Love in the Afternoon (The Hathaways, #5)

by Lisa Kleypas

As a lover of animals and nature, Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors than in the ballroom. Even though she participated in the London season in the past, the free-spirited beauty has never been swept away or seriously courted and is resigned to never finding love. Christopher Phelan is a handsome, daring soldier who plans to marry Beatrix's friend, the vivacious Prudence Mercer, when he returns from fighting abroad. But life on the battlefield has darkened his soul - and it's becoming clear that he won't return the same as when he left. When Beatrix learns of Pru's disappointment, she decides to help by concocting Pru's letters to Christopher for her. Soon the correspondence between Beatrix and Christopher develops into something fulfilling and deep and when Christopher comes home, he's determined to claim the woman he loves. What began as Beatrix's innocent deception has resulted in the agony of unfulfilled love - and a passion that can't be denied.

• ISBN10: 0749953098
• ISBN13: 9780749953096
• Publish Date: 2 December 2010 (first published 29 June 2010)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
• Imprint: Piatkus Books
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 336
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

Proceed With Caution:

This book contains discussions of war, PTSD, and rape threats.

The Basics:

Love in the Afternoon is the final book of the series and it does standalone. Beatrix is the youngest of the Hathaway siblings and the most eccentric. After exchanging letters with a deployed soldier on behalf of her disinterested friend, Bea finds herself in love with him and stops writing. Well, now he's back from war to claim his bride and it's not Beatrix.

My Thoughts:

Love in the Afternoon is easily the best of this series! It's by far my favorite and it was nearly a perfect 5-star read, but one poor choice ruined that. I just absolutely loved Beatrix from the very beginning of the series, so I was super happy to finally get closer to this animal lover. There's also a new lovable character, Albert, the dog who went to war with Christopher and saved him in more ways than one.

Beatrix and Christopher have a true connection! Love in the Afternoon starts with them exchanging letters for nearly two years. Of course, he thinks the letters are from Bea's friend Prudence, whom he was originally planning to court (Beatrix was far too wild and odd for his tastes). However, Prudence cares for no one but herself, so she agrees to let Beatrix compose the letters and essentially keep him interested in case she does decide that she likes him. Obviously, Bea falls in love and feels guilty! And Prudence is just an awful friend.

It was nice how the big reveal ended up not being such a huge deal. This easily could have ventured into "You lied to me! I can never trust you ever again!" territory and have gotten dragged out forever. Well, Christopher and Beatrix actually talk about it! And they talk about their individual issues as well. I actually really loved that part. I do wish there had been more of Beatrix's problem, but Christopher was dealing with so much already, so I guess it got pushed aside.

I was absolutely loving Love in the Afternoon until Christopher threatened to "force himself" on Beatrix. Twice. I honestly don't think he meant it, but...that's upsetting and gross. Why have him say that? I mean, I guess it would be a good way to get her to listen to him, because what lady wants that? But, um. No.

In the end, I still loved Love in the Afternoon. The ending made me cry. I just wish those nonsensical empty threats had been left out!

[nitzan_schwarz]

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON AFTERWORDS!

If I am completely honest - and I always thrive to be - I was surprised by how much I liked this novel. Beatrix has always been my second favorite Hathaway sibling (right after Leo) so I knew I had nothing to worry on that front, but we had very little build up toward her story in the other novels, so I wasn't sure what to expect.

What I got? Captain Christopher Phelan. I loved this guy. He returns from war a changed man, a man who no longer fits into the rule he used to occupy before, and he doesn't know what to do about it. Atop this feeling of isolation, he suffers from PTSD, which of course was a term that didn't exist at the time period of this book. So, he fears he's half mad.

The only thing keeping him going? Pru, the girl who wrote him all those honest letters while he was employed. But of course, Pru didn't write them, but Beatrix. Wonderfully free spirited, outdoorsy, compassionate and intelligent Beatrix Hathaway. 

Animals and humans alike are attracted to the unique way she looks at the world. And both cannot help but be soothed by her, which Phelan desperately needs.

The romance between them is very sweet. Beatrix is completely sure of herself and her love to Phelan. She doesn't let anything stand in the way of her showing him affection, of convincing him to take her on. To takehimself on. 

And the way Phelan dotted on her was nothing short of delightful. He never spared an opportunity to show her how much he loved her once he realized who she was. Was never afraid to tell her that he did. Was never afraid to let the whole world know about it, too. 

I'm going to take myself to the corner to swoon in peace, thank you very much.

But this wonderful novel was filled with a bittersweet feeling - because I am not nearly ready to say goodbye to the Hathaways! I have binge this entire series in a week. I have become attached to this family, like they were close friends of mine. I have rejoiced in their victories and felt sorrow at their losses.

I don't want this to be the end!

Please, Kleypas, write more novels featuring this peculiar family. I will settle for stories with them as supporting characters only, anything you'd like, but give me something. I am not okay! 

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