description of one conflict & its resolution which might be upsetting for some readers.

If you believe in love soon after meeting, DID might work well for you. I still really enjoyed it but it didn’t capture me heart & soul.

4 ⭐️. Release date: today!


CW: Merritt believes she’s barren. At the end of the book she’s pregnant.

[ID: a picture of the book underneath a flower and vine-filled pergola.]

Lisa Kleypas is one of the most prolific writers of the historical romance genre. Her name is mentioned whenever someone asks who is the greatest of all time. It is no wonder because her writing is on a level that others have trouble surpassing. You feel like you are there in the book right beside your favorite characters. Devil in Disguise is truly Lisa at her best. It catapults you back into the world of the Wallflowers and the Ravenels. She sweeps us away from the real-world problems that we deal with every day just to enjoy the world that she has spent years creating for her readers. We see cameos from some of our favorite characters of hers including Sebastian, Evie, Westcliff, and Lillian.

Lady Merritt Sterling, Lillian and Westcliff’s daughter, is running her late husband’s shipping company when a rugged Scottish whiskey distiller, Keir MacRae, comes to town. Disaster after disaster befalls Keir before they start realizing that someone wants him out of the picture for good.

“Keir turned to glance at her over his shoulder, his hair tousled, his blue eyes glinting with a smile. ‘My heart,’ he said, ‘There’s no version of me that would no’ choose you as my wife. ‘Tis the very first thing I would do.’ His gaze held hers, and he added softly, ‘The very first thing.”

This book was charming and endearing. Keir and Merritt’s chemistry radiated off the page making this story truly shine. The romance in this book was just out of this world. I found myself swooning countless times at the sweet nothings that Keir would whisper to Merritt. Their love was inescapable. They were like magnets who could not keep from being drawn to each other. No matter the differences in their circumstances or their lives. None of it mattered except their feelings for each other. A captivating and enchanting romance with a plot guaranteed to keep you guessing until the very end. It was such a pleasure to read. I felt like I was hanging out with some of my oldest and most treasured friends.

If you are already a fan of Lisa Kleypas or even of such heavy hitters in the romance genre like Lorraine Heath or Julia Quinn then you will adore this story.

~ Michelle

Devil in Disguise was an entertaining and sexy historical romance. I loved Merritt and Keir and the opposites attract trope worked so wonderfully between them. Keir had some of the funniest and also swooniest lines in the book. I’m generally not a fan of instalove, but I liked that the circumstances in the book allowed them to get to know each other a little better after such a whirlwind beginning (even if some of those circumstances made me roll my eyes). I did feel that their love story was overshadowed by the prominent cameos of previous Kleypas characters and Keir’s past however, and wished for more connection between Merritt and Keir outside of the bedroom. I appreciated how what truly makes a family was discussed in the book, so I was a bit surprised with the news at the very end. I think it would have been much more satisfying if that plot point had remained the same throughout.

Devil in Disguise is the 7th book in the Ravenels series, but can be enjoyed on its own. Truthfully, I’m surprised that it’s part of the Ravenels series at all, since both main characters have ties to characters in the Wallflowers series. A few characters from the Ravenels do appear, but I think readers will have a much more fulfilling experience if they’ve read the Wallflowers series first.

CW: death of spouse, grief, discussions of: infertility, adoption, sexism, and classism

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

Wow. Wow wow wow wow. I’m honestly not even sure where to start with this review. There was so much I disliked about this book and maybe like 1-2 scenes I actually really liked.

This review is going to be super spoilery. You’ve been warned.

So, the FMC is Merritt, daughter of Westcliff and Lillian (book 2 of the Wallflowers). MMC is Keir MacRae who turns out to be….WAIT FOR IT, Sebastian’s illegitimate son from an affair he had with a married woman long before he met Evie. WHAT THE EVER LOVING FUCK.

Merritt is a widow running her late husband’s shipping company with the help of her youngest brother.

MacRae is a Scotsman, a whiskey distiller, and apparently the spitting image of St. VIncent. Er, the Duke of Kingston.

I don’t know why this was a necessary thing to have. On one hand, it’s actually incredibly believable that Sebastian would have sired an illegitimate child in his past, given his level of rakish behavior. On the other hand, why rewrite history and paint it with such revisionist brush strokes? Evie and Sebastian are pretty much the best pairing out of the original series. Let them be.

Secondly, while I have somewhat enjoyed the Ravenels, it has become the second coming of Sebastian and while I do find it delightful at times, I get the sense that L.K. has realized the powerful pull of Evie and Sebastian and has decided to use them to attract readers who love that couple. And…I can’t believe I’m about to say this but…it has become a bit tiresome. For example, this book involves Westcliff’s daughter and Sebastian’s illegitimate offspring and yet, is part of the Ravenels series, a family to which neither party belongs. MAKE IT MAKE SENSE.

Third, the actual pairing. Like, I’m sorry, there is instalust where Merritt and MacRae fall into bed quite soon after meeting, immediately find themselves all in their FEELINGS, and honestly, it’s so fast and quick, it’s hard to believe, even for a histrom. It seems SO rushed and again, I can’t believe I’m about to say this but so much of their “connection” is about sex (there is a lot of sex, it is very steamy, I will say L.K. has plumbed new depths of sexy times with this one) but, it must be said, it’s all very physical and lacking in the emotional department. When did these two have time to fall in love? Between the murder attempts on Keir’s life and all the orgasms he was giving Merritt, it kind of seemed like they had their hands full. Er, no pun intended.

Fourth, you know the book has lost the plot (or maybe there were too many plot lines) when the best scene of the book involves 4 characters from the original series, conversing and trading witticisms and good natured barbs. (I speak, of course, of the scene between Lillian and Westcliff and Evie and Sebastian).

FIfth, Merritt announces early on in the book that the reason she and her late husband had no children is because she was barren. She even goes so far as to say she saw a specialist and due to uterine fibroids, she was told that it would be virtually impossible for her to have a baby. And then, what does L.K. do? She ends the book with a magical, miraculous surprise pregnancy. Like WHY?? WHY WHY WHY? God, I’m so irate over this book right now.

L.K. is a reliably good histrom author for me. Her books are a good time. A few hours in which I can escape to a different time and place. Nothing extraordinary but I will say, I love Devil in Winter and a few times a year, I peruse my favorite passages in that book. Devil’s Daughter was a perfect follow up for that book, in my opinion. In this book, L.K. in a desperate attempt, tried to figure out a relationship that would bond Westcliff’s family to Sebastian’s. I don’t really see why this was so necessary? Also, why have these books all involved Evie and Sebastian and for this one, Lillian and Westcliff? Where are Annabelle and Simon, Daisy and Matthew?

Anyway, I disliked this book a lot (and also, apropos of nothing, the ARC I received via NG had SO MANY ERRORS which I hope are fixed prior to final publication). There were a couple of things I did like but they are largely overshadowed by all the things I did not like, including the development of the actual romance between the 2 MCs.