Re-read Challenge: Blue Eyed Devil

Blue Eyed Devil
Lisa Kleypas
Contemporary Romance
Travis series/Book 2
St. Martin's Press/March 2008
Purchased

From the inside cover ~

MEET THE BLUE-EYED DEVIL

His name is Hardy Cates. He's a self-made millionaire who comes from the wrong side of the tracks. He's made enemies in the rough-and-tumble ride to the top of Houston's oil industry. He's got hot blood in his veins. And vengeance on his mind.

MEET THE HEIRESS

She's Haven Travis. despite her family's money, she refuses to set out on the path they've chosen for her. But when Haven marries a man her family disapproves of, her life is set on a new and dangerous course. Two years later, Haven comes home, determined to guard her heart. And Hardy Cates, a family enemy, is the last person she needs darkening her door or setting her soul on fire.

WATCH THE SPARKS FLY...

The first time I read Blue Eyed Devil I had been looking forward to reading Hardy's story. We were first introduced to Hardy in Sugar Daddy, the first book in the series. I liked Hardy a bunch and couldn't wait to read his story because I knew he had to have a story. Well, he does get a story and a HEA but it wasn't what I was expecting. I was a little disappointed that Hardy wasn't featured more in the story. If this were a movie, IMO, Hardy's name would be below the title, with only Haven's name above it. I think this time around I enjoyed it more because I knew what to expect. I knew that it was more Haven's story than Hardy's. I knew that Haven was featured more prominently than Hardy. I knew that it was told in Haven's POV. Knowing all of that changed my expectations this time around.

The second novel in Lisa Kleypas' contemporary series is not exactly a typical contemporary romance. First off it's only told in the heroine's POV. We usually get at the least, the hero and heroine's POV and sometimes secondary characters as well. This time it's just Haven's voice we hear. First time reading it, I wasn't crazy about it. This time I was fine with it. I also liked Haven more this time. The first time she bugged the heck out of me, the way she put up with the horrible treatment from her boss. I wanted so badly for her to stand up for herself. But this time, I found myself more tolerant of her actions, or lack of actions as it was.

Haven is in a really terrible marriage that she is finally able to break free from. Her ex-husband did some serious damage to her self esteem, grinding her into the ground and making her doubt herself. She comes from a family of strong, opinionated men and going home to those men isn't easy. That's why it takes her so long to make that final step. She doesn't want to believe she made such a bad choice so she keeps making excuses for her husband. Then the breaking point happens and she leaves.

Let me just say that Kleypas is an amazing writer. The grief and despair that Haven feels when she's leaving her husband and calling for help comes through so strong. Kleypas does a wonderful job making Haven's feelings and actions in her situation realistic. I couldn't help but worry about Haven and want her to be safe. I was so relieved when she finally got to Gage and felt that she was finally safe from her rat bastard husband.

Haven slowly gets her life moving forward by getting a job and her own place. She does accept the help of her brother Jack, she goes to work for him and takes an apartment in his building. She does have to work hard, she doesn't want any special treatment because the boss is her brother. I get why she feels like that but I do still think she put up with way too much crap from her immediate boss.

Hardy Cates and Haven meet early on but that's more of an "oops" meeting in a wine cellar. Then a few years later they meet up again when Haven is starting out her new life after leaving her abusive husband. Haven knows Hardy is not a person her family trusts or wants her associating with but she finds herself intrigued by him. She's attracted to him and what really surprises her is that she's not completely afraid to be around him. He's a big, well muscled guy from working on the oil rigs and yet Haven isn't afraid of him.

I liked the way Haven and Hardy got to know each other away from the Travis family. Hardy learns quickly not to pressure Haven and he suspects something had happened with her ex but he wasn't sure what exactly it was. The way he treated her and showed her he respected her went so far in helping Haven learn to trust him. I really liked Hardy and wished there had been more of him in the story. They made such a wonderful couple, with their diverse backgrounds they still had much in common.

So this read was better than the last. I didn't review it the first time but I would have rated it a B/B-. The re-read I liked it better. Still wish there had been more Hardy. :)

Rating: B+